Travel

Last year, I was fortunate enough to travel to Naples, Italy for the first time.

One of the many reasons to visit this historical and culinary diamond is to experience the famed Margherita pizza, invented there in the late 19th century.

My wife, a group of travelers and I caught a break when a table opened at 50 Kalò, a pizzeria lauded in Italy’s Michelin guide and known for its amazing doughs.

We ordered a variety of Neapolitan pizzas, including a pair of the tomato, mozzarella and basil-based Margheritas. How fortunate we were.

One person at our table, however, refused to try them. Her name is Jan and she’s from New Jersey.

“It’s not better than New York style,” she told a stunned table. “I’m sure it’s fine, but my guy is better.”

We all know a Jan in our lives — or sometimes, it’s us. We all have our favorites, whether it’s pizza, tacos, draft beers or wines. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying something different.

And you don’t have to travel to Italy for a great slice. My colleague, Food columnist Jenn Harris, compiled a list of seven new favorite pizzas to try in Los Angeles.

Harris takes readers from Hermosa Beach to Eagle Rock, and from Santa Monica to Los Feliz in search of a lovely pie.

Let’s jump into a few selections from Harris’ list — and remember, don’t be a Jan.

A pepperoni pizza from Sonny’s in Hollywood.

(Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

Sonny’s (Hollywood)

I have seen all the social media influencers proclaiming Sonny’s to be the best new pizza in Los Angeles. It’s a giant pizza, with a diameter that seems like the size of a semi-truck tire. The crust is so crisp, the crackles are audible in every video of people munching on it.

A layer of bronze oil sits atop the pizza and settles in the many cups of pepperoni. It creates a sheen over the cheese. My fingers were shiny. The oil dripped down my chin. The cheese, sauce and crust coalesce into a slender slice that’s sturdy enough, but flops at the tip.

Some of the crust was cracker-like and golden. Some of it was burnt. It’s not a perfect pizza, but I appreciated the thin crust and the flavor of the grease-streaked mottled cheese. And if someone else is offering to go through the trouble of ordering the pizza, I’ll happily eat it.

The D-Fresh pizza from Redwood Pie in Hermosa Beach. The pizza is topped with pickled serrano chiles and spicy sausage.

(Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

Redwood Pie (Hermosa Beach)

I first encountered Erik Vose’s pizza when he was operating Vivace Pizzeria, a food truck that housed a 5,500-pound Acunto Mario oven. He made some of the best bubble-flecked Neapolitan pies in the city. Now he’s creating his own category of pizza at Redwood Pie in Hermosa Beach.

He’s making a sourdough crust with a blend of five flours from Central Milling. It’s bready and wonderfully chewy, a sheath of amber orbs and tight, tiny bubbles that create the ideal crunch.

The slice of pepperoni is textbook perfect from Redwood Pie, with a well-balanced sauce, a blanket of cheese and pepperoni cups that transform into blistered meat candy in the oven. For the white pie fans, there’s the “D-Fresh.” A rugged landscape of hot Italian sausage crumbles, frizzled basil and pickled Serrano chiles tops the mozzarella base — and leaves your lips humming with heat.

Pork-and-beef bolognese pizza at Bub and Grandma’s Pizza in Highland Park.

(Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times)

Bub and Grandma’s Pizza (Highland Park)

If you’ve been following Andy Kadin’s career, you know that his breads can be found at restaurants around the city. So it should come as no surprise that his sourdough pizzas possess a wonderful tang and a durable crust that cracks with each fold and bite.

Kadin developed his pizza dough alongside chef Jeff Whittaker, who previously cooked at Hippo and Bar Monette. For the Bolognese pizza at Bub and Grandma’s Pizza, they slather the crust in a robust, meaty pork and beef ragu, with big boulders of meat protruding from the melted mozzarella.

The porchetta pie is painted with a decadent garlic cream and cloaked in ribbons of porchetta, charred broccolini and plenty of pepperoncini. It’s finished with a drizzle of garlic oil and a sprinkle of fennel salt. Imagine all the makings of a stellar porchetta sandwich in pizza form.

For more pizza wonderment, check out this link for the entire list.

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I’M a Travel Editor who also happens to be a London mum of a six-year -old – and while we spend plenty of time travelling the world, one of my favourite places to explore is my home city.

Because London is one of the best cities in the world for families, with stacks of free attractions, great parks, child-friendly restaurants and pubs.

In fact, I have spent whole days out with my son in London at museums, galleries and theatre shows, without spending more than £50.

So if you’re planning a family trip to London, here are some of my favourite places to go with kids in the city.

Free attractions

There are so many free attractions in London that you could fill a week’s worth of activities without spending a penny on tickets.

Of course, three of the biggest are always worth a visit – the British Museum, Natural History Museum and the Science Museum.

I’d say the earliest your child is like to be interested in the British Museum, near Russell Square, is around six years old.

The exhibits are better suited to older children and adults, but they have gone to great lengths to make things interesting to young children too, like museum explorer trail guides and the Gallery backpacks.

Inside the bags are a number of items and activities, including hieroglyphs, toy animals, amulets and even fancy dress.

Be sure not to miss the mummies in the Ancient Egyptian section, hugely popular with anyone aged 6 to 96. Although it does get very busy.

The Science Museum in South Kensington is perfect for kids of all ages, I’ve been taking my child there since he was a one-year-old, as the interactive ‘Garden’ in the basement is perfect for toddlers and pre-schoolers.

There are plenty of excellent free exhibitions around the museum – one of our favourites being the Space section – but the most popular (and deservedly so) is the Wonderlab, an interactive gallery featuring numerous experiments that will fascinate children aged 3-14. Tickets cost from £15 for this area.

The neighbouring Natural History Museum is another one with some excellent paying exhibits, but the dinosaur gallery is free and perfect for kids, as is the creepy crawlies gallery and the Earth Hall.

For more of an arty trip, try the Tate Modern – my son loves the Pop Art and the huge installations in the Turbine Hall.

But his favourite is Tate Draw, where kids can make their own creations on a bank of screens, an activity that kept him busy for over an hour.

Further down the South Bank is the Southbank centre, which offers some of my favourite free activities on weekends and in school holidays.

My son has been to Lego-building, screen printing and even helped to build a Moomin House with real saws, wood and hammers at the venue, all completely free.

It’s worth checking if you need to book in advance though, as tickets for the free events go very fast.

For an event they’re sure to remember forever – I still have a hazy recollection of my first Changing Of The Guard at Buckingham Palace when I was just seven years old, and my son went last year and loved it too.

The ceremony takes place at 11am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and it’s worth getting there early for a good spot.

For something considerably more modern, try the Outernet – the huge multi-screened space on Tottenham Court Road that claims to be the most visited cultural attraction in the UK.

The space shows a series of artist-made short films, some of which invite audience participation, and it’s so entertaining that my son and I are happy to sit there for an hour.

Pubs And Restaurants

Taking a child to a pub or restaurant can strike fear into the heart of any parent – will they sit still? Will they eat? It’s a culinary minefield.

Here are some of my favourite places that welcome children.

Brewdog Waterloo is easily my favourite pub in London for families.

It has an indoor slide, a duckpin bowling alley, scavenger hunts and face painting during school holidays, an ice cream van, ping pong tables and an extensive kids’ menu.

It gets quite busy after 5pm with post-work drinkers, but any time before that and you feel like it’s perfectly acceptable that your kid is doing their 20th lap of the pub to reach the two-storey slide.

Much like Brewdog, Sixes cricket bars have excellent activities for kids – their high-tech batting cages mean children can burn off some serious energy while you sip on a pint

They also have tasty food to suit everyone – my personal favourite is the flaming candy floss pudding in the giant martini glass.

As a Travel Editor who has taken my child to many restaurants over the years, I’ve recently hit upon a surprising winner – ramen.

Introduce a child to chopsticks and noodles in a bowl, and they’ll stay entertained for at least half an hour.

Tonkotsu has a chain of ramen restaurants across London, with both bento boxes for kids and non-spicy ramen bowls.

Particularly adventurous child who doesn’t mind a queue? Try Borough Market on a Monday or Tuesday, when it’s less crowded.

They’ll love the bowls of free bite-sized food the traders leave out to tempt you and the hot stations round the back really do have something for everyone.

You can indulge your love of Thai or Indian, while they chow down on pizza or fish and chips.

Then you can share some of those ludicrous strawberries in chocolate or a giant brownie for afters.

If you’re looking for a fancy restaurant, I can’t speak highly enough of the Rosewood Hotel’s Holborn Dining Room.

They have the most beautiful Rosewood-themed activity books for kids to fill in and the huge bowl of sausage and mash went down a treat, as did the chance to pet the very cute Labradors who stand on duty at the entrance.

Parks

London’s parks are second to none – I’ve never been to a city in the world that has so many, with such a variation.

Perfect if you’re paying a visit to Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park playground is excellent for many reasons.

Firstly, it has a Go Ape next door, so you can easily kill at least four hours in a 100-metre radius.

Secondly, the playground itself is excellent with two different areas for older and younger kids that feature huge slides, trapezes, massive climbing frames and plenty more.

It is particularly great for parents because the park cafe serves beer and pizzas, and you can grab a table with a perfect view of the playground – great for keeping an eye on your kid AND people watching, as I’ve never visited this playground without spotting a celebrity.

One of my favourite parks if you’re in the centre of town is Coram’s Fields, a seven-acre walled playground in the heart of Bloomsbury.

It feels particularly safe in the centre of busy London because they have a rule that ‘no adult can enter without a child.’

If you’re exploring the many attractions the South Bank has to offer, then it’s well worth stopping by the Jubilee Gardens playground, next to the London Eye.

Smaller than the others I’ve mentioned, it’s very well designed and perfect for those kids who need to run off some steam in between organised fun.

