visit

While the US president is a self-avowed fan of the royals, he regularly criticises the UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, and dismissed UK aircraft carriers as “toys” compared with US equivalents. The King is, of course, the head of the British Armed Forces. And the political relations between the US and the UK, and other Nato allies, are at a perilously low ebb.

April 21 (Asia Today) — China has denied entry to South Korea’s intelligence chief and signaled reluctance to improve bilateral relations, amid growing tensions over Seoul’s perceived stance on Taiwan, according to diplomatic sources.

A South Korean delegation led by lawmaker Cho Jung-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea recently visited Beijing and returned Sunday after holding talks on political issues and bilateral relations. The delegation had initially planned to include National Intelligence Service Director Lee Jong-seok.

However, Chinese authorities reportedly refused Lee’s visit, citing remarks in which he suggested that engagement with Taiwan could be used as leverage to encourage China’s cooperation in improving inter-Korean relations.

According to a diplomatic source in Beijing, China reacted strongly to the comments and demanded an explanation through diplomatic channels. The delegation was subsequently restructured to include deputy officials and retired military officers instead of Lee.

Although the visit proceeded, its outcomes were limited. Chinese officials maintained protocol by assigning a vice foreign minister to host the delegation, but expectations for substantive progress were low, sources said.

Beijing is believed to be increasingly dissatisfied with what it views as South Korea’s ambiguous position – publicly supporting the “One China” principle while maintaining a level of engagement with Taiwan.

Tensions have also been fueled by a recent dispute over how Taiwan is officially referenced, in which South Korea appeared to adjust its position following objections from Taipei. Chinese officials reportedly viewed the move as inconsistent and unfavorable.

The strained atmosphere has cast doubt on the possibility of a visit to South Korea this year by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which Seoul has sought as part of efforts to stabilize ties.

Analysts say the situation highlights the need for South Korea to carefully manage relations with China while balancing broader regional dynamics.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260421010006584

Christina Applegate is speaking out amid reports of an extended hospitalization.

The acclaimed comedy actor, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021, has been the subject of regular news coverage in the years since her health first began to decline. TMZ on Thursday reported that she had been hospitalized in Los Angeles for undisclosed reasons, leading her friends and fans to extend messages of support.

“Thank you for the outpouring of love and well wishes,” Applegate said Monday in a social media post seemingly referencing such messages. The post included a photo of the actor’s recently released memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes,” and a coffee mug resting on what appears to be a home parapet.

She continued: “Health issues are a constant for me, but I’m a strong chick and I’m getting stronger and better every day. I’m taking a moment to focus on my health, but I’ll be back with more to say soon enough.”

Several of Applegate’s fellow actors offered support in the comments section, with Cheyenne Jackson writing, “Christina, just in case today’s mail got lost: We the public would like to formally submit that we adore you, support you, and RIDE AT DAWN FOR YOU ALWAYS.”

“Days of Our Lives” star Greg Rikaart echoed his sentiment: “Can’t think of anyone the collective culture roots for more than you.”

Applegate’s representative previously declined to comment on the hospitalization reports, telling Entertainment Weekly that the “Married … With Children” alum has “had a long history of complicated medical conditions that she has been refreshingly open about, as evidenced in her memoir and on her [‘MeSsy’] podcast.”

Applegate in March released “You With the Sad Eyes,” detailing everything from her unstable childhood to her decades-spanning acting career and the health issues that have plagued it.

“This book is not cathartic for me — let’s just go there,” Applegate recently told The Times. “I just needed to dump this s— out somewhere. It’s almost like you guys are now my therapists in the world.”

“There’s going to be really f— horrible s— and then we’re going to have fun stuff — because that’s what my editor told me to have (that’s a joke!) — and crap again,” the “Dead to Me” star said. “That’s my life.”

YOU won’t need to travel far if you want to head to one of the best destinations in Europe this summer, as it is right here in the UK.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens near Cranbrook in Kent, have been named the third best place to visit in Europe this year.

According to Travel + Leisure, Jim Strong, a member of Travel + Leisure’s Travel Advisory Board and president of Strong Travel Services said: “Kent is known as the ‘Garden of England,’ and Sissinghurst Castle Gardens do not disappoint.

“The lawns and terraced colors of wildflowers of the area are a treat to the soul.

“A stroll around the grounds is tranquil in any weather, but spring and summer are the highlights.”

Originally starting out as a prison for around 3,000 captured French sailors in the 1700s, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens is a great spot for a family day out.

Read more on travel inspo

HOL YES

I’m a travel editor & mum-of-3… my favourite family holidays from just £3pp a night

BARGAIN HOL

Travel companies reveal their CHEAPEST spots this summer, with hols from £189pp

When visiting today, you’ll mostly see what has been left by Vita Sackville-West – a poet and writer – and her diplomat husband, Harold Nicolson.

According to The National Trust, when Vita first saw the house she said: “I fell in love; love at first sight.

“I saw what might be made of it.

“It was Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.”

Together they transformed the castle in the 1930s adding the garden ‘rooms’ – different, walled areas of the garden – and planting colourful flowers.

One major feature of the destination is the 80-step Tower, which boasts panoramic views of the surrounding estate.

It used to be Vita’s Writing Room where she crafted her novels and poetry, as well as her weekly gardening column that featured in The Observer.

Her novels included All Passion Spent (1931) and Thirty Clocks Strike the Hour (1932).

If you are visiting for a day, you’ll be able to explore the garden ‘rooms’, including the Rose Garden and the White Garden.

There is then a ‘No Dig’ garden with vegetables, fruits and herbs as well.

Another part of the garden is called Delos – it is named after the Greek island and was inspired by the couples’ numerous visits there.

Delos also boasts a number of Greek artefacts including a number of Hellenistic altars that came from the island.

Inside the castle itself, drop by The Big Room (the library), where Vita and Harold used to host events and entertain guests.

If you fancy a little bit of retail therapy and have green fingers yourself, there is a Plant Shop that sells seasonal vegetables and plants that have been grown on site.

Alternatively, head to the main shop which sells a range of items including local products, homeware items and books, including works by Vita and Harold.

If there aren’t enough books in the shop for you though, there is a second-hand bookshop as well.

After all your exploring, grab a bite to eat and something to drink at The Old Dairy Cafe, where you can sit either inside or outside.

At The Granary restaurant, you can grab a bigger meal if you like as well as lunch boxes ideal for kids.

The destination is dog-friendly as well and has two walks you can head off on, which is a great way to see the estate.

For those who want an easier walk, there is a one-mile route but for those who want to enjoy a bit more time in nature there is a three-mile route as well.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden costs from £20 per adult and £10 per child to visit.

If you want to enjoy more time in the gardens, then you can opt to stay at the edge of the gardens in the Priest’s House.

The small brick house is thought to be part of the Elizabethan mansion that made up Sissinghurst Castle, but has been completely renovated inside to make it into a three-bedroom house with cosy fireplaces and wooden beams.

The cheapest Sun Travel could find is for three nights in January 2027, costing £779 (around £43.28 per person per night based on six people staying).

Alternatively, you could stay at Sissinghurst Castle Farmhouse which has nine bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis.

Rooms cost from £235 per night.

Last year, The Telegraph also named the village of Sissinghurst – which is just down the road from the castle – one of the prettiest villages in Kent.

The Telegraph commented that the village boasts “whitewashed, old brick and clapboard houses with a post office, a pub, a church and a village chippy”.

While there isn’t much to do in the village, you could grab some lunch from The Village Chippy such as cod and chips for £9.60.

