tourists

Australia won the first Test by 159 runs but were bowled out for 180 on day one and the top order struggled again in the second innings. They slipped to 65-4 before Travis Head, Webster and Carey bailed them out.

In Grenada teenage opener Sam Konstas and veteran partner Usman Khawaja put on 47 before both were dismissed without another run added.

Smith top-edged a pull shot to fine leg, trying to take the attack to fast bowler Joseph, as Australia lost three wickets for three runs.

Smith, who has replaced Josh Inglis, missed the first Test after dislocating his right little finger during defeat by South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last month.

Cameron Green fell to Jayden Seales off the final ball before lunch to leave the tourists in trouble at 93-4.

Following a brief delay for rain, Head was dismissed for 29, caught behind off Shamar Joseph, with the third umpire ruling wicketkeeper Shai Hope’s take low to his left was clean.

All-rounder Webster and wicketkeeper Carey responded brilliantly to steer Australia to 209-5 at tea.

Carey was more scratchy and was dropped on 46 by Hope but also hit 10 fours and one six in his 63 off 81 balls, before he tamely picked out mid-wicket off Justin Greaves.

Webster was firm in defence in making 60 off 115 but misjudged a risky second run to deep point and was run out by Keacy Carty as Australia’s lower order subsided.

The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors.

One of the world’s most striking and least visited countries is bucking the anti-tourism trend.

Greenland is extending an open invitation to globetrotters and sharing a warm message with eager adventurers across the globe: We’re all set for your arrival.

“Come visit Greenland,” invites Nukartaa Andreassen, an employee at a water taxi service in Nuuk. “Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture.”

This island, rich in minerals and nestled in the Arctic, is embracing tourism with open arms. From whale-spotting odysseys to treks to the famed puffin island and guided tours of distant hamlets, Greenland is eager to exhibit its charms, hoping to shift focus away from past political squabbles, notably with Donald Trump.

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“Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland,” declares Casper Frank Møller, CEO of Raw Arctic, a Nuuk-based tour operation. “and to show what beauty you can experience while you’re here.”

Following the initiation of a newfangled flight path between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey, expectations are high for a surge in tourist interest this year. The first-ever direct link from the United States to Greenland via an American carrier launched with fanfare on June 14.

Previously, U.S. voyagers had to stopover in Iceland or Denmark before continuing their journey to Greenland. This development has simplified travel significantly, much to the delight of travellers like Doug Jenzen, who was among the inaugural passengers on the United Airlines flight departing from New Jersey.

“I arrived with the intention of exploring some of the natural wonders on the world’s largest island, aiming to promote ecotourism and sustainable travel while bolstering the local economy,” stated Jenzen.

Cruise ships are already able to dock on the island, but they contribute less to businesses catering to tourists as passengers typically eat and sleep onboard.

In 2024, Greenland welcomed around 150,000 tourists, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s business minister.

“We’re keen to expand the tourism sector. It’s a great fit for many in Greenland,” added Nathanielsen. “Tourism is about good vibes. It’s about sharing culture, history. It’s about storytelling. And as Inuit, that’s very much part of our heritage.”

Earlier this year, Greenland found itself in the global spotlight when Trump announced his desire to gain control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, either through purchase or potentially by force.

Denmark, a NATO ally, along with Greenland, have firmly stated that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there.

Despite the diplomatic strain, Frank Møller of Raw Arctic sees a silver lining.

“It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it’s definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage,” he said.

However, he emphasised that any expansion of the tourism industry should occur at a pace that respects the voices and comfort levels of the approximately 56,000 residents on the island.

Andreassen, from Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. “It’s very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland,” she remarked. “It’s important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries.”

During a boat trip in June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old holidaymaker from Turkey, was thrilled to observe several whales leaping out of the sea.

“It’s very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home,” she exclaimed. “It’s a very exciting and unforgettable moment.”

Risskov Rejser has been organising jaunts to Greenland for Danish globetrotters via her travel agency. Nevertheless, she harbours concerns over the effects of a deluge of tourists.

“For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum,” she stated. “It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are.”

England’s top order was blown away after Shubman Gill’s mammoth 269 for India to leave the hosts requiring their most unlikely turnaround yet under captain Ben Stokes after two days of the second Test at Edgbaston.

Gill’s epic helped India pile up 587 and, after five sessions in the field, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley all fell to leave England 77-3 at the close.

Duckett and Pope, England’s centurions from their comeback win in the first Test, were caught in the slips off consecutive deliveries in seamer Akash Deep’s second over.

Crawley wafted at Mohammed Siraj to offer another edge on 19 as India, who faced huge questions coming into this Test, took total control.

Harry Brook was skittish in making 30 not out – he finished alongside Joe Root who has 18 – and could easily have deepened England’s woes.

Gill had earlier effortlessly compiled the highest score by an India batter in England and the highest score by an Indian skipper anywhere in the world.

After resuming on 114, Gill extended his partnership with Ravindra Jadeja to 203 to steer India away from early danger and when Jadeja fell for 89, he put on 144 with Washington Sundar to drive home the advantage.

India were guilty of letting a winning position slip in Leeds but now hold all of the cards as they bid to level the series.

July 3 (UPI) — As many as 1,500 people were evacuated from areas of the Greek island of Crete as wildfires burned out of control, fanned by gale-force winds, authorities said.

The fire, centered in the far southeast of the island, broke out in a forested area Wednesday, rapidly spreading toward the town of Ierapetra, forcing authorities to order residents and tourists in five surrounding settlements to move.

Some people whose escape routes were cut off by the fire had to be rescued from beaches by boat. At least four elderly people were hospitalized with respiratory problems due to smoke inhalation.

Displaced people were provided with makeshift accommodation in Ierapetra in an indoor sports center or hotel rooms, where available.

More than 150 firefighters, 38 fire trucks and four helicopters dropping water were deployed with two specialist forest-firefighting units from the Greek mainland en route to the scene to provide back-up.

That number rose to more than 230 on Thursday, but firefighters, facing a wall of flames almost four miles across with visibility down to zero, were forced into a tactical retreat for safety reasons and to focus on firebreaks to protect settlements being threatened by the fire.

Homes and rental properties in the beachfront village of Agia Fotia, 8 miles east of Ierapetra, have been destroyed and the settlement and surrounding area were without power.

The fire service, which has been issuing alerts and evacuation instructions via mobile phone messaging, warned in its daily update that the risk of wildfires remained high across Crete and parts of southern Greece.

