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YOU won’t need to travel far if you want to head to one of the best destinations in Europe this summer, as it is right here in the UK.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens near Cranbrook in Kent, have been named the third best place to visit in Europe this year.

According to Travel + Leisure, Jim Strong, a member of Travel + Leisure’s Travel Advisory Board and president of Strong Travel Services said: “Kent is known as the ‘Garden of England,’ and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens do not disappoint.

“The lawns and terraced colors of wildflowers of the area are a treat to the soul.

“A stroll around the grounds is tranquil in any weather, but spring and summer are the highlights.”

Originally starting out as a prison for around 3,000 captured French sailors in the 1700s, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is a great spot for a family day out.

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When visiting today, you’ll mostly see what has been left by Vita Sackville-West – a poet and writer – and her diplomat husband, Harold Nicolson.

According to The National Trust, when Vita first saw the house she said: “I fell in love; love at first sight.

“I saw what might be made of it.

“It was Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.”

Together they transformed the castle in the 1930s adding the garden ‘rooms’ – different, walled areas of the garden – and planting colourful flowers.

One major feature of the destination is the 80-step Tower, which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding estate.

It used to be Vita’s Writing Room where she crafted her novels and poetry, as well as her weekly gardening column that featured in The Observer.

Her novels included All Passion Spent (1931) and Thirty Clocks Strike the Hour (1932).

If you are visiting for a day, you’ll be able to explore the garden ‘rooms’, including the Rose Garden and the White Garden.

There is then a ‘No Dig’ garden with vegetables, fruits and herbs as well.

Another part of the garden is called Delos – it is named after the Greek island and was inspired by the couples’ numerous visits there.

Delos also boasts a number of Greek artefacts including a number of Hellenistic altars that came from the island.

Inside the castle itself, drop by The Big Room (the library), where Vita and Harold used to host events and entertain guests.

If you fancy a little bit of retail therapy and have green fingers yourself, there is a Plant Shop that sells seasonal vegetables and plants that have been grown on site.

Alternatively, head to the main shop which sells a range of items including local products, homeware items and books, including works by Vita and Harold.

If there aren’t enough books in the shop for you though, there is a second-hand bookshop as well.

After all your exploring, grab a bite to eat and something to drink at The Old Dairy Cafe, where you can sit either inside or outside.

At The Granary restaurant, you can grab a bigger meal if you like as well as lunch boxes ideal for kids.

The destination is dog-friendly as well and has two walks you can head off on, which is a great way to see the estate.

For those who want an easier walk, there is a one-mile route but for those who want to enjoy a bit more time in nature there is a three-mile route as well.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden costs from £20 per adult and £10 per child to visit.

If you want to enjoy more time in the gardens, then you can opt to stay at the edge of the gardens in the Priest’s House.

The small brick house is thought to be part of the Elizabethan mansion that made up Sissinghurst Castle, but has been completely renovated inside to make it into a three-bedroom house with cosy fireplaces and wooden beams.

The cheapest Sun Travel could find is for three nights in January 2027, costing £779 (around £43.28 per person per night based on six people staying).

Alternatively, you could stay at Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse which has nine bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis.

Rooms cost from £235 per night.

Last year, The Telegraph also named the village of Sissinghurst – which is just down the road from the castle – one of the prettiest villages in Kent.

The Telegraph commented that the village boasts “whitewashed, old brick and clapboard houses with a post office, a pub, a church and a village chippy”.

While there isn’t much to do in the village, you could grab some lunch from The Village Chippy such as cod and chips for £9.60.

One recent visitor said: “Stopped by for their seafood platter and oh goodness was it delicious.

“Food quality is excellent and the batter was so good and the chips were delicious – everything was cooked fresh while we waited.

“Highly recommend anyone to go there fantastic food.”

You can also grab a pint from The Milk House, which was the former coaching inn.

Dogs are welcome and there is also a garden area and terrace.

For more villages to explore in the UK, here are the quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.

Plus, here are five pretty English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.

The German military has revealed details of tests in which its tiny Wiesel armored personnel carrier has been airdropped under parachutes from A400M transport aircraft. While the diminutive Wiesel (German for weasel) is already notably mobile, including fitting into a CH-53 helicopter, this appears to be the first time that it has been airdropped, marking an initial step toward a significant new capability for Germany’s airborne forces.

The German Army posted a video showing the airdrop trials, which involved, among others, the German Armed Forces’ Technical and Airworthiness Center for Aircraft (WTD 61) and the 1st Airborne Brigade (Luftlandebrigade 1).

The video shows the tracked Wiesel first being loaded into the hold of an A400M within its ‘cage,’ the ATAX parachute system from the British manufacturer IrvinGQ. The load is then rolled off the aircraft’s rear ramp and descends under three parachutes. Reusable shock-attenuating airbags under the cage provide a softer touchdown. Soldiers then drive the vehicle directly off the pallet, without any significant preparation.

According to the German Army, the aim is to deliver the vehicle within 200 meters (650 feet) of the designated landing zone.

As for the Wiesel, as you can read about here, this vehicle already offers some unique capabilities.

60 Sekunden Bundeswehr: Wiesel

The German Army first began development of the vehicle in the 1970s to give added firepower to its airborne units. Initially led by Porsche, work on the project continued after the German Army abandoned its plans for the vehicle in 1975.

Ultimately, the German Army returned to the Wiesel and bought its first batch in 1985, becoming the only country to adopt the type. Rheinmetall took over series production and built more than 340 examples up until 1993. In 2001, Germany purchased around 180 lengthened Wiesel 2s.

