worlds

First all-women cohort of winners hails from Colombia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, the UK and the US.

This year’s prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to six grassroots environmental activists from around the world for their efforts to fight climate change and save biodiversity.

For the first time since the prize was created in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, all recipients of the award are women: Iroro Tanshi, from Nigeria; Borim Kim, from South Korea; Sarah Finch, from the United Kingdom; Theonila Roka Matbob, from Papua New Guinea; Alannah Acaq Hurley, from the United States; and Yuvelis Morales Blanco, from Colombia.

Sometimes described as the “Green Nobel”, the Goldman Prize recipients are chosen from each of the world’s six primary regions. They each receive $200,000 in prize money.

“While we continue to fight uphill to protect the environment and implement lifesaving climate policies – in the US and globally – it is clear that true leaders can be found all around us,” said John Goldman, vice president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation.

“The 2026 Prize winners are proof positive that courage, hard work, and hope go a long way toward creating meaningful progress.”

Morales Blanco, the winner for the region of South and Central America, fought some of the world’s biggest oil companies to successfully stop the introduction of commercial fracking into Colombia.

The 24-year-old grew up in a family of fishermen along the banks of the Magdalena River in the Afro-Colombian community of Puerto Wilches. “We had nothing but the river – she was like a mother who took care of me,” she said.

She began organising protests after a major oil spill in 2018, which forced the relocation of dozens of local families and killed thousands of animals. Her activism, which made her a target for intimidation and forced her to temporarily relocate, helped halt projects and elevate fracking as an issue in Colombia’s 2022 election.

Two of the other five recipients of this year’s prize have also focused their efforts on fighting fossil fuels, which are causing both global climate change and more localised pollution around the world.

Borim, the winner for Asia who started the Youth 4 Climate Action organisation, won a ruling from South Korea’s Constitutional Court that the government’s climate policy violated the constitutional rights of future generations, the first successful youth-led climate litigation in the continent.

Finch, Europe’s winner, told The Times newspaper she will use her prize money to keep fighting fossil fuels.

Together with the Weald Action Group, she fought oil drilling in southeastern England for more than a decade, securing the “Finch ruling” from the Supreme Court in June 2024, stating that authorities must consider fossil fuels’ impacts on the global climate before granting permission to extract them.

Two other recipients have fought against the destructive environmental impact of mining projects.

Papua New Guinea’s Roka Matbob, winner for Islands and Island Nations, led a successful campaign that saw the world’s second-largest mining company, Rio Tinto, agree to address environmental and social devastation caused by its Panguna copper mine, 35 years after it was closed following an uprising.

And the award recipient for North America, Acaq Hurley, from the Yup’ik nation in the US, successfully fought alongside 15 tribal nations to stop a mega- copper and gold mining project that threatened ecosystems in Alaska’s Bristol Bay region, including the largest wild salmon runs in the world.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Tanshi, Africa’s winner, rediscovered the endangered short-tailed roundleaf bat and has been working to save its refuge, the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, from human-induced wildfires.

A NEW airport has opened on the world’s largest island giving travellers direct access to an area dubbed the “Riviera of the North”.

The new hub is expected to boost tourism in one of the Arctic’s most remote regions.

Visitors can now travel by air to Qaqortoq in Greenland to visit an area famous for kayaking and whale-watching.

Anne Nivika Grødem, director of Visit Greenland, said: “South Greenland offers a rare combination of powerful nature and a living culture shaped over generations.

“Improved access allows us to welcome visitors with greater intention – encouraging travel with curiosity [and offering] more meaningful experiences for our guests.”

Greenland’s prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen travelled on the new airport’s first flight.

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While more than 30,000 passengers disembark from cruise ships at Qaqortoq every year, less than 2,000 tourists on average stay overnight each year.

Before the opening of the airport, travellers looking to visit Qaqortoq would have to travel two days on a ferry or arrive by helicopter.

The town is 300 miles from the capital, Nuuk.

Air Greenland is to operate two daily 75-minute direct flights between Nuuk and Qaqortoq year-round.

This is expected to rise 17 weekly services in summer, while Icelandair plans to run four weekly summer flights to and from Keflavík, starting from June 2.

In recent years, Greenland has been working to boost visitor numbers.

Earlier this year US President Donald Trump’s threats to invade Greenland resulted in a 46% increase in foreign guests – most of them Americans.

A thrill-seeking theme park with Europe’s longest dive coaster and highest free-fall ride has been named as the ‘best in the world’, and it’s just hours from the UK

The ‘world’s best theme park’, which has been open for more than 100 years, is just two hours from the UK.

There are hundreds of theme parks across the globe offering a fun-packed day out for the whole family, whether that’s from white-knuckle rides for adrenaline junkies or child-friendly attractions based on some of the most iconic TV characters. There’s always something for everyone, and it’s a sure way to keep the kids entertained.

Impressively, there are theme parks that have been in operation for a century, with multiple generations experiencing the immersive world of rides, coasters and themed adventures. While many might have their preferred amusement park, the Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, was named as the ‘world’s top theme park’ by Blooloop, a network for visitor attractions.

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The Swedish theme park first opened in May 1923 and has been in operation ever since, welcoming around three million visitors every year. Liseberg has 40 rides and attractions, ranging from roller coasters such as the wooden Balder, which speeds around at a max of 90km/h, to the boomerang ride Luna, which travels forward and backwards over a 225-metre-long track.

Yet, Valkyria is perhaps one of the park’s most thrilling roller coasters, with a heart-stopping vertical drop of 50 metres – making it Europe’s longest dive coaster. If that wasn’t enough, the ride plunges vertically into an underground tunnel at a speed of 105km/h, before a variety of loops, turns and twists.

Another standout ride at Liseberg is AtmosFear, Europe’s highest free-fall ride, reaching 146 metres and a speed of 110km/h. AtmosFear first opened in 2011 and has remained a favourite at the theme park for daredevils.

In celebration of the park’s 100th anniversary in 2023, they welcomed the Luna coaster and the Grand Curiosa Hotel. Last year, they also confirmed that a new family attraction, Stormvåg (Storm Wave), will open this summer.

Another incredible attraction at Liseberg, set to open this year or next, is the £95 million (€110) Oceana waterpark. It’s set to boast 19 water slides, a 244-metre river, water go-karts, 6,000 square metres of indoor pools, and 4,000 square metres of outdoor water features.

Liseberg is located on a hillside in the heart of Gothenburg, Sweden, and, given its striking location, escalators are dotted throughout the park to help visitors navigate the steep terrain. It’s Scandinavia’s largest amusement park, with admission from £7.60 (SEK 95) or admission and a ride pass from around £29 (SEK 365).

Flights from the UK to Gothenburg are just under two hours, and start from as little as £13 one-way. The theme park is conveniently located around 20 minutes from the Gothenburg airport, so you could be taking on the thrilling rides in just a few hours after departing from the UK.

What’s more, Liseberg has an on-site hotel called Grand Curiosa Hotel, or there’s alternative accommodation nearby, such as cabins or bed & breakfast rooms at Lisebergsbyn. The centre of Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, is just 10 minutes from the park by public transport, making it an ideal getaway for those wanting to explore somewhere new and visit one of the world’s best theme parks.

For more information, you can visit the Liseberg theme park website.

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

THE world’s first ride based on the Disney film Up is set to open at Disneyland Paris.

