travel

Londoners can save more money on weekend breaks to five popular UK cities by opting for one particular method of transport over the train, new research has revealed

New research has revealed that anyone travelling from London to five UK cities can save up to £48 per journey, simply by making their journey via coach instead of the train.

The study, conducted by minibus and coach hire company SMC Coach Hire, analysed travel costs from the capital city to major UK destinations, comparing ticket prices against total mileage to identify where passengers are facing the most expensive rail fares.

The research showed Cardiff as the prime location for making travel savings. While a train journey from London Victoria to the Welsh capital costs an average of £61.39, the equivalent coach journey is just £13.35, a staggering saving of £48.04.

At just 10p per mile, opting to travel by coach offers a fraction of the rail cost for the 131-mile trip.

The top 5 best value routes

The North and Scotland also showed significant disparities, with long-distance travellers set to gain the most from making the journey on a coach:

1. Cardiff: £48.04 saving (£13.35 coach vs £61.39 train)
2. Aberdeen: £47.69 saving (£47.80 coach vs £95.49 train)
3. Leicester: £41.74 saving (£7.35 coach vs £49.09 train)
4. Glasgow: £37.34 saving (£39.45 coach vs £76.79 train)
5. Newcastle: £26.79 saving (£19.50 coach vs £46.29 train

However, distance doesn’t always have a direct impact on the savings. Leicester, one of the shortest routes on the list at just 89 miles, ranked third for total savings. Passengers can make the journey for as little as £7.35 by coach, compared to nearly £50 via rail.

1. Cardiff – train price to London – £61.39, train per mile – £0.47, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 131.33, price difference – £48.04
2. Aberdeen – train price to London – £95.49, train per mile – £0.24, coach price to London – £47.80, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 398.15, price difference – £47.69
3. Leicester – train price to London – £49.09, train per mile – £0.55, coach price to London – £7.35, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 89.38, price difference – £41.74
4. Glasgow – train price to London – £76.79, train per mile – £0.22, coach price to London – £39.45, coach per mile – £0.11, approx distance (miles) 345.20, price difference – £37.34
5. Newcastle – train price to London – £46.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £19.50, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 247.73, price difference – £26.79
6. Derby – train price to London – £38.19, train per mile – £0.34, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 113.09, price difference – £26.34
7. Bristol – train price to London – £37.99, train per mile – £0.36, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 106.38, price difference – £24.64
8. Leeds – train price to London – £43.89, train per mile – £0.26, coach price to London – £21.30, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 169.47, price difference – £22.59
9. Nottingham – train price to London – £35.89, train per mile – £0.33, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 109.35, price difference – £22.54
10. Brighton and Hove – train price to London – £24.69, train per mile – £0.53, coach price to London – £5.40, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 46.89, price difference – £19.29
11. Manchester – train price to London – £31.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £12.75, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 163.22, price difference – £18.54
12. Liverpool – train price to London – £30.19, train per mile – £0.17, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.07, approx distance (miles) 178.62, price difference – £18.34

Stephen Chesters, Director at SMC Coach Hire said: “With the cost of living still a major concern for many, these figures highlight just how much ‘rail tax’ people are paying for their commute or weekend breaks.

“Choosing the road over the rail isn’t just about the journey; it’s about keeping nearly £50 extra in your pocket. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for Valentine’s or looking ahead to a half-term break for the family, coach travel is a great alternative to save some money.”

Feb. 9 (UPI) — The fuel shortage in Cuba began to simultaneously impact air transportation and tourism after an international aviation alert reported that Havana’s José Martí airport will not have fuel for one month.

The government also began to close hotels and relocate tourists as part of an emergency plan in the face of one of the worst energy crises in the island’s history, worsened by the end of oil shipments from Venezuela and pressure from the government of Donald Trump on crude oil supplies.

An operational notice from the international NOTAM system Sunday confirmed that Havana’s José Martí international airport will not have Jet A-1 fuel, the standard for commercial aviation, for one month between Tuesday and March 11, digital outlet CiberCuba reported.

The notification not only warns of the fuel shortage, but also of temporary limitations in landing aid systems, in addition to the inoperability of the runway visual range system, which is used to measure visibility when weather conditions are unfavorable.

The restriction is not limited to the capital. Similar notifications indicate fuel shortages at the country’s nine other airports.

Aviation authorities warned airlines that reserves could run out within a short period if supplies are not restored.

The measure compromises commercial, charter, cargo and executive aviation flights, and forces companies to arrive with extra fuel, make refueling stopovers in other countries or reschedule operations, reported Cuba Noticias 360.

This situation contrasts with recent statements by Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, who had said operations at ports and airports remain guaranteed.

So far, international airlines have not communicated how they will deal with the contingency.

The impact is projected directly on tourism, the island’s main source of foreign currency.

Cancellations, delays and reduced air connectivity threaten the arrival of visitors from key markets such as Canada, Russia and Europe, in a context in which traveler confidence already shows signs of deterioration.

According to official figures, the arrival of international tourists to Cuba fell to 1.8 million in 2025, 17.8% less than in 2024. The result fell well short of the government target of 2.6 million visitors and marked one of the lowest records in more than two decades.

The energy crisis has as its backdrop the interruption of oil supplies from Venezuela, the island’s main supplier, following the capture of Nicolas Maduro.

This was compounded by the recent decision of the United States to declare a national emergency regarding Cuba and warn that it could impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to the Caribbean nation, in an escalation of pressure that has further complicated Havana’s access to fuel.

In parallel with the airport problem, the government has begun to close hotels in key tourist destinations and relocating foreign guests. The measure is part of an emergency plan to reduce energy consumption and reorganize facilities.

At least eight hotels closed in Cuba’s main tourist destinations and their clients are being relocated to other resorts amid the worsening national crisis and the shortage of fuel and supplies, Diario de Cuba confirmed from the island.

The hotel closures are occurring in the middle of the high season but amid travel advisories over the deterioration of internal conditions. The reduction of flights, energy uncertainty and hotel reorganization add pressure to an industry that is strategic for the Cuban economy.

Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga said on state television that the executive branch “has designed a plan in tourism to reduce energy consumption, compact tourist facilities and take advantage of the high season,” digital outlet Cuba LLama reported.

Sources from the sector indicated that destinations such as Varadero and the northern cays concentrate much of these measures, where international chains operate.

Authorities are maintaining an emergency plan that includes broader energy restrictions, a reduction of state activities and measures to manage available fuel.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Thursday he was willing to initiate a negotiation process “without pressure” with the United States to help economic difficulties facing the island.

He acknowledged that the lack of Venezuelan oil has placed the country in a “complex” energy situation, affecting not only electricity generation, but also the population’s basic economic activities.

While the United States has sent more than $5.95 million in humanitarian aid managed by the Catholic Church, a measure criticized by Havana because of its “grossly opportunistic political purposes,” it has insisted on the blockade regarding hydrocarbons.

Meanwhile, countries have sent assistance. China was behind a financial package of about $81 million and a food shipment of 60,000 tons of rice in January. Mexico, sent two Navy vessels Sunday loaded with 800 tons of humanitarian aid.

A MAJOR new safari park could be coming to the East Midlands.

The “ambitious” planning proposal would see bears, wolves, and even lynxes arriving to a 1,000-acre woodland.

Wild Rutland Partnership hopes to open a new nature conservation and wildlife park in Rutland, near Leicester.

If given the green light, Wild Rutland would house Eurasian brown bears, lynxes and wolves inside holding pens, with animal lovers able to see the mammals from various different viewing platforms.

The proposed safari park would be built on a huge site stretching from Burley Wood to Oakham bypass.

A barn already on the land is expected to be refurbished to house small reptiles and insects.

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Plus, Wild Rutland is also seeking approval of its Visitor Village.

This would consist of a main reception area with a shop, a café, a restaurant, an indoor play area, as well as an education and exhibition building.

There will also be 22 self-catering guest lodges and a communal dining area for visitors who wish to stay the night.

A decision by the council is expected to be made in May.

CEO of Wild Rutland, Hugh Vere Nicoll, said: “Wild Rutland aspires to be an exemplar model of conservation-led ecological-tourism – one that restores heritage landscapes, reconnects people with nature and sets a benchmark for sustainable land management in the UK.

“Wild Rutland is driven by a team with a deep knowledge and respect for the site and the local area, working with experts in the fields of restoration, conservation, education, tourism, attraction development and management.”