In a drive toward simplicity, the Wiesel uses a standard four-cylinder diesel car engine from Volkswagen. The vehicle can reach a top speed of over 40 miles per hour and travel around 120 miles on one tank of gas, which is relatively impressive when you consider its diminutive size.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Wiesel is its weight. There are more than a dozen variants in total, and the heaviest of them weighs less than five tons. For comparison, the latest examples of up-armored Humvees weigh around six tons.

The Wiesel’s modest size means two of the standard variants fit inside a CH-53 series helicopter and at least one into a CH-47. Heavy helicopters can carry more slung below their fuselages, too. An A400M typically carries four of the vehicles, but it’s unclear how many can be airdropped by a single A400M, after they have been rigged up.

Considering its capabilities, it is perhaps surprising that Germany has waited so long to test the airdropping of the Wiesel. In fact, until now, the modern German Army has had no means of airdropping vehicles into the theater of operations.

Instead, airborne operations have required paratroopers to first secure landing strips before vehicles can be delivered by tactical transport or heavy-lift helicopter. Until those vehicles arrive, the troops have only limited direct tactical fire support.

With the ability to airdrop the Wiesel, paratroopers and their combat vehicles can be delivered directly to their objective, without the need for any supporting infrastructure. While the Wiesel doesn’t offer the highest level of armor protection, it does at least shield its occupants against shrapnel, rifle, and light machine gun fire. On the other hand, since it was first fielded, it now faces the threat of battlefield drones and loitering munitions, although its small size and maneuverability could help mitigate that threat in some respects. Overall, like all armored vehicles, it would still be vulnerable.

Once on the ground, the Wiesel offers a significant amount of capability for its size. The most common version is a reconnaissance vehicle with a 20mm automatic cannon and a 7.62mm machine gun, more firepower than many American light armored vehicles. Another type packs a Spike anti-tank missile launcher, the Israeli weapon having replaced the earlier TOW anti-tank missile.

There is also the Leichtes Flugabwehr System, or Light Air Defense System, which includes a command post Wiesel 2 variant and another one of the vehicles with a small radar. This last component of the system is known as Ozelot, or ocelot, and features a launcher containing four FIM-92 Stinger heat-seeking surface-to-air missiles. This is a level of small, mobile, but still somewhat protected short-range air defense capability that few nations have.

Other Wiesel ‘families’ include a mobile mortar section, including a vehicle with a computerized 120mm mortar. There are also different command post versions for unit headquarters, along with ambulances and engineering support types. In the past, there have also been studies for an uncrewed ground combat vehicle variant.

Once again, it’s not clear which of these versions might be cleared for airdropping, considering their different weights, dimensions, and the relative resilience of their equipment.

Should the trials prove successful, the ATAX parachute system would also allow the German Army to airdrop other vehicles. According to the German-language hartpunkt defense publication, these could include the airmobile Caracal, other light utility vehicles as used by both regular forces and special operations units, and uncrewed ground vehicles. Ultimately, airdropping with ATAX would also extend to the Wiesel’s designated successor, now being developed under the Luftbeweglicher Waffenträger, or Airmobile Weapon Carrier program.

These tests come as the German Armed Forces undergo their biggest transformation since the Cold War in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. As well as increased defense spending, there is a broader attempt to move from a low-readiness, expeditionary force to a high-readiness, territorial military focused on operations on NATO’s eastern flank. With that in mind, these latest airdrop tests for the Wiesel could be the start of a significant new phase for the airborne troops and their capabilities.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

NEWLY-single model Bella Hadid puts her ex behind her in a mini denim playsuit.

The 29-year-old was promoting her latest collection with Miss Sixty.

Bella said she was keen to work with the denim brand because she lives in jeans when she isn’t working.

She explained: “I love denim. When I’m not working, it’s always jeans, my belt with my buckle on it, and a button-down (shirt).”

It follows her split from cowboy tycoon Adan Banuelos, 37, at the beginning of the year.

Bella and Adan had been saddled up together since October 2024, after being spotted on a date in Fort Worth, Texas.

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He said of Bella last year: “I didn’t know God made ’em like that.”

Hadid made a dramatic hair change a year ago when she swapped her signature brunette hair for a bright shade of platinum.

She recently appeared in FX horror series The Beauty.

Viewers were left shocked as her character met a grisly end in an opening scene.

RYANAIR is relaunching twice weekly flights to a little-known Italian city – the first time in decades.

The budget airline is reintroducing flights to Forli, the first from the UK in 18 years.

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Based in the Emilia-Romagna region, Forli is dubbed by Emilia-Romagna Turismo as a “city of art”.

Flights will take off from London Stansted Airport between June and October, on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

It takes around two hours to reach Forli from the UK.

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And you won’t have to spend much either – you could hop on the first Ryanair flight on June 3 and return on June 6 for just £41.37 return.

Ryanair used to fly to the destination between 2001 and 2008, however the route was scrapped when the airline started to serve Bologna instead.

The comeback of the route has also been possible due to the municipal tax being removed, which was added to flights.

If visiting the city of Forli you will see traces of the Romanesque and Renaissance times, with ancient churches and piazzas that date back over 2,000 years.

One of the piazzas is Aurelio Saffi, which sits in the heart of the city and stretches 128 metres long, making it one of the largest squares in Italy.

Off the square, the historic centre is made up of four main streets – Mazzini, Garibaldi, Diaz and Della Repubblica.

