Travel advice

THE thought of a long-haul holiday, far away from the cold UK, can be tempting for some – apart from the jet lag.

But experts have revealed the three day ‘hack’ that is meant to help you get over it much faster on holiday, and not waste any of your vacation time.

Most winter sun destinations are pretty far away, bar a few African islands.

And being far away comes with a tricky time difference to adjust to.

That’s because your internal body clock – also called the circadian rhythm – becomes confused when you change time zones quickly.

This can then result not only in extreme tiredness, but also headaches and stomach aches.

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Sleeping patterns as well as eating habits can both be severely affected by jet lag.

According to experts at Go2Africa, there are a few ways to try and avoid the worst symptoms of jet lag.

One is choosing the correct flight time before a long journey.

They advise booking a flight that lets you land between 2pm and 5pm, as it allows exposure to daylight which can help stave off the effects of jet lag.

Not only that, but it also means you have enough time to try and adjust before going to sleep at the location’s natural time.

Otherwise there is also the three-day rule, which you need to do before you even get on a flight.

This is particularly for anyone travelling east, as this is when you are more likely to have to go to bed earlier rather than later.

To try and get used to this, it is advised to adjust your sleep schedule three days before you travel.

This is advised to be as much as one hour per day, so you find it easier to sleep at a more sociable time on holiday.

And this is then the same when flying westwards but instead to sleep an hour later.

Of course this isn’t the easiest, trying to fall asleep earlier than you are used to.

But even as little as 30 minutes per day can still make a difference.

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Even the plane you are on could increase or decrease the effects of jet lag.

If you want to go somewhere that is 27C in December but has no jet lag – then we’ve found some great islands.

RYANAIR has announced that it will be scrapping all its flights to another European destination.

From March 29, 2026, Ryanair will be axing all its flights to and from the Azores.

The airline has said that the cancellations are as a result of high airport fees.

This means the six routes that currently travel to the Azores, which works out to around 400,000 passengers each year, will be scrapped.

The airline also said that ATC charges have risen by 120 per cent since the Covid-19 pandemic and there has also been the introduction of a €2 (£1.76) travel tax.

Ryanair’s CCO Jason McGuinness said: “We are disappointed that the French airport monopoly ANA continues to raise Portuguese airport fees to line its pockets, at the expense of Portuguese tourism and jobs – particularly on the Portuguese islands.

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“As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards and relocate this capacity to lower cost airports elsewhere in the extensive Ryanair Group network across Europe.

“After 10 years of year-round Ryanair operations, one of Europe’s most remote regions will now lose direct low-fare flights to London, Brussels, Lisbon, and Porto due to ANA’s high airport fees and Portuguese Govt. inaction.”

The Azores are around 950 miles from Portugal itself and the islands offer a great short-haul holiday destination.

The nine volcanic islands are known for having unspoiled beauty, which includes vibrant green hills and black sandy beaches.

According to Azores Getaways, “just like Hawaii, the Azores offer visitors captivating coastlines dotted by sun-dappled beaches and stunning shores.

“But one major thing that visitors won’t find in this Portuguese paradise are throngs of tourists, crammed together and rivaling one another for a small patch of sand”.

Many of the islands have natural hot springs and thermal pools, which attract a lot of visitors.

The Azores are also ideal for people who love the outdoors, as you can go hiking in the forests, explore volcanic landscapes, swim in natural pools and even do a bit of whale and dolphin watching.

There are even a number of historic towns across the islands including Ponta Delgada, which has a number of buildings made from black and white volcanic stone.

One Sun reporter who visited the Azores said: “With its black beaches, hot springs and isolated spot in the Atlantic, the nine volcanic islands of the Azores make you feel as though you’ve stepped on to a movie set.

“We’d arrived on a speedy two-hour flight from Lisbon to the largest island in the archipelago, and gateway to the Azores, Sao Miguel, and every turn in our rental car looked picture-perfect.

“First we embarked on a kayak tour of the pea-green Furnas Lake, and snuck a peek at the 17th century mansions nestled on the quiet banks.

“Then, a quick drive up to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint rendered us speechless as we gazed down at the bubbling geysers below and the spectacular crater lake we had just navigated below.”

They added: “Many people are lured to the Azores for whale watching and the abundant marine life around the islands.

“With everything you could need to feast your eyes and your belly, it’s clear to see why it is often dubbed the Hawaii of Europe.

“Thankfully, it doesn’t come with a long-haul flight and pricey plane ticket.”

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In other aviation news, a UK airport is getting new long-haul flights to one of the world’s best cities – the first in nearly 20 years.

Plus, the often-forgotten-about European country that’s getting new British Airways flights.

THERE’S a county in England that’s been my secret holiday hotspot since I was a child – and now it’s finally getting the recognition it deserves.

I love a trip to Lincolnshire, which has something for everyone, whether you love castles, coastline, charming cobbled streets or grand country houses.

So it came as no surprise when Lincoln Castle was given gold for its overall visitor experience by VisitEngland, while Lincoln Guildhall won acclamation in the best told story and tour categories.

My first visit to Lincoln was when my grandma took me to the famous Christmas market in the 1990s.

It was lovely wandering the cobbles near the cathedral, browsing the stalls.

More recently, the market became a victim of its own success and hasn’t run for a couple of years now, because the city became overwhelmed by the number of visitors thronging its historic streets.

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But there’s still loads to do in the county town over the festive season, with carol concerts galore at the cathedral, an illuminated light trail at the castle and hand-carved ice sculptures throughout the city centre on the first weekend in December.

Thirty miles away, on the border between Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire, is Belvoir Castle, near Grantham, which was recognised by VisitEngland in the best told story category.

And Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby, halfway between Lincoln and Grantham, was named a hidden gem.

It must have been quite difficult to single out just a few attractions for recognition, as Lincolnshire has a lot to offer when it comes to affordable days out and holidays.

It’s always been a popular destination for Midlands folk heading to the coast, but seems to have slipped below the radar for much of the rest of the country.

I’ve been visiting Sutton on Sea, Mablethorpe and Skegness for as long as I can remember and I love to head back to that stretch of coast with my family, as it feels like a little slice of childhood nostalgia.

We used to stay in a chalet owned by a family friend, with a path down to the nearby beach.

Nowadays, we’re more likely to be found at Butlin’s in Skegness or Haven Golden Sands near Mablethorpe as we love the pools and family entertainment at both.

And more recently, I’ve discovered lots of great days out further inland.

If you want to give Lincolnshire a look, the area around Grantham is easily accessible and has lots to do.

Belton House has one of the biggest outdoor adventure playgrounds in the National Trust.

We often visit in the summer, when the gardens have extra family activities and the miniature train is usually running.

But lots of visitors head there in the winter for its award-winning light trail.

If you prefer smaller sites, I loved Woolsthorpe Manor, the birthplace of Isaac Newton where he is reputed to have discovered gravity when he watched an apple falling from a tree in the garden.

There’s a small hands-on science centre if you’ve got little ones who are keen to follow in Newton’s footsteps.

If you’re after somewhere to stay to explore everything the county has to offer, I really rate Away Resorts Tattershall Lakes, which is about 45 minutes from the coast, Lincoln and Grantham.

It’s a great base for days out, no matter which direction you drive.

It has lovely hot tub lodges, an indoor splash pad for little ones with a view out over the lake, a lakeside lido for summer swimming and an atmospheric spiegeltent for shows, which really comes into its own at Christmas time.

And just nearby is the Kinema in the Woods, which has been running in a converted sports pavilion for more than a century, making it one of the oldest cinemas in the country.

This quirky little spot is just one local that reflects the laid-back Lincolnshire way of life.

It’s lovely to see this much-loved Midlands mecca finally getting a bit of the limelight.

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For more recommended spots by VisitEngland, here are the 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter.

Plus, Britain’s best hidden gems have been named from free museums to brewery tours.

BRITISH Airways has announced a new route to a country thats Brits often overlook as a holiday destination in Europe.

British Airways will launch flights to Tivat in Montenegro over the summer season.

Starting from May 2026, Montenegro was recently named one of the most under-the-radar countries in the world.

According to US News, the country is often forgotten about, especially when compared to Croatia.

Tivat is a coastal city located in the Bay of Kotor.

If you are heading to Tivat, there is a lot of different places to explore including a marina where you can spot lots of luxury yachts.

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From the marina, visitors can see the mountains, which act as a scenic backdrop.

Close to the marina, tourists can head to the Tivat Submarine as well, which is a decommissioned Heroj P-821 submarine which is part of the Maritime Heritage Museum.

You could also head to the city park, which is one of the largest city parks on the Montenegrin coast dating back to 1892 and it is home to numerous different tree species.

Despite Tivat being a more modern city, there are a number of fascinating historical sites to explore such as the Buca family’s summer house.

The Buca family were one of the most powerful and noble families in Kotor during the late Middle Ages – in fact, for over 500 years the Buca family played a crucial role in evolving the social and political landscape of the region.

Today, visitors can head to their fortified home, with its own Catholic chapel and defence tower, which is a museum and gallery with fishing and farming artefacts, jewellery and folk costumes.

Of course, Tivat is home to pretty beaches as well, such as Plaza Ponta.

One recent visitor said: “Great public beach. Rocky with crystal clear water and a great view to the mountains and sunset.