A little bit further out, Greenwich Park playground is possibly my favourite in London (while the Princess Diana Memorial Playground is closed for renovations).

It has all the usual suspects, as well as an excellent sand and water play area – so remember to bring some plastic cups and spades.

Plus afterwards, you can walk to the top of the hill in the park, for great views of the capital.

Paid for attractions

OK, there are many that I could have shared here, but these are some of the paid-for attractions that have been the biggest hits with my child from the ages of 3-6.

As every parent knows, attractions with lots of ‘look don’t touch’ rules are a nightmare for those with inquisitive kids which is why HMS Belfast is such a winner (adult tickets £26.35 and kids £13.15).

Built to last at sea in wartime, this Royal Navy ship moored on the Thames near London Bridge is not in the least bothered about curious little hands.

They have audioguides for older kids and activity packs for younger children.

My son spent three hours exploring every level of this battle ship and would easily have stayed for a further three.

Speaking of ships, the Golden Hinde further along the South Bank near the Globe Theatre is another hit.

A seaworthy reconstruction of the ship captained by Francis Drake when he sailed around the world in the 16th century, the attraction has particularly great value activities on during school holidays.

For just £8, my son took part in a 1.5-hour session onboard where they went on a scavenger hunt, learnt how to fire cannons, had a tour of the ship and practised (foam) sword fighting.

When it comes to the pricier attractions, one of our most memorable days out has been a ride on the Thames Rockets – the speedboat tours of the River Thames.

We went on their new 26-seater boat The Rocket Rebel, for a hair-raising trip accompanied by some of London’s best pop and rock music.

Then on the way back, the hilarious tour guide filled us in on some very interesting titbits about the capital as we passed the many famous landmarks.

With adults from £59.95 and kids from £49.95 it’s not cheap, but it is an absolutely brilliant way to sight see the city that guarantees the kids won’t moan about being bored.

Theatre Shows and Culture

This is a tricky one, because if you’re aiming for theatre that young kids will love then shows tend to be limited to school holidays.

But of the big budget ones that I’ve seen which will not disappoint – The Lion King and Starlight Express are perfect for all ages from 6 to 96.

Other than that, take a gamble by signing up to discount ticket websites like Show Film First and The Audience Club several weeks ahead of your visit.

They operate as seatfiller sites and I have found Band A and B tickets for £15 to huge shows on both websites.

Also, check out what the Southbank Centre has on offer. They have so many free cultural events aimed at families, from art to dancing, building and live music.

Plus, in the summertime your kid can play in the Jeppe Hein Appearing Rooms fountains, with views of the Thames.

ONE destination in the Midlands known as the ‘City of Kings’ thanks to its links to the Crown.

It’s had connections to royalty throughout history, both fictional and in real-life – plus for visitors, it has some great attractions.

The city of Leicester is the final resting place of King Richard III and the birthplace of the Shakespeare’s mythical King Leir.

Leicester Cathedral is where the remains of King Richard III can be found – after they were excavated from a car park in Leicester in 2012.

Other attractions include the King Richard III Visitors Centre, and the King Power Stadium.

Another popular attraction is Jewry Wall Museum, which immerses visitors in the stories of Roman Leicester – and it reopened after renovations earlier this year.

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It’s where you can see Jewry Wall which was once part of a public bathhouse and it’s one of the largest surviving Roman masonry structures in Britain.

Inside the museum are plenty of Roman artefacts from soldiers’ helmet pieces to brooches and rings.

Tickets for adults are £12.50, those for children between 5-15 are £6.25 – families can get group tickets for £32.

The city in the Midlands is known for many things – but one must-see is the National Space Centre.

The museum is the number one attraction in Leicester followed by Tropical Birdland and the Retro Computer Museum.

The National Space Centre is not just top in Leicester, it’s the UK’s leading visitor attractions dedicated to space science and astronomy.

It has interactive exhibits throughout the year and the UK’s largest planetarium.

Heading into the city, you’ll be able to spot it thanks to Rocket Tower – which is 42 metres high.

It has Blue Streak and Thor Able rockets, as well as the Gagarin Experience, Apollo Lunar Lander and real Moon Rock.

For those who want even more, stay for Space Lates — exclusive evenings of talks, activities, and galleries.

Entry for adults starts from £20.95, tickets for children between 5-16 are £18.95.

For anyone who fancies a night out on the town after day of wandering about the local attractions, Leicester is a great place to do it.

The city in the east midlands was also previously named the country’s nightlife capital thanks to its nightclubs and pubs.

Mosh is a three-storey nightclub house inside a Gaudi-inspired building in the city and an underground club called the Basement.

There’s also the Fanclub, which has been open since 1985, and it’s well-known for its retro-themed club nights.

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This much-mocked UK city is set to be huge next year – according to National Geographic…

According to National Geographic, one of ‘best places in the world to travel to in 2026’ is Hull – all thanks to its lively bar scene, award-winning aquarium, and completion of a huge project costing millions.

Hull, is a port city in East Yorkshire that sits on the north bank of the river Humber.

National Geographic has named it as one of the best places in the entire world to visit next year, but it’s not always been so up and coming. For example in Hull took top spot in the book Crap Towns: The 50 Worst Places to Live in the UK back in 2003.

However, it’s set to become more popular in 2026, and National Geographic mentioned that one of the reasons why is Hull’s investment into conserving its rich maritime history.

Hull was a very important trade route during the 13th and 14th centuries. Thanks to this, you can see Dutch-influenced architecture buildings that line the streets of the quaint Old Town. 

Since 2020, the Maritime Museum has been undergoing a huge revamp worth £11million, but it will finally reopen to the public next year. This has been part of a wider £27.5 million project to promote Hull’s maritime history which has gone into restoring the museum and ships.

Another reason is the city’s new leisure spots that have transformed warehouses and the old waterside Fruit Market to become bars, restaurants, and art galleries.

The publication added: “There’s also a spectacular performance amphitheater, called Stage@TheDok, overlooking River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary.

“And a former shipyard has for over 20 years been the base for The Deep, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly respected aquariums and marine conservation centers.”

Hear from one writer who lives in one of the UK’s coolest cities – five lesser-known neighbourhoods tourists forget about and are much more fun.

Plus, one writer opens up on his home city which is Lonely Planet’s coolest UK destination for 2026 – here’s why it trumps London and Manchester.

The price of olive oil has been soaring.

Strolling through an olive grove in southern Italy, surrounded by trees, many of which were more than 200 years old, I was bathed in sunshine and calm with only the warm breeze floating through to branches to break the idyllic silence.

Frantoio Mafrica is a family-owned olive mill, which has been handed down from generation to generation. While it looks like little more than olive trees in a sunlight dappled grove to us visitors, to the owner they’re his family heritage. When he looks at them he sees his grandfather, who also worked the land.

The mill also uses donkeys to help transport the olives after picking, which is done in the traditional way by shaking the tree when they’ve 50 percent green and 50 percent black. And meeting the baby donkey who wanted nothing more than cuddles was one of the highlights of my entire trip to Calabria with Great Rail Journeys.

The family secret to processing the olives into the highest quality extra virgin olive oil was also unexpected. Rather than pressing the olives, they’re washed with water as they’re pulped to make sure every bit of Italian goodness goes into the oil. The process is all completed 24 hours after harvesting.

After trying the oil with bruschetta I can confirm it was like nothing available in your local Tesco: utterly delicious. Calabria is one of Italy’s major olive producing regions, with more than 50 types grown there including the only white olive. However, you would have had to have been hiding under a rock to be unaware of the soaring cost of olive oil.

Frantoio Mafrica explained the heart-breaking reason behind this alarming rise, and it’s not the market forces behind the soaring costs of other food. In fact, it’s because huge swathes of Italian olive groves have been hit by a terrible disease, which has killed the trees, many of them hundreds of years old.

As olive trees take so long to grow, the devastation of burning huge numbers of the diseased and dead trees has been a terrible price to pay for a country and region so fiercely proud of its ‘liquid gold’.

Knowing the passion, work and care that goes into making the best olive oil – and the devastation this blight has caused – I’ll complain much more quietly at the price next time.

With searches for ‘avoid jet lag’ soaring, travel experts have revealed the perfect time to fly

Anyone heading off for some winter sunshine this festive period might find themselves fretting about jet lag – particularly if you’re travelling somewhere quite distant. According to Google Trends data, searches for ‘avoid jet lag’ have rocketed by 9,900% over the past month, with holidaymakers worried this could ruin their break.

But dodging jet lag could be as straightforward as picking the ideal departure time, according to specialists at Go2Africa. They recommend booking your flight to arrive at a local time between 2pm-5pm, which means you’ll touch down in optimal conditions with plenty of daylight exposure and the chance to remain alert until bedtime. This sets you up for a properly synchronised body clock throughout your getaway.

Circadian rhythm alignment

One explanation for why your arrival time can help prevent jet lag is that it allows your body’s circadian rhythm sufficient time to adjust to external signals like light and darkness.

Any sudden shift, such as crossing time zones during air travel, can throw this alignment off balance and trigger jet lag symptoms.

Strong reset signal

“Light is the strongest signal to the body that it needs to reset”, the specialists explain. “Strategic exposure or, of course, avoidance, changes your circadian phase, supercharging the reset of your internal body clock.”

Daylight and wakefulness

The experts add: “Getting to your destination between the hours of 2pm and 5pm local time is perfect as you have enough daylight to reset your body clock, but it’s not so late that you will struggle to stay awake until bedtime. Arriving too early (morning) risks falling asleep prematurely or being awake for too many hours before night, confusing your clock.”

Other ways to beat jet lag

If you can’t manage to touch down at the ideal time, there are still plenty of methods to reduce your chances of suffering from jet lag.