Wetherspoons opened its first pub outside the UK and Ireland at Alicante Airport on Monday morning, and Mirror News food editor Joe Rintel was there to sample the menu and prices

Anyone familiar with Benidorm will tell you it’s Continental Europe’s undisputed capital of British cuisine.

Stroll along the strip and you’ll encounter more Full English breakfasts and Sunday roasts than you could possibly tackle during a week-long break. This fine tradition of potatoes and gravy continues at Alicante Airport, where the first Wetherspoons beyond UK and Irish shores welcomed its inaugural customers on Monday morning.

I witnessed the historic moment as the first punters crossed the threshold, with Daz Sunderland becoming the maiden paying customer to savour a pint of lager. Dubbed Castell de Santa Bàrbera after a neighbouring mountain fortress, the establishment features several gestures towards its Spanish setting, including bilingual menus, a ‘Spanish tortilla’ offering, and multilingual staff who switch effortlessly between languages.

However, it remains unmistakably British at heart. The menu predominantly features quintessential British fare, accompanied by pints of Stella and tins of Old Speckled Hen.

Here’s a sample of what’s available (prices in euros):

Beer

Five beers are available on draught. As this Spoons is more compact than typical UK high street branches, tap capacity is restricted. Consequently, there’s no ale – just lager. This makes perfect sense given Alicante’s typically balmy climate.

The draught selections include:

• Cruzcampo Especial 4.95
• Amstel Original 5.95
• Stella Artois 5.95
• Guinness 7.50
• Leffe Blonde 7.95

Wine

Where else at an airport can you secure a glass of wine for barely more than £3? You’d struggle to locate cheaper 125ml servings of the fermented grape anywhere else across Europe.

• Viña Lobera Verdejo Ecológico 3.65
• Cune Rueda 4.95
• Viña Real Rosado 6.75

Mixers

Regarding spirits and mixers, Spanish Spoons operates a fixed-price structure (except for certain premium selections). It charges €6.95 for 25ml with a mixer, and €9.95 for a double. This includes:

• Beverly peach liqueur
• Disaronno amaretto
• Malibu
• Southern Comfort
• Gordon’s
• Gordon’s Pink Gin
• Tanqueray
• Tanqueray Flor de Sevilla
• Bacardi Carta Blanca
• Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold

On the drinks front, there’s one notable absence. The establishment doesn’t provide complimentary tap water; instead, customers are directed to buy bottled water.

For those who adore Spoons’ grub, you’re in for a treat. The menu features several Spanish touches, though largely consists of familiar British favourites. Here’s a sample of what’s available:

Breakfast

• Traditional breakfast: Fried egg, bacon, Lincolnshire sausage, baked beans, two hash browns, slice of toast 10.25
• Small breakfast: Fried egg, bacon, Lincolnshire sausage, baked beans, hash brown 8.25
• Large vegetarian breakfast; Two fried eggs, three vegan sausages, baked beans, three hash browns, portobello mushrooms, tomato, two slices of toast 12.95
• Vegetarian breakfast: Fried egg, two vegan sausages, baked beans, two hash browns, portobello mushrooms, tomato, slice of toast
• Small vegetarian breakfast: Fried egg, vegan sausage, baked beans, hash brown, tomato 10.25
• Scrambled egg on toast 5.95
• Beans on toast 4.95
• Vegan beans on toast 4.95
• Vegan spread, white bloomer toast
• Two slices of toast with butter and jam 450 kcal 3.95
• Fresh fruit and yoghurt 7.95

Small plates

• Broken eggs 10.95
• Garlic prawns 12.45
• Spanish tortilla 4.95
• Nachos 10.95
• Bowl of chips 4.95
• Bowl of chips with curry sauce 6.95
• Cheesy chips 6.95
• Loaded chips 9.95
• Burgers
• Classic beef burger 12.95
• Classic cheeseburger 13.95
• Breaded chicken breast 12.95
• Crunchy chicken strip burger 12.95
• Korean crunchy chicken strip burger 12.95
• Vegetarian burger 12.95
• Chicken dishes
• All-day brunch 12.95
• Vegetarian all-day brunch 12.95
• Sausages, chips and beans 11.95
• Vegan sausages, chips and beans 11.95

What do you think goes in a classic English fry-up? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

It’s crazy how often this happens.

It’s a stunning yet treacherous stretch of coastline where cars and motorhomes are routinely hauled from the waves after becoming partially or fully submerged. Over the past four decades, local farmer Dafydd Davies says he has repeatedly deployed his John Deere tractor to rescue vehicles from the infamous Traeth y Graig Ddu (Black Rock Sands).

His dedication to saving stranded vehicles stems from his own harrowing experience 40 years ago. In 1980, whilst working on a new silage pit at his farm, he endured a horrific accident with a JCB bucket loader that left him trapped against a concrete septic tank.

“I lost my eye but I was very lucky I didn’t lose my life,” he told North Wales Live. The traumatic experience heightened his awareness of potential hazards and sparked a determination to give back to the community, including offering his land for air ambulance landings.

“That incident made me much more aware of risks – even now I can sense accidents about to happen. It also made me want to give something back to the community – I volunteered my land for air ambulance landings,” he said.

This sense of responsibility also led him nearly a decade ago to assume the role of beach guardian at the beach in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, one of the few beaches where driving is allowed. Extracting cars from the advancing tide or liberating them from soft dune sands has traditionally been a job for local farmers, and when the previous guardian retired, Dafydd enthusiastically volunteered.

Vehicle owners sometimes react swiftly enough that their cars and motorhomes can be rescued. However, on occasion, all Dafydd can manage is to recover the ruined vehicle to avoid an environmental disaster.

Sometimes, his wife Kathryn, a former nurse, takes the hit from such episodes, such as when a pink VW campervan was consumed in 2020. The van and its transporter, taken to the beach for a 1970s-themed photo session, were devoured by a rapidly advancing tide after becoming trapped in the sand.

“I always remember the date – September 14 – as it’s my wife’s birthday,” Dafydd recalled. “I’d booked a meal at a restaurant but my mobile rang and we had to go to the beach instead. I usually get there in 18 minutes but by the time we arrived, it was too late – the tide was coming in too fast. Instead, I drove the tractor to the restaurant, had a meal, then I went back to the beach. It was around 2am when I finally got home.”

The devastated owner, from Cheshire, put losses at £60,000.

During a typical summer, approximately six to 10 vehicles meet their fate on the Gwynedd beach. However, it’s believed up to 30 cars and motorhomes required rescue last year in 2025, as the beach is hugely popular and amongst the few where motorists can drive their vehicles onto the sand.

Locals are familiar with the unpredictable character of a shoreline whose tempting shallow waters are ideal for bathing and aquatic pursuits yet conceal a lurking danger for unsuspecting drivers. The very characteristic that renders the beach perfect for recreational activities – its gradual incline – also creates a hazard by allowing tides to rush in rapidly.

But visitors are less familiar with the dangers. And while there are plenty of warnings displayed on the beach regarding the possible dangers, they cannot be positioned where motorists typically park at low tide close to the waterline. Those who pay for parking are given a leaflet outlining tide schedules and beach safety guidance, including recommendations on parking and even details about weeverfish.

“But it’s human nature, they don’t read the leaflets or look at the signs, and they park where they want. If the tide is high in the morning, all the cars park higher up the beach and, if the sand is dry and soft, that’s when people need pulling from the dunes,” said Dafydd.

The problem intensifies when the tide retreats and the more compact sand tempts motorists to travel further out, only to be taken by surprise when the sea returns. “However when the tide is out and the sand is harder, that’s when people park further out. Before they know it, the sea is coming in.”

During sweltering weekends, you could see 1,000 cars or more scattered across the beach, as well as queues extending more than half a mile back into Morfa Bychan village, essentially transforming the beach into a vast improvised parking area. Last year, the council began shutting the beach gate at 8pm, theoretically reducing late-evening rescues, though this didn’t always work as intended.

One one occasion, Dafydd was preparing to attend a wedding reception: “We were dressed and just about to go out the door to a wedding party. I drove to the beach while my wife went to the party alone. A family from Birmingham were stuck on the beach. As they reported it quickly, I was able to save their car – they were very grateful – and I made it to the party by 9pm. Only once the clock ticks past 8pm during the summer can I finally relax.”

Recent years have introduced a new complication to Dafydd’s coastal rescue work: the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) poses a significantly more difficult challenge than recovering conventional petrol cars.

“Electric vehicles are so much heavier because of their batteries,” he explained. “You take a basic Honda EV – it weights 2.2 tonnes. Not only do they sink further into the sand, it requires more power and traction to pull them out.”

