travel

YOU can step back nearly 100 years into the glamourous age of train travel, as a vintage train experience is launching this month.

The London Transport Museum is allowing people to go back in time on 1930s and 1950s carriages.

Choose from single or return journeys along the Metropolitan line which start in Amersham and go to underground stations at either Watford or Harrow-on-the-Hill.

There are two vintage trains to pick from, the first being from the 1930s.

The 1938 stock train has been restored and is made up of four cars with green and red seating and Art Deco light fittings.

This style of train served London on several deep-level tube lines for half a century.

The second has 1950s British Rail 4TC carriages which will be hauled by Sarah Siddons.

Sarah Siddons is one of the few electric locomotives still in service – and was named after a Welsh actress.

It was used in service on the Metropolitan line until 1961.

One of the rides will go through what’s called the ‘secret’ railway line, that is rarely used called the North Curve.

It’s a section of the Metropolitan line which connects Croxley and Rickmansworth and bypasses Moor Park station, but it doesn’t feature on tube maps.

The event is across two dates only between July 25-26 with single and return journeys available.

Single journeys start from £17 per person for adults and £7 for children.

The event is being run by the London Transport Museum which is set to undergo a £26million makeover by the end of 2030.

A 100-MILE network of floating walkways could soon debut in one of the UK’s largest cities.

Plans for the £100million project include boat jetties, cycle lanes and new signage.

A proposal to create a 100-mile floating network of pathways in Manchester has now made “significant” progress forward.

The concept – drawn up by CyanLines – was created with the aim “to connect Greater Manchester’s blue and green spaces into a high quality network of walking, wheeling and cycling routes” for residents and visitors.

The cyan-coloured walkways have been designed to snake along either side of the River Irwell, complete with jetties for rowing boats and cycle lanes.

The £100million scheme was first announced in September 2025 and was expected to be developed over the next 10 years.

Now, the project is now well within the first phase of co-design and agreement – including drawing up an investment case – according to co-founder, Tom Bloxham.

Backed by Manchester City Council, Labour leader Bev Craig also told Manchester Evening News that the plans are making ‘significant’ steps forward.

The project, also supported by the National Trust, is said to bring a host of benefits to the city, including better access to green spaces, more opportunities for businesses and healthier residents.

Four CyanLines pilot loops are currently being ‘proof-tested’ by the public, with more than 15 miles of paths plotted.

These routes include a trail from St Peter’s Square to Whitworth Park and the Irwell & Castlefield Loop.

Pete Swift, CyanLines project co-founder, said: “The routes will be the starting point, or spring board, for a whole plethora of CyanLines projects which will bring new opportunities for nature to thrive and to be enjoyed.”

IF a Spanish holiday is on the cards for you this summer, you’re about to have a lot more options.

Wizz Air is launching new flights routes from the UK to three cities in Spain.

From October, passengers will be able to fly with the budget airline from London Luton to Malaga, Granada and Astrurias.

Malaga flights will be four times a week, from October 25, while Granada flights will be twice a week from October 27.

Launching the same day will be flights to Asturias, operating three times a week.

They’re super cheap too, starting from £17.99.

Yvonne Moynihan, Managing Director at Wizz Air UK, said: “Spain has always been one of the UK’s favourite holiday destinations, and we’re excited to be expanding our Spanish network with three more fantastic routes from London Luton Airport.”

Simon Harley, Interim Aviation Director at London Luton Airport, added: “The addition of Málaga, Granada and Asturias to our departure boards means even more choice for passengers and follows the hugely successful launch of Wizz services to Bilbao, Barcelona and Seville earlier this year.”

Malaga is one of Spain’s sunniest cities, with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements recently visited, and said: “Even if you’re not one for lying in the sun, a few days can easily be spent exploring the city’s excellent shopping scene or its old town with Roman ruins and Renaissance architecture flanking the streets.”

Granada is known for its amazing tapas culture, as well as its Moorish architecture due to its proximity to Morocco.

Otherwise Asturias is often overlooked as a destination by Brits, but is often nicknamed Costa Verde for its huge green natural landscapes.

A DREAMY holiday to the Maldives seems out of reach for most of us – but a break to the tropical destination is cheaper than ever.

Factors like the Middle East conflict has resulted in huge price drops.

The average holiday to the Maldives tends to sit between £2,200 and £4,000 per person for a seven-night break.

But we’ve found deals for as little as £1,437per person.

There are lots of reasons as to why breaks to the Maldives have dropped in price – one being that there’s been an increase in flights.

With flights to other destinations being interrupted because of the Iran War, flights from Middle Eastern carriers to the Maldives has increased resulting in cheaper deals.

Deepak Booneady, CEO of Sun Siyam Group added: “We are seeing more late bookings in 2026 and people are still booking for this summer, particularly since the recent increase in flights from the Middle Eastern carriers.

“As we all know, the world’s weather patterns have changed and our British guests realise that the Maldives is both accessible and offers excellent value for money at our resorts.”

Sun Siyam Olhuveli

The four-star Sun Siyam Olhuveli has it all whether you’re looking for a beach escape, or exotic family holiday.

With dates still available in August – it’s great for families as it has a kids club program and exciting beach games to keep everyone entertained.

There’s a spa with a glass bottom so you can get a massage and watch watch exotic fish swim below – or check out the three infinity pools.

A family of four can get six-nights full board for £2,024pp from August 26-Septmber 1 staying in a Grand Beach Suite with Pool with indirect flights from London Heathrow.

Equator Village Maldives

An all-inclusive break at the Equator Village Maldives will set you back just £1757.68pp.

It has a swimming pool with a poolside bar, and you get ocean views from your sunlounger – there’s also a restaurant, spa, gym, and tennis courts.

The resort even has its own dive centre and is near the largest shipwreck in the Maldives – the British Loyalty.

This deal is for an all-inclusive break from September 30 – October 8 in a Double Room with Garden View and Terrace and direct return flights from Manchester Airport.

Summer Island Maldives

The Summer Island resort has beautiful rooms, direct beach access and it’s home to the world’s largest 3D-printed coral reef.

While it had man-made origins, it is now home eels, rays and colourful fish.

With TUI you can book an all-inclusive break from £2,084.92pp.

This is for a seven-night break from November 10-18 in a Double Room with Terrace and direct flights from Manchester Airport.

Bandos Maldives

The Bandos Maldives is on a private island in the North Malé Atoll and you can stay there from £1,437.50pp.

