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The idyllic town features traditional Scandinavian architecture and breathtaking scenery

Lerwick, located on the Shetland Islands in Scotland, is frequently dubbed “Little Norway” thanks to its historical connections with the Scandinavian nation. The town remained under the Kingdom of Norway until 1469, with the name “Lerwick” translating to “bay of clay” in Norwegian.

During World War 2, Lerwick functioned as a crucial base for the “Shetland bus – Little Norway” operation, with small Norwegian fishing vessels docking in the town to carry out secret missions and evacuate refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Norway. Lerwick resembles Norwegian coastal towns, showcasing traditional Scandinavian architecture and red timber-framed houses.

Lerwick is a charming, scenic town and an ideal winter destination for those seeking authentic Norwegian landscapes without venturing abroad.

On Facebook, some visitors said that “the landscape looks much more like Norway than Scotland”.

Another visitor said on Tripadvisor that Lerwick has “numerous fascinating buildings including old warehouses which go right down to the edge of the water”.

Another one commented that Shetland is “a fantastic set of islands with wonderful scenery”. And a third one added: “Shetland is wonderful. It’s all about scenery. Along with Orkney, it has a completely different feel to the rest of Scotland with its Norse heritage. (They both belonged to Norway until 1472.) The Shetland Museum in Lerwick is excellent.”

According to Shetland’s official website, there’s plenty to do in the town, and it’s ideal to discover on foot.

“Lerwick is a stunning town full of history and beautiful buildings, all telling a story. Some of the most interesting buildings are the Lodberries overlooking Lerwick Harbour.

“Lerwick offers many opportunities for beautiful walks, exploring fascinating historical attractions and enjoying fun family activities.”

Other gorgeous UK towns that look like famous European destinations include Lynmouth, often nicknamed “Little Switzerland” due to its scenic beauty.

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A SERIES of tube strikes is set to take place in the coming months, expected to spark chaos for travellers over the festive period.

London Underground has confirmed a walkout will occur over eight dates between November and February, running from midday-to-midday.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) confirmed the strike action this week, with drivers set to walkout on eight dates between November and February.

Each strike will be in place for 24 hours, with the industrial action starting at noon on November 26.

Further strike dates will occur on December 17 and 19 sparking travel chaos for Brits in the run-up to Christmas.

Two more days of strikes will take place on January 4 and 6, with three further dates in February – 17, 23 and 25.

STRIKE OUT

Xmas chaos as Tube drivers announce 8 DAYS of strikes in misery for shoppers

POLAR EXPRESS

Festive celebrations featuring Thomas the Tank Engine begin in London

Festive shoppers are reminded that these dates mean that strikes will roll into both the morning of Black Friday and the last Saturday before Christmas.

Typically, walkouts affect the entire tube network, with all London Underground lines likely to be impacted.

This doesn’t include the Elizabeth line, DLR or Overground network.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers’ working conditions as a voluntary four-day week.

“But there is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they would work four days or five, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots.

“Our members are being asked to spend more time driving trains, accept longer and more unpredictable shifts and surrender agreements that have been negotiated and defended over many years.”

The industrial action announced by RMT follows long-running disputes over working arrangements for drivers.

Many believe that current plans to move to a four-day working week would result in increased time spent driving trains, longer duties, earlier starts and later finishes.

This next round of walkouts follows on from serious disruptions on the London Underground earlier this year, when strike action was announced through March and May.

Running the strikes from midday-to-midday is thought to maximise the level of disruption, with the delays hitting peak commuter times and morning and evening rush hours.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s (the British trade union for train drivers) full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “We are surprised that the RMT has, once again, decided to take strike action to try to prevent Underground drivers moving to a four-day week on a voluntary basis.

“We are in discussions with Transport for London about how the final details of this will work in practice.”

DOGS may not be able to speak, but mine didn’t have to – the eyes said it all.

As Ernie watched me skip over to the outdoor hot tub armed with kindling and firelighters, he clearly thought I’d gone mad.

While I waited for the water to warm with a glass of wine and a good book, he took himself off inside our cottage for a nap — and went on to snooze away the majority of our three-day stay.

Never in his 11 years have I seen him so relaxed away from home, and I have to say, I felt pretty zen, too.

We were at Rowley Farm Holidays — an award-winning family-run retreat in Worcestershire.

It specialises in luxurious self- catering stays, and everything about the site has been designed with dogs and their owners in mind.

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You won’t find any annoying pet fees here or rules about which breeds are welcome.

And whether you choose to stay in one of the three beautiful cottages or hidden-away shepherd’s hut, you will have access to your own enclosed garden, a secure dog field and the cute Muddy Paws Wash Room, which comes complete with a range of doggy shampoos.

Dog bowls, blankets, treats, poo bags and throws for the beds and sofas are provided in every type of accommodation, too.

I was staying in The Old Dairy, all on one level bar a couple of steps up from the entrance hall — handy for an older boy like Ernie who sometimes struggles with his back legs.

The open-plan cottage, which sleeps two, was, as the name suggests, the farm’s former dairy but it has been given a stylish makeover since then, kitted out with all the mod cons but retaining a country-chic feel throughout.

I loved the gable ceiling and large windows that allowed light to flood in.

And just like Ernie, I slept like a baby, snuggled up in luxurious linen in the comfy king-sized bed.

While The Old Dairy has underfloor heating beneath its easy-to-clean stone slabs, it also boasts air con — a great perk for pet owners staying during future heatwaves.

We had a welcome basket of local produce waiting for us and the kitchen was incredibly well-equipped.

Although if you don’t fancy cooking, there are a whole host of dog-friendly farm shops and places to eat within a few miles of Rowley Farm.

You’ll find traditional pub grub at The Holt Fleet and the Lenchford Riverside Inn, while The Red Lion serves up cracking Indian cuisine.
Quiet time

In its car park, you’ll also find the quirky Whole Moo World vending machine and tuck shop, which I was quite taken with.

Here, you can get fresh milk, milkshakes and snacks like sandwiches and Scotch eggs 24/7 — handy if you get a case of the midnight munchies.

While all the other cottages were booked during our stay, we barely heard a peep from any of them.

And, on a stroll through the quiet site, we saw that like us, many other guests had opted to just chill out — reading, lounging around in the complimentary robes and enjoying some quiet time while their dogs roamed safely in their gardens.

At Rowley Farm, you really can just kick back and relax — but if you do decide to venture out, there are lots of things to see and do nearby.

Witley Court, just up the road, is a must if you like your history.

This once-grand stately home was destroyed by a fire in the 1930s and while only the shell of the building remains, it’s easy to imagine how it would have looked in its heyday.

Dogs on leads are welcome to explore, and Ernie and I spent a good couple of hours wandering around the ruins and grounds.

Don’t miss seeing the Perseus and Andromeda fountain blast jets of water into the sky, either. This normally happens on the hour in the summer months.

We also went into Worcester, around a 20-minute drive away, where we enjoyed a stroll alongside the River Severn, visited Gheluvelt Park, feasted at Kyndfolk and popped into the Cathedral to have a word with the Man Upstairs.

I couldn’t say if Ernie asked for peace on Earth and good will to men (and dogs), but I think it’s probably more likely he asked for a return visit to Rowley Farm.

A LONG haul holiday to somewhere hot and sunny might be tempting – until you have to sit on a plane in economy for 20 hours.

Yet with so many ‘hacks’ and tricks to surviving a long flight, which of them actually work?

So on a recent flight to Australia, I decided to try them all out to see which ones were actually worth it.

While mentally prepared to be uncomfortable for the duration, I was surprised by some that really made the difference.

Of course, some where absolutely no help at all either.

Here’s my verdict on 13 item hacks I’d heard about and whether they are actually worth it.

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Scarf hack

You’ve probably seen the famous scarf hack lingering around on social media – where you tie it to your head rest to make, well, a head rest.

Now, when I saw it, I was skeptical. To me it looked more like something that would hurt my neck, rather than aid it.

You essentially tuck it in behind your seat head rest and then tie it in front of your neck, you then untuck one side and it creates a hammock for your head.

I hated this hack and sacked it off within a couple of minutes.

My scarf slipped too much, turbulence mean I kept getting choked and I felt overwhelmingly like I would be suffocated.

My verdict: Bin this off – you look stupid and it hurts your neck and ear.

Cheap vs high-tech airport neck pillows

Neck pillows seem to be the number one travel item to take on a plane.

But I’ve never used one.

Yes, you heard that right – I travel on dozens of flights each year and have never purchased a neck pillow.

On my 20-hour flight I decided to try out two – one from the airport that cost me an arm and a leg and another high-tech one I bought online.

I used neither on my flight, scrapping them both after about 10 minutes.

