Travel reviews

IF you’re going to forget to pack something as basic as a T-shirt, it helps to do it on a trip where you will be spending most of your day in a spa robe.

I’m rolling my eyes at my other half as he stares haplessly into his suitcase but I do understand — the stress of parenting four kids, with another on the way, means both of us are fairly frazzled after a busy festive season.

So what better way to get some January wellness than at a Tuscan retreat where we can snatch a precious few moments to ourselves to relax.

The luxury Terme di Saturnia Natural Spa & Golf Resort in Manciano is so dedicated to relaxation that they ask you to stay wearing the hotel’s dressing gown and sliders all day and only smarten up for dinner.

It is one of the country’s top wellness destinations but any fears it would be all quinoa and minuscule bites of raw food were short lived.

This is a spa for busy people who want to chill out quickly, as most only stay for three days.

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So whatever you want, goes.

Fancy a steak? Done. A few beers? No problem. Five courses instead of three? You’ve got it, whether that’s tender meat or bread dipped in local olive oil.

But the main event is the natural hot-spring pool at the heart of the complex, which is honestly magnificent.

Water flows into it from an underground thermal spring at 500 litres per second, and a steady 37.5C.

Think of a steaming hot-tub half the size of a football pitch and you won’t be far off.

The pool is about four metres deep — so while a few industrious types do lengths, most guests grab a noodle and float in the mineral-rich water.

Then they get out when they feel too warm . . . and repeat.

All day.

But you can mix things up, too. There’s an 18-hole golf course, electric bike hire and tennis courts.

There are also programmes for detoxing or mindfulness, where you get a set series of activities and food, if you want a more structured approach.

Our jam was more the spa, which has a magnificent menu of high-end treatments to choose from.

I had an anti-ageing facial and found 80 minutes of being massaged, doused in serum and buzzed with suction machines helped me look a lot less knackered.

Dan had a detox mud treatment on his legs which was just as good — the spa treats the thermal mud itself, using plankton from the spring.

This is supposed to ease inflammation and, as Dan is a builder who suffers a lot of aches and pains, it was ideal.

But if you don’t fancy a spa treatment, the minerals in the water give your skin a glow and will zap any dryness anyway.

For a change of pace, is also worth taking a five-minute walk outside the resort to the Cascate del Mulino, a series of waterfalls that are over 3,000 years old and free to visit.

The cascades might already be on your bucket list — the beautiful blue pools have been all over my Instagram feed — but I had no idea they would be on our doorstep, until we stumbled across them.

Flocks of flamingos

Back at the resort, it’s all about five-star luxury — and so, of course, the rooms are stunning.

Our suite, with luxury bathroom, bedroom and living area even featured our own courtyard.

Whether it was the hot spring or how quiet and dark the room was, I had the best sleep I’d managed in months.

The spa also prides itself on its food. There are three restaurants — including the fabulous 1919, which serves up fine dining meat and fish.

This restaurant is the one to pick if you want a romantic date because it overlooks the pool. There, we had the best ravioli we’ve ever tasted.

The Golf Club also has a restaurant, with a smaller menu — think dishes such as grilled meat and soup.

But the real selling point here is the view — you can see for miles over the rolling Tuscan countryside.

There is also a pizzeria which is relatively new and offers the Italian staples — but sadly no pasta, I was slightly disappointed to find.

Terme di Saturnia is nestled deep in Tuscany, so getting to it feels like an adventure.

We flew to Rome and got a series of trains — feeling quite smug that we didn’t get lost — then a car for the final leg.

We tried a couple of different routes but found driving to Orbetello, around 45 minutes away, the easiest.

For more freedom to explore, hiring a car from Rome’s airports would cut down the journey time.

The area is home to one of the few natural flocks of flamingos in Italy — and were lucky enough to see one flying right by the train on the way down.

Hopefully we’ll spot another when we go back — which is the plan.

WITH my floating breakfast and infinity pool overlooking the ocean, I feel like I’m in the Maldives.

Yet I’m barely four hours from the UK, on the Greek island of Crete, where temperatures reach into the low 20s — and it’s only January.

My hotel, the Royal Senses Resort & Spa, is a masterclass in elegance — with the towering resort built into the mountainside.

Its main attractions are the two swimming pools, stretching 80m across the front of the resort.

And it is safe to say my attempts to get some laps in before breakfast were quickly left wanting.

Instead, I hopped into the heated pool just behind, which is popular with the younger guests if they’re not at the on-site splash park.

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Live saxophonist

If you want some peace and quiet, tucked away on the other side of the resort is the adults-only luxury infinity pool, complete with mini hot tubs and curtained cabanas.

Despite the gym calling me after my failed swimming session, I headed to the hotel spa for a sleep-inducing massage, followed by a trip to the steam room and sauna.

The spa pool is worth a visit too. Half inside, half outside, it has muted pink tiles I want in my own bathroom.

When it comes to time to eat, there is a buffet — complete with a live saxophonist at breakfast — grill restaurants Mitato and the Michelin chef-run Cretamos.

