travel

Chloe Smith explained why there were so many on her flight

A woman says all she could see were dead people when she looked down the aisle of her recent flight – describing it as ‘absolutely chaos’. A ghost whisperer has explained there is one place where your loved ones are always with you even after they are gone – every plane you board. Chloe Smith says she has been seeing spirits for over a decade – dedicating her life to exploring the unknown.

The 29-year-old psychic medium, author, and podcaster has now made her latest claim as she believes that the “dead” are “on planes”.

“Before boarding a plane, my loved ones will be by my side as well as spirits from other passengers,” said Chloe, from Ashbourne, Derbyshire. “Whispering, standing next to people, or surrounding them in white light for protection. Flying is the most anxiety-inducing thing for me, but instead of closing my eyes, I opened them and saw angels and loved ones surrounding people.

“Knowing that even in the times we feel most scared and worried, our loved ones are still by our side. Not because they choose to travel by plane but because they want to be by our side.”

Chloe made the revelation whilst boarding an easyJet flight. In the clip, she says: “There are so many dead people on this plane with me, and I’m not even exaggerating. You’re most likely thinking they can travel wherever they want to be – why would they want to travel on a plane?

“But when you’re feeling anxious and not yourself – that is when your loved ones are with you the most. So as I look down the aisle of the plane, it is full of spirits. I’m not even exaggerating, but I feel good for it. I feel healed, I feel protected, but it is absolutely chaos.”

The psychic medium believes that spirits of your loved ones help ‘change’ the outcome of the flight. She claims this is done by surrounding you to calm your nerves and flight anxieties.

Even on flights, her work is never done, as some spirits linked to other passengers are allegedly urging her to pass messages onto others on board, Chloe said: “I would say they change the outcome, but there have been many moments I myself have panicked at the thought of not being able to get off the plane, feeling claustrophobic and trapped; my loved ones have soothed that.

“So much love and calm surrounds you, allowing you to switch off from the anxiety of flying. Knowing your loved ones is truly by your side no matter what.

“But if they have something they want to say, they will make themselves known, for example. I look up; there is a man right there in my face telling me to tell the passenger four rows down that the hidden jewellery is in a box on top of the wardrobe.”

CHRISTMAS is a time to cosy up in front of the fire to watch festive movies and some of the best ones were filmed right here in the UK.

From the country’s prettiest streets to beautiful Cotswolds villages, these beautiful places should be on your bucket list if you’re a fan of all things festive.

Knaresborough in North Yorkshire – Tinsel Town

Last year, Hollywood stars descended on the beautiful town of Knaresborough to film Tinsel Town, which came out last December.

Actors like Kiefer Sutherland, Rebel Wilson and EastEnders‘ Danny Dyer were all spotted filming in Yorkshire.

The town is constantly praised for being pretty with some calling it the “most beautiful town in the country” and “picture perfect”.

It’s no surprise really, Knaresborough has waterfront cafes and visitors can canoe down the river during the summertime while watching steam trains travel over the viaduct.

The town has its own castle and locals say that for those who want views, visit in the daytime, or at nighttime the viaduct is all lit up.

It’s completely free to enter the castle grounds too.

Lots of the spots in town are independent too like Castlegate Books, Dragonfly Cards & Gifts, Fliss & Ivy and Lupins Coffee & Cafe House.

Shere in Surrey – The Holiday

Tucked away in Surrey is the tiny village of Shere which served as the background for The Holiday.

While sadly Kate Winslet’s cosy English cottage doesn’t actually exist, there are plenty of other spots to visit that featured in the movie.

The first is The White Horse pub which was where Graham (played by Jude Law) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) had their cosy first date.

Guests have raved about the pub, praising both the staff and the food.

One person called it a “quaint old pub full of character” another said they had their “best meal all year”.

There are plenty of other cute places to stop in like the Dabbling Duck tearoom, and sweetshop called Shere Delights.

Nearby is the town of Godalming which has pretty cobbled lanes and the narrow road where Amanda attempts to drive around in her red MINI Cooper.

Elm Hill in Norwich – Jingle Jangle 

It’s no surprise that Elm Hill in Norwich has appeared in multiple films as it’s frequently called one of the prettiest streets in the UK.

It was used in the movie Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey to transform into the fictional town of Cobbleton.

The musical adventure follows toymaker Jeronicus Jangle who rediscovers his creative spark with help from his granddaughter.

Elm Hill is a cobbled street known for its medieval half-timbered buildings and dates back to 1200.

Many of the original buildings were destroyed in a fire in 1507, but one that survived is The Briton’s Arms, which is now a cafe and restaurant.

Also on the street is The Bear Shop which sells lots of toys and stuffed bears and the Elm Hill Craft Shop, a gift store.

Snowshill in the Cotswolds, Bridget Jones’s Diary

Snowshill, which appeared in the 2001 film, Bridget Jones’s Diary, is one of the most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds.

It has honey-coloured houses, winding roads, and is most famous for seeing Bridget turn up at her parents’ house in the show on New Year’s Day.

It’s in the same town where Bridget (Renee Zellweger) has her first on-screen encounter with her eventual husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).

The village has risen in popularity after the film and many of the properties have transformed into Airbnbs.

There are no shops in Snowshill, the closest are in the neighbouring town of Broadway.

There is one attraction in the village, Snowshill Manor which is a 16th-century National Trust property restored by eccentric architect Charles Paget Wade.

Inside are 22,000 objects to see including samurai armour, bicycles, musical instruments and toys.

It also has pretty gardens which are open during the spring and summer season.

IF THE damp days and dark nights are getting to you, then you could head away for a month in the sun for less than HALF the average UK monthly rent.

The average UK rent costs £1,406 per month, but instead you could head away for just £624 for a month with flights, accommodation, food and drink all included.

That works out at just £22 per day, per person.

The break is with On the Beach for 28 nights at the Skanes Serail Hotel in Monastir, Tunisia.

Rooms at the hotel vary, but every room has a balcony which overlooks the garden, pool or sea.

There’s also an indoor pool, a spa, an aquapark and a beachside barbeque area on site.

The resort even has its own private stretch of beach.

When it comes to food and drink, guests can dine at three restaurants, before choosing a tipple at one of the four bars.

If taking kids, there is a kids’ club to keep them occupied as well as live shows.

And for fitness fanatics, there is a climbing gym and tennis courts as well.

From the hotel, it takes six minutes to drive to Monastir city, where you can explore an Islamic monastery, the medina and a number of souks.

It’s also a 12 minute drive to Sousse, which is the ideal spot for a day trip.

Enfidha-Hammamet International Airport is then around an hour away.

Thanks to the hotel being all inclusive, whilst staying guests can help themselves to the buffet dining as well as local beer, wine and selected spirits.

The offer is available on breaks in November, December, January and February.

High temperatures across these months range from 15C to 23C, with November and December being the warmer months of the four.

Caspar Nelson, vice-president of marketing and customer at On the Beach, said: “Twenty quid barely gets a couple a fish-and-chip supper these days.

“On this holiday, it stretches as far as you can take it.

“Brits have had enough of opening bills through their fingers and we would much rather see them opening the curtains to a sea view instead.

“If you’ve got the time, why spend another four weeks dreaming about a getaway when you could be packing for one? Bring your suitcase, leave the high daily prices of the UK behind you and go and live in the sun.”

IT’S the ultimate festive film – but have you ever actually tried Buddy the Elf’s sugary spaghetti in real life?

Well now you can, thanks to a new immersive cinema-cum-dining experience that brings the Christmas classic film – Elf – to life.