One recent visitor said: “Stopped by for their seafood platter and oh goodness was it delicious.

“Food quality is excellent and the batter was so good and the chips were delicious – everything was cooked fresh while we waited.

“Highly recommend anyone to go there fantastic food.”

You can also grab a pint from The Milk House, which was the former coaching inn.

Dogs are welcome and there is also a garden area and terrace.

For more villages to explore in the UK, here are the quaint British villages with toy-town cottages, car-free roads and cosy pubs – handpicked by our travel writers.

Plus, here are five pretty English villages that will make you feel like you’re in The Holiday with cosy pubs and cottages.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei has reaffirmed strong alignment with the US and Israel during a visit to Jerusalem, backing their war on Iran.

His visit with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu included new agreements and closer ties.

Leo is the third pontiff to visit the fossil fuel-rich country after John Paul II in 1992 and Benedict XVI in 2009.

Pope Leo XIV is set to arrive in Angola on the third leg of a landmark African tour that has unfolded alongside an escalating war of words with United States President Donald Trump over the Middle East conflict.

Leo, the third pontiff to visit the fossil fuel-rich country after John Paul II in 1992 and Benedict XVI in 2009, is expected to arrive at 3pm local time (14:00 GMT) on Saturday in the capital, Luanda, where billboards bearing his image have been erected to welcome him.

The pope, who visited Cameroon for three days before flying to Luanda, is also slated to meet Angola’s President Joao Lourenco and deliver a speech in the country, where about 44 percent of the population identifies as Catholic.

Leo’s increasingly forceful calls for world peace are likely to resonate in Angola, which emerged in 2002 from a 27-year civil war that erupted after independence from Portugal in 1975.

Throughout his Africa visit, the first pope from the US has issued pointed warnings about corruption, the exploitation of the continent’s vast resources and the dangers of artificial intelligence.

‘Stick to matters of morality’

The pope’s Africa visit has also been marked by a clash with Trump, who has called the 70-year-old head of the Catholic Church “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy”. Trump had also shared what appeared to be an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, prompting a backlash from leaders across the religious spectrum.

The pope had responded by saying he was not afraid of Trump and that he would continue to speak out against war, marking a rare public clash between a pontiff and a sitting US president.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump said he had the right to disagree with the pontiff. “I have no disagreement with the fact the pope can say what he wants, and I want him to say what he wants, but I can disagree,” he said.

After US Vice President JD Vance urged the Vatican to “stick to matters of morality”, Leo said on Thursday that the world was “being ravaged by a handful of tyrants” and intensified criticism of those using religion to justify war.

During his stop in Cameroon, Leo also urged the country’s leaders to tackle corruption and condemned “those who, in the name of profit, continue to seize the African continent to exploit and plunder it”.

Leo’s warnings against corruption and exploitation may resonate in Angola, where one-third of the population lives below the poverty line despite vast fossil fuel reserves.

On Sunday, he will celebrate an open-air Mass in Kilamba, outside Luanda, before travelling by helicopter to Muxima, home to a 16th-century church and major pilgrimage site.

On Monday, Leo is due to travel to Saurimo to visit a retirement home and hold another Mass. He will then fly to Equatorial Guinea, the final stop of his 18,000km (11,185-mile) African tour.

The source said: “We fully understand and appreciate the survivors’ position, but can only reiterate that our position is clear that anything that could potentially impact on ongoing police inquiries and assessments, and any potential legal action that could result from that, would be to the detriment of the survivors themselves in their pursuit of justice.”

STAYCATIONS are on the rise this year, and there’s one county in England that actually wants you to visit.

County Durham is attempting to lure tourists in for more than a day trip with its pretty beaches, great pubs, beautiful nature reserves and a famous ‘living’ museum.

Follow The Sun’s award-winning travel team on Instagram and Tiktok for top holiday tips and inspiration.

County Durham sits in the North East of England and is known primarily for its city of Durham, home to a huge cathedral that’s over 930 years old – which is also where scenes for the first two Harry Potter films were filmed.

Aside from the city, the county itself has so much to offer, and officials are hoping that tourists will stick around to see more of it.

The latest data from 2024 recorded 19.93million day visitors to County Durham, but just 1.64million overnight stays in the same period.

DIG IN

Bucket-and-spade county loved by Sun readers for traditional beaches & attractions

BEACHY KEEN

Sun readers’ favourite family attractions in Lincolnshire’s seaside resorts

Officials want to see visitors spend more time in the county – rather than just visit for 12 hours and head to the likes of Newcastle.

And while yes, Newcastle does have epic nightlife, there are lots of top notch pubs and bars in County Durham too – three of which have been shortlisted in the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026.

The first is Slug & Lettuce in Durham’s Walkergate food and drink complex – it has a classic offering of cocktails and even a neon staircase.

Second is The Head of Steam on North Road, which is very near Durham Cathedral and the Riverwalk.

One happy customer said on Tripadvisor that it’s “hands down one of the best spots in the city.”

Outside of the city centre is the third pub in the list – The Royal George in Peterlee which serves up huge roast dinners on Sundays.

Another award-winning pub is Victoria Inn, which won Durham’s CAMRA Pub of the Year competition for 2026 and made an appearance in The European Bar Guide.

It’s a Grade II listed pub, first built in 1899 with a cosy snug and coal fires, and it hasn’t changed much since.

When it comes to exploring the county, another must-do is head to the coast.

It’s got pretty coastal spots like Blackhall Rocks Beach which is considered a ‘hidden gem’ and sits in front of huge limestone cliffs.

The village of Horden has an unspoilt beach with few facilities, but visitors say it’s lovely for a refreshing walk.

The town of Seaham is known for its long sandy beach with sea glass that’s scattered throughout the pebbles and stones on the shoreline.

The sea treasure is man-made glass which has ended up in the sea, where it is then shaped by the water over several years before returning to the shore.

And plenty of beachgoers head there to try and find some.

From Seaham, it’s common to spot dolphins, one person wrote on TripAdvisor: “Staying on the beach gave us a prime viewing of the pod of dolphins that swam along the coast catching fish – great photo opportunity.”

For more on staycations, here are some of our favourite UK hotels…

*If you click on a link in this box, we will earn affiliate revenue

Margate House, Kent

This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.

BOOK HERE

The Alan, Manchester

The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.

BOOK HERE

The Queen at Chester Hotel

This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.

BOOK HERE

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge

This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.

BOOK HERE

It’s not all beach though – County Durham also has lots of natural beauty inland.

The High Force Waterfall is found in the Forest-in-Teesdale in the Durham Dales and is around 70-feet tall.

One hiker who spoke to Sun Travel even said it’s “probably the most impressive waterfall in the UK.”

Just half an hour away by car is another impressive must-see – Raby Castle in Darlington.

Built in the 14th century, it was formerly the home of Cecily Neville – the mother of two kings of England – and is surrounded by a 200-acre deer park where the animals roam freely on the grounds.

There’s also pretty walled gardens, an adventure playground, and café.

Entry to the castle, deer park and gardens starts from £24 for adults and £23 for concessions. For children between 4-15 it’s £13 and under 4s go free.

County Durham is also home to a unique museum that visitors have said makes them feel like they’re ‘travelling back in time’.

Called Beamish, the ‘living museum’ allows people to see what life would have been like in the UK between the 1820s and 1950s.

Visitors can explore replica homes, pubs, shops, train stations – and it’s fully interactive.

Passes cost £35 for adults and £20.50 for children (it’s an unlimited pass so if you buy it once, you can return as many times as you like throughout the year).

The Bowes Museum is a beautiful and enormous art gallery set amongst 22 acres of landscaped parkland.

