Wizz Air

The spot has been hailed by holidaymakers as the best beach on the White Isle, and with warm 23°C temperatures in October and November it’s the perfect spot for an autumn break away from the crowds

Tucked between pine-covered hills, the sheltered cove has a mix of golden sand and pebbles, while its clear waters are ideal for swimming and snorkelling. But it is the dramatic scenery that really sets the European spot apart.

Off the coast sits Cap Bernat, a distinctive rock formation often nicknamed the “Finger of God”. It has become an iconic part of the skyline and provides a spectacular backdrop as the sun sets over the water.

Cala Benirràs is one of the most famous coves in northern Ibiza, but it offers a very different experience from the island’s glamorous beach-club hotspots.

The beach is particularly famous for its bohemian atmosphere and stunning sunsets, with visitors gathering to watch the sun disappear behind the rocky coastline.

Benirràs has also long been associated with drumming at sunset, which has become part of the cove’s identity.

However, visitors should be aware that the traditional large-scale Sunday drumming sessions have been restricted in response to the huge crowds they attract.

Smaller, informal drumming sessions can still take place, but it is best to check the arrangements before travelling if this is a key reason for your visit.

Despite its popularity, Cala Benirràs retains a relatively natural and rustic feel compared with some of Ibiza’s more polished beach destinations. The seabed is rocky in places, adding to its appeal for snorkellers, while the sheltered bay usually offers calm, clear water.

There are also several places to eat and drink around the cove, including Elements Eivissa Beach Club, which sits directly on the beach, alongside more casual dining options nearby.

For visitors looking to experience a quieter, more bohemian side of Ibiza, Cala Benirràs offers a combination of clear waters, pine-covered hills, spectacular sunsets and its famous rock formation that makes it well worth a visit, reports the Express.

Best time to visit

Autumn breaks offer quieter beaches and warm, sunny weather, with package holiday prices often considerably cheaper than during the pricier summer period. Holding out just a few weeks for an October escape could see travellers discovering hidden gems in some of Europe’s most sought-after destinations like Spain or Portugal for a fraction of the cost.

When experts at Wizz Air pinpointed the best under-the-radar coastal destinations in Europe for the shoulder season, Cala Benirrás in the north of the island earned top marks for tranquillity.

The airline previously carried out an analysis of beaches across more than 50 European countries, evaluating crowd levels, average temperatures, and daylight hours throughout September, October, and November.

By calculating beach space per visitor, Wizz Air ranked destinations according to the amount of room available to unwind and bask in the late-season sunshine.

‘Hidden gem’

This Ibizan ‘hidden gem’ has been hailed as the “best beach on Ibiza, especially in October” by Tripadvisor user Debra H. Captivated by their visit to this tranquil corner of the White Isle, the traveller went on to say: “It’s not just a beach for a day trip or the Sunday drumming it’s a place to come early in the morning and get to know. We really liked Elements cafe, nice food sitting and chilling on the sofa as with music. Lovely family friendly and I love the rock there like a giant goddess. Highly recommend. Most favourite beach in Europe.”

Another late-season visitor, Emily S, shared the same enthusiasm, describing it as a “beautiful bohemian feeling beach, perfect place for sunset”.

They added: “We visited Ibiza at the end of October. End of season, so this beach was lovely. Not too busy, with a relaxed, friendly, safe feel. Beautiful sheltered cove with stunning views out to sea, and amazing clear waters with lots of fish.”

Ibiza boasts average temperatures of around a balmy 23°C (73°F) throughout October and November, making it ideal for those looking to soak up the last of the summer sunshine.

Cala Benirrás is just a 10-minute bus ride from the nearest town of Port De San Miguel, which is home to hotels, villas and a broad range of amenities.

THERE is nothing worse than a delayed or cancelled flight – and one airline is now making passengers pay extra if they want help quicker.

Wizz Air has launched a new add-on called ‘Disruption Assistance’, which it claims is ‘added protection’.