I find that they make my neck, head and ears hurt instead of feel comfortable, as well as getting too warm and feeling like I have something suffocating me.

Instead, I just opted for the pillow (which admittedly isn’t given out with all airlines) and was far more comfortable.

My verdict: If you like a neck pillow, obviously take one. But don’t feel like it is a tragedy if you don’t have one, you can often sleep much better with a bundled-up fluffy jumper or a pillow given onboard your flight.

Nasal strips

When you think of nasal strips, you probably either think of elite runners or people snoring.

Nasal strips help with getting more air through your nose when you breath in.

And let’s be honest, with all that stagnant air on a plane bunging you up you want to be able to get as much air as possible.

I tried out SleepyDeepy’s nasal strips and out of all items on this list, this is the one I now swear by.

You simply stick it onto your nose and you will feel the relief with the amount of air you can now breath in through your nose.

And it isn’t just good for getting better sleep.

For those of us who do snore or are worried about snoring on a plane, it helps to stop this.

My verdict: I was so impressed with how much more air I could breathe in when wearing the strip and it is definitely something I’d use on all my long-haul flights going forward.

Mouth tape

Mouth tape is another product I have always been skeptical of, but after getting a sore throat after every flight, on this flight I wanted to try something that would stop that.

SleepyDeepy’s mouth tape looks like a black cloud and you just stick it over you mouth.

It has a small air/vapour hole in the middle.

I slept like a baby with it on and it stopped me snoring or drooling on the plane.

Even better, I got off my flight without a sore throat for once.

My verdict: This is not something I ever thought I would like but it definitely made me feel like I wasn’t snoring or drooling… and that of course, is an instant win.

Ear plugs

A lot of people will skip earplugs when it comes to their flights but they are wrong.

Planes are loud, and while that constant droning fades into the background after a while, all that loud noise is not good for our ears.

I swear by Loop Earplugs and for the times on the flight when you don’t want to listen to music, but also don’t want to hear the plane they are ideal.

They are super comfortable and come in a load of different colours.

I then swapped to SleepyDeepy’s regular foam earplugs when I wanted to sleep as I found that these don’t stick out, making resting your head more comfortable.

My verdict: I love Loop Earplugs and think they are super practical – but they are great for sleeping. I would deffo opt for both and switch between them for when you are reading or having a snooze.

A good eye mask

For 20 hours I wanted to do everything I could to get good sleep, so I opted to take a SleepyDeepy silk eye mask on board.

The soft eye mask wraps around your head with a Velcro close, no tight strap and soft cushioning around the eyes to stop getting marks around your eyes.

It was so comfortable and cosy, I slept like a baby for my flight.

My verdict: This is a lovely eyemask that doubles up as a little bit of a cushion. But if like me and you don’t struggle sleeping with the lights on, then make just opt out of this one.

Silicone suction phone mount

If one item has changed my life (no exaggeration) for the better, it is a silicone suction phone mount.

These little items cost a few quid on Amazon and stick to the back of your phone or phone case and then the other side will suction on to smooth surfaces, such as a window or screen.

This means if you have downloaded films or TV shows onto your phone then you can watch them without having to hold your phone in your hand.

My verdict: A cheap must have item that will help you watch things on your phone but also take pictures without the need for a phone tripod.

AirFly

An AirFly is a brilliant piece of tech and means you can use your own headphones and ditch the annoying, cheap inflight headphones given out.

The Airfly gets plugged into your headphone socket and it connects to your own headphones or earphones wirelessly.

This means you don’t have to battle with an annoying cable or have poor sound quality.

My verdict: An absolute must travel item which means no more dodgy airplane earphones and input holes.

Electrolytes

Electrolytes aren’t just for marathon runners as they can help to counteract the harsh environment of a plane cabin and also help the impacts of jet lag.

I love Good Flyte electrolytes which come in a handy tube, you can snap them in half if you wish and all you need to do is drop it into your water and it will dissolve.

The taste is a nice orange flavour so it is enjoyable to drink as well.

My verdict: I love electrolytes and really do think they help me stay energised after a flight. If anything, they make your drink taste nice. Just make sure you don’t overdo it.

A small bottle of your fave fragrance

I love a Lavender pillow spray and genuinely think it helps to calm me down and get a good night sleep.

Taking one on a plane didn’t occur to me before this flight.

But spraying the pillows given to you on the flight and the blanket allowed me to feel at ease with 20 hours of travelling ahead of me.

My verdict: There is nothing quite like something that makes you think of home and a small bottle of fragrance is the ideal way of doing that – perhaps just spraying before your flight or subtly to not annoy other passengers.

Backpack footrest

If you are short like me (5’1 for reference), your feet often don’t comfortably reach the floor of the plane cabin.

For me, this makes me fidget and leaves me unable to get comfortable so now, I am strategic with not only which under seat bag I use but how I pack it.

I will use a large duffle bag and place a couple of jumpers or items of clothing at the top to bulk it up a bit but also make it squishy – this think makes the idea footrest and stops me from getting uncomfortable.

My verdict: This is the easiest way to ensure you have a comfortable foot rest without splurging the cash – it is an easy fix.

Compression socks

For long haul flights, you should always wear compression socks.

Compression socks help to improve blood circulation and prevent fluid from pooling in your lower legs while you are sat for long periods of time.

I picked up a pair from Boots a while back for around a tenner, and while they are not anything glamourous they definitely do the job. The added benefit is they help to keep your legs warm!

My verdict: These are a must to help blood circulation and prevent nasty blood clots – they might not be the sexiest, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

Slippers

Don’t be that person wonder around the cabin or plane bathroom with just socks on, so I was told to take a pair of slippers with me onboard.

These are easy to slip on and off for when you do get up and wonder around the cabin or head to the toilet (and keep your feet warm when they ramp up the air con).

If you forget a pair of slippers, don’t stress – nick them from the hotel you are staying at (they always throw them away anyways).

My verdict: Slippers are great if you want to get comfy and if they have rubber bottoms even better as it means you aren’t stepping in anything suspicious when you nip to the loo onboard.

I assumed the Lapland decision was mainly about price — until I visited Lapland UK and started comparing it with Finland. The biggest difference between the two destinations isn’t always the cost

Few family getaways spark the imagination quite like Lapland. Snow-blanketed woodlands, husky sledding, reindeer encounters, and that crucial visit with Father Christmas make it the ultimate wish-list adventure for countless families.

However, with costs that can soar into the thousands, is journeying to Finnish Lapland worthwhile, or can you experience the same festive enchantment nearer to home at Lapland UK?

Having explored various methods to make a genuine Lapland expedition more budget-friendly, I understand that both choices have considerable appeal. The right option truly depends on your finances, your children’s ages and what you’re hoping to gain from the experience.

Lapland UK: Festive enchantment without flying

Lapland UK has established itself as a yuletide tradition for numerous families, providing an immersive seasonal experience at its Ascot and Manchester venues. Rather than being a conventional Christmas attraction, the experience is crafted to transport youngsters into Santa’s realm, featuring themed activities, enchanting forest settings and a private audience with Father Christmas.

It’s exceptionally well executed, from the invitation arriving by post to the children receiving the bear they helped make in the toy shop on Christmas morning; enchantment is interwoven into every element. The main benefit is sheer convenience.

There’s no need to arrange flights, fret about whether your little ones can handle the freezing Arctic conditions, or stuff an entire suitcase with thermal clothing. You can experience it all as a day trip, which makes it especially attractive for families with younger kids.

Our top tips for visiting Lapland UK:

• Take a spare bag with you to hide the teddies you’ll secretly take home with you, ready for Christmas Day
• Use the free time you get to explore every little detail in the village area and take all the photos
• Take thick socks with you for ice skating
• Wear comfortable shoes as there’s quite a bit of walking – and dress accordingly for the weather
• And finally… try the hot chocolate with popping candy – yum!

How much does Lapland UK cost?

For the 2026 season, standard tickets start at £60 per person, rising to £155 depending on the date and time of the visit. Booking fees of £4.95 per ticket and postage of £5.95 per booking apply.

This means a family of four could fork out roughly £266 for a date at the cheapest advertised rate, or approximately £646 for a £155-per-person slot, before factoring in travel, food and any extra spending.

The price gap between quieter dates and peak December weekends is substantial, so being flexible can significantly reduce overall expenses.

Bear in mind that tickets are in massive demand. The primary 2026 booking window has shut, though returned tickets might pop up.

For upcoming seasons, register for the official mailing list and be prepared when bookings launch – this truly is the Glastonbury of family outings.

Actual Lapland: an Arctic adventure

There’s something distinctly different about disembarking from a plane into a snowy Arctic setting. In Finnish Lapland, this isn’t merely a Christmas-themed attraction; it forms part of a far broader winter expedition.