Nevertheless, like numerous farmers, Dafydd feels he has a duty to support his local community. Some clear snow from roads, whilst others rescue motorists stranded by flooding.

“I enjoy it,” said Dafydd. “I like the idea of giving something back. My son, Owain, who works with me on the farm, has done a couple of beach jobs, which means I can now get away for a day if I need to. But not for too long – helping others gives me great satisfaction.”

With a palace, a castle and ancient volcano all within visiting distance of each other – it’s no wonder this Scottish city has been voted as the UK’s number for a break

The UK’s best city break has been revealed, and it’s famous for its beautiful buildings, historic castle, and even Harry Potter links.

From historic streets, to cultural spectacles, to iconic landmarks, scenic views or vibrant food scenes, the UK has a fantastic range of amazing cities for travellers to choose from but Sykes Cottages has revealed some of the highlights across the nation after a study revealed that 49 per cent of Brits choose cities for their top five breaks.

Edinburgh, which is also hailed as the UK’s most walkable city, took the top spot in the rankings. This bright and bustling city seamlessly combines the historic and the modern with Edinburgh Castle, one of the oldest fortified places in Europe, and Holyrood Palace, the official Scottish residence of the monarch originally built as an Abbey in 1128 connected by the Royal Mile, the historic spine of Edinburgh’s Old Town and the city’s world-famous Fringe Festival, one of the greatest celebrations of modern art and culture in the world.

As well as hosting the Fringe, Edinburgh is also the city where J.K Rowling lived when she was writing the Harry Potter books and people can visit The Elephant House café which is where the legendary wizard was first created.

There’s a wide array of accommodation too whether you’re looking for cosy holiday cottages or cheap hotels, although it’s worth noting that some popular seasons such as the Fringe can see prices surge in some areas.

Best UK holiday cottage deals

From £27 per night

Sykes Cottages

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Sykes Cottages offers a wide range of handpicked holiday homes across the UK and Ireland, from cosy countryside retreats to stunning coastal escapes. Prices start from £27 per night

For major Harry Potter enthusiasts, the city also offers a Harry Potter Magical Guided Walking Tour which allows people to explore Edinburgh through the lens of Harry Potter.

With storytelling, the written word and art and culture playing such a prominent part in the city, its contributions were recognised in 2004 when it became the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.

Visitors can wander through the city’s cobbled streets and take in its incredible architecture and street designs, or hike up to Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the amazing views from atop the ancient volcano.

Calton Hill is also a must visit and is included in the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The panoramic skyline views from the hill are renowned and pictures taken from there are regularly used in photographs or paintings of the city. The hill features the neoclassical landmarks including the National Monument, Nelson’s Monument and the Dugald Stewart Monument.

One reviewer of the city said: “Absolutely love Edinburgh, amazing city! So many gorgeous restaurants and cafes, lots of different vibes but I love the laid-back café culture Edinburgh does so well. Arthur’s Seat is great to climb and has gorgeous views across the city.”

Another said: “Edinburgh is a fantastic place to visit – the Royal Mile and the Castle are definitely worth a visit and there are some spectacular bars and restaurants that we thoroughly enjoyed.”

Do you think Edinburgh is the UK’s best city break? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

From the vast sandy surf beaches of the Gower to the peaks of Eryri national park (Snowdonia), Wales has no shortage of world-class natural attractions. But we’d love to hear about some of your favourite under-the-radar discoveries, whether it be a perfect hiking or biking trail, an intriguing small museum or attraction, or just an unexpected diversion which turned into the highlight of your trip.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 16 February at 10am GMT

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

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WE took three hard-boiled eggs from the hotel breakfast bar – two made it safely to the Innsbruck’s bobsled track in Austria.

The third egg sadly exploded in a runny mess in my youngest son’s pocket.

I’m pretty sure you know where this is going – the Jamaica bobsleigh team kissed a “lucky egg” before hitting the ice in Cool Runnings.

So of course we had to do the same before hopping in a four-man “taxi bob” for the craziest minute of our lives.

Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s bobsleigh time.

Innsbruck is one of the fastest tracks on the IBSF World Cup calendar, featuring a wild 360-degree bend – one of only four in the world – and an even wilder left-right-left labyrinth section reaching up to 75mph and 4.6g.

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Let’s just say bobsleigh athletes are a special breed.

The thing is, YOU can experience it too.

A pro driver and a brake man will take two guests down the full Olympic track at a cost of €119 (£103.56) per person.

It’s all over in a minute but it’s totally worth it, a huge shot of adrenaline that’s right up there with driving a Formula 1 car.

Another really cool experience is the Innsbruck ski jump just down the road.

This time only as a spectator, the views from the Bergisel SKY restaurant at the top of the jump are incredible and you might get lucky and see some Austrian Eddie The Eagles in full flight mode.

Innsbruck was just a 30-minute train ride from our base up in the mountains in Seefeld.

This small, friendly ski town is one of my favourite places in the world.

It has five sunny slopes for all abilities, cross-country skiing tracks, ski schools, rental shops and free ski buses that take you all around the local area.

The brilliant tourist office at seefeld.com will help you find accommodation to suit your budget and suggest a lot of things to do when you’re not on the piste.

We went tobogganing at Hammermoosalm – free bus, short hike, coffee, grab a toboggan (£6.96) and go.

We also went on a torchlit walk (£12.18) through a forest in Mosern and even made full use of the outdoor heated pool at the Olympic wellness centre.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants in the town, plus market stalls serving locally-sourced honey glühwein and raclette (who doesn’t love melted cheese) and other traditional Austrian treats.

Taking the family on a ski holiday doesn’t need to break the bank.

We bought our ski gear from Lidl, booked easyJet flights from Manchester to Innsbruck, and grabbed lunch most days from the local supermarket.

That gave us the budget for a cheeky Radler (beer and grapefruit) half way down the Rosshuette ski run.

Then another Radler at the igloo-shaped apres-ski bar at the bottom.

My family will never forget that bobsled run, the views from the ski jump, the winter wonderland that is Seefeld, and the runny egg.

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The popular bar divides people on whether it is a good place to drink or not, so we’ve put it to the test – and found there was more to the area than just pubs

It seems to divide opinion like Marmite – to go or no go drinking in Temple Bar when in Dublin. The area is full of pubs keen to sell you drinks, especially Guinness, but at the highest prices in the city edging towards ten Euros for a pint.

On arriving in Dublin I was lucky enough to attend a connoisseurs session at the Guinness Storehouse and Morgan, our man serving us up a variety of VIP pints was clear to avoid Temple Bar.

“You don’t need to be going there,” he said, clear that it was a bit of a tourist trap. Most importantly, for him, that also meant it was not serving the best Guinness in the city. Morgan favoured pubs like The Lord Edward in the Liberties area and The Long Hall in the heart of the city centre. Over the river from Temple Bar, The Cobblestone is a great pub renowned for its traditional music too.

However Dublin tour guide Mary Phelan says whilst it should not be the only place you see in the city, there is no harm in going to Temple Bar for some drinks or at the very least a stroll. “Why not go and see it even if its just strolling the main street which brings you up towards Christ church,” she said.

Highlighting one pub on the edges if the area which is excellent and unusually named, she added: “Darkey Kelly’s is there too on Fishamble Street and bit less crowded than the rest. They do food and have some music. The Palace Bar is an original pub on Fleet St associated with writers and journalists as The Independent and The Irish Times newspapers used to be nearby.”

“There’s also the IFI (film institute)and you might like to see the area during the day. Merchants Arch brings you over Halfpenny Bridge and they also have an Icon Walk which is a wall giving you some info on writers and public figures.”

Temple Bar has been popular long before the pubs arrived. The Vikings set up camp there back in 795 AD, and the remains of their original defences can be found at Dublin Castle nearby.

The name of the area comes from British diplomat Sir William Temple who built a grand residence and gardens there in the early 1600s. After that the name stuck and so Temple Bar was born.

Officially the Temple Bar area is the square on the south bank of the River Liffey with streets shooting off in all directions and some narrow laneways taking you back out onto the river. By day it is less rowdy as Mary mentioned and there are boutiques and cafes which are busy as well as the pubs.

You also have Meeting House Square which has a stage for occasional screenings, and a weekly food market on Saturdays. It is surrounded by The National Photographic Archive and The Gallery of Photography (both free entry), and the Irish Film Institute.

But in truth it is in the nighttime the area comes to life, especially at the weekends. Temple Bar has the highest density of pubs of any area in Dublin, so there will be a buzz that many tourists will like and be happy to pay a premium for.

