travel

This country rakes in trillions every year

When you think about wealthy countries, places like Dubai, China and the US might spring to mind. However, Europe has its fair share of rich countries too. The wealthiest of all has been revealed in new data this year, and it’s not Luxembourg or Sweden.

According to figures from the World Population review, Germany is Europe’s wealthiest country when judged by gross domestic product (GDP). Germany has a GDP of $5.45trillion (£4.026T).

What is GDP?

GDP is a way to measure a country’s productivity and prosperity. The GDP of a country is the total monetary value of all goods and services which that country produced within its borders over a year.

To calculate it, economists take the spending of everyday consumers, the investment of businesses in the country, and government spending and net exports to figure out the final calculation.

If GDP is rising year on year, it’s a good sign that the country is doing well financially. If it is consistently lowering, it’s a sign of an incoming recession.

Is it accurate?

GDP is not a very accurate indicator of the prosperity of a country’s people. It does not indicate how the wealth is distributed, nor the happiness or individual wealth of people.

These flaws are why GDP is often calculated alongside other metrics such as the Human Development Index, which measures the economy as well as life expectancy and education to get a better idea of how a country is functioning.

There’s also the Inclusive Wealth Index, which measures the “savings account” of a country by looking at infrastructure, natural resources and workforce alongside its finances.

How does the UK compare?

According to the most recent data, the UK is in second place with a GDP of $4.23trillion (£3.148T).

France is in third place with $3.17trillion (£2.654T), Italy fourth with $2.42trillion (£2.021T), and Russia fifth with $2.21trillion (£1.962T).

In the case of Germany’s GDP, it is larger than two other European nations combined. Portugal has $380.6billion (£281.0B), and Greece has $307.6billion (£227.1B).

THE Great British Bake Off is back in a matter of weeks with a new horde of amateur bakers wanting to prove their skills to the judges.

But did you know that the Channel 4 series films on the grounds of a stunning manor house and you can visit the estate for yourself next month?

Welford Park, a country house in Berkshire, has been GBBO’s filming location since 2014 – and members of the public usually aren’t allowed inside.

For the majority of the year, the 17th century estate is a private family home and working farm.

However, it does open for seasonal events and will open its doors to the public in October for its Spectacle of Light trail.

It will see the grounds, woods and gardens is lit up with lanterns and beautiful light displays for families to explore.

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New for this year is its Alice’s Amazing Adventures in Wonderland where you’ll spot the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat – and even the Queen of Hearts.

There’s food and drink too from hot chocolates to toasted marshmallows and plenty more at Food Truck Village where there’s also a Tipi Bar.

It’s received high praise by families too with one visitor called it a “a magical winter event”.

They added: “The lights at this event were spectacular and the children were in awe of them, as were the adults. The formal gardens in particular were stunning. Hot chocolates were some of the best we’ve had.”

The light trail will be on at Welford Park between October 22 and November 7.

Tickets start from £24 per adult and £14.50 per child (3-15) – infants between 0-2 go free.

For those who want to see the grounds in all their glory, they will reopen to the public for snowdrop season.

Between January 27 and February 28 will be its Winter Gardens & Snowdrops event that has been a tradition for the last 50 years.

The snowdrops flood the grounds of the woods and sit along the riverbanks of the River Lambourn and the gardens.

The gates open at 11am and last entry is 4pm (it is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

Tickets start from £12 per adult and £8 per child (4-15) – under 4’s go free.

THE UK’s second biggest airport may face even more delays this month as workers are set to strike over pay.

This comes as thousands of planes were grounded yesterday following a nationwide technical glitch.

Around 220 staff members at London Gatwick Airport are set to strike later this month, following a dispute between Unite members and employer Wilson James.

The workers, who provide assisted travel, have been engaged in pay talks since May and previously rejected a two-year offer of a 3.4 per cent salary increase.

The union said it was “not enough to address years of low pay at the firm”.

As a result, Unite regional officer Ben Davis, said that “industrial action will inevitably disrupt services throughout Gatwick” as negotions continue.

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Strikes are expected to take place from September 17 to September 21.

Just two days later, another set of strikes will occur from September 23 to September 26.

This will mean passengers who rely on assistened travel will take longer to board and disembark, leading to flight delays across both short-haul and long-haul services to and from Gatwick.

Davis added: “Strikes can be avoided but that requires the company making a significantly improved offer.”

This comes as travellers have already faced extensive delays and cancellations following a major technical issue with the UK’s air traffic control provider yesterday.

The National Air Traffic Services (NATS) suffered an issue with its “flights processing system”, resulting in tens of thousands of passengers stranded in terminals and over 1,000 journeys cancelled.

Although the issue preventing departures was fixed yesterday evening, knock-on delays and cancellations – mainly affecting Heathrow Airport – continue to disrupt passengers today.

TRAVELLERS face another day of chaos across UK airports today following a major tech outage cancelling flights yesterday.

Thousands of passengers were hit by flight cancellations and delays yesterday due to an air traffic control issue emerging around 1pm.

People reported being stuck on planes on the tarmac for hours and many travellers are currently stranded abroad with new flights home only available next week.

NATS has now warned that delays are expected to continue as it tries to “clear a backlog of flights” – but here is all you need to know if you have been impacted.

My flight has been cancelled, what do I do?

Contact your airline immediately and ask to be rebooked onto the next available flight.

Airlines must provide you with this option. Unfortunately, in a situation like this where so many flights have been cancelled, it may be that they offer you a flight well into the next few days.

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You do not have to accept this. If you can find an alternative flight with a different airline that will get you to your destination sooner, you have the right to either have the airline book you onto this or book it yourself.

Use a credit card, keep all receipts and claim it back from your airline. In situations like this, the last thing you should do is simply get a refund if you have no alternative means of getting to your destination.

If you do this, your airline no longer has any duty of care and does not have to get you home.

Only request a refund if you are happy for the airline to no longer have any responsibility for your travel options. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do I contact my airline?

You will likely be contacted by your airline directly if your flight has been affected by the air traffic control meltdown.

If you are already at the airport or on your way there, the best thing to do is speak to someone on the ground.

Phones will be ringing off the hook right now so the check in desk or your airline help desk is your best bet.

Anyone who is at home and has not been provided with a satisfactory alternative flight or the option to a refund should either call the airline via the customer services number or make contact via the live chat option on the website.

Some airlines, like British Airways, will allow you to rebook within their airline app.

If the changes are complicated, however, phone or in-person is best.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

What if I have a holiday package booked?

If you have a holiday package booked, you have more protection than flight-only bookings.

This is because they are ATOL protected, which means your money is safeguarded by a a UK financial protection scheme (often needed for when holiday companies go bust).