Nearby, make sure to visit the Abbey of San Mercuriale, which has a 72-metre bell tower dating back to the 12th century that inspired the reconstruction of St Mark’s Campanile in Venice.

For those who love being outdoors, check out Parco Urbano Franco Agosto – a 64-acre park by the old city walls with free-roaming rabbits, ponds and sports facilities.

Forli is also well-known for its Romagnan cuisine with restaurants serving Piadina – a traditional bread often filled with local soft cheese and cured meats.

And the city is home to lots of bars as well, with some such as Volume Bar, offering a glass of wine for £3.05 and pints of beer for £3.48.

There are many other places to explore in the surrounding area as well.

Just 23 minutes from Forli is Bertinoro, which is a medieval citadel known as the ‘City of Hospitality’.

It is a great place to visit for panoramic views, stretching as far as the Adriatic Sea on clear days.

The city of Bologna is 29 minutes on the train, or an hour’s drive from Forli.

Bologna is known as Italy‘s capital of food and features a historic centre with 600 archways.

Or you could head to Rimini – which sits on the Adriatic coast with nine miles of beaches – is about 50 minutes away.

In other flight news, an airline is launching its first flights in two years from a UK airport to one of the world’s best food destinations.

Plus, a small UK airport is set to close for GOOD with its last flights departing next month.

This quirky village boasts England’s tiniest Grade II listed building and residents who love to see the stars at night

England boasts thousands of villages and countless tiny hamlets, each with their own unique stories to share. Communities have been moulded by history, weather patterns, landscape, geology, wildlife, conflict, inhabitants, faith, transportation and commerce.

Yet, one distinctive village in Kent is home to Britain’s smallest listed building. The close-knit community of Otford in the Darent Valley is near Sevenoaks — a town that consistently appears on ‘best places to live’ rankings.

For those yearning to escape city living and immerse themselves in the natural world, one of Otford’s attractions is that the majority of it lacks street lighting. Certain residents have claimed they “like to see the stars” and one recommending to “buy a torch”.

However, one new arrival wasn’t entirely ready for the darkness, recalling: “I remember my shock the first night after we got the keys to our house.

“I’d never been to Otford at night before. But you will get used to it, and grow quite fond of it, very quickly. Just wait for the first full moon with clear skies and suddenly the penny will drop for you.”

One long-term resident remarked: “Otford doesn’t have street lights as it’s a village not a small suburban town. There are very few people living in Otford who I think want street lights due to light pollution as it’s lovely at night when the skies are clear to see the moon and stars so easily”, reports Kent Live.

The village is home to approximately 3,500 residents, and locals are described as “really friendly” and “lovely”. Surrounded by countryside, it offers the “fresh air” that residents treasure, along with beautiful walking routes.

It’s also conveniently near the M25 and boasts rail connections to London, with journeys taking as little as 35 minutes to London Bridge with one change.

Another intriguing feature of this village — something of a claim to fame — is its diminutive Grade II listed structure, which happens to be England’s smallest. Its occupants are of the web-footed variety, as it’s actually a duck house situated in the village pond.

Historic England said: “The award for smallest listed structure goes to the Duck House in the middle of Otford Village Pond roundabout in Sevenoaks. This rubble and brick circular house shelters the luckiest ducks in England – they enjoy a food allowance from the Parish Council!”

If you are looking to relocate to Otford, Rightmove states the average property sale price over the past year stood at £810,059. The majority of properties sold were semi-detached, fetching an average of £693,458.

Values rose by two per cent compared to the previous 12 months. By contrast, Kent’s average sale price was £421,327.

Otford also has a Solar System, which is a scale representation of planets’ positions. Created for the Millennium, it guides visitors throughout the village to the various planets in proportion.

The village also features the picturesque River Darent, four churches, a village pond, pubs, cafes and shops. If you enjoy travelling back through time, you’ll adore Otford as its history and archaeology reveal people have inhabited this spot for no less than 3,000 years: including farmers during the Iron Age, Romans and Royalty.

Over the years, there has been a palace, a poor house, and a manor court. There’s a heritage trail, a Millennium Mosaic and more attractions to explore, all of which can be discovered on the Otford Heritage website.

The Bull Pub, located on the High Street, is an ancient coaching inn with roots dating back to 1512. The pub is owned by WH Pubs, who also operate The Chaser Inn in Shipbourne, The Little Brown Jug in Chiddingstone, and two other establishments in Kent.

For those keen to delve deeper into Otford’s history, a visit to Otford Palace is a must. This site was once home to the Archbishop’s Palace, dating back to 821 AD.

In 1515 AD Archbishop Warham constructed one of England’s grandest palaces, slightly surpassing Hampton Court in size. Sadly, the buildings fell into disrepair in the 17th Century, and today only part of the North Range remains.

The North West corner tower, part of the Northern Gatehouse and a connecting wall, which has been converted into a row of three quaint cottages. The site, including the Palace Field, is open to visitors.

In 1519, the hunting-obsessed Henry VIII stayed at Otford Palace with his companions, pursuing game in the vast deer park attached to the palace grounds. Between 1532 and 1533, Princess Mary, the future Queen of England, took refuge there amidst the political and religious upheaval that followed the dissolution of her mother’s marriage to Henry.

Ownership of Otford Palace was transferred to a trust in the early 2020s, preventing it from being turned into a housing development.

If you’re up for a five-mile circular walk and prefer not to drive, the railway station is just a third of a mile from your starting point. This route is known as the Otford Walk.