“No boats parking/marina in sight so you can enjoy a free view.”

There are also a number of boutiques here to explore, as well as restaurants such as One, which serves Adriatic cuisine such as grilled octopus with creamy polenta for €22 (£19.40) or black risotto with seafood and cuttlefish ink for €15 (£13.23).

It is a great spot for a cheap breakfast with a Full English costing just €8 (£7.05)

The restaurant is also home to the country’s widest range of rose.

Whilst out and about in the city, if you fancy a tipple you can expect to spend between €2.20 (£1.94) and €3 (£2.65) on a beer.

Alternatively, a coffee will set you back around €1.88 (£1.66).

For somewhere to stay, you could opt for the five-star Regent Porto Montenegro, which sits right by the marina.

The hotel features breathtaking views as well as a spa, infinity pool and four restaurants and bars.

There are 175 rooms in total, each with an interior inspired by the hotel’s waterfront location.

It costs from £136 per night to stay at the Regent.

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In the summer months, the average temperature reaches up to 30C and then between September and October, it starts to cool down a little.

The coldest months to visit Tivat are between November and March, where temperatures usually sit between 10C and 15C.

AS the nights draw in and the festive season gets closer, many of us are looking forward hanging up some Christmas lights.

But it’s not just the halls that get decked.

Many gardens and unique spaces across the country transform into glimmering wonderlands – the perfect places to get in the festive spirit.

Here are 12 of the most magical light shows that are set to illuminate England with holiday cheer this winter.

Kew Gardens, London

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (selected dates)
Tickets: Adults £27.50, children £18, under 4s free

Year on year, the light trail at Kew Gardens is firm favourite of the seasonal calendar.

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Christmas at Kew is a true spectacle, illuminating the UNESCO World Heritage site with sustainable LED lights and installations by leading artists.

Visitors can enjoy projections and music dotted all around the natural space, including at iconic spots like the Palm House fountain.

The three kilometre trail has a range of entertainment beyond lighting too.

Spot Father Christmas on your walk and enjoy delicious treats from food stalls along the route.

Last entry is between 7-8pm and tickets are limited, so book while you can.

Longleat, Wiltshire

Dates: November 8, 2025 – January 11, 2026
Tickets: Adults £34.95, children £26.20, under 3s free

Longleat is usually famous for its drive-through safari park, but come Christmastime it is its light show that really shines.

The trail displays thousands of imaginative lanterns, this year celebrating the theme of British Icons.

Look out for Wallace & Gromit, various British singers and authors, and landmarks like Tower Bridge and Stonehenge all aglow.

A Twilight ticket will give you access to this Festival of Light plus the Enchanted Christmas Tree Show, but you can also upgrade to a Day ticket to include the safari or book a ride on the Santa Train as an add-on.

Dunham Massey, Cheshire

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £19, children £12.50, under 3s free

Just outside Manchester lie the stunning grounds of Dunham Massey, a Grade I listed building and National Trust property.

Its light show is an after-dark experience complete with sparkling trees and colourful, 5m-tall stars.

Expect an immersive evening of sights and sounds created by award-winning producers, and the option to enjoy the fairground for an extra charge.

Entry is timed, so securing a slot is advised.

Winter Glow, Worcestershire

Dates: November 21 – December 31, 2025
Tickets: Adults £12.50, children £6.50, under 3s free

Local craftspeople and lighting designers are behind the show at Winter Glow in the Worcestershire countryside.

The trail is transformed into a winter dreamland with twinkling bulbs and fairytale structures.

It’s a super accessible experience, with sensory-friendly trails available on selected dates, dog friendly sessions on offer and full wheelchair access.

Northern Lights, Newcastle

Dates: November 27 – December 31, 2025
Tickets: Adults £15, children £5, under 3s free

Winding along the mile-long path at Leazes Park in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne is fun for all the family.

Take in its 15 different illumination zones from Lantern Lane to the Butterfly Blizzard, and even a marshmallow roasting station.

More winter warmers are available from the park’s Christmas Village, access to which is included in the ticket price.

Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £24, children £18, under 3s free

This year, the illuminated trail at Blenheim Palace promises to be “bigger, better and brighter than ever before”.

The light show has already earned a place as one of the UK’s most popular trails.

Visitors can buy a combined ticket to access both the light trail and the palace or a ticket for the illuminations only.

Allow around an hour to explore the route, with extra time factored in to meet Father Christmas along the way or to stop at the chalet-style huts for tasty food and drink.

Helmingham Hall, Suffolk

Dates: November 14 – December 19, 2025
Tickets: Adults £20, children £10, under 2s free

Helmingham Hall’s gardens and parkland attract visitors all year round.

Where its flowers bloom in spring, lights glint in winter along the illuminated garden trail.

The mesmerising experience takes place after dusk, when you’ll cross a historic drawbridge and weave through shining walkways.

If that isn’t enough reason to go, grown-ups can enjoy a complimentary mulled wine with their ticket while kids can toast snacks at the firepits along the route.

And if you have a pooch, you can can bring them too.

Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool

Dates: November 28 – December 6, 2025
Tickets: Adults £9.50, children £7.50, under 3s free

The Light Before Christmas comes to Liverpool Cathedral for a fourth year running, and attending the show has become a yuletide tradition in the city.

As they journey through the building, ticket-holders will find enchanting scenes ranging from the nativity to Santa’s reindeer, plus candlelit areas.

There are even bean bags to lie on to take in the acoustics of Britain’s biggest cathedral and marvel at the projections on the ceiling.

A visitor last year said: “It’s the perfect thing to get you in the mood for Christmas”, while another commented: “I come every year and it’s always beautiful.”

Kids are also big fans of the event, with one saying: “It was really Christmassy and magical.”

Hever Castle, Kent

Dates: November 21, 2025 – January 2, 2026
Tickets: Adults £24.50, children £16, under 5s free

Follow the yellow brick road to Hever Castle for a themed light extravaganza.

This year the castle will be decked out in all things Wizard of Oz.

From spotting the flying monkeys in the Christmas tree forest to arriving at the Emerald City as the castle glows bright green, it promises to be an other-worldly visit.

Hever has traditional Christmas offerings too, with log fires burning inside the beautifully decorated rooms of the castle and fairy lights glittering in the grounds.

And don’t worry – despite being in Oz and not Lapland, little ones will still be able to pay a visit Father Christmas’ grotto.

Fairground ride tickets are just £2 each and can be purchased on the day.

Stockeld Park, Yorkshire

Dates: November 22, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Tickets: Adults & children £17.50, under 2s free

The Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park transforms for the Christmas season.

Its woodland boasts interactive adventure playgrounds as well as an enormous snowflake-shaped maze made from 2,000 trees and lined with glistening lights.

After getting lost in the maze – which is included in the ticket – you can stop by cosy cabins in the woods for a hot chocolate and explore animations and soundscapes further along the trail.

Light Up Trails, Hampshire

Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Tickets: Adults £20, children £12.50, under 2s free

Nestled among the greenery between Winchester and Southampton you will find a dazzling light display with all the trimmings.

The trail is divided into eight zones, each one offering a different feast for the eyes.

Catch the fibre-optic flowers in the Bloom and Glow zone, golden lanterns at Step into the Magic and a laser show at The Rhythm of Light.

Halfway along the trail you can warm up at its ski-themed Christmas Village and indulge in food from bratwurst to crepes.

Ashridge House, Hertfordshire

Dates: November 27, 2025 – January 1, 2026
Tickets: Adults £23.50, children £14.40, under 4s free

Ashridge House was once a royal residence of King Henry III, and its grounds are referred to to by insiders as the ‘Garden of Gardens’.

The stately home puts on a proper show at Christmas, where gentle gleaming lights meet impressive pyrotechnics and festive music.

A 115ft Ferris wheel gives you sweeping views of the 190 acres of garden below – book this at the online checkout.

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On the ground, showstoppers include the star-shaped tunnel and giant bauble field.

Dog-friendly nights are on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

BRITISH Airways flies to over 200 destinations in more than 65 countries – but with so many places to choose from across the globe how does it decide on where to fly to?

Well, we thought the same so, of course, we asked the airline the question.

Rachel Riley, British Airways’ director of Route Network Development and her team are responsible for launching new routes and looking at future opportunities for the airline.

Ultimately, they then create a schedule and new flights to destinations across the globe that allow the airline to continue to thrive in the aviation industry.

Rachel told Sun Travel: “Planning our network is a fine balancing act, like completing a complex puzzle.

“It’s not only about selecting destinations that we think our customers love and want to visit throughout the year – we also think about things like aircraft availability, cabin crewing requirements, and the specific commercial and operational dynamics that influence a particular route or destination.”

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Rachel added how the process actually begins 18 months before a route launches.

“It’s certainly a marathon and not a sprint when it comes to branching out our network,” she said.

When coming up with ideas for a new route, the airline makes sure to always watch out for trends, but this isn’t the only factor that goes into deciding a new route.

Rachel explained: “Route planning is a bit like solving a giant puzzle.

“Like how my namesake Rachel Riley uses her maths skills to solve games on Countdown, my love for maths has taken me in the direction of solving route network puzzles.

“Our teams do a lot of mathematical modelling and analysis to determine the best overall network, incorporating any new destinations we want to operate.

