travel

ON hearing that I was going to Malta, my grandfather insisted I check out a street in Valletta affectionately known as “The Gut”.

A quick Google search revealed that this “historically notorious” alleyway used to be the city’s premier red-light and entertainment district for British and American servicemen.

Given that Grandad was in Malta during his Navy days in the 1950s, I dread to imagine what he had in mind when suggesting I go there above anywhere else in the country.

Nevertheless, I’m glad I followed his advice because, in the 70-odd years since, it has cleaned up its act.

Located at the opening of The Gut at the time of my visit, (but now in St George’s Square) was Fifty Nine Republic, a restaurant that has featured in the Michelin Guide five years in a row.

Its head chef, Maria Sammut, is one of Malta’s greatest culinary assets — named “Best Maltese Chef” in recent years — and serves some of the finest fare in Valletta.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Her prawn tacos perfectly showcase the best of Maltese seafood — giant, juicy prawns fried in a satisfyingly crispy batter, with bright and delicate pickles elevating each mouthful — which you can enjoy in the sun of St George’s Square, opposite the opulence of the Grandmaster’s Palace.

Something I doubt my grandad did too often on his nights in the city.

It was a well-earned meal, too, after a morning spent getting to know Malta’s more adventurous side.

While the stereotypical image of a tourist in Malta may be that of an older person seeking some relaxing winter sun, there is plenty in the way of activities for holidaymakers with a penchant for getting the adrenaline pumping.

I am typically not that type of person, which I realised as I found myself dangling from a cliff face with little more than a bungee cord and a metal hook for safety, doing something called via ferrata.

It involves scrambling along precarious ledges, using fixed steel cables to ensure anyone who falls is just about kept alive.

So, instead of doing the crossword with a cuppa — my normal morning routine — I had to rely on my minimal upper body strength and uncharacteristically delicate footwork to take me from the bottom of a sheer cliff face right to the top.

As a man who struggles with vertigo, this didn’t come easily, but the impressive landscapes — rugged cliff tops and lush greenery stretching out until they met the shimmering blue sea on the horizon — made it more than worthwhile.

What’s more, I was surprised at how quickly I started to enjoy myself.

The combination of warm weather, pushing 20C in February, spectacular scenery and trying something exciting put a spring in my step — ironically, the last thing I needed as I clambered up to the summit.

Delighted to have survived, I tested my resilience further — horse riding through the countryside of Bidnija village.

Yet this turned out to be an altogether more peaceful affair, as my steed — the majestic Romeo — begrudgingly bore me on his back and clip-clopped through some tranquil and verdant scenes.

Aloe plants rose out of the ground, looking like large desert cacti, making me feel like I was in my own John Wayne movie.

I even tipped the brim of my hat to passers-by as I rode towards the sunset, thoroughly enjoying an activity I would never before have thought to try.

The same thing happened on repeat throughout my visit.

Whether it was e-bike riding along the Dingli Cliffs — the highest point on the island, with vistas stretching for miles over sapphire seas — or abseiling on Gozo, the second-largest island in the Maltese archipelago, my perceptions about what I enjoy doing were constantly being challenged.

That’s not to say I didn’t make the most of a chance to relax in the warmth, while thick grey clouds at home were refusing to let any sunlight through.

Staying at the Marriott Resort & Spa meant I could unwind after my exertions and, come early evening, I could be found on a sunbed by the outdoor pool on the 13th floor, overlooking St Julian’s Bay.

The hotel also has an indoor pool, a gym better equipped than most actual gyms, and a spa offering a range of treatments and massages, including couples’ options.

After a wind-down by the pool, evenings were spent exploring the extensive selection of bars and restaurants.

Although I couldn’t try all the highly recommended eateries, I was particularly impressed by Trattoria AD 1530.

This charming Michelin Guide restaurant is located in the fortified medieval town of Mdina, which Game Of Thrones fans will recognise as King’s Landing from series one.

It perfectly showcases the Italian influence on Maltese cuisine, with its seafood pastas particularly worth a taste.

Then there was Sole by Tarragon, which offers beautiful harbour views, locally-caught seafood and Mediterranean classics.

My advice — order the sea bass, one of their nautical-themed cocktails and the caramel and banana dessert.

I’ll just have to go back and try all the ones I missed another time. I’ll see if my grandad has any more hot tips.

Many of Spain’s major airports are set to be hit by strike action this week.

UK tourists hoping to travel to Spain for Easter sunshine should be aware that workers are set to strike at several of the country’s biggest airports.

The strikes affect ground-handling services at the airports of Barcelona, Madrid, Alicante, Palma, Ibiza, Málaga, the Canaries and more and the first of the action is set to start on Monday. The strikes are by Groundforce and Menzies workers and are a result of salary disagreements.

The Groundforce strikes had been due to start on Friday but they were delayed. However, it is believed they will now start on Monday, take place at set times of day in the mornings, afternoons and nights and continue indefinitely. Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that “there is as yet no indication as to whether there will be further suspensions of strike action”.

Menzies workers were due to have gone on strike this Saturday and Sunday. That was also suspended but 24-hour strikes from April 2 to 6 have not been called off.

Groundforce operates at Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Palma de Mallorca, Alicante, Málaga, Gran Canaria, Valencia, Ibiza, Bilbao, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Menzies operates at Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Alicante, Gran Canaria, Tenerife South and Tenerife North.

The Traveler website reports that “travellers heading to Spain over Easter face a challenging season, as walkouts by airport ground staff threaten queues, baggage delays and potential timetable disruption at some of the country’s busiest hubs”. It added that “reports indicate that the stoppages are partial rather than full shutdowns, typically concentrated in several time bands during mornings, midday and late evenings. This pattern mirrors earlier labour disputes at Madrid, where limited ground handling strikes created bottlenecks at baggage reclaim and during boarding, while flights continued to operate under minimum service rules.”

It added: “For most holidaymakers, the most visible impact of the strikes is likely to be queues and slower processing rather than mass cancellations.”

Travel and Tour World, a B2B travel publisher, says travellers “are being urged to check their flight status regularly and stay updated on the latest developments”.

Strikes not the only problem

The strike action coincides with the ongoing rollout of the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) which could cause further delays. Under this system, which has been rolling out since October and is expected to be fully operational by April 10, all travellers from the UK and other non-EU countries have to be photographed and fingerprinted at EU airports and border points.

The Telegraph reports that the Home Office and travel organisations “are advising holidaymakers to allow extra time to arrive at their destinations on both entry and exit because of predicted queues of two to four hours at busier airports”. It adds: “Delays at airports on return journeys have already led to some holidaymakers missing their planes home, even though they arrived within the required two-hour limit.”

It reported how Tenerife airport has already seen “acute delays” with one recent traveller saying on Facebook that she had spent three hours queuing in passport control, writing: “Our flight left with 15 passengers on and ditched the rest of us here in Tenerife to fend for ourselves.”

Another traveller said she had been astonished to arrive at her airport departure gate in Paris recently to find a long queue. She said: “I had entirely forgotten about the additional security checks. Only one kiosk was open, with a queue of at least 30 people, and the clock was ticking down to our flight’s departure. As we stood there, another 40 individuals joined the queue behind us, yet still, only one kiosk was operational.

“The process was painfully slow. The queue barely seemed to budge, and more people continued to join behind us. From the snippets of conversations I caught, everyone appeared as taken aback – and stressed – as I was.

