travel

Emirates has issued an update for passengers

Emirates has issued an update to passengers and prospective travellers following news that Iran and the US have reached agreement on a conditional two-week ceasefire. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has been facilitating talks, announced early on Wednesday (April 8) that the ceasefire took effect immediately.

The Dubai-based carrier Emirates stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday morning that it is currently “operating a reduced flight schedule to over 100 destinations.” The statement continued, noting that those looking to make fresh bookings can check the most up-to-date flight schedules on the Emirates website.

Emirates added: “To provide further peace of mind, customers who make new bookings will also be offered one complimentary date change within the ticket’s validity.” Regarding those with pre-existing bookings, the airline said: “If your travel plans have been affected, we’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight.

“This applies to most disrupted tickets, including journeys connecting beyond Dubai.” Passengers booked to fly between February 28 and May 31 have several options available.

These travellers can request a refund by filling out a form on the Emirates website, with the funds expected to be returned to your account within 21 days. Alternatively, you can rebook onto a different flight to your planned destination up until June 15, 2026. Emirates continued: “If your original travel date is within 72 hours, rebook by visiting [the Emirates website] or “Manage Your Booking” on the Emirates App. If your booking is for later, please contact us for assistance at [the Emirates website].”

Prior to travel, passengers are encouraged to keep checking their flight status – even following check-in. The post adds: “You can also review the latest operational updates on [the Emirates website]. Make sure your details are up to date to receive notifications and check your email for changes or cancellations to your flights before travelling to the airport.

“We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly. Thank you for your understanding and patience.”

At the time of publication, Emirates said it is operating flights to Dubai from the following UK airports:

• Birmingham
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Newcastle

Chilling out in La Rioja

Recently travelling from Madrid to San Sebastián, we spent three days in picturesque Briñas in La Rioja, staying at the beautiful Finca Torre de Briñas (doubles from €189 B&B). The neighbouring town, Haro, reached via a 40-minute walk by the Ebro River, hosts several of the largest wine producers in the region (CVNE and Muga are recommended). You can stop in and sample them, before heading into the town centre, which has several tapas spots to fuel the walk back to the hotel. Bliss.
Tom Dickson

Forests and badlands in Murcia

Less than an hour’s drive – yet a world away – from the bustling Murcia coast sits the brooding Sierra Espuña mountain range, a green respite from the summer heat and the site of a rewilding project started more than a century ago. After a morning’s hike through the shady pines, we drove up a switchback mountain road to check out the 16th-century Pozos de la Nieve, and descended steps into a silent, cavernous interior. Come summer, stored ice was hauled by horse and cart from here down to wealthy city folk. Our return route passed the Barrancos de Gebas, a lunar “badlands” landscape formed from a seabed more than 10m years ago. There were few other visitors and it felt like our secret.
Cathy Robinson

Terraced vineyards in Galicia’s gorges

Forest fires in the Picos mountains led us on a detour via the Ribeira Sacra, a wine region in inland Galicia. The area is characterised by the deep canyons of the Sil and Miño rivers, and the steep-sided banks are lined with terraced vineyards, the grapes benefiting from the delicate ecosystem the gorges create. We swam in waterfalls, drank wine and walked among the narrow terraces. A highlight was the walk at the top of the Miradoiro de Souto Chao (the Grape Pickers’ Viewpoint). The views were stunning: tranquil, natural and barely a tourist in sight.
Ruth Chapman

A fairytale town in Navarre

A medieval settlement rising above the sparse landscape of Navarre province, Gallipienzo is the stuff of fairytales. Before beginning our ascent on the winding road to the old town, we took a dip in the Aragón River, much needed after sightseeing in scorching Pamplona. Arriving at Hotel Heredad Beragu (doubles from €109 B&B), we were given a warm welcome by Patxi and Ramón, who have turned an old farmstead into a chic getaway. After a sunset walk, soaking up views of the surrounding countryside framed by ramshackle doorways, we headed back to the hotel for a locally sourced dinner, rather smug to have discovered this gateway to the past.
Anna

Bridge to the Basque Country

The city of Bilbao is deservedly popular. But take a 25-minute train ride along the Nervión River to the coast and you will arrive in Portugalete. Head straight to the Crepería Miramar for great coffee and a perfect tortilla. The cafe sits on the estuary in the shadow of the wonderful Vizcaya Bridge. Built in 1893, it is the world’s oldest transporter bridge, a Unesco world heritage site, and the perfect combination of beauty and function. For €1 take a trip on the transporter over to Getxo and walk around the bay to the lovely fishing village of Algorta. A perfect day.
Michael Quinn

Exploring the Alpujarras, near Granada

Last month, I was delighted to find the almond blossom out while walking the Ruta Medieval in the Alpujarran municipality of La Taha. This year, after the disastrous storms in the south, no hike has been without hazards – landslides and fallen trees – so an app such as Wikiloc is essential to find detours. If you don’t have a car, a bus stops at Pitres, the start of the waymarked trail along ancient cobbled paths, through whitewashed, flat-roofed Moorish villages that hang on the side of the gorge created by the River Trevélez. There are various options after Ferreirola. A strenuous climb through Atalbéitar to Pórtugos, or a gentler one to Busquístar. Both have a bus back to Pitres or onwards to Órgiva (of Chris Stewart, Driving Over Lemons, fame) or even Granada.
Laura

Medieval gems in Léon

We arrived in Ponferrada on foot as part of our Camino de Santiago walk, so we could see the town looming up ahead of us well in advance. As well as an attractive centre with old buildings, restaurants, and bars serving the famous Bierzo wine, the most famous thing about Ponferrada is its huge Disney-like castle, thought to have been built by the Knights Templar, which not only hosts mock-medieval pageants but also contains a stunning collection of manuscripts and maps. After our journey from the lovely mountain village of El Acebo, we still found the energy to do the extra couple of miles uphill in the sun to visit the tiny romanesque church of Santo Tomás de las Ollas, which for me was worth a dozen castles.
Barbara Forbes

A spectacular slow rail trip from Santander

We got off the ferry at Santander and took a train on the narrow-gauge railway heading west. The slow and spectacular former Feve (now operated by Renfe) line runs along the northern Spanish coast towards Oviedo and Ferrol. We stopped off at coastal villages Llanes and San Vicente, and found great value places to stay, good local wine and excellent restaurants. Viveiro was another excellent stop where restaurants served cloudy white wine in ceramic jugs to accompany the wonderful seafood. Lonely and dramatic beaches complete the idyll. We had a lot of time so were able to absorb all this wonderful coast could offer before heading down towards Vigo and Porto by train.
Alan White

A stunning find near Girona

The stunning medieval town of Peratallada made a peaceful base for exploring the Empordà region in September. Against cloudless, azure skies, its caramel-coloured walls and arches dripped with red campsis and bougainvillea. It’s an excellent day trip from Girona (20 miles away) and towns on the Costa Brava, but it’s worth more of your time. Climb the Torre de las Horas bell tower (free; visitor numbers restricted) for great views, and work your way around the welcoming shops, cafes and restaurants. Particular favourites were Restaurant La Roca and DO Candelaria.
Kay Julier

Winning tip: Hanging in Cuenca

In the Castilla-La Mancha mountains east of Madrid, I visited the Unesco world heritage city of Cuenca. Sitting proudly upon its plateau and ensnared by the Júcar and Huécar rivers, this city offers spectacular vistas. To take advantage of the views and the otherworldly karst rock giants, hike the 4-mile circular route through pine forest, finishing with a sunset over the medieval city. Add to that a free abstract art museum vertiginously perched within the Casas Colgadas, and a beautifully-lit labyrinth of streets after dusk, and Cuenca is a perfect town to visit off the beaten track.
James Mulligan

Moving a town down the road requires a huge amount of money and incredible engineering expertise, but not losing the community in the process might be even more complex

One sunny day last August, a 713-tonne, 113-year-old church was lifted off the ground and placed onto a specialised 224-wheel transporter to begin its journey five kilometres down the road.

The Gothic revival Kiruna Church is a beloved building, once named the most beautiful in Sweden. It would’ve stood where it did to the west of the Arctic town for many decades more, had the ground not threatened to swallow it up.

A great cheer went up as the church arrived at its new home, traffic lights, lamp posts and even a bridge having been demolished to make way for the timber structure. Among the spectators was Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and children who clambered onto roofs for a better look. The widely publicised event made headlines across the world and the typically capable Swedish engineering team earned many metaphorical slaps on the back.

And then, a week later, everything changed.

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OPINION

Milo Boyd

“They smashed us in the head,” says Kjell Törmä, a local journalist and lifelong resident. The 67-year-old has chronicled the town’s move since 2004, when mining company Luossavaara Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag, (LKAB) first told the population what its digging had done.