The emergency on Crete came after authorities in Turkey’s nearby Izmur region evacuated 50,000 people in the face of wildfires in recent days.

Scientists have designated the Mediterranean, including much of Greece, a “wildfire hotspot” as blazes become ever more frequent and destructive during hot, parched summers. Governments of the affected countries say the climate crisis is the cause.

All of Europe is currently sweltering in a deadly heatwave with temperatures topping out at 46 degrees Celsius in southern Spain and 40 degrees Celsius in Paris, although temperatures in the eastern Mediterranean held closer to normal in the high 20s to low 30s degrees Celsius.

Spain, Italy and France recorded at least eight deaths connected to the extreme heat.

Ipswich

The place names are tiny poems: Silent Street, where sound was deadened with straw out of respect for convalescing soldiers during the Anglo-Dutch wars of the late 17th century; Smart Street, named after a benevolent merchant and library builder, William Smarte; Star Lane for Stella Maris, Our Lady of the Sea; Franciscan Way, leading to Grey Friars Road, evokes monkish times. Thirteen medieval churches rise above the old town, some in disrepair. Others are renascent: St Mary-le-Tower was recently redesignated as a minster in recognition of its value to the community and its 1,000 years of existence. That’s not so long ago in a town settled very early – perhaps as early as the fifth century, and established by the seventh – by the Anglo-Saxons.

You have to rummage to find historical treasures, which lie scattered, disguised, buried, bullied. The town has one of the best-preserved medieval cores in the country, but local planners wrapped it in roads, houses and, latterly, retail and leisure centres. Things are revealed by walking: the Tooley’s Court almshouses; lemon-hued, half-timbered Curson Lodge; gloriously pargeted Ancient House; an opulent town hall; and an ostentatious former post office on Cornhill, the main square. Seen from between the columns and arches of Lloyds Avenue, it could be Trieste or Venice, minus the overtourism and rip-off cappuccinos.

Erica, from The Friends of the Ipswich Museums, shows me around the mansion in Christchurch Park. Only four families ever lived here – the Withypolls, Devereux, Fonnereaus and Cobbolds – each associated with their times’ trades and trends: Atlantic merchant-adventurers, titled nobles, Huguenot linen traders, brewers and bankers. A standout exhibit is a patinaed oak overmantel rescued from a house on Fore Street that belonged to Thomas Eldred, who sailed round the world with Thomas Cavendish on his 1586-8 circumnavigation. The flagship Desire gave its name to a port on the Patagonian coast. In a corner hangs a portrait of Admiral Edward Vernon, who participated in the War of Jenkins’ Ear between Britain and Spain in the mid-18th century and the capture of Portobelo in Panama; he wore grogram cloth and is thought to have introduced toasts of rum-and-water – or “grog” – to the navy.

Ipswich traded with northern Europe from Saxon times, growing to become a Hanseatic League port, exporting wool and woollen cloth, and importing wine from Bordeaux.

On the harbour front is Isaacs on the Quay, a pub carved out of an old maltings. Behind it, at 80 Fore Street, is – according to Historic England – “the last surviving example of a 15th- to 17th-century Ipswich merchant’s house with warehouses at the rear opening directly on the dock front, where merchandise was unshipped, stored and distributed wholesale or sold retail in the shop on the street front”. The local council considered filling the harbour in to build houses, but a festival in 1971 showed the area could be a place of recreation as well as cultural preservation; the Ipswich Maritime Trust, still very active, grew out of this showdown.
Things to see and do: Willis Building; river cruise on the sailing barge Victor; free A Peep into the Past tour at Christchurch Mansion; Blackfriars monastery ruins

Ramsey, Isle of Man

Travelling overland to Ramsey from Douglas, you have a premonition of how important the sea must once have been. The meandering road and heritage electric railway both scale a mountain on the journey. Doing the trip on foot or horseback must have been hell. The Isle of Man’s longest river, the Sulby, plummets and meanders down from the uplands to meet the sea at Ramsey. Vikings, as well as Scots, entered the Isle of Man here. Its name derives from the Old Norse for “wild garlic river”.

The small working port breaks up a shoreline of sand and pebble beaches backed by apartment buildings and grand-seeming hotels. Timber and aggregate are massed up on the wharves. A bulk carrier called Snaefell River is moored beneath a single tall crane. To the south is the long Queen’s Pier, once a landing stage. Victoria never disembarked, but the pier recalls her visit. Above town is the Albert Tower. The consort made landfall.

Once Ramsey was a popular seaside resort, with Steam Packet ships to Kirkcudbright and Garlieston in Dumfries and Galloway; Liverpool and Whitehaven (I can see the Cumbrian fells). A swing bridge – closed to motorised traffic – connects the northern beach to Ramsey town centre, a likeable mishmash of Victorian buildings housing pubs, food and drink outlets, antique and bric-a-brac shops – and a very 80s strip mall with a Tesco, a drycleaner, a model shop and tattooists.

On the edge of town, I find myself at Grove House, now a museum. It was the holiday home of the island’s second most famous Gibb family. Duncan Gibb was a shipping agent from Greenock. The house reaches out to foreign climes. A tiger skin on the floor of the drawing room. A leopard skin in the bedroom. Mahogany furniture from a primeval forest. Curtains from India. A japanned backgammon set. When the men sailed away or died out, a matriarchy took over.

The Trafalgar pub, on West Quay, must have seen so many deals and binges, squabbles and scuffles. I drink an Odin’s mild in the corner. Locals look bristlingly familiar with one another, conspiratorial, as if they know something I never will.
Things to see and do: Manx Electric Railway to Laxey and Snaefell summit; Ramsey Nature Reserve beach walk; walk up to Albert Tower; the TT

Lancaster

It’s easy not to notice the River Lune or the Lancaster Canal. The former snakes north of the town centre, often behind buildings – supermarkets, an enterprise zone – and is cut off by the city’s notorious roads. The canal sneaks up from the south-west, hopping across the river near a McDonald’s. Anyway, the natural movement here for pedestrians is upward and inland.

The Romans took the high road. Marching through north Lancashire, operating in conjunction with naval transports, they could look out for landing troop detachments. A Roman fort was built on the hill now occupied by Lancaster Castle. It dates from the 12th century, as does the name of Lancashire, and is infamous as the place the Pendle Witches were imprisoned prior to their trial, sentencing and hanging. A small exhibition in a dungeon of the Well Tower recounts the key points of the story, reminding us Jack Straw refused to pardon them in 1998. The castle housed a prison till 2011; its Shire Hall is still used as a courtroom.

