Weekend Content

FOR the beauty of the Caribbean that’s much closer to home, the Greek island of Lefkada comes pretty close.

Often dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Greece‘, the island is the biggest in the Ionian Sea and has direct UK flights.

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Lefkada is known for its bright blue waters, white sandy beaches, and dramatic cliffs – much like you’d find in the likes of Barbados and Jamaica.

But luckily for Brits, this island is much closer as just under 4hr30 away, compared to the Caribbean’s nine hours.

Not only is it as warm as 26C in spring, but the island has some amazing beaches for spending the day on too.

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Some of the top sandy escapes include Porto Katsiki, Egremni, and Kathisma.

Porto Katsiki translates to ‘Goat Port’ and it was formerly home to just goats as it was largely inaccessible by people, because of its steep cliffs.

Now, the white-pebbled beach is accessible by a pathway down to the sand.

Egremni on the southwest coast of Lefkada is known for its ‘dramatic white cliffs’ and is hard to access unless by boat – if not, you have to take the steep staircase with over 400 steps.

Kathisma is easily accessible and much more family-friendly with a long stretch of golden sand dotted with sunloungers and beach bars.

Lefkada has a bustling town too; the capital is at the northern tip of the island and is easily accessed by the bridge from the mainland.

Here you’ll find colourful, traditional houses filled with shops, cafés, and churches.

The best part is that it’s all walkable in around 20 minutes.

For some culture, head to the Agia Mavra Fortress, a 14th-century Venetian castle at the entrance to the island.

If you want to find fresh food, head to Sikelianou Square near the seafront which is lined with Greek and Mediterranean restaurants.

Agios Nikitas is one of the most charming coastal resorts on the island.

It’s tucked around the bay of the same name and is built in amongst olive groves.

There are plenty of outdoor restaurants with sunny terraces like T’agnantio that overlooks the bay.

Here you can enjoy local specialities, salads, grilled meats, and fresh seafood.

One visitor even wrote on Tripadvisor that it has the “best food on the island”; another said it was the “best Greek food I’ve ever had”.

For more holidays in Greece, here are some of our favourite resorts…

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Blue Bay Beach Resort, Rhodes

The four-star Blue Bay Beach Resort sits a stone’s throw away from this beach, and has its own pools, splash park and water slides. Here you’re only a 15-minute drive away from Rhodes Old Town, where UNESCO-listed medieval streets wind through castle-like architecture. Make sure to check out the Street of the Knights, one of the best-preserved medieval streets in Europe.

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Gouves Bay Hotel, Crete

Gouves Bay Hotel keeps things simple on a sunny Greek island location right by the sea. This hotel has a relaxed, family-friendly feel with two pools, a kids’ club and easy all-inclusive dining. And if you fancy a change of atmosphere, Gouves’ bars and tavernas are just a short walk away for your choice of evening drinks with a view.

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Aegean View Aqua Resort, Kos

The picturesque hotel is perched up high and surrounded by lush greenery in the historic harbour town of Kos. Here you’ll find a huge swimming pool and a waterpark, as well as activities like darts, tennis, football and more. There’s evening entertainment six days a week, and an on-site spa with a hot tub and sauna to unwind.

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TUI Blue Lagoon Queen, Halkidiki

This mega resort with six pools and its own waterpark is rated five stars by TUI. In the main restaurant, you’ll see show cooking displays as you take your pick from an extensive international buffet. Plus, Kalives beach is on the doorstep of this hotel, with its strikingly blue water and soft golden sands.

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Across the island from Agios Nikitas is Geni Village.

It’s renowned for its waterfront dining, especially on Vlycho Bay where some restaurants actually feel like they’re floating.

It’s even easier to visit Lefkada now thanks to its new £3million marina which opened in April 2025.

If you’re not going to the island by boat, another way to get to Lefkada is by a 50-metre long car bridge that connects to the mainland.

In spring, you can fly to nearby Preveza from £29 with Ryanair which takes around 3hr20.

From there its just over an hour’s drive to the island.