Depending on where you base yourself, you could embark on a husky safari, glide through the snow on a reindeer sleigh, tackle a snowmobile excursion, build snowmen among the trees or simply revel in proper snowfall. A visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, exploring the breathtaking wilderness and, weather permitting, even catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights are all on the cards.

For youngsters, the real magic lies in the sheer sense of adventure. Rather than spending a few hours in a festive grotto, you’re immersing yourselves in an entirely different world together as a family.

Naturally, the weather comes with the territory. Temperatures can plummet well below freezing, daylight hours are scarce in December, and little ones may need more rest stops than you’d anticipate.

But with suitable clothing and a sensible itinerary, it can make for an unforgettable family getaway.

How much does a genuine Lapland holiday set you back?

This is where many families are deterred before they’ve even begun their search. Organised Christmas trips can run into several thousand pounds for a family of four, with prices climbing steeply around the most sought-after December dates.

As a rough guide, typical short-break packages for 2026 have been advertised at around £3,400-£4,900 for a family, though costs vary considerably depending on the operator, dates, accommodation and activities included. Always scrutinise the actual package inclusions rather than simply the headline figure.

That said, there is an alternative: booking everything yourself. At The Travel Mum, we’ve investigated how to experience Lapland without breaking the bank by arranging flights, lodging and excursions independently.

During one seven-night trip, our total spend came to £3,000 for a trio of travellers, encompassing everything from airfare and hotels to meals, getting around and entertainment. We successfully kept within our financial limits, despite adding a few special extras.

Low-cost carriers operating routes to Rovaniemi have made this DIY approach far more achievable. Our piece, Lapland on a Budget: Real Costs and Tips, breaks down how to organise a journey and identify potential savings.

Admittedly, it requires additional homework, and costs vary depending on when you travel, but it demonstrates that an authentic Lapland getaway needn’t necessarily involve shelling out for a pricey all-in-one package.

Five ways to make real Lapland more affordable:

Be flexible with your dates. December is the most sought-after month, and prices reflect that. November can offer better value, although snow is never guaranteed. January can also be considerably cheaper and is a great option if you’re happy to experience Lapland after Christmas. The Travel Mum Top Tip: If you visit in January, add extra magic for your kids by personally delivering your thank-you cards to Santa himself!

Check flights THEN accommodation. If you’re organising the trip yourself, flights are often the biggest variable. Once you’ve found affordable flights, look for accommodation that fits your budget and is convenient for the activities you want to do. Accommodation books up quickly, so you want to be sure you can find the right combination of flights at the right price, along with suitable available accommodation, too – before you hit book.

Don’t pay for activities you don’t need. It can be tempting to book every husky safari, reindeer ride and snowmobile experience available. But children don’t need a packed itinerary to enjoy Lapland. Playing in the snow, exploring the forest and visiting Santa can be just as memorable.

Check what’s included. Thermal suits, boots, meals, airport transfers and excursions can all add to the cost. A package that initially looks more expensive might offer better value if it includes things you’d otherwise pay for separately.

Think carefully about Santa. Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is open year-round, so you don’t necessarily have to visit in December. Travelling outside the Christmas rush can help you save money, and you may find the experience more relaxed.

So, which option is right for you?

For households with very small children, Lapland UK can provide the ideal gateway to festive enchantment. It’s simpler to arrange, less reliant on weather conditions and considerably more economical than a foreign adventure.

Many visitors actually claim they favour Lapland UK’s yuletide experience over the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland.

However, if your finances permit or you’re prepared to invest the effort in planning an independent expedition, genuine Lapland offers something that’s challenging to replicate. The snow-covered scenery, Arctic pursuits and opportunity to spend multiple days fully absorbed in the location transform it into a proper holiday, rather than merely a festive attraction.

I’d also take into account your children’s ages. For younger ones, a briefer experience might prove more than sufficient. Older kids could benefit more from the outdoor pursuits and the chance to discover somewhere entirely different.

Ultimately, there isn’t a wrong decision here. We frequently place pressure on ourselves as parents to craft the perfect Christmas, but enchanting family moments needn’t come with an enormous price tag.

Whether you’re meeting Father Christmas in a snowy woodland in the UK or journeying to the Arctic Circle, what matters most is selecting an experience that suits your family and your budget. And if the genuine article has always seemed beyond reach, don’t dismiss it until you’ve investigated the costs of arranging it independently.

You might be surprised at what’s achievable.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has started research after the man died from animal illness – only detected for first time this summer

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has launched an investigation after the first-ever case of a brain disease was found in an EU country which is a favourite destination for UK tourists. Health officials in France raised the alarm following the first ever known case of Shamonda virus (SHAV) infection in a human.

The person concerned had not travelled outside the country in the preceding 12 months, the WHO said. WHO said: “The case was an immunocompromised older man from eastern France with no travel history during the preceding year. He developed severe neurological illness on 23 September 2026 and was diagnosed with severe encephalitis (brain inflammation). The patient died on 8 October 2026.”

It said there are ‘no previously documented human infections’ of the disease, which normally affects animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and horses. The WHO said: “As only one human case has been reported so far, information on the disease in humans remains limited. In this case, the patient was already seriously ill and experienced additional, brain-related symptoms that were considered to be linked to the Shamonda virus.”

Vector-borne transmission (via a bite from an infected midge) is thought to be the most likely source of infection. Officials are investigating the possibility of food-borne transmission, but said it’s unlikely.

WHO added: “As this is the first documented laboratory-confirmed human infection, WHO considers that the public health risk cannot yet be reliably assessed and recommends continued surveillance and investigation.”

The patient lived in rural eastern France, where animal SHAV transmission has been documented since July 2026, and had not travelled in the preceding year. The patient received multiple blood transfusions between February and October 2026 for his underlying illness.

SHAV was only found for the first time in Europe during the summer of 2026 with confirmed or suspected infections reported in cattle, horses and alpacas in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

As of October 21 2026, additional European countries and territories have reported SHAV detections in animals: Austria, Ireland, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

It adds: “This first documented human infection with SHAV in 2026 demonstrates that human infection is possible. However, a single case is insufficient to assess the risk to the general population, including immunocompetent individuals, or to determine the frequency, clinical spectrum or severity of human infection. The route of infection and possible sources of exposure are unknown, though vector-borne transmission is a plausible hypothesis.”

Sunlight pours through a tiny stone window, causing the wooden floorboards to creak as they warm up. The sound of sheep’s bells filters in from a passing flock. The scent of baking bread mingles with smoke from the previous evening’s fire. I wake up feeling I’ve been transported back to another time – but in reality I’m in modern-day Albania.

I’m staying in a kulla, one of the traditional stone tower houses that are found throughout northern Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia. They once protected families during times of conflict and sheltered weary travellers on trade routes, before mostly falling into disrepair in the 20th century. A new long-distance trail developed by the Albanian Agritourism Association aims to return some of them to their former glory and give visitors a chance to discover a part of Albania almost untouched by tourism.

IF YOU are looking for your next hotel stay, then look no further as the world’s top new hotels to visit in 2027 have been named.

Condé Nast Johansens – which ranks the best hotels in the world – has revealed its 2027 Awards for Excellence for the best newly opened hotels across the planet.

Hotels are ranked against different categories including design, service, bars and culinary experience.

Named the best in the UK overall and one of the best in the world was Aethos London Shoreditch, which only opened in October 2025.

The hotel boasts a modern look throughout with calm and warming tones.

There are 164 rooms in total including balcony suites and the Aethos Panorama Suite with a private outdoor terrace overlooking the London skyline.

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The hotel is home to Aethos Cafe London, which is the ideal place for pastries and coffee, or a glass of wine in the evening.

If you want to head to a more fancy spot, then there is the hotel’s restaurant – Mitsu – which serves Japanese sharing dishes such as flame-grilled meats.

There is even a wellness floor with a studio and gym both open 24/7.

There is a dedicated members’ space as well called The Willow Room, which is open to members to meet, work and socialise.

The hotel is in the heart of Shoreditch as well, with attractions including Old Spitalfields Market and Columbia Road Flower Market.

The hotel costs from around £180 per night.

As for the rest of the world, Andaz Lisbon in Portugal was named the best new hotel in Europe and the Mediterranean.

The hotel opened in early 2026 with 170 rooms and suites.

It also has a restaurant which serves regional Portuguese seafood, with a rooftop overlooking the Tagus River.

It costs from £240 per night to stay at the hotel.

Birch House – A Private Coastal Club & Retreat in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, won the best new hotel for the North, Central and South America category.

This exclusive hotel only has five suites nestled behind private gardens.

