wine

The Greek city that’s better in spring with funiculars, sunset rooftops and wine tastings

OUR Spotlight On column gives you the low-down on what to see and do in some of the most popular holiday destinations – as well as some unsung areas.

This week we are doing a deep dive on Piraeus, a small but certainly not insignificant port city within Athens, Greece.

Athens is much better to visit off seasonCredit: Alamy
The city has so much to do when there are fewer crowdsCredit: Alamy
Of course The Parthenon is a mustCredit: Alamy

The Greek city is one to avoid in the summer – last year it hit 42C, a record high.

But Travel Writer Jonathon Samuels explains: “Athens is the perfect Greek city for an all-year-round mini-break, with lots to see and do.

“We began with an evening stroll around Athens’ oldest neighbourhood, Plaka.

“With narrow pedestrianised lanes, tourist shops and tavernas, it’s no surprise that the area is heaving in summer, but we had plenty of space to breathe and enjoy glimpses of The Acropolis in peace.

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“For an even less crowded view, head to 360 Cocktail Bar where you can soak up not just the city’s sacred rock but views of the pastel-coloured buildings below, too.

“Look for the little funicular railway at the end of Plutarch Street which takes you through the hill to the summit.”

Here are some of our other top tips.

MUST SEE/DO

As a port city in one of the most history-rich cities in the world, Piraeus has some stories to tell.

And no place tells them better than the Hellenic Maritime Museum which delves into the maritime traditions of the region.

It only costs around £1.50 to enter and visitors can be wowed by ancient maps, flags and old school weaponry that was once used on the seas.

HIDDEN GEM

Margaro is a pokey restaurant loved by locals, but less-known by tourists.

The interior may be bland and simple (think plastic tables and basic wooden chairs), but the food is anything but.

You won’t need a menu as this third-generation family fish joint only serves a few basic dishes: fried shrimp, fresh fish such as mullet or bream and langoustines, all accompanied by a classic and hearty Greek salad.

There are no reservations, so just follow the queues of local down the back streets from the port.

You’ll be paying a fraction of the cost you would in main tourist spots, but for some of the best Greek food you’ve ever sampled.

BEST VIEW

Nest Rooftop Bar & Bistro at The Alex Hotel is the place to go, especially at sunset.

Set just a few metres back from the ocean, visitors can sip on cocktails while soaking up panoramic views of Saronic Gulf, with ferry boats and yachts on the water, and the sun-drenched terracotta roof tops of surrounding buildings.

RATED RESTAURANT

Pushing the boat out? Well this is the right place to do that – for a number of reasons.

The Michelin-starred Varoulko Seaside, in Mikrolimano marina, is a dream for seafood lovers.

Diners can tuck into traditional Greek flavours using modern culinary techniques – dishes like catch of the day come with fennel, orange and bearnaise sauce.

BEST BAR

Greek wine has soared in popularity in recent years and is now in the same league as some the finest wines in the world.

So if you’re keen to sample the best, a visit Paleo Wine Store is a must.

The cosy and sophisticated bar is housed in a former warehouse and serves excellent grape tipples.

If you’re unsure of what to order, staff are always happy to help. The setting is extremely cool, with industrial-style decor, long wooden tables and shelves stacked high with bottles.

HOTEL PICK

It’s not just its excellent rooftop (mentioned above) that makes the 4* Alex Hotel standout.

The bright and airy space has a modern Greek feel to it with stone-coloured furnishings and simplistic interiors. It’s well-located for exploring the region too, offering easy access to both the city and the sea.

The rooftop restaurant serves British favourites such as pizza, pasta and burgers, as well as more sophisticated dishes including sea drum ceviche and tuna tartare.

Rooms cost from £110 per night. See santikoscollection.com.

Flights take just a few hours from the UKCredit: Alamy

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One of Greece’s most beautiful islands that Brits won’t have heard of has £2.60 wine and empty Caribbean-like beaches

THERE are plenty of beautiful islands around Greece, but you might not have heard of Andros.

