Travel

This destination also has the most beautiful Christmas tree and it’s easy to see why

If you’re yearning for a festive break that won’t leave you skint or battling the crowds, one European city has just been hailed as the cheapest place in Europe to visit at Christmas. According to Skyscanner, you can jet off there in December for a mere £35.

Vilnius, the stunning capital of Lithuania, isn’t just a bargain; its Christmas tree has been voted the most beautiful in Europe on several occasions, including 2019 and 2020. It’s now been dubbed the European Christmas Capital for 2025 by the Christmas Cities Network.

Vilnius kicks off its Christmas festivities on 29 November, when its dazzling Christmas tree is illuminated in Cathedral Square. The colossal tree, a winter highlight in the city, will stay put until 6 January 2026, giving both visitors and locals plenty of time to soak up the holiday spirit.

Folks can wander around the city’s enchanting Christmas Market, glide on the Vilnius ice rink nestled in the heart of the Old Town, and hop on the Christmas train, which meanders through Vilnius’ most festively adorned streets.

Out of 15 cities, Vilnius clinched the top spot on the list of Europe’s best-value festive getaways in the annual Post Office Christmas Markets Barometer, thanks to its impressively low cost of £509 for a two-night weekend escape, reports the Express.

This price includes return flights, two nights in three or four-star digs, airport transfers, two evening meals with wine, coffee, festive tipples and Christmas Market nibbles.

Costs have stayed largely the same since last year and have actually dropped by 0.4% compared to 2024, making it an unusual bargain at a time when numerous European destinations have become pricier.

The destination is 8% more affordable than Riga, which came second, where costs have risen by 1.8% despite meals, beverages and airport transfers being cheaper in Riga than in Vilnius.

The research also revealed that costs have declined in half of the destinations examined, despite sterling having weakened against several European currencies.

Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at Post Office, said: “A short break to one of Europe’s colourful Christmas markets is an attractive holiday option at this time of year.

“However, 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 Swedish kronor.”

She added: “Budget-conscious travellers stand to save hundreds of pounds if they choose carefully.”

Travel photographer, Jacqueline, journeyby_jacq, wrote on Instagram that Vilnius is “pure magic without the crazy crowds” during the festive season.

“This city is decked out from head to toe, almost every storefront has a stunning display, and the city is just oozing with charm.”

Another TikTok user shared: “November In Vilnius is a big Christmas vibe, lights in every corner, ice-skate rings being prepared and everyone looking forward to the Christmas markets. Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania is worth the trip!”.

A different user named Karolis added: “Vilnius is a hidden gem if you want to really feel Christmas. Amazing Christmas markets, Christmas decorations and honestly just Christmas in Vilnius. With nominations of the best Christmas tree, it’s a place not to skip.”

DID you think festivals were all music main stages? Well, you’d be wrong because a new one is launching in the UK next year – based on farming.

The event called The Great British Farm-Fest will arrive at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire for May 22-24, 2026.

It claims it will still maintain that festival vibe though with food trucks, activities, celebrity faces and you’ll probably still need your wellies.

It’s been described as combining the traditional attractions of a large country fair with the excitement and energy of a modern music festival. 

While it does celebrate farmers, you don’t have to be one to go. I

Across three unforgettable days there will be live music, working displays, livestock, machinery and mouth-watering food.  

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As for those celebrity faces, headlining the weekend are the stars of Clarkson’s Farm – Jeremy Clarkson himself, Lisa Hogan, Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland.

Farmer Adam Henson and British chef Matt Tebbutt will also make an appearance along with dozens of other farmers, musicians, and chefs from across the UK.   

During the day, visitors can explore activities across the 300-acre country park.

There will be eight show arenas with livestock competitions, traditional skills, working animals, field-to-fork experiences and even a full-scale British Food Festival.   

During the day, Tractorama will show tractors old and new doing what they do driven by the experts who will partake in challenges, parades, drag strips and stunts.

During the evening, the All-Star Tractor Parade will light up and from 6PM each evening there will be live music and entertainment in the Hawkstone Music Arena.

Acts taking to the stage include Alex James’ Britpop Classical and DJ Chris Moyles – and there’s another 20 acts still yet to be announced.

For fans of Clarkson’s Farm, you’ll get the chance to visit The Diddly Squat Farm Shop Pop Up – The Piddly Diddly.

Inside will be everything from sweet and savoury treats to homeware and clothing.

One day admission tickets for adults aged 18+ start at £60, or £48 if you nab an early bird one.

For teens aged 13-17 it’s £30 (£24 early bird), children between 6-12 are £15 (£12 early bird). Children between 0-5 can enter for free.

Other tickets include the full three days without camping for £150 per adult (£120 early bird) and with camping tickets for adults are £200 (£160 early bird).

Tickets go on pre-sale on November 26, 2025 – here.

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How to visit the Diddly Squat Farm Shop…

Diddly Squat Farm Shop and the Farmer’s Dog are both open to visitors. The exact location of the Farm Shop is 5-12 Chipping Norton Road, Chadlington, Chipping Norton, OX7 3PE.

Once there, fans will be able to experience some of the key locations featured on the Clarkson-fronted show.

While visiting the site, many will hope to catch a glimpse of the rising stars of the show, including fan favourite Kaleb Cooper, straight-man and farm management consultant Charlie Ireland, the humorous Gerald Cooper, plus farm shop front-woman and Jezza’s partner, Lisa Hogan.

The iconic shop has become a public attraction since it opened, with thousands flocking to it each year, much to the dislike of some of the community.

For visitors coming from outside the Cotswolds, the trip can take two hours from central London by car, or two and a half hours by public transport.

If fans are staying nearby there is the X9 bus from The Bell Hotel in Charlbury that will take them straight past the 1000 acres site and near the Farm Shop.

Check out the European city named an up-and-coming place to travel in 2026 with hotel saunas and air guitar festivals.

And check out the best places in the Cotswolds once you’ve seen the Diddly Squat Farm Shop.

Theme parks may seem like a modern invention. but there is a surprisingly long history behind the attractions. The first theme park in the UK is over 180 years old and still delighting visitors

From thrilling rollercoasters to interactive games, theme parks are always inventing new and more exciting ways to keep people entertained. But the concept of a theme park, or amusement park, actually dates back as far as the Middle Ages, when travelling fairs would bring markets and live entertainment to towns and villages.

In Victorian times, pleasure gardens kept people entertained, with music and theatre, social events, street entertainment, and al fresco dining. At the same time, Victorians were also growing more interested in improving their health. They’d often escape the grimy city streets to enjoy seaside resorts, believing the fresh air and sea water were good for curing any ailments. The Isle of Wight became a particularly desirable destination among well-heeled Victorians, and this gave a local businessman an idea for a new venture.

Blackgang Chine was originally conceived as a kind of pleasure garden by founder Alexander Dabell, opening its doors in 1843. Since then, the park has remarkably not only stayed open, but also stayed within the family, with Alexander’s descendants still running Blackgang Chine to this day.

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The site was initially a general purpose park with some curiosities to amuse Victorian guests, such as a large whale skeleton, which is still on display today. Rumours and legends about smugglers around the island gave the park its theme, and one of its most iconic sights is the giant fibreglass smuggler at the entrance. There are also lots of local stories about the ghosts of smugglers haunting the park at night.

After going through many changes throughout the years, the park has 40-acres of gardens with several themed lands to explore. There are thrill rides such as Extinction, which make the most of the park’s clifftop position to offer an adrenaline fuelled experience. This swing rotates 360-degrees and hangs off the edge of a cliff, with nothing but the sea beneath your feet. There’s also Evolution, a tower drop ride which gives riders amazing views of the Jurassic Coast before plummeting 400 metres in seconds.

There are many pirate and smuggler-themed rides including the Jolly Robin, a pirate ship ride, and the spinning Shipwrecked. The park is also home to Waterforce, the Isle of Wight’s biggest waterslide, and the Crooked House, which is fun for all ages to explore.

There’s also fun stuff for younger kids such as The Blackgang Beach, a giant water pillow you can walk and bounce across, and the classic twirling Pirate Barrels, which both adults and children will love.

Blackgang Chine has many fans, having delighted visitors for decades, and among them is a celebrity. In 2010, former child star Rupert Grint, known for his role in the Harry Potter films, expressed his love for the Isle of Wight and said his favourite attraction was Blackgang Chine.

Find out more about Blackgang Chine on its official website. The park opens from late March to early November with 2026 dates to be confirmed.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

THE UK is pretty good at creating food markets – think Camden Market and Borough Market in London or Bury Market in Greater Manchester – but now there’s a new kid on the block and it is technically already a viral hit.

Enter Tod’s Festive Feast – a new festive food market with viral food, created by influencer Eating With Tod.

Located next to The Outernet just steps away from Tottenham Court Road Station in central London, you will find the influencer’s – who is followed by 2.1million people – latest venture.

Known for trying some of the craziest and most viral dishes in the UK, Tod’s festive food market has gathered some of his favourites all together in the same place.

The influencer said: “I got bored of seeing the same food year after year at every Xmas market up and down the country, so it’s time we reinvented the wheel.

“Proper food, proper chefs with unmatched quality.”

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There are many viral hits across the market including the famous Roll Boys cinnamon rolls – which were sadly closed on my visit.

Other sweet options include Bread Ahead doughnuts, with their much-loved creme brulee doughnut.

Visitors won’t be short for choice when it comes to savory options either with top hits like Truffle London and Ruben’s Reubens.

Jumi Cheese was a literal feast for both the eyes and the people eating it with giant Raclette with different flavours like rosemary and smoked bacon.

For example, you could have ‘Alpinist’ with crispy pancetta, rosemary roast potatoes and rocket for £13.90.

The classic ‘Herbivore’ features a cheese of your choosing, as well as rosemary roast potatoes, kimchi, mustard and caramelised red onion chutney.

One thing I want to try next time I visit is from The Ashes‘ Christmas Del Piero Doughnut which features smoked whole hog, cranberry sauce, stuffing crumb, all served in a sugar doughnut for £10.50.

The best thing about the market? There wasn’t a single, over-grilled Bratwurst sausage for £12 to be seen (here’s looking at you Winter Wonderland).