Live music and singalongs will be the norm and It will be lively, my message would be to also go further afield, it will be more authentic, better beer and also a lot cheaper.

For more information on visiting Dublin you can go to ireland.com

FEBRUARY seems to be flying past already, with both Valentine’s Day and the start of the school half-term holidays this week meaning lots of themed and kid-friendly events.

Whether you are in a couple or solo, you can head off to a number for Valentine’s Day-related events.

And as the kids get excited for time off school, there are activities you can take them to for free.

Together Through Art, London

From February 10 to 14, Mall Galleries in London will be hosting Together Through Art.

The exhibition aims to show work that helps keep families together when they need it the most.

Over 100 artists are part of the exhibition, including illustrator Emma Bridgewater.

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The art at the exhibition can also be purchased with any money raised going to Homes from Home, which helps families with critically ill children to stay together.

Fylde Ice Festival in Lytham, Lancashire

This Valentine’s Day, you could head to the Fylde Ice Festival.

Found in Clifton Square, the festival features ice sculptures to marvel at and visitors can test out their own ice-carving skills on the ice carving wall.

There will also be live ice carving demonstrations.

Half-term at The Harris in Preston, Lancashire

This weekend marks the first weekend of half-term for many schools across the UK.

And The Harris in Preston will be hosting a number of activities for free.

There will be chemistry sessions, Lego workshops and visits to Planetariums.

There will also be a museum and gallery trail for children over nine-years-old, which is a “creative mission designed to help them chat and look at artwork in fun new ways”.

Chain of Hope, London

Also in London, at the Saatchi Gallery from February 11 to 15, you can visit the Chain of Hope – Share your Heart exhibition.

The exhibition focuses on the connection between art, humanity and compassion.

In total, the exhibition features over 70-heart-themed artworks that have been donated to support children born with congenital heart disease.

The art is also available for purchase, with pieces by famous figures including Olivia Colman, Alison Hammond, Mel B and Shaggy.

Enchanted Realms Week at Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood, Lancashire

From Valentine’s Day, visitors can step into an enchanted world to meet the K-pop Demon Hunters with unicorns, a Mystic Hunters Trail and opportunity to create a heart-shaped biscuit at a Cupid’s Cookie Workshop.

You can park at Affinity Lancashire – which has 40 shops and outlets – for free and dogs are welcome too.

There’s also a free indoor soft play centre for the under five-year-olds.

London Card Show

From February 13 to 15, the London Card Show – Europe‘s biggest card event – will be at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher.

The event will have 1,000 tables with around two million cards including sports cards, retro gaming, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and more.

There will be live interviews too, unboxings, raffles and kids’ activities.

Linlithgow Family Adventure, West Lothian, Scotland

This Wednesday, February 11, between 10am and 12pm visitors can attend a hands-on outdoor session for children five-year-old and over.

During the session, you will explore Linlithgow Loch and Peel as well as learn about the area’s wildlife and history.

Valentines Mingle at Dogs Trust Loughborough

Over in Loughborough, from 10am to 12pm on February 13, you can meet some of the dogs from Dogs Trust Loughborough.

The event will be full of fellow dog lovers too so a great chance to make friends with the same interest.

There will also be tea, cake and a raffle.

You can also head to a coffee morning at Dogs Trust Snetterton in Norwich on the same day between 10am to 12:30pm.

Vintage Valentine’s Day Card Making, Norwich

From 4:30pm to 6pm, on February 14, you can head to the American Library Archive in Norwich to create a 1940s inspired Valentine’s Day card.

Think love letters and vintage-style drawings.

All supplies are included and the activity is for those aged 10 and over.

Hong Kong Lunar New Year Market 2026, Manchester

This Saturday and Sunday, you can head to Manchester’s Hong Kong Lunar New Year Market 2026 which celebrates Hong Kong culture.

The family-friendly event has over 130 stalls and 20 live performances, with handmade decorations and games, short-film screenings and guided tours.

Birmingham Light Festival

From February 12 to 15, you can visit Birmingham Light Festival with different illuminated artworks and a number of special events.

This year marks the second year the festival has run and it will take over streets, squares and a number of public spaces in the city.

Live events include fire performances, music performed by a metal band and a silent disco.

For more things to do, here are the top 15 UK attractions for 2025.

Plus, the best-rated activities in London for families – with rooms from £18.50pp a night.

Parkdean Resorts have revealed some of the UK’s best holiday destinations and the top spot goes to a resort that’s full of beautiful beaches, independent shops and more

As Brits search for something fun to look forward to amongst the damp and drizzly that has defined the start of this year, a recent study has revealed over two-fifths (44%) are planning a UK holiday this year.

With staycations proving increasingly popular with people, Parkdean Resorts has named the seaside resort of Porthcawl in Bridgend, Wales as the best holiday destination for 2026.

Known for its excellent water quality, range of activities – including the world’s largest Elvis festival – and variety of cafés, restaurants and independent shops, this nostalgic and friendly town offers the quintessential seaside stay.

Porthcawl has seven distinctive beaches ranging from popular sandy spots to rocky coves. Rest Bay and Trecco Bay are Blue Flag beaches and popular with surfers and water sport enthusiasts. Pink Bay has unique marbled pink rocks and for a more secluded, sandy option Sker beach is the one for you.

The town has something for everyone with adventure offerings at its new Watersports Centre and its renowned Royal Porthcawl Golf Club, typical seaside activities including funfair rides and ice cream on its seafront Esplande or quiet sunsets at its seafront cafes.

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On the harbour is the RNLI station and Wales’ oldest listed bonded warehouse, the Jennings Building, which is now a bustling waterside spot with cafes and restaurants.

And for those with a little more spring in their step and shake in their hips, Porthcawl also hosts the annual Porthcawl Elvis Festival which is widely recognised as the world’s largest Elvis festival and brings tens of thousands of fans of The King and hundreds of tribute acts to the town for a weekend of competitions, shows and celebrations.

One reviewer of the festival said: “Elvis Festival Porthcawl was exactly what it said on the tin – a glorious, chaotic, slightly aft, love-in for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The town went full Elvis, the fans bought the fire and the tributes acts delivered from start to finish.”

Andy Edge, Chief Marketing Officer at Parkdean Resorts, which has a holiday park in Porthcawl, said that nostalgia is playing a major part in the holiday decision making of families this year.

He said: “Nostalgia has been a key theme for 2026 already and our data suggests travel is reflecting this too. This year we’re seeing a real resurgence in some of Britain’s most loved coastal and countryside locations with travellers gravitating towards places like Porthcawl, Cayton Bay and Poole. These towns offer the perfect balance of traditional seaside charm, beautiful surroundings and easy accessibility – all key factors for people planning a staycation this year.”

He added: “For families, the best holidays are all about balance, somewhere with plenty of entertainment to keep everyone busy but relaxing enough for all to recharge. Popular seaside destinations such as Newquay, Torquay, and Porthcawl continue to be firm favourites thanks to their beaches, attractions and family-friendly activities. These locations are ideal for making memories together, whether that’s beach days, coastal walks or classic arcade fun.”

Jet2 and Ryanair have similar policies

Certain passengers flying with Ryanair and Jet2 will need an extra document to board their flights, according to similar terms and conditions published on both airlines’ websites.

NHS guidance states that most women can fly safely “well into their pregnancy, with the proper precautions such as travel insurance”. And travellers are urged to “make sure your travel insurance covers you for any eventuality, such as pregnancy-related medical care during labour, premature birth and the cost of changing the date of your return trip if you go into labour.”

While airlines typically adopt similar positions regarding pregnant passengers at different stages, each carrier has its own specific guidance. For instance, beyond a particular point in pregnancy, women travelling with Ryanair and Jet2 must provide medical documentation – or they risk being denied boarding.

Ryanair’s guidance states that “you may fly up to 28 weeks of pregnancy” and once the 28-week mark is reached “you will need to carry a completed ‘fit to fly’ letter from your doctor/midwife”. Its website further explains: “If you have a single pregnancy, travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 36th week of your pregnancy; For a twin/triplet pregnancy, a ‘fit to fly’ letter is required between 28-32 weeks, and travel is not permitted beyond the end of the 32nd week of pregnancy.

“If you have any doubts about your suitability to fly or if you have had any complications while pregnant, please consult your doctor before booking your flights.”

