Wemyss Bay where you can wander the gorgeous Inverkip coastal pathCredit: Getty
Most of these routes tick off multiple destinations and you can save buckets on soaring air fares going by foot, car or train and sea.
Sophie Swietochowski has ideas to inspire you . . .
GOOD FOR: FOODIES
ROUTE: Sail Poole to Guernsey then on to Saint-Malo, Normandy before returning to Portsmouth or Dover.
Saint Malo beach in FranceCredit: GettyLe Nautique restaurant is renowned for its seafood, especially the oysters — you can pick up half a dozen for £12.50Credit: Getty
IT takes just three hours to reach Guernsey via ferry — a big win if you’re travelling with youngsters.
Seafood and dairy are the food heroes here and there are plenty of seafront spots to sample them.
Le Nautique restaurant is renowned for its seafood, especially the oysters — you can pick up half a dozen for £12.50.
Expect even more plates of wonderfully fresh fish in Saint-Malo.
From this port city you can then make your way to some of Normandy’s top foodie hotspots, all within a couple of hours’ drive.
Bayeux, which is most famous for housing the historic Bayeux Tapestry, is crammed full of gorgeous apple orchards, hence why cider is a popular drink in these parts.
Ferme Lecornu is right in the city centre and offers a “Royal tasting” experience.
GOOD FOR: COASTAL VIEWS
ROUTE: Sail Holyhead to Dublin, return from Belfast (Larne) to Liverpool.
The idyllic bay at Cushendun, County Antrim, Northern IrelandCredit: Getty
THE rail routes of Ireland are among the most beautiful in the world, offering simply stuinning views of the blustery ocean as you trundle along the cliffside tracks.
This ferry and train-hopping route requires no car — so make sure to celebrate your sustainability efforts with a Guinness or two.
You won’t be hard pushed to find a decent pour in Dublin, although Mulligan’s on Poolbeg Street repor-tedly serves the best — and it’s even attracted a few famous faces in its time, including John F Kennedy and Judy Garland.
Head from one Irish capital to another, catching the train to Belfast.
If you do just one thing here, make sure it’s a Black Taxi Tour that unearths the fascinating history of Belfast’s troubled past.
Then catch the train to Larne, where the scenery gets pretty spectacular — about six miles from the centre you’ll find The Gobbins Cliff Path, overlooking the often ferocious sea.
GOOD FOR: WILDLIFE
ROUTE: Sail Penzance to the Scilly isles – St Mary’s, then Bryher and Tresco, returning back via St Mary’s to Penzance.
Tresco is the second-biggest island of the Isles of ScillyCredit: Getty
KEEP your eyes peeled because your chances of spotting dolphins are always high in both Cornwall’s Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.
Once you’ve caught the ferry over to St Mary’s island, head to Peninnis Head which offers panoramic views of the ocean.
From this high perch you can watch bottlenose dolphins hunting in the choppy waters below.
Hop on the small ferry over to Bryher where even more magnificent coastal creatures await.
We’re talking grey seals, hermit crabs and even puffins.
Your best chance of spotting them is from now until July, so if you’re heading out there, it’s a good idea to pack a decent camera.
From here, make your way over to Tresco and catch some well-deserved downtime on the glorious beaches.
Pentle Bay has previously been named one of the best beaches in the UK thanks to its white sands and peaceful turquoise waters.
GOOD FOR: WHISKY CRAWLS
ROUTE: Sail from Ardrossan to Arran then to Kintyre, on to Cowal then to Wemyss Bay via Bute. If short of time, consider a single-destination option – Oban to the Isle of Mull is just 45 minutes each way.
Head to the Isle of Mull, and sample picturesque Tobermory, home to a very fine single maltCredit: Getty
SCOTLAND blends breathtaking scenery with world-famous whisky — what could be better?
Make your way from the mainland to the Isle of Arran, which has all the unspoilt beauty of the Highlands, but comes with ocean views.
The coastal road wraps all the way around the island in 55 miles and is well worth exploring — with the famous distilleries of Lochranza and Lagg.
Or save those tipples for your next stop in Kintyre peninsula and specifically Campbeltown, otherwise known as the Whisky Capital of the World, because it was once home to over 30 distilleries.