According to the airline, passengers will “get extra support if your flight is disrupted on the day of travel”.

The new add-on means that travellers will get notifications for disruptions over two hours, for any reason including severe weather, issues at airports or even strikes.

Another part of the add-on is that you will get rebooked quickly when time matters, even if this means needing to travel with another airline.

You will also be able to request a full refund if the alternatives offered to you don’t work.

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The final part of the add-on is that you will get “access [to] easy self-service tools or speak to an agent”.

You can add Disruption Assistance during the booking process or in Manage My Booking on the airline’s website or app.

In addition, if your flight is impacted on your day of travel, you will be sent an email to the Disruption Portal where you will be able to rebook via one of the options given or offered a refund.

According to EX-YU Aviation, the add-on costs between €9.90 (£8.51) and €14.90 (£12.80) per person.

Legally, the airline must rebook you under EU/UK Regulation 261/2004, if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours.

Airlines will usually try to rebook you on their own airline’s next available flight.

However, if they are unable to get you to your destination on the same day or next day, they must legally book you onto a rival airline and reimburse you.

Essentially, the Disruption Assistance add-on means you don’t have to battle with the airline’s customer service for a new flight or refund.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

If you’re flying economy, you’re probably going to be squished into a tiny seat for the duration of your flight

When it comes to jetting off on holiday, the thought of getting from A to B can feel like a dread for some people. This could be due to turbulence, boredom or just how little legroom there is.

Flying with budget airlines doesn’t necessarily mean worse seats. Most airlines, including the likes of Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air, use modern narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 family.

A lot of the budget airlines have a typical 3–3 layout of: window — middle — aisle or vice versa.

As travellers are probably aware, you can upgrade your seat with extra legroom for a certain price.

According to easyJet, “you can pay to select a standard, Up Front or Extra Legroom seat. If you don’t pay, easyJet allocates one automatically at check-in and says it will try to seat people on the same booking together, but this isn’t guaranteed”.

Meanwhile, Ryanair is probably the most notable example of the “pay if you care where you sit” model.

According to Ryanair’s website, “you can get a free randomly assigned seat, with random allocation happening during check-in 24–2 hours before departure. Paying lets you select a specific seat, with the price varying according to its location”.

Wizz Air works similarly and offers free random allocation, while you can pay for a particular seat. “Wizz also has premium seats such as front-row, Upfront and Extra Legroom, and even a “Sitting Together” option for two adults on eligible bookings”, according to its website.

Thankfully, there’s now a way to work out which budget airline offers the widest seats, so you needn’t compromise on your precious comfort.

Which? has looked at which airlines boast the most generous seating, so you can ensure you’re getting the best value for your money.

When it comes to short-haul flights, seat width (the distance between each armrest) ranges between 17 and 18 inches, which may not sound like a great deal, reports the Express.

However, that extra inch can make a world of difference when you’re packed in like sardines.

The airlines offering the widest economy seats are Wizz Air, TAP Portugal, easyJet and Lufthansa, all measuring 18 inches in width.

That means the airlines with the narrowest seats are British Airways, Jet2, KLM, Norwegian, Ryanair, Tui and Aer Lingus, all tied at 17 inches.

Meanwhile, Vueling sits somewhere in between at 17.5 inches.

Airlines seat width and legroom

Below are airline seat widths and legroom in inches:

• Aer Lingus 31-32 (legroom) 17 (seat width)
• Air Canada 30-34 / 17.5
• American Airlines 31-32 / 17
• British Airways 31 / 17.5
• Delta 31-32 / 17.9
• Emirates 32-34 / 17-18
• Etihad 31-33 / 17.5
• KLM 31 / 17.5
• Lufthansa 31-32 / 17
• Qantas 31 / 17.5
• Qatar 31-33 / 17.5
• Singapore Airlines 32-34 / 17.5
• Tui Airways 33 / 17
• United 31-34 / 17
• Virgin Atlantic 30-31 / 17.5

If you’re looking to bag a bit more space on your budget flight without splashing out extra cash, there are a couple of handy tricks worth knowing.

