Valentine's Day

TRAVIS Kelce showered Taylor Swift with gifts from the heart at the weekend – but that’s just the start of something special, insiders have told The U.S. Sun.

Loving Travis wanted to commemorate their last Valentine’s Day together before their blockbuster wedding this summer with a string of surprises.

A source close to the A-list pair said the Cruel Summer star was treated to three stunning Louis Vuitton items, a beautiful Hermes caftan and two classy, stylish watches costing in excess of $100,000.

The insider says NFL legend Travis wanted to make their last Valentine’s Day as an engaged couple “unique and special” and ended up spending $141,000 in total.

But The U.S. Sun understands in the build up to the big day, which is slated for June, the romantic three-time Super Bowl winner, who has a strong track record of beautiful gift surprises, has something very loving in the works. 

“Starting 100 days before the big day — then again at 50 days, 30 days, and every day during the final month — he will have flower bouquets delivered to her,” claimed the well-placed insider.

“She’ll receive all her favorite flowers: roses in many colors, hydrangeas, and orchids. He wants her to feel overwhelmed in the best possible way — surrounded by one of the things she loves most in life: flowers and their sweet scent.”

The U.S. Sun revealed last year that Taylor wants to turn the proposed wedding venue – her sumptuous $32 million pad in Rhode Island – into a floral wonderland. 

There are plans to reportedly spend a whopping $1.2 million on the landscaping, including hiring specialist gardeners to ensure their dreams are transformed into a stunning reality.

But as our insider revealed, Taylor will have fallen further in love after Travis’ super thoughtful Valentine’s day surprises.

The couple love keeping up with the latest trends – it’s claimed they regularly text each other with pieces they are interested in.

So Travis, knowing Taylor had mentioned the Louis Vuitton pieces recently, snapped up a $3,900 knit jacket, a $2,330 skirt and a signature patch varsity jacket. 

“Travis had them very high on his list of gifts for his fiancée,” said the source.

According to the official description, the Denim-Effect Knit Jacket looks like classic denim but feels far more luxurious. 

It’s tailored and polished, and effortlessly cool – perfect to throw on for a casual day out or dress up for a night in the city. 

Ever the fashionista, Travis paired it with the matching Denim-Effect Knit Skirt, while the Varsity Jacket is described as a “statement piece.”

THOUGHTFUL GIFTS

The Hermès caftan was spotted in a magazine recently and Travis reportedly “immediately thought” of his superstar singer partner. 

The source said Travis felt it was the kind of piece she would love wearing on upcoming trips — especially with trips to warmer destinations in the coming weeks and for their honeymoon.

“They fit her style perfectly,” added the insider. 

It’s a wonderful haul – but Travis wasn’t finished there. 

He also bought her an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch costing a cool $91,600.

The couple noticed the shiny, extremely luxurious piece on someone’s wrist a couple of weeks ago. 

Travis, says the source, loves watches and wants his wife-to-be to build a strong collection too.

On top of that, there was also a classy, $33,600 Rolex 1908 — a more masculine model, which fits her taste. 

“She likes incorporating slightly masculine pieces into her style, whether it’s jackets, vests, or watches, to add edge to her outfits. He enjoys spoiling her with beautiful, high-end items like that.”

Single on Valentine’s Day? Skip the predictable romance films and celebrate with these nostalgic, feel-good movies to lift your spirits

Valentine’s Day has come round once more, and if you’re not getting caught up in all the soppy, romantic nonsense, there’s loads of other ways you can spend your evening. If you’re staying in and swerving all the loved-up couples out there, telly is an excellent means of escape.

Valentine’s Day needn’t revolve around romance, after all. If you’ve had your fill of formulaic, predictable romantic flicks, here are some brilliant alternatives that’ll rekindle your appreciation for those nearest and dearest.

So whether you fancy a giggle on your own or with mates, ditch those rom-coms for some feel-good nostalgia this Valentine’s Day.

Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging (2008)

For anyone wanting to grasp what life was like as a British teenage girl in the late noughties, Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging hits frighteningly close to home. At some stage, we’ve all caught ourselves relating to Georgia’s worldview, however misguided it might be, reports the Express.

Adapted from Louise Rennison’s bestselling book series, we follow 14-year-old Georgia Nicholson (Georgia Groome) as she tries to navigate adolescence whilst pining after the new lad in town – a breakthrough performance from Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Throughout her mission to bag a boyfriend and organise a spectacular 15th birthday bash at a nightclub, we witness the inner workings of the teenage brain manifesting in reality through some absolutely hilarious and toe-curling antics.

Shaving off an eyebrow? Absolutely. Faking the disappearance of a beloved moggy for sympathy? Naturally. A massive pair of granny pants? Without question.

Whilst this flick might centre on Georgia’s romantic pursuits, beneath the surface lies a tender coming-of-age tale exploring insecurity, platonic bonds, and that distinctly teenage sensation that everything is utterly catastrophic. Plus, it boasts what’s arguably one of cinema’s finest original songs, guaranteed to transport you straight back to those nostalgic days.

Planning to mark Valentine’s Day with your mates this year? Nobody’s turning down this gem. Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging proved a defining British picture for younger audiences back then, and continues to supply countless cultural touchstones we reference today.

In fact, Georgia Groome recently resurrected that legendary olive outfit for a cameo appearance in the reveal video for Maisie Peters’ latest album ‘Florescence’. Nearly two decades on and that immortal line still echoes: “Boys don’t like girls for funniness”.

