Travel money

When mum of two Hannah Britt checked into the want-for-nothing all-inclusive Mallorca hotel with her children, she never wanted to leave

I’m just going to say it… I’m not a fan of many all-inclusives. I find that often quantity takes the place of quality when it comes to what’s actually in your glasses and on your plates. So when I was invited to check out Zafiro Palace Alcudia, my expectations were fairly low. Well let me tell you – I was wrong. Oh so very wrong. No more than 10 minutes after we’d strewn our luggage in our room and headed to the buffet, I fell head over heels with the hotel – and never wanted to leave. Let me tell you why…

WOW FOOD

The food at Zafiro Palace was nothing short of superb, with an expansive ever-changing selection to choose from. There are several a la carte restaurants to enjoy (Italian, sushi, local Mediterranean flavours) but to be honest, as a family with a one year old and a five year old, we spent every mealtime in The Market. A top-tier buffet, each night there’s a theme, be it Mexican or Asian etc, which runs alongside your classics like pasta, pizza and salads, and everything served up is delicious. There’s something for all ages to munch, from tasty mashed potato for your teething one year old, to fresh fish like John Dory and monkfish, and seafood paella. Drinks are well made and carefully considered, with premium wines and delicious cocktails. Waiters and cleaning staff whip round constantly so you want for nothing and any mess is taken care of quickly and graciously. Mealtimes, as a result of all the above, are a delight – even with tiny humans in tow.

PLAYGROUND FUN

Whoever designed the Zafiro Palace hotel clearly has young children, because to put a contained playground right next to the family buffet restaurant is a genius move. It means that once little ones are done with their food, they can run off to have a play on the bouncy castle, slides and climbing frames, while their grown ups enjoy a glass of wine, knowing they are safe and having fun nearby.

KIDS CLUB

…and right next door to said playground is a gorgeous little kids club for ages four to teens. There’s loads to do from crafting to games, with an enclosed playground for them to run around in too. There’s family entertainment too every evening, and a games area to explore.

POOL JOY

When it comes to pools, Zafiro Palace has all the whole family needs for a splashing good time. There are six swim up pools, a super-zen adults only pool surrounded by shady spots to relax, two indoor swimming pools and a kids’ pool with a pirate ship. Some rooms have private pools too, and if this is within your budget I can wholeheartedly recommend one, because it was in ours that my nervous-of-water-daughter learned to swim!

STUNNING ROOMS

When it comes to room options, there are plenty to choose from, catering to a variety of wants and budgets. All are clean, ultra modern, well-designed, spacious and airy, with large floor to ceiling windows, terraces or balconies, and expensive bedsheets. Some have hot tubs, swim up pools and private pools. Cots for babies and day beds are provided when required.

NEARBY TOWN

One of the best things about Zafiro Palace Alcudia is, as the name would suggest, Alcudia. Indeed, a short stroll away down a tree-lined street, you’ll find the stunning Old Town, with its gorgeous streets to wander down, pretty squares and delicious eateries to try. On Tuesday and Sunday mornings a visit is a must in particular as there’s a big and lively market, selling food, gifts, toys and more.

BEACH DAYS

Just a stone’s throw away from the hotel also lies Alcudia beach, a large stretch of sand surrounding a picturesque inlet of sea. This makes it incredibly calm and safe and thus very popular with families. The water is warm, clean and clear and if you can tear yourself away from your bucket and spade, there are watersports like stand up paddle boards to try too, and plenty of cafes and bars in which to have lunch, relax and wile away the day.

*Rooms at Zafiro Palace Alcudia start from €373 per night

With rooms starting at less than £180, mum of two Hannah Britt reveals how this under the radar Balearic hotel should be firmly on your bucket list

As a family who love to travel, when I find a good deal I just have to share it. And this is one I simply cannot keep to myself. Mallorca is super popular with Brits, we flock there in our thousands year on year. With good reason, of course – it’s gorgeous, the beaches are flawless and there are plenty of things to do for all ages from water parks to markets to nightlife. There are hotels catering to all tastes too. But it’s the Hilton Mallorca Galatzo I’m going to talk about today. Because you need to add it to your family holiday bucket list right now…

DEALS TO BE HAD

Let’s start with the price, shall we? Rooms at the HMG start from just €207 per night, which works out at just less than £180. For that you get a Superior Lateral Sea View room, which comes with a king bed, room for a cot, floor-to-ceiling windows and a Balearic style design.

A recent revamp has seen decor throughout the accommodation updated and it’s all very swish indeed – modern, stylish, super clean and well considered. All rooms have a balcony with some variation of a sea view.

MEGA LOCATION

The Hilton Mallorca Galatzo is ideally located for exploration and ease. 20 minutes by car gets you to the airport, or to Palma de Mallorca for a day of shopping or sightseeing. The hotel is sat atop a hill with a gorgeous view looking down over Costa de la Calma, and a complimentary daily shuttle takes guests down to the beaches and eateries below. Taxis are easy to summon too, and cost just a few Euros to do the same.