First gracing our screens 23 years ago, the film’s storyline follows Buddy, a human raised in the North Pole as an Elf on an adventure to New York to find his birth father.

Expect festive cheer and chuckles throughout.

With Taste Film‘s new experience you can ditch the stale cinema popcorn and instead get a multi-course meal with drinks, all while enjoying the film.

The dishes are all themed around famous moments from the film and served when those scenes play out on the screen.

Ready to watch the Christmas classic, I settled down into my seat staring at the giant screen in front of me while sipping on a Side Walk Sour with strawberry gin, banana liqueur and cherry.

I could have also opted for ‘A Balanced Elf Diet’ – a spiced rum hot chocolate, with whipped cream and toppings and non-alcoholic versions were also available.

On the table, each guest gets a hand-designed booklet including the menu, additional drinks available to purchase and a couple of games to keep you occupied before the film starts.

And when it does, within the opening 15 minutes the first ‘course’ was served – a twist on milk and cookies.

Instead of regular milk, ‘Milk and Cookies for Santa’ featured a vintage glass bottle filled with boozy Amaretto, oat milk, orange and cinnamon cocktail, served with a small gingerbread man on the side.

Even the bottle itself is themed, with child-like drawings and a label stating that it belongs to the St Nicholas Children’s Home, where every child deserves a home – playing on the opening scenes of Buddy in the orphanage.

I continued sipping the cocktail, which was the perfect adult reinvention of a childhood ritual, as Buddy chimes: “What about Santa’s cookies? I suppose parents eat them, too?”

A further 20 minutes into the film, our first dish of food came out – essentially a starter.

‘Journey to New York’ was a hot dog complete with Christmas toppings.

It was a good size and was as scrummy as the hot dogs I’ve had from street vendors in Central Park.

The dish also comes with a passionfruit spray, nodding to Buddy’s scene spritzing the perfumes in the department store.

Then for the main, ‘Cola Christmas Dinner’ was slow-cooked beef in a rich gravy with cheesy mash, green beans and small glass bottle of coke on the side.

The dish was also presented with a small rice- paper wanted poster of the ‘fake Santa’ who smells of ‘beef and cheese’.

I tuck into the delicious dish just as Buddy shouts: “You smell like beef and cheese, you don’t smell like Santa.”

This meal felt like traditional pub grub, warm and comforting – though the green beans weren’t particularly well cooked.

Even the small bottle of coke had a rebrand to ‘Share a Koke with Fake Santa’.

Shortly after finishing our mains, the main event of the menu arrived – Buddy’s famous spaghetti, complete with maple syrup, marshmallows and
chocolate coated peanuts.

And yes… it was interesting but I committed to standing by Buddy’s statement: “We elves stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”

However, let’s just say it won’t be replacing the Sunday roast anytime soon.

For the real dessert though, ‘Christmas is Saved’ was a Christmas cookie cheesecake for being on the ‘Nice’ list but also mini charcoal meringues for being on the ‘Naughty’ list, served in a small Santa’s sleigh.

It was the ideal festive end to an evening of pure culinary cinema.

The Elf Taste Film experience in London costs £91 per person including a £3.50 booking fee and is running throughout November and December.

HOLIDAYMAKERS heading to the south coast during the half-term school holidays are set to face travel chaos.

The train line between London and Brighton will close for nine days in February next year, coinciding with the school half term holidays.

No trains will run on the Brighton Main Line between Three Bridges and Brighton or Lewes from February 13 to 21.

The closure is taking place for engineering works to be carried out.

Network Rail and train operators are urging passengers to plan ahead.

There will be some replacement buses on the routes though.

And the direct route between Brighton and London Victoria will be diverted via Horsham and Littlehampton – with a longer journey time.

Replacement buses available during the railway line closure include:

• Between Three Bridges and Brighton, calling at all stations
• Between Three Bridges and Lewes, via Haywards Heath and Cooksbridge
• Between Three Bridges and Haywards Heath
• Between Haywards Heath and Plumpton
• Between Lewes and East Grinstead, on weekdays only

Travellers heading between Brighton and Hove and Gatwick or London are being encouraged to use the trains still, rather than the replacement buses.

Works being carried out include replacing the rails at Plumpton and Preston Park and renewing the track, switches and crossings at Keymer Junction near Wivelsfield.

Balcombe Tunnel will also undergo structural work and the Clayton Tunnel will get new rails.

Lucy McAuliffe, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “We know closing the railway is an inconvenience, but the extended closure over February half-term 2027 allows us to deliver a huge volume of work at once, avoiding repeated disruption across multiple weekends or during the busy summer season.”

FLIGHTS to and from Spain are being disrupted today due to a 24-hour nationwide strike.

Staff all over the country, including at its airports, are staging a walkout resulting in delays and cancelled flights – some of which are from the UK.

Looking on FlightRadar24, Madrid Barajas Airport has had 156 of its flights cancelled so far – which is 13 per cent.

At Barcelona El Prat Airport, 79 flights have been cancelled so far today.

From London Heathrow, two British Airways flights have been cancelled so far, one to Lisbon and one to Barcelona.

Another heading to Madrid from London Heathrow with Iberia this morning has also been cancelled.

From London Gatwick, a number of flights have been cancelled including one heading to Barcelona with Vueling.

Another heading to Lisbon with easyJet from London Gatwick this evening also won’t go ahead.

Iberia, which is the flag carrier airline of Spain, has urged travellers to get to airports in Spain early due to potential delays at check-in and passport control.

On its website, it also warned of delays at Madrid Airport due to difficulty accessing it.

As a result it said that some of its flights to and from Madrid may be affected until tomorrow.

There is still a minimum flight service requirement in place.

Business Travel News Europe reported that there must be at least 57 per cent of international flights at Madrid and 56 per cent at Barcelona.

Anyone flying to or from Spain is urged to check the status of their flight with the airline before going to the airport.

It’s not just air travel that is experiencing disruption, public transport like the Metro, high-speed rail and buses is also affected.

The strike is protesting the escalating housing crisis – and it will be the country’s first joint general strike in almost 15 years.

Major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona could see large demonstrations, which could block streets and impact traffic.

The US Embassy in Spain said: “Public transportation will be limited to minimum services. Confirm travel plans with your train company/airline and expect delays. Demonstrations can cause last-minute closures or cancellations.

“Museums, shops, restaurants, and pharmacies may be closed. Plan in advance for personal needs.”

The strike comes weeks before the general election which will be held in Spain on November 29.

There is arguably no better way to end a meal than with a sticky toffee pudding. The soft and tender sponge cake, made from a batter with softened dates, arrives hot and drowned in a rich, glossy toffee sauce. It is often crowned with a scoop of ice cream for a glorious interplay of temperatures. It’s not difficult to see why it’s one of Britain’s favorite desserts. And luckily for Angelenos, you can now find great sticky toffee pudding on the menu at several restaurants across the city.

The rise of sticky toffee pudding makes a lot of sense. There is a growing interest in British cooking in Los Angeles recently — particularly among restaurants that reinterpret dishes through a Californian lens, such as Tomat and Wilde’s. The dessert’s enthusiastic use of dates also makes it a very Southern Californian dessert, given the abundance of date trees that grow in the region.

Chef Brian Bornemann, who added sticky toffee pudding to the dessert menu at his new pasta-focused restaurant Bar Fortuna in Santa Monica, says the dessert’s recent surge in popularity is also likely due to the fact that it is not overly complicated to make. “In a world where most restaurants in Los Angeles cannot afford pastry chefs anymore, this is a dessert that is easy to execute with a small margin of error.”

