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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.

You won’t see any cruise ships, jet skis or thumping beach clubs here.

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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.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Lyndon J. Barrois Sr. always knew he wanted to be an artist, even as a child.

From crafting figures out of chewed gum stuck underneath the pews at his Catholic school’s church after he was forced to scrape them as punishment from teachers to collecting his mother’s discarded gum wrappers, Barrois felt a creative itch to make something out of nothing.

“I had seen too much art [and thought to myself], ‘Someone had to be doing this, why not me?,’” Barrois said with a chuckle. “I always dreamt of doing this. Other kids played with Play-Doh. I made stuff with anything I could get my hands on like clay, aluminum foil and discarded phone wire.”

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Now the 61-year-old New Orleans native is debuting his latest project at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art: “Fútbol Is Life.” It depicts some of the most iconic plays and political moments in the 95-year history of the FIFA World Cup, coming to L.A. this summer, with “humble” gum wrappers.

Barrois and LACMA curator Britt Salvesen assembled 60 works, including 40 vignettes from past World Cups and four animated short films, among them the movie “Fútballet,” which re-creates 21 famous scenes on a 50-inch soccer pitch.

Suspended artwork of Brazilian Swedish footballer Marta Vieira da Silva, known mononymously as Marta, made by Barrois. He made a conscious effort to feature women’s contributions to soccer.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A large-scale projection of a miniature of French footballer Kylian Mbappé hangs on the wall. Two life-size replicas of Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Brazil’s Marta Vieira da Silva hang from the ceiling, the first of their kind for the artist, who has done miniatures of NBA legend Kobe Bryant and NFL star Patrick Mahomes.

The exhibition is laid out to resemble a playing field.

“We really wanted to create that environment that you feel like you’re in a separate world, and my colleague Darwin Hu took a personal and creative interest in this,” Salvesen told The Times. “He did a bunch of visual research on soccer fields in schools and prisons, where fields were improvised in whatever spaces were available. We wanted to wrap the lines up the walls and have the turf. Your sense of the space changes when you go from a hard floor to a softer floor.”

With a suspended Lionel Messi at right, Noa Carter, 4, and dad Darius L. Carter of Pasadena get a preview of artist Lyndon J. Barrois Sr.’s LACMA exhibition, “Fútbol Is Life.”

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Barrois’ 1-inch tall “sportraits” are carefully painted to capture even the tiniest detail. The majority of the installations include a mirror, allowing the viewer to see themselves as part of the moments “frozen in time,” he said.

A total of 325 individual mini soccer and football players, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, are included in the show.

“I had so much fun making the sculptures that when I was done, it was like hitting a wall after all that adrenaline,” Barrois said. “Now we get to hang it. Install it. You just start to see all the things we envisioned just come to life. I love this s—.”

Before sculpting, Barrois did “tons of research, a lot of reading, [looking at] photography and video.” He and a friend rewatched the most famous plays and examined the history surrounding the World Cup, stretching back to the 1930s, and before the Women’s World Cup started in 1970.

A “Sportraits” work shows the German soccer team highlighting migrant workers’ rights ahead of the 2021 World Cup. “I chose moments that I personally thought would be important, there’s a lot of politics involved,” Barrois said.

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

“I just wanted to tell a story with the politics involved, like in 1938, the German team was all Nazis, and they’re doing the salute, and by 2022, the German team has human rights on their T-shirts,” Barrois said. “We also had the Iranian women project. All these things happened on such a huge platform. So it was a tough editing process to bring that down to 40.”

Barrois spent seven months completing his pieces.

Curator Sandra Jackson-Dumont, former director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, applauded Barrois’ use of gum wrappers.

“I like that Lyndon is using materials that are a part of our everyday lives that we take for granted and we discard,” Jackson said. “He’s using those materials to make something creative.”

Barrois was surrounded by family and friends for the exhibition’s preview, most of whom grew up with the artist. Dany Wilson, who went to elementary school with Barrois, said he was “proud of him.”

The exhibition also features works from scientist Harold Edgerton and photographer Eadweard Muybridge that explore the history of motion studies and time-lapse photography.

Nestled in lower Wharfedale, Hebden village offers stunning walking routes, trolls folklore linked to Hound of Baskervilles, Roman history, and a charming tea room in a former chapel

Tucked away in the hills of lower Wharfedale lies a hidden treasure brimming with history and spine-tingling stories.