A century of going down into the 2km iron ore deposit had caused fissures to spread from the mine to the town centre, roughly 2km away.

It was decided that the town must be moved, or else its foundations would collapse. At first, 4,700 residents would be moved to the safer east of the town – their homes bought and then demolished by LKAB, which is legally required to fund the estimated £737m relocation effort. Twenty buildings, including the church and iconic town hall, would be driven to safety.

“Almost everyone in Kiruna accepts this change, but many of us don’t like it. It is tragic in many ways. We have to accept it or accept that we will lose our jobs,” Kjell told the Mirror.

“In my family, my mother and father worked for LKAB for 75 years together, one of my brothers worked there for 20 years. I have done a lot of jobs for the mine as a freelancer. Almost every family depends on LKAB.”

As reluctantly accepting of the town’s move as locals may have been before, what came after the church relocation has caused far more disquiet. Eight days later, once the world’s press had left the town, 6,000 more locals were told their homes would be demolished.

“The mining company is the enemy. A lot of people are taking the money and leaving,” former Kiruna resident Hannes told me on the night train to the town.

The young dad was returning north, having swapped his hometown for Malmo in the far south several years ago. “I find it depressing to go back now,” he said, in between marshalling his sociable toddler as she made her way down the carriage.

Hannes’ parents have also left and soon, so will his cousin Kjell. “When they told us we had to move, I was in shock and sad for a week. Then my wife and I decided we would turn a page in our lives,” Kjell explained.

As technically remarkable as the great shift east is, and as deep as LKAB’s pockets seem to be when it comes to paying over the odds to homeowners, moving a town is complex.

Kjell is losing a home he’s spent 35 years building. Each day, he can hear machines working away in the distance.

“Many people who have moved from Kiruna and come back say it’s not my town anymore. I have always answered, ‘no it’s not the town for us elders, but for the kids. They grew up with this, it will be their town.’ But, a lot of memories are disappearing all the time.”

Exploring the old and new sides of town, their distinct personalities are immediately obvious. When city planner Per Olof Hallman drew up the blueprint a century ago, he selected the best location in terms of climate, placing the traditional Swedish timber home on a south-facing slope, close to the mines and with a favourable aspect and microclimate. Streets followed the terrain to avoid wind tunnelling and to maintain beautiful views for the residents.

In the new town, tall modern blocks of flats have been built in a dip, which blocks the view south and, according to a University of Gothenburg study, can be 10C colder than the old town.

The slightly ramshackle feeling of a community that has grown organically over the years is replaced with something a little more familiar.

“It looks like anywhere else in Sweden now,” Hannes says.

This is not to say that the move has not been attempted with great care, attention or love by those in charge. Indeed, Kjell says LKAB have managed it “very well” on the whole.

But it is undeniably difficult to transport a place that isn’t just physical buildings, but memories.

Göran Cars, the current urban planner for the Kiruna municipality, acknowledges the challenge. “I was stupid coming up here, because I assumed that the way to maintain identity and preserve history was to move physical buildings,” he told Dezeen.

“We are moving the church. When I speak to people they say: ‘Yes I know that, but what about a grave? How about the birches?’ I didn’t understand that. They are small trees! But they are 100 years old – as old as the church. I get the question time and time again: ‘What about the birches?’ So now we are moving the birches.”

The complexity of the challenge is sobering. This is, after all, Sweden, where the structures of local democracy are strong, the engineering sector is world-leading, and the concerns of nomadic reindeer herding Sami are increasingly heard. It’s also a project backed by one of the world’s biggest iron ore mines.

These are advantages other places won’t enjoy. And there will be many more such places.

The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report warns that the predicted 1.5 centigrade increase in global temperatures will lead to an average sea-level rise of between 26 and 77 centimetres by the end of the century. With 2C of warming – which looks increasingly likely – the Greenland ice shelf could melt, triggering a rise of up to seven metres.

The world’s largest cities Miami and Mumbai are under threat and the Maldives will likely be uninhabitable by 2100. Not just 10,500 as in Kiruna’s case, but millions of people will have to move.

LKAB and Kiruna Council were approached for comment.

Over the last year, activists have organized droves of people across the United States to protest and petition Congress over concerns that the Trump administration will sell off our most beloved outdoor spaces.

We’ve worried about general threats to public lands, such as whether the 700,000-acre Angeles National Forest or the 150,000-acre Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area will remain pristine protected landscapes. We’ve also seen specific examples of what activists have cautioned could happen: a large mining operation that could open just outside Joshua Tree National Park and a large housing development proposed at the border of Yosemite National Park.

And although that attention is more than warranted, for those of us living around Los Angeles, it’s crucial that we not miss a similar, quieter battle being fought locally by nonprofits and public agencies. Here in L.A., our wildlands are often protected parcel by parcel.

A bear meanders through the Rubio Canyon Preserve.

(Johanna Turner)

It’s a time-consuming, expensive and rewarding job that the Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy has been performing for, as of Friday, when the group celebrates its anniversary, 25 years.

I spoke with conservancy leaders about their vision to create an expansive corridor for wildlife moving among our mountain ranges. This would help combat climate change locally, make hillsides more fire resistant and ensure biodiversity among our local animals.

The Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy started with four neighbors — Altadena residents Nancy Steele, Astrid Ellersieck, Diane Walters and Lori Paul — who organized against a housing development that ultimately was constructed.

“They were unsuccessful in preventing the project, but they realized that working together, they could be powerful,” said Barbara Goto, the conservancy’s director of operations.

The group first launched the Altadena Foothills Conservancy with the hyperlocal focus of protecting the neighboring hillsides and canyons from development. Over the next seven years, the organization’s vision expanded to include the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains, and it started operating under its current name.

The organization has saved more than 140 acres from development since its founding. To identify ideal properties, they’ve used wildlife cameras, mapping software and other available data.

A Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris cadaverina) male, calling with extended throat, at Rubio Canyon.

(Althea Edwards)

The process to purchase those properties is often long and arduous. Conservancy staff must persuade a property owner to sell at fair-market price — a stipulation when the conservancy uses state funding to buy property. The owner must also be patient enough to wait for the conservancy to cobble together grants to buy the land.

After buying the land, the conservancy establishes a “friends” group — like Friends of Rubio — comprised of volunteers who yank invasive plants, reestablish trails (if applicable) and rebuild or restore passageways to make the property as appealing to animals as possible.

And it works.

The 41-acre Rubio Canyon Preserve, which sits about four miles northwest of Eaton Canyon, is regularly frequented by bears, mountain lions and deer passing to and from Angeles National Forest and the foothill landscape.

Two gray foxes appear to play together in Millard Canyon.

(Denis Callet)

At the conservancy’s Rosemont Preserve, volunteers have essentially removed all invasive castor bean, arundo (which clogs streams) and tree tobacco, which crowd out native plants and harm the landscape. It’s no surprise that the conservancy has documented 10 different mountain lions over the last nine years there (even though the preserve is surrounded on multiple sides by neighborhoods).

When the conservancy staff invited me to visit one of their preserves, I was eager and skeptical. I grew up in rural America, where my family’s 300-acre goat ranch was considered small. I’ve met ranchers who own essentially entire counties of land, especially around the Oklahoma-Texas Panhandle.

I had a bias going into this story. I assumed you needed big swaths of property to really make a difference. I realized how wrong I was when I visited the conservancy’s Cottonwood Canyon in Pasadena.

It is only 11 acres, but it is one of the most significant properties the conservancy has acquired. But that wasn’t immediately obvious.

A coyote trudges through the Rosemont Preserve.

(Denis Callet)

As John Howell, the conservancy’s chief executive, and Tim Martinez, the organization’s land manager, led me through the preserve, shaded by massive oak trees, they explained that a local educator had reached out to let the organization know that the property, which had been owned by the same family since 1885, would be up for sale.

The organization soon realized a few key details about the land. For one, it has a small-but-mighty spring that flows year-round into the Arroyo Seco. It is one of only two known year-round water sources for wildlife in the region, they said, a significant resource given how drought can dry up much of the nearby rivers and creeks.

But Cottonwood’s importance grew much larger when a staffer at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife pointed out during a visit to the property, Goto said, that the land could serve as a vital piece in a wildlife corridor puzzle. The land sits between the Hahamongna Watershed Park in La Cañada Flintridge to its east and the San Rafael Hills and Verdugo Mountains to its west.

“They’re like, ‘These are natural open spaces that need to be connected — these natural open spaces are large enough to support wildlife populations,’” Goto said. “So that is when our mission changed.”

A lesser goldfinch sings a little tune at Sycamore Canyon Preserve.

(TJ Hastings)

The organization has since pushed for the creation of the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor, a 20-mile stretch that would link the San Gabriel Mountains at Hahamongna Watershed Park to the San Gabriels at Big Tujunga Wash for wildlife passage through the San Rafael Hills and the Verdugo Mountains. (For a great visual, visit arroyosfoothills.org.)