If your flight is cancelled, your tour operator must offer an alternative flight or replacement holiday.

If neither work you, then you must be given a full refund – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Can I get compensation?

No. Airlines are only required to give you compensation if the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, as in a technical failure on a plane or issues with crew.

In this situation, where ATC is the reason for the chaos, there is unfortunately no compensation due.

Check your insurance policy to see if you have any redress if you have incurred additional costs like missing a concert or unable to pick up car hire. You may be able to claim for that.

Generally for delays, if an airline looks after you or provides you with food and drink or hotels, you cannot claim for the same costs against your travel insurance. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

How do you claim compensation?

If your flight has been cancelled strictly as a result of yesterday’s incident, you will not be entitled to compensation.

This is because the situation is deemed to be outside of the airline’s control and falls under the category of extraordinary circumstances.

Airlines do, however, still have a duty of care to their passengers and anyone experiencing delays of between two to four hours will be entitled to food and drinks vouchers.

These are usually handed out according to the distance you are flying.

For example if your trip is short haul then you are entitled to vouchers once the delay reaches two hours.

The delay must be at least three hours for mid haul or four hours for long haul.

If you are stranded and need to stay in a hotel, this also falls under duty of care and the airline should assist you in this.

As mentioned above, if you end up paying for anything yourself, you must keep receipts so that you can claim this back. – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Am I covered by travel insurance?

This is strictly down to what your insurance policy says. It really depends on the level of policy you paid for, so it’s worth checking the small print.

You’ll need to be covered for things like delay, travel disruption, cancellations and missed connections.

If you went for the cheaper option when booking your policy, it’s likely there may be some holes in your cover.

Always make sure you take out travel insurance and check the details before signing on the dotted line – instances like this are why it’s worth protecting yourself. – Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)  

I missed an event can I get my money back?

It depends what you booked and how.

For a missed concert, theatre show or other event, check your travel insurance to see if it is covered because of the delay or cancellation – you may be able to claim.

The same applies for car hire or missed accommodation expenses but only if your travel insurance policy includes such disruption.

If you paid by credit card and the value is over £100 it may be worth calling your credit card provider and seeing if you can claim under Section 75 of the consumer credit act. – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

What about if you’re supposed to be flying soon?

If you’re due to jet off in the coming days and have not yet been contacted by your airline, take this as a good sign.

The specific issue that resulted in yesterday’s chaos was fixed within four hours and many airports have said that they are operating as normal today.

Despite this quick fix, yesterday still saw over 1000 cancellations across UK airports which has had a dramatic knock on effect that could continue for days.

Keep a look out for any changes to your flight and act immediately if a cancellation arises.

If your flight is not cancelled, be warned that it could be busier than anticipated, with airlines struggling to find space for passengers who are trying to reach their destination after a cancellation.  – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

ONE of the most iconic buildings in the capital’s skyline is set to become a 400-room hotel.

The Grade-II BT Tower in London is being transformed into a hotel, with rooms in the tower itself.

Levels seven to 23 of the Tower will all have accommodation, with each floor featuring four curved rooms around the central structure.

As for the lower floors, a new building will be developed at the bottom of the Tower, with a rooftop pool on level six, outdoor seating areas and wildflower roof gardens.

The lower ground floor will then feature events spaces and restaurants, and the ground floor will have a wine bar as well as other Class E businesses which could include a gym, shops and cafes.

Hotel rooms will then start on the first floor as well as another events space with the same for levels two to six, with some outdoor terraces, too.

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At the top of the Tower (level 34) – which used to be home to a revolving restaurant and viewing platform – there will be a 360-degree visitor attraction including a ‘revolving floor’, with suggestions it could be a restaurant again.

There will then be another events space on level 35 with an outdoor terrace and level 36 will have two more events spaces and two lobbies.

Levels 31 to 33 will also have events spaces.

Levels 24 to 28 and 37 to 40 will all be used for storage and building maintenance.

Outside the base of the Tower, a new public square will be constructed too.

The park will feature curved timber benches, large pebble seating areas and bronze metal artwork.

Construction is expected to start in 2029 and the hotel is then due to open in 2033.

The BT Tower first opened in 1964 as the Post Office Tower and was the capital’s tallest building until the NatWest Tower opened in 1980.

The Tower then closed to the public in 1981 – though, there will be some private events.

The hotel was then purchased by MCR, an American hotel chain, in 2024 for £270million.

Often compared to Hawaii and dubbed the ‘new Canaries’, a paradise island with azure waters and unspoilt beaches has been named as one of Europe’s most beautiful places to visit

A tropical island retreat with crystal-clear azure waters and pristine beaches has been crowned as Europe’s most breathtaking destination to visit this year. Conveniently, its stunning scenes are just a four-hour flight away.

Nestled in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, to the west of mainland Portugal, lies the spectacular archipelago of nine islands known as the Azores. Long compared to Hawaii, they’re frequently referred to as the new Canary Islands, thanks to their unspoilt beaches, shimmering crater lakes and cascading waterfalls, set against dramatic green cliffs and lush forests that remain wonderfully untouched.

With nine volcanic islands comprising the Azores, there’s a wealth of discoveries to be made, with each island boasting its own jaw-dropping coastline and diverse landscape that is sure to leave you speechless. So much so that Lonely Planet has named the Azores as one of the ‘most beautiful places to visit in Europe’ and the best for a ‘remote island escape’.

The publication noted that the Azores have been “long overlooked” and are like “stepping stones to another world”, with their collection of subtropical gardens, forests, and “brilliantly blue caldera lakes” that draw in nature lovers. For those keen to visit, Lonely Planet recommended spending time “floating in the dazzlingly turquoise thermal waters of Caldeira Velha on São Miguel island, hiking through botanical gardens brimming with azaleas, camellias and hydrangeas on Flores, gasping out loud as sperm whales and humpbacks emerge from the deep blue on Faial, or climbing up to Mt Pico’s cloud-shredding, 2351m cone for sensational views across the archipelago.”

For those wanting to experience these breathtaking landscapes firsthand, direct flights are available from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to the Azores’ main gateway, Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL), with a journey time of just over four hours. Prices start from £118 per person, according to Skyscanner, with limited availability, but it’s well worth securing a trip to savour this slice of paradise, reports the Express.

What’s more, set against the Azores’ spectacular scenery and dramatic coastlines, visitors can also take advantage of remarkably affordable prices. A pint will typically cost around €1.50 (£1.28), while a meal at a local restaurant comes in at between €10 to €15 (£8.57 and £12.85) per person, or €30 (£25.70) at a popular establishment.