It’s the second-largest island in the Cyclades and is considered to be one of the most beautiful, and underrated.

Andros is the second-largest island in the CycladesCredit: Alamy
Beaches on the island look like they’re in the Caribbean, like Zorkos BeachCredit: Alamy

Andros has it all, with mountain landscapes, beaches with bright blue waters, lush greenery with waterfall trails, and a town classically painted in Greece‘s blue and white.

Visitors arriving by ferry will first come to Gavrio, on the northwest coast which historically was a fishing village.

Now it’s a lot busier and vibrant with plenty of tavernas, bars and hotels – however this isn’t the capital of the island.

An hour’s drive away from Gavrio is Chora, which literally means ‘main village’.

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One visitor who blogged about their recent trip named Verde as a top place to grab a bite there.

Their top tip was to taste the Miss Pink cocktail, which is a mix of champagne, lime and grapefruit.

When it comes to drinks, on Andros, you can pick up a glass of wine from €3 (£2.60).

Along with its pretty village to explore, the real gems of this island are the beaches that are dotted along the coastline.

There are beautiful beaches too with white sands and bright blue seas.

One of the most popular north of Chora is called Zorkos Beach, which is also one of the island’s biggest.

One visitor said: “One of the best beaches I have visited in general in my life! Incredible waters, clear and a very quiet place even though it has a beach bar there!”

Another added: “Zorkos beach is just fantastic! Clean water and a very relaxed atmosphere. Perfect place to escape and enjoy the sea without a lot of people. We will definitely visit again.”

Other popular spots include Vitali Beach on the north eastern side of the island.

The beach is always fairly empty as it’s secluded and can only be accessed by a narrow dirt track – so it’s recommended to get there by motorbike or jeep.

Another spot which has crystal clear waters is Tis Grias to Pidima Beach, which has a huge rock stack off its shore.

The beach can be reached via a dirt road and steep trail, but lots of visitors say it’s worth a visit thanks to its beautiful views.

A glass of wine in Greece can cost as little as £2.50Credit: Alamy
Pithara Waterfalls is considered a ‘hidden paradise’Credit: Alamy

Heading inland, one popular activity for tourists on Andros is hiking to its waterfalls.

One of the easiest trails that takes around 10-minutes is to the Pithara Waterfalls, which is dubbed a ‘hidden paradise’ in Apikia.

Visitors say there’s enough water for a small swim, along with plenty of pretty viewing points from above the falls.

For those staying on the island, some hotels cost as little as £36 per night, which you can find on Booking.com.

The Ostria Hotel & Apartments has an outdoor pool, and is a few minutes walk away from Gavrio.

On Airbnb, pretty apartments start from £67 per night.

This one in Chora is within walking distance to the sea, as well as restaurants, bars, cafes, museums and art galleries.

When it comes to getting to the island, Brits will have to fly to Athens, which in May can be done for £25 with Ryanair.

From there, take a ferry across to the island which can be as quick as one hour with Seajets (with tickets from £30).

For more on Greek islands, one expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches.

Andros has beautiful beaches with bright blue waters like Tis Grias to Pidima BeachCredit: Alamy

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The EU’s recipe for trade deals : easy on beef, tough on wine

Three deals across three key regions : Mercosur, India and Australia.


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While the Commission hailed the Australia agreement as a new geostrategic win, EU farmers continue to express deep discontent stemming from the Mercosur deal.

In practice, the backlash around the agreement with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay has done little to shift the Commission’s dual approach in its negotiating line. On the one hand, the commission kept making concessions on entry-level or mid-range farm goods such as beef, while on the other hand, it pushed for market access for high value-added exports —like wine, Geographical Indications (GI) and cars— with mixed results.

“The EU has all the assets to be an agri-food power,” Luc Vernet, from the export-focused brussels think tank Farm Europe, told Euronews, adding: “We should develop a broader strategy beyond high value-added products, covering all sectors and all levels of quality, because the European model delivers exceptional quality not just in luxury products.”