If you do like your sausages though, Ruben’s Reubens Ballpark features a double smoked pork sausage, caramelised onions, mustard, ketchup and crispy shallots for just a tenner.

Still expect standard London prices for food, but compared to other Christmas markets it isn’t too over inflated.

The Duck Shed

For my main meal, I tried out The Duck Shed, which features a simple concept.

First you choose if you want a burger, wrap or salad box and then you decide on the filling.

Options included vegan duck for £12.50 and French duck with grilled Raclette cheese and onion chutney for £13.95.

But I of course had to try The British Christmas Quacker with slow roasted pulled duck, cranberry and bacon jam, smashed pigs in blankets, brie and spinach for £13.50.

I had it as a burger, and not going to lie, was a little disappointed.

Admittedly, I had big hopes but thinking about it logically, duck is usually better as a wrap, instead the bread was dry.

The filling is good and I really like the twist on a classic Christmas sandwich, though it could have done with a teaspoon more of sauce.

The portion is super generous though and it is cooked right in front of you.

Chin Chin

For my sweet treat, I bee-lined for Chin Chin.

We have all seen videos on social media of their decadent hot chocolate with ooey-gooey marshmallow on top, that is then burnt in front of you.

Considering the cold turn in the weather, I don’t think anything would be quite as satisfying as this hot chocolate.

It costs £5.95 a cup and it isn’t the biggest, but it really does fill you up with the generous amount of marshmallow.

As a big fan of hot chocolates, making sure to try one in every country I visit, I was impressed that the drink itself was actually super smooth, not too bitter or rich, but lovely and creamy.

It was an instant win, and helps warm up your insides.

Whilst you there…

With the market being located right next door to Tottenham Court Road Tube Station, there are a lot of others things you can do and explore nearby.

For example, you could head onto Oxford Street for a spot of Christmas shopping.

Or perhaps catch one of the nearby shows.

But even closer to the market is Outernet – a free attraction with Europe‘s largest and most advanced digital screens that often broadcast magical worlds, making it an immersive experience for the viewer.

And the attraction is now showing some festive features, including Nature Relaxation: Cozy Christmas Fireplace which lasts one minute.

Though, the real showstopper was the Ice Palace feature, which lasts seven minutes.

All walls of the Outernet become frosty and reveal an ice castle, that looks like it is straight out of Disney‘s Frozen.

The palace then awakens with life and music, with icy fireworks travelling across the ceiling.

And there is even snow, which feels oddly realistic, as if it is falling on you.

Tod’s Festive Feast is open everyday from 11am until December 28.

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For other Christmas markets, here’s what we thought of this year’s Winter Wonderland.

Plus, UK’s largest one-day Christmas market to return after being cancelled last year – exact date to hit 120 festive stalls.

SOME like to jet off when the weather gets chilly here in the UK – but what about those who like to feel Christmassy in November?

Sun Travel has revealed our favourite destinations across both Britain and the world that make us feel the most festive, with cosy fireside pubs, snowy scenes, Christmas markets and Santa’s actual home.

Cotswolds, UK

Sometimes you just can’t beat a festive staycation – Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey said: “One of my favourite things to do at Christmas is drive through pretty country villages and go on a free light show.

“And having grown up in the Cotswolds, I wasn’t short of huge beautiful manor houses and pubs wanting to show off their Christmas lights.

“I recommend driving from Burford to Broadway, with stops in Bourton-on-the-Water and Moreton-in-Marsh where you will see them a mile away because of the sheer volume of lights.

“Then if you need a cosy pub to warm up in, head over to the town of Witney where you have a huge amount of choice on the high street.

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“My favourites are the Holly Bush, with low ceiling and delicious mulled cider, or The Plough, the town’s oldest pub dating back to the 17th century.”

Copenhagen, Denmark

After a recent trip to the Danish capital of Copenhagen, Travel Reporter Alice Penwill recommends heading there to embrace the cold.

She said: “Copenhagen thrives during autumn and winter – and another plus point is that the city is dressed up for Christmas from early November.

“Festive markets pop up with new stalls – they sell everything from Christmas decorations to tasty treats and my favourite, hot chocolate or spiced Gløgg.

“Make sure to grab a Danish pastry from one of the many bakeries in the city and then take a mooch around Strøget – the famous shopping street. Or head down to the famous colourful Nyhavn with plenty of outside bars underneath outdoor heaters so you won’t feel too chilly.

“For a bit of peace and quiet, head to the Botanical Gardens where the trees have bright yellow and orange leaves.”

Lapland, Finland

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire suggests heading to Finland: “This is an obvious one, but I took my child to Lapland with TUI last
year and nothing can compare to being in Santa’s ACTUAL homeland at
Christmas.

“Yes, it’s exhausting getting up before the crack of dawn to catch a
flight, but the airline staff were a joy from check-in onwards, where
they greeted travellers with festive headgear.

“On the plane, we enjoyed a cooked breakfast and sang Xmas songs,
before landing and being immediately sized up for our Arctic snow
gear.

“A coach transfer complete with its own elf guide takes you to the snow
village, for a day of gingerbread decorating, snowmobiling, husky
sleigh riding, ice hotel exploration and a visit to the big man
himself.

“Then you’re flying home with a plane Christmas dinner.
it’s a full-on itinerary, but having done 4 nights in Lapland before,
the one-day trip makes sure to tick off all the big hitters every
family dreams of.”

Edinburgh, Scotland

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding said: “Harry Potter fans and festive fanatics must head to Edinburgh around the Christmas period.

“The Scottish capital is special all-year round, but at Christmas it comes alive with decorated shop fronts, dazzling lights and a vast market.

“For a refreshing hike with the wind in your hair and spectacular views, head up Arthur‘s Seat. If you prefer to wander, then head to W Bow – a 17th century cobbled street with endless independent businesses set behind the colourful facades of buildings.

“If you do like Harry Potter, make sure to nip into Museum Context, which sells wizardy merch. And for a hot drink make sure to head into Black Medicine Coffee Co, which is super cosy – so much so I didn’t want to leave.

“The Christmas Market transforms the city centre into a festive village and has a great mix of everything including traditional markets, rides and food and drink stalls.”

Scottish Sun’s Travel Editor Heather Lowrie also recommends Edinburgh for a festive visit.

She said: “The city’s historic Princes Street Gardens are awash with festive lights which brighten any gloomy night sky and you’ll find there are merry-go-rounds, a big wheel and other funfair rides for youngsters.

“There’s also the ‘try if you dare’ Around the World Starflyer – an 80m tall tower with swings that spin you around for views of the city  which probably rival those Santa gets from his sleigh as he flies through the sky.

“In George Street (just behind iconic Princess Street) you’ll find an ice-rink,  so grab some skates and go gliding  and dancing (and falling if you’re anything  like me!).

“And new for this year is glittering frozen world of The Ice Queen’s Castle, complete with ice carvings and intricate wall etchings – the perfect winter wonderland.”

New York, USA

Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski suggests heading to the Big Apple for festive cheer.

She said: “This may sound cliché, but there really is no better time to visit New York City than during the festive period. Perhaps I’ve attached some sentimental value to the city at Christmas as it was around this time of year that I visited for the first time ever.

“Woozy from jet-lag, I gazed in awe at neon lights beaming from the mighty skyscrapers of Times Square, while city-goers dashed past, wrapped in their woollen scarves, shielding from the bitter chill.

“The Rockefeller Tree, one of the city’s most prized festive traditions, dazzled in a blur of tiny, multi-coloured lights, while a queue formed outside Macy’s department store, whose windows were drenched in holly and splashes of red and white paint.

“It was everything I’d expected, my very own Big Apple rom-com.
I’ve returned to the city around Christmas three times since – and it gets no less magical.

“My routine rarely changes: a visit to Bryant Park’s markets, laden with wooden stalls – grab a hot choccie while you’re here and watch the skaters twirl on an ice rink.

“I’ll always visit Bloomingdale’s, too, on Fifth Avenue to buy a tacky tree decoration, making sure to stroll past Saks, which puts on a Christmas light show every year.

“The bars of Manhattan often feel packed, but the atmosphere is electric as people pass back mulled wine through the crowd, full of festive enthusiasm.”

Reykjavik, Iceland

As its name suggests Iceland is a great spot for anyone seeking cooler weather, which is rare for Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey: “As someone who hates the cold, you will normally find me in warmer climates during Christmas, having spent Decembers in Morocco, St Kitts and Dubai.

“But one place I didn’t mind braving the cold for was Iceland – after all, the point is to feel the chill!

“There’s nothing better than wrapping up in all the layers before heading out to see stunning geysers, dramatic waterfalls and icy landscapes, ending by warming up in the famous Blue Lagoon.

“I highly recommend staying at the Grandi by Center Hotel in Reykjavik. I spent the evenings with glasses of wine and board games in the lobby, overlooked by twinkling Christmas tree lights and a roaring fire.”

Pitlochry, Scotland

Lynn Kernan, Features Editor at The Scottish Sun said: “To me there is nothing more festive than being curled up in front of a roaring fire with a twinkling tree and a warming dram.

“And that’s exactly what you get in Pitlochry’s Port-Na-Craig inn.

“The little guest house, right on the River Tummel and in the shadow of Perthshire’s snow-capped mountains, dates back to the 1600s and knows how to do an old school Christmas in style.

“Its dining room is transformed into a winter wonderland at this time of year, with glittering baubles hanging from the ceiling and festive trinkets adorning every surface.

“Inside, it’s breathtaking for a festive fan – while outside, the beer garden is an illuminated sanctuary.

“The inn is in Pitlochry, one of Scotland’s prettiest towns with cute cafes, independent shops and top notch restaurants which all make an effort at this time of year.

“It’s also where the Enchanted Forest is held in the run up to the festive season. The nearby Faskally Wood is brought to life with stunning light shows in October and November.

“If you’re looking for me in December I’ll be at the inn, with a single malt, marvelling at the decadent decorations and singing Jingle Bells.”

Luxembourg

Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire added: “Luxembourg isn’t exactly must-visit destination among European
capitals, but the city comes into its own at Christmas time.