Across Los Angeles, restaurants of all kinds are putting their own spin on the dessert. Some are giving it a cultural reinterpretation: a Persian restaurant in Century City adds candied orange and walnuts, while a West African-inspired spot in Inglewood makes a version with both dates and plantains. Some chefs are using unexpected ingredients like fish sauce or aged vanilla jaggery powder, while others are serving more traditional takes. There has never been a better time to be a sticky toffee pudding-lover in Los Angeles. Here are 11 versions worth ending your meal with:

Along 2,400 miles of Route 66, small towns and road-trippers will be marking the highway’s 100th anniversary Wednesday. But for many business owners along the Mother Road, the birthday gifts have been coming in for months, thanks to a surge in spending by centennial travelers.

Hundreds of small businesses invested in upgrades and celebrations for 2026 — particularly during summer’s busy road trip season — including concerts, car shows, signs, murals, publications and a 19-day national caravan that began in Santa Monica in June.

“I’d say we’ve had probably double the travelers and double the spending,” said Gar Engman, owner of TeePee Curios, a novelty shop in Tucumcari, N.M., comparing this year with 2025.

Not every entrepreneur had numbers that rosy, and there’s no official measure of this year’s business along the route. But after driving the route myself for a Times travel guide that published in May, I reached out this week to several entrepreneurs I met on the way, and most said business was up sharply this year. In addition, many said they were seeing more Americans on the road this year — a notable trend, since international travelers have been the lifeblood of Route 66 for many years.

All along the road, there had been doubts about centennial traffic, given gas prices (up 30% from last year) and the many Route 66 devotees who come from countries that have been maligned or targeted for higher tariffs by President Trump, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Several entrepreneurs along the road said some international travelers did stay away, including Canadians who have been avoiding U.S. travel since 2025, when President Trump made comments about annexing Canada. But in many cases homegrown travelers filled the gap.

At Roy’s in Amboy, manager Kenneth Large said 2026 has been “fantastic” so far, with receipts at his gas station and shop up 18% to 20% over last year. International visitors are still the majority of his customers, Large said, but “I think there were more domestic travelers this year.”

At the Aztec Motel & Creative Space in Seligman, Ariz., “it’s been a roller-coaster,” said co-owner Anne Marie Gonzalez. “Our numbers here were almost nonexistent until August. We were getting really worried. And then it finally kicked in.” Though her 2026 numbers remain behind 2025 and 2024, Gonzalez said, she has seen “more Americans than ever. … People seemed to decide to do it at the last minute.”

When I called the U Drop Inn Cafe in Shamrock, Texas, co-owner Lianne Halpern started by saying “Give me one second! Let me just take this dessert to this table.”

“It’s been huge,” she said a moment later. “Right now, we’re probably up about 30% year over year. … It’s always been disproportionately international versus domestic and I would stay that’s still true.”

At the Rockwood Motor Court in Springfield, Mo., “it’s just been stellar,” said owner Phyllis Ferguson. Ferguson, whose motel has just 10 rooms, said that in June she filled 286 of 300 room-nights. By the end of that month, she said, she was already on the brink of passing her room-night total for all of 2025.

She was further encouraged by the number of younger travelers this year — so many, Ferguson said, that “I think Route 66 has become the honeymoon destination of young European couples.”

In Clinton, Okla., the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum reported that through the first half of 2026, business quadrupled over the first half of 2025.

In Tulsa, Buck Atom’s Atomic Curios and Meadow Gold Mack’s Route 66 Outpost have drawn a mix of young and old customers with their blend of irreverent and vintage wares items, perhaps offering a peek at the route’s future.

Rhys Martin, manager of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Route 66 program, said the positive reports have been fairly consistent along the highway’s “linear community,” which stretches from town to town across eight states.

Nov. 11, 1926, is considered the route’s official birth date because that’s when a group of state and national transportation officials formally agreed, after months of debate, that a highway would connect cities and towns from Chicago to Los Angeles, and that it would bear the number 66. It was another 12 years before the entire route was paved.

Martin was in Los Angeles over the weekend for a screening of director John Paget’s documentary “Route 66: The Main Street of America.” But he will soon be traveling to Washington, D.C., where Route 66 boosters are pushing a pair of identical bills that call for creation of a Route 66 National Historic Trail. In the House of Representatives, HR5470 still needs to clear a committee before a House vote. In the Senate, Martin said, S2887 awaits a full Senate vote.

The road “touches so many communities at so many levels,” Martin said. “It isn’t just good for the towns, it’s good for the story of the country.”

That fateful Thursday is approaching — the day when millions of American families gather in their homes for a traditional fall harvest meal, sometimes with a side dish of awkwardness and argument.

But many individuals, couples and families will be sidestepping that dining-room exercise and instead heading to the hills, forests, deserts and beaches. For them, this holiday is Campsgiving.

“I love camping on Thanksgiving,” said Kevin Long, CEO of camping website the Dyrt. “You don’t have crazy heat to deal with and you have less competition to get awesome campsites.”

Long and his wife, who mostly live in a van with their dog, camped last Thanksgiving on a site at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. While their extended family marked the holiday in wintry Minnesota, they sat down to Atlantic ocean views and a main course of Tofurky.

Among footloose families like theirs, the terms Campsgiving, Vansgiving and Glampsgiving have been circulating for years. But with the growth of glamping resorts and campground-finding sites like the Dyrt, Hipcamp and Campspot, the options have widened for newbies.

Aiming to cook a Thanksgiving meal over a campfire? REI has recipes for applewood smoked turkey, smashed sweet potatoes and upside-down apple pie made in a cast-iron pan. “A firepit covered with a strong grate is your best option for cooking,” its guide suggests.

Want to sleep in a safari tent that will already be up when you arrive? The Mendocino Grove glamping resort in Northern California offers a Campsgiving week of family movies, games, crafts, yoga, sound baths and a Friday night buffet in a big tent, featuring butter chicken, dahl fry, aloo tika masala, Indian pickles and a coconut dessert.

Campsgiving “is by far my favorite time for guests to gather at the campground during our seven-month season,” said Teresa Raffo, owner and co-founder of Mendocino Grove, in an email. “There’s a pioneer spirit to the week. And campers who didn’t come together end up together and usually back together the following year. Especially campers with kids. … It’s a really cool ‘chosen family’ vibe that happens over Thanksgiving week.”

Many sources agree that the pandemic recovery was a growth moment for Campsgiving, as families headed out of cities and out of doors. At the Dyrt, which keeps data on public and private campgrounds and RV parks nationwide, Long said he saw a roughly 15% jump in Thanksgiving camping in 2022-23. Since then, he said, “it’s gone up every year a couple of percent.”

Most Thanksgiving campers, Long added, are sleeping in RVs or vans because “it’s just a lot easier when you have a vehicle.” Also, those Thanksgiving-week trips tend to last longer — three nights, on average, instead of two.

During Thanksgiving week last year, campers filled about 70% of available spots in California’s state parks, a figure that has held steady (between 65% and 71%) over the last five years.

That’s a high number for November, but a relief for anyone accustomed to the sharp competition and 90%-plus occupancy rates of summertime.

As of Nov. 2, the state booking system showed more than 300 open site-nights at Anza Borrego Desert State Park and San Onofre State Beach, more than 200 at Crystal Cove’s Moro Campground, more than 100 at Carpinteria State Beach, and more than 500 at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park and Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area.

Beachfront campsites, however, remain a tough booking. At Bolsa Chica, Doheny, Pismo, Refugio, San Elijo and South Carlsbad state beaches, Thanksgiving week has been more than 90% booked for the last several years. At Leo Carrillo, Hearst San Simeon, Morro Bay and Point Mugu state parks, the rate is more than 80%.

