Everyone craves a spa weekend getaway, but this destination is just a short flight away from the UK and it’s so worth the visit. People even claimed it’s quite “underrated”
You must visit this European destination (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Ditch the pricey spa breaks here in the UK and hop on a flight to this unmissable European city instead. If you’re on the hunt for a relaxing weekend retreat, then you’re in for a treat.
A spa weekend can work wonders, not only for your mental health but also for your body, offering deep relaxation, stress relief and improved sleep quality. Now, travellers are singing the praises of one European destination that boasts an “unbelievable” spa complete with indoor and outdoor bars, as well as water slides.
The destination in question is Bucharest, Romania. In a viral TikTok video, a popular travel account told followers to pay a visit to Therme Bucharest – and for very good reason.
In the TikTok clip shared with its 27,200 followers, the video opened with: “A cheap underrated European city break you need to visit.”
It continued: “No joke, I genuinely believe that a trip to this European spa can be cheaper than going to one in the UK nowadays.
“Therme Bucharest is located in Romania and honestly is one of the most underrated city breaks.
“The city itself is absolutely gorgeous and the spa is unbelievable. They have indoor bars, outdoor bars, the most gorgeous botanical interior, face mask that you can use, temples, aqua aerobics, saunas, water slides, it’s honestly massive.”
What does the spa offer?
Therme Bucharest offers three unique experiences to “suit your desires”.
Galaxy: Perfect for family entertainment as it boasts 1.7km of exhilarating water slides, a wave pool and interactive activities for all ages. This is the sole area where children aged 3-14 are allowed.
The Palm: An adults-only pool featuring a retractable roof, mineral pools, hydromassage beds, a pool bar, plus indoor and outdoor relaxation spaces.
Elysium: After a premium experience? This relaxation zone provides thematic saunas, a wide array of wellness therapies, bespoke spa treatments and fine dining experiences.
If you’re planning a visit, ensure you bring your swimsuit, flip-flops and a towel. You can pop to the shop for any essentials.
Ticket prices vary from £20-£50 per adult, roughly 100-250 RON. This depends on the length of your visit, 3 hours, 4 hours or a full day, plus the number of zones accessed (Galaxy, Palm or Elysium).
Spa tickets typically start around £22-£24 for basic access, with extra costs for sauna packages or full-day access.
How much do flights cost?
Amid the ongoing travel disruption around the world, flights from the UK to Bucharest generally cost around £40-£100 for budget airlines like Ryanair or Wizz Air, if you’re departing from London.
Nevertheless, average return prices are often near £169, with premium or last-minute flights potentially higher. Direct flight time is approximately 3 hours 10 minutes.
The series first aired a decade ago and gained a loyal fan following.
09:00, 09 Apr 2026Updated 09:02, 09 Apr 2026
The 2016 series is hailed a ‘hidden-gem masterpiece’ (Image: ITV)
A “gritty” crime drama that fans have hailed as “underrated” is free to binge on ITVX.
StartUp is an American TV series that first aired back in 2016, with an A-list cast including Adam Brody, Martin Freeman, Edi Gathegi, Otmara Marrero, Ron Perlman and Mira Sorvino.
The series ran for three seasons before coming to an end in 2018, but all three are available to watch on the free streaming service.
The crime drama follows the emergence of a new tech idea that sparks controversy, GenCoin, a digital currency.
When three unlikely people come together for the new business, but find themselves plunged into the dark underworld of organised crime, they must avoid a crooked FBI agent working to take them down.
The synopsis on ITVX teases: “Martin Freeman and Adam Brody shine in this gritty drama. A banker, hacker and gang lord unite in a plan to launder millions, as a crooked agent goes to extremes to take them down.”
Fans have been left begging for a fourth season for a decade, as one wrote: “This series is just something unlike any other other show… I’ve never felt so immersed into a show before. Went through all 3 seasons in about 2 days, it was that good.”
Someone else said: “Couldn’t turn it off, Binge watched the series in a few days,” while another called it an “excellent hidden gem”.
Yet another fan wrote that they were “yearning for more”, adding: “This is a cracker of a series. So full of twists and turns. Great characters, script, direction and cinematography. I can’t believe that it ended. OMG. This was one of the more bingeworthy series I have seen. Relentless drama. I loved the characters and their interrelationships. Powerful stuff.”
One devoted viewer said it was “a crazy underrated show that’s totally binge-worthy,” while someone else said: “This got me hooked from the first episode.”
Another called it “a true diamond in the rough,” while someone else wrote: “This is probably the most underrated TV show I’ve ever seen in my life.”
One fan echoed: “This masterpiece deserves at least a 9. It is so well done and leaves you held in aesthetic arrest. The build up to the various climaxes induces full on catharsis.”