The ride will be based on the much-loved 2009 family film that follows pensioner Carl and boy scout Russell on an adventure.

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

The ride, named Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings, will open at the theme park next year.

To get to the ride, visitors will queue through four themed zones that represent key moments from the film including Carl’s childhood aviator helmet and goggles and Ellie’s adventure book. 

The carousel ride will boast 48 swings, including special ‘duo’ seats – so a total of 64 people can go on the ride at any one time.

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When the ride spins, the dome above where riders will be seated will tilt, creating the feeling of flying.

To keep on theme with the film, the ride will feature balloon and cloud motifs.

The ride will also be in a garden inspired by Up, in the newly named Disney Adventure World part of the theme park.

DisneylandParis.com states: “Located in Adventure Way, just opposite Raiponce (Rapunzel) Tangled Spin, construction of the future Wilderness Explorers Sky Swings attraction is well underway.

“The name references the Wilderness Explorers, the club of young adventurers that Russell belongs to.”

When guests reach the ride, they’ll get to try out being a trainee adventurer themselves and get the chance to earn an ‘Aviation’ badge as they fly to the soundtrack of the movie.

DisneylandParis.com added: “This family-friendly experience will offer a new take on the ’flying chair carousel’, an iconic attraction in traditional theme parks for over a century.”

Disneyland Paris has also made another announcement that there will be a new experience at Disney Adventure World called The Disney Princess Cavalcade from July 24.

Visitors will be able to see four princesses from four worlds heading off on a journey through the park.

The princesses include Moana with a float themed around the village of Motunui and a float themed around Raya’s Heart Palace.

The parade will start at the entrance of the future The Lion King-themed area and head to The Regal View Restaurant & Lounge before returning back to where it started.

Disney Adventure World (formerly Walt Disney Studios Park) opened at the end of March and is home to the new World of Frozen.

Travel reporter Cyann Fielding visited the new land, and here is what she thought.

“Upon entering the Kingdom of Arendelle, I’m greeted by towering Nordic-style houses and a magical Frozen soundtrack.

“Am I actually in Arendelle? Because it sure feels like it.

“The land features a life-sized 36-metre North Mountain with Elsa’s Ice Palace, a Frozen Ever After boat ride, and A Celebration in Arendelle show on the water.

“There is also a Nordic-themed restaurant, as well as themed shopping experiences and character meet and greets.

“The main attraction of the new land is the musical Frozen Ever After boat ride.

“Starting at the Royal Docks, you head through the village and forest, meeting Sven and Olaf on the way; then you glide past Troll Valley and up The North Mountain (and then down the other side!).

“Of course, World of Frozen wouldn’t be complete without its own show.

“The land is set during the Snowflower Festival and as a result, the daily show features your favourite characters as they sing and dance and celebrate the festival together.”

In other theme park news, the UK’s best theme park’s £12million Viking-themed land will open next month.

Plus, a closed UK theme park has revealed a new opening date and it is good news for families.

THE world’s longest non-stop flight is taking off next year – with new images revealing a first look at the aircraft with anti jet lag cabins and private suites.

Qantas’ Project Sunrise will be a non-stop 20-hour-plus flight between London and Sydney.

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Expected to launch in the first half of 2027, the Airbus A350, from Australia’s flagship carrier, will serve two routes – one between the East Coast of Australia and London and the other between the East Coast of Australia and New York.

With flight times up to 22 hours, this makes it the longest nonstop flight in the world – beating the current 18.5 hour flight from Singapore to New York.

Inside, passengers can expect First Class suites, Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy seats.

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There will also be a Wellbeing Zone onboard, which will be a space where passengers can get up and move about and tune into with guided wellbeing content as well as grab a healthy snack or drink.

The space is open to all passengers too.

Passengers will also benefit from free Wi-Fi in all cabins and Bluetooth connectivity.

In First Class, there will be six enclosed cabins each with a two-metre-long bed that lies flat.

If you want to stay seated, there will be a separate reclining armchair as well.

In comparison, the 52 Business suites will feature sliding doors to create some privacy.

The 40 Premium Economy seats come with a 20.3cm “winged privacy headrest” and a calf rest, to keep comfy on the 22-hour flight.

Economy passengers haven’t been forgotten either, with 140 seats offering 83.8cm of legroom each.

Rather cleverly, the entire plane features 12 lighting scenes which include Sunrise and Sunset.

Each scene will be played at specific times to help passengers’ circadian-rhythm sync with their destination’s time zone, ultimately helping to reduce jet lag.

In total there will be 12 aircraft, with one aircraft entering the final stages of production this week before two months of testing.

Via social media, Qantas also shared on April 13 that engines had been installed in the first Project Sunrise aircraft.

In a separate post, Qantas said: “The first Airbus A350-1000ULR rolled out of the hangar in Toulouse this week, with its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines fitted and ready to start final ground checks and a two-month flight testing campaign.

“From next year, these aircraft will carry our customers non-stop from Sydney to London and New York for the first time ever – reducing flying time by up to four hours.”

The airline also teased that “its first test flight is just around the corner”.

When the flight route eventually launches, it is expected to cut four hours off of current flight times, which also usually involve a stop to refuel.

This will be possible due to an extra 20,000 litre fuel tank at the rear of each plane.

Qantas first announced plans to launch Project Sunrise back in 2017, though the ambitious project has faced delays as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and supply chain issues.

Details of how regularly the flight will travel between London and Sydney are yet to be announced, as are the prices.

In other flight news, the UK is getting a new flight route to world’s best airport – under four hours away.

Plus, the secret tool British Airways uses to launch new airline routes – and the little-known months they announce them.

IF YOU ever think you can’t get a hotel room, then you might want to head to the First World Hotel.

This is because it is the largest hotel in the world with a staggering 7,351 rooms across 28 floors able to accommodate up to 14,000 people.

The First World Hotel in Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia opened back in 2001 and achieved the Guinness World Record title as the world’s largest hotel (by room number) back in 2015.

And to date, nothing has overtaken it.

The huge hotel often dubbed the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’, is spread across two towers but originally used to be one and contained 6,118 rooms before Tower 2 Annex opened in 2015.

The hotel boasts eight different room types from a standard room right up to a ‘World Club Room 2’ spanning across approximately 40-square-metres with a living area.

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Inside the World Club Room 2 you can expect a flat-screen TV, mini fridge, tea and coffee-making facilities.

In comparison, the smallest room measures 16.7square-metres but doesn’t have a TV or mini-fridge.

For all rooms, if you want Wi-Fi you will need to purchase it.

Guests can head to two main places to eat – The Junction and Lobby Cafe.

At The Junction guests can grab meals-to-go and bakery items and is open from 8am to 6pm each day.

At the Lobby Cafe, there is a “simple but substantial menu” ideal for quick sit down meals and it is open each day from 7am to 10pm.

A night at the hotel costs as little as £21.

The hotel sits at the heart of Resorts World Genting – a hill resort in the Titiwangsa Mountains that is a major entertainment hub with casinos, theme parks, shops, restaurants and other hotels.

Theme parks in Resorts World Genting include Skytropolis Indoor Theme Park and Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park.

At Skytropolis, visitors can jump on 20 rides including bumper cars, carousels and a Ferris wheel.

An unlimited ride pass costs £13.14 per person.

Alternatively, at SkyWorlds – a five to 10 minute walk from the hotel – there are several different lands, each inspired by a popular film.