At Yosemite, TheTalusfieldjournal.com calls Thanksgiving “the one busy weekend in a quiet month.” The only park campground that takes year-round reservations, Upper Pines, booked up for Thanksgiving many weeks ago. (Reservations can be made up to five months in advance, beginning on the 15th of each month.)

Not everyone, however, is looking for a quiet Campsgiving. Thousands of Californians yearn to race over dunes in roaring off-highway vehicles. In the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area southeast of San Diego, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest weekends of the year, with the Calexico Chronicle estimating crowds at 150,000 to 200,000, mostly sleeping in RVs.

“It’s a lifestyle,” said Todd Taylor, manager of Glamis Dunes Rentals, which handles more than 20 RVs and more than 30 “side-by-side” Utility Task Vehicles. Though traffic has dipped since the booming pandemic years of 2020-2023, Taylor said that by Nov. 5 he had booked up nearly all of his vehicles for Thanksgiving weekend.

As for Long, the van-dweller from the Dyrt — he was in Newberg, Ore., when interviewed for this story, soon to be southbound. This year, he said, “We might do Thanksgiving at an RV park in Palm Springs.”

Friends say they haven’t heard from her since November 6

A woman has disappeared in a tourist hotspot after leaving her hotel. Friends have been left worried after Emily Lummis disappeared after stepping out of her holiday accommodation.

The 38-year-old has not been seen for days after she vanished in Lisbon, Portugal. The last sighting of her came on November 6. The missing persons report states that she was last seen leaving the Palacio do Governador hotel in the district of Belem.

This sighting came around 12pm with no further updates made as of yet. The Brit, who is from London, is described as being blonde, around 5ft 4ins tall and of a slim build.

Emily also allegedly goes by the name ‘Lyra’. She was last seen wearing jeans, a grey jumper and a black overcoat. Brits abroad, expats and locals have been urged to contact the police with any information they may have.

Her friend Ravi has posted the report online. She said: “I’m here looking for help. Lyra, also known as Emily Lummis, has been missing since Friday 6th Nov, 12pm. Last seen leaving her hotel Palacio do Governador in the district of Belem.

“She is English, slim blonde, 38 years old, 5ft 4. Last seen wearing jeans, a grey jumper and a black overcoat.

“We are now increasingly worried. Please contact us if you have any information on seeing her or her whereabouts. Contact- Police no. +351 261 860 710 in Lisbon.”

A family of four left a TUI partner hotel after they discovered disgusting conditions at the venue including ants in their room and a toilet that wouldn’t stop flushing

A family left a TUI partner hotel early after discovering it was “unfit for humans” and left in a state so poor the two children were in ‘tears’.

Clinical resourcing partner Vikki Ashton, from Leeds, had travelled to Sousse, Tunisia with her husband and their two children in July this year for an £1,800 two-week all-inclusive holiday.

However, when they arrived at the hotel, they found it was very different to how it was advertised. It was in such a poor state, in fact, that TUI would later remove it from their site.

Vikki, 49, explained that one of the first warning signs occurred when the family arrived and found the hotel pool was green rather than blue. This was before they entered their hotel room and found lights off the walls and a toilet that wouldn’t stop flushing.

Vikki recalled: “While we were walking to our room [after checking in] we saw that the pool was green. It looked filthy. On the website the pool is blue. People were in it. It was in full use. We got in the room and saw it was pretty basic. The side lights were hanging off on wires, not even attached to the wall.

“We went in the bathroom and the toilet was filthy and it wouldn’t stop flushing. The noise was awful. The bathroom door handle just came off. It was falling apart. It wasn’t fit for human habitation. The public toilets that run from the all-inclusive bar to the toilets were covered in dirt. It was filthy. We were horrified.”

So concerned about the state of the room was the family that Vikki said she was worried they would “end up getting poorly” as their two daughters found ants “all over the room and all over the bed”.

In response, Vikki called TUI to express her worries about the venue, but claimed they told her they could not move the family due to it being peak holiday season. This was despite Vikki claiming she had seen availability online. Taking matters into their own hands, the family decided to rebook with another hotel privately at the cost of £3,200 for the rest of their holiday.

Vikki explained: “We told reception we need moving. We rang TUI again the next morning and they told us they couldn’t move us because it was height of the season. But they could’ve moved us because we could see right now there were several hotels in the area with availability today.”

Vikki added: “We said give us the money back for this hotel and we’ll move ourselves. They said they wouldn’t do that. We tried to work with TUI to get this resolved but they were not very forthcoming.

“It was either pay for another hotel ourselves or go home. The girls were in tears. The next hotel was fine and we stayed there for the remaining 13 nights. There was no way on earth we would’ve stayed at the first hotel. You could hear people in the hotel saying ‘get me out this place’.”

Upon their return to the UK, Vikki claimed that TUI was only willing to offer the family £105 in compensation for what had happened, an offer the family declined. Vikki, saddened at what had happened, said they hadn’t been expecting luxury, just “the basics”.

After Vikki’s case was raised, TUI have since claimed they reviewed the matter, including issues at the property Vikki mentioned. TUI has also claimed one of their team was in contact with VikkI and have since offered to fully reimburse them the price of the alternative accommodation they organised. Alongside this, they say the original venue, which was the source of the complaints, has also been removed from sale.

A spokesperson for TUI said: “We’re very sorry to hear about Ms Ashton’s experience. We want everyone who travels with us to be able to do so with confidence and to receive the standard of holiday they expect.

“We have since resolved the matter directly with the customer and, following the concerns raised, taken the decision to remove the property from sale, meaning it is no longer available to book through TUI.”

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The deal is back in an exclusive sale

Home Bargains has brought back a “lightweight” piece of luggage that will be instantly approved for travel on dozens of airlines as an under-seat cabin bag. The offer reduces the price from £14.99 to just £5.99, while stocks last.

Describing it online, Home Bargains said that the Bordlite Under Seat Cabin Bag is a “lightweight, compact travel buddy with three external pockets and a long shoulder strap”. It is ideal for “organised journeys and approved by over 30 airlines”, according to the brand.

The approximate bag dimensions were shared as 40 x 30 x 20cm. Shoppers can be assured the bag is suitable for free travel on most major airlines, such as Ryanair, easyJet, TUI Airways, Jet2, Wizz Air and more.

Below is a full list of the 30 airlines which accept this size (or larger) when booking. In most cases, carriers include a free personal item or underseat item with the ticket price — but always check with the airline directly before risking an unexpected airport charge.

What airlines accept this size bag?