After goat milk ice creams at the Platia pop-up restaurant and cocktails at the Euphoria pool bar, I very much needed the walk back up to my room.

The two-room suite, with sea views, had me feeling like I had stepped on to the set of Netflix’s Selling Sunset.

For an additional charge, you can request your own floating breakfast — something I couldn’t resist — and it came loaded with pastries, fruits, meats and cheeses.

Many of the smaller suites have their own pools as well.

The only thing the hotel is missing is the beach — but that’s where sister hotel The Royal Blue Resort comes in, which is just a short shuttle ride down to the coastline.

The best rooms in the house are the Blue Residence villas, which opened last year and are ideal for larger families.

Made up of a sprawling lounge and kitchenette, along with two bedrooms and three bathrooms, they have private balconies that wrap the length of the villa.

Of course they have their own swimming pools for a quick dip, but the only spot I wanted to be was the hotel’s secluded beach. No beaches on Crete are private, but this certainly felt like it was.

This resort is the smaller of the two but has plenty of dining options to keep you full. Symposium is where you can find breakfast and dinner, with similar options to its sister resort.

Seafood lovers can try the a-la-carte Asterias — serving everything from sea bream ceviche to grilled octopus — or the Mediterranean Elia (I’m still dreaming of the creamy duck risotto).

If you’re feeling pruney from all the pool and sea sessions, and want a touch of culture, then there are some great day trips to choose from.

A short taxi ride away is Margarites — a small village known for its ceramics — or Rethimno, a coastal city with Venetian architecture and trendy cafes.

But being in paradise with your feet in the pool and champagne in hand?

That’s worth the pruney toes.

Take your pick (and pack your bags!) for our must-visit destinations of the year.

SOUTH KOREA

THE LOWDOWN: With the launch of direct flights, a new hiking trail and an ever-growing obsession with the country’s incredible cultural hits – including viral Netflix musical KPop Demon Hunters – this destination is looking pretty Golden right now.

DON’T MISS: Much of the new Dongseo Trail, a 527-mile route modelled on Spain’s Camino de Santiago, will open this year, running from Anmyeondo Island to the fishing village of Uljin. “Meanwhile, Korean fried chicken is really something, and the capital, Seoul, is the home of that,” says Tom.

Stock up on K-beauty in the district of Myeongdong, and get a taste of music-meets-waterfight at Seoul’s Waterbomb Festival in July or your fix of K-pop proper at the Gangnam Festival in autumn.

BEST TIME TO GO: April, for the cherry blossom.

FYI: Virgin Atlantic flights from London to Seoul start on March 29, from £799 return.

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LUDLOW, ENGLAND

THE LOWDOWN: This pretty Shropshire market town is fast sealing its spot as one of the UK’s best foodie destinations, and Tudor stunner Castle Lodge – former home of Catherine of Aragon – is re-opening as a seven all-suite boutique hotel with an eatery under talented local chef Harry Bullock.

DON’T MISS: Other foodie delights include Pale Kitchen And Arts, serving up pastries and local art, the cheese rarebit on Guinness bread at No3 Church Street (from the owners of much-loved Harp Lane Deli) and excellent waffles at Number 9 Ludlow. Richard Ashcroft, The Streets and The Human League are gigging at Ludlow Castle this summer, too.

“Ludlow is one of England’s great historic towns with a lovely walkable centre filled with independents,” says Tom. “But the beautiful Marches countryside surrounding the town means it’s wise to pack your walking boots as well.”

BEST TIME TO GO: September, for the UK’s longest-running food festival.

PELOPONNESE, GREECE

THE LOWDOWN: In Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey, hitting screens in July, the jaw-dropping scenery of the Peloponnese will be the star of many scenes.

Better still, “You get more bang for your buck here than on many of the Greek isles,” says Tom Hall, vice president at Lonely Planet.

DON’T MISS: Hike to oceanside Nestor’s Cave to see where Matt Damon’s Odysseus outwits the Cyclops, swim in Poseidon’s realm at omega-shaped Voidokilia Beach, explore the atmospheric Methoni Castle and snap flamingos at protected wetland Gialova Lagoon.

There are also herons, ospreys and the African chameleon here – which isn’t found anywhere else in Europe. The area’s home to the kalamata olive, too, so bring on those delicious Greek salads!

BEST TIME TO GO: May for lovely 23°C days.

FYI: Flights to Athens cost from £42 return.

VANCOUVER, CANADA

THE LOWDOWN: This stunning city, surrounded by mountains, is a host of the FIFA World Cup this summer. “Nature is so accessible here – you can spot whales and seals by just going for a walk around Stanley Park,” says Tom.

DON’T MISS: Head to the fan zone at Hastings Park for bands, food stalls and a buzzing atmosphere. Dig into the local sushi fave, a BC roll with sweet spot prawns, washed down with a 33 Acres of Sunshine craft beer, then hop on the Skyride to Grouse Mountain for amazing city views.

