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EASYJET is launching new flights to a sunny island loved by partygoers.

Ibiza is known for having a vibrant nightlife and sprawling, sandy beaches.

And from summer 2026, it will have new easyJet flights from London Southend Airport.

The first flight between London Southend Airport and Ibiza will take off on April 26, with there being twice-weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays from then on.

Seats and holiday packages for the route are already on sale, with one-way flights as low as £34 per person.

Kevin Doyle, easyJet UK country manager, said: “With this latest route and packages to Ibiza now available to book from London Southend Airport for next summer, we’re continuing to provide our customers across the region with even more choice and access to Europe’s most loved destinations at fantastic fares, and we can’t wait to welcome more customers on board next summer.”

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London Southend Airport business development director, Nigel Mayes said: “Ibiza is a firm favourite within our 8.2 million catchment – it caters to party-goers, culture enthusiasts and relaxation seekers alike – so to be able to share this news now really does feel like an early Christmas present.”

Recently, Ibiza managed to secure the top three spots on the International Nightlife Association’s list for the best 100 clubs.

First place went to UNVRS, which is the world’s first-ever hyperclub.

The club only opened earlier this year and travel writer Katy Hastings went to check it out.

She said: “I joined thousands of revellers on opening night, which saw Carl Cox‘s return to Ibiza for a 14-week residency at UNVRS – his first on the island since Space closed in 2016.

“And it is MASSIVE. The club is so huge that you can easily lose your bearings in the underground network of corridors and dance rooms – helpfully, there is free Wi-Fi in case you lose your mates in the maze.

“But it is very, very slick. The main room is where all the magic happens, with a sound system that is crisper and clearer than any other on the island.

“Aerial acrobats perform high above the VIP balconies and main dance floor, where the Privilege swimming pool has been consigned to history.

“The immersive lighting was next level too, as the lights come towards you, instead of just vertically, making you feel almost connected to the stage and helps to overcome the feeling of so many people in one room together.

“The best bit was at dawn, when the screens behind the DJ decks turned off to reveal 12-metre cathedral-like windows showing off the spectacular sunrise over the island – well worth hanging on for, given the club stays open to 6am each night.

“And the famous Privilege dome? That’s been kept intact, and now houses a huge sculpture called the Tree of Life.”

Before opening as UNVRS, the building used to belong to another club called Privilege which could hold up to 10,000 people.

Second place also went to a spot in Ibiza, called Hï Ibiza, which was named the world’s best club by DJ Magazine last year.

Hï Ibiza features a number of different rooms, with luxury bars and outdoor terraces.

And then third place went to Ushuaïa, which is also in Ibiza.

The club is outdoors and located in a hotel grounds, with many events also involving light shows.

The club features a poolside stage and an open-air dancefloor.

All three of the clubs have been created by The Night League, so across the clubs there are similar features including a mini nightclub in the toilets.

In addition to the vibrant nightlife, Ibiza has a number of beaches and coves to explore, such as Cala Salada, which is a spot with a number of caves and crystal-clear water.

Alternatively, head to Cala Comte, which is often regarded as the best spot in Ibiza to watch the sunset.

Ibiza is also home to a number of markets, such as Punta Arabi Hippy Market and Las Dalias, with stalls selling local crafts, unique clothing and souvenirs.

Of course, there are a number of places to go hiking too, such as Parc Natural de ses Salines, which is a natural reserve with salt flats, flamingos and Las Salinas beach.

And if you fancy a day trip, you can catch the ferry to Ibiza’s sister island, known as Formentera, with Caribbean-like white sand beaches.

For more inspiration of where to travel in Spain, a beach city that’s the birthplace of paella is set to get new budget flights from the UK from £20.

Plus, these are five of the best Spanish foodie destinations with direct UK flights and cheap holiday packages.

A UK city has been hailed as home to ‘one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys’

A city in the UK has been hailed as the backdrop for “one of the world’s most scenic winter train journeys“. National Geographic experts have lauded the route as “breathtaking,” promising travellers an eyeful of unforgettable vistas. In their roundup of Europe’s top 10, they said: “The holiday season may be the best time to ride the rails on these iconic routes through Germany’s enchanted Black Forest, and Norway’s frozen waterfalls.”

But it’s Scotland that truly steals the show with its mist-shrouded hills, serpentine lochs, and stark winter landscapes. For those hunting for a festive or winter escape, this rail journey delivers an unrivalled experience.

So, where in Scotland can you find this picturesque railway journey?

Stretching around 180 miles from Glasgow to Mallaig via Fort William, the West Highland Line is your ticket to awe-inspiring scenery.

As the National Geographic expert elaborated: “Route: Glasgow to Mallaig. Often cited as one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys, the West Highland Line serves up raw, haunting beauty.

“It slices through Rannoch Moor, a sprawling peat bog, skirts Loch Lomond, and soars over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, (a spectacle long before the Hogwarts Express catapulted it to Hollywood fame).”

They added: ” Edinburgh and Glasgow both boast unique Christmas festivities worth checking out. Edinburgh’s markets spill across Princes Street Gardens under the watchful eye of the castle, while Glasgow is set to light up with a Christmas lights trail this year.”

Glasgow’s Christmas market

The Winter Wonderland Christmas market at St Enoch Square is set to run from 6 November to 24 December, boasting family rides, an ice rink, local vendors, and live music. As reported by Secret Glasgow, the event will feature the world’s first solar-powered observation wheel and a fully licensed festive bar.