It takes you out of the village, along tracks, over several stiles, through wooded areas and high onto the North Downs for breathtaking views of the countryside. You can park for your Otford Walk in the High Street opposite the Bull Pub.

When Tina LaMonica and Warren Wellen purchased their South Pasadena Craftsman home in 2001, the one-car garage dated back to 1917, a time when people parked their narrow Ford Model T cars inside garages like this one.

“We bought it for $650,000,” LaMonica says of the house. “Of course, we could never afford to buy it now.”

The couple moved in when their daughters, Sophie and Ruby Wellen, were little, and their tree-lined street was full of families with young kids who rode their scooters throughout the neighborhood.

“We all grew up together and had block parties,” says Sophie, 30. Now, she adds, “There are no new families moving in. No one left. Why would they?”

Tina LaMonica and Warren Wellen sit on the patio with their daughter, Sophie Wellen, and their dog, Hazelnut, next to the 230-square-foot ADU where Sophie lived for two years. Her younger sister is now living in the ADU.

Music was always a part of their home, Sophie says, thanks to her father, Warren, 65, who is both an attorney and a musician in the alternative rock band Brahms’ Third Racket.

“He plays everything,” Sophie says. “Throughout my entire childhood, he was always making music.”

LaMonica adds, “It can be disruptive.”

So in 2021, the couple pulled together money from different sources, including a line of credit, and turned the garage into a tiny 230-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, for Warren to use as a music studio.

“It was intended to be a creative space, not a home,” says LaMonica, 64, who is a commercial real estate broker. “The total cost was around $125,000, including permits, construction and all systems — a significant investment, but one that ended up serving our family in unexpected ways.”

The garage before, left, during, right, and after, below, construction. (Tina LaMonica)

A few months after using his new music studio, Sophie, who had been in law school at the University of Michigan, moved back to Los Angeles after being away for 10 years.

“She wasn’t working right away, and like many new grads, she had student debt and credit card debt from getting through school,” says LaMonica. “Market rent in the Los Angeles area wasn’t realistic, even with a job offer lined up. So, the studio became her first home. It gave her stability and independence during a major transition.”

Sophie, who describes her relationship with her parents as close, says the ADU was always meant to be temporary and she’s grateful for it.

“At 28, I didn’t know where I wanted to live in L.A.,” she says. “I had only grown up in Pasadena, which is a small community. I felt lucky to be able to live in this little house in the back and explore the city to find the right place for me, instead of rushing to grab the first place I could, like so many of my associates had to do. It was right after the bar exam, and I was really stressed.”

The ADU features a Murphy bed and and a nice-sized kitchenette.

The kitchenette has a compact air fryer-toaster oven from Our Place, and a slim, Classic retro-style refrigerator.

After clerking for a judge in Washington, D.C., Sophie’s boyfriend William Lang moved to Los Angeles and joined her and her dog in the ADU, bringing his two cats with him.

“It was a full house,” Sophie says, laughing. “And yes, they were indoor cats! But we made it work. Finding a rental was hard. I couldn’t really afford a nice apartment in L.A. I had to save up and wait until my boyfriend got here so we had two incomes.”

It’s no surprise they felt at home. Although it’s small, the unit is sunny and bright, with a pitched roof and a big picture window overlooking the lush backyard and swimming pool. (The blinds can be closed for privacy.)

There’s a Murphy bed that turns into a love seat when pulled down, which saves space, and classic black-and-white checkerboard porcelain tile from Mission Tile in South Pasadena that gives the living spaces a surprising sense of fun. The unit also has a bathroom with a shower, a closet and a storage nook above the bathroom.

The ADU has room for a desk, flat-screen TV and comfy chair.

There’s also room for a desk, a flat-screen TV on the wall and a comfortable chair. Not having a dining room isn’t a problem because there’s a welcoming patio just outside the French doors, with two chairs, a couch and a coffee table.

“The backyard was our saving grace,” says Sophie. “Most of the time, William sat at the little table. It was cozy and nice. I got to be near my parents, and they got to know my partner better.”

The ADU has a roomy kitchenette with white cabinets and countertops, a compact air fryer-toaster oven from Our Place, and a slim retro-style refrigerator from Unique. “You can bake, broil and fry with the small Wonder Oven,” LaMonica says. “Ruby uses it all the time.” There’s also a mini-split system for heating and cooling, and if needed, a stackable washer and dryer can be added later.

A patio area provides another living space steps outside the ADU.

Soon after Sophie moved out, having lived in the back house for two years, her 27-year-old sister Ruby moved in. “She works in Torrance and can’t afford to rent an apartment close to her job,” her mother says. “The ADU gives her a chance to live affordably, stay safe and be near family, while building financial footing on her own terms.”

LaMonica is happy with the ADU, though she wishes they could have added a second floor, which the city of South Pasadena didn’t allow at the time.

She imagines a future in which one of her daughters lives in the main house, and she and her husband live in the ADU. “I think an ADU is a great long-term solution,” she says. “It keeps people from moving out of California. With an ADU, at least you can keep your family on site.”

In some ways, the small ADU is more than just a solution for young people who can’t afford to live in Los Angeles. A 2025 study found that Los Angeles ranked second among the 50 largest U.S. metros for its share of working adults (ages 25 to 40) living with parents.

Backyard homes can also help people connect with their community.