The first approach is to slowly modify your sleep pattern at least three days before you travel. Achieve this by hitting the hay 30 to 60 minutes earlier each evening.

Another suggestion is to maximise your light exposure by stepping outdoors into natural sunlight as quickly as possible once you’ve landed.

Though if you touch down during the evening hours, experts recommend steering clear of harsh lighting (particularly screens) for an hour or two before your local bedtime.

During your first complete day at your destination, synchronise your meals, wake-up time and sleep schedule with the local timezone, as your body’s digestive rhythm also plays a crucial part in your circadian system.

TRYING to choose the right ski resort for the family – especially if you have beginners or young additions – can be tricky.

Thankfully, there are some great resorts depending on what different needs you have, as well as some great deals alongisde.

Crystal Ski Holidays has done the hard work and broken down some of the best in Europe.

Some don’t even have to break the bank, with a week-long trip including flights for just over £500 each.

So here are eight different resorts, based on younger skiers, new skiers, to those who want some cozy resorts or party resorts. 

Best for Little Ones

Read more on ski holidays

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Hundfjället, Sweden 

Just a 15–20 minutes transfer from the airport, Hundfjället is easy to get to and simple to navigate.

The resort is designed with families in mind.

This means features such as Valle the Snowman and Trollskogen, an enchanting forest filled with wooden trolls and storybook creatures as children make their way down the slopes. 

And when having a break from skiing, children can enjoy tubing, mini snowmobiles, or relaxing at the hotel’s spa. 

Seven nights at SkiStar Lodge Hundfjället  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,233pp.

Best for Beginners

Soldeu, Andorra 

Soldeu offers calm, family-friendly skiing, with the main gondola taking visitors straight to nursery slopes and the ski school.

Wide green and blue runs through the trees make progression easy.

And younger kids can build confidence in the playful Baba Boom Circus area, complete with obstacles and fun features. 

Seven nights at Apartamentos Prat De Les Molleres with return flights, 23kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,615pp.

Rauris, Austria 

A peaceful, compact resort, Rauris is perfect for first-time skiers.

Everything is within walking distance – from family-run accommodation to the gondola and ski school.

Children can learn on the nursery slopes, progress to gentle blue runs with panoramic views, or have fun on the mini racetrack.

Off-slope activities include sleigh rides, ice climbing, and snowshoeing under the stars. 

Seven nights at Hotel Rauriserhof  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £997pp.

Best for Alpine Charm & Comfort

Obergurgl, Austria 

High in the Austrian Alps, Obergurgl combines alpine charm with family convenience.

Quiet slopes and excellent ski schools help children gain confidence quickly, while parents enjoy high-quality hotels, hearty Tyrolean cuisine, and stunning mountain views.

Family-friendly facilities like pools and playrooms add extra appeal, and reliable snow cover keeps everyone happy all season. 

Seven nights at Obergurgl, Austria with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,967pp.

Flaine, France 

Flaine has both sunny slopes and reliable snow, ideal for beginners and families.

Kids can enjoy Crystal Childcare while exploring beginner areas, and there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained off the slopes – from ice skating and bowling to magical dog sled rides. 

And with accommodation near the lifts it ensures a smooth and comfortable stay. 

Seven nights at Dormio Resort Les Portes du Grand Massif with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,770pp.

Best for Off-Slope Fun

Zell am See, Austria 

Set beside a pretty lake, Zell am See combines scenic beauty with family-friendly adventures.

Kids can ski in Schmidolin’s Dragon Park, with themed fun runs and a dragon mascot.

Families can also enjoy sleigh rides, an alpine rollercoaster, and explore the lively lakeside town.

It even has one of Austria’s largest ski schools, so the resort caters to all abilities. 

Seven nights Boutique Hotel Martha  with return flights, 23kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,164pp.

La Plagne, France 

La Plagne is perfect for families that want a more gentle terrain with beginner-friendly runs.

But there is lots to do off the slopes too including ice skating, igloo villages, and even an ice grotto on the glacier.

There is a huge variety of accommodation options and welcoming resorts ensure comfort for all ages. 

Seven nights at Premium Residence Les Hauts Bois, Plagne Aime 2000  with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £507pp.

Best for Arctic Adventures

Ruka, Finland 

For an authentic winter wonderland, Ruka offers traditional log cabins and slope-side stays, so mornings with the kids are extra easy.

It is also just 20 minutes from the airport, so you don’t have to travel far.

Otherwise the resort has a number of gentle runs, family parks with magic carpets and fun obstacles.

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Don’t forget to go dog sledding and on reindeer safaris.

Seven nights at Aurinkorinne Apartments with with return flights, 20kg hold luggage and transfers from £1,348pp.

When you come to the Dolomites for winter walking, it’s with the intention of having spellbinding snow-streaked peaks that are unlike anything else in the Alps as your constant companion. But with impenetrable cloud and heavy rain forecast, it was hard not to feel deflated.

Then again, this was Italy, where it’s easy to make the best of things whatever the weather. And the 3 Zinnen Dolomites ski resort and nature park – right on Italy’s border with Austria, about two-and-a-half hours north of Venice, is always charming, with the usual jumble of cultures you see in South Tyrol. Part Italian, it’s more Austrian thanks to the legacy of the Habsburgs, who ruled this part of Italy until 1918. Hence most places have an Austrian and an Italian name, 3 Zinnen or Tre Cime (meaning three peaks) being a case in point. It’s the home of Ladin, an ancient Romance language, too.

Of the five villages that make up 3 Zinnen Dolomites, I was staying in the largest, San Candido (or Innichen), which looked as Austrian as could be – onion-domed church and pastel-coloured, richly detailed houses you would see in Salzburg. Even under leaden skies, it was a pretty place, its pedestrianised centre filled with classy shops selling cashmere and leather goods and, happily, an impressive number of delis stocking high-quality (but not necessarily high-priced) regional food. The sort that makes you want to move to Italy.

Keeping an eye on the weather was simple from my balcony at Hotel Leitlhof overlooking San Candido, with a view of the village’s ski slope and snippets of the Dolomites between the clouds. All five villages are connected by bus and some by train, with links to 3 Zinnen’s various ski areas, cross-country ski trails and high-altitude walking trails that don’t even require snowshoes.

One of those buses took me to Signaue, where I caught glimpses of faintly blue sky as the cable car whizzed me up to Stiergarten at 2,100m. Turning my back on the skiers at the top, I followed a signposted walking trail that took me slowly back down the mountain. The only other prints in the fresh snow were of a four-legged creature, possibly a hare or a fox. Occasionally, the clouds would swirl and a rugged peak would poke into view before being obscured again. But in this winter wonderland, those atmospheric clouds were playing as much of a starring role as the mountains they were shrouding.

The only sound was my boots in the snow as I descended into pine woods. Light snow was falling again and it whetted my appetite for lunch at Skihütte Henn-Stoll (or Baita Pollaio) at the foot of the cable car. I fell on a plate of Knödel/canederli – dumplings packed with cheese and melted butter served with a cabbage salad flavoured with caraway seeds. This was classic Ladin mountain comfort food.

March’s longer days meant the sun hadn’t quite set on San Candido when it was time for the early-evening passeggiata and aperitivo. Thrillingly, it actually made an appearance, bringing a warm glow to the mountains rising behind those beautiful Austrian-style houses before dusk exposed the full moon to midnight-blue skies. Pure magic.

The next morning I took the bus to the cable car in the neighbouring village of Versciaco (Vierschach), another 3 Zinnen ski area. At Helm (or Monte Elmo), I stumbled into Narnia: a trail through pine woods. It was soothing to shuffle gently through the snow and think about lunch.

At the rear of Helm Restaurant, beyond the self-service area, was the gourmet section, which was only about 10% more expensive and a lot quieter. Chunky ridged swirls of maccheroncini pasta came with a veal ragù, porcini and a dusting of hazelnuts, and the South Tyrolean rye flatbread called Schüttelbrot which zinged with fennel and cumin. The robust flavours were a perfect match for the misty mountains.

Opening the curtains on my last morning was like waking up on Christmas Day. Snow had covered everything. I was on the bus to Val Fiscalina to follow a trail through larch forests. As it was Saturday, I seemed to have been joined by half the population, all apparently with the same destination – Talschlusshütte, a charmingly rustic restaurant in the woods (open Christmas to Easter). I had been warned not to be late and lose my table; since San Candido local boy Jannik Sinner became the world No 1 tennis player and word went out that his father had been the chef at Talschlusshütte, the restaurant’s popularity has soared, even if Sinner Senior is no longer in the kitchen.

Whoever was in the kitchen knew how to make a mean bacon knödel and the clear herby broth it was served in. The penne with the house ragù of aubergines, courgettes and mushrooms was piled high, turning me into a contented dumpling.

Buoyed up by grappa that tasted more like herby génépi, I walked back to the bus. The clouds were on the move. I turned round to catch a glimpse of a mountain, then another, then another. Finally, just hours before I was to go home, the 3 Zinnen – or Tre Cime, three peaks – revealed themselves in all their jagged glory. I whooped in joy, then turned round again and they were gone.

This trip was provided by 3 Zinnen Dolomites. Doubles at Hotel Leitlhof start at €287 half-board

Seaton in Devon is a charming coastal town that comes to life at Christmas with light displays, festive workshops and a Polar Express tram ride that’s perfect for kids

When it comes to Christmas holidays, if you’re looking to get away you might think of snowy Lapland or the bustling festivities of London.

However, there is one charming UK town that comes to life at Christmas.

It’s a true hidden gem in Devon and has plenty to explore over the festive season – as well as plenty of cosy cottages and pubs to warm up in and enjoy.

This stunning spot is Seaton on the east coast of Devon, a quaint fishing village that goes all out at Christmas.