UK and Europe:

1. Ryanair (Up to 40 x 25 x 20cm)
2. Wizz Air (40 x 30 x 20cm exactly)
3. FlyOne (40 x 30 x 20cm exactly)
4. easyJet (Up to 45 x 36 x 20cm)
5. Jet2 (Up to 45 x 36 x 20cm)
6. British Airways (Allows a large cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm for free)
7. Lufthansa (Up to 40 x 30 x 10cm for personal item, but easily fits their free overhead limit of 55 x 40 x 23cm)
8. Air France / KLM (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item, but easily fits their free overhead limit of 55 x 35 x 25cm)
9. Norwegian Air (Up to 38 x 30 x 20cm)
10. Iberia (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 56 x 45 x 25cm for overhead)
11. TAP Air Portugal (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 20cm for overhead)
12. Aegean Airlines (Up to 40 x 30 x 25cm)
13. Vueling (Up to 40 x 30 x 20cm)
14. Eurowings (Up to 40 x 30 x 25cm)
15. Pegasus Airlines (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 20cm for overhead)
16. SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) (Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)
17. Swiss International Air Lines (Up to 40 x 30 x 10cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)

Middle East and Asia

1. Emirates (Allows an overhead bag up to 55 x 38 x 20cm for free on all tickets).
2. Qatar Airways (Allows a cabin bag up to 50 x 37 x 25cm for free).
3. Etihad Airways (Allows a cabin bag up to 56 x 36 x 23cm for free).
4. Singapore Airlines (Allows a personal item up to 40 x 30 x 10cm or a main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 20cm)
5. Turkish Airlines (Allows a personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm or a main cabin bag up to 55 x 40 x 23cm)

American and Transatlantic

1. Delta Air Lines (no specific personal item dimensions, must fit under the seat)
2. United Airlines (Up to 43 x 25 x 22cm)
3. American Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
4. Air Canada (Up to 43 x 33 x 16cm for personal item / 55 x 40 x 23cm for overhead)
5. JetBlue (Up to 43 x 33 x 20cm)
6. Spirit Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
7. Frontier Airlines (Up to 45 x 35 x 20cm)
8. WestJet (Up to 41 x 33 x 15cm for personal item / 53 x 38 x 23cm for overhead)

What else is new in Home Bargains?

Although the peak summer holiday season is well and truly over, shoppers can still find major bargains in-store and online for their travel needs. Recent offers include full suitcase sets and more compact cases to dodge airline fees.

The Overlow Suitcase Set (worth £149.99) includes three different-sized pieces of luggage for £59.99, saving shoppers £90. Home Bargains calls the deal “perfect for every trip, whether you pack light or heavy”.

For those looking for a budget-friendly way to stay within some airlines’ free allowance, the store recently added the Salisburys Underseat Backpack for £19.99. Described as a “stylish and practical choice” for travellers, it measures 20 x 30 x 40cm, making it suitable for the likes of Ryanair, EasyJet and Jet2.

A new survey produced by Which? found that hotel spa fans are missing out on discounts worth hundreds of pounds, with deals available at the likes of Best Western, Champneys, Raffles and Bespoke Hotels

There are huge discounts available on hotel stays, but most holidaymakers don’t bother to use them. Two-thirds of customers who book spa hotels pay full price despite possible savings of up to 75 percent, new Which? research revealed.

In a survey of over 1,700 people who have stayed at a UK spa hotel chain, fewer than a third had booked a discount despite offers often being available. These can be worth hundreds of pounds. Two-thirds of customers (66%) paid full price by booking with the hotel directly, but customers could save hundreds of pounds by booking strategically and using trusted deal sites.

When it comes to deal sites, not all of them are trustworthy. Before booking a package through one, check the cancellation policy as they can be overly restrictive. It is also worth checking if access to the spa facilities is actually included in the overall price. More than a third of surveyed spa hotel visitors said they were charged extra – a significant dampener on a spa weekend.

For example, some Hilton hotels charge extra for the spa and pool, and it isn’t always obvious. Only on Cardiff Hilton’s spa page does it mention that guests are charged £5 a head for 90 minutes. In one example, the consumer champion found that the Liverpool DoubleTree charges £25 per hour for spa use.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

The best deals

Best Western Dartmouth Hotel and Spa: Which? got more than £300 off the price of staying for two nights by skipping the package, which included pricey extras like dinners and treatments, originally costing £544.97. Standard room rates already include free spa access, so customers could instead book a bed and breakfast rate for just £236.80 and still enjoy the spa facilities during their stay, making a 56 per cent saving.

Raffles London at The OWO: For something higher-end, the cost of a two-night getaway for two at Raffles London at The OWO would set customers back a whopping £2,480 without afternoon tea or welcome drinks if you book directly. However, on deal site Luxury Escapes, a getaway on the same nights was not only discounted to £1,629, it also included breakfast, an afternoon-tea experience and champagne on arrival. This is a saving of £851 (34%).

Brend Saunton Sands spa hotel: A two-night stay including breakfast and dinners would cost £642, but the same two-night stay on Travelzoo, with breakfast, dinner and a bottle of wine thrown in, is available for £495, a saving of £147 (23%). Despite the discount and extra perks available, an overwhelming majority of Brend guests paid full price (84%), according to the survey.

Bespoke Hotels: Bespoke offers discounts of up to 25 per cent on their own website.

Champneys: Customers could get 75 per cent off one-to-three-day breaks if they are also a Vitality Insurance customer: an overnight Original Spa Break in Tring on 19 December would cost £357.50, including meals and spa access. However, savvy savers using the Vitality customer discount would dramatically bring down the cost to £89.38, a difference of £268.12. As long as the Vitality plan is live and customers have completed their health review, the Champneys discount can be used straight away but must be booked four weeks in advance.

Free hotel loyalty accounts can also lower rates at big chains. Hilton offers spa discounts on certain tiers, and Marriott Bonvoy allows ‘instant redemption’ on points towards spa bookings. An All Accor account offers 10% off, and brought the Raffles direct price down to £2,232.

Starling murmurations over Aberystwyth

A murmuration of starlings is one of winter’s most mesmerising spectacles; thousands of birds, swooping in formation, before communally roosting to stave off the winter. Piers are a favourite place to roost, with up to 50,000 zooming around in the skies above Aberystwyth, best seen on an afternoon stroll along the prom. The town is also home to the National Library of Wales which is well worth a visit, both for its excellent gift shop and the chance to browse a few of the 8 million books and periodicals within its walls. Y Ffarmers, which is a few miles out of town, is excellent for a long lunch, and Gwesty Cymru, on the seafront, has doubles from £140 B&B.

Sunrise over the Hope valley, Peak District

Forcing yourself out of bed before dawn on a cold day isn’t the most appetising prospect, but when the skies are clear, a winter sunrise is the most spectacular you’ll see all year. Cold air holds less water vapour and humidity, meaning the skies are much clearer and the low sun creates an intense angle of light. Few places are more beautiful at dawn than the Hope Valley in the Peak District – particularly when seen from the viewpoint of Mam Tor; its peak is an easy 15-minute walk from the car park. The pretty town of Castleton lies just below, where the Bulls Head has five cosy bedrooms from £115 B&B.

Wave-watching in Cornwall

Few things are more invigorating than watching a wind-whipped sea hurl itself on to the beach. Porthleven, on the Atlantic coast, has some of the most spectacular winter seas; in winter 2025, 30ft swells roared on to the three-mile sandy beach. Off season, the town reverts to its original fishing village vibe, but pubs such as the Ship Inn and the Blue Anchor are lively with locals, and warm with blazing fires. The Harbour Inn has doubles from £120 B&B.

Seal pup spotting in Norfolk

From late October until January the beach at Horsey Gap seethes with life, as grey seals heave themselves on to the sand to birth their pups. More than 3,500 were born in 2025-6, and although the beach is closed to the public, there are platforms in the dunes and designated viewing areas just a few minutes’ walk from the car park. Afterwards, stroll back into Horsey village for lunch by the fire at the Nelson Head, and make a weekend of it at Dairy Barns with doubles from £120 B&B.

Husky sledding in Conwy

Think of husky sledding and you’ll no doubt picture teams of dogs racing across the Arctic tundra of Scandinavia, Canada and Greenland. But north Wales? Mynydd Sled Dog Adventures offers a range of husky sledding adventures for novices, albeit with a marked lack of snow, and in a passenger cart rather than a sleigh. But the feeling of exhilaration as you whisk along the forest trails of Bwlch Hafod Einion and across open moorland is the same; with six dogs – a mix of Siberian and Alaskan huskies – controlled by the “musher” at the back of the cart (rides cost from £120pp). Afterwards, warm up with hearty soups and stews at the Crown Inn, 10 minutes’ drive away, and stay at Llwyn Onn, where the spacious doubles cost from £123 B&B.