Lancaster was once England’s fourth largest slave port, with at least 122 ships sailing to Africa between 1700 and 1800. Local merchants were involved in the capture and sale of around 30,000 enslaved people. Slave-produced goods from the West Indies included sugar, dyes, rice, spices, coffee, rum and, later, cotton for Lancashire’s mills. Fine furniture, gunpowder, clothing and other goods were produced in and around Lancaster and traded in Africa for enslaved people, or sent to the colonies.

The slave trade and abolition trail, revised by Lancaster University professor Alan Rice, takes in churches, with their memorials to merchants who made money from slavery; the Sugarhouse, a nightclub on the site of a former refinery; Gillow’s Warehouse, which imported slave-harvested mahogany to make furniture; and 20 Castle Park, home of the slave-owning Satterthwaite family. On the abolition side are a Friends Meeting House (Quakers were among the earliest opponents of slavery) and, most poignantly, three benches in and near Williamson Park provided by philanthropists for the vagrant poor – including cotton workers laid off during the cotton famine caused by anti-slavery measures taken by Lancashire firms.

The small city of Lancaster, with its university campus and would-be genteel airs, looks and feels innocuous, and altogether unconnected to stormy seas. But it’s the nexus of a significant dark maritime history.
Things to see and do: Ashton Memorial; Maritime Museum; Gallows Hill; Judges’ Lodgings.

Chris Moss’s visits were assisted by Ipswich Central, Visit England, and the Isle of Man government

Travel experts have explained what you now need to do after recent mass protests and ‘fake signs’

British tourists are being warned they might not receive the warm welcome they’re expecting this summer, especially in Mallorca, where tensions between locals and visitors are boiling over. With fake ‘beach closed’ signs, mass protests, and growing calls to curb tourism, experts say the island’s relationship with holidaymakers is under serious strain.

Palma Airport saw 1.1 million international arrivals in April alone, a 12.9% rise year-on-year, with the Balearics recording the fastest growth across Spain. In June, thousands of locals marched through the streets demanding tighter controls. Protestors from Menys Turisme, Més Vida held signs reading: “We want our island back”.

Yasim Pekel, a travel expert at Blue Cruise, said: “Tensions like this are becoming more common in overcrowded hotspots, and Mallorca is just the latest example. It’s not about hating visitors, it’s about protecting their space and way of life. Tourists can still have an amazing trip, but it helps to be a little more aware, a little less loud, and a lot more respectful.”

Yassim’s tips for navigating ‘less-than-welcoming’ destinations:

• Avoid peak times at beaches and attractions – go early or explore lesser-known spots.
• Support local businesses , not just tourist traps – eat, shop, and book with residents where possible.
• Take your rubbish with you – even in remote spots. Leave nothing behind.
• Keep the noise down – especially in residential areas or during siesta hours.
• Respect local signage , even if it seems fake – never remove or challenge it.
• Be curious, not careless – learn a few phrases, read up on local customs, and show interest beyond the ‘Insta spots’.

Similar tensions are growing in Venice, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Lisbon, and the Canary Islands. Amsterdam has even launched a campaign asking British tourists not to visit for stag and hen parties or drug tourism. Meanwhile, France, Greece, and Portugal are introducing stricter regulations, including noise restrictions, cruise ship bans, and rental caps, as residents push back against tourism’s impact.

How to be part of the solution

• Slow travel is on the rise; staying longer in fewer places reduces pressure on communities.
• Book local guides, stay in family-run hotels, and engage with cultural events; these help shift tourism from extractive to meaningful.
• Ultimately, respect goes further than saying “hola”, and it might just help keep your favourite destinations open to visitors.

Like last weekend in Perth, the Lions toiled in the early exchanges, the Reds setting about them with a vengeance, the outstanding centre Hunter Paisami leading the charge.

The Lions grew into the game and completely bossed from late in the first half, but they had their issues before the floodgates opened.

The tourists were wasteful, failing to find their range and dropping ball left, right and centre.

There was the old chestnut of a botched restart reception; there were forced passes and hesitant defence. It wasn’t great. They knocked on eight times to the Reds’ one in the opening 40 minutes, some of them with the hosts struggling to hold them out.

First blood went to the Reds, a bust through the Lions midfield by Paisami giving them field position, some heavy carries taking them deeper still. When the line beckoned, Toomaga-Allen lunged and scored.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips banged over the extras and the Suncorp rocked to the sound of Reds on the march.

The Lions responded when Daly put Freeman over and Russell tied it up with the conversion, but it was not a cue for the Lions to take control.

Rather, it was the precursor for another Reds try, sparked by Porter getting done on the floor. Paisami was involved again before Kalani Thomas’ grubber kick for Josh Flook down the left.

Van der Merwe hesitated in dealing with the bouncing ball and Flook stole in – 12-7 to the Reds.

The imperfections, and perhaps desperation, in the Lions game was clear with a couple of missed opportunities, but they eventually started to make stuff stick.

Porter drove over after a close-range tap penalty from his Leinster and Ireland front-row pal Ronan Kelleher. Russell converted.

Next, Van der Merwe finished off a terrific move in the corner with the help of Ollie Chessum and Jack Conan. Russell launched the conversion from somewhere close to Caxton Street. A pearler.

At the break, the Lions led 21-12. Could have been better, could have been worse.

It improved early in the new half when smart work from Jamison Gibson-Park drew the heat and then slipped an inside pass for Itoje to crash over.

Russell, who could have kicked them over with his eyes closed, did it again – 28-12 Lions. Getting there.

Farrell made big changes at that point, replacing his front-row and his half-backs.

Not many fireworks from the Russell-Gibson-Park axis but more than enough to get excited about.

The rest is a sea of red. Morgan, doing his mightiest to make a statement, which he did, went over from an Alex Mitchell pass. The Lions were now playing with an intensity that the Reds could not deal with.

Freeman got a second, with Morgan heavily involved at the start of that play, then Jones gathered a daft chip ahead from Tim Ryan and ran more than half the length of pitch to score.

A final try came in the last breath, Ringrose scampering over to bring up the half-century.

It was a pleasing night’s work for the Lions, but the sight of Daly in pain in the aftermath was a troubling one.