Jet2 has a similar policy, and information on its website reads: “We are not able to carry expectant mothers after: the end of the 35th week of pregnancy in the case of a single pregnancy; or – the end of the 33rd week of pregnancy in the case of multiple pregnancies (for example twins).

“After the end of the 27th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers must provide us with a doctor’s certificate confirming their stage of pregnancy and that they are fit to fly, failing which we reserve the right to refuse carriage. This certificate needs to be dated within 7 days of the outbound date of travel and 16 days of the inbound date of travel.”

Elsewhere, easyJet advice suggests that “you are able to travel until quite late into your pregnancy” but adds: “If you have experienced any complications during your pregnancy, you should consult your medical practitioner before flying with us.

“You can travel up to the end of the 35th week for single pregnancies. If you are expecting more than one baby you can travel up to the end of the 32nd week”.

IF the bright blue waters and white sands of the Maldives are a little out of reach, then apparently you should head to Scotland instead.

The archipelago of Orkney happens to be one of Lorraine Kelly’s favourite holiday destinations, and even compared it to far-flung hotspots.

Talking to The Times, Lorraine Kelly revealed: “One of my favourite places is Orkney, where I’ve been going annually since 1985 and I still haven’t seen everything.

“It’s fascinating if you’re interested in prehistory, with Skara Brae — a stone neolithic settlement — Maeshowe tombs and wonderful ancient sites.”

She added: “I hosted the opening ceremony of the Orkney International Island Games last year and the sun shone like it was the Maldives.

“You need to pack your bikini and a balaclava. It can be sunshine in the morning and snow in the afternoon but it’s beautiful and I would live there in a heartbeat.”

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Orkney is an archipelago of around 70 islands and scattered across them are some incredible Maldives-like beaches.

Some of the top ones are Rackwick Bay on the north west of the island of Hoy.

The beach is surrounded by cliffs and heathery hills – and on the beach is fine sand and boulders.

The island of Sanday is known for extensive white sand with popular beaches including Backaskaill Bay and Whitemill Bay.

Another of the islands, Stronsay, is known for its quiet, untouched coastline with one of the standout beaches being the Sands of Rothiesholm.

Aside from beaches, there are small towns dotted around the island that can be explored too, starting with Kirkwall.

Kirkwall is the capital and of the Orkney Islands and a few years ago was declared the friendliest place in the country.

It was so friendly that locals even left their doors unlocked.

In 2023, it was voted the number one most welcoming destination by Booking.com, Kirkwall climbed from its previous second position.

When it comes to where to stay, Lorraine’s hotel of choice is the Foveran – just a few miles outside of Kirkwall.

Visitors can stay at the hotel with a bed & full Orcadian breakfast stay from £135 per night (single), or £175 (double).

A full Orcadian breakfast typically includes sausages, bacon, fried eggs, and black pudding, along with Orcadian bere bannocks (a rustic barley bread), smoked fish, and Orkney cheddar.

Each room has a TV, tea and coffee making station, free Wi-Fi and luxury Scottish Fine Soaps products in the bathrooms.

When it comes to other spots to explore, visitors often head to The Old Man of Hoy – on the island of Hoy.

The Old Man of Hoy is a 449ft sea stack made of Old Red Sandstone – it’s the UK’s tallest sea stack and a popular spot for rock climbers.

Visitors can get to Lamb Holm from one of the causeways in the Orkney islands.

Orkney is also a popular place for wildlife. And while you might not spot all the marine life that you get in the Maldives – there are some, like dolphins.

There have been over 12 species seen in Orkney over the years, like the bottlenose, white-beaked and Risso dolphins.

If you want to see them – peak viewing season is May to September.

Orkney is a prime destination for whale watching, with 90 per cent of orca sightings occurring there.

You’re likely to see lots of birds there too like puffins, guillemots, and razorbills.

The island of North Ronaldsay is home to its own breed of sheep with the same name.

They live on the rocky shores and exist on a diet that is made up of seaweed – which is incredibly rare.

When it comes to getting to Orkney, you can fly directly to Orkney with Loganair – the airline has direct routes to Kirkwall from Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

There are three main ferry routes to and from Orkney – NorthLink Ferries sail between Aberdeen and Kirkwall.

Here are more of the UK’s best islands that have been named, and they look more like the Caribbean and Maldives.

And here are five islands off the coast of the UK you can visit without needing your passport.

IT’S 9AM in Spain and I’ve just taken my first cold sip from a foam-topped pint of lager as the enthusiastic buzz of holidaymakers fills the airport’s departures lounge.

When in Rome… Except I’m actually west of there, in the Spanish city of Alicante, where the first international Wetherspoons has just opened its doors.

I’m one of the lucky few getting a slightly advanced preview of the boozer on opening day.

But I can already see a queue forming at the door – mainly all Brits who are excitedly posing for snaps under the large sign.

What’s not British, however, is the pub’s name: Castell de Santa Barbara, after Alicante’s glorious 9th century castle which is perched high on a hill, with impressive views of the coastline and sprawling city.

The first punter to order a Guinness is Sun reader Kelvin from Salisbury who says that the opening of the British boozer was “a nice surprise” when he turned up today. 

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“When the taxi dropped me off, I saw the Wetherspoons sign from the outside and thought: perfect. I headed straight here.”

He visits his local ‘Spoons a couple of times a month and an 11:30am pint isn’t out of the ordinary for him.”

Kelvin’s usual: “a small breakfast and a pint – easy peasy”, is on this international menu.

In fact, all the familiar favourites are, bar a few nods to stereotypical Spanish cuisine like the garlic prawns and Spanish tortilla, priced at a reasonable price of €12.45 and €4.95 respectively.

“It’s nice to get something different when you go abroad,” Kelvin says, eyeing up the European selection of beers on tap.

The man sat opposite us is sticking to the classics, though – burger and chips, washed down with a pint of lager.

Another couple, stood at the bar – admittedly not mega Wetherspoons fans, but familiar with the chain – say: “We saw the sign and said ‘we’ve got to try it’.

“We’ll definitely be telling our friends, who fly here regularly, about it”.

It would make sense that most of the faces here are British.

The pub has pitched itself in the non-Schengen area, close to the gates for UK flights to draw in the near 650,000 Brits that pass through this airport monthly.

The decision to open here feels like a wise move, especially with last year being a bumper year for UK travellers to this Spanish airport, which sits a 45-minute drive from the popular resort town of Benidorm.

Last October saw a surge of 5.9 per cent of British passengers passing through the airport compared to the same month the year before – and that number is expected to grow even more.

And what’s not to love about an airport Spoons?

It certainly feels much brighter than other airport Wetherspoons I’ve visited.

Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the small space with light, while candy floss, glossy tiles give it a warm atmosphere.

There’s a tea and coffee station in the corner, while behind the bar there’s not a whiff of scampi fries or walkers in sight.

These have been replaced by the European holiday favourite, Lays.

This one boasts something that all other airport Wetherspoons do not, however – an outdoor terrace, where you can catch those last glimpses of Spanish sunshine before jetting off home to drizzly England.

The only thing it’s missing is that familiar smell of well-trodden carpet and old chip fryer oil. Give it time, though.

And keep your eyes peeled for the appearance of more Wetherspoons, internationally.

Wetherspoon founder and chairman Tim Martin says: “We aim to open a number of pubs overseas in the coming months and years, including those at airports.”

Cheers to that.

Here is the airport Wetherspoons named the best in the UK.

Feb. 9 (UPI) — As strained relations between Canada and the Trump administration enter a second year, the latest statistics and anecdotal evidence indicate the flight of Canadian “snowbirds” from Florida is still negatively affecting its vital tourism economy.

Angry Canadians have been engaged in an unofficial boycott of U.S. travel since early early last year, when a newly re-elected President Donald Trump began to repeatedly voice his desire to annex Canada as the “51st state” and slapped tariffs on broad sectors of the Canadian economy.

And rather than losing steam, the slowdown of Canadian visitors to Florida and elsewhere in United States appears to be holding steady if not picking up speed as the 2025-26 winter tourism season progresses.

Travel statistics recently released by Canadian and Florida officials are continuing to show the effects of the slowdown, which has been blamed not only on political tensions, but also on a weak Canadian dollar and other economic factors.

In November, the number of Canadian-resident return trips from the United States was down 23.6% year-over-year, Statistics Canada reported Jan. 23.

Meanwhile, Visit Florida reported that while overall tourism was up 3.2% year-over-year during the third quarter of 2025, visits by Canadians were down 15% and have plunged 28% when compared to 2019’s pre-pandemic levels.