The film is available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Wild Child (2008)

The year 2008 was evidently peak teen cinema. On one side sits Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging, offering a relatively authentic portrayal of adolescent life for girls during the noughties, whilst on the other stands Emma Roberts ‘ Wild Child.

What do you do with a spoilt, glamorous Malibu Barbie teenager who leaps off cliffs into the ocean? Simple – pack them off to an all-girls boarding school deep in the English countryside.

A genuine fish out of water, Emma Roberts’ Poppy Moore couldn’t be more different from the seemingly prudish, eccentric pupils she encounters at Abbey Mount. It’s quite the exaggerated portrayal of boarding school life, but that’s rather the point – to knock the protagonist down a peg or two.

Gradually, the crisp English climate begins breaking down Poppy’s defences as she develops authentic bonds with her roommates – Kate (Kimberley Nixon), Josie (Linzey Cocker), Kiki (Sophie Wu), and Jennifer “Drippy” Logan (Juno Temple). Naturally there’s a love interest (Alex Pettyfer) and a sworn enemy (Georgia King) determined to see her fail, though that’s really beside the point when there’s such entertaining mischief afoot.

Beneath the rebellious and entitled façade lies genuine warmth, drawn out through the connections she forges. Ultimately, Poppy emerges transformed – having discovered a missing piece of herself through real mates who embrace her for who she truly is, whilst wreaking havoc around campus. Whilst Wild Child might not be the most universally relatable picture, there’s something in all of us that yearns for that kind of school adventure.

The film also marks one of Natasha Richardson’s final performances (as headmistress Mrs Kingsley) prior to her tragic passing in 2009.

Wild Child is available to stream on Netflix.

The Breakfast Club (1985)

This film boasts what’s arguably one of cinema’s most iconic closing sequences and exit tracks. The Breakfast Club, a coming-of-age comedy-drama, follows a group of outsiders whiling away the hours together during an all-day Saturday detention.

Each teenager belongs to a different social circle within the school, and their paths would ordinarily never cross in daily life. They’re set the task of penning a thousand-word essay on “who you think you are” by their notoriously harsh vice principal (Paul Gleason).

Alongside the usual rebellious teenage shenanigans and storylines, the film explores the realities lurking beneath the stereotypes presented on screen. It tackles themes including peer pressure, abuse, neglect, troubled relationships, and suicide in a manner that resonates with its audience, rendering the characters relatable to viewers.

Despite their contrasts, the group discover they’re all grappling with comparable struggles and form connections with one another. It serves as a reminder that surface appearances can be deceiving.

Whilst the group suspect their newly-formed bonds will dissolve once detention wraps up, they acknowledge they’ll view their classmates through fresh eyes going forward. As the film reaches its conclusion, we hear their moving message to their vice principal, declaring: “Each one of us is a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess, and a criminal.

“Does that answer your question? Sincerely yours, the Breakfast Club.”

Cue Judd Nelson’s fist raise and Simple Minds’ ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’.

The Breakfast Club can be watched via Netflix, Amazon Prime and NOW TV.

Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997)

There’s something about a 90s comedy that hits all of the right spots, something the 2020s can learn from. The film follows underachieving best friends Romy (Mira Sorvino) and Michele ( Lisa Kudrow ) who decide to reinvent themselves with fake careers to impress their former classmates at their ten-year high school reunion.

The film kicks off with the drama of the girls’ prom in 1987, where they find themselves targeted by bullying from the high school cheerleader clique. Some stroppy behaviour leads the girls to do the classic slow dance together.

Fast forward, the duo don’t appear to have achieved much success since leaving school, stuck in dead-end jobs – or jobless – living a life lacking in some sort of purpose. They’re fine, totally fine.

It’s the invitation from one of their high school tormentors to their high school reunion that makes them pull their socks up, but only in the pretence sense. It’s your typical American movie that takes you on a journey, both literally and figuratively.

Following a catastrophic falling out over their friendship, the pair go their separate ways after their drive cross-country to the reunion. Or do they?

The film is madcap, light-hearted, and chock-full of clichés, but sometimes that’s just the ticket. Let’s face it, we all need a good giggle now and then, and anything featuring Lisa Kudrow is guaranteed to leave you in fits of laughter.

You can catch this film on Disney+.

Frances Ha (2012)

Whilst we’re accustomed to seeing Greta Gerwig behind the lens, she’s equally at home in front of it. The film stars Gerwig as a struggling dancer in New York, grappling with the rollercoaster ride of her twenties alongside her best mate, Sophie (Mickey Sumner).

They say your twenties are meant to be the time of your life, but in truth, you’re still figuring out who you are and where you fit into the world. We can all identify with the unpredictability of existence; flitting from one flat to another, settling for jobs you don’t really fancy, and witnessing friendships fade as they form new relationships.

Life in the Big Apple can be complex and unsettling, regardless of which side of the Atlantic you hail from. The trials and tribulations of everyday life can weigh heavily, with Frances battling to make her mark on New York.

The film masterfully blends comedy, drama and emotion to paint an authentic picture of struggling twenty-somethings.

In 2025, Frances Ha secured the 90th spot on The New York Times’ list of “The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century”. Writing for Harper’s Bazaar, Yasmin Omar noted: “Frances Ha has become a cult classic thanks to its relatable portrait of the bewildering life stage that is young adulthood.”

Frances Ha is available on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

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Sanne and Nick Gibson are two Wizz Air captains who first met at pilot school in Arizona and now fly for the same budget airline, managing to juggle life as parents with flying across Europe

This is your captain speaking. And this is your captain’s husband speaking.