The resort is known for its ocean reef which guests are welcome to explore whether they want to snorkel or paddle above it.

It also has a swimming pool, kids’ club, garden spa and gym.

This deal is for November 26 – December 3 in a Standard Beachfront with a full breakfast included and direct return flights from London Heathrow.

Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and Spa

A stay at the beautiful Sheraton Maldives which is surrounded by a surrounded by a blue lagoon and palms trees starts from £1,827.50pp.

It offers diving, snorkelling, and jet skiing and has seven restaurants and bars with views of the North Malé Atoll.

Rooms here range from Deluxe all the way to swanky overwater bungalows.

This deal is for November 26 – December 3 in a Deluxe Guest Room with a full breakfast included and direct return flights from London Heathrow.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.

Holidaymakers are being caught out as surprise charges like currency exchange fees and data roaming and pushing them over their budget

The average holidaymaker overspends their travel budget by more than £100 per trip, with surprise charges identified as the primary culprit. A survey of 2,000 adults who holiday abroad found that currency exchange fees and data roaming are among the most frequent unexpected charges encountered.

Despite 53% claiming they set a firm spending limit before heading off, more than four in ten (43%) say then end up over budget due to unforeseen hidden charges.

To tackle these sneaky fees, seven in ten (70%) said they rely mainly on cash while abroad, while 44% choose to use their debit card instead.

Kat Robinson, head of everyday banking at The Co-operative Bank, which conducted the research as part of its announcement to scrap foreign exchange fees on debit card spending overseas, said: “Spending abroad should be straightforward, but extra card fees can quickly catch people out.

The research also revealed that 34% of people struggle to get to grips with exchange fees. On average, 48% opt to pay in the local currency when using their card abroad which is reported to be the most cost-effective way to pay.

Kat said: “Given the option when spending abroad, always pay in the local currency. Paying in pounds might feel more familiar, but it could mean being hit with extra currency conversion charges from the retailer – a hidden cost that often only becomes clear on returning home.”

Despite the OnePoll.com study finding that the majority of holidaymakers (91%) check exchange rates, one in three admitted they were unsure or unaware that paying in pounds, rather than the local currency, would actually cost them more.

To help holidaymakers dodge unnecessary charges this summer, The Co-operative Bank is scrapping its 2.75% foreign transaction fee on debit card purchases abroad across all its personal current accounts, enabling customers to spend overseas as they would at home without fretting about additional costs.

With millions of Britons jetting off abroad each year, the move is intended to help reduce unexpected charges and better control holiday spending.

Kat added: “By removing foreign transaction fees, we’re making it more affordable for customers to use their debit card overseas and make the most of their money, whether they’re on a family holiday, a city break or exploring somewhere new.

Chief executive Steve Heapy said a ‘massive amount of people still want to go away’

Airline and package holiday provider Jet2 released an update today (Wednesday, July 8), revealing that the company has experienced a surge in demand in recent weeks on the back of US-Iran peace talks.

The firm posted a pre-tax profit of £551 million for the year ending March, a 7% drop from £593 million the previous year. Summer bookings are up 7% compared with the same period last year, while the average proportion of seats filled on its flights for the four months to the end of July are 1.2 percentage points up year-on-year.

US President Donald Trump announced he signed a peace deal with Iran last month, though this has been called into question following overnight strikes.

Publishing its full-year financial results, Jet2 said: “Reduced geopolitical uncertainty has led to strong booking momentum in recent weeks.”

Speaking to reporters, chief executive Steve Heapy said demand has risen across all of Jet2’s destinations, with the biggest recoveries in percentage terms seen in those areas hardest hit by the conflict, including Turkey, Cyprus, some of the eastern Greek islands, Bulgaria and parts of north Africa.

“I think confidence has improved,” he said. “People perhaps don’t like to commit to travelling when there is a conflict, even though from one of our Turkish resorts to Tehran it was 2,000 kilometres, that’s like from Edinburgh to the Canary Islands, that’s a hell of a long way.

“But people don’t like to commit, particularly perhaps families with younger children.

“But we are seeing a bounce-back across all our destinations, and I think people are now realising ‘I feel a little more confident, we’re going to go on holiday and get away’.

“We speak to our customers a lot and try and understand their booking intentions,” he added. “A massive amount of people still want to go away.”

Jet2 announced record annual passenger figures of 20.8 million, representing a 5% rise from the previous year. The company said its performance at Gatwick Airport – where it began flights and holidays in March – is “ahead of initial expectations” and further expansion is planned for summer 2027.

Julie Palmer, partner at consultancy firm Begbies Traynor, said: “Investors will be pleased to see strong profitability has been delivered alongside evidence of investment”.

She added: “Jet2 will be hoping a peace deal holds and stabilises the market as it eyes further growth.

“Signs that this is bringing back confidence in spending for holidaymakers during the crucial summer season will be welcomed by the operator too, and it will be hoping it can continue to tempt customers into spending on holidays.”

Harry Poulton moved from Brighton and moved to Benidorm after visiting the city with his mates when he was 18 – but there are certain spots he says tourists should avoid

Benidorm is one of the most popular European holiday destinations among Brits and attracts approximately five million tourists annually. Harry Poulton, 24, grew fond of the resort following a visit with mates at 18 and now regards his decision to relocate there as the finest decision he’s ever made.

Nevertheless, he wishes to pass on his expertise to holidaymakers preparing to explore the seaside city on Spain’s Costa Blanca. Taking to TikTok, where he’s amassed more than 40,000 followers, he highlighted three locations in the nightlife hotspot that he believes are best avoided owing to safety concerns.

First on his list is the ‘Yellow Brick Road’, a centre of bars and eateries that represents the core of local nightlife, covering streets such as Leanto, Ibiza, and Leerida.

Harry cautioned: “The Yellow Brick Road – this little public pathway […] leads all the way up to the Rio Park. Now, it has been known for a few things, mainly small thefts like pickpocketing. Generally, during the day, it’s absolutely fine. I’d recommend avoiding it at night.”

The second spot Harry suggests swerving is Pueblo Alley, situated close to Levante Beach.

“This is one I definitely recommend avoiding, especially late at night, as you do get the pickpockets hanging around this area,” he warned. “You also get the odd lady of the night. There are plenty of other ways around”.

Topping Harry’s list of places to steer clear of is ‘Mugger’s Alley’, meanwhile.