Like last weekend with Tomos Williams, the Lions are sweating on a medical call.

Civita di Bagnoregio, in the Alta Tuscia region of central Italy, is slowly disappearing as the tuff hill it was built on crumbles – but tourists are still flocking in their droves

A quaint town tucked away in the Lazio hills, less than two hours from Rome, is experiencing a tourist boom as visitors flock to see it before it’s too late. Civita di Bagnoregio, situated in central Italy’s Alta Tuscia region, perches atop a fragile tuff hill that’s gradually eroding.

Dubbed “the dying city” since the 1960s, recent studies in 2020 revealed that the hill shrinks by an average of seven centimetres annually. Researchers have calculated that the land surrounding Civita has diminished by 20 to 25% over the last half-millennium – a decline that’s expected to persist.

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Boasting a rich history that dates back around 2,500 years, Civita di Bagnoregio was established by the Etruscans, reports the Express. The city once lay on a crucial route linking the Tiber River to Lake Bolsena, serving as a key communication pathway.

The Etruscans, cognisant of the area’s seismic volatility, undertook measures to safeguard it from earthquakes by constructing dams and drainage systems for effective rainwater management.

Following the Etruscans, the Romans continued these protective efforts, but subsequent neglect led to rapid deterioration and eventual desertion.

Compounding the issue, the tuff hill beneath Civita is continuously worn away by the erosive forces of two rivers in the valley below, along with the relentless wear of rain and wind.

Civita di Bagnoregio is undeniably one of Italy’s most picturesque and distinctive towns, appearing to float in mid-air on foggy days. Currently, the ancient village is home to around ten steadfast residents, their deep love for their homeland keeping them rooted there.

Thanks to these individuals, Civita retains its predominantly medieval characteristics, enchanting the numerous tourists who visit each year.

Access to the village is provided by a towering 300m concrete bridge, constructed in 1965, which links Civita to the nearby town of Bagnoregio. At the end of this bridge, the Porta di Santa Maria opens onto the quaint alleyways that define Civita.

The streets are adorned with the Renaissance palaces of the Colesanti, Bocca and Alemanni families, alongside typical low houses featuring small balconies and external stairs characteristic of medieval architecture.

There’s certainly no shortage of sights to see and activities to enjoy in Civita. Highlights include the compact Antica Civitas Museum, housed within a residential building, and the cave of San Bonaventura.

This ancient chamber tomb, carved into the tuff wall, is named after Friar Bonaventura da Bagnoregio (1217-1274), the biographer of Saint Francis of Assisi.

Castle Combe in Wiltshire, England, is a popular tourist destination thanks to its stunning medieval stone cottages, winding streets and surrounding natural beauty

With summer upon us, many are planning their getaways, yet there’s no need to jet off abroad when the UK boasts some truly stunning destinations. Castle Combe in Wiltshire is often lauded as one of the prettiest villages not only in Britain but across the globe, making it an ideal spot for those exploring the Cotswolds.

Visitors to this picturesque village might feel as though they’ve wandered into a storybook, with its ancient stone cottages and charming, twisty lanes remaining untouched by modernity – a dream for anyone keen on sightseeing. But Castle Combe’s allure isn’t just architectural; it’s also cradled by the natural splendour of the Cotswolds.

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Travellers will find themselves amidst enchanting woodlands, undulating hills, and verdant countryside, all contributing to the village’s magical vibe.

Described by Country Living as having houses “so pretty they should be on a postcard” due to its “ancient, honey-hued” cottages, Castle Combe has also earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveller’s list of “most beautiful villages in the world“.

CN Traveller praised the village, saying: “Castle Combe is a quintessentially English village located in the southwest county of Wiltshire. No new houses have been built here since the 1600s, so the town is a well-preserved stretch of Cotswold stone cottages and old pubs and churches.”

This idyllic village is the ultimate destination for photography enthusiasts, with the historic village bridge crossing the River Bybrook being a particularly picturesque spot to capture.

History buffs will be drawn to Castle Combe for its plethora of medieval structures, including the stunning St Andrew’s church, established in the 13th century, reports the Express.

The church houses the tomb of Sir Walter de Dunstanville, Baron of Castle Combe and a crusader who passed away in 1270. It also boasts a quaint shop renowned for its charming postcards.

Film aficionados will find Castle Combe intriguing as it has served as the backdrop for numerous iconic films, from the 1960s Doctor Dolittle to the more recent Stardust in 2007 and Steven Spielberg’s War Horse in 2011.

Castle Combe offers a tranquil retreat for those seeking a leisurely holiday, providing opportunities for nature walks, historical exploration, and cosy evenings at the local pub.

For those embarking on a nature walk, the village’s famed Little Picnic Shop provides everything needed for a delightful summer picnic.

However, for an authentic English countryside experience, a visit to The Old Rectory Pop-up Tearoom is a must. Here, guests can indulge in a traditional afternoon tea complete with homemade cakes, sandwiches, and a cuppa served in fine china.

The Old Stables offers a more laid-back yet snug setting for a coffee shop in the village, where patrons can indulge in a bacon sarnie or their hot drink of choice.

Castle Combe’s residences often feature quaint stalls outside, vending local and homemade delights like jams, bakes, or sweets – ideal for picking up as you wander through the village.

Travel aficionado Jamie, the brains behind Explore with Ed, suggests that those keen on visiting Castle Combe should do so promptly, especially as the village is at its most charming in midsummer.

He commented: “The prettiness of Castle Combe is perhaps at its peak in the height of summer when the honey-coloured cottages are graced with colourful climbing plants and overflowing window baskets.”

Wales’ previous trip to Kitakyushu did not pass without controversy.

After all, this was the place in which the squad were based when attack coach Rob Howley was sent home after betting allegations surfaced.

But there are mainly happy memories for Wales – and their Japanese admirers – from those late summer days of 2019.

This visit will end with Saturday’s first Test, when Wales will aim to end a 17-match international losing run.

The Mikuni World Stadium was the scene of one of the highlights of Wales’ visit to these shores six years ago.

An open training session held before the tournament was attended by a capacity crowd of more than 15,000 locals, who memorably sang the Welsh national anthem in unison.

“I had never experienced something that before, where the stadium was full to the brim for just a training session,” said Wainwright.

“Having everyone singing and chanting during that session was one of the special highlights of my tour. Hopefully this time it will be even louder.”