Not the words you’d expect to hear as you buckle up ahead of a trip away, but ones that could crackle through the intercom of Sanne and Nick Gibson’s Wizz Air plane when they happen to be flying together.

The aviators are a vanishingly rare duo who don’t just work for the same company, but do exactly the same job. Sometimes in the same cockpit.

They are veteran captains for the Hungarian budget airline, both based at its UK base in Luton. They start work at the same time, jumping out of bed in the small hours, heading to the airport and skillfully flying a plane load of people to one of the 190 or so airports Wizz Air serves, before heading back to the UK again after a short 35-minute break.

Impressively, Sanne, 31, and her 33-year-old husband manage to make it back from Budapest, Corfu, Rome or wherever they happen to be going that day in time to pick up their 1.5-year-old daughter from nursery.

Having known each other for more than 10 years has its advantages when it comes to working together. When they first joined one another in the cockpit, the professional connection was instant.

“We didn’t have to understand each other first. I knew Sanne’s thought process before it came out of her mouth. I couldn’t have asked for a better co-pilot, because you know each other so well, you understand each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Nick, from Leeds, explained.

It seems to be true what they (might) say: couples that fly together, stay together.

Sanne and Nick’s soaring romance began in 2015 when they met at pilot school in Arizona. “Away from the prying eyes of parents,” for the first time and beneath the scorching desert sun, the Yorkshire lad and Dutch woman hit it off one evening around a pool after a hard day’s flying.

They exchanged bucket lists, Nick impressing Sanne with boasts of a police ride-along he’d secured in a chance encounter with a cop.

Wings earned, what had remained a friendship in the US blossomed into a romance in the UK, where Nick took Sanne for her first Nando’s on their first date. From then, they may well have been inseparable – had the fast-paced, demanding life of a young pilot not got in the way.

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He scored a job in Munich, and she in Strasbourg, meaning they were a two-hour drive apart. When Sanne later landed a gig in Toulouse, Nick managed to transfer to Bristol so he could do night layovers in the French city.

And then, when Sanne secured a job at Wizz Air in 2017 and Nick the year after, the couple had achieved their ambition of working from the same base for the first time. “I know other people in this job had been at it for ten years trying to get to the same place,” Nick explained.

On his very first flight as a captain, Sanne was there alongside Nick as his co-pilot.

“Sometimes I have to pinch myself that we live together. And we get home every night. I am so lucky,” Sanne said.

The couple’s rotas are aligned, meaning they both work five days on and then four days off. They have permanent, live-in childcare for five days when they’re at work – something they say is crucial to them getting enough sleep to be ready to fly.

“The mum guilt is a real thing, but I think it’s a really important thing to keep going. Flying is a perishable skill; if you don’t fly, you lose it. It’s not like riding a bike. I remember that first takeoff after maternity leave, I was halfway down the runway before I got my head in the game,” Sanne said.

While Nick and Sanne do fly together, they don’t do so all the time. In fact, it’s a chance when they do end up in the same cockpit. “We don’t push for it, but it is quite nice. It was just us, no daughter, no phones. We just sat there and had a chat,” Nick said.

Both are quick to note that they’ve never had a domestic while behind the controls, despite Sanne noticing that Nick does sometimes make a loud whistling sound into the microphone when he’s flying.

They also resist doing a ‘his and hers’ bit to the cabin over the intercom, for fear it’d freak out passengers concerned that they aren’t taking their jobs seriously enough.

Looking to the future, the husband and wife won’t be flying together anytime soon. Because Sanne is due to give birth just before Valentine’s Day.

But after six months of maternity leave, they’ll both be back in the cockpit, jetting off to somewhere sunny together.

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

Vanessa Gordon, from New York, was not expecting to find love when she took a post-divorce trip to Tuscany – the home of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Donatello and Giotto

Vanessa Gordon was just 18 when she got married, and 37 when she got divorced.

After 13 years of marriage, the mum was understandably unsure about her next move. Fortunately, her friends were not.

“My friends had a WhatsApp group entitled Vanessa 2.0, where they would encourage me to get out there and enjoy myself. That was the kind of headspace I was in when I went out to Tuscany, a little bit delicate and fragile and in need of some encouragement to start the next phase of my life,” she told the Mirror.

The event planner and producer, from the Hamptons in New York, travelled to the Italian region, which as the home of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Donatello and Giotto is synonymous with beauty.

It was there that she had a chance encounter with a stranger who would change her life.

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Vanessa was staying in a hotel when a man in his early 20s walked past her, smiled, winked and disappeared. “He was absolutely gorgeous. My hair was in a messy bun, and I was in a bathrobe, but I knew there was something between us,” she explained.

She relayed the encounter to her friends, who joked that Italian men were just like that and suggested she should not dwell on it. Maybe it was the romantic setting, or maybe there was something about this mysterious man. Vanessa was convinced there was something there. “I had a gut feeling about him. It took me back to being sweet 16,” she said.

Later that same day, Vanessa was having dinner in the hotel with her friends when she spotted the same young man. After her friends’ insistence, she approached him. She asked him about the drinks menu, and he asked her her name.

“Vanessa. Beautiful,” he said, before winking and walking away.

The response bowled the American over. “I’ll never forget it,” she said. Later that evening, after hours of dining and chatting, the mysterious staff member reappeared and asked if he could place a blanket over her shoulders to keep out the chill of the night. She said yes.

