“Smaller crowds, authentic traditions, and a truly breathtaking backdrop.”
Outside of this, visitors can explore the lake with hikes having incredible views of the towering Loser mountain.
Brown and white alpine-style houses as well as churches and waterfalls can be spotted along the way.
One of the other things to do in the village is head on a salt mine tour where you also get to see the former Nazi Stolen Art Repository, with deep tunnels and even slides in the mine.
If you are visiting during the winter season, there is the ski resort of Loser, which boasts around 29km of slopes with all levels of difficulty.
The village has a few restaurants to choose from including Schneiderwirt, which features an ornate wooden facade and serves comfort dishes.
The salt mine is a popular tourist attraction in the villageCredit: SchmidThe village holds an Oktoberfest type of festival each yearCredit: Alamy
As for where to stay, accommodation ranges from boutique alpine hotels to guesthouses and family-run inns, many within easy walking distance of the festival.
The easiest way to get to the village is by flying to Salzburg and then hopping on a train for just under two hours.
Flights to Salzburg cost as little as £30 return and from the UK takes an hour and 55 minutes.
A MARRIED At First Sight honeymoon takes a disastrous turn tonight when a bride piles on the pressure days after her wedding.
Reiss and Leisha walked down the aisle on the E4 show last week.
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Married At First Sight UK viewers will see Reiss and Leisha’s argument in full tonight
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Reiss snapped after another question from his wife
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Leisha has been trying to get answers out of Reiss
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Reiss was left panicking after he met his new wifeCredit: Channel 4
But the painter and decorator, and dental industry marketeer failed to click.
They got off to a bad start at the reception when Leisha pummelled him with questions about his life.
In a preview clip for tonight’s show, Leisha and Reiss fail to see eye-to-eye again as they discuss what the future holds for them.
During a boat trip, Leisha asks her husband: “Do you visualise me in your future?”
But her need for reassurance doesn’t go down well.
An annoyed Reiss throws an epic strop and responds: “I can’t cope! You’re too much.
“I don’t need pressure yet, it’s so early.
“I don’t like it. I know you’re saying you want to see the real me you aint going to find that out over night.
“You know I’m a closed book. If you’re constantly pressuring me you’re just going to keep me closed.”
Leisha replied: “It’s just the lack of questions, it makes me feel you don’t really care about me.
“I know you fancy me. Do you want to know are we going to have a future together.”
He replied: “You want to know do I want a wife, to have kids, to settle down. Yes, yes, yes.”
He then dealt the hammer blow, adding: “I don’t know if that’s what I want with you after knowing you three days.”
Speaking to the camera away from his wife, he later vented: “I can’t believe Leisha just ask me that, is she joking?! F hell.”
AWKWARD RECEPTION
After the pair exchanged their wedding rings and said their vows, the registrar declared: “Leisha and Reiss, it’s my huge pleasure to proudly announce you husband and wife.”
The new couple awkwardly leaned in for two kisses on the cheek before stepping back from one another.
Their guests looked on with confused looks on their faces as they clapped for the pair.
MILLIONS of pensioners will be hit with £300 tax bills from HMRC this winter.
From November, around nine million pensioners will begin to see up to £300 land in their bank accounts.
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The benefit is issued by the DWP to help cover fuel costs over winterCredit: Getty
The cash boost comes as part of the Winter Fuel Payment, which is a benefit issued by the DWP to help elderly people with fuel costs over the colder months.
Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids’ beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now
What happens now?
If you did not opt out, HMRC will change your tax code and you will receive a tax code notice letter.
Changing your tax code means that your Winter Fuel Payment will be deducted from your income and paid to HMRC in monthly instalments.
So for example, if you received a £100 Winter Fuel Payment but had an income of £35,000, you will pay back around £9 every month.
You will be charged from April 2026, which is the start of the new tax year.
Households can check if they are over the income thresholds by visiting www.tax.service.gov.uk/guidance/check-if-hmrc-will-take-back-your-winter-payment/start/country.