Sauna and plunge in Kent

Seafront saunas have become an increasingly common sight around the UK in the last couple of years, but few can compete with Sea Scrub in Folkestone. New this year, a small area of beachfront has been given over to two wood-fired saunas, a communal cold plunge tank, hot showers and a Japanese cafe – in a nod to a country that shares the Scandinavian fondness for ritual bathing (communal sauna session from £20pp for 40 minutes). Once warmed up, take a stroll around the town; Folkestone has the largest urban outdoor exhibition of contemporary art in the country. Stay at the Relish, a Regency townhouse with doubles from £88 B&B.

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Aurora viewing in Caithness

Few sights are as mesmerising as the northern lights; undulating waves of colour rolling across the sky, illuminating the darkness. Dunnet Head is the most northerly point on mainland Britain: the unobstructed view from the cliff tops, looking across the Pentland Firth towards Orkney, opens up infinite skies. Pop into the Dunnet Bay Distillery for something warming to have in your hip flask, and if the lights fail to show, by day there’s a chance of seeing dolphins in Dunnet Bay. Stay at Northern Sands, four miles from Dunnet Head, with rooms from £100 B&B.

Enjoy the silence in the New Forest

It might teem with tourists in summer, but in winter the New Forest falls silent and the ponies outnumber visitors once again. Even on a rainy day (and I speak from personal experience) simply standing in the middle of thousands of trees, listening to drops fall on to the leaves, is glorious; an all-encompassing immersion in nature. Brockenhurst’s excellent rail connections mean you can leave the car at home and pick up a rental bike at Cycle Experience, while Cottage Lodge, with doubles from £99 B&B, makes a welcoming base. At night, stroll to Albero for classic Italian dishes made with verve.

Hit the pistes in the Cairngorms

If you long to snap on your skis, but the budget won’t stretch to a ski break, the Cairngorm Mountain Resort offers the chance to whisk down a piste or two. There are about 20 miles of piste – including challenging reds and blacks – with lift passes costing a fraction of their Alpine equivalents (adults £39 per day). If snow is thin on the ground, it’s still worth a ride on the Cairngorm Mountain Railway (tickets from £5 in November) for lunch at the Ptarmigan restaurant – the highest in the UK – for hearty dishes including Speyside beef curry and Highland venison chilli. Stay at the Cairngorm Hotel in Aviemore, with doubles from £119 B&B.

Seaside sunsets in Dorset

If the promise of a spectacular dawn won’t lure you out of bed, a winter sunset can be equally unforgettable, particularly at Sandbanks. Here, the low angle of the sun floods the waters of Poole Harbour with intense gold, orange and scarlet reflections, with islands and boat masts silhouetted against the horizon. For a panoramic view, head to nearby Evening Hill, which gives a 180-degree view across the peninsula, then settle in for fish and chips at Rick Stein Sandbanks. The Canford, a short walk from the beach, has double rooms from £132 B&B.

A new study shows that the pressure of organising everything on holiday leaves trip leaders needing another holiday just to recover.

Planning and booking a holiday is supposed to be the ultimate escape, but new research reveals that many of those who organise trips end up worn out by the burden of responsibility.

According to the findings, six in 10 people have arrived home from a break only to feel they need another one. A poll of 2,000 adults found that for 35%, the most draining aspect is having to plan the trip in the first place, while for 30%, it’s taking the lead on arrangements once they’ve actually arrived.

Despite their best efforts to switch off, 32% can’t stop checking whether everyone around them is having a good time. Meanwhile, 30% spend their precious downtime hunting out restaurants, and 25% find themselves putting together the day’s itinerary.

In a bid to escape the constant pressure of being in charge, 22% sneak off for a quiet coffee, 17% retreat to the sanctuary of their hotel room, and 11% resort to pretending to be asleep.

IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) commissioned the research and has teamed up with TV presenter Josie Gibson to launch its ‘When the Host Needs Hosting’ campaign.

“I’m that person who’s always making sure everyone’s glass is full and having the best time,” Josie admits. “So, when I’m away, I absolutely love being the one who gets looked after for a change.

“Whether it’s a big holiday, travelling for work or just a little night away, for me it’s about being able to switch off, relax and let someone else take care of things.”

The research revealed 54% of adults regularly take on caring responsibilities for others in day-to-day life, while 57% often find themselves arranging group activities. Meanwhile, 49% typically feel it falls to them to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves.

So much so that 64% of those surveyed by OnePoll.com have come back from a break feeling as though they required another holiday just to recuperate.

Yet despite finding organisational duties exhausting while away, 28% do actually enjoy the role. And 31% believe they are the most suitable person to take control within their friendship circle, family or amongst work colleagues.

Nevertheless, for a trip to genuinely feel like a proper escape, over a third (34%) said it’s being able to simply turn up and enjoy themselves. For 33%, not having to cook or clean helps them properly switch off while 32% value having a comfortable room ready for them when they arrive.

Neetu Mistry, managing director of UK & Ireland at IHG Hotels & Resorts, which is launching ‘When the Host Needs Hosting’ experiences through its One Rewards Access platform, said: “The people who bring everyone together are often the ones who find it hardest to switch off.

“And our research shows that even when they’re away, many are still thinking about everyone else.

“For us, great hospitality is about creating the space for people to step back, relax and feel genuinely looked after.

“We’re celebrating the people who do so much for others and reminding them that sometimes, it’s their turn to be the guest.”

TOP 10 HOLIDAY TASKS BRITS WOULD LOVE TAKEN OFF THEIR HANDS:

1. Cooking
2. Cleaning
3. Resolving problems
4. Managing timings and schedules
5. Coordinating transport
6. Planning the itinerary
7. Organising activities
8. Making reservations
9. Making sure everyone else is happy
10. Deciding where everyone eats

A HUGE cruise ship is being transformed into the ultimate playground for adults.

Marella Cruises, TUI‘s UK cruise line, is converting Marella Discovery 2 into its second adults-only ship.

There will be four new venues onboard inside the ship’s former kids’ spaces.

The first space will be Amplify Karaoke, a private karaoke lounge with space for up to seven guests.

The lounge will feature mood lighting and offer guests thousands of songs to sing along to.

The second space will be The Lost Luggage Bureau – a speakeasy inspired by the glamour of the Golden Age of Travel.

To get to the themed bar, families will have to enter through what looks like a forgotten lost property office.

Guests each get 90 minutes inside, with music, live actors and immersive storytelling about the luggage that’s never been claimed to entertain them.

The bar has three signature cocktails, which are served from a vintage brass trolley.

The host will then add finishing touches to your drinks at your table.

Passengers can choose between two stories – either The Case in Question or the Smugglers Society.

Each show will welcome up to 42 guests.

Another space will have the Red Handed Escape Room, which is set backstage at the fictional Cabaret Rouge in the 1920s.

In teams of six, passengers have 60 minutes to steal Lady Ruby Bardot’s diamond necklace before they’re caught red-handed.

The escape room has seven logic puzzles in total, across two themed dressing rooms.

One of the rooms is hidden though, with passengers having to find it as part of the experience.

If players do get stuck, don’t worry – a host will call them on a vintage telephone and give some handy tips.

And the final space will be The Loft – a calm space for guests with a library, board games and hosted arts and craft sessions.

The space will be open 24-hours-a-day and is an all-inclusive venue.

The room will also be home to the Crafts Ahoy programme, with one hosted session on port days and two hosted sessions on sea days.