Inside the French-style museum holds world-famous art collections with pieces by the likes of Spanish artists, El Greco and Goya.

From now until September, it is holding an exhibition honouring fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood.

Day admission for adults is £20 – and under 18s, as well as full-time students and carers, go free.

When it comes to entertaining the kids – head to Adventure Valley which is a family adventure park.

It’s got everything you could possibly think of for an entertaining day out, from adventure golf to tractor rides, football, a huge outdoor playground, and indoor soft play.

It has farmyard animals too, from pigs to goats and alpacas. Tickets for both adults and children start from £15.95.

Here’s what one travel writer thought when he went to the city of Durham…

Writer Alan Scott reveals what he got up to in the city of Durham…

“Even for those muggles who are not Harry Potter fans, shouting out spells in Durham Cathedral doesn’t feel too out of place.

“Quite the opposite, in fact, given more Potter movie scenes than you can wave a wand at have been shot in this historic city.

“No1 filming location for fans of JK Rowling’s magical tales to visit is surely the Norman cathedral, dating to the 11th Century.

“It is this building that brought the fictional wizarding school of Hogwarts to life in the films.

“Durham is not all old hallways and ancient sites, though. Visiting with my partner Charlotte, on day one we set off to concoct some potions with Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore. OK, that’s not strictly true — but we did make our own bottle of gin at the Durham Gin Distillery, with managing director Jon Chadwick.

“With his wild, white hair and beard he certainly reminded us of a young Dumbledore.”

Here’s more on a Victorian seaside town with very unusual beach in County Durham that’s getting trains to the capital for the first time ever.

And here’s England’s first railway town that inspired the rest of the world is one of the most affordable places to live.

TikTok travel influencer Luke Patrick described the city as “highly underrated”. He said: “It’s unfairly a bit overshadowed by Istanbul, but I’m here to change that.

While Turkey is already an incredibly popular holiday destination among Brits for its stunning beaches and the historic city of Istanbul, there’s another part of the country you might not have considered for your next break. And if you’re looking for somewhere a bit off the beaten track filled with history, culture, and great food, one travel influencer has you covered.

Luke Patrick, who regularly shines a light on lesser-known destinations in Eastern Europe and further afield on TikTok, where he has more than 22,000 followers, recently posted a video showcasing the city of Bursa. The city in north-west Turkey lies south of Istanbul, across the Sea of Marmara, and has a lot to offer.

Opening his video, Luke said: “I am in Bursa, one of the largest cities in Türkiye, and one of the former capitals of the Ottoman Empire. Here’s how to spend a day in this wonderful city.”

The Ottoman Empire spanned much of South East Europe, West Asia, and North Africa, with its heart in modern-day Turkey. It lasted more than 600 years, from the 14th century up to 1922.

Continuing, Luke said: “Bursa is one highly underrated city. It’s unfairly a bit overshadowed by Istanbul, but I’m here to change that.

“The first place you should visit is Tophane Park. It’s where the old Ottoman Sultans are buried, and here you can get the best views over the city.”

He continued by highlighting the cuisine on offer, saying: “Bursa is in my opinion the best food city in Türkiye. What you want to get is iskender and tahini bread with simit.” Iskender is a dish consisting of sliced lamb or chicken with hot tomato sauce over pieces of pita bread, topped with sheep’s milk butter and yoghurt, while simit is a ring-shaped bread which looks similar to a bagel.

Luke said: “You eat it by dipping the simit in the tahini. This is usually my go-to breakfast.”

Continuing, he said: “Another place you definitely want to visit in Bursa is Koza Han. A Han is basically an old rest stop for merchants and travellers. Here you can get the best Turkish coffee.

“And finally, you want to visit the Grand Bazaar. Here they sell everything, and it’s all much cheaper than at the one in Istanbul.”

One person in the comments added their own suggestion for people visiting the city. They said: “Bursa is also renowned for its skiing resort, and also the oldest Ottoman village, Cumalıkızık.”

How can I get to Bursa?

The closest airport to the city is Bursa Yenişehir Airport, which is about 30 miles east of the city itself. However, no airlines currently offer direct flights from the UK.

The most direct option is to fly to one of Istanbul’s two airports – Istanbul or Sabiha Gokcen. Direct flights to both are available from a number of UK airports. The flight takes around four hours.

From there, you can either hire a car, or travel by bus to Bursa. The journey takes around two hours.

Senegal, who were stripped of the AFCON title, are appealing the decision for the trophy to be awarded to Morocco.

The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has visited Dakar, nearly a month after the body’s shock decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco.

Patrice Motsepe announced the trip at the end of March, stating that he would travel to Senegal and Morocco to emphasise the importance of “working together to grow African football”, as his organisation faces considerable criticism.

President Bassirou Diomaye Faye will receive Motsepe at the presidential palace later in the day, with a news conference to follow.

His visit comes at a particularly tense time for CAF following its surprise decision to overturn Senegal’s 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in the Cup of Nations final on January 18.

CAF cited regulations about leaving the field as it recorded a 3-0 victory in Morocco’s favour on March 17.

During the match, Senegalese players, head coach Pape Thiaw and his staff walked off the pitch in Rabat after Morocco were awarded an added-time penalty, which forward Brahim Diaz ultimately missed.

The Senegalese Football Federation has appealed CAF’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The decision has prompted a strong response by Senegal, whose government has called for an international investigation into suspected corruption within the institution.

Weighing in on the matter late last month, Motsepe said he would “respect and implement the CAS decision. My personal opinion regarding the matter is irrelevant.”

WITH temperatures set to hit the mid-20s in parts of the UK this week – and it still being the Easter holidays – there couldn’t be a better time for a last-minute staycation.

Londoners can expect highs of 25C today, while those in Cardiff and Manchester will enjoy 21C.

So with the weather being this good, the seaside is an ideal spot to soak up the sun.

Here are our favourite seaside spots in the UK you could head to this week for a last-minute break.

Teignmouth, Devon

Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Devon isn’t short of pretty seaside towns that are ideal for family days out and trips.

But when it comes to Teignmouth on the South West Coast Path, it has a charm that not many other places I have visited in Devon have.

The seafront has a wide promenade, ideal for a walk or for kids to whiz along on a scooter.

The long beach features Devon’s famous red sand due to its iron minerals.

Often the sea is too rough to swim in here, but it doesn’t matter as Teignmouth Lido – which recently announced it was going to close – has been saved and will reopen for the season.

While a date is yet to be announced, the lido usually opens in May.

About halfway along the beach, you will find the 161-year-old Teignmouth Grand Pier.

Despite suffering storm damage in late January, it remains open – just the deck at the end is closed.

This means kids can still have fun in the arcades with the penny slot machines.

In the town, there are a few shops you can explore and plenty of cafes and bakeries to grab a bite to eat, too.

Make sure to head to Jane’s Ice Creams for a treat as well – their Turkish Delight ice cream is heavenly.

If you want to extend your visit to explore the surrounding areas, hop on the ferry to Shaldon, which is the oldest passenger ferry in England.

You could stay at Coast View Holiday Park for three nights from April 10 to April 13, costing from £37.17 per person per night, based on a family of four sharing.

Southwold, Suffolk

Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

The seaside town of Southwold has it all.

Of course, it has a huge stretch of beach, but it also has the classic arcades and activities, without being too lively.

The 190-metre-long pier stretches over the sea and is filled with the classic 2p machines, an ‘Under the Pier Show’, restaurants and little ice cream parlours.

On the other side of the pier is a boating lake where visitors can rent out a pedalo or rowing boats.