Further afield, British Columbia is also home to seven national parks with hiking trails, waterfalls and glaciers to explore, plus the chance to spot bears at Yoho National Park. It’s a hot spot for geothermal activity, so don’t skip the natural spas at Lussier Hot Springs, too.

BEST TIME TO GO: Catch the footie buzz between June and July. Otherwise, September for autumn colours and smaller crowds.

FYI: Flights to Vancouver cost from £323 return.

RABAT, MOROCCO

THE LOWDOWN: A UNESCO World Book Capital for 2026, the Moroccan capital provides a fab setting for adventures. Wander the blue and white alleys near the Kasbah Des Oudayas or explore the Ville Nouvelle, where you’ll find chic boutiques and eateries. Trad riads make great-value stays, too.

DON’T MISS: Take in the Chellah – an impressive 14th-century Islamic necropolis, Zaha Hadid’s futuristic Grand Theatre of Rabat and the observation deck at Mohammed VI Tower. “Rabat is very different to what you might imagine,” says Tom.

“It has a modern feel, yet still has old kasbahs, souks and the beautiful Andalusian gardens. It’s also on Morocco’s high-speed rail network, so if you want to see more of the country, it’s super-easy,” he adds.

BEST TIME TO GO: Spring, for fewer crowds.

FYI: Flights cost from £40 return.

OULU, FINLAND

THE LOWDOWN: Sitting on the Baltic Sea, 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find 2026’s European Capital of Culture, with jaw-dropping scenery and lush cuisine. “Pick between experiencing the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights, but either way, it’s a great place to dip your toe into Finnish culture,” says Tom.

DON’T MISS: Feast on reindeer, salmon and foraged berries at pop-ups during August’s Summer Night’s Dinner and September’s Arctic Tasting Week, or just grabbing a coffee and rye bread at Oulu’s lively waterfront market.

Meanwhile, The Climate Clock art trail launches in June with seven hotly anticipated works, and electronic music festival Frozen People is held on a frozen lake in February.

You can even go full Finn at Lainesauna. For €15, you sauna on a raft down the Oulujoki River then dive straight into the water in summer (or an ice hole in winter!).

BEST TIME TO GO: March – to catch the Northern Lights around the equinox and skip the most freezing temperatures.

FYI: Flights to Helsinki cost from £48 return. The new high-speed Pendolino Plus train from Helsinki to Oulu costs from £48 return.

TANZANIA

THE LOWDOWN: An interactive, immersive conservation centre opens in Tanzania’s capital, Arusha, in memory of primatologist Jane Goodall. And handily, the capital is brilliantly located between Mount Kilimanjaro and Serengeti National Park for ticking off that bucket-list safari, too.

DON’T MISS: Visit Dr Jane’s Dream: The Goodall Centre For Hope, which was developed with help from former Walt Disney Imagineers and African artisans. “National parks, game reserves and conservation areas make up about 38% of the country,” says Jon Nigel, co-founder at Weather2travel.com.

“But as well as spotting the Big Five in Serengeti, head north to Gombe National Park, where Jane conducted her pioneering chimpanzee studies in the ’60s.”

BEST TIME TO GO: June to October for prime waterhole action.

FYI: Flights to Arusha via Amsterdam cost from £412. Safari lodges cost from £62 a night.

LONDON

THE LOWDOWN: It’s the most-searched-for destination in the world, and 2026 is serving up stonking new cultural openings for our very own capital.*

DON’T MISS: V&A East is opening in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in April with The Music Is Black: A British Story including exhibits from Stormzy and Little Simz.

“It’s a brilliant time to explore new places, as well as the classics,” says Tom. “The Museum of London is reopening in Smithfield Market, not far away will be the Quentin Blake Centre For Illustration in Clerkenwell from May.

There’s also a huge Tracey Emin retrospective from February at Tate Modern and the Bayeux Tapestry comes to the British Museum from September.” Oh, and an exhibition dedicated to legendary author Agatha Christie hits the British Library in October, too.

BEST TIME TO GO: London’s a winner all year.

BASQUE COUNTRY, SPAIN

THE LOWDOWN: This small region famed for its pintxos (bar snacks), is packed with history, culture and 22 Michelin-starred restaurants. Plus, it’s home to a gorge coastline.

DON’T MISS: This will be a top spot to see the total eclipse on August 12. “Get as far to the west as you can,” says Jon. “From San Sebastián, Aiako Harria Natural Park will be a great place to view the night sky.

As will Gorbeia Natural Park, which lies between Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz.” Be sure to visit Bilbao’s world-renowned Guggenheim Museum, too.

BEST TIME TO GO: August for the solar eclipse and the legendary fireworks contest at Semana Grande festival in San Sebastián.

FYI: Return flights to Bilbao cost from £44.

DOMINICA

THE LOWDOWN: Also known as the Caribbean’s Nature Island, Dominica has just 63,000 inhabitants, but offers year-round whale watching, plus incredible hiking through its dense forests.