The third-quarter total of 507,000 Canadian visitors was the lowest for any single quarter since the COVID-19-affected fourth quarter of 2021, when the state logged just 275,000 Canadians visitors.

After Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis initially dismissed reports of the sharp dropoff in Canadian visitors, state tourism officials now say they are planning to reach out to their North American neighbors in hopes of attracting more visitors.

Visit Florida President and CEO Bryan Griffin told members of the agency’s executive committee Jan. 26 he is setting up a meeting with Canadian officials to “see what we can do” to boost the flow of tourists, the News Service of Florida reported last week.

His task may be a big one, however, as the numbers continue their negative trends and seem likely to stay depressed, or perhaps even worsen, as the year progresses, according to a noted Canadian travel expert.

Frédéric Dimanche, a professor and former director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University, said he’s not seeing any signs of the situation improving.

“I don’t think things have changed, and if you look at the recent Statistics Canada data for car returns and employment and this type of thing, it’s down,” he told UPI. “We’re still down, and what must be kept in mind is that last year was just the beginning of a trend that has since deepened or expanded.”

Dimanche predicted that as more tourism figures are released in the coming months, they will continue to show huge declines in Canadian tourist visits across the United States when compared to 2024.

“You really see how much of a gap there still is when you look back to two years ago,” he said, dubbing the phenomenon a “Trump slump” in which international tourism fell by 5.4% in the United States last year even while jumping by 4% around the rest of the world.

While cautioning that he “has no crystal ball,” Dimanche predicted last year’s trend, with its month-after-month declines, will continue into this year.

“It’s not going to stop because it’s 2026,” he said, noting that it’s not only Trump’s threats to Canadian sovereignty and his tariff policies, but also the strong U.S. dollar, aggressive immigration enforcement activities, perceived safety issues and the potential for social media screening at the border that are combining to “make people are feel very uncomfortable about going to the U.S.”

Gulf Coast tourism hard-hit

The effects of the Canadian tourism slowdown appear to be hitting Florida’s Gulf Coast the hardest, especially in the southwestern part of state in and around Lee and Collier counties, where snowbirds from north of the border have long-established ties with vacation rentals and homes and condos they own.

The issue remains a sensitive and politically fraught one in the region, and questions posed by UPI to local tourism officials and real estate agents who have Canadian customers, as well as to Canadian snowbird organizations, were met with “no comment” or were not responded to.

However, there is statistical and anecdotal evidence to suggest that southwestern Florida is feeling a keen economic impact during this winter tourism season.

Media interviews and online comments by Canadian travelers indicate the backlash to Trump’s policies is continuing unabated, with traffic at tourism-dependent Gulf Coast businesses down and Canadian homeowners rushing to sell their vacation properties.

Among the firsthand evidence of the plight faced by Gulf Coast businesses comes from Collier County, which includes such favorite Canadian tourism destinations as Naples and Marco Island. Tourism is the county’s largest industry, supporting nearly 30,000 jobs and generating more than $2.8 billion in direct economic impact annually.

County officials reported last month that November’s overall international tourism traffic fell by 10.8% compared with the year-earlier figure, including a 14.8% decline in Canadian visitors, who numbered just 12,000. Their share of the county’s overall tourism pie dropped from 5.9% from 6.7%.

Those numbers come on top of a “choppy” and “soft” local tourism economy since 2024, due not only to the decline in visits from Canada, but also broader economic trends such as stubborn inflation and lack of consumer confidence.

Sharon Lockwood, area general manager of the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, told the Collier County Board of Commissioners in September the slowdown is making a dent in the industry.

“I can tell you firsthand, I have lost some significant group business from Canada over the last two years, year and a-half, but most importantly in 2025 for future business,” she said. “So I’m going to be out looking for new business.”

The hotelier said she couldn’t justify hiring new workers.

“I don’t have enough hours for the individuals that I’m currently employing,” Lockwood said, adding, “Restaurants [on Marco Island] are closing down one or two days a week because they cannot afford the payroll to stay open full-time. It has not been that way since I’ve been down here.”

Meanwhile, there is unmistakable evidence that significant numbers of Canadian homeowners in Florida and elsewhere in the United States are seeking to put their homes on the market as they look to exit what they feel has become politically hostile territory.

More than half (54%) of Canadians who currently own residential property in the United States said last summer they were planning to sell within the next year, with most of them (62%) citing the actions of the Trump administration as the main reason, according to a survey conducted by real estate firm Royal LePage.

“Places like Florida, Arizona and California stand to lose millions in economic activity each year — and thousands of neighbors — if Canadian owners pull their capital from U.S. housing markets,” Royal LePage president and CEO Phil Soper said in a release.

Along the Gulf Coast, those Canadians are selling into a oversaturated market that is expected to take hard price hits during 2026, with likely declines of 10.2% in Cape Coral, 8.9% in North Port and 3.6% in Tampa, according to projections from Realtor.com.

In April, Budge Huskey, CEO of Premier Sotheby’s International Realty in Naples, Fla., called Canadians “integral to our housing market, especially along the Gulf Coast, contributing to community vibrancy, tourism, and property tax revenue,” noting in an opinion piece published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune that they account for 11% of all foreign homebuyers in the United States, with Florida consistently ranked as their top destination.

“Yet, recent trade tensions have chipped away at that relationship,” he wrote. “Beyond the economic impact, rhetoric and policy decisions perceived as antagonistic have left many Canadians feeling unwelcome.

“In neighborhoods across our markets, including likely your own, it’s not uncommon to see ‘for sale’ signs on properties owned by Canadians who have decided they’ve had enough.”

Huskey implored all Floridians “to remind our northern neighbors just how much they are respected and appreciated.”

Dimanche said the trend toward Canadians selling their Florida homes is not only related to Trump, but also to economic concerns.

“One of the factors is that the Canadian dollar is still weak compared to the U.S. dollar, even though the U.S. dollar has gone down slightly the past couple of weeks,” he said.
“The Canadian dollar is very low, so that makes things a lot more expensive for the Canadians.

“The second thing is the price of home insurance has gone up and keeps going up in Florida,” he added. “This is related to global warming, which triggers hurricanes and rising sea levels. A lot of people may not be concerned about climate change in the U.S., but the insurers are paying attention to this and they make you pay for it.”

Politics, hostility determining factors

Some Canadian snowbirds are telling reporters and posting online that they are looking to move on from Florida due to politics and being made to feel unwelcome.

The Canadian Snowbird Association, a nonprofit group advocating for the interests of Canadians who live part of the year in the United States, declined to comment to UPI on how their members are viewing the political and economic tensions as the winter season continues.

But one member who posted about it in the organization’s “Bird Talk” forum in December summed up the feelings of many others who have made comments on social media.

“We believe in democracy and are leery of the current situation as snowbirds to Florida,” they wrote. “We are seriously considering not going south this winter. As we own a home there, we have also thought of selling. We are very sad as in the past 12 years, we have loved our winters south.

“Almost all our neighbors, family and friends have mentioned to us that we should not go; they won’t be going or visiting us. If we didn’t own, we absolutely would not go. And are close to being positive in not going even though we own a home there. We feel we must take a stand for democracy!”

The forum moderator responded that “hundreds of thousands of Canadians are going south for the winter. We suspect that many of them are doing it quietly,” while blaming the media “for negative stories and gets lots of attention when they amplify the rhetoric.

“Do what is right for you, your family and your conscience. Enjoy your winter and travel well!”

One Canadian couple, Gwen and Paul Edmond of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, told CTV News last month they are selling their home at a seniors’ complex in Largo, Fla., after spending five months a year in Florida since 2011.

“We are not happy with the change in government, as many aren’t. We will just leave it at that, I guess. It feels very unsettled there,” Gwen Edmond said.

COMING back from your holiday should be straightforward – but for one British couple, a recent easyJet flight turned into a nightmare.

Olly Andrews, 36, and Lucy Andrews, 32, from South East London were less than 10 minutes into their flight from Amsterdam to London Luton Airport when disaster struck.

The couple had been in the Dutch capital for a four-day mini-break to see their best friend get married.

But just after taking off to return home to London, the couple heard something ominous.

Lucy said: “I heard a massive thud and I looked at Olly and I was like what was that?

“Not only that but the air stewardesses suddenly went quite quiet at the back.

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“We were in the back seats, so we could hear everything and people started looking around in confusion.

“Then we were flying really low – we were going over the sea and I could see the wind turbines looked really close up.

“I was like something’s wrong, why are we flying so low to the sea and something just felt off.”