“Best explored on foot (which allows for extra mulled wine), the old
town of Luxembourg city is both grand and quaint – and perfect for
exploring in chilly weather, when you can nip into the bars and
bakeries for a warming drink.

“There are also Christmas markets spread throughout the city as part of
the annual Winterlights festival, which also features festive
concerts, exhibitions, performances and crafts for kids.

“Given how quick the flight is to Luxembourg (1 hour and 15 minutes)
and the time it takes to get from the airport to the city centre (20
minutes by tram), this is a really easy trip to do in just 24 hours.”

Lisbon, Portugal

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill suggests a short trip over the one popular European spot. She said: “Yes, Portugal is beautiful in the summer, but the city of Lisbon is easy to explore at any time of year.

“I went to the city two years ago and weather-wise it was actually fairly mild but still very festive, especially as the shops had the lights on display.

“Major attractions include Wonderland Lisboa and Rossio Christmas Market plus you still have to take a ride on the tram and of course, take a walk on the famous Pink Street.“

Cairngorms, Scotland

Scottish Sun’s Travel Editor Heather Lowrie said: “Situated in historic Royal Deeside – just a few miles from the Royal family’s private Balmoral Castle  – the beautiful Cairngorms destination almost guarantees snow, transforming it into a  true winter wonderland.

“The village celebrates Christmas with a traditional Christmas lights switch on, with carols and mulled wine and there’s even a reindeer parade on Christmas Eve.

“The Cranford Guesthouse is famed for its delicious home baking and will be adorned with decorations and lights to turn up that festive feeling.

“If money is no object then book into the award-winning Fife Arms Hotel, where they even put on a Fondue Hut from November where you can indulge in all things melted cheese or if you’d rather get back to nature then go glamping at the dog friendly Braemar Glamping Pods and go star-gazing.

“Skiers will be in Christmas heaven too, as the Glenshee & Lecht Ski Centres are nearby where Christmas on the slopes is a real thing.

“Head out at night with Mountain Skies Braemar where, if you’re lucky, you  might catch a glimpse of the Northern lights!”

Tallinn, Estonia

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding has got some pending Christmas plans to Eastern Europe. She said: “Next week, I will be heading off to Tallinn – the capital of Estonia – which is often dubbed a fairytale city.

“I’m super excited to head to the Christmas market in the medieval Old Town’s Town Hall Square, with a huge decorated tree – the first tree to ever be displayed in Europe – and carol performances.

“The market has also previously been named one of the best in Europe so I am keen to see whether it lives up to the title. For food and drink, the gingerbread cookies are meant to be a hit, as well as the hot mulled wine, known as glogi.

“Temperatures in November sit around zero degrees, so I am hoping there will be snow to make it feel even more Christmassy.”

St Albans, UK

Some like to head to the city for Christmas, but Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski said she prefers to stick to the countryside.

She said: “What can beat a proper British pub at Christmas time? Several worn armchairs scattered around a crackling fire, a pile of board games on the shelf in the corner, and a heated vat of mulled wine propped on the bar.

“The city of St Albans is home to the kind of stereotypical cottage-style boozers you see in festive rom-coms like The Holiday. It’s also the pub capital of the UK, claiming to have more pubs per square mile than any other region in the country.

“Many of these drinking holes are listed properties, so they have that higgledy-piggledy feel to them with timber beams and low ceilings that enhance the cosy factor.

“Talking of cosy, the recently opened Cosy Club restaurant-cum-bar is a great spot for those looking to amp up the party, The menu features jam-packed burgers and pasta dishes, alongside heady cocktails, all of which are cracking value.

“During the festive season The Odyssey, a restored Art Deco cinema, shows classic Christmas movies, like It’s A Wonderful Life – book one of the table seats in the downstairs section and order yourself a glass of wine and cheese platter from the bar.

“Pop into one of the many local bakeries for a festive treat – Brad and Dills, a coffee and bagel joint founded by a local duo, does a cracking brew and often has fun spins on classic festive flavours crammed into their moreish bagels.”

London, UK

Of course, how could you leave the country’s capital off the list? Head of Sun Travel (Digital), Caroline McGuire said: “Brits spend a fortune travelling to festive destinations abroad when we have one of the best places for celebrating Christmas on our doorstep – London.

“In my opinion, there are few places in the world that are more
festive, starting with the traditional London pub.

“Paper hat on your head, pint in hand, everyone packed in like sardines as with condensation mists the drafty Victorian window panes and they sing
along to Fairytale of New York – there’s nothing that signals December
has arrived more.

“But of course, there is plenty to do other than pubs too. It has
plenty of haters, but Winter Wonderland is one of the biggest
Christmas attractions in the world and you can choose everything from
market shopping to fancy grub, beer halls, fair grounds, Santa’s
grotto and ice bars.

“Don’t fancy that one? How about the ice skating at Somerset House with
the fancy Virgin Clubhouse for a drink afterwards, or Glide at
Battersea – or even the new rink in Leicester Square.

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“And then there’s all the Christmas theatre shows – The Snowman, Elf,
The Nutcracker, Santa Needs a Wee, Jack And The Beanstalk… there are
enough shows on and off London’s West End to see one every day now
until December 25.

“The restaurants are all decked out in their festive best, the shops
are the best in the country… so unless you’re looking for some peace
and quiet, there’s no better place get in the festive mood.”

ONE of the most famous streets in London is going car-free for one very festive day.

Without the hassle of dodging cars and going up and down the pavements, it means you can shop and even dance on a party bus well into the evening.

On Saturday, December 6, Regent Street will close to traffic and will be turned into a winter wonderland.

All of the festive mile will be completely walkable between 2pm and 9pm and as well as exploring the shops, there will be plenty of other fun festive activities too.

Parked up on Regent Street will be three vintage red buses with a different surprise in each.

In one will be The Spirit of Christmas Selfie Station where there will be an ‘Instagrammable’ selfie spot on the top deck with the backdrop of the iconic angel light displays.

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On another vintage bus will be a disco from ‘Choose Love’ where you can enjoy a boogie under flashing lights.

There will also be live music from choirs and DJs who bring the festive cheer.

Then make sure to check out The Gift Wrap and Festive Crafts Bus where you’ll find all sorts from wreath making or children’s Christmas crafting – you might have to book in advance for some so head here for more info.

If you’ve bought some gifts from the shops along Regent Street, take them onto the bus and take advantage of the free wrapping station.

Just show the receipt from a Regent Street or St James’s store and leave with a perfectly wrapped present.

This is the first time since 2020 that the busy shopping street has closed for a Christmas shopping afternoon.

Some of your favourite shops are holding special offers too – at NEOM you can have a go on the spin-to-win wheel.

If you land on the right spot, you’ll get your hands on some goodies and enjoy a complimentary travel candle (with any £20 purchase).

Marc Jacobs are having an exclusive in their shop with a DJ set and drinks.

66°North are giving out drinks to customers and if you choose to dine at Ziggy Green – the Soho Saint Brass Band will be playing in the background.

Or head over to Bentley’s where there will be Christmas carols on the terrace which you can listen to while sipping on mulled wine or having oysters – which you can also take away.

For Christmas, The Choose love Shop will return to Regent Street as part of the charity’s 10^th birthday.

Free gift wrapping will also be available in-store on December 11, 14, 20 – all that’s needed is a valid receipt from a shop in Regent Street or St James’s.

While this experience is just for one day, the road in the West End that runs between Piccadilly Circus and St James’s Park.

As part of the proposal, Regent Street St James would be prioritised for pedestrians, and Haymarket would become a two-way street for motors.

Some surrounding side streets would be restricted for vehicles too in order to make space for pedestrians, and possibly outdoor cafes too.

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It will introduce safer cycling routes, better pedestrian crossings and the removal of the central island on Regent Street itself.

Other areas that could become car-free include Oxford Street and Camden.

Here’s what you’ll find at Winter Wonderland this year…

Winter Wonderland in London – which was recently named the UK’s best Christmas market – will launch on November 14 and run for six weeks until January 1.

Santa Land has been revamped this year with a new interactive Elves Workshop experience.

Visitors can play puzzles, spin giant cogs and help the elves bring Santa’s toys to life. Families can also uncover hidden treasures and get Santa’s autograph.

Part of the revamped Santa Land will also be a free Santa’s Grotto experience.

Visitors will head off on a journey through the new Elves Workshop and see Mrs Claus before meeting the big man himself.

Completely new for this year is the world’s first street food market just for kids.

Known as Jingle Bell Bistro, inside elves have collected the top foodie finds from across the globe for kids to enjoy.

Whilst the Magical Ice Kingdom is nothing new, it will have a new theme this year – ‘A Mystical, Mythical Fantasy World’.

Visitors will be able to adventure through the Four Realms of Earth, Fire, Air and Water, which will all be made from 500 tonnes of snow and ice by sculptors from the UK and Belgium.

The Magical Ice Kingdom is rather chilly at -10C and it is one of Europe‘s largest ice attractions.

Over in the much-loved Bavarian Village – where there is usually live music, traditional German food and mulled wine – there will be a new Apres-Ski themed village.

Here visitors will be able to grab a festive-themed drink, bratwursts and enjoy live DJ sets.

The iconic Luminarie light arches were introduced to Winter Wonderland back in 2015, but this year will feature a new extension with an additional 50,260 LED bulbs.

It will also feature a market selling unique and traditional festive gifts.

This year the award-winning Cirque Berserk will return with their “most thrilling exclusive show yet” called Ignite.

It will include a number of daredevil performers, including motorbike stunts and fire acts.

Despite reports of tourists being driven away from Spain by protestors, one Spanish airport has reportedly seen a rise in the number of passengers passing through, with a third coming from the UK

Warnings of Spanish ghost towns and holidaymakers ditching the country do not apply for one popular region where visitor numbers are spiking.

A Spanish airport in the popular Costa Blanca region has reported its tenth consecutive record-breaking month for passenger numbers, almost surpassing last year’s passenger total with a fair few weeks remaining in 2025.