Visitors can pay for individual rides or buy a day pass costing from £31.55 per adult and £12.20 per child.

In Central Park, for example, one of the largest lands, visitors can head on a ‘flying theatre‘ ride, where passengers join a space defense mission.

In the land Andromeda Base, which has a futuristic theme, visitors can head on a classic drop tower ride or a 360-degree ‘air race‘ ride.

Fans of the Ice Age films should head to the Ice Age land, where they can go on a family-friendly roller-coaster that ventures through a 30metre mountain.

There is also a trackless dark ride that follows Sid and the gang through an arctic cave.

On SkyAvenue – less than five minutes from the hotel – you’ll find the resort’s lifestyle hub.

Here you’ll find popular brands including Five Guys for a bite to eat and an hourly free show that features thousands of LED balls moving in sync with music.

The SkyAvenue also includes a select number of attractions including Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium, a quirky museum, the Jurassic Research Centre with dinosaur exhibits and Zombie Outbreak, a haunted house experience.

For those wanting to see the surrounding landscape, head on the Awana SkyWay cable car, about a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel.

The journey lasts 10 minutes and you’ll get amazing views of the Ulu Kali 130-million-year-old rainforest.

Tickets also include a free stop at Chin Swee Caves Temple, which is often thought to be one of the most scenic temples in Malaysia with a nine-storey Pagoda.

Of course the resort is also home to an abundance of shops, including over 150 designer brands such as Coach and Nike.

At night, head to SkyCasino, which is the largest casino in the resort.

There is also the club Zouk Genting if you fancy dancing the night away.

Everything at Resorts World Genting is indoors, so you won’t need to step foot outside, making it the ideal hotel and destination for rainy weather.

In other hotel news, the new London hotel with discounted rooms that’s near three of the best free museums.

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Donald Trump is accustomed to criticism from coast to coast — Democrats, disaffected Republicans, late-night comedians, massive protests. Yet in his second presidency, Trump’s most influential American critic doesn’t live in the country but at the Vatican.

It’s an unprecedented situation, with the first American pope directly assailing the American president over the war in Iran, where a fragile ceasefire took hold this week. The announcement came after Pope Leo XIV declared that Trump’s belligerence was “truly unacceptable.”

Never before has the relationship between Washington and the Vatican revolved around two Americans — specifically, a 79-year-old politician from Queens and a 70-year-old pontiff from Chicago. They come from the same generation and share some common cultural roots yet bring jarringly distinct approaches to their positions of vast power. And the relationship comes with risks for both sides.

“They’re two white guy boomers but they could not be any more different in their life experiences, in their values, in the way they have chosen to live those values,” said theology professor Natalia Imperatori-Lee of Fordham University. “This is a very stark contrast, and I think an inflection point for American Christianity.”

Polar positions on Iran among U.S. Christians

Experts on the Catholic Church emphasized that Leo’s opposition to the war reflects established church teachings, not the reflexive politics of the moment.

“For the last five centuries, the church has been involved in a project of helping develop strong international norms,” including the Geneva Conventions in recent centuries, said Catholic University professor William Barbieri. “It is a very long-standing tradition rooted in Scripture and theology and philosophy.”

Yet the U.S. administration, which has close ties to conservative evangelical Protestant leaders, has claimed heavenly endorsement for Trump’s war on Iran.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.” When Trump was asked whether he thought God approved of the war, he said, “I do, because God is good — because God is good and God wants to see people taken care of.”

The Rev. Franklin Graham, son of iconic Baptist evangelist Billy Graham, said of Trump that God “raised him up for such a time as this.” And Graham prayed for victory so Iranians can “be set free from these Islamic lunatics.”

Leo countered in his Palm Sunday message that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” He referenced an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, saying that “even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”

While it’s not unusual for popes and presidents to be at cross purposes, it’s exceedingly rare for the leader of the Catholic Church to directly criticize a U.S. leader, and Leo later named Trump directly and expressed optimism that the president would seek “an off-ramp” in Iran.

An even stronger condemnation came after Trump warned of mass strikes against Iranian power plants and infrastructure, writing on social media that “an entire civilization will die tonight.” Leo described that as a “threat against the entire people of Iran” and said it was “truly unacceptable.”

Experts: Leo doesn’t see himself as a Trump rival

Imperatori-Lee said Leo’s direct criticism stands out from the church’s more general critiques of political and social systems. For example, Pope Francis urged U.S. bishops to defend migrants without specifically mentioning Trump or his deportation agenda. Leo also previously called for humane treatment of migrants.

“Popes have critiqued unfettered capitalism before, very robustly. The popes have critiqued the Industrial Revolution, right? Things that the U.S. has been at the forefront of,” Imperatori-Lee said, “but it’s never been this specific and localized.”

She said Leo’s commentary resonates in the U.S. — with Catholics and non-Catholics — because he is a native English speaker.

“There’s no question about his inflection and meaning,” she said. “It removes any ambiguities.”

Trump welcomed Leo’s election last May as a “great honor” for the country, and he hasn’t responded to the latest criticisms. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

“What Pope Leo and Donald Trump have in common is they both lived through the post-war polarization,” including the political upheaval of the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War, said Steven Millies, a professor at Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union, one of the pope’s alma maters.

He noted that Leo is a subscriber to The New York Times, plays the “Wordle” game, keeps up with U.S. sports and talks regularly with his brothers, including an avowed Trump supporter.

“In some ways he’s just like us,” Millies said, someone “who understands where our domestic political crisis came from,” unlike the Argentinian Francis, “who did not fully understand the peculiarities of the United States” even as he offered implicit criticism.

Barbieri said Leo’s American savvy still does not change an underappreciated reality of Catholicism and the papacy. “The Catholic Church doesn’t neatly fit into either right or left boxes as they’re understood in U.S. politics,” he said.

Leo’s global focus vs. Trump’s ‘transactional’ politics

Leo spent much of his pre-papal ministry, including all his time as a bishop and cardinal, outside the U.S.

He was educated in Rome as a canon lawyer within the church. He was a bishop in poor, rural swaths of Peru. He led the Augustinian order and served as Francis’ prefect for recommending bishop appointees around the world.

Imperatori-Lee said that global reach gave him a first-hand perspective on how Washington’s economic and military policies — including backing dictators in Latin America — have negatively affected less powerful nations and their citizens.

His varied experiences made then-Cardinal Robert Prevost uniquely suited to be elected pope despite the College of Cardinals’ traditional skepticism toward the U.S. and its superpower status. Millies argued that Trump and his advisers, even Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, may not appreciate those distinctions.

“This is an administration that seems to think only in terms of transactional politics — who’s for us and who’s against us,” he said.

Polarization poses risks for Leo and Trump

Relations between Washington and the Vatican have become so strained that a report of an allegedly contentious meeting involving Pentagon and Catholic Church officials sent shockwaves through both cities.

According to the report in The Free Press, a member of Trump’s administration warned the church in January not to stand in the way of U.S. military might.

The Vatican on Friday issued a statement rejecting the report’s characterization of the meeting, saying it “does not correspond to the truth in any way.”

The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See also pushed back, writing on social media that “deliberate misrepresentation of these routine meetings sows unfounded division and misunderstanding.”

Millies, meanwhile, questioned whether anything the pope or U.S. bishops say can sway individual Catholics. Trump is likely to lose support among Catholics as he loses support across the broader electorate, Millies said, but that’s not necessarily because members of Leo’s flock are applying church doctrine.