“Fortunately, my partner and I had started relatively close to the front, so we managed to reach the gate just in time. As for the people behind us, I have no clue.”

easyJet said it is an ‘extraordinary circumstance’

An easyJet flight was forced to turn back and land shortly after departure today (Sunday, March 29) due to an “extraordinary circumstance”.

easyJet flight EZY439 was scheduled to depart from Glasgow at 11.50am and arrive in Jersey at 1.25pm. However, tracking data on Flightradar appears to show the aircraft turning back almost immediately following take-off. easyJet has confirmed the flight returned to the gate due to an “extraordinary circumstance”. Outlining the diversion on its website, the airline said it is “due to a crew welfare issue”.

easyJet added: “The disruption to your flight is outside of our control and is considered to be an extraordinary circumstance. We plan to refuel and continue your flight as soon as possible. Your crew will keep you up to date.”

easyJet encourages passengers to visit its website for entitlements, refund and compensation rights, and additional information. It added: “Once again we’re very sorry for the delay to your flight.”

An easyJet spokesperson said later on Sunday: “Flight EZY439 from Glasgow to Jersey on 29 March returned to Glasgow due to a cabin crew member requiring medical assistance.

“The flight landed normally in Glasgow and was met by medical services on the ground. We plan for passengers to continue their journey to Jersey later today and apologise for any inconvenience.

“The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

A pilot has revealed his one method of balancing work and family life in the industry, despite the seriously long hours and time away from home that comes with the role

It’s widely recognised that pilots work lengthy shifts and spend considerable periods away from home. While on duty, they usually work between 10-14 hours daily, encompassing flight time, briefings and taxiing, although this can stretch to 16 hours when unexpected situations arise.

Throughout the week, the schedule can become more demanding, with pilots working up to 60 hours across 7 consecutive days, averaging around 20 hours weekly in the air. While travelling to different countries constantly and experiencing the world sounds thrilling, it can prove incredibly challenging for pilots with families.

One pilot has recently shared how he successfully balanced his career with family life. During a TikTok Q&A session, Captain Steve, employed by American Airlines, outlined his approach to making it work.

Following someone sharing their ambition to become an airline pilot, they ask: “What is your advice on a work-life balance in the industry?”

Steve responds: “Well it’s like anything else if you travel, you have to balance being on the road and being home, the electronics help these days, you can FaceTime, communicate much more effectively and frequently than you did back then.”

When his children were young, the pilot succeeded in spending quality time at home while working as a reserve for the airline.

He added: “I did reserve on the airline and didn’t work as much on reserve, I’d get called a few times a month, maybe for a trip where when you’re regular line holder, you’re going to fly four or five times.

“Was it a big difference? Yeah, it was a huge difference because I got to spend more time with my kids and I still got paid as an airline pilot to be on call.”

While working as a reserve wasn’t straightforward for Steve but he “made the sacrifice”.

He went on: “There were some inconveniences with being on call as well but I made that sacrifice to be with my family so there is a way to work it up, where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

Numerous elements influence working hours. Short-haul pilots might complete 4-6 legs per day (consecutive flights). Long-haul pilots typically endure lengthier stints, such as 12-15 hours on a single extended flight.

Early starts, such as 5am, can cut into allowable duty hours owing to fatigue regulations. Between shifts, pilots must receive a minimum of 10 hours of rest, incorporating 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Passengers should act now before flights get more expensive

Passengers thinking of booking flights from the UK should book before Wednesday if they want to avoid an imminent cost increase. Air passenger duty (APD) is going up on April 1, making flights more expensive. As the duty forms part of the cost of each airline ticket, carriers say the adjustment is likely to result in higher fares on some routes, Majorca Daily Bulletin reports.

The amount of air passenger duty per person depends on several things, including ticket class and how far the country’s capital city is from the UK. The amount goes up significantly if you sit in anything but basic economy and if you fly to a country whose capital is more than 2,000 miles away from London.

Travel expert Simon Calder explains that the levy “is unique to the UK and a topic of much controversy”. He adds: “Chancellor Rachel Reeves has imposed an above-inflation increase from April 1, 2026 and one in line with the retail prices index a year after that. By the summer of 2027, a family of four flying premium economy to Orlando will pay over £1,000 in tax for leaving the UK in anything better than basic economy.”

Four different categories of destination

• UK domestic flights
• Band A: Countries where capital city is 2,000 miles or less from London — this covers all of Europe
• Band B: Capital city is 2,001-5,500 miles from London — includes most long-haul destinations
• Band C: Capital city is over 5,500 miles from London — includes Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Buenos Aires and Australia.

What are the rates?

From April 1, 2026, they will all rise to the following:

• UK domestic: £8 (economy) or £16 (anything but economy)
• Band A: £15 or £32
• Band B: £102 or £244
• Band C: £106 or £253

Before April 1, 2026 the rates are as follows:

• UK domestic: £7 or £14
• Band A: £13 or £28
• Band B: £90 or £216
• Band C: £94 or £224

So you can see, the increases are not huge but could add significant costs to the price of a holiday for a family of four to somewhere that is more than 2,000 miles away.

APD does not apply to children under 16 travelling in basic economy but is payable for all children over two travelling in premium classes.

How much APD will I pay?

A family of four with children between two and 15 will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £16 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better.
• Europe: £30 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £204 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £212 or £1,012

But a family of four with children aged 16 and over will pay the following APD from April 1, 2026:

• UK: £32 in basic economy, £64 in premium economy or better
• Europe: £60 or £128
• Most long-haul destinations: £408 or £976
• Ultra-long-haul destinations: £424 or £1,012

As you can see, the year-on-year increases are not that significant for shorter flights, but can add up more if you are taking older children on longer flights. But if you feel that you want to save every pound possible, if you get your flights booked before Wednesday then you’ll save on APD.

IN our trusty motorhome, my family and I have gone across much of Europe – but somehow never quite made it to Germany.

Perhaps that was because of my ill-fated attempts at learning ­German at school, which lasted little more than a term.

But keen to head off the beaten path, we loaded up our Bailey of Bristol Adamo XL-DL and headed for the Bavarian Alps.

Of course, there was the slight worry of “what if it’s not as good as where we usually go?”. Spoiler alert: The Bavarian Alps are brilliant.

And they are a region — and part of a culture — with so much to offer the whole family.

The drive to get there was a little longer than we are used to.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

However, much to my children’s delight, stop-off point Lech Camping coincided with a visit to Legoland Germany, providing all manner of brilliant rides and attractions.

It was also the perfect contrast to what awaited us in the mountains.

Our base was Via Claudia Camping, set on the edge of Lake Lechsee in the Allgau region, which gave us easy access to attractions and impressive views of the mountains.

But the mountains would have to wait, because first on the list was a visit to one of Germany’s most ­famous castles.

Perched dramatically on a prominent hill, and surrounded by dense pine forests, Neuschwanstein Castle is, quite simply, magical.

With its towers, turrets and whimsical balconies straight out of a fairytale, you feel Rapunzel herself would have been right at home here.

That was followed by the charming village of Oberammergau, recommended by our campsite receptionist as the best example of something truly Bavarian.

Here you get Luftlmalerei — the centuries-old tradition of painting murals on the exterior walls of houses — giving the village the air of a living storybook.

Our own tale from the village came in the most unlikely of circumstances.

Walking down a small cobbled street, we noticed a vending machine set into the wall.

Half expecting our children to request some sort of chocolate bar, we were surprised to see it wasn’t filled with the usual confectionery.

Instead, it was stuffed with every manner of German sausage imaginable.

It made shopping for dinner easy and I got to tell my joke about German sausages, which the children insist is the wurst.

Talking of silly humour, I had to giggle at the name of the mountain we were headed to for hiking: Wank (pronounced Vank).

Anyone who has hiked with younger children will know they can be fascinated by every stick, rock and oddly shaped pine cone.

So our pace was on the slow side, but it let us appreciate the beauty of the mountains that surrounded us.

Despite frequent stops to play, rest and satisfy the children’s curiosity, we eventually made it to the top and the traditional summit cross found on Alpine peaks.

Our final reminder of why we should never have left it so long to venture into Germany came courtesy of lake Eibsee, lying at the foot of Germany’s tallest peak, the mighty Zugspitze.

