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MEGAN Fox has stepped out in an extremely tiny satin dress for a star-studded Oscars after-party.

The actress turned heads upon leaving Jay-Z and Beyoncé’s post-Academy Awards celebration early Monday morning.

Photos obtained by The U.S. Sun show Megan, 39, standing outside a black SUV donning a body-hugging black satin slip dress.

The Transformers star, known for her uber-sexy style, showcased her curves in the sultry outfit, complete with thigh-high black stockings, a garter, black strappy heels, a choker necklace, and black sunglasses.

She wore her long dark hair in loose waves as she exited the Los Angeles venue.

Megan recently returned to Instagram after wiping her account clean in December 2024 following her pregnancy announcement.

The model shared numerous racy photos from a photoshoot, in which she wears black boot shorts, a black bra, and black leather boots.

She posed on all fours while pouting provocatively and even sticking her tongue out at the camera.

“Everything is more beautiful because we are doomed,” the Jennifer’s Body star captioned the first post.

“Love was the most savage monster of all,” she said in another.

Megan’s ex, Machine Gun Kelly, left cheeky comments on both posts, one that read, “Stoked I have your phone number.”

In the other, the musician wrote, “Stoked we had a baby.”

Many fans wondered whether MGK’s remarks hinted that he and Megan were back together, but neither has addressed the matter.

The former couple split four months after welcoming their daughter, Saga Blade Fox-Baker, in March 2025.

However, they were said to be in a “good place” while co-parenting their baby girl.

“No matter how they’ve felt about each other, they have always wanted to have a child together,” an insider told Us Weekly last year.

“They have both been communicating and are in a good place.”

MGK is also a father to a 17-year-old daughter, Casie Colson Baker, whom he shares with his ex-girlfriend, Emma Cannon.

Meanwhile, Megan shares three sons – Noah, 13; Bodhi, 11; and Journey, 9 – with her ex-husband, Brian Austin Green.

DOH! Homer – no, not the Simpsons character, I mean the ancient Greek poet – must have got it wrong when he penned his classic Odyssey saga some 3,000 years ago.

For legend has it that the tiny Dodecanese island of Lipsi is his fabled Ogygia, where a saucy siren called Kalypso kept Trojan war hero Odysseus a prisoner for seven years.

Now, according to Homer, Odysseus was desperate to escape from Ogygia and flee home to his wife Penelope in Ithaca, on the other side of Greece.

But after my week-long stay in Lipsi I can’t imagine anyone wanting to leave this lovely, laid-back island, lapped by the clear blue water of the Aegean Sea.

Especially with the cooling Meltemi breeze ensuring that, although the temperature can hover in the 30s in summer, it never feels oppressively hot.

Certainly Sally Vavoulas, from Tenterden, Kent, has not wished to leave.

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She arrived in Lipsi in 2001, fell under its spell ­— and is still there.

These days she helps run the island’s excellent winery with husband Manolis. But more of that later.

Lipsi is not one island but an archipelago.

Only three of its 24 isles are occupied — and one has just two residents — while most of the 800-strong population are clustered in a sprawling village on the main isle.

Ferries chug into the little harbour every day from Kos and Samos, a two-hour cruise away — and twice a week from Athens, a longer nine-hour voyage.

Berthed alongside them are millionaires’ luxury superyachts, which have sailed from faraway spots such as the Caribbean and the United States.

And tied up farther down the jetty are the locals’ tiny but colourful fishing smacks.

Fortunately, though, those huge skyscraper-like cruise ships are banned from Lipsi.

Lining the quay are a cluster of excellent tavernas — such as Pefko, where owner Nikos looks annoyed when I ask which is the best dish on that night’s menu.

“None is best,” he replies sternly, before breaking into a beaming smile and adding: “Everything’s superb.” Hmm, as I soon discover, Nikos isn’t wrong!

Just down the road there’s Kalypso, a restaurant owned by the brother of village mayor Fotis Mangos and named after the aforementioned siren.

Well, if she dished up a delicious sea bass like the one I tucked into, then no wonder Odysseus stayed for seven years.

Fotis, I have been warned, has a habit of suddenly breaking into song.

He doesn’t after joining me for dinner, but plays a YouTube video of him duetting with a Greek rapper on a little ditty called “Come With Me To Lipsi”.