“The nice thing about the ADU is that it can give you a sense of community that’s hard to find right now because people are so isolated,” says Sophie, who now rents a two-bedroom duplex in Hancock Park with Lang for $4,500 a month. “We’re both lawyers at private law firms and doing well, but I still don’t feel like I could have a child right now and give them the life I want. It’s hard to make big life decisions in L.A., especially if you have student debt. It was really nice to have dinner with my parents every once in a while. They didn’t want William and I to leave.”

The bathroom inside the ADU.

As Southern California gets more crowded and housing costs rise, young people have to look for options different from those their parents had when they were growing up.

LaMonica says she and her husband never thought they would house both daughters in a converted garage. “But in a place like Los Angeles,” she says, “the tiny ADU turned into a flexible and essential lifeline for our family, not just once but twice.”

And maybe one day, Warren will finally get his music studio.

JUST off the coast of Portugal is a tiny archipelago that very few tourists visit, or even know about.

The little-known collection of Berlenga Islands consists of three islands – Berlenga Grande, Estelas and Farilhões-Forcado

Berlengas is primarily a nature reserve, home to lots of birds like the yellow-legged gull, guillemot, and sea life which you might spot while snorkelling.

Due to it being protected, and reasonably small, the islands have a daily limit of 550 visitors – and it can only be accessed between March and October.

With the weather this time between 18C and 25C, it’s the perfect time to visit and spend time on its beach – which is one of the prettiest in Europe.

This is Praia da Berlenga Grande, which is also the most famous beach on the island and ideal for relaxing on the golden sands.

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It’s also a good spot for swimming with one visitor saying the clear waters reminded them ‘of the Caribbean‘.

Just be prepared for it to be chill, seeing as the islands are in the Atlantic Ocean.

National Geographic called it one of Portugal’s best beaches with ‘desert vibes’.

One visitor advised to visit in September as it was quieter and they had the beach all to themselves for an hour.

Another popular way to explore the island is by boat with plenty of tours throughout the day.

Bobbing around on the water means you can see the caves that have naturally formed into the cliffside.

One of Berlengas’ most famous rock formations is the Elephant’s Trunk – which literally looks like an elephant’s head and trunk which dips into the ocean.

Another is Dream Cave, or Cova do Donho, which is where fishermen used to spend the night because of its calmer waters.

Visitors can actually stay on the island if they wish and enjoy quieter evenings when the daytrippers leave.

There’s a hotel called Berlenga Bed & Breakfast which has just five rooms and sits on the clifftop so it has incredible views across the ocean.

You can check them out from the hotel’s pretty terrace bar and restaurant.

Anyone feeling brave and wants to sleep within nature can camp out at Forte São João Baptista.

The island’s fort has camping spots and is said to give an “immersive, authentic experience”.

Visitors can sleep in an old cell and have to bring their own sleeping bags or bedding.

There’s a campsite too where visitors can literally pitch up with their own tent with rates from €8 (£6.92) per night – pitches must be booked in advance with the tourist board.

As for how to get there, ferries go to the island three times from Peniche.

The journey between the mainland and the island takes around 30-minutes with tickets costing between £15 and £35.

Get Your Guide has tours on offer to explore the island, like a Cave Tour from €41 (£35.48).

There are also catamaran tours with snorkelling stops from €42 (£36.35) and round-trip boat tours of the islands from €29 (£25.10).

Peniche is a just over an hour’s drive from Lisbon which has direct UK flights for as little as £15.

For more islands, here are some of the most beautiful in Europe with direct UK flights and some of the world’s best beaches.

And check out the world’s best island in Greece with restaurants right on the beach.

SEMANA Santa – also known as Holy Week – is the biggest religious festival celebration across Spain.

During a recent trip to the country, I experienced this nationwide event after staying in a local town and was left stunned how different it was to our Easter.

Starting on Palm Sunday (March 29 this year) the days leading up to Easter see towns and cities hosting long, dramatic processions.

While cities like Seville and Malaga are famous for their huge crowds of tourists and locals, I discovered the tradition feels much more authentic in a small town.

Oliva, in the Valencian region, is usually calm and laid back, especially compared to Spain’s tourist hotspots.

But during this Holy Week, the town is transformed as the streets I had walked down earlier that day were transformed at night.

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Huge ornately decorated floats (pasos) were carried by ‘cofradías’, or brotherhoods made up or local religious groups, including neighbours, families and friends.

The procession started in baited silence, even from the kids.

It was then that the drums began, with haunting brass create a sombre tone.

Hooded figures, or ‘nazarenos’ emerged from the darkness as they moved in unison, with costumes typically only revealing the eyes (designed to make it about the faith rather than the person underneath).

While it certainly sounded eerie, I had never seen anything like it and was swept into the atmosphere along with everyone around me.

I felt like I was part of the local community, as the smaller towns are less focused on making them tourist-friendly.

There are so many other events also on during the week. For example, at 4am on Good Friday, locals climb the nearby mountain barefoot while carrying the floats.

Seeing the small-town community coming together at this hour, sacrificing sleep and comfort showed just how deeply Semana Santa runs here.

But as the week unfolds, the mood slowly shifts from mourning to celebration.

Sweets are thrown in the streets on Easter Sunday, celebrating the resurrection – a definite highlight for the local kids.

Food plays a massive role during Easter traditions, with their pastries stealing the spotlight. 

Mona De Pascua – soft, brioche-like breads covered in chocolates and cream – are everywhere.

Traditionally gifted by godparents to children on Easter Sunday, they remain a staple throughout Semana Santa.

Bakeries are filled with them all week and sharing one feels like another way the town comes together to celebrate.