Glasgow is also set to host its largest beer hall yet, accommodating up to 700 guests with pub quizzes, live music, and festive beverages on offer. The venue will be adorned with fairy lights and fire pits, serving mulled wine and winter cocktails in both indoor and outdoor spaces.

In lieu of the traditional Christmas Lights Switch-On, which has been cancelled due to redevelopment works at George Square, the city will instead showcase a festive light trail.

Key attractions include dazzling art installations along Sauchiehall, Buchanan, and Argyle Streets, as well as a grand Christmas tree and crib at the Cathedral Precinct, providing a perfect backdrop for festive photos.

Top 10 scenic train routes in Europe, according to National Geographic

1. The Glacier Express (Switzerland)
2. Romantic Rhine Route (Germany)
3. Harz Narrow Gauge Railways (Germany)
4. The Bernina Express (Switzerland to Italy)
5. The West Highland Line (Scotland)
6. The Rauma Line (Norway)
7. The Semmering Railway (Austria)
8. The Schwarzwaldbahn (Germany)
9. The Arlberg Line (Switzerland–Austria)
10. Munich to Salzburg (Germany to Austria)

AN iconic tourist attraction in Europe is set to introduce its first ever entry fee – but only for tourists.

The historic Trevi Fountain in Rome dates back to 1762, built to provide both water to citizens and to show off the Catholic Church’s wealth.

But new plans could see it charge tourists to visit from next year.

The fountain – while always drawing large crowds – has always been open to the public.

Around 5.3million tourists visited the fountain in the first half of 2025.

Proposed plans will enforce a €2 (£1.76) entry for holidaymakers, with a separate entrance from citizens

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Locals will not have to pay a fee to visit it.

It is suggested the rules could be going ahead as soon as January 7.

However, Rome‘s city council said they were considering the new fee but that there was no confirmation it would be going ahead next month.

The new rule has divided people with some backing it in the hopes to reduce crowds.

One person said on social media: “Good idea. I tried walking through the area last November and could barely move, so many people.”

However, most said it would “ruin the charm” of the fountain.

Others said: “Nothing like taking away from the beautiful view of the fountain.”

Another agreed: “More companies making money!”

A third said: “How does one completely ruin and destroy the beauty of historical Italian architecture and monuments? Stick an ugly turnstile entrance and barriers in front of it.”

Most people visit it to throw a coin in, with legend saying one coin to return to Rome, two for love and three for marriage.

All of the coins are donated to a local charity, with thousands taken every years.

And it isn’t the only place introducing fees does tourists.

The famous courtyard and balcony of Romeo and Juliet in Verona is introducing strict new fees.

Tourists will have to pay €12 (£10.54) to enter – previously free – and only be allowed to visit the balcony for 60 seconds.

The museum will reduce capacity to just 100 visitors at a time.

And Venice charges day trippers to visit the famous city – here’s how much.

The El Marco/La Codosera bridge is a short wooden bridge that crosses the Abrilongo River, connecting two countries in different time zones.

The El Marco/La Codosera bridge is a tiny wooden structure spanning the Abrilongo River, linking two nations in different time zones: Spain (CET) and Portugal (WET/WEST).

Those who venture across what’s been dubbed the world’s smallest international bridge will hop between countries in mere seconds whilst their watch changes by an entire hour.

The modest crossing, measuring just 3.2 metres in length, joins the Spanish village of La Codosera in the south to Portugal’s El Marco, reports the Express.

According to Fascinating Spain, the tiny crossing was constructed by local residents centuries ago.

Originally, it was nothing more than basic wooden planks to traverse the narrow waterway.

They explained: “Although with the passing of time, elements were incorporated that have given stability to the bridge (and security to the neighbours who cross it), it was not until 2008 that it was completely remodelled.

“The smallest international bridge in the world was then created, from where, in a matter of seconds, you go from one country to another.”

“The bridge currently has a footbridge and reinforcements that prevent it from being swept away if the river Abrilongo rises.

“Other details were also added to emphasise the peculiarity of this being a border bridge: on each side of the bridge, a stone was placed with the E for Spain and the P for Portugal, so that it indicates which country you are in when you cross it.”

Among other remarkable bridges worldwide is a £3.4billion crossing between two nations that charges travellers £50 to use.

North Macedonia is a little-known country that sits north of Greece – and it’s one of the most mountainous countries in the world, with stunning views and a rich history

A hidden gem nestled in stunning mountains lies just three hours from the United Kingdom. Boasting emerald-green peaks and snow-capped summits, North Macedonia presents travellers with an opportunity to explore territory largely untouched by mainstream tourism.

Positioned directly north of Greece, North Macedonia is steeped in rich heritage spanning Byzantine, Ottoman, and Yugoslav periods. This landlocked nation achieved independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, adopting the name North Macedonia in 2019 after resolving a lengthy naming row with Greece.

It ranks among the world’s most mountainous countries, with over 85 per cent of its territory dominated by peaks, reports the Express. Mount Korab, situated on the Albanian frontier, soars to 9,030 feet (2,752 metres). The rugged landscape has become integral to daily life for North Macedonia’s inhabitants.

“When I enter my car, whichever direction I want to drive, I have a mountain in front of me and a mountain behind me,” local resident Frosina Pandurska-Dramikjanin told CNN.

The entire country houses 2 million people, marginally fewer than Birmingham’s population. Whilst those in the tourism sector believe the nation has tremendous potential, they remain cautious about excessive visitor numbers.

Aleksandar Bogoevski, owner of Sustainable Adventure Travels, added: “Approximately one million passengers are transiting Macedonia during the summertime. They don’t stop, I think there are so many other things that can be seen.”