How to opt out of future charges
The deadline for opting out of the Winter Fuel Payment for 2025 to 2026 has passed.
But you can opt out of getting the benefit for 2026 to 2027 from April 2026.
When it reopens, you will need to complete either an online form or phone the helpline on 0800 731 0160.
If you opt to complete the form online, you will need details such as your National Insurance number.
Who is not eligible for the payment?
You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before September 22 1959 and live in England or Wales.
But a small group of individuals will not be eligible, including:
live outside England and Wales
were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025 and the year before that
need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
were in prison for the whole of the week of 15 to 21 September 2025
Most people are paid the benefit automatically but if you think you are risk of missing out you can apply.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
ROBBIE Williams has revealed his life-changing health battle for the first time, admitting ‘you’re always looking for the cure.’
The music star said he’s been secretly living with Tourette’s syndrome.
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Robbie Williams has revealed his life-changing health battle for the first time, admitting ‘you’re always looking for the cure’Credit: Getty
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Robbie has battled several addictions since rising to fameCredit: Getty
Robbie, 51, has claimed that his Tourette’s are ‘intrusive’ while speaking on a podcast about it for the first time.
The music legend starred on the first episode of the new season of Paul Whitehouse and Dr Mine Conkbayir’s podcast I’m ADHD! No You’re Not.
He said: “I’ve just realised that I have Tourettes, but they don’t come out.
“They are intrusive thoughts that happen, I was just walking down the road the other day, and I realised that these intrusive thoughts are inside Tourettes. It just doesn’t come out.
Read More on Robbie Williams
“Not only that, you would think that a stadium full of people professing their love to you would work as (a distraction), but whatever it is inside me cannot hear it. I cannot take it in.”
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
The Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau hosts more than 20 enclaves of the Belgian town Baarle-Hertog. Inside some of those are Dutch enclaves. It is a confusing and unique place.
Baarle-Nassau is one of the most curious towns in Europe(Image: Thierry Monasse, Getty Images)
A European town with a most peculiar history is split between two nations, boasting dual legal systems, contrasting architectural styles and separate populations.
The Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau contains more than 20 enclaves belonging to the Belgian town Baarle-Hertog. Within some of these sit Dutch enclaves.
Numerous residents find themselves living in properties bisected by the international boundary, meaning married couples retire to bed in separate countries or must cross into another nation simply to make a brew.
Approximately three-quarters of the area’s roughly 9,000 inhabitants hold Dutch passports, with the lion’s share of the territory falling under Dutch control. This situation—combined with Belgium’s more relaxed approach to landscaping—has previously sparked friction between the Baarles.
The border is marked by white crosses (Image: Frolova_Elena via Getty Images)
“Back in the days when the schools emptied out at the same time, teenagers would fight,” Willem van Gool, chairman of the Baarle tourist office, told the BBC. Such hostilities eased during the 1960s when school finishing times were staggered to prevent the two communities from encountering each other on the streets.
The Dutch and Belgian sections of the town do exhibit different building styles, but unless you’re an architecture buff, the easiest way to discern your location is by observing the pavement markings. There are white crosses with ‘NL’ on one side and ‘B’ on the other, while house numbers are marked with the corresponding flag.
Dutch pavements are lined with meticulously pruned lime trees, whereas the Belgian areas boast a variety of trees that are allowed to grow more freely.
Another distinction is Belgium’s more relaxed planning laws, which can be advantageous for homeowners. When one man wanted to develop a building straddling the border, the Dutch planning committee rejected his proposal.
Undeterred, he constructed a second front door leading onto Belgium – enabling him to apply and secure permission from that country’s planning authorities.
Staff at a bank straddling the two countries would cunningly shift its paperwork from one side to the other whenever tax inspectors came knocking.
These days, much effort is expended determining who will foot the bill for various public infrastructure projects and who is accountable for resurfacing roads connecting both countries. Even the town hall is bisected between the two nations, with a vivid border line slicing through the mayor’s office.
