A TOP European theme park is welcoming a new premium hotel that looks like it’s out of Wes Anderson’s world.
Dutch theme park Efteling will be opening a new hotel this summer called the Efteling Grand Hotel.
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Dutch theme park Efteling will be opening a new hotel this summerCredit: www.efteling.com
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It will follow the fairytale-theme of the parkCredit: www.efteling.com
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In total, it will have 140 rooms and suites complete with themed decorCredit: www.efteling.com
The theme park is already well known for its fairytale theme, with one TikToker – The Travel Mum – dubbing it “better and cheaper than Disneyland”.
The new addition to the attraction will be the first hotel located within the theme park itself and will open on August 1.
The hotel will be themed around a traditional grand dame hotel with stories woven into the design throughout, appearing like a Wes Anderson story.
There will be digital check-in, valet parking and luggage handling, upon arrival.
A bellhop and Efteling’s two princesses will guests in the lobby, where the air will also be infused with the hotel’s signature fragrance.
The hotel will be spread across seven floors offering 140 rooms and suites, with a total of 644 beds.
The biggest room will be able to host six people.
The hotel rooms will also overlook the park with different views of the Aquanura water show the House of the Dive Senses entrance, the Fairytale Forest or the Pardoes Promenade Lane.
All of the rooms include breakfast at Brasserie 7 and half an hour of early access to the park before it opens to the public.
Other features of the rooms include each one having an Efteling Grand Hotel fairytale book.
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The lower ground floor of the hotel will have a swimmingpool – availabel only to hotel guests – with spa facilities including a steam room, sauna and massage room.
There will also be a multifunctional serenity room where guests can unwind, pray or meditate.
The hotel will have two restaurants with Brasserie 7 located on the ground floor and Restaurant-Bar Mystique on the first floor.
While Brasserie 7 will serve up a range of classic dishes – which include seven ‘magical’ ingredients such as princess tears and snow from Mother Holle – Restaurant-Bar Mystique will offer a more premium dining experience.
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There will also be two restaurants at the site and one cafeCredit: www.efteling.com
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There will also be a swimming pool at the hotel, and spa facilitiesCredit: www.efteling.com
Each table will be decorated with edible decorations and the restaurant will be open to the public, as well as park and hotel guests.
Café Biscuit will also be a part of the hotel, where baristas will serve coffee and the signature Grand Hotel biscuit.
AN INTERACTIVE tool can show you the best budget festival near you this summer.
This handy tool shows how you can max out your festival experiences – on a budget.
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Gen Z’s ideal summer would include five festivals a survey revealedCredit: SWNS
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An interactive tool has made it easy to find budget summer festivalsCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk
Input your postcode and your favourite partying partner’s, and it will show all the summer shindigs you could be going to.
From comedy to music fests of all genres – the tool has it all.
It comes after research of 2,000 adults found Gen Z’s ideal summer would consist of five festivals and four trips abroad – but they have less than £1,000 to spend.
They would like to have a day at the beach seven times and go on four staycations during the three hottest months of the year.
And visiting a theme park is a summer must for 23 per cent.
But 79 per cent aren’t sure they’ll be able to afford everything they’d like to do – so, nearly four in 10 are planning to find cost-effective ways to travel to make the most of their budget.
Despite this, 23 per cent insist on tickets to at least one music festival this summer and a holiday abroad with pals is a ‘non-negotiable’.
But 24 per cent won’t compromise on comfortable and reliable travel to any events they go to.
As three quarters believe quality transport between events is important, because they want to be comfortable on long journeys (46 per cent) and want to get their trip off to the best start (44 per cent).
John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, which commissioned the research, said: “While the appetite for adventure is sky-high, the reality of rising costs means many young people are having to balance their dreams with what’s actually doable.
Here’s how to do festival looks on a budget – and save the planet
“As our tool shows, we are lucky enough to have hundreds of festivals and events around the UK at our fingertips, but a big blocker is the cost of an entertainment-filled weekend in a field – the prices can be well into the hundreds.