Experiencing it in such a small town away from the tourists and city spectacles is incomparable to just reading about it.

The elaborate floats, music and outfits make it an unforgettable experience – and certainly more of a celebration than the Brits eating hoards of chocolate instead.

I went in curious and came out completely blown away. It was unlike any Easter I have experienced in the UK.

For more holiday ideas, here are the cheapest family holiday destinations under three hours from UK that are over 20C this Easter.

Plus, the Spanish city closest to the UK that’s quieter than Barcelona is getting new TUI holidays.

A QUAINT English village that feels “like stepping into a postcard” has been named among the most beautiful in the world.

With no new houses since the 1600s, Castle Combe at the southern edge of the Cotswolds is already one of the most stunning in the UK.

And now the southwest Wiltshire village has been named by Conde Nast Traveller as one of the most beautiful small towns in the world, and out of 53 destinations on the list, was the only UK spot to feature.

Conde Nast Traveller stated: “[T]he town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches.”

The village has even played a star role as a set in some films, including Stardust, Steven Spielberg‘s War Horse and the original Dr Doolittle film.

One of the best ways to experience the village is to set off on a walk.

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Key points to stop by include Water Lane, where you can see a good example of the local architecture using Cotswolds stone.

One recent visitor even said it was “like stepping into a postcard”.

In the centre of the town, drop by The Market Cross – a four-column stone structure that used to act as the focal point for the village’s weekly wool markets.

Perhaps the most popular spot in town with tourists is the historic stone bridge that crosses the River Bybrook.

The bridge is Grade II listed and can be found in the lower village.

If you fancy something sweet but don’t want to sit inside, then visit Ellen’s Cottage where you will find a small cake stand in front of a charming brown cottage door.

Visitors can help themselves to cake from the stand and pop payment through the letterbox.

There’s usually a bucket full of cold drinks as well, though if you want a hot drink you can knock the door and ask for one, with a cappuccino costing £2 and a latte costing £2.50.

If you want somewhere where you can sit inside and drink your coffee, then head to The Old Stables Coffee Shop which serves a variety of cakes for £4 a slice.

If you are more in the mood for an alcoholic beverage with a side of pub grub, then you can head to The White Hart or The Castle Inn – both of which are just a few steps from the Market Cross.

You can also stay at The Castle Inn if you want to spend a night in the idyllic village.

Rooms cost from £145 a night and you can expect period features in each room, such as original beams.

For another option of where to stay, Conde Nast Traveller recommends booking into The Manor House.

Dating back to the 14th century, The Manor House boasts quiet gardens, a Michelin restaurant and an 18-hole golf course.

Rooms in The Manor House feature dark, wood panelling and ornate wallpaper and a one-night stay in April costs from £276.

There are a number of things you can do in the surrounding area as well.

For example, you could use the village as a base for a Cotswolds walk, through Bybrook Valley and the North Wiltshire hills.

Just four minutes down the road, you will find Castle Combe Racing Circuit where you can watch karting races for as little as £10 per person.

Like adrenaline? Well, the race circuit also offers a number of experiences where you can drive a car of your choice from movie cars, classics and supercars from £84.

The market town of Chippenham is a 14-minute drive away as well, where you can browse independent shops, have a walk through Monkton Park next to the River Avon and learn about the town’s history at Chippenham Museum.

To include a city in your trip, you could head to Bath, just half-an-hour away.

The UNESCO World Heritage city is famous for its Roman baths and honey-coloured architecture, using the same stone found in Castle Combe.

Chippenham is just over an hour on the train from London, with a single ticket usually costing £25 per person.

To then get to Castle Combe, you can either jump in a taxi for 20 minutes or hop on one of the regular local Faresaver buses that take about 24 minutes to reach the village and cost a maximum of £3 per way.

For more inspiration on pretty spots to visit in the UK, here are five English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.

Or if you want to keep exploring the Cotswolds, there is a tiny village with a popular garden centre and ‘dinosaur’ tree that welcomed a very famous A-lister this week.

THE Cotswolds are well-known for having celebrity visitors and the tiny village of Batsford even welcomed an unlikely A-Lister this week.

Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively was spotted there earlier this week on a visit to the region.

Blake Lively posted snaps of herself exploring the English countryside, including a tiny spot called Batsford.

She and her family visited the Falconry Centre – which coincidentally is right next to Batsford Arboretum, one of the biggest attractions in the area.

Batsford Arboretum is home to a unique collection of some of the world’s most beautiful and rare trees, shrubs and bamboos all spread across 60 acres.

There are over 1,500 tree species from Japanese maples to pines and oaks.

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One of the rarest is nicknamed the ‘dinosaur tree’.

The species was believed to be extinct for two million years before it was discovered in 1994.

Two of its off-spring were then planted at Batsford Arboretum in 2007 – and you can see them there today.

The arboretum brings in lots of visitors and is open year-round, but lots say one of the best times to go is in autumn when the leaves change colour.

Another added: “The arboretum is interesting whatever the season. From snowdrops through to autumn displays.

“Even in the depth of winter it is a pleasure to appreciate the architectural structure of the mature trees – and somewhere there is always something in flower. The collection of Daphnes is particularly noteworthy.”

However, it’s also one of the best places to see cherry blossom in the UK from late March through and April.

Tickets into Batsford Arboretum for adults start from £10.90 and day tickets for children start from £3.15.

It also has a visitor centre where the café, garden centre and gift shop are – all of which are completely free to enter. 