The hotel is also just a two-minute walk from Fort Lauderdale Beach and Las Olas Marina.

Suites start from around £370 per night.

And then Maloba Private Game Reserve in South Africa won the Africa, Asia and Middle East category.

The all-inclusive safari destination features the main safari lodge with luxury suites that include plunge pools overlooking the open bush.

There is also the farm and gardens villa, which is a private retreat set among the property’s farm.

Guests staying at Maloba Private Game Reserve often see zebras, white rhinos, cheetahs and Cape buffalos.

Staying at the Reserve typically costs from £2,100 per night, with a minimum stay of three nights.

For each location category, there are a number of other awards including best design and best for families.

Other hotels in the UK to get awards include Virgin Hotels Edinburgh in Scotland which won the best design award.

Best rural hotel went to Horsted Place Hotel in Sussex Downs, best hotel spa went to Sopwell House in St Albans and best for families went to The Belfry in the Midlands.

NEW pictures have been released of the huge new UK water resort featuring three themed areas, promising Brits a tropical escape closer to home.

Set to open in 2029, Therme Manchester is set to cost £500million and will boast 10 pools, 18 waterslides and 20 saunas and steam rooms.

Spread across a 28- acre site in TraffordCity, there will also be outdoor green spaces surrounding the glas-s domed building.

Newly released images show the indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as the wellbeing garden.

There will also be a new public plaza that will connect the resort to the Bridgewater Canal, where visitors can sit by the canal just metres from the resort.

Another image shows the front of the complex, where the tram will run past.

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And a third image shows a central walkway through part of the complex with pools and lounge areas.

As for the green spaces, images show lots of different gardens with raised areas and hundreds of palm trees.

Previous plans included two multi-storey car parks, but these have now been scrapped with parking spread across the entire site to retain views across the resort.

The attraction will be split into three areas – Play, Restore and Relax.

The Play zone will be ideal for families with lots of fun water features, a pool, a beach, lounging areas and family dining experiences.

Then in the Relax zone, which will be adults-only, there’s a focus on “premium wellbeing experiences” with indoor and outdoor pools, waterfall showers, mineral baths, steam rooms and saunas and casual dining.

And then in the Restore zone – the second adults-only area – there will be “industry leading health, nutrition and wellbeing therapies”, “sauna rituals”, experience showers, wellbeing consultations and dining.

Construction on the first pool is due to start next week and once the resort is open, it is expected to attract two million visitors each year.

The resort also recently announced that it was partnering with Marriott International with Marriott Bonvoy members being offered exclusive travel and stay packages linked directly to Therme destinations – which will include Manchester.

As a once highly-annoying teenage girl of the 90s, I couldn’t wait to relive the songs of the Nightmare Before Christmas at Arley Hall’s light trail, but my son’s reaction was the best part

I’m at an age where I can’t claim to have been introduced to the Nightmare Before Christmas through motherhood, I was there fan-girling away when it was first released in 1993.

My equally angst-ridden school friends and I went to the cinema to watch it over and over again (it was only £2.50 back then), investing heavily in Sally’s yearning for Jack Skellington and singing the songs with gusto – how very annoying we were.

Deciding to swerve Trick or Treating this year, I booked Halloween tickets for the Nightmare Before Christmas light trail at Arley Hall instead to share the magic with my son – but mainly for my own nostalgia. However, his excitement quickly overrode mine.

At five, he already lives and breathes all things Oogie Boogie, and as we arrived at 5pm while dusk was falling across the historic Cheshire estate, an eerie mist rolled in, making the trail look like the actual film set. The natural fog caught the neon purples, eerie greens, and warm holiday ambers and the sky turned pink, making it feel like pure movie magic.

The quirky film is brought to life through 1,700 dazzling light installations, interactive video projections, intelligent LED lighting, music and 3D-printed sculptures.

Taking a walk through Halloween Town, my son danced along the path singing, but did not afford me the same rights, reprimanding me for having the audacity to enjoy Danny Elfman’s iconic soundtrack.

What shocked me the most, however, was his reaction to the installations. Normally he despises having his picture taken. Here, he morphed into some kind of Zoolander, pulling his best ‘Blue Steel’ alongside the characters and demanding photos to take back to his friends. He proudly posed beside Jack and Sally, grinned next to Zero’s glowing doghouse, and ran around like a madman in Oogie Boogie’s lair.

The trail was dotted with cosy stop points to toast marshmallows or buy a mulled wine or hot chocolate, and the pace was ideal for little legs – long enough to feel like a full, immersive adventure without causing meltdowns or fatigue.

The production values were second to none – no whiff of the infamous Willy’s Chocolate Experience here with its forlorn Oompa Loompas. From top quality staging to breathtaking light displays, the craftsmanship, attention to texture, and detailed illumination make every set piece feel authentic and engaging from every angle.

If you have a young Tim Burton enthusiast in the family – or are one yourself – this is an unmissable seasonal outing that might even land you some rare family photos.

General admission prices start at £32 for adults, with discounted tickets available for children and seniors. Dog-friendly slots are available on Tuesday evenings from 8pm. For more details on the trail, which runs until January 3, visit thenightmarebeforechristmas.com/arley.

Flights across Europe have been diverted, grounded and escorted by fighter jets in response to a wave of bomb threats, marking a second major outbreak of false alerts in less than a week.

On Thursday, planes departing from 16 countries, including Ireland, the United Kingdom, Spain and Denmark, were affected. Flights have either been forced to divert to alternate locations or undergo additional security checks. On Friday, the threats continued.

Authorities have deployed bomb disposal teams and military fighter jets in several countries. So far, security inspections following threats have yielded no evidence of explosives or suspicious materials on board aircraft, and no passenger has reported being harmed.

What happened?

On Friday, a Ryanair flight landed in Lisbon, Portugal at 8am after a bomb threat was made by phone to the authorities, Italian media has reported. A security operation was mounted as soon as the plane landed. Separately, the control tower in Fiumicino, Italy, received an alert about a device aboard a Wizzair flight to Rome from Paris. The Wizzair flight was diverted to Venice where police were clearing the area around the plane.

On Thursday, there were numerous threats, including the following:

• In Poland, authorities received a warning about a potentially dangerous object on board a Polish Airlines flight already taxiing on the runway at Warsaw Chopin Airport. The flight to Paris was prevented from taking off and passengers disembarked, but a search by security services found nothing dangerous on board, an airline spokesman told local media.
• In Warsaw, a LOT flight to Paris was also halted and passengers were transferred to another ‌aircraft.
• A LOT flight from London Heathrow to Warsaw-Chopin Airport was forced to land at the Polish capital’s other airport, Warsaw-Modlin, following a threat. Nothing was found on board.
• The Italian Air Force escorted a Finnair plane into Rome after an anonymous bomb-threat email was sent to Aeroporti di Roma (ADR) and other companies at Fiumicino. The plane arrived safely.
• In Bulgaria, a Ryanair flight from London to Sofia was diverted to make an emergency landing in Plovdiv, the country’s second city, following a bomb threat.
• In the space of just 20 minutes, Spanish authorities reported receiving three emailed bomb threats regarding two Air Europa departures from Madrid to Paris and four inbound Iberia flights from Rome and Milan, Spain’s Guardia Civil said.
• A flight ⁠from Cork in Ireland was delayed for 90 minutes when the airport received a threat, the airport operator said.
• A Ryanair flight from Pescara in Italy to Charleroi in Belgium was subject to a false bomb alarm, state news agency Ansa reported. Local media in Belgium reported that security protocols were triggered after the word “bomb” was found written in one of the aircraft’s restrooms.

What happens when a threat is received?

When an airline is notified of a threat to an aircraft, it is passed to a team of assessors, said Joji Waites, director of flight safety, policy and regulation at BALPA, the British Airlines Pilots’ Association.

“These assessors use standard processes to grade the threat and decide whether the threat is red (credible), amber (partially credible) or green (not credible). Amber is not considered an appropriate assessment if the plane is airborne,” said Waites.

After receiving a threat, an aircraft is directed to an area well away from the airport buildings. Passengers are disembarked and screened while border police with sniffer dogs inspect the plane, according to an airport official.

Is this the first time threats like this have been made?

No.

The incidents follow a series of hoax bomb threats earlier this week. On Monday, a flight from the UK to Bulgaria was diverted after a threat that turned out to be without substance. On Tuesday, seven planes across Europe were searched or diverted because of malicious hoax bomb alerts.

And also this week, there have also been cyberattacks on supermarkets in several European cities, with hackers changing the temperature on refrigeration in an apparent attempt to spoil food.

How unusual is this?

Philip Baum, a visiting professor of aviation security at Coventry University, said the scale and coordinated nature of these latest incidents are unusual.