“That’s why we’re seeing Gen Z getting smart with their spending—being selective, savvy and seeking out ways to make the most of their money, with the travel there and back being key.”
The research also found Gen Z would like to attend six BBQs this summer and have fish and chips by the beach six times, while 29 per cent would love to spend more cash on dining out or takeaways, to save the strain of cooking.
And one in five have made plans to splash out on one or two key things this summer, but 17 per cent admit they’ve barely thought about it.
However, 72 per cent now feel as though having fun in the summer is a ‘luxury’, according to the OnePoll.com figures.
Although 43 per cent still say it’s more important to have fun in the sun – compared to the 15 per cent who reckon being sensible is a better option.
John Boughton, commercial director for National Express, added: “Ultimately, Gen Z aren’t prepared to sit the summer out.
“They’re finding clever ways to stay in the moment, prioritise what matters most, and still have an unforgettable time and it is encouraging that they are looking for affordable, reliable and comfortable travel to get the most out of their summer.
“This is a generation that thrives on fun, freedom and flexibility—and they’re making it work, one plan at a time.”
IT doesn’t get more exciting than sailing in style to a paradise Caribbean private island.
And even more cruise lines are now going all out to host passengers on their own islands.
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Splash out at Thrill Waterpark at Perfect DayCredit: Supplied
Royal Caribbean last week announced its second Perfect Day destination off Mexico, opening in 2027, which will include a waterpark with 30 slides, the longest lazy river in the world, adults-only beach clubs and a host of bars and restaurants.
Lisa Minot looks at existing private islands you can cruise to.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
IT was Royal who upped the ante with the launch of its revamped Perfect Day at Coco Cay in 2019.
The £185million transformation of its Bahamas island included a new pier, thrill rides and chill zones.
There are seven beaches to laze beside the warm waters and six pools, including Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean with swim-up bar and in-water loungers.
The Thrill Waterpark has 14 slides including the tallest in North America while Splashaway Bay and Captain Jill’s Galleon are perfect places for the kids to play.
There’s complimentary food at four restaurants as well as a host of bars and shops.
The adult-only Hideaway Beach opened in January last year and, for an extra charge, over-18s can enjoy a private beach, two pools, seven bars and two restaurants.
Also available to book for an extra charge are overwater cabanas, a zipline and tethered hot air balloon as well as kayak tours and snorkelling excursions.
GO: A week full-board on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is from £1,064pp, sailing from Miami on November 8 and calling at St Maarten, St Thomas and Perfect Day at Coco Cay.
Inside the huge new cruise ship coming to the US next year – with waterpark, bumper cars, and 20 bars onboard
WITH its signature stripey lighthouse and two miles of white sand beaches, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas is a regular port of call for MSC cruise ships.
They sail from their new private terminal in Miami as well as Port Canaveral in Florida and New York, including MSC World America, which made its debut in April.
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Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas is a regular port of call for MSC cruise shipsCredit: Supplied
The Italian cruise line has transformed a former sand excavation site in the last ten years, planting more than 75,000 trees and bringing back marine life and birds.
A newly-opened conservation centre on the island allows guests to discover their achievements and includes a land-based coral nursery and fully-equipped bio-lab.
But cruise guests will also appreciate the island’s laid-back vibe with food trucks and restaurants offering Bahamian specialities, barbecue classics, snacks and oodles of ice cream and beach bars serving tropical cocktails.
There’s a chance to explore the underwater wonders with snorkelling, kayak, paddle board and windsurfing excursions.
For a bit of luxury, you can relax in a cabana or take a sunset champagne cruise.
GO: Seven nights’ full-board on MSC World America is from £649pp.
Sailing from Miami on September 13, the cruise calls at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
ONE of the original private island pioneers, the Holland America line first started calling at RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas in 1997 and it has been expanding its presence there ever since.
