Writing on Reddit, one poster lifted the lid on a tropical island they found while travelling. The photographs showed beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, with crystal-clear seas, and barely another soul in sight
The tropical island is only 250m wide (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Sometimes the only solution to the stresses of everyday life is to jet off to a tropical island. But finding the perfect unspoiled paradise can be a trick, with ever-increasing tourism levels meaning many places can be overcrowded, or have lost some of their local charm.
Writing on Reddit, one poster lifted the lid on a tiny hidden island they had discovered while travelling in South Asia. The photographs showed beautiful sandy beaches lined with palm trees, with crystal-clear seas, and barely another soul in sight.
The Reddit user wrote: “My girlfriend and I were in the area (Sri Lanka) and decided to extend our trip with a new country, so flew to Malé and took a local ferry to an island two atolls away.” They continued: “(We) arrived in a little unspoilt paradise called Dhigurah, which only opened up to non-Muslim foreigners recently (at the time, 2023).”
Dhigurah is an island in the Alifu Dhaalu Atoll, a series of 49 islands in the Maldives. It is 3km long, making it one of the longest islands in the Maldives, and at points just 250 metres wide, according to maldives-magazine.com.
The waters surrounding the island are teeming with docile whale sharks, the website says, as well as stingrays and other marine wildlife. Whale sharks only eat plankton and tiny fish, and pose no danger to humans.
Continuing, the Reddit user said: “We spent our time snorkelling (the water, especially the closer to the shore, is literally teeming with sea life), swimming with whale sharks and stingrays and drinking freshly cut coconut juice on the beach.
“Seems like the local population were clearing the rainforest (which covered 90 per cent of the island at the time of our visit, 2023) at an alarming rate to make room for new hotels, some of which apparently already have appeared on Booking.com.”
Reddit users were amazed by the pictures. One wrote: “Man I wish I could be there now. Looks amazing.”
Another said: “Oh man I’m heading to Sri Lanka in about a month and was considering hopping over. I even booked a ‘just in case hotel on this exact island but cancelled and thought I shouldn’t rush Sri Lanka. Now I’m second guessing!!”
The original poster replied: “It’s indeed best to not rush Sri Lanka, it deserves your full time and attention!
“We were in Sri Lanka for 23 days and five days in the Maldives, so only three full days on this particular island, since the transport to/from the capital city and its only international airport took almost a full day on the local ferry – if you still decide to go opt for the speedboat option!
“The local ferry involves a transfer or two at other local islands and is bound to make you seasick, and takes three times as long as the speedboat.”
The island also has rave reviews on Booking.com, with one visitor writing: “The most beautiful sea I have ever seen in my entire life.”
However, asked if they would return, the Reddit user wrote: “The locals are clearing the islands’ palm tree forest at an alarming rate, already at the time of our visit (see picture 13 for a glimpse into that). So maybe it’s best to not spoil our fond memories of Dhigurah by being confronted with a vastly changed island.”
A village named the world’s prettiest by Forbes in 2025 is introducing new bans and restrictions to stop visitors from frustrating locals and overwhelming the place
Locals complain of being overwhelmed by visitors (Image: Mike Kemp, In Pictures via Getty Images)
A UK village named the most beautiful in the world is considering new ways to keep visitors away after strict rules were introduced this summer.
Bibury, in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds, is an undeniably picturesque location. It features honey-coloured stone cottages, a gently meandering river, and a historic, fairytale ambience. Its appeal prompted Forbes to crown it the world’s prettiest village for 2025, roughly 150 years after poet William Morris dubbed Bibury “the most beautiful village in England.”
The cottages of Arlington Row are frequently described as the most photographed and stunning cottages in Britain. Constructed in 1380 as a monastic wool store, it was subsequently transformed into a row of weavers’ cottages in the 17th century.
It’s not difficult to understand why Bibury receives such high praise, with lodging choices including the Swan Hotel and The Catherine Wheel pub both inviting inside and adorned with climbing plants outside. The village’s appeal has placed Bibury firmly on the tourist map. And now, some residents say, things are becoming unmanageable.
Chairman of the local parking action group, Mark Honeyball, who has lived in Bibury for 10 years, has endured very unpleasant encounters with visitors. He told the Express that he asked a coach driver to move on from some double yellow lines before the unthinkable happened.
He said: “I’ve been physically attacked four times now, but once really quite badly two weeks ago, I was kicked in the chest and stomach and kneed and punched in the face full force by a driver that I’d just asked simply to move on from double yellows at the top of the village.
“The coach drivers themselves are being pushed here by their coach companies, they don’t really want to be here, they find it really difficult to park. The tour operators are the key behind this, the coach operators are doing what the tour operators ask them to do, primarily with people from China, India, and South Korea at the moment.”
As many as 20,000 visitors descended on Bibury in a weekend, with up to 50 coaches parking there daily. That’s an enormous figure for a village with just 600 inhabitants. Now, following a trial during the summer months, Gloucestershire County Council is planning to introduce permanent restrictions on coaches entering the village.
Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of the council, told the BBC: “Bibury is one of the Cotswolds’ most iconic destinations, but its popularity has created real challenges. These proposals aim to safeguard the village, curb congestion, and preserve its unique charm.
Additional proposals have been put forward to control the chaos. These include:
Banning coaches from driving through the centre, except at specified drop-off/pick-up points.
Extending yellow lines to prevent illegal parking and congestion.Introducing pay-and-display parking for visitors, with exemptions for residents.
Improving short-term parking access, particularly near the village school and church.
Adding raised kerbs and seating to further pedestrianise parts of the centre and enhance safety.
Restrictions on coaches entering the village were introduced in May. At that time, parking bays in the centre of the village were closed and new public bus stop clearways were installed. The aim was to halt “unsafe coach manoeuvres.
Plans to make these changes permanent are backed by a group called Bibury One, which includes representatives from the local community, parish councillors, coach and tour operators, the county council, as well as Gloucestershire Constabulary.
If approved, the measures could be implemented by early summer 2026.
The picturesque village is home to a 16th-century bridge now buckling under the strain of a staggering 40,000 vehicles rumbling through each month during busy periods.
Some operators have ‘paused or cancelled’ flights and package holidays to this popular destination
The FCDO has warned that some holidays to a popular destination have been cancelled(Image: Getty)
The UK Foreign Office has issued a package holiday warning as Brits travelling to a popular destination could see their plans cancelled. In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has provided an update on holidays to Jamacia.
It explained that some operators have “paused or cancelled” flights and package holidays to the Caribbean destination. This update was provided on November 11, two weeks after the storm first hit.
“There are also shortages of food and water and access to currency. Access to healthcare in worst affected areas is limited. All Western parishes have suffered significant damage.
“The worst affected parishes are currently Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, St James, Hanover and Manchester.” As per the latest reports, 45 people were killed by Hurricaine Melissa while another 15 remain missing.
Staying safe
The FCDO continued: “Exercise caution if you are travelling within Jamaica. Continue to follow the guidance of local authorities.
“If your hotel is unable to provide accommodation, get in contact with other hotels in the area to see if they have capacity.” If you need consular assistance, you can contact the FCDO on:
+1 (876) 936 0700 (Jamaica)
+44 (0) 20 7008 5000 (UK)
Travel plans
The FCDO stated that all airports have re-opened – however, not all flights are operating. “All the airports have re-opened, with Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay operating a limited number of commercial flights while repairs are made to the terminal. For updates and flight schedules, see @MBjairport for Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay and @NMIA for Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston,” it said.
“Flights may not be direct and could transit other countries. Check for messaging from your airline or travel provider as some operators have paused or cancelled flights and package holidays to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa.”
Before flying anywhere the FCDO says you should follow its foreign travel checklist:
Research your destination
Get insured before you go
Check your documents for travel
Consider your health
Prepare for the unexpected
For full details on this, visit the Government website here.