On one side you’re in Belgium, and on the other you’re in the Netherlands (Image: frikde via Getty Images)
The unique arrangement is particularly beneficial for teenagers who fancy a drink. While the legal drinking age in the Netherlands is 18, Belgians can legally enjoy a beer or wine at 16.
If youngsters are turned away by a Dutch barkeeper, they can simply cross the road for a Belgian pint. Fireworks, while banned by the noise-sensitive Dutch, are also available for purchase in Belgium.
The history of this dual-nation town is long and intricate, beginning with numerous medieval treaties, agreements, land-swaps and sales between the Lords of Breda and the Dukes of Brabant. When Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands in 1831, efforts began to determine which part belonged to which country.
It wasn’t until 1995 that all areas of no man’s land had been allocated.
Nowadays, most residents of both Baarle-Nassau and Baarle-Hertog hold dual citizenship. The success of this complex arrangement has been such that advisors to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have studied the area as an example of how two different communities can coexist peacefully.
Patricia Wooding gets lost roaming the world’s biggest cruise ship, the Star of the Seas, on the first passenger voyage of a vast ship with a 250,000 gross tonnage
Star of the Seas is vast(Image: @PhillyPolice/X)
The world’s biggest and newest cruise ship has set sail on her debut passenger voyage – and already she’s a legend in her own launch-time.
Star of the Seas, a 250,000 gross tonnage floating metropolis built at a cost of £1.6billion, has all you need for the ultimate family holiday crammed on 20 fun-filled decks.
This giant, ocean-going resort simply blows all rival cruise ships out of the water. The Royal Caribbean ship is so huge and packed with so many attractions that at one stage I actually forgot that I was at sea.
In fact, after four days on board I had hardly begun to experience all this supership has to offer.
There are 40 restaurants and bars to suit all tastes, seven swimming pools, shops, theatres, a casino, ice rink, live bands and nightclubs. There’s even a ship’s dog – Sailor – to comfort any of the 5,600 passengers who are missing their own pets while at sea.
The ship has 20 crammed decks(Image: Patricia Wooding)
Patricia struggled to get round everything on offer(Image: Patricia Wooding)
Jewel in the crown is Thrill Island, a theme park on the top deck which boasts six record-breaking waterslides.
The biggest is not for the faint-hearted but a must for the adventurous.
It’s part skywalk and part ride 154ft above the ocean.
Adrenaline-seekers have to navigate a suspended walkway and experience a controlled freefall before gliding down a zipline to the deck below. It is meant to test the bravery of the thrill-seeker – and it certainly does that. There’s no need to leave the ship if you fancy a bit of surfing, either. Flow-rider is a wave machine which allows you to go “boogie boarding” and simulate real Surfing USA. Incredibly, 30,000 gallons of water a minute rush under the rider at 30mph creating a 5ft foot wave. Watch out for the height restrictions of 4ft 10in for stand-up surfing or 4ft 4in for boogie boarding.
If you’d rather chill than thrill, head to the adults-only area at the rear of the ship – or the aft as we rookie seafarers call it. There you can relax in the suspended infinity pool and enjoy vast ocean views with a cocktail in hand while grooving to the beat of an Ibiza-style DJ. There’s also a shady bar nearby and a terrace with whirlpools.
Don’t worry about dashing to the bar for a refill. The efficient waiters attend to your needs and keep glasses well topped up.
There’s also a three-deck area for holidaymakers to kick back at four pools, including the Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea.
Guests can enjoy live bands while they sip tropical cocktails from the swim-up bar called The Swim and Tonic. If you’re travelling with a young family, head for Surfside. It’s THE place to stay and play all day, however old the children are.
Younger kids and toddlers will have great fun at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. There are plenty of lifeguards, constantly on full alert, so no reason to worry about their safety.
There’s a multi-level playground called Playscape, which includes a rock climbing wall, with safety harnesses provided. Just like Star of the Seas they can take cruising to another level.