The world’s first sperm whale reserve is now located here, too.

DON’T MISS: You’ll love whale watching. “There are 200 sperm whales in the 300 square miles of ocean designated for the reserve and you can even swim with them as part of small, regulated groups,” says Jon.

Emerald Pool, a rainforest pool fed by a 40-foot waterfall, or Titou Gorge, seen in Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, are also must-sees.

Or take the newly-opened cable car to the volcanic Boiling Lake. What was once a three-hour hike each way now takes 20 minutes!

BEST TIME TO GO: go December to April for the best whale spotting.

FYI: Flights to Dominica via Barbados cost from £712. A new international airport is due to open in 2027, too.

CORFU, Koper, Zadar, Kotor, Split.  Whoever created this seven-night Balkans cruise must be a fan of ports with five-letter names.

The plan was almost scuppered by Dubrovnik — but it is the P-e-a-r-l of the Adriatic, so still counts.

My wife Debbie and I were celebrating our anniversary on Marella Explorer, one of five (there we go again) fully refurbished, all-inclusive ships in the TUI-owned line which caters mainly for UK passengers.

When we are on holiday, we try to go high up for the perspective of a new destination.

So, after sailing north from Corfu to terracotta-roofed Koper in Slovenia, we strolled the five minutes from the dock to the main Titov Trg square.

Fortified by bargain €2.40 coffees at the Golden Loggia cafe, we went heavenwards by climbing the 12th-century cathedral tower’s 204 steps (entry €5) to get our bearings, photos and a booming organ recital soundtrack.

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Then we descended to see the striking 360-year-old Da Ponte fountain (one to gush over) and the beach (take water shoes, it’s very pebbly).

Back on board, we collapsed in 1,924-passenger Explorer’s shady stern Mediterranean bar for a couple of cold beers before deciding to have a couple more.

New day, new country. We docked at Zadar, in Croatia’s Dalmatia region, and a shuttle bus took us to the Old Town’s weird and wonderful Sea Organ.

It opened in 2005 and the 35 pipes buried under 230ft-wide promenade steps resonate to waves, creating a surprisingly tuneful effect.

Strolling past the ruins of the Roman Forum and the polar opposite tourist tat market, we were inevitably drawn to the cathedral’s 14th-century tower (entry €4).

Here, 180 steps were tackled to take in views of the Old Town, marina and city walls.

Numerous Dalmatian islands were also spotted. We also checked out Five Wells Square, which does indeed have the required number of watering holes.

Next port, Split, is Croatia’s second-largest city, and Romans were also here.

The Unesco-listed showstopper, within walking distance from the port, is the former palace of Emperor Diocletian and was used as a Game Of Thrones film location.

Moggy merch

Within it, the gorgeous Old Town wows with its promenade, huge cellars, bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels.

It’s unmissable, and cheaper than Dubrovnik.

There is a 173-step cathedral tower (entry €7) to climb and the steep, claustrophobic first level with no handrail is not for the faint-hearted — or basketball players.

But the view you are rewarded with at the top is a slam-dunk.

A black sphinx is perched near the entrance. Apparently Diocletian liked visiting Egypt but, in the absence of fridge magnets in 300 AD, he returned with souvenir sphinxes.

Presumably Imperial customs waved him through.

Top tip while you are here: Head to aMare in Narodni Trg square for the best dark chocolate ice cream that €3 can buy.

If you like cats, next stop Kotor, Montenegro, is purr-fect as the walled Old Town is home to hundreds of strays, supposedly descended from trading ship escapees centuries ago.

These friendly felines are practically worshipped by locals, who leave them food and water daily.

Cat “kennels” are dotted around, there’s a museum and endless moggy merch.

We joined an excursion and, after a walking tour, a bus ferried us to Lovcen mountain cable car, which travels 2.4 miles up to 4,318ft with terrific views of fjord-like Bay of Kotor.

At the top, there are shops, cafes and the Alpine Coaster, a toboggan-style thrill ride on a 1,140-yard metal track which loops around the summit at up to 25mph but feels much faster.

It costs an extra €8 and, had time permitted, we would have got straight back on.

Our final stop was Dubrovnik, which we’d visited several times before, so we reduced the notorious over-tourism and chilled by the pool, catching some Kindle time, doing badly at quizzes and foot-tapping to 80s DJ sets.

Great itinerary, great ship and great crew. High-fives all round, from us.

YOU’LL ADORE THE EXPLORER

THE CABIN: For our anniversary, we upgraded to a junior suite, which is all your cruise Christmases rolled into one. It features a balcony hammock where we swung into action at every opportunity.

You also get a coffee machine, Yorkshire Tea, dressing gowns, slippers, posh toiletries, pillow menu and ample space. A superb cabin.

ALL-INCLUSIVE FOOD AND DRINK: The main Latitude 53 restaurant is a reliable go-to and you could happily combine this with the equally dependable Market Place buffet for a week.

Latitude also hosts Piccadilly’s British-with-a-twist and Italian-focused Vista breakouts.