In summer next year, a major upgrade will see a new beach club and lunch venue on its original facilities on the south of the island’s stunning two-mile crescent of powder-soft white sand as well as a new pier at the north end of the beach that will be used by both Holland America and its sister cruise line Carnival.
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The Holland America line first started calling at RelaxAway at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas in 1997Credit: Supplied
Thrill-seekers can enjoy horseback riding along the shore, snorkelling, jet skiing, and stingray encounters.
Families will love the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park, while nature enthusiasts can explore eco-tours and birdwatching.
Unique experiences include glass-bottom boat tours and a pirate ship-themed bar.
With beach sports, shopping and complimentary barbecue lunches, this is a high-end island escape for cruisers.
GO: A 14-night full-board Western & Eastern Caribbean cruise on Holland America’s Zuiderdam is from £1,379pp, departs Miami on November 8 and calls at Half Moon Cay, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico, Miami, Bahamas, Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos.
MICKEY Mouse and pals now have two private islands to enjoy in the Bahamas.
Their original, Castaway Cay, opened in 1998 as part of the launch of the new cruise line.
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Mickey Mouse and pals now have two private islands to enjoy in the BahamasCredit: Disney Parks
And last year, they opened Lookout Cay.
As you would expect, there is a huge amount of fun activities for kids including kids’ clubs for three to 17-year-olds.
The family beach features plenty of umbrellas, chairs and hammocks plus tube and float rentals and an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet.
Water babies will love Pelican Plunge, a huge floating platform featuring water slides and cannons.
Spring-a-Leak is a water play area with freshwater jets.
Adults get their own Serenity Bay stretch of pristine sands as well as a restaurant and bar.
The island features a 12-acre snorkel trail dotted with sunken treasures including the submarine from the classic Disney attraction 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea and there are miles of paths to explore on foot or bicycle.
Over at Lookout Cay, there’s more of a focus on nature and celebrating the island’s Bahamian location with a cultural centre where you can learn about traditions and crafts.
GO: A four-night full-board cruise on Disney Wish to the Bahamas, including calls at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay is from £920pp, based on two adults and two children sharing.
YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds.
Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when Carey Mulligan starred in a Netflix movie about the discovery, The Dig.
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Enjoy Woodbridge harbour with its sail boatsCredit: Alamy
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Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per nightCredit: Supplied
But it’s not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special.
The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK’s happiest place to live by Rightmove.
Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had — I’m inclined to agree.
It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge’s best-known hotels, The Crown.
The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs.
The property’s position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops.
Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance.
We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas.
A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business.
Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife’s colourful handmade shades.
If we weren’t convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat.
We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel.
Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too.
The Crown’s restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night.
If you ever tire of the hotel’s jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won’t need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge.
I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic.
Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami.
The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why.
The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast.
My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug.
Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge’s River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored.
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The Crown serves cracking foodCredit: Supplied
Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander.
The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years.
We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland.
This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water’s edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees.
While we didn’t get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening.
It’s thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory.
The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed.
After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK.
And it’s just as great to visit.
It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . .
This Amazon deal is a smart choice for anyone flying with budget airlines like Ryanair and Jet2, where luggage rules are notoriously tight.
In recent years, these companies have tightened their baggage policies, allowing passengers to bring only a small underseat bag on board for free.
Any larger bag – even those stored in the overhead compartment – now incur additional fees that can quickly add up.
This means that even if you’re flying on a budget ticket, you could end up spending extra just to bring a standard-sized carry-on.
With this backpack, however, you can dodge those needless extra costs entirely.
Measuring 40x20x25cm, it’s fully compliant with Ryanair’s underseat baggage dimensions, allowing you to pack everything you need for a short trip.
On top of that, this backpack is cleverly designed to maximise its 20-litre capacity while remaining compact.
It even features compression straps to help you fit it neatly into the baggage checker without any worries.
Designed to open 180 degrees, much like a suitcase, it’s not only practical for packing but also makes accessing your belongings mid-journey a breeze.