There’s light displays, Christmassy workshops and a lovely welcoming community who are more than happy to show you around their beloved town, reports the Express.

Gemma Matthews, owner of Dorset & Devon Holiday Cottages, said: “There’s always plenty of events to experience in the run-up to the big day. Everything from wreath-making workshops, to pantomime and even Christmas park runs.

There’s really something for everyone to enjoy!”.

“The shopping at Seaton’s independent shops, Christmas fairs and markets is always a real highlight – it gives the perfect opportunity to find unique gifts and sample some of our local produce.”

If you have little ones, or you’re a kid at heart, then you can’t miss Seaton’s own Polar Express – a festively decorated tramcar that serves up hot chocolate and treats before taking riders to the ‘North Pole’ where they can meet Santa and his elves.

Gemma said: “The tramway is a must-visit at this time of year, their Polar Express ride will leave little ones in awe! Just like in the story, every guest gets to take home a silver sleigh bell, which is such a lovely memory of Seaton to look back on in years to come, to keep the magic alive.”

Should you time your visit perfectly, you’ll be able to witness the annual illumination of the Christmas lights which occurs on November 30 at 5:30pm.

Gemma remarked the lights transform the entire town into something resembling a fairytale scene “straight from a Christmas card.”

She added: “It’s quieter here in the winter compared to the summer months, but that just adds to the cosy, small-town charm and offers a much-needed tranquil escape from the bustling city markets and festive tourist hotspots frequently visited at this time of year.

“If you’re looking for an enchanting Christmas visit, Seaton is a must.”

There are heaps of fun theme parks and attractions in the UK to enjoy but there are a handful that would have been great yet unfortunately plans had to be abandoned

The UK is full of amazing attractions, both old and new, from historic palaces to theme parks and world-class museums. But not every idea manages to get off the ground.

There were many large-scale projects that could have potentially become major tourist landmarks, which sadly, either failed due to cost or logistics. We’re talking theme parks that were said to have the potential to rival Disneyland, weird and wonderful pyramids, and giant bridges that cost millions but never actually opened.

We look at some of the incredible attractions that could have been gamechangers, but sadly didn’t manage to see the light of day (even if we’re still hoping!).

Check out our top picks below…

WonderWorld theme park

In the 1980s, a £346m plan to turn an old quarry into the ‘British Disneyland’ was hatched. The site of this ambitious project was Corby, Northants, where the abandoned quarry was connected to the town’s closed steelworks. The collapse of the steelworks had led to 10,000 job losses, and with a third of the town out of work, the theme park was cited as a way to get locals back into employment.

WonderWorld is said to have been inspired by Disney’s Epcot, and was set to have 13 themed villages, the first six of which would have opened in 1992. The idea was to showcase the best of British design, with David Bellamy set to help devise a mock safari, while Sir Patrick Moore would have helped design an observatory.

There would be a mix of the educational and fun, high-tech rides, themed restaurants, shops, and much more, which it would estimate would bring in four million visitors a year through the park gates.

The ambitious plans also included a 10,000 seat stadium for sporting events, and a Disney-style family resort with seven hotels, which would eventually offer 6,000 rooms and 100 holiday villas.

Sadly, all that was ever built of WonderWorld was a sign and a wooden cabin. Planning delays and rising costs were blamed, with backers soon pulling out. The site which would have been WonderWorld is now a new build estate, with nothing to indicate that it could have been the site of a major British attraction.

Garden Bridge

While a failed project can waste a lot of time, London’s Garden Bridge project also managed to waste a lot of money along the way. £53.5m was spent on a bridge which never broke ground, after many years trying to turn the idea into reality.

London’s Garden Bridge would have been a pedestrian bridge set between Waterloo Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. The idea was it would be covered in shrubbery and flowers, creating a sort of park area you could wander round, rather than just crossing from A to B.

The project was such a disaster that Transport for London (TfL) launched an inquiry, which concluded that £43m of the sunk costs came from the public’s pocket. The failed project’s spends included £21.4m in construction costs and £1.7m in executive salaries, according to BBC reports.

The Garden Bridge Trust also spent £161,000 on a website and £417,000 on a gala for the failed proposal. Had it been built, the project was projected to cost £175m overall.

The idea for the bridge dates back to 1998, when actor Joanna Lumley had the idea for a “floating paradise” that would be built in honour of Princess Diana. But it wasn’t until 2012, when Boris Johnson was Mayor of London, that the unusual project was picked up.

While they managed to secure planning permission in 2014, the project had a number of vocal critics who complained that it would have had an impact on sight lines of St Paul’s Cathedral and Monument.

When Sadiq Khan took over as mayor, he ordered a review as to whether the bridge would offer good value for money for Londoners, before withdrawing his support the next year. The cancellation of the project was officially announced on August 14, 2017.

Trafalgar Square Pyramid

Trafalgar Square could have looked very different if one MP and soldier had seen their plans come to fruition. After beating the French at the Battle of the Nile, Sir Frederick William Trench decided that what London really needed was a giant pyramid right in the middle of Trafalgar Square to really celebrate their military success.

The proposal, submitted in 1812, shows a 300ft pyramid with 22 steps, one for each year of the two Anglo-French wars. At the time, the tallest structure in London would have been the Dome at St Paul’s Cathedral which was 365ft, meaning the pyramid would have completely changed the London skyline.

One idea to turn the plan into reality was to use the labour of men who’d recently been discharged from the armed forces, giving them employment once the war was over. However, the only thing that was ever built was a scale model, which ended up in the home of the Duke of York. A few years later, the land was cleared and the version of Trafalgar Square that brings in millions of visitors a year was created. But there’s no doubt the giant pyramid would have brought in the tourists too.

London Paramount Entertainment Resort

A more recent attempt to build a giant theme park in the UK was the London Resort, which was announced in 2012. Its location in Swanscombe, Kent led to some dubbing it the ‘Dartford Disneyland’, and it was set to include Europe’s largest indoor water park, theatres, live music venues, attractions, cinemas, restaurants, event spaces and hotels.

The park would have had several worlds including a Spaceport, The Isles, The Kingdom, and High Street, all themed around the UK. Another planned attraction was a triple launched roller coaster that would reach speeds of 70mph.

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The park’s troubles continued during the planning process, when Natural England decided to designate a large portion of the planned park area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

In 2022, it was reported that plans for the park were scaled back, and would be resubmitted the next year. Its company, London Resort Company Holdings (LRCH), then went into administration and faced a lawsuit from Paramount. Finally, in January 2025, it was reported that the High Court had ordered the company to be wound up, effectively killing off the dream of the £2.5b London Resort.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at [email protected].

THIS former pub has had a serious glow-up, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley.

Spa stays for two cost from £270 B&B (Ffolkes.org.uk).

THE LOWDOWN

Set in the sleepy village of Hillingdon, Ffolkespa, at former coaching inn Ffolkes, is a vibe and a half.

Think bold splashes of colour, neon lights, disco balls and graffiti-decorated crazy golf.

Want Ibiza feels? You’ve got them.

WHAT WE LOVED

Aside from the super-king beds, a smart TV that swivels from bed to bath tub (which is big enough for two, btw), home-made shortbread cookies, a drench shower and Templespa toiletries, our fave thing was our room’s door straight into the spa, which gave us Narnia feels, too.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Talking of the spa, the giant hot tub complete with a bar made us feel like we were on our hols while sipping Revitalise smoothies of avocado, mango, spinach, broccoli, coconut, lime and ginger, £5.50, quickly followed by Hugo Spritzes, £10.

We were also big fans of the aroma steam room and the pre-steam salt scrubs, which left us with baby-soft skin for days.

Group sauna rituals featuring storytelling and scents hosted by a “sauna master” are quirky, £10 per person, and the “disco” toilets, where a smoke machine, flashing lights and loud tunes turn on at the press of a button are also very fun.

Most importantly, the My Kinda Skin facial, £80 for 45 minutes, left me glowing, and the afternoon street tea, £27.50 per person, is legendary, too, with cheeseburger sausage rolls, choc-chip scones, plus jalapeño and cheese scones with chilli butter.

Street-food traders take over come evening – we tucked into outstanding (and huge) onion, potato and kale bhajis topped with yoghurt, tamarind and pomegranate, £8, and beef keema roti kebabs with masala fries and a dal dip, £16.50.

WHAT WE DIDN’T LOVE

The coffee pod machines at breakfast were disappointing when all we craved was a proper barista hit.

What’s more, the poached eggs were made to order, but still a bit rubbery.

OUT & ABOUT

Blow away any hangovers with a walk on nearby Snettisham Beach, which is a natural haven for an array of wading birds (Rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/snettisham).

Follow it up with a chip butty at Snettisham Beach Fish And Chip Shop, £2.70.

Or hand-feed the beautiful red deer on a safari among the herd of more than 60 at lush Snettisham Park.

There are plenty of farm animals to visit on the 329-acre site, too.

Tickets cost £21 (Snettishampark.co.uk).

Norfolk Lavender in Heacham is equally close, with around 100 acres of peaceful gardens, not forgetting a cracking lavender sponge cake, £4.95 a slice (Norfolk-lavender.co.uk).

As is the historic town of King’s Lynn – follow its Maritime Trail from cobbled lanes to the Great Ouse river.

After working up an appetite, Mem’s Kitchen on Market Place serves delicious spinach and feta filo parcels, £7.95, and a super seafood casserole with calamari, mussels, king prawns, baby prawns and salmon, £20.95.

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Don’t miss the apricot, apple and almond crumble, £7.95 (Memskitchen.co.uk).

THE DAMAGE?

Spa stays for two cost from £270 B&B (Ffolkes.org.uk).

LET the festive fun begin, with this year’s Christmas attractions bigger and brighter than ever.