“It is the most notorious – it’s the one we all know,” he exclaimed. “Known for pickpocketing, ladies of the night, it’s just an area I would avoid. They’re even doing these new taxi scams. It’s crazy. Save yourself the hassle and cross the road.”

Despite acknowledging these risks, Harry remains a devoted admirer of this popular holiday hotspot.

He argues that many British holidaymakers hold misconceptions about Benidorm, insisting that concerns over crafty scams and overpriced goods are often way off the mark.

What’s more, since swapping Brighton for Benidorm, Harry has watched his living expenses drop considerably, with monthly outgoings now falling between £500 and £1,000, including bills.

Harry proclaimed: “If you live here, you get it. Benidorm is paradise – and anyone who says otherwise is lying.”

AN ABANDONED building in a popular seaside city is set for a multi-million-pound transformation into a major attraction complex.

Swansea’s Civic Centre in Wales is set to be transformed into an aquarium, with a saltwater lido outside and also boast a number of restaurants, bars and cafes.

The £22million project which be located right be the beach will be in the currently empty seafront civic centre – a 1980s Brutalist building.

As well as the aquarium, there will be a rooftop terrace, beach lido and 130 apartments.

The terrace will overlook the bay and then outside the building, pictures show garden areas with pathways.

Around the aquarium there are also plans for a number of cafes, shops, bars and workspaces.

Then visitors can head down steps onto the beach to find a saltwater lido, which would be open year-round.

There will be “areas for leisure and events” too according to Swansea Council, spanning across 5,481sqm.

Councillor Rob Stewart, Leader of Swansea Council, said: “The Civic Centre is one of the UK’s finest waterfront sites, and this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform it into a destination people will be proud of.

“We’ve listened to residents, refined the plans and now want people to tell us what they think before we take the next step.”

David Warburton, Development Director at Urban Splash – which is the company behind the project – said: “This is a big milestone for the project and an exciting moment for Swansea.

“Our vision is to celebrate the Civic Centre’s heritage while creating a thriving waterfront destination that will serve the city for generations.”

The new aquarium and lido are part of a larger £750million, 20-year regeneration plan for several sites across Swansea.

It isn’t the only new addition to Swansea, with plans for a new £10million attraction.

Set to be the first of its kind in Europe, the Swansea Skyline project, will have a gondola-style lift and downhill karting experience.

And plans for the world’s fastest ferry could come to Swansea, linking the Welsh city to North Devon.

It could have speeds of up to 60 knots (70mph), making it faster than HSC Francisco in 2013 with speeds of 58.1 knots (67mph).

Set to make travel easier for thousands of families, a new rule has been launched across 13 airports today (Wednesday, 8 July) – and in perfect time ahead of the summer holidays

Families going on holiday with children this summer can benefit from a new travel rule that has been launched across UK airports.

From today (Wednesday, 8 July), children aged eight or over will be able to use the eGates at 13 UK airports, offering a smoother journey home for families. Previously, the eGates were only available to travellers aged 10 and over, and those with younger children would need to join the family queue, which can take considerably longer.

Reducing the age limit is estimated to allow around 1.5 million additional children to pass through the electronic gates and other re-entry points far more quickly. While children can now be aged eight or over to use the eGates, they must also be at least 120cm (3ft 11in) tall, so they can be easily detected by the biometric scanners.

Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said: “Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday. It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead.”

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, also said it was a “welcome development”.

She commented: “It will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many. Airports work very hard with border authorities to ensure the UK’s front door is both secure and welcoming, with those coming home and visiting enjoying a smooth experience.”

In perfect time ahead of the summer holidays, the change will affect 13 major UK airports. This includes:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Cardiff
• East Midlands
• Edinburgh
• Glasgow
• London City
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• London Luton
• London Stansted
• Manchester
• Newcastle

The eGates at airports, which form part of the government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), scan passengers’ passports and are designed to streamline the entry process. Residents in Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, and the US will also benefit from the airport change.

Travel Insurance Expert at Confused.com, Tom Vaughan, commented on the eGates rule change for children. He said: “The minimum age for UK airport e-gates drops from ten to eight today, meaning up to 1.5 million more children could clear the border automatically instead of queuing at a staffed desk. This is great news for families travelling with young children. Anyone who’s queued at border control with tired kids will know it could mean shorter waits and a smoother end to the journey home.

“It’s also a sign of where things are heading. As facial recognition technology becomes more established, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the age threshold lowered further in the coming years. But whether or not your child can use an e-gate, the basics still apply: everyone in the family needs a valid, biometric passport to travel. It’s easy to overlook this among the excitement of planning a trip.“Our research shows that confusion around passport validity is still common, with less than half (43%) of holidaymakers aware that passports for EU travel must be issued within 10 years of departure. That’s a significant number of people who could turn up at the airport only to discover their passport isn’t valid, regardless of which gate they’re heading for. With summer getaways in full swing, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check every family member’s passport now. Our passport checker can help you spot any issues early, so the only thing slowing you down at the border is the length of the queue.”

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

A MASSIVE travelling attraction is set to return to a seaside hotspot next week – and it’s perfect for the whole family.

The popular spot will be open for more than a month throughout the summer.

Cardiff Bay Fun Park will descend on the Welsh capital once more, as the family-friendly destination is set to return to Roald Dahl Plass next weekend (July 18).

This year also marks the attraction’s newest arrival, Skyfall – the tallest travelling drop tower in the UK.

At 262 ft (80 metres) high, thrill-seekers will be treated with 360-degree panoramic views of Cardiff and the Bristol Channel, before plunging down at speeds of up to 75mph.

The tower even dwarfs the tallest roller coaster in the UK, Hyperia, which stands at 236 ft (72 metres).

Remaining in the city until August 31, visitors can also ride fun fair classics including Dodgems, Funhouse, Bungee Trampolines and Water Walkers.

The summertime staple is also set to host magic shows, princess sing-a-longs and character meet and greets for younger guests.

The destination will be open on Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 8pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm.

Residents have shared their excitement online about the return of the much-loved fair, with many saying they “can’t wait” until next weekend.

One enthusiastic user said: “This looks so much fun! I definitely need to check it out.”

Meanwhile, another shared their reservations about the attraction’s newest arrival, commenting: “Omg, this looks terrifying.”