“There are indeed individual airlines that experience a bomb threat every day, but most of those are very quickly evaluated and determined to be non-specific, and the aircraft do not divert,” said Baum.

What sets the latest incidents apart, he said, is that authorities across several European countries appear to be treating the threats as credible enough to require planes to land and undergo security inspections. Baum noted that each flight disruption could cost airlines as much as $250,000.

The UK’s government called the latest disruption “malicious hoax threats”. London Heathrow, the busiest airport for passenger traffic in Europe, was also targeted. It says it has one of the most robust aviation safety systems in the world, but countries still have to take the threats seriously and figure out how to stop any actors from creating further disruptions to air travel across Europe.

Who is behind this?

The European Commissioner for Transport said it is too early to say who’s behind these attacks or whether the incidents are even connected.

European governments have so far refrained from blaming anyone. But those which have supported Ukraine are wary of hybrid attacks. Germany has directly pointed the finger at Russia for recent drone incursions at Leipzig-Halle Airport. Moscow rejected the accusations.

EU officials are aware of the possibility that Russia would step up its hybrid campaign. In September, the Danish Defence Intelligence Service warned that this could happen to pressure adversaries in the West and NATO.

However, Moscow has denied being involved in the threats to aviation in Europe and there is no evidence of any involvement by Russia, Iran or any proxy groups linked to them.

TUBE drivers have announced a series of 24-hour strikes over the Christmas period, bringing misery to shoppers over the festive period.

London Underground drivers have confirmed they will strike for eight days between November and February.

The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) have said today that they will walkout from November 26 and into the New Year.

The 24-hour strikes will begin at noon on November 26, as well as December 17 and 19, January 4 and 6 and February 17, 23 and 25.

This means that strikes will continue until the morning of Black Friday, which is on November 27 this year, and the last Saturday before Christmas.

RMT general secretary Eddie Dempsey said: “London Underground is attempting to dress up a wholesale attack on drivers’ working conditions as a voluntary four-day week.

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“But there is nothing voluntary about a scheme that forces drivers to give up existing protections whether they work four days or five, and threatens those who refuse with displacement from their depots.

“Our members are being asked to spend more time driving trains, accept longer and more unpredictable shifts and surrender agreements that have been negotiated and defended over many years.”

The RMT’s decision to strike comes as a result of long-running disputes over working arrangements.

Drivers believe that plans to introduce a four-day working week would increase time spent driving trains, longer duties, earlier starts and later finishes.

These fresh walkouts come after serious disruptions on the London Underground due to strikes in March and May.

The midday-to-midday format is thought to maximise the level of disruption, severely disrupting both the morning and evening rush hours.

Finn Brennan, Aslef’s (the British trade union for train drivers) full-time organiser on London Underground, said: “We are surprised that the RMT has, once again, decided to take strike action to try to prevent Underground drivers moving to a four-day week on a voluntary basis.

“We are in discussions with Transport for London about how the final details of this will work in practice.”

At Clifton’s in downtown Los Angeles, a Halloween wedding is taking place, a courtship between a woman and a demon lord. Modantus is his name, his head a skull, with brassy adornments ascending like a satellite dish. He doesn’t talk so much as click, growl and grunt as if clinging to life.

Before dinner is served, a masked man approaches people in the crowd — half in costumes, half in formalwear — in Clifton’s second-story ballroom, once a swing dancing haven. He’s in a vested suit, his mask, a sort of triangular sundial, reflecting light off of the candles at a head table.

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1. Patrons arrive to to attend “The Dark Wedding.” 2. The Clifton’s tiki bar at its Halloween event. 3. The Clifton’s facade. 4. Neil Biondich, center, backstage prior to the show with the cast getting ready for “The Dark Wedding.” 5. Cast members perform and interact withe guests.

“I’m collecting fears,” the man says, as a singer nearby performs a Gothic rendition of Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun.” Nightmare creatures from the netherworld feast on the worries of mere mortals, he explains, and so he invites guests to unload some of their own.

Clifton’s, the famed institution that dates to 1935, once a Depression-era oasis designed to look like a woodsy, Northern California lodge, has quietly started operating again after years of post-pandemic fits and starts. Its new operators, Neil Biondich and Alex McCullough, are ramping up events to activate the myriad spaces inside the building, all five stories of forest-themed kitschy wonder. That means magic shows in a mystical basement, karaoke in a lavish tiki bar, and live immersive theater parties in the main room, like its Halloween weekend event “The Dark Weekend.”

And for those who miss Clifton’s as a casual hangout space, their vision also includes two restaurants, the first of which they hope can come online in early 2027.

Their dream — a grand one — is to turn the space into an immersive entertainment venue, one where a live action role playing game (LARP) is running daily. Clifton’s, with its collection of oddities, be it a taxidermied bear or a bartop meteorite, is just the sort of fantastical place, they reason, to house a never-ending “Dungeons & Dragons”-inspired game.

A painting displayed backstage shows a vintage Clifton’s.

“We’re not looking to radically change what this place looks and feels like,” says Biondich, an entrepreneur who has worked in 3D animation and directed commercials. “It should feel just like coming to Clifton’s. There just happens to be some decor that takes you deeper into an urban fantasy.”

Except, for now, maybe don’t call it Clifton’s.

Guests arrive at Clifton’s on Halloween weekend.

Here’s where the story becomes more complicated. Biondich and McCullough do not have access to the Clifton’s name. They’re attempting to rebrand the building as Sanctuary, and running all events and ticketing via Sanctuarydtla.com. If one goes to the official Clifton’s site or social media pages, it will tell you programming at the space is paused.

Prior owner Andrew Meieran recently sold the building to real estate investment firm Robhana Group. Meieran, however, retained the name Clifton’s and its intellectual property (IP). He hasn’t ruled out reviving the brand elsewhere someday.

He bought downtown’s Broadway location in 2010 and invested more than $14 million in renovating it, including building out its heavily detailed tiki bar, complete with a vintage speedboat. Meieran has been outspoken about the challenges of running a large nightlife business downtown but held onto the brand, he says, because Clifton’s is a rarity, a unique only-in-California business.

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1. Actors perform during the Clifton’s Halloween immersive event “The Dark Wedding”. 2. Nathalie Bryan as the bride during “The Dark Wedding.” 3. VIP guests in the Clifton’s dining room.

“It’s not a restaurant,” Meieran says. “It’s not a bar. It’s not a theme park. It’s sort of in between all these things. It’s hard for both an operator and a guest, in terms of appealing to everybody. It wants to be the cafeteria for the people who want the cafeteria. It wants to be an immersive nightlife destination for the people who want that. It also wants to be a tourist destination and a place for families.”

Both Biondich and Meieran are careful when speaking about the other party, and hesitant to do so on the record. The relationship, it’s safe to say, is challenged. Both want to see Clifton’s revived but have yet to come to an agreement. After initially declining to comment on the talks, Meieran later emailed a statement.

“Clifton’s has never been just a building — it’s a concept that’s endured more than ninety years of upheaval: the Depression, a world war, riots, a pandemic, and a city whose people and tastes have changed many times over,” he wrote. “We’re working with the building’s owners to put a foundation in place that allows Clifton’s to thrive for another ninety years, bringing Clifton’s special brand of magic to Broadway for generations to come.”

Cast member Nugget performs during “The Dark Wedding”

Neil Biondich, co-founder of Sanctuary DTLA and co-executive producer of the Clifton’s Halloween immersive event “The Dark Wedding.”

Biondich is, for now, moving forward with the Sanctuary name, even developing an app that will bring augmented reality monsters to the venue. He describes his vision for the LARP as something between “Dungeons & Dragons” and “Pokémon Go.”

“We’ll eventually have glasses where you can see people in neighboring dimensions,” Biondich says. “We call it a dimensional tuner. You can look at higher frequencies and see if there’s any fae spirits around, or down-tune it and see if there’s any undead spirits or demons around.” Once the game launches, those who play it will receive rewards, such as discounted food or drinks.

It’s a welcome moment for Clifton’s to reemerge. Downtown has struggled since the end of the pandemic, with many workers not returning to its plethora of office space and a significant number of business abandoning the neighborhood, jeopardizing what was once a robust community. There are some smattering signs of life right now, however. Cole’s, for instance, is set to reopen in the coming weeks, and there’ve been rumblings that the Original Pantry will also soon return.

Guests at one of the bars following the Clifton’s Halloween event “The Dark Wedding”.

“Everybody who works and lives down here loves downtown,” Biondich says, “and they’re doing everything they can to bring it back and make it a more palatable place for people to come and enjoy. I really enjoy the passion of people who live downtown. It’s infectious.”