Not even moody skies and the threat of rain could dampen our spirits as we set off, us on foot and the children on their bikes, on the 8km trail that heads around the shore of the lake, with the glacier-clad Zugspitze towering over us.

From fairytale castles and storybook villages with sausage vending machines, to majestic mountains and alpine lakes, Bavaria had surprised us at every turn.

And as we savoured a final sunset in the mountains, it left us with one lingering question: When are we coming back to Germany?

Experts say families could save more than £100, though Ryanair disagrees

Passengers flying with Ryanair are being encouraged to follow several steps to reduce costs on their journeys, though the airline has responded by dismissing the advice as “fake news”.

Consumer champion platform Which? claimed its research revealed travellers may have been spending more than necessary. Last month, Which? suggested families could potentially save over £100 on their next Ryanair flight by simply disregarding the airline’s “recommended” fare option. When arranging a summer journey from London to Alicante for a family of four, Ryanair promoted its “Regular” fare as the “ideal” selection.

But opting for this choice would have cost £59 more than picking the “Basic” fare and adding the identical seats and luggage manually later during the booking process, Which? claimed. The article continues: “If our family decided that we could get by with four cabin bags instead of the eight included in Ryanair’s ‘Regular’ fare, then we could reduce the fare by £163 from Ryanair’s recommendation.

“The Regular fare comes with priority boarding, carry-on luggage and free standard seat selection included, but on around 30 checks over the past two years we’ve only once found it cheaper. We looked at 15 flights to a range of locations in February 2026 and only once was the Regular ticket cheaper, even if we wanted all those extras.”

Ryanair has made its feelings on Which?’s findings abundantly clear. A spokesperson for the airline told Sky News: “This is more fake news from Which? Thankfully no one reads, or takes any notice of Which’s fake recycled news articles or your spurious ‘advice’, as our traffic growth from 200 million to 208 million passengers in 2025 proves.”

THERE are plenty of beautiful islands around Greece, but you might not have heard of Andros.

It’s the second-largest island in the Cyclades and is considered to be one of the most beautiful, and underrated.

Andros has it all, with mountain landscapes, beaches with bright blue waters, lush greenery with waterfall trails, and a town classically painted in Greece‘s blue and white.

Visitors arriving by ferry will first come to Gavrio, on the northwest coast which historically was a fishing village.

Now it’s a lot busier and vibrant with plenty of tavernas, bars and hotels – however this isn’t the capital of the island.

An hour’s drive away from Gavrio is Chora, which literally means ‘main village’.

ALL IN

The CHEAPEST all-inclusive holidays in May half term – from £259pp and kids go free

EGG-CELLENT CHOICE

The cheapest all-inclusive holidays this Easter break – from just £192pp

One visitor who blogged about their recent trip named Verde as a top place to grab a bite there.

Their top tip was to taste the Miss Pink cocktail, which is a mix of champagne, lime and grapefruit.

When it comes to drinks, on Andros, you can pick up a glass of wine from €3 (£2.60).

Along with its pretty village to explore, the real gems of this island are the beaches that are dotted along the coastline.

There are beautiful beaches too with white sands and bright blue seas.

One of the most popular north of Chora is called Zorkos Beach, which is also one of the island’s biggest.

One visitor said: “One of the best beaches I have visited in general in my life! Incredible waters, clear and a very quiet place even though it has a beach bar there!”

Another added: “Zorkos beach is just fantastic! Clean water and a very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to escape and enjoy the sea without a lot of people. We will definitely visit again.”

Other popular spots include Vitali Beach on the north eastern side of the island.

The beach is always fairly empty as it’s secluded and can only be accessed by a narrow dirt track – so it’s recommended to get there by motorbike or jeep.

Another spot which has crystal clear waters is Tis Grias to Pidima Beach, which has a huge rock stack off its shore.

The beach can be reached via a dirt road and steep trail, but lots of visitors say it’s worth a visit thanks to its beautiful views.

Heading inland, one popular activity for tourists on Andros is hiking to its waterfalls.

One of the easiest trails that takes around 10-minutes is to the Pithara Waterfalls, which is dubbed a ‘hidden paradise’ in Apikia.

Visitors say there’s enough water for a small swim, along with plenty of pretty viewing points from above the falls.

For those staying on the island, some hotels cost as little as £36 per night, which you can find on Booking.com.

The Ostria Hotel & Apartments has an outdoor pool, and is a few minutes walk away from Gavrio.

On Airbnb, pretty apartments start from £67 per night.

This one in Chora is within walking distance to the sea, as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and art galleries.

When it comes to getting to the island, Brits will have to fly to Athens, which in May can be done for £25 with Ryanair.

From there, take a ferry across to the island which can be as quick as one hour with Seajets (with tickets from £30).

For more on Greek islands, one expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

RYANAIR has scrapped all flights to a popular destination often compared to Hawaii.

The low-cost airline has axed its direct service as a result of soaring airport fees.

From today – March 29, 2026 – all services to and from the Azores – which are famous for their stunning beaches and vibrant greenery – have been stopped.

The move means six different routes have been scrapped, impacting approximately 400,000 passengers who visit the islands annually.

The airline previously pointed to a 120 per cent rise in air traffic control charges and the introduction of a new travel tax as the breaking points.

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

MAGICAL TIME

I visited fairytale French region with £17 Ryanair flights – my kids loved it

SUIT UP

Tesco is selling £12 cabin case that’s £287 cheaper than Samsonite version

As costs continue to climb, the airline stated it had no choice but to move its planes to cheaper airports elsewhere in Europe.

McGuinness added: “As a direct result of these rising costs, we have been left with no alternative other than to cancel all Azores flights from 29 March 2026 onwards.”

The region – located about 950 miles from mainland Portugal – has lost direct low-fare links to London, Brussels, Lisbon and Porto.

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

British Airways still flies to the islands seasonally, with direct flights from London Heathrow to Ponta Delgada and Terceira.

A Canadian woman who moved to the UK with her partner and three children recently paid a visit to a charity shop where she noticed several differences between the stores here and in her home country

A Canadian woman currently living in the UK has shared the key differences she noticed when perusing charity shops here as opposed to the “thrift stores” in her home country.

Many people from the United States and Canada relocate to the UK and quickly come to realise that despite sharing the same language, there’s plenty of cultural quirks and differences. This seems to be the case for Jaclyn Walton, who swapped life in North America for England with her partner and their three children.

The mum has praised many aspects of life in the UK, from the school curriculum involving swimming lessons to the “beauty and history” that’s rife, as well as the football opportunities for her son.

She also spotted the different terms used commonly over here, like “sweets” instead of her native “candy” and “holiday” instead of the Canadian term, “vacation”.

Recently, Jaclyn took to Instagram to share a video of herself exploring a small charity shop here in the UK. Over the top of the footage, she narrated her thoughts: “Come with me to a British charity shop – it’s like a thrift store in Canada but here they call them charity shops as the sales help raise funds for charity.

“The differences I notice in Canada and the UK is the culture around charity shops. In the UK, it’s common, easy to pop in, take a look, and pretty normal.

“In Canada, you’re either a thrifter or you’re not. In the UK, like almost everything else, it’s smaller; these little shops with this type of selection.”

She went on: “In Canada, they have small ones like this but you also immediately think of big ones like Value Village where you have aisles and aisles upon selection.”

Back to her thoughts on UK charity shops, Jaclyn concluded: “These shops often have volunteers working here as well.”

In the comments section, Jaclyn added: “I didn’t love thrift stores in Canada but I do enjoy looking around here… maybe I just wasn’t in my thrifting era yet.

“I feel like with all the history in England, I am looking for a beautiful find.”

Fellow Instagram users were keen to share their thoughts. One said: “I think the difference in the UK is that people donate old stuff and the charity sells it for money.