“From market size and customer demand to competitor activity and connecting traffic, we consider many variables to ensure each new route makes sense for both our network and our customers.”

And it isn’t as simple as getting rid of one route and adding another.

When the moment does come though, when a new route is created, the team will work closely with the British Airways scheduling team to turn it into an operable route and flight schedule.

Rachel also shared: “There’s no hiding from the fact that we are impacted by external factors beyond our control [as well].”

These factors include things like geopolitical issues and engine delivery delays.

But it isn’t just about creating brand new routes, exciting routes and connections to destinations can be improved through airline codeshare partners.

For example, British Airways recently expanded its codeshare agreement with Cathay Pacific to 12 destinations in Southeast Asia and Australasia.

For the first time, the airline is also connecting Heathrow and Manila in the Philippines through this partnership as well.

Perhaps, the most exciting job though is for the person who tries the new destinations.

Rachel explained: “When we introduce a new route, visiting the destination plays a crucial role in the planning process.

“It allows us to check that the location aligns with our expectations.

“These visits enable us to evaluate a wide range of factors in person, including assessing the progress of any construction that’s underway (if it’s a new airport, for example) through to experiencing the
end-to-end customer journey.

“This is to ensure we’re confident that everything is in place and ready to go.”

As a part of this, the airline will work closely with tourism boards, as well as airport authorities and ground partners.

“We of course also engage our operational teams to assess the airport and to ensure everything from catering to cleaning is set up in preparation,” Rachel continued.

And while new routes can be introduced at any point throughout the year, the airline will usually make any exciting announcements before flights go on sale for our winter and summer schedules.

This is usually around the end of October for winter and end of March for summer.

For example, last year the airline launched a winter route to Tromsø, and this winter, it is expanding its seasonal offering with two new BA Euroflyer routes – Rabat in Morocco and Graz in Austria, both starting this month.

Rachel added: “Ultimately, our goal is to fly where our customers want to go, and to do so with the world-class service they expect from British Airways.

“Last year alone, we welcomed 13 new aircraft into the fleet, including the Airbus A350-1000, four Boeing 787-10s, and several A320neo and A321neo aircraft.

“This continued investment opens exciting possibilities for our future network, and our teams are constantly evaluating new opportunities – so watch this space.”

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British Airways crew also recently told Sun Travel their top European spots – from uncrowded Spanish cities to hidden gem neighbourhoods.

Plus, the insane training regime BA First Class flight attendants have to go through – with strict teapot and pillow rules.

A GROOM en route to his £2,000 honeymoon has claimed he was banned from boarding an international flight because of a faint “stamp smudge” on his passport.

South Yorkshire newlyweds Josh, 31, and Eden Reekie’s plan to fly to Thailand in October was foiled when Etihad Airways staff flagged an issue with the pair’s travel documents.

The couple had booked a TUI holiday package to Phuket, forking out £2,400 to celebrate a second honeymoon after tying the knot in 2024.

Staff at the Etihad check-in desk at Manchester Airport “immediately” flagged an issue with both passports, making the couple wait.

After an anxiety-riddled 30 minutes, Eden’s passport was cleared, but Josh was told he would be unable to fly due to his passport being “water damaged”.

Josh said: “The duty manager started checking [the passports] and taking photos of them”.

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“No one told us anything about what was happening, she just turned around and said ‘I’m really sorry but you can’t fly’,” he said.

Ironically, the faint smudge on a 2019 Thai travel stamp left him unable to board the flight.

The revelation shocked the industrial electrician from Barnsley, who said he had used his passport for international travel 12 times this year without issue.

“I hadn’t long flown with that passport so I didn’t think there was anything wrong with it,” he said.

“I travelled 12 times in 11 months with that passport and had no issues.

“Fair enough there’s a smudged stamp, but who’s to say that didn’t happen when they stamped it and closed the passport.”

In a bid to get on their holiday, Josh and Eden scrambled to apply for a new passport; however, holiday provider TUI cancelled their return flight and accommodation.

“We were really looking forward to it,” Josh said.

“We went and stood outside and just didn’t know what to do.

“It’s a very surreal feeling walking into an airport then walking out of the departure lounge.”

With Josh able to get a new passport within two days, the dismayed couple coughed up more cash for a last-minute trip to Cyprus.

They have since demanded compensation from Etihad and TUI.

“I felt really disappointed because there was no empathy or remorse from Etihad Airways,” Josh said.

“I know they probably see it daily but people save up all year to go on holiday.

“We were stressed because of all the money we’d spent.”

Josh said he “couldn’t understand” how one airline staff member had total authority.

“For someone on the check-in desk to just say ‘you’re not going’,” he said.

“How [can] someone have that authority to refuse you and not be able to get a second opinion.

“If it was the picture page, I could understand it, but the fact it was the stamp page just annoyed me.”

Josh said they’d been left “gutted” and described the event as “soul destroying”.

“I just hope it doesn’t happen to anyone else,” he said.

“We’d like our money back. We’ve had no help from TUI or Etihad.”

In response, an Etihad spokesperson said Thailand‘s immigration authorities had advised airline staff “not to board the passenger based on the passport’s condition”.

“A passenger flying from Manchester to Phuket on October 7 was denied boarding due to visible water damage in their passport at the time of check-in,” the spokesperson said.

“Check-in staff therefore did not allow the passenger to board in compliance with regulatory guidance and destination entry requirements based on the condition of the passport at the time of travel.”

The spokesperson said “British passports must be machine-readable and fully intact, with no torn pages, water damage, delamination or illegible details, to comply with Thailand’s immigration policy”.

TUI has been contacted for comment.

Another newlywed recently suffered a honeymoon nightmare when her face collapsed after her trip was cancelled at the last minute.

Gail Morgan, 50, suffered a Bell’s Palsy attack, paralysing the muscles down one side of her face after the £6,000 cruise was postponed just prior to boarding – and then axed completely.

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Gail and new husband Pepe Davies, 53, from Wales, had flown out to Miami following their glam wedding only to be told the liner had suffered a “technical issue”.

Gail said “Celebrity Cruises didn’t even inform” the couple of the cancellation, however they were later issued a credit voucher, totalling £2,619.

SPAIN’S Costas have long been British holidaymakers’ top choice for a summer getaway.

But that’s by no means all this captivating country has to boast about.

Its rich culinary scene comes alive in winter, with the northern regions revelling in truffle season while the Asturias readies its cider houses for an influx of visitors.

Anna Viladot, of Vueling, says: “Social media has influenced how people choose where to travel. For many, the food comes first and the destination follows.”

Whether it’s hearty stews in Santiago de Compostela or seafood in Seville that takes your fancy, Sophie Swietochowski has a winter escape guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds.

STEWS IN SEVILLE

TRADITIONALLY a peasant dish, Andalusian stews are some of the heartiest out there, served with hunks of meat and beans that have spent hours bubbling away in spices. Seville is a great city to sample it in and the traditional, family-run restaurants do it best.

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Book a well-located base, like the 4* Porcel Torneo – which puts you within easy reach of all the best spots – and go for a basic, room-only package so you can sample grub from all the best places.

The modern, practical hotel is just a short walk from the Guadalquivir river and a 15-minute drive from the Royal Alcazar, a former royal palace that’s a must-see.

For a true flavour of the city, book on to a 2.5-hour Flavours of Andalusia food tour, which costs just £31 with tastings (for details see getyourguide.co.uk)

GO: A week room-only at the 4H Porcel Torneo is from £379pp, flying from Gatwick January 17.

See easyjet.com/en/holidays.

Flights-only, Gatwick to Seville, are from €38.99 one way at vueling.com.

BODEGAS IN BARCELONA

IN summer, Barcelona has a glorious sandy beach flanked by laid-back bars, but in winter when the crowds disperse, you can enjoy the city’s magic in relative solitude, sipping wine in charming bodegas.

Bodega J Cala, in the Sant Marti district to the east of the centre, is one of the best.

The vermouth really packs a punch and you can chase it down with tapas. Make sure to try the anchovies.

Calcots are another famous food in Barcelona and the Catalonia region in general. The long onions, which are sweet in flavour, are generally griddled on an open fire.

Roll yourself back to The Moxy, a rather swish hotel with a rooftop pool, hip atmosphere and neon signs decorating the rooms and the lobby.

GO: Four nights’ room-only at Moxy Barcelona, right, is from £328pp, flying from Birmingham on February 22.

See jet2citybreaks.com.

Flights-only, Gatwick to Barcelona, from €35.22 one way at vueling.com.

APPLES IN ASTURIAS

FANCY a cider? The mountainous region of Asturias will have you guzzling it back like juice.

The apples are harvested in autumn and the cider houses open for winter, serving small glasses that are meant to be knocked back in one hit.

Holidaymakers can follow the official cider trail, which visits some famous houses to explain how the apple-flavoured booze is produced to create one of three kinds: Natural, newly-pressed or sparkling.

Oviedo, a city that sits between the Cantabrian Mountains and the Bay of Biscay, is one of the more popular areas to stay in thanks to its many hotels.

The Silken Monumental Naranco is an excellent place to base yourself, and has a restaurant serving hearty local dishes (perfect for after a day of cider-drinking).

GO: Seven nights’ room-only is from £265pp including flights from Stansted on January 26.