But which anthem will be louder on Saturday? And will the home crowd be shouting for Japan or their beloved visitors?

“We were speaking to people last night and they think the majority of the crowd will be backing Wales,” said Williams.

“We hope that is the case.”

Greece has put in place strict rules to preserve its ancient heritage and breathtaking landscapes, meaning holidaymakers jetting off should be aware of the laws

Holidaymakers heading to the sun-drenched beaches of Greece should be aware of local laws that could result in hefty fines. Greek authorities are taking a firm stance on preserving their ancient heritage, imposing bans on removing pebbles and wearing high heels at historic sites.

In an effort to protect its landscapes and cultural treasures, Greece has gradually introduced strict regulations. The Greeks take great care of their ancient stones, banning the wearing of high heels at historical attractions to prevent potential damage. As British families head to airports for their eagerly awaited holidays to destinations including Greece, Spain and Italy, they should be aware of the unusual rules in place.

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Since 2009, visitors to iconic Athens landmarks such as the Acropolis and the Epidaurus Theatre have been required to leave their stilettos behind, according to findings by Parkdean Resorts.

While many travellers like to keep up their style while on holiday, the Greek Government introduced this law to prevent visitors from wearing shoes that could damage historical attractions.

Those found wearing potentially damaging shoes at ancient sites could face a fine of up to €900 (£771), reports the Express. Greece has also introduced other regulations to limit the risks posed to its heritage and land.

Tourists tempted to take pebbles as souvenirs from picturesque spots like Lalaria Beach in Skiathos might find themselves out of pocket by as much as £771.

Spain is cracking down on tourism’s toll with a series of eccentric rules, especially in Barcelona, where holidaygoers caught in beachwear away from sandy shores might be forking out between £86 and £171.

Majorca is not far behind, with new penalties designed to deter “undesirable” behaviour along its popular coastlines.

Even Benidorm is getting tough on fun in the sun, as sandcastle builders on Levante beach could end up shelling out as much as £129 if they lack a permit.

The fines don’t stop there – smoking, kipping or using soap products on Benidorm’s beaches could hit tourists’ wallets even harder.

Altrincham was once dubbed one of the UK’s worst high streets but has now been transformed into a bustling urban haven and twice named the best place to live in the north west

England is brimming with charming market towns, yet Altrincham stands out as the crème de la crème, consistently being hailed as superior to the rest. Having been crowned as the Best Place to live in the North West twice by the Sunday Times, Altrincham has transformed from a “ghost town” to a buzzing cultural gem frequented by tourists and locals.

The scenic market town has seen significant changes thanks to a whopping £6 million regeneration scheme kicked off in 2015 by Trafford Council. The bold initiative saw new developments take shape, like the multi-million-pound face-lift of Altrincham Leisure Centre, the rejuvenation of the Stamford Quarter, and continuous enhancements across the town’s public spaces.

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Trafford Council’s ambition was to polish Altrincham into a premier spot for residents and entrepreneurs alike, dubbed it a “first class destination for people to live, shop, and do business”.

Previously decried as a “ghost town”, the staggering evolution of Altrincham now marks it as one of the UK’s premier living spots after flipping its once-dreadful high street reputation entirely on its head.

Moreover, Altrincham now serves as an exemplar for contemporary market towns, blending independent ventures with the old-school charm of Market House stalls.

Centuries entrenched in the town’s fabric since 1290, the traditional market still thrives on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, hosting fiercely independent, multi-award-winning traders offering everything from trendy crafts and local eats to vintage finds and home accessories.

Altrincham has become a hotspot for foodies, boasting top-rated independent eateries such as Honest Crust, which claims to serve “the country’s best” wood-fired sourdough pizzas, whilst Jack in the Box offers an impressive selection of craft beers.

Meanwhile, The Great North Pie Company, England’s premier pie producer, has earned numerous accolades in recent years, making it a must-visit destination for pie fans.

Situated amidst picturesque green spaces and stunning countryside, like Stamford Park and Dunham Massey, Altrincham provides idyllic settings for leisurely strolls through rolling grasslands and ancient woodlands, with roaming deer often spotted in its medieval parks.

Thanks to its convenient location just eight miles from Manchester, Altrincham is an attractive choice for commuters working in the city.

Its winning blend of culture, cuisine and natural beauty has cemented its position as a highly sought-after property hotspot, reports the Express.

With a typical detached house fetching £1,050,000, the area commands a significant premium due to its exceptional education, stunning parks, and tight-knit community. Demand for homes near top-rated schools has driven property prices even higher.

Schools such as Altrincham Grammar School for Boys and Girls, and Loreto Catholic Grammar School, have been recognised as two of the top schools in the northwest, both earning an outstanding Ofsted rating in 2022.

Altrincham Grammar School for Boys was named the best secondary school for academic performance, while Altrincham Girls scooped the award for the best secondary school of the year in the northwest.

So if you’re looking to move and want a lively urban retreat with superb transport links, a buzzing social scene, top-notch education, and a safe investment opportunity, then this charming UK Market town should certainly be on your radar.

Spain is rolling out its new nationwide register affecting holiday rentals including properties in the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands in a bid to help combat the issues of overtourism

Brits planning Spain holidays should be aware of a new rule that’s coming into force as of today (July 1) across the mainland, as well as the Canary Islands and the Balearic islands.

The holiday hotspot is launching its new nationwide register for any property used for tourism, whether that’s seasonal or a short-term rental. Under the Single Tourist Rental Registry, property owners will need to register to get a code that verifies they are legally allowed to use the property for tourism.

This will include entire homes, individual rooms within a property that’s rented out separately, and homes listed on the likes of Airbnb and Booking.com.

The register was already rolled out in January, but at that time it was still optional; now it’s mandatory. According to local publication Canarian Weekly, the Spanish Ministry of Housing says it’s had a total of 199,686 applications to date, the majority of which were for holiday rentals.

If a property is not on the register, then legally it won’t be able to be advertised online, and owners could face fines or even be suspended from being able to offer the home as a holiday rental.

READ MORE: Brits heading to Spain, France and Greece this summer issued ’24-hour warning’

If you’ve got a holiday booked to Spain, the good news is that you don’t need to do anything, as the responsibility lies with the holiday rental platforms and property owners to obtain the correct registration. In fact, one of the aims of the register is to protect tourists from unregulated and potentially unsafe rentals.