There’s bags of entertainment for the kids and sporty types, including a spectacular mini golf course and a sports court offering five-a-side football and basketball on the top deck.
Royal Caribbean recently opened a private island(Image: PR HANDOUT)
You don’t need to worry about the ball going overboard, either, as it’s entirely covered by netting.
There’s so much to do on board that you will forget you’re at sea. This was a surprise to me, as someone who suffers travel sickness on a park boating lake.
After one day at sea, I actually had to pinch myself to remember I was not on land. There wasn’t even a gentle movement. I sat through a performance of Back to the Future, the Musical, performed with a full cast and 16-piece band in a 1,400-seat theatre and left thinking I was actually in the West End. But it’s not the only show in this ocean-going town. Torque, a spectacular featuring champion swimmers and divers packed them in at the AquaTheater to see the aquabatics involving a 55ft waterfall and two 60ft diving platforms.
There are thrills and spills on ice with a huge skating cast, including Olympians, in the show Sol. Stars of this show were extreme skaters, former roller skaters who switched to the ice. There’s even a version of the TV Show The Price is Right where you can win a car.
The ultimate family room was an incredible sight with a kiddie slide, video games, personal access to decks and Jacuzzi and stairs which look like and play like piano keys!
Fitness, yoga, sunrise moments, balloon rides and pickleball – you name it – are part of the entertainment. There’s music for almost every taste, including a resident DJ, karaoke, jazz club, duelling pianos, and a harpist, plus a stand-up comedy theatre. You can shop till you drop with lots of high end boutiques – but don’t go overboard.
Even arriving for breakfast is fun as a pair of dancers greet you, reminding you in song to wash your hands at the row of basins at the restaurant entrance.
The ship has a 250,000 gross tonnage(Image: @PhillyPolice/X)
Star, sister ship to Icon of the Seas, hit the ocean waves this month to deliver seven-night Caribbean adventures with stops at its top-rated private island in the Bahamas.
Sailing from Port Canaveral in Florida, we stopped at Perfect Day at CocoCay, bought by Royal Caribbean in 1988 and turned into a dream resort. My first glimpse of the tropical paradise was when I drew back the cabin curtains at 7am to see the island glistening like a jewel in the ocean. It contains miles of white, sandy beaches and attractions you’ll find in the world’s top resorts. After breakfast on board, we headed down the gangway and were greeted by staff ready to whisk us about by mini electric train.
Most of it is free – including food, drink and sun loungers – for passengers who pull up for the day. There’s water slides, balloon rides and lots of nature to discover.
But it was pure magic simply to relax on the silver sands of Hideaway Bay, sip a complimentary cocktail and take in the view. We visited Coco Beach Club which boasts a magnificent swimming pool, bars and wooden cabanas which were available for private hire. While bathing in clear, shallow water we came across a 4ft lemon shark. No need to panic, as the lifeguard assured us, as they are not considered dangerous to humans.
Still, it set the heart pounding to see such a magnificent creature swimming so close in barely three feet of water. The great thing about visiting this island is that it’s a home from home for cruisers.
Just flash your passenger identity card and you get complimentary food, drinks, towels and sunbeds, so you can leave your cash and credit cards in the safe in the cabin. Even the free wi-fi you get on board works on the island and is part of your package.
I sampled a Bahama Mama cocktail, enjoyed a refreshing dip in the sparking, turquoise water and felt relaxed with a capital R.
At 4.30, we made our way back aboard the ship to take a shower and freshen up for dinner and the evening of lavish entertainment.
As I finished getting ready, I glanced out of the cabin window to see we were setting sail again and waved goodbye to the magic island.
It truly had been a Perfect Day. But with so much still to see and do on board Star, the adventure was only just beginning…
GET ON BOARD
Royal Caribbean offers a seven-night round trip on Star of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral, Florida, on November 2 and calling at Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas; Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St Maarten. From £1,321pp, flights extra. royalcaribbean.com/gbr
On the Beach and Lancashire Tea unveiled a brand-new teabag that, in their own words, “will tackle the age-old gripe of why a holiday cuppa never quite tastes like one at home”
Not all teas are brewed equally(Image: Getty Images)
This summer a travel company and tea brand attempted to solve a problem that has been plaguing British holidaymakers for centuries.