Vista was good, though Piccadilly’s – new on board when we sailed in August – was finding its feet with sporadic service, but really improved on a revisit.

The Mediterranean also has two breakouts – tapas and Italian. Much as we liked the pizzas, Spain was numero uno with its meat and veggie small plates.

For an anniversary treat, we booked the Pan Asian-themed Kora La speciality restaurant (£31.45pp), where feisty Vietnamese Shaking Beef topped the eastern excellence.

While the Mediterranean was our evening alfresco drinks pick, Aperitif bar proved ideal for a swift one before dinner and the Squid & Anchor pub filled up for cocktail-powered game shows, quizzes and live music.

Tip: Budget permitting, the premium all-inclusive package offers better-branded alcoholic and soft drinks plus barista coffees.

ENTERTAINMENT: West End-style shows at Broadway theatre are usually full and the discos (including silent) at Indigo Club attract the night owls.

The guest performer on our trip was Brian Connolly Jnr, son of the lead singer of 70s glam rockers Sweet, who died aged 51 in 1997.

His show in Broadway covered his dad’s hits and a late-night gig in the Squid & Anchor showcased 80s bangers.

We loved the nostalgia and humour.

THE safest country to visit in Africa has been revealed – and its a tropical island paradise.

Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches, year-round warm weather and safe-to-swim waters.

And the African island has been named the safest place to visit in Africa by Altezza Travel.

The south-east African country also ranked top within Africa in the 2025 Global Peace Index.

It was followed by Botswana and Namibia coming in second and third respectively.

The island is considered a very safe place to visit due to its low crime rate.

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And whilst it’s popular with Brits for winter sun, Mauritius boasts sunny temperatures year-round – averaging a daily maximum temp of 27.6C.

Their summer season (November – April) is hottest, where temperatures average at around 30C.

And even in the colder months, it’s rare to see temperatures dip below 17C.

The sea temperature is warm too, and can even reach 27C during summer months – 10C warmer than that of the UK.

When it comes to paradisical beaches, you’re spoilt for choice in Mauritius.

Flic en Flac is an enormous stretch of white sand facing a glittering lagoon, whilst Le Morne beach is backed by the luscious greenery and its iconic mountain.

There’s also lesser-known gems like Pointe aux Biches, where the locals go to find a slice of quiet sand between rocky coves.

Whilst Mauritius is paradise for spending days relaxing on the beach, there’s also plenty more to see and do.

The island is very popular with divers, snorkelers and adventurers who love to explore its dramatic landscapes.

The Blue Bay Marine Park is a magical spot to go snorkelling, with clear shallow waters and an abundance of colourful fish.

Mauritius has excellent coral reefs, if you fancy trying out some scuba diving.

Some of the best spots for divers are Coin de Mire in the North and Belle Mare in the East.

And if you want to explore the island by foot, the Black River Gorges National Park has over 30 miles of hiking trails and breath-taking waterfalls to explore.

Here you may also see wildlife like macaque monkeys, parakeets, and the painfully-cute Mauritian flying fox.

Typically, tourists visit the north of the island for a nice mixture of stunning beaches and towns with shops and restaurants, like Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches.

The South is where you’ll find more wild landscapes, the national parks and historic sites.

But don’t just stick to the outskirts for beach resorts and sea swimming – head inland and you’ll find waterfalls, volcanic craters and beautiful mountain ranges.

The capital and largest city in Mauritius is Port Louis.

Port Louis is known for its bustling central market, where vendors sell bright fresh fruits and typical Mauritian cuisine.

The island is popular for its all inclusive resorts, but if you’re looking to sample some Mauritian food out and about, the street food here is delicious – and very cheap.

A spiced Creole curry can cost you as little as 40 Mauritian Rupees – which is approximately 66p.

Here you can also visit Le Caudan Waterfront, where a colourful umbrella canopy shades the streets.

There’s some beautiful buildings to admire too, like the grand St. Louis Cathedral and the bright white Jummah Masjid mosque.

TUI offers package holidays across Mauritius, ranging from adults-only romantic hotels to golfing resorts.

One of their cheapest options in Mauritius is a week-long stay at the Aanari Hotel and Spa with breakfast for £1,157 pp.

Similarly, deals on loveholidays can have you staying by the lagoon of Trou aux Biches for £849 pp.

For direct flights, British Airways offers direct round-trip flights from London to Port Louis for £876.

Mauritius offers year-round sun, but the best season is from May through to September, when humidity is low.

WE’VE had a corker of a year, travelling far and wide to hunt the best bargain getaways, newest spine-tingling attractions and hottest resorts to share with you, our wonderful readers.

From a behind-the-scenes look at the first new theme park to open in Orlando in 25 years, to discovering secret speakeasys on board the world’s largest cruise ship, here are The Sun Travel’s top trips from 2025.

EPIC UNIVERSE, FLORIDA

Lisa Minot, Head Of Travel

UNIVERSAL’S hugely anticipated third theme park opened this year and I was among the very first to get a sneak peek.