Book at onthebeach.co.uk. Flights-only, Gatwick to Asturias, from €30.99 one way at vueling.com.

MACKEREL & MORE IN MALAGA

IF you like a side of architecture and culture with your dinner, look no further than Malaga.

The southern coastal resort is loved for its vibrant beaches where travellers can soak up 30C sunshine during the ­summer.

The winters are just as decent, rarely ­dropping below 17C during the day.

Mackerel, especially horse mackerel (jurel), is a popular and affordable fish here, prepared in various ways such as fried or grilled.

Grilled ­sardines are popular, too, traditionally skewered into a sardine kebab, scattered with salt and then scorched on wooden embers that gives them a deep smokey ­flavour.

El Espigón de Pepe, set back from the beach front, is an excellent place to try them.

Stay at the modest, but cosy and well-located, Casual del Mar Málaga, right, a 3H hotel a short walk from the port.

GO: Seven nights’ room only costs from £349pp including flights from Luton on February 4.

See loveholidays.com.

Flights-only, Gatwick to Malaga, from €30.23 one way at vueling.com.

ARROZ IN ALICANTE

THE southern region of Alicante has so much more to it than action-packed beaches.

If you’re a fan of classic Spanish rice dishes (arroz) then the ones here, piled high with seafood and charred at the edges, won’t disappoint.

Book a stay in the modern Hotel Bonalba Alicante, a sprawling resort geared up for laid-back winters thanks to the wellness centre with a whirlpool, Turkish bath and sauna.

It’s home to one of the best golf courses in the region, where holes boast epic views.

The resort has some excellent restaurants, whose menus are littered with classic local dishes.

But if you fancy venturing out for the evening, Taberna del Mar, 15 minutes away by cab, dishes up some of the best home-cooked rice dishes in the area.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Hotel Bonalba Alicante, right, is from £259pp including flights from Manchester on January 30.

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Flights-only, Gatwick to Alicante, from €30.99 one way at vueling.com.

ANOTHER airline has announced that it will have free Wi-Fi on board its planes from this week.

Emirates, which was voted by Sun readers as their favourite airline of year, in the Sun Travel Awards 2025, will soon feature Starlink on board its planes.

Starlink Wi-Fi is beamed down to Earth from satellites and will make in-flight internet up to 50 times faster than normal.

This means it will allow passengers on board Emirates flights to stream content, game, make calls, work and browse social media.

The airline will introduce the Wi-Fi on 232 of its planes, which is the airline’s entire in-service fleet.

In fact, the first Emirates flight with Starlink is set to take off later this week, with the airline then fitting out around 14 aircraft per month.

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Initially, Emirates’ Boeing 777 will be the first aircraft in the fleet to get Starlink and roll-out is expected to be complete by mid-2027.

The airline is then aiming to install Starlink beginning on the Airbus A380 fleet in February next year.

Emirates is also set to make live TV available via Starlink, which will initially be on personal devices before launching on seatback screens from late December 2025.

The Starlink Wi-Fi services will be free across all Emirates flights, no matter what cabin you are in.

Access requires one click and there is no payment or membership needed for using Starlink.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “We’re introducing the world’s fastest Wi-Fi, elevating what passengers can expect from in-flight connectivity, like seamless productivity, real-time communication with loved ones, and uninterrupted connection to their digital lives.

“But that’s just one piece of the transformation happening across our fleet.

“Starlink is being installed in tandem with the most ambitious cabin refurbishment programme in aviation including brand new Premium Economy cabins, an enhanced Business Class, refreshed First Class, expanded and upgraded entertainment system technologies, and now, industry-leading connectivity.”

Chad Gibbs, VP of Starlink Business Operations, SpaceX, said: “With Starlink onboard your Emirates flight, you’ll be able to stream, game, and have seamless video calls, just as you can do on the ground.

“We’re excited to transform Emirates’ travel experience and support the rapid installation of Starlink while maintaining focus on delivering overall quality of service.”

Emirates isn’t the first airline to introduce Starlink on its flights.

At the beginning of this month, British Airways also confirmed it would be launching Starlink on board all its planes next year.

BA boss Sean Doyle, British Airways said: “Launching Starlink on both our long-haul and short-haul aircraft is game-changing for us and our customers, elevating their experience on board our flights by offering them seamless connectivity from gate to gate.

“Especially on short-haul, this will really differentiate us from our competitors.”

Back in March, United Airlines also confirmed that they would be adding the free Wi-Fi service to more than 40 aircraft.

And Qatar Airways completed its installation of Starlink onboard its flights back in July – they even FaceTimed a flight attendant to show how fast it will be.

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In other aviation news, a budget airline has slashed flights from a major UK airport in a scramble to cut costs.

Plus, a major airline with bunk beds onboard reveals plans to relaunch UK flights for the first time in five years.

WE watched from our balcony as the sunset bled into the sky, transforming its blue hues into a vibrant shade of pink.

We weren’t expecting a visitor, but a sudden arrival only made this serene moment more magical.

From the trees above, a fuzzy owl had swooped down, perching on the edge of our balcony just feet away from where we lay. He seemed to be enjoying the views as much as we were.

We weren’t shocked by his arrival — after all, this was just one of many incredible wildlife interactions my partner and I had here on Portugal’s south coast.

As well as spotting dragonflies and lizards roaming between the hotel’s ten swimming pools, we stumbled upon dozens of turtles sheltering in the shady streams while walking down to the beach one day.

The wildlife is certainly a highlight of a visit to the Marriott Residences Salgados Resort, in Portugal’s Algarve.

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But it’s not the main reason holidaymakers head here. The sprawling resort is famous for its 18-hole golf course, one of the most challenging in the country as well as one of the most scenic, sandwiched between a beach and a nature reserve.

We were not here to practise our putting, though. Instead, R&R was at the top of our agenda.

With a state-of-the-art gym, huge spa hub and a health foods cafe which specialises in zero waste food, we couldn’t have picked a more appropriate place for our weekend of wellness.

Better still, at this time of year, flights start at just £42 and the journey only takes two-and-a-half hours.

We’d opted for a garden view room which overlooked the pool and an abundance of tropical greenery.

The suites here, which start at a bargain £116 per night, come decked out with a proper kitchen, including fridge and a washing machine.

There’s also a modern living area and large balcony complete with padded armchairs for soaking up the last of the afternoon rays with a glass of fizz.

With such extensive cooking facilities, you needn’t spend a penny on meals out if you don’t want to. But, with our focus on relaxation, the hotel’s buffet restaurant, In Season, became our go-to.

Ripe goodies

Daily breakfasts here were an exciting affair, with a fresh omelette station stealing the show. The fruit bar piled high with ripe goodies, freshly-pressed juices and a vast bread and pastry selection kept us more than satisfied until lunch.

The dinner options at In Season are limited to a small but excellent spread of buffet foods including a delicious freshly cooked tuna served in a salsa verde sauce and scorched BBQ chicken skewers.

While the options for vegetarians were more limited, the salad bar and cheese plates more than made up for it with every salad topping you could think of plus a variety of dressings.

If you get the chance, make sure to visit the Italian joint in the neighbouring hotel, too — but don’t forget to book in advance.

Elsewhere, within the resort, there’s an Indian restaurant, pizzeria and, my personal favourite, Green Artisan cafe.

Treat yourself to a body scrub, foot bath or facial if you have cash to splash, although the calming atmosphere of the place is enough to soothe away troubles.

This wellness restaurant was our favourite of the bunch, serving made-to-order tropical fruit smoothies, healthy snacks and home-baked cakes, all made with natural and nutritious ingredients.

This isn’t where the wellness ends, though. Complete with hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna and ice cold bucket shower, the hotel’s spa is an ideal spot for whiling away the hours in blissful peace.

Entry isn’t automatically included for guests but it is well worth the additional 20 euros, with access from 9am until 7pm.

Treat yourself to a body scrub, foot bath or facial if you have cash to splash, although the calming atmosphere of the place is enough to soothe away troubles.

If you’re travelling with little ones, there’s a small splash pool and outdoor play area, as well as a kids’ club for children aged between four to 12, which costs an extra 45 euros a day.

And for those who are keen to venture further afield, you’ll find plenty to do in the neighbouring town of Albufeira which is just a 15-minute taxi ride away.

While it’s known for its wild party scenes, the old town is a pleasant place to take a stroll with colourful cobbled streets flanked by teeny shops and markets.

We booked a sunset boat cruise via GetYourGuide (£40pp, getyourguide.co.uk) which took us along the coast on a small yacht, watching the sun dip slowly behind the horizon while we bobbed peacefully on the water.

For those with a more adventurous streak, the local tour site has everything from Jeep tours and horse riding to parasailing and day trips to Seville for really decent prices.

We preferred to spend most of our days at the beach by the hotel, though.

During peak season the hotel offers a shuttle service to the sea, but why risk missing out on the wildlife?

The walk only takes about 20 minutes through the hotel’s gardens, following various streams down to the sea.

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The yellow beaches of the Algarve rarely disappoint, but this one was particularly beautiful.

And with the chance to spot baby turtles, it couldn’t get better.

WHAT do you get if you cross Dragons’ Den with ice swimming? Frozen assets? It was time to find out . . . 