Dazzling light and music trails, marvellous markets, winter wonderlands, super Santa steam trains, pantos and ice rinks have popped up all over the UK.

Trisha Harbord picks out a selection of events to make Christmas go with a ho, ho, ho.

LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE

ASHRIDGE HOUSE

SEE a stunning light trail from the air.

A 115ft observation wheel is at the heart of 20 spectacular displays at Ashridge House Illuminated this winter.

The sparkling one-mile trail winds through the estate’s beautiful gardens in Berkhamsted, Herts, with a super-festive food village.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

The big bonus is if the weather is bad, you can swap tickets for another day.

GO: November 27-January 1. Adult £23.50, child £14.40.

See ashridgehouse.org.uk.

LONGLEAT SAFARI PARK

WALLACE & Gromit are getting in on the fun at Longleat’s Festival of Light.

The characters will be shining bright along with Shaun the Sheep in his Mossy Bottom Farm.

Follow the lantern trail at the Wiltshire safari park to walk under a 50ft Tower Bridge, travel through Stonehenge and visit Blackpool seaside resort.

GO: Until January 11. Adult from £39.95, child from £20.95. Under-threes go free.

See longleat.co.uk.

GULLIVER’S WORLD RESORT

WANDER through a mile-long Land of Lights trail at Gulliver’s World resorts.

The theme parks, in Warrington, Cheshire, Milton Keynes and Rotherham, Yorks, have been transformed into 12 dream worlds, including a Jurassic zone, filled with glowing lanterns and installations.

Santa’s enchanted elevator will take you on a virtual flight to the North Pole.

GO: Until January 31. Adult from £39, and from £9 for child.

See gulliversworldresort.co.uk.

TWYCROSS ZOO

MARVEL at the Gruffalo lanterns experience.

The beloved book character is included in spectacular displays, featuring ten wild habitats from eight continents at Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire.

Lanterns Of The Wild has more than 2,000 lanterns in rainforests and oceans depicting thousands of animals and plants including elephants, monkeys and penguins.

GO: Until February 22. Adult from £19, child £13.95.

See twycrosszoo.org.

KENWOOD HOUSE

TINKERBELL will be scattering her fairy dust along a Peter Pan-themed trail this Christmas.

Dazzling lighting and atmospheric sound recreate the favourite children’s story at London’s Kenwood House.

You’ll be transported through the Lost Boys’ secret hideout, Captain Hook’s ship and the Darling family home with a feast of treats along the way.

GO: Until January 3. Adult from £20, child £12.

See neverlandatkenwood.co.uk.

SILVERSTONE

F1 fans will be racing to get to Silverstone for the return of its Lap Of Lights experience.

After a four-year hiatus, the festive display is back, with 7,000 LED panels and 35 lasers, transforming the British racetrack into a glittering wonderland.

Visitors can drive their own car around the track, before heading to the ice rink or chomping on some mince pies at the food and drink garage.

GO: From December 12 until January 3, £50 per car.

See silverstone.co.uk.

ICE AND EASY

PRESTON

PRESTON On Ice, a huge new rink has opened in the Lancashire town.

It sits under the 105-year-old market canopy with space for confident skaters and beginners.

There’s a ski chalet-style bar and live music at weekends.

GO: Until January 4. Adult from £12, child £10.

See prestononice.co.uk.

TORQUAY

THE English Riviera has a new ice rink among the Bay Of Lights celebrations.

Under a sparkling canopy in the heart of Torquay, there are hour-long sessions including parent and toddler slots.

Enjoy food and drinks and the Christmas market and illumination trail.

GO: November 28 until January 2. Adult £12.58, child £9.43, family £37.73.

See englishriviera.co.uk.

LONDON

SKATE in the shadow of one of London’s most iconic buildings, Somerset House, with Virgin Atlantic Holidays.

A massive rink with lights and DJs spinning the decks has taken over the gallery’s courtyard.

There’s a 40ft tree, food, drink and a pop-up boutique with proceeds going to charity.

GO: Until January 11. Adult from £15, children £10.

See somersethouse.org.uk.

BRIGHTON

GO green at Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

The ice rink, in front of the 1787 palace, is powered by renewable energy.

Penguin skate aids are available and there’s a bar and cafe.

The city also has a light trail and drone show.

GO: Until January 4. Adult from £15, child £12.

See royalpavilionicerink.co.uk.

FULL STEAM AHEAD

NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS

STEAM along on a new Santa Express interactive adventure.

The ride on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, from Pickering, will be packed with games, songs and, of course, elves and the man himself handing out treats.

GO: Various dates until December 24, £29.50pp.

See nymr.co.uk/santa.

VICTORIA STATION

RIDE through the heart of London with Santa and his merry elves.

They’ll sing carols and tell stories in decorated 1950s or ’60s-themed carriages, with a snack and drink for kids and mince pies for grown-ups.

The steam train departs on a 90-minute round trip from Victoria Station.

GO: Four departures available on December 20 and 22, from £55pp.

See steamdreams.co.uk.

BURY BOLTON STREET

A MAGICAL talking tree, brass band and a carol-singing choir of polar bears.

That’s the scene at Bury Bolton Street station before hopping on East Lancashire Railway’s Santa Specials.

The 80-minute round trip includes mince pies and chocolate, kids’ activity books and gifts from Santa.

GO: Various dates until December 24, from £23pp.

See eastlancsrailway.org.uk.

KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY

ENJOY a showstopping performance of a Christmas Carol at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway stations.

Families will find themselves in Scrooge’s candlelit office, in the grip of Marley’s ghost and watching the drama unfold on a five-mile steam train ride from Oxenhope or Haworth, West Yorks.

GO: Various dates and times until December 18. Adult £35, child £30.

See kwvr.co.uk.

SACKFUL OF TREATS

BLENHEIM PALACE

FOLLOW the Yellow Brick Road on a magical adventure inspired by the Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The story — the highlight of Christmas at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire — is played out in the state rooms.

In the gardens, browse market stalls and walk the amazing light trail with huge sculptures and fountains.

Also, tuck into afternoon tea, go skating or on fairground rides.

GO: Until January 3. Prices vary, but for Palace of Oz, adult from £41, child £24. Under-twos go free.

For more information, see blenheimpalace.com.

SOUTHAMPTON MARKETS

SOUTHAMPTON is going Christmas crazy.

The main market in Above Bar Street has more than 20 wooden chalets packed with gifts, festive food, hot chocolate and mulled wine.

There’s a Ferris wheel and a new 200ft Star Flyer ride, fairground, light show, shops’ snow window trail, ice rink, Santa visits and shows including a panto.

GO: Market until January 4, free.

See visitsouthampton.co.uk/christmas.

KIELDER FOREST

ROAM around England’s largest forest to find Father Christmas and Mrs Claus in their twinkling hideout.

Kielder Winter Wonderland in Northumberland has fun for all the family.

Sing and dance with Mr and Mrs Beaver, meet the reindeer, birds of prey and snowy owl, enjoy a theatre show, help elves in their workshop or take a break in the bar and kitchen.

GO: Until December 23, £38.50pp, under-twos £5.

For more information, check out kielderwinterwonderland.com.

NATIONAL TRUST PROPERTIES

YOU can always rely on National Trust properties to provide all the wonder at Christmas.

There are markets, winter fairs, craft workshops, choir concerts, illuminations and Santa visits.

Dunham Massey in Greater Manchester, Blickling Hall, Norfolk, and Standen House in West Sussex, are among those holding fun events.

Go to the NT site for full details.

GO: Until early January, various prices.

See nationaltrust.org.uk.

CHESTER MARKETS

THERE’S a pressie for everyone at Chester Christmas Market.

Local producers, craftsfolk and artisans are among 80 stallholders in the Town Hall square selling gin, jewellery, candles, pottery, clothing and cosmetics.

The city also has a grotto and panto and the cathedral is aglow with nearly a hundred decorated trees.

GO: Market until December 22, free. See visitcheshire.com.

EDINBURGH MARKET & FUNFAIR

IT’S the most wonderful time of the year in Edinburgh.

The market, with Scottish and European crafts, fills East Princes Street Gardens.

There’s a funfair, undercover ice rink and light displays on the castle walls.

And a torchlight procession through the old town on December 29 kicks off Hogmanay.

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GO: Until January 4, market free.

See visitscotland.com.

CHEAP cocktails, mango sticky rice for £1.65 and trained monkeys picking coconuts – Koh Samui is nothing like the White Lotus fantasy I expected.

And that’s what makes it so brilliant.

Sure, there are 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.

I stayed at the Anantara Lawana — where The White Lotus cast filmed bar scenes in its Singing Bird Lounge.

The hotel has a grand entrance with a gong that you hit upon entering, a private beach scattered with sunbeds, an infinity pool and a peaceful spa.

Some rooms have swim-up pools and I admit I’ve become partial to an outdoor shower — as long as it isn’t raining. In a hotel this perfect, with everything at your fingertips, it could be tempting not to leave.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

But that would mean missing the real Koh Samui.

My guide, Nong, called it “coconut island” — the island produces 200 million a year, many plucked by trained monkeys.

Over the next few days, he made sure I saw as much of the island as possible, though the furry labourers remained elusive.

Nong told me there are around 25 temples on the island — some are big tourist draws, others are tucked away in smaller communities where locals worship.

Cheerful Buddha

We travelled all over Koh Samui hunting down these brightly coloured shrines.

At Wat Phra Yai sits the Big Buddha — a 40ft statue built in 1972 that dominates the skyline and can be seen from miles away.

Close by is the beautiful Wat Plai Laem complex, which has the 18-armed Guanyin and a cheerful Buddha statue.

Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, and you can drive around the ring road in about an hour — though you’d be rushing past some of the best bits.

We made lots of stops along the tour to take in the views.