There was then an overhead message from the pilot to say that the plane had been hit by a bird and that they needed to return to Amsterdam Airport.

Lucy added: “[The pilot] was quite calm and said there’s nothing to worry about.

Olly said: “The pilot said we’d hopefully be landing in 10 minutes – that actually turned out to be like 25 minutes.”

Lucy continued: “I’m quite a nervous flyer, so I was like ‘oh my god’.

“You know it must be pretty bad if we had to do an emergency landing back in Amsterdam.

“The captain said it was most likely a seagull we hit.”

Despite being told to stay put, when the plane landed a collection of curious passengers flooded to the front of the plane to find out what happened.

She said: “As we got off the plane we could see there was gore and blood splattered all over the cockpit window and blood smeared everywhere.

“The pilot wouldn’t have been able to see out properly – it was everywhere.”

It became clear that the bird had hit the windscreen and then also hit other parts of the plane as blood was splattered over the tail, Lucy explained.

After getting off of the plane, the couple spent the following two and a half hours in the airport waiting for the next available flight.

During this time, there were no easyJet reps or staff around and the couple kept checking for updates via the easyJet app.

“We could only see the Gate G section and Amsterdam is a silent airport, so they didn’t announce updates.

“There was one update, but we couldn’t hear it.

“We kept refreshing the app and we couldn’t see anything, but they were giving quite regular updates such as there weren’t any sandwiches on board.

“We just wanted to go home.

The update said: “We’re sorry that we won’t be able to offer you any sandwiches on your flight today.

“We’ll still have a selection of snacks as well as hot and cold drinks on board.”

EasyJet did give all passengers a £6 voucher for food and drink at the airport though.

They also received a message to explain what had happened, saying: “There has been an additional delay because the plane that was scheduled for your flight today experienced a bird strike.

“Because the issue could not be resolved, we’ve decided to arrange a new plane to fly you to your destination today.”

EasyJet had to then send a plane from London Luton to collect the passengers and crew – although Lucy said they nearly missed it.

She explained: “We wouldn’t have got on the plane if we hadn’t seen a passenger who we recognised heading towards a gate and asked if there had been an announcement, which they had been.”

The couple then had to run through the airport to make their flight.

Lucy added: “We were really scared for other passengers because we recognised one passenger who was asleep and we had to wake them up and be like you’ve got to go the flight is here.”

Directly next to Lucy and Olly, the seats were empty despite a couple sitting there in the previous flight.

It wasn’t clear if this couple made the flight or not.

“The app updates were quite poorly handled because we really should have been given like regular updates.

Looking back on the incident, Lucy added: “It was described by easyJet as a ‘exceptional circumstance’ which I agree with, it was a freak incident and not the fault of easyJet.

“It was the fact that the updates for the flight weren’t communicated with the passengers.

“They have an app which gives updates and they chose to send us a message apologising that there would not be sandwiches served to us on the flight, but failed to tell us when the next flight actually was.

“It left several passengers in the lobby not knowing that the plane was being boarded.”

EasyJet has been contacted for comment.

In other aviation news, here’s what business class is like on one of the world’s best airlines – but the pre-flight lounge is even better.

Plus, a budget airline is scrapping six routes from Europe – including a mega-cheap UK flight.

In May 2026 my father will be turning 95 years old! We, his three children, wish to throw him a party for about 12 people. Some guests will be elderly with walkers and canes. We would love to host this on a budget and preferably either in the San Fernando Valley or on the Westside. If it really fits the bill, we would consider other parts of Los Angeles as well. Maybe a lovely patio or some sort of charming restaurant that harks back to another time that my father would enjoy.

My dad is a retired game show television producer. He loves the arts, writing, movies, comedy, sports, TV and even continues to produce entertainment shows at his senior assisted living facility. We are so blessed to have him in our lives. — Amy Greenberg

Looking for things to do in L.A.? Ask us your questions and our expert guides will share highly specific recommendations.

Here’s what we suggest:

Happy early birthday to your dad! Ninety-five is a major feat that is definitely worth celebrating. I’ve put together a list of four restaurants with patios that I think will fit the vibe that you’re looking for.

When I think about nostalgic eateries, Casablanca in Venice is the first spot that comes to mind. Open since 1980, the old-school Mexican restaurant doubles as a shrine to the 1943 film of the same name. It offers all of the Mexican classics you’d expect (burritos, tacos and quesadillas) and even has a margarita cart. There’s an outdoor patio (which can be reserved for a fee on Thursdays or Sundays), but my colleague Amy King, Times creative director and deputy managing editor, says the vibe is much cooler inside. For special occasions, notably birthdays, the restaurant gives the celebrant a padlock to place on a gate outside of the restaurant — a callback to the Pont des Arts in Paris, a bridge where visitors used to place “love locks.”

Given that your father worked in show business, he may already be familiar with the Smoke House in Burbank, which is just minutes away from Warner Bros. Studios. With headshots of stars hanging on the walls and blood-red vinyl booths, the restaurant has been a draw for Hollywood types since the late 1940s. My colleague Christopher Reynolds, who recently went with his wife and friends who were visiting from out of town, tells me “You really feel that the restaurant has been in that location since 1949.” He also says the cheesy garlic bread is a must-try. If you’d prefer a semi-private room instead of a table in the main dining room, the minimum fee is $1,200, which will be applied to your order.

For a laidback restaurant with a backyard barbecue feel, consider Le Great Outdoor in the Bergamot Station complex in Santa Monica. The completely alfresco restaurant is adorned with picnic tables spread across two levels and dreamy string lights. Le Great Outdoor’s menu changes based on what’s available at the local farmers market and everything is cooked over a live fire. Senior food editor Danielle Dorsey notes that the restaurant has a “casual and convivial” atmosphere, making it a fun place to host a birthday party, especially on a sunny day.

Another great Westside option is Gilbert’s El Indio in Santa Monica, which has “good food and a nice patio,” King also tells me. Even “Full House” star Jodie Sweetin has given the family-owned restaurant her stamp of approval: “It’s just such a great classic California-Mexican restaurant,” she said in her Sunday Funday feature. A staffer told me that it’s best to call the restaurant to make a reservation for your party.

Your dad sounds like such an interesting and fun man, so I hope that these recommendations help you plan a great birthday party for him. If you end up checking out any of these spots, please send us a photo. We’d love to see it. Good luck with planning and, most importantly, have a wonderful time!

Passengers are best to check their train operator before heading on board

In the UK, there are several big train companies, and many are used by thousands daily for commuting, visiting family or friends, or even during a staycation. Each company has its own features. For instance, some trains have Wi-Fi and USB charging ports, while others do not.

When it comes to food and drinks, there are differences as well. Some railway companies offer catering services, but many others do not. Every train operator has its own rules about bringing your own food and drinks onboard – and there are some items you should avoid.

On National Rail’s official website, a statement reads: “Many train companies have onboard catering facilities. These can include trolley services, counter buffet services and restaurant cars. The longer the journey, the more likely that there will be food and drink available on board.”

Some train companies offer food and drink on board. Below is a list of the ones that do:

There are numerous others that don’t, however. The following train companies and services do not offer onboard catering:

• c2c
• Chiltern Railways
• Elizabeth line
• Gatwick Express
• Great Northern
• Heathrow Express
• London Northwestern Railway
• London Overground
• Merseyrail
• Northern
• South Western Railway
• Southeastern
• Southern
• Stansted Express
• Thameslink
• West Midlands Railway

According to National Rail, passengers can bring their own food onboard, and they are urged to “take care” with hot drinks. However, they should not “leave wrappers and other packaging behind”, or “get carried away” when consuming alcohol.

In a major “do not” alert, the passenger rail service says people should avoid bringing certain types of food on board. It says: “Don’t bring very smelly food on your journey – leave that wedge of Stinking Bishop at home!”

In terms of alcohol, National Rail adds: “In general, you can bring and consume alcohol on trains, except those managed by Transport for London. But some train companies will run alcohol-free services, so check before you travel. And remember, antisocial behaviour is not permitted at any time.” Scroll down below for a look at the trains that ban alcohol at certain hours and on specific routes.

The largest train companies in the UK, by network size, passenger numbers, and franchise size, include Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Great Western Railway (GWR), Northern Trains, Avanti West Coast, and ScotRail. GTR is the largest, running 22% of all passenger services in the UK, including Thameslink, Southern, and Great Northern.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)

GTR covers Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern, and Gatwick Express. The railway operator doesn’t have a strict rule against certain food or drink items, but it is requested that passengers do not consume items that disturb or upset other passengers, and litter must be taken with them.