Hebden sits within the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s protected conservation areas – this particular village occupies land where an ancient Bronze Age settlement once stood.

The area boasts stunning walking trails that wind past charming Yorkstone cottages. One notorious route leading to the village passes through a ravine called Trollers Gill.

This now-popular picnic destination harbours a sinister past. Locals once believed the gorge was inhabited by malevolent trolls who would murder humans by hurling boulders at them.

Even more disturbing, the cave at the passage’s end was thought to shelter a wolf-like creature that would slaughter anyone who locked eyes with it, reports Yorkshire Live.

This legend is believed to have inspired Sherlock Holmes creator Arthur Conan Doyle’s celebrated tale The Hound of the Baskervilles, according to Yorkshire Dales.

Romans also established themselves in the vicinity – with 33 silver denarii coins discovered in the surrounding countryside – supporting the theory that Romans inhabited the region between 30 and 170 AD.

Along the village’s main street, you’ll discover something unexpected. Within Hebden Methodist Church, formerly a school, sits a charming tea room.

Outside the Old School Tea Room, the postbox has been painted gold to honour Yorkshire’s Olympic gold medallist – rower Andrew Triggs Hodge. One Trip Advisor user described it as “the perfect pit stop”.

They explained: “We visited the Old School Tea Room while doing a loop walk from Linton, along the river, via Hebden and to Grassington.

“It was about halfway, and we were ready for cake! Lovely, characterful building, inside and out, friendly staff and a great range of cakes. I opted for a raspberry and white chocolate one. Delicious! And all with a really nice cup of Yorkshire tea. I’ll definitely be back!”.

For bird enthusiasts, there’s an impressive array of wildlife worth getting the binoculars out for, including Canada Geese, Teal and Reed Bunting.

Hebden’s more recent past has been shaped by mining. Evidence of this former industry can be spotted along the popular Lead Mining Trail, which begins at Yarnbury to the north of Hebden.

The route takes you through Orefield, one of the principal mines during the Victorian period, and skirts the edge of Hebden.

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IF you want to head to the magical Mediterranean island that’s topping the tourist lists for 2026, you might not even need to splash out much to get there.

My family of five has just returned from Gozo, which topped TravelSupermarket’s trending island destinations for 2026, and we paid just £250 return for flights, ferries and bus connections for all of us during school holidays. 

Gorgeous Gozo, set between Sicily and Malta in the Mediterranean Sea, captured our hearts, as it’s everything you’d want fro an island getaway.

With stunning coastline and countryside, incredible heritage around every corner and city streets that offer just the right amount of hustle and bustle without feeling overcrowded.

We loved how chilled out it seemed compared to neighbouring Malta – hardly surprising with a population of just 42,000, compared to 550,000 in Malta and 4.8million in nearby Sicily.

In the capital Victoria, we stumbled across the Il-Ħaġar Heart of Gozo Museum, where you’ll find a fascinating stone column running up through the centre of the museum that highlights the islands’ history, summarising the different civilisations and groups based there throughout the ages.

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The beautiful St George’s Basilica is just opposite and is well worth a visit. We all loved visiting the Neolithic Ġgantija, temples made of huge stones still standing after more than 5,500 years.

If you’re eyeing up Gozo for your family trip, there are a few easy swaps you can make when it comes to booking transport that could dramatically reduce how much it costs to reach the island. 

My first tip would be to look at regional airports for your flights. We paid £200 for return flights from Birmingham with Ryanair at the tail end of the Christmas holidays and we didn’t have to fly at antisocial hours either.

A quick look at flights in February half-term shows that Norwich is the cheapest route to Valletta currently, with flights costing half of those from London airports.

Gozo doesn’t have its own airport, so once you’ve landed in Malta, there are a couple of ways to get to your destination.

We took a bus from the airport up to the ferry port at Ċirkewwa. The bus was €3 (£2.59) each for the 100-minute journey and then the return ferry fare was just €16.25 (£14.01) for all five of us, with a crossing time of less than half an hour. 

The fast ferry from Maltese capital Valletta to Gozo would have cost us €66 (£56.88) and takes 45 minutes, with the bus between the airport and the ferry terminal taking about half an hour.

The beautiful beaches, charming city streets and historic sites that you find on Gozo are all a short bus ride from one another, so public transport is a great way to get around on the island and the €25 (£21.54) Explore Card gives unlimited travel for a week on both Malta and Gozo.