Former PE teacher Fotis is justly proud of his “hidden gem” of an island, and would love to see more British holidaymakers venturing there.
September, he says, is ideal as the kids are back at school yet the sun is still hot and the sea remains comfortably warm.

Not too many tourists, though, because Fotis doesn’t want to turn the place into another overcrowded Santorini or Kos.

Probably unlikely, because there are no discos or nightclubs blaring out raucous music.

Nor will you find any sunbeds, parasols or pedalos on the tiny beaches scattered around its coves.

A couple do boast tavernas where you can sip a cold beer or the local aniseed-based ouzo over lunch. But most are virtually deserted and often you have them to yourself.

Two other restaurants in the village worth visiting are Manolis Tastes, whose chef was once voted Best in the Mediterranean, and Plateia, where Despina makes ice cream that is to die for.

One morning I take a 50-minute ramble along winding dirt tracks, following colourful hand-painted signs through the hills to Monodendri — which means “One tree”. It’s supposed to be a nudist beach, although none of the three sun-worshippers stretched out on towels are baring all when I arrive. And I don’t, either.

But it’s an idyllic, peaceful spot where you hear just the gentle waves.
Grand feast

I’ve hired a little runabout car from George’s Rentals but rarely use it. Lipsi is only some 16 square kilometres and you can walk to most places.

One day, hiking past lemon and fig trees, grapevines and donkeys, I bump into Dimitri, the island’s cheesemaker.

He doesn’t speak much English and only makes goat cheese — not surprising as there are twice as many goats as people on the island — but he offers me some. It’s delicious, at 13 euros a kilo.

The island is dotted with white, blue-domed churches, most just tiny family chapels with barely room to swing a cat (of which there are many on Lipsi).

One local tells me there are 400 churches, another reckons about 150.

So I ask the island’s priest as he sits sipping coffee outside a taverna. He reckons 57. And as from time to time Fr Georgios is called out to preach in all of them, he should know.

The biggest is Panagia Charou, or the Virgin Mary of Death Church, where a revered but rather strange icon shows her clutching a crucified Christ on the cross.

Every year on August 23, it seems that a bunch of withered lilies left there by a schoolgirl in 1943 miraculously bloom back to life.

The occasion is marked by a grand feast “filled with dancing and singing, eating and drinking, drawing believers from all corners”.

Out on another walk, I meet Nikiforos, who makes the island’s honey. He doesn’t speak English but happily shows me round his apiary.

Much of the honey is infused with the taste of thyme, which grows all over Lipsi. But, sadly, time isn’t on my side, and the holiday is almost over.

I manage to squeeze in a visit to Sally’s Lipsi Winery, where I taste four of their locally produced tipples.

One, a sweet red wine called Aposperitis, was served by the Greek President to Charles and Camilla during a state banquet in Athens a few years ago.

Sally wants to know which I prefer. So I umm and aah, before suggesting perhaps I should try a second glass of each.

Which is why, on my last night, I’m afraid I ended up rather tipsy in Lipsi.

The historic city has been named a better place to live than the likes of Leeds, Cardiff, York and Bath.

Dunfermline, Scotland’s historic former capital, has claimed the top spot in a new league table as Britain’s best value city. Despite only gaining official city status in 2022 ahead of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the ancient Scottish settlement has beaten major competitors including Leeds and Cardiff to secure first place in The Telegraph’s value-for-money rankings.

Analysis by property specialists Savills shows Dunfermline emerges as the most attractive and affordable option for young graduates grappling with today’s cost of living crisis. The league table saw Newcastle, Salford, Leeds and Cardiff round out the top five most economical cities across the country.

Dunfermline’s success lies in its combination of “well-paid jobs, comparatively low house prices, a favourable ratio of property costs to household income and somewhere which is teeming with culture and amenities”.

Whilst Aberdeen boasts marginally lower property prices and a slightly superior house price-to-income ratio, Dunfermline secured the title due to its robust employment market and vibrant cultural offerings.

The research highlights Dunfermline’s advantageous proximity to Edinburgh, with rail connections transporting commuters to Scotland’s capital in just 32 minutes.

Despite sitting merely 30 minutes apart, homes in Dunfermline cost more than £133,000 less than comparable Edinburgh properties on average. Savills’ research reveals that typical properties in the Fife city command £206,900, with average household earnings sitting at £56,225.

By comparison, the average London home cost £723,132 last year, against a Great Britain average of £346,683.