I was in Oulu, on the north-west coast of Finland, which last year welcomed the return of televised event, Polar Bear Pitching.

Visitors pay to watch up-and-coming entrepreneurs pitch ideas to a row of cash-fuelled investors, just like the BBC show.

Except these hopefuls must do it from a frozen lake, their pitch lasting as long as they can withstand the freezing waters.

It gave me goosebumps, and not just because of the -20°C chill.

I may not have had any start-up ideas to pitch but that didn’t stop me plunging into the chilling waters while I was here.

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The Icebreaker experience is one I’ll never forget.

Dressed in a warm, waterproof bodysuit, I boarded a large boat which slowly made its way across the chilling sea, its hull carving a pathway as it broke through the ice.

We came to a halt and then it was time.

Hurling myself in, I bobbed between huge ice blocks in my floating suit, in awe of my surroundings.

This is an experience that will set you back a fair whack, but it’s absolutely something for the bucket list.

And with so many free things to do in the city, you can save your cash elsewhere.

Oulu is filled with wonderful traditions – so much so it’s been named the European Capital of Culture for 2026.

It’s calmer than Helsinki, with just 215,000 people, but no less fun.

The Frozen People Festival, a drum and bass-filled evening in the Pikisaari district, doesn’t cost a penny.

The event, traditionally held on a frozen lake, will take place on February 28 next year, with DJs, art installations and movies.

Due to climate change, we had to party on firm ground this year, but that didn’t stop me dancing the night away with a local cider in hand as snow fell.

Reindeer stew

Unfortunately, I missed out on the World Air Guitar Championships, a phenomenal spectacle that attracts contestants from all over the globe.

But this free event, held every August in the town’s square, is a fun must-see if you can make it.

With snow on the ground, it seemed only right to celebrate Christmas a little early with a trip to the Arkadia Reindeer Farm where Rudolph and his mates pulled me on a sleigh.

Later, I regressed into a giggling child when feeding them dinner.

Awkwardly, my dinner was a yummy reindeer stew served at the farm’s cosy cabin.

If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, you can head to the Arctic Foodlab, home to a collection of cafes, bakeries and breweries.

I sampled salmon soup and rossypottu, a potato, smoked pork and blood sausage stew.

Both are local delicacies and great for warming you through.

If you’re still not warm enough, pay a visit to the sauna — you’ll find one in most hotels in the city.

The Finnish proudly enter naked, but my English propriety won out, and I wore a swimsuit. I was willing to try one tradition, though – running out into the snow afterwards.

As I pelted into the powdery white, wearing just my cossie and Doc Martens, something stopped me in my tracks.

A flash of green flickered in the sky and several colours danced between the trees above.

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The final item on my bucket list had just been ticked off — seeing the Northern Lights.

Even the air’s bitter bite couldn’t distract me from that magical sight.

AFTER 26 years heading up The Sun’s travel team – while bringing up three children – there’s not a lot I don’t know about family holidays.

After hundreds of trips together, I’m sharing my guaranteed winners – from our favourite campsites to the best foreign cruises.

With three kids, I’ve had the same problems as anyone who doesn’t fit the ‘two adults, two kids’ rule that most traditional travel companies work within.

Finding ways around booking two separate rooms – or being in group rooms where us parents have to go to bed at 7pm with the babies – became a mission.

So here are my top tips for the best family holiday destinations where everyone gets to have a good time.

PORT AVENTURA

This fabulous theme park resort on Spain’s Costa Dorada offers up the best of all worlds for families.

You get the fun and excitement of thrill rides across six distinct worlds, plus great themed hotels and, of course, all that sizzling Mediterranean sunshine to enjoy.

There’s also a separate Ferrari World and a water park with 50,000sq metres of pools, lazy rivers, slides and rides, including King Khajuna, one of Europe’s tallest free-fall body slides.

The six on-site hotels are also themed and have a huge variety of rooms that sleep up to eight, ideal for big families.

And with a host of very well-priced restaurants in the park and at the hotels, it really is possible to have a traditional family summer holiday with the added benefit of all that theme park excitement.

GO: Seven nights’ room-only at the Mexican-themed Hotel El Paso, including unlimited access to PortAventura park and a day pass for Ferrari Land, is from £429pp, based on two adults and two children sharing.

Price includes flights from Southend Airport on April 21, 2026. See easyJet.com/en/holidays.

EUROPEAN CAMPING

WITH three kids and a limited budget when they were young, camping specialists like Eurocamp and Siblu were the answer to our prayers. 

With mobile homes, tents and even treehouses sleeping up to eight at campsites across Europe, we loaded the kids and as much luggage as we could squeeze into the car and drove south for guaranteed sunshine.

You can even break up the long journey with overnight camping stays en route.

A roof-box meant I could pack all the essentials from food and drinks, bedding and towels, to inflatables and toys, so we weren’t shelling out on holiday.

When we were young, having our own space was just perfect. We could wear the kids out by day in the park’s pools and on nearby beaches, and when they were tucked up in bed, we could relax with a glass of wine or beer on the verandah.

Favourites included Eurocamp’s La Baume on the French Riviera near Frejus with a huge pool complex and easy access to the glitzy towns of St Tropez and Cannes.

Also, a winner was Siblu’s Le Lac des Reves near Montpellier.

We always preferred heading south for the warmer weather, but other favourites for half-term holidays include Duinrell in South Holland, which comes with its own theme park and water park and La Croix de Vieux Pont, Berny Riviere, just an hour from Disneyland Paris and Park Asterix.

GO: Seven nights’ self-catering for up to six at Eurocamp’s La Baume is from £464 in total, arriving May 23, 2026. See eurocamp.co.uk. Seven nights’ self-catering at Siblu’s Lac des Reves is from £294 in total, arriving May 23, 2026. See siblu.co.uk

ALTON TOWERS

Of course, no list of fabulous family holidays would be complete without the UK’s number one theme park. I love the fact that Alton Towers has something for every age.

The little ones will adore CBeebies land – watch out for the UK’s first Bluey ride coming in 2026. 

All ages will love the fantastic water park between the Alton Towers and Splash Landings hotels, while tweens and teens will go straight for the thrill rides. 

And mum? Well, I just love a stroll through the stunning grounds with quiet, landscaped gardens and tranquil lakes – they make you forget you’re even in a theme park!

For families like mine, the huge variety of accommodation makes stays a breeze.

Rooms at the hotels – including CBeebies Land Hotel – can sleep up to five with a double bed, bunk beds and a pull-out truckle bed. All have great theming that will keep the kids entertained.

The Woodland lodges are also great for larger families or those who want to bring the grandparents or team up with friends. To really push the boat out, the whimsical Treehouses sleep up to eight and come with their own hot tub.

But my favourite probably remains the original Alton Towers Hotel, with its epic Explorers theme that sees a magical balloon ship anchor the bar and restaurant space, giving parents the chance to relax with a drink while the kids are entertained.

GO: Overnight breaks at Alton Towers start from £42pp and include room, breakfast, parking and evening entertainment. See altontowers.com.

DISNEY CRUISE LINES

IT’S fair to say no one does family cruises quite like Disney  – and Sun readers agree, voting them their favourite cruise line in our Sun Travel Awards.

I’ve sailed with my kids on Disney Wonder, one of the line’s original ships, and this was definitely a treat for both adults and children.

I loved the Art Deco vibes and the fact that the ship was first and foremost a beautiful, luxury ship with plenty of places to enjoy adult-only time.

The kids could not get enough of the fabulous kids’ facilities – it was hard to drag them away from the clubs – and endless opportunities to meet their favourite characters.

While cruising with Disney could never be seen as a cheap option, for those who want to experience the magic without the theme park slog, it is definitely worth every penny.

The latest Disney ship to set sail will be the Disney Destiny. As the cruise line has grown ever more popular, it has grown more confident in making its incredible entertainment legacy a bigger part of the ship. 

With Destiny, there’s a fabulous Heroes and Villains theme alongside the chance to enjoy some West End-style entertainment and even a water coaster across the top deck that pays tribute to some of its most feared baddies. 

Combining a three or four-night sailing on any of Disney’s ships with a stay in Orlando must surely be the ultimate family bucket list holiday.

And with the Disney Dream returning for multiple sailings from Southampton next year, there’s the chance to get on board for all the magic without the pricey flights.

GO: Three-night full-board sailings from Southampton from £881pp with iglucruise.com. Or sail from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas with three nights from £1,044pp. See https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/en-gb/

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

ROYAL Caribbean was the first cruise we did as a family when my youngest was just 18 months old, and from then on, we were hooked on life on the open sea.

As my kids have grown, so has Royal’s incredible roster of family-friendly ships. And with the launch of the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, last year, they reached peak family fun. 

The new Surfside neighbourhood is a game-changer for parents with small children, a stay-all-day area with Splashaway Bay aqua park, and Water’s Edge, a kid-friendly infinity pool.

And parents can relax while their kids play with casual family-friendly dining and places to grab a drink.

The area features a beach-themed carousel, arcade and playground and it’s close to the ship’s superb Adventure Ocean kids clubs.

Older kids will love Thrill Island, the largest water park at sea, with a host of slides as well as Crown’s Edge, the hybrid ropes course and thrill ride that dangles you 154ft above the ocean.