About 20 women are lying blindfolded on yoga mats in an airy structure in the Joshua Tree desert. Some are partially dressed in loungewear or lingerie; others are fully nude. Sexy indie folk music blasts from the sound system and outside, through the open double doors, the wind kicks up, rustling the fragrant desert scrub brush, pomegranate trees and ponderosa pines.
Their bodies are layered with a collage of fresh fruit, feathers, cucumber slices, smooth stones and velvety flower petals, among other things. Facilitators quietly tiptoe around the room, gently placing more and more items onto their chests, arms and legs until their skin is barely visible. One woman lies with lemon slices on her nipples, a large strawberry in her open mouth and a bouquet of long-stem pink roses, in full bloom, on her pelvis.
Facilitators adorn women’s bodies with colorful objects during an exercise about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
The exercise is meant to help the women connect with their bodies by stimulating them with a spectrum of sensations: the cool slickness of a polished river stone or the prick of a pineapple rind. It’s about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful — no matter your age, body shape or perceived limitations.
“The biological clock may be finite, but your sexuality — arousal — is infinite,” says the event’s host, Pamela Madsen, scattering rose petals on one attendee’s thighs.
Pamela Madsen, Back to the Body’s founder.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
Welcome to Back to the Body, a sexual wellness retreat helping participants — all women — access their erotic selves. In this group, attendees are straight or bisexual and range in age from mid-30s to mid-70s. They’re mostly from around California, but some have traveled from North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut. They’ve come to overcome intimacy issues or body shame, to process trauma, to learn how to better orgasm or otherwise improve their sex lives. Some are therapists themselves looking to expand their knowledge of “sexological bodywork,” a form of body-based sex therapy that Madsen practices. Others simply want to be in community with like-minded women who are also exploring their sexual selves.
The two-night retreat, which costs $550 to $2,000 depending on accommodations on the sprawling multi-villa property, includes mindfulness exercises, journaling, expert-led seminars, group discussions and meals by a private chef. It also features a preview of a “bodywork session” that one might experience at Back to the Body’s longer, weeklong retreat: a live “pleasure demonstration” at the event’s, um, climax — but more on that later.
Madsen guides participants in a “Lotus Lift Meditation,” meant to help them clarify their intentions for their lives.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
An unlikely high desert sex educator, Madsen, “60-something,” is a brash, outspoken New York transplant who oscillates between frank asides (“I like to say ‘f—’ — get used to it”) and welling up with tears (“I’m sorry, I’m just getting emotional, this is important stuff”) as she proselytizes about the power of erotic energy. She believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.” Put another way: Pleasure isn’t just a component of your life — it’s a tool for transformation.
“I’ve seen women changing, improving their lives,” Madsen says of past participants, her voice cracking with emotion. “They start taking control of their finances, they start to care about how they’re spending their time.”
Sitting on the porch of the “big house,” a midcentury modern ranch home where the retreat meals are served, attendee Mandy Manuel, 39, a sex therapist from Connecticut, says that she found love — for herself and with a partner — after attending several Back to the Body retreats.
Back to the Body’s midcentury modern ranch home.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
“I’ve been in a large body my whole life. And the world will tell you ‘you’re not good enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not deserving of sex and romance,’” she says. “I totally bought into that story. And I wanted to challenge that. So I came and it was life-changing. Just recognizing ‘Oh, wow, I can receive.’”
Manuel eventually started dating online and met her current partner a year and a half ago (and is now facilitating a Back to the Body retreat in 2026). “My standard for dating shot way up. Previously it was: ‘I’m just going to accept whoever wants me’ and now it’s ‘who do I want?’”
Sexual wellness is a long-established sector of the medical establishment that, today, encompasses everything from contraception and safe sex practices to organic lube, tantric breathwork, couples counseling and the latest Magic Wand Rechargeable vibrator. It adds up to big business: the global sexual wellness market is projected to reach $48.2 billion by 2030, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc.
A participant in the “art of adoration” exercise.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
Somatic (or body-based) sex therapy, a subset of sexual wellness, is also not new in the medical field. Individuals struggling with sexual issues have for decades turned to sexual surrogates, or trained professionals who specialize in “experiential learning” and who work in tandem with a client’s sex therapist when talk therapy isn’t enough.
Whereas sexual surrogacy is interactive, mimicking partnership, sexological bodywork employs “one-way touch.” In Back to the Body’s private, one-on-one bodywork sessions that means certified sexological bodyworkers, trained in Madsen’s approach, are always clothed and focus attention on the consenting client without reciprocity. A session may involve breathwork, intimacy coaching, sensual touch, sound and movement, including dance. It’s a “body first” approach to healing, in which physical sensations inform thoughts, as opposed to talk therapy.
But hands-on sex education is controversial.
“I don’t endorse it with my clients,” says UCLA emeritus professor Dr. Gail E. Wyatt, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified sex therapist, “because I don’t trust [that] the individuals who are assigned [to touch clients] have the boundaries to see this as a professional act and not as an opportunity. Vulnerable individuals may end up in a situation where they’re being taken advantage of.”
Madsen acknowledges that sexological bodywork is edgy but stands by the modality.
“We cannot heal, expand or awaken our sexuality through words alone,” she says. “We must touch the body to hear it speak — and that terrifies people.”
The retreat includes journaling exercises as well as mindfullness activities and group discussions.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
Sexological bodyworkers are not doctors and there’s no national certification for the profession. Practitioners do, however, adhere to a code of ethics upheld by the Los Angeles-based Assn. of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers. While sexological bodywork falls into a legal gray area, the state of California first recognized it as a profession involving sex education in 2003 when it approved training at San Francisco’s the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (the school closed in 2018 and no additional state-approved schools have emerged). Nonetheless, somatic sex education appears to be growing: two Back to the Body practitioners offer sexual wellness retreats through their own companies: Court Vox leads one for queer men through his the BodyVox and Cosmo Meens leads one for straight men through his Himeros Project.
“There’s a great need for education about sensuality and the body that we don’t get in school or at home, typically speaking,” says Regena Thomashauer, author of “Pussy: A Reclamation,” which explains that we live in a culture that teaches women to turn off their power.
To be clear, Madsen stresses, arousal is not just about orgasming, or even physical pleasure, but about agency. Erotic energy — desire — is a powerful, “life-changing tool” every woman has access to, she says — it connects you to your passion and creativity, to your intuition and voice.
“When women are in touch with their arousal, they start being able to see themselves, they start being able to express themselves, Madsen says. “They find their voice, they’re able to speak their desires.”
Addressing the group in the living room, Madesn elaborates on the empowering, if political, nature of Back to the Body’s work.
Madsen believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.”
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
“Women have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years,” she says. “You [often] couldn’t have a checking account or credit card until 1974 without a man. Why is this work important? Because we’ve been taught not to trust ourselves, not to trust our bodies. That we are vehicles for birth, that we are vehicles for sex, vehicles for entertainment, vehicles for service — we are not sovereign. What does this work do? It creates sovereign women.”
What’s more, Madsen says, it takes time for women to reach a state of arousal — and many women experience premature penetration during sex.
She breaks into song: “I want a man with a slow hand …” she croons, belting out the Pointer Sisters’ early ‘80s pop hit. Laughter erupts around the room.
A private chef, pictured in the background, prepares farm-to-table meals for participants.
In the book, Madsen documents her search for “sexual, personal and spiritual wholeness.” As part of that journey, she became certified as a sexological bodyworker in 2007 through the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. She founded Back to the Body in 2011, adding her own spin on sexological bodywork. While most practitioners offered one-off sessions, she says, she launched multi-day immersive retreats, stressing the importance of being “away from the noise of the world.”
Back to the Body had no physical home initially and held retreats virtually or around the U.S. and internationally.
Several Back to the Body participants have gifted the retreat with artworks, now scattered around the property.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
“But then we found this place,” Madsen says while touring the Joshua Tree property, onto which she moved in July 2024. She strides across the land, more of a swagger, wearing a white flowy dress, white cowboy hat and cowboy boots, her long black hair cascading down her back and her curvaceous bosom occasionally spilling out of her dress.