“Partisan preferences always trump the religious commitments,” Millies said, describing a “disconnect” between church leaders and many parishioners who look to other sources, politicians included, when shaping their views of faith and politics.

“The icon of Catholicism in American politics now is JD Vance, and it’s more about winning an argument,” he said. “It’s a very different emphasis, but it’s one that may suit the Trump administration very well.”

Barrow writes for the Associated Press. AP reporters Nicole Winfield in Rome and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.

TUI is opening its very first hotel in Bhutan next month.

Called TUI Blue Paro Taktsang, it will be nestled in the Himalayas and in a small village in Paro which is found west of the country’s capital, Thimphu.

Inside the hotel will be 32 suites, a restaurant, two bars, a ballroom, indoor swimming pool, spa and gym – all decorated with traditionally Bhutanese design.

Rooms will have incredible views of the mountains and nearby waterfront.

The first-look images also reveal a huge outdoor dining terrace.

The landlocked country between India and China is known for pretty temples, Himalayan mountains and being a very happy place to live.

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The hotel is near some major landmarks like Tiger’s Nest Monastery, whose official name is Paro Taktsang.

It’s a sacred Buddhist site which is perched 900metres high on a clifftop.

For any keen visitors, it’s only accessible by foot and a round-trip hike takes between five to six hours.

Another nearby site is the Kyichu Lhakhang Temple, which is the oldest temple in Bhutan; its main chapel has roots as far back as the 7th century.

It’s also considered one of the most beautiful temples in the country.

Nearby is Ugyen Pelri Thang Palace, which is the private residence and often used by the Queen Mother.

Tourists can’t go inside, but visitors can still take in its incredible architecture and gardens from the outside.

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Bellevue Club, Majorca

There are more pools than days of the week at the Bellevue Club in Alcudia. With 11 swimming pools, a 24-hour bar and a garden theatre offering evening entertainment, you’ll hardly want to leave this resort once you arrive. Nearby, there’s the family-friendly Alcudia Beach as well as the historic old town and promenade of Port D’Alcudia to explore.

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Catty Cats Garden Hotel, Side, Turkey

This fun hotel has three swimming pools and several water slides to entertain the whole family. If zipping down slides wasn’t enough to tire out the children, they can enjoy the kids club and mini discos, whilst adults can unwind in the Turkish bath. Plus, the family rooms here feel more like an apartment, as they come with a handy kitchenette too – great for cooking up cheaper meal options.

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Htop Olympic, Costa Brava, Spain

This Calella hotel is the perfect base for a cheap and cheerful sun holiday, with comfy air-conditioned rooms just a few minutes’ walk from the bustling bars of Costa Brava. Make use of the hotel buffet stocked with plenty of family favourites like fresh salads, grilled meats and chips.

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Corona Roja Aparthotel, Gran Canaria

The Corona Roja Aparthotel sits on Gran Canaria‘s Playa del Ingles, one of the most popular beach resorts among Brits – and for good reason. Whether you’re the type to set off parasailing or prefer a sunset catamaran trip, there’s plenty on offer in this lively resort town.

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Bhutan itself is considered the ‘Land of Happiness’, but it won’t appear on any of the official Happiness Index.

Instead, Bhutan has goes by its own “Gross National Happiness Index” which focuses on factors like psychological well-being, health, education, good governance, ecology, time use, community vitality, culture and living standards. 

The philosophy was introduced in the 1970s to focus on wellbeing and environmental conservation which is valued more highly than things like economic growth.

Just last year, Bhutan revealed plans for its new international airport at Gelephu complete with forests and yoga lounges.

Its initial design plans reveal a building that represents a mountain range with huge gardens and an open-air forest splitting the terminal in half.

One side will operate domestic flights, the other, international.

Across the four zones will be yoga spaces, outdoor lounges and even meditation and sound bath areas.

The hope is that it will open in 2029.

The best time to visit Bhutan is between March and May or September to December when the weather is at its most mild, which can be up to highs of 25C.

The best time of the year to avoid is June to August as this marks monsoon season when it’s humid with high rainfall.

Currently there are no direct flights between the UK and Bhutan with the average journey length taking around 15 hours with at least one stop.

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Sun Travel has all the insider tips you need from local experts on how to make the most of your time in one of the world’s most iconic cities.

There are plenty of options when staying in Rome – but IHG Hotels and Resorts has a hotel to suit every budget – from cheap to fancy.

For a budget spot with rooms from £83 per night is the Garner Hotel Rome Aurelia, with cosy rooms, a quiet outdoor garden away from the chaos of the city, an on-site restaurant and lounge bar.

For a mid-range hotel, Crowne Plaza Rome – St Peter’s has rooms starting from £174 per night, and offers a pretty garden, an outdoor pool – plus it’s easy to get to the centre of Rome.

For a high-end hotel, the luxurious InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace has rooms from around £398 per night, with huge marble hallways, a beautiful restaurant and rooftop bar with city views.

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Experts from each of these three hotels have now given Sun Travel the lowdown on EVERYTHING to do in Rome for cheap, mid-range and pricey budgets.

Read on to find out their top restaurants, attractions, hidden gems and more…

Date night restaurants

On a budget but still want to eat and drink well? Then the team at Aurelia suggest opting for one of the best ‘trattorias’ (an Italian eatery).

They say that Armando al Pantheon , right next to the Pantheon in the city centre, is a “beloved spot known for traditional dishes like carbonara and amatriciana”, with mains from 14 euros.

For a blowout romantic dinner head to Idylio by Apreda, which is a Michelin‑starred restaurant near the Pantheon, where you’ll get an intimate dining experience.

Alternatively, take a wander through the the authentic neighbourhoods of Trastevere or Campo de’ Fiori, popular destinations even for the locals, and drop into one of the many restaurants that line the streets.

Bars

For cocktails, Jerry Thomas Speakeasy is one of the city’s most famous bars.

It has an elegant, 1920s speakeasy atmosphere and creative drinks, that have earned it a spot six times in the “50 World’s Best Bars” list.

Or for something more relaxed with a view, Divinity Terrace is perfect for an aperitivo at sunset, looking out over the Pantheon and St. Ivo alla Sapienza, it serves glasses of prosecco from 6 euros.

Pizza & pasta

Trattoria da Polese is a local neighbourhood restaurant specialising in homemade pasta and pizzas, close to Navona Square and Campo de’Fiori that has been described by visitors as ‘faultless’.

For something a bit different, visit the ‘Michelangelo of Pizza’ at Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican – famous for his gourmet pizza by the slice and creative toppings like ‘buratta with smoked salmon’ and ‘eggs and black truffle’.

The price for a slice varies from 6 to 10 euros, as it’s done on weight and toppings.

Seu Pizza Illuminati, which can be found down a side street in the Trastevere neighborhood of Rome, was billed as the tenth best pizzeria in the world last year.

Prices range from 10 to 18 euros for a pizza, with bold toppings like roasted peaches or green olive cream, and it’s loved by locals.

For traditional Roman pasta dishes, Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina is a deli shop with its own restaurant and huge wine cellar, that is widely considered one of the best restaurants in the city – pasta from 16 euros a dish.

Gelato

For artisanal gelato, Gelateria del Teatro near Piazza Navona is always a favourite thanks to its seasonal flavours and fresh ingredients – with unique combinations like white chocolate and basil or pumpkin, amaretti and chocolate.