For more on Greece, here are our top five Greek islands with white-washed houses and pretty beaches.

And here’s a Santorini-alternative Greek island that’s half the price has unspoiled beaches & cheap hotels.

Fowey, Cornwall

“Fowey is frequently overlooked for the busier and more famous Padstow, but therein lies its charm.

“Crowd free, but with all the magic of a sleepy, typically Cornish town, – great cafes whipping up homebaked treats, locals sharing weekend gossip in the quirky bookstore and, most importantly, those glorious harbour views.

“Pick up a coffee and freshly prepped sarnie from Olive Branch Cafe – the oozing eggo mayo and crispy onion one is a crowd pleaser – then wander to Fowey Old Grammar School Garden for a picnic-style lunch among the flowers and overlooking the bobbing sailboats.

“For a sitdown meal that you’ll be dreaming of for years to come, North Street Kitchen at the opposite end of the town is where to head.” – Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Witney, Cotswolds

“The Cotswolds is always a busy place during bank holidays, but my hometown of Witney is one where you can avoid the crowds but enjoy the beautiful buildings its known for.

“There is the amazing Huffkins and Hunters Cake Company for a cuppa and a slice of cake, or hop in the queue at Sandwich de Witney for hugely overfilled baguettes.

“Kids will love Cogges Manor Farm where they can feed some of the animals, or you can practise your mug painting at The Pottery Place in town.

“Want to stay longer? I recommend the Blue Boar Inn as a cosy place to stay, or splash out on Estelle Manor just out of town – named one of the best hotels in the world.” – Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Chester, Cheshire

“This historic Cheshire town is perfect for a Bank Holiday trip – with an intoxicating mix of beautiful architecture, history and great food and drink.

“Head to The Rows for shopping that dates back 700 years with the medieval timbered, double level shopping galleries hosting a range of brands.

“Shopaholics can get their beauty fixes at the new Harrods H beauty hall that opened in the town last month – the first outpost of the posh brand outside of London.

“Or stroll along the two miles of city walls, the most complete Roman and medieval walls in Britain that offer a unique perspective of the town.

“A new Ivy Brasserie opens its doors this April and for street food from around the globe, head to the New Chester Market.” – Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset

“When you think of Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset you probably picture the Grand Pier, and that’s with good reason.

“The famous attraction is a great day out and doesn’t have to cost much either. You can swap a couple of quid for pennies and get competitive with your family on the slot machines.

“If you do want a bit more of an adrenaline rush though, the pier does have other attractions including a 300-metre indoor Glo Kart track, House of Horross and a freefall ride.

“After a fun day on the pier, make sure to walk along the two-mile beach and grab an ice cream.” – Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter

Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire

“Sometimes I like a lazy day in my homecounty over a Bank Holiday weekend, and being in Hertfordshire, Welwyn Garden City is a lovely spot for a daytrip.

“While it might be lacking in the shop department, apart from its fab John Lewis store, it certainly is thriving when it comes to cafes and restaurants along Howardsgate like Megan’s to Welwyn Coffee Lab, Postino Lounge and the Two Willows.

“One of my favourite spots is slightly out of the town. Called Tewingbury Farm, it’s primarily a hotel and wedding venue, but visitors are welcome to pop in anytime.

“I particularly rate the oven-fired pizzas which you can tuck into at the Courtyard which has outdoor fires, and games like pool and table tennis.

“In classic Easter fashion, it’s lovely to then take a stroll around the ground and farm where you’ll spot plenty of cows and pigs.” – Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter

Sheringham, Norfolk

“This sprawling Victorian seaside town is a hit with families visiting the North Norfolk coast, and it’s clear to see why.

“Entire days can easily be spent on golden stretches of sand backed by beach huts, with bucket and spade in hand.

“But it’s worth pulling yourself away from the shores for a ride on the heritage steam railway, where the pretty Poppy Line runs from Sheringham to Holt.

“There’s even an Easter Eggspress egg hunt taking place onboard, costing £26 per adult and £18.20 per child with unlimited rides all day.