“This is the house that women built,” she says, sweeping one hand across the horizon and tucking a runaway boob back into her dress with her other. “I couldn’t have afforded this place without help — investments and donations — from participants. This work changed their lives, and they wanted to give back.”
Previous attendees also gifted artworks or ephemera now scattered around the property: large crystals around the pool or a granite statue, outside the main house, of a woman bracing against the wind.
Late in the afternoon, the women settle into the community room for a 45-minute demonstration of what a bodywork session might look like. Madsen, dressed in aqua lingerie, is the client in this scenario; practitioner Cosmo Meens, a buff and barefoot 45-year-old with thigh tattoos and a salt-and-pepper beard, is her certified sexological bodyworker. There is sexy music; there is playful slow dancing; there is laughter. “Louder!” Madsen says of the music, laying down on what looks like a massage table. There is also a shelf of accouterments nearby — coconut oil, a vibrator, a feather — to stimulate pleasure or bring her to orgasm.
The women sit in a circle around the demonstration table, rapt.
Afterward, Madsen sits up, hair mussed and cheeks flushed. There’s a short question-and-answer session. Then Madsen hard-sells the weeklong retreat, which runs from $8,000 to $18,000, depending on programming, accommodations and location (some retreats are international). There are just 30 spots left for 2026, she tells the crowd; and for those who register today, there’s a $1,000 discount.
15 of the 20 women sign up.
Participants during the “Lotus Lift Meditation.”
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
To some, the marketing pitch might have a transactional feel: Is this cutting-edge somatic sex education or the commodification of the orgasm, of pleasure?
“It’s inaccessible,” says Betsy Crane, a retired professor of human sexuality at Widener University, who sees value in the retreat’s work but balks at the pricetag. “I understand why they have to charge as much as they do — it’s staff intensive, they include food, nice venues — but it’s not affordable for most women, that’s the inequality of the world that we live in. If it were more accepted, it could become less expensive because it could be available locally.”
Madsen says the price is in line with today’s economy.
“Travel is expensive, experiences are expensive,” she says. “What I know is: that I’m not getting wealthy, that it’s hard to keep the ship running. That women get done in a week here what costs them 15 years in talk therapy.”
The end goal? Madsen hopes her retreat will change the world “one vulva at a time.”
Sitting on the porch, Deb Morris, 63, a retired business owner who lives outside of Denver, says she’s been on more than a dozen Back to the Body retreats over the past decade. (Do the math.) But the investment of time and money has been “life changing.”
Attendees enjoy downtime between retreat activities.
(Joyce Lee / For The Times)
“How I show up at 63 is so much more vibrant and committed to life,” she says. “I stay in, sexually — my beingness, how I dress, staying healthy in the gym, having a more vibrant friend group. All of those things definitely have been affected by doing this work from my mid-50s to my mid-60s.”
She looks out at the view, a vast desert landscape. Then adds: “I feel alive.”
A NEW attraction will soon be returning to London – with guests able to explore both the land and water in one trip.
Duck Tours is set to relaunch on the River Thames in London, eight years after it was scrapped.
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Duck Tours will be returning to London after eight yearsCredit: Alamy
The attraction, run by London Amphibious Tours Limited (LAT), will take off from Lack’s Dock slipway next to the MI6 building.
Duck Tours in other destinations usually involve some time on the road driving past historic and interesting sights, before heading onto the water for a river cruise, seeing more sights.
The new tours will be in partnership with Big Bus Tours and will feature new all-electric vehicles, which will be able to reach up to eight knots on the water and 30mph on land.
The vehicles have been created by LAT’s sister company, Seahorse Amphibious Vehicles, after 10 years of research and development.
The company already has tours in Windsor, Liverpool and Cape Town.
Tours previously operated in London until 2017 when the company lost access to the Albert Embankment slipway.
Many fans of the tours have already taken to social media to express their excitement for the return of tours to the Big Smoke.
One person commented: “Fantastic news.”
Another added: “I look forward to taking a trip on one when they’re back.”
A date for the official return of the amphibious tours is yet to be announced.
Graham Lumley, executive chair of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are immensely proud to have secured a long-term lease at this prestigious site, for which we thank the Duchy of Cornwall.
“We have been passionate about expanding the duck tour concept for many years, and today’s announcement underscores Seahorse’s continued evolution as a global leader.”
Ed Lumley, managing director of London Amphibious Tours and Seahorse, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Big Bus Tours, the world’s largest operator of open-top sightseeing experiences.
The company already runs tours in Windsor, Liverpool and Cape TownCredit: Alamy
“There is no partner better suited to work with us on this exciting opportunity, and we look forward to collaborating with Pat Waterman and the Big Bus team.”
Pat Waterman, executive chair of Big Bus Tours, added: “These tours will become an iconic part of the London tourism scene, adding new layers of opportunity to our hop-on hop-off operations.
“We look forward to our recently announced Big Duck Tours brand becoming synonymous with ‘must do’ tourism activities in London.”
According to the company’s website, they are also soon launching tours in Singapore.
Airlines including British Airways, easyJet and TUI have confirmed a host of new places they will be flying to next year. Here’s the full list of new destinations being introduced in 2026
East Midlands Airport will be adding flights to many new destinations including Agadir, Morocco(Image: Julia Lavrinenko via Getty Images)
As the chill of winter descends upon the UK, many Brits are already dreaming of sun-soaked holidays in 2026. The great news is that airlines are adding a whopping 31 new destinations to their schedules for those looking to jet off next year.
Major airlines such as British Airways, easyJet and TUI have unveiled a plethora of new locations they’ll be servicing in the coming year. The majority of these fresh flights will kick off in the spring, carrying on throughout the balmy summer months.
Newcastle Airport is set to benefit the most from these additions, with easyJet preparing to establish a new base there in 2026, leading to an additional 11 destinations departing from Newcastle.
In other news, Jet2 has confirmed seven exciting new destinations from East Midlands Airport. These include the picturesque Split in Croatia, the exotic Agadir in Morocco and the stunning Chania in Greece.
Scroll down for the comprehensive list of new destinations being introduced in 2026, reports the Express.
London Heathrow
St Louis, USA, with British Airways from April 2026.
London Gatwick
Bangkok, Thailand, with British Airways from Summer 2026 (upgraded to year-round).
Newcastle Airport
EasyJet is gearing up to launch a new base at Newcastle Airport come next spring. This will result in an expansion of its network from the airport, including flights to:
Antalya, Turkey, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.
Dalaman, Turkey, with easyJet from March 31, 2026.
Rhodes, Greece, with easyJet from Summer 2026.
Corfu, Greece, with easyJet from April 3, 2026.
Faro, Portugal, with easyJetMarch from 29, 2026.
Malta with easyJet from March 30, 2026.
Prague, Czechia, with easyJet from August 2, 2026.
Reus, Spain, with easyJet from March 31, 2026.
Nice, France, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with easyJet from August 3, 2026.
Enfidha, Tunisia, with easyJet from March 29, 2026.
East Midlands Airport
Antalya, Turkey, with SunExpress from Easter 2026.
Agadir, Morocco, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Costa de Almeria, Spain, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Preveza, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Thessaloniki, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Chania, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Pula, Croatia, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Split, Croatia, with Jet2 from Summer 2026.
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, with TUI from Easter 2026 (re-introduction).
Bristol Airport
Reus, Spain, with easyJet from June 25, 2026.
Thessaloniki, Greece, with easyJet from June 27, 2026
Stansted Airport
La Palma, Spain, with Jet2 from October 26, 2026.
Jerez, Spain, with Jet2 from May 2026.
Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026 (new weekly services).
Manchester Airport
La Palma, Spain, with Jet2 from April 3, 2026.
Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from Summer 2026 (new weekly services)
Birmingham Airport
Samos, Greece, with Jet2 from May 4, 2026.
Rome, Italy, with easyJet from March 5, 2026.
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A UK beach town that was named a trending destination for next year was previously named one of the country’s worst seaside towns.
It stated the reason as to why the seaside town is making a comeback is “thanks to a renewed love for quintessential British beach breaks.”
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Weston-super-Mare is known for having a huge Grand PierCredit: AlamyThe site of Dismaland is being turned into an entertainment venueCredit: Alamy
Flixbus has found the top trending destinations for 2026, one of which is Weston-super-Mare in Somerset.
It added: “Travellers are craving the simple pleasure of a day by the sea, with bookings for Weston rising as people seek out wide sands and retro charms.”
Weston-super-Mare is pretty retro as it was a popular Victorian seaside resort back in the 18th century.
The railway lines connecting it to Bath, Bristol and South Wales opened in 1841, which saw a huge tourism boost.
It fell into decline in the 1960s when cheap package holidays tempted Brits to holiday abroad.
The town hasn’t always had a good reputation in recent years either, having been named as one of the country’s worst seaside towns in 2023 by Which? and the Telegraph.
However a huge rejuvenation project taking place is probably another reason Brits are looking into visiting Weston-super-Mare.
The Northern county that made the Airbnb list of top trending beach destinations in the world…
Airbnb has revealed the trending beach destinations around the world, with the Northumberland coastline making the cut.
The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.
Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”
One beach that’s been highlighted as a must-see is Embleton Bay. It sits on the edge of the North Sea to the east of the village of Embleton.
The bay has a long stretch of golden sands, cool water and it’s overlooked by the ruins ofDunstanburgh Castle.
Near Embleton Bay is a pub that has previously held the title of ‘best beach bar in the UK’ – it’s called the Ship Inn in Low Newton-by-the-Sea.
It once claimed top spot in a list of the best beach pubs in the country put together by Conde Nast Traveller.
The Transoceânica bus provides a direct link between Peru’s capital Lima and Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, but despite the luxury destinations, the bus’s journey is far from glam
10:52, 12 Nov 2025Updated 10:52, 12 Nov 2025
The world’s longest bus journey travels an entire continent
Taking a long bus journey while travelling the globe may not be too uncommon – a brief watch of BBC’s hit Race Across the World shows that.
But nothing comes close to attempting the longest direct route in the world. The journey spans across the width of an entire continent, with passengers travelling as many as 3,900 miles and passing through 30 different cities.
The Transoceânica bus has been described as “brutal” by those who have braved the entire five-day journey between Lima, Peru and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. But while the two nations are famed for their natural beauty and amazing landscapes, the Transoceânica does little to actually show this.
According to testimonies, the journey is a long slog, as passengers battle for comfort while passing through rather dismal looking areas of both Peru and Brazil. However, to reach the final destination, many travellers say, is entirely worth it.
Passing through some of the most well known cities in Brazil, including Rio and São Paulo, the bus stops at 30 different locations where cleaners hop on board to clean the bus while people stretch their legs. There are various amenities passengers can use while on the bus, including Wi-Fi, filtered water, USB ports and toilets, according to Diario do Comercio.
Costing around 1,300 Brazilian reals (£187) one way, the company claims that the bus — known as a “semi-sleeper” — has soft and comfortable seats. But voyagers who have taken on the challenge themselves have had different things to say about their experience.
YouTuber Noel Philips said his experience was subpar, describing his time on the bus as “absolute hell”. He added that on the bus, it appears that personal space is a virtually non-existent concept.
In a video documenting the trip, Noel said: “Nobody has [headphones]; everyone just plays everything on full blast. And when they can’t hear it above everybody else’s, they just turn theirs up so in the end you just have 15 phones playing different things at 55,000 decibels.”
He added that the journey through Peru was filled with interesting landscapes and phenomenal and breathtaking views. But once they cleared border control and entered Brazil, things became rather repetitive, admitting the route does not exactly show the full breadth of either country’s natural beauty.
As well as this, poor Neil was seen complaining about the constant delays the bus faced as they journeyed through the mountains, complaining at the lack of heating on the bus. They were also beset by delays, as roadworks and slow tankers hampered their progress and risked turning a five-day journey into six.
Meanwhile, one Brazilian traveller documented his own experience on the bus as it passed through the Andes mountains and into the Amazon. He explained that with not much to do, many passengers end up chatting about deep and important topics.
While going through the southwest of Brazil, he spoke with the other passengers, after a debate was struck up about which was the best version of ceviche, one of Peru’s national dishes. Many of the passengers joked their own homemade versions of the dish were better, as the morale between those who were travelling seemed high.
But despite the hefty journey that people undertake to get from one side of South America to the other, the bus does not appear to run all year round. Operated by Brazilian bus company Trans Acreana, a timetable for the bus for the rest of the year or into 2026 seems to not exist.
Jet2 has announced that it is launching 26 new flights, meaning British passengers can fly out to destinations including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Ibiza
Milo Boyd Deputy travel editor and Neil Lancefield PA Transport Correspondent
10:12, 12 Nov 2025
Jet2 has announced the new flights (Image: tulcarion via Getty Images)
Jet2 has announced it will launch 26 new flights to a whole host of sunny destinations across Europe
The budget airline has revealed plans to initiate flights and holidays from Gatwick Airport. The firm says it has secured slots for six aircraft “following the release of additional capacity” by the UK’s second busiest airport. Jet2 will station five Airbus A321neo aircraft at the West Sussex airport, with an additional aircraft positioned overseas. Its inaugural Gatwick flight is set to depart for Tenerife, Spain, on 26 March next year.
The airline – which recently went viral for its catchy adverts featuring Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand – will fly to a whole host of sunny destinations next spring and summer. They are:
Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2, said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2. For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service-led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport. We know all too well how much demand there is among customers and independent travel agents for us to operate our award-winning flights and holidays from London Gatwick, so it is fantastic to be able to share that we are here and ready to meet their travelling needs.”
Gatwick is set to become the 14th UK airport with a Jet2 base. Initially, the company will offer flights from Gatwick to 29 “sunshine destinations” in countries such as Spain, Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Italy. The airline confirmed that over 300 direct positions will be established in the Gatwick area, spanning pilots, cabin crew, engineering and ground operations roles, with several hundred additional indirect posts also being generated.
Gatwick chief executive Pierre-Hugues Schmit said: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers. Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.
“It is an exciting time for Jet2 to join London Gatwick following the recent Government approval for routine use of our northern runway, which will further expand connectivity and economic growth. We are committed to delivering exceptional service and we look forward to supporting Jet2’s growth and success here at London Gatwick.”
Jet2 is regularly voted one of, if not the, best airline in the UK. It was named Best Airline at the Routes Europe Awards in 2025 and won The Telegraph Travel Awards for Best Short-Haul Airline for the third year in a row, based on reader votes. It has also been recognized as the Most Reliable UK Airline by AirAdvisor and has been a Which? Recommended Provider for a decade, partly due to very low cancellation rates.
Flying long-haul can come with its challenges, and one passenger has issued a stark warning after they booked a specific seat on their British Airways flight and found themselves in ‘complete hell’
09:16, 12 Nov 2025Updated 09:19, 12 Nov 2025
A British Airways passenger has issued a warning after booking a particular seat during a long-haul flight (Image: Getty Images)
Checking in for a flight 24 hours ahead of its departure has proven to be a vital step in our travel plans, allowing us to secure our preferred seat, particularly on long-haul flights. However, sometimes, despite our best efforts, we are dealt the short straw.
One passenger discovered this during their 14-hour British Airways flight from Kuala Lumpur (KUL), the capital of Malaysia, to London (LHR) after opting to book the window seat in 41A. Despite a view out of the plane often being favourable among travellers, this passenger labelled it “complete hell” as they had “no window” and limited space on the Boeing 787.