It also has an adventure golf course and a cosy tearoom which has lovely views across the lake.

One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is stocking up on food and taking it for a beach picnic, which you can do at the lovely food stops in the high street, like The Black Olive Delicatessen or The Two Magpies Bakery.

Of course, a staple of the town is the Adnams Brewery, where you can buy some of its locally brewed beer – they even offer tours.

Then there’s the beach, which is lined with multi-coloured beach huts.

For fish and chips, you’re spoiled for choice with places like The Little Fish & Chip Shop and Mrs T’s Fish and Chips.

My favourite place, the Sole Bay Fish Company, is a five-minute drive away from the beach.

Pull up on the side of the road, grab your fish supper and then head out to watch the boats bobbing in and out of the harbour during sunset; it’s the perfect way to end the day.

A lot of availability for hotels in Southwold is booked up this week, but just down the road, you will find Boundary Farm, Suffolk.

You can stay from April 8 to 10 for £290 total, for a family of four in a safari tent – around £36.25 per person per night.

Boscastle, Cornwall

Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital)

Cornwall has more than its fair share of picture-perfect seaside towns
and villages, and Boscastle is up there with the very best.

The fishing village on the north coast of the county has a more rugged
charm than those in the south, owing to the fact that it faces out into
the Atlantic Ocean.

One hundred years ago, Boscastle was a busy fishing port, but today its
dramatic, cliff-edged harbour is mainly used for small fishing boats and tourism.

Oh… and swimming.

When the tide is high, there’s nowhere better to go for a morning dip.

Then on the way back, it’s almost mandatory to pick up a coffee and a pastry from the Harbour Light cafe.

The cafe has a lovely spot next to the stream that leads out to sea,
and is the perfect place to watch the world go by.

It’s also opposite the famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic – home to
one of the world’s largest collections of items relating to witchcraft
and magic, which is well worth a visit.

In that same riverside stretch is the renowned Rocket Store, a tiny
seafood restaurant serving excellent dishes like grilled scallops in
green chilli butter, torched seabass and grilled leeks in brown
butter.

The combination of extremely welcoming staff and the size of the
venue, makes it feel like you’re almost eating in someone’s home.

If you’re looking for something simpler, I recommend a pint in the
garden of the Wellington Hotel, which has a really cool suntrap of a
back garden.

It is a quintessential, charming Cornish fishing village, ideal for scenic walks, exploring local history, and experiencing a unique atmosphere on the north coast of Cornwall.

The YHA Boscastle is in a stunning location on the edge of the harbour, and it still has private rooms this week from just £80 a night that sleep up to six people – working out at a very reasonable £13 per person.

Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk

Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

Raised in this postcard North Norfolk seaside town, I’ve had years to explore every nook and cranny.

So here’s all of the must-visit spots, with insider tips from a local.

The main buzz of the town is found on the quay, where you can easily spend an afternoon dipping into traditional sweet and souvenir shops and spending spare change in the amusements.

I recommend heading down to the East Quay with a bucket, crabbing line and diced bacon for a quiet spot to go gillying (Norfolk slang for crabbing) – a must-do when in Wells.

On the quay, Will’s of Wells is a trendy spot where you can enjoy an expertly-made flat white in a surf shack-style interior, while the Golden Fleece serves posh pub classics and local ales.

There are also two award-winning fish and chip shops here, just a few doors down from one another, French’s and Plattens, which have long divided locals with their rivalry.

Both offer seating with quay views where you can watch fishermen haul in their catches, but for me, Plattens takes the win with its crispy battered fish and soft golden chips.

Wells-next-the-Sea beach is worth the mile-long walk from the quay.

The raised coastal path offers views over the harbour, marshland and pinewoods, making your stroll down to the shore a scenic activity in itself.

Once you reach the end, you’re met with miles of sweeping golden sands, backed by rolling dunes and thick pine forests.

Colourful beach huts separate the forest from the sand, and if you fancy treating yourself on your beach trip, you can even rent one from £65 per day.

The rental comes with deckchairs, a windbreak, and, of course, shelter from the scorching sun or the odd blustery breeze.

They’re also handy for storing your belongings and have a comfy spot to sit in and watch the children play on the beach.

For a place to stay, I recommend the Pinewoods Holiday Park.

It’s perfectly placed just minutes from the beach, plus it’s close to the trendy beach cafe and watersports centre that offers kayaking and paddle-boarding.

A three-night stay from April 7 to 10 costs £174 for three people – that’s £14.50 per person per night.

Deal, Kent

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

The Kent coastline is hardly short of fantastic seaside towns, but one of the best spots for me is Deal.

It’s quickly becoming a foodie destination to rival London, with some insanely good places to eat after spending your day on the pebbly beach.

There is The Blue Pelican, with unique small plates as well as ramen on select days.

Make sure to head downstairs to the underground bar for a mean cocktail too.

Otherwise, there is Jenkins & Son Fishmongers that opens as a street food bar, where the juicy scallop and bacon roll is a must.

The pubs are just as fabulous – The King Head has live music and a front beer garden overlooking the beach, while The Port Arms does a rather unusual but very delicious Jamaican-style roast.

Outside of eating your way around town, hit up the shops with places like The Hoxton Store and 123 High Street, making sure you don’t leave without picking up a present or two.

Grab a drink at the recently renovated Le Pinardier wine bar or the established Deal Pier Kitchen, right at the end of the brutalist pier.

And when you need to spend the night, you can head to Parkdean Resorts St Margaret’s Bay Holiday Park.

For a three-night stay from April 10 to 13, you could pay from just £17.42 per person per night (£209 total).

Whitby, Yorkshire

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

If you love your classic UK beach break to come with a dose of the dramatic, then it has to be the seaside town of Whitby.

The north Yorkshire coastal gem is dominated by the clifftop gothic ruins of 13th-century Whitby Abbey, thought to have inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

It’s perfect for a spooky family game of hide and seek.

With clean, sandy beaches aplenty, the town’s West Cliff Beach is among the most popular, complete with colourful beach huts, safe waters and rock pools for crabbing.

Nearby Pier Street is your go-to for 2penny arcades, fish and chips and more.

For a hidden gem a little further afield, check out the Falling Foss Tea Garden, a magical destination in beautiful North York Moors woodland, complete with a tumbling 30ft waterfall.

The tea garden is in the heart of the forest, and you can enjoy a strong brew and homemade cakes while enjoying the magical surroundings.

You could camp at Whitby Holiday Park between April 9 and 11 for £122 for four people, which is just £15.25 per person per night.

For more seaside destinations to explore, here’s an English coastal town overlooked by its busy neighbours that’s like ‘going back to the 1950s’.

Plus, seven great UK seaside towns with beachfront theme parks – and you can stay with Hols from £9.50.

A Utah judge ruled Tuesday that reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul can have supervised visits with the 2-year-old son she shares with Dakota Mortensen until another hearing for a protective order later this month.

Paul appeared remotely for the hearing Tuesday with on-again, off-again ex-boyfriend Mortensen — the father of Paul’s third child, Ever — regarding his request for a restraining order. Paul had temporarily lost custody of their son when a temporary protective order was awarded to Mortensen last month. Paul and Mortensen are known for their roles on the Hulu reality TV series “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”

Third district court commissioner Russell Minas decided on supervised visitation after Paul’s legal team voiced concern over Mortensen’s alleged lack of credibility and his attorneys raised worry over her “volatility,” citing separate incidents from May 2025 and February. Paul was granted up to eight hours a week of visitation.