After months of research, testing and more than a thousand cups of tea, On the Beach and Lancashire Tea unveiled a brand-new teabag that, in their own words, “will tackle the age-old gripe of why a holiday cuppa never quite tastes like one at home.”
It is one of life’s most recognisable issues. You arrive in a resort in Spain, France or Portugal, pop the kettle on and then discover the only tea bag on offer is a Lipton’s. Worse still, the milk provided is UHT. Despite your best efforts to persevere, the resultant cup is even less tasty than the sum of its parts.
Weaker holidaymakers have been driven straight to the all-inclusive bar.
Travelling can be difficult for tea-lovers(Image: Getty Images)
According to world-renowned tea expert Jane Pettigrew, it is not tribal brand loyalty that has blinded Brits to the pleasures of European tea. It is genuinely worse (or different at least). And for two main reasons.
The first is the type of tea.
According to Jane, the colonial history of European countries has left the Continent’s various populations with very different tastes in tea.
Brits “still choose to drink cheap black tea grown in India, Sri Lanka or East Africa, and blended to give a strong, coloury tea without much in the way of subtle and wonderful flavours,” explained Jane, who is an advocate of the more complex, subtler flavours delivered by loose-leaf teas from countries including China.
Broadly speaking, in Germany, Spain, Italy and Portugal tea is bought from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam which has a “flavour profile blended (which) is gentler, thinner, less robust than British blends and therefore British tourists don’t like” it.
Another differentiating factor is milk.
“Most Brits still put milk in their tea (and still sometimes sugar, although I think the use of sugar has reduced a little). That style of tea is very British and is due to the fact that British colonies were in the regions of the world from which our tea comes (India, Sri Lanka, and East African countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, etc), which all started growing tea under British colonial rule,” Jane explained.
“France on the other hand (as well as some African colonies) had colonies in French Indochina (Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos) where Chinese-style teas have been grown since the days of colonisation. So the sort of teas that the French drink tend to be lighter, more subtle, never with added milk or sweetener.”
Jane, who has won many different tea-related awards during her long career and is the author of World of Tea, despairs at the sense of superiority that many Brits have when it comes to a cuppa.
“Brits are really picky about how they like their tea, and don’t want those other types of lighter blends or specialty teas that Europeans choose,” she told me.
“The fact that Brits see their chosen brands of cheap black tea in paper tea bags as superior is evidence that they actually know nothing about tea. In general, Brits expect their daily brew to be cheap, strong and robust. In fact, what they prefer to drink is actually without any real subtle flavour, and is cheap because the cost of the types of tea that go into our traditional blends has hardly increased since the 1950s.”
Whether indeed picky or suffering from an unfounded sense of superiority, many Brits are convinced the teabag is the source of the issue. More than two-thirds (66%) of tea-drinking Brits admit to taking their own teabags on holiday with them, according to an On the Beach poll.
Even if you are armed with a solid supply of Yorkshire Gold or Barry’s before heading onto the Continent, that doesn’t mean your cuppa will be as comforting or delicious as it is at home.
The other major problem with mainland European tea is the water.
“The worst enemies to brewing good tea are limescale, chlorine, and dissolved heavy metals. So I advise everyone, except perhaps in Japan where the water is almost too soft, to use Brita filter taps or jugs to remove most of the offending ingredients,” Jane explained.
If tea is brewed in hard water, as in London and most areas to the north and south of the English capital, it can completely change the colour, aroma, and flavour profile of the brew. Often, this can cause a filmy layer to form on the surface of the tea, making the liquor cloudy.
Jane has carried out taste tests of the same tea bag brewed in filtered and unfiltered water, and says the results are stark. “People don’t believe you that it’s the same tea used for both brews,” she said.