“A thrift store is a kind of recycling centre where you can sell old stuff like books, which the operator cleans up and resells for a profit.”

Another said: “I never went in charity shops until I developed a book habit! I can now never resist popping int. My hometown is blessed with eight charity shops.

“One in particular is so nicely set out that you would think it is new items only. I look at clothes now and have bought some really lovely items. I’m definitely a thrifter now!”

A third commented: “You can find some really good stuff a charity shops in affluent areas. Try places like in the Cotswolds like Chipping Norton.” And a fourth added: “Love it.”

A YouTuber who moved from her home town in the USA to the UK has talked about her experiences of relocating across the pond, and how her new home treats its citizens

A woman who moved from the United States to the UK has talked about the main differences between her old life and her new life.

Mindy Hickson, who posts about her experiences on YouTube channel The Hickson Diaries, said there are seven ways in which living in the UK has provided what she describes as “the simple life”.

Mindy alluded to the fact that the way Americans have been told to live is not necessarily the only way to live. She said: “Growing up in the US we’re indoctrinated into believing that success looks like a specific set of things.”

Said things that could be suggestive of a cultural mistruth, Mindy said, included owning a massive house, two big SUVs, and a having a salary that keeps climbing

Mindy added: “We’re taught if you don’t have those things you’re failing….But honest when you step outside of the US bubble you do actually start to see exactly what they mean when Europeans say things like, ‘Americans are rich in things, but extremely poor in time’.”

Mindy noted that she feels like the UK offers a safety net for people who have suffered through struggles in their lives.

In the first of her seven comparisons, she said that in the USA, there’s “this low level background of anxiety that hums in your brain 24/7. It’s the fear that one bad day…it can take away everything that you’ve built”.

Whilst Mindy acknowledged the NHS isn’t perfect, she concluded: “Nobody here in the UK is losing their house because they got sick.”

Mindy then compared isolation in the USA to the UK’s community spirit, explaining the concept of spaces where Britons could exist without spending a lot of money. She said the UK has “places where you can just exist around other people without having to spend a lot of money, pay a cover charge or have an over abundance of stimulation”.

When it came to the workplace, Mindy said she felt that the UK doesn’t weaponise productivity in the same way, and that employers have greater respect for allowing people to rest after finishing work for the day. In contrast, she said that having a break in the USA is often seen as a “weakness”.

Mindy’s fourth piece of evidence that the “simple life” in the UK is better than that of the USA is due to dignity in ageing.

She pointed out that the UK tends to look after its retirees and pensioners better by giving them things such as free bus passes to help them get around major cities.

Fifth on her list was the food. Mindy touched on how food is much less processed in the UK. She also said there is a different mentality, that eating well doesn’t mean eating more, but meant eating high quality food instead.

Mindy additionally praised the UK as she feels Britons make more thoughtful purchasing choices.

She said this is because companies don’t deliver products every two hours, and that the UK system forces people to be “more intentional” about their choices. As a result, Mindy said she’s stopped buying things “just to fill a void”.

Mindy’s final and seventh statement she felt supported her claim that UK citizens have a better way of life came down to safety.

Whilst the UK is not bereft of crime, she talked about how she felt less anxious, that she didn’t have to check the exits as she walked into a building or venue, and that she felt less on edge.

I’m on a tram on Vienna’s Ringstrasse as towering facades, columns, statues and domes drift past, each more ornate than the last. Here, the State Opera; there, the Austrian parliament, built in the Greek neoclassical style.

As I gawp, I shove cake in my mouth. After all, Vienna isn’t just the city of music, or lavish architecture. Thanks, in part, to its centuries-old coffeehouse culture, it’s also one of Europe’s finest pastry destinations. Cake (or more precisely, torte, kuchen or Mehlspeisen) has its own day here – “Sweet Friday”, the most delicious of Catholic customs, when meat dishes are replaced with sweets. I have been introduced to it via the medium of Marillenknödel – apricot dumplings.

It’s my first visit to Vienna, my boyfriend Wolfi’s home city. The priority is checking out the old neighbourhood and making a good first impression on his granny. Always keen to fit in, I have identified the national obsession and offered to test Austria’s most famous cake: Sachertorte.

According to legend, it was created in Vienna in 1832 by the 16-year-old apprentice chef Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich. It went on to great acclaim and sparked a decade-long cake war.

In the 1950s, the Hotel Sacher and Demel pastry shop battled over the torte’s trademark, thanks to Franz’s son Eduard, who had refined the recipe while working at the Demel, then offered it on the menu when he opened the Hotel Sacher in 1876.

In 1963, an out-of-court agreement stipulated that the Sacher could market their version – with a layer of apricot jam below the icing and another between the sponges – as the original. The Demel could market theirs as the “Eduard-Sacher-Torte” – featuring one layer of apricot jam below the icing. A big fight about jam, for good reason.

These days, Sachertorte is often decried as dry and overhyped for tourists. Blame that on infantile modern tastes – overindulgent “death by chocolate”, endless cronut-style hybridisations. I’m a fan of the Sachertorte: dark chocolate sponge covered in fondant, tangy apricot jam, whipped cream on the side. It has no need to shout. But is it just for tourists? As I ponder, a call comes from Wolfi’s gran, inviting us for Sunday lunch.

Anna, 82, a Klimt devotee and string enthusiast (she played in her youth), is Vienna born and bred. “For dessert,” she announces, “Sachertorte.” It is a local cake! I’m swiftly corrected. “It’s not a cake! A torte is a torte.” Immediately recognising her superior judging potential, I recruit Anna into my testing team.

First stop is Stephansplatz, with its stunning gothic cathedral. Nearby is the unmissable Aïda shopfront, a riot of pink. It is billed as the world’s first coffee shop chain. Inside, there’s neon-pink lettering on pink walls, pink lighting, staff dressed head-to-toe in pink. The atmosphere is chaotic – a group of Germans complain about seating and Wolfi manages to lose a euro in the pay turnstile to the loos.

We opt for takeaway. The torte, unforgivably, comes without cream (€1 extra, in a pink pot). We retreat to the shadow of Stephansdom. Smooth chocolate icing, jammy layers. Looks good. I bite. The sponge is … dense. I’m glad of the cream. It’s on the dry side. Anna concurs: “The pores are too close and small.”
€6.10 (takeaway), 4.5/10

The smell of Kaiserschmarrn (pancake) is strong in the bustling Demel patisserie and the queue snakes up the stairs to the cafe. It’s going to be another takeaway. I’m disappointed to find creased icing on the torte, but happier on first bite. It’s far superior to Aïda – moist, with a fruity tang. I look again. What I see is shocking. Two layers of apricot jam, one under the icing and one in the middle! What’s going on? I check Demel’s website. “A thin layer of apricot jam sandwiched between two layers and beneath the chocolate glaze.”

Evidently, they have updated their recipe. I hope I don’t spark a sticky lawsuit because I don’t blame them: the extra jam is welcome. “It’s a bit too sweet,” Anna counters. “The cake is not fluffy or airy enough,” she concludes, severely.
€8 (takeaway), 5.5/10

We are swept to a snug booth in an elegant panelled room, all 1920s mirrors and Thonet chairs. The room design muffles chatter, but snatches of Viennese dialect indicate plenty of locals. Snowflakes fall prettily outside the window.

We order Melange (for the sake of argument, a cappuccino) and one Sachertorte. “With three spoons,” the waiter offers, “if the ladies will allow.” I’d heard Viennese waiters were renowned for perfectly honed sarcasm and slight disdain; I wasn’t expecting next-level charm. These guys have a timeless quality, like smooth magicians – utterly hypnotic.