“I have concerns going both ways, quite frankly,” Minas said, noting Mortensen’s alleged “pushing of buttons to get reaction” and Paul’s “troubling” reactions to the aggravation.

The embattled exes are also ordered to appear remotely at a court hearing April 30 to go over the “merits and entry” of Mortensen’s protective order against Paul. Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, Paul filed her own protective order against Mortensen.

Mortensen filed for his protective order following two incidents in February that involved “grabbing, scratching, shoving, and striking” that allegedly left Mortensen with marks on his neck, according to police documents.

Around the same time, the cast of “Mormon Wives” paused filming for Season 5 and, subsequently, the release of a video of a separate dispute in 2023 led to the shelving of Season 22 of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” which featured Paul as its heroine. In the video, recorded by Mortensen on his cellphone, Paul can be seen screaming and throwing metal chairs, one of which struck one of her children who witnessed the altercation, according to the criminal indictment. Police body camera footage from that incident was documented in the first season of “Mormon Wives.”

That 2023 incident resulted in Paul being arrested; she eventually pleaded guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault, reducing her sentence, so long as she follows the terms of her probation. A final review hearing scheduled for early August could mark the end of that probation, but it’s unclear if the new allegations — police are also investigating a third domestic violence claim from Mortensen against Paul that took place in 2024 — will affect that.

How the outcomes of these various court decisions will affect “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and the unaired season of “The Bachelorette” is yet to be seen. It has not been announced whether the dating series will eventually air, or if and when “Mormon Wives” will resume filming — and whether Paul will continue on as a cast member. (Both Hulu and ABC are owned by Disney.)

The judge’s order this week is the latest development in the fallout from the domestic violence investigation involving Paul and Mortensen.

Last week brought more collateral damage to Disney’s reality TV universe with the news that Mortensen’s storyline would be edited out of the new season of “Vanderpump Villa,” which follows former Bravo star Lisa Vanderpump and her staff at various luxury European estates. The third season of “Mormon Wives” featured the fallout from an explosive crossover with “Vanderpump Villa” that resulted in “Mormon Wives” stars Demi Engemann and Jessi Ngatikaura getting embroiled in drama with staff member Marciano Brunette, who alleges he had intimate connections with both women. The fourth season of “Mormon Wives” revisits the crossover, with some of the women’s spouses and exes, who call themselves #DadTok, partaking in their own “Villa” getaway that fuels more drama, including between Mortensen and Paul.

Season 3 of “Vanderpump Villa,” which starts streaming April 16, is expected to capture that stay, except now without Mortensen’s storyline. But he isn’t totally off screens. Mortensen is set to appear in “Unwell Winter Games,” a YouTube reality competition series produced by Alex Cooper, that premiered Monday.

BUDAPEST, Hungary — Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday urged Hungarians to back Prime Minister Viktor Orbán in upcoming elections, dubbing the populist leader a defender of “Western civilization” during a visit to Hungary meant to help push Orbán over the finish line.

Vance’s two-day visit to Budapest was the clearest sign yet that President Trump’s administration is going all in for an Orbán victory when Hungarians go to the polls on Sunday. With only five days until the vote, Orbán, the European Union’s longest-serving leader and a close Trump ally, is trailing in the polls.

Speaking before over 1,000 Orbán supporters at an election rally at a sports arena in Budapest, Vance campaigned openly for the autocratic leader, telling the crowd: “We have got to get Viktor Orbán reelected as prime minister of Hungary, don’t we?”

Orbán is running for his fifth-straight term as prime minister. He and his nationalist-populist Fidesz party are facing their toughest race in two decades against a center-right challenger, the Tisza party led by Péter Magyar, that could bring an end to his 16 years in power.

Orbán has bristled at the slightest mention of the Hungarian election by any of his EU partners, decrying any expressions of support for his opponent as a grave breach of Hungary’s sovereignty and meddling in the election.

Yet Vance’s appearance alongside Orbán at the election rally — dubbed a “Day of Friendship” event — was an unusual step from a foreign leader, and a break with most politicians who avoid taking an active role in the political campaigns of other countries.

To loud applause, Vance asked rally attendees: “Will you stand for Western civilization? Will you stand for freedom, for truth, and for the God of our fathers?”

“Then, my friends, go to the polls in the weekend. Stand with Viktor Orbán, because he stands for you, and he stands for all these things,” Vance said.

‘I love that Viktor’

Long accused by critics of taking over Hungary’s institutions, clamping down on press freedom and overseeing entrenched political corruption — charges he denies — Orbán has become an icon in the global far-right movement.

Trump has repeatedly endorsed Orbán’s candidacy for reelection, and many in the Make America Great Again movement approve of the Hungarian leader’s opposition to immigration, curtailing of LGBTQ+ rights, and capture of the media and academia.

But with most independent polls showing a double-digit deficit for Fidesz among decided voters ahead of the vote, Orbán has sought to boost his profile by appearing publicly with his international admirers.

Vance spoke at length on Tuesday about what he views as the civilizational dangers posed by progressivism, “faceless bureaucrats” and censorship. He lauded Orbán for his strong stand against immigration, and his adversarial approach to the EU.

“I admire what you’re fighting for,” Vance said. “I am here because President Trump and I wish for your success, and we are fighting right here with you.”

Vance used his phone to call Trump from the lectern, to loud applause. After first reaching an automated message about the caller’s voicemail box not being set up yet, Trump answered the call and told the crowd through a microphone: “I love Hungary and I love that Viktor, I tell you he’s a fantastic man.”

Trump said Orbán had not allowed migrants “to storm” and “ruin” Hungary.

“He’s kept Hungarian people in your country,” Trump said.

Hungarian ‘reconquista’

The Trump administration’s embrace of Orbán reflects its affinity for European far-right parties broadly, and the admiration, from Spain to France to Germany and the Netherlands, has been mutual.

Orbán has long been a thorn in the side of the EU, and has tested the bloc’s system of governance by frequently using his veto power to paralyze decision-making in order to leverage concessions.

Last month, he vetoed a major, 90-billion euro ($104-billion) EU loan to Ukraine, angering the bloc’s leaders who accused him of hijacking the critical aid while undermining the EU in an effort to win his election.

At the rally on Tuesday, Orbán declared that “freedom-loving Americans and Hungarians must unite and save Western civilization.”

“To do this, we must fight the progressives that nest in Brussels,” the EU’s de-facto capital, he continued. He declared that Hungary had launched a “reconquista” of EU institutions which “will bring new patriotic governments to power.”

Late last month, Orbán hosted dozens of allies from around Europe and beyond at the Hungarian iteration of the Conservative Political Action Conference, and at a meeting of the far-right Patriots for Europe party family, the third-largest group in the European Parliament.

Trump sent a video message to Conservative Political Action Conference Hungary, saying Orbán had his “complete and total endorsement” and was a “fantastic guy.”

Still, Trump’s recent approach to foreign affairs has reverberated in Europe, with his actions over Greenland, Venezuela and Iran straining those relationships. Some commentators have suggested support from Vance and Trump may not help boost Orbán’s popularity at home.

Orbán, however, has remained deferential, and echoed Trump’s false claims that he won the 2020 election.

Russian energy

Orbán’s government has broken with most EU countries by refusing to assist Ukraine with financial aid or weapons to ward off Russia’s full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, it has remained firmly committed to purchasing Russian energy despite EU efforts to wean off such supplies.

In November, Hungary received an exemption from U.S. sanctions on Russian oil and gas after a White House meeting between Orbán and Trump.

Yet at a joint news conference with Orbán earlier on Tuesday, Vance seemed to contradict U.S. efforts to push its allies to break with Russian energy, excoriating other EU countries for moving to cease their imports of Russian fossil fuels in response to the war.