One visitor even called it “the best I’ve been to in a long time.”

After having a gander around the plants, head to the café which serves lunch, and a range of freshly baked cakes.

The huge Batsford House is on the estate of a Victorian country house built in 1892, but is a private residence and isn’t open to the public.

Blake Lively was in the Cotswolds visiting former Celebrity Bake Off judge, Prue Leith, who lives just 5-minutes from Batsford in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Blake Lively and her family set up shop at Soho Farmhouse in Great Tew which opened 10 years ago.

The hotel is surrounded by 100 acres of countryside, and has 113 bedrooms, cabins along with a health club, spa and gym.

There are indoor and outdoor pools, sunken hot tubs as well as plenty of activities like horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, tennis and padel.

When it comes to celebrities, Blake Lively isn’t the only one that’s been spotted in the Cotswolds.

The ‘golden triangle’ covers the most popular towns in the area; Chipping Norton, Stow-on-the-Wold and Burford.

Chipping Norton is where a number of celebrities live like the Beckhams, Jeremy Clarkson and Kate Moss.

It’s also home to Clarkson’s famous farm Diddly Squat.

Stow-on-the-Wold is said to be one of the UK’s prettiest towns and uniquely claims to have the most photographed door.

This was rumoured to have inspired Lord of The Rings author J.R.R Tolkien’s book Doors Of Durin.

Burford is a pretty Cotswolds town dotted with lots of independent shops and a popular garden centre.

Beyonce and Jay Z were rumoured to have been spotted there before.

Here’s more on the stunning Cotswolds village with its own sandy beach and lagoon – miles from the English seaside.

And Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey, who grew up in the Cotswolds, reveals her favourite town to visit.

A BITTERLY fought five-year dispute between an EastEnders star, his wife and their neighbours over a dog bite on a Lord’s estate has finally ended.

TV actor and film star John Blundell and his wife Mercina were locked in a bitter legal fight with neighbouring lodge owners Alison and Andrew Girdiefski after the row over their tiny pooch Ziggy.

The Sun can now confirm that Mercina and John have finally seen a closure in their favour, with an out of court payment after bringing a civil court case.

John – who also starred in Quadrophenia and Scum – and his wife are understood to be delighted by the result.

The long-running saga dates back to 2021 at the plush Fritton Lake estate in Norfolk, a 5,000-acre retreat owned by aristocrats Hugh and Lara Crossley, Lord and Lady Somerleyton.

Lord Somerleyton, at the height of tension, even attempted to mediate between the two warring couples, The Sun understands.

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The row all kicked off when Mercina had been visiting her neighbours’ lodge to admire renovation work when she says their small hairless Chinese crested dog, Ziggy, suddenly bit her on the wrist.

The attack, they claimed, left her with a half an in inch wound that later scarred, with the actor’s wife needing hospital treatment.

With the row spiralling out of control – John and Mercina then launched a civil case at Norwich County Court seeking damages.

The Sun has now confirmed the long-running dispute has been settled out of court.

It brings to an end to years of acrimony.

Court officials told The Sun the matter was settled out of court using a Part 36 offer – a formal settlement under the law.

A source close to the couple told us: “While the couple are selling their property at Fritton they are reluctant to talk.

“It has been a very difficult few years for the Blundell’s, who really have done nothing wrong at all.”

Back in 2021, what should have been a tranquil countryside getaway quickly spiralled into a toxic feud involving police, lawyers and estate bosses.

Relations between the couples then soured dramatically.

The dispute even drew in Norfolk Police, with officers speaking to both sides.

Ziggy was added to a register of dangerous dogs, but no further action was taken due to the time elapsed.

Complaints of harassment were also investigated by Norfolk Police – but no offences were ultimately found.

Mercina also accused the pair of taunting them by singing “who let the dogs out” and filming them nearby.

Frustrated, the Blundells launched civil action – setting them for a court showdown.

The pair even recruited James McNally – known as “The Dog Bite Solicitor” who specialises in getting civil damages on dog attacks.

The Blundells said at the time they had been quoted £1,500 for a plastic surgeon to fix Mercina’s wrist – and were believed to be seeking up to £30k in costs and damages.

And the Girdiefskis had said ahead of the looming case that they found the figures “ridiculous”.

“The sort of money you would expect to be paying somebody who has had their face ripped off by a dog, not this mere 1.2cm cut,” said Alison in July 2025.

Speaking at the time, she added: “From day one, we have accepted responsibility.

“Our Ziggy did bite Mercina and we have never denied this.”

But the dramatic court clash never happened after the Girdiefskis agreed to settle.

A court spokesperson said: “This case was settled out of court by way of accepting a Part 36 offer, therefore there is no final order or settlement details to provide.

“Both sides had solicitors so in the end the court was not involved.”

John said the retreat, meant to be a peaceful escape, had instead become “a living nightmare”.

Both couples are now trying to sell their lodges on the exclusive estate.

The Girdiefski’s and Blundells have been approached for comment.

The Sun have also contacted Lord Somerleyton.

IF you fancy a quiet escape off the coast of the UK, then an island is about to become much easier to get to.

The L-shaped Rathlin Island is six miles off County Antrim in Northern Ireland and is home to just 140 residents.

It does get busier during tourist season with holidaymakers hopping over on the ferry – which will relaunch for spring.

And there’s even more on offer with new weekend sailings starting up.

Once on the island, the main port and beach is where you’ll arrive.

Called Church Bay, it’s a small harbour with a gravel shoreline where visitors can spot seals and also check out the island’s only pub.