The coffee comes in dainty porcelain and I focus on the (“lactose free”) torte. A wee bit thin on the jam, but the fondant is thick and fudgey, with a decent sponge. I browse newspapers on the old Zeitungshalter (traditional wooden paper rack), trying not to be influenced by my surroundings – and then get giddy in my marking.
€8.10, 8.5/10

Coffeehouse culture has evolved through this social enterprise – a “granny cafe” set up to combat loneliness and supplement the pensions of senior bakers. Genius. These places have been taken to the city’s heart, judging by the stream of fashionable youngsters coming through the doors. It’s lively, with a cosy retro vibe.

But forget the feelgood factor; we’re here to judge their “Sachertorte master”, Mr Johannes, 72. Things start well when Wolfi declares the Melange the best he’s had in Vienna. Now to the torte. Oh my. It delivers and then some. The apricot jam is fairly oozing, the chocolate icing almost caramel-like with a velvety sheen (made with untraditional-but-delicious butter and cream). It’s one of four he baked fresh today. A delicious bargain!
€6, 8/10

Across from the beautiful Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), Hotel Sacher is as plush as you’d hope: red velvet, white marble, gold relief. Tourists queue in the cold to get in (book to avoid this fate). The handsome torte arrives complete with seal. The thickest-yet layer of chocolate fondant holds everything nicely in place. Orderly. An excellent balance of fruity jam and rich sponge that also manages to be light.

The internet is awash with complaints that the Sacher’s torte is dry. I can’t agree, but agree it’s overpriced. “More airy than all the rest,” declares Anna. “With every bite,” she proclaims, “we know we are in the Sacher.” We chat about the archduke Otto von Habsburg wandering the hotel naked at the turn of the 20th century. Lots of history; lavish surroundings; technically, the best torte we’ve tried (one of 1,000 produced daily) – but something is lacking. I miss the heart of the Vollpension and old-world elegance of the Landtmann.
€10.50, 8/10

An anonymous family member (it’s Auntie Linda!) tips me off to a budget option “better than Hotel Sacher’s” that’s available in the supermarket. Nothing beats an underdog winning the taste test, so we thaw out this frozen Sachertorte in anticipation. Not this time. But it’s good. Fruity and moist, decent ganache. More chocolate cake than Sachertorte, I’d venture, but a highly competitive price point.
About €1 a slice, 5.5/10

New research reveals exactly what youngsters would do if they were involved in planning a holiday – and they now have the chance to make it come true

If kids were in charge on holiday they would eat dessert before mains, go treasure hunting – and have a giant water fight. A poll of 1,000 children aged 6-12 revealed their ideal getaway, which would include eating three ice creams a day, using bikes or scooters as their go-to form of transport and playing board games every night.

One in five would play hide and seek with their family, 14% would indulge in a pyjama day and 40% would spend all day in the pool. When it comes to locations, 93% of youngsters want to stay at a holiday park, with 72% of them saying they are fun places with lots of activities to keep them entertained.

The study was commissioned by Sykes Holiday Cottages, which has unveiled a competition to appoint two youngsters as its resident Directors of Fun, created to place kids at the centre of holiday planning.

The playful job ad specifies entrants must be spontaneous, have a big imagination and bring enthusiasm to every day, and applicants can share their perfect holiday itineraries until 30th April 2026 to win the chance to make them come true.

James Shaw, spokesperson for the staycation specialist said: “It’s always interesting to see what kids would do if they were in charge of the whole holiday – and it turns out it would be pretty fun for everyone else too.

“While there’s plenty of excitement around things like unlimited ice cream and activities, what really stands out is how much they value simply spending time together.

“That’s why we wanted to bring children back into the heart of holiday planning with this competition, recognising that their ideas of a great break are often less about packed schedules and more about being with the people around them.”

Over half (51%) of the youngsters surveyed said their favourite aspect of being on holiday was spending time with family and for over a third (35%) it’s meeting other kids their age.

Eight out of ten confessed they’d like to take control of a family holiday, with leading the way in order to do the activities they want (63%), instructing their relatives what to do (41%) and feeling like an adult (40%) the top three reasons.

The research via OnePoll.com also discovered 19% feel like holiday parks are a home away from home, with popular forms of entertainment such as swimming, adventure playgrounds and arcade games making it ideal accommodation.

James Shaw added: “Holidays should give families the chance to properly switch off, reconnect and enjoy shared experiences all in one place.

“What’s striking is how much children value the freedom to shape their own days – whether that’s choosing activities, exploring, or just having unstructured time to play.

“That’s where settings like holiday parks come into their own, offering a mix of flexibility and variety that lets every family member make the most of their time away.”

THE TOP 10 THINGS KIDS WOULD DO ON HOLIDAY IF THEY WERE IN CHARGE:

1. Eat ice cream everyday
2. Spend all day in the pool
3. Have a giant water fight
4. Ride bikes or scooters everywhere
5. Play hide and seek with my family
6. Go on a treasure hunt
7. Have a midnight feast
8. Eat dessert before dinner
9. Stay up late playing board games every night
10. Have a pyjama day

I dropped in on a bustling village that fringes a busy roundabout – and every corner leads you to beautiful green spaces

While I thoroughly enjoy residing in the city of Plymouth, I equally relish the opportunity to regularly escape the hustle and bustle to find somewhere I’m enveloped by woodland and birdsong. I recently discovered a destination offering respite from urban life – and it’s an ideal “traditional” location with several thriving independent retailers alongside excellent walks and scenery.

Being based in Plymouth means I’m generally spoilt for choice when it comes to escaping the concrete and cobbles of city life. Within easy reach is the South West Coast Path, stunning beaches or coves, plus numerous other small towns and villages to discover in the rest of Devon or neighbouring Cornwall.

I recently paid a visit to a village situated right on Plymouth’s edge, and it’s an underrated treasure of a destination. Yelverton, particularly the Yelverton Roundabout area, is straightforward to reach (I travelled there by bus) and it boasts a flourishing collection of shops plus beautiful countryside in every direction.

This well-loved village sits on the outskirts of the city. I appreciated the journey, travelling through Plymouth, then, abruptly, the urban landscape was left behind, giving way to Roborough Down.

After crossing the heath, golden with gorse and scattered with Dartmoor ponies, you encounter the Yelverton Roundabout – and this spot even has its own Facebook page with more than 7,000 followers, reports Plymouth Live.

Now, having spent several hours there, I can understand why it’s so beloved. Yelverton village has preserved its village character despite housing developments emerging around it over the years.

The locals were welcoming, and the independent shops and businesses offer something truly special, including a proper butcher’s, a deli, a cafe, a gift shop, and plenty more. Even the Post Office is packed with useful and intriguing items.

There’s also a classic red telephone box still standing at Yelverton Roundabout, directly across from the picturesque church on the green.

My first stop was the Dartmoor Bakery, a brief stroll from the roundabout over at Leg O Mutton Corner on Roborough Down.

I sampled a savoury swirl with honey-garlic roasted tomatoes and brie, and it was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed it while sitting on a bench that was “erected in 1968” by the Yelverton District Residents Association, in “memory of Winston Churchill”.

Afterwards, I wandered across to the shops and green space beside the roundabout, where I chatted with three residents, Belinda Gardiner and husband-and-wife duo Ian and Liz Marshall.

Ian revealed there’s a “thriving set of shops” around the Yelverton Roundabout, and while they’ve “changed over the years” they remain all “really well used”.

The three residents reflected that overall, though, since the 1980s, the area has altered “very little” despite there being “more cars” and a “few more surrounding houses”.

“We’ve also lost two pubs”, Ian noted, “the Leg O Mutton pub and the Devon Tors hotel are gone, but we still have The Rock Inn, which is great and well used”. The three residents described it as a marvellous place to call home, boasting abundant wildlife, including owls and bats, excellent walking and cycling trails, alongside “a reliable bus route” connecting passengers to Plymouth or Tavistock every 20 minutes.