The beaches lived up to expectations — Chaweng is one of the most popular — but there are many pockets of coast where you’ll find secret sandy spots and likely be the only people around.

We also visited the Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary, where 16 rescued elephants live out their days in comfort.

From a skywalk, I watched them splash in pools and demolish piles of bananas.

Koh Samui also works as a jumping-off point for the surrounding islands.

We took a speedboat to Koh Nangyuan, a tiny protected marine park about 45 minutes away, where white sand connects three little peaks.

While most claimed their patch of beach, I went straight into the water.

The shallows are packed with coral, rainbow parrotfish and bright yellow butterflyfish — it’s the kind of place that justifies getting up early for a boat ride.

I also paid a visit to the northern side of the island , for a cooking class in Bo Phut.

I’m a disaster in the kitchen, so I was wary to get stuck in.

But Chef Lat was enthusiastic and welcoming, and soon had me chopping lemongrass and frying prawns.

He demonstrated how to create a chicken and ginger curry, stir-fried prawns with yellow curry and a sweet, spicy papaya salad.

My new favourite, though is a massaman chicken curry. You eat everything you make, too.

Our days exploring the island were brilliant, but it was the street food that kept pulling me away from the White Lotus life back at the resort.

Tucked away along the streets are places serving up pad Thai and spicy tom yum soup, with cocktails for £2.

As for sweet treats, mango sticky rice is a revelation and, at £1.65 from street vendors, you’d be mad to miss it.

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When the humidity becomes unbearable, coconut ice cream is a girl’s best friend.

When everything tastes this good and costs this little, the infinity pool can wait.

WITH the UK’s weather’s getting wet and windy, I’ve found the perfect indoor attraction to go for all ages, right in the middle of the country. 

As your kids get older, the normal soft play options just don’t hit the spot anymore – but thankfully some have had a glow up especially for teens.

So we visited Flip Out Coventry, which opened last Christmas, to see if it would get the thumbs up from my teen, tween and tiny. 

Based in a former department store in a city centre shopping mall, you enter through a hall of mirrors and an arcade before exploring 13 attractions set over two floors of fun.

With a ninja warrior course, laser tag, bumper cars and drift trikes, I hardly saw the older two while we were there.

You know you’re onto a winner when the bank of PS5s loaded with games like Minecraft and Fifa don’t even get a look in, because your youngsters are too busy running from attraction to attraction.

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I think the dark space and graffiti vibe of the upper floor really appealed to my 11-year-old and 13-year-old, feeling a bit more grown-up than the bright lights and primary colours of soft plays aimed at younger children. 

But there was still lots to love for primary aged children here too.

My six-year-old enjoyed the inflatables, roller rink and football zone.

He was just tall enough to drive a dodgem by himself, so he spent a while whizzing around to his heart’s content.

The roller rink was a good chance for him to try out skating, with plenty of boots in all sizes.

And the drop slide to get from one storey to the other was a fun alternative to taking the stairs.

For little ones, there’s a dedicated toddler soft play next to the cafe area, so they can play in safety while tired parents have a rest nearby, hot drink in hand.

Family tickets for two hours are normally £65 for four people or £80 for five.

But we bagged an absolute bargain on a discount days out website, buying a half price family pass for £32 – £8 per person for two hours of unlimited activities.

My spectator ticket meant I couldn’t take part in the activities, but you can redeem your £3 entry back against refreshments from the on-site diner.

It’s handy if you’ve got kids who are old enough to play by themselves but you want to stay close by to supervise.

Looking at similar attractions elsewhere, you’d be paying around £8 to £10 per activity per person on a UK holiday park, so it’s great that you’ve got so much included in the price here and all under one roof.

If you’re not sure how your little ones will take to roller skating or if they will enjoy laser tag, you can let them have a quick go here and you won’t have wasted your money if it’s not their cup of tea, because they can move on to another activity.

The only downside to visiting the Coventry location is that it doesn’t have any trampolines, unlike a lot of its 35 sister sites across the UK.

A new Flip Out has only just opened in Leeds and there’s two more on the way in Wales and Scotland, so this could be a great indoor option, wherever you are in the country.

If you are heading to Coventry, Flip Out is just around the corner from The Wave, one of the UK’s largest indoor water parks.

While you’re in the area, I would recommend checking out Coventry’s Charterhouse, which was taken on by the National Trust earlier this year.

It’s a small but fascinating medieval monastic house, with a public playground just on the doorstep.

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Also on my Coventry to-do list is adventure playground Hermit’s Hollow at Coombe Abbey Park, which has just become free to enter. 

With family fun to be had at new attractions like Flip Out and Hermit’s Hollow, plus a refresh for established sites like Charterhouse and the Herbert, being sent to Coventry is a pleasure and not a punishment nowadays.

THE Good Hotel Guide has just announced its 2026 award winners – and we’ve got the inside track on the best places to stay across Britain.

Whether you’re after a cosy B&B, a cracking pub with rooms, or a proper hotel that won’t batter your bank balance, these are the spots that beat countless others to claim top honours.

We’ve picked six brilliant winners from three categories – time to start planning your next escape.

BEST BUDGET HOTELS (under £150)

Georgian House Hotel, Pimlico, London

THESE Grade II listed townhouses near Buckingham Palace are posher than a B&B but way more chill than a typical hotel.

Choose from boutique singles to family rooms.

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Best bit? A hidden bookcase door leads to wizard-themed basement chambers with four-posters draped in red velvet and wooden bunks carved with protective runes. Proper magic.

B&B doubles from £125, see georgianhousehotel.co.uk.

Westmorland Hotel, Tebay, Cumbria

A MOTORWAY services hotel? Tebay is nothing like typical rest stops — when the M6 was built across their land in 1970, hill farmers John and Barbara Dunning created a business celebrating local producers.

Still family-run, it has 51 rooms, some with views of the Fells and others dog-friendly. Dine on aged native-breed ribeye, venison suet pudding or haddock and chips before exploring the Lakes.

B&B doubles from £141. See westmorlandhotel.com.

Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcs

THIS Victorian mansion is styled like a Loire château. Brockencote sits in 70 acres with a lake and tennis court and delivers country-house luxury for way less than you might expect.

Bedrooms come with concierge service, fridges, fruit and Temple Spa toiletries. Take afternoon tea in the French-inspired drawing room or splash out in the fine-dining restaurant. Dogs welcome.

B&B doubles from £120. See edenhotelcollection.com.

Chester House, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucs

WHILE some Cotswolds hotels come with a high price tag, this golden-stone Victorian building keeps things real. Family-run, it has 22 country-chic bedrooms, with ten in the coach house.

Relax in the lounge or garden, eat at the L’Anatra restaurant, serving, tapas and Italian classics. Guest parking is free.

B&B doubles from £145. chesterhousehotel.com.

The Grange at Oborne, Dorset

KARENZA and Ken Mathews’s country-house hotel is trad-comfort heaven. Rooms range from standard doubles to a junior suite, mixing classic and contemporary styling.

The restaurant keeps things tried and tested — pan-fried chicken with smoked bourbon barbecue sauce, warm Dorset apple cake with blackberry jam. It’s family-run, with real charm.

B&B doubles from £91.20, details at thegrange.co.uk

The Priory, Caerleon, Newport

THE Martinez family’s foodie hotel occupies a 12th-century Cistercian monastery in secluded gardens by the River Usk. It has 27 super-chic rooms in the main house, stables and dog-friendly cottage.

There are strong Spanish vibes, with tapas in the bar, while the restaurant serves flame-grilled steaks, barbecued lamb leg with jalapeño chimichurri, and tomato crème brûlée.

Rumour has it there’s a resident ghost — a monk who looks serenely happy.

B&B doubles are from £135. See thepriorycaerleon.co.uk

BEST B&Bs

Number 38 Clifton, Bristol

PERCHED above Clifton Down, this Georgian merchant’s house is the perfect base for exploring Bristol. Owner Adam Dorrien-Smith has created something seriously special ­— super-stylish rooms in calming blues and greys, with velvet armchairs and either park views or city panoramas.

Some rooms come with a copper rolltop bath. Breakfast is a proper spread with fresh juices, homemade compotes and a full English.

B&B doubles from £160, no kids under 12, see number38clifton.com

Cedar Manor, Windermere, Cumbria

JONATHAN and Caroline Kaye run this Victorian stunner, set in walled gardens with fells as a backdrop.

The rooms mix contemporary style with Gothic — Wansfell has a four-poster bed and spa bath, while Coniston serves up mountain views.

Don’t miss afternoon tea (Thursday to Monday), and the breakfast Cumbrian grill is legendary.

B&B doubles from £125, cedarmanor.co.uk

Underleigh House, Hope, Derbys

PEAK District perfection — a cosy longhouse where tea and cakes by the fire are part of the deal. Owner Vivienne Taylor has created four fab bedrooms, three of them suites with separate lounges.

But it’s the breakfast that shines — Aga-cooked with locally sourced ingredients, homemade bread, rare-breed sausages and Derbyshire oatcakes to fuel your walks that start right from the front door.

B&B doubles £125, suites £145. Two-night minimum. underleighhouse.co.uk

Ael y Bryn, Pembrokeshire

DON’T let the tongue-twister name put you off. Robert Smith and Arwel Hughes have transformed a wartime land girls’ hostel into something special.

The four smart bedrooms are for over-16s only, each with a fridge stocked with treats. The real star? Dinner by arrangement — home-cooked, locally sourced, and you can even bring your own wine.

Doubles from £155. Two-night minimum. aelybrynpembrokeshire.co.uk.

Grianaig Guest House, South Uist

CHRIS BROOKS and Carla Regler swapped Cornwall for the Outer Hebrides — and what a move.

Their adults-only B&B sits beside Askernish golf course, surrounded by white sands and bathed in star-filled skies. With four spacious rooms, this is the perfect base for walking and wildlife-watching.