Those making the move to Dunfermline can enjoy the breathtaking woodland surroundings of Pittencrieff Park, whilst a mere five minutes from the city centre lies the exciting Townhill Country Park and Town Loch – the national training centre for waterskiing and wakeboarding.

The area also boasts a wealth of wild swimming spots, including Aberdour Silver Sands Beach, as well as a flourishing community of independent craft artisans.

The former Art Deco fire station has been reinvented as Fire Station Creative, a buzzing arts hub home to artists, printmakers and jewellers. Newcomers can also discover up-and-coming bands through the city’s lively open mic scene.

Steeped in history, this ancient Scottish capital serves as the burial ground for some of Scotland’s most celebrated monarchs – among them Robert the Bruce.

Local campaigner Michelle McWilliams, who took part in the city status bid, said at the time: “We were Europe’s fastest-growing town. Now we’re one of its most creative and historic small cities.”

London failed to make the top ten, with Lucian Cook, head of residential research for Savills, observing: “House prices are as high as eight times household incomes across 75 percent of the capital.”

Separately, jobs platform Adzuna has found that Leeds offers the most lucrative employment prospects of any city outside London.

IMAGINE a pristine destination with no cars and clear waters – and you’ll want to head to one Croatian gem.

Zlarin sits on the Croatian coastline about an hour from Split and is accessible via a short 20 minute ferry ride from Sibenik.

This “small undiscovered jewel” even feels “as if somebody put me in a fairytale”, according to one visitor.

The small island features a lush green landscape, 2,700 hours of sunshine a year and historically, has played an important role in being a gatekeeper of the St Ante Channel.

And you won’t need to worry about cars whizzing by you, as the island has banned them.

Despite its small size, the island has several beaches that feature crystal clear waters.

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For example, you could head to Malpaga Beach which is conveniently near the town and the ideal place to head snorkelling.

Just steps away from the town, you will also find Trutin Beach, which is a quiet, rocky spot with clear water.

One recent visitor said: “Perfect for those who value peace, picturesque scenery, and a lack of crowds.

“Accessible by boat or water taxi, it’s ideal for those seeking connection with nature in a picturesque setting.”

One thing to note about the island’s beaches though, is that most feature rocks, so water shoes are recommended.

If you enjoy hiking, you can climb to Zlarin’s largest peak – Klepac – which reaches 169metres.

At the top, you will get to see amazing views of the sea and Sibenik channel.

The island has also had a strong link to coral as since the 14th century, people have dived off the island and harvested corals.

The islanders believe that the corals have magical powers and can protect against ailments.

The island still features two coral shops and in one, you can see a grindery which is used to prepare coral to be used in jewellery and other items.

Whilst most of the island is covered in greenery, in the main town there are a couple of bars and restaurants you can choose from.

For example you could head to Pasarela, which has a laid-back atmosphere and plays folk-rock music.

Alternatively, you could visit Bar Fingnac, known for its giant pizzas.

One recent visitor said: “Probably the best place to eat on Zlarin.

“One of the best pizzas I’ve had outside of Italy.”

If you do visit either of these spots, make sure to look out at the harbour with the longest port in Croatia, measuring 131metres long and 16metres wide.

When you return on the ferry, make sure to check out Sibenik as well.

The Dalmatian coastal town sits at the mouth of the Krka River and is the older native Croatian city on the Adriatic.

The city features a Venetian-era old town, alongside two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

One of the UNESCO sites is the Cathedral of St James, which was built entirely of stone.

Just 20 minutes away, you’ll find the Krka National Park, which is well-known for its waterfalls.

The city was even a key filming spot for the Free City of Braavos in Game of Thrones.

The best way to get to Zlarin from the UK is by flying to either Split or Zadar and then driving an hour to Sibenik.

Once in Sibenik, hop on the 20 minute ferry to Zlarin, with tickets costing between €2 and €4 (£1.74 and £3.49) per person.

In other destination news, here are some beautiful destinations you can get to from the UK without flying including the ‘British Fjords’ & Caribbean-like islands.

Plus, the ‘last paradise’ Greek island unknown to tourists where locals actually go on holiday.

A small hilltop town in Italy is home to stunning panoramic views and a wealth of history – but many tourists are flocking to it for something quite different

For those who want a challenge, there’s an alleyway is a gorgeous town in Italy that stands at just 43 centimetres wide – but amazingly that’s not the world’s narrowest.