In a bid to warn others about booking this specific seat on a BA flight, they shared a photo of their limited leg room, which showed a silver box fixed underneath the seat in front on the left-hand side, thought to be the entertainment system. This forced the passenger in 41A to shift his feet and legs further to the right, bringing him closer to his flight neighbour.
In the Reddit post, the passenger revealed: “I had the misfortune of picking a window seat 41a on the Boeing 787 from KL to London. It’s a 14-hour flight, and I honestly don’t see how this seat could possibly be sold. There’s no window, it’s narrowing as the fuselage narrows, so you get less room to your left, they’ve chucked the entertainment box in your footspace, and then I was sat next to two larger men.
“It was honestly complete hell. I don’t see how any of that is possibly acceptable in the slightest. They shouldn’t even sell the seat at all. Luckily, after on hour, the stewardesses felt so bad for me because I clearly looked incredibly squashed (186cm tall) that they moved me for free. I just wanted to warn people, never ever ever book this seat. Literally would rather fly Ryanair for 14 hours.”
While the passenger was thankfully able to move seats, they titled the Reddit post “A warning to everyone about 41a and 41K.”
The post was met with a flurry of comments as other travellers expressed their sympathy for the situation during a long-haul flight.
One wrote: “I freaking hate those stupid boxes. What a disaster of a design.” A second added: “REALLY old tech too. Could be 1/10th the size with WAY less power draw.”
A third experienced a similar situation as they explained: “Experienced this damned thing for the first time from LHR to Boston yesterday. I’m 6″2 and I’ve flown plenty long haul to the west coast and never been as uncomfortable as I was on this flight.
“The front of my left leg – under my knee cap to halfway down my shin – is still numb right now, even after loads of walking.”
Another expanded: “That box is the IFE box. It’s a mini computer which runs multiple screens. But it’s a bit crap where they placed it. Economy is a challenge at the best of times, especially when you’re in a corner like that. Glad they moved you!”
“The aircraft itself is great, the problem is the airlines that decided to squeeze as many seats as possible. If I’m not mistaken, some Japanese airlines have one less seat per row on the Dreamliner, making the journey much more comfortable,” another traveller noted.
One place has been enjoying a surge in popularity with Brits in recent months, and it’s not difficult to see why as the country boasts stunning beaches, lush greenery and incredible wildlife
Julie Delahaye Digital Travel Editor & Commercial Content Lead and Chloe Dobinson
09:13, 12 Nov 2025
Some travel firms have reported a big uptick in Sri Lanka bookings(Image: Tuul & Bruno Morandi via Getty Images)
Brits seeking to escape the dreary UK winter for sunnier climates typically opt for destinations like Bali or Thailand. However, travel experts have identified one ‘underrated’ country emerging as a strong competitor, boasting palm-fringed sandy beaches and stunning landscapes.
Sri Lanka, whilst not exactly a hidden gem, has experienced a notable surge in popularity recently, with Travel Republic recording a 72% increase in holiday bookings to the South Asian nation over the past month alone. Across social media platforms, influencers have been documenting their travels throughout the country, with followers eagerly commenting that it’s the “most magical place ever”.
With its picturesque coastline, verdant terrain and diverse wildlife including elephants and leopards, it’s easy to understand why the destination appeals to adventurous travellers.
The ancient fortress of Sigiriya, believed by locals to have been constructed by King Kasyapa, stands as a remarkable landmark. Sihagiri, also known as Lion Rock, derives its name from the massive carved stone lion forming the entrance to the impressive citadel.
Whilst the ascent is challenging, the panoramic views make it worthwhile (though visitors should note it can become busy, so arriving early helps avoid the tourist crowds). Meanwhile, Udawalawe National Park provides the perfect backdrop for spotting wildlife on safari, from water buffalo and mongooses to jackals and spotted deer, reports the Express.
For those seeking Maldives-style beaches, Unawatuna Beach is essential viewing, with its pristine waters perfect for swimming or watersports.
Then there are the stunning temples scattered across the landscape, but if you can only visit one, make it the Temple of the Tooth. Located in the vibrant city of Kandy, this World Heritage Site contains the relic of the tooth of Buddha – a precious artefact believed to grant its holder the power to govern the country.
Unsurprisingly, the tooth itself remains secured within a golden casket, hidden from view. Nevertheless, the temple complex features numerous shrines and smaller temples to discover, offering a captivating insight into Sri Lankan culture.
A Travel Republic spokesperson said: “Sri Lanka is becoming one of Asia’s most exciting destinations. It offers stunning beaches, lush islands, rich local culture, and incredible wildlife, all without the crowds that have made other destinations feel overrun. For travellers seeking authenticity and adventure, it’s a destination that still feels fresh and undiscovered, much like Bali did two decades ago.”
Add in temperatures reaching 30C during December and January, and the attraction becomes immediately clear. However, a word of caution for those planning to visit during the winter months; it’s best to head to the south and west coasts, where it’s dry season.
The Northern parts of Sri Lanka will be in the throes of their monsoon season, which certainly won’t provide the winter sun you might be after!
The travel expert advised: “With Sri Lanka currently having its moment on social media, now is the perfect time to start planning a trip for 2026. The best time to visit the southwest coast and cultural triangle is from December to March, when conditions are warm and dry. For the east coast, including Arugam Bay, April to September offers ideal weather for surfing and beach activities.”
The new routes will be operated by five new Airbus A321neo aircraft.
The addition of Jet2 flights at London Gatwick takes their bases in the UK to 14.
Jet2’s CEO Steve Heapy said: “Today’s announcement represents an incredibly exciting moment for Jet2.
“For many years, our ambition has been to provide our differentiated, service led, end-to-end product offering from London Gatwick, and we see this as a once in a generation opportunity to accelerate our growth from the UK’s largest beach and city leisure destination airport.”
He added that they saw “high demand” from passengers wanting to travel with Jet2 from London Gatwick, which he called a “game-changer” move.
The news was also welcomed by London Gatwick’s Chief Executive Pierre-Hugues.
They added: “We are thrilled to welcome Jet2 to London Gatwick, marking an exciting new chapter for the airport and our passengers.
“Jet2’s arrival brings even more choice and flexibility to passengers across the South East and beyond, strengthening London Gatwick’s vision to be the airport for everyone, whatever your journey.”
The full list of flight destinations launching from London Gatwick with Jet2 in 2026 are:
Fuerteventura – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
Gran Canaria – two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday)
Lanzarote – two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday)
Tenerife – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
Ibiza – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Majorca – 10 weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and 2 x Sunday)
Menorca – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Alicante – five weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Girona – three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Malaga – four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday)
Reus – three weekly services (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
Faro (The Algarve) – ten weekly services (Monday, 2 x Tuesday, Wednesday, 2x Thursday, Friday, 2 x Saturday and Sunday)
Antalya – three weekly services (Monday, Friday and Saturday)
Corfu – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Crete (Heraklion) – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
Kalamata – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Kefalonia – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Kos – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
Halkidiki – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
Preveza – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
Rhodes – two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday)
Skiathos – one weekly service (Tuesday)
Zante – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Malta – two weekly services (Thursday and Sunday)
Naples – two weekly services (Monday and Friday)
Verona – one weekly service (Wednesday)
Paphos (Cyprus) – two weekly services (Monday and Thursday)
Pula – one weekly service (Saturday)
Bourgas (Bulgaria) – two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday)
Earlier this year, Jet2 celebrated 22 years of flying, after first launching back in 2003.
This was followed by the launch of Jet2holidays in 2007.
And it isn’t only London Gatwick that has new Jet2 flights.
SECURING slots at the UK’s second biggest airport marks the pinnacle of what has been an astonishing success story for Jet2.
In just a few short years the airline has gone from a tiny cargo airline to the UK’s largest tour operator.
Gatwick – the world’s busiest single-runway airport – will be Jet2’s 14th UK base and cements the airline’s dominance of the market and is the final piece in the puzzle in the south east of England.