Biondich envisions a day when the building now known as Clifton’s operates as a restaurant in the day and early evening, then “wakes up” at night with actors in monster garb in its core bar spaces. Long term, he is planning a late-2027 opening of a second, more upscale restaurant in the venue. He intends for the comedy, magic and karaoke events to continue.

Biondich wants people to speak of Sanctuary in the same way they would talk of other noteworthy immersive venues. He cites art collective-turned-experiential firm Meow Wolf as an inspiration, only Sanctuary would have a more linear narrative that would emphasize game-inspired socializing.

“Our goal is to make this an international destination,” Biondich says. “If you’re going to Los Angeles, you’re going to check out Clifton’s for Sanctuary, in a similar way one would go to a Meow Wolf.”

Guests during the Clifton’s Halloween immersive event “Dark Wedding”

But he’s also trying to walk a line, to assure longtime fans of the space, as well downtown residents, that Clifton’s will still primarily cater to them. He’s hired a chef, he says, and Clifton’s serves a limited menu — a burger, fish tacos — on days it’s open. While many of the early events, such as a “Dungeons & Dragons” social club or a “Super Smash Bros.” tournament, have courted the geek community, Biondich, a Northridge resident, says once the lower-level restaurant is open, it will honor the Clifton’s legacy.

That means that yes, there will be a Jell-O dish.

IF you’ve been dreaming of a Walt Disney World, Universal or Orlando holiday, now’s the time to book for the best savings.

AttractionTickets.com have just launched their massive Black Friday sale EARLY – and the savings are wild.

Use discount code BLACKFRIDAY at AttractionTickets.com to unlock the Black Friday deals

With the BLACKFRIDAY code, a family of four could save up to £1,092* on Disney and Universal Combos and up to £1,235* on Orlando Freedom Tickets.

This includes admission to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Parks.

For individual Disney tickets, a family of four could save up to £540 on their 14-Day Disney Magic Tickets.

Last year’s sale saw AttractionTickets.com knock 20 per cent off of attractions, hotels and more.

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This year, the savings are even bigger, with prices lowered by up to 40 per cent – plus an extra 20 per cent off at checkout with code BLACKFRIDAY.

This year you can save:

• Up to 25% off Disney 2027 14 Day Magic Tickets (Walt Disney World Orlando)
• 25% off Disney 14 Day Magic Tickets for selected arrival dates: 19th July – 11th September 2027 (in alignment with the school summer holidays)
• 20% off all other 2027 Orlando tickets (including Universal Orlando, Kennedy Space Centre and Discovery Cove)

• 12% off Universal Orlando Resort Hotels
• 12% off Orlando Offsite Hotels
• 12% off Orlando Villas
• 10% off California attractions (Disneyland Resort California, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego)

Every little saving helps when it comes to booking a big trip like a Florida holiday.

Thankfully, the average holidaymaker is set to save HUNDREDS on their booking in the sale.

Use discount code BLACKFRIDAY at AttractionTickets.com to unlock the Black Friday deals

AttractionTickets.com are known for housing everything you need for your Orlando holiday in one place: hotel and villa stays, theme park tickets, and even combo tickets which save you spending full price on multiple attractions.

For example, if you wanted to visit both Walt Disney World and Universal Resort on your trip, you could save by buying a combo ticket which includes entry to both parks.

The sale offers savings on 2027 holidays. The biggest savings are for breaks during the school summer holidays.

2027 is an ideal time to visit Universal Orlando Resort, with thrilling new rollercoaster Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift set to open.

Plus Walt Disney World is expecting all kinds of new additions, too, with the Monster’s Inc land Monstropolis beginning to open in phases, and new deluxe resort Lakeshore Lodge set to open.

AttractionTickets.com even have a section of the site listing everything new to expect at these theme parks in 2027.

You’ll also be able to save on accommodation, including on-site villas and hotels.

It’s well worth staying on-site when visiting these parks, as you can get benefits such as early park access, plus avoid the lengthy commutes into the park as well as queuing at the gates every day.

Walt Disney World offer value, moderate and deluxe stays, all of which will bag you an extra hour’s entry in the park before it fully opens.

Universal also offer early park entry, with select hotels also giving you a free Universal Express Unlimited pass to skip the regular queues at top attractions.

But it’s not just Orlando holidays you can save on – there are also discounts on attractions in California.

You could bag discounted tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland Resort California on a dreamy trip to LA.

AttractionTickets.com are a trusted partner for these attractions, and allow you to split up your payments without any fees or interest, so you can avoid a major dent in the wallet.

To make things even easier, you can also secure your holiday with deposits from as little as £50.

Terms and conditions

Use code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout for a 25% discount off Disney 14-Day Magic Tickets with a start date of 19 July to 11 September 2027 and 20% on all other 2027 dates and Walt Disney World tickets.

Click here to see full terms and conditions.

Prices correct at the time of publication.

IF YOU are heading on the world’s best airline next year, it will have an entirely new cabin.

Singapore Airlines has revealed a massive £1.16billion overhaul of its cabin, with new economy, premium economy, business class and first class seats.

In economy, the seats will be grey and teal with a width of 44.7cm.

On the back of each seat there will be a 33cm 4K OLED screen, which passengers can pair their Bluetooth headphones to.

Under each screen will be storage nooks, a personal device pocket and cup holders.

Passengers in economy won’t miss out on amenity kits usually reserved for upper classes either, as each seat will have a small pouch with a selection of travel essentials.

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When it comes to premium economy, each seat will have a 101cm pitch and have a leather finish.

It will be able to recline 22.8cm as well.

The headrests will be winged and each seat will also have a footrest for added comfort.

As for tech, there will be 4K screens, multiple USB ports and noise-cancelling headphone connections.

Each seat will have an amenity kit as well with Ink and Water products.

In Business class, seats will have sliding doors and adjustable dividers, making them more like suite-style pods with a grey and yellow theme.

Seats will be able to recline to a lie-flat bed, stretching 182cm.

Tech includes 4K screens, Bluetooth connectivity, multiple charging ports and Starlink wifi.

Amenity kits at each seat will include products by Byredo.

If you are lucky enough to be in a First Class suites, you’d have your own door, with the seat measuring 76.2cm wide and 203.2cm long when lying flat.

And the two centre suites have two seats next to each other that look more like a comfy sofa.

These can then also be reclined to make a 152.4cm wide double bed, which is the largest of any airline bed in the sky.

There will be 4K screens, ambient mood lighting and wireless charging too.

And for when you want to freshen up, there is even a dressing table that slides out from under the screen, complete with a lit-up mirror.

New amenity kits will include products from Sisley and passengers will get cotton pyjamas as well.

Singapore Airlines’ 777-9s will have all four new cabin products and then 41 A350-900 long-haul and A350-900 ULR planes will be retrofitted with the new business class seats.

And the A350-900 ULRs will get first class seats for the first time.

Food on board is also getting upgraded, with more than 100 new appetisers, main courses and desserts across all cabin classes.

There will be new drink options too, including wine and spirits.

The new cabin will be rolled out in the second half of 2027.

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “Our customers experience Singapore Airlines as one seamless journey, and this significant investment is designed to deliver greater comfort, choice, and convenience at every stage.

“This launch is not an endpoint, but another step in our continuous pursuit to earn and retain the trust and loyalty of our customers and reinforce our leadership in the airline industry.”

THE Sun are giving away 3,000 FREE tickets to the fantastic Land of Lights trail at Gulliver’s World

Full price tickets to this festive event cost £23 per person at the gate – but if you’re a Sun Club member, you can bag two tickets for free.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

Simply sign up to Sun Club for £1.99 per month, and head to the Offers Hub to unlock your free tickets.

The fantastic lights trail is available at Gulliver’s World Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham.

Helen Wright visited Land of Lights with her two children, a festive night out which would have costed £69 for the family.

Here’s what it’s like to take the family along to the Gulliver’s World Land of Lights trail.

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“THE nights are drawing in and there’s a nip in the air – the perfect time to light up your life with some festive fun.

“And Gulliver’s World is the perfect place to embrace the winter season with its fantastic Land of Lights Experience at its parks in Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham.

“Fairytale characters welcomed us to Gulliver’s World in Milton Keynes, as I’m quickly struggling to catch up with my kids, Finn (nine) and Isobel (seven) as they burst through the gates.

“We’ve visited Gulliver’s World before. It’s the perfect day out for younger children, with gentle rollercoasters, log flumes and classic fairground fun, as well as thrill rides for adrenaline seekers like Dragon Siege.

“But this time, we’re here to enjoy the separately ticketed Land of Lights.

“This is a joyful trail through brilliantly illuminated lands, complete with giant light installations, larger-than-life lanterns and cute photo opportunities.

Join Sun Club now — don’t miss out.