“We’re putting on social, immersive figure drawing events for neurodivergent, queer nerds,” says Jennifer Martina, the producer at Nest of Friends, the nonprofit production company that stages biweekly figure drawing at Geeky Teas & Games in Burbank.

Martina and artist Sketkh Williams, Sketch by Sketkh’s host, provide a welcoming atmosphere across identities, skill levels and nerdy interests, while also playing to their own backgrounds in theater. The sessions feature dramatic lighting, staging and soundtracks, and use professional cosplayers as models. Embodying characters from “Star Wars,” video games, anime and other IP, these pros don’t just dress the part, they take pains to hit their characters’ canonical stances for attendees to capture.

For Martina and Williams, the events are an alternative to nude or more traditional figure drawing sessions. “That just doesn’t interest us,” says Martina. “We’re both theatrical people, so for us part of putting on a show is seeing characters, some cool costume design and a theme.”

• Best for: Practiced amateurs with nerdy interests
• When: Every other Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
• Ticket price: Starts at $23.18

Lost luggage? Tarmac delays? Rental-car blues? No whining about measly travel headaches with the mother of all bad-trip sagas looming on the big screen.

“The Odyssey,” Christopher Nolan’s epic take on the Trojan War’s fallout, debuts July 17. Spoiler alert, if you somehow avoided Homer in community college: Nobody, save biblical Job, has had more misery hurled at them.

Outflanked by cruel and fickle gods at every turn, legendary Greek hero Odysseus outsmarted a one-eyed giant, suffered through the bewitching Sirens’ song and braved the Underworld’s dead denizens. He battled oversize cannibals, outmaneuvered a witch and lost scores of men at every turn. Then made it back to Ithaca after 10 years only to find his home overrun by suitors wooing his wife.

It’s a tale packed with bad decisions, failure, heartbreak and death. Perfect story fodder, given how much we love bad-trip stories. We consume lists of the worst airports and wonder at accounts of illness-plagued cruises. We scroll through videos starring unruly passengers or mangled bags, and read about the last resting place for lost luggage.

Hollywood has created a whole franchise around road trips gone wrong. Think of “The Hangover” or “Sideways” or “Little Miss Sunshine.” Screenwriter-director John Hughes perfected the big-screen comedic treatment of travel gone south with classics such as “Home Alone,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.”

Let’s not even talk about the “three-hour tour” that left Gilligan and friends stranded on a deserted island for 98 episodes, or how Jack Dawson’s voyage ended aboard 1997’s “Titanic.”

A significant body of evidence even indicates that travel makes us sick. Trip-related problems are so common, in fact, that consumer advocate Christopher Elliott has stitched an entire career out of resolving them — from timeshare scams to horrible airline customer service and beyond.

Still, we keep buying tickets and packing our bags to sail into the great unknown, across Homer’s wine-dark sea. Why? Elliott attributes it to what he terms “traveler’s amnesia.”

“It amazes me that travelers are not up in arms about the way they get treated,” he said. “They take a trip, have a terrible experience, and forget about everything that went wrong and only remember what went right.”

He suggests that avoiding a bad trip starts with choosing companies noted for strong customer service. He cited some name-brand examples: Marriott for hotels, Alaska Airlines, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. He avoids cruises as much as possible.

Which is funny, because when I think about cruising, I don’t revisit the miserable 36 hours that norovirus confined us in our cabin. I instead recall coasting past a flotilla of icebergs in Alaska’s Glacier Bay.

When I think about Mexico, I don’t wallow in memories involving Montezuma and his gastrointestinal revenge. But I do cherish thoughts of snorkeling with playful sea lion pups.

And when I consider airports, I blot the memory of the woman next to me at Gate 66 who insists on blaring a video call at maximum volume. Instead, wielding my noise-canceling earbuds, Odysseus-like, I plan to smother this screeching sound to preserve my sanity. But before I can insert them, a voice speaks to me.

To all of us, to be technically correct, since it emanates from the speakers of Los Angeles International Airport’s Terminal 6.

“It’s time to play TSA’s favorite game!” says the voice, mimicking a game-show host’s hustle. “You lost it, we found it!”

The speaker explained that someone had left a laptop computer at a checkpoint. The two were reunited moments later, which set my feet in motion, wondering whose voice it was. There at the checkpoint I met Carl Revis, a TSA supervisory officer with a penchant for comedy.

“You don’t have to be a jerk to get things done,” he told me. “I think reaching people through comedy is a lot easier than screaming and yelling at them.”

Taken together, my trip recollections probably qualify me as living proof of Elliott’s traveler’s amnesia theory. The final diagnosis should be clear soon. I’m retiring from full-time work this year, and people inevitably ask what’s next.

It’s not completely clear, I tell them. But I’ll definitely have more time to travel. Maybe sail across the Aegean … what could go wrong?

My dinner course is served. It is a Campbell’s-inspired soup can, lightly angled so strands of broccoli are peeking out. I lift the can to uncover a slow-braised short rib and mashed potatoes. An American dish to represent an American artist, here Andy Warhol.

The room is overtaken with projections, scenes of bustling New York traffic paired with bachelor-pad-like guitar riffs. Shown on a wall above a dinner table is a selection of Warhol silkscreens. It’s a Friday night in West Hollywood, and I’m surrounded by a mix of out-of-towners and those celebrating an anniversary. And while this is a special occasion, we’re urged to get a little messy with our food — to use our hands, to paint with a salad, to draw on a cookie.

Play is the primary side dish at “7 Paintings,” a tech-infused dinner theater that aims to be a crash course in fine art. That selection of veggies paired with multiple mini cups of colorful dressings? Guests are encouraged to mix and match the vinaigrettes into a mess of hues, a nod to abstractionist Jackson Pollock. And yellowfin tuna with dashes of avocado and taro chips? That’s an edible tribute to Banksy, of course. What does raw fish have to do with stenciled street art? It’s bold, heavily angled and has a short shelf life? Maybe? Perhaps don’t overthink it.

“Have you ever eaten a painting before?” says Nadine Beshir, the Dubai-based creator of “7 Paintings.” “We try to get people out of their comfort zones and eating paper. I want to bring out the child in them.”

“7 Paintings,” held at Sunset House L.A. through the end of August, is the latest example of immersive dining to arrive in this city. These experiences often involve guest participation and are accentuated with advanced multimedia technology and sometimes theatrical elements.