One of the country’s star attractions is Lake Ohrid, which spans the Albanian border. The North Macedonian portion of the lake earned UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979, with the surrounding region added the following year.

Ohrid town ranks among the globe’s most ancient human settlements and houses the oldest Slavic monastery, St Pantelejmon. According to UNESCO, the lake supports roughly 200 plant and animal species.

The Šar Mountain range, positioned along the northwestern Albanian frontier, provides North Macedonia’s visitors with countless walking and hiking opportunities.

Mountain villagers still practise age-old shepherding traditions known as transhumance. This ancient custom involves guiding sheep on seasonal journeys to villages during winter months before returning them to mountain peaks come summer.

Food enthusiasts exploring North Macedonia will encounter a delicious blend of Balkan, Mediterranean, and Turkish flavours.

The country’s signature dish, Tave grave, features mainly baked beans prepared in a clay vessel. Other beloved meals showcase fresh ingredients, barbecued meats, and pastries.

Skopje, the nation’s capital, houses approximately 526,000 residents and lies within the Skopje Valley beside the Vardar River.

YouTuber Drew Binksy branded Skopje amongst the “weirdest cities in the world” due to its dramatic riverside monuments. During his trip to North Macedonia, Drew was completely charmed by Lake Ohrid.

In a video he gushed: “Anyways, the coolest lake in Europe is called Ohrid. It’s a really clear freshwater lake.

“You can go diving in it, cliff jumping and just have a day on the water. It’s really, really awesome. That’s my favorite thing about [North] Macedonia by far.

“Overall, it’s just a really chill, cool, small country, easy to road trip, Balkan vibes, good food. I highly recommend North Macedonia. I actually think it’s super underrated and it’s one of my favorite Balkan countries.”

A direct flight between the UK and Skopje takes between three and three-and-a-half hours.

If you’re bored of theme parks with long queues and greasy food, a new ‘luxury’ theme park will be opening in 2026 that promises a much more upmarket experience including “five-star hospitality”

A day out at a theme park is hardly what you’d call a luxury experience. While it’s nice to enjoy a day of family-fun, having to queue for 30-second rides and fight the crowds isn’t exactly relaxing.

However, an upmarket resort chain now aims to elevate the average theme park experience. Billed as “the world’s first-ever luxury theme park”, BON (beauty of nature) is set to open in autumn of 2026 for guests of VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta in Mexico.

There are ambitious plans for this new theme park, which will eventually have multiple lands including 23 attractions, 25 restaurants, lounges, and shops across the site. It’ll feature both thrill rides and family-friendly options, as well as immersive experiences and playgrounds.

Guests of VidantaWorld Nuevo Vallarta, a resort featuring a 5-star hotel, golf course, and direct beach access, already have access to select attractions within the theme park. The park recently opened Cirque du Soleil LUDÕ, a spectacular water-based show that takes place in a custom-built theater costing $ 200 million (£ 148 million) for an immersive dinner experience. The theatre is surrounded by a wrap-around aquarium for a 360-degree undersea experience.

Two of the theme park’s seven planned lands are also open for guests to preview. There’s Wonder Bay, which includes a lake show and seasonal celebrations. Until January 11, a Christmas theme is in effect, featuring decorations, live performances, and festive meet-and-greets.

Adventure Valley is also open, featuring the serene Carousel of Colors and the family-friendly Time Quest. There’s also Tempest Towers, a ride that takes you to new heights before plunging you down, and Kids Cove playground with plenty for them to explore. Some of the park’s shops and restaurants are also open, offering visitors a glimpse of what the park will be like.

Once fully open, visitors will be able to enjoy rides such as the Tecuani Beast, set to be Latin America’s only double-launch coaster. This will have top speeds of 65mph and more airtime than any other rollercoaster in the region. Another attraction will be the floral-themed Floresta Drop, which will be a family-friendly ride.

There will also be a variety of eateries offering an elevated experience compared to the typical theme park fare. This includes authentic Mexican cuisine offerings, sushi restaurants, and American-style grills.

The park will also feature numerous surprises around every corner, including costumed entertainers, light shows, fireworks, and much more. The company VidantaWorld, who already have two beach resorts in Mexico and a mega yacht, want to create a “multi-generational” experience, with something for all ages.

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The news comes as a popular European theme park is set to get a new world based on the Harry Potter series. LEGOLAND Deutschland in Germany confirmed the creation of a new Wizarding World based on J.K. Rowling’s popular franchise. Details will be released in the next 12 months and are set to include Harry Potter themed accommodation.

Disneyland Paris is also set to get a brand new attraction, and has confirmed that the World of Frozen, based on the Frozen movies, will open on March 29, 2026. The area is set to include a brand new ride, character meet and greets, new shows, and exclusive food and drink.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Singapore Airlines’ ultra-long-haul route covers 9,537 miles – but it doesn’t come cheap.

The world’s longest flight links America to Asia, with travellers buckled in for nearly 19 hours. Singapore Airlines currently holds the record for the lengthiest long-haul journey, operating from New York’s JFK Airport to Singapore Changi.

The epic 9,537-mile trek boasts a scheduled flight time of 18 hours and 50 minutes and first took to the skies back in 2018.

Singapore Airlines deploys their cutting-edge A350-900ULRs on this route, aircraft capable of remaining airborne for over 20 hours non-stop.

These planes achieve such endurance thanks to a specially adapted fuel system. This enhancement boosts the aircraft’s total fuel capacity to an enormous 24,000 litres.