The incredibly slender street is in Ripatransone, a small village in the province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region in central Italy, known for its breathtaking views and medieval, renaissance and baroque style buildings.

And, of course, famous for the incredibly narrow alleyway at Via Francesco Lunerti, 14 which has gained significant notoriety as a result of social media and has people flock from far and wide to see it. The narrowest part is only 38 centimetres wide before it widens, funnel-like, to 43 centimetres.

The alleyway received official certification from the local Tourism Office and has a dedicated tourism sign so visitors can find it easily, near Piazza XX Settembre and Via Margherita.

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Originally a service passage between two medieval houses, over time planning modernisation meant the space between the properties was reduced as a result of building expansion – paving the way for it to become Ripatransone’s main attraction.

However, the beautiful village is more than just a small walkway. A hilltop village situated between the valleys of the Menocchia torrent and the Tesino rover, Ripatransone has a stunning panoramic view of its surrounding landscape and boasts a rich historical and artistic heritage.

As one of the oldest and most important centres in the province of Ascoli Piceno, the historic centre is medieval in its layout with buildings from 19th Century and noble palaces which run lengthwise from north to south for about one kilometre.

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The neighbourhoods sport a myriad of narrow streets and alleys which open out onto small squares with characteristic nooks and crannies.

Of course, none of the alleys are quite as narrow as the 43 centimetres-wide space which actually took the title as Italy’s narrowest from Via Baciadonne in Citta della Pieve in the province of Perugia in central Italy which stands at 53 centimetres. It was given the title in 1968 which Professor Antonion Giannetti surveyed all the alleyways in the historic centre.

However, despite its incredibly slight size, the alley in Ripatransone does not hold the world record for the narrowest. That belongs to an alleyway in the hilltop town of Gassin in the heart of the Saint-Tropez peninsula in southeastern France.

At its narrowest point, that alleyway is only 29 centimetres wide and National Geographic has dubbed it the narrowest alley in the world. As for streets officially registered in the land registry, the narrowest in the world is Spreuerhofstraße in Germany which sits at 31 centimetres wide.

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As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. Meanwhile, one lesser-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a cramped fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.

The footage in question originates with the state-owned Russia Television and Radio channel and shows a Russian Aerospace Forces Mi-28NM — the latest domestic version of the gunship — undergoing pre-flight checks at a forward airstrip somewhere in the Ukrainian conflict zone. The video reportedly dates from this month.

At the start of the video, a technician is seen handling hoses that run into the helicopter’s port-side rear fuselage via an open door. Typically, such hoses are attached to dehumidifier units, which then blow warm, dry air through the aircraft to keep everything dry. This is especially important for sensitive avionics in cold weather, as on this snowy airfield. Once the helicopter is fully powered up, it should keep itself warm enough for moisture not to be a problem.

What’s most interesting, however, is that the open door provides a rare look into this rear-fuselage compartment, which has the capacity to carry two or three people, or an equivalent load of cargo. Of course, this is in addition to the Mi-28’s two crew seated in tandem in the cockpit — the weapon system operator/navigator forward and the pilot to the rear.

The fuselage compartment, unique among in-service attack helicopters, was part of the Mi-28’s design when it was first schemed back in the second half of the 1970s. The Soviet Union had ordered Mil to design a new-generation combat helicopter, equivalent to the U.S. AH-64 Apache, but this feature was all its own.

The Mi-28’s configuration was broadly similar to the AH-64, but marked a significant move away from the philosophy enshrined in the previous Mi-24 Hind. As we have discussed in the past, the Mi-24 had been built around a passenger/cargo cabin — with space for a squad of infantry — although, as it was developed, it expanded its anti-armor capabilities, too.

A walkaround video of a privately owned Mi-24 in the United States. The passenger/cargo cabin is seen in detail from around the 11:30 mark:

Hind MI-24 Helicopter Walkaround Tour

In contrast, the Mi-28 was a tank-killer first and foremost, with no cabin, and better overall performance. However, there was internal space for a much smaller compartment and one that would be very useful for retrieving downed pilots from the battle area, especially for grabbing a pilot who went down within the same flight. Bearing in mind the expected aircraft losses on Europe’s Central Front — especially among low-flying helicopters — this made a lot of sense.

Other tasks could have included moving mechanics and tools to conduct limited repairs of other helicopters in an emergency. Potentially, it could even have been used for inserting and picking up infiltrators or saboteurs.