From Jet2’s first flights in 2002 from Leeds Bradford, the airline first established themselves as a serious player by expanding into northern regional airports.
But the game-changing moment came in 2007 when it launched its package holidays arm, Jet2holidays. It began with an ATOL licence allowing it to take just 23,000 passengers to a modest 15 destinations.
It is now the UK’s largest tour operator with an ATOL covering more than SEVEN MILLION passengers.
Its strong, steady growth was given a boost with the failure of boost of both Thomas Cook and Monarch but the company’s success has also come from its relentless focus on customer service.
It rightly received praise for the way it looked after its customers in the pandemic, building vital loyalty and trust.
This is alongside another 16 destinations in Europe including Greece, Spain and Portugal.
It was the first new airline base or London Luton in 20 years.
The services will fly to 17 destinations across Europe, including Greece, the Balearic Islands and Portugal.
Boss of Luton Airport, Alberto Martin, said that today was the “start of a bright future” and “a day of celebration”.
Rachel Hosie and her husband moved to the Côte d’Azur shortly after getting married, hoping to make a home for themselves in the popular holiday region – but made an irritating discovery
A British expat who moved to the Côte d’Azur has said the bereaucracy was a nightmare (stock)(Image: Getty)
A newlywed couple who relocated to southern France following their wedding discovered that what had initially appeared to be a brilliant decision had transformed into a complete disaster.
Rachel Hosie revealed she and her husband moved to the Côte d’Azur shortly after tying the knot, hoping to establish a home for themselves in the sought-after holiday destination.
Relocating partly due to her husband’s career, Rachel explained that after she resigned from her position and the pair sold their Hampshire property, they embarked on the nearly 1,000-mile drive and began laying the groundwork for their fresh start.
Possessing sufficient French to manage in both verbal and written communication, they anticipated that establishing a home wouldn’t differ greatly from doing so in Britain — but they were mistaken.
Rachel explained that the primary issue with attempting to build a new life in France was the bureaucracy — whether securing accommodation, arranging a broadband provider, or even managing daily bin collections, reports the Express.
All of this, Rachel said, generated a degree of exasperation in their new existence in a region where summer temperatures consistently soar to 40C.
Writing in the Times about their early experiences, she said: “It wasn’t long before we realised how naive that was. Honeymoon destination it may be, but life on the French Riviera isn’t all rosé by the sea.
“My husband and I speak passable French (for the average Brit), but that hasn’t stopped us feeling utterly out of our depth when it comes to bureaucracy and etiquette.”
Rachel revealed that the red tape was so overwhelming that they had resorted to carrying around stacks of paperwork, just in case they were needed.
She explained: “We’ve been told it may take the best part of a year to get our cartes de séjour (residency permits), and then there’s the carte vitale for healthcare, carte grise for our cars, and various other cartes.
“We’ve taken to walking around with thick wads of documents, including our marriage certificate and my husband’s job offer letter, as we’ve been asked for them for everything from registering our car to registering with a doctor.”
Despite the administrative nightmare, Rachel insisted she was still glad they made the move.
She remarked: “So, as I take the recycling out for the umpteenth time, I try to remember that there are worse places to start married life. But the bureaucracy? C’est terrible.”
Rachel isn’t the first British expat to spotlight the potential downsides of relocating to France, with one expat posting on Reddit about their dissatisfaction with life there, reports the Express.
User ‘k0zmina’ argued on the platform: “Here’s the big problem with France: terrible job market, very little diversity, and limited new business creation.
“The country is very centralised, as most jobs and opportunities are in Paris. Then there’s the issue of employers choosing to discriminate against you based on which elite, expensive school you did or did not attend.
“Networking — who you know — is a huge deal! Outside of Paris, it’s true the cost of living is lower, but so are salaries and job opportunities.
“Ultimately, you have cheaper rent and apartments but very expensive groceries, technology, and electric bills, etc., because of taxes and other factors I won’t get into.”
The resurgence of sleeper trains on the continent hit a kink in the tracks in September, when the Austrian state operator ÖBB announced that it would be axing its two Nightjet services – Paris to Vienna and Paris to Berlin – from 14 December. ÖBB cited the French government’s ending of subsidies, dealing a blow to the night-train renaissance.
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. European Sleeper has told the Guardian that it will be taking over the route from Paris to Berlin, with the first train to run on 26 March 2026. The train will operate three times a week with departures likely to be from Paris Gare du Nord on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings and the return service from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Ostbahnhof on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The current Nightjet service departs Paris Gare de l’Est just after 7pm and winds east via Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Erfurt and Halle before arriving in Berlin around 8.30am. European Sleeper intends to make the journey via Brussels, with precise route details and timings currently being confirmed with infrastructure managers in France, Belgium and Germany.
“I think Nightjet’s existing market will certainly be interested in travelling on European Sleeper,” said Chris Engelsman, the company’s co-founder. “We will also be able to extend the ridership as we offer higher capacity than the Nightjet. ÖBB operates 12 coaches from Paris but it splits to Vienna and then Berlin. On the other hand, we have 12 to 14 coaches that will run entirely to Berlin, with a capacity of 600-700 passengers.”
The news is certainly welcomed by Oui au train de nuit!, a French campaign group who in September took to the platforms of Paris Gare de l’Est in their nightwear and threw a pyjama party to protest against the cuts to the sleeper services out of Paris. “This is a partial victory for the 91,000 people who signed our petition,” said Nicolas Forien, spokesperson for the group.
European Sleeper plans to use carriages from the 1990s on the new routes
European Sleeper, a Dutch cooperative, ran its inaugural service from Berlin to Brussels on 25 May 2023 and the route was extended to Dresden and Prague a year later. The company has already carried over 230,000 passengers on more than 750 night trains and has been a key player in the sleeper-train market, which has not quite seen the spike in services some had hoped for, owing to a lack of rolling stock equipped with sleeper berths and cross-border complications. The company has also received mixed reviews as a result of technical glitches, sudden downgrades and delays. But, overall, many passengers have enjoyed the mishmash of old carriages and no-frills nostalgia offered by the firm, while embracing the idea of the journey itself being as important as the destination.
According to Engelsman, German-rented coaches for the new route were made in the 1990s. “They are quite similar to the comfort level on the Nightjet at the moment. Our sleeper coaches on the Prague service are relatively old – from as far back as 1956 – but we will not use them on this route. They will be newer.”
And the key question: will there be a dining car? “Not from the start,” Engelsman said. “We would love to have a dining car but, in terms of profitability, it is a challenge and we would need that specific type of coach. It’s difficult to break even on sales of meals and drinks. The rental costs of the coach and staff costs are very high.”
Prices for the European Sleeper from Paris to Berlin will start from €59 or €69 for a couchette compartment. Tickets will be available from 16 December 2025
Nov. 11 (UPI) — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday warned that the crisis facing air travel in the United States, exasperated by the ongoing government shutdown, is going to get worse unless Congress acts.
Speaking to reporters at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Duffy said air travel will “radically slow down” as the country approaches the weekend if lawmakers don’t vote to approve legislation that is before the House to fund the government through January.
“You’re going to see this Friday, Saturday and Sunday — big disruption thus far — massively more disruption as we come into the weekend, if the government doesn’t open,” he said during the press conference.
The United States was grappling with a air traffic controller shortage before the government shutdown, but the situation deteriorated after federal funding lapsed, with most air traffic controllers required to work without pay.
The Transportation Department has seen what Duffy called “significant staffing shortages,” causing “very rough travel days” last weekend.
During the press conference, Duffy called on air traffic controllers to come into work, explaining that within 24 to 48 hours after the shutdown ends, they will receive 70% of their backpay and the remainder within a week.
“So I encourage all of them to come to work, to be patriots, and help navigate the airspace effectively for the American people,” he said.
On Monday night, the Senate passed legislation to end the record 42-day government shutdown, sending the bill to the House for consideration.