Yet this mammoth journey isn’t available to all, as Singapore Airlines doesn’t provide economy seating on this route. The carrier instead provides 67 Business Class seats and 94 Premium Economy Class seats.

Premium Economy travellers can relish additional legroom, a footrest, and an adjustable headrest. Passengers also benefit from noise-cancelling headphones and WiFi throughout their journey, reports the Express.

Business class flyers experience ultimate privacy, with their seats transforming into completely flat beds for proper rest during travel. Singapore Airlines maintains that the A350-900ULR delivers passengers a “more comfortable travelling experience”.

The aircraft boasts a host of additional amenities including elevated ceilings, expansive windows and specially engineered lighting systems to combat jet lag.

The carrier maintains that the aircraft’s cutting-edge carbon composite construction also enables superior air quality throughout the cabin.

Prospective passengers will need deep pockets, as tickets routinely command prices well into five-figure territory.

Singapore Airlines’ chief executive, Mr Goh Choon Phong, has previously stated that the new service will provide the “fastest way” to journey between these two metropolitan hubs.

He said: “Singapore Airlines has always taken pride in pushing the boundaries to provide the best possible travel convenience for our customers, and we are pleased to be leading the way with these new non-stop flights using the latest technology, ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR.

“The flights will offer our customers the fastest way to travel between the two cities – in great comfort, together with Singapore Airlines’ legendary service – and will help boost connectivity to and through the Singapore hub.”

Ukraine’s state security service (SBU) said it carried out the first-ever uncrewed underwater vehicle (UUV) attack on a Russian vessel. The strike was on a Project 636 Varshavyanka class, or Improved Kilo class diesel-electric submarine, in the Black Sea naval stronghold of Novorossiysk. It would mark a historic first successful use of a UUV as an anti-ship attack weapon.

The SBU released a video it says shows the submarine docked at Novorossiysk along with several other ships. The video pans from right to left and at about the 16-second mark, the submarine erupts in an explosion. That means the UUV, which is not visible in the video, was able to navigate a packed harbor to strike a specific vessel. While we cannot independently verify the SBU claim about the use of a UUV in the strike, they did confirm that assertion to us directly.

Russia, meanwhile, denies any damage was caused by the attack.

‘The information disseminated by special services of Ukraine about the alleged ‘destruction’ of one of the Russian submarines in the bay of the Black Sea Fleet’s Novorossiysk naval base does not correspond to reality,” the Russian Defense Ministry (MoD) claimed on Telegram. “Not a single ship or submarine as well as the crews of the Black Sea Fleet stationed in the bay of the Novorossiysk naval base were damaged as a result of the sabotage. The watercraft serve normally.”

Today’s UUV attack appears to be the culmination of Ukraine’s development of these weapons and once again shows that the war-torn country is at the forefront of modern drone warfare innovation. Little is known about the Sub Sea Baby UUV, not to be confused with the highly adaptable Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) that have wreaked havoc on the Russian Navy.

Ukraine is developing several UUVs, at least that we know of. It released images in September 2023 of a UUV dubbed Marichka, designed to launch kamikaze attacks against ships and maritime infrastructure. That followed the announcement earlier that year of another UUV known as Toloka, which you can see in the following video.

Автономний підводний дрон TOLOKA

Being able to operate underwater not only helps greatly in avoiding detection and destruction, but it can also potentially mitigate some defensive barriers Russia has already built around ports as a result of Ukraine’s uncrewed surface vessel (USV) campaign. This onslaught has already kept Russia’s Black Sea Fleet (BSF) at bay, forcing it to retreat from Crimea to Novorossiysk. Ukrainian USVs have also damaged enemy military facilities in occupied Crimea and the Kerch Bridge, You can see one Ukrainian USV being destroyed below.

Russian Defense Ministry announced that Ukraine attempted to attack the Ivan Khurs signals intelligence ship of the Russian Navy with 3 unmanned surface vessels (USVs) in the Black Sea this morning.

Moscow released footage allegedly showing the destruction of one of the USVs. pic.twitter.com/YfS7xWSGWw

— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (@Archer83Able) May 24, 2023

The U.S., China and many other nations are developing their own UUVs for missions like the one that struck the Improved Kilo class submarines. UUVs can provide the ability to strike vessels and other targets at long distances and can be launched from submarines and motherships, extending their range. They can also be used for reconnaissance and mine laying, among other duties. You can read more about these vessels in our catalogue of stories here.

In the case of the Improved Kilo class boat, “the vessel suffered critical damage and was effectively put out of action,” the SBU claimed. “On board the submarine were four launchers for ‘Kalibr’ cruise missiles, which the enemy uses to strike at the territory of Ukraine.”

The submarine damaged by the Sea Baby UUVs is one of six Improved Kilo class boats that were operated by the Russian Black Sea Fleet, a retired Russian Navy officer who uses the @Capt_Navy X handle told The War Zone.

These submarines are quite capable and can be very hard to detect when dived and running on battery power. These submarines carry Kalibr long-range cruise missiles that have frequently been used to attack Ukraine.

The Sub Sea Baby UUV attack “was a joint operation of the 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence of the SBU and the Naval Forces of Ukraine,” SBU explained, adding that the estimated cost of one of the Russian submarines is about $400 million.

This incident also marks the second time an Improved Kilo class submarine in Crimea was attacked by Ukraine. In September 2023, the Rostov-on-Don was severely damaged during a combined missile and uncrewed surface vessel (USV) attack on Sevastopol. Ukraine later claimed it was destroyed. You can see the damage to that submarine below.

If today’s attack did damage the submarine significantly, Russia would be left with four examples operating as part of the Black Sea Fleet.