Odds on, the cup of tea that you like will be determined by what you’re used to. And, given this is based on both bag and water, this can be tricky to emulate. For example, in Spain, regions like Burgos and San Sebastián are known for having soft water, whereas cities like Valencia, Malaga, and Almeria have hard water, meaning the brews in each will vary considerably.
Jane’s top tip is to invest in a water filter and to go loose.
“I always take some good loose-leaf tea with me when I travel because once you arrive at your destination, you may not find anything you like that is readily available. And if hotels and restaurants where you are staying don’t have any tea that Brits prefer, it is easier to ask for just hot water and brew your own,” she said.
So in conclusion, continental European tea may well taste rubbish to the British tongue, but only because it’s different.
When it comes to the special On the Beach and Lancashire Tea brew, I gave it a whirl in Sicily this summer. While my mind has not been blown or my life changed, I can confirm it delivered a decent cuppa.
A COUPLE has been slammed after sharing their children’s unique names online.
Aubree and Josh Jones, from the US, shared a clip of their family on social media, revealing which of them picked their kids’ names.
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Aubree and Josh Jones pose with their six childrenCredit: Instagram
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Trolls said the parents should refrain from naming anyone elseCredit: Instagram
The couple currently has six children and Aubree is pregnant with their seventh child.
In a recent Instagram clip, the couple revealed which of them picked their kids’ names, writing: “Who named each of the kids?”
“If you heard his picks, you would understand..” Aubree added.
But it seemed viewers weren’t convinced once they revealed each moniker, saying neither of them should be able to name any more children.
They started with their oldest daughter, named Trendy Chanelle, Aubree said she picked the first name while Josh picked her middle name.
Next was Zaylee Ruth, whose names were picked out by her mum.
Their third child was named Sunny Love, with Aubree picking the first name and Josh picking the middle.
Next up was their daughter, Truly Eclair, again, mum picked the first name while dad got dibs on the middle name.
Journey Rey came next, named by her mum and lastly, there was Rocky Joshua, named by his mum and dad.
The clip was shared on her Instagram account @whataboutaub which went viral with over 1.4 million views and 10k likes.
The three names I’d never pick for my children as a kids therapist & Rory is a hard no for starters
While the parents loved their choice of unique names, people in the comments section were clearly not impressed.
One person wrote: “These are great names for a Labubu.”
Another commented: “You realise you’re naming humans right?”
“Neither of you should be allowed to name children actually,” penned a third.
Banned Names in the UK
The UK has no law restricting names, but names that contain obscenities, numerals, misleading titles, or are impossible to pronounce are likely to be rejected when registering a child.
Hitler
Monkey
Cyanide
Martian
Akuma
Chow Tow
Rogue
Meanwhile a fourth said: “What are you naming… dogs?”
“Kids are going to have a rough time in school,” claimed a fifth.
Tourists visiting France needn’t speak perfect French, but these seven essential phrases can make all the difference in the kind of holiday you experience abroad.
It could change how locals treat British tourists(Image: Daria Kulkova/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
A French cultural advisor has unveiled seven essential phrases that could completely change how locals treat British tourists visiting France.
MaryAnne Sparkes, cultural advisor at cruise company European Waterways, says British visitors needn’t speak perfect French but must master a handful of crucial phrases to avoid being dismissed in the globe’s most-visited destination.
Sparkes counsels British holidaymakers planning journeys across the Channel as she says: “Locals don’t expect fluent French but you do need to say Bonjour and a couple of other key words to avoid offending. In some places one word is your ticket to being treated like a local.”
The cultural advisor explains French etiquette remains hidden until violated, particularly in scenic regions where life follows a customary pace.
The simple phrases can change your holiday experience in France(Image: Lord Henri Voton/E+/Getty Images)
“In France etiquette is invisible until you get it wrong. Skipping a simple greeting can instantly brand you as an outsider especially in the prettiest parts of the country” she says.