If passed by the House, it will go to the desk of President Donald Trump for his signature.
Leah Williams and Joshua Scully were lured to Mykonos, a Greek island popular with tourists, by watching videos posted on social media apps, such as TikTok and Instagram
04:12, 12 Nov 2025Updated 04:18, 12 Nov 2025
Leah Williams and Josh Scully were unhappy with their experience in Greece(Image: Kennedy News/@leahjadewilliamsx)
A British couple who booked a holiday after watching videos on TikTok and Instagram left Mykonos early — because there was “nothing to do”.
Leah Williams and Joshua Scully claim restaurants and bars at Platis Gialos on the Greek island took their bookings only to close for the season before they got there last month. The couple, who have children, have now warned tourists “not to believe everything you see on social media” following their miserable experience.
They say clips and photographs on TikTok and Instagram — often posted by businesses on Mykonos — were actually taken in the summer, but they believed they portrayed a warm and bustling environment in the autumn. Leah, 27, said in fact beaches were empty amid the cloudy and windy weather, while all the shopfronts appeared to have their shutters down. She and her partner eventually ditched Mykonos for Cyprus, spending more than £700 on new flights and accommodation.
And the gloom nearly derailed Josh’s plans to propose to Leah during a sunset boat tour. This was cancelled so Joshua, 30, popped the question on a boat he hired in Paphos, Cyprus, instead.
But on the island of Mykonos, Leah and Josh found they could only have food and drinks during the hotel meal times. They felt there was “nothing to do” — hindered by the unfortunate weather — and so rarely left their first hotel room.
Leah, who lives in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, with Joshua, said: “We’ve got children so it’s rare we get a chance to go away. We were given a few dates we could go in October.
“I knew it was off-season and everyone was saying it was shutting at the end of October so we decided to book it. There were lots of little bars and restaurants and we booked them, we had confirmation from all of the places.
“The week before travelling a lot of them sent us emails to cancel our bookings because they decided to shut for the season. I knew the weather wouldn’t be boiling hot, but there was nothing open around our hotel, there was nowhere we could get a drink from or get snacks, we could only eat at the times the hotel restaurant was open.
“If we wanted a drink outside of those times, we just couldn’t get one because there was nowhere. We walked for about half an hour and walked to all the shops around us and they were all shut.”
Leah, who is an aesthetic practitioner, has now warned holidaymakers to not believe everything on social media, as the couple had done their research and were still disappointed.
“Don’t believe everything you see on social media; I had looked at things on TikTok and Instagram and places in Mykonos were posting on their Instagram stories photos of sunny days and sunsets… We were booked for five nights and we ended up staying two. The day after we got there, we looked at flights to Cyprus because we knew the weather was better there,” the mum continued.
“There was nothing to do but sit in the room. The weather was a big part of it. I’d looked at a spa and things like that to give us something to do and nothing was open.
“It was raining all day. There was only one place that didn’t cancel on us but that was after we left. This one place posted a really nice sunset and we were there and it was dark and miserable.
“They are probably posting pictures from summer and make you think that’s what you’re going to get. We didn’t want to waste it just being sat in a room all week. The weather in Cyprus was really nice, everywhere was open.”
Social media users commented that the couple should have researched the destination and should not expect summer conditions in October.
One commenter said: “I had the same disappointment when I went skiing in June to the Alps.” Another said: “Why on earth would you go to Mykonos in October or Greece?”
Another said: “What did you expect by almost the end of October? I mean if you wanna party come from until September but you choose October because it is super cheap.”
A fourth said: “Did you not research before you went? Not being mean, genuine question. I always research for weeks before a book anywhere.”
Christmas markets are the perfect place to step into the festive spirit, and there’s a truly spectacular one, just two hours from the UK, that has a huge ice skating rink in the heart of an airport
Munich Airport is welcoming back its winter wonderland with a huge ice skating rink and Christmas market(Image: Alex Tino Friedel – ATF Pictures)
It’s that time of year again when many of us start thinking about fun festive activities in the lead-up to Christmas, and there’s an incredible ice skating rink in an airport just a short flight from the UK.
Welcoming back its magical winter wonderland for the 25th time this year, complete with a 600 square meter ice rink and Christmas market, is Munich Airport. The unsuspecting location will be transformed into its longstanding tradition for the German city, which is notoriously renowned for its Christmas markets.
Around 40 market stalls, decorated in shimmering lights and wreaths, will be in the airport, filled with handmade gift ideas, “culinary specialities” and festive treats. Visitors can stroll around a festive pine forest and cosy up in the charming huts with a warming mulled wine to fully experience the wonder.
But that’s if you can tear yourself away from the activities on offer, including the huge ice skating rink open daily from 11am to 9pm. Visitors can skate and glide across the ice rink all day for just £4.40 (€5) – a fraction of the price for the activity compared to UK locations, which often only allow an hour at a time.
Renting the skates costs an additional £4.40 (€5), but for an unlimited time on the ice, it’s definitely worth it. In addition to ice skating, visitors can try their hand at curling on their rink for around £22 (€25) per hour.
There’s enough to keep the whole family entertained with ice discos on Wednesdays from 6pm, and a huge range of Christmas crafts on offer, from wreath making, designing ornaments and baubles to ceramic painting. Children can also enjoy face painting, magic shows, soap bubble acts and a special visit from Santa Claus on 27 November, 6 December and 19 December.
And that’s not all.
In the evenings, there will be live performances from regional artists and bands offering a huge range of music genres from pop, rock, funk, swing, Latin, gospel, to modern folk. Visitors can also book a magical 50-minute Christmas light tour around the airport after dark.
This year, the winter wonderland has also introduced its “Wish Tree” initiative, where visitors can take a note from the festive tree, which contains a wish from a child, and purchase a gift for them. The gift can then be dropped off at the “Elk Hut” by 18 December to help share some festive magic with children in need.
The winter wonderland at the Munich Airport Center (MAC) will open on Friday, 14 November, with everyone invited to enjoy the festive magic until Sunday, 28 December. The Christmas market is free and will be open daily from 11am until 9pm, aside from Christmas Eve, when it closes at 4pm.
Flights from London Gatwick to Munich are less than two hours, and fares start from as low as £14.49 with easyJet. What’s more, once you’ve landed, you really don’t have to go far to experience the delights of the winter wonderland at Munich Airport!
Ryanair will only offer digital boarding passes from November 12, leading to fears that tech-phobes will be unable to fly – and the company’s boss Michael O’Leary could be to blame
The new rule comes into force today(Image: Getty)
Ryanair’s new boarding rules take effect today, with Brits warned not to get caught out and risk incurring a large fee.
Today, the budget carrier has switched entirely to digital boarding passes. This means travellers who have purchased tickets will no longer be able to download and print them before arriving at the airport – an option currently used by 20 per cent of Ryanair passengers, according to the airline.
Desks at the airports will no longer offer the option to print them, which incurred a fee of £55. It is likely that a similar fee will be charged to those who arrive at the airport without having downloaded their digital boarding pass.
All Ryanair has said is that “If you have already checked-in online and your smartphone or tablet is lost, you will receive a free of charge boarding pass at the airport.” That implies that a £55 late-check-in fee will be levied on those who don’t or aren’t able to check-in online before they get to the airport.
There are significant concerns that passengers without use of a mobile phone, or those who are less tech-savvy, may be caught out. A sizeable 2.06 million Brits aged over 55 do not have one of the handy devices, according to MoneySuperMarket. This equates to around 10 per cent of the age group.
With the new rule, customers will have to use the digital boarding pass created by the myRyanair app after they check in. Ryanair stated that 206 million of its passengers already use digital boarding passes, suggesting approximately 40 million journeys could potentially be affected.
The company’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, said that his 86-year-old mother uses the Ryanair app to travel. Nevertheless, the decision has sparked criticism, with several campaign groups accusing the airline of ageism.