Yet the opposition to the Latin America deal — which triggered a legal challenge suspending its ratification — crystallised among EU farmers over fears of unfair competition from meat imports.

The Mercosur agreement granted quotas of 99,000 tonnes of beef per year, 25,000 tonnes of pork and 188,000 tonnes of poultry. Despite conditions added to new quotas in the Australia deal, EU farmers complain of imports piling up across successive agreements.

Concessions made on beef

Over eight years of talks with Canberra—the world’s second-largest beef exporter—Australia pushed hard for greater access for beef and sheep meat. Tensions intensified in 2023, when negotiations broke down after the EU rejected Australia’s demand for 40,000 tonnes of beef per year, offering no more than 30,000 tonnes instead.

The final deal agreed Tuesday allows 30,600 tonnes of beef annually into the EU. For sheep and goat meat, Brussels accepted a 25,000-tonne duty-free quota, while sugar was limited to 35,000 tonnes of raw cane for refining and rice to 8,500 tonnes a year.

However, perhaps drawing lessons from Mercosur, Brussels imposed multiple conditions on the quotas. Beef imports, which will have to be from grass-fed cattle, will be phased in over 10 years, sheep meat over 7 years, and rice over 5 years. Sugar will also be subject to certification under a private sustainability scheme.

Safeguard clauses, allowing both sides to react to market disruption, will apply for seven years – but are extended for sensitive farm goods : 15 years for beef, 12 for sheep and 10 for rice.

But a farmers’ representative told Euronews there were serious doubts about the effectiveness of the safeguard mechanisms: “Our experience in general with safeguards is that they are extremely difficult to activate because the burden of the proof is on us, farmers.”

The offensive agenda of the Commission

By contrast, agriculture was far less contentious in the India negotiations, where New Delhi itself resisted opening its market due to domestic farm sensitivities, particularly in dairy. EU sensitive products were largely excluded.

But wine featured prominently on Brussels’ offensive agenda, with Indian tariffs cut from 150% to 20% for premium wines and 30% for mid-range products over seven years. Tariffs for cars will also fall from 110% to 10% but under a quota of 250,000 vehicles a year after a decade – by which point Chinese manufacturers have great chances to have strengthened their position.

In negotiations with Australia, the EU again sought greater access for its wine but encountered strong opposition from domestic producers. In the end, the deal protects more than 1,600 EU wine GIs, plus over 50 new ones from 12 member states.

On Prosecco, Australian producers will still be allowed to use the term domestically to designate a grey grape variety, provided it is linked to Australian GI, with Canberra agreeing to stop exporting such wines after 10 years.

The EU also secured protection for 165 agri-food GIs and 231 spirit drink GIs. But it failed to remove Australia’s luxury car tax, securing instead preferential treatment for EU electric vehicles. But Brussels won improved access to critical raw materials – a key EU demand, that may have lead to more concessions on meat.

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Charming European destination where a glass of wine costs £1.70 just 2 hours from the UK

These locations are perfect for anyone looking for an affordable getaway

After arriving at your holiday destination, many travellers fancy unwinding with a simple glass of vino. While the price of wine might not be top of your list when arranging a getaway, you could find yourself gobsmacked by the costs once you land.

To help avoid this, Holiday Pirates have shared on Instagram the most budget-friendly wine destinations across Europe, where you can grab a glass for well below £5. Leading their rankings were Hungary and Portugal, where a typical glass will set you back between £1.70 and £3.40.

Plus, Portugal is only a two-to-three-hour flight away from the UK. And timing it right, Skyscanner shows return flights to Portugal starting at £26, and to Hungary from £35. This means you’ll savour some quality wine without having to empty your wallet just getting there.

It’s not only individual glasses that work out cheaper overseas, with Drink Merchants having previously disclosed that in Portugal, a bottle averages merely £3.91.