There’s a warm lounge with an honesty bar stocked with whiskies, and chef Chris cooks up a storm most nights. Morning brings freshly baked bread, and eggs from their own ducks and hens.

B&B doubles from £165, two-night minimum, grianaighouse.com.

Daisybank Cottage, New Forest

RIGHT now the New Forest’s free-roaming pigs are hoovering up acorns — as magical as watching the famous ponies trot past Cheryl and Ciaran Maher’s fairytale Arts and Crafts cottage in the village of Brockenhurst.

This single-storey gem is brilliantly family-friendly, with beautifully presented rooms. Each comes with an espresso machine and mini-fridge.

Write your breakfast wishes on paper, pop them in a flowerpot, and — like magic — they appear in the morning.

B&B doubles from £130. bedandbreakfast-newforest.co.uk.

BEST PUBS WITH ROOMS

The Three Daggers, Edington, Wilts

THIS 18th-century pub, formerly called the Paulet Arms, has its own microbrewery, farm shop, deli, spa barn and playground.

Owner, US tycoon Chad Pike, has spruced it up without losing its local vibe.

Three farmhouse-chic bedrooms share a lounge and kitchen, plus there are four self-catering cottages.

Kids’ extra beds are just £10, dogs stay free. The farm-to-fork menu nails pub classics, plus wood-fired pizzas during the summer.

B&B doubles from £138. See innatwhitewell.com.

The Inn at Whitewell, Lancs

THERE’S something special about this rambling stone inn sitting in five acres on the River Hodder.

Third-generation owner Charles Bowman keeps it traditional — local ales, open fires, flagstone floors. The bedrooms (all dog-friendly) have bags of character with antiques and fireplaces.

The menu jumps from Thai green curry to bangers and mash, and the fish pie is legendary.

B&B doubles from £160. innatwhitewell.com.

The Three Hills, Bartlow, Cambs

THE hills are actually Roman burial mounds — the biggest in Britain. Chris and Sarah Field’s dog-friendly gastropub is the other reason to visit.

This revamped 17th-century alehouse overlooks landscaped gardens by the River Granta. Rooms are serene in soft greys and blues, with Roberts radios and power showers.

The menu covers pub classics plus options like venison ragù or courgette and pea pappardelle. Room only, doubles from £135. thethreehills.co.uk.

The Cricket Inn, Beesands, Devon

SCOTT and Rachael Heath’s cosy gastropub sits in a South Hams village.

Refurbished New England-style bedrooms have walk-in showers and espresso machines. Two suites feature hand-built four-posters.

The Oval Room has bay windows overlooking Start Bay and the lighthouse. Fish is landed virtually on the doorstep and there’s a seafood pancake you should try.

B&B doubles cost from £135. Check out three-nights-for-two deal at thecricketinn.com.

The Stag on the River, Eashing, Surrey

DINING beside the River Wey as it flows past this gorgeously refurbished 17th-century local is pretty unbeatable. Inside are oak beams, brick floors, original fireplaces and vintage prints of river birds.

The bedrooms are stylish with original features, bright fabrics, Roberts radios and rain showers. The menu runs from small plates (bang bang cauliflower, nduja Scotch egg) to fish pie and Sunday roasts.

B&B doubles from £106.25. stagontherivereashing.co.uk.

The Felin Fach Griffin, Powys

YOUR hosts, brothers Charles and Edmund Inkin, welcome families and dogs to their dining pub with rooms between the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons, close to Hay-on-Wye.

Eight simple, stylish bedrooms feature Welsh blankets, vintage furniture and local artworks with field or mountain views.

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Menus served by the fire or in the garden might include venison haunch or veggie options with produce from the kitchen garden.

B&B from £207.50. felinfachgriffin.co.uk.

A HISTORIC railway tunnel in the UK has a new miniature train ride.

The Glenfield Railway Tunnel in Leicestershire originally opened in 1832 as part of the Leicester and Swannington Railway and this year it reopened with a new experience.

Visitors can head on tours of the first 365 metres of the disused railway tunnel for free (though donations are encouraged) and even head on a new miniature train for free as well, marking the first passenger services since 1928.

According to Time Out, the society’s chairman, Rodger Gaunt, said that interest “has been far beyond what we could have imagined”.

He added: “We think the tunnel is a hidden gem, so we’re all very pleased to show it off.”

One recent visitor said: “Absolutely amazing experience, great tour,and if you love history, trains and architecture – you have to see it.”

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Another added: “Really awesome adventure. I’m so glad I went.

“I felt submerged in history and the photo opportunities were out of this world.”

When the tunnel opened over a century ago, it was the longest railway tunnel in the world.

And it was primarily used to transport coal from the collieries in North West Leicestershire into what was then, the growing industrial town of Leicester.

Though, the construction of the tunnel was no easy feat.

Some trial drillings revealed that there were sand and clay beneath the surface, however, it was actually running sand.

This meant even more work needed to be done to construct the tunnel, and of course, with this, it became more expensive.

The tunnel needed to be lined with thick brickwork throughout and in some of the sandy sections there needed to be a ‘wooden shell‘.

This would reinforce the tunnel, but unfortunately it meant it took longer to construct.

Then the time came in the summer of 1832 where the tunnel opened with a special train named Comet.

It features narrow carriages, that weren’t very tall and had bars over the windows.

The train line was mainly used for transporting coal, granite and oil, though there were some passenger services as well.

However, these stopped in 1928 and then a complete closure came in the 1960s.

This historic tunnel was then eventually sold to Leicester City Council for a mere £5 and by the early 2000s, it was clear the tunnel had several flaws.

Today, the tunnel is managed by the Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS) and tours run between May and October.

Nearby, visitors can also head to Abbey Park, which is divided by the River Soar.

The park is home to the remains of the 12th century Leicester Abbey, as well as the ruins of a 17th century mansion, Cavendish House.

For those wanting to grab a quick bite, there is also a small cafe in the park.

From the centre of Leicester, Glenfield Railway Tunnel is only a 16 minute drive away.

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In other rail news, a massive UK train station is shutting for nine days in £8million ‘once-in-a-generation’ overhaul.

Plus, the incredible train journey that goes to the ‘end of the world’ – past mountains, waterfalls and glaciers.

Looking for the perfect cosy UK countryside getaway this winter? This charming Cotswolds hotel ticks all the boxes, we discovered

Visit Calcot & Spa around this time of year and the first thing you’ll notice upon pulling up is the fragrant smell of log fires. Just outside the honey-coloured town of Tetbury – the Cotswolds’ second largest, and where you’ll find Highgrove House, the private home of King Charles and Queen Camilla – Calcot is the ultimate countryside retreat.

The main house was built in the 17th and 18th century, but records show that one barn dates back to 1311, with dwellings here even as far back as Roman times. Now it’s a luxury spa hotel filled with cosy corners and a keen focus on sustainability; they burn logs made from coffee grounds and old newspapers, a tree is planted every time towels are reused, and they’ve eliminated single-use plastics.

Rooms are comfy and spacious – the tray of complimentary drinks and snacks is a nice touch (including the butteriest homemade shortbread), and I had one of the best night’s sleep in ages in the giant squishy bed.

Dinner can be taken in the elegant Brasserie restaurant (be sure to save room for one of the delicious desserts) or in The Hive, a pub-like space serving more casual bites, and which is better for kids.

In fact, the whole hotel is incredibly family-friendly, while still being a relaxing retreat for those travelling without children (a tricky balance to get right). There are dedicated hours for families in the pool and at The Hive, baby monitors are available to hire, and kids get four hours of free childcare in the nanny-run Playbarn when staying between Sunday and Thursday.

The spa at Calcot

A huge barn-style building a few steps from the main building, Calcot Spa features a light and airy café, indoor pool for lengths, sauna, steam room and snooze-inducing relaxation rooms.

The highlight, however, is undoubtedly the outdoor hydropool by yet another aromatic log fire, which somehow never feels overcrowded. Try to pay it a visit at the end of the day (the spa’s open until 9pm), as it becomes even more magical in the dark.

Top treatment at Calcot & Spa

Six months pregnant at the time, I went for the spa’s New Life New Mum Massage, which started with a back massage lying on each side (I appreciated the long sausage-shaped pregnancy pillow to hug), before turning over onto my back to work on my feet, legs and arms. While the lower back needs to be treated gently when pregnant, I was thrilled to still feel the knots in my neck being expertly loosened. The combination of vanilla-y scent of macadamia nut oil and my therapist’s soothing voice had me nearly nodding off.

What else is there to do at Calcot & Spa?

Calcot is, quite rightly, very proud of its rewilding programme across its 220-acre grounds, which includes wildflower meadows, beehives and a herd of fluffy Belted Galloway cows to graze the fields. Explore it all on the 3km nature trail; comfy Le Chameau wellies are available to borrow by the back door if it’s muddy underfoot.

How much does it cost to stay at Calcot & Spa?

Rooms at Calcot & Spa start from £344 per night.

UNDISTURBED views of hazy mountains are all around.

My focus, however, is on the plate in front of me, piled high with cheeses including sulguni, a sour and briney variety famous in this part of the world.

I take a glug of red wine and notice everyone at my table, like me, has been rendered speechless by the sumptuous spread.

You may think I’m in the South of France or Italy — but no, I’m in Georgian capital Tbilisi, and the place is stunning.

In April this year easyJet launched a direct route to this former Soviet republic from Luton — and with the city’s magnificent wine scene and travel prices that won’t break the bank, it’s not hard to see why it is soaring in popularity.

Now is an ideal time to visit, when temperatures are in the low twenties — perfect for exploring and, more importantly, eating until you’re fit to burst.

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Georgians take great pride in their culinary excellence and there are several dishes which simply have to be tried while you’re here.