Sessions include jewellery making, macrame, watercolour painting, sketching, button art and quilling.

All of the spaces will be exclusive to the Marella Discovery 2 and open to passengers by early 2027.

Three of the new spaces will have an additional charge and can be booked when on board the ship.

Amplify Karaoke costs from £14.95 per room per hour for up to seven guests, Red Handed Escape Room costs £16.95 per person and The Lost Luggage Bureau costs £19.95 per person, including the three signature cocktails.

Other spaces onboard will also be modernised such as the climbing wall, which will get a wider variety of hold sizes.

And the cruise itself isn’t expensive either with prices from £1,155 per person for a seven-night sailing on the Atlantic Islands cruise, heading from Tenerife, Spain on February 5, 2027.

Chris Hackney, CEO at Marella Cruises, said: “Our customers have told us how much they value adults-only cruising and our investment in Marella Discovery 2 shows how we’re continuing to modernise our fleet.

“We’ve looked closely at what guests love across our ships, as well as wider consumer trends around relaxation, social connection, immersive entertainment and creative wellbeing, to create four distinctive new venues that will appeal to our loyal customers and those new to cruise alike.

“Whether that’s sipping cocktails in a secret speakeasy, belting out a favourite song with friends or picking up a paintbrush on a sea day, these venues give guests more ways to make their holiday their own.”

CENTER Parcs has revealed plans for TWO new attractions at one of its parks.

Center Parcs Longleat Forest resort has revealed plans for a new aerial adventure and a rollercoaster-style treetop attraction.

The park currently has an Aerial Adventure Course but this will be replaced with a new high-level aerial adventure with 15 bridges and three zip wires.

The course will be in the woodland and set across different heights with some platforms as high as 12.56 metres.

The attraction will be east of the main lake.

And last week, the park also gained permission to build a Treetop Glider attraction.

The attraction will be a rollercoaster-style zipline, 13 metres above the ground.

It will be the third resort to get the attraction, following from Elveden Forest in Suffolk and Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire.

Last year, the park opened Adventure Nets at the resort, where families can “bounce, balance, leap and climb through the stunning redwood canopy”.

There are a number of treehouses across the course as well, seven metres in the air.

And there are a number of tunnels, rope bridges and a trampoline area.

The Adventure Nets sessions are 70-minutes long – which includes a 10-minute safety briefing, followed by 60-minutes of play.

PAULTONS Park, aka the country’s best theme park, is bringing back its Christmas extravaganza.

Families will be able to experience the delights of the theme park with lots of festive extras as its award-winning event returns next month.

A Celebration of Christmas will be back at Paultons Park from December 5 – it comes after it won Best Christmas Event at the Theme Park Awards earlier this year.

Paultons Park also won the award for Theme Park of the Year.

During A Celebration of Christmas Tornado Springs and Peppa Pig World are fully decorated with magical lights, Christmas trees, and wreaths.

Peppa and George will join in the fun dressed up in their festive outfits.

There will also be daily meet-and-greets – including with Frosty the Snowman and friends under a flurry of snowflakes.

Santa’s Grotto is back too, families can enjoy an enchanting walk-through experience, filled with twinkling lights and their favourite characters.

A photograph is included so the experience won’t be forgotten, and children get a soft plush toy too.

The Grotto is open from December 5 until December 24 (early booking is advised).

Santa isn’t just in his cosy grotto – he will also be on stage for Santa’s Storytime and Santa’s Christmas Wish Show.

It’s filled with singing, dancing and he’ll be joined by Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Reindeer.

The event will start on December 5 and will end on January 6 – Paultons is open every weekend in December (apart from on Boxing Day) as well as additional dates.

These are Monday 14, Friday 18, Monday 21, Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, Thursday 24, Monday 2, Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31.

As well as all the Christmas happenings, there’s plenty of time for rollercoasters too.

Head to Valgard: Realm of the Vikings, which opened in May 2026, to experience Drakon, the park’s first rollercoaster to take riders upside down.

In Valgard, there’s also Vild Swing, Raven and the Feasting Hall where visitors will find a ‘banquet fit for Vikings’.

It serves up flame-grilled chicken, burgers, crispy fried favourites, saladbowlss and ‘Little Viking’ meals for kids.

Tornado Springs is the American themed adventure park with the Storm Chaser rollercoaster as well as tractor rides.

There’s also the Lost Kingdom which is full of dinosaurs, Critter Creek which has a caterpillar rollercoaster and an express train.

Meanwhile, Wild Lands is home to animals like meerkats and reptiles.

Day passes for anyone over one-metre tall visiting Paultons Park start from £41.

Short breaks over Christmas start from £45 per person per night on selected two-night stays.

The package includes park tickets, a stay in a nearby family-friendly hotel, breakfast and parking.

James Mancey, managing director at Paultons Park, said: “Each year we strive to make A Celebration of Christmas even more magical than the year before and we are delighted that our win at the UK Theme Park Awards this year reflects the efforts of our entire team. We all strive for Christmas at Paultons to be the place where families make their favourite festive memories.  

“For the second year ever, the magic of Christmas at Paultons carries on beyond Christmas Eve with thrilling rides, meet and greets, and our delicious festive menu available throughout the Christmas break and into the new year.

“There’s no better way to make the most of Twixmas and keep the festive spirit alive than a day out with the family before it’s time to go back to school.”

Paultons Park is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.  

For even more Christmas events, these are the the most popular ones that STILL have tickets – but you must be quick as they sell out early.

Pinch & Punch is the microbakery venture from Cathy Asapahu, one of the sisters behind Westchester’s family-owned Ayara Thai. A former pastry chef at Michelin-starred Providence, Asapahu has a knack for balancing sweetness with salty, acidic, spicy and even umami elements to create unexpected flavor combinations. This year, she’s bringing an Asian-inspired twist to your holiday desserts with pandan coconut pie ($78), layered with young coconut, pandan custard and salted coconut whipped ganache; five-spice apple pie ($88), featuring Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, anise, cloves and Sichuan peppercorns; and banoffee chocolate pie ($98), a decadent combo of fresh bananas, Thai chocolate ganache, fish sauce dulce de leche and whipped cream in a black cocoa crust. Preorder online by Nov. 22 at 11:59 p.m. for pickup at Ayara Thai on Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., or Thanksgiving Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

During LA28, the official competitions will be just one part of the massive summer extravaganza happening in Los Angeles.

A kaleidoscope of international hubs will rise throughout the county, each hosting events such as watch parties, concerts, regional meals, immersive installations and meet-and-greets with newly crowned medalists. Known as hospitality houses, these temporary gathering places give traveling fans a home away from home beyond the competition venues, while offering Angelenos a chance to experience the cultural thrills of the Olympics, even if they weren’t able to snag tickets to the Games.

“You can go to 20 countries at the Olympic Games without ever leaving the host city,” said Tiffany Assman, founder of House Party Blog, which covers Olympic hospitality houses.

At the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, the hospitality houses were as diverse as the countries themselves: The China House opened with traditional Chinese fan and sword performances while Ireland staked its claim at a pub, hosting night-after-night parties with live music and céilí dance lessons. Los Angeles hopes to welcome about 60 to 70 hospitality houses for LA28, up from roughly 40 houses in Paris, according to Dilpreet Sidhu, the city’s deputy mayor of international affairs. At the same time, Team USA fan events will take place across the region.