“Plus theatre fans will love a visit to Sheringham Little Theatre, where family-friendly productions, quiz and bingo nights fill the historic theatre with a lively buzz.

“Stroll along to Stevenson’s Fish and Chips to grab a takeaway tea and catch the sunset, and you’ve done a visit to this seaside town right.” – Jenna Stevens, Travel Reporter

BRITS love an all-inclusive from the packed buffets to drinks offerings and having everything at your fingertips.

The tough part is actually exactly which all-inclusive you want to try and if it’s worth the money, well if that’s what you’re after, then this one on the Costa del Sol is top notch.

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Called Ikos Andalusia, the hotel has claimed number one spot on Time Out’s 2026 list of Europe’s top all-inclusive stays.

The resort has a whopping 451 rooms with nine swimming pools.

Expect great grub at the hotel’s nine restaurants, some of which even have Michelin-starred menus.

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Each serves up dishes from around the world, like traditional Spanish to Greek, French, Italian and Japanese food.

There’s also a classic all-inclusive buffet style restaurant, so you can’t go wrong.

They’re beautifully decorated too. Ouzo, which is its Greek restaurant, has little white pots on the ceiling and prints on the walls with views across the pool to the sea.

Chiringuito is another restaurant right on the beach and serves up traditional tapas and lots of seafood.

As for bars, there are eight including a cocktail bar and one at the side of the pool – it has an extensive wine list with over 100 local labels.

The hotel is even sat on a 420-metre beach with an adults-only section.

Other facilities include a splash pad area for younger children, football, basketball, volleyball, cycling, tennis courts and watersports.

There’s plenty for children to do at the kids’ club which is catered for children between 4-17.

The complimentary Heroes Crèche for children 6 months to three years old holds activities like games, face painting, art and dance.

There’s also Heroes Kids Club (4-11 years) and Just4Teens (12-17 years) which has lots of activities on offer from arts and crafts to sports.

There’s even a complimentary 30-minute beach childcare service for kids from four years old.

Activities for adults include wellness sessions and various fitness activities from yoga to Pilates and Zumba.

And access to watersports like canoeing, pedalos, and paddleboarding are included.

For more holidays, here are some of our favourites in Spain…

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Hotel Best Punta Dorada, Salou

The Spanish resort is a popular destination near PortAventura World, a theme park with over 40 attractions and huge rollercoasters. It’s also close to sandy beaches like Platja de Llevant, and the scenic Camí de Ronda coastal walk.The hotel itself has an outdoor swimming pool to enjoy, as well as two bars along with evening entertainment and shows.

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Sun Club El Dorado, Majorca

With its palm tree-lined pool and Mediterranean backdrop, it’s a miracle this Majorca resort is so affordable. Expect a classic family holiday feel – where days revolve around soaking up the Spanish sunshine, chilling by the spacious pool and sipping on frozen cocktails. Set away from the busier resorts, it’s a good option if you’re after a more out-of-the-way escape.

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Magic Aqua Rock Gardens, Benidorm

The Magic Aqua Rock Gardens Hotel is African-themed and less than a mile from the beach. It has two outdoor pools, including a children’s freshwater pool with a waterfall and a tipping water bucket for the little ones. There’s also an aquapark with slides, and a kids club for both younger children and teens.

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Globales Montemar, Ibiza

For a calmer side of Ibiza, this hillside resort has two pools, a kids’ splash zone, and an all-inclusive buffet with a poolside bar. It’s a 10-minute walk from Cala Llonga’s shallow turquoise bay, offering a scenic, family-friendly base away from the island’s main party zone.

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One rare all-inclusive perk is that all guests get a complimentary Mini Countryman to use for one day to drive out and explore the area.

When you’re out and about, make sure to use the Culture Pass provided by the hotel that gives complimentary tickets to the best local museums.

When it comes to the rooms, there is everything from garden, pool and sea views.

Or splash out on the resort’s biggest deluxe four bedroom villa, which has its own private swimming pool, garden and gym.

Guests who stay here even get a complimentary barbecue experience with a private chef.