Khachapuri, a national delicacy, is top of my list and can be picked up from most cafes and restaurants in the city.

Made of gooey cheese melted into a thick, hollowed-out, loaf-like bread, and often served with runny-yolked egg, this traditional staple is as heavy as it is tasty.

Luckily, virtually every meal in Tbilisi comes with a Georgian salad, consisting of tomatoes and cucumbers, so don’t worry about getting towards your five-a-day.

It’s amazing how much flavour the city’s chefs can add to the simplest of ingredients — and beans are no exception.

I tried them in a dish loved by locals, lobiani. Mashed kidney beans are cooked in onions and spices and stuffed into a flatbread.

Sofiko restaurant does an excellent version and what’s better is that its dishes are served alongside mesmerising city views.

When you are able to eat no more, Tbilisi’s cobbled streets are ideal for walking off all the food.

The city’s architecture reflects a fascinating blend of Persian, Arabic and Soviet styles, due to its occupations by all of these empires over the years.

Just make sure you pack comfy shoes. I’d booked a tour with a local guide, Nik, who told me: “Georgia would be the biggest country in the world . . . if it was flat”.

Bearing this in mind, I opted for the cable car up to the Narikala Fortress —an ancient stronghold built by King Vakhtang I Gorgasali in the fourth century, which looks over Tbilisi.

Up there you can see the imperious Mother of Georgia statue, a 20-metre figure built in 1958 to mark the city’s 1,500th anniversary.

In one hand she carries a sword — and in the other wine, to reflect the area’s fine vineyards.

Some of the world’s most celebrated grapes are grown in Georgia’s Kakheti region and no restaurant or bar is short of a good local white or red.

Kiketi Farm, a natural wine cellar around 45 minutes from Tbilisi, is the place to head if you want to sample some of the best tipples.

For such quality, I expect a steep bill for my tasting session. But the 30 lari I am charged works out at a very affordable £8.50.

Don’t guzzle too much, though, as you’ll also want to take advantage of everything else on offer at the farm — which includes horse riding.
Staff are so friendly that they even attempted to give me a culinary masterclass.

It’s safe to say that despite their efforts to teach me how to make khinkali — a type of dumpling crammed with meat or veg — I reckon this job is best left to the local chefs.

If you’re after even more rural delights, an hour or so from Tbilisi is the Kass Land attraction park and its spectacular Diamond Bridge.

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Bestriding the Dashbashi canyon 300 metres below, this transparent glass walkway is no more than two metres wide but 240 metres long — and features a colossal diamond- shaped structure at its centre, housing an all-glass sky bar with panoramic views.

Some find the experience rather daunting but I found it truly spectacular — especially when you can sip wine while drinking in the knockout views.

A holiday expert revealed if your flight is delayed by a certain length of time, you could claim more than just monetary compensation – but you need to know your rights

Finding out your flight is delayed is never welcome news, but knowing exactly what you can claim from the airline can help ease the frustration of waiting at the airport. With many of us planning winter getaways to sunny locations to escape the dreary UK weather, or perhaps even thinking of spending Christmas abroad, airports are set to be incredibly busy over the coming weeks.

While we’d all love for every flight to leave and land perfectly on time, that is simply not practical, and some delays are inevitable. But what are your rights when your flight is delayed? One holiday expert has shared some vital tips that could help you next time you’re stuck waiting for your plane.

The expert, named Chelsea, shared a video on TikTok in which she stated her flight had been delayed and she was stuck in the airport. She said that before you start worrying about whose fault the delay is, there are other things to consider.

She said there are “a load of things” you could have a right to, no matter whose fault the delay is, but they all depend on how long your flight has been delayed.

For short-haul flights delayed by over two hours, you are entitled to food and drink, access to phone calls and emails, and accommodation for the night if needed, as well as transport to and from that accommodation.

Chelsea only needed food and drink this time, but when she went to get a voucher from airport staff, she found nobody working behind the desks. Instead, she bought her food and kept the receipt, saying she would be able to claim it back online once she finally got on her flight and headed to her destination.

Once her flight was boarding and her passport had been checked, she asked for confirmation on the reason for the delay. She was told it was due to an aircraft change, which means the delay was the airline’s fault – and that means Chelsea could be entitled to compensation.

However, to receive £220 compensation for her delayed flight from Tallinn, Estonia, back to London, her plane had to be three hours late. There are also very specific restrictions on that time.

She said: “It’s not about the time we land, it’s about what time the first door opens.”

Chelsea’s plane landed on the runway 2 hours and 56 minutes after it was scheduled to, meaning she had four minutes until her compensation could be paid. It finally came to a stop, and passengers began to stand up with just one minute left on the clock, and thankfully, the doors opened just a few seconds after the three-hour mark – meaning she was able to put in a claim to get her money back.

In her caption, Chelsea claimed these rules are only relevant to flights that are departing from an airport in the UK on any airline, arriving at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline, or arriving at an airport in the EU on a UK airline.

You should always check the specific rules for the airline you’re flying with before you travel, as you don’t want to be caught off guard if it turns out your airline operates under different rules.

Chelsea added: “For both expenses and compensation, airlines will have a dedicated page on their website with the details on how you can claim your money back.”

Commenters on the expert’s post were thankful for her advice, though many shared their own stories from times their flights were delayed and they were unfortunately denied compensation.

One person said: “This is gold! Love this for you.”

Another added: “This happened to us in December 2023! They opened the doors seconds after, and all three of us got the compensation. We also got food vouchers at the airport.”

A third wrote: “This happened to us. My friend recorded the time the doors were opened on her phone. The airline refused. My friend found the airline CEO on LinkedIn… he authorised our compensation.”

OUR Spotlight On column rounds up the best things to see and do in top holiday destinations – and shines a light on some lesser-known spots too.

This week we’re spotlighting Belfast – the Northern Irish capital bursting with charm, heritage and plenty of good craic!

Travel Writer Jenna Stevens recently spent a weekend in the city centre, and is wondering why she didn’t visit sooner.

She said: “Belfast wasn’t on my bucket list, but after going I can’t believe I overlooked it. I’m convinced it’ll be the next go-to city for weekend breaks.

“Flights only cost £15 with Ryanair, and they’re so quick you barely have time to have a drink and stretch your legs before you’re landing again.

“The city’s got some amazing architecture, like the grand city hall and cathedral that watches over the city with its signature spire poking out.

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“The food scene in Belfast is criminally underrated too – local pubs served up some of the best seafood I’ve ever had.

“The Afternoon Tea at the Grand Central Hotel was miles better than The Shard.

“It had loads of unique tea flavours such as lemon smoothie, and plenty of well-stuffed sandwiches to go round.

“Plus, the Causeway Coast is breath-taking and under an hour’s drive from Belfast.

“It’s worth extending your trip, hiring a car and driving up the entire coast to see dramatic cliffs and Game of Thrones filming locations – not just a day trip to the Giant’s Causeway.

Must see and do

Head to McConnell’s Whiskey Distillery for a tour that blends history, culture and some fantastic local flavours.

Housed in the former Crumlin Road Gaol, the £25 experience begins with a welcome drink and a guided tasting of three spirits.

You’ll get to walk over the eerie markings of old prison cells, whilst seeing how whiskey is crafted from grain to glass.

The most memorable part of my visit, however, was the black cab tour.

Our cab driver, Billy, gave us a comprehensive overview of the city’s history, and drove us through a series of murals and past the Peace Walls.

It’s an excellent way to learn more about the city through the eyes of a local.

Else, take a stroll through the Cathedral Quarter, where cobbled streets buzz with street art and live music.

Hidden gem

Belfast lies partly in County Antrim, home to the stunning Causeway Coast.

In an hour’s drive you can discover the breath-taking coastline: from the dramatic rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede to the sweeping sands of White Park Bay.

Head to Glenariff Forest Park for panoramic landscapes and an enchanting waterfall walk.

You can even book a tour with a forest guide, who will tell you all about the area and its wildlife.

And if hiking’s not your thing, you can simply sit in the park’s cafe with a cup of tea to soak up the emerald green landscape.

Best view

For a striking view that makes you think, visit Titanic Belfast.

From here, you can look out over the historic slipways and docks where the liner was built and launched – a backdrop that transports you back in time.

After taking in the sheer scale of the ship from the slipway markings, the attraction itself becomes even more meaningful.

Here you can even step aboard the SS Nomadic – the White Star Line ship that ferried passengers to the Titanic itself.

The walk through takes a couple of hours, and is fascinating, immersive and deeply moving.

Rated restaurant

Mourne Seafood Bar is renowned for its ultra-fresh, locally sourced fish.

From seafood casserole to creamy mussels with crusty bread, the menu champions seasonal flavours.

Casual, welcoming and full of maritime charm, it’s the go-to spot for seafood lovers in Belfast.

If seafood’s not your thing, I recommend heading to Amelia Hall for delicious and generous portions of creamy pasta and freshly made pizza.

Best bar

Ask anyone in Belfast and they’ll say it’s hard to find a bad pint – and they’re right.

But the name that continually crops up the most amongst locals is Kelly’s Cellars.

One of the oldest pubs in Belfast, the low-beamed interior is warm and welcoming, alive with chatter and perfectly-poured pints.

Hotel pick

The Grand Central is Belfast’s showstopper hotel.

Once hosting icons from Churchill to the Beatles, today it continues to impress the modern guest with sleek rooms and city views.

Head to The Observatory, Ireland’s tallest bar, for cocktails or afternoon tea with the skyline shimmering below.

Classic Rooms at the Grand Central start from £220 per night, including breakfast. See www.hastingshotels.com/grand-central.

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Northern Ireland is part of the common travel area, meaning there are no travel restrictions for British travellers.

For more information visit: Ireland.com/northernireland.