I then ventured into Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery and Meatbox, a sizeable independent establishment offering an impressive selection of locally-sourced meats.

Behind the counter, a staff member was preparing some particularly appetising-looking pasties, and I was also delighted to discover a vegetable stall within the premises.

I chatted with proprietor Richard Hearn, aged 40, who has practised butchery for over two decades. He’s also a devoted local and “sixth-generation” farmer’s son.

Richard shared: “I love it, the customers, the trade, I wouldn’t do anything else, it’s what I know. We push the local side of things, purchasing a lot of the meat from a farm in Meavy.

“I first worked here aged 22, then eventually started it up as my own business, the customers are fab, friendly and smiley – and it’s a slower pace of life here than Plymouth.”

Equally flourishing enterprises neighbour Hearn’s Dartmoor Butchery, including the highly-rated gift shop, Cards and Moor, characterised as a “beautiful shop full of treasures” by patrons.

I stopped by for a browse, and it’s certainly brimming with charming gifts, cards and some delightful-looking Easter goodies. I’ll undoubtedly remember these Yelverton retailers when I need to purchase a birthday present or another gift.

Residents informed me that this thriving cluster of shops is “getting busier”, and everyone I encountered was courteous and welcoming, with the area buzzing with activity.

Another outstanding shop, The Larder Yelverton, is an absolute must-visit if you find yourself in the area, offering a selection of unique cheeses, Cornwall-made pottery, and much more. I can’t wait to return.

Henry Smith, aged 46, is one of the proprietors of The Larder Yelverton, the deli which opened its doors in September 2020. Since then, the distinctive store has proved a hit, with its cheese selection proving particularly popular amongst locals and visitors alike.

Henry told me: “It’s a nice area to live and work in, it’s the people, and it’s so great to see the community supporting all the shops here.

“We have a lot of regulars along with walkers, cyclists, visitors and people on holiday – we even had a celebrity visit the shop yesterday.

“The only slight issue is parking and traffic flow in the area at times, but it’s great that it’s free to park for up to 2 hours at the Yelverton Roundabout.”

Debra Dewinne was enjoying lunch at another flourishing establishment in the same location, Scarlet’s Kitchen. Having relocated to the area a few years ago, Debra spoke highly of the local bus service, while acknowledging that traffic congestion can occasionally pose a problem in Yelverton.

“The car park is always full”, she said, “but it’s a sign that the shops are well supported here”.

Nearby, you’ll also find Ochre Hair Lounge, The Rock Inn and a host of other independent businesses at The Rock Complex on Dousland Road, just a short stroll from the other shops.

Despite being a modest cluster of shops and businesses, it’s undeniably a flourishing area; Yelverton Roundabout has almost everything you could need, it’s fair to say.

Also speaking to us was parish councillor and local resident Alastair Cunningham, an Independent Councillor on West Devon Borough Council representing Buckland Monachorum Ward.

On the subjects of parking, planning notices and traffic concerns, he said: “Our parish council meetings are open to anyone local; if people have any issues or problems they’d like to discuss, they can come along.”

Cllr Alastair noted that notices of these meetings are displayed on the noticeboard next to the red telephone box.

He went on to say: “It’s a good area to live in, there’s a lot of community, and the village halls and businesses are thriving here. The people and the shops are great; people tend to pick up their litter here, but we also have volunteer litter pickers.

“The butchers transformed the area, and we’re really lucky to have the community we’ve got in Yelverton. It’s a unique and traditional area.”

Travellers are being caught out by new rules at certain UK airports, as people are reminded to check their airport’s regulations before flying to prevent upset and delays

As the cold, bleak winter drags on, many Brits are counting down the days until they can jet off on their summer holidays. But a major new airport rule change is catching some travellers off guard – and starting their trips with unnecessary stress when they realise they’ve got it wrong.

As of January, passengers flying from certain UK airports can now carry up to two litres of liquids in their hand luggage, replacing the long-standing 100ml limit, thanks to new CT scanners. In a statement, Heathrow Airport said: “Passengers travelling through all terminals at Heathrow no longer need to remove liquids or electronics from their hand luggage, or juggle plastic bags at security.

“The UK’s hub has become the largest airport in the world to fully roll out next-generation CT (computed tomography) security scanners – a move that promises faster queues, less stress and a smoother start to journeys for millions of travellers.”

UK airports that have ditched the 100ml rule

• Belfast International
• Belfast City
• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Edinburgh
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow

However, the change has not been rolled out across every airport – with many still sticking to the 100ml rule and requiring liquids to be removed and placed in clear plastic bags.

UK airports still enforcing the 100ml rule

• Aberdeen
• Bournemouth
• Cardiff
• East Midlands
• Glasgow International
• Glasgow Prestwick
• Inverness
• Isle of Man
• Leeds Bradford
• Liverpool
• Luton
• London City Airport
• Manchester
• Newcastle
• Newquay
• Norwich
• Southampton
• Southend
• Stansted
• Teesside

Exemptions still apply for essential medicines, baby food, and milk, as well as special dietary requirements.

Travellers are being urged to check their departure airport’s rules before flying – especially ahead of the busy Easter holidays – to avoid delays or having items confiscated at security.

Reacting to the change, one traveller flying from Gatwick Airport wrote on Reddit: “Makes the journey just that little bit less stressful. Leave everything in your bag – laptop too.”

Another added: “Edinburgh is the same, which is really handy.”

A third explained: “This is because a new generation of scanners is being rolled out that allows more liquids and means you don’t have to remove laptops – but only a few airports have them so far.”

However, not everyone is convinced.

One user said: “This change is useless until all major airports follow suit. It’s fine on the way out, but if your return airport still has the old rules, you end up throwing things away. It also causes confusion, especially when different London airports have different rules. It should be all or nothing.”

Another added: “I’ve been travelling with just carry-on for years now and wouldn’t go back. There’s something freeing about not carrying full-size toiletries when you only need a small amount.”

Thick, black smoke rose from Kuwait International Airport Saturday after suspected Iranian drone strikes damaged radar systems and fuel storage facilities, state media said. No fatalities were reported. The airport has been repeatedly targeted since the US-Israeli war on Iran erupted.

A ribbon may seem like the easy choice to help you find your bag among a sea of luggage, but one airport worker says there’s a reason why this hack isn’t recommended. Here’s what you can do instead.

If you were to rank the most stressful parts of flying, then finding your luggage at the carousel would no doubt come near the top.

You wait and wait for the luggage belt to start up, and once it does, there’s a huge rush of people grabbing their cases, many of which look strikingly similar. That’s why there are so many hacks out there to help you ensure your suitcase stands out from the dozens of others on the conveyor.

A common hack is to take a colourful piece of ribbon and tie it around a handle, which means when it’s coming down the belt, you can spot it among the other similarly coloured cases.

However, according to one airport worker, using this hack with ribbon, string, or any other dangly item could be a bad idea, and could even delay your luggage pickup even further.

John, who works at Dublin Airport, previously spoke to RSVPLive about why travellers should avoid the hack, saying: “Ribbons that people tie onto their suitcases to help identify them can cause issues with the bag being scanned in the baggage hall.

“If the bag can’t be scanned automatically it can end up in manual processing, which could mean your bag doesn’t make it to the flight”.

As well as interfering with scanning systems, ribbons and other items can also get stuck in the conveyor belt’s machinery, which means the entire carousel could automatically come to a stop, delaying everybody’s bags.

Old airline stickers and tags from previous flights can also cause issues according to John. Machines may not know which barcode to scan, causing delays, or it could even mean your luggage is sent to the wrong destination.

If you want to personalise your case to make it stand out from the crowd, use a colourful luggage strap, add some coloured tape around a handle, or add a distinctive sticker so you can spot it on the carousel.