“We start in Dinosaur Land, where the park’s life-size Jurassic monsters are joined by some extra residents, including a luminous T-Rex and Triceratops.

“Alongside the brightly coloured beasts are some fun facts and a few entertaining special effects.

“Following the path through a fairy garden and animal farm, complete with a glowing tractor, we wander open-mouthed through the luminescent Under the Sea exhibit.

“Halfway through, we stop to toast marshmallows on a bonfire. There is an extra cost of £5, but my kids love it and it’s a great way to warm up.

“There’s also a little food court for a break along the way if you’re feeling peckish.

“Bolstered by our marshmallow feast, we arrive at the Christmas-themed kingdom, complete with appearances from Santa and his elves.

“I’m just as captivated as the children, skipping along the sparkly path of lights.

“For families who want to make a weekend of it, you can stay on resort in themed cabins, including a Dinosaur Lab and a Wild West Saloon.

“The next morning, we head into the theme park for some thrills.

“The Land of Lights may have been far more relaxing, but Isobel is beaming at finally being tall enough to ride upside down on Dragon Siege.

“Stepping off, our cheeks have a different kind of glow.

“It’s such a great way to keep everyone entertained. A little weekend with something for everyone is a winter win”.

The Sun has teamed up with Gulliver’s World to give Sun Club members an exclusive chance to experience the magical Land of Lights for FREE.

We are giving away 3,000 FREE tickets across all three Gulliver’s locations, and Sun Club members can claim two tickets each.

Land of Lights is running until Saturday, January 30 in Warrington and Rotherham, and Saturday, February 27 in Milton Keynes.

Your free tickets can be used on any date, excluding Thursday, December 31.

Entrance to Land of Lights costs £23 per adult and £23 per child on the gate, so signing up to Sun Club means big savings.

To get your tickets, simply join Sun Club and book from today before tickets sell out.

Free entry applies to Land of Lights only. Entrance to Gulliver’s Theme Park and overnight accommodation are priced separately.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 

18+ UK only. Digital subscription required. Online access required. Offer ends at 23:59pm on 06/12/26. 3,000 tickets available across 3 locations. Non-transferable & non refundable.  T&Cs apply, see club.thesun.co.uk/sun-club.  New customer offer: £2.99 per month for 3 months, £6.99 thereafter unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. Full T&Cs apply, visit thesun.co.uk/terms-and-conditions.

The popular market is back for 2026

A hugely popular Christmas market has returned with over 200 stalls. Christmas is almost upon us, with towns and cities across the UK set to be transformed for the festive season.

For one UK city, Christmas has already begun as its markets open today (Friday, November 6). Manchester Christmas Markets is bringing festive shopping, food and drink to the streets of the city.

Wooden chalets line parts of Manchester, where visitors can shop for handmade gifts, artisan products, and international food and drink, as well as take part in family-friendly festive experiences.

Albert Square will be at the heart of the festivities, hosting the 50-metre-high Ferris wheel and a pop-up pub. Manchester’s Giant Santa will also make a comeback alongside a vintage Helter-Skelter.

This year marks the first for a new tree installation with a life-sized selfie sleigh. Over at Cathedral Gardens sits Skate MCR, an undercover ice-skating rink with additional stalls.

In a month’s time, the Manchester Christmas Parade will take place, with more details about the event to come on Sunday, December 6. Overall, the markets will be home to 210 stalls across 10 different city centre sites.

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Where is the Manchester Christmas Market?

The market is spread across the city centre as hundreds of stalls make up the festive atmosphere. This year, locations include Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.

When does the market open?

Manchester Christmas Markets will open on Friday, November 6 and run until Tuesday, December 22. The festivities at Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens will remain open throughout the Christmas period until Sunday, January 3.

Meanwhile, Skate MCR ice rink will be open from Friday, November 6 to Sunday, January 3. The market is open seven days a week from 10am until 9pm.

How much is Manchester Christmas Market?

It is free to visit Manchester Christmas Market and you do not need a ticket to enter.

How to get to Manchester Christmas Market

Manchester Christmas Market is best accessed by public transport as Manchester city centre is served by trains, trams and buses. Manchester’s Victoria and Piccadilly Stations are an easy walk to the markets.

Trams and buses on the Bee Network run every 12 minutes, and are said to be the “easiest, cheapest and fastest” way to get to the markets.

Roads and car parks are said to be very busy, with the option of using Greater Manchester’s Park & Ride locations instead. There are multiple car parks within a walking distance of the markets, with Piccadilly Plaza and Chorlton Street being the closest.

For the past 30 years, Mark Gregory’s Air Salvage International (ASI) has been assessing, chopping up, disassembling, and recycling planes at the private airfield, which sits two miles from Kemble in Gloucestershire

Milo Boyd Deputy Travel Editor & Commercial Writer

08:51, 06 Nov 2026

Where do planes go when they die? For the past 30 years, Mark Gregory’s Air Salvage International (ASI) has been assessing, chopping up, disassembling, and recycling planes at the ends of their lives at the private airfield, which sits two miles from Kemble in Gloucestershire.

Armed with redundancy money in the early ’90s, Mark bought his first plane and spent six months breaking it down into sellable bits. More than 1,400 aircraft later, the business is thriving and employs dozens of people to meet the growing demand of the ever-expanding aviation industry.

And there are big bucks at stake. The equivalent of a commercial jet’s MOT costs around £1 million, which is why many plane owners decide to send their ageing aircraft to Mark instead. Sometimes, as much as £12 million can be salvaged from them, either as reusable parts or as recyclable materials.

There are a few other strings to the business’s bow, Mark explained as he took me on a tour around the facility. ASI puts on dramatic training scenarios for organisations including the SAS, helping them practise plane-related emergencies. One mock-up situation had Mark and his team crush a van with a plane fuselage, creating a tricky day out for the special forces, who also had to deal with hijackers and “injured” passengers on board.

One particularly interesting aircraft that ended up with Mark is a VIP-fitted Boeing 727 that was once part of Saddam Hussein’s fleet, after he instructed Iraqi Airways to steal all of Kuwait Airways’ planes during its 1990 invasion of the country.

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

Where do planes go when they die?

And what happens to them?

Saddam Hussein’s private jet

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The planes are used to prevent future crashes

Staff expertise can prove particularly useful

A TUI flight attendant has shared three things you should never do on a plane – and some travellers were surprised to learn they’d been making these mistakes

Jetting off on holiday should be a relaxing experience, but even the most seasoned globetrotters could be making some major hygiene and safety blunders as soon as they set foot on an aeroplane. Whether you’re a nervous flier or a frequent traveller who knows the safety briefing off by heart, navigating the unspoken rules of the cabin can be a minefield.

Now, a TUI flight attendant has lifted the lid on the common passenger habits that secretly drive cabin crew mad – and some of them are genuinely stomach-churning.

German air hostess Mrs Miva took to TikTok to reveal the “three things you should never do” while airborne, leaving plenty of holidaymakers stunned.

From triggering false emergencies to risking some serious hygiene hazards, her viral video had hundreds of viewers sheepishly admitting they were guilty as charged. So, are you committing any of these ultimate travel sins that cabin crew hate?

1. Ditch the deodorant and hairspray

If you want to freshen up before landing, stick to a roll-on. Mrs Miva warned that spraying aerosols like deodorant or hairspray in the confined space of a plane toilet “could trigger the smoke detector”, instantly sparking a mid-air panic.

Aircraft smoke detectors are incredibly sensitive and designed to pick up tiny particles in the air. While they are usually smart enough to distinguish actual smoke from other substances, a heavy aerosol cloud in a tiny lavatory is a surefire way to set off a false alarm.

To save the crew from rushing to your door expecting a fire, leave the sprays securely in your hand luggage.

2. Don’t fall asleep against the window

We all love securing a window seat so we can rest our heads and catch a few winks, but Mrs Miva urged passengers to think twice.

“Don’t lean your head against the window. They are very rarely cleaned,” she claimed.

While tray tables and high-touch areas are usually given a quick wipe-down between flights, deep cleans are much less frequent – especially when planes are operating tight, back-to-back turnaround journeys.

As a result, those acrylic windows can harbour a massive accumulation of germs. If you absolutely have to lean against the wall to sleep, make sure you give the area a thorough wipe down with antibacterial spray first.

3. Never go to the toilet without shoes on

This one should be common sense, but you would be surprised how many people wander down the aisle in their socks or even completely barefoot.

While cabin crew do their best to tidy the lavatories and restock supplies during long-haul flights, the sheer volume of passengers using such a tiny space means the room isn’t always pristine.