The marinas of Andratz and Puerto Portals and the beaches of Peguera are a must. Or, for the intrepid, white sands, hiking trails and Insta-worthy landscape moments are less than 2km away on foot.

PLENTY TO DO ON SITE

If you fancy wiling away a day at the hotel, there’s lots to keep the whole family busy, with an indoor pool, outdoor pool, spa and tennis facilities to enjoy. The pool area was particularly lovely from a family point of view as there was a large shallow area, plus a fenced off baby pool. Towering palm and pine trees provided much welcomed dappled shade throughout the day.

There’s a beautifully bright and well-equipped kids’ club too, which offers fun for 4 to 14 year olds and provides games, crafting, soft play and more.

DELICIOUS FOOD

Breakfast at La Cocina is busy but ordered, with lots of choice from porridge and cereals to fruit, baked treats and full-English options like eggs, sausage, bacon and beans. Freshly made pancakes and omelettes were a nice touch and very popular, especially with my children. The same restaurant does a popular buffet for dinner too.

Elsewhere, the Alma bar was comfy and chic, serving ice cold cava and tasty tapas – the garlic prawns, padron peppers and iberico ham were delightful. There was a children’s menu too, and the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming.

But my favourite eatery at HMG was the Paradis Pool Bar. The food was really good here, with mouthwatering poke bowls and pizza to munch. Cocktails, too, were moreish and well made.

Almost one million tourists a year flock to the stunning – but deadly – tourist trap

An abandoned mine has been transformed into a glittering but deadly tourist trap in China. The stunning – but terrifying – former mine and includes death drops at the foot of beds, roaring water fountains and gaping canyons.

The majority of the fairytale town is built into the sides of cliffs, with Wangxian Valley was described as “the most dangerous tourist destination in the world” by one X user.

Now, this rocky death trap pulls in almost one million visitors a year, according to China Discovery. Nestled in Shangrao , in the Jiangxi Province, the quarry that fell into disrepair in 1969 has now been overhauled into a tourism superstructure.

It is surrounded by ancient Buddhist villages and farms, bordered by the Ling Mountain. Its name means “Gazing at Immortals” and legend says in ancient times, “Hu Zuyu ascended to the Immortal Palace”, marking the area as a land of outstanding natural beauty and spirituality.

Blanketed by centuries old forests, the valley is dotted with bright streams, which you can now white water raft in. A stand out is the Wangxian Waterfall which creates its own localised fog with the force of its waters., whereas the serene Sanqing Waterfall is more gentle, complete with quaint mossy rocks.

There is also the fantastical Odd Rock Pool, which is made up of a plethora of quirky and unusually shaped rocks. At night, the cliff side transforms into a stunning light show, with it lit up by a network of warm yellow lights.

If you stay at the White Crane Cliff hotel, which has 12 glass-walled guest rooms, you can read a book with a head-spinning view in their cliff-side library, perched 110 meters above the valley floor. The cobblestone streets such as Baiwei Street, Rock Plaza and the ancient Yang Mansion house reconstructions of ancient Chinese buildings, offering a glimpse into architecture of a bygone era.

If you are more of an activity person, you can trek through a path that follows the valley’s collection of waterfalls. and if you fancy something that will raise your heart rate a little more, you can take a stroll down the breathtaking Cliffside Walkway, a terrifying 388-meter adventure along canyon walls, with 100 meters of vertical drop.

For the truly daring there is also a 50-meter Glass Walkway. Whilst you may rest assured the 28mm thick glass floor will support you, your mind may also be soothed as the glass has been made slightly opaque.

You can also raft in a thrilling 2.8km journey down the river through 185-meter canyon walls. The trip lasts about an hour after a half-an-hour walk up to the launch point

If you’re more interested in trying local food, Wangxian Tofu is a delicious and unique dish made from soybeans grown at an altitude of over 200 meters.

The tofu is prepared using mountain spring water. The Yuyu dumplings consist of a pork filling encased in chewy wrapper made from taro and tapioca starch and the Dengzhan Guo is a lantern-like structure made from filled with shiitake mushrooms, pork, soybean sprouts, and bamboo shoots.

Each evening the streets are filled with performances, folk music and traditional cultural experiences, ending with their famous fire show and bonfire party.

Turkey’s Marmaris has been named the cheapest short-haul holiday destination for UK families, according to Post Office Travel Money, which ranked Sunny Beach in Bulgaria in the second spot

Turkey’s Marmaris has been crowned the most affordable short-haul holiday destination for UK families.

The coastal resort boasts the lowest costs among 16 popular locations for a selection of 10 tourist essentials, according to Post Office Travel Money. This featured merely £67.67 for a three-course meal for two adults and two children with wine and soft drinks.