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Both Portugal and Hungary boast their own wine-producing regions, and with numerous vineyards scattered throughout, you can sample the nation’s wines at bargain prices during your stay.

Alternative choices for those seeking somewhere to purchase a glass of wine for less than £4 included Bulgaria and Spain, where you’ll be spending between £2 and £3.80.

These destinations can prove economical in other respects too, with Skyscanner showing return flights to Bulgaria from £32 and to Spain from only £24.

Europe’s cheapest wine destinations

Hungary and Portugal (£1.70 – £3.40 a glass)

Bulgaria (£2.10 – £3.40)

Mainland Spain (£2.10 – £3.80)

Poland (£2.10 – £4.25)

Czechia (£2.50 – £4.25)

Spain – The Balearic Islands (£2.50 – £4.50)

Greece, Italy, and Germany (£2.50 – £5)

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Spain’s hottest city has £2.50 wine and £15 flights

THERE’s a Spanish city that is set to be nearly 30C this week – and luckily for Brits it’s less than three hours from the UK.

Seville’s got everything Spain has to offer from affordable wine to beautiful plazas and free flamenco performances.

Plaza de Espana is one of the most well-known landmarks in SevilleCredit: Alamy
It has four pretty mosaic bridges over the canal

This week, temperatures in Seville are set to soar with highs of 27C, according to the BBC.

Thanks to its location in southern Spain, Seville often sits 17C and higher – even in the winter months.

It’s very easy to get to as well with direct flights from all over the UK although the cheapest is with Ryanair, who has £14.99 flights from London Stansted next month.

When it comes to what to do there, you’ll be spoiled for choice at the riverside city with lots of beautiful sites and great food for affordable prices.

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On average, a meal at an inexpensive restaurant start from £10.50.

As for wine, it tends to sit between £2.50 and £3 – depending on where you go within the city.

Plaza de España is one of the biggest and most well-known landmarks in Seville.

It’s a huge semi-circular plaza stretching over 50,000 square metres with four bridges sitting over a canal decorated with brightly coloured mosaic.

It’s a favourite spot within the city for pretty pictures, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a free flamenco dance.

If you want to get out onto the water, you can rent pedalos for a few euros.

The square even doubled as the planet of Naboo in the second Star Wars film.

In the middle of the city is the enormous Seville Cathedral – which is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world.

You can choose to go inside if you wish, but as someone who has been you can see plenty of its grandeur from outside.

Seville Cathedral is the biggest Gothic cathedral in the worldCredit: Alamy Stock Photo
There are lots of horse and carts around the cathedral – and palm trees too

But if you want to head inside a standard ticket costs €13 (£11.25).

Other hot spots include the Real Alcázar palace and La Giralda tower.

Travel Reporter Alice Penwill visited the city two years ago. She said: “I loved strolling about Seville, particularly the Alfalfa neighbourhood.

“It’s got plenty of pretty little cafes and restaurants to explore – one of my favourites was Casa Toni which cooks up tasty paella.

“Salvador Square is beautiful in the morning time, take a stroll there and make sure to pick up some brunch from Sagasta.

“It has outdoor seating too so you can bask in the spring sunshine.”

Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey has also visited the city and has some top tips on how to see its main attractions for free.

She said: “The Royal Alcázar of Seville, a palace dating back 1,000 years, offers limited free tickets on Mondays between 6pm and 7pm.

“Or for Seville Cathedral, there are 100 free tickets a day between 2pm and 3pm.”

Kara’s favourite bar is El Rinconcillo which is the city’s oldest tapas bar which dates back to 1670.

And you can get a huge glass of wine for £3.

Our favourite Spain holidays

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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.

BOOK HERE

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.

BOOK HERE

For more on Spain, here are last minute deals at four-star hotels in 30C temps from £249pp.

And this European city with 3,000 hours of sunshine a year named best destination to visit in 2026.