Having the option of using the Mi-28 as a kind of ad-hoc, or non-traditional combat search and rescue (CSAR) asset would also mean that the aircraft could operate on its own and on the fly if other air or ground assets were not available. Traditionally, CSAR helicopters have to operate with an armed escort. It’s unknown whether the passenger cabin has been used at all in the war in Ukraine, but the limited space, presence of avionics equipment, and complete lack of windows mean it’s only really suited to emergencies. For more typical CSAR missions in the Ukrainian theater, Mi-8 Hips and Mi-24s are typically used, with an escort of Mi-28 or Ka-52 Hokum attack helicopters.

As for other attack helicopter types attempting personnel recovery, the best-known incident is likely that involving two British Army Apache gunships in Afghanistan in January 2007. During that dramatic mission, four Royal Marines strapped themselves to the outside of two Apaches for an attempted combat rescue. Ultimately, they were only able to recover the body of their fallen comrade, Lance Cpl. Ford, who had already been killed.

The Italian Army, too, has explored the concept of using its A129 Mangusta attack helicopters for personnel rescue, strapping a pair of soldiers to the main landing gear struts. Meanwhile, the U.S. Army Special Operations Command operates MH-6M Little Birds with side-mounted planks to externally airlift special operators. A more elaborate modular system, used to transport small numbers of personnel, was schemed for the Bell 360 Invictus armed scout helicopter, as you can read about here.

It’s also worth pointing out another planned ‘survival’ feature of the Mi-28, namely its crew-escape system. Unlike the Ka-52, the Mi-28 doesn’t have ejection seats. Instead, the Zvezda/Tomilino Pamir-K crew seats have belts that tighten automatically when high-g loads are encountered. As originally envisaged, the crew escape system would work as follows: During any kind of catastrophic failure at altitude, the cockpit doors would be blown off, the stub wings would be jettisoned together with their loads, and an inflatable door-sill sleeve would be filled with air. This was to protect the crew from the protruding main landing gear and cannon and help them clear the helicopter, after which they would return to the ground by parachute. In theory, at least.

Ka-52 alligator and its unique K-37-800M ejection seats. Before the rocket in the ejection seat deploys, the rotor blades are blown away by explosive charges in the rotor disc and the canopy is jettisoned. pic.twitter.com/BzPP9SNXMZ

— Владимир З. (@VladZinen) December 11, 2020

In practice, it seems the crew escape system never reached operational status on the Mi-28, likely due to the very limited window in which it would be of practical use.

According to the Oryx open-source tracking group, Russia has lost 19 Mi-28s since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago. This figure could be higher because Oryx only tabulates losses it can confirm visually. Russia began the conflict with a force of around 110 Mi-28s of all versions.

⚡️Video of the destruction of the Mi-28 of the 🇷🇺Russian Air Force using an 🇺🇦FPV drone. The first recorded case pic.twitter.com/LWosDeX2Ah

— 🪖MilitaryNewsUA🇺🇦 (@front_ukrainian) August 7, 2024

The Mi-28 has had a notably protracted history since it was first flown in prototype form in 1982. The original Havoc was abandoned by the early 1990s, and Mil pressed ahead with the radar-equipped, night-capable Mi-28N version. Deliveries of production Mi-28N helicopters to Russia began in 2008, and export versions have since been sold to Algeria, Iraq, Uganda, and, apparently, now also Iran.

For Russia, the basic version remains the Mi-28N, which also undertook combat operations in Syria starting in 2016.

Less common is the Mi-28UB (only 24 of which were produced), which received a mast-mounted radar, lacking on the Mi-28N, and dual controls. As for the latest Mi-28NM version — as seen in the video above — this also has the mast-mounted radar and other changes, including new missiles. As well as having been ordered in quantity for Russia, there are also plans to bring older Mi-28N aircraft up to Mi-28NM standard.

Video of the radar-equipped Mi-28UB during a live-fire exercise in the Krasnodar region, March 2020:

Russian Mi-28UB live fire exercise

For all the changes that the Mi-28 has undergone since it first appeared, its highly compact passenger compartment remains one of its most unusual features.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

ONE of the most popular destinations in Brittany for holidaymakers was also once a thriving hub for pirates.

If you want to explore it now, you’ll find beautiful beaches, and a natural tidal pool that’s one of the best in the world.