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McCuaig’s Bar sits opposite the bay with an adjoining Ebb and Flow Cafe.

The walls of the bar are decorated with name places from ships that have been wrecked around Rathlin.

In total, there have been over 40 shipwrecks off the coast of Rathlin Island.

The island itself has three lighthouses which are needed because of Rathlin’s unique shape.

It’s on the western tip of Rathlin Island where you’ll find the ‘upside down’ lighthouse.

It was built into the cliff face back in 1912 and has been there to guide in boats and ships ever since.

While it’s not actually upside down, the lighthouse has its lantern room at the bottom of the tower rather than the top – which is traditional.

The reason is that when it guides ships in, the light isn’t obscured by fog that usually settles at the top of the cliff.

The island isn’t just popular for tourists seeking a quiet getaway as it’s also a nature reserve for seabirds.

So you’ll be able to spot razorbills, kittiwakes and puffins.

During the spring and summertime, some of the most popular activities include heading to Knockans viewpoint.

On a clear day, from here you can see across to Donegal.

Seals will be sunbathing at Church Bay and Mill Bay – which is on the east side of the island.

For those who don’t just want a day trip to the island, there is a hotel too.

The Manor House is an 18th century guesthouse with 12 rooms, a restaurant, bar and café.

It has a rich history as the house was built in 1756 for the Gage family, who bought the island 10 years earlier.

The last member of the Gage family to live at the Manor House was Brigadier Rex Gage who died in 1973.

Now, the hotel is owned by the National Trust – single rooms start from £80 and doubles from £140.

Come spring, there will be daily crossings from Ballycastle Harbour to Rathlin Island.

The ferries will run from April 3 to September 20, 2026 with an extra return journey every Saturday and Sunday morning.

The additional return crossings will leave Rathlin at 8.30am and Ballycastle at 9.30am.

It has two ferries, one that’s passenger-only and another that can take larger luggage cases and even pre-booked vehicles onto the island if you fancy driving around.

The quickest ferry takes just 25 minutes.

For more on Northern Ireland, this pretty city has unique black cab tours, and waterfall walks.

And this quirky UK city was named one of the top foodie destinations for 2025 with historic pub crawls and cheap hotels.

A charming UK village has found a newfound status, thanks to celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay highlighting it as his coastal escape, with golden beaches and a booming food scene

A small UK village has been thrown into the spotlight as the nation’s most searched holiday destination, all thanks to Gordon Ramsay.

Just last month, the Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay was released, following the celebrity chef as he opened his latest venture, comprising multiple restaurants, at 22 Bishopsgate in London. While the foot of the series showed Ramsay in a professional light, it also offered a glimpse into life at home with his family and on holiday in Cornwall.

Used as his London escape, Ramsay showed viewers around his Cornwall holiday home, set in the charming village of Rock. This prompted a surge in searches around the village, situated on the Camel Estuary in north Cornwall, with fans asking, “Where is Rock in Cornwall?” and inputting “Rock Beach Cornwall.”

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Elliot Walker, editor of local travel guide Cool Cornwall, said: “We always knew Rock was pretty special. But its appearance in a top TV show has dramatically boosted its fame and appeal. It’s wonderful to see more people discovering what those of us in Cornwall have quietly cherished for years.”

It was an unusual spike in attention for the village, yet one well deserved, thanks to its stretches of golden-sand beaches, thriving food scene, and status as an uncrowded haven. It’s just across the blue waters from the holiday hotspot of Padstow, and has been hailed as one of the UK’s most beautiful coastal areas.

Thanks to its position on the Camel Estuary, with its sheltered, calm blue waters, Rock is a popular spot among sailing enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy further watersports. Often dubbed the “Saint-Tropez of Cornwall”, it’s no wonder that Ramsay has chosen the coastal destination as his holiday home retreat for years, and even purchased a staggering £9.65 million neighbouring property.

“Anyone who visits Rock will understand why Gordon Ramsay has chosen this as his out-of-London retreat. The estuary views, dune-backed sandy beaches, lovely coastal walks, watersports such as sailing and wakeboarding, as well as several great restaurants and pubs, make this a truly special place to spend time,” Elliot added.

To help prospective visitors make the most of a trip to the stunning coast of Rock, Cool Cornwall has published a local guide to the area, with the best things to see and do. From exploring Daymer Bay, rockpooling at Greenaway beach, to climbing Brea Hill and dining at celebrity chef and friend of Ramsay, Paul Ainsworth’s The Mariners restaurant, there’s more than enough to enjoy during a weekend or week escape.

Elliot noted that Rock is a “wonderfully laid-back, naturally beautiful destination with real soul”, that he hopes visitors will enjoy past its newfound celebrity status. “Rock has been quietly doing its own thing for years, and it will carry on doing so long after the cameras have moved on,” he added.

“If the documentary is what brings people here for the first time, brilliant. But we’d love them to stay a little longer, explore a little further, and leave with a genuine feel for what makes this corner of Cornwall so special.”

Cornwall, which attracts millions of visitors every year, has long been an escape for Brits seeking a seaside holiday, with promises of golden-sand beaches and turquoise waters. The county has even attracted attention from film and television productions, with the likes of Poldark and James Bond using the beautiful UK coast as a backdrop.

“Cornwall is no stranger to appearances on screen,” Elliot said. “Each time there is a boost in searches for the locations featured and an influx of visitors. Rock is simply the latest example of that.”

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

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.