One of the most coveted destinations to visit is São Miguel Island, also known as the ‘Green Island’. It’s the largest island in the archipelago and is famed for its striking twin-crater lake, Sete Cidades, which boasts contrasting blue and green-tinted waters. Recognised as one of Portugal’s seven natural wonders, it’s undeniably breathtaking with its magical surroundings.

Elsewhere, São Miguel Island offers a wealth of dramatic volcanic beaches with black sand and crystal-clear waters, ideal for soaking up the September sunshine. These include Praia de Santa Bárbara, a well-known surfing hotspot, and Praia dos Mosteiro, complete with heated rock pools for a dip away from the ocean waves.

Yet the offshore islet at Vila Franca do Campo is arguably the most stunning stretch of coastline of them all, with its curved sunken volcanic crater forming an extraordinary natural swimming pool. What’s more, dotted throughout the Azores are secluded coves, beaches and volcanic thermal springs just waiting to be uncovered, meaning you’ll never be stuck for options on where to spend your island escape.

Direct flights from the UK to the Azores depart from London Heathrow via British Airways, typically operating during the summer months.

You can fly from many other UK airports, such as London Gatwick and Manchester, with one stop via major carriers including TAP Air Portugal, which connects through Lisbon or Porto, or SATA Azores Airlines, which connects via mainland Portugal or North America connections.

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

Mum of two Hannah Britt took her daughters to Mallorca by herself this summer – and found this want-for-nothing all-inclusive to be a suitable co-parent

“You’re mad,” said my partner John when I mooted the idea of taking the girls to Mallorca without him. But with the six weeks of the summer holidays stretching ahead of me, I decided to ignore him and spend a long weekend abroad with my two daughters, aged six and two. And I’m so glad I did.

When your partner is otherwise engaged (read: work) choosing the right hotel is much like choosing a temporary replacement. This summer, my right hand man was the five star Zafiro Palace Palmanova. And the want-for-nothing all-inclusive turned out to be an excellent co-parent.

FOOD FOR ALL

One of the brilliant things about an all-inclusive hotel is that it takes all the guesswork out of mealtimes. Will they eat anything? What will they eat? Will the toddler tip her entire bowl on the floor and ask for more? (Yes – sorry Zafiro).

The food at Zafiro Palace Palmanova was brilliant. A large main buffet restaurant (The Market) provided endless, ever-changing choice from fresh seafood and local dishes like paella, to more child-friendly options like pasta and pizza. The salad selection was delicious – and drinks were premium, and incredibly well made. The best coffee is to be found in the bar, which opens at 9am – thank me later.

Elsewhere, a la carte options (Mediterranean El Olivo, Italian El Portico and Japanese Tastes) provide upmarket eateries for something a little more special. We loved The Veranda too, which served food at more irregular times, meaning there was a meal to be had whenever anyone was hungry.

FUN, FUN, FUN

There is so much to do for children on-site, taking any stress out of activity planning for the day. A dedicated kids’ club team put on everything from pool games to foam parties to ensure there’s never a dull moment.

A large kids’ pool sits tucked away to the back of the site, with a huge inflatable bounce slide and a mixture of slides to occupy them for hours. Next to it, a bouncy castle, large trampoline and play area delighted my children too – particularly in the evening, when the sun was less ferocious.

Also in the evening, a daily kids’ disco gets children singing and dancing, while their grown ups watch on adoringly with a well-earned glass of wine.

POOL TIME

In the middle of the hotel complex lie the main pools, many of which welcome children – although some are adults-only. A swim-up bar in the main pool makes smoothies, milkshakes and virgin cocktails for little ones, and most days there is a running mat brought onto the water for children to run/dance/roll along, before splashing into the pool at the end.

KIDS’ CLUB

Children who attend kids’ club during the day are given a medal at the kids disco in the evening, which is a brilliant tactic for drawing them in. Suitable from ages four to teens, the cute little house, set next to the kids’ pool, puts on activities like bracelet making and T-shirt painting.

BEAUTIFUL ROOMS

There are lots of room options to choose from at Zafiro Palace Palmanova, from swim-up suites to penthouses with hot tubs – and everything in between. Cots for babies and day beds for children are provided when required.

Decor is chic, sleek and modern, with pretty wooden accents and high-thread-count cotton. We were lucky enough to have a swim-up suite, which had a large superking bed, and a sofa bed for my six year old. Large glass doors opened up onto a private pool area, with a small space just for us, then a larger expanse of water which we shared with a few other families in neighbouring rooms. A boltable gate ensured water safety and a decking area with a circular lounge bed provided somewhere to chill out.

Having a pool so close, meaning we only really had to leave the room for meals, was incredible. We stayed in the water until our fingers wrinkled.

EXPLORING NEARBY

When feeling intrepid one day, we took a taxi a short way into Palma to explore, choosing a private walking tour available on Tripadvisor. Our guide was fascinating, with endless facts about the city, making it fun for my six year old too. The location of the hotel made exploring Palma easy and we were able to visit the cathedral, castle and the old town, before my two year old decided she’d had enough. Palma is stunning, and well worth seeing. Wandering around the ancient streets provided shade too, as did swinging inside the town hall.

BEACH TIME

A back gate out of Zafiro Palace Palmanova takes you on a path straight to the Palmanova beach and the Mediterranean Sea beyond. A beautiful sandy beach, it makes for a brilliant day trip – especially as it’s lined with cafes, bars and ice cream shops. After our 15th sand castle of the day, I took the girls for a drink at the sandy-toed Turtle Beach, which was a hit with all three of us.

*Nightly rates at Zafiro Palace Palmanova start from €438 per night with All Inclusive Redefined ®

THE Netherlands has ground to a halt today due to a staff strike – and it is affecting public transport across the country.

It has also impacted Eurostar routes with all trains to two popular cities completely cancelled today.

The strike is being held by the country’s largest trade union for staff who operate public transport – the walkouts started at 2am and will end at 2am tomorrow.

As a result, Eurostar has been forced to cancel its routes to Amsterdam and Rotterdam – of which there are usually around 25.

Around 25 direct and indirect routes usually go to Amsterdam and Rotterdam from St Pancras, but none are running today.

On its website, Eurostar said: “There will be a national public transport strike on Wednesday 09 September 2026 in the Netherlands.

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“No national or international trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on that day. There will also be some disruption on the evening of Tuesday 08 September and the morning of Thursday 10 September.

“If you’re due to travel with Eurostar, you can check whether your journey is affected by the strike on our live train info page. We’ve also contacted all affected passengers whose contact details we have. If you have a connecting journey, please get in touch with the relevant train company for more information.

“We know how important your travel plans are and we’re sorry for the disruption this strike will cause.