While much about the Sub Sea Baby UUVs remains a mystery, a proven ability to use them as weapons holds Russian vessels at even greater risk. Novorossiysk was seen as something as a relative safe haven for the Black Sea Fleet, although aerial and sea drone attacks have occurred there. But the idea that Ukraine can use underwater drones to strike ships in port there changes this calculus, if that is indeed the true method of the attack. As a result, we will also be seeing a change in Russia’s defensive posture at the sprawling port located on the northeastern edge of the Black Sea.

At the same time, if this attack was executed by a UUV, it would be another world first and is likely a harbinger of things to come. Hitting ships in port over great distances via underwater drone attack is an asymmetric capability. It’s also one that America’s adversaries are investing in heavily, and especially China.

With all this in mind, the attack on the submarine serves as another reminder that the war in Ukraine has become a conflict where theory and development are put into practice.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com

The new route will take nearly eight hours in total, but passengers will have none of the extras usually associated with long-haul flights, such as meals or entertainment screens to pass the time

Flying on a budget airline is always a bit of an endurance test. They’re usually pretty cramped and offer little in the way of service or extras. But if the flight is a couple of hours long, most people aren’t bothered about luxurious extras if it means they’ve got more money in their pocket to enjoy the destination once they land.

However, in recent years, budget airlines have been offering longer routes, meaning that even long-haul destinations can be reached on one of these minimalistic services. One of the latest offerings comes from Air Arabia, who in spring 2026 will be offering a new London Gatwick to Sharjah route. It comes in at a leg-cramp-inducing seven hours and 50 minutes.

According to the Telegraph, these flights, which are operated on a single-aisle plane, will clock in as the world’s longest budget airline flights. However, they will offer an inexpensive way to visit the Middle East, and Sharjah Airport is just half an hour from Dubai, which will no doubt make it a popular route. According to Skyscanner, the cheapest tickets available now from London to Sharjah is £182. It remains seen how much cheaper the new route will be.

On-board, Air Arabia doesn’t look much different to easyJet, Jet2, or Ryanair. Cabins will have a single aisle with three seats on each side. Some services will have options to upgrade to extra legroom, and you can choose Basic, Value, or Ultimate packages when you book with the latter two, including checked baggage, either a sandwich or a hot meal, and water.

You won’t get seatback TVs to help you pass the time, but you can download an app called SkyTime, which allows you to access TV shows, movies, sports, and other entertainment on your personal device. Otherwise, your view for eight hours will be the seat in front of you and the in-flight magazine.

However, if you’re hoping to enjoy a cold beer or gin and tonic en route to your holiday destination, you’ll be disappointed. Air Arabia is a dry airline, so the trolley will only be stocked with soft drinks. It’s worth noting that Sharjah is a dry emirate too. While non-Muslims can drink in their homes, no alcohol is served in hotels or restaurants.

If you can make it through the flight, you have the option of staying in Sharjah, or heading to nearby Dubai for your stay. Sharjah isn’t as well-known as its neighbouring city, but it’s the third-largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

UNESCO named Sharjah the “Cultural Capital of the Arab World”, and it hosts the Islamic Civilization Museum, which has thousands of items from coins to calligraphy and Islamic artefacts set in a beautiful domed building.

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Sharjah also boasts long sandy beaches that overlook the Persian Gulf, and the Al Majaz Waterfront area is particularly popular with tourists, as this large complex features picturesque parkland, Western chain restaurants, and stunning views of the skyscrapers that comprise Sharjah’s skyline.

There’s also plenty to do for families, including the colourful Sharjah Aquarium and Sharjah Classic Cars Museum, where you can see shiny vehicles from the earliest days of automobiles through to modern cars.

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

Alang, India – Standing on the windswept coastline of the Arabian Sea in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Ramakant Singh looks towards the empty, endless horizon.

“In the olden days, ships lined up at this yard like buffaloes before a storm,” says the 47-year-old. “Now, we count the arrivals on our fingers.”

Ramakant works at Alang — the world’s largest ship-breaking yard, located in Bhavnagar district of Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s home state. For two decades, Ramakant has cut apart vessels as large as oil tankers and cargo carriers that sailed in from Europe and other Asian countries for his livelihood.

With its unique tidal pattern and gently sloping beach, Alang in the 1980s became the backbone of India’s ship recycling industry, where ships could be beached and dismantled at a minimal cost.

Over the decades, more than 8,600 vessels — collectively weighing roughly 68 million tonnes of light displacement tonnage (LDT), which is the actual weight of a ship without fuel, crew and cargo — have been taken apart here, accounting for nearly 98 percent of India’s total and about a third of the global ship recycling volume.

Across the world’s oceans, an ageing fleet of cargo ships, cruise liners, and oil tankers is nearing the end of its life. Of the roughly 109,000 vessels still in service, nearly half are more than 15 years old — rusting giants that will soon be retired.

Each year, close to 1,800 ships are declared unfit to sail and sold for recycling. Their owners pass them on to international middlemen, known as cash buyers — operating out of global shipping hubs such as Dubai, Singapore, and Hong Kong. These brokers, in turn, resell the vessels to dismantling yards in South Asia, where the final act of a ship’s life unfolds.

In Alang, ships are driven ashore at high tide — a process called beaching. Once grounded, hundreds of workers cut them apart piece by piece, salvaging steel, pipes, and machinery. Almost everything — from cables to cupboards — is resold for use by construction and manufacturing industries.

However, over the past decade, the number of ships arriving on Alang’s coast has dwindled. Once a skyline of giant hulls that looked like high-rise buildings against the town’s asbestos roofs, only a few cruise ships and cargo carriers dot the horizon today.