Luggage covers are another option for checked bags. These covers slip over your suitcase and are available in bright colours and prints, or even personalised options. As a bonus, these covers can help to protect the exterior of your case from damage when being handled. You can also opt for waterproof covers, so if your luggage is left on a trolley in the rain or is close to a leak, the contents won’t be damaged.

READ MORE: Latest Portugal travel advice for Brits after Foreign Office updateREAD MORE: Coastal city with azure waters less than 3 hours from UK has £13 flights and 21C in April

Airport workers have also warned that the colour of the case that you choose is important. Black suitcases are the most common choice for travellers, but they’re the most likely to be lost or stolen .

Finding a black suitcase can also be incredibly difficult. Many lost property offices will be full of suitcases of the exact same type and colour, making it less likely you’ll be reunited with your bag.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

More and more Gen Zs and Millennials are hiring UK holiday homes in order to dress up together, away from the scrutiny of their parents, partners and society at large

“It’s difficult playing at your house. You’re trying to get in the mood to slay a vampire, and then someone’s boyfriend comes in to get a snack.”

It’s a problem we’ve all had. Or at least, those of us who are among the growing number of British Dungeons and Dragons players who are swapping sunbeds in Lanzarote for a cottage in the Lake District, and trading their piña colada for a couple of D4s and an orc costume.

Driven by “cosy crime” hits such as The Traitors and Agatha Christie adaptations, one in four Brits and half of Gen Z have booked a staycation specifically to host a murder mystery, games night, or TV-themed weekend with friends or family, according to an exclusive cottages.com study.

An early adopter of this trend is young Millennial Georgia Johnson, who has just celebrated a decade of leaving the boyfriends behind in London and heading to somewhere secluded to roll dice.

“We’ve been to Valencia twice, a place in Kent, a friend’s house in Bath and up to the Lake District,” the North London DnD player explained.

For Georgia and her costume-clad pals, getting away from it all really helps to set the mood.

“One time, we knew we were going to have a fortune telling, so we put out loads of tarot cards and dice and had a candlelit session,” she explained.

“Cottages.com has spooky castles and chapels you can stay in, and a button that shows you a nearby pub. Generally, you get up, DnD, have lunch at a pub, come back, more DnD, then around midnight it can get a bit silly and hazy. At the moment, we are playing Curse of Strahd, which is modelled on Dracula. We are hoping to go to Whitby to finish the game. We want candles lit and spooky music.”

For the uninitiated, it’d be easy to overlook the ubiquity of role-playing games like DnD, or consign them to the ‘80s fad bin’ only recently revived by a starring role in Stranger Things.

In fact, they’ve been growing in popularity for years and continue to reach new peaks. 52 years after its invention, DnD has 13.7 million active players. One study suggests that interest in tabletop role-playing games has increased by roughly 85% since 2020. This purple patch extends to Nottingham-based Warhammer, which was worth £4.7bn at the end of 2024.

For many gentler souls, such games are a fantastic way of expressing oneself creatively. Among Georgia’s clan is Ben, an office worker during the week who dons a moustache and becomes “officer of the post” Derbert Clifton-Brown at the weekend.

He is joined by creative Kash, who has purchased ears specifically designed for people of colour, and Oliver, who likes to paint himself green.

Before the crew started travelling to play, Georgia’s mum walked in on them in the act. “She said she would’ve rather found us having an orgy,” the 33-year-old said.

Another great RPG lover is James Mackenzie-Thorpe. Not only has he travelled across the UK to enjoy weekend sessions with his friends, but he has also brought dozens of DnDers to a unique tourist attraction.

“My first day working at Kents Caverns I heard some colleagues talking DnD. I asked if I could play, but there was no work group. Later on, I woke up from a dream and thought I should write an adventure set in the caves. So I wrote it and played it with a group of five, in the caves. It went really well. Then another group. Then we decided to do it for the public. Now, for three years, I’ve run DnD in the cave for the general public,” James explained.

Kents Caverns are a network of prehistoric caves in Torquay, Devon, that lie beneath the hotel that inspired Fawlty Towers. James takes tours by day and hosts quests by night.

And he puts a lot of effort into it, paying for maps to be professionally painted and bringing rechargeable lanterns to light up the skull-lined caves.

“It’s been a tremendous amount of fun. You never know what you’re going to get with each group. We’ve had people travelling from Cornwall and Somerset. One group had been playing with each other online during Covid. They had never met in real life before they came and played with me in the caves. They booked an Airbnb and stayed together,” he said.

For James, the real joy of DnD comes in seeing people express themselves freely, which traveling to a cottage or heading underground can help some do.

“We have a young member who has been four or five times to play in the caves. They’re non-binary and are just starting to come to terms with that. To see everyone really take that person in hand, to really help that person come out of their shell, it makes me really proud,” he said.

CHANNEL Springwatch and immerse yourself in a nature reserve, says writer Mia Lyndon.

THE PAD

You’ll be able to call kingfishers, cranes and thousands of other beautiful birds your neighbours here.

Tucked inside Slimbridge Wetland Centre, just half an hour’s drive south of Gloucester, are five shepherd’s huts, each with their own pond and mini wetland, and sleeping between two and four people.

We spotted rabbits and foxes from our snug digs among the 100 acres of lush landscape, plus every hut is kitted out with a vintage-style oven, waterfall shower (with excellent water pressure, FYI) and spacious decking.

Owl-shaped curtain hooks and a cuddly mallard doorstop only add to the charm.

EXPLORE

Make the most of your unlimited access to the wetland centre and feed wildfowl on Swan Lake, before bobbing along on an hour-long canoe tour, £10 per person, to get closer to diving ducks and water voles.

HUT STUFF

The luxe Oxfordshire glamping site with a Scandi-inspired spa and nearby vineyard

HOBBIT HOLE

Live like a Hobbit in this cosy glamping lodge

Or hunt down egrets, stalks and grass snakes with the help of friendly driver Chris on a Wildlife Safari – £5 per adult, £3.50 per child (wwt.org.uk).

Find yet more stunning views at Miserden Gardens and wander past elegant topiary, lush fruit trees and herds of roaming deer in this exquisite 17th-century walled garden. Entry costs £12 and under-16s are free (Miserden.org).

Meanwhile, thronging with vibrant indie stores, quaint Stroud is a short drive away.

Pop into the buzzy Malthouse Collective for two storeys of vintage clothes, hand-poured candles and fab local art (Themalthousecollective.co.uk), then hit Made In Stroud for pretty pottery and jewellery (Madeinstroud.co.uk).

Alongside a sweet miniature railway, Stroud’s Stratford Park is home to the Museum In The Park – check out local artefacts, oil paintings and even a Gloucestershire Stegosaur fossil. Entry is free (Museuminthepark.org.uk).

REFUEL

Hunker down with a tasty (and very generous) Full Monty English brekkie, £13, at The Tudor Arms, which sits beside the Gloucester And Sharpness Canal and is just a 10-minute stroll from your bed (Thetudorarms.co.uk).

For a laid-back yet impressive dinner, hike over to The George Inn for dishes such as succulent venison steak with chocolate and red wine sauce, £25, followed by tangy home-made blackcurrant and orange cheesecake, £7 (Quality-inns.co.uk).

Or gaze across rolling valleys at The Bell Inn at Selsley, while tucking into fluffy smoked Hereford cheese croquette, £19, and warming cinnamon milk pie, £9.

Don’t miss the Romanian Calusari white, £6.50 a glass – it’s zippy, fresh and absolutely delicious (Thebellinnselsley.com).

Elsewhere, there are cosy cafes aplenty in Stroud, but the irresistible ginger and date crumble cake, £3.90, at buzzy Woodruffs helps it reign supreme (Woodruffsorganiccafe.co.uk).

Book it

Stays for two at Warblers’ Meadow, Slimbridge, cost from £150 per night (wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge).