“If your Eurostar train can no longer serve your departure and/or arrival station, you can choose one of the following options:

• Exchange your booking for free to travel in the same travel class at a different time or date. It only takes a minute to rearrange your trip.

• Cancel your booking and claim an e-voucher. You will have 12 months from the date of your disrupted journey to redeem it on eurostar.com.

• Cancel your booking and get a refund. You’ll receive a refund for the value of your ticket but not for any booking or exchange fees. We’ll process your request within 28 days.

“You have three months from the date you were due to travel to claim your preferred option.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologise again for the disruption to your journey.”

Due to the early hours of the strike ending, services on Thursday morning could be affected too with several Eurostar journeys in showing as ‘Not available’.

In Amsterdam, metros, trams, buses and ferry services have been suspended.

In Rotterdam, the metros, trams, buses are suspended as well, and in The Hague, trams and buses are not running.

A Eurostar spokesperson told Sun Travel: “Following the national public transport strike on Wednesday 9 September 2026 from 2AM until the 10^th of September at 2AM in the Netherlands, no Eurostar trains will be able to run on the Dutch network on Wednesday.

“Affected passengers have been notified and can obtain a reimbursement or change their tickets free of charge. We apologise for the inconvenience.

“Trains on the other Eurostar routes are running normally.”

A VITAL ferry route linking the UK to France will soon be axed after more than 40 years.

The last crossing is set to take place this autumn, with the company citing rising costs as cause for the closure.

Brittany Ferries is set to permanently axe its Poole to Cherbourg crossing route at the beginning of November.

Passengers have been travelling between Dorset and France for over forty years, but now the popular journey will shut down.

The company cited growing financial pressures as the cause for the decision, including outstanding Covid-19 loan repayments, competition on the Eastern Channel and weaker demand for travel.

Rising costs of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System have further burdened the company’s remaining debt.

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Around 20 jobs are expected to disappear as a result of the closure.

The decision comes as part of a wider restructuring by Brittany Ferries, with the firm taking a “pragmatic approach” to the economic challenges.

Steps also include the sale of the Cotentin, which sails between Cherbourg and Rosslare, alongside the closure of the Portsmouth to Le Havre route from October 2026.

A spokesperson for Brittany Ferries told The Sun: “This wasn’t a decision we took lightly, and we know it will be disappointing news for our customers in Poole and the surrounding area.

“We’ve worked hard over many years to keep this route running, but a long-term decline in passenger and freight numbers, compounded by rising costs and red tape, including Brexit-related border processes, EU environmental taxes, and unfavourable exchange rates, has made the route commercially unsustainable.

“We’re not withdrawing from Poole. Customers will still be able to travel to France with us via a seasonal service from Poole to St Malo, as well as our conventional routes from Portsmouth and Plymouth to Caen, Cherbourg, St Malo and Roscoff, including a new daily Portsmouth–Cherbourg service.”

A high-speed crossing between Poole, Guernsey and St Malo is also set to be debuted in 2027.

The crossing was first introduced in 1985, with the iconic MS Barfleur starting her voyages between Dorset and France in 1992.

It takes just four hours and 15 minutes – the shortest journey over the Channel – and garnered a huge amount of success, leading to a £6million overhaul of the ferry terminal in the 1990s.

The route has faced a number of challenges in recent years, temporarily shutting down in 2010 owing to a decrease in ticket sales – however it was reopened in 2013.

The Barfleur will soon undertake its final journey, but all may not be lost quite yet for the route.

Captain Brian Murphy, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners told the Bournemouth Echo that Brittany Ferries’ departure could pave the way for another operator to take over the route.

A flight attendant has told travellers to stop wearing a common item of clothing to travel on planes. According to Cher Dallas, a certain garment should always be avoided

When people travel, a lot of thought can go into their outfits, but there’s some items of clothing you may actually want to avoid wearing on planes. According to flight attendant, Cher Dallas, there’s a certain item that people should stop wearing as soon as possible when jetting off abroad.

Cher, who shares travel tips and stories on TikTok, said there’s one item she never wears to travel on a plane, and there’s good reason why too. It’s one piece of air travel advice you may want to follow from now on when you jet off on adventures around the world.

It’s not the first piece of advice of its kind to be shared either. Previously, another flight attendant cautioned travellers about wearing certain clothes on planes too.

What is her advice?

In a candid clip discussing the clothing, Cher said: “Since everyone gets fuming mad at me when I say don’t wear shorts when you travel, coming from a flight attendant, guess how many diapers got changed on the seats yesterday on my one flight? Four.

“Guess how many announcements we made for people to not do that? Three. People don’t care.

“Guess how many of those diapers were poopy? All four.

“They change them on the seats, and you want to rub your skin on there? You do.

“You want to. You’re dying to. Enjoy your staph infection. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Why should it be avoided?

There are a few reasons why it’s best to avoid wearing shorts on planes. Many flight attendants note that airplane seats are rarely deep-cleaned between quick turnaround flights and can harbour bacteria, body fluids or spills from previous passengers.

Wearing long trousers creates a physical barrier so your skin does not touch the upholstery directly. It’s much better to keep your legs covered.

As well as this, plane cabins often get very chilly during flights, and shorts leave you exposed to cold drafts. If surfaces are sticky, bare legs could also stick to chairs.

It’s also considered wise to cover your legs in case of an emergency. In a rare emergency evacuation, where evacuation slides are deployed, bare legs can suffer painful friction burns or scrapes as you slide down.

Therefore, there are various reasons why shorts should be avoided. As well as exposing you to germs, they can actually be problematic in other ways too.

This is why it’s best to avoid wearing them any time you board a plane. You’ll be glad you did it later down the line.

For decades scientists and researchers have been vexed by a sound emanating from cats. Not a call of the wild, a roar or a hiss. No, multiple academics have attempted to decipher the meaning behind the mightily adorable meow of the domestic house cat.

Cats, it turns out, are conversationalists. And good news for cat parents: Studies suggest they’re often attempting to talk to us.

“One of the biggest takeaways from scientific research is that meowing seems in many ways to be specialized for communication with humans,” says Jay Schwartz, an associate professor of psychological science at Western Oregon University. “In that sense, the meow holds the legacy of thousands of years of evolutionary change in cats to adapt to life with humans.”

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Adult cats, specifically, rarely meow to one another, instead preferring other vocal intonations or facial signifiers. The meow, in short, is meant for us.

“The exception is communication between kittens and mothers,” Schwartz says, “which is also the main context where we see meows in wild feline species. One hypothesis is that cats have this instinct to meow towards their mother, and humans in many cases sort of take on that mother role.”