For exceptionally creamy gelato, La Romana on Via Cola uses  uses fresh organic milk from certified farms and freshly whipped cream, in accordance with old recipes – buy a cone then take a stroll along the nearby River Tiber.

For affordable and creamy gelato with big portions, try Old Bridge Gelateria at Piazza Risorgimento – right near the Vatican museums, where you can get three scoops from just 3 euros.

Alternatively, head to Capriccio di Carla – an artisan gelato shop located in Rome’s Pigneto neighbourhood that is often labelled ‘the best Gelato in Rome.’

It sells two scoops from 2.50 euros.

Hidden gems

There are plenty of very famous iconic spots in Rome, but what about those that are lesser-known?

Try Quartiere Coppedè, a fascinating neighbourhood to the east of the city centre filled with whimsical architecture and fairytale style buildings that’s described as ‘ a living museum of 20th century Italian expressionist architecture.’

Passetto del Biscione is a Rome hidden gem so hidden, not even all locals know about it, despite it being in one of the most central locations; Campo de’ Fiori.

The tiny pedestrian passage is covered in beautiful frescoes.

Another is Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli,  a short distance from the Colosseum, which looks like a modest church, but hides one of Michelangelo’s most powerful sculptures, Moses.

On Sunday mornings, Romans wander through the sprawling Porta Portese Flea Market in Trastevere, Rome’s largest open-air flea market that sells everything from clothes to vintage homeware.

It’s not curated for tourists – it’s chaotic, loud, imperfect, and our experts say “that’s the point.”

Another spot is Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi, which is steps from the InterContinental hotel.

The museum is inside a historic villa and showcases decorative arts, fashion and costume collections from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Explore like a local

To experience everyday Roman life, visit Mercato Testaccio, a lively glass-roofed market where locals gather for street food and fresh produce.

For unique boutiques and vintage finds, Via del Governo Vecchio is one of the most charming streets for shopping in Rome.

The Gianicolo (Janiculum) is a scenic, historic hill, offering one of the city’s most famous panoramic viewpoints.

Often called the “eighth hill,” it is located behind Trastevere and is renowned for its midday cannon shot, Garibaldi monument, Fontana dell’Acqua Paola, and romantic sunset views.

Or, if you want to explore Rome on a tour, do it in a vintage Fiat 500 – glide through Rome in an iconic Italian car, to see legendary landmarks and cinematic backstreets in true Dolce Vita style.

At the InterContinental, these tours depart right outside the hotel.

Best family attraction

A tour of the Rome Colosseum will be a hit with kids, with special tours allowing you to access to the Arena Floor via the “Gladiator’s Gate and walk where fighters once stood.

Villa Borghese is one of Rome’s most beautiful parks, with bike rentals, playgrounds, shaded gardens and a small boating lake.

There are plenty of family-friendly pizza and tiramisu classes in Rome, where parents and kids can make dough from scratch and build the dessert with local chefs.

Shopping

To shop ’til you drop, Via Sistina is lined with artisan workshops and refined boutiques, it is ideal for discovering handcrafted pieces and authentic Roman craftsmanship.

Another great spot for vintage items is Via del Governo Vecchio, which is one of the most charming streets for shopping in Rome.

Via Cola di Rienzo is one of the most famous shopping streets, and it’s a short walk away from the Vatican.

Coffee

Coffee lovers should head Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè for a classic Roman coffee experience, using home-roast beans and water from an ancient aqueduct.

It’s a historic café famous for its signature espresso which is best enjoyed standing at the counter.

Barnum Cafe on Via del Pellegrino offers speciality coffee and lots of visitors have also enjoyed its tasty brunch options.

Best views

If you want to see the city at it’s best, the team at Aurelia said that guests often enjoy visiting Villa Doria Pamphili.

It’s the largest public park in Rome and has very pretty and peaceful sunset views.

Another spot for spectacular sunset is the historic promenade of Pincio.

If you head up to Terrazza del Pincio, you can get incredible views over Piazza del Popolo.

During the day, visit the Orange Garden and Aventine Keyhole.

Freebies

A visit to St. Peter’s Basilica is free to enter and it’s one of the most impressive experiences in Rome – for incredible views, visitors can also climb the dome.

Walk the Via dei Fori Imperiali for open-air, free sightseeing of the most famous Roman remains.

You can see Caravaggio’s masterpieces for free in three churches across Rome; San Luigi dei Francesi, Santa Maria del Popolo and Sant’Agostino.

For culture

Art lovers should book a visit to the Galleria Borghese,  housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana, which is home to masterpieces by Bernini and Caravaggio.

Of course, the Sistine Chapel is a must-see while in the city.

And then there’s Palazzo delle Esposizioni, one of Rome’s leading cultural venues that hosts art exhibitions and other cultural events, in a grand late 19th century architectural landmark.

Day trips from the city

For a seaside escape, Santa Severa is an excellent option.

Visitors can explore the beautiful Castello di Santa Severa located directly on the beach, about 50 minutes from Rome.

Or head to Ariccia and the many villages on the hills around Rome where you can enjoy typical cold cuts and cheeses.

Head to Tivoli,  an historic hilltown in the Lazio region of Italy, just 30km from Rome, to explore Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana, where Renaissance fountains meet ancient Roman grandeur.

Tips from the experts

When it comes to exploring Rome, the team at Garner Hotel Rome Aurelia said: “Our advice to visitors is simple: slow down and enjoy Rome like a local.

“Start the day with an espresso at the bar, take an evening passeggiata (slow-paced evening stroll between 5–8om), and always make time for a relaxed dinner.”

The team at Crowne Plaza Rome – St Peter’s said: “Don’t leave without trying the famous ‘Maritozzo con la panna’.

“This famous dessert consists of a small loaf of bread kneaded with flour, eggs, honey, butter, and salt.

“Once baked, the maritozzo is cut in half and traditionally filled with plenty of whipped cream.”

The team at InterContinental Rome Ambasciatori Palace said: “Rome rewards early risers and late wanderers.

“Visit landmarks at dawn or after sunset to experience the city at its most atmospheric and authentic.”

For more on city breaks, here are five European holidays that are CHEAPER than an English train ticket.

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

ANOTHER airline is cracking down on passengers travelling with a certain travel item.

Singapore Airlines – often named one of the world’s best – has confirmed that new rules are being rolled out this month regarding the use of power banks onboard.

From April 15, travellers will only be allowed to pack two power banks in their hand luggage.

Anyone with more than two will have to surrender any other portable chargers before being able to board.

Not only that, but they must not be used onboard to charge any devices.

This follows on from previous rules that don’t allow the power banks to be charged using the onboard USB ports either.

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The USB ports must only be used to charge items like mobile phones and tablets, not power banks.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) explained: “Power banks must also not be charged on board the aircraft and passengers are advised not to use power banks to charge their devices during the flight.

“ICAO’s new requirement of a maximum of two power banks per passenger and restrictions on the charging and use of power banks on board flights seek to reduce the risk of fire while catering for passengers’ travelling needs.

“In consultation with the airlines, CAAS will provide some time for the airlines to do so and for passengers to familiarise themselves and have the requirements take effect only from 15 April 2026.”

A number of airlines around the world have been cracking down on power banks being taken onboard.