We used €19 (£16.37) cards that allowed 12 single journeys and found that to be more cost-effective for our family, spending around €90 (£77.56) on public transport over the course of our holiday.

If you’re interested in seeing Gozo using the hop-on hop-off tourist bus, I would recommend waiting until you’re on board the ferry to see if you can bag yourself a bargain.

The list price was €20 (£17.24) per adult and €12 (£10.34) per child aged 14 and below, but the rep selling tickets on the ferry offered to do us a deal of €50 (£43.09) for the five of us, so it’s well worth having a haggle if you’re up for that.

We’ve been to four of the top 10 islands on the TravelSupermarket list and Gozo is definitely a firm favourite for my family.

Searches by holidaymakers are up by 1,703 per cent according to TravelSupermarket, with the increase in interest largely attributed to the release of Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator II, filmed on Malta and showcasing some of the charms of this archipelago.

Zakynthos, Malta and Fuerteventura all make an appearance as trending islands for 2026 and while I’ve enjoyed stays on all of them, I think Gozo really does top the lot when it comes to everything we look for in an island escape.

Whether you love sun, sea or sightseeing, you’ll be spoilt for choice on this Med marvel.

For more on Malta, here’s what one woman thought when she moved there, she wears T-shirts in winter, pays no council tax and vet bills cost £25.

And here’s more on the Mediterranean island with 200 beaches that’s spending £2.1million on more winter flights.

Out on the water, paddling across the straits between two small rocky islands, the dusk fades and the stars appear. Jennie has done her best to coach me in local geography before darkness, showing me the map with its patchwork of islands and bays, and describing the shape of each landmark. All to no avail. I’m more than happy to be lost at sea, leaning back in my kayak to gaze at the constellations, occasionally checking that the red light on the stern of her kayak is still visible ahead. We stop in the sheltered lee of an island and hear a hoot. “Eurasian eagle owl,” says Jennie. “They nest here.” Then she switches off all the lights. “Let’s paddle slowly close to shore. Watch what happens.”

As soon as we move, the sea flickers into life, every paddle stroke triggering thrilling trails of cold, blue sparkles. When we stop, I slap my hand on the surface and the sea is momentarily electrified into a nebulous neural network of light, like some great salty brain figuring out this alien intrusion. Below that, squadrons of jellyfish pulse their own spectral contribution.

“When I was a child,” Jennie whispers (we are both whispering), “there was no light pollution. We would throw stones from the shore to see what we called ‘sea fire’.” I spend a pointless few minutes attempting to photograph this elusive bioluminescence, then relax and simply enjoy it. Travel should broaden the mind, not the iCloud.

We are in the maze of deserted islands off Hälsö (population: 569), one of 10 inhabited islands in Sweden’s northern Gothenburg archipelago. To get here, all it took was a short bus ride out of Sweden’s second city, a brief ferry ride, then a leisurely hike along the new coastal trail that snakes round these islands, using bridges, causeways and ferries to connect. It does not feel like a lot, not for the sensation of being on the far side of the Milky Way in a kayak-shaped flying saucer.

My own definition of an island is any land mass surrounded by water that is large enough for Robinson Crusoe to survive on. I want a beach, a lookout point and enough driftwood to build a shack. The Swedish mapping office, Lantmäteriet, however, defines an island as anything more than 9 sq metres, an area sufficient to pitch a small tent. Using this definition, Sweden boasts in excess of 260,000, though only about 8,000 have ever been settled and less than 1,000 are now inhabited. My aim on this trip is to visit about half a dozen in the Gothenburg archipelago.

The new footpath is a 21.7-mile(35km) section of the much longer Kuststigen trail that goes from Gothenburg to Oslo, but this small slice is worth taking a little time over. I base myself in Skärgårdshotellet on Hönö, where there are a few cafes and restaurants. It’s a quiet place outside school summer holidays. On the first morning, I walk over a soaring bridge to the southernmost island of Fotö and discover why the relatively short distances can take time. As soon as the path leaves the road, you are on a maze of boulders, a massive adventure playground for anyone who loves leaping and scrambling. The fantastical patterns of striations, crystallisation and lichen only cause further delays.