This type of effort helps ensure that, for example, mountain lions don’t end up like the famous Griffith Park mountain lion P-22, surrounded by roadways and unable to safely look for a mate, or worse.

“P-41 was the resident cougar in the Verdugos and was there for 10 years with Nikita, and they sired two sets of two cubs,” Howell said. “And [with] the first set, one died on the 134 [Freeway] and the second one died on the 210 [Freeway]. And the second set were found emaciated under a car in Burbank, and they had to be saved.”

A mountain lion crosses through Millard Canyon.

(Johanna Turner)

One challenge the conservancy faces in building out the Hahamongna to Tujunga Wildlife Corridor, Goto said, is how state funding is allocated. It is coincidentally similar to my own bias going into this piece.

Goto said that, as incredible as California’s “30×30” goal is — to conserve 30% of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 — “it makes it very difficult to get funding for small parcels.”

Much of the money to buy public lands comes from bond measures, and although L.A. County arguably has one of the biggest voting blocks that passed those measures, a substantial amount of bond money goes to buy property in Northern California, where large plots are more ample, Goto said.

“It’s when we’re working on these wildlife corridors that don’t necessarily have water and are much smaller, that’s where it really gets difficult,” Goto said.

And sometimes all that’s needed is a parcel of land.

A curious deer at Cottonwood Canyon Preserve.

(Arroyos & Foothills Conservancy)

3 things to do

The L.A. River bike trail near Griffith Park.

(Los Angeles Times)

1. Mosey on down the river in Elysian Valley, a.k.a. Frogtown
L.A. Climate Week has organized an L.A. River Crawl from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in Frogtown. Several local organizations and businesses will be open along the route, offering live music, poetry, food pop-ups and family-friendly activities about climate change and ecology. To learn more, visit laclimateweek.com.

2. Gaze at the stars in San Diego
San Diego County Parks will host the Festival of the Night Sky and Nocturnal Creatures from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Los Peñasquitos Ranch House (12122 Canyonside Park Drive) in San Diego. This free all-ages event will include birdwatching, stargazing via telescopes and a night hike where participants will try to spot scorpions, crickets and bats. Visitors are encouraged to bring binoculars, flashlights, jackets, drinks and snacks. Learn more at the agency’s Instagram page.

3. Journal with genuine curiosity in L.A.
The L.A. City Department of Recreation and Parks will host a guided walk with nature journaling from 9 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Griffith Park. A guide will take hikers on a short walk before the group pauses to capture what they’ve noticed in journals. Some materials will be provided, but guests are encouraged to bring what supplies they have. Register at eventbrite.com.

The must-read

A professional guide with Times reporter Jack Dolan, right, set off near Donner Pass trailhead on a route taken by a backcountry ski group struck by an avalanche north of Tahoe on Feb. 17.

(Danny Kern / For The Times)

After hearing news of the deadliest avalanche in California history, many of us wondered how such a thing could happen given our access to weather data even in the most remote places. Times staff writer Jack Dolan retraced the steps of a guided backcountry ski trip where 13 people, including nine who died, were buried in snow during an intense blizzard. “Deep in a wooded ravine, bathed in warm sunlight, we knelt behind the makeshift memorial of flowers and looked up the slope that sent tons of snow barreling down,” Dolan wrote. “All we could see was a slight rise and a healthy forest of full-grown pine trees.”

There are no right words to say to capture the magnitude of heartache around this tragedy. The search for answers is one step in a long grieving process.

Happy adventuring,

P.S.

Valentine continues her quest for love, folks! The wolf who made history earlier this year when she entered Los Angeles County in search of a mate has made history for a second time. “The 3-year-old female with black fur entered Inyo County around 7 a.m. Sunday about 20 miles south of Mt. Whitney,” Times staff writer Lila Seidman wrote. “She became the first documented wolf to set paws in the Eastern Sierra county in more than a century, according to state wildlife officials.” It’s only been two months, meaning Valentine and her future mate could still qualify for a canine version of “90 Day Fiancé”!

For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.

A FERRY company has plunged into liquidation after 18 months of trying to save the business.

The service provides a vital link between Hythe and Southampton Town Quay.

The Hythe Ferry, operated by the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, has been inactive since August 2024, when damage was found on its boat’s pontoon and supporting structure.

The business has now gone into voluntary liquidation after it failed to secure necessary investment to survive.

A company spokesperson said: “This is a deeply disappointing outcome and not one that has been reached lightly.”

The service has been operational since 1874 and has passed through multiple ownerships.

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The firm is currently owned by cross-Solent operator Red Funnel, which runs services to the Isle of Wight.

It had previously been put up for sale in the hope of attracting a buyer.

Despite applying for funding and grants from investors, the company was not able to secure the necessary money to stay afloat after 18 months of trying.

After taking legal advice, it was decided that Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company would go into voluntary liquidation.

Staff have also been caught up in the fallout, with all employees now informed of the closure.

The company says workers will be supported throughout the process as the shutdown unfolds.

Specialist firm Leonard Curtis has been brought in to handle the liquidation, guiding the business through its final chapter.

Their role will include managing assets and supporting those affected.

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.

Travelodge confirmed it has changed its pet policy and upped the flat fee it charges pet owners for bringing their animals to its hotels

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has made a major change to its pet policy ahead of the peak May half-term and summer travel season.

Travelodge currently allow pets in all of their hotels in both standard and SuperRooms, and up to two domesticated animals, either cats or dogs, can currently stay with their owners in each room.

Previously, this was charged at £20 per pet per stay, regardless of how many nights the owners stayed, to allow for an additional deep clean of each room at the end of a break. However, this has now been increased to £25 per stay, meaning people who want to travel with their pooch or feline will end up paying more.

A spokesperson for Travelodge confirmed the change, telling the Mirror: “We are proud to be the only UK budget hotel chain to welcome pets at every one of our 600+ hotels, 365 days a year.

“Having held our pet supplement at the same price for over a decade, we have introduced a £5 increase across the majority of our hotels to reflect rising operational costs and ensure we can continue to offer a great quality stay for guests travelling with their animals.

“Unlike many other hotels, our flat fee of £25 per pet covers the entire duration of a pet’s stay, ensuring Travelodge remains a highly competitive and value-for-money option for pet owners. Customers will see the new price on the website when they make a pet booking.”

Travelodge customers who are travelling with pets can add them to their booking as an extra at the payment stage. While pets are allowed to stay in rooms, they’re generally barred from bar and restaurant areas. Its website also confirms: “Assistance dogs are welcome at all Travelodge hotels, free of charge.”

Recently, there has been a lively debate around dogs in public places, as a major European airline announced plans to allow dogs in the cabin. The plans will mean owners travelling on an Italian airline will be able to book a seat for their pup, rather than locking them in crates into the hold. A poll showed that 95% of Mirror readers agreed that dogs should be allowed to sit alongside their owners in the cabin.

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A recent poll also showed that six out of ten dog owners choose their holidays based on their pet’s preference. The survey, which involved data from over 2,000 pet owners, showed that top destinations in the UK for dog-friendly travel included Devon and Cornwall.

An impressive 78% of dog owners who took their pet on holiday chose destinations based on whether there were nice places nearby for walkies, while 30% said they’d never return to a staycation spot if it failed to meet their pet’s needs. Around a third of pet owners also plan their routes and travels around doggy-friendly rest stops.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

BRITS visiting Europe will be hit with new travel rules from tomorrow, but there are still some exceptions.

A total of 29 countries are set to implement the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) from Friday, April 10.

The EES will replace passport stamping for all non-EU citizens this week, after an initial rollout in October 2025.

This new entry system will use machines across airports, ferry terminals, and the Eurostar to log fingerprints and facial images and scan passports.

These machines will be in place at destination airporta when arriving into the EU and before departure for rail and ferry trips from the Port of Dover, Folkestone, and St Pancras International.

All “third-country nationals”, including Brits, will be required to register their details on these machines during their first visit to a Schengen area country, as well as in Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

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Meanwhile, manual passport stamping will continue to be used in Ireland and Cyprus.

Initially scheduled to become fully operational across all Schengen area border crossing points from Friday, the new process doesn’t appear to be ready in some countries.

Reports suggest that some crossing points are not prepared to start processing non-EU nationals via the new EES machines.

Technical issues in France are having a knock-on effect for the system’s rollout at the Eurostar, as well as at the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and on cross-channel services between the Port of Dover and Calais.

French authorities confirmed travellers using these services will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as the technology is not yet in place.

Only lorry drivers and coach and foot passengers will be required to register with EES at the Port of Dover.

Chaos is also anticipated for air passengers, with some airports preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.

The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.

Digital EES records will be valid for three years, with non-EU nationals who return during this time only required to provide a fingerprint or photo at the border, when entering or exiting.