One of the strict airlines is Air Busan, who has banned passengers from even taking them onboard.

This is because of an airline fire back in January 2025 which saw a plane decommissioned due to the damage caused by the power bank setting alight.

Airlines such as Emirates followed suit, with passengers only allowed to carry one power bank onboard and it must be under 100Wh.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have similar rules as well, and ban the power banks being used onboard.

And airlines across Japan, Thailand, China and Australia are also affected by the power bank crackdown.

UK airlines are yet to follow these rules, with British Airways and Ryanair yet to introduce any similar bans.

All airlines still ban power banks being in any checked luggage – they must be in bags that go into the cabin.

Hull — once crowned Britain’s biggest dump in the book Crap Towns — is suddenly being talked about as one of the world’s hottest holiday spots.

National Geographic has stuck the northern port city on its list of top 20 global places to visit in 2026, right up there with Manila, Beijing and even Route 66.

So, on a soggy halfterm, I grabbed my eleven-year-old son and headed north for 48 hours to see whether Hull’s new swagger stacks up — or whether the UK’s former “snoring capital” is still a total snooze.

It might look out on a limb on the map, but Hull’s a breeze to reach — direct trains from London take just two and a half hours. And once you’re there, it’s all ridiculously walkable, with every major sight just a short stroll away.

We checked into the Hideout Hotel, a slick set of self-catered apartments in the city centre, then dashed across the road to the mighty Hull Minster.

The 13th century church — and the cobbled Old Town around it — somehow survived the Blitz while 95 per cent of Hull’s homes were flattened.

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Locals say Luftwaffe pilots used the Minster’s spire as a handy marker as they crossed the North Sea – so didn’t destroy it.

Hull’s Old Town is a proper gem: narrow lanes and alleyways filled with cosy pubs like WM Hawkes, The Lion & Key and The Sailmakers Arms, and The George Hotel — the city’s oldest boozer — which proudly shows off England’s smallest window. Well worth looking into.

While grownups can tackle the famous Ale Trail, we went for the family-friendly Fish Trail — a quirky hunt for 41 bits of fish art hidden around the city. It’s free, fun and worth doing… just for the halibut.

For the real thing, we headed to “The Deep”.

Hull’s futuristic aquarium sits on the estuary and houses more than 5,000 sea creatures, underwater tunnels, a glass lift shooting up through a giant ocean tank, rays, turtles, jellyfish and sawfish that look like hedge trimmers with fins — plus a colony of adorable Gentoo penguins.

It’s immersive, educational and perfect for a rainy day.

A five-minute wander takes you to the Fruit Market, once a derelict warehouse district and now a buzzing hub of indie shops, bars and cool cafés.

We tucked into topnotch tapas at Ambiente — prawns and anchovies included, despite having just admired their cousins at The Deep — washed down with a crisp, bone-dry sherry.

Next morning we returned for a hearty breakfast at Thieving Harry’s, a hipster hangout with great coffee, brunch and the odd DJ night.

Then it was on to the Museum Quarter — three brilliant, totally free museums in one neat cluster.

The Hull and East Riding Museum whisks you through 235 million years of history, complete with a lifesize woolly mammoth.

The Streetlife Museum dives into Hull’s transport past with vintage trams, retro arcades and a wartime high street.

Both are cracking fun.

Then came Wilberforce House, birthplace of Hull’s most famous son, William Wilberforce — the MP who led the charge to abolish slavery.

The museum tackles the transatlantic slave trade, the fight to end it and its legacy today.

It’s incredibly powerful, thoughtful and handled with real care — not just
suitable for kids, but essential.

Culture continued at the Ferens Art Gallery, one of Britain’s top regional galleries, before some light relief at Dinsdales Joke Shop — a gloriously chaotic treasure trove of whoopee cushions, itching powder and fake poo.

It’s been going since the 1930s, making it the oldest joke shop in the country.

“People in Hull are a unique bunch,” owner Angela Dinsdale told us.

“There’s loads of culture and history — it’s quirky, friendly and there’s plenty for tourists to do.”

And there’s more coming.

A £70m Maritime Project is about to drop anchor: the docks have been revamped, the Maritime Museum reopens later this year, and both the Arctic Corsair trawler — “Hull’s Cutty Sark” — and the Spurn Lightship have been restored to their former glory.

And Hull’s star power doesn’t stop at penguins, ports and pubs.

The city can now brag about producing one of Britain’s hottest acting talents — Robert Aramayo, who is Hull born-and-bred and enrolled at Hull’s Truck Youth Theatre at the age of 11.

The local lad stunned Hollywood this year by beating Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet and Michael B. Jordan to scoop Best Actor at this year’s BAFTAs.

Nearly a decade after being crowned UK City of Culture, there’s never been a better time to go to Hull and back.

TORONTO has long been a place of discovery and invention.

Insulin, for example, was discovered at the city’s university in 1921.

While the CN Tower was the world’s tallest building until 2009, when it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa.

Decades on, the city continues to impress with its newness.

It is gearing up to stage the country’s first World Cup match as Canada co-hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and the US.

There will be six games in Toronto — including Canada’s opening Group B match against Bosnia Herzegovina — and the region is prepared for an influx of visitors thanks to its Fan Festival with huge screens, music, art and food.

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WHY SHOULD I GO?

Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural cities and you can experience a flavour of that at the Royal Ontario Museum.

If you are a sports fan but didn’t manage to bag World Cup tickets, head to the Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays.

Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, play in the shadow of the CN Tower.

Adrenaline junkies can walk the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk, 1,168ft in the air.

It’s not for the faint-hearted though, so if you have a fear of heights you may want to head to the observation deck instead.

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

Absolutely — make sure your footwear is sturdy.

But also pack your flip flops for a visit to the car-free Toronto Islands, home to gorgeous beaches and waters you can paddle in.

Ward’s Island Beach is the place to head for spectacular sunsets, while in the opposite direction is Hanlan’s Point, a nudist beach where shoes — and everything else — are optional.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?

Niagara Falls hardly needs an introduction and it’s absolutely worth a visit.

The huge waterfall is jaw- droppingly magnificent and you can sail directly into its base on the Maid Of The Mist boat tour (adult tickets start from £22).

You will be provided with a poncho for the trip but it’s rather flimsy, so I’d recommend bringing your own waterproofs too.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

The 206-year-old St Lawrence Market is the best choice for those who can’t decide as it is home to 120 vendors flogging an abundance of seafood, meats and artisanal cheeses.

The peameal bacon sandwiches from Carousel Bakery are legendary.

If you are after dinner with a view — and motion sickness isn’t an issue for you — try the 360 Restaurant inside the CN Tower.

True to its name, the restaurant slowly revolves to give you a full panoramic view of Toronto.

It takes 72 minutes to complete the rotation so, unless you’re a speed-eater, you’ll get the full cityscape with your meal.

I FANCY A DRINK . . . 

King Street West in downtown Toronto is known for its thumping nightlife.

You may even spot a few A-listers, as Toronto International Film Festival holds its red carpets and premieres there.

For something a little less raucous, the Harbourfront area is lined with cool bars, many of which offer a skyline view of the Toronto Islands.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

The Chelsea Hotel is very well located.

From the airport, you can take the UP Express to Union Station, then jump on the subway and you arrive at the hotel in under ten minutes.

Moments from Sankofa Square (formerly Yonge-Dundas Square and Toronto’s answer to Piccadilly Circus) the hotel is in the heart of the action.