But now that we know that cats are attempting to communicate with us, is there a way for pet caregivers to better understand what a cat is attempting to say? Research is ongoing, but many papers have sought to analyze not only the different pitches and tones of the meow, but also how good we — humans, that is — are at understanding them. There’s evidence at least that we’re listening. One European study indicated that cat owners often meow back at their pets. This is different than, say, dog providers, who were reported to rarely return a canine’s bark.

An informal polling of the researchers interviewed for this article found that, yes, cat parents are likely to return the meows of their feline. And I know from personal experience with my own cat that I am an avid meower.

Asked, for instance, if he meows to his cats, Jonathan B. Losos, an evolutionary biologist and author of the book, “The Cat’s Meow: How Cats Evolved From the Savanna to Your Sofa,” wouldn’t deny it. “I’m sure they are deeply offended by my attempts, but yes, yes I do,” Losos says.

But there’s no need to mimic a cat’s meow, especially if one is hoping to train a cat or have them associate certain words with particular rewards — treats, playtime and affection work well for that. And besides, there’s a theory that, with the meow, the cats were evolving to imitate us.

“Our cats’ ancestors were already meowing when they began living alongside humans,” Schwartz says. “We know this because cats’ closest evolutionary relatives, African wild cats, meow.”

Yet there are key differences in the meows. Schwartz says the meow of a domestic cat is “cuter and less harsh” than those of a wild cat. The cats likely knew what they were doing.

“One hypothesis is the meow happened to share some acoustic similarities with the sounds of human infants,” Schwartz says, “and so nearby humans were responsive to it. This set the stage for a co-evolutionary relationship where, over generations, cats began to produce meows that are more fine-tuned for human communication. It’s a case of evolution taking a tool that already exists and modifying it for a new purpose as a species adapts to a different environment.”

And while meows, of course, vary from cat to cat, Kristyn Vitale, a certified applied animal behaviorist and founder of the Michigan-based Maueyes Cat Science and Education center, says there are ways to decode them. Vitale points to research out of a Swedish university that looked at the melody and tone of the meow.

“So when it dips down at the end,” Vitale says of the meow, “that’s often correlated with negative affective states. So, feeling stressed or fearful. You hear that if you’re trying to get your cat into the carrier or messing around with them, like at the vet. Then they’ll often have a downward pitch. And then for happy, more content states, there is an an uptick at the end. They found that to be pretty consistent in their vocalizing. Whether it goes up or down is indicating the cat’s mood.”

And yet the key to understanding a cat’s meow will often rest specifically with that cat’s caretaker. Losos in his book cites a number of papers on cat vocalizations, and one of his favorites is the work of Nicholas Nicastro and the series of studies that followed up on Nicastro’s research. Nicastro made recordings of a number of cat meows when the pets were in different states — being fed, for instance, or brushed. Nicastro also placed cats in unfamiliar environments, hoping to get meows of dissatisfaction.

Nicastro wanted to see whether humans could identify the emotional state of the cat based solely on the sound. “The people did no better than guessing,” Losos says. “They had no clue.” It was an indication, Losos argues, that cats have no uniform language.

But don’t despair, those who want to understand their cats better. Other research has advanced Nicastro’s work, including studies that paired a cat’s meows directly with their caretaker instead of random participants. When those who lived with the cat were involved, the results differed drastically. I joke that I like to think I can understand when my cat’s meow is asking me to open the bedroom window blinds, which is where her desired bird-watching perch is. Losos says I may be right — or at least not entirely wrong.

“The people who lived with the cat were quite good at saying, ‘Chester is unhappy with you,’ or ‘Oliver is very content right now,’ ” Losos says. “What that suggests is that there is a private language that develops between cats and the people they live with in order for cats to communicate what they want or what their mood is. That’s fascinating. You and your cat have worked out how to understand when she’s hungry, for instance.”

Research is continuing to better understand the communication between a cat and the cat’s owner. Schwartz and Vitale, for instance, are hoping to finalize a study soon that looks at how cats may greet their caretakers — or express a form of sadness or confusion when they leave.

“We looked specifically at meows in two contexts: separation from their human in an unfamiliar environment, and then the human’s return,” Schwartz says. “We found some subtle but consistent differences in the pitch and length of meows between those two contexts, suggesting maybe cats have different meows for ‘Where did you go?’ and ‘You’re back!’ ”

Yet there’s one thing that Schwartz wants to make clear. The meow, as cute and attuned as it may be to get a human’s attention, is not in his mind a tool for manipulation, as some have proffered.

“This idea that cats are trying to manipulate us is a big pet peeve of mine,” he says. “I don’t think cats are intentionally manipulating us in the sense of understanding the effects that their meows have on our psychology. However, they probably understand the link between their behavior and ours. If they have learned that meowing is a way to achieve a desired outcome, they’ll do it.”

In other words, cats just want to be heard.

ABTA has issued a statement on the situation at airports across the UK, advising passengers of their rights and what steps they should take if their flight is cancelled or delayed this week

ABTA, the UK’s biggest trade travel association, has issued a statement amid air traffic control chaos at British airports which has continued into a second day.

According to BBC figures, obtained from aviation analytics firm Cirium, 1,750 flights were cancelled yesterday (Tuesday, September 8), and more than 150 have been cancelled today so far. Significant delays are also expected to persist today due to the knock-on effect of yesterday’s cancellations.

At least 16 major UK airports have been affected by the wave of cancellations, which are due to a major technical problem impacting National Air Traffic Services (NATS), leading ABTA to issue advice to affected passengers.

Luke Petherbridge, director of public affairs at ABTA, said in a statement: “If your flight has been delayed or cancelled customers will have rights, which will vary depending on whether they booked their flight separately or as part of a package.

“ABTA members will be supporting those booked with them, to help make alternative arrangements, and we have advice on abta.com to help people understand their rights.

“While the immediate priority is supporting customers, as this isn’t the first NATS outage to cause widespread disruption, the industry and the public will want answers as to what has gone wrong, what lessons are being learned, and how the system will be made more resilient to avoid this happening again.”

ABTA has advised passengers to visit it FAQs page, which gives passengers a breakdown of their rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled. If a flight is delayed, your airline is required to offer certain support, from refreshments to accommodation and transfers, depending on the length of the delay and the route.

ABTA also says: “If the delay exceeds five hours, your airline must offer you the choice of taking a refund of the flight cost.” However, it’s unlikely passengers hit by today’s delays and cancellations will be able to claim for additional compensation. It states: “if it wasn’t the airline’s fault, you won’t be entitled to receive any compensation. Delays caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.”

For those hit by cancellations, ABTA says: “If your flight is cancelled and you’re departing from the UK, your airline must offer you the choice of a replacement flight at the earliest opportunity or a refund.”