“It’s funny to watch prime ministers and leaders in some of the Western European capitals talk about the energy crisis when frankly they should have been following the policies of Viktor Orbán,” he said.

Despite his clear endorsement of Orbán, Vance lashed out at the EU for what he said was “one of the worst examples of foreign election interference that I’ve ever seen or ever even read about.”

Vance did not address numerous recent reports that Russian secret services are meddling in Hungary’s election to tip it in Orbán’s favor.

Spike writes for the Associated Press. Mike Catalini in Morrisville, Pa., contributed.

EVER wondered how much of the world you’ve really seen? Use this handy tool to find out.

By selecting all the different countries you’ve ever visited, it’ll work out a percentage of the planet you’ve managed to explore and how many continents you’ve covered.

While you’ll also find out how your stats compare against other travellers as well as seeing your footprint on a globe.

It follows research which revealed four in 10 adults name-drop the countries they have visited – to ‘keep up with the Joneses’.

A poll of 2,000 travellers revealed 43 per cent enjoy comparing the number of destinations they’ve visited abroad with others.

Reasons for mentioning their ‘country count’ include wanting to impress others with their worldliness and sense of adventure, get others to think ‘that’s more than me’ or see them as ‘loaded’ with money.

Of those who mention their country count, more than four in 10 (44 per cent) will casually raise the subject in general holiday chatter, while 38 per cent will jump at the chance to name a nation they’ve visited the second someone else mentions it.

It also emerged 34 per cent of travellers consider their list of countries visited ‘as a bit of a badge of honour’ and a fifth feel ‘quietly superior’ to those who have been to fewer nations.

A spokesperson from travel insurance specialist, Staysure, which commissioned the research and tailors policies for people with health conditions, said: “Travelling abroad is exciting and the memories made with friends and family can last forever.

“So, it’s not surprising people love talking about where they’ve been and comparing the number of countries they’ve visited.

“Sharing experiences is something we all love to do and it’s great to be able to inspire others to visit somewhere new.”

The study also found nine per cent bring up a country they’ve travelled to in conversation at least four times a month.

However, 39 per cent described other people discussing how well-travelled they are as ‘annoying’.

But one in 10 attempt to sound better travelled than they really are by counting countries they visited as a child in their list. And some go as far as including an airport layover or counting a day trip as a full visit.

With the average traveller having been to seven countries by the time they’re 30 – the number nearly doubles to 15 by the time they reach the age of 60.

New Zealand (24 per cent), Japan (23 per cent) and Australia (18 per cent) were at the top of respondents’ wish lists, along with Iceland, Sweden and Switzerland.

While Canada was nearly twice as popular as a future destination than the United States (17 per cent versus eight per cent).

But Belgium sat at the bottom of the top 50 list of countries people want to visit for the first time.

It also emerged 56 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, wish they were better travelled.

On average, respondents said their travel peaked at age 34, while 44 per cent admitted their trips abroad have generally decreased as they’ve got older.

And four in 10 consider it important that their list of countries visited keeps growing, with those with a set goal aiming to tick off 30 individual countries.

To keep expanding the list 56 per cent would consider a multi-destination holiday such as a cruise.

France (77 per cent), Spain (76 per cent) and Italy (58 per cent) are still among the top 10 countries visited.

Staysure’s spokesperson added: “Our customers often share where they’ve been and where they’re planning to go next.

“It’s good to know people are dreaming big and want to keep ticking off their dream destinations.

“Although technically correct to do so, would you include a layover in your country list if you’d not set foot outside the airport?

“Wherever people choose to travel, having the right cover and financial protection in place helps them keep ticking countries off their list making the whole experience more enjoyable and worry-free.”

A POPULAR seaside attraction park with links to a much-loved TV series is launching new rides.

Barry Island Pleasure Park in Wales has already launched one new ride and has plans to add more this year.

Visitors with small children can now head on an apple-themed Caterpillar Coaster, which was introduced during February half-term and is ideal for introducing kids to rides.

And the free-to-visit attraction park is planning on adding several more attractions, according to Theme Parks UK.

While the new additions are yet to be announced, the park has teased that its biggest improvement is yet to come and will be introduced before the end of this year, reports Barry and District News.

The park previously revealed that it was adding bumper cars, but this has been delayed by the war in Ukraine with steel prices rising.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

GO ON

All the little-known websites for cheap or FREE tickets to gigs, theatre & festivals

Other rides at the park include Aerospace, which is a huge 65metres-tall and reaches speeds of 75miles-per-hour and remains the tallest and fastest ride of its kind in the UK.

There is also a ghost train, carousel, waltzers and even a crazy fun house.

To go on the different attractions, visitors must purchase tokens, which cost around £1 each.

Rides then usually cost between three and four tokens per person.

A recent visitor said: “Barry Island Pleasure Park is a fantastic place for everyone, especially families looking for a fun day out.

“It offers a great mix of excitement, entertainment, and seaside charm.

“The park is filled with colourful rides and attractions that suit all ages, from small children to adults.

“Whether you’re into classic fairground rides, or enjoy the thrill of rollercoasters and other high-energy rides, there’s something for everyone here.”

The owner of the park, Harry Danter, also has plans to create a “Disneyland of Britain”.

Last year, he told Wales Online that he wants to open a site near his Barry Island attraction to open a huge theme park similar to others in the UK.

He said that the attraction, if it went ahead, would include rides and accommodation similar to Alton Towers.

After having fun at the attraction, make sure to head to Barry Island Beach, which has connections to a much-loved TV series.

One recent visitor said: “One of the cleanest and most looked after beaches I’ve ever visited.

“If you’re a fan of Gavin and Stacey this has the arcade that Nessa worked at.

“Stacey’s house is five minutes away and Pam and Mick’s house is ten minute drive away.”

In other seaside attraction news, one of the UK’s most popular seaside towns is getting a huge new £3million indoor attraction this summer.

Plus, here’s seven great UK seaside towns with beachfront theme parks – and you can stay with Hols from £9.50.

SEOUL, April 6 (UPI) — South Korea’s KB Financial Group said Monday that Jeremy Allaire, founding CEO of U.S. digital currency firm Circle, will visit early next week to meet with its senior executives.

The Seoul-based financial group noted that the meeting would focus on strengthening bilateral collaboration and discussing concrete action plans for innovations in next-generation financial infrastructure.

In the latter part of last year, KB Financial started proof-of-concept tests using Circle Mint, a platform that enables companies to issue and manage stablecoins, primarily Circle’s USD Coin, or USDC.

From the testing, KB Financial said it was able to gain knowledge and capabilities necessary to manage digital assets via such platforms as Circle Mint.

The two firms are exploring joint business opportunities in various areas, including the domestic use of USDC, cross-border transactions and potentially issuing a Korean currency-backed stablecoin.

“The upcoming meeting with Allaire will go beyond a simple one-off event. It will serve as a catalyst to elevate the partnership between the two companies, which have already completed in-depth technical verification,” KB Financial said in a statement.

“Based on the robust cooperation framework established with Circle, we will keep beefing up our leadership in the digital asset markets at home and abroad,” KB said.

Sogang University economics professor Yoon Suk-bin pointed out that competition will intensify sharply in the market, which combines traditional money and digital currency.

“It is a major industry trend for traditional financial institutions to partner with emerging digital asset firms to build integrated platforms,” he told UPI. “Circle CEO’s visit to Seoul can be understood in that context.”