Alicante-Elche Airport welcomed 1.9 million passengers in October, an increase of 5.9% compared to last year, and 631,771 of those passengers were Brits, representing over a third of passenger traffic. This was followed by Germany, which represented 129,127 passengers and the Netherlands with 118,996.

So far in 2025, the airport has had 17.2 million people pass through its doors, and it’s estimated it could reach the 20 million mark by the end of the year, according to Spanish expat news outlet Olive Press. They also reported that the airport had its busiest October for flights yet with 11.931, an increase of 6.1% year on year.

Some of the additional traffic could be down to new routes opening up to Alicante. Ryanair recently announced new connections to and from Cardiff, Aberdeen, Bratislava, Linz, Salzburg, Bydgoszcz, Rzeszow, Stockholm Västerås, Småland, and Lanzarote.

Ryanair also added additional flights on 29 of their existing Alicante routes for its winter 2025 schedule, noting the destination’s popularity during the colder months. The airport is serviced by several budget airlines popular with Brits including easyJet, Jet2, Vueling, and Wizz Air, making it easily accessible from across the UK.

Alicante-Elche is the fifth busiest airport in Spain, and the largest in the Valencian Community. One of the reasons it’s a popular destination for Brits is its close proximity to Benidorm, with a direct bus from the airport to the holiday hotspot taking just 45 minutes.

It’s also just 20 minutes away from the centre of Alicante, which has cultural attractions and beautiful beaches. The Telegraph dubbed Alicante ‘Spain’s most underrated city break’ in a 2024 article.

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The news comes amid speculation that the anti-tourism protests of 2023 and 2024 would deter tourists from taking Spanish holidays. While the majority of protests took place in cities such as Barcelona and on island locations like Majorca, it was speculated that anti-tourist sentiment could lead visitors to choose alternative destinations, such as Greece or Turkey.

Benidorm has also implemented some strict restrictions to keep rowdy Brits under control. Swimming in the sea is banned between the hours of midnight and 7am, with fines between €300 and €1,500 ( approx. £255 – £1,278). Reserving your spot can also land you in trouble, with sunbeds, towels, or umbrellas left on the sand before 9.30am removed, and potential fines of up to €250 (about £220.33) for leaving your belongings behind.

Smoking and vaping have also been banned from the beach, with reports of fines reaching the thousands.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected]

TIRED of visiting the same old spots? Finding new places for a day out in your area can be difficult but now the UK’s best hidden gems have been revealed, great for discovering destinations.

Visit England recently announced the UK’s best hidden gems as part of its Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2024-2025.

And there is something for everyone from museums to brewery tours – here are their best 15 across Britain, per region.

East Midlands

The first hidden gem can be found in Donington le Heath in the East Midlands – the 1620s House & Garden.

Formerly known as the Donington le Heath Manor House, visitors can explore the 13th century building which inside is decked out with 17th century furnishings.

There are also gardens to explore at the attraction, laid out in early 17th century style.

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Also make sure to head to The Old Barn Tearoom for a quick drink, cake or warm bowl of soup.

A second site in the East Midlands that has been named a hidden gem is Melton Carnegie Museum at Melton Mowbray.

The museum is located inside Melton Mowbray’s former Carnegie Library, which was built back in 1905.

Inside, visitors can discover the local history of Melton from the Bronze Age right to the present day.

It is also free to visit.

And finally, Mrs Smith’s Cottage in Navenby was also named a hidden gem.

The heritage house belonged to Hilda Craven, who lived there throughout the 20th century.

Now as a museum and learning centre, visitors can explore the home and daily diaries kept by Hilda.

Admission costs £3.50 per adult and £2 per child.

East of England

Heading to the East of England and the Bushey Museum & Art Gallery in Hertfordshire was named a hidden gem.

The museum and gallery is entirely run by volunteers and inside visitors can explore the local history and heritage of Bushey.

It is free to visit.

Also recognised in the East of England was a hidden gem activity called the Celtic Harmony Camp, which can be found in Brickendon.

The camp is set in around 13 acres of ancient woodland and features life-sized, reconstructed Iron Age roundhouses, a Palaeolithic Cave and a Prehistory Centre.

The experience is also free to visit.

Then, the final one in the East of England is a tour of Ipswich Town Football Club, in Suffolk.

The guided tour allows fans to explore key and iconic areas within the stadium such as the Directors Box or the Boardroom.

North West

In the North West, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House in Manchester was named a hidden gem.

The attraction celebrates the life of Elizabeth Gaskell, one of the UK’s most important Victorian writers.

Visitors can explore the lavish interiors as well as pretty gardens.

Another spot in the North West made its way onto the list – moviESCAPE in Stockport.

This escape room has a movie theme and there are different rooms including the Haunted House II: Demon’s Curse and SAWtopsy.

For a more family-friendly option there is Merlin’s Magic Academy, where players solve puzzles and challenges.

Prices vary but the more players you have the cheaper it works out per player.

South East

In the South East, Shepherd Neame Visitor Centre tour in Faversham has been named a hidden gem.

Located at Shepherd Neame Brewery, visitors can head on a tour to learn more about their beers and brewing process.

Next up is St Barbe Museum & Art Gallery in Lymington – a historic coastal market town.

Inside, visitors can explore the history of Lymington and the New Forest Coast.

Another hidden gem in the South East is a tour of The Hook Norton Brewery Co Ltd.

Costing £20 per person, on the tour you will wander around the five-storey Victorian Tower Brewery for an hour and a half.

The tour then ends in the cellar bar, where you of course get to try the beer.

The brewery rather unusually is also home to three shire horses.

If beer isn’t to your taste, then you can head on a tour of the Wildshark Vineyard in Harrietsham.

For £20 per person, you can head on a self-guided tour of the vineyard, thanks to a handy map that shows different walking routes.

Alternatively, for £28 per person you could head on an hour and a half guided tour with a tasting.

South West

In the South West, one spot was named as a hidden gem – Sherborne Museum in Sherborne.

The local museum in Dorset features local history exhibits and a large archive of local records and photos.

It also is free to enter.

West Midlands

Over in the West Midlands, Stourbridge Glass Museum in Wordsley, visitors can explore the region’s history in glassmaking through interactive galleries.

There is even a live hot glass studio.

Last but not least, a tour of the Cotswolds Distillery in Stourton is also a hidden gem.

The tour costs £25 per person and includes tasting the spirits and liqueurs.

Alternatively for £37, you could do a tour and tasting with lunch included.

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AN airline is launching its first flight from a London Airport to a city that has been compared to New York.

Condor Airlines has confirmed that a new flight route to Frankfurt will be launching from London Gatwick.

The new route will start from April 2026, with three flights a day.

While Frankfurt might not look like New York at first glance, it has it’s own “mini Manhattan”.

The city’s financial district’s skyline of skyscrappers has led to the moniker of ‘Mainhattan’.

CNN Travel previously said: “Frankfurt looks and feels more like a modern American city than any other metropolis when people visit Germany.”

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Being home to more than 95 per cent of Germany‘s skyscrapers, it is now even nicknamed Europe‘s skyscraper capital, with plans for another 50.

For some of the best views in the city, head up the 200m-high Main Tower which is one of the tallest in the city.

It even once was home to Europe’s tallest building before being overtaken by The Shard.

Of course, there is more to Frankfurt than it’s banking district, including its beautiful Old Town.

While stunning, most of it was destroyed during WWI, so the majority of buildings are replicas, leading to its nickname New Old Town.

The most popular attraction in the city is Städel Museum which has “700 years of art”.

And, of course, the city’s Christmas market launches next week which runs from Zeil down to Römerberg and Mainkai,

Make sure to try some local delicacies there too, including apple wine and of course some Frankfurter sausages.

And Frankfurt will be easier to travel to next year as well, with a huge £3.6billion airport terminal set to open.

Until the new flights launch, you can fly to Frankfurt with Ryanair with return ticket from £30.

Future plans will even see trains from the UK to Frankfurt.

Eurostar unveiled future routes that could one day launch from the UK which would also connect to Germany as well as Switzerland and Italy.

There is also a city in the UK that has been compared to New York.

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Liverpool is often used to film Hollywood blockbusters like Batman due to its skyscrapers and red brick buildings.

And here is a New York style attraction you can find in the UK.

IT’S never too early to book a holiday for next year – and with Butlin’s launching its Black Sale Friday, you might want to look now.

The holiday park is offering bargain breaks for families to adults-only weekends with up to 40 per cent off.

Butlin’s Black Friday sale, or as they like to call it, the Red Friday Event, hasplenty of great offers for breaks next year, including family-friendly holidays across its three resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness.

You can book now for up to 40 per cent off – and that includes getting to see their new headline acts for 2026 if you book before December 2, 2025.

From Maximum Pro Wrestling to The Masked Singer Live and Diversity, which will perform their brand-new, exclusive show ‘Time Capsule’.

Peppa Pig and her baby sister Evie Pig will trot into the spotlight in a brand-new live show for 2026 during school holidays and Showtime breaks.

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Another new addition is The Dinosaur that Pooped, a Rock Show that’s a high-energy live musical and will be at all resorts.

And Fireman Sam will be solving clues and saving the day in The Lost Pirate Treasure show.  

February Half Term breaks start from £67 based on a family of four staying in a two bedroom Comfort Room on February 23, 2026 in Bognor Regis for four nights.

The Showtime midweek breaks start from £39 which across four nights works out at just £2.44pppn.

It’s not just for kids though – adults can also book themselves onto a Big Weekender for 2026.

Big Weekenders, which are exclusively for adults, and also has savings of up to 40 per cent.

These start from £54 per person which includes three-nights’ accommodation, access to all music venues and plenty of daytime and evening activities. 

Performers include the likes of Peter Andre, Cascada and B*Witched; these are all included in the price.

During the day guests can check out the Saddle Up Line Dancing, Soul Stroll and pool parties to Club Classic Nights and silent discos in the evening.  

Next year, four brand-new Big Weekenders will begin across all three resorts.

My Generation Weekender, devoted to Mod culture, will kick off in Minehead in early 2026.

Meanwhile, Skegness resort will be immersed in the ‘neo-soul’ era at the Soul Power Weekender.

Bognor Regis will host the Don’t Tell Mama LGBTQ Weekender and Bugged Out! will return after 10 years with the biggest names in the EDM space.    