I am almost late back to Hönö for my boat trip with Lasse, an avuncular computer expert turned sailor, who takes visitors out on his veteran fishing vessel. We do not spot any seals – the ostensible objective – but that doesn’t matter. We spend a couple of hours wending our way through the uninhabited islands out to the archipelago’s farthest point, the rocky outcrop of Vinga. This was once home to Evert Taube, one of Sweden’s great folk music balladeers, whose father was the lighthouse keeper.

That evening, back in Hönö, in the Tullhuset restaurant at the harbour mouth, I sit with the owner, Preben Pedersen, and watch the Vinga lighthouse flash. “The islands are very proud of the Evert Taube connection,” he tells me. “Music has always been important here. The church played a big part in that.”

As usual, however, the devil had the best tunes. While the islands were once officially “dry”, smuggling and illicit production were rife, and had their own geography: Moonshine Bay was a popular hangout for local folk music heroes such as Arne I Bora (real name John Arne Jansson) who blasted out a rougher kind of melody. (He made one album, after relentless encouragement from locals). Preben’s brother, Leif, upholds the tradition, occasionally playing at the restaurant. The church retains a strong presence: I see signs out for prayer meetings. “Don’t miss the old church on Öckerö,” Jennie had told me while we were kayaking. “As kids, we were terrified of it!”

Next day, I meet local climber Andreas Lundqvist at Ersdalen, a vast boulder-strewn coastal area on Hönö. Andreas brings a crash mat and I turn myself inside out attempting routes that he breezes up without any apparent effort. The mix of the otherworldly seascape and Andreas’s storytelling about growing up on the islands and subsequent adventures makes the whole experience hugely enjoyable.

Exploring the archipelago is made simple with the Västtrafik app on your phone, so I catch the ferry out to the last, most northerly island, Rörö. The weather has turned from blue skies to thick mist, but this suits the sparse, mysterious splendour of a remote island. I squelch through bogs, scramble over lichen-crusted boulders and come across wild ponies.

The ferry back connects promptly with a bus that takes me back across the islands. There is one more place I want to explore: the old church on Öckerö. Why did local kids such as Jennie grow up terrified of this place?

It is a simple red-roofed Scandinavian church dating from the 1450s, but the door is locked and the windows too high to see anything. Determined to get inside, I ring around local contacts and get the number of the verger who agrees to come down. Ten minutes later, he arrives and unlocks, but does not enter. “Text me when you’re finished,” he says.

In the small vestibule there are some ancient stones and a sword. I step into the nave. There are 17th-century models of sailing ships in cases either side, and everything is as might be expected, with robust, precise woodwork. Then I see the ceiling frescoes. The rear of the church roof is a painted hell. No wonder the island kids were terrified: fire-breathing monsters and demons dance across the barrel-vaulted timbers, torturing sinners who are sinking into scarlet flames. But then a suspended sailing ship points the way to salvation, the colours lighten, and by the time I reach the altar, everyone is floating on clouds and blowing trumpets. I guess those are the ones who stayed away from Moonshine Bay. Painted in 1792, it is a tour de force.

Eventually, I drag myself away, text the verger and, after just a couple of bus rides and a ferry, step down in Gothenburg. I’m still feeling a little dazed, as if I’ve been somewhere very far away indeed.

The trip was provided by the Gothenburg Tourist Board and travel to Gothenburg by Interrail (a four-day in within one month adult pass is £189). The Skårgårdshotellet has doubles from £93. Jennie Walker takes evening kayak tours from £63pp Andreas Lundqvist offers bouldering adventures from £115. Boat trips with Lasse from £20

NINETIES classic Cotton Eye Joe blasts out of the speakers as my kids Poppy, six, and Raffy, four, attempt their first ever ski tricks on the “Indian piste”, gliding past cartoon figures and over obstacles like they’ve been skiing for years.

In fact, it’s only their second day. 

And I’ve got Stacey Solomon to thank for this golden memory.

It’s been nine years since I last wore a pair of skis, but watching Stacey and her gang hitting the mountains in BBC1’s Stacey & Joe made me crave a family ski experience.

So we’re on a four-night break with Ski Weekends, in the buzzing French village of Les Gets.

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Newly spruced-up Chalet Marjorie, with its alpine decor, makes for a brilliant base, just five minutes’ walk from the ski lifts and a 70-minute drive from Geneva airport.

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With table football, a dinky hammam and a large hot tub, we have everything we need post-ski.