When you book a holiday rental in Spain, you should be able to see if it has a valid registration number before you finalise your booking, with the idea that it will offer holidaymakers extra peace of mind before they part with their cash.

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The move comes as Spain’s holiday hotspots have been hit with a number of protests from locals in recent years, due to the burden of overtourism. The volume of holiday rentals is seen as a contributing factor to homelessness on the islands, with locals being priced out of areas or struggling to buy homes in areas where properties are used for tourism.

It’s estimated that over four million foreign visitors descended on the Canaries in the first quarter of this year alone. Local officials have been taking steps to try and mitigate the impact of overtourism. For example, Tenerife has introduced a new online booking system for some of the trails in Teide National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Meanwhile over in Fuerteventura they’re taking similar measures with a new tourist tax for those who want to visit spots such as the wild beach of Cofete, the awe-inspiring sand dunes of Correlejo and the vast sea caves of Ajuy.

The move comes after official figures showed that Fuerteventura had a 7.8 per cent increase in tourists between January and March, compared to the same period last year. As a result, the hotspot’s infrastructure is under mounting pressure across the likes of roads, water supply, waste management systems and accommodation capacity.

Has your holiday been affected by anti-tourism protests? Email us at [email protected].

The latest strategy consists of inventing names of “secret” coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast

Fed-up locals in a Spanish holiday resort are trying to fool holidaymakers into going to fake beaches.

The protesters are waging a “dirty tricks” campaign to try and fool holidaymakers in the midst of the row over tourism congestion. They are inventing fake beaches on the Balearic island of Majorca, which has been targeted by a string of protests and demonstrations since last summer.

The latest strategy consists of inventing names of “secret” coves that do not actually exist, so that tourists flock to urban areas that have nothing to do with the coast. These false names are usually the same as those in popular areas in the capital of Palma.

In a video explaining the ploy, a young local woman said: “These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid. If you want to avoid getting scammed, look up the location online before you go. If you find a lot of information, it’s a real beach. If not, avoid going.”

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The practice, which some justify as a way to protect the island’s natural areas, is fuelling an intense debate about the impact of tourism. Some of the beaches being promoted but which don’t exist include Son Gotleu, Son Roca and Son Banya Korea.

The scam is the latest in a series of tricks organised by mass tourism protesters who have previously resorted to putting up fake signs saying a particular beach or access road has been closed or is for locals only.

Last week, the platform “Majorca Platja Tour” announced the first “symbolic occupation” of a beach this summer amid calls for residents-only beaches. “Prepare your towels, umbrellas and banners because we will be making a new symbolic occupation on a beach in Mallorca,” the campaigners announced in a statement.

The protests will echo those of last summer carried out at Platja de Palma, one of the best beaches in the capital, and Caló des Moro, a stunning beach located in the south-east of Mallorca featuring 40 metres of fine-grained sand surrounded by cliffs.

The protestors say beaches in Mallorca are so packed with tourists that locals avoid going in the summer. They want holidaymakers either banned from certain beaches or for areas to be designated for local residents only and not tourists.

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“What used to be a corner of peace becomes a theme park,” they claim. They say the beach at Platja de Palma is a prime example: “There is no area that better represents the overcrowded Mallorca than this one.”

For this reason, they are demanding that parts of the beach are kept just for residents, or that residents are given preferential access to them.

The group highlighted the Municipality of Ameglia in North East Italy, where 60% of the beaches are kept for local residents.

Road routes to many beaches in Majorca are frequently clogged with traffic during the high season, with hundreds of cars parked on sandbanks.

A travel expert has issued a warning to passengers, telling them they should “never wear” one item of clothing on a plane. However, the popular garment is not banned

Travellers have been cautioned to “never wear” a certain popular item on a plane, despite it not being prohibited. The travel tip was recently divulged by Pollyann, known as travelwithpalma to her over 11,000 Instagram followers, and many were astonished they hadn’t heard of the advice before.

In an Instagram clip, she penned: “I know – leggings feel like a second skin on a flight. But here’s why you really shouldn’t wear them on a plane.

“According to experts, in the rare event of an emergency evacuation (think: fire, sudden landing, etc), synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex – aka what most leggings are made of – can actually melt when exposed to high heat.

“That means they could fuse to your skin, making injuries way worse. The Federal Aviation Administration and safety experts recommend wearing loose fitting natural fibres like cotton, wool or denim when flying.

“They’re more fire-resistant and safer in worst-case scenarios. So yes, wear something cosy – but make it cotton cosy, not plastic cosy – just to be safe.”

Since being posted, the video has racked up thousands of views, with numerous viewers expressing gratitude for the insight. One commented: “This is such a good tip!”

Another chimed in with: “As a former flight attendant, this precaution is very great advice!” A different voice added their perspective, noting: “It’s not just leggings. Anything with polyester contains petroleum and is considered flammable.

“So someone with synthetic trousers, shorts, dresses would be in the same situation. It has nothing to do with leggings – that’s personal preference.”

Responding to the discussion, the original poster agreed: “Yes, agreed. As stated in the caption, those fabrics in any form can cause harm. Loose fitting cotton is a safer bet.”

Unbeknownst to many, despite the comfort they offer during flights, leggings are not always recommended by aviation safety experts. The concern lies in the fact that in emergencies, such as fires, the synthetic material of leggings could melt onto the skin, exacerbating burn injuries.

However, it’s important to note that there’s no outright ban on wearing leggings on planes; rather, it’s a safety suggestion from some quarters due to the risks associated with synthetic fabrics.

Airline dress codes might restrict certain types of attire for reasons of propriety or potential offensiveness. In addition to avoiding a fashion faux pas, the Federal Aviation Administration also gives guidance on how travellers can dress smartly for their own safety whilst flying.

Their website recommends: “Passengers who wear sensible clothing can reduce their chances of serious injury in the unlikely event of an emergency.

“Dress to cover as much skin as possible. Wear clothes made of natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, denim or leather.

“Synthetics may melt when heated. Wear clothing that is roomy, avoiding restrictive clothing. Wear low-heeled, leather or canvas shoes.”

Tourists are warning fellow flyers to brace for pat-downs especially if you are bit sweaty at airport security especially if it’s hot and your trousers are clinging in awkward places…

Flying is stressful enough. Add unnecessarily hot weather to the mix, and, being a nervous flyer plus a public groin search, it’s chaos. According to travellers online, if you’re even slightly sweaty, especially down there, airport body scanners might just flag it.