Soul Power Big Weekender starts from £54pp based on a two bedroom Comfort Room that sleeps four on January 16, 2026 in Skegness.

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One writer checked into Butlin’s for a Big Weekender…

“Clutching my bottle of Smirnoff Ice in the middle of a packed dancefloor wearing silver combat trousers and a bum bag, I felt like I had been transported back to my youth.

“And for a fleeting moment, I forgot I was a mother of three with a job, a mortgage and a pile of laundry to tackle when I got home.

“This is part of the joy of a Butlin’s ’90s Reloaded Weekender where garage legends DJ Luck and MC Neat were belting out the floor fillers from my teen disco days.

“Held across Butlin’s resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness, each “weekender” break celebrates a different era or genre, from the Ultimate ’80s to I Love Ibiza.

“I was at the Bognor Regis Resort with three old school friends, which only enhanced the nostalgia of the Nineties-themed weekend.

“The fancy dress aspect alone provided plenty of entertainment. Luckily, the Nineties are enjoying something of a fashion revival, which means it was easy to source some party gear.

“And the trends of the decade were out in force — from bucket hats and Kappa tracksuits to cycling shorts and, of course, shell suits.

“There were plenty of hilarious costumes celebrating Nineties icons, too. The winner had to be one ingenious reveller who dressed head-to-toe as a bottle of Nineties alcopop Hooch, an outfit she ran up on her own sewing machine.

“In true Nineties style, midnight felt too early to go to bed so we hit the silent disco at the resort’s sports bar venue Hotshots where we could flick between channels on our light-up headphones, blasting everything from Whigfield to Warren G.

“The brilliant thing about a Butlin’s Weekender break is you know exactly what you’ll be spending. All entertainment and accommodation is included in the price of your visit so it’s great value for groups like ours.

“If you do have a little extra cash to splash, you can book additional activities like the ’90s Bottomless Brunch in Butlin’s restaurant The Diner.

“The bottomless prosecco and cocktails, accompanied by a live DJ, were a great way to kick off our Saturday, and my delicious build-your-own burger perfectly set me up for another day of drinking and dancing.

“In the afternoon, Butlin’s huge swimming complex opens for pool parties, also complete with DJ.”

Hear from one reporter who tried out the Butlin’s new all-inclusive holidays where food and drink is free and said “it was better value than a Spanish resort”.

And Travel Reporter Helen Wright tested the Butlin’s all-inclusive drinks package to its limit – here’s everything she drank in one day for £30.

The Foreign Office put out a ‘serious illness’ alert on Tuesday

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued an urgent warning for Brits travelling to a hugely popular holiday destination. Nearly a million UK visitors are thought to travel to India each year, and on Tuesday, November 18, the FCDO updated its travel advice for those heading to the South Asian country.

Those travelling to India are now being cautioned: “There has been an increase in cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in popular travel destinations around the world. Even small amounts of methanol can kill. It is not possible to identify methanol in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell.”

Additional guidance on the Government’s Travel Aware website states: “Methanol is toxic even in small amounts. It is an industrial alcohol made from distilling wood and can be found in many commercial products, like antifreeze, fuel and paint thinners. In some parts of the world methanol products are sometimes illegally mixed with ‘real’ alcohol such as spirit-based drinks and cocktails.”

Identifying methanol poisoning can prove challenging as initial symptoms mirror those of regular alcohol consumption. However, early warning signs include vomiting, impaired judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness.

Between 12 and 48 hours after having a drink, you might experience symptoms such as stomach pain, dizziness, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, blurred vision or even blindness, falling into a coma, or having seizures. If you or anyone you’re travelling with starts to show any of these signs, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical help.

According to Government advice, problems with your sight are a major warning sign and can also occur 12-48 hours after your first drink. Methanol poisoning can lead to blurry vision, difficulty looking at bright lights, and in some cases, total loss of sight.

If you start seeing “snowfield vision” (like the snowy static on an old telly) or tunnel vision, it’s vital to get urgent medical assistance.

Other countries where the FCDO has issued warnings about methanol poisoning are Ecuador, Kenya, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Uganda, Russia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Turkey, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Fiji.

In ten years of parenting, this is the most epic, and extravagant, Christmas attraction I’ve ever been to, writes Dianne Bourne

Parents were sent into a frenzy when Lapland UK announced it was opening a second location. The original Ascot site has been visited by thousands of families over 19 years and I’ve seen the rave reviews and photos year after year from those lucky enough to get a ticket.

When tickets went on sale for the new Manchester site earlier this year they swiftly all sold out even with the eye-watering price tag of £65-£155 per person, with both adults and children paying the same price.

Since opening last week in the grounds of Capesthorne Hall near Macclesfield, Cheshire, it’s been a bit of a baptism of fire for organisers. On the first preview days some slightly negative reviews started to appear on Lapland Manchester fan groups then on Friday Storm Claudia hit and the event had to be stopped, with families evacuated from the site. So it was with a bit of trepidation that I headed along on Sunday on a pre-planned press visit with my two children, 10 and 5, wondering quite what was in store for us.

Thankfully the storm had passed and it was a lovely tranquil, if rather cold, morning when we headed to the attraction. One of the main differences of the Cheshire site to Ascot is that it is all under cover rather than with open woodland areas, but the first thing I’d say is you still definitely need your winter coats on.

We found it really chilly on both the walk over and through a lot of the walkways inside, where I think the temperature is purposefully set to be cold to give the ambiance of a real-life snowy Lapland. But the benefit of being inside is no need to worry about rain or mud.

Once inside though, you cannot fail to be swept away by the festive magic that unfolds.

And many signs on the way encourage you to leave any grouchiness at the door with the “Strictly No Grump-a-Lumps” signs that amused us all on the way in. From the moment we checked in at the departure lounge, collecting the kids’ “Elven Passports”, it really is like being transported to another world.

It feels like a traditional Christmas show at the start of the day as you are introduced into the Lapland world by the colourful cast of Elves, with children (and parents) encouraged to use the “cheery-hi” greeting of fingers waggling on your nose – this will come in handy to greet any of the Elven folk throughout the adventure.

It’s then through to a vast magical woodland that will take your breath away. If you don’t want any spoilers about what happens next, then I’d probably look away now. From this point, the families in your time slot will then split into two groups, to head to the more interactive elements of the day.

We all gazed in wonder as we entered the huge Toy Factory, a spectacular space complete with magic wishing jars and festooned with toys.

Here, children get to help the elves make some toys – an adorable polar bear that they then get to take over to a conveyor belt to help Father Christmas out, which was a truly enchanting experience.

It’s then on to Mother Christmas’ kitchen where kids get to decorate their own gingerbread house, again an activity that my two boys absolutely loved.

What follows is an adventure into the vast Elven Village, where you have 90 minutes to spend between ice skating, writing a letter to Father Christmas, a range of hot food and drinks and browsing the assorted Lapland shops.

The finale of the day is walking through the Reindeer Lodge before the big one – a meeting with Father Christmas. Here at Lapland the bearded one seems to know an awful lot about your kids (if you know you know), checks if they’re on the Good List and is happy to pose for loads of photos.

You can choose one souvenir photo to take away from the day included in the price – or you can opt to pay for more of these on your way out if you wish. There’s really no doubting this is the most epic, and extravagant, Christmas attraction I’ve ever been to in terms of scale and attention to detail.

And that’s from a mum who has spent ten years trudging around all sorts of festive events, lights, grottos, Christmas farms and Santa adventures with my kids.

The Lapland Manchester experience takes 4.5 hours in total, so you also need to be prepared for a full-on festive day out. As this was our first time there are some things I’d wished I’d done a bit differently, so below are some of our tips and advice from navigating it all.

But remember, most importantly of all, if you are one of those lucky enough to have secured a ticket, you’re in for one heck of a festive time.

Get there early

On your booking confirmation it recommends arriving 45 minutes early. By that, we thought that meant to arrive in the car park 45 minutes early.

Realistically though you want to be at the entrance itself 45 minutes before your allocated time slot, so we didn’t factor in the ten minute walk from the car park to the magical entrance itself, so I’d suggest arriving at the car park an hour early.

It’s a lovely walk though through woodland and past the splendid Capesthorne Hall though, so especially if it’s a nice day, you might want to take your time.

But what it all meant was, due to queuing to the departure desks at the start, we had barely five minutes in the marketplace (not enough time to get a coffee much to my despair) before we were called in to start at 11.20am. Nor did we have time to look in the first shop.

In hindsight, we could have actually stayed in the coffee queue for a bit longer, as the main show didn’t really start until 11.25am, but we didn’t want to miss our slot so went straight in.

Be prepared for the walking

This is a HUGE attraction spread out across acres and acres of the Capesthorne Estate. And that means there is a lot of walking involved. Sparkly, tree-lined tunnels connect all the different areas which we found fun to walk through, but that’s because my two kids are now fully mobile and able to run off without my assistance.

I know that if you’re still parenting in the toddler stage it may become more of an issue walking with lots of bags and prams etc over the distances involved. Don’t worry about mud though – inside the venue is all undercover, and outside the car park itself is all completely boarded and the path to the entrance is all wood-chipped so it’s a really good route.

Be prepared for lots of questions from your kids

As the whole thing is billed as LaplandUK, and with the intricacy of the invites and Elven Passports etc, I know that many parents treat this experience as if you’re really going through a magical portal to Lapland itself. Some folk even freeze the invites to present to their kids on the day of the event.

But if you’re going to this level of planning, then prepare to have inquisitive kids batter you with a barrage of questions – and what to answer them with. From my two kids I had the likes of “Is this indoors or outdoors?” “Why is there a roof on?” “Are they real elves?” “Are they real reindeer?” “Is this real Lapland?” “What’s in that bag, is it for me?”

Oh and the piece de resistance at the end of it all: “Mum, why is it light outside when it was dark in there? Which is real?”

The number of people in your session

I didn’t know what to expect on this front, although seeing other Facebook posts did prepare me a bit. I thought we’d be in fairly small groups, but in our time session of 11.30am I counted around 200 people. That is split into two groups, so you’re either Team Husky or Team Little Rudi.