The kids share a bunk-bed room, husband Andy and I cosy up in a double, and there’s a piping-hot power shower for our aching muscles.

Each afternoon, showstopper cakes baked by sous-chef Emily welcome us home, while chef Markus rustles up an early kids’ tea, before presenting three courses of treats such as cheesy tartiflette, duck à l’orange and brioche pud for the grown-ups.

Conversation (and wine) flow between guests – this chalet sleeps up to 42 – and sharing stories of skiing triumphs and life’s adversities at the end of the day is special.

We hire boots and skis from Désiré Sport, just seconds from the gondola.

Staff here help the children each morning with huge smiles, and welcome us back each evening with mulled wine.

After two lessons with the lovely (and incredibly patient) Guglielmo, an Italian ski instructor from Maison Sport, the kids are confident enough to join us even higher up the mountain.

Riding the chairlift up above the clouds in prep to race down a stunning tree-lined run together, my heart swells with pride.

These children, who are usually first to complain back home that their legs are tired or that they’re cold, are lapping up every moment in this incredible landscape.

But while Les Gets is part of the mega Portes du Soleil ski area – home to more than 600km of pistes – we’re very happy to take things easy, grabbing cream-laden hot chocolates, £4.50, from Télébar du Mont Blanc, and spending afternoons enjoying the snow in so many other ways.

Sister Sledge

Handily, L’Aprèski Bar sits at the bottom of the slopes and serves up a stonkingly good soundtrack and cracking cocktails next to one of the resort’s sledging spots.

So, as Poppy and Raffy race each other down on sledges borrowed from the chalet, Andy and I toast them with an Aperol Spritz, £10.50 (Bellevue-lesgets.com).

Another afternoon, we stop by the 1.1km-long 4 Season Alpine Coaster, which can hit speeds of almost 25mph.

Opened less than two years ago, it’s ridiculously good fun and the kids beg to ride it again immediately.

Rides cost £8 per sledge (Lesgets.com).

Lungs full of alpine air and kids full of a new kind of confidence, we’ve all adored exploring the mountain and celebrating each other’s wins.

Give me family adventures in Mother Nature’s playground over a theme park any day.

A WOMAN was forced to miss her holiday after she was stopped from boarding an easyJet flight when they discovered an issue with her passport.

Donna Fairclough was due to fly out of Manchester Airport and was ‘heartbroken’ to miss out on an £820 holiday to Malta.

Donna Fairclough and her fiancé Gary Broadley were due to fly to Malta from Manchester Airport on January 3, 2026.

However, Donna was turned away from the flight by easyJet because of a sizeable tear in her passport.

The damage was across the photo page of her travel document and the size of the tear meant that she wasn’t allowed to board the flight.

Talking to Manchester Evening News, Donna said: “The rip was initially about a quarter-of-an-inch. I was excited to go away. It was heartbreaking because we lost out on a holiday because of a rip.

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“I said to my partner, you can still see my face and my passport number and it didn’t affect any of that. That’s what I couldn’t understand.”

As well as missing out on their holiday, the pair have claimed that easyJet won’t refund them for their break as the rip is classified as ‘accidental damage’.

Advice on the Gov.UK website reads: “If your passport is damaged you must replace it. You may not be able to travel with it. HM Passport Office will consider your passport damaged if […] any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing.”

HM Passport Office will also consider your passport damaged if you cannot read any of the details, the cover is coming away, or if there are stains on the page.

Donna has since got a new passport and has urged other holidaymakers to check theirs before travelling.

easyJet responded in a statement that the airline is “sorry” that Ms Fairclough was not able to go on her holiday and “understand how disappointing this must have been”.

The airline added it “works closely with the authorities and complies with their guidance to ensure the safety and security of customers and crew, and this means we can’t allow anyone to travel if their documentation is damaged.”

They then advised Donna on how she could get a new passport and have been in touch with further support.

It’s not just damage to passports that can halt passengers from boarding flights, issues with expiry dates have caught travellers out too.

Previous rules allowed British passport holders to roll over 10 months from their previous passports meaning they’d have validity of up to 10 years and 10 months.

But the current rules no longer see those additional 10 months as valid, even if they are on your passport.

So, if your passport was issued in June 2015, but your expiry date says September 2025, that expiry is actually incorrect.

Instead, your passport would have expired 10 years past the start date – making the real expiry is actually June 2025.