And Royal have spent just as much time designing cabins that work for families, including the Surfside Family Suites, with balconies overlooking the neighbourhood and a ‘kids’ nook’ with bunk beds and a split bathroom to make getting ready easier.

Topping it off with multiple family-friendly shows and activities as well as their family-friendly private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, Royal is the perfect starting point for family cruises.

GO: Seven nights’ full-board on Icon of the Seas is from £534pp, based on two adults and two children sharing. Departs Miami on September 19, 2026 and calls at St Maarten, St Thomas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

BUTLIN’S MINEHEAD & BOGNOR

I don’t believe there’s a kid in the country who wouldn’t love the heady mix of family fun on offer at Butlin’s.

With live shows, perfect pools and even a traditional fairground, youngsters will find a host of great activities for all ages from tots to teens.

 We loved our stay at the West Lakes chalets at Butlin’s Minehead. Great for multi-gen holidays or for families sharing, the light, bright chalets sleep up to eight.

Working with online parenting forum Mumsnet, they have a nod to the traditional Butlin’s chalet, but with all the modern touches for today’s families.

There’s an open-plan lounge and diner with a high-spec kitchen as well as an outdoor veranda or Juliet balcony.

Also, fantastic value are the term-time midweeks for tots.

Perfect for the pre-schoolers, breaks start from just £39, which works out to £2.50pp a night, and include live shows with Peppa Pig and her new baby sister, Mister Maker and Fireman Sam, splash zones and soft play areas as well as unlimited rides in the Little Stars Fairground.

There’s also another reason to visit in term time, the chance to enjoy all-inclusive breaks that include alcoholic drinks, coffee and three meals a day.

GO: Four-night all-inclusive midweek breaks are from £399 for two adults and two children. See bultins.com

DUBAI

It may be known as a mecca for reality TV stars and influencers, but Dubai is actually a brilliant destination to take the kids.

With theme parks, desert adventures and even a snow slope to keep them busy, you’re guaranteed to find something to delight every age.

 A great option for families is the Centara Mirage Beach Resort with its five restaurants, beachfront pool, water park and kids clubs.

But little ones are also spoiled with their own sweet-themed spa with edible treatments, gaming zone and an outdoor playground.

My kids adored the chance to visit the original Kidzania attraction where kids can role-play 40 different jobs from firefighters and pilots to doctors and dentists.

But most magical was the trip into the desert, where after a thrilling 4×4 dune ride, we watched an amazing falconry display and enjoyed dinner after dark. 

GO: Four nights’ B&B at the Centara Mirage Beach Resort is from £717pp including flights from Heathrow in June 2026. See onthebeach.co.uk

TUI VILLAGE TURKEY

A holiday where you don’t have to set foot outside the hotel – heaven or hell? In the case of  TUI’s flagship Holiday Village AQI hotel in Sarigerme, Turkey – pure bliss.

The huge resort on the country’s west coast has everything from  Stage Academy drama classes, Football Academies and a Go Ape-style high-ropes course, to overwater, inflatable obstacle courses, chocolate parties and archery. 

Then there’s the massive amphitheatre with a packed nighttime itinerary, video arcade, bowling alley and seven pools  – including a mini waterpark. 

Little wonder the hotel’s own sandy beach, with bath-warm sea water was empty most days. 

Breakfast was enormous, with every taste catered for and lunch by the pool was equally impressive, with a huge 40-dish mezze selection.

But the best meal was dinner, with themed nights, when the entire menu was changed — our favourites being the Turkish and Asian evenings. Plus a separate kitchen for kid-friendly (and often healthy) food. 

And finally, the almost guaranteed sun.

With prices from £673pp next May, including all-inclusive board, a family room and flights from London Gatwick. 

BILLUND, DENMARK

An action-packed weekend break just over an hour from the UK, with creativity, wildlife and thrill-seeking all wrapped in sounds like a unicorn of a holiday – but Billund in Denmark truly is the perfect family short break. 

The town Lego built, carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen invented the famous building bricks in the 1940s from his workshop in the town, and many of the global company’s offices are still there.

Yes, the two million annual visitors usually go there for the awesome Legoland and Lego House – easily two full days of building and rollercoaster fun. 

But there’s also Aquadome, Scandinavia’s biggest waterpark, and Wow Park (tickets from £26.50), a huge treetop adventure in woodland spanning the size of 40 football pitches.

The town is so small that almost everything is walkable, it’s super clean and practically designed with families in mind. 

Plus the flights take just 1 hour and 35 minutes currently from London Gatwick, and 1hour and 41minutes from Edinburgh to Billund on the newest flight route launching next year. 

HUNTERS LODGES, CELTIC MANOR

IF it’s good enough for American presidents, it’s good enough for the kids!

My lot thought they had hit the big time when we stayed at the gorgeous Hunters Lodges at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales.

This is top-tier self-catering accommodation with each lodge sleeping up to eight in four stylish en-suite bedrooms.

There’s a vast open-plan kitchen, living, and dining room with vaulted ceilings and a wall of glass looking out onto open countryside. The outdoor hot tub was used constantly by both adults and kids.

A great option for kids as they get a bit older, the resort itself has some fantastic outdoor adventure activities, including adventure golf, laser combat, ropes courses and archery as well as a large adventure playground.

Explore the 2,000-acre estate’s family-friendly woodland trails on a free, self-guided treasure hunt.

When rain stops play, there’s swimming in the resort’s two health clubs as well as a games room and indoor play area.

The resort can offer babysitting services and a day nursery as well as kids’ clubs in the peak summer holidays, allowing parents time to enjoy the championship golf courses or spas.

GO: Two-night stays in a Hunters Lodge start from £636per lodge, for up to eight adults plus two additional children, including a round of Adventure Golf and 25per cent off all indoor and outdoor activities. See hunter-lodges.com.

MY fearless six-year-old son, Alex, giggled as a large Asian brown owl landed on his gloved arm, just inches away from his face.

Neeka is so used to mingling with guests who visit the birds of prey aviary that she happily sat there for a few seconds, slowly twisting her neck, taking in the view.

And who can blame her, when the view is as stunning as this?

We were staying on the stunning Swinton Estate, set in the Yorkshire Dales within an incredible 20,000 acres of sprawling land made up of villages, farms and moorland.

At the centre of this is the Downton Abbey-style, ivy-clad ancestral stately home of Lord and Lady Masham which has been turned into a luxury hotel with 42 suites and bedrooms.

Despite its grandeur, I discovered it to be one of the most down to earth — and definitely the most child-friendly — places I’ve ever stayed in the UK.

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What’s more, visitors are on the doorstep of explorable market towns, as well as just a 10-minute drive from historic Jervaulx Abbey (one of Yorkshire’s most beautiful historic sites) and 20 minutes from Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park, home to mini rollercoasters, giant swings and a crazy golf course.

That’s if you can find the time to leave the estate.

Swinton has even more activities than overcrowded tourist traps such as Center Parcs — with comparable prices.

During our short stay, we enjoyed treasure hunts, children’s cookery courses, fishing, archery, escape rooms and cycling.

There are complimentary meditation classes, tea tasting, clay pigeon shooting, history tours, movie nights and a birds of prey show.

Falconer Mandy explained that most of the owls, hawks and falcons on site were hand reared.

They even go on “walks” through the estate, high above your head.

And what a great place for a stroll, it is. Our dog Layla certainly agreed.

Unlike many hotels, Layla wasn’t just tolerated here, she was adored.

She walked alongside us as we explored some of the 63 miles of footpaths as well as the play area, wild swimming lake, shop and the Country Club.

She even plodded into the reception with me while I booked an amazing £50 back, neck and shoulder massage.

Although, I did leave her with the others when it came to enjoying my treatment.

This meant I could take full advantage of the amenities, which include thermal suites, a heavenly relaxation room and two pools, both of which have select adults-only times so the grown-ups can properly de-stress.

OLD-WORLD CHARM

Even those with kids can get their downtime thanks to the on-site babysitting service, available from £15 an hour.

The Estate itself is a charming mix of contemporary design blended with grand antiques and historical paintings of the family that once owned it.

This old-world charm continues into the bedrooms and suites too.

Our room featured high ceilings and large low windows where Alex and Layla sat together watching the deer roam freely in the fields.

Every tiny detail has been considered here.

There were coats and umbrellas to borrow, dog biscuits, a teddy bear on the bed and soft, squishy towels and dressing gowns.

While Alex was grateful for the bowl of apples and pile of shortbread biscuits left on the side, I was more appreciative of the smart coffee machine and the Estate’s home-made sloe whisky.

Whisky is just one of many things that comes from the grounds.

Pretty much everything from vegetables and meat to herbs and fruit does, too.

I am a sucker for a good brekkie and thanks to the outstanding estate sausages, this was undoubtedly my favourite meal of the stay.

A freshly-cooked plate of breakfast goodies also helped to ease my slightly sore head after the excellent mixologists rustled me up one too many spicy margaritas the night before.

You don’t need to be an overnight guest to visit the Estate.

Those popping in during the winter months can experience a new winter light trail which will lead them through a sparkling woodland and around the pretty lakes — tickets are from £7.50 per child, while those under five go free.

If you do fancy checking in for the evening, however, now is the time to book.

On selected dates this winter, you can bag a suite with breakfast and a bottle of house wine for £275 in total.