Fans were left gutted when the show came to an end, with no plans for season four, as Spanish film director Luis Prieto, who worked on four episodes of the original season, told Express.co.uk: “This, I really don’t know. It was a Crackle show and from the story, it was working very well.
“I think people were aware it was connecting with the audience but I’m not sure what happened.
“Sometimes things just stop and sometimes it’s for the best. I’m sure Ben Ketai would be extremely excited to continue the adventure.”
Meanwhile, Olly Blackburn, another director who worked on the programme, said he “never guessed” the show would be as big as it was, saying: “If you make something big that connects with people, the audience will find it eventually, and all around the world too.”
The island town is known for its vibrant town centre, long history and stunning waterside setting nestled between the two sides of a glistening freshwater lake
“It’s a heavenly place to live,” says Barry Flanagan as we bob along on the sparkling water.
Barry is a water taxi tour guide in Enskillen, where he spends his days enthusing about the town. He combines his unique talent for talking, honed during ten years on local radio, with boating skills learned on the waterways of his hometown.
“Enniskillen is Ireland’s only island town. It is completely surrounded by water. We’re so lucky we live here,” he adds in a borderlands brogue.
If you’re from the centre of Ireland, then you’ll have heard of the town of 14,000. Enniskillen is known for its vibrant town centre, long history and stunning waterside setting nestled between Upper and Lower Lough Erne in County Fermanagh.
The first place to start when discovering its delights is on the water. Lough Erne is the third largest freshwater lake in the UK and stretches across the south-western border. There is a brightness and cleanliness about the place. Flooded drumlin landscape stretches away from the loch past reedswamps, islets, and devilish-looking cormorants drying their wings in the sunshine.
With the water taxis chugging by, it’s easy to mistake its waterways for rural Netherlands or the Croatian delta of Vid. At least, in the brief moments when sleet showers are replaced by sunshine.
It’s also got a lot of history.
A short boat ride out of town takes you to Devenish Island. “There are 254 islands on Lough Erne, and Devenish Island is the jewel. It is a 6th-century monastic sight,” Barry explains.
Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries cleared Devenish of its once bustling 1,000-person population, but the remains of the buildings have stayed, including a perfectly preserved tower.
Rising up on a nearby hill is the imposing Enneskillen Royal Grammar School, where Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett were pupils at a similar time as two truanting young lads who managed to blow up the nearby 1613 Portora Castle using explosive skills honed in the chemistry lab.
Made of sturdier stuff is the 600-year-old Enskillen Castle. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it has remained strategically important since the charmingly named Hugh the Hospitable swung open its drawbridge.
The British took it over in the 17th century, turning it into a plantation stronghold for English and Scottish settler ‘undertakers’ tasked with controlling confiscated Gaelic land.
Despite such dicey moves, it remains remarkably intact today and serves as an enjoyable low-key museum.
“Fermanagh is a small county, but it packs a huge punch,” Barry enthuses as our tour comes to a close with a quick sail past Erne Water Taxi’s newest vessel, a completely solar-powered party boat.
“Would you believe in Fermanagh we have 14 plantation castles, three National Trust properties, a geopark that runs across the border, the Stairway to Heaven, and the Marble Arch Caves. It’s a heavenly place to live and we’re so lucky we live here.”
Any local who has spent an evening in Blakes of the Hollow will certainly agree. The Victorian pub is one of the most famous in Ireland and was packed to the rafters when I visited. The vibe inside is excellent and oiled by £5 pints of Guinness and live music on the weekends.
Wander several flights down from the pub, and you’ll get to 28 at the Hollow, an award-winning restaurant run by husband and wife team, Glen Wheeler and Zara McHugh. The food and service is as exceptional as I had expected, given no fewer than three people at my hotel had suggested I check it out.
The hotel in question is the Lough Erne Resort, a curious place that’s part 5* hotel, part timeshare estate made up of crenelated mansions that run along the lakefront. OAP bellboys greet you at the door as you walk into the grand foyer, where wood fires crackle in the grates. The rooms are enormous and comfortable, designed as they are for golfers to relax after a hard day’s thwacking on the 36-hole course.
Once you’re up and at them the next day, a coffee and a croissant at FOLK will fuel you up enough for a proper rummage at Lougherne Vintage.
Sitting in the quaint Butter Market part of town, the shop is packed full of goodies plundered by Katie Murphy and her husband from bootfairs across Europe. Unlike most vintage shop proprietors, Katie does not get her goods from eBay and Vintage, instead putting in the hard yards early on Sunday mornings. The result is a shop brimming with genuine treasures, including a Vivienne Westwood dress for a very reasonable price.
Like Enniskillen as a whole, drop by and you’re sure to unearth a hidden gem or two.