From the hotel, guests can easily explore the bright lights of Marbella with its vibrant Puerto Banus marina, and the calmer town of Estepona.

You can book Ikos Andalusia with Jet2 Holidays as one of their ‘indulgent escapes’ – but being so indulgent, you might want to start saving now.

Its cheapest date is November 1, 2026, priced at £1,991pp for a seven-night stay – or £284.43pppn.

The hotel has top reviews though. One visitor wrote: “There is so much choice that you could visit a different pool each day if you really wanted to!”

Another said: “The meals were all incredible, as were the drinks. It truly is a magical place.”

For more on Spain, here is where you’ll find Costa del Sol’s biggest waterpark hotel with eight swimming pools.

And find out more about Estepona from A Place in the Sun’s Jasmine Harman who moved there with her family and spends evenings on the beach.

HAMPTON Court Palace has everything families need for a fun day out and it’s all within the grounds of an enormous former royal home.

From seeing inside the historic building itself to the pretty gardens, a kids’ playground and there’s even a comic-book themed takeover this summer.

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

When you’re at a loss with how to keep the kids entertained over the weekend, or the next warm day during the week – head to Hampton Court Palace in London.

Kids in particular will love its enormous playground called the Magic Garden.

It’s aimed at children under 12 and has so much to keep them entertained from climbing up the huge towers to even facing a ‘dragon’.

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There’s a secret grotto with hidden pathways, plenty of slides and a sandpit, while a nearby cafe is the best spot to stop for hot drinks and snacks.

Another popular spot is the maze – which is the oldest surviving hedge maze in the country.

It covers a third of an acre on the grounds of Hampton Court Palace with plenty of twists and turns throughout.

And this summer, a new Beano-themed trail is set to launch.

From July 25 to August 23, kids will be able to see some of their favourite characters like Dennis the Menace and Gnasher.

More information about the trail says “Dennis, Minnie, Harsha, Rubi and Gnasher were late for their Bash Street School trip to Henry VIII’s palace.

“To save the day, Dennis has turned his go-kart into a time machine with Rubi’s flux capacitor – but “whoops”! it has malfunctioned and crash-landed in Hampton Court Palace.

“Now the timeline’s in a right royal muddle and Henry VIII is not amused. It’s utter chaos! It’s up to YOU to help the Beano friends fix their busted time machine.

“Grab your special Hampton Court Palace Beano comic strip story on arrival, packed with clues to track down the missing pieces scattered around the palace.”

There will even be some historic residents like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I dressed in the classic Beano red and black stripes.

During May half-term kids can enjoy The Big Bahooey which has cabaret performances, world-class street theatre and circus workshops.

To step back in time, head back in July to watch knights take on a jousting tournament – families can pick a favourite and cheer them on until the winner is crowned.

The jousting is on during on the weekends of July 11-12 and July 18-19.

If you want to steer clear of chaotic cartoons, head to the Hampton Court Gardens for a more relaxing stroll.

The formal gardens are pruned to perfection with neat hedges, immaculate lawns, ponds and pretty flower beds – especially in the Rose Garden.

During particular days of the year, the gardens are open free of charge with no pre-booking required.

This year these are May 9-10, September 12-13, October 10-11, November 21-22, December 26 (Wilderness garden only).

Then of course there’s the palace itself, which was famously the home of Henry VIII and his six wives.

For those who want to learn even more about Hampton Court Palace, a free audio guide is included in the price of admission.

The tour explores the highlights when it was lived in by Henry VIII and even how the palace has appeared on the back-drop of TV and film since the 1920s.

More recently it was used in Bridgerton as the home of Queen Charlotte, and the gardens are frequently used when characters are strolling around London.

It’s also appeared in Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, My Lady Jane, The Favourite starring Olivia Coleman, and Lily James‘ Cinderella.

For more on family days out, this adventure attraction is inside the UK’s biggest park huge playground and ‘roller slide’.

And this huge new wooden play attraction is set to open at historic English house with den building, zip lines and racing slides.