The first is to book a bulkhead seat – those positioned directly behind the walls, curtains or screens that divide the cabin. With no seats in front, you’ll be able to stretch your legs out to your heart’s content.

Bear in mind, however, that these can be slightly narrower if tray tables are stored within the armrest.

If a bulkhead seat doesn’t appeal to you, opt for a seat towards the back of the plane where the rows begin to taper.

This can occasionally mean fewer seats per row – though naturally, you may find yourself beside the toilet queue, which can prove a touch disruptive.

If you’re on a flight that has already departed and you spot additional empty seats, you can always politely enquire with a flight attendant about the possibility of relocating.

Remember, if you don’t ask, you don’t get – and provided you remain courteous, there’s every chance they’ll accommodate your request.

If you have additional requirements that would benefit from extra room, such as being particularly tall or pregnant, there’s a reasonable chance you could be moved to a more comfortable and spacious seat.

YOUR neck pillow could get you in trouble next time you fly.

A little known rule in place with Wizz Air has warned that they can fine you £55 for taking it onboard.

Most airlines don’t count a neck pillow as a separate piece of luggage, meaning you can bring it along with a bag.

Yet Wizz Air have some of the strictest rules, and can ask you to fit it into your suitcase.

If it doesn’t, they can then fine you the £55.

The website states: “Neck pillows are not considered a separate free item and must fit within your applicable cabin baggage allowance.

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“If you wish to bring a neck pillow on board, it must be packed inside your cabin bag.

“If it does not fit within your permitted baggage allowance, it may be treated as an additional item and be subject to the applicable oversized or excess baggage charges.”

Additional charges are around €65 (£55).

While most people online claim they haven’t been charged at the airport – it all depends on the staff.

One person wrote on Reddit: “It depends how lucky you are and what instruction received the crew at the gate, do they need to be more strict about rules or not.

“For example, most of the time they just leave you holding the pillow outside of the backpack but last time my girlfriend has been asked to put her pillow back inside and measure the backpack.

“Because there was no space for it, they charged 50€ just for the pillow.”

Here are some of the other airline rules you need to know about.

And here is another luggage fine you need to be aware of.

YOU don’t need a huge holiday budget to jet off on an amazing European city break.

With flights from £13.99 each way and hotel rooms from under £40 a night, a weekend escape to Spain, Italy, or France can easily cost less than a big night out at home.

Whether you fancy sipping €3 (£2.50) wine by the river in Porto, grabbing fresh beachside tapas in Malaga, or drinking in views from a 360-degree rotating bar in Tirana, you can do it all while on a budget.

Here are the best bargain European city breaks you can book right now for under £18 a flight, with ridiculously cheap hotel stays to match.

Lyon, France

Bag a cheap city break to Lyon where you can sip a drink on a floating bar at the River Banks, wander Renaissance-era cobblestone streets in Old Lyon, and sample some of the best food in France.

Known as the food capital of France, it isn’t hard to find somewhere good to eat here – even on a budget.

Head to Marronniers Street at lunchtime and take your pick of Bouchons, which are traditional, local restaurants serving high-quality authentic meals for as little as €10 (£8.50).

You can fly to Lyon with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way. Sometimes the return flight from Lyon can be as low as £13.99.

The People Lyon offers rooms from £37 a night. The building used to be a secondary school, and has now become a vibrant spot for people to sit and enjoy views of the Fourvière Basilica.

Milan, Italy

While famous for high fashion and luxury, Milan is surprisingly easy to do on a budget if you know where to look.

The city’s aperitivo culture is ideal for inexpensive light snacking and drinking – especially in the vibrant, canal-side district of Navigli.

Soak up world-class architecture for free by wandering through the mall Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, admiring Sforzesco Castle, and of course taking in the views of the famous Milan Cathedral.