It advises: “If you were at the airport when your flight was cancelled, and you’ve chosen rerouting, you’re also entitled to care and assistance while you wait to be rerouted. This usually means food, drink, access to communications (e.g. two free phone calls) plus accommodation and the necessary transfers if the replacement flight departs the next day or later.”

Airlines affected by delays and cancellations include London-Heathrow, Gatwick, London-Stansted, London-City, London=-Southend, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Liverpool John Lennon, Aberdeen, Belfast, EMA, Southampton, Leeds and Jersey.

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The historic English city with Roman roots was crowned the world’s most beautiful city according to research

Sitting in northwest England close to the Welsh border, this historic city is steeped in centuries of history. Chester’s story stretches back almost 2,000 years.

The city was founded as Deva Victrix, a major Roman fortress, around AD 79. Today, traces of its Roman past can still be found throughout Chester, including the remains of its impressive amphitheatre and parts of the original fortress.

One of Chester’s biggest attractions is its remarkably well-preserved city walls. The roughly two-mile circuit follows the route of the city’s historic defences and offers a unique way to explore Chester, taking in many of its best-known landmarks along the way.

‘Most beautiful’ city

Chester has been previously crowned the most beautiful city in the world. Taking the top spot with an impressive 83.7% “beauty score” based on the “golden ratio”, Chester had seen off fierce competition from Edinburgh, Bristol, Prague, Venice and even Rome to claim the coveted title.

The research, carried out by Online Mortgage Advisor, used Google Street View to assess the architectural grandeur of thousands of homes, landmarks and streets from across the globe.

While the study ranked cities on their built environment, its foundations are firmly rooted in the world of art.

Explaining the significance of the golden ratio in the art world, it noted: “Artists over the last few centuries have incorporated the golden ratio into their work, believing it to be a gold standard in natural aesthetic perfection,” reports the Express.

Perhaps nothing gives Chester its distinctive character quite like The Rows.

These unusual two-level, covered walkways run through the heart of the city centre, with shops, cafés and restaurants lining the galleries.

The medieval structures are among Chester’s most recognisable features and give the city centre an atmosphere unlike many other places in England.

Meanwhile, the magnificent Chester Cathedral is another highlight, with a history spanning centuries and architecture ranging from the Norman period through to the Victorian era.

The Eastgate Clock has also become one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Perched above the Eastgate section of the city walls, it is an especially popular spot for photographs.

Walkable city

Despite officially being a city, Chester’s compact historic centre has a distinctly smaller-town feel.

Visitors can wander between independent shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants while surrounded by timber-framed, black-and-white buildings that give parts of the city an almost storybook appearance.

Beyond the centre, the surrounding Cheshire countryside provides plenty of opportunities to escape the bustle.

Chester’s location also makes it a convenient base for exploring North Wales, while Liverpool and Manchester are both within easy reach.

It is no wonder that Chester draws visitors from across the globe, with many leaving glowing five-star reviews on Tripadvisor.

John J was thoroughly impressed during a visit, saying: “Chester really is a beautiful town.”

He added: “The Chester Rows are just what makes Chester. Beautiful old buildings kept in remarkable condition. Walking around and seeing the history and beauty is so enjoyable. Sampled some nice food and pubs.”

During a visit to the cathedral, Sue. W called it “magnificient inside and out”.

She added: “This cathedral is magnificent. It is large so takes some time to get round it and do it justice. The craftsmanship inside is superb from the stone masonry to the tiled floors and the wooden carving to the stained glass.”

What is the ‘golden ratio’?

For centuries, artists have woven the ‘golden ratio’ into their creations, regarding it as the ultimate benchmark of natural aesthetic perfection.

By applying the ratio to measure buildings and iconic landmarks, experts have been able to determine which cities across the UK and the wider world can boast the most stunning architecture.

Other British cities that made the grade include London and Belfast, scoring 83% and 82.9% respectively.

On the global stage, Chester was closely followed by Venice, which scored 83.3%; Rome, with 82%; and the Spanish city of Barcelona rounding things off with 81.9% on the scale.

THE holiday destinations without the crowds that want MORE tourism have been revealed.

Intrepid has released its annual ‘Not Hot’ List, partnering with Globetrenders to look at alternative destinations to visit instead of the popular, oversaturated places.

Using both Intrepid’s local leaders and destination experts, along with trend forecasts, the study looks at three key elements – areas with few visitor numbers, their ability to welcome more tourists, and any new infrastructure for 2027 such as big events or transport systems.

When it comes to Europe, you might be surprised to realise there are still some Greek islands that don’t have the tourist crowds.

Intrepid named Alonnisos as a “not hot” destination which is a more sustainable holiday experience in the region.

They said: “Alonnisos is a slice of paradise that plays host to an array of aquatic and land-based delights, including the endlessly entertaining – and endangered – Mediterranean monk seals.”

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The island is actually home to the National Marine Park of Alonnisos and Northern Sporades (Europe’s largest marine protected area), as well as Greece’s only underwater museum, the Peristera shipwreck.

It remains off the radar for most tourists as you can’t fly to the island, with it only accessible by ferry or private yacht.

In 2024, it saw just 70,000 tourists – compared to its neighbour Skiathos’ 500,000 or Santorini’s 3.4million.

Intrepid’s eight-day Sail Greece excursion which includes a trip to Alonnisos starts from £2,102.

Another European destination highlighted was Liepāja, a beach city in Latvia.

Nicknamed the Baltic Mediterranean, next year it will become Europe’s Capital of Culture, meaning hundreds of events, festivals and shows.

Just under 120,000 tourists visited last year, meaning you’ll get the five-mile, white sand beach all to yourself.

To get there, Ryanair fly to Palanga from London Stansted for £25, which is around an hour from Liepāja

Sweden‘s Dalsland made the top 10 list as well, for being “unspoilt and unexplored”.

Around two hours from both Gothenburg and Oslo, it is known as Sweden‘s ‘Lake District’ for all of its outdoor activities from wild camping to kayaking and hiking.

Just 320,000 people visited last year, compared to the capital of Stockholm which saw 16million.

Other destinations on Intrepid’s list included Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, named for being the place for both “crowd-averse safari fans” and an “emerging astrotourism destination”.

Georgia is fast becoming a new holiday destination, after both British Airways and easyJet launched direct flights to the capital Tbilisi last year.

But Intrepid praised Mestia as an alternative, quieter place which, while popular with neighbouring tourism, is set to become bigger with international tourism due to new infrastructure plans.

Otherwise it is popular as an outdoor adventure holiday destination, with both hiking and skiing experiences.

Also mentioned was the Northern Highlands in Jordan, a green “alternative to the country’s iconic landscapes” while “Arctic tourism” was highlighted for visiting Whitehorse in Canada.