Dennis Reed, director of Silver Voices, told The Telegraph: “It’s a disgraceful move. They are effectively saying they don’t want older people as passengers. There’s a strong argument to say that it’s discriminatory.”
Several worried readers contacted The Mirror to voice their concerns about the change. One said: “I have elderly in-laws who live in Spain. They won’t be able to download anything onto their phone. They’re not tech-savvy, so what will happen when they travel to the UK? I appreciate the need to utilise technology, but that will not work for a lot of passengers.”
Another said: “This seems discriminatory to people, such as the elderly, who, for various reasons, are not able to use smartphones. By Ryanair’s own admission, some 20% of passengers do not use smartphones currently for boarding passes. It may backfire. Ryanair will lose these customers who will turn to alternative providers without such a policy.”
Mr O’Leary, aged 64, was swift to dismiss such concerns. He said: “I’m old, and I travel with Ryanair on a very, very regular basis, and I use the Ryanair app, it is pretty simple, pretty easy to use.” For those especially worried about the change, Mr O’Leary indicated the airline would show flexibility, assuring that “nobody would be cut off at the knees.”
He stated it would be “reasonably forgiving” of passengers arriving with paper boarding passes throughout Christmas and into January.
“The critical thing: If you’ve checked online before you get there and you lose your phone, we’ll have your name in the system,” he said. “We will manually board you at the boarding gate so if your phone goes off, you lose your phone, your phone gets stolen, it is not going to make any issue as long as you checked in online before you got to the boarding gate, which, by the way, would eliminate all the check-in fees at the airport.”
Mr O’Leary dismissed suggestions that elderly passengers would struggle with the changes as patronising.
“Actually, what you find is the old people firstly just get their kids or grandkids to make bookings for them, and then pretty quickly they’re adopting it themselves. And it is slightly patronising, this notion that old people can’t and won’t move to mobile technology or to the apps,” he said, MailOnline reported.
The switch was pushed back by a week to November 12 to avoid the UK and Irish half-term period.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady said: “To ensure a seamless transition to 100 per cent digital boarding passes for our customers, we will make the switch from November 12, which is traditionally a slightly quieter time for travel following the busy mid-term break period.
“Ryanair’s move to 100 per cent digital boarding passes will mean a faster, smarter, and greener travel experience for our customers, streamlined through our best-in-class ‘myRyanair’ app, where passengers will also benefit from helpful in-app features, like Order to Seat and live flight information.”
A market town, just a short drive from Birmingham, transports visitors back in time to an era that shaped modern Britain, in addition to its notable links to the Titanic and Peaky Blinders
17:05, 11 Nov 2025Updated 17:05, 11 Nov 2025
The Black Country Living Museum is a popular attraction in Dudley(Image: Handout)
A retro town sits frozen in time with cobbled streets and a renowned fish and chip shop.
While it may not match the size of its neighbouring cities, Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Dudley has a charm all of its own. This West Midlands market town boasts connections to the Titanic, the popular TV series Peaky Blinders, and is home to historic landmarks and a host of attractions for a fantastic day out. One of those is the Black Country Living Museum – a small town in its own right, which was named Britain’s top tourist attraction and transports visitors back in time.
Dudley forms part of the Black Country region, alongside the three other metropolitan boroughs: Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. These areas played a pivotal role in fueling the Industrial Revolution – all their furnaces, foundries, and famously strong accents.
Milo Boyd
Milo Boyd
The term ‘Black Country’ has been used since the 19th century, referring to the colour of the coal and the air pollution prevalent at the time. Notably, they constructed the world’s first successful steam engine, put the first steam train (the Stourbridge Lion) on US soil, produced the anchor for the Titanic, helped introduce the first minimum wage, and played a significant part in building London’s Crystal Palace.
This impressive history can be explored at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, which was crowned Large Visitor Attraction of the Year by VisitEngland earlier this year, beating the likes of Alton Towers, Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace.
The treasured gem, spread across 29 acres, is an open-air museum designed as a real-life community that brings 250 years of industrial history in the region to life, offering a raw and immersive glimpse into the soot, steam and steel that shaped modern Britain. Travelling back to the Black Country’s rich past, visitors can wander along cobbled streets, pop into reconstructed pubs and shops, explore a coal mine and interact with costumed characters.
The immersive experience offers visitors the chance to delve into life in 19th-century Britain, with tickets costing £26.95 for adults, £14.95 for children (aged 3-15), and entry for those under two is free. The museum also served as a major filming location for the hit TV series, Peaky Blinders, tempting visitors to channel their inner Tommy Shelby.
Additionally, the museum boasts a renowned fish and chip shop, Hobbs’ and Sons, which has been praised as one of the finest in the region for its delicious, traditionally cooked fare, served in newspaper. Visitors can also stop by T. Cook’s Sweet Shop to buy a paper bag of traditional, old-fashioned sweets, often weighed out from jars, or head to Veal’s Baker’s Shop.
Trained blacksmiths are on hand, making chains in the forge, which sits in front of the Dudley Canal. The waterway runs through a lengthy tunnel too narrow for horses that used to propel the boats, so captains would lie on the vessel’s roof and push the craft with their legs. Visitors can experience the inventive way of travelling today.
Wolverhampton’s iconic Elephant and Castle pub has been recreated on the museum’s high street, transporting thirsty punters back to a time before fruit machines, Sky Sports and mobile phones were fixtures of a night out drinking.
Despite once being branded the “unhappiest” place to live on Rightmove, Dudley has been elevated by its extensive range of attractions. One of the town’s most cherished destinations is Dudley Zoo and Castle, situated in the town centre.
The zoo is home to hundreds of animals, big and small, and first welcomed visitors in 1937, two years before the Second World War began. During a visit, you can also admire the stunning views across the West Midlands from the top of Castle Hill.
Nestled within the zoo grounds, you’ll find the historic Dudley Castle, a structure steeped in history dating back to 1070 AD. The castle and its courtyard are the backdrop to their ghost and history walks, where it’s rumoured to be haunted by a spectre known as the Grey Lady.
Away from the spookiness, the castle also hosts open-air cinema nights and various children’s events, along with the chance to witness bird of prey displays.
When it comes to Christmas, the Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill will earn the moniker of ‘Merry Hell’ due to the lengthy queues, but you can’t fault residents flocking here as it boasts a plethora of shops, cafes and restaurants. In addition, there are more dining options across the street, along with a cinema to catch the latest movie and escape the crowds in this unsuspecting market town.
“The border has really changed over the last few years and that work is picking up pace. Public expectations have changed and technology has changed,” Douglas added.
“We now have AI facial recognition, the use of biometric identifiers in parallel with the more traditional forms of identification, like visas and passports.”
Douglas explained that Border Force wanted to make use of the existing 270 e-gates at airports and ports around the country by fitting them with the new technology.
“It’s our intention that almost everybody will go through an e-gate of one description or another,” Douglas said.
“The Manchester pilot has shown that we can actually reduce transaction times considerably as well.”
He did warn that while this was a huge leap in technological advancement and would reduce waiting times, there was “something important about the ‘theatre’ of the border.”
Douglas said passengers should still expect to feel a sense of a border and scrutiny when entering the UK and when “they’re stopped it’s a moment they know they’re being checked.”
The UK is not the only country to introduce facial recognition technology at airports with the United Arab Emirates allowing passengers from 50 countries to enter using it.
Australia and the US were also considering trialling the software.
The Sun contacted Border Force for comment.
Facial recognition technology was also being considered at ports which would remove the need to even step out of your car to go through passport control.
The technologywill be used at ports to match their faces with passport and car details already logged in government databases.
The cameras, which are being trialled at four ports since November 2024 – are designed to cut queues that build up during busyholiday periods.
Only “passengers of interest” highlighted as a risk because of intelligence, safeguarding concerns or questions over their identity will have to undergo manual checks by aBorder Forceofficer on arrival.
Phil Douglas is the Director General of Border Force at the Home OfficeCredit: Gov.uk