With super cheap flights, an affordable metro system and plenty to do for free once you’re there, you can book a city break to Milan knowing it won’t dent your wallet.

You can fly to Milan with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

The Glam Hotel Milano has rooms from £50 a night, and is a modern hotel directly opposite the train station.

Malaga, Spain

Far more than a typical getaway to the Costa del Sol, Malaga is a vibrant, sun-soaked city full of Andalusian culture.

Dining out is wonderfully cheap, with beachside bars serving fresh sardine skewers for only a few euros, alongside plenty of low-cost tapas spots.

Sightseeing costs next to nothing thanks to free Sunday afternoon entry to art museums and historic sites like the Alcazaba fortress.

Pair that with beach days and scenic hikes to the Gibralfaro viewpoint, and you’ve got yourself a very affordable few days away.

You can fly to Malaga with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way.

Rooms at funky capsule hotel Futurotel Malaga start from £59.

Porto, Portugal

Cheap wine, unique architecture, amazing city viewpoints – Porto is the ideal pick for a walkable city break packed with affordable things to do.

Spend a day strolling through the Ribeira District where medieval colourful houses and charming cafes line the riverfront.

Another top free sight is to watch the sun set behind the huge steel Dom Luis I Bridge from the Jardmin do Morro, to the sound of local street musicians.

As for cheap wine, pop into neighbourhood tascas for a bite to eat and a drink – here you can enjoy local wine by the jug for €3.50 (£3)!

You can fly to Porto with Ryanair from as little as £13.99 each way.

The ever-reliable ibis budget Porto Gaia has rooms from £55 a night.

Tirana, Albania

Tirana is easily one of Europe’s most underrated and budget-friendly capitals, buzzing with pastel-painted buildings and an amazing coffee culture.

You can explore giant, Communist-era nuclear bunkers turned underground art museums at Bunk’Art, or catch a cheap cable car ride up Mount Dajti for sweeping views across the valley.

Nights are best spent in the trendy Blloku district – a neighbourhood once off-limits to locals as it was an restricted zone for communist regime leaders – now it’s open to everyone with lively cocktail lounges and traditional grill houses that serve up dishes and drinks for pocket change.

You can fly to Tirana with Wizz Air from £17.99 each way.

The four-star Sky Hotel Tirana has rooms from £38 per night, and is home to the largest rotating bar in the Balkans.

The revolving rooftop bar completes a 360° turn every hour, giving you sweeping city and mountain views alongside your meal.

Dublin, Ireland

When you can hop over to Dublin on a £14.99 hour-long flight, this might just be the quickest and easiest city break to tick off in a weekend.

While Temple Bar is certainly worth a visit to walk its pretty cobbled streets and grab a pic outside the famous red pub, save your pint of Guinness for elsewhere.

Head to South William Street to find cheaper beer at spots like Pygmalion and Grogan’s, where all the atmosphere comes from taking your pint back out into the street to listen to buskers.

For an affordable yet delicious lunch, head to Pablo Picante. Dublin has a huge burrito culture, and this Mexican chain offers well-stuffed wraps that will keep you full all day from €10.75 (£9.20).

You can fly to Dublin with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

Stay at the Wetherspoons-owned Keaven’s Port Hotel from £82 per night. The hotel sits on Camden Street, which packed with some of the city’s best bars, pubs and clubs.

Alicante, Spain

With year-round warmth and 300 days of sunshine per year, Alicante is a solid bet when it comes to booking a sunny Spanish city break.

Spend your days wandering the whitewashed, flower-filled lanes of Barrio Santa Cruz, or taking in sweeping Mediterranean views from the hilltop Santa Barbara Castle for free.

Eating well can be remarkably cheap if you visit Mercado Central for fresh tapas, or tuck into authentic regional paellas at backstreet neighbourhood bars.

You can fly to Alicante with Ryanair from £14.99 each way.

You can book a stay at the Travelodge Alicante Puerto from £39 per night, which is conveniently located a short walk from Alicante Harbour and the Explanada de España.