Saint-Malo is a popular destinations in northern France with a walled city sitting on a natural harbour and some of the best beaches in the region.

One of them, called Bon Secours Beach, also has a natural tidal lido that’s one of the world’s best.

In 2022, the lido was named by Conde Nast as being one of the “14 prettiest ocean pools in the world”.

The publication said: “It’s a dream destination for water-sport enthusiasts with a sailing school nearby and diving boards to jump from.

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“Those sunbathing can enjoy the spectacular views of boats calmly sailing over the bay of Saint-Malo and Dinard.”

Many years ago Saint-Malo was a popular spot for pirates – and not for the reason you might think.

During the 12th century, Saint-Malo was declared a ‘sanctuary city’ where people were safe from all criminal prosecutions.

As a result, pirates flocked to the town until the 17th century – it’s said that as many as 50 pirate ships used the walled city as their base.

Inside the city walls now are lots of restaurants and shops, one of the most popular is Rue de l’Orme.

It’s known for having the popular dairy shop, La Maison du Beurre Bordier.

It’s famous for producing some of the best butter in the world – it is renowned for its traditional, hand-churned, and molded butter which is often used by top Michelin-starred chefs.

Around the corner from Bon Secours Beach is the popular stretch sand called Grande Plage du Sillon, one visitor said it’s “a real pleasure to explore it in any season.”

Grande Plage du Sillon is the longest beach in Saint-Malo and from there, visitors can explore nearby islands.

Both Le Grand Bé and Le Petit Bé can be reached on foot at low tide.

One of the most popular hotels is The Grand Hotel des Thermes on the beach front.

The 5-star hotel has 177 rooms – some with spectacular views across the seafront.

It has three restaurants; Le Cap Horn which faces Saint-Malo bay, La Verrière for healthier meal options and La Passerelle which is a sea view bar and tea room.

On a hot day, head out to La Terrasse to enjoy mussels, oysters, langoustines, Lobster rolls, and seafood wrap.

For outdoor pools closer to home, here are all the lidos in the UK mapped – with water slides, cocktail bars and some are even FREE to enter.

And for more French escapes, check out this seaside town nicknamed ‘Paris-on-Sea’ with seafront casinos and huge palace hotel.

“YOU, with me.” The pilot pointed at the cockpit of the two-seat-wide propeller plane and I obediently clambered in.

The tiny aircraft rattled along the runway, and I took a deep breath, only to let out a gasp after take-off as I looked down.

The crystalline Caribbean sea glittered below us, and as far as the eye could see the waters were peppered with sandy cays and islands — one of which was to be my home for the next few days.

Anguilla is just a 45-minute flight from the more-visited Antigua — and despite the island being so small that it only needs six traffic lights, it’s home to not one, but two of the best beaches in the world.

One of these is the breathtaking Shoal Bay, which I got to marvel at from my lavish ocean-view room at Zemi Beach House, set right on the sand.

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This unspoiled stretch of pristine sand is lined with swaying palm trees on one side and soft, turquoise waves on the other, both a welcome presence in the 30C heat.

The upscale hotel has an elegant open-plan layout, two infinity pools (including one that’s child-free), a walkaround bar service and a spa, which sits inside a 300-year-old authentic Thai house, transported and reconstructed piece by piece.

Lounging in the spa’s quiet zone post-massage as I listened to the sounds of the island with an iced drink, I understood why Anguilla prides itself on the slogan “Tranquility wrapped in blue”.

An entire holiday could easily be spent without leaving Zemi — after all, it also has its own tennis court, gym, boutique, bars and restaurants.

But Anguilla’s magic is not confined to the famous Shoal Bay.

Orange-flowered flamboyant trees (flamboyant by name and by nature) and colourful bungalows lined the roads as an enthusiastic local named Kelvis guided us round his home island. A short drive brought us to The Arch, a doorway-shaped rock formation over the ocean that wouldn’t look out of place in the Algarve.

Years of footfall by tourists wanting THE Instagram shot have made walking onto it now unsafe, but I was more than happy to forgo that and simply take in the vista, something I also did at the impressive Sandy Ground viewing platform.

Inland, we admired the striking architecture of the island’s Catholic church and visited Wallblake House, Anguilla’s only surviving plantation building, which now serves as a museum.