Worldwide, there have been standouts. For instance, Eatrenalin at Germany’s Europa-Park, a dining room-meets-ride where participants are whisked around the space on trackless “floating chairs,” has just received a coveted Michelin star. Ibiza’s Sublimotion has similar haute ambitions, pairing 12 diners together in a room that will come alive with otherworldly projections and performers. At times, diners will win don virtual reality headgear.

But tech-driven immersive dining experiences have never quite taken off in Los Angeles as a trend. Last year, the Gallery, where fantastical cityscapes and projections surrounded downtown L.A. diners, stood just a couple months before the concept was abandoned.

“The economics of a restaurant are not the same as the economics of theater and the challenge of combining the two lies in thinking outside the box with respect to pricing and cost structure, such that the customer perceives high value from both the food and the experience,” says the Gallery co-founder Daren Ulmer.

Entrepreneurs keep aiming for that careful balance. “Le Petit Chef and Friends” is currently running at Tangier at downtown’s Hotel Figueroa, an event in which a fully animated film is projected on our plates and tables. Long-running pop-up event Fork N’ Film leans more dinner and movie, pairing dishes directly inspired by what is happening on screen. Upcoming films include “Ratatouille” and “Lilo and Stitch.”

The field comes with challenges. “The costs are very high,” says Joanna Garner, an immersive designer and former creative director with experiential art firm Meow Wolf. Garner has been experimenting herself with communal, immersive dinner events, and her next, the flirtatious “Please Open Your Mouth,” is set for July 11. (No tech there, as Garner is after a more sensual, adult-focused gathering.) Tickets for her event are $150 and a spot in the “7 Paintings” dining room runs $175, priced on par with a number of city’s most acclaimed restaurants.

There is also the reality that all public dining is in some fashion immersive, usually requiring varying combinations of engagement, communication and presentation. And then, are all these added elements distracting?

Throughout “7 Paintings,” for instance, an animated Mona Lisa, situated on the wall next to the main dinner table, will provide brief biographical details of each artist represented.

“Being able to nail the food, and nail the story, those are two very difficult threads to weave,” Garner says. “I do think, ultimately, people come to a dinner table to talk to the people at the table and to have intimate experiences. To have an experience where you’re constantly being taken away from the food, I’m not so sure if that’s what people are looking for.”

Food is framed as a star of “7 Paintings” but tasting it is just one component. At one point, we must uncover a cheese course in a tiny treasure chest, the code for the lock hidden in the projections (don’t stress, it’s not a hard puzzle). Beshir highlights the Pollock-inspired salad course, which is accentuated with a jazz soundtrack, as the thesis of the evening.

“This course is really about getting people to free their minds from preconceived ideas,” Beshir says. “Like, you have to eat with a fork and knife, or the salad comes and then the dressing. No, the dressing comes and then the salad, and it’s trying with big brushes to paint the way he did. A lot of people do not understand Abstract Expressionism, and they think it’s people just splashing colors around. But when you understand the link between the rhythm of the music and painting, you live it. We give you time to paint with your salad dressing.”

In L.A., Beshir has partnered with nightlife impresario Kim Kelly, who is plotting a “Sleep No More”-inspired walk-around theatrical show for the Sunset House venue later this year. “7 Paintings,” however, is fully seated, and purposefully a little silly. Beshir and Kelly have been evolving it during its L.A. run, recently adding a stronger painting component by giving guests their own canvas to work on throughout the evening. Each night crowns a winner.

“Everyone comes over to look at their art,” Kelly says. “It just kind of changed the whole thing, to be honest. People are now being creative throughout the entire evening. Instead of just watching and occasionally painting, you’re now painting the whole time.”

As for what, perhaps, soba noodles with edamame and mushrooms have to do with Pablo Picasso, or why Salvador Dali gets an unexpected dessert course of a white chocolate potato souffle, Beshir clarifies the goal of the evening. While the animated Mona Lisa will provide backstories on each painter, this isn’t an educational night. “It’s fun dining, not fine dining,” Beshir says.

And by the end of my night, strangers were socializing, showing off their painted cookie creations, sharing Banksy tidbits and asking for recommendations on various vinaigrette combinations. Ultimately, it’s an evening of discovery, packed with surprises like finding an entire course hidden under a canvas.

“We try not to have too much sophistication, like fried ants or something. I’m personally very adventurous in how I eat, but if I want to have this in 100 cities around the world, I cannot be too meticulous.”

And Beshir has big goals.

“I want this be your movie and dinner thing,” Beshir says. “I want people to be waiting for our next show, and to be able to afford to come every couple months.”

And to come home not with leftovers, but perhaps a painting of their own.

The San Fernando Valley has lost many of the great spots that made it a hot dog mecca over the years — among them, the Weiner Factory, Rubin’s Red Hot, Vicious Dogs, QT Chicago Dogs and the Infield, late home of the fried Twinkie dog. It was a relief, then, to find Fab Hot Dogs in Reseda still open and thriving. Best of all, the shop still makes an excellent Bald Eagle Ripper, the original owner’s homage to New Jersey’s Rutt’s Hut, “home of the ripper.” The dogs are deep fried just until the casing rips and on top, is a version of Rutt’s mustard relish, which at Fab is browner and said to include Hatch chile powder, shredded cabbage and carrots, garlic, oregano, onions, celery seeds, cider vinegar, and Düsseldorf mustard with sweet relish. Fab’s ripper dogs first got the attention of this paper’s late restaurant critic Jonathan Gold not long after it opened in 2008 and then Guy Fieri for a 2009 Food Network segment. Since then, Fab has become known not only for the ripper but for its many dog variations, including a very good Chicago dog with the right pickle, neon relish and sport peppers; several bacon-wrapped franks (with jalapeños and peppers on the L.A. Street dog; barbecue sauce and cheddar on the Kansas City dog, and Swiss cheese and baked beans on the Boston dog). A rotation of whiteboard specials includes a Santa Fe dog with Hatch green chiles and cotija cheese, and even a mac ‘n’ cheese dog. Together they make up what Gold once called a display of “the American frankfurter diaspora.”

It looks like cream top beverages are sticking around L.A.’s coffee scene.

“You can’t open a coffee shop in L.A. without having a cream top, fortunately or unfortunately,” said Ryan Solomon, director of wholesale at the Little Marionette, on bringing the cafe from Sydney to L.A. in 2024.