If you spot a suspicious puddle on the floor, do not assume it has just splashed out of the sink. As Mrs Miva bluntly warned: “Don’t go to the lavatory with socks or barefoot. The water on the floor was not used for cleaning.”

So do yourself a massive favour – keep your shoes on!

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Coral reef restoration in Tanzania

The Ropes of Hope works for coral reef restoration in the Mafia Island marine park, off Tanzania. Instead of scuba diving to see shrinking reefs, we got involved with a project regrowing them. It’s the brainchild of Jean de Villiers, a South African molecular biologist who talked my teenagers through the underwater coral gene bank research and community involvement. Our ocean-view tree house accommodation didn’t hurt, with hot chocolate and cake hoisted up fresh each morning. In an educational U-turn, our eldest now studies sustainable development – Jean is doing something right.

Claire

Rewilding in the Scottish Highlands

Trees for Life, founded 40 years ago, is a rewilding project aiming to restore the glorious Caledonian forest across the Scottish Highlands. Typical volunteer weeks involve groups of up to 10 adults staying in bothies where you live and cook together and spend days on tasks such as planting, monitoring wildlife, surveying vegetation and maintenance work. They take place in some of the most beautiful and remote locations in the Highlands such as Glen Affric, one of the largest wild native forests in the UK where my partner and I spent a week we’ve never forgotten. There’s no wifi or fancy frills but a life-changing opportunity to work and live in a truly wild and beautiful part of Scotland, make new friends and feel your body and mind respond to hard but vital work.

Cal

Closer to nature in the Netherlands

The Holenberg forest in a remote corner of the Netherlands is the gateway to the Maashorst nature reserve, where I stayed in a Cabin Anna – an eco-aware experience that is as much an ethos as it is accommodation. Tucked away among a canvas of trees, heather and wetlands, the focus of these self-sufficient woodland cabins is on reducing man’s negative impact on the landscape, from the bed linen to the recycled waste-product cups, knives and forks. The simple wooden cabins are candlelit and sleep two – outside nights on the terrace gazing at stars are encouraged. You can hire bikes or hike through the forest to explore, including seeing and sensitively interacting with cows, goats, sheep and bison to enhance awareness of the natural world.

April

A buzzy experience in Italy’s South Tirol

Thanks to a stay at the Rinner Hotel in the South Tirol, my young teenagers and I discovered the generous contribution that bees make to our planet in terms of life, sustainability and conservation. Everything at this family-run Alpine hotel is centred on apiculture and the bee. There is an api wellness experience, including the inhalation of healthy beehive air while listening to the meditative buzzing of bees, hands-on sessions, beekeeping courses and a delicious dining menu of organic honeys – including a gala honey feast, with each course connected to sweet nectar produced on site. All electricity is generated from waste wood products that would have been thrown away, and the food, including organic wheat and barley, all comes from the green fields of the South Tyrol. My wife said I came back as a more relaxed, cooperative, sweeter person – a fine compliment to the bees.

Nigel

Walking with rhinos in Uganda

At Uganda’s Ziwa Rhino and Wildlife Ranch, conservation comes with mud, nerves and a very wet ending. Our guide, SP, treated rhino trekking like a game: he was captain, and victory meant spotting three rhinos. Walking silently along the winding “rhino highway”, we encountered mothers and calves just 25ft away, watching them graze in the wild. Ziwa is Uganda’s only place to see wild rhinos, part of a project to restore these endangered giants. SP called their favourite muddy wallow and salt lick the “rhino supermarket”. We even found the alpha male. Then the heavens opened. Game won; dryness lost!

Roy

Swap plastic for cat food in Montenegro

Last summer, while exploring Kotor, Montenegro, a local person’s recommendation led me to a cat park just inside the Old Town’s North Gate. In this quiet corner, sun-drowsy cats sprawled across the warm ground, while mischievous kittens tumbled over one another. Beside them, a curious recycling machine offered an irresistible exchange: feed it empty plastic bottles in exchange for cat food for the town’s feline residents. After collecting my plastic waste for a week, I brought it here, a simple way to give something back to Kotor.

Lucy

Wild spaces teeming with life in Kent

We love Elmley Nature Reserve on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent for its remote, windswept landscapes and the long, seemingly barren stretches of land that are in fact teeming with life. One of my favourite memories is getting out and about at dusk, listening to the little owls hoot to one another as the gloom closes in. There’s something special about being somewhere so exposed and yet quiet, surrounded by owls (and other wildlife) going about their own lives. Elmley makes you slow down, pay attention and realise that even the emptiest-looking landscape is full of life.

Matt

Winning tip: a sea turtle hospital in Calabria, Italy

We spent September bicycle touring in Sicily and Calabria and one of the highlights was a few days in Brancaleone, a typical Italian working town. We visited the Sea Turtle Recovery Centre in the old railway station. The centre is manned entirely by volunteers and since 2006 they have rescued and rehabilitated more than 700 turtles. The staff are enthusiastic, friendly and informative. They charge a small entry fee and it’s by appointment only, but it is a joy to visit.

Anne

This stunning market opens in a few weeks and is the most likely to have snow

November has arrived, bringing with it the start of Christmas market season across the UK and Europe. While snow at Christmas in Britain remains somewhat unpredictable, there’s one destination where a white Christmas is far more likely.

And despite being outside the UK, it’s under three hours from London. What’s more, this stunning market has repeatedly been ranked amongst Europe’s finest – and it’s where you’ll find the oldest public Christmas Tree.

Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, is home to one of the continent’s premier Christmas markets and offers the best chance of experiencing snowfall.

Research from Rome2Rio reveals the market has recorded an average of 28.1 snowy days across the past 19 Christmases.

Running from November 20 through to January 6, the market transforms the medieval Town Hall Square into a winter wonderland, with around 40 to 60 wooden stalls.

Liverpool Echo lifestyle reporter Christopher Megrath paid a visit to this spectacular market and declared it amongst the most stunning he’d encountered.

He wrote: “The Old Town Christmas market in Tallinn, Estonia, was by far the most beautiful I’ve ever experienced.

“Unlike its famous Christmas market rivals in cities like Vienna, Cologne, or Salzburg, Tallinn’s market is modest in size.

“I had never heard it mentioned in conversations about Christmas markets, nor did I know anyone who had even visited the country, yet what it lacks in international fame it more than makes up for with its enchanting setting, cosy atmosphere and magical charm.”

Visitors will find themselves overwhelmed by choice at this festive market, which boasts an array of goods ranging from handmade treasures, confectionery, yuletide ornaments and hand-knitted scarves and mittens to ward off the bitter December chill.

RTE crowned the Tallinn market as Europe’s finest, urging visitors to experience the ice-skating rink and the traditional carousel.

Guests can also sample warming mulled wine crafted from indigenous buckthorn berries and fortified with spirits for a particularly luxurious festive beverage.

The market opens its doors towards the end of November, operating between 10am and 8pm, with warming beverages available until 10pm.

WRAP up warm and embrace the winter at Gulliver’s World.

Its fantastic Land Of Lights experience at its parks in Milton Keynes, Warrington and Rotherham is perfect for families looking to enjoy some fun after dark.

Fairytale characters welcomed us to Gulliver’s World in Milton Keynes, and I’m soon struggling to catch up with Finn, nine, and Isobel, seven, as they burst through the gates.

We’ve visited Gulliver’s World before during the day, and loved it.

The park is ideal for younger children, with gentle rollercoasters, log flumes and fairground fun, as well as rides for adrenalin-seekers, like Dragon Siege.

But this time, we’re here to enjoy the separately ticketed Land Of Lights — a joyful trail through illuminated lands, complete with giant light installations, larger-than-life lanterns and cute photo opportunities.

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We start in Dinosaur Land, where the park’s life-size Jurassic monsters are joined by dazzling new residents, including a luminous T-Rex.

Alongside the brightly coloured beasts are some entertaining special effects.

Following the path through a fairy garden and animal farm, we wander, enchanted, open-mouthed through the Under The Sea exhibit.

Halfway through, we stop to toast marshmallows on a bonfire.

There is an extra cost of £5 for this, but my kids really enjoy it and it’s a great way to warm up.

There’s also a little food court, if you’re feeling peckish.

Bolstered by our marshmallow feast, we arrive at the Christmas-themed kingdom, complete with Santa and his elves.

And I’m just as captivated by it all as the kids, skipping along the sparkly path of lights.

To extend the fun, you can even stay overnight in one of the park’s themed cabins, which include a Wild West Saloon.

The next morning, we head into the park for some thrills.

The Land Of Lights may have been more relaxing, but Isobel is thrilled to finally be tall enough to take on Dragon Siege, and as we step off the ride, our cheeks have a different kind of glow.

It’s such a great way to keep everyone entertained — a weekend with something for everyone is a winter win.