The partnerships between countries and local host cities can be mutually beneficial. Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles’ executive director of major events, said hospitality houses can help generate “meaningful economic opportunities for our city by supporting nearby local businesses and investing in the workforce that makes these events possible.” In Santa Monica, Switzerland’s planned use of the Camera Obscura building has “helped us to reimagine the future” of the landmark, said Jennifer Taylor, the city’s economic development manager. In Venice, where Australia will make the venue 57 Windward its LA28 home, Councilmember Traci Park said she wants the Games to “accelerate meaningful improvements in accessibility, public spaces and neighborhood infrastructure that residents and visitors will enjoy for generations.” And in San Pedro, Councilmember Tim McOsker wants Croatia’s presence to draw visitors into the historic downtown, arts district and surrounding businesses.

In choosing a location, countries look for more than a scenic backdrop. Factors include neighborhood demographics, transportation and proximity to hotels and Olympic venues. Funding varies by house: Some countries rely on government or Olympic committee resources, others on private support and sponsorships.

While many countries are still scouting venues and negotiating agreements, several have already confirmed where their houses will be. Here’s a look at where you’ll find some of these cultural hubs in the summer of 2028. Details on programming — both free and fee-based experiences — will be announced at a later date.

FORGET spending winters in the UK – why not spend the month abroad and pay less than you would here?

Lots of destinations like Spain and Portugal have affordable motorhome sites that remain open in the winter and have super cheap long-stay deals for as little as £8pp a night.

Of course, these work for people who don’t need to stay in the UK – by that, I mean remote workers or those who have retired.

We’ve worked with Caravan and Motorhome Club to find some of the best long stay deals, which are more than 30 days.

You need to be a member, which costs around £69 a year, and you’ll need to bring your own motorhome or rent one, but it gives you access to more than 2,600 campsites across the UK and Europe.

So here’s our best pick of mega cheap stays where you can ride out the winter abroad.

Costa Daurada from £16 per night

The cheapest long-stay holiday is at Alannia Els Prats on Costa Daurada.

Based on 14 week stays, the stays run from December 11 to March 21, 2027, where stays are from £16 per pitch, per night – so £8pp.

There are 102 pitches to choose from, but that means a monthly stay could cost you just £480 for two people, for the month.

The resort itself has direct access to the beach – perfect for a morning stroll.

Otherwise there is an onsite gym, spa and sports courts, along with restaurants and bars.

Flights there are around £16.99 with Ryanair with temperatures up to 16C in winter.

Cadiz from £22 a night

Stay in the south of Spain at Taiga Puerto de Santa María for a winter escape by the sea with highs of 17C.

Stay for more than 61 nights and you can stay for £21.74 per pitch, which is based on two adults – so less than £11 each a night.

The campsite has a large outdoor pool as well as a supermarket and restaurant onsite, so enough if you wanted to stay onsite.

You could head to the beach for a winter walk, or head to the city of Cadiz, often called the Cuba of Spain for looking similar to Havana.

If you’re a sherry fan, this is for you too, as the Andalucian region is known for it.

You’re best flying to Jerez Airport, with £14.99 Ryanair flights, as there are direct trains to Cadiz from there.

Vagueira, from £23 a night

When it comes to Portugal, the quiet campsite Vagueira in Aveiro is right by the beach.

Stays start from £22.83 for a two-person pitch, so just over £11 each a night.

The campsite is simple, but the perfect base to explore Aveiro which is called the Venice of Portugal.

Otherwise the nearby forest is ideal or sport-goers, thanks to cycling trails and hiking routes.

Temperatures aren’t hot, but they are warmer than the UK with highs of 14C in winter.

Fly to Porto from the UK with cheap flights from £15, then drive to Aveiro.

Barcelona from £24 per night

Just outside Barcelona is Vilanova Park, which access to both the coast and the city so you could spend days exploring Barcelona, along with some beach walks.

But the resort itself has lots of things like a pool complex with a wellness centre.

This means you can spend time at the gym or doing a Zumba glass, followed by a trip to the sauna or hot tub.

Dine onsite too, with a Catalan restaurant and bar offering fantastic food and drink.

Stays cost £23.42 per pitch for two adults when staying more than 30 nights, so that works out to less than £16pp.

Flights to Barcelona are just £14.99 with budget airlines.

Montenegro, from £24 a night

How about a winter in Montenegro?

Camping Maslina has just 100 pitches, sitting among historic olive trees so expect a more low-key stay.

There is a nearby black sand beach which has a restaurant and beach bar if you want a winter explore.

Otherwise nearby beautiful villages such as Sveti Stefan are worth a visit too.

Temperatures can hit 15C in winter in Petrovac, so still warmer than the UK.

Stays here are from £23.35 per night for a pitch for two, which comes with electric hook up – so this is less than £12 each a night.

France, from £24 a night

The closest spot to stay is Le Paradis – Mazières, found in the southwest of France.

Run by a British couple, there are 30 pitches as well as a playground and dog field.

Previous guests have praised how peaceful it is, as well as getting a free wine or beer on arrival.

Stays are from £23.30 per night based on a two-person, electric pitch, so just under £12 each.

Algarve, from £26 per night

Nearby golden sand beaches, on-site pools and the nearby seaside village of Luz makes this a gorgeous winter stay.

Turiscampo in the Algarve has an indoor heated pool in case the temperature drops, as well as saunas, hammams and a gm and spa.

There is a restaurant and snack bar onsite but it is worth exploring the rest of the area too.

There are extra perks for long stays too, like a voucher for cocktails and tapas at the bar.

Stays are from £25.68 a night per pith for two, so this is about £13 each a night.

Fly to Faro airport with flights for £15, then drive to the campsite from there. Weather can hit highs of 18C in winter.

A NATIONWIDE strike in Spain is expected to disrupt travel across the entire country tomorrow – and it includes UK flights.

The industrial action will ‘bring the country to a complete standstill‘ as staff are set to walkout from airports, public transport, shops, restaurants and museums.

The shutdown will begin tomorrow morning as major trade unions in Spain stage a 24-hour walkout.

The strike is protesting the escalating housing crisis – and it will be the country’s first joint general strike in almost 15 years.

Flights across both mainland Spain and the Canary Islands are expected to see cancellations or delays.

Iberia has warned that journeys might be affected on November 11 and has put alternatives in place for those who experience disruption.

It adds that anyone travelling from a Spanish airport tomorrow should arrive earlier than usual with the strike causing delays at check-in, security and passport control.

However, the good news is that there’s a minimum flight service requirement in place.

Business Travel News Europe reported that there must be at least 57 per cent of international flights at Madrid and 56 per cent at Barcelona.

Passengers should still check for updates from their airline before travelling tomorrow.

Anton Radchenko, Aviation Expert and CEO of AirAdvisor, said :”If my flight were cancelled, my first question would be how the airline could get me there, rather than how quickly it could refund me. The original ticket price may not cover a replacement bought at short notice.

“If another airline can get you there significantly sooner, ask about that option rather than assume you must wait for your original carrier’s next flight.”

For anyone who is already in Spain and needs to stay overnight while waiting for replacement travel, Anton says travellers should ask the airline to arrange accommodation and meals.

If the airline can’t provide that, then passengers are advised to keep receipts for expenses.

Anton adds: “Those costs are separate from fixed compensation, and passengers should not abandon a legitimate expenses claim simply because they have been told the strike was outside the airline’s control.”

The strike won’t just affect flights – on the ground, public transport will be impacted including high-speed lines, the city metro, and buses.

However, the government has guaranteed that at least 72 per cent of the AVE and long-distance trains will operate on November 10-12, with 65 per cent of Renfe’s regional services set to run as scheduled.

For anyone already on holiday there at the time, the walkout could see some restaurants, museum and shops close.

If they’re not shut, the opening hours could be reduced to holiday hours.

There could be demonstrations in large cities, so monitor local media for updates and disruption.