Seville is just three hours from the UK and is 27C this weekCredit: Alamy

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‘I’m a TUI expert – Tenerife’s best city has £5 wine and 24C weather in April’

A ‘stylish Spanish’ city that is packed with ‘character’, has been recommended by a TUI travel expert for a serene escape with sprawling beaches and seawater pools

It’s not easy finding the right destination for that sun-soaked getaway, but a travel expert highly recommends a vibrant city in Tenerife, where you can grab a bottle of wine for around £5 and bask in the balmy 24C in April.

TUI travel advisor, Natasha Mooney, has booked holidays to Tenerife for more than a decade and lives there part-time with her husband, Javier, who hails from the Spanish island.

“I’ve been a TUI travel advisor for 10 years, now working as a homeworking retail expert. Javi and I split our time between the UK and Güímar in northern Tenerife, so I can genuinely call it my speciality,” Natasha said.

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As a Tenerife expert, Natasha certainly knows a thing or two about where to go, particularly for those looking to ditch the crowds and opt for a quieter escape. One destination that Natasha can’t recommend more is the coastal city of Puerto de la Cruz, with its incredible seawater pools, black-sand beaches, a charming harbour and historic old town.

“This is Tenerife at its most authentic,” the expert explains. “Puerto de la Cruz, on the north coast, is the place I recommend for travellers who want a stylish but genuinely Spanish experience. There’s a relaxed elegance to it. A pretty harbour, historic streets, colonial-style restaurants serving modern Canarian cuisine, and cocktail bars with live music.”

The city offers that desirable beach escape, alongside a town bursting with character, eateries, and cafés, against its colourful architecture and vibrant Spanish atmosphere. Adding to its allure is the promise of blistering rays of up to 24C in April.

One of the city’s most striking features is the iconic saltwater pool complex, Lago Martiánez, designed by Canarian architect César Manrique. The outdoor interconnected pools, with four for adults and three for children, are filled with Atlantic water, framed by volcanic rock and palm trees.

It’s been beautifully designed to incorporate natural elements against the backdrop of the rugged terrain of the striking volcano, Mount Teid, alongside views of the sea, for a spectacular day spent in the basking heat. There are plenty of terraces and sun loungers with umbrellas dotted around the leisure complex for extra comfort, along with kiosks and restaurants for a bite to eat.

Of course, there are plenty of beaches to uncover in the area, with Playa Jardín, Playa Martianez and Playa del Castillo, all with their striking black sand and blue waters for an inviting dip. The city itself is packed with character from its Puerto Street Art Project, where vibrant artwork lines the street, to the art installation of the Agatha Christie Steps, with printed titles of her most famous books.

There are botanical gardens, including Sitio Litre Garden, to wander around during a leisurely afternoon, along with colourful streets lined with bars offering drinks al fresco. Natasha noted that visitors could even bag themselves a bottle of wine for a mere £5, and advised holidaymakers to look out for Listán Blanco or Malvasía whites and Listán Negro reds.

“You’ll often find good bottles in local restaurants and shops from around €6–€10 (£5.19 to £8.60). It’s a brilliant way to taste the island for very little money,” she explained.

The food scene is another highlight across Tenerife, as Natasha said: “Tenerife has Michelin-starred restaurants, but most visitors fall in love with the guachinches. They’re family-run eateries serving traditional Canarian food with their own local wine. They’re always authentic and very affordable too.”

If you’re tempted by a trip to Puerto de la Cruz, you can grab a flight from London Stansted to Tenerife from as little as £18 one-way. There are also affordable flights from Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow and various UK airports, making it even easier to jet off to this charming coastal city.

TUI also offers a seven-night package at Hotel Rui Garoe from £634 per person, based on two adults sharing on a half-board basis. It includes travel from Birmingham Airport on Tuesday, 28 April with TUI Airways, along with overseas transfers, 10kg of cabin luggage, and a 20kg checked-in bag.

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

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City with ‘green wine’ & rooftop bars where you can get the cheapest five-star holiday is under 3 hours from the UK 

CITY breaks are a perfect short-haul holiday option for Brits, and in some cases even top-tier ones won’t break the bank.