A whipped topping typically made from condensed milk or heavy cream, fans of embellished beverages can’t get enough of the now-standard flourish that local coffee shops add to iced coffee and matcha drinks. The trend evolved from the Austrian Einspänner coffee drinks that first overtook Seoul’s coffee scene in 2016 before landing in L.A. not long afterward.

The verdict on cream tops is split among cafe owners, with some claiming that the rich, luscious topping can overpower the flavors of carefully curated coffee drinks. Last year, prominent L.A. cafes Maru Coffee and Mandarin Coffee Stand limited the add-on on their menus, with Mandarin Coffee Stand owner Sherry Gao saying that the trend went “a little bit out of control.”

But for Arian Behboodi and Jared Sielski, co-owners of Lynx Coffee in Sherman Oaks, the pros outweigh the cons.

“We appreciate the cream top drinkers, and we appreciate the coffee fanatics, and we really do try to have a little bit of both,” Behboodi said.

Now, local cafe menus are evolving beyond neutral cream top flavors and offering whipped toppings that pull inspiration from all parts of the world, such as an iced honey latte garnished with a Vegemite cream top at a Palms coffee shop and a cajeta cream top that recalls the gooey Mexican caramel sauce at a new cafe in Hermosa Beach.

A POPULAR destination in Europe is cracking down on tourists – with fines dished out to rule-breakers.

The small village of Varenna, near Lake Como, is banning anyone from walking around its historic streets either bare-chested or wearing swimwear.

The new rules come as the village, which is home to only 650 people, is experiencing high levels of tourism each summer.

Tourists heading to the town will still be able to have a bare chest or wear their swimwear if they are at one of the lake’s beaches or if they are enjoying a boat trip on the lake itself.

However, if they are caught in the wrong place in the swimwear or with no shirt on, they could be fined between €50 (£42.74) and €200 (£170).

Varenna isn’t the only Italian spot to ban being shirtless and wearing swimwear in the town centre.

It is also banned to walk shirtless, barefoot or in a bikini in the town centres of Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, with fines ranging from €25 (£21.37) to €500 (£427.48).

Varenna has also introduced a number of other rules impacting tourists.

There’s also a clampdown on crowds, as tour groups are now capped at 25 people.

The aim of this is so that the village’s lanes will not be blocked.

Guides have been banned from using speakers as well.

According to The Guardian, Mauro Manzoni, Varenna’s mayor, said: “Varenna is a wonderful village, and we are proud to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.

“However, our residents’ quality of life cannot be sacrificed on the altar of mass tourism.”

ALL over the planet are incredible islands – but these ones have been declared the best in the world.

Travel + Leisure has found the very top destinations from Asia to Africa and Australia – not to mention one spot went to the UK.

The best islands were declared from reader votes of which there were hundreds of thousands.

In top spot was the Thai island of Koh Samui which got a top score of 95.64 out of 100.

The publication said: “This first-time winner in the Gulf of Thailand—with an array of elevated accommodations, luscious jungles, and roaring waterfalls—has become a leading destination for self-care.”

It was also praised for its beaches, vibrant culture and waterfalls.

The island is south of Bangkok, known for its pretty beaches, not to mention bargain cocktails and tasty street food.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill who went last year said: “The island has luxury resorts and picture-perfect beaches

“But the real Thailand is in the busy beach bars flogging happy-hour deals, tiny restaurants with garish tablecloths, and the constant thump of Thai boxing promotions from crackling loudspeakers.“

In second place was the beautiful Maldives followed by the Galapagos Islands and Bali.

But in 13th place is the first and only UK island to make the list – Skye and the Hebrides.

The wild Scottish archipelago is known for mountainous landscapes, rugged coastlines and rare white-sand beaches.

Travel Reporter Cyann Fielding, who visited Eilean Shona – part of the Inner Hebrides – described it as a “real-life Neverland”.

She said: “Whilst there isn’t much to do on the island, it is the perfect retreat away from the modern world and the stresses of day to day life.

“The island has an endless amount of walks you can take, and a couple of mine included heading to the summit and to the opposite side of the island where I found Shoe Bay, with a white sand beach and crystal clear waters.

“And whilst exploring the island, make sure to keep an eye out for wildlife as birds of prey often circle overhead.

“In less than 24 hours I had completely fallen in love with the island.”

Other top islands close to the UK include Malta which is dubbed one of the ‘jewels of the Mediterranean’.

Its capital, Valletta, is one of the sunniest cities in all of Europe – it gets on average 3,000 hours of sunshine each year.

The Italian islands of Sardinia and Sicily which are a short flight away for Brits also got high marks.

In Greece, Milos and Crete placed in the top 25 – as did Paros, which was last year’s winner, some of which are set to be the next big Greek island holiday destinations.

One writer visited Paros last year and loved the island for its “beautiful beaches, traditional villages and a buzzing nightlife.”

She added: “One thing I loved about the island is that it has everything you want out of a holiday.

“Whether that’s a quiet spot on a sandy beach to relax, head off on a wild boat party, or eat authentic Greek food on a candlelit table.”

The ‘UK’s poshest Premier Inn’ has all of the perks of a budget stay, but there was one feature that impressed me before I’d even dropped off my bags

I checked into the ‘UK’s poshest Premier Inn’, and was impressed before I even got to my room.

As the UK’s largest hotel chain, Premier Inn promises a restful night’s stay in more than 85,000 rooms across the country in over 800 locations. Owned by Whitbread, the brand is known for its budget-friendly accommodation, plush white crisp beds, and those iconic Lenny Henry adverts that are hard to forget.

Offering even more choice to Brits, they’ve expanded even further with Zip by Premier Inn and hub by Premier, which provide smaller rooms at a lower price. While they might be more compact, they certainly don’t compromise on comfort.

One hub has even earned a reputation as the ‘UK’s poshest Premier Inn’, despite only opening in February this year. Its location in a former Victorian Old Bailey in the heart of London might just have something to do with its label, that and its trendy interiors that could easily compare to an independent boutique, as I found out.

Finding a hotel in London can be somewhat of a minefield, with thousands to choose from, so when the hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey) hotel popped up, I was intrigued. Not only was it nestled in a lively and convenient area of central London, with plenty of amenities nearby, but it also proved to be much more than a hotel.

That’s because this particular hub, or hotel, is housed inside the former Snow Hill Police Station, a 1870s Grade II-listed building that combines its original Victorian features with contemporary interiors for a unique and affordable stay. With rooms starting from £75, you can’t fault the price, and as soon as I peered up at the historic Old Bailey and walked through its grand doors, it felt far from a budget hotel.