For the start you are all together, but then each group splits so you have around 100 people in each themed interactive area, like the Gingerbread making. It sounds like a lot of people, but actually it’s so well organised, it’s not like you’re fighting over seats or anything – there are enough for everybody. But what it does mean is that inevitably you will have to queue for a little bit going in and out of each zone.

If you’re not a fan of a queue, my advice as a parent would be to eye up where the next doorway is when you enter a zone, and then find the seats closest to it. This helps in getting into the next zone more quickly if you don’t feel you want to be queuing.

The biggest queue we saw on the day was for the ice skating rink – although we managed to avoid this by heading straight to this area when we first entered the Elven Village.

When we eventually slid off the rink around a half an hour later into our session, the queue was quite long we noticed.

If there’s more than one adult in your group, my advice would be to get one to queue for skating while the rest of the group go and do other activities so as not to squander time in this area.

The food and drink

I’ve seen many people on Facebook groups saying they prefer not to eat and drink while inside the event to try and save on time (and money), and now that I’ve been for myself I can understand what they mean.

If I did the experience again, I would definitely take food and drink in with me for the kids to eat – especially as our time slot ran straight over lunchtime starting at 11.30am.

We didn’t get through to the Elven Village, where the main food and drink area is, until 1.30pm, by which point the kids were really hungry.

But this is also where we wanted to do the most activities, so it ended up being a bit of a hectic run-around with the kids staying with their dad to do the letter to Santa, while I ran over to the food stations to order food for everybody.

The other thing, of course, is the prices. We ended up spending £80 on hot food and drink in this section.

I made the mistake of buying two of the colourful marshmallow lollies for the kids without asking their price first, and couldn’t quite believe it when I checked the receipt afterwards and found they were £6 each. Even worse, we dropped one, so that was £6 straight down the drain.

The hot food we had though was pretty delicious. We had a smash burger on a pretzel bun that was massive (£13) a tasty pepperoni pizza (£13) and a hot dog and chips from the Small Folk Menu (£10 which includes drink and side).

Oh and the Lapland Hot Chocolate is worth every penny of the £6 – trust me on that one.

As you might be able to tell, there was not much in the way of healthy options, aside from apple slices which you can order as a side for kids.

However, what I would say is that everything was served up very quickly and there was loads of seating for families.

What do you get for your money?

On the date we went, the tickets were £105 each (that’s for adults and children alike). So there’s no getting away from the fact that for a family of four, you’re looking at shelling out a lot of money for this attraction.

For me, I was keen to see what you get for that kind of money and whether it represents value for money. What I would say is that when you break down everything you experience during the day, and how much you would usually spend for things like skating for a family on a day out, you can start to see why the price tag is what it is.

Essentially you get a Christmas show, skating, gingerbread making, meeting Santa, a cuddly toy for the kids and an extra surprise that parents get to take home at the end too (no spoilers) as well as one free souvenir photo in a presentation booklet.

Sadly, parents don’t get to partake of activities like toy-making or getting a toy from santa, but you do get to watch the joy on your child’s face so it depends what kind of price tag you put on that.

Ultimately, it’s an experience you either buy into or you don’t. In for a penny, in for a pound and all that.

What else can you buy?

Apart from food and drinks, there are lots of shops dotted around the Lapland Manchester experience – at the start, in the Elven Village, and one you can’t avoid that you walk through at the end to get out.

You can buy “Jingles” which are gold coins in a pouch for your kids at the start which they can then use to buy treats in the shops, but we didn’t have time to do this.

But basically 1 Jingle equals 1 pound and you can buy everything on cards throughout the day if you don’t have the Jingles.

You can buy everything from Christmas baubles (from around £5) to cuddly toys (from around £10) and outfits for the husky every child gets (from £15).

You get one official photo free, and then you have to buy any extras – we ended up buying the all-inclusive photo package for £40 which meant we got all 10 photos taken during the day as prints, as well as the full digital package.

This was the only thing I purchased on the day aside from food and drink, as I kept telling the kids “you’ve already got your present from Father Christmas” and miraculously this seemed to work.

The kid verdict

My ten-year-old and five-year-old as you might imagine were pretty impressed with it all.

It was my youngest child’s first time ice skating which he absolutely adored, and both kids were made up with their presents from Father Christmas.

“I want to go back”, summed up the eldest. He might want to start saving up now is my thought!

Travel expert Henrik Jeppesen has visited every single country in the world, but there’s one European city that compares to ‘stepping into another world’ with €5 meals and ‘extremely friendly’ people

Away from the popular tourist hotspots of Barcelona, Venice or Dubrovnik is an unassuming European city that a travel expert has hailed as the best in the world.

Henrik Jeppesen has travelled to every single country in the world. That’s a whopping 193 nations according to the United Nations. The 37-year-old has also racked up more than 2,000 destinations on an ever-growing checklist. He has been exploring the globe since the age of 17, so it’s no wonder he has a wealth of inside knowledge and an extensive list of recommendations.

Hailing from Thy, in northwest Jutland, Denmark, the father of one is very familiar with Europe, but despite his time and experiences in countries across the world, there’s one destination that he couldn’t advocate for any more, and flights are less than three hours from London.

“The best city in Europe, in my opinion, is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn,” Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “It’s very much overlooked for people coming to Europe, and many people who have travelled have never been there.

“Even if they’ve been to Europe two or three times, they usually go to London, Rome, Paris and Berlin, those kinds of places, so in that sense I think it’s highly underrated.”

Explaining what makes Tallinn so special, Henrik said: “First and foremost, it’s a lot cheaper than the cities I mentioned; in comparison, it’s fantastic value. Then you have the Old Town, which I think is the best old town in the entire world, and I’ve travelled a lot. You can step out the door, and it’s like you’re stepping into a new world with well-preserved old buildings and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

“The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can easily spend a few days and with fantastic food for very little. I had lunch for €5 at Rataskaevu 16 about 40 times, and it’s an outstanding restaurant and experience. Many restaurants are similarly priced, so it’s great value to eat out and something I highly appreciate, coming from Denmark. “

On the topic of the delicacies of the city, which he called home for 10 months, Henrik added: “You have a mix of local cuisine, and many restaurants offer Italian food. I often eat cheap, local produce. I loved going to the local Balti Jaama Turg market to pick up the ingredients to make a meal at home. Many fantastic memories for my wife and me to look back upon. It’s not Michelin-starred, but you get a really nice meal in a charming old building, which creates such a lovely atmosphere. You can find many restaurants within beautiful architecture, that are each an experience in itself.”

Aside from the affordability and great food on offer, there’s plenty to see and explore during a getaway to Tallinn. The expert shared that in addition to the Old Town, there are “beautiful parks”, a market with “amazing food”, modern shopping malls, museums, attractions, and a waterfall not far from the city.

“It brings a nice atmosphere, you walk around the city, and it’s like stepping into another world,” he added. “I’ve been there during the summer, and I’m surprised that not more people visit, it really is outstanding in my opinion. It’s very laid-back and a mid-sized city, with around half a million people living there, and almost half of the entire population of Estonia.”

With pollution a growing concern worldwide, particularly in large urban areas, Henrik notes that the air quality in Tallinn is another distinctive appeal. “It probably has the best air quality of any city, at least capital cities, but maybe of any major city in Europe. The air is really good, and that is often a downside to visiting a major city in this world.”

Henrik is also a big fan of the Tallinn card, which offers tourists free public transport and free or discounted entry into a range of museums and attractions in the city. He said: “It’s a fantastic way to experience an already fantastically valued city.”

There are also several nearby islands that can be explored, such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, as well as Pärnu, which is known as Estonia’s ‘Summer Capital’ due to its extensive white sand beaches. “It’s a stunning place to visit, especially in the summer,” the expert added. “Pärnu, Viljandi and islands are well worth looking into, especially if visiting the country for more than a week.”

Another major strength of the city is how friendly the people are. “There are lovely people there. They are extremely friendly in Estonia.” Henrik reflected on a time when he got lost late at night while exploring the city in 2014, and strangers came to his aid, picking him up in the streets of Tallinn to help him reach his hotel.

“How many European capitals would you just get a ride from someone in the street and take you there? I don’t think that would happen in London. I have great memories daydreaming about this city.”

You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website here.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

AS the UK descended into the depths of winter, a warmer holiday could be on the cards.

But trying to find the best deal while still catching some sun can be hard, especially if flying from your local airport.

However, TravelSupermarket has revealed the holiday destinations with the cheapest average package deals from seven of the UK’s most popular airports.

With deals for as little as £225 each – and that includes seven nights and return flights – here are some of the best spots to go from your nearest airport.

Newcastle Airport

When it comes to Brits travelling from Newcastle Airport, you’ll want to head to Fuerteventura.

With deals on average being around £339pp, the Spanish island is often seen as one of the more affordable in the Canaries.

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We spoke to a local who shared his top tips for exploring the island from the prettiest towns to the quietest beaches.

Other cheap destinations include Malta, with deals from £388pp.

Leeds Airport

One of the most affordable winter sun breaks if flying from Leeds Airport is Agadir.

Morocco is often one of the best destinations for a winter holiday, being one of the warmest destinations without a long flight.

The average package deal price comes in at around £413pp, when flying to the Moroccan city from Leeds.

The Sun’s Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey visited last winter, saying: “It’s affordable luxury at its finest, and the perfect place for a last-minute holiday with my closest gal pal.

Manchester Airport

Spain comes out on top if you are travelling from Manchester Airport.

The Costa del Sol’s Benalmadena has the cheapest average holiday prices, with seven night breaks around £481.

Other cheap average deals include Lara in Turkey for £513pp, or Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife for £537pp.

Birmingham Airport

Fuerteventura comes out on top as the biggest bargain destination, this time when travelling from Birmingham Airport.

You can spend just £350pp on average for a seven night holiday there.

Other cheap destinations also include Malta for £356pp.

London Airport

If you can get to some of the airports in London, you will normally find the cheapest deals here due to then having more airlines in operation.

The biggest bargain on the list, you can fly to Olu Deniz in Turkey with seven nights just £225pp.