Meanwhile, Dunamu also confirmed that Allaire would meet its executives next week. The digital powerhouse is an operator of South Korea’s leading cryptocurrency exchange, Upbit.

Ride a dragon in Calais

You don’t need to venture too far into France to find its wow factor. Indeed, within minutes of exiting the ferry or Channel Tunnel, you can be staring a fire-breathing dragon in the face. The Dragon de Calais is a 25-metre-long mechanical beast that stomps along the renovated sea front carrying 48 passengers on its back (adult ticket €9.50), emitting jets of fire, steam and water from its nostrils. It was created by the team behind Les Machines de L’île, a collection of steampunk wonders including a 12-metre elephant, in Nantes.

This year, Calais’ dragon is joined by Le Varan, a giant iguana that crawls around the town and the old fishing district with room for 25 passengers (adults €8.50). While you’re there, explore the beaches along the coast at Hardelot-Plage and visit the Chateau d’Hardelot, with its history of Franco-British relations.

Celebrate Monet in Rouen

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Claude Monet’s death and many galleries and venues in Normandy and Paris have events planned. You don’t need to face the crowds at Giverny or the Musée d’Orsay to appreciate the great artist’s work, though. Instead, visit Rouen, where Monet found the ever-changing, silver-grey light on the intricate and imposing facade of the cathedral so inspiring he painted it more than 30 times (from the window of what was, at the time, a ladies’ undergarment shop opposite).

The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen has the largest collection of French impressionist works outside Paris, including one of the cathedral paintings and works by Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley. While you’re there, explore the Boucles de la Seine natural regional park, where you can cycle between the loops of the River Seine through orchards and past the ruined Abbaye de Jumièges.

Visit a postman’s palace in Drôme

The Dauphiné region, close to Grenoble, combines breathtaking scenery and curious attractions. Chief among them is the Palais Idéal, a whimsical monument built over 33 years from the late 19th century by Ferdinand Cheval, a postman whose inspiration came from the travel journals and postcards he delivered on his 20-mile round. On the facade of the 10-metre-high palace, you’ll see mythical creatures and mysterious grottoes, Egyptian temples and Swiss chalets, while the small on-site museum recounts the stories of Cheval’s tragic life, and those who fought until the 1960s to have the structure recognised as a listed monument.

Nearby, explore the jaw-dropping Vercors mountains, with precipitous roads such as the Combe Laval route, which was chiselled out of the rock in the 19th century to transport timber. Also visit the fascinating Grotte de Choranche underground caves, with curious, spaghetti-like stalactites, and the town of Pont-en-Royans, where medieval houses hang high over a gorge.

Discover Brittany by bike

Cyclists have always been spoiled by the smooth, car-free cycle paths throughout France, and now the Traversée Bretonne, a new route through the heart of Brittany, offers a fresh challenge. Starting in the city of Nantes, the 14-stage route takes riders past the curious mid-century architecture of Saint-Nazaire (such as the Soucoupe, a sports centre shaped like a flying saucer), then on to the “Atlantic Riviera” at La Baule, with its belle époque villas and vast beach.

Further along, the lively city of Rennes is perfect for rehydrating: Rue Saint-Michel is nicknamed Rue de la Soif (thirsty street) because it has a bar approximately every 7 metres. The route finishes with a nice flat stage at Mont-Saint-Michel.
traversee-bretonne.com

Celebrate figs in the Var

Plan a late-summer sojourn in the Vallée du Gapeau, inland from Toulon, which is renowned for its fig orchards: local people say the trees like their heads in the sunshine and their feet in the water. At the end of August, the start of the harvest is celebrated with the lively Fête de la Figue in the village of Solliès-Pont. As well as the bountiful market, there are tours of the groves and a lively four-course dinner with music in the village’s main square.

While you’re there, hike in the wooded valley and admire the curiously shaped “elephant rock”. Visit the local olive oil mill at Moulin à Huile du Partégal (entry free) to explore its ancient grove and taste its oils; and stroll the unspoiled villages of Solliès-Ville and Solliès-Toucas.
valleegapeau-tourisme.fr

Taste cheese in the Jura mountains

To truly understand the flavours of French cheeses, it pays to visit the landscapes in which they are made. One of the most enchanting areas for a foray in fromage is the Jura mountains, the home of comté cheese. Here, as part of the Routes du Comté, you can visit the so-called cathedral of comté at the Fort Saint-Antoine (tour reservations essential, €11), where Fromageries Marcel Petite ages its 100,000 wheels of comté between the stone arches of a 19th-century military fort. Nearby, next to the Lac de Malbuisson, Restaurant du Fromage offers a comté and savagnin wine fondue in its Swiss-chalet-like surrounds.

An hour west, the town of Poligny is home to La Maison du Comté, a visitor centre dedicated to explaining how the cheese is made and infused with the flavours of the 130 plants from the spectacular landscape on which the cows graze.
montagnes-du-jura.fr

Hunt for bric-a-brac in Normandy

Take a road trip to the bucolic Perche regional natural park in southern Normandy, an area of rolling hills, cider farms and charming villages. It is ideal, too, for those who love hunting for vintage treasures and bric-a-brac. Near the towns of Bellême, Mortagne-au-Perche and along the D923 road between La Ferté-Bernard and Nogent-le-Rotrou, you will find many brocante shops and warehouses with artfully displayed items on offer.

The area is a popular weekend destination for Parisians, hence the abundance of good restaurants. In the village of La Perrière, La Maison d’Horbé B&B and wine bar (rooms from €142.50) is set in an antiques shop, while in Saint-Hilaire-le-Châtel, the Hotel les Prés has its own restaurant (rooms from €142).
perche-tourisme.fr

Relive history in the Vendée

You need never utter the word Disney once you’ve discovered the Puy du Fou, a theme park like no other, in the countryside of the Vendée. With bombastic historical re-enactments of Viking invasions, Roman chariot races, medieval jousting and more than 2,500 actors across the park, many of the shows are big on wow factor.

Yet there are also experiences that evoke a quieter sense of wonder – walk through the cabins and hull of the 18th-century ship La Pérouse and see its myriad flora and fauna gathered from around the world, before it sinks in a storm in the South Pacific. Moving, too, is the Amoureux de Verdun experience, which puts you in the trenches of Verdun in the first world war, where actors play out a love story.
Adult tickets from €47, puydufou.com

Swim in a tidal pool in Brittany

There are several tidal swimming pools along the Emerald Coast in Brittany. At Dinard, the Piscine de Mer overlooks the vast main beach, alongside stately belle époque villas and maritime pines; and from Saint-Malo’s Piscine de Bon Secours, you can walk at low tide to the island of Grand-Bé for a great view back to the walled town.

The Emerald Coast is good for hiking too, so make a point to stroll out to the dramatically perched Fort La Latte on the Cap Fréhel headland.
dinardemeraudetourisme.com

Explore the wild Aubrac plateau

Many holidaymakers speed through the centre of France on the autoroute known as La Méridienne (A75), bound for busy beaches of the Med. Those who prefer more solitude, however, should exit sooner (exit 39 to be precise) and venture west on to the extraordinary, volcanic landscape of the Aubrac plateau. Here, stone-walled meadows abound with wild flowers and the buron huts that once housed cowherds and cheesemakers have been converted into welcoming rustic restaurants, such as the Buron de Born, serving local potato and cheese dishes such as aligot and truffade. At night, the total absence of light pollution makes it ideal for stargazing.
tourisme-en-aubrac.com

Carolyn Boyd is the author of Amuse Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France (Profile, £10.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.

JUST off the coast of Portugal is a tiny archipelago that very few tourists visit, or even know about.