It’s Canada’s largest, with nearly 1,600 rooms spread across 26 floors.

Of course, Canada’s largest hotel isn’t short on entertainment, either.

The highlights include a rooftop terrace, two restaurants and a 130ft water slide in its family-friendly pool area.

The U.S. Air Force Materiel Command’s secretive NT-43A has been spotted in Florida, taking part in the preparations for the launch of NASA’s long-delayed Artemis II lunar space mission. This highly unique and notoriously shy plane, a converted militarized Boeing 737-200 variant (T-43) also commonly known by the callsign RAT55, has long been used as an airborne signature measurement platform to support work related to stealthy military aircraft. However, during a high-stakes space launch, its two huge radar arrays, modular electro-optical and infrared sensors, and other capabilities would likely be well-suited to gathering telemetry and other valuable data, as you can read more about here.

RAT55 was spotted yesterday flying over Melbourne, on Florida’s eastern coastline, which was already highly unusual. The jet is very easy to identify, even in the distance, due to its heavily modified nose and massive aft radome protruding from the rear of the fuselage. The NT-43A seems to live at the Tonopah Test Range Airport (TTR), a high-security facility in Nevada long associated with shadowy aircraft programs. It is often spotted flying around Area 51 in Nevada and Edwards Air Force Base in neighboring California, both of which are major U.S. military flight test hubs. It is rare to see it anywhere else.

The sighting of RAT55 in the skies above Melbourne aligned with online tracking data for a flight using the callsign NASA522. That track showed the aircraft – apparently miscoded as a C-130 Hercules transport plane – taking off from MacDill Air Force Base, situated to the southwest, and then flying an oval-shaped orbit in restricted airspace around the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B. The aircraft then returned to MacDill.

The Artemis II mission is currently scheduled to launch from Launch Complex 39B today at 6:24 PM EDT. A Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will take four astronauts in an Orion capsule into space on what is expected to be a nine-and-a-half-day-long trip. This will be the first crewed lunar mission of any kind since Apollo 17 in 1972, but the Artemis II crew will not actually set foot on the Moon. They will instead pass by, hopefully setting a new record for the longest distance that people have traveled away from Earth. The target distance is 252,000 miles, some 4,000 miles beyond the current record, set by the crew of the ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970. The Artemis II mission’s main goal is to help lay the groundwork for future missions to the lunar surface, the first of which is now expected to come in 2028.

The fueling process for the Artemis II rocket has picked up speed. The rocket is now more quickly filling with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

When the core stage is completely full, it will contain 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and 537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen. pic.twitter.com/wejiCveeNb

— NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 1, 2026

NASA regularly uses fixed-wing aircraft to gather imagery and other important data during space launches. One of its high-flying WB-57F research planes, which are routinely used to provide optical tracking, was also flying around Launch Complex 39B yesterday at the same time as the NASA522 flight. The WB-57F conducted that flight from the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF).

This is correct, there are two separate NOTAMs for support aircraft that match both flight tracks. This was an obvious rehearsal. pic.twitter.com/X3i5RbP4T2

— Dillon Shropshire (@Dillonshrop06) April 1, 2026

It is unclear why RAT55 has been called in to help, especially given that the U.S. military, and the U.S. Navy in particular, has an array of dedicated range support aircraft specially configured to support missile test activities, and a history of using them to support NASA launches in the past. TWZ has reached out to the Air Force and NASA for more information.

Still, as already noted, the NT-43A does have a sensor suite that would likely be very relevant to the space launch support mission. Beyond helping to collect more general telemetry information, the unique capabilities the aircraft has to offer might be used to gain more detailed insights into various aspects of the SLS rocket and the Orion capsule at launch. One of the tasks RAT55 is more typically understood to perform is helping to verify surface coatings on low-observable (stealthy) aircraft. Specialized coatings and other materials, especially to provide critical thermal protection, are a key aspect of space launch rocket and spacecraft design.

Though the WB-57F has numerous modular payload bays, as well as space for sensor and other equipment in underwing pods, the NT-43A offers a more capacious airframe, overall, along with optional dorsal fairings. NASA could fill this space with additional systems to meet other mission requirements.

In addition, it is worth mentioning here that NASA only has three WB-57Fs, and one made a fiery belly landing in Houston, Texas, back in January. The current status of that aircraft is unclear. Whether or not this was a factor in the decision to utilize the NT-43A is unknown.

The Air Force does have its own previous history of supporting NASA Moon missions, specifically, with specialized fixed-wing aircraft, which The Aviationist has noted. During the 1960s and 1970s, the U.S Air Force supported the Apollo program with a fleet of EC-135N Apollo/Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA) planes, which were also used to track missile tests. The ARIA jets carried very large radars in their bulbous noses. Those aircraft were later redesignated as EC-135Es and continued to be used for various flight test activities until the last example was retired in 2000.

Choosing the NT-43A for this task at all is still somewhat curious, given the U.S. military’s array of other missile tracking and range support telemetry aircraft, especially within the U.S. Navy. Those fleets continue to evolve, including with the Navy’s addition of its Gulfstream G550 business jet-based NC-37B. Repurposed RQ-4 Global Hawk drones are even now in the mix. There is a history of similar U.S. military planes supporting NASA launches in the past. It isn’t clear if additional roles for the NT-43A are going to be a common thing, but it certainly appears that its mission set is expanding. This is a very interesting development for an aging aircraft that has lived in the shadows for so long.

Regardless, the Artemis II launch is especially important for NASA, in general. There has only been one all-up launch of an SLS before now, in 2022, and no astronauts were on board at that time. The Artemis program has been dogged by setbacks and delays, with the hope originally that the Artemis III mission would bring Americans back to the lunar surface in 2024.

The video below shows the first SLS launch as part of the uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022.

NASA’s Artemis I Launches on Nov. 16, 2022

NASA is now in line to finally reach the next Artemis milestone with today’s planned launch, and is doing so with help from the Air Force’s unique and rarely seen RAT55.

UPDATE: 7:42 PM EDT –

We have now received additional information from the U.S. Air Force about RAT55, which you can find in a follow-up story here.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com

This European city has been crowned the world’s best destination for food lovers

One European city has been crowned the ultimate travel destination for food lovers. A new study by Titan Travel examined cooking class availability, ratings, pricing, and worldwide search demand, concluding that the Italian city of Florence reigns supreme for gastronomically-inspired getaways.

Florence wasn’t the only Italian gem to feature on the list either, with Italy dominating all three top spots: Palermo claiming second place and Bologna taking third. Rome then tied for fourth alongside Portuguese capital Lisbon, with Venice, Brussels and Barcelona all sharing fifth place.

Researchers discovered that Florence boasts a staggering 213,300 culinary experiences, encompassing 231 cooking classes, 74.5% of which hold a four-star rating or above.

And depending on when you book, Skyscanner has flights to Florence starting from just £31.

Weighing in on the growing trend of food tourism, and how it has become an increasingly significant factor for holidaymakers when planning their trips, Cassie Stickland, Product Manager at Titan Travel, said: “Today, travellers want to do more than just see the sights.

“They want to really experience a destination. Food is such a fantastic way to do that, because it connects you directly to local life and tradition. Taking a cooking class abroad allows you to do something, learn something, and return with a valuable skill.