Timor-Leste, one of South East Asia’s least-visited destinations was also highlighted, with new flight routes to connect the capital of Dili to major hubs such as Kuala Lumpar.

Sri Lanka‘s first long-distance walking trail Pekoe Trail (with a new 10-day Intrepid trip launched) and Chile‘s ‘route 7’ Carretera Austral rounded out the list.

Each year, Intrepid Travel releases its Not Hot List, spotlighting a short list of lesser-known destinations that are ready to welcome more visitors over the coming year

While some destinations are creaking under the strain of too many visitors, others are actively hoping more tourists will come.

In recent years, Canary Islanders, Romans, Santorinians and even Laplandic folk have complained that overtourism is changing the way they live their lives, and for the worse. Roads are too busy; accommodation too expensive; neighbourhoods unreconigsable.

There are, however, some places that are actively hoping more people will come.

Each year, Intrepid Travel releases its Not Hot List, spotlighting a short list of lesser-known destinations that are ready to welcome more visitors in 2027. Developed using insights from Intrepid’s extensive global network of local leaders and destination experts, the list shines a light on under-the-radar alternatives and less-visited regions where travellers’ presence can have an outsized positive impact.

OPINION

The destinations on the Not Hot List are selected based on three key criteria:

(1) being less visited, with fewer visitors than comparable places

(2) demonstrating tourism readiness, with infrastructure and capacity to support more tourists

(3) new initiatives, improved connectivity, major events, launches or infrastructure developments that give travellers a compelling reason to visit in 2027.

The 2027 Not Hot List

1. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya

2. Mestia, Georgia

3. Northern Highlands, Jordan

4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada

5. Alonnisos, Greece

6. Dili, Timor-Leste

7. Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka

8. Liepāja, Latvia

9. Carretera Austral, Chile

This year’s list is designed to highlight destinations that offer compelling alternatives to some of travel’s most popular experiences. Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve, for example, represents a nationwide effort to combat overtourism in some of East Africa’s busiest national parks. While Chile’s Carretera Austral provides an alternative to some of the well-trodden trails of Patagonia.

The 2027 Not Hot List also highlights countries like Timor-Leste, Latvia and Georgia, which receive fewer international visitors than their regional counterparts, as well as lesser-known regions of Jordan and Sri Lanka.

To coincide with the report, Intrepid has launched five new trips to several of the featured regions. These include the new 10-day Kenya Safari Adventure, the 16-day Wild Canada & Alaska, the 10-day Hike Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail, the 12-day Jordan Uncovered and the new 9-day Trek the Trans-Caucasian Trail in Georgia.

Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel, said: “If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel. The Not Hot List isn’t just about surfacing lesser-known places, it aims to shift the conversation and help travellers to discover new destinations where their visit can make a meaningful contribution to local communities and economies.”

A British family said they were forced to fly home early from their summer holiday to Greece after their four-star all-inclusive resort was ‘derelict’ and ‘horrific’

A family of four were left with no choice but to fly home early from their holiday after checking into a hotel that was ‘derelict’ with a ‘green swimming pool’ and ‘brown water slides’.

Adam, his wife and two kids booked a last-minute summer getaway with Love Holidays after seeing a tempting deal at a four-star all-inclusive resort in Kos, Greece. They paid £3,500 for a 10-night stay at Kipriotis Village Resort, which Adam said was almost half price, with rates ranging from around £5K to £6K, during the peak travel season.

“Everything advertised looked good, and Love Holidays advertised it as a four-star, all-inclusive hotel. We read the reviews, and they were ok, so we booked it,” Adam exclusively told the Mirror. “We didn’t expect the Ritz, but we did expect cleanliness and something that was livable.” But before they even reached the hotel, Adam was given a worrying warning. “We got a taxi from the airport, and the guy said, ‘Kipriotis Village?’, and I said, ‘Yeah’, and he went, ‘Oh dear’, so I sat there and thought, oh no.”

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‘It was derelict and dangerous’

The family checked into the Kipriotis Village Resort in Kos at around midnight on Friday, 14 August, but as soon as they walked into their room, they were stunned by its condition. “Honestly, in all my years of travel, I’ve never seen a room like what was presented”, Adam revealed. “There were holes all in the walls, the floorboards were all up, they were manky all around the bed.

“The air conditioning wasn’t working, there were cobwebs and clearly the room hadn’t been cleaned for years. The toilet was constantly running, the flush wouldn’t work, and there was mould around the bath. It was basically derelict.” Love Holidays said the hotel’s four-star rating is based on Greece’s official hotel rating system and aligns with local standards.

In addition to its conditions, the father of two said: “It was a mezzanine room, so the idea was that we had the main bit downstairs and the top part was for the kids’ bed, but the safety bannister was rocking like mad, and if they leaned on it in the night, and they fell off that, it would have killed them.”

No other choice

Horrified by the room, they complained at the hotel reception and declared, ‘We can’t have this.’ Adam claimed that the hotel staff told them, ‘Well, it’s tough, because we’ve got no rooms’, and said, “they were not interested in dealing with us”. He said he called Love Holidays to help with the situation and was allegedly told, ‘We’re just an agent, deal with the hotel’.

Adam said they had “no choice” but to spend the night, as there were no other hotels available. He claimed that at reception the next morning, “the queue was unbelievable”, and said, “everyone had the same problem, all the rooms were falling apart”. Adam claimed: “Love Holidays haven’t checked it, assessed it or done any of the groundwork whatsoever, and they’ve advertised it with old pictures.” He said he spoke to Love Holidays again, to which he was allegedly told, ‘We tried to contact the hotel, they’re not answering, you’ll have to deal with it yourself’.

On their second morning, the hotel offered them an upgraded room. They viewed the room, but Adam said it was “nothing like the photos, but it was all on one level, and the floorboards were intact.” He added, “There were no other hotels I could book. I needed something safe for my kids. What do I do? So I thought, right, I’ll take it.”

The father of two claimed that he was “presented with a waiver form” and was told, ‘You can only have the upgraded room if you sign this’, with article three alleging stating, ‘I waive all my rights for any claims against the hotel’. The dad said he refused to sign it.

Adam claimed the form was “snatched away” from him and was told, ‘Right, you’ll stay where you are then’. But in a bid to get the upgraded room, Adam said he asked how much it would be without signing the waiver, and was told €280. “It’s not ideal, nothing that was advertised, it’s horrific, but at least it’s a safe room for the kids, because I can’t get anything else,” he told the Mirror.