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I am from Yorkshire originally, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually received such a Yorkshire welcome as I did here.

Even Neeka the owl was happy to see us.

LOCATED in the Baltic Sea is a crowd-free island with outdoor music festivals and ancient forests – and we bet you’ve never heard of it.

Hiiumaa in Estonia is an island home to several historic lighthouses and sprawling beaches.

It is Estonia’s second largest island, yet is home to less than 10,000 people.

But this led to the island, along with other West Estonia islands, joining the UNESCO biosphere programme area dubbed ‘Man and Biosphere, which means that the locals have lived sustainably alongside nature for hundreds of years.

And most of the time, the island is completely in the dark unless the moon and stars are glowing – as a result it also has no noise or light pollution.

Many people who travel to the island love it for its peace, including soothing sauna and walks in the forest.

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Naturally, being an island, the destination also has “endless beaches” according to Hiiumaa.ee, such as Tõrvanina, Luidja and Ristna.

Ristna, in particular, is loved by surfers thanks to having the biggest waves in the Baltic Sea.

This spot is also where you will find on of the island’s historic lighthouses.

Ristna Lighthouse’s tower was completed in France at the workshop of Gustave Eiffel – the same person responsible for the Eiffel Tower.

Then it was brought across to Hiiumaa in pieces and then assembled to watch over the sea and ships in the region.

The lighthouse is still operational today, but is open to visitors during the summer.

Nearby is also Kõpu lighthouse, which is one of the oldest working lighthouses in the world.

Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and see across the coastline.

If you happen to visit the island during the summer months, you can also explore The Lavender Farm, which is the northmost lavender farm in the world.

And rather unusually, it is located on the edge of a meteorite crater.

Visitors heading to the farm can see 20,000 lavender plants and the products produced using them, such as lavender jam, lavender spice and lavender micellar water.

For a longer walk in nature, then visitors can head to the ancient Kõpu Nature Reserve, which is located on the oldest part of the island.

The area has many rare plants and bird species.

The island also hosts a number of festivals throughout the year including the Ice Fish Festival in February which involves a number of winter-related activities on the ice and summer music festivals of jazz, folk and club music.

When it comes to food options, local dishes often include fish or lamb.

One top spot is IIUmeekk, which is located inside a quaint redhouse and overlooks a harbour.

Inside, dish options include sea trout with edamame beans, parsley and salted egg yolk or slow cooked porky belly, with tomato kimchi and polenta.

Make sure to check out their desserts as well, such as gingerbread tiramisu.

As for somewhere to stay, there are hotels scattered across the entire island.

For example, for £75 per night you could head to Kassari Holiday Resort which features bubble baths on the hotel’s roof terrace, access Kassari beach and family-friendly rooms.

Alternatively, you could head to Utoopia No. 9 for £70 a night.

The 19-room hotel is sat on Kirikulahe Bay and is inside a historic manor’s vodka kitchen.

The best way to get to Hiiumaa is by flying to the capital of Estonia – Tallinn.

Return flights from London in November cost from £37 and the flight takes under three hours.

From Tallinn you can either hop on another flight to Kärdla Airport, which takes 30 minutes.

Then you can jump on the ferry to Hiiumaa, which takes less than an hour.

Alternatively, you can hop on a coach from Tallinn, which takes just under four hours before catching the ferry.

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Also in Estonia is a seaside city nicknamed the ‘summer capital’ by locals – with huge sandy beach and the sea hits 33C.

Plus, there is a tiny island in Estonia with white sandy beaches that’s the most child-friendly holiday destination in the world.

ON the hunt for a bargain festive getaway? Forget the traditional European spots — as this year Vilnius is the place to head.

New research has revealed the capital of Lithuania is the most wallet-friendly destination for a Christmas market break, with low-cost accommodation plus ginger bread and mulled wine galore.

According to the Post Office’s annual Christmas Markets Barometer report, a two-night getaway in the historic city will set holidaymakers back significantly less than a short break in any other European destination.

The study looked at the cost of six basic holiday items in 15 countries that are popular for a festive break — to calculate where travellers would get the most bang for their buck in 2025.

These holiday items included B&B accommodation, return flights or Eurostar travel, coffees, and three-course dinners for two with wine.

It found the total cost of all of these essentials in Vilnius came to £508.94, with travel and accommodation being the leading cause for its affordability.

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The costing is dramatically less here than it would be in other destinations.

The study found that the city has not been affected by inflation in terms of holiday costs, with prices 0.4 per cent lower than they were in last year’s Christmas Markets Barometer.

In second place on the barometer is Riga in Latvia, which has been shown to be eight per cent more expensive than Vilnius overall, although comparatively general items, such as ginger bread or stollen at the market and a three-course meal for two, cost less.

Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: “Sterling’s drop in value is an important factor for travellers to consider before booking a trip because this varies between currencies.

“The pound’s fall against the euro is smaller than against other European currencies — five per cent compared with 10.6 per cent against the Hungarian forint and 10.9 per cent against the krona in Sweden.”

If it is mulled wine you have got your eyes on, this year’s research suggests that Bratislava in Slovakia is the best place to get enjoy it without splashing the cash.

This destination came in third place overall but had the most affordable tipples, with four glasses of mulled wine priced at £10.77, more than £7 less than it would cost in Vilnius.

Prices for all the holiday items had risen in Bratislava, in comparison to the previous year, with flights and accommodation soaring by 12.9 per cent, while meals, drinks and airport transfers have increased 8.5 per cent from 2024.

Poland has been revealed as one of the most affordable countries overall for a festive mini-break, with three cities making it into the top ten on the budget barometer.

Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow came in fourth, fifth and seventh place respectively with total holiday costs of £585.85, £588.97 and £674.17.

Despite being the most expensive of the Polish cities in general, Krakow is definitely the best place to head if you plan to load up on cake, stollen or gingerbread at the markets.

Here, it costs £10.56 on average for four portions of these sweet treats, which is less than half of what it would cost you in Warsaw (£22).

This still doesn’t compare to Stockholm, however, where visitors heading to the Christmas markets can get samples of these goodies for free.

At the other end of the scale, Copenhagen in Denmark was the priciest of all 15 destinations in the charts, with the total cost of all holiday items coming to a staggering £1,055.92 — more than double that of the cheapest spot, Vilnius.

Austrian capital Vienna was the second most expensive spot overall. However, the barometer shows that costs have fallen by 2.4 per cent since last year.

Laura Plunkett added: “Away from the Advent markets, there are tempting opportunities to shop for Christmas gift items.

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But we advise holidaymakers to think carefully before using a credit or debit card to make payments as they are likely to end up paying some extra non-sterling transaction charges.

“Instead, consider loading spending money on to a pre-paid card such as the Post Office Travel Money Card, which is widely accepted and does not incur these transaction charges.”

RYANAIR is axing 15 destinations across Europe in 2026, amid plans to scale back its operations.

It comes just months after the budget airline confirmed that two million seats would be scrapped across Spain.

Millions of Brits could be forced to change their plans as routes to major destinations, mainly in Germany and Spain, are scrapped.

Plans to scale back operations in France have also been announced.

Just a few months ago Ryanair cancelled all services to three French destinations.

The cancelled routes come as Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary pushes back against rising air tax costs.

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Here’s the full list of affected routes:

Spain

Back in August, Ryanair said confirmed that two million seats across Spain would be being scrapped.

The destinations is said it would be closing operations and ceasing flights to were:

• Santiago de Compostela
• Vigo
• Valladolid
• Jerez
• Tenerife (North)

Tensions over increased airport charges had affected relations with the state-owned Spanish operator Aena.

Mr O’Leary said at the time: “If the costs in regional Spain are too high, I will fly elsewhere.

“We are better off flying at the same cost to places such as Palma [on the island of Mallorca] than flying to Jerez.”

Germany

In October, Ryanair announced it was dropping 24 routes to and from Germany, cutting nearly 800,000 seats in total.

It was revealed that nine airports would be affected, along with the plans of those wanting a winter break, and including to major cities that are popular with tourists.

These are:

• Berlin
• Hamburg
• Memmingen
• Baden-Württemberg
• Cologne
• Frankfurt-Hahn
• Dortmund
• Dresden
• Leipzig

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson said back in August: “Germany’s air travel market is broken and needs an urgent fix.

“As a result of these high government taxes/fees (the highest in Europe), and Lufthansa’s high-fare monopoly, German citizens/visitors now pay the highest air fares in Europe.”

France

Ryanair cut services to France in 2025 – with the loss of 25 routes and some 750,000 seats this winter following the decision to drop services to Strasbourg, Brive and Bergerac.

Now though, it has been revealed that further cancellations are possibly looming.

CEO Jason McGuiness has confirmed thar Ryanaire will leave France’s regional airports in the summer of 2026.

However, as yet, no official destinations have been named yet.

The actions of the airline earlier in the year caused a 13 per cent reduction in its capacity in France.

Mr O’Leary told French newspaper Le Parisien: “You have this crazy situation where your government increases the solidarity tax on airline tickets (TSBA), which has gone from 2.63 euros to 7.40 euros per ticket. 180% increase! It’s totally unjustified.”

He added that commercial flying was a “rotten sector that does not bring in a lot of money.”