“Earlier, there was plenty of work for everyone,” Chintan Kalthia, who runs one of the few yards still open, tells Al Jazeera. “Now, most of the workers have left. Only when a new ship beaches do a few come back to Alang. My own business is down to barely 30-40 percent of what it used to be.”

According to data from India’s Ship Recycling Industries Association, 2011-12 marked Alang’s busiest financial year since it began operations in 1983, with a record 415 ships dismantled. Since then, the yard has faced a steep decline — of the 153 plots developed along the 10km (6-mile) coastline, only about 20 remain functional, and even they are operating at barely 25 percent capacity.

“But what’s going wrong in Alang has multiple reasons,” says Haresh Parmar, secretary of the Ship Recycling Industries Association (India). “The biggest is that globally, shipowners are not retiring their old vessels. Post-COVID, a surge in demand led to record profits in shipping. With freight rates soaring, owners are pushing ships beyond their usual operational life instead of sending them for dismantling.”

A key factor behind the surge in freight rates is global disruptions. Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza has had a ripple effect on global trade routes, with Yemen’s Houthi rebels repeatedly attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians. The resulting security crisis has forced ships to bypass the Suez Canal and instead take the longer Cape of Good Hope route, sending freight rates soaring and delaying cargo worldwide.

Similarly, an analysis by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) conducted in June 2022 found that the Russia-Ukraine war and other Middle East tensions had pushed up marine fuel costs by more than 60 percent, adding to operational expenses and shipping delays.

Together, these factors have sharply reduced the supply of end-of-life ships heading to Alang. “When owners are earning well, they don’t scrap their vessels,” says Parmar. “That’s why our yards are standing empty.”

Compliance raising costs

But that is not the only reason why Alang is struggling.

India’s ship recycling industry has undergone a significant transformation since the country acceded to the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships (HKC) in November 2019, becoming one of the first top ship-breaking nations to do so. Under the HKC and the 2019 Recycling of Ships Act, yards at Alang upgraded their infrastructure, installed pollution control systems, lined hazardous waste storage pits, trained workers, and maintained detailed inventories of toxic materials used in vessels.

These measures made Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yards (ASSRY) one of the most compliant ship-recycling clusters in the developing world, with 106 of ASSRY yards having received HKC Statements of Compliance (SoC). Sosiya is a village located right next to Alang on the Gulf of Khambhat coast in Gujarat. Together, Alang and Sosiya form the entire stretch of beach where ship-breaking plots operate.

But achieving these standards came at a high cost: each yard had to invest between $0.56m and $1.2m to meet compliance norms, raising operational costs at a time when competition from neighbouring countries remains fierce.

“Think of it like a roadside eatery versus a global burger chain — the chain has shinier rules, cleaner kitchens, and safer gear, but you pay extra for the sparkle. The Hong Kong Convention works the same way,” said Kalthia, whose company, RL Kalthia Ship Breaking Private Limited, became the first ship recycling facility in India to receive HKC compliance certification from ClassNK in 2015, as their website shows. ClassNK is a leading Japanese ship classification society that audits and certifies international maritime safety and environmental standards.

“Compliance makes things safer and brings us up to international standards — it gives us an edge only on paper,” says Chetan Patel, a yard owner at Alang. “But it has also raised costs significantly.”

That, in turn, has made it hard for Alang’s ship-breakers to offer prices comparable to those of competitors.

“When neighbouring markets can pay more, shipowners go there,” Patel said.

Competing ship-recycling yards are thriving. In Bangladesh’s Chattogram port and Pakistan’s Gadani yard, shipowners are being offered $540-550 per LDT and $525-530 per LDT, respectively, compared with $500-510 per LDT at Alang.

“We can’t match the rates offered by Bangladesh and Pakistan,” says Parmar. “If we tried, we’d be running at a loss.”

This is reflected clearly in the data: the number of ships decommissioned in India dropped from 166 in 2023 to 124 in 2024. In contrast, Turkiye’s figures nearly doubled to 94 from 50, and Pakistan’s rose from 15 to 24 during the same period.

Supporting industries struggle

Alang is not just a ship-breaking yard, but a vast recycling ecosystem that sustains the surrounding region’s economy.

From the coastal town of Trapaj — the last big settlement before Alang — an 11km (7-mile) stretch of road is lined with sprawling, makeshift shops selling remnants of decommissioned ships. Everything that used to be part of life at sea eventually finds its way here: rusted chains, rescue boats, refrigerators, ceramic crockery, martini glasses, treadmills from shipboard gyms, air conditioners from cabins, and chandeliers from officers’ quarters.

“Whatever is there on the ship, we own it,” says Parmar. “Before the cutting begins, all valuable items are auctioned and reach these stores.”

Ram Vilas, who runs a ceramic shop selling salvaged crockery by the kilo, says most of his customers used to come from commercial establishments across Gujarat. “Now, business has gone dead,” he tells Al Jazeera. “This stretch you see doesn’t even have one-tenth of the crowd it used to. With fewer ships coming in, we don’t have enough stock to fill our shops.”

The ripple effects of Alang’s decline extend to other industries as well. Waste is handled by specialised facilities, while reusable steel is supplied to more than 60 induction furnaces and 80 rerolling mills, some 50km (30 miles) away in Bhavnagar, converting it into TMT bars – reinforced steel rods – and other construction materials.

But with fewer ships arriving, the supply of scrap steel has dropped sharply, disrupting operations of furnaces, mills, and hundreds of small businesses that depend on ship-derived goods. More than 200 retail and wholesale shops that once bustled with activity now face dwindling sales.