“When planning your 2026 travels, look for tours that include a hands-on cooking experience. The best ones start with a market visit to get ingredients and end with you sitting down to enjoy what you’ve created.

“The most rewarding experiences tend to come from local chefs and family-run kitchens, where you’ll not only learn recipes but hear the stories behind them.”

World’s best cities for food

1. Florence, Italy

2. Palermo, Italy

3. Bologna, Italy

4. Lisbon, Portugal and Rome, Italy

5. Brussels, Belgium, Barcelona, Spain, and Venice, Italy

6. Osaka, Japan

7. Hue, Vietnam

IT’S the no.1 children’s show on CBeebies and has been streamed more than 450million times on the BBC iPlayer – so where else to build a world-first Bluey rollercoaster than the UK’s biggest theme park?

Alton Towers know a sensation when they see one this week unveiled Bluey: Here Come The Grannies ride in the heart of CBeebies Land.

Now, toddlers and parents (lets face it, mums and dads love him too), can pay homage to the adventurous, inexhaustible puppy via a fun-filled rollercoaster.

The rollercoaster whisks you up and down over gentle dips, and around turns amid a fun, interactive setting of Bluey’s back garden.

It’s filled with fun references to the various episodes – including as the name suggests when the characters dress up as their Grannies.

The ride is the perfect mix of gentle and exciting and went down a storm on the day of opening.

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Parents and kids were loving it while wee toddlers were genuinely immersed in Bluey’s world; they truly believed they were in his garden.

Alton Towers still remains the king of the theme parks and with CBeebies land, Gansta Granny and the big scary roller coasters – every age group is catered for.

As with all of Alton Towers rides, it is not just about the rides, but the imaginative settings and creative back stories that add to the fun.

As the terrified child will testify while we waited for the Wicker Man to finish his dramatic speech ahead of boarding the ride – they do not hold back.

But that is all part of the fun (sorry scared child).

I visited with two teens and even with fast track passes and their excited insistence on running everywhere we still struggled to do half the park – it is vast.

The glorious spotless grounds are so special too. I had sneakily hoped that I could grab a rest while my teens rushed about but the weather was rudely not accommodating.

On a beautiful day however, it is so worth taking the time to explore the perfectly managed gardens – ideal to regulate and find some peace from the  thrills and spills.

The park looked fantastic, but as ever queues at the rides remain an issue and food and drinks pricey.

Meticulous planning, regularly checking the app and packing a picnic is advised to make the most of your day.

As the season opens Alton Towers are ensuring they are constantly evolving and investing in the park.

And the new Bluey: Here Come The Grannies rollercoaster will no doubt delight the next generation of thrill seekers.

One Sun writer spent their break in one of the Bluey hotel rooms…

Hannah Ferrett, Assistant Digital Editor, revealed what her stay was like in Bluey-themed hotel room that opened in 2024…

The new accommodation is one of 13 rooms and suites designed especially for kids — which also include telly favourites Postman Pat, Bing and Octonauts.

But this isn’t the place for those looking for a chilled stay with calm kids . . . as Jess, my nine-year-old said, the room is just too exciting.

We knew exactly what we were in for the moment we opened the door of the large room — which can sleep up to seven — as the Bluey theme song blasted out from speakers.

This led to roughly 15 renditions of the Bluey-themed musical statues (yes, mum and dad got involved too). The hotel has done a great job.

The kids slept in Bluey and Bingo’s room, complete with bunk beds, the recognisable watermelon rug and the cartoon dogs’ pretty Himalayan rock salt night light — a nice touch for little ones.

There’s also a sofa bed which sleeps two, and a trundle at the bottom of the bunks. The only thing which excited all four kids more than the triple bunk was realising we were the first family to stay in the room.

Murals of the Heeler family cover the walls, with fairy lights and books dotted about. The bathroom had pictures of Bluey and her sister plastered across the walls.

My partner Dan and I were in Bandit and Chilli’s room, which had a king size bed, TV and lots of pictures of Bluey and Bingo as puppies, much to the delight of our kids.

The suite and other Bluey room (which sleeps five) tie in with the launch of Bluey Live at CBeebies Land. The excitable blue pooch and her whole family are part of the fun, with kids able to meet the characters and even have their photo taken with them.

For more on theme parks, here’s one where you ‘travel through time’ and rides roar past the hotel window.

And here are seven great UK seaside towns with beachfront theme parks – and you can stay with Hols from £9.50.

Finland has been crowned the world’s happiest country for the ninth consecutive year in the World Happiness Report 2026, and it’s just three hours from the UK with direct flights from £17

The world’s happiest nation has been unveiled, and it’s just three hours from the UK with £17 flights available.

For the ninth year running, Finland, with its varied terrain and exceptional quality of life, has been crowned the happiest country of 2026. The Scandinavian nation claimed top spot in the World Happiness Report 2026, released by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford.

The findings emerged after a survey of approximately 100,000 individuals across 140 nations, with Finland singled out for freedom to make life choices, social support, and life expectancy. Additional factors thought to contribute to Finland’s satisfying way of life include its minimal crime levels, unpolluted environment, and work-life equilibrium, alongside its stunning natural splendour.

The Nordic nation boasts thousands of unspoilt lakes with sparkling waters and captivating woodlands that blanket over 70 per cent of the territory. The varied scenery is genuinely spectacular and undeniably elevates the standard of living for Finnish residents, providing abundant prospects for outdoor pursuits and wellness.

It’s not exclusively those residing in the nation who can discover its marvels. Finland has emerged as a sought-after holiday spot for visitors eager to observe the shimmering northern lights, trek through its remarkable landscape, or sample its extraordinary saunas, with over 3 million scattered throughout the country.

Whilst many associate Finland with its enchanting Lapland winter wonderland, particularly beloved during the festive season, the country is undoubtedly a year-round destination spanning its four distinct regions. From lakeside retreats to woodland escapes and seaside breaks.

Finland’s capital, Helsinki, makes for a perfect starting point for a pedestrian-friendly city break, boasting cutting-edge art galleries, legendary saunas, thriving eateries and stunning Nordic architecture. The city’s peninsula position, encircled by islands, provides convenient access to some of the nation’s finest natural attractions, from woodlands to islands and shorelines.

Direct flights to Helsinki in April start from £17 one-way, according to Skyscanner. Although you’ll need to layer up with temperatures hovering around 8C during spring, the city’s stunning scenery makes it well worth the journey, with countless walking routes through its peaceful, postcard-perfect landscapes.

Additionally, with an exceptionally strong sauna culture, you’re never far from a warming dip after a day’s exploration. Among Helsinki’s most sought-after destinations is Löyly, a striking waterfront sauna and dining venue, housed in a modern Nordic building with seaside panoramas.

Further notable Finnish destinations include Rovaniemi, celebrated as the Lapland gem, and Tampere, offering another stylish urban getaway. There’s also Kuopio for those seeking to retreat to the peaceful lakes, and Turku, famed for its historic castle and waterside dining establishments.

Beyond Finland, other Scandinavian nations, including Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, also featured amongst the globe’s happiest countries. Meanwhile, Costa Rica, boasting its tropical climate, rainforests and beaches, secured fourth position, with European destinations commanding the list.

Top 10 happiest countries in the world 2026

1. Finland
2. Iceland
3. Denmark
4. Costa Rica
5. Sweden
6. Norway
7. Netherlands
8. Israel
9. Luxembourg
10. Switzerland

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