DRAMATIC drone footage has captured Manchester’s major indoor leisure resort taking shape.

The £500 million Therme development, spanning roughly 28 football pitches, can be seen coming together from above.

Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Lingham said: “For the first time, you can see the design translating into reality.

“The central hub is a defining part of the scheme, and it’s now clearly visible on site as the project begins to take shape.”

Once complete, Therme Manchester will be one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world and the “biggest paid-for attraction in the UK”.

It is currently scheduled to open at the end of 2028, boasting several state-of-the-art facilities.

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Inside, visitors can expect a heated waterpark with lots of spa and wellness facilities.

The complex will have an outdoor beach as well.

This will be the first Therme site in the UK with separate locations in Germany and Romania.

Therme Manchester was first announced back in 2020 and was due to open in 2024, before being delayed.

When construction started in September, Therme UK CEO Prof. David Russell said: “Today marks the official beginning of a once-in-a-generation project for Manchester and the North West.

“Therme Manchester will be a place for everyone – a unique destination where wellbeing, sustainability, art and culture come together.”

ONE of Newcastle’s most legendary bars closed its doors to customers earlier this year, signalling the end of an era for a part of the city’s much celebrated nightlife.

Anyone who’s been for a night out in the Toon in the last 20 years or so will have likely ventured down the dark staircase of Mushroom, before sticking to its practically adhesive floor.

Mushroom was a prime spot for people to enjoy a dance and some cheap drinks before moving on to one of the many clubs elsewhere in the city.

And a visit was never complete without drinking a pint of its famous sickly sweet Skittles.

The handful of recipes available online for this sugary concoction aren’t completely in agreement about its ingredients.

But it’s generally accepted that it contained at least two shots of vodka, some blue curaçao, then either a shot of peach schnapps or Taboo (a fruity 14.9 per cent vodka-based drink), all chucked in a pint glass with orange and lemonade filling it to the brim.

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Whether or not Mushroom actually invented the drink remains up for debate, with other bars joining it on the Skittles bandwagon, but it was always known as “the home of Skittles” leaving no question about its spiritual residence, with the venue selling little else to its punters on a night out.

Earlier this year, it finally closed its doors after 23 years with a 14-hour long farewell party, reportedly attended by as many as 5,000 people, with local DJs performing throughout the night.

Nevertheless, Newcastle’s nightlife is much more than just one bar – here are 10 reasons why it’s still the best city in the country for an evening out.

One of the country’s cheapest pints

According to figures released at the end of last year, a pint in Newcastle is cheaper than most big cities in the UK.

Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Belfast, Bath, Bristol and of course London were all among those whose average pint prices exceeded Newcastle’s fairly reasonable £5.28, according to financial information provider Finder.

That price is below the national average of £5.50, making a night out in Newcastle more affordable than many others.

Home of the Diamond Strip

Collingwood Street was bestowed its ‘Diamond Strip’ nickname because of its high concentration of luxury bars and nightclubs, all close to one another.

Popular with stag and hen dos, and with celebrities, the likes of Tup Tup Palace, Tokyo, Soho Rooms, ChachaBuchi, Mimo, Manhatta, Vampire Rabbit and others are all within a stone’s throw of each other, making a high-end bar crawl very easy to accomplish.

Fans of reality series Geordie Shore will definitely recognise some of these establishments from the show, and may well end up in an episode if they time their visit right.

Ouseburn Valley

Newcastle isn’t just a place for crazy nights out, cheap trebles and drinking shots with celebs. It also has more than its fair share of relaxing pubs, perfect for whiling away an evening with a couple of pints.

Undoubtedly the best place to do that is the Ouseburn Valley, with historic boozers like the Cumberland Arms, the Tyne Bar and the Ship making for a fantastic pub crawl away from the craziness of the city centre.

The jewel in the crown of the Ouseburn is the Free Trade, which offers one of the best views of the Tyne you’ll find anywhere in the city, be it from its wonderful beer garden, or the stools next to its giant windows.

For more in the UK – here are our favourite hotels in the country from Manchester to Cambridge…

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Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

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The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

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The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

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The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

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Breweries, breweries, breweries

Beer enthusiasts can spread themselves beyond the Ouseburn Valley into the many breweries and tap rooms that have opened across Newcastle, with the city offering a wide selection of options for those into the craft beer scene.

Donzoko Brewery and Tap Room is a unique little brewery near the Ouseburn, serving a range of lagers and ales as well as bar snacks.

Other well-regarded breweries include the Anarchy Brew Co and the Wylam Brewery, which is housed in the impressive Palace of Arts building in Exhibition Park and regularly hosts gigs, live comedy and food-related events, like battle of the burger and slice wars.

Gordon Ramsay’s Favourite Curry

Kicking off the night with something good to eat is simple in Newcastle, with a fantastic array of restaurants spread throughout the city, catering to all tastes.

However, one of its best-loved eateries is Khai Khai, which has served everyone from local royalty like Alan Shearer to Hollywood A-listers like Harrison Ford.

Meanwhile, globally renowned chef Gordon Ramsay once described his meal there as “one of the best curries in my entire life, that took me back to being in Mumbai and Rajasthan.”

24 Hour Greggs

When it comes to food at the end of the evening, Newcastle has got revellers well covered as well, with one of the city’s most famous exports open all hours.

The first ever branch of Greggs was opened in nearby Gosforth in 1951 and now two of the city’s 21 branches have 24-hour licences, meaning party-goers can treat themselves to a steak bake or sausage roll instead of the classic kebab after their night out.

The city also has some unique versions of the beloved bakery, including one in its branch of Primark.

Music Venues and Strong Local Music Scene

For live music enthusiasts there’s a fantastic local music scene to explore, with venues big and small hosting everyone from local up-and-comers to global superstars.

Smaller venues like the Head of Steam opposite the train station showcase the next generation of musical talent, while the Cluny in the Ouseburn Valley regularly hosts established names.

Elsewhere, the City Hall and Utilita Arena are your go-to spots for bigger names, while Newcastle United’s football stadium St James’ Park has been known to host blockbuster gigs as well.

With a scene that has produced the likes of Sam Fender in recent years, going to the smaller venues might be worth your while if you want to catch the next wave of talent before it hits the big time.

Big Football Nights

With Newcastle United’s return to the Champions League in recent seasons, huge European nights are finally back in the city.

Global superstars like Kylian Mbappe, Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembele have all turned up for big games at St James’ in the last two years, providing wonderful nights of entertainment for sports fans.

Head to Toon fans’ favourite pub The Strawberry before kick-off to get a taste of authentic Geordie atmosphere before taking in the game among 50 thousand supporters – an experience truly like no other.

Friendly locals

A night out is rarely good because of where you are – it’s much more about who you’re with. Luckily, in Newcastle, both location and company are well covered.

Geordies are regularly named among the most welcoming people in online polls and surveys, while travel publications like Big 7 Travel have also praised the Toon’s locals in recent years, naming it the country’s friendliest city in 2024.

In fact, train company Lumo once revealed that the Geordie accent is the most likely to put a smile on someone’s face, beating other popular regional accents like Yorkshire, Scouse, Cockney and Glaswegian to top spot.

Set off from Newcastle, wake up in Amsterdam

One of the best nights out in Newcastle doesn’t actually take place in the city at all. However, it does start there.

Overnight ferries run from the toon to Amsterdam, and there’s little else to do on board other than make the most of its bar and nightclub.

Make friends with your shipmates, bond over a bottle or two, then head to your cabin before waking up in another of Europe’s greatest party destinations to continue the celebrations.

For more UK breaks, check out 11 of the best English towns for a day trip this Easter from historic markets to trendy seasides.

And one man who travelled across the UK to find bucket list journeys reveals his favourites from seaside walks to scenic train rides.

Rules around travel to Europe are changing – make sure you’re prepared by following a travel expert’s tips.

Nobody wants to face those dreaded airport queues; there’s nothing to ruin the start of a holiday than being stuck in a long queue, stressing about whether you’ll make your flight, surrounded by equally frustrated travellers.

From April 10, new biometric checks will become mandatory for all non-EU travellers entering the Schengen Area which will include Brits. Traditional passport stamping is now replaced by fingerprint scans and facial recognition. While it is meant to be a quick process, major international hubs are already reporting long queues of up to four hours for the service, especially at airports that host multiple airlines.

With that in mind, Jane Bolton, a travel expert at Erna Low, has shared four simple but essential tips to help passengers avoid unnecessary delays and start their trip without delays.

Arrive earlier than you think you need to

“Airport wait times can vary, but with the new EES checks, queues of up to four hours are expected at peak times,” Jane explains. “In the past, travellers were advised to arrive two hours before a domestic flight and three hours for an international flight. Now, it’s worth allowing more time than usual.”