What really stood out among its authentic features was the striking white-tiled stairway, with tall ceilings, arched windows, and a concrete floor that made me feel as though I was about to turn myself in rather than check in. It even boasted a historic blue, square police lantern that once guided residents to the station.

It genuinely felt as though I had travelled back in time as its heritage permeated every corner. It was only when I reached reception that I remembered it was a hotel, as its modern design gleamed throughout.

Just to the side of the front desk is a communal lounge where guests can unwind on one of its elegant sofas and armchairs. Beneath its white, ornate ceiling, the space is thoughtfully divided by a metal shelf adorned with vibrant cases and plants, making it feel like a home from home.

There’s also a bar serving up drinks and a dining area where breakfast is served up – I was even able to get my hands on one of their pizzas when I returned to the hotel at 1am – what more could you want?

For my stay, I checked into one of their standard rooms, boasting a double bed and en-suite. While it was compact, it certainly made full use of the 11sqm space I would call home for the night.

There was storage under the bed big enough for a large suitcase, alongside a pull-out drawer, and opposite a small desk area with even more space to keep bags out of the way, shelves and a built-in wardrobe without a door. Even the glass-door bathroom with its green tiles made use of its space, with the bin tucked neatly out of the way.

The double bed was fixed up against the wall to maximise the room, with the wall decorated in a funky London map, and the duvet neatly rolled up at the foot of the bed – perhaps to really show off its clever simplicity. There was even a small shelf beside the bed, along with plug sockets, to easily charge and store personal items.

And in its easy and efficient manner, the lighting and air conditioning are electronically controlled – so there was no need for me to wander around the room in the dark. The hub was the ideal place to spend a night in London, and I felt safely tucked away in my pod-like room, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort, but perhaps just a little bit of space to secure a bargain stay.

Plus, not many people can say they’ve stayed in a former police station, or what I can now agree, is the UK’s poshest Premier Inn.

Rooms start from £75 a night. For more information or to book your stay, visit the hub by Premier Inn website.

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

UK airports will now allow younger passengers to use the eGates, in a huge boost for families travelling this summer holidays.

From today, passengers aged eight and nine will be able to use the faster eGates at airports across the country.

Previous rules only allowed kids who were the age of 10 or over to use the eGates, meaning families had to wait in much longer queues at passport control.

The only other rule is that kids must be at least 120cm tall, so they can still access the screens.

The new rules are predicted to affect 1.5million kids.

There are more than 290 eGates at UK airports and ports, plus juxtaposed ports (where UK border checks take place in Europe).

This means borders like the Eurostar at London St Pancras and Eurotunnel in Folkestone.

Minister Alex Norris, Minister for Border Security and Asylum said:
 ”Today’s change will make journeys easier for families with small children and reduce the hassle of travelling home after a holiday.

“It will also free up more time for tourists to enjoy our fantastic country this summer and in the years ahead.” 

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, the trade body for UK airports, added: “This is a welcome development as it will give more families the ability to take advantage of this technology, speeding up the border process and reducing waiting times for many.”

It’s not just Brits the new rules affect either.

Non-British residents including those from the US, Australia and Japan, along with non-Schengen countries in Europe will be able to use the eGates too.

We’re sipping chestnut kir on a terrace overlooking the Tarn River in southern France when we hear excited voices from the table beside us: “Regards! C’est un castor!” Below us, a beaver the length of my leg is languidly swimming upstream. We don’t need our binoculars because the Tarn is so clean that almost every fish, frog, pebble and ribbon of weed can be seen with the naked eye, magnified by the clarity of the water. This meandering, jade-green river – which winds from its source in the Cévennes national park to Moissac, just north of Toulouse – is home to trout, perch, carp, otters, frogs, toads, kingfishers and herons. We add “beavers” to our list.

Above us, huge vultures have been drifting all day, cruising the thermals in groups of nine or 10. And when our eyes haven’t been on the river or the sky, they have been welded to the many orchids on the bank: including monkey, bee, military, butterfly, pyramidal and fragrant orchids. Later, we discover that 30 varieties have been recorded in this orchid hotspot.

Enticed by the cooler microclimate provided by the double whammy of a river and a deep gorge, we’re walking a five-day section of one of France’s newest long-distance hiking routes (April, May, early June and late September are among the best times to tackle it). The 300km GR736 officially opened in 2023 and runs from the Tarn’s source to the city of Albi. Three days of the route run directly through the Gorges du Tarn, Europe’s longest and most dramatic canyon, a 33-mile (53km) limestone gully of rock formations and towering cliffs that often rise 500 metres above the river. The gorge is also home to more than 3,000 vultures, as well as cuckoos, nightingales, red-billed choughs and owls.

Besides exceptional wildlife, a succession of medieval towns, abandoned hamlets, deserted churches, ruined castles, crumbling terraces and jaw-dropping architectural oddities are dotted along the gorge. Most must be reached on foot, via “balcon” paths often dizzyingly (albeit safely) whittled from the gorge itself.

Our walk begins in Le Pont-de-Montvert, a bustling historic town amid the expansive heathery uplands of Mont Lozère, from where the Tarn springs. For two days we traverse an unpeopled, wind-blown wilderness of menhirs, boulders, broom and heather, before descending to wildflower meadows and forests of beech and pine. We walk about 10 to 15 miles a day, unimpeded by bulky backpacks as our luggage is transported in a minivan that arrives promptly at 9am every morning.

It’s only as we descend into the gorge on day three that we begin to encounter a myriad of human-made curiosities. The first is Castelbouc, a semi-troglodytic hamlet of narrow, cobbled streets, watched over by the remnants of a castle balanced on a vertiginous spur.

From here, we briefly cross the gorge to Sainte-Enimie, one of France’s celebrated “plus beaux villages” (its steep cobbled streets are lined with honey-coloured houses hung with pink roses), which is thriving thanks to the road that winds along the gorge’s right bank. Then it’s back to the left bank with its single-file footpath and cooling canopy of chestnut trees. We stop for the night in the restored village of Saint-Chély-du-Tarn, which has an original village bread oven, waterwheel, 12th-century church and miniature chapel carved into the rock. We dine at Auberge de la Cascade (the only place to eat in the village), feasting on Tarn-caught trout and ice-cream made from the local châtaigne, a small sweet chestnut and essential ingredient in the region’s most delicious aperitif, kir à la châtaigne – white wine with a dash of chestnut liqueur.