There’s also the three month rule – a number of countries require British holidaymakers to have a few additional months left on their passport to travel.

Most places in Europe require British travellers to have at least three months left on the passport before it expires.

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Here’s another common passport mistake that is costing Brits £1.1million a year on holiday.

And another woman was left sobbing after easy passport mistake saw her BANNED from her flight.

YOU can barely explore the Cotswolds without bumping into a famous face or two.

While not strictly true – the region stretches 800 square miles after all – it is certainly the spot outside of London which has the highest proportions of A-Listers.

The most popular place is Chipping Norton, with everyone from David Cameron to Jamie Oliver living nearby.

Yet many of them have chosen to live in the smaller villages to get away from any overzealous tourists wanting to catch them.

So here are some of the lesser-known villages which have welcomed famous faces over the years, as well as what to do in each destination.

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The tiny village doesn’t have any pubs or shops, but there is the nearby Coates Roundhouse, one of the few remaining on the River Thames, as well as the Sapperton Canal Tunnel.

Otherwise you will have to head to the the nearest pub just down the road, the Thames Head Wharf, or to Cirencester which is a 10 minute drive.

Great Tew

The Beckham’s famously live near Chipping Norton, but they are in the village of Great Tew.

Here you’ll find the 16th century Falkland Arms pub, which also is a four-star hotel.

And next door is the thatched roof Quince and Clover at Great Tew, for a tea and cake.

For other activities, just outside the village is everything from celeb-loved Soho Farmhouse, to clay pigeon shooting and flying schools.

Chadlington

Another member of the Chippy Crew, Jeremy Clarkson famously lives near Chipping Norton and the village of Chadlington.

It has the cosy Cafe de la Post, run by an Australian couple with freshly made pastries and breads, or The Tite Inn pub with a popular beer garden in the summer.

Pick up some bits from the local Chadlington Quality Foods deli, or hop down the road to Clarkson’s Diddly Squat.

Little Farringdon

Near Lechlade is the tiny village of Little Farringon – where model Kate Moss is said to love.

Due to its size, you won’t find much to do here. However, it is right by Horseshoe Lake, a massive water activity centre with everything from kayaking and sailing to swimming and paddleboarding.

For pubs, cafes and hotels, the town of Lechlade is a three minute drive – make sure to pop into the aptly named The Riverside pub for a pint and place to stay right by the water.

Bisley

Home of the former Rivals author Jilly Cooper until her death last year, Bisley is another small village off the beaten track.

The only thing to do in the village is head to the 17th century The Bear Inn pub, which has been praised for its old world vibes.

Time is right and you might stumble into their annual flower show, or annual music festival in the summer.

Chalford

The home of actor Jamie Dornan, the larger village of Chalford is to the west of the even bigger Cirencester.

Bizarrely, it has previously been compared to Switzerland due to its steep hills and alpine feel.

Otherwise there is RMC Retro, a technology museum with vintage consoles and arcades, as well as a number of art galleries.

Grab some fresh produce at the local Chalford Village Shop, before stopping for lunch at the Lavender Bakehouse & Coffee Shop.

The peaceful alpine paradise is difficult to reach with no airport, and has the highest density of millionaires in the world.

For those seeking a getaway free from hordes of fellow holidaymakers, one tiny nation stands head and shoulders above the rest. According to findings from cruise and tour operator Riviera Travel, Liechtenstein delivers stunning mountain scenery, understated elegance and abundant attractions, all minus the throngs.

Throughout 2024, visitors clocked up more than 200,000 overnight stays in this principality. Set that against Serbia, the tenth least visited nation, where tourists racked up 12,662,151 nights, and it becomes crystal clear just how tranquil Liechtenstein truly is.

This serene haven, tucked away between Switzerland and Austria, ranks amongst the continent’s – and the world’s – most compact territories. It boasts the unique status of being doubly landlocked, which means it’s encircled by other landlocked states and getting to the coast necessitates travelling through no fewer than two neighbouring countries.

It’s additionally categorised as a microstate, a sovereign territory with an exceptionally modest population or geographical footprint, usually both.

As Europe’s fourth-smallest state, Liechtenstein spans barely 62 square miles and is home to 40,023 residents, positioning it as the sixth-smallest country globally, reports the Express.