TravelSupermarket has found the cheapest five-star European city holidays and the Portuguese capital has topped the list at under £310pp.

Lisbon has been revealed as the top city break destination for a cheap five-star holidayCredit: Alamy
A two-night city break at the five-star Vintage Lisboa starts from £269ppCredit: The Vintage Lisboa

TravelSupermarket found that the average price for a five-star break to Lisbon works out at £308pp.

On TravelSupermarket Sun Travel found some five-star accommodation deals for under £200.

A two-night city break at the VIP Grand Lisboa Hotel & Spa in March starts from £180pp – including flights.

The hotel has a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, room service, free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and spa facilities.

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Another is The Vintage Lisboa where you can book a two-night city break in March from £269pp.

The boutique hotel is in the heart of the city and has modern interiors as well as a restaurant and bar.

Each room has a flatscreen TV, air conditioning and private bathroom with rain head shower.

It has a spa with a full menu of massages, as well as a sauna, steam bath, hammam and a gym.

The city itself is known for its steep streets, trams and its position on the coastline.

British expat Lauren Clark, who left her life in London for Lisbon reveals it’s an affordable city once you’re there too.

She even said that you can catch up with a friend over a glass of wine for the price of a coffee in the UK.

Lauren explained: “You can pick up a fruity ‘vinho verde’ from a quiosque or restaurant terrace, enjoyed in the sunshine, might set you back just a few euros.

“One of the reasons why the top-notch wine is so affordable – with a bottle of my favourite white costing around three euros in the supermarket – is because Portugal is covered in swathes of vineyards.”

Vinho verde translates to ‘green wine‘, but it’s not actually anything to do with colour.

What is actually refers to is the young age of the grapes.

Wine doesn’t cost more than a few euros in LisbonCredit: Jordi Salas
While it doesn’t have beaches for sunbathing, Lisbon has great coastline viewsCredit: Alamy

When it comes to choosing where to drink – you can get views of the city if you go up high onto a rooftop bar.

One trendy place is Park Bar which is at the very top of a parking garage.

Here you can pick up a selection of beers and wines, sangria and some bar snacks – and on Sundays it serves up all-day brunch.

Another is Topo Chiado which has view downtown that one visitor described as ‘breathtaking’, and it has a DJ during the evenings.

While Lisbon is easily walkable it also has lots of trams – it has six different routes and 58 trams.

Lisbon tram tickets usually cost between €3.10 (£2.70) and €3.30 (£2.87) if you buy it onboard.

You can save money in Lisbon by getting a Lisboa card too, which you can buy from £27 and it then gives you access to 51 museums and galleries across the city.

Lisbon doesn’t have many main beaches for sunbathing as such – but just a short-ride away are some lovely coastal spots.

Two popular beaches are Praia da Ursa and Praia do Ribeiro do Cavalo which are both less than an hour’s drive away from the city centre.

For Brits, Lisbon is easy to get to with direct flights taking just two hours and 50 minutes.

In April, flights from London Luton to Lisbon start from £21.

Eight airports across the UK offer direct flights including London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham.

When it comes to other city break destinations, cheap five-star holidays include destinations like Krakow and Prague.

Berlin rounds out the top three at £357 per person on average.

Chris Webber, Head of Holidays and Deals at TravelSupermarket said: “There’s a real appetite among British travellers for luxury city breaks, but many assume five-star automatically means five-star prices.

“What this data shows is that destinations like Lisbon, Krakow and Berlin are delivering genuinely premium experiences at remarkably competitive price points.

“As ever, Eastern Europe in particular offers exceptional value, and with so much history, culture and food on offer in cities like Prague and Budapest.”

These are the top 10 destinations for a cheap five-star break…

Here are the cheapest destinations and the average price for a five-star city break in Europe from TravelSupermarket…

  1. Lisbon – £308pp
  2. Krakow – £321pp
  3. Berlin – £357pp
  4. Prague – £375pp
  5. Budapest – £430pp
  6. Venice – £500pp
  7. Barcelona – £539pp
  8. Rome – £555pp
  9. Amsterdam – £633pp
  10. Paris – £967pp

For more on cheap city breaks, here are some in Europe that are CHEAPER than an English train ticket.