With highs of 16C, and beautiful sandy beaches, it is even nicknamed the Turquoise Coast for its bright blue seas.

Other cheap packages include Alayna, also in Turkey, for £281pp, or Hammamet in Tunisia for £315pp.

Liverpool Airport

Sousse in Tunisia is the cheapest winter sun spot if travelling from Liverpool, with average holiday packages for around £290pp.

Tunisia was even named the best value winter sun holiday destination by Thomas Cook earlier this year, with highs of 18C.

Other cheap spots include Albufeira in Portugal for around £375pp.

Edinburgh Airport

Scots should be looking at holidays to Portugal if they want the biggest bargain.

The Algarve’s Albufeira has some of the cheapest package holidays on average, with a week being around £395pp.

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An experienced travel agent has listed the underrated Spanish destinations that you should see “before you die” – and they’re all easy to get to from the UK

A travel agent has listed the underrated destinations in Spain you should consider putting onto your bucket list.

Globe-trotter Carlos Lavilla has seen it all over the years – from beautiful beaches to villages perched in the mountains and cities steeped in history. So, to make the most of this experience, he puts all this knowledge to good use by sharing his top tips for fellow holidaymakers.

In a recent TikTok video, Carlos listed some Spanish spots that are more off the beaten track than Madrid or Barcelona. He praised the areas for their authenticity, history and local charm.

Carlos said: “These are the five destinations in Spain you should visit at least once in your life. Remember, this is just my personal opinion as a travel agent and an inveterate traveller for more than 30 years.”

So would you ever give them a visit? You can check out the full list below for inspiration before booking your next trip…

1. Frigiliana, Malaga

Located a few miles away from the Costa del Sol, Frigiliana has earned the title of ‘jewel of the Axarquia’.

Its old town, with its Moorish-Mudejar heritage, has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site, and every corner seems designed to make time stand still.

The whitewashed façades, bougainvillaea-filled planters and views of the Mediterranean turn every stroll into a living postcard.

We’d recommend taking a taxi into the town because parking can be very limited.

This also means you can enjoy some of the region’s delicious (and cheap!) wine without having to get behind the wheel.

2. Merida, Badajoz

Founded in 25 BC as Augusta Emerita, Merida was the capital of Roman Lusitania.

So it’s a hotspot for history buffs, who can visit one of the most complete archaeological sites in Europe.

It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is home to a Roman Theatre and Amphitheatre, as well as historic bridges and the Los Milagros Aqueduct.

After all that exploring, you’ll get the chance to try some delicious local cuisine.

The region is famous for its top-quality Iberian products, which are bound to leave your mouth watering.

3. Albarracin, Teruel

Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Spain, Albarracín seems suspended in another era.

Its ochre colour buildings and winding stone streets of stone transport you back in time – especially in the historic quarter.

Be sure to visit the Cathedral of El Salvador, as well as the walls that crown the hill.

It’s a great spot for a charming rural escape – and isn’t as hot and crowded as other places in Spain, making it perfect for those who prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

4. Salamanca, Castilla y León

Few cities combine such artistic heritage and vitality as Salamanca.

Its famous university, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest in Europe and has been the cradle of scholars, artists and writers.

The Baroque-style Plaza Mayor is a bustling local meeting point, active day and night.

Be sure to stop at The University, the Old and New Cathedrals.

Then do as the locals do by finishing off your day with some tapas and enjoying the ample nightlife.

5. Consuegra, Toledo

If you’ve read Don Quixote, this location is a must-visit.

The windmills of Consuegra stand on Calderico hill, which is what inspired the famous novel.

It’s one of the most photographed panoramic views in central Spain and a great place to watch the sun set.

You can visit from Madrid or Toledo, making it a brilliant option for those just looking for a day trip.

There are a few simple things you can do to make sure your suitcase doesn’t get lost in transit – and it’s as easy as adding one item to your luggage

It’s the stuff of holiday nightmares. You’ve landed at your dream destination, eager to start exploring, only to discover your suitcase is nowhere to be found.

All you’re left with is your hand luggage and the clothes you’re wearing, with no clue when – or if – your suitcase will turn up.

To dodge this frightful scenario, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard your luggage from going astray.

The relocation gurus at 1st Move International have revealed their top tips for keeping your belongings secure whilst on the move – and the best methods to guarantee they reach your destination.

They suggest one of the most effective things you can do is pop a piece of paper inside your suitcase with your travel itinerary and contact details on it.

This means that in the unfortunate event of your luggage being lost or delayed, airport staff will swiftly know where to send it, reports the Express.

It’s also wise to attach a robust luggage tag to the exterior of your suitcase with a unique design.

This way, you can spot your bag more easily after your flight, and other passengers are less likely to mistakenly pick up yours.

By including current contact details on your tag, you’ll also make it simpler for staff to return any lost luggage to you.

Before you board your flight, take a quick photo of your bag. If you have a recent picture of your luggage, staff will have a reference image to help locate it and ensure it’s returned safely.

If your luggage has gone AWOL, it’s important to keep a cool head.

Mike Harvey, the boss at 1st Move International, advised: “The first thing you should do is immediately report the issue to the airline’s baggage claim officer or customer service desk.

“It’s crucial to file a lost baggage report before leaving the airport, as this initiates the tracking process. Usually, baggage will be tagged with your flight information, but just in case you want to give the airline a description, be as thorough as possible.

“Next, check your travel insurance policy for coverage in case of lost or delayed baggage, and keep receipts for any purchases if you have to replace lost items (even if they might be found later). You may be able to claim these costs back.”

Sometimes all you want is the opportunity to slow down life and enjoy a refreshing break somewhere quiet and idyllic – this location is the perfect way to do just that

If you’re dreaming of an escape where rolling green hills meet charming cobbled streets and you’re only ever a heartbeat away from a good cup of tea then one town should be right at the top of your list.

This little gem in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales has become something of a star in its own right, thanks to its role as the fictional Darrowby in Channel 5’s ‘All Creatures Great and Small‘. Fans of the show will instantly spot the familiar streets and stone-fronted shops. But even if you’ve never seen an episode, then the real-life town of Grassington has enough to win anyone over. For families, it’s the perfect blend of adventure and wholesome days out. Start in the bustling village square, where independent shops and cosy cafes, including the Cake House, invite you to linger for a while.

And then there are the proper North Yorkshire pubs where the welcome is warm, the portions are generous and the ale flows freely. Grassington’s inns are the beating heart of the village, from the Gamekeeper’s Inn to Grassington House, offering everything from roaring fires and Sunday roasts to locally brewed pints and family-friendly dining.

Whether you’re settling into a snug corner after a long walk or enjoying a meal in a lively bar where locals swap stories across the tables, it’s the sort of place where time slows down. Many visitors swear the pubs alone are worth the trip, especially if you want an authentic taste of Dales hospitality.

One of the best things about Grassington is how quickly you can slip from village charm into full-blown countryside magic. The surrounding Dales are tailor-made for family walks, from gentle riverside rambles along the Wharfe to more adventurous routes up towards Linton Falls.

The falls themselves are just a short stroll from the village and offer a spectacular view, especially after a good rain. Kids love watching the water thunder over the rocks, and parents love that it’s one of those rare beauty spots that doesn’t require a three-hour trek to get to.

If your family has a soft spot for wildlife, then the Grass Wood Nature Reserve is a must. This ancient woodland is a haven for birds, wildflowers and even the occasional roe deer. The trails here are peaceful and atmospheric, perfect for a slower-paced wander where little explorers can hunt for bugs, spot woodland creatures and burn off some energy.

History lovers won’t be left out either. Head to the nearby Grassington Folk Museum, where the whole family can learn about rural life through the centuries. It’s surprisingly engaging for kids, with plenty of hands-on displays, and gives a real sense of the community spirit that still holds strong in the village today.

And of course, no visit would be complete without a nod to the popular ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Fans can stroll the same streets James Herriot walks on screen, peek into shop fronts used for filming and soak up the quaint atmosphere that makes the series so beloved. Many visitors say it feels like stepping straight into the show (minus the odd unruly cow).

Whether you’re after cosy pubs, picture-perfect scenery or a family weekend that blends relaxation with just enough adventure, Grassington delivers in spades. It’s no wonder TV crews, walkers and families all fall a little bit in love with it and, after one trip, you probably will too.

If there are times when the sights, smells and sounds of a new destination are best downed in a single, heady, flaming sambuca of a weekend, there are others when a more slow-drip pace is called for. Such is the case with De Alde Feanen, in Friesland. One of the most peaceful national parks in the Netherlands, this 4,000-hectare wetland slows down naturally after the summer season. Its waterways shrug off their summer flocks of kayakers, paddleboarders, boat trippers and terrace diners. Museums and galleries close. The local tourist office winds down. Even the park’s population of nesting storks fly south.

A 20-minute drive south-east of Leeuwarden, in the country’s north-east, the lakes, ponds, ditches and canals of “The Old Fens” are the remains of the peat-cutting that began there in the middle ages. Now awash with reeds, rushes and sedges, its watery habitats are richly biodiverse, home to more than 100 bird species as well as otters, pine martens, roe deer and dragonflies. Hay meadows and wetland forest add marsh thistle, reed orchids, alders and willows to the list. Ribboned with well-marked hiking and cycling trails, the proximity to nature draws spring and summer tourists but treasures can be found there in autumn and winter too; among them thousands of ducks and geese, and some of the starriest skies in the Netherlands.

In search of a place to be rather than do, my son and I book a simple cabin, De Ooievaar (“the Stork”), with a plan to walk, cycle, read and sleep. Upcycled from an old barn during the pandemic by owner Jurjen Veldboom, the cabin’s galley kitchen and wooden sleeping platforms give it the cosy feel of a boat but it’s the picture window in its living room that sells it to us. With a sofa to one side and a wood burner on the other, it’s the perfect winter roost: a place to sit and sketch, or watch deer bouncing through the alders.

To get our bearings we start with a gentle walk, spotting a white heron almost as soon as we step outside. A skein of geese skim the sky above us as we wander along a blustery 15-minute track through the reeds to the park’s gateway village, Earnewâld. Winding between its doll’s house-like buildings to the Princenhof Hotel, we eat bowls of salty fish soup while watching the soporific ebb and flow of small cargo boats.