“Gas plants, rolling mills, furnace units, transporters, drivers — everyone connected to this chain has lost their livelihood,” says Parmar.

In Bhavnagar, 29-year-old Jigar Patel, who runs a flange manufacturing unit, says his business has suffered.

“I opened my unit in 2017, seeing the opportunity with steel sheets easily available from Alang,” he says. “But in the past two years, the slowdown has hit hard. Now, I have to buy sheets from Jharkhand. It’s not just expensive, but the raw steel is harder to cut and process. The Alang sheets were more malleable and ductile — they were made for work and of international standard.”

Workers at Alang, most of them migrants from poorer Indian states in the north and east, including Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh, have also begun to leave. “They only show up when ships arrive at the docks,” Vidyadhar Rane, president of the Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling and General Workers’ Association, tells Al Jazeera.

“Yard owners call them when there is work. The rest of the time, they find other jobs in nearby towns,” he says.

At its peak, Alang employed more than 60,000 workers. Today, that number has shrunk to fewer than 15,000, according to the union.

Ramakant, who first arrived in Alang at the age of 35, recalls working for seven straight years before the slowdown began. “Now, I only return when my employer calls,” he says, adding that he spends the rest of his time working in the industrial town of Surat.

The work at the yard, he admits, has become far safer than it once was. “This was once the deadliest job — we would see workers dying every other day. Now there’s training, safety gear, and order,” Ramakant says, looking towards the silent coast.

“But what’s the point of safety when there’s no work? Everything now depends on whether the next [ship] arrives at the yard or not.”

BEING spat on by a walrus, ­shaking my backside with a chipmunk and having Peter Pan declare me an “honorary Lost Boy” isn’t usually how I spend my days.

But all of it happened to me, and more, when I visited Walt Disney World in ­Florida for the first time.

Prior to this, I’d only made it to Disneyland Paris when I was a child, despite a lot of begging to my parents.

But I’m happy to report it was worth the wait.

And new attractions are being added to the park continuously, so even if you have been before, no two visits are the same.

Last month saw the launch of 4D animated show Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, just weeks before Zootopia 2 started its run at cinemas.

WAIL OF A TIME

I drove Irish Route 66 with deserted golden beaches and pirate-like islands

TEMPTED?

Tiny ‘Bali of Europe’ town with stunning beaches, €3 cocktails and £20 flights

Based in the Tree Of Life Theatre — under the roots of the 145ft tree at the centre of Animal Kingdom — the ­ten-minute show features wind, water and sudden seat move­ments as you watch the 3D short film.

Created by the same animators behind the popular 2016 movie Zootopia, it features beloved characters Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde, as well as new critters from the sequel.

Explaining the ride, Executive Creative Director of Walt Disney Imagineering, Chris Beatty, told me: “At its core, the show is Animal Kingdom based. This park is so unique, it’s very clear on what it’s trying to say and be.

“Nature and the interconnectedness of all things. That’s what it’s all about. Together we are stronger.”

But the magic is far more than this new show. It was like time had never passed since my first visit to Disney’s Paris resort, as I fully allowed my inner-child to take hold.

Mickey-shaped waffles for breakfast? Tick. Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwich? Tick. Coming back to your room to find the belongings you discarded haphazardly in a rush laid out neatly in the shape of Mickey? Tick.

Set across four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom — it’s impossible to underplay how vast Walt Disney World is.

While Disney is, at its heart, a theme park packed with rides for thrill-seekers of all ages, for me the magic is, and will always be, found in the characters.

As we wandered through Frontierland — Magic Kingdom’s Wild West-themed area — we bumped into Toy Story’s Jessie, who was running about in between the buildings and playfully engaging in hide and seek with some children — never once breaking character mode.

Mary Poppins and chimney sweep Bert were also dancing down Main Street, USA, as families checked out the shops and snacked on Mickey-shaped sweet treats.

During my family visits to Paris as a child, I was obsessed with collecting autographs from each character.

And prior to my trip to Florida, I feared this wholesome trend might have fallen by the wayside in favour of selfies on phones. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Kids still line up, pen and autograph book in hand, to meet their idols in an age-old Disney tradition.

In fact, as we enjoyed a character ­dining experience at Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace with Winnie the Pooh and friends, I didn’t see a single child ask for a selfie.

Instead, they gazed longingly at their cartoon friends as they held out their arms for a hug or an autograph book to sign.

I have zero shame in admitting that I queued up to meet Mickey Mouse at the Town Square Theater at the entrance to the Magic Kingdom, as well as patiently waiting in line to recreate a childhood image of me hugging Pluto, 25 years later.

Then, over in the Animal Kingdom theme park, I spotted Pocahontas casually posing for photos with excited fans, and Donald Duck hosting a meet and greet with his own admirers.

This particular park is also home to arguably one of the best rides at Disney — Avatar Flight of Passage.

With standard queue times of around an hour, the attraction takes immersive rides to a new level.

Its seriously intense drops and tricks make it feel like you are flying on the back of a native mountain banshee (a dragon-esque creature) across the breathtaking landscape of Pandora, from the James Cameron-directed box office blockbusters.

While I loved the first film, released in 2009, I can’t say I’m a huge Avatar fan, having seen the second film, 2022’s The Way Of Water, only once.

But I challenge anyone not to be blown away by the ride and want to have a go on it again — whether they have seen the movies or not.

In fact, planning your rides and navigating the parks is simple thanks to the very useful Disney app.