And here is Europe’s ‘top trending city break’ destination has been revealed with flights for £15 and beers for £2.17.

Lisbon is the cheapest place for a five-star city breakCredit: Alamy

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I took my mum on a Mother’s Day themed trip to Spain with mimosa buffets, ABBA tributes and wine tours

WEARING protective suits, masks, hats and gloves, we approach the buzzing hive in front of us.

The Canarian black bee, our guide tells us, is a hardy species adapted perfectly to the high heat and dry lands that make up Lanzarote’s volcanic climate.

Puerto del Carmen beachCredit: Alamy
The pool at Seaside Los JameosCredit: Supplied
Hannah goes full beekeeperCredit: Supplied

My mum Rhona and I seem to have adapted pretty well ourselves, as we soak up the last of the afternoon sun.

The fourth-largest Canary Island, Lanzarote was the ideal destination for a pre-Mother’s Day trip, with its year-round “eternal spring” climate, lunar-like landscapes and white-sand beaches.

While a fly-and-flop holiday is always tempting, particularly when it’s 21C, I was determined to include some bonding experiences during our visit.

And our beekeeping tour was just that. Ahead of reaching the hive, our guide taught us all about the insects that live there.

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Then, after shedding our protective suits, we were treated to samples of the organic honey, taking note of the sightly different flavours depending on which plants the bees had visited.

We felt fully connected to the surrounding nature.

When we weren’t off exploring, we could relax at the 4H Seaside Los Jameos, in Puerto del Carmen, one of the island’s most popular resorts.

With its beachfront location, palm tree-lined pools, gym, spa and cactus gardens, the recently renovated hotel is an oasis within the town, with plenty of activities on site.

I’m lucky enough to have a mother who can run rings around me, so we started each day with a jog on the beach.

I picked up pace as the week progressed, but never quite managed to catch up with my mum.

It was the perfect way to work up an appetite for the plentiful buffet breakfast.

The Sun’s Hannah Hope and mum RhonaCredit: Supplied
A bee gets busyCredit: Alamy

My highlights were the mimosa station, with crisp cava and freshly squeezed orange juice, and the DIY waffle machines.

In the evenings, guests can expect live entertainment from acts such as an ABBA tribute band, as well as magic shows and children’s discos.

Outside of the hotel, nearby restaurants included beachfront tapas joint Restaurante El Molino, which was within walking distance, and Sebastyan’s Atlantico Lounge on the water (be sure to arrive in time for the stunning sunset).

Lanzarote also has a thriving plonk scene, with wineries dotted all around the island.

Our final First Choice excursion took us on a tasting and museum tour at Bodega Finca Mota, a charming family-run winery surrounded by Lanzarote’s distinctive volcanic landscape, where grapes grow in the black sand.

We started our visit with an introduction to vintage winemaking tools in the museum, before sitting down for some sipping.

We tasted three different wines accompanied by locally-produced cheese and traditionally-cured tuna, and enjoyed it so much we bought a bottle each to take home.

On our final day, we decided to explore the picturesque village of Yaiza, famed for its beautifully maintained whitewashed houses and palm-lined streets.

Mum and I both love to shop, so we enjoyed a potter around the boutiques selling jewellery and ceramics and found a delightful cafe to have coffee and baked goods.

Literally the cherry on top of the cake to end a dreamy Mother’s Day getaway.

GO: LANZAROTE

GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4* Seaside Los Jameos is from £719pp including flights from Manchester on April 30.

See firstchoice.co.uk.

OUT & ABOUT: A beekeeping tour is from £57pp and a wine-tasting and museum tour at Bodega Finca Mota is from £44pp.

For more details, see experiences.firstchoice.co.uk.

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