Beyond its perfect size, the travel bag is packed with features, including toiletry compartments that make airport security checks swift and hassle-free.
The hidden back pocket offers a secure spot for valuables like passports and wallets, while the built-in USB charging port allows you to keep your devices powered on the go.
The bag has earned glowing reviews on Amazon, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Customers love its practicality and quality.
‘Couldn’t believe the quality of this bag for such a small price,’ one shopper noted.
‘[I] took it to Italy for a long weekend and it was absolutely perfect in every way.”
Another wrote: ‘I flew through 5 countries in 14 days with Ryanair, EasyJet, Wizz Air and Norwegian and had ZERO issues with my bag fitting into those little bag-checking boxes’
Customers are impressed by how much the bag can hold while staying ‘compact but spacious’, also calling it ‘perfectly designed’.
‘We packed 5.5kg in one and 6kg in the other,’ one buyer writes. ‘Very impressed when you think most 10kg bags weigh over 1kg empty.’
At this price, it’s no wonder Amazon shoppers are pouncing on this cabin bag. If you’re keen, just make sure you snap it up at deal price.
PARENTS know all too well that keeping kids entertained over the summer holidays can be pricey.
The cost of childcare alone can cost around £1,039 for the six weeks of the break, and that is not to mention days out and other activities.
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The cost of summer holidays can be expensive for parentsCredit: Getty
And many activity camps for children can be costly too, but that does not mean your child has to miss out.
There are loads of free classes available for families across countless areas in the UK.
Below we round up the best classes for kids this summer that cost nothing at all.
FREE FOOTBALL COACHING
McDonald’s runs free football classes for children aged 5 to 11 years old.
The programme lasts for 10 weeks and usually runs for an hour.
The event is hosted at local stadiums across the UK.
The sessions, which are open to all abilities, are running from March to July.
They are delivered by FA-qualified coaches at more than 1,600 locations nationwide.
You can find out more by visiting www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/football/fun-football-centres.
FREE COURSES FOR TEENAGERS
Islington Council runs a number of free courses for teenagers and young adults through its Summerversity scheme.
Freebies for parents worth £2,900
In the past, classes have included archery, football camp and photography lessons.
You can book a maximum of eight courses to keep your teenager entertained over the holidays.
You can sign up by visiting www.summerversity.co.uk/
Of course you will need to live in the London borough to get access to the scheme.
But if you don’t it may be worth ringing up your local council to see if it runs a similar event.
FREE BOXING CAMP
Sporting Aid in Waltham is running a free boxing camp for those aged 10-16.
The event is run every Saturday at 12:00pm at the Waltham Cross Playing Fields Car Park.
No prior experience is required so it may be a great way for your little one to be introduced to the sport.
You can sign up for the event by visiting www.eventbrite.co.uk.
FREE SUMMER CAMP
Music charity Vache Baroque runs a completely free summer camp for children in St Giles.
The event runs from Monday 18 – Friday August 22 and includes a hot meal. It is for children aged 9–14.
Children will participate in a number of activities including singing, arts and crafts and circus skills
They can also take part in an optional performance with professional orchestra in its summer circus-opera on Sunday September 7.
You can find out more by visiting, vachebaroque.com.
What help is available for parents?
CHILDCARE can be a costly business. Here is how you can get help.
30 hours free childcare – Parents of three and four-year-olds can apply for 30 hours free childcare a week. To qualify you must usually work at least 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage and earn less than £100,000 a year.
Tax credits – For children under 20, some families can get help with childcare costs.
Childcare vouchers – If your employer offers childcare vouchers you can get up to £55 a week in tax and national insurance savings. You pay for your childcare before your tax contributions are taken out. This scheme is open to new joiners until October 4, 2018, when it is planned that tax-free childcare will replace the vouchers.
Tax-free childcare – Available to working families and the self-employed, for every £8 you put in the government will add an extra £2.