Nevertheless, despite its minuscule dimensions, it has earned an enviable standing as one of the world’s most prosperous nations and continues to be governed by a monarch who features amongst Europe’s wealthiest figures. The semi-constitutional monarchy is led by the Prince of the House of Liechtenstein, currently Hans-Adam II.

As of March 2025, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index put his fortune at around £7.9billion, making him the 277th richest person on the planet.

Liechtenstein is also among the rare nations worldwide with zero debt. It was once considered a billionaire tax haven, hitting its height during a tax scandal in 2008, but the principality has since put in considerable effort to shed this reputation.

In 2020, Liechtenstein boasted the world’s highest concentration of millionaires, with 19% of households holding millionaire status. Switzerland ranked second at 15%, whilst Bahrain claimed third spot with 13%, and Qatar sat at 12.7%.

As an Alpine country, Liechtenstein’s rugged mountainous terrain draws winter sports fans to spots like the Malbun resort.

However, this very topography leaves precious little space for building an aviation facility, making it one of the few nations worldwide lacking an airport.

The nearest airport for Liechtenstein’s inhabitants is Altenrhein Airport in Switzerland’s St. Gallen canton, approximately 30 minutes away by motor. Those opting for Zurich Airport face a drive of just under 90 minutes from the capital, Vaduz.

The principality is also without railway stations and, unsurprisingly, lacks any seaports. The easiest rail links can be found via Swiss border stations at Buchs or Sargans, or alternatively through the Austrian station at Feldkirch.

Each provides superb express train connections and coach services to Vaduz. That being said, Liechtenstein isn’t completely cut off from aviation – a privately operated helicopter landing site functions in Balzers.

While Liechtenstein is a member of the United Nations, it stays beyond the borders of the European Union. Nevertheless, it takes part in both the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area, shares a customs union and monetary union with Switzerland, and utilises the Swiss franc as its official currency.

Appledore is a beautiful village in north Devon. It is hoping to showcase all it has to offer to even more visitors when its Clean Maritime Innovation Centre opens later this year

A small coastal village steeped in history and a rich shipbuilding heritage, with a vibrant seafood scene and colourful cottages, is hoping a futuristic, million-pound project will put it firmly on the map.

The tiny village of Appledore isn’t one of the most well-known places in Devon, but can certainly be characterised among the most beautiful, with narrow, winding lanes, a bustling quayside to explore, and pastel-coloured houses and coastal views. Its estuary shore is suitable for beachcombing and exploring rock pools.

Located in north Devon at the meeting of the Rivers Torridge and Taw, the village is built on the centuries-old traditions of shipbuilding and fishing.

Renowned for its maritime heritage and vibrant seafood scene, Appledore is also celebrated for its art and creativity, hosting regular arts festivals and resident craftspeople showcasing ceramics, photography, jewellery and more in independent shops and markets.

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But while the village has a multitude of offerings for those already in the know, Appledore is hoping to boost its popularity among people outside the local area with the opening of its Clean Maritime Innovation Centre later this year.

The global innovation centre has received £15.6million in government funding and aims to support research in clean propulsion, autonomous vessels and marine sustainability.

Due to open in late 2026, the centre will also provide a base for floating offshore wind activity in northern Devon, with the electricity generated able to power approximately three million homes and create 3,000 jobs.

The maritime sector has played such a significant role in Appledore’s history and this project will be a real opportunity for the village to move into a national maritime future. The project is being delivered with funding support from the UK government through the Levelling Up Fund, the Community Regeneration Partnership, and the Devon and Torbay devolution deal. Devon County Council is overseeing the financial management.

Initial construction involves enhancements to the wall along New Quay Street, with full-scale building work set to start in the autumn. Preliminary works began in April, including the creation of a new quay to improve estuary access.

Councillor Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council, said: “This is a very exciting step in the journey of this project, not just for Appledore, but for the wider district. We hope that the delivery of this centre will put Appledore and Torridge at the forefront of innovation and investment in clean maritime energy. By getting as many local tradespeople involved in the build as possible, we hope that this will be just the start of future job creation and investment in the area.”

Reviews of Appledore praise the villages colourful look and picturesque charm.

One reviewer wrote: “Appledore is a lovely place with lots of interesting nooks and crannies with brightly-coloured houses. It’s a lot less busy and touristy than some of its bier neighbours.”

Another said: “Appledore is great – very pretty with small craft shops, cafes, restaurants and is incredibly dog-friendly. Would definitely visit again.”