When we arrived, Jurjen told us that canny marketeers have a new verb for winter holidaying in Friesland: opfriezen is a play on words that means embracing the cold (with the help of a cosy hot tub or sauna) in Friesland. Back at the cabin, we give it a go, slipping into the site’s sauna at dusk and listening to the soothing ticking of the heater’s timer, cocooned in its warm, timber embrace. What follows is even more uplifting, though: opening the door into the dark Friesland night, a huge gibbous moon is glowing above us, the skeins of geese replaced by stars and the cabin’s twinkling lights giving it the look of a giant gingerbread house.

The following morning we hire two e-bikes from Hollema in Earnewâld (€25pp a day), where owner Rikele Hollema meets us with a map for a gentle 50km route looping through the eastern corner of the park and then out to the villages and forests around Beetsterzwaag.

Cycling out along little paths crunchy with seashells is like pedalling through one of Jan Hendrik Weissenbruch’s paintings. Skirting low fields where the horizon is broken only by the odd birch tree or farmhouse, there’s more sky than land, and it’s filled with clouds that look like balls of scrunched-up paper, soft grey shadows tucked into creases in the white. Cycling along these flat, empty paths, hopping on and off little foot and bike ferries to cross bridge-less stretches of water, is a meditative experience. A feeling that’s later heightened when the sun emerges and we dip into forests where the light is sieved through golden beech leaves.

Beyond the palatial houses of Beetsterzwaag, in Olterterp we stop at De Witte Huis for lunch – fat chips and bowls of mustard soup hiding slivers of sausage. It’s just the fuel we need for the long ride back along the windy polders, catching the whimsical sight along the way of three cows sailing past on a ferry, and two swans flying alongside us, their white plumage glowing against the rose gold of the rushes.

That evening, with Jurjen’s help, I track down Jannie Slot, project coordinator for a new mindfulness walking trail launched in the park this summer. Designed to get visitors offscreen, slowing down and reconnecting with their surroundings, those who want to try it have to borrow a physical copy of the guide and then follow its prompts as they walk the 5km route. She tells me of the tricky balance between welcoming visitors and protecting the park but believes that if people can connect with nature, they will love it and want to protect it.

For now the guide is only available in Dutch or German but there are plans to produce an English version. Trying my best with rusty German, I leave my son sleeping and head out into the park at dawn the next day to try it out. The path leads through the reeds and forest paths behind our cabin and, as I walk, I follow the guide’s instructions to listen to the sound of the wind through the reeds. The ground is wet from overnight rain and the air is charged with the calls, rattles, clicks and chitter of blackbirds, goldcrests, reed buntings, wigeon and geese. At various points, I’m encouraged to do some gentle yoga, standing in poses inspired by birds or trees, or to look more deeply at the landscape. It’s not hard this morning. The rising sun is suspended in the ditches around me, coating the water with an ethereal bronze glow.

The route leads to an observation tower and when I reach the top, it feels as if I’m at the very soul of the national park, a million shades of sugary golden brown spilling out around me. Towns glimmer on the horizon and a distant road rumbles, but here the hush is broken only by two geese honking away at eye level, and the reflective glint of a nearby windmill.

Later, over coffee, I read that one of the park’s key plants is frogbit. In summer it floats above the water but in winter it retracts below, freezing until the spring, when it re-emerges in search of sunlight. The guide tells me: “It’s also very important, of course, for humans to slow down, take a breath, reflect and rest.” But De Alde Feanen has already taught me that.

Transport from London to Amsterdam was provided Eurostar, which is launching a fifth direct weekday service on 15 December; advance return from £78pp. Onward travel to Earnewald by train and bus. Alternatively, hire a car from Leeuwarden station (greenwheels.nl). Two nights at De Ooievaar campsite from €352. For more information about De Alde Feanen national park, see np-aldefeanen.nl

Luxair, Finnair, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Loganair have already made the change with two others to follow

Passengers at one UK airport are advised to be aware of two significant changes taking effect from later this week. A number of key airlines have already mde a change to their operations at the regional airport.

Now, although Emirates and easyJet are not yet operating from Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, that will soon change. In an update to X, formerly Twitter, Manchester Airport said: “Reminder! From 19th November, all airlines, except Ryanair, will operate from Terminal 2.

“This change is part of our £1.3bn transformation programme, bringing more airlines into our upgraded terminal and improving facilities for passengers.” While Emirates departures currently take place at Terminal 1, this will switch to Terminal 2 on November 18. Meanwhile, easyJet departures will move to Terminal 2 on November 19, just one day later.

Luxair, Finnair, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, and Loganair are among the numerous other airlines that have already transferred to Manchester’s Terminal 2. Additional developments to Terminal 2 will also be occurring over the coming months.

The X update, published on November 14, continued: “Further parts of Terminal 2 will be opening over the coming months including the Great Northern Market, the airport’s first Wetherspoons pub, new shops and bars including Fever Tree, and a new pier that will allow more flights to depart from the Terminal.

“As part of our multi-million-pound investment, we’ll be expanding Terminal 3 to make use of space that will be available when Terminal 1 closes. Some new parts of Terminal 3 will open early next year, including new sports bar Sporting Chance.”

Further guidance from Manchester Airport states that ‘all airlines will contact passengers directly to confirm the details’ and staff will be available to support these arrangements. Check-in desks for Terminal 2 are located on the upper level of the Terminal.

If you’ve reserved a parking spot in Terminal 1 or 3 but your flight has been relocated to Terminal 2, the airport can transfer your reservation to the nearest parking area at no additional cost. You will need to fill in an online form to have these changes applied.

However, this is only possible if you booked parking directly through the official Manchester Airport website, including Meet & Greet or multi-storey car parks. Unfortunately, the airport cannot modify third-party bookings, so you must contact the provider directly in such cases.

For those who have reserved a lounge in Terminal 1 or 3 but are now flying from Terminal 2, the airport adds: “If you booked your lounge directly on the official Manchester Airport website, you’ll need to cancel your current booking and rebook a lounge in Terminal 2, subject to availability.

“If no availability is shown for Terminal 2 lounges, you can still cancel your original booking for a full refund. If you booked through a third-party website or provider, please contact them directly. We’re unable to make changes to third-party bookings.”

For more information, head to Manchester Airport’s website here.

Kat Smith, an American who has spent years travelling the world, has highlighted the underrated place that she loves the most and which she keeps coming back to

A seasoned traveller who has visited almost every corner of Italy has chosen an often overlooked one to be her home.

Kat Smith has be travelling the world for the past 13 years, putting down roots for short periods before moving on. The one place that has captured the American globetrotter’s heart, and where she has been living for the past two and a half years, is one that rarely receives much attention from tourists. Although that does seem to be changing.

Trieste saw its overnight stays more than double from around 700,000 in 2021 to 1.5 million in 2024, a significant increase driven by a growing number of tourists visiting the city. That compares to 29 million overnight stays in Rome last year.

“I’ve traveled Italy extensively, going to at least one new place every month since moving here in August 2023. Some cities, like Naples, Rome, and Venice, I’ve found myself returning to again and again, but I always make time to explore a new corner of Italy. I’ve traveled from the southern tip of Puglia to the northern border with Austria, making plenty of stops throughout the country and even to Sardinia,” Kat, co-founder of Mamma Mia Indeed, told the Mirror.

“One of my favorite cities is Trieste. Although still relatively unknown outside of Italy, Trieste is slowly starting to come out of its shell and get the recognition it deserves.”

Here are some of the reasons why she loves the north-eastern coastal city so much.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

It’s unique

“From the architecture to the food and even the local dialect, Trieste is like nowhere else in Italy. Here, you’ll feel closer to Vienna than to Rome when wandering the streets, particularly in the center around Piazza Unità or down grandiose Via Carducci. Sacher cakes sit in bakeries side-by-side with your typical croissants (called “brioche” here), and goulash often accompanies pasta on menus. Given the proximity to the border, road signs tend to be in both Italian and Slovenian, especially true as you explore the hillside surrounding the city center.”

It has a strong sense of identity

“When speaking with locals, especially the older generation, they tend to stress that they’re Triestino first, Italian second, paying homage to those few years after WW2 that Trieste was actually independently recognized as the Free State of Trieste. While not all are itching for those days like some are, they’re proud of their unique culture. A short anecdote to emphasis this unique history comes from my neighbor, a man in his late 70s. All born in the same area we now know as Trieste, his parents were born under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his parents-in-law in the Kingdom of Italy, him in the Free Territory of Trieste, and his wife in Italy. Although much of Italy shares a unique history and moments in time when it was independent, few have such drastic changes within the last 100 years.”

It’s a city on the water

“Trieste is built around the water, which is something I truly love about living here. Regardless of the season, you’ll find people flocking to the sea or to the coast for the daily ritual of watching the sunset over the Adriatic. It feels as though everyone who lives here is drawn to the water one way or another. Many of our neighbors own sailboats, and friends often call to walk along Barcolana (Trieste’s “beach”) for an aperitivo. We’ve also started rowing most mornings in the sea with a group of locals. The public transportation even stretches past the shore with the ferry being the best way to get around the coastline and even across in the bay in the summer. There’s nothing quite like swapping the bus for a boat, especially once you’ve gotten your first glimpse of Trieste from the water.”

It’s cut off

“Situated on the border with Slovenia, it’s just about as far away from the rest of Italy as you can get, with most towns in Slovenia and even northern Croatia a closer trip. The architecture looks more Austrian than Venetian or Roman, paying homage to the centuries spent as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today it’s a coastal city bursting with a unique culture and plenty of places to catch the sunset over the Adriatic while you enjoy your aperitivo. In the summer, you can take the public ferry around the coast, visiting smaller towns and seeing the iconic Miramare Castle from the sea. The Osmiza culture comes alive in the summer and spring, with numerous farm-to-table “restaurants” opening their doors with fresh meats, cheeses, and wines. In the winter, the city’s main square, Piazza Unità, gets into the holiday spirit, filling itself with Christmas trees and lights.”