To be extra prepared, Jane would recommend arriving three to four hours before the flight to account for additional biometric checks slowing down border processing – especially if you’re flying during busier holiday periods.

Consider fast-track options where possible

But spending so much time in airports isn’t exactly everyone’s idea of fun. In that case, fast-track security could be worth the investment. “As long queues are expected, passengers should opt for alternative time-saving methods where possible,” Jane says. “Purchasing fast-track tickets for security is a great method for reducing the time needed prior to a flight.” Typically costing between £3 and £12, these passes can help you bypass long security lines, a price she says is “a relatively small investment for peace of mind.”

Plan carefully if you’re travelling with family

Under the new system, families might even face additional challenges – children under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting and facial recognition, but they must be linked to a registered adult. “For families or large parties travelling, allowing extra time at the airport is essential,” Jane explains. “This process will take longer than average, so plan ahead and keep all documents ready.”

Double-check your passport before you go

Since Brexit, Jane says, one of the most common mistakes travellers make is assuming their passport is valid everywhere, at any point. “Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before your travel date and be valid for at least three months after departure,” Jane says. She stresses that, while most would know their passport is expired, some wouldn’t think to check one thing that also matters: the issue date. She explains: “For example, a passport issued in March 2015 and expiring in December 2025 won’t be valid for EU travel after March 2025.” Failing to check this could mean being turned away at the airport before your trip even begins.

Travel Health Pro has issued a reminder to holidaymakers

Brits planning overseas holidays are being urged to complete one crucial task before jetting off. According to experts, this applies to “all” travellers.

In an update posted on the Travel Health Pro website, holidaymakers were reminded to thoroughly research their destinations ahead of their trip. This includes reviewing guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) regarding the country you’re heading to.

Adhering to this advice, which addresses any possible health and security concerns, will help you “stay safe”. Travel Health Pro said: “Most travellers have a safe, enjoyable trip without any problems, but basic precautions should be taken to help maintain personal safety.

“The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) recommend all travellers from the United Kingdom (UK) prepare well and research their destinations before they go.” It continued: “FCDO travel advice provides country-specific safety and security advice, along with information about local laws and customs.

“Researching destinations before departure (ideally before booking a trip) and following FCDO advice helps you stay safe.” Should the FCDO deem the risk of travel to be “unacceptably high”, they will formally advise British nationals against “all but essential travel” or “all travel” to a specific country or region.

This information can be accessed by searching for a specific country via the FCDO country page. Additionally, you can also receive FCDO email alerts regarding particular countries by registering through a link on the FCDO country page for your chosen destination.

It’s crucial to note that your travel insurance could be rendered void should you travel against FCDO guidance. Travel Health Pro also provided the following general advice for those heading abroad.

Take care

It encouraged people to “take care” with important documents, insurance details, contact numbers and belongings.

Dress and behave appropriately

Avoid obvious displays of wealth, dress suitably and behave appropriately, it said. “For example, public displays of affection are unacceptable in some regions and alcohol is banned in certain countries,” the website said.

Alcohol

It continued: “Some accidents and injuries can be prevented by careful behaviour. Alcohol may be a factor, as it can affect judgment and lower inhibitions. Ideally, if you drink alcohol, only do so in moderation.”

Further to this, you should not drink alcohol in countries where it is prohibited.

Drugs

Possessing or smuggling illegal drugs, even in tiny amounts, are serious crimes in many countries. This includes cannabis.

Travel Health Pro said: “UK residents caught carrying illegal drugs while visiting or passing through a country will face that country’s laws. These can be much stricter than UK laws, as some countries have a zero-tolerance policy to drug offences.

“Punishment could include arrest and detention, with a long prison sentence if charged and convicted. Many international airports, train stations and ports have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, which may be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.”

LGBTQ+ travellers

It added: “FCDO advise that attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) travellers worldwide can be very different to those in the UK. They advise LGBT+ travellers to find out about local laws and social attitudes towards same-sex relationships, gender expression and identity before you visit a country.”

To check specific advice on your destination, visit the FCDO country pages here.

If you’re planning to take a hot beverage on your next flight, make sure you know your airline’s policy around food and drink. Some airlines are pickier than others about what you can bring into the cabin

When you’re rushing to the airport for a budget airline flight at some ungodly hour, you’ll no doubt be dreaming of your first cup of coffee of the day. Once through security, many of us make a beeline for the nearest café to get us through to our destination.

However, when it comes to boarding your flight, not all airlines are happy for you to bring your venti cup onboard. While some airlines are fine with hot drinks as long as the lid is well-secured, others will make you bin your freshly-roasted drinks and you may end up waiting for the trolley to come round to get your caffeine fix.

It’s important to check the rules with your airline – otherwise you may end up wasting money on a coffee you then need to chuck before you get on your flight.

Here’s what some of the UK’s most popular airlines say about bringing hot drinks onboard in their policies.

EasyJet

If you’ve booked a flight with easyJet you can bring your own food and drink, although the airline does of course sell its own range onboard. When it comes to your morning cuppa or coffee, the easyJet website states: “You can bring hot drinks on board if you’ve bought them at the airport and they have a lid on.”

When you buy your takeaway drink, make sure you keep hold of the lid, or even better buy a reusable cup with a tight seal such as the Byron 2.0 SNAPSEAL™ Travel Mug and get it filled with your favourite drink at the airport before you board.

Jet2

Unfortunately for Jet2 passengers, the airline doesn’t allow you to bring a cup of coffee onboard, even if bought at the airport. Its website states: “No, you can’t bring hot food or hot drinks onboard our planes for safety reasons. However, we offer a great selection of meal deals and hot and cold sandwiches that can be pre-purchased in Manage My Booking.”

The Jet2 website also has a link to its online menu, which shows it sells a range of Costa coffees including cappuccinos, lattes, Americanos, and decaf options. Its menu also includes Yorkshire Tea and Cadbury’s hot chocolate.

Ryanair

While Ryanair does allow passengers to bring their own cold food and drink onboard, its general terms and conditions of carriage clearly state: “You must not take hot drinks on the plane, or drink your own alcohol when on the plane.”

Ryanair has an app that allows passengers to order food and drink before the trolley comes round and in-between drink service. You can therefore order a coffee or tea as soon as you’re in the air and the crew will deliver it when safe to do so. While its hot drink selection is quite limited at just coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or cappuccino, the airline does offer some meal deals that include a sandwich and panini, snack, and either hot or cold drink which can work out cheaper.

TUI

TUI don’t specify whether you can bring your cup of coffee onboard. Under an FAQ saying “Can I take my own food for the flight?” the airline has responded: “Yes. However, we can’t provide heating facilities on board – although for infants, we are able to warm bottles of milk in hot water.

“Therefore, we would advise low-risk food such as pre-made sandwiches and snacks that can be eaten cold.”

It’s likely to be at the discretion of flight attendants whether they let you bring your coffee cup onboard, so you may be better off waiting for the trolley. TUI’s inflight café menu for short-haul flights includes cappuccinos, Americanos, and decaf options for coffee, as well as teas including herbal tea, and Cadbury’s hot chocolate.

British Airways

British Airways (BA) also don’t explicitly ban hot drinks from being brought onboard. It simply states that food and drink needs to pass security checks and adhere to customs regulations, so again, it’s likely to be at the crew’s discretion.

BA offer the High Life Café aboard most short-haul routes meaning travellers get a better choice of hot drinks than most airlines. From a flat white to a pumpkin spice latte, you’ll find the kind of coffees you usually order in high street chains. It also offers a wide range of Birchall teas and hot chocolate.

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Pooh Corner café in Hartfield, East Sussex, is only a short drive from London and takes inspiration from the classic Winnie the Pooh tales – with themed food, décor and afternoon tea

People are astonished as they discover the ‘cutest’ café in the countryside, merely an hour from London, which draws inspiration from a beloved classic childhood book character.

The café in question is Pooh Corner, situated in Hartfield, near the Ashdown forest in East Sussex, recognised as the inspiration for ‘the real’ Hundred Acre Woods in the timeless tales. A.A. Milne penned all of his Winnie the Pooh books there, inspired by his woodland adventures with his son, Christopher Robin, and he passed away at Cotchford Farm in 1956.

Every year, visitors from across the world travel to the forest in question, eager to walk in the footsteps of the globally renowned bear. And now they can also enjoy a Pooh-themed meal in ‘the cutest’ local café.

On TikTok, one user named ‘inherauraaa’ from London documented their visit to the charming café, which is just a brief drive from London.

“The cosiest tiny café in the countryside for brunch located just outside of London. The food are all affordable and all Winnie the Pooh inspired,” they penned in the post’s caption.

In the clip, the Londoner showcased footage from the café, from the Winnie the Pooh-themed sign outside, to the memorabilia and decorations inside that enhanced the charm.