Stay sober enough to take in the views at Cowal and then Bute (sometimes known as the Madeira of Scotland), before finishing your adventure in Wemyss Bay where you can wander the gorgeous Inverkip coastal path.
For a different tasting experience, ferry over from Oban to the Isle of Mull, and sample picturesque Tobermory, home to a very fine single malt.
HOW TO BOOK: Direct Ferries has some excellent tools for planning routes.
The travel site has designed an interactive map that identifies the most convenient port for any journey, with links out to each individual ferry operator to book.
Prices vary per journey, but all ferry journeys mentioned above cost from under £100 per car.
WITH new travel requirements in action at airports across Europe, EES is set to cause travel chaos this summer.
While you’re likely to be caught up in the chaos and lengthy queues, there are a few ways to make it more manageable.
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If you’re heading on holiday – you might get caught up in EES delaysCredit: AlamyThere have been reports of queues up to four-hours long to get through passport controlCredit: Alamy
With many Brits yet to register for EES, it’s predicted that those heading abroad for the summerholidays will be privy to delays.
Some destinations even out of season have reported queues of up to four hours.
These include airports at Brussels, Lisbon, Prague and Lanzarote.
So while you might not beat the queues – here are some tips from Sun Travel to make your next trip easier.
So if you get an early flight, there’s less likely to be a backlog.
Whereas if you’re travelling in the early evening, there could still be passengers being processed who are plenty ahead of you.
Anticipate delays
If you are taking a connecting flight, we’d advise to anticipate delays.
Of course this varies from airport to airport, but some travellers might find it will take longer to get through because of the EES requirements.
Similarly, if someone’s collecting you perhaps give them a bit more time – especially if they’re in one of the pick-up zones that costs money.
Queues at Lanzarote Airport were up to 3-hours long for one Sun Travel reporter
Go for a bigger airport
If you can go to a bigger airport and take a longer road transfer, it could be worth it.
At a larger airport there’s likely to be more EES machines than at one of the smaller ones.
For example, Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski found there were plenty more of the machines in Spain‘s Alicante Airport than in Austria‘s Salzburg.
So if you can fly into to a main hub and then continue from there, it could make your journey through the airport quicker.
Bring entertainment
If you have children, or are generally just bored of queues (and who can blame you?) – think about entertainment.
It could be worth setting the kids up with an iPad or something that will keep them occupied.
Also, bring a reserve of snacks because standing in line means no access to the airport’s cafes and shops.
Get into the priority lane
For those who are disabled, make sure to let the airline know in advance as you would usually.
After landing, staff should escort you straight through to the front of border control queues.
Many major airports offer priority family lanes at passport control for families with young children (usually under 12 years old).
Use the plane facilities
Quite simply, if you are going to be waiting in line for yours, then you want to be comfortable.
So before landing, go to the toilet on the plane.
If you’re queueing along corridors before heading into border control, then the chances are there won’t be access to toilets.
Here’s what you should expect to find when you get to an EES machine…
Select your language
Put your passport into the machine
Place your fingers onto the scanner
Look into the camera
Answer series of short questions about the trip e.g. where you’ll be staying, if you have a return journey booked and confirmation of travel insurance
Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/
IF you’re planning your next holiday but you’re on a strict budget, the experts have stepped in to help you save hundreds.
TUI‘s Commercial Director, Chris Logan – who has worked there for 17 years – as shared some of his top tricks to shave hundreds of pounds off your holidays.
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The experts have weighed in on how to save hundreds on your next holidayCredit: AlamyGreek holidays are better in shoulder seasonCredit: Alamy
One of those is forgetting that Saturday departure.
He explained: “Mid‑week departures offer a sweet spot of value and convenience for travellers.”
“Flying midweek, especially Monday to Wednesday, could save you hundreds on the exact same holiday.
” For example, this week there’s a deal for a 7-night all-inclusive stay at the 4T TUI Suneo Kenzi Europa in Agadir, Morocco for just £523pp.
“Travelling on May 4 (Monday) instead of May 3 (Sunday) currently saves you nearly £300 per person.”
Not only that, but travelling just a month out of the busy season can save you loads.
He continued: “May and September offer gorgeous weather without the peak prices.