You are allowed to bring and eat your own food and drinks on Southern Railway trains. Usually, there aren’t any catering services on Southern Railway’s commuter trains, but passengers can enjoy their meals and drinks as long as they are ‘polite to others’, ‘keep the train clean’, and ‘take their rubbish with them’. You can have food and drinks, but please be ‘mindful of strong odours’. Alcohol is mostly allowed, but Southern might limit it on certain trains, like those for football games.

Regarding Thameslink trains, as there are no on-board catering services, passengers are encouraged to bring their own refreshments. However, the trainline asks passengers to avoid bringing ‘smelly, hot, or messy food’ that may disturb other passengers. Alcohol is generally allowed on Thameslink, but antisocial behaviour is not tolerated, and you may be asked to stop or leave if deemed intoxicated.

It is important to note that while London-based Thameslink services allow alcohol, other Transport for London (TfL) services do not. All of the above also applies to Great Northern and Gatwick Express trains.

Great Western Railway (GWR)

On GWR trains, you can bring your own food and drinks, including alcohol, but ‘avoid bringing food that smells really strong’. You can usually have alcohol, but ‘anti social behaviour is not allowed’, and specific, limited services may have restrictions.

Food and drink are available only on longer-distance routes operated by Intercity Express Trains. On most long-distance trips, there are snacks, drinks, and alcoholic beverages you can choose from. However, not all local routes have food and drink services, especially the ones between Penzance–Exeter St Davids and Exeter St Davids–Bristol/Cardiff/Gloucester/Worcester.

Usually, there is a free trolley service with snacks and drinks available at your seat on high-speed trains that run from 6am to 7.30pm. Passengers are urged to take their rubbish with them or use the bins that are available.

Northern Trains

You can usually bring food and non-alcoholic drinks on Northern Rail trains, so you can have your own snacks during the trip. But on some “dry trains,” alcohol is banned. It’s important for passengers to also be thoughtful of others by ‘not bringing strong-smelling foods’ and by ‘taking all their rubbish with them’.

A statement on the official Northern website reads: “On certain trains, we don’t allow any alcohol on board. We’ve made some of our services ‘dry trains’ because of past issues with people getting rowdy and causing trouble.

“If you’re on a ‘dry train’, our staff will ask you not to drink or hide any booze during your journey. If you’re visibly drunk or try to sneak alcohol on board, you won’t be allowed to travel and could face prosecution under railway byelaws. If you’ve got alcohol with you before you board these services, you’ll need to dispose of it before the barriers, please. No exceptions here – you won’t be able to travel with it.” The trains where you can’t bring alcohol are listed online.

Avanti West Coast (AWC)

You can bring your own food and drinks on AWC trains, but it’s best to avoid really smelly items. In Standard and Standard Premium classes, you can buy snacks and drinks from the onboard shop, and there are hot food choices too. In First Class, you get free meals and drinks, depending on the time and length of the trip. You can have alcohol, but don’t drink too much; also, some services might not allow alcohol, so it’s a good idea to check first.

ScotRail

You can bring and consume your own food and non-alcoholic drinks on ScotRail trains. Alcohol consumption is restricted, with a ban in place during certain hours. It is advised to avoid bringing very smelly food and to take your litter with you.

A statement on ScotRail explains: “Alcohol may be consumed on our trains between 10am and 9pm. Other restrictions may apply in certain circumstances, such as large sporting events or concerts, as determined by ScotRail and the British Transport Police (BTP), on a case-by-case basis. Railway Byelaw 4 (2) states that a passenger with intoxicating liquor can be prevented from entering, or be asked to leave, the railway.”

As I stand and look at a six-metre skeleton of a domestic cat named Felix, the words of Alice in Wonderland spring to mind: “Curiouser and curiouser.” The sculpture is part of a thought-provoking and enchanting exhibition at the Centre Pompidou-Metz, and this isn’t the first time I’ve felt a sense of wonder during my weekend in this lesser-known city in north-eastern France. While most of us know what to expect from a city break in, say, Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, Metz throws up surprises at every turn.

The giant feline sculpture is the work of Italian visual artist Maurizio Cattelan (of banana-duct-taped-to-a-wall fame), whose works form part of Dimanche Sans Fin (Endless Sunday), an exhibition he has curated that brings together more than 400 works from Paris’s Centre Pompidou, which closed for a five-year renovation last October. Each piece depicts a different way the “day of rest” could be interpreted, whether it’s the innocent play of Picasso’s sculpture Little Girl Jumping Rope (1950-1954) or Max Ernst’s figure playing chess in the King Playing with the Queen (1944).

It’s the ultimate winter sun destination with white sand beaches, balmy temperatures and affordable food and drinks — because who doesn’t want to escape the UK’s February gloom and doom?

There’s a breathtaking island which is frequently crowned as the ‘ultimate winter sun destination’ and it’s just a four-hour direct flight from the UK.

Even better, that flight will only set you back £25 one-way.

Whilst the Canary Islands remain a perennial holiday favourite throughout the year, they’re especially alluring during this season. After all, who wouldn’t fancy escaping Britain’s dreary skies, freezing nights, and persistent February downpours?

Well, search no further for your next February getaway, because we’ve got the perfect suggestion for you.

This magnificent Spanish island, boasting spectacular scenery, pristine waters, and endless stretches of golden sandy coastline, represents the perfect retreat for anyone seeking a swift departure from Britain’s winter gloom.

As the eldest island in the chain – formed nearly 20 million years ago through fierce underwater volcanic eruptions from the Canary hotspot – Fuerteventura is genuinely awe-inspiring, reports the Express.

The archipelago’s second-largest island (trailing just behind Tenerife ) sits a mere 100 kilometres from North Africa’s shores, and features the chain’s most extensive white sand coastlines.

Regarded as a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, particularly those passionate about surfing, waterskiing, and windsurfing, this captivating Spanish isle embodies the perfect blend of sunshine and adventure.

With direct flights departing from London Stansted and Luton airports on 8th February priced at just £25 at the time of writing (including one cabin bag and one handbag), holidaymakers can find themselves basking carefree in the sunshine in just four hours and 20 minutes.

The affordability doesn’t end with the airfare in Fuerteventura. A pint of beer costs a bargain £1.70 on this lively island, and better still, temperatures on Fuerteventura seldom dip below 18C or climb above 32C, establishing it as the quintessential tropical haven.

February in Fuerteventura delivers ideally mild conditions – perfect for fleeing Britain’s bitter winter. Indeed, the island enjoys approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine annually.

Boasting 152 distinct beaches, including at least 50 kilometres of pristine white sand stretches and 25 kilometres of dramatic black volcanic shingle – this Canary Islands gem possesses a distinctive landscape.

Speaking of distinctiveness, Fuerteventura has another remarkable claim to fame. It’s home to one of just two surviving populations of the threatened Canarian Egyptian vulture, whilst the island itself harbours hundreds of species of rare flora and fauna.

Among Fuerteventura’s most spectacular beaches are Playa de Sotavento, Playas de Corralejo, Playas de El Cotillo, Playa de Cofete, Playas de Jandia, and Playa de Ajuy.

The northern part of the island features predominantly untouched white sand dunes, striking volcanic landscapes and craggy coastlines, while the south offers vast stretches of white sandy beaches and secluded coves – ideal for surf fans and water sports devotees.

Playa de Sotavento emerges as amongst the island’s most unique and sought-after beaches. Located on the south-eastern coast, this extraordinary beach displays an intriguing double-shore effect during low tide.

When the sea recedes, lagoons appear between the principal beach and sandbars, forming an additional golden shore.

The Sotavento stretch is famed for its extensive white sandy beaches and sparkling azure waters, making it a favoured spot for holidaymakers.

Popular locations including Corralejo and Caleta de Fuste feature well-established holiday complexes, eateries and countless activities suitable for every generation.

Corralejo’s historic quarter radiates authentic Spanish character through its narrow streets, tapas bars and freshly-caught seafood establishments.

This lively resort additionally features the impressive Parque Natural de las Dunas de Corralejo, whilst the Calderón Hondo volcano walking route lies nearby, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

The family-friendly Caleta de Fuste, boasting its upmarket harbour and traditional markets, equally merits inclusion on any Fuerteventura travel plan. El Cotillo, a delightful and vibrant fishing village celebrated for its surfing conditions and tranquil lagoon, represents another popular destination for visitors, whilst the remote Cofete Beach and the ancient Ajuy Caves are equally essential attractions.