As they visited during spring, the outdoor space was flourishing with various flowers and plants, where a sign featuring Pooh bear instructed them to wait to be seated. Even the crockery and cups were Winnie the Pooh themed, as they showcased their food order of scones with honey and clotted cream, along with hot chocolates topped with whipped cream. The tea was also served in a Winnie the Pooh teapot.

“Tiny outdoor and indoor seating area, also a big walk into the field just behind the café (didn’t have time for this sadly) and a gift shop indoors with small rooms of displays and collections. Just a 1hr drive out of London, worth a visit,” the user added.

The Pooh Corner café, though compact, boasts over 1,600 reviews on TripAdvisor, with an impressive average score of 4.6 out of 5. Visitors rave about the delightful teddy toast, scones, and afternoon tea on offer, alongside a wide selection of teas and coffees.

Reviewers also draw attention to the quaint and charming atmosphere and the wallet-friendly prices, while also praising the warm and welcoming staff.

The comment section of the video quickly filled up with people eager to find out exactly where the café was located, tagging friends and loved ones with plans to visit, as they set about arranging their own trips.

WHEN you think of Oxford Street in London, your first thoughts might be massive crowds – but this is set to all change.

New plans are being made to completely revamp the UK’s busiest high street, with inspirations being drawn from another famous road in Spain; La Rambla.

Currently, Oxford Street welcomes around 500,000 visitors a day to over 300 shops which include Selfridges and the recently-opened Ikea.

But Oxford Street’s £150milllion revamp will see it pedestrianised between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, meaning more space for people to walk by replacing the roads with paths.

The man behind the massive Oxford Street project, Scott Parsons, admitted the street currently feels like a “hostile environment” and that he even used to walk out of his way to avoid Oxford Street.

He added that he wants to ditch the “dip in, dip out” vibe of the famous road, and instead make it a destination for visitors to “stroll and linger”.

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Both Mr Parsons and Seb Dance, London’s deputy mayor, said they were inspired by La Rambla in Barcelona, to see the “the benefits of pedestrianised streets for cities and the challenges of large-scale regeneration projects,” according to The Times.

In comparison, stretching just under three-quarters of a mile long, La Rambla is Barcelona‘s most iconic pedestrian area and welcomes around 150,000 people a day.

Along La Rambla, visitors can stop off at a number of destinations too including the Mercat de la Boqueria food market, the historic Liceu Theatre opera house and Miro’s Mosaic.

But over the recent years there have been a growing number of complaints that the spot has become a tourist trap as well.

In a bid to avoid this worsening, a £48million revamp is underway of La Rambla and is expected to be completed by February 2027.

To avoid the issues faced on La Rambla, the development of Oxford Street will need to make sure it doesn’t become full of kiosks that block the paths.

Not only that, but there will also need to be sufficient crowd management, while allowing restaurants and cafes stay open in the evenings to stop the street from becoming empty.

Locals are worried though, that the pedestrianisation will push the traffic out into the surrounding areas such as Soho and Mayfair.

Even Transport for London (TfL) is having to divert its bus routes for the pedestrianisation.

However, Parsons asserted that the current plan will “put Oxford Street back on the map… not just the map of London, but for the UK high street as a global icon”.

In addition, Sadiq Khan previously mentioned that the street will be returned to its “former glory” and rivals the likes of Champs-Elysees in Paris and Times Square in New York as well.

The first phase of the £150million project will be to ban cars on Oxford Street this summer between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch.

This will then be followed by banning buses, taxis and cyclists later in the year.

Temporary “public realm schemes” will also be put in place to “beautify” the street, before later being replaced by permanent schemes.

Permanent features will then include more trees, greenery, rest areas and spots for children to play in.

Once complete Oxford Street is set to “host world-class events, from sport to culture and fashion, as well as exciting new retail and leisure experiences”, according to Sadiq Khan.

And in the future, the pedestrianised zone could be expanded to Tottenham Court Road.

Around 63 per cent of Londoners agree with decision to make Oxford Street pedestrianised.

Sadiq Khan previously commented: “We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue.

He added that it will help to attract more international visitors, as well as create a “beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect”.

In other London news, the city’s ‘best family attraction’ is about to get even better – with huge new outdoor play area and cafe next month.

Plus, save up to £10 off top London attraction tickets.

THE crisis in Iran has had a knock-on effect around the world from the rising cost of fuel, an increase in energy bills, and where to go on your next holiday.

But when it comes to the price of summer breaks this year, the good news is that they’ve barely moved – and in some cases, the cost of holidays have even dropped by hundreds of pounds.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

On average holidays are up £23, but TravelSupermarket has also revealed that surprisingly, hundreds of popular destinations have actually seen prices fall.

TravelSupermarket has found that some holidays at certain destinations are actually cheaper than when the Iran conflict began.

Here are the top five destinations with the biggest price drops in the summer holidays based on a seven-night holiday between April and September, 2026.

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Italy

At the very top with the biggest price drop is the Neapolitan Riviera in Italy.

Here, holidays are sitting at an average price of £905 per person, which has a price drop of £232.

It’s where you’ll find beautiful and colourful towns perched on clifftops – with spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius in some cases.

Specifically, it’s where you can explore the clifftops of Sorrento, the island of Capri and Ischia in the Bay of Naples.

Other places in Italy make it into the top five too – the Amalfi Coast and the Italian Lakes.

The Amalfi Coast is a popular destination with millions of tourists who flock there every summer for its great weather and tasty food.

Now, holidays on average there have dropped by £126 per person, with the average price of a break being £1,073.

At the Italian Lakes, which is where you’ll find the beautiful Lake Garda, Como, Maggiore and Orta – prices have dropped on average by £122pp.

Now, the average cost of a holiday here per person during the summer is £714.

For more on holidays, here are our favourite TUI breaks…

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Globales Montemar, Ibiza

This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.

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Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura

This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.

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Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur, Majorca

This hotel sits on Majorca’s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.

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Riu Baobab, Senegal

The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, sat on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.

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Caribbean

If you’re looking for a long-haul destination, check out the Dominican Republic.

TravelSupermarket worked out that the average holiday here is now £1,364pp – a drop of £130pp.

It has cracking weather, white sand beaches, beautiful resorts and lively towns like Punta Cana on the eastern side of the island.

The Dominican Republic is also the cheapest in the Caribbean – the average price of coffee is £1.53 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant can start from £4.90, according to Wise.

In comparison, a meal in Barbados is around £14.50 and a coffee is around £3.32.

Spain

If quick and easy holidays are more your bag for 2026, then check out La Palma.

It’s not the most well-known of the Canary Islands and is much quieter too.

It doesn’t have the enormous resorts, so if a calmer, nature-inspired holiday is on the cards, it’s a great option.

The main town is Santa Cruz La Palma which has bright coloured buildings, cobbled streets and wooden balconies that look over the black-sand beach.

Holidays here have dropped by £120 and can be on average as cheap as £474pp.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket, said: “Despite the current uncertainty, summer holiday prices haven’t moved dramatically — up by just £23 on average across all destinations.

“For holidaymakers sitting on the fence, that’s a signal worth paying attention to. Prices won’t stay like this indefinitely, and with so many destinations actually seeing prices fall — places like Majorca, Corfu and Turkey — now could be a smart time to book ahead of any increases.

“Holiday companies are keen to get bookings moving, and that’s likely filtering through into some very competitive pricing right now.”

These are the 20 holiday destinations that have fallen in price, according to TravelSupermarket…

Here are the 20 destinations that have fallen in price – and the average amount less per person…

1. Neapolitan Riviera, Italy (price drop -£232)
2. Dominican Republic (price drop -£130)
3. Amalfi Coast, Italy (price drop -£126)
4. Italian Lakes, Italy (price drop -£122)
5. La Palma, Spain (price drop -£120)
6. Bodrum Area, Turkey (price drop -£118)
7. Mexico (price drop -£110)
8. Dalaman Area, Turkey (price drop -£110)
9. St Lucia (price drop -£101)
10. Cape Verde (price drop -£99)
11. Antalya Area, Turkey (price drop -£90)
12. Costa de Almería, Spain (price drop -£88)
13. Majorca, Spain (price drop -£86)
14. Montenegro (price drop -£84)
15. Corfu, Greece (price drop -£83)
16. Skiathos, Greece (price drop -£82)
17. Hurghada, Egypt (price drop -£77)
18. Izmir Area, Turkey (price drop -£76)
19. Tuscany Coast, Italy (price drop -£69)
20. Costa Brava, Spain (price drop -£63)

For more cheap holidays, here’s a 10 all-inclusive weekend holidays abroad that are cheaper than a night out with mates in the UK.

And here are 20 of the cheapest all-inclusive resorts for summer 2026 – with family holidays from £349pp.