According to Sparkes, the most vital phrase is “Bonjour” which should never be omitted when entering shops, restaurants or any social environment. “Bonjour isn’t just a greeting. It’s a sign of mutual respect” she points out. “It’s how you announce that you see and acknowledge someone.”
The expert emphasises six additional indispensable phrases British visitors should master before arrival, which include “s’il vous plaît” (please) when requesting anything from café orders to directions. Sparkes observes courtesy operates as social currency in France, with minor pleasantries creating a substantial impact on how residents react.
“Excusez-moi” (excuse me) comes third on the essential list for navigating crowds or making enquiries, followed by “Comment ça va?” (how are you?) which demonstrates genuine concern even during fleeting interactions.
The cultural expert also suggests perfecting “Merci beaucoup” (thank you very much) for any kindness from opening doors to serving meals.
For unavoidable tourist blunders, “Je suis désolé(e)” (I’m sorry) preserves social peace.
The concluding expression “Puis-je…?” (May I…?) should be employed when seeking approval in official circumstances.
The specialist emphasises these expressions prove most effective when spoken with genuine intent rather than flawless accent. “French etiquette isn’t complicated but it is expected. These phrases make the difference between being tolerated and being truly welcomed”, she says.
The advice emerges as statistics demonstrate approximately 17 million British nationals travel to France annually despite its standing as one of the most discourteous nations globally. As increasing numbers of British holidaymakers explore beyond conventional tourist destinations into countryside villages, these social signals become progressively vital.
Whilst fluency remains unnecessary, grasping fundamental cultural standards opens the door to friendlier, more genuine encounters across the nation. Sparkes emphasises that modest linguistic attempts demonstrate respect for French culture, which residents recognise and value.
“You don’t need perfect French. Just showing you’ve made an effort with these few phrases opens doors to genuine connections with locals” she says.
For British holidaymakers planning French getaways, European Waterways recommends practicing these expressions beforehand, observing that even flawed efforts generate favour from residents.
The cultural advisor concludes that learning these seven expressions enables tourists to discover authentic France beneath the tourist veneer.
The bustling capital of Tenerife, Santa Cruz is a city that offers a perfect mix of beach relaxation and cultural exploration – and it’s just a short flight away
11:34, 25 Aug 2025Updated 12:14, 25 Aug 2025
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Temperatures average 24C throughout November in Santa Cruz(Image: Andrea Comi via Getty Images)
Santa Cruz, the vibrant capital of Tenerife, is a favourite amongst holidaymakers with its stunning black and white sand beaches and rugged mountainous landscape.
With a matter of weeks before the end of summer, the UK is already bracing for the cooler temperatures and frequent heavy showers of autumn and winter. Luckily, there is a Spanish port city offering a warm haven for Brits in search of some winter sun.
Tenerife boasts warm temperatures all year round, averaging 24C throughout November and a comfortable 21C well into December, reports the Express.
A post-Christmas getaway to this Spanish city could be just the ticket, especially as Santa Cruz hosts one of the world’s largest carnivals each February.
During the carnival season, the streets of Santa Cruz come alive with music, dancing and a riot of colourful costumes.
Temperatures in the winter can still reach 24C(Image: Getty)
These festivities typically draw around 150,000 tourists, contributing to the nearly one million participants who join in over the approximately five weeks of celebrations.
Outside of the carnival season, Tenerife offers a more tranquil retreat, making it the perfect time to unwind and soak up the rich cultural history of Santa Cruz.
Nestled near the city centre is the Palmetum of Tenerife, a vast botanical garden boasting one of the world’s largest collections of palm trees, where you can also savour breathtaking views of the island’s coastline.
Las Teresitas is the city’s main beach(Image: itchySan via Getty Images)
The main beach in Santa Cruz is Las Teresitas, a stretch of golden sand specially crafted using sands imported from the Sahara desert.
In the bustling port of Santa Cruz, one of Spain’s busiest, holidaymakers can discover the Auditorio, a contemporary concert hall that echoes the design of the Sydney Opera House and is crafted to resemble a ship’s sails