Although their interactions had been fleeting and communication across languages difficult, by the end of dinner Vanessa was sad to discover that he had finished work. She had meant to give him her number but did not get the chance before he slipped away.

Luckily, his name was printed on the meal’s bill. Vanessa found him on social media, added him and hoped. Within moments, he accepted and messaged her, asking when she was leaving. “Tomorrow,” Vanessa replied, regretfully informing the Italian waiter that she would be heading to Florence in the morning.

“He said he would come to Florence to see me, and I thought, ‘yeah right’, but that’s what he did.”

The waiter did not just make the two-and-a-half-hour train ride to Florence. He spent two days by Vanessa’s side, walking around the city, chatting constantly and taking it all in.

“What I found so fascinating was that my nerves instantly melted away when we met and started talking. I felt totally at ease with him, and I still can’t believe looking back that he was only the second man I had ever been with, even into my mid-30s. I think that’s very special and very rare,” she explained.

“I was very impressed by how mature he is and how hard he tried to speak English, while I spoke the best Italian I could. We used a translator every now and then. I didn’t mind that he smoked, which surprised me. He was very confident, but not in an arrogant way.

“We didn’t do too many touristy things. We went to dinner at a local sushi spot, visited Piazzale Michelangelo and spent a lot of time walking and talking. We ended the last evening watching one of his favourite films in Italian with English subtitles.

“I trusted him as well. We were completely alone together and I felt fine.”

At the end of the two days, Vanessa told the former stranger she had to return to New York, while he needed to go back to work. They kissed and went their separate ways.

“I can’t believe it happened. It was so special at that time in my life. My friends went from cheering me on to living vicariously through me. They said I lived a moment most people could only dream of. It set me up for everything else I’ve done since then. It was perfect,” she said.

It is not clear what lies ahead for Vanessa and the Italian waiter, who did meet again when she returned to Europe. Regardless, she looks back on the chance encounter with love and as the beginning of a new chapter.

“He helped me get my belief back in myself and build my confidence. It made me realise everyone is in this together, everyone gets nervous or uncertain. We’re all just people. My confidence has reignited now. I’m a totally new woman, and he was the start of that,” she said.

“And no matter what happens in the future, he will always hold a special place in my heart.”

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

One in four couples consider themselves incompatible travel partners, with disagreements over budgets, itineraries and even bedtimes – take this quiz to discover how compatible you are

One in four couples consider themselves incompatible travel partners, with tensions most likely to flare over budgets, itineraries – and even bedtimes. A survey of 2,000 people in a relationship found of the 89% who have travelled with their partner, 23% do not think they are well-matched in their preferences.

Only 28% think their partner ‘ticks all the boxes’ when it comes to travelling together. Among the top things couples disagree about when having a trip away were where to eat, what times to wake up and go to bed, and the budget. However, differences aren’t necessarily a relationship ender.

A quarter believe opposites attract as it helps prevent rows such as not wanting the same seat when using shared transport (43%) and prompts them to venture beyond their comfort zone (35%).

The study, commissioned by Railcard.co.uk, also revealed the benefits of travelling as a duo, including making memories together (57%), consistently having someone to talk with (47%) and building emotional bonds (36%).

Over half reckon it requires one to two journeys to determine if they are genuinely travel compatible with someone. Those who are in sync (77%) credit shared preferences around accommodation (60%), activities (48%) and budget (43%).

Uncover your ultimate travel compatibility score – take the quiz now.

Catherine Lyver from Railcard.co.uk said: “The study shows that travelling with a plus-one comes with its quirks – from debating who gets the window seat to discovering you have very different definitions of an ‘early start’.

“But that’s all part of the fun. Travelling together sparks the kind of conversations that help you learn more about each other and create the memories you laugh about later.

“And with a Two Together Railcard, couples, friends or relatives can save a third on their rail journey while enjoying quality time – even if it’s spent negotiating playlists.”

The research also revealed that despite nine in 10 believing travel compatibility matters, over half (51%) reckon compromise is crucial to a happy relationship.

Being more thoughtful of each other’s needs (34%) and discussing priorities before a trip (25%) are amongst some of the ways travellers have overcome differences with a companion.

Of the 30% who said a train journey is where they and their partner are most travel compatible, 55% viewed these trips as quality time together and 41% said it gives them a chance to catch up.

Catherine Lyver added: “This Valentine’s Day, it’s likely many couples will be travelling together for a day trip or night away.

“Why not make the train journey a part of the experience and make the most of the quality time together”.

TOP 10 THINGS COUPLES DISAGREE ABOUT WHEN TRAVELLING TOGETHER:

1. Where to eat
2. Time to wake up
3. Budget/cost
4. Length of a stay
5. Time to go to bed
6. Itineraries (e.g., how to fill the days)
7. Activities
8. Type of music to listen to
9. Time of day to travel
10. Sight-seeing plans

A SAUCY Valentine’s Day strip model Abbey Clancy had planned for her hubby Peter Crouch was dashed when he invited a chef to their home to cook for them.

The 40-year-old dressed in skimpy underwear and covered up with a mac, intending to make a big reveal.

But she was forced to swelter under the coat when the former Liverpool, Spurs and England striker arrived with the chef.

Abbey said: “That was the worst surprise ever because I got a gorgeous outfit from Agent Provocateur and just put it on with a coat on top.

“And Pete was like ‘Surprise! We’ve got a chef’.

“So I had to just wear my coat for the whole dinner — at home.