“You’ll get balmy temperatures upwards of 20 degrees in destinations like the Canaries and Greece but pay a fraction of the cost.”
When it comes to what board you want to book, he also advises not always going for the all-inclusive.
He explained: “If you’re not a big drinker, you don’t need to splash out on all-inclusive.
“Half board could work out as much better value for money.
“And if you love exploring local restaurants and heading into town for dinner, self-catering or bed and breakfast are your best bets.”
He added: “The best hack is to always scroll down on our holiday pages – there’s a calendar that breaks down prices by departure date, so you can instantly see which days are cheapest.”
Otherwise TUI has a secret “under £500” page for all holidays that are less than that, if you don’t mind where you travel to,
Chris finished by saying: “The ‘Holidays under £500‘ page brings together all the best deals in one place – you can filter by your local airport, star rating and board type.
“It’s how customers can find some incredible deals for five-star hotels for under £500.”
One of the cheapest deals we found was seven nights in Greece in May for just £265 each.
Otherwise there are a number of five star holiday packages in Spain, Bulgaria and Tunisia that just come under £500 each.
Chris says his inside advice could save holidaymakers huge amounts on their next trip – but his hacks come with a warning: “Bargain hunters really need to act fast – my biggest tip is to lock in your next trip asap to secure the best rates, as the deals are constantly updating and changing.”
Agadir in Morocco is an affordable choice tooCredit: Alamy
SOCIAL media is a great place for discovering hacks, but sometimes they don’t always work.
To save you the time and money, we have tried and tested some of the viral travel hacks that have popped up on our social media.
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The Sun Travel team has tried and tested a number of travel hacksCredit: Getty
Whether it is grabbing an item you already have and using it for another purpose to save yourself some money or a specific product that can make travelling better, we know what works and doesn’t.
Tried and tested and would recommend
New toys for the journey
One of the best tips I’ve followed is to buy a couple of new toys and keep them out of sight until the plane journey, if you’re travelling with young kids.
Wiki sticks were recommended to me and went down a treat with my son.
You can mould them into different pieces of art, then pack them away for the next trip.
A small box of Lego works very well too, and you can even pick these up in duty free at most airports.
If you’re looking to save money, a kids’ magazine with several naff plastic toys on the front works equally well – they have often kept my child entertained for the journey and the whole trip.
CBeebies magazine, Lego magazine and Pokemon magazine have held attention for a particularly long time.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
Snoozeband
Any hack that promises to improve sleep will pique my interest and the Snoozeband did not disappoint me.
Essentially, it makes using headphones much more comfortable, particularly when you are trying to catch some kip.
I’ve used my band on many overnight flights – and it’s pretty much the only way I can ensure I’ll get some shut eye.
It looks a little like a sweatband or running headband in that it’s made from elasticated material that wraps around the circumference of your head, over the ears.
A Snoozeband is an elastic headband with earphones inCredit: Supplied
Built into the band are two mini speakers that line up with your ears and connect to your device via Bluetooth.
They most definitely save you that horrible discomfort that you get with traditional earbuds or AirPods-style headphones, particularly if you are leaning on a surface trying to catch some Zs or even when on a pillow.
– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Have an iPad for holidays-only
We have an old iPad that my child is only allowed to use on holiday.
Before the trip, I download audiobooks and Netflix shows and he’s allowed to watch as much TV as he wants on the actual flight.
He also has some apps that he is allowed to use on the holiday.
A big favourite at the moment is Simply Draw, with video tutorials on how to draw different things.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
For kids, an iPad on the plane can help keep them occupiedCredit: Getty
Universal plug adaptors over single country ones
Plug adapters are a travel essential that often prove to be more frustrating than you’d think.
It’s difficult to remember which countries use which type, and even if you think you know, you can sometimes still end up packing the wrong one.
Some countries will catch you out, too.
For example, even though Switzerland is in Europe it doesn’t use the standard EU Type C plug – it uses the Type J instead.
So the easiest way I’ve found to get around all of this is by packing a universal travel adaptor.
One simple block with prongs that fold in and out depending on which plugs and sockets you’ll need to use – nice and easy.