Kirsty Campbell Russell is urging others to be careful

A five-year-old lad has been left with a giant dragon-shaped SCAR – after suffering an allergic reaction to a holiday black henna tattoo. Kirsty Campbell Russell flew out to Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt with her partner and five kids in December last year for a relaxing nine-day holiday.

During their trip the family all decided to get henna designs drawn onto their arms on a day out at the local shopping centre. Kirsty opted for a traditional pattern on her hand and her youngest son Mason Abrams, five, had a dragon design drawn onto his right arm.

The 36-year-old mum says everyone loved their designs and suffered no irritation from the henna while abroad. But when her son Mason’s design had rubbed off 10 days later, the cleaning business owner claims he was left with a red, raised imprint of the dragon on his arm.

Kirsty says her son wasn’t in any pain, but when the design didn’t fade, she booked a video call GP appointment that confirmed Mason had suffered an allergic reaction to the dye. She claims the doctor said this is because the artist had used black henna and not traditional henna, which is a brown-orange colour.

According to the British Skin Foundation, black henna frequently contains the chemical dye p-Phenylenediamine [PPD], which can cause blistering, painful burns and scarring to the skin. Kirsty is now urging others to check the ingredients in the henna being used before getting an inking as she now fears her son will be scarred for life.

Kirsty, from Basingstoke in Hampshire, said: “He’s the youngest of five, so if all the others are getting one, it was a bit mean not to let him get one. I had one done too and mine and everyone else’s was fine.

“The tattoo looked fine and he didn’t complain at all. It was only 10 days later, when the black had faded, that we realised that he had reacted.

“It was raised and you can still see it now. I think he’s going to be scarred for life, it looks like a scar now.

“I noticed that it was an allergic reaction and I did feel a bit guilty about it, but we asked if it was safe and the guy showed us photos of toddlers getting it done. We trusted where we had it done.

“The doctor just told us to be careful in the sunshine and put extra suncream on it until it’s fully healed. You can still see it on his arm and I’m worried it’s going to be there forever and he’s going to be left with a permanent tattoo from it.”

Kirsty is now warning people about getting henna tattoos on holiday and says they should always check the ingredients in the dye before being inked.

Kirsty said: “I would tell people to check what ingredients are in the henna and note it shouldn’t be black, it should be brown. The man just told me it was safe and I just presumed henna was henna. I didn’t realise there were different types.”

THREE brand-new railway stations have opened in Birmingham city after 80 years.

Trains are returning to communities that have been cut off since World War Two.

Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road are finally back on the map after more than eight decades without passenger services.

The three stations have reopened on April 7 as part of £185million project to reinstate connection to the city centre.

Journeys are expected to be quick with trips from Moseley Village to Birmingham‘s New Street taking as little as 12 minutes.

Travel time from Kings Heath is estimated to be 15 minutes, and 17 minutes from Pineapple Road.

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Passengers can also expect trains every 30 minutes from Monday to Saturday, and hourly services on Sunday.

Modern stations are equipped with new lifts, cycle parking, help points and accessible connections between platforms.

The line originally shut to passengers in 1941 during wartime shortages and has stayed closed ever since.

West Midlands Railway, which operates the stations, says the new line will be a “real gamechanger”.

Sandeep Shingadia, executive director of Transport for West Midlands, said: “These vibrant neighbourhoods of Moseley, Kings Heath and Stirchley have waited 85 years for a direct rail link to the heart of Birmingham — today, that has changed.

“Restoring passenger services to the Camp Hill line isn’t just about shorter journey times.

“It’s about easing congestion on our roads, cutting carbon emissions and opening up new economic opportunities across the region.”

IF you’re looking for a top notch, classic campsite with no-frills – The Spinney Wild Camping has just been named the best.

The campsite in East Yorkshire has scooped up a Gold Award with 10/10 reviews from families calling it a “wonderful hidden gem”.

Pitch Up, an online booking platform specialising in camping, glamping and caravan sites has found the best in the country.

Based solely on reviews and ratings, The Spinney Wild Camping has been named Pitch Up’s best campsite in Britain.

The site got 10/10 ratings from all 58 of its reviews and was described as being “no-frill and wild”.

It’s affordable too with prices starting from £12.50pppn.

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The spot in East Yorkshire is small with space for just 10 tents, and campers can pitch tents in either the woodland or the meadow.

It has plenty of open space for children and dogs to run about and play as well as hammocks to laze about in.

It is also completely off grid with no outdoor lighting, so visitors are advised to bring a torch for when it gets dark.

For when the weather doesn’t play ball, the campsite has a garden room with a sofa and games for entertainment.

There’s also a hot tub that guests can hire out and firepits for barbecuing.

It’s quite simple when it comes to facilities and has a compost toilet – but the site does have running water.

The campsite achieved a clean sweep of full marks for location, value for money, accommodation, facilities, customer service, child friendliness, cleanliness and WiFi.

One visitor called it a “wonderful hidden gem”, a second called it “idyllic”.

Another said: “As a single mum with two children I felt very safe here, the choice of where to pitch was just brilliant. We chose a hidden spot waking up with the beautiful oak trees.”

For more on holiday parks, here are some of our favourites in the UK…

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Park Holidays UK Sand le Mere, Yorkshire

This holiday park in Yorkshire is a thriving family resort, just steps from Tunstall Beach. Entertainment is what this resort does best, with costume character performances, Link-up Bingo and cabaret shows. Accommodation ranges from fully-equipped Gold Caravans to Platinum Lodges with sun decks and luxury bedding.

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St Ives Bay Beach Resort, Cornwall

This beachfront resort in St Ives, Cornwall is a true beach bum’s paradise – whether you want to laze out on the sand, or take to the waves for some surfing. Activities include disc golf, a Nerf challenge and an outdoor cinema, as well as indoor activities for the colder months like karaoke, bingo and DJ sets.

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Billing Aquadrome Holiday Park, Northampton

This holiday park has loads of unique activities on offer, including TikTok dance classes, alpaca feeding, a pump track for BMX riding, and taking a ride on the resort’s very own miniature railway. Throw in bug hotel and den building, pond dipping, survival skills workshops and a lake for paddleboard and pedalo hire, and you’ve got yourself an action-packed park.

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Parkdean Resorts Camber Sands, Sussex
This beachfront resort is a classic family favourite. If you’re not up to swimming in the sea, there’s four fantastic pools here, as well as water flumes, underwater jets, inflatable jet skis and kayak races. Plus if you’ve got any little fans of Paw Patrol or Milkshake!, you’ll be glad to know there’s Milkshake! Mornings and Paw Patrol Mighty Missions to keep your tots entertained.

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The campsite is the perfect spot for anyone wanting to explore the city of York without forking out a lot on an expensive hotel.

In the car, it is just a half-an-hour drive from Spinney Wild Camping to York which is home to higgledy-piggledy streets and plenty of family attractions.

It was even called the “best UK city for families” by travel guide creator Peter Naldrett, who visited all 76 cities in the UK.

Talking to Sun Travel, he said: “There’s enough in York to keep both junior and secondary school children entertained, from the Viking Museum to York Chocolate Story and Harry Potter-style streets and a cold war bunker.

“The Viking Museum has interactive activities for children, the Castle Museum has recreated Victorian Streets and there’s also the Shambles, the inspiration behind JK Rowling‘s Diagon Alley.”

Other nearby attractions to the campsite are in the village of Allerthorpe where visitors can go on a relaxing stroll, or try out watersports at Lakeland Park.

Lakeland Park has three lakes for kayaking, paddleboarding, open water swimming, and even jumping about on the inflatable Aqua Park.

For more on campsites, here are affordable ones with some of the UK’s best views – and pitches from just £11.

And check out this treehouse campsite with rooms you get to by zipline – and breakfast is delivered by rope pulley.

ONE attraction in the capital is about to get a number of new features – and they are all free to visit.

The Horniman Museum and Gardens in Forest Hill, London – which was named London‘s best family attraction in 2024 by – will be launching several new outdoor experiences on May 21.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

The new experiences will be in the Horniman’s 16-acre Gardens and are part of the attraction’s Nature + Love project which includes a number of new opportunities to learn about and play in nature.

New features include a nature-themed play area, family-friendly cafe, an improved Nature Trail, an AR trail, a new nursery glasshouse and a Community Garden.

In the new Kusuma Nature Play area, there will be a wooden jetty with a slide, climbing webs and lookout points.

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Visitors will also be able to learn about different species that are local to the Horniman, such as a robin-themed area with timber rocker, nest hedge, and robin eggs.

For slightly braver kids, there will be log steps, timber balance beams and a den building frame to climb through and build.

There will also be a collecting table where younger children can sit on leaf stools and have a go at a finger maze.

The play area will have a basket swing and multi-sensory planting as well.