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“I had to wear my coat for the whole meal in my own house.

“And I was literally sweating because I was so worried.”

Asked if she was in a Burberry Mac, Abbey said: “Yeah, I was.

“That was highly embarrassing.

“And he kept asking ‘Aren’t you hot in that coat?’”

Peter, 45, eventually cottoned on to why Abbey would not remove her coat but by then was helpless to ask the chef to leave because it would have appeared rude.

He said: “He wouldn’t go away as well.

“You know when they come over and they want to explain the meal.

“It’s like ‘p*** off mate, will you’.”

Mum-of-four Abbey said Valentine’s nights indoors can be romantic too and couples should not feel pressure to always have a great meal out on February 14.

She added on their Therapy Crouch podcast: “That is nice, to stay in.”

It was not the first time Abbey had tried to woo Peter using the same tactic — although last time she was a bit more successful.

In November 2003 she told The Sun how she lured Peter home from training by picking him up in a car while wearing only a Burberry mac.

He said her teasing tactic “worked very well” — but that he is also very easily pleased.

Peter said: “It’s easy to surprise me.

“If I came home and you had no clothes on, it’d be the best surprise ever.

“It’s so simple and I’ll be so happy.

“I’m just being honest.”

Londoners can save more money on weekend breaks to five popular UK cities by opting for one particular method of transport over the train, new research has revealed

New research has revealed that anyone travelling from London to five UK cities can save up to £48 per journey, simply by making their journey via coach instead of the train.

The study, conducted by minibus and coach hire company SMC Coach Hire, analysed travel costs from the capital city to major UK destinations, comparing ticket prices against total mileage to identify where passengers are facing the most expensive rail fares.

The research showed Cardiff as the prime location for making travel savings. While a train journey from London Victoria to the Welsh capital costs an average of £61.39, the equivalent coach journey is just £13.35, a staggering saving of £48.04.

At just 10p per mile, opting to travel by coach offers a fraction of the rail cost for the 131-mile trip.

The top 5 best value routes

The North and Scotland also showed significant disparities, with long-distance travellers set to gain the most from making the journey on a coach:

1. Cardiff: £48.04 saving (£13.35 coach vs £61.39 train)
2. Aberdeen: £47.69 saving (£47.80 coach vs £95.49 train)
3. Leicester: £41.74 saving (£7.35 coach vs £49.09 train)
4. Glasgow: £37.34 saving (£39.45 coach vs £76.79 train)
5. Newcastle: £26.79 saving (£19.50 coach vs £46.29 train

However, distance doesn’t always have a direct impact on the savings. Leicester, one of the shortest routes on the list at just 89 miles, ranked third for total savings. Passengers can make the journey for as little as £7.35 by coach, compared to nearly £50 via rail.

1. Cardiff – train price to London – £61.39, train per mile – £0.47, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 131.33, price difference – £48.04
2. Aberdeen – train price to London – £95.49, train per mile – £0.24, coach price to London – £47.80, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 398.15, price difference – £47.69
3. Leicester – train price to London – £49.09, train per mile – £0.55, coach price to London – £7.35, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 89.38, price difference – £41.74
4. Glasgow – train price to London – £76.79, train per mile – £0.22, coach price to London – £39.45, coach per mile – £0.11, approx distance (miles) 345.20, price difference – £37.34
5. Newcastle – train price to London – £46.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £19.50, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 247.73, price difference – £26.79
6. Derby – train price to London – £38.19, train per mile – £0.34, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.10, approx distance (miles) 113.09, price difference – £26.34
7. Bristol – train price to London – £37.99, train per mile – £0.36, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 106.38, price difference – £24.64
8. Leeds – train price to London – £43.89, train per mile – £0.26, coach price to London – £21.30, coach per mile – £0.13, approx distance (miles) 169.47, price difference – £22.59
9. Nottingham – train price to London – £35.89, train per mile – £0.33, coach price to London – £13.35, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 109.35, price difference – £22.54
10. Brighton and Hove – train price to London – £24.69, train per mile – £0.53, coach price to London – £5.40, coach per mile – £0.12, approx distance (miles) 46.89, price difference – £19.29
11. Manchester – train price to London – £31.29, train per mile – £0.19, coach price to London – £12.75, coach per mile – £0.08, approx distance (miles) 163.22, price difference – £18.54
12. Liverpool – train price to London – £30.19, train per mile – £0.17, coach price to London – £11.85, coach per mile – £0.07, approx distance (miles) 178.62, price difference – £18.34

Stephen Chesters, Director at SMC Coach Hire said: “With the cost of living still a major concern for many, these figures highlight just how much ‘rail tax’ people are paying for their commute or weekend breaks.

“Choosing the road over the rail isn’t just about the journey; it’s about keeping nearly £50 extra in your pocket. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for Valentine’s or looking ahead to a half-term break for the family, coach travel is a great alternative to save some money.”

FEBRUARY seems to be flying past already, with both Valentine’s Day and the start of the school half-term holidays this week meaning lots of themed and kid-friendly events.

Whether you are in a couple or solo, you can head off to a number for Valentine’s Day-related events.

And as the kids get excited for time off school, there are activities you can take them to for free.

Together Through Art, London

From February 10 to 14, Mall Galleries in London will be hosting Together Through Art.

The exhibition aims to show work that helps keep families together when they need it the most.

Over 100 artists are part of the exhibition, including illustrator Emma Bridgewater.