CORNWALL isn’t short of cracking coastal escapes, but the newly-renovated Pedn Olva is a step above the rest, not just because of its rooms but its excellent pub grub, too,

Here’s everything you need to know.

Where is Pedn Olva?

Its name translates to Lookout on the Headland in old Cornish – a rather accurate description of its perch, a craggy cliff several metres above the choppy St Ives sea in Cornwall.

Guests can park for free in a nearby car park above the hotel – they will need to collect a slip to display in their car window from the hotel reception. 

What’s it like?

Inspired by the windswept patch of coast it sits on, Pedn Olva in Cornwall has buckets of coastal character.

It’s first and foremost a cosy St Austell Brewery pub, but the 27 boutique rooms mean you can hunker down for the night. 

Read more on hotel reviews

BUNK UP

Inside the UK’s ‘most haunted building’ – a £50m Cornwall hotel opening in February

SEA YOU THERE

The Sun’s favourite hotels, holiday parks, cottages & campsites in Cornwall

Each of them looks as if they have been carved into the rockface, all with views of the ocean and the flickering lights of the town centre a short distance across the water.

What are the rooms like?

Extremely well thought out.

A property can look sleek and stylish but if the basics haven’t been mastered then everything else becomes redundant – that’s certainly not the case here. 

There’s every tea imaginable from camomile to berry and decaf, while USB ports have been conveniently placed next to the bed and hooks on the walls make efficient use of the cosy space.

Next time I’ll be bringing my dog who can stay in selected rooms for an extra £15 per night.

What is there to eat and drink?

The restaurant is a popular dining spot in its own right.

Classic by-the-sea dishes star on the menu such as golden ale and chilli pickled cockles and grilled buttery scallops, served in their shells.

I jazzed up my classic fish and chips by swapping out the chunky fries for Pedn Olva’s famous crabby fries, which come with hunks of white crab meat and a thermidor sauce.

Wash it down with a local ale and make sure to try the chocolate and stout cheesecake – subtly bitter and indulgently creamy.

What else is there to do?

Superb, friendly service is what takes this place a notch above the rest.

All rooms come with a large and sturdy tote bag that guests can take with them for the day, while an in-room mini telescope meant that I could take advantage of our seafront position and gaze up at the stars.

You won’t be short of ideas for days out with the family and the dog in this patch of Cornwall

How much is Pedn Olva?

Rooms cost from £200 per night on a B&B basis. 

Is Pedn Olva family-friendly?

Most of the rooms sleep just two, but there is a family room that sleeps four.

The hotel’s great locations makes it ideal for a family break and there’s a fair distance between the restaurant area and rooms meaning you’re unlikely to get disturbed at night.

Is there access for guests with disabilities?

Due to Pedn Olva’s cliffside perch, mobility issues are likely to struggle.

The car park is only reachable via a set of stairs and the higgledy piggledy nature of the building means guests may find it challenging getting into and out of some rooms.

Looking for a place to stay? For more hotel inspiration click here.

AS a veteran showbiz reporter, I’m used to free- flowing champagne, egomaniacal celebrities and all-round general excess.

So who knew a Caribbean cruise could beat any A-lister party?

Drawing back the curtains every morning, before me was a beautiful new backdrop. Different every day, and every day seemingly more stunning. No need for Instagram filters.

Not even Paul Daniels in his prime could have mustered up such magic.
Stepping aboard the 5,200-guest Arvia as a cruise virgin, I really did not know what to expect.

Yet absolutely everything on board this P&O Cruises ship — don’t, whatever you do, call it a “big boat” as I did — confounded all expectations.

I had thought, wrongly, I’d be the youngest onboard. How foolish of me.

SHIP SHAPE

F1 fans turn race weekend into luxury cruise holiday without breaking the bank

CRUISE CONTROL

Royal Caribbean ‘cancels multiple scheduled cruises for 2027’

From singletons enjoying rum-tasting at 11am to older couples, married 55 years and still finding conversational titbits over the lunch table, my gang included a 22-year-old influencer and a 57-year-old rocker in the shape of Blur’s Alex James (who played a stunning sundowner set one evening).

Also on board were more than 2,000 crew. Which goes some way to explaining the pristine levels of both cleanliness and hospitality.

Each cabin is serviced with a personal “butler” who caters for any whim.

With 30 bars and restaurants on board, endless shops, a gym, spin studio, spa, cinema, four pools and an uber-cool jazz club, you could spend a year on board and yet not repeat the same day twice.

Arvia is also utterly vast.

My Garmin watch tells me I average 15,000 steps a day simply from milling around, getting lost and exploring. On the days we moored up, this rocketed to well over 20,000

The whole mooring bit, naturally, being the very point of a cruise. So after landing in Barbados, we sailed overnight and I awoke in Martinique.

Here, we jumped in a taxi and drove 50 minutes to a Club Med hotel for a day of sunbathing at the picturesque beach club.

Surrounded by turquoise seas and an Insta-worthy backdrop — certainly the influencers among us including ex-Towie star Lydia Bright and MIC’s Ollie Locke were very happy — we enjoyed a rosé-fuelled lunch.

That evening we had dinner at one of the speciality restaurants, Keel and Cow.

The elevated gastro-pub diner may cost a little extra but it is just a little — from £3.50 for a starter of potted chicken and bacon rillette to a melt-in-the-mouth fillet steak for £15.50 that came with chunky chips, onion rings, grilled mushroom and tomato, roasted garlic and an iceberg lettuce wedge with sour cream and bacon crumb — and was well worth the extra cost.

The next morning, I rise early to check the gym. With machines overlooking the gently rolling Caribbean seas, treadmill running, for once, becomes a pleasure, not a pain.

It has everything one might need, plus a full timetable of classes ranging from stretching and Pilates to spin and weights.

As anyone who knows me knows, breakfast is very important to me. I judge places by their fast-breaking offerings. Thankfully, breakfast thrilled.

The Horizon buffet had all the options for a quick brekkie and you could enjoy table service in the main Meridian and Zenith dining rooms.

But it was the 6th Street Diner, an American-themed eatery, that nailed the breakfast brief (think waffles, over-easy eggs, bacon and maple syrup, washed down with endless coffee.)

While there are plenty of included options for dining, it was great to have such a choice if you wanted to spend a little extra. There’s even an extensive room service menu that offers a club sandwich for about £4.

Another joy was sailing around the Caribbean but still only paying in pounds onboard for everything from a beauty must-have in the shops to a drink at the bar.

The biggest jolt of the week, however, came as I went to log on to the wi-fi for the week — £150! Apparently it’s something to do with satellites and lots of other technical jargon, but with my day job kicking off — thank you, Brooklyn Beckham — I had no option but to log in.

Thankfully, P&O offers some great options to buy all-inclusive packages in advance that cost from £49 a day. The Classic includes alcoholic and soft drinks as well as essential wi-fi for browsing and credit towards speciality dining depending on the length of your cruise.

The Deluxe includes a wider range of posh spirits, craft beers and cocktails as well as fast wi-fi for streaming and video calls plus enhanced dining credit.

I’ll know better on my next cruise.

Our next port of call was St Kitts and after we sailed in admiring its verdant hills, off I trotted on a catamaran excursion.

What a day. The pinnacle to the most incredible day’s sailing — one accompanied by a banging Nineties soundtrack and copious amounts of champagne — was a spot of snorkelling before a lobster salad lunch.

That evening we had an incredible dinner at Epicurean, the ship’s fine-dining eatery.

After another day at sea, it was time for another highlight: a speedboat to private island White Bay, off the British Virgin Islands – the stuff of Robinson Crusoe dreams. I really did feel like I’d stepped out on to a movie set.

The Sunset bar proved my favourite way to unwind after another busy-busy day of sunbathing, eating, drinking and experiencing all the tropical delights of the Caribbean.

Forget those red carpets — you can give me a blue sea all day long.