He also accused the French government of viewing airlines as their personal “tax collectors,” as well as making the claim that “French air traffic control is by far the least effective in Europe.”

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However, five European cities will be getting new Ryanair flights as part of the airline’s winter schedule.

Plus, here is everything you need to know about whether you can use a printed boarding pass, including rules for Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air and Jet2 explained.

DUBAI has finally cracked open its £10billion mystery islands to sun-seeking holidaymakers after they lay deserted for more than two decades.

The city has long been recognised for its architectural wonders including the 828m tall Burj Khalifa.

But the glamourous city has revealed its latest gem, known as ‘the world’s islands’, which is now officially open to tourists after years of development.

Rocky beginnings

The £10.6bn fantasy archipelago was supposed to reshape the coastline into a giant world map made from 300 man-made islands.

The mad dream began as a sketch on a cocktail napkin and back then, ambitious tycoons queued up to claim their slice of the fantasy.

There were even plans for a Giant’s Causeway on the ‘Ireland’ island and a fashion paradise overseen by Karl Lagerfeld himself.

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Bit in 2008 the crash hit and money vanished, turning the whole thing into a sandy graveyard.

The pricey stunt had costed enough dredged sand to fill Wembley nearly 100 times over.

Developers soon went bust, investors fled, and by 2011 officials were admitting the project was basically “in a coma.”

For years, the only excitement came from tourists peering out of plane windows, gawping at the ghostly outline of a world that never was.

The only resident for years was Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who quietly bagged ‘Greenland’ for a private palace in 2011.

But in true Dubai fashion, the city has refused to give up and the forgotten islands are back, open for business, and dripping in luxury.

Open for business

The islands are now open to tourists, offering a game-changing new experience.

Travellers can enjoy the World islands, which consist of 300 islands, situated just off the cost of the mainland.

Each island has been designed to mimic different countries or continents, including luxury resorts, fine dining spots and high-end beach villas.

While many are still under construction, a select few are fully accessible to tourists.

‘Heart of Europe’

Austrian developer Josef Kleindienst, snapped up half a dozen islands and nearly two decades later, his sprawling resort, ‘The Heart of Europe‘, is now open.

The islands resemble popular European destinations, including ‘Sweden,’ ‘Switzerland,’ ‘Germany,’ ‘Monaco,’ and ‘St Petersburg’.

Guests can take a trip to the glitzy Voco Monaco hotel, blasting out endless techno, offering visitors a luxury, high end party experience.

The star attraction is the bonkers “raining street,” where sprinklers blast out a fake downpour every 15 minutes.

In 35°C heat, it creates a misty, Paris-in-August atmosphere.

Further along the map, the mood shifts from rave to relaxation.

The Anantara World Islands resort offers a Maldives-on-Sea escape full of private pools, beachfront villas and pampering sessions.

Guests can even have breakfast served in their own pool.

There are also 133 floating seahorse villas, making up a £5billion floating city in the middle of the sea.

This new wave of luxury comes as Dubai doubles down on its quest to be the world’s go-to playground for the rich and restless.

More resorts and mansions are set to come through soon.

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Even a former “dead” island, ‘Chile’, is now hosting parties, while another has been reborn as ‘Zuhha Island’ with luxury villas on sale.

The World Islands were once written off as an embarrassing folly, but the new development is bound to be a game changer for the cities’ already bustling tourist scene.

VISITING London can be great, but one couple decided to ditch the Big Smoke for a trip abroad and they managed to do it for less than a day out in the capital.

Nick Choudhury, 45, and his girlfriend, Laura Allcock, 45, decided they wanted a trip abroad but had a tight budget and schedule.

So, the duo decided to fly to Milan in Italy and back, in just a day, for £27.

The couple set off from London Stansted at 7:25am on November 8, arriving in the fashion capital of the world just a couple of hours later.

During the day, the couple spent a total of £115 each, which included their return flights.

Nick, a programme manager from Ealing, London, said: “Planning trips is a military operation for us – we have to work around budgets, childcare and school holidays.

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“We both always wanted to travel but being grown-ups just got in the way of life.

“We wanted to go away for the day and get as much value for money as possible, while still enjoying ourselves.

“On the way home, we were asking ourselves ‘is this all we spent?’.”

The couple had seen other people doing similar ‘extreme day trips’ online for a while, but Milan was their first time trying one for themselves.

“It was such a nice day,” Nick added.

When in Milan the duo started by enjoying a coffee and a pastry each, they then purchased an all-day metro ticket (£6.70pp) so they could hop on and off transport as they liked throughout the day.

According to Nick, the metro was comparable to the tube in London.

As for activities, the couple headed to Piazzale Cadorna and explored the square before heading to the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to see Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Last Supper’ – they spent €15 (£13.26) on tickets.

Nick said: “The reverence hits you straight away.

“You can feel the history, it’s calming. It takes you to another place.”

After this they decided to hop on a tram to the cathedral and wandered around Piazza del Duomo.

They also visited the famous shopping arcade, Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

The couple had prebooked one activity online, which was to go into the terraces of the cathedral – Duomo di Milano.

This cost £22.91 per person and included a pass to use the lift.

Nick said: “It’s stunning, the level of detail is crazy. I would recommend pre-booking that.”

Starbucks then provided a cheap spot for another coffee and pastry.

The final activity the couple chose to do was to visit the Navigli canal district, with picturesque canals and a vibrant social scene.

While the couple didn’t book a sit-down meal, they snacked on street foods such as panzerotti – deep-fried cheese-filled dough pockets – to ensure they didn’t go hungry.

They were even invited into a cafe by a host who said they had no customers, so he gave them a discount on their order as a result.

Following this, the duo got back on a bus – which cost £17.63 per person, for a return – to the airport and landed back down in London Stansted at 11:45pm, where they had parked their car for £17 for the day.

Nick said: “We wanted to get the main bits done – any more and we would have been rushed.

“We wanted to experience Milan in a relaxed way.

“We used public transport and walked as much as possible. Milan is a very connected place.”

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He added: “We’ll definitely go back – and I’ve already booked another ‘extreme day trip’ to go to Pisa in December with my children.

“It was great – and it cost no more than if we’d been out in London for the day.”

THOUSANDS of travellers are being warned to brace for major disruption this weekend as engineering works are set to cause significant delays at the UK’s busiest airport.

Heathrow, which is set to handle around 84 million passengers this year, has announced that major rail connections to and from the airport will be closed this weekend while essential maintenance work is carried out.

The disruption will affect travellers using the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line on Saturday November 15 and Sunday November 15, prompting airport officials to advise passengers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys.

Heathrow Airport announced the closure on X, formerly Twitter, warning: “Due to planned engineering works, there will be no Heathrow Express or Elizabeth line train services to/from Heathrow on Sat 15 & Sun 16 November 2025.

“Piccadilly Line services to/from #Heathrow will be running as normal. Please plan your journey in advance as other services will be busier than normal.”

The engineering works are taking place between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport stations, and according to National Rail, “all lines” on the route will be closed during the two-day period.

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The National Rail website also states: “No trains to / from London Heathrow Airport from Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 November.”

This means that both the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line will be completely out of service over the weekend, affecting thousands of passengers travelling to or from the airport.

Routes listed as affected include the Elizabeth line between Shenfield and Heathrow Airport and the Heathrow Express between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport.

To help travellers plan ahead, Heathrow has released the times of the final trains before the closures begin.

The last Heathrow Express service from Terminal 5 will leave at 11.57pm on Friday, while the final train from Terminals 2 and 3 will depart at 12.03am.

From London Paddington, the final Heathrow Express departs at 11.25pm.

As for the Elizabeth line, the final service to central London will depart Terminal 5 at 12.07am, Terminals 2 and 3 at 12.12am, and Terminal 4 at 11.37pm.

The last Elizabeth line train from Paddington will leave at 11.24pm.

Those travelling from Terminals 2 and 3 to Terminal 5 can catch the final Elizabeth line service at 11.37pm, while the last train from Terminal 4 to Terminals 2 and 3 departs at 11.52pm.

Despite the disruption, the Piccadilly line will continue to operate as normal, providing the only direct underground connection to Heathrow throughout the weekend.

Travellers are being urged to consider alternative routes, including TfL Rail replacement buses, coach services, and taxis, which are likely to experience increased demand.

A Heathrow spokesperson reminded passengers: “We encourage everyone travelling on 15 and 16 November to check before they travel and allow extra time for their journey.

“With trains not running, roads and alternative transport will be busier than usual.”

The works form part of ongoing infrastructure improvements aimed at maintaining safety and reliability on the network.

However, the timing has sparked frustration among passengers planning half-term holidays and weekend getaways.

Experts have also warned that disruption could spill over into Monday morning as services return to normal and trains are repositioned.

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For up-to-date travel information, passengers are being advised to check the Heathrow Express, Elizabeth line, and National Rail websites before setting off.

The Sun has approached Heathrow for comment.

WANT to snap up a holiday next year for less? TUI Black Friday sale has something for every budget.

Whether you’re looking to book some New Year winter sun or next summer’s break, there are great deals to be had.

With TUI, you can bag Black Friday discount codes for offers that cover departure dates from January 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027.

Simply bookmark the Black Friday sales page at tui.co.uk, browse the discount codes, apply them to the trip of your choice and save big.

The world is your oyster – but where to go?

Long haul or short?