The following day’s gorge walk feels weirdly Jurassic, thanks to the sulphurous-yellow rocks, thickly mossed tree trunks and enormous ferns. At the hamlet of Hauterives, we spot a rigged cable-and-basket for hoisting goods over the river: someone appears to be living in this isolated spot. A couple of miles of ascending and descending brings us to the waterside town of La Malène, where we relax in a flat-bottomed boat while a professional batelier (boatman), Clément, punts us four miles downriver, pointing out the beaver families that inhabit every half-mile of riverbank, and four varieties of resident vulture (griffon, black, bearded and Egyptian), whose young will fledge throughout the summer.

Clément puts us ashore at Cirque des Baumes, where we scramble up the almost sheer bank using a series of ropes – an exhilarating experience. Here, we encounter yet another hauntingly abandoned village where miniature houses perch – precariously and mind-bogglingly – on limestone plinths. Signs of life (washing on a line) suggest that someone also lives in this ghost village – without electricity, gas or mains water.

skip past newsletter promotion

---

after newsletter promotion

We stroll on, past miles of neglected retaining walls, which once held terraced orchards of cherry and chestnut trees; now, the place is home to deer, boar, pine martens and muskrats. After a cooling dip in the river, we walk to Les Vignes and our charming hotel, Le Parisien – pink-and-white striped walls, vintage framed photographs, antique brass beds. The chef, Amélie, tells us that she hopes the new GR736 will bring more people to the area, providing new life for these dying villages.

On our final day, the gorge slowly unfolds and flattens, opening out into a verdant valley of twisted triffid-like trees draped in luxurious moss, and glistening banks of black volcanic stone spill across our path. We follow the river to its confluence with the Jonte and spend our last evening in Peyreleau (designated “une petite cité de caractère”), strolling ancient cobbled streets and exploring medieval churches and towers with far-flung views. From the terrace of Hôtel Doussière, we watch swallows and swifts skimming the river below, and agree that Robert Louis Stevenson was right when he wrote: “If the garden of Eden exists, it’s in the valley of the Tarn …”

Annabel travelled independently. On Foot Holidays offers a week-long, self-guided trip with baggage-carrying service from £1,245pp. More information at gr-infos.com

Annabel is the author of The Walking Cure, published by Bloomsbury Tonic (£10.99). To support the Guardian buy a copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply

While uncertainty lingers over improvements and timetables at LAX, the county’s second-busiest airport is on the brink of big changes.

The Hollywood Burbank Airport is due to replace its two terminals with a larger new terminal on Oct. 13. The $1.3-billion project will include 14 gates — the same number the airport has now. But the new structure will be a single terminal that’s about 50% larger than the airport’s current two-terminal layout.

In moving to a 355,000-square-foot terminal, officials say, the airport can give passengers more room and better technology while meeting safety and accessibility standards.

The airport, built in 1930 and run by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority, is favored by many local travelers as a simpler, faster alternative to Los Angeles International Airport. The Burbank airport’s site in the San Fernando Valley, however, has often put its leaders at odds with residents of surrounding suburban neighborhoods.

As it stands, the aged Burbank facility doesn’t meet current state seismic standards or Federal Aviation Administration design standards — which has prompted repeated safety warnings. Its nine resident airlines fly to about 30 nonstop destinations. The airport reported about 6.2 million arriving and departing passengers in 2025.

Airport officials say the new design increases the distance between the terminal and the nearest runway, currently as little as 257 feet, soon to be about 880 feet, bringing the airport into compliance with FAA standards.

Meanwhile at LAX, which reported 73.7 million passengers in 2025, the opening of a long-awaited SkyLink automated people mover (an electric train linking terminals to rail service and rental cars) has been delayed by technical and legal issues. In a June 15 report, the SkyLink contractor estimated that its public opening would need to wait until Oct. 6 or later. Asked for a revised timetable, an LAX spokesperson gave no dates, saying only that the airport is focused on “exhaustive testing of all tracks, signaling systems, and vehicles” to ensure safety and dependability.

In Burbank, voters approved the airport terminal replacement project in 2016. Construction began in 2024. At the entrance, travelers will encounter a pair of 16-foot-tall sculptures, “The Two Electras,” by Cliff Garten; inside, a ceiling grid artwork by Glenn Kaino.

The new space is just north of the existing terminal, which is to be demolished. The new entrance will be at Winona Avenue and Hollywood Way. Airport officials say the change will not affect the number of flights or the airport’s operating hours, which are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In the new terminal, airport officials say, the walk from the entrance to the farthest gate will be 1,285 feet, down from 1,600 feet now, with wider corridors and sidewalks and access to power plugs for devices from every seat. Baggage claim carousels will move from outdoors to indoors.

The airport project, known as Elevate BUR, has been overseen by the project management company Jacobs. The Design-Build portion of the project is led by Holder, Pankow, TEC, Joint Venture. Corgan provided architectural services in association with CannonDesign.

As it does now, the airport will supply shuttle bus service between the new terminal and Burbank Airport-South Train Station (which connects with Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner) and the Burbank Airport-North Station at San Fernando Road and Hollywood Way.

Another thing that won’t change: Passengers will continue to walk across the tarmac from terminal to stairs to planes, rather than using the enclosed jetways common in other airports, especially larger ones. It’s something travelers say they appreciate about the airport.

“The second I step onto the tarmac at Burbank, I start acting like I’m boarding a private jet,” wrote one Threads user. “And you’ll never convince me otherwise.”

Some other changes travelers can expect in Burbank:

• The new terminal’s 14 food service units are tentatively set to include a Flavor Town, Spring Chicken, Farm Table Bistro, Jones Coffee, Perry’s Joint, Poquito Mas, West Coast Smash Burger, Diane’s Pizzeria, Massis Kebab, Starbucks, Border Grill, Jet Tila’s Asian Table, Santa Canela bakery and a bar with picture-window views of the runways and Verdugo mountains.

• A new parking structure next to the new terminal will hold 2,007 parking spots, including 400 valet spots. (The airport’s total number of parking spaces will remain the same at 6,637.)
• The distance between the new terminal and the airport’s existing rental car facility and bus stop (Regional Intermodal Transit Center) will be slightly less than a mile by shuttle bus.