The little-known collection of Berlenga Islands consists of three islands – Berlenga Grande, Estelas and Farilhões-Forcado

Berlengas is primarily a nature reserve, home to lots of birds like the yellow-legged gull, guillemot, and sea life which you might spot while snorkelling.

Due to it being protected, and reasonably small, the islands have a daily limit of 550 visitors – and it can only be accessed between March and October.

With the weather this time between 18C and 25C, it’s the perfect time to visit and spend time on its beach – which is one of the prettiest in Europe.

This is Praia da Berlenga Grande, which is also the most famous beach on the island and ideal for relaxing on the golden sands.

GET IT BOOKED

The ‘cheap luxury’ beach resorts under 4 hours from UK with breaks from £75pp

HOT LIST

Where our travel experts will holiday this year – and how we found the best deals

It’s also a good spot for swimming with one visitor saying the clear waters reminded them ‘of the Caribbean‘.

Just be prepared for it to be chill, seeing as the islands are in the Atlantic Ocean.

National Geographic called it one of Portugal’s best beaches with ‘desert vibes’.

One visitor advised to visit in September as it was quieter and they had the beach all to themselves for an hour.

Another popular way to explore the island is by boat with plenty of tours throughout the day.

Bobbing around on the water means you can see the caves that have naturally formed into the cliffside.

One of Berlengas’ most famous rock formations is the Elephant’s Trunk – which literally looks like an elephant’s head and trunk which dips into the ocean.

Another is Dream Cave, or Cova do Donho, which is where fishermen used to spend the night because of its calmer waters.

Visitors can actually stay on the island if they wish and enjoy quieter evenings when the daytrippers leave.

There’s a hotel called Berlenga Bed & Breakfast which has just five rooms and sits on the clifftop so it has incredible views across the ocean.

You can check them out from the hotel’s pretty terrace bar and restaurant.

Anyone feeling brave and wants to sleep within nature can camp out at Forte São João Baptista.

The island’s fort has camping spots and is said to give an “immersive, authentic experience”.

Visitors can sleep in an old cell and have to bring their own sleeping bags or bedding.

There’s a campsite too where visitors can literally pitch up with their own tent with rates from €8 (£6.92) per night – pitches must be booked in advance with the tourist board.

As for how to get there, ferries go to the island three times from Peniche.

The journey between the mainland and the island takes around 30-minutes with tickets costing between £15 and £35.

Get Your Guide has tours on offer to explore the island, like a Cave Tour from €41 (£35.48).

There are also catamaran tours with snorkelling stops from €42 (£36.35) and round-trip boat tours of the islands from €29 (£25.10).

Peniche is a just over an hour’s drive from Lisbon which has direct UK flights for as little as £15.

For more islands, here are some of the most beautiful in Europe with direct UK flights and some of the world’s best beaches.

And check out the world’s best island in Greece with restaurants right on the beach.

Shortly before the trip was announced on Tuesday, President Trump lashed out at the UK and other countries over the Iran war, telling them to “go get your own oil” from the Strait of Hormuz and “the USA won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us”.

These stunning destinations are exempt from the new system launching in April.

Following months of preparation, the new Entry/Exit System (EES) will finally be implemented across the Schengen area from April 10.

The new EES will require all non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries to register their biometric data, such as a facial scan and fingerprints, rather than receiving a traditional passport stamp. Numerous popular holiday destinations including Portugal, Italy and Spain will be impacted by the new system.

However, there are 14 countries (15 including the UK) outside the Schengen Area and therefore not implementing the new travel system.

Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at eurochange, anticipates a surge in travellers heading to non-Schengen countries as a consequence, reports the Express.

She said: “The introduction of this new border control system may be off-putting to some people who want to book last-minute trips this Easter, especially those who like to keep travel as fuss-free as possible.

“I think we should expect to see an increase in Brits travelling to countries that are exempt from the legislation over the next few months – including the Easter and summer holidays.”

For those looking to sidestep the hassle and make their travels a little more straightforward, Laura has identified three fantastic holiday destinations that will be unaffected by the EES, meaning British tourists can explore freely without the need to provide biometric data.

Kotor, Montenegro

She explained: “Montenegro is quickly becoming one of the most popular up-and-coming destinations in Europe. A less crowded alternative to Croatia, it offers similar quaint towns, gorgeous beaches and a stunning coastline, but it is around 20-30% cheaper.”

For instance, accommodation in Montenegro begins at £23 per person per night, while a three-course meal will cost you £31.78.

Kotor sits on the coast, boasting stunning beaches and a relaxed atmosphere, ideal for unwinding. Laura remarked: “This is a great spot if you’re after a chilled, slow-paced holiday, without having to pay huge prices.”

Tirana, Albania

This vibrant capital city is brimming with culture and a food lover’s dream destination. Laura noted: “One of the best ways to explore is by taking a stroll through the streets, following the eccentric street art, graffiti and murals.

“Remember to order Albanian favourites, Fërgesë Gjize (baked cheese with peppers) and Trilece (a tasty pie made with sponge cake and three different kinds of milk) for dessert.”

Sarajevo, Bosnia

Laura said: “It is one of the only places where you can visit a Mosque, a Catholic church, an Eastern Orthodox church and a synagogue in one place.

“Tucked inside a long, thin valley and surrounded by forested mountains, the city has a picture-perfect backdrop. Its broad mix of cultural influences means its architecture is also absolutely beautiful, and its restaurant scene is an eclectic mix of Turkish and Bosnian-inspired offerings.

“And, with prices averaging just £30 per person for a three-course meal, your money really does go far here.”

Pakistan’s Naseem Shah under fire for slamming politician’s presence at start of closed-doors PSL game in Lahore.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has attacked fast bowler Naseem Shah for criticising a politician’s presence at the start of the opening game of the Pakistan Super League, which is being played behind closed doors.

Fans are barred from attending games at the country’s premier domestic tournament, which was originally scheduled for six venues but now reduced to just two — Lahore and Karachi.

The Middle East conflict has resulted in exorbitant fuel hikes in the region, and Pakistan’s government is urging people to restrict travel and to work from home.

Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz was invited to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday, along with other dignitaries, and was introduced to officials of the eight franchises and players ahead of the opening game of the tournament between defending champion Lahore Qalandars and first-timers Hyderabad Kingsmen.

Shah commented on a tweet about the opening game by the PCB, with the bowler saying on X, “Why is she treated like the queen at Lord’s?” in an apparent reference to Nawaz’s presence at the stadium. He deleted the post soon afterwards and later said his account had originally been hacked.

The PCB said in a statement that Shah had been issued a notice for violating the terms of his central contract as well as media policy and regulations.

“The show-cause notice has been served in accordance with the PCB’s disciplinary framework,” the PCB said. “Naseem Shah is required to provide a response within the stipulated time. Upon receipt and review of his response, the PCB will decide on any further action in line with the regulations.”

Last year, Pakistan all-rounder Aamer Jamal was slapped with a fine of $4,000 for displaying a slogan in favour of cricket great Imran Khan, Pakistan’s imprisoned former prime minister.

Shah is scheduled to play for new PSL franchise Rawalpindi Pindiz in Saturday’s game against Peshawar Zalmi, led by former Pakistan all-formats captain Babar Azam.

Shah, a right-arm fast bowler, has taken a total of 152 wickets while representing Pakistan in 20 Test matches, 34 one-day internationals and 37 T20 games.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog was forced to take cover as a missile struck nearby shortly after he gave a press conference in the northern Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona. During the speech, Herzog aid Israel cannot return to last year’s ceasefire and must secure “strategic depth inside Lebanon.”