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The art at the exhibition can also be purchased with any money raised going to Homes from Home, which helps families with critically ill children to stay together.

Fylde Ice Festival in Lytham, Lancashire

This Valentine’s Day, you could head to the Fylde Ice Festival.

Found in Clifton Square, the festival features ice sculptures to marvel at and visitors can test out their own ice-carving skills on the ice carving wall.

There will also be live ice carving demonstrations.

Half-term at The Harris in Preston, Lancashire

This weekend marks the first weekend of half-term for many schools across the UK.

And The Harris in Preston will be hosting a number of activities for free.

There will be chemistry sessions, Lego workshops and visits to Planetariums.

There will also be a museum and gallery trail for children over nine-years-old, which is a “creative mission designed to help them chat and look at artwork in fun new ways”.

Chain of Hope, London

Also in London, at the Saatchi Gallery from February 11 to 15, you can visit the Chain of Hope – Share your Heart exhibition.

The exhibition focuses on the connection between art, humanity and compassion.

In total, the exhibition features over 70-heart-themed artworks that have been donated to support children born with congenital heart disease.

The art is also available for purchase, with pieces by famous figures including Olivia Colman, Alison Hammond, Mel B and Shaggy.

Enchanted Realms Week at Affinity Lancashire, Fleetwood, Lancashire

From Valentine’s Day, visitors can step into an enchanted world to meet the K-pop Demon Hunters with unicorns, a Mystic Hunters Trail and opportunity to create a heart-shaped biscuit at a Cupid’s Cookie Workshop.

You can park at Affinity Lancashire – which has 40 shops and outlets – for free and dogs are welcome too.

There’s also a free indoor soft play centre for the under five-year-olds.

London Card Show

From February 13 to 15, the London Card Show – Europe‘s biggest card event – will be at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher.

The event will have 1,000 tables with around two million cards including sports cards, retro gaming, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh and more.

There will be live interviews too, unboxings, raffles and kids’ activities.

Linlithgow Family Adventure, West Lothian, Scotland

This Wednesday, February 11, between 10am and 12pm visitors can attend a hands-on outdoor session for children five-year-old and over.

During the session, you will explore Linlithgow Loch and Peel as well as learn about the area’s wildlife and history.

Valentines Mingle at Dogs Trust Loughborough

Over in Loughborough, from 10am to 12pm on February 13, you can meet some of the dogs from Dogs Trust Loughborough.

The event will be full of fellow dog lovers too so a great chance to make friends with the same interest.

There will also be tea, cake and a raffle.

You can also head to a coffee morning at Dogs Trust Snetterton in Norwich on the same day between 10am to 12:30pm.

Vintage Valentine’s Day Card Making, Norwich

From 4:30pm to 6pm, on February 14, you can head to the American Library Archive in Norwich to create a 1940s inspired Valentine’s Day card.

Think love letters and vintage-style drawings.

All supplies are included and the activity is for those aged 10 and over.

Hong Kong Lunar New Year Market 2026, Manchester

This Saturday and Sunday, you can head to Manchester’s Hong Kong Lunar New Year Market 2026 which celebrates Hong Kong culture.

The family-friendly event has over 130 stalls and 20 live performances, with handmade decorations and games, short-film screenings and guided tours.

Birmingham Light Festival

From February 12 to 15, you can visit Birmingham Light Festival with different illuminated artworks and a number of special events.

This year marks the second year the festival has run and it will take over streets, squares and a number of public spaces in the city.

Live events include fire performances, music performed by a metal band and a silent disco.

For more things to do, here are the top 15 UK attractions for 2025.

Plus, the best-rated activities in London for families – with rooms from £18.50pp a night.

Forget dating apps and blind dates, one couple found love halfway across the world

In today’s society, dating apps have become the go-to for meeting new people and starting romantic connections. But for one couple, their love story started halfway across the world, after a chance encounter, when they least expected it.

Looking for an adventure, Nicki Challinger packed her suitcase and headed to the airport to embark on a 10-day trip around Southeast Asia, stopping in Thailand and Laos. At 31, working as a freelance translator, Nicki was seeking thrills. She booked the trip through Flash Pack, a tour company offering adventures for solo travellers in a small group of a similar age.

This meant that rather than a trip dedicated to 18-30s or one catering to the over 50s, Nicki could enjoy a group tour that suited her age perfectly – avoiding the late-night club outings but ditching early nights! But little did she know she’d meet her husband, Tony Kern, almost the moment after she touched down in Thailand, during their first group meal.

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“There was a group dinner the first night, and I was just coincidentally seated next to him. We had a lot in common, he asked a lot of questions about me, and we shared the same sense of humour,” Nicki exclusively told the Mirror.

“He was really sweet, and he was just so genuine – a really open and kind guy.” Over the course of their trip in November 2018, they went whitewater rafting, cycling and treks, including one through a jungle.

Nicki sweetly recalled one day when they floated down the Mekong River on a boat as they crossed the border into Laos. “We had been getting on, and we were just chatting for hours while sitting at this little table, and just watching the beautiful scenery. It was without the pressure, as we were just hanging out, as everyone else in the group was.”

As sparks began to fly, they got closer, but as Tony, who was 32 at the time, was from the US and Nicki from the UK, they didn’t think it would go anywhere outside of the trip. It wasn’t until day eight of their tour that they knew it was something special.

“We went for a walk around this little town that we’d stopped in on the Mekong, and it was late at night, so all the stars were out, and it was sort of really romantic. That’s when I thought, ‘I can see this going somewhere’, and I did think we might kiss at the end of that night,” Nicki recalled.