I often leave one in my suitcase: readily prepared for the next trip, no thinking required.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
A universal plug adaptor alleviates the stress of having the wrong adaptor when on holidayCredit: Getty
Inflatable booster seats
Hiring a booster seat from a car rental company can be astronomically expensive, costing up to £15 a day.
But you can buy an inflatable booster seat by BubbleBum for under £40 and take it on multiple holidays for years.
You’ll make the money back in just one trip.
Plus it’s also helpful for if you take taxis to the airport or go on coach transfers.
– Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)
An inflatable booster seat is a great way to save money spent on hiring a car seatCredit: BubbleBum
Balloons to cover bottles
If travelling with liquids, my biggest worry is always, what if they leak?
But a while ago whilst carrying out my daily doom-scroll session, a video came up of a woman cutting the stem off of a balloon, just to be left with the bit that would have been the spherical part of the balloon.
She then stretched this over a bottle of fake tan.
I was sold, and sure enough on my next trip I tried it out and it worked.
A bag of 20 plus balloons will set you back a couple of quid, which is well worth it when you could be saving your suitcase from being an entire ooey-gooey mess.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
If you cover your bottles with balloons, it should help to stop them from leakingCredit: Getty
TikTok underseat bag for budget flights
Ever since I had to fork out £65 in excess baggage fees at the Ryanair departures gate, I’ve made sure never to make that expensive mistake again.
I realised just before boarding that you can’t simply eyeball your travel backpack and hope for the best – especially since the eye-watering fee cost me more than my return flights to Dublin.
So when I saw the perfect underseat bag pop up on my TikTok For You Page – black, collapsible and barrel-shaped – I knew I had to grab it.
Since my purchase I’ve been able to stuff my new bag to the brim – and it still slides perfectly into the baggage sizer at the gate.
And at £11.99, this one-off purchase has saved an over-packer like me from endless extra luggage fees!
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
For Ryanair, it is worth getting a cabin bag you know fits their requirementsCredit: Getty
Ditching tours for Google Lens
A friend introduced me to the wondrous Google Lens a while back and it’s saved me hundreds on guided tours over the years.
Strolling around an unknown city and curious to know what a particular landmark is?
Snap it on your camera with Google Lens and it will be identified in a matter of seconds – and if you want to learn more about that monument’s story or historical significance, you can expand the description through use of Google’s integrated AI tools.
The Lens feature is built into the Google app, so it won’t take up an unnecessary storage on your phone.
It doesn’t just work on well known buildings either.
I often use it to identify unusual plants that I don’t recognise in tropical climates or even items of food and old artefacts in museums.
– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Google Lens can essentially act as a your tour guideCredit: Alamy
Packing cubes
If there is one thing I never do on holiday, I never check in a suitcase.
And trying all the hacks over the years, my failsafe?
The good old packing cube.
I’ve managed to cram in 10 days worth of clothes into just four packing cubes, which all fit into my hand luggage-size suitcases.
It also makes it so much easier finding my clothes, as everything is separated into tops, bottoms, jumpers and underwear.
You don’t need to spend too much on them either – certainly less than having to check in a suitcase, anyway.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Packing cubes allow you to organise your clothesCredit: Amazon
Solid shampoo and conditioner bars
If you’re anything like me, packing your liquids bag often feels like an impossible challenge of fitting a million make-up items into one tiny pouch.
And once you’ve got your mascara, concealer, foundation and perfume in there, suddenly there’s no more room for your actual shower essentials.
So instead of buying a large (and often more expensive than you’d hope) shampoo and conditioner abroad, I recommend packing a solid shampoo and conditioner bar.
These won’t affect your liquids allowance, which is especially great when you’re travelling with hand luggage only.
My personal favourites are from Lush – the Squeaky Green shampoo is packed with fragrant herbs and flowers, and the ‘Big’ conditioner leaves my hair beachy and shiny with a coconut oil and vanilla scent.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Solid shampoo is great if you are worried about bottles leaking in your bagCredit: Alamy
Free calculator currency converter
Trying to work out if that Moroccan souk bag is really a bargain? Not sure if that cheap glass of wine is really so cheap?
You don’t need any fancy currency converter apps.
Did you know that the iPhone calculator app can be used instead?
Simply click the button at the top right and change it from Basic to Convert.