There was one spot, however, that Kelvis couldn’t take us: Little Bay. The smallest of Anguilla’s 33 beaches, this cove is only accessible by hanging onto a rope and climbing down a cliff face, or via the water.

None of us fancied going home with crutches and a cast, so we kayaked from the nearby Crocus Bay in transparent boats which allowed us to spot a couple of sea turtles underwater as we paddled.

If kayaking isn’t your thing, don’t fret — a stay at the Frangipani Beach Resort will give you a chance to visit Little Bay on their very own catamaran, the FrangiCat.

The pastel pink resort sits on Meads Bay — Anguilla’s other world-class beach that made the global top 50 — and has an intimate atmosphere without compromising on luxury in its enormous suites.

We spent the second half of our trip at Frangipani gazing out to sea from the quiet shore while petting the resort dog, Sunny, and sipping on generous rum punches.

And there is certainly no shortage of rum in Anguilla. A tasting session with Glo’s Flavoured Rums allowed us to try the locally crafted spirit on the beach while Gloria’s (Glo’s) own daughters talked us through the range of tropical options.

I’ve never been much of a rum fan, but sampling banana, sorrel, guava berry, cinnamon and ten more flavours had me asking “Why is the rum gone?” faster than you could say “Jack Sparrow”.

Luckily, lining your stomach on this island is just as exciting for the taste buds.

Modest beach shacks serve up the freshest grilled seafood with rice and peas, plantain and Johnny cakes, a delicious fried bread.

The skewered mahi-mahi at Madeariman, the spicy lobster at Mango’s Seaside Grill and the barbecued shrimp tacos at Da’Vida Beach Club are must-trys for a sit-down meal with a view, though many Anguillians will just fire up their own roadside BBQs to enjoy the catch of the day.

Rendezvous at Tasty’s is also excellent. The restaurant runs on “Caribbean time” so don’t expect your crayfish in a hurry, but it’s an excuse to spend time sipping a Carib beer on the dreamy Rendezvous Bay.

On our final evening, Kelvis suggested we head to Elvis beach bar, a favourite watering hole among the locals.

The owner was, of course, Elvis — who one minute was serving drinks from the boat-shaped bar and the next was on stage with the band singing some Bob Marley.

Swinging in a hammock as the words to Three Little Birds echoed around me, I could tell that, like its rum, this island was going to stay with me for a good while.

WANT TO visit a Greek island but with less crowds? Well, one island that is closer to Turkey might be the answer.

Jet2 is launching new flights from two UK airports to the Greek island of Samos this summer.

The routes flying from Manchester and London Stansted Airports will be exclusive to Jet2 and Jet2holidays.

There will be two weekly flights from Manchester Airport to Samos between May 5 and October 30.

And there will also be two weekly flights from London Stansted to Samos between May 7 and October 29.

Samos lies just off the coast of Turkey and is well-known for its golden beaches – with 45 scattered throughout.

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The mountainous Greek island is also known for Muscat wine and across the island there are a number of vineyards you can visit.

For example, you could head to Vakakis Winery where you can go on a relaxed tour.

If you prefer history, across the island there are a number of historical ruins to explore as well.

In Vathy, the island’s main town and port, the Archaeological Museum of Vathy of Samos has treasures from the Heraion of Samos such as statues and pots.

You can also visit the site of Heraion itself, which costs £5.24 per person to visit.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a ruin of an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hera – believed to be her birthplace.

Today, only one of the original 155 columns remains.

When it comes to exploring the island’s landscape, the green mountains provide the perfect place for a hike and the soft sand beaches are ideal for relaxing.

One beach, Tsamadou Beach, is well-known for having smooth pebbles and turquoise water.

There’s even a beach bar that will bring you drinks right to the lounger.

Another great spot is Potami Beach and the waterfalls.

The beach itself is large, but follow the river from the beach through the woodland and you will find a waterfall you can swim in.

Littered across the island there are also a number of smaller villages to discover.

In the picturesque fishing village of Kokkari, have a wander along the colourful waterfront and through narrow cobbled alleyways.

Many people who come to Kokkari enjoy windsurfing, as the area is known for having the ideal conditions for the sport.

And for those wanting a challenge, hike to Mount Kerkis which is the highest peak on the island at 1,433 metres.

The warmest weather on the island is usually from May to October and this is also when the tavernas are open – which if you do head to, you can expect to pay around €4 (£3.49) for a beer.

If you want to avoid crowds, June and September are the best months to visit.