“But then there was a pack of wild street dogs and I’m terrified of them. I don’t like dogs when they’re on a lead, so street dogs in Laos, I was not feeling it. He didn’t kiss me that night, so I was like, ‘Oh, maybe he doesn’t feel it.’ And then the next day, when we talked about it, he said, ‘Yeah, it just didn’t seem like the right moment.'”

They later had a conversation while at a resort overlooking the Mekong River and said it wasn’t just a holiday romance but something serious. That’s when they shared their first kiss.

As their relationship began, the tour inevitably came to an end. Yet that wasn’t going to stop the newly formed couple, despite being thousands of miles apart. Nicki had stayed in Thailand for a month to work on an island, while Tony travelled back home to the US.

They kept in contact and spoke on the phone a lot, while battling a 13-hour time difference for a month. But after spotting affordable flights to the US just two weeks after meeting, Nicki later jetted off to meet Tony at his home in Kansas City.

She said they had a “great time” together in the US, and after that, went back and forth to see each other. Then, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Nicki made the quick decision to go back over to the US, just days before they shut the border, and stayed there for three months.

“In hindsight, it was quite a good practice for real married life, and we went for nice walks in the evening,” she shared. Then, in April 2021, the couple got engaged in the US, the evening before Nicki’s birthday, “It was relaxed but romantic”.

Just a few months later, in November 2021, they joyfully tied the knot during an intimate ceremony in the US before returning to the UK for a bigger wedding party in July 2022. Here, they had eight of their friends from the tour attend, two of whom also sparked up a relationship on the trip, and now have a baby together.

Talking of their love story, Nicki said: “It was unexpected, none of us were looking for a relationship, we just went on the tour for an adventure. It was life-changing. Everything had lined up like the dates of the trip and the discount – it just worked really well logistically, and then I met my husband. People are always so surprised.”

They had both used Flash Pack to book trips in the past, but never thought their 2018 adventure would lead to love. “I was not bothered at all. I just wanted to see some of Thailand, and I didn’t want to do it by myself,” Nicki said. It was also the first time this specific tour had ever run, which Nicki said meant “everybody on the trip had the same, relatively relaxed mindset.”

After maintaining a visa, Tony, now 40, moved to the UK in November 2022, and today, they happily live in Nottingham. While they’ve known each other for around eight years, Nicki, now 38, confessed: “Theoretically, the language is the same, but I would say it’s still probably about once a week where one of us says something, and the other is like, ‘I literally have no idea what you’re saying’.”

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

WHEN it comes to Valentine’s Day, there is often a lot of pressure to do something worthwhile, but you don’t have to splash out on a fancy meal to have a special day.

Skip the five-star restaurant meal and head to something more memorable for a fraction of the price.

Under £50

Scavenger Hunt

Couples who love to explore together should head off on a scavenger hunt.

Available in various cities across the UK, Will Breaker offers a number of themed scavenger hunts from just £16.50 per person.

Each lasts around one-and-a-half hours and you get a photo memento at the end.

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See the new Wuthering Heights in the cinema

Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights finally hits our screens on February 13 – just in time for Valentine’s Day.

The steamy film, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, will be shown at most major UK cinemas.

Tickets to see the new movie cost around £12.99 per adult, making it an affordable Valentine’s date.

Bouldering

For those who prefer a bit more of an active date, head bouldering.

The sport allows for lots of time chatting, but then also moments helping each other to reach the top of a climbing wall.

There are bouldering centres across the UK, so just search for the one neatest to you.

You can expect to pay around £10 for a pass, and if you need shoes and chalk a few more quid on top of that, per person.

Pottery Cafes

Pottery is booming at the moment and with The Great Pottery Throw Down currently on Channel 4, what could be a better excuse than to head on a pottery-themed date?

Across the country there are lots of pottery cafes where you can select an item to paint.

Each item usually has a price, with many starting from around £10-£15 per item.

You then get to paint before your item is fired, usually for a small additional fee.

It is the perfect activity for the creative, but also for chilling and chatting.

Some cafes will even let you bring your own booze…

Boom Battle Bar

Boom Battle Bar has venues across the country, and what is great about this attraction is that you can spend as little or as much as you want to.

Each bar has a range of activities including crazy golf, axe throwing, karaoke pods and shuffleboard.

You can either purchase a bundle to play multiple games and activities or pay as you go, with prices starting from £6 per person.

A trip to the seaside

Who doesn’t like to be beside the seaside?

Wherever you are in the UK, you are never more than two to three hours by car from the sea.

And Valentine’s Day makes the ideal excuse to jump in the car for a mini road trip to the beach.

Top spots include Brighton, where you will find a long pier full of fun activities, pebble beach and narrow alleys full of independent shops.

Alternatively, if in Cornwall or Somerset, why not explore the part of the South West Coast Path that runs through Devon.

National Parks

There are many things you can do across the UK for free as well, and one of those things is visiting one of our many National Parks.

For example, you could head to Dartmoor in Devon to discover disused quarries, explore tors and see wild ponies.

Some spots in National Parks even have free parking.

Or you could head to Kielder Forest, which is has a public observatory and organises over 700 events a year.

The Kielder Observatory is one of the best places to see the night sky as it sits in Europe’s largest Gold-Tier International Dark Sky Park.

There are also lots of forests across the UK with biking trails too, such as Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire.

The forest spans across 27,000 acres of woodland and sits between the Severn and Wye Rivers.