And there we go – every currency you can think of at your fingertips, so you don’t end up paying £1,000 for that rug you thought was £100 instead…
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
If you have an iPhone, then you can convert currencies on a calculatorCredit: Getty
Tried and tested and wouldn’t recommend
Foot hammock
With an old knee injury, long haul flights in economy can be pretty unbearable.
So when everyone was raving about ‘foot hammocks’ which you can tie underneath the plane seat, I was intrigued.
The mini hammock is meant to raise your legs to a higher, more comfortable position to ease pressure on your knees and back.
However, I found it didn’t help at all, instead just making my feet slide together and feel even more crammed in.
My cheaper, easier hack?
Just put a small bag on the floor underneath the seat in front of you, and rest your feet on that instead. Voila.
– Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor
Foot hammocks are not worth the money according to Kara GodfreyCredit: Amazon
Mobile phone straps
A strap for your phone that hangs around your neck, allowing you to go hands free, sounds great. In reality, however, it falls short.
I don’t think you’ll ever feel fully secure parading one of your most valuable possessions around on display for the world to see, especially in city or festival environments.
The only thing standing between you and a thief is your neck.
And I’m not sure I’d fancy putting my neck on the line (quite literally).
The one time I did use a mobile strap, I found that I wasn’t able to wear it for long as my neck started to ache – and wearing it across the body, on one shoulder, defeats the purpose of having your phone easily accessible as I’d have to remove it from under my arm to use my device.
The one time I did find it useful was at a theme park, when on a roller coaster – although many places don’t allow this.
In general, though, a cross body bag is much more practical. You can carry a shed load more, too.
– Sophie Sweitochowski, Assistant Travel Editor
Mobile phone straps sit around your neck which can be uncomfortableCredit: Shutterstock
Elastic band phone strap
I love taking photos and videos on my phone when away, but in some spots I am stressed about losing it forever.
For example, let’s say you are on a boat tour and want to lean over the edge of the boat to take photos of the vibrant blue water.
The fear is that you’ll drop your phone in the sea, right?
Well, if you have an elastic band or hairband, you can loop this through the bottom of your phone case and pop it around your wrist for a makeshift wristband.
After seeing this on Instagram, I thought it was a great idea.
That was until the hairband snapped and my phone plummeted to the ground. Luckily, I wasn’t there.
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
Mini toiletries
So-called ‘travel-sized’ toiletries are not suitable for travel at all – unless you’re planning on only showering once on your holiday.
These often overpriced minis can set you back £3 to £5 per tiny bottle, or even more if you opt for the luxury brands.
I often find that I can only get one use out of mini shampoos and conditioners, especially when you have longer hair.
And when it comes to the mini spray deodorants, it soon seems like you’re only spraying air from these aerosols.
Other than the disappointing contents, these mini toiletries are also not the most sustainable option.
Plus it can save you both time and money to simply refill a set of reusable 100ml bottles each time you go away, rather than repeatedly fork out on minis.
It’s also worth checking the toiletries your hotel already provides ahead of time.
Most hotel bathrooms are stocked up with shampoo, conditioner and body wash as standard.
So once you’ve simply topped up your refillables with your holy grail products, you’re all set.
– Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter
Mini toiletries, especially when bought at the airport, can cost a lot of moneyCredit: Getty
Paper to stop clothes creasing
When packing a suitcase, it is slightly heartbreaking to think the next time you open it you’ll see the clothes you meticulously packed, but now with loads of creases.
So you can imagine when I saw someone on social media saying that acid-free tissue paper helps to prevent clothes from creasing, I was thrilled.
You are meant to place a sheet between each folder layer of clothes and essentially, the paper acts as a buffer to stop creases.
Though, having now tried this a couple of times, it hasn’t worked for me.
In the future, I think I’ll stick to using the hotel iron…
– Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
When it comes to packing, acid-free tissue paper is meant to keep your clothing crease-freeCredit: Alamy
Boarding the plane first
You know that announcement at the beginning of the flight that says families with young children can board first? Ignore it.
Unless you have masses of cabin suitcases and are worried about there being enough space on the plane, wait until the end of boarding to get onto the plane.
Because the last thing kids need is MORE time stuck in a seat.
I’d also add that if you’re child can possibly walk to the boarding gate, do away with the buggy and let them.