One tourist took to Reddit to share their baffling experience after being stopped for a pat-down in the same spot, not once, but twice, while going through a US Transport Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint, UNILAD reports.

They wrote that they were a “5’8″, 169lbs, midsized adult woman”, and explained: “My crotch was flagged twice.” They added that they were wearing “bike shorts and normal underwear”.

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Another Redditor asked what many were probably thinking: “Were you sweating?” The woman replied honestly: “Probably a little, I’m terrified of flying, so I was nervous.”

While she wasn’t offended by the pat-down, she couldn’t help but wonder why she was targeted and her wife wasn’t.

And she’s far from alone. One man shared a similar saga online after noticing his “sensitive area” kept setting off the scanner no matter what he wore. He tested everything from double-knee trousers to pyjama bottoms in an attempt to get through unnoticed. Still, no luck, he was patted down every time.

Eventually, someone in the thread offered what seemed like the most plausible explanation.

“I’ve flown a lot over the last few years. I’m a bigger guy, and I’ve had that problem. My unscientific testing has told me the following. If I’m sweaty, I’m getting a pat down. The machine triggers on sweat, especially in the lower back and private areas.”

Apparently, sweat can create odd shadows on the scanner image, and that’s when TSA officers step in.

The seasoned flyer continued: “Boxer briefs over boxers, the boys need to be high and tight. Pants material doesn’t make too much of a difference. What does is sag. When you get in the machine, pull your pants as high up as you can. Sagging pants make a shadow or something, and it guarantees a pat down.”

And if you’re thinking this is all a bit much, they did offer one final word of reassurance: “The last thing is to be patient. They don’t want to search you down there any more than you want to be searched, but sometimes it’s just going to happen.”

So, if you’re heading on holiday and find yourself sweating buckets in the airport queue, maybe give those clingy trousers a miss. Or at least hoik them up properly before the scanner. And definitely don’t leave the fan at home to keep yourself cool, or you could be facing a sweaty pat down.

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It was clear Mandhana was in the mood from the moment she effortlessly sent her first ball back down the ground for four.

She had added two more boundaries before top-edging a pull shot off Em Arlott in the second over.

The ball looped into the leg side but landed safely as Alice Capsey misjudged it, took her eye off the ball assuming it was going well over her head, only for it to drop just past her left shoulder onto the turf.

By the next time Mandhana offered England a chance, she had reached three figures.

After a productive powerplay, the India star then welcomed Sophie Ecclestone back to international cricket by slog-sweeping the left-arm spinner’s first ball into the stands for six.

Another followed three balls later as 19 came from the over and while Ecclestone eventually dismissed Mandhana in the last over of the innings, there was no suggestion of the England bowler – who finished with figures of 1-43 from three overs – having the last laugh.

In between, Mandhana continued to play a knock of the very highest order. Her strike-rate was 180 but there was no slogging, just a succession of classical cricket shots executed to near-perfection.

Sumptuous drives both down the ground and through the covers, masterful sweeps and some crunching pull shots – whatever England threw at her, Mandhana had the answer.

A false shot percentage of only 10% does not necessarily mean the other 90% came slap bang out of the middle of the bat but it felt that way as ball after ball raced towards the boundary.

It came as something of a shock when she was caught with four balls left in the innings, having scored a run fewer than England’s XI managed combined, but the damage had been done.

Just one game into the series and the world’s leading batter has made her mark.

A flawed start and a worrying amount of possession and opportunity for the Force gave way to a strong win in the end for the Lions.

McCarthy was a compelling force up front as the Lions backline eventually ran amok.

They will sweat on what looked like a hamstring injury for Williams, who had been playing like a thoroughbred.

Jamison Gibson-Park has not yet played for these Lions, although he is expected to be available for midweek in Brisbane. It is a worry for coach Andy Farrell.

The Lions got off to a flyer on the night after a sustained bout of possession when Russell dipped into his box of tricks with a sumptuous cross-kick to Sheehan on the right wing.

Sheehan tapped to James Lowe, who gave it back to his captain for the score. The creator banged over the conversion.

A blistering beginning, but there was trouble ahead. Just as the Lions scored with their first attack, so too did the Force.

Again it was a slow turning of the screw before White sprung from the bottom of a ruck just short the line. Ben Donaldson was good with the conversion.

The Force were heavy underdogs but for 40 minutes they played with a confidence that belied their poor season in Super Rugby. They repeatedly got into the Lions 22 and time and again the tourists got pinged.

The Lions conceded five penalties in 80 minutes against the Pumas in Dublin. They conceded four in 10 minutes in Perth. Sheehan was warned about the ill discipline of his team as early as the 11th minute. This is not how it was supposed to be.

If the Force had been more accurate they would have capitalised on all those entries into the Lions 22.

They won a penalty and went for touch on the right, but nothing came of it. They won another penalty and went for touch on the left, but nothing came of that either.

Credit the tenacity of the Lions defence too, but they were doing much of it. When they got ball in hand, they were the polar opposite of the Force.

It must have been a sickener for the hosts when the visitors lifted the siege in their own territory only to score straight away.

A break from Ireland’s Josh van der Flier, a big burst from England’s Pollock and a support line from Wales’ Williams and over they went. Ruthless. More Force wastefulness followed and soon another Lions try arrived.

Like the first, it was Russell at the root of it, his tap penalty, break and offload putting Daly over. A minor scuffle broke out in the aftermath.

The Force’s angst carried on. Once more they had a close-range lineout – and a one-man advantage after Pollock saw yellow at breakdown – but they could not execute.

As anti-tourism protests take over popular tourist hotspots this summer, those looking for somewhere a little more off the beaten path where they can avoid the crowds may want to try out this small Spanish island

If soft, sandy beaches and serenity are your idea of the perfect summer holiday, then Ibiza’s more laidback sister Formentera, could be the ideal getaway for you.

Formentera is the smallest of the Balearic Islands, but it is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, and has everything that Majorca and Ibiza has to offer – yet is much quieter.

The island is just 12 miles long and a mile-and-a-half wide at its narrowest point and there’s not much to do there apart from eat, drink and enjoy the soft sandy beaches.

You can’t fly there directly and you’ll need to fly into Ibiza to reach it, but then you’re only a half-hour boat ride away from a much more serene island – particularly in high season.