It was also England’s first National Forest Park and today is enjoyed for its hiking and cycling trails as well as attractions such as Puzzlewood.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be expensive…

Under £100

Murder mystery train experience

For something truly unique, head off on a murder mystery dining experience on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway Steam Train.

Costing £100 for two people, you will solve crime while enjoying a meal.

The three-course meal is prepared onboard the train and over the duration of the journey you will see the Yorkshire countryside as you solve missions.

Fancy something more stationary? Then why not head to the stationary Victorian Train Carriage at Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration in London for a ‘journey’ on the Orient Express.

Over the course of 90 minutes, you will solve puzzles and enjoy cocktails and nibbles to unravel the truth behind a murder committed onboard.

The experience costs £80 for two people.

Valentine’s Silent Disco, Natural History Museum

On February 13, you can head to the Natural History Museum for a Silent Disco.

Dancing under Hope the Whale, you can listen to music via headphones and dance with your partner in crime.

The disco starts at 9pm and finishes at midnight.

Tickets cost £36 per person for members or £40 per person for non-members.

If a silent disco isn’t your thing, on actual Valentine’s Day you can head to a museum late event where you can sip on cocktails and learn from the museum’s scientists.

There are even dance classes hosted by Pineapple Dance Studios,

The event starts at 6:45pm and ends at 10:30pm, with tickets costing £36 for members or £40 for non-members.

The Big Bakes

Fan of Bake Off? Well, The Big Bakes might be the date spot for you.

The outdoor immersive 90-minute baking competition allows you to experience the thrill of a marquee just like the one from the TV show.

The Big Bakes has venues across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool with only a few spots left for Valentine’s Day.

In teams of two, you will create a cake using the tools and ingredients supplied.

The experience costs from £47.99 per person.

ABBA Voyage

Unlike your usual concert, ABBA Voyage features digital ‘ABBAtar’ versions of the band as they looked when they performed in 1979.

The 100-minute show features the four members carrying out a concert as if they are actually on stage, with some of their biggest hits.

It truly is a mind-blowing experience, because you can’t believe the stars in front of you aren’t the real deal.

Seated tickets cost from £38.50 per person, but prices are higher on Valentine’s Day itself.

If you want to splash out extra, access to the Oceanbird Lounge costs £99 before the show and gets you unlimited food and drink.

One-night hotel stay

Why not check-in for the night at a special hotel?

Many hotels across the UK still have availability for Valentine’s Day with prices under £100 total.

For example, you could head to Furzen Farmhouse in Cirencester for £86.

Set in historic stone building surrounded by countryside, the farmhouse has a kitchenette, lounge and picnic area.

Or you could head to The Belfry at Yarcombe for £87 including breakfast.

The four-star B&B is in an old school building and sits in the Blackdown Hills area, making it a great countryside retreat with picturesque walks.

Each bedroom is unique with original features including stained glass windows.

Under £200

Murder Mystery break for two

Across the UK several venues host murder mystery breaks for couples wanting to tackle a challenge together.

For example, via WOWcher, you could book a murder mystery break for two people, with hotel, a three-course meal and breakfast includes at 100 hotels across the country.

Ran by Murder 57, guests can choose where they want to stay – with destinations including Cardiff, Nottingham and Manchester – with 60 different plot lines also to choose from.

For example, you could enter the world of Agatha Christie with A Midsummer Murder.

It costs from £92.99 per person.

Luxury break at The Belfry Hotel and Resort

A romantic getaway is a classic Valentine’s gift and for less than £200 you could head to the Midlands for a break at the Belfry Hotel and Resort.

The hotels’s Love & Luxury Break includes an overnight stay with a three-course meal in the evening including a glass of prosecco each and then a a full English breakfast in the morning.

There is live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights too and guests get full access to The Club for fitness and wellness.

It costs from £169 per room.

Amsterdam mini cruise

Fancy heading out of the country but don’t want to fly?

Well, if you happen to live near Newcastle you can head off on a two-night mini cruise to Amsterdam, in the Netherlands.

Currently being offered on WOWcher for £92.99 per person, you could stay in a private two-berth cabin, get a glass of fizz each, have unlimited luggage allowance and get transfers to and from Amsterdam city centre.

The offer can be redeemed anytime until June 2026.

See a concert

While concert tickets do tend to sell out far in advance, sometimes people’s plans change and then tickets go on resale.

This is the case for some concerts on Valentine’s Day.

For example, you could see James Arthur at M&S Bank Arene Liverpool for £62.75 per person.

Or at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester you could see the Kaiser Chiefs for £51.75 per person.

Spa day

There are lots of different places in the UK where you can head off to for a spa day.

For example, you could head to Riverhills Spa in Ipswich, Suffolk, to experience refurbished facilities.

You can even grab the ‘Sweet Valentine Package’, which includes a 30-minute treatment of your choice, four hours in the spa, hot chocolate and homemade chocolates and a robe, towel and slippers for £85 per person during the week or £95 per person at the weekend.

Alternatively, you could head to Rena Spa at The Midland in Manchester for a spa day for two.

Costing £91 per person, you will receive a meal, spa access and a 50-minute Mud Rasul treatment.

You will also get a complimentary glass of prosecco.

For more ideas on days out, here are 15 attractions in the UK that have £1 per person tickets from huge castles to kid-friendly museums.

Plus, 10 days out in the UK that cost less than a pint from free-to-visit lidos to cheap cinema mornings.