I can definitely say the reality surpassed my high expectations. The attention to detail, sheer scale and truly immersive nature of the five new “worlds” that make up the £7billion park are astonishing.

From the breathtaking recreation of 1920s Paris in the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, to the technicolour dreamscape of Super Nintendo World, there is something for every age and interest.

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Families with younger kids will love How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, a whimsical recreation of the movie ­franchise’s Viking village, complete with colourful longboats.

And thrill-seekers will enjoy Dark Universe with its Monsters Unchained and Curse Of The Werewolf attractions as well as the Stardust Racers dual-launch coaster in Celestial Park.

In 2025, visitors were restricted to one-day tickets to the new park, to manage capacity and give as many people the chance to visit as possible.

But from next year, Epic will be included on 14-day multi-park tickets, meaning you can pop in and out as many times as you like.

BAHAMAS CRUISE

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

IT has been my year for cruising, from sampling a knock-out cheese souffle on board Oceania’s new Allura to sipping frozen margaritas on the glossy sun deck of Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess.

However, none of these ships were as mindboggling as Star Of The Seas. Royal Caribbean’s newest colourful giant shares its title of “largest cruise ship in the world” with sister ship, Icon Of The Seas.

You need a whole week at sea to sample all the non-stop activities and to sink a beer or cocktail in every one of the 19 or so bars (save room for a punchy boulevardier from the coffee-themed Rye & Bean).

Much of what is on board has already been seen on Icon, including the thrill ride Crown’s Edge that sends passengers free-falling towards the ocean, their plummets saved by a harness as they dangle from the edge of the 16th deck.

What’s unique to Star, though, is the Lincoln Park Supper Club, an all-singing immersive dining experience that takes passengers back to the jazz boom of Chicago in the roaring Twenties.

It is costly for speciality dining but, my word, you’ll be well fed and watered. If you like martinis, you won’t regret booking this.

OSEA ISLAND, ESSEX

Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

PICTURE a private island with two outdoor pools, white clapboard houses and a huge sandy beach and you are more likely to be imagining somewhere exotic in the Caribbean than Essex.

But Osea is a private island linked to the mainland by a causeway you can only drive over for a few hours every day – which means you are marooned for most of the day and night.

Osea has several houses available to rent, from one-bedroom studios to 12-bedroom mansions, the largest featuring a recording studio that has been used by everyone from Stormzy to Rihanna.

It also has a tiny pub, a yoga studio, a bar and a huge event space where people can hold parties for up to 200 people.

I was there for a friend’s 50th and we spent a glorious 48 hours swimming in the sea, going on walks, eating, drinking and generally considering ourselves incredibly lucky to be in such a magical place.

You can only go to Osea if you are booked to stay in one of the properties but they are available to the public, with rooms from £60pp a night.

INDIA

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

INDIA has long been on my wish list to travel to, but as a young woman, I was always extremely wary.

However, Intrepid’s Women Expeditions meant I could tick off all of the top bucket list attractions while staying safe with a local female guide.

So I could visit the famous pink palace of Jaipur, and the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra.

But it also meant we got to experience this vast country like a local, meeting female rickshaw drivers and staying at the rustic Chandelao Garh – a 17th century former fort which is now a hotel with 20 rooms.

And, with Virgin Atlantic launching more flights to India in the New Year, it’ll be easier to get there than ever before.

SARDINIA

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

ITALY is full of stunning, historic cities and hidden gems, but one island destination, thought to be a top spot to visit in 2026, offers a serene escape in the Mediterranean Ocean.

Sardinia is closer to Africa than mainland Italy, so boasts warming breezes and the smell of olive trees in the air.

If I am heading to a hot country, I prefer to be somewhere where everything I could want is at my fingertips – and Hilton’s Conrad Chia Laguna Resort achieves this.

Many of its stylish, sprawling rooms have small private ­gardens looking out to Chia Beach, surrounded by cream-coloured limestone.

The Conrad also has relaxing pools ideal for a refreshing dip before stretching out on one of the sun loungers.

For a touch of indulgence, the spa has a circuit of saunas, hot tubs and steam rooms ideal for a rejuvenation session.

The plush Hilton resort is just an hour from Cagliari – the island’s vibrant capital – which boasts a rich ­history and is the ideal spot for a day trip.

Return flights with British Airways in January start from a bargain £35 per person.

FINLAND

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

I’VE always been a fan of a hot holiday and since I live in the UK, who can really blame me?

But after heading to ­Finland for a winter adventure, I now think chilly getaways could be the way forward.

After a variety of activities from hiking through a snowy blueberry farm in outer Jyväskylä to taking a dip in a frozen lake in the city of Tampere – after a hot sauna, of course – I came to appreciate and love the cold.

One of the most special nights was at Revontuli Lakeland Village, in Hankasalmi, Jyväskylä Region, where I was able to get all cosy and enjoy a beautiful snow-scape from the comfort of a pretty igloo.