Most jaw-dropping

It gives you up-to-date queue times for the main rides, a live map of your location and directions on how to get to your next attraction, as well as wait times for character interactions.

It was through the app that I was able to orchestrate a meet with the main mouse himself, Mickey, with just a 15-minute wait time.

Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the staff — or cast members, as Disney calls them — are more than happy to record videos or take pictures on your phone, despite the official shots also being available.

And for those worried about being slapped with a huge phone data bill like me, fear not.

All the Disney parks are equipped with free wifi, including on the complimentary shuttle buses between hotels and parks.

If you were in any doubt that Disney doesn’t do things by halves, check out one of the many nightly firework shows.

Surprisingly, the one at Epcot was the most jaw-dropping of my trip — clearly the area feels it has to go the extra mile as, unlike Magic Kingdom, it doesn’t have the Cinderella Castle to attract ­visitors.

Its extravaganza, called Luminous: The Symphony Of Us, boasts fireworks, music, lasers and dancing fountains.

A top tip I discovered is that if you’ve already seen the Magic Kingdom fireworks and find yourself in the park at 9pm, ride queues fall dramatically.

I spotted Pirates Of The Caribbean and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure drop from a usual wait time of 50-plus minutes to just five minutes — as did meeting Mickey Mouse at the Town Hall.

At Hollywood Studios, the Fantasmic Show, set on a lake at the top of Hollywood Boulevard and featuring characters and fireworks, was the ideal ending to my Disney adventure.

Walt Disney once said: “We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chance with the public.”

But consider this critic highly entertained.

There is nowhere on Earth quite like Las Vegas, and when you add in the chaos of 200mph supercars whizzing down the Strip, it takes the mad place to another level

Whoever coined New York ‘the city that never sleeps’ had clearly never been to Las Vegas. Certainly not in Formula 1 week.

When the glitz and glamour of the world’s fastest sport meets the sheer chaos of the world’s craziest city – it takes it to another level. Las Vegas is like nowhere else on the planet. From the moment you touch down in this metropolis of Nevada after a lengthy 10-and-a-half-hour flight from the UK, any thoughts of jet lag are consigned to the back of your mind.

The sights and sounds of Sin City are quite literally designed to keep you awake and, more pertinently, keep you spending. From arriving at the mighty Caesars Palace, where the Nobu hotel provided my base for the stay, I was met with a countless array of gambling machines and tables, which are occupied 24 hours a day.

Numerous casinos on the world-famous Strip even have an artificial blue sky on the ceilings. With no clocks or open windows, gamblers could be forgiven for losing track of time, whether they are winning or losing.

And with an extra 150,000 people in the city for the Grand Prix, Vegas took on a new lease of life. This isn’t like visiting Silverstone or Brands Hatch. There is no purpose-built Formula 1 track. Instead, Las Vegas Boulevard shuts down to regular traffic for the weekend, meaning you need your walking boots to get around the hotels, casinos, bars, and restaurants.

Handily, with the main attractions all in close proximity, that is possible. But even so, I was walking up to 30,000 steps a day in order to experience everything this bustling hub of activity had to offer. I was lucky enough to be given a guided tour of the track two days before the race, ahead of the drivers heading out for their practice session.

It was an opportunity to get up close and personal with the sport’s biggest stars, their cars, and the thousands of staff in the pit lane, while being walked through the unique challenges each corner presents.

I witnessed a practice pit stop and gained a unique insight into the pressures on not only the drivers but also each staff member to execute the perfect race-day strategy.

It was then time to head to F1 Arcade to try my hand behind the wheel in a simulator. Thankfully, unlike those out on the track, I was able to select a setting more suitable to my level of expertise, and crashing the car into the barrier at top speeds meant simply hitting restart and having another go.

At the race itself, the adrenaline rush of seeing these supercars whizz past at speeds of over 200mph genuinely takes your breath away. And nowhere is it more fitting than with an incredible backdrop of the Vegas skyline, including the unmistakable Sphere.

Opening in September 2003 with a residency from Irish rockers U2, the Sphere is one of the world’s craziest and most novel entertainment venues and a must-see on any visit to Vegas. In addition to staging concerts, the venue also serves as a 360-degree, fully immersive cinema. I saw the 1930s classic, The Wizard of Oz, originally shot for a 4:3 movie screen.

To see this vintage piece of cinema being brought into the 21st century, complete with effects including fog, wind, and objects falling from the sky into your lap, is an experience to behold.

Another key pillar of the Las Vegas entertainment circuit is the various Cirque du Soleil shows available at numerous venues on the Strip. One such show is ‘O’ at the Bellagio – so named because ‘eau’ is French for water.

The show provides a spectacular array of aquatic performances through a journey of love, danger, adventure and courage. In addition to acrobats, it features artistic swimmers and divers, some of whom have represented their countries at the Olympic Games.

The supremely agile and flexible performers are joined by a flying pirate ship in a stunning display of gravity-defying artistry.

Vegas boasts a vast array of food and drink options to suit a range of budgets. At the top end, the aptly named High Steaks restaurant pairs incomparable 180-degree views of the Strip with a selection of succulent meats, seafood and show-stopping desserts.

Yardbird in the Venetian Resort is a perfect spot for breakfast with their signature chicken and waffles brilliantly over-the-top in every way. Away from the chaos of the Strip, the Vegas Arts District provides the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a more reserved area of this magnificent city.

Packed with quirky shops and idyllic brunch spots, it’s hard to believe you are just a stone’s throw away from the world’s capital of extravagance. But that is the allure of Las Vegas. The most brilliantly bonkers city in the world.