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Like Ibiza, it gets busier than usual in July and August so if you’re looking for peace and quiet then the shoulder season of May to June or September to October might be better for you.

Once there you can explore beautiful beaches like Ses Illetes, Platja de Migjorn and Cala Saona and enjoy water sports like snorkelling and kayaking.

The island’s jewel in the crown is Platja Illetes, a pristine beach with white sand and turquoise waters – named one of the world’s best beaches by Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2025 guide.

Platja Illetes is, according to Lonely Planet, “as close a vision of the Caribbean (minus the coconut trees) as you could imagine in Europe”. The beach is part of the Ses Salines Natural Park, a protected area brimming with flora and wildlife, such as flamingos and rare birds.

What makes the island seem so serene is that it’s largely car-free, making cycling and walking the perfect ways to explore its hidden coves, rugged cliffs and quaint villages.

You can also visit the lighthouses of La Mola and Cap de Barbaria and discover charming villages like Sant Francesc Xavier as well as the stone circle at Ca Na Costa.

The island is known for its independent boutiques and artisan markets and you can buy local crafts and produce at La Mola Market.

And although the island does get busier in the summer months – it never feels as hectic as other parts of the Balearics – Formentera is home to around 11,389 residents compared to the 159,180 inhabitants of its neighbour, Ibiza.

But you can still enjoy a night out albeit at a slightly slower pace. Formentera’s nightlife adopts a more subdued tempo, with its limited yet vibrant clubs and bars designed in the spirit of Ibiza’s legendary scene, including hotspots such as Rigatoni Club Formentera and Pachacha.

Get there: Fly to Ibiza, flyevai.com can organise transfers to Formentera

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Italy’s lessser known peaks

The Julian Alps are mostly in Slovenia, but I have gone on many trips to the little known Italian portion of this mountain range to visit old friends in the ski town Sella Nevea. The scenery is awesome: pointed white, limestone peaks above deep and mysterious pine-forested valleys. The books of mountaineer Julius Kugy romantically describe this large wilderness, the obscurity of which amazes me. Nature is abundant with various large mammals, bird life and flora. If you love alpine adventure but don’t like tourists then seek it out, there’s nobody there!
Paul

Alone with orchids and sea birds, Sweden

Stora Karlsö, off the west coast of Gotland, is one of the oldest nature reserves in the world and is a few hours’ journey by train and ferry from Stockholm. It’s a tiny, rugged limestone island, mostly just a high cliff with an alvar (grassy heath) plateau. There were lots of orchids and plenty of sea birds. Once sheltered from the wind, I found the fragrant air was incredible. I spent the night in a simple cabin and enjoyed a decent meal, but civilisation in the regular fashion was far away, and there was hardly any cell reception.
Linda

Pink marsh, pink flamingos, France

Between Toulon and the Mediterranean, Hyères spreads across a series of headlands, salt flats and offshore islands. We based ourselves near the Giens peninsula, where the ancient pink salt marshes stretch out towards the sea, dotted with flamingos, herons and egrets. The coastal paths wind over rugged cliffs, with pine woods and scattered islands combining to create a setting of seabirds, wildflowers and open sea.
Steph

Camino de Santiago with detours

In the spring of 2023, my wife and I walked the 500-mile (805km) Camino de Santiago across northern Spain. The beaten track was busy, so we took every opportunity to deviate off it along alternative sections. Walking across the Meseta, the expansive, high central plateau famed for its isolation, we took the detour from Calzada del Coto to Mansilla de las Mulas along the Via Trajana, the old, cobbled Roman road. We were surrounded by birdsong, wildflowers and the ghosts of legionaries. Apart from when we stopped for a comfortable night and an immense breakfast at the Via Trajana hostel in Calzadilla de los Hermanillos, we only saw two other people in two days and 20 miles of walking.
Richard

Bears and wolves in the Romanian forest

The Carpathian forests of Romania, flanked by brooding mountains, are a brilliant place to lose yourself for a couple of weeks. On my hiking trip there last summer I spotted brown bears, wolves and lynx as I marched through valleys and woods. I came across medieval towns and villages that are rich in traditional folklore. One highlight was sampling local cheese and singing songs with villagers in the Barza valley. I was rewarded – or punished – for my musical efforts with a bumpy ride on a horse-drawn cart to the next village. Don’t miss a walk up to Postăvarul peak (1,800 metres) for great views over the area.
Joe

A hike through Iceland’s myriad landscapes

Thirty-five miles and three nights in mountain huts in the southern highlands of Iceland: the Laugavegur trail is a microcosm of the landscapes of that incredible country. Geothermal springs, high-altitude snowfields, multicoloured rhyolite mountains, black sand deserts and otherworldly moonscapes. Finally, the magical valley of Thórsmörk – Thor’s Valley – amid birch woods enclosed by three glaciers. Staying in mountain huts means you’ll feel part of a multicultural, international community of travellers, with the warmth and camaraderie this entails, with tales exchanged and memories made.
Bill Duncan

Sardinia’s wild west

Between the popular north coast of Sardinia, where the super-rich anchor their yachts, and the populated south with the capital Cagliari, lie several quiet areas where nature flourishes. Much of the west coast is relatively undeveloped. We joined bareback riders on horses along tracks, watched flamingos wade in salt marshes, visited ancient Nuragic ruins and sunbathed on the white-sand beaches of the peaceful Sinis peninsula.
Chris Allen

A Croatian island paradise

On the remote Croatian island of Lastovo, part of the Lastovo Islands nature park, we watched honey buzzards soar overhead and heard shearwater chicks calling to be fed at dusk. Lastovo is a dark skies island and we loved seeing the Milky Way sparkle so brightly. Most of the island is forested and the place remains very undeveloped, as a result of being reserved for the Yugoslav army until 1988. It’s a natural paradise of pine-scented trails leading to quiet beaches and interesting flora and fauna. It can be reached by frequent ferries from Dubrovnik and Korčula.
David Innes-Wilkin

Winning tip: The big beasts of Bieszczady in Poland

I went on a hiking tour to see large mammals in Bieszczady national park in south-east Poland in 2022 and it was amazing – gorgeous landscapes, wild bison, red deer, wolves, brown bears, lynx and wild boar. We walked through haunting overgrown orchards as the landscape was abandoned after the second world war. I went as a solo traveller with a company called Wild Poland (I did a three-day tour that started and ended in Kraków – but there are lots of different options and prices on their website).
Josie