WHOEVER or whatever chiselled Chesil Beach did a mighty fine job.

The XXXL sandstone cliffs and 12 miles of shingle on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast are a treat for fossil hunter, swimmer and rambler alike.

But for a winter getaway, whether you like a bracing seaside walk, or brooding, storied villages like from the Thomas Hardy novels, Dorset is your wonderland.

First stop on our recent break was the latter — the village of Cranborne, inspiration for Hardy’s Tess Of The D’Urbevilles with its Norman church, coaching inn and thatched cottages.

But our Victorian hotel-restaurant La Fosse was as worldly as it was olde-worlde — chef-patron Mark Hartstone’s cuisine as classy as the interior design by his French wife Emmanuelle and the dining area’s woodland mural with REAL branches.

The menu proudly lists Mark’s local suppliers and our three-course feast, £75 for two, included treats such as anchovies and rhubarb compote, pork tenderloin in apple sauce, and braised quince with praline ice cream. Our bedroom was then just as sumptuous, with church view.

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Our next stop, Portland Peninsula in the English Channel off Weymouth, could not have differed more — the full windsock, this wild outpost, but great for blowing away thoughts of the annual tax return.

Our home, though, was the height of comfort — literally so, for the Pennsylvania Estate’s luxury Clifftop Apartments lord it high over the Channel with grandstand terraces.

Hewn of the same Portland Stone as Buckingham Palace, these glass-fronted superpads with James Bond-style kitchen-lounge, two bedrooms, and your own telescope for whale-watching, are quite the treat for two couples sharing or a family.

We swam in nearby Church Ope Cove, named for a now ruined 11th- century chapel with pirate graves — and it was a fine appetiser before bussing into Weymouth for dinner.

Star of the town’s bouji harbour is seafood restaurant The Catch, hailed recently by one posh critic as “the best restaurant in the world”.

Again, you are in treat land — the tasting menu and wine flight for two costs several hundred. But our fare, from oyster with fermented chilli and pickled shallot, and pickled mackerel with beetroot and salted plum, to chocolate, pear and hazelnut praline choux, was of the gods.

The harbourside Ebike Cafe, in a former grain warehouse, is also foodie heaven — its power porridges, buddha bowls, smoothies and fine wines as hipster-trendy as anything East London could serve up.

Across the harbour is Bennett’s Fish & Chips — top spot to meet the locals and admire old photos of the town — before the posh eateries then spill out on to nearby Chesil Beach.

Walk the epic shore, famed for TV drama Broadchurch, and The Watch House, Hive Beach Cafe and The Club House all offer premium bites.

At the first, we had the best beer-battered haddock, with craft cider, and at The Club House sea bass in seaweed butter sauce, and oysters.

If all that makes you lazy, The Island Sauna, overlooking Portland Harbour, is just the place to flop.

Another trip highlight, literally, was a tour of the Edwardian Portland Bill Lighthouse. As you climb its stair, you hear a haunting recording of the foghorn, at a polite fraction of full might, before being regaled with Spanish Armada tales.

Offshore is the Portland Brace tidal race where currents collide to create perilous turbulence, and our guide told how Sir Francis Drake suckered the Spanish into it before turning his guns on them.

Dorset get more exciting? Surely not.

STROLLING the empty grounds of the “UK’s most beautiful castle”, I imagine myself as former resident Catherine of Aragon – minus the impractical clothing and messy divorce.

It was an autumnal Sunday morning after I had booked my family into one of the new Knights’ Retreat Lodges at Leeds Castle, near Maidstone in Kent, for the night.

The wooden lodges, named after mythical creatures such as Basilisk, Gryphon and Hippogriff, are built at the far end of the grounds, next to the children’s playground and falconry — an important detail for families when the grounds span 500 acres.

Our lodge slept five people, with a double bed in one room and three single beds decorated with cute shield pillows (available in the gift shop for a reasonable £14), plus a lounge area with a kitchenette and a bathroom. The lodges are a masterclass in small space management.

This allowed the adults to spend an enjoyable couple of hours chatting over a bottle of wine in the lounge, while the two boys battled it out in the bedroom with their shields.

Huge sandpit

But we weren’t there for chilling. Because a stay in the lodges gets you two-day access to Leeds Castle and its grounds, so we had to use our daylight hours wisely.

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First stop, the Knights’ Stronghold Playground, an enormous medieval-themed play area that is potentially the best “climbing frame” in the country. The four-storey castle has enough bridges, turrets, walkways, ziplines and slides to keep your child entertained for hours.

But we gave ourselves a strict two-hour time limit so we didn’t miss out on the rest of the action.

In the kids’ corner of the grounds, there is a huge sandpit almost as big as a small beach, an obstacle course and the birds-of-prey centre, which holds falconry shows featuring the resident hawks, falcons and owls.

The impressive show saw the handlers weaving through the crowd so that the birds were encouraged to whizz among us. They were so close that I had to duck on more than one occasion.