A writer visited the stunning Mediterranean island of Gozo, part of Malta, which boasts 300 days of sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and incredible scenery just a short flight from the UK
Holly Clarke and Chloe Dobinson
02:00, 21 Mar 2026
Holly Clarke visits travels to Gozo a short 20 minute trip from Malta
When off to a European destination during the winter months, its impossible to bank on good weather, however far in the Continent you’re planning on going.
Recently, the Liverpool Echo’s Holly Clarke took a chance with the weather and embarked on a journey to the Maltese Archipelago. Not only did she strike gold in meteorological terms, but the Mediterranean island chain proved to be an absolute treasure.
From exploring the streets of the silent city of Mdina to experiencing the energy and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there genuinely is something for everyone, including fantastic nightlife in St Julian’s, the pristine waters of the Blue Lagoon, and sufficient churches on the island for every day of the year.
Holly departed from Manchester Airport at 7am and was wandering around the breathtaking Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also easily accessible from John Lennon Airport and various other airports throughout the UK.
As much as Holly loved Malta, it was its much smaller, lesser-visited neighbour that really stole her heart.
There are three islands which constitute the Republic of Malta: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population out of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.
Before Holly realised it, she was setting off on a ferry to the island of Gozo, which is developing a new £2million airport that’ll make journeys from Malta considerably quicker. For the time being, the ferry is direct and costs approximately 5 Euros for a return ticket.
Within just 20 minutes, she had arrived on the gorgeous, less-frequented island. The 26-square-mile stretch of land is famed for its rugged terrain and spectacular scenery, and it certainly lived up to expectations. It provides everything from excellent seafood, jaw-dropping views, and crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming.
Gozo is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another bonus of the island is that it boasts 300 days of sunshine – that sealed the deal for Holly!
Numerous tourists spend a night or two on the island, but she was aware she’d only be there for a day, so there was no time to waste. Holly’s chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she absolutely loved.
Holly was driven around by Joe, who has spent his entire life on the island. As she sat in the rear of the tuk-tuk, Holly marvelled at the gorgeous hills, which brought to mind the striking landscapes of the UK. The main distinction was the azure sky and brilliant yellow orb breaking through the clouds, something she hadn’t witnessed for several months back in England.
First stop, a bay named Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, run by Gozo Adventures. It provided the ideal chance to embrace a more adventurous side whilst soaking in the stunning valley panoramas.
Having never climbed previously, it’s reasonable to say Holly’s legs were trembling slightly as she gazed up to the summit of the valley where she was meant to be climbing. But after observing the thorough demonstration from Cornil at Gozo Adventures, Holly gave it her best shot and felt incredible afterwards.
After building up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite aspect of any journey: the cuisine. She jumped in a vehicle and made her way to a restaurant on the marina, Il-Kartell. The seafood establishment was the ideal location for lunch, situated on the waterfront, which provided views of the sparkling waters of the Mediterranean.
The restaurant bills itself as “casual dining by the sea”, so she opted for the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t let down. It will rank as one of the most unforgettable pasta dishes she has ever tasted.
It’s evident from just a few brief hours on the island that life there isn’t hurried. Back home, it’s simple to find yourself grabbing a sandwich on the commute to work, or occasionally forgetting to pick up anything at all.
In Malta and Gozo, both residents and tourists spend at least an hour or two enjoying lunch. Beginning with bread and olive oil before diving into a pasta dish and concluding with a double espresso, it was pleasant to find time to decelerate and savour the world a little more.
Nevertheless, there was no opportunity for a mid-afternoon lull as there was so much to explore before the ferry back to Malta. Next on the schedule were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.
The northern coastline is distinguished by a chequerboard of rock-cut saltpans, which are 350-years-old. They are remarkable to observe and are also steeped in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been handed down for many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Perched high above Ramla Bay, the cave provided the most stunning panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.
The cave can be accessed via a short 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s absolutely a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make it. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a couple of steps to one of the finest views she has ever witnessed.
It was rather crowded with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to capture a photo overlooking the bay.
It wouldn’t be a visit to Gozo without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Situated on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city visible from across the island, towering high in the Gozian skyline.
It is found in Victoria, also referred to as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, and is amongst the island’s most iconic landmarks. The Citadel was formerly a flourishing city before it was converted into a castle in medieval times. Many of the old houses and palaces here have been restored into museums and shops, making it a popular tourist destination.
It’s free to visit, and you could spend hours discovering the fascinating history and exploring its key attractions. We admired the Cathedral of the Assumption, constructed entirely of local limestone. Simply strolling around the Citadel provides panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites available. Regrettably, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.
If Holly had stayed overnight, a sunset viewing at the Citadel or an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect end to the trip.