‘Green swimming pool and raw food’

Yet it wasn’t just the rooms that seemed to be inadequate. “The resort was derelict,” Adam said. “The swimming pool was green, there were green stains around the rim, and the drains were green. There were some kids’ slides with brown, sewage-smelling water at the bottom, and some people were letting their kids go down them. The sunbeds had obviously been there for 20 years, just rotting.

“The tennis courts were just dug up, you couldn’t even walk on the surface and were all closed up. The football pitch was a mess, and the kids’ club was non-existent. The cleanliness of the place was horrific; I couldn’t let my kids go in the communal toilets.” He added: “The food, I can’t tell you how bad it was. People were getting raw food. I went for a chicken skewer, and it was just raw inside. The food was really bad. The trays the food was served in will turn your stomach.”

For the first few days of the trip, the father of two said he spent days at reception but “got nowhere”, so in the end, left the hotel every day for aslong as long as possible. “We literally slept in the bed, went out for planned days out, to waterparks and boat trips. I can’t tell you how bad the place was.”

Flying home early

Just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, Adam said they had “a really bad sewage smell” in the new room. He stated he emailed Love Holidays back and forth, but said, “they were not interested and kept saying, ‘speak to the hotel’.” In the end, the family flew home three days early, “just to get out of there”. “It was just horrific,” Adam added.

He claimed: “Love Holidays have been absolutely horrific with everything. The lack of support and accountability, and lack of remorse from Love Holidays was just so bad, and they would try to fob us off to a hotel that just wouldn’t listen. It’s not necessarily about me. There are people out there who are genuinely saving all year to put money aside to take their families on holidays, and when they get to a place that hasn’t even been checked by Love Holidays, it’s in such a state and so bad.”

A Love Holidays spokesperson said: “We are very sorry that Adam and his family’s recent experience at their hotel in Greece fell short of our usual high standards, and we are investigating the issues raised directly with the hotel. We have contacted Adam to offer our sincere apologies and reimburse him £1,799, covering 50% of his total accommodation costs and out of pocket expenses.”

The Mirror has contacted Kipriotis Village Resort in Kos for comment.

‘Prison cell’ hotel room

This isn’t the first time Kipriotis Village Resort in Kos has been called out for its ‘derelict’ condition. Just last month, a mum told the Express that she paid £1,500 for a ‘holiday from hell’ with a room that compared to ‘a prison cell’ after checking into a room at the same hotel.

Linda Martin, from Cardiff, said: “It was a big place, with massive grounds. We dragged our suitcases down the steps and dragged them through buckets of vomit. So I immediately thought, red flag, this is disgusting.” She explained: “I opened the door to enter what I can only describe as prison cell block H. We were hit by stifling heat, it was stinky, and there were mosquitoes flying everywhere.

“There were three single beds, which were rock hard. The room did not resemble in any fashion the photos in the brochure. It was dilapidated. The curtains were not wide enough, so they couldn’t be closed, and the room was dirty. We had separate rooms, and my daughter looked at the room, and she just burst into tears and said, ‘I’m not staying here, I want to go home, I just want to go back to the airport’.”

The holidaymaker added: “When we walked around the pool area, it was derelict, the sun loungers were hanging, and I had seen nothing like it.” In the end, Linda and her daughter were forced to book another hotel in the area, and Love Holidays reimbursed her £1,772, covering 50% of her total accommodation costs and her taxi expenses.

Travel experts say people are confused and think they only need a passport

Thousands of UK holidaymakers are being stopped at international borders and refused entry due to confusion around visas, permits, and entry requirements, new figures have shown/ Data obtained by Confused.com found that more than 2,800 British travellers were refused entry at the US and Australian borders between 2023 and 2025. ^{2,836 Brits were denied entry across the two countries over the three-year period. More were turned away in 2025 alone (1,607) than in the 2 previous years combined (1,229).}

In the US, the 2,533 refusals related to visa or travel-documentation requirements under the visa waiver programme (VWP). In Australia, 303 Brits were refused immigration clearance between 2023 and 2025.

The US figures show a sharp rise in recent years, more than tripling from 424 refusals in 2024. Of the 2,533 Brits turned away, men made up more than two-thirds (1,745), while 18–35-year-olds were the largest age group (1,498). Nearly 100 under-18s were also refused.

Incorrect documentation was behind over half of UK refusals at the Australian border. While some destinations now offer visa-free access, many still require certain permits or specific documentation to be allowed in the country.

Travellers often assume they can rely solely on their passport or arrange permits upon arrival, when in reality, permits can take time to process or come with additional costs. This leaves them at risk of being turned away at the border.

Further research suggests the problem is part of a broader lack of awareness and confidence among travellers. Half say they aren’t confident which countries require a tourist visa for entry and 54% say the visa application process is too complicated or confusing.

Over half of travellers cite visa fees as a deterrent.

Confused.com has launched a new visa checker tool, designed to help UK travellers quickly understand the entry requirements for their destination before they travel.

Tom Vaughan, travel insurance expert at Confused.com, said: “Being turned away at border control is something no traveller expects, but it’s a real risk if you’re unsure about the entry requirements for your destination. Visa rules can be complex and vary between countries, so even small mistakes can result in people being refused entry and losing out on their holiday.

“And it’s worth knowing that if you’re refused entry, it may not be covered by standard travel insurance. Insurers may treat refusals as a preventable risk rather than an unforeseen emergency. This means you could be left to bear the cost of return flights and non-refundable bookings yourself.”

He added: “Visas are just one part of getting ready for a trip. Travellers should also check their passport validity, make sure they have appropriate travel insurance and understand what it does and doesn’t cover, and keep important documents and emergency contacts easily accessible to avoid any last-minute issues.”

Destinations with visa requirements

European Union

• Requirement: European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) permit required for short stays (up to 90 days in a 180-day period).
• Cost: €20 application fee (exempt for under 18s and over 70s).

United States of America

• Requirement: Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) under the Visa Waiver Program.
• Cost: $40 USD.

Australia

• Requirement: eVisitor visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA), valid for stays up to 3 months.
• Cost: Free eVisitor visa, or a service fee of $20 AUD if applying via the ETA app.

China

• Requirement: Temporary visa-free entry allowed for short stays under a policy running until December 2026.
• Cost: N/A (Free during the temporary policy window).

India

• Requirement: e-Visa or regular paper tourist visa (passport must be stamped upon arrival).
• Cost: £25–£80 for an e-Visa (depending on duration); approximately £127 for a standard paper tourist visa.

Pakistan

• Requirement: Tourist visa required prior to arrival; Intent to travel must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure to obtain a Visa Grant Notice.
• Cost: Varies by visa type and duration (processing takes 7–10 business days).

Kenya

• Requirement: Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) applied for online in advance (recommended at least 2 weeks prior to departure).
• Cost: Approximately £16.