But the attraction that has been discussed most since our return to the commoner life is the maze, which was built in 1988 from 2,400 yew trees.

We were so bad in there that we had to ask for help to reach the middle. At that point, we were rewarded (for our cheating) with entrance to the magical underground grotto.

Thanks to back-to-back activities we’d worked up quite the appetite, so we took the woodland path over to the Castle View Restaurant for dinner.

We dined on classic dishes including ham hock terrine, rib-eye steak, chargrilled cauliflower and glazed pork chops, with a fantastic view of the castle all lit up at night.

Another brilliant thing about a stay in the Knights’ Retreat Lodges is you get access to the castle grounds before they open to the public. We took advantage of that with a magical hour’s stroll.

For the price of a night’s stay in a lodge that works out from £69 per person, it was quite something to have such a famous location to ourselves.

On the whole walk, we bumped into just two members of staff and got plenty of fantastic crowd-free pictures of ourselves outside the castle.

It also meant we were among the first inside the castle itself, so the four and six-year-olds in our company were able to exclaim loudly at obscure details in the lavish property, last decorated by Lady Baillie in the early 20th century.

As a rule, heritage properties don’t hold much interest for young boys, but Leeds Castle allows you to walk in among the items in many of the rooms instead of being roped off. You’re even encouraged to play a game of chess in the games room.

And at Christmas, they decorate the entire place, making it the perfect time to visit.

If you’re looking for some extra festive magic, they also have a Christmas Lights Trail, which runs until December 31, and features a small food market and fairground.

Even the great Catherine of Aragon would have been impressed.

LYING by the pool, white wine in hand, I wonder if the Seaside Palm Beach hotel might be the most beautiful resort I’ve ever stayed in.

In front of me, hundreds of wild palm trees — the tallest I’ve ever seen — sway in the afternoon breeze as canaries sing in the shade below.

The scene marked the start of a calm and relaxed weekend on the tranquil Spanish island of Gran Canaria, where temperatures can easily reach the 20s in the winter months.

Just a four-hour flight from the UK (costing less than £30 each way with easyJet from Luton), this trip was the ultimate warm oasis retreat . . . without the jet lag.

The 5-star hotel, situated on the south east coast in Maspalomas, is a haven of luxury.

The serene spa is home to a new sauna, cold plunge and hydrotherapy suite, where guests have the option to strip off completely for an authentic wellness experience.

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Small but buzzing

While my pal and I weren’t that brave, we did manage to plunge ourselves into the freezing ice bath (a welcome break from the October sunshine) before treating ourselves to a massage (99 euros for one dreamy hour) in the garden rooms, which have views of the botanical plants.

After a quick dip in the pool to wake ourselves up, we headed to the terrace for lunch of prawn caesar salad, calamari and homemade bread, with an ice-cold beer to wash it down.

Unlike most all-inclusive hotels I’ve stayed in, the Palm Beach offers guests the option to order lunch a la carte from the poolside restaurant as opposed to being stuck with just the buffet area, making it a much more intimate and luxurious experience.

Dinner was an equally impressive affair, with both a la carte and buffet options available on different nights.

Highlights included the Italian barbecue, with a homemade pasta station and a selection of fresh meat and fish grilled to order.

Outside of the hotel, local Italian restaurant il PosTo served us a delicious Neapolitan pizza for 18 euros, with a night cap of limoncello on the house.

The strip here is small but buzzing, with sunset beach bars lining the boardwalk, perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail with stunning views of the Atlantic ocean.

But the most impressive place we visited had to be the natural wonder of the Maspalomas sand dunes. This protected nature reserve is home to 400 hectares of desert-like dunes and lagoons.

A ten-minute walk from the hotel, it is the perfect place to explore in the early-evening golden hour when the heat of the day has died down.

For those wanting something a little more buzzy, the resort of Puerto Rico is a 20-minute drive south.

Here you’ll find shopping malls, discos and a wider selection of restaurants, as well as dozens of daily boat excursions to explore the local coastline.

For 40 euros, we hopped aboard Spirit of the Seas’ whale and dolphin watching tour — a 2.5-hour excursion with local experts who have worked on the sea here for 25 years.

We weren’t fortunate enough to see any marine mammals, but the company offers visitors a free voucher to go out again if there are no sightings — so it’s worth doing this excursion at the start of your trip to allow time to try again.

The next town along, Mogan, is also well worth a visit.

We paid a visit to the Hotel Cordial Mogan Playa, one of the grandest in the town, which offers day passes for 55 euros per adult and 27.50 euros for kids, including lunch.

The terracotta hotel blocks surround a garden spa featuring luxurious day beds, an outdoor heated hydrotherapy pool, hot tub and hot and cold foot spas.

After enjoying a fresh juice here, we tried the volcanic lava exfoliation treatment inside.

The 40-minute session started with a full-body exfoliation using black sand from the island’s northern beaches, followed by a massage using locally-sourced aromatic oils.

It was the perfect end to a three-day retreat — a break I will definitely want to repeat in the cold, dark winter months.