When it comes to choosing somewhere to stay, there are a lot of villas over the island.

Though, there are some hotels as well like the Scorpios Hotel and Suites, which costs from £74 a night with a pool.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “The launch of Samos for Summer 26 gives holidaymakers and independent travel agents access to this beautiful Greek island and the exclusive chance to enjoy an authentic slice of Greece from Manchester and London Stansted Airports.

“We are very pleased to be expanding our presence across Greece by adding this brand-new gateway to our portfolio, appealing to holidaymakers looking for a laid-back Greek island experience.”

In other Greek destination news, there’s a quiet Greek island without the party crowds and locals love tourists.

Plus, inside the little-known Greek holiday destination that’s been dubbed the ‘Blue City’ – and Brits rarely visit.

This small but mighty market town was put back on the map after it reopened its huge food market, and is now a bustling community attracting thousands of visitors

A small market town underwent a major transformation and is now a thriving hub for food, shopping and picture-postcard vistas.

The market town of Altrincham, just 30 minutes from Manchester, offers a serene escape from the bustling city. In a vibrant scene, Altrincham is brimming with independent shops, a booming food scene and family-friendly attractions, among its strong community feel and picturesque landscapes.

However, Altrincham wasn’t always a thriving hub that attracted visitors near and far. Just over a decade ago, it was a much quieter town, known simply as a rural area outside Manchester, with closed-down shops and a high street that lacked appeal to visitors.

But after the town reopened Altrincham Market in 2014 with a contemporary, trendy twist, it revamped the area. The Altrincham Market & Market House became “the catalyst for change” in the area and is said to have revived “the modern market town” by offering a huge culinary scene from independent eateries.

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Altrincham has since welcomed thousands of visitors to its covered market, located in a stunning Grade II-listed building with steel beams and arched windows. Nestled in the heart of the town, the market has a spacious seating area where visitors can sample the delights from six kitchens and two bars while dining among friends.

Described as an “Independent foodie heaven”, there’s wood-fired pizza from Honest Crust, Tender Cow’s flat iron steak and chips, or delicious filling pies from Great North Pie Co. There’s also a selection of craft beers to enjoy at Jack in the Box, as well as beverages at Reserve Wines and Market House Coffee.

The food market is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 10pm, and Sunday, 9am to 6pm. The market also offers a shopping area, with traders selling vintage fashion, homeware, artisan goods and crafts, which is open Friday 8am to 3pm, Saturday 8am to 4pm, and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

Offering an exceptional day out, one visitor shared on TripAdvisor: “Sitting down in the old market halls in Altrincham is an experience you don’t want to miss. Around the tables are several restaurants where you can order various types of food/drinks/desserts. Casual atmosphere, beautiful location, great food.”

“Absolutely fabulous. Such a choice of food, wine and the atmosphere is wonderful. Loved it. Definitely worth a visit. We will be back very soon,” a second shared. As a popular hotspot, one added: “Really like it here, loads of choice to eat, but sadly not many market stalls now. Mainly focused on food. Seating can be tough at peak times, but if you walk around the full site, there’s usually something available. There’s an app to order food, but it’s a bit rubbish, so I just go to the stall and order there.”

Among Altrincham’s landscapes are green spaces and parks, along with paths along the picturesque River Bollin. Just a short drive from the town centre, there’s also the National Trust Dunham Massey Hall & Gardens, set within sprawling grounds with a deer park and country manor that was temporarily used as the Stamford Military Hospital during World War I.

Elsewhere in Altrincham, there is a catalogue of high-street and independent shops, along with a number of eateries, from the Italian Damo’s, Papa Dutch for pancakes, tapas dishes from Porta and Nahm Prik for some delicious Thai. Plus, there are bars to catch up with friends, including Costello’s Bar and Cheshire Tap, with Kennedy’s Irish Bar proving popular for a night out.

For something a little cosier during a day out and to grab a hot drink, there’s Gran T’s Coffee House, Two Brothers Coffee, and Rise and Grind Cafe. Visitors certainly won’t go hungry during a trip to the charming town.

Altrincham is also home to a sprawling ice skating rink, Planet Ice, for a fun-packed day out, with public sessions available, and to the ice hockey team, Manchester Storm. The Altrincham Little Theatre and the Altrincham Garrick Theatre present stage productions, while Inch Arts offers workshops and various events, so there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained.

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