Additional bargain prices included 16p for a 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water from a supermarket, £1.81 for a bottle or can of cola at a cafe or bar, and £2.61 for insect repellent. Post Office Travel Money explained the bargain rates for UK holidaymakers are partially attributed to a dramatic decline in the Turkish lira’s value.

Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, emerged as the second most economical destination, whilst Portugal’s Algarve claimed third place.

READ MORE: Dodge rip-off resorts and unearth bargain holiday spots with our interactive map

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, said: “The collapse of the lira makes Turkish resorts like Marmaris a natural choice for families. However, visitors should be aware that while sterling is worth a third more than last July, local prices have increased dramatically because of the currency’s collapse.

“Thankfully, once the positive exchange rate is applied to those local prices, British visitors will only have to pay around 10% more than a year ago, and this increase is much lower than in many other destinations.”

The complete cost for the selection of items at Marmaris (£128.99) stood at nearly half the expense when compared with the priciest destination examined, Spain’s Ibiza (£242.79). Costs for British holidaymakers have increased in 13 out of the 16 destinations surveyed.

Ms Plunkett explained: “We found big price variations in the destinations surveyed, particularly comparing those in the eurozone. For example, prices in the Algarve are almost £100 lower for the same 10 items surveyed than in Ibiza.

“This makes it vitally important for holidaymakers to do their homework and take enough travel money to cover costs in the resort they are visiting.”

The Mirror’s data team recently put together an interactive map showing the most bargain and biggest rip-off destinations in the world. Click here to check it out.

The strength of the pound against most other currencies has boosted Brits’ spending power when they head abroad this summer, research had found, in some cases by a lot

Millions of Brits planning foreign holidays this summer will be quids in thanks to the pound’s strength, a recent report has found.

Sterling’s gain against a host of currencies has boosted families’ spending power – in some cases by a lot. For instance, the pound’s 30% rise against the lira in the past year means holidaymakers jetting to Turkey will have a bumper £116 more to spend for every £500. That is equivalent to a couple of three course meals for two, with wine, in the Turkish resort of Marmaris, plus four beers. Those considering a long-haul break to Mexico will have almost £57 per £500 extra thanks to a near 13% increase against the peso, according to the Post Office Travel Money’s Holiday Spending Report.

It reveals that the UK pound is stronger than a year ago against 25 of the 30 currencies and has gained ground against 80% of them since March. Others in the top 10 list of spending power gainers include Egypt, Australia, and New Zealand.

Brits thinking of a trip to the States will also get more bang for their buck thanks to sterling’s 6.6% rise against the US dollar, meaning they would have almost £31 per £500 more to spend than this time last year. Despite that, many people are seemingly having second thoughts about going on holiday to the USA. The main concern is that US President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs will mean higher prices – cited by 78% of those polled – rather than his politics in general.

Those heading to Europe will also be better off, though not by so much. Sterling is just 0.9% up against the euro year-on-year, meaning Brits have £4.50 per £500 more spending power across the pond than last summer.

The Post Office report also found a sharp rise in the number of people planning trips abroad. Two-thirds of those surveyed said they intend to take a foreign holiday this year , with more than half having already booked their trip. That is despite growing concerns voiced by nine-in-ten of them about whether they have enough money to afford the trip. Over three-quarters said exchange rates were a big concern for them.

When it came to people’s views on the best value destinations, Brit-favourite Spain came top, followed by Turkey, Thailand, Portugal, Greece and Italy. When it came to their trip abroad, 82% of holidaymakers said they had set a budget averaging £377, but most admitted overspending.

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office, which accounts for one-in-four UK foreign exchange transactions, said: “This year’s holiday spending research again demonstrates that holidaymakers don’t always set a realistic budget and overspend by large amounts as a result. It’s great to hear that holidaymakers are already planning to budget more for their holidays this year, to avoid coming unstuck when they arrive at their destination.”

The report also found that many holidaymakers are paying over the odds for transactions abroad. While it advisable to carry some cash overseas, one-in-five in the survey said relied solely on plastic to pay for purchases, and just over a quarter changed less than £100 into foreign currency.

As a consequence, holidaymakers can into difficulties. From the poll, 7% said they had tried to pay a restaurant, shop or bar bill with a credit card, only to find that it was not accepted.

More than one-in-ten also fell foul of a practice known as Dynamic Currency Conversion by agreeing to pay on their card in sterling rather than local currency, incurring unnecessary transaction charges as a result.

Ms Plunkett said: “Paying on a debit or credit card may seem like a convenient way to pay for things while abroad, but our research suggests that this can be a costly practice. Far too many holidaymakers told us that they paid significantly more than they anticipated because of the transaction charges made for using credit and debit cards at an overseas ATM.”