Peronel Craddock, Director of Content at the Horniman Museum and Gardens, said: “This new play area starts with the idea of connecting children with nature through play, in particular, the wildlife in our local area.

“We hope it will encourage families to make the most of our 16 acres of beautiful Gardens, and also act as a gateway into the Museum for anyone who might not otherwise think a museum is fun, free, or for them.”

Another new addition to the attraction will be a family-friendly cafe and picnic area, ideal for post-play bites to eat.

The cafe will open just across from the new play area and will be run by a family-run cafe group, which operates the Horniman’s other cafes and kiosks.

Visitors will be able to choose from a range of food options including fresh sourdough pizzas.

Of course, you’ll also be able to pick up ice cream and coffee as well.

The cafe will feature both indoor and outdoor seating.

Another exciting new addition is an AR trail called Animals Everywhere.

The trail uses technology that enables guests to interact with the trail and see 3D animated creatures right in front of them.

As visitors head off on the trail they will encounter a number of challenges to complete and mini games to play.

On one part of the trail, for example, visitors will even get the chance to feed the famous Horniman walrus.

Visitors will need to use their phone to follow the trail – but they do not have to pay or download anything.

In addition to the new AR trail, the Nature Trail is being revamped with direct, ramped access from the play area.

Along the trail new panels with information about the local wildlife will be installed as well.

Stuart McLeod, Director of London and South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Animals Everywhere! is a fantastic example of how technology can reduce barriers and inspire curiosity and engagement with our natural heritage.

“The Horniman offers a fantastic urban green space, and this, alongside the wider Nature + Love project, will transform how visitors connect with nature and the heritage on their doorstep.”

And there will be a Community Garden developed with input from people in the local area.

In the garden – which will focus on respite and reflection – adults and families will be able to participate in a programme of activities.

These will include planting, art, seed bomb creating and practical how-to-grow sessions.

The Garden Nursery area will also be transformed and include a new greenhouse, terrace and workshop space.

Across the garden, visitors can learn some top gardening tips as well as how to better connect with nature.

In addition to the new openings, next year the museum will also reopen its natural history gallery.

The gallery will have been entirely refurbished and redisplayed with returning and new objects, having been closed since spring 2024.

Inside, the focus of the gallery will be on the natural world and also how we impact it.

All of the new features included in the Nature + Love project will be launched at the start of the Horniman’s 125th anniversary celebrations.

If you are heading to the Horniman Museum and Gardens for the day, there are a number of other things to see and do.

In addition to exploring over 350,000 objects and specimens from around the globe, you can also head to the aquarium and butterfly house on site.

Though, both of these are paid-for parts of the attraction with a ticket to the butterfly house costing £9.90 per adult and £6.50 per child and a ticket to the aquarium costing £6.50 per adult and £3.50 per child.

Until November, you can also check out the ‘Voyage to the Deep – Underwater Adventures’ exhibition.

The exhibition is inspired by Jules Verne’s ‘20,000 Leagues Under the Sea’ and visitors will be able to ‘climb’ aboard the Nautilus submarine and head on an underwater adventure.

Tickets for the experience are also paid-for, with adult admission costing £9.80 and child admission costing £7.

If you want to just explore the free areas you can venture around the museum itself and the gardens too, where you will find an Animal Walk with goats, sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and alpacas.

For more attractions in London, here are all our experts’ faves that cost nothing.

Plus, London’s most underrated attraction is the best place for skint families.

A EUROPEAN theme park less than two hours from the UK has been named the best in the world.

Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden is home to Europe‘s longest dive coaster and highest free-fall ride – and will soon be getting a new waterpark.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

Named the top theme park by Blooloop, Liseberg has over 40 rides and attractions which include the new £87million Oceana waterpark.

Following a fire in 2024, plans for the waterpark were revised and now the attraction is expected to open either this year or next year.

The Oceana waterpark will feature 6,000-square-metre of indoor pools and 4,000-square-metres of outdoor water attractions.

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There will be 19 water slides, a 244-metre “dynamic river” and water go-karts.

There will also be an indoor and outdoor bathing area.

The new attraction will be able to host up to 1,750 guests at any one time, across both the indoor and outdoor areas.

A café, a shop and a restaurant will be on-site as well.

Last year, the theme park revealed a new family attraction called Stormvåg (Storm Wave) which will open this summer.

The new Stormvåg (Storm Wave) ride will be a family swing ride, with a boatyard theme.

Liseberg can be found on a forested hillside and has a number of different areas including Rabbit Land which is dedicated to the park’s green rabbit mascots and features gentle rides for little kids.

The park has a number of different areas including Luna Park which is a retro space themed area and another area is themed around Nordic mythology.

Thrill rides include a wooden rollercoaster called Balder and a launch rollercoaster called Helix.

Unlike other theme parks in Europe, visitors have to navigate around the theme park using escalators due to its hillside location.

Tickets to the park cost £29.30 per person, and that includes unlimited goes on the rides.

For those wanting to extend their time at the park, there is a hotel as well – The Grand Curiosa Hotel.

The hotel can be found at the park’s entrance and boasts 457 rooms.

Inside, there is an 18th century whimsical and ‘curiosity’ theme with a slide in the lobby and even a carousel in the restaurant.

Each floor has its own theme ranging from the ocean to mythical creatures and is meant to reflect the curiosity of explorers from the 18th century.

There is also a cinema room in the hotel, as well as playrooms.

Rooms at the hotel cost from £107.97 per night.

The easiest way to get to Liseberg is by flying to Gothenburg, which takes just under two hours and costs as little as £13 per way for a one-way flight in April from either London or Edinburgh.

Then from the airport it is about 20 minutes on public transport to the park, or if you are travelling to the park from central Gothenburg it takes only 10 minutes via public transport.

You can even stay at The Grand Curiosa Hotel without going to the theme park, so it makes the ideal base for exploring the city of Gothenburg as well.

In other attraction news, the UK’s best theme park’s £12million Viking-themed land to open next month.

Plus, a popular seaside amusement park that’s FREE to visit is getting new rides.

NEW travel rules for Brits visiting Europe are being rolled out tomorrow, and it includes everything from airports to ferry ports.

The new rules require all non-EU nationals to register their details like fingerprints and facial images before going abroad – but it’s set to cause chaos as some countries aren’t ready.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) started a phased rollout on October 12, 2025 in 29 European countries and will be fully operational as of tomorrow – April 10, 2026.

EES is replacing the need for a passport stamp by automatically checking when a person enters and exits an EU country.

Non-EU nationals – which includes Brits – will be required to register their details on their first visit to a Schengen area country.

This is done by using the EES machines at airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar to log fingerprints, facial images and scan passports.

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Up until now, not every traveller has had to register with EES, but from tomorrow, that will change.

Even through the phased process, it hasn’t been smooth, and there have been reports of long queues across Europe with travellers at airports waiting for hours to register with EES.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill spent three hours getting through the arrivals hall at Lanzarote Airport last month.

And delays have been reported at other airports like Brussels, Lisbon and Prague.

With summer holidays on the horizon and lots more Brits going abroad than off-peak season, officials have even called for the EES to be delayed until later in the year.

Airports Council International, Airlines for Europe and Iata, the airline trade body, have warned about further delays of “four hours or more” during the summer.

Advantage Travel Partnership chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said told Travel Weekly just two days ago that there are still “significant issues” with EES.

She added: “While we understand the importance of modernising border processes, a smooth rollout must be prioritised in order to avoid major travel chaos at peak periods.

“With very high demand for travel over the upcoming summer holiday period, we are deeply concerned about the impact delays could have at a time when it is vital we maintain high consumer confidence within a travel sector facing global uncertainty and rising costs.”

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary called EES “a shambles” and called for EES to be delayed “for five months” until the end of September to ease congestion.

To avoid the predicted travel chaos, some airports are preparing to open Brit-only border control queues in the hope of easing wait times.

The Spanish operator, Aena, said it would adapt security and border control for Brits at Ibiza, Menorca, Malaga and Palma, Majorca airports.

It’s not just airports, ferry terminals and the Eurostar using EES – but reports state that these will actually miss tomorrow’s deadline.

Visa HQ reported that France’s Ministry of the Interior has postponed full EES checks at border points like the Eurostar terminal in St Pancras and the ports of Dover and Calais.

French authorities said that travellers on Eurostar, Eurotunnel Le Shuttle and cross-Channel ferries will not be asked to provide fingerprints or facial images as the technology is not yet in place.

At the Port of Dover, only lorry drivers, coach and foot passengers are registering with EES.

The EES system has been “paused for several weeks” because reportedly, ‘software integration tests failed and physical booth space is still inadequate’.

For more on EES and what to expect – hear from our travel expert who will guide you through the registering process.

And one of the world’s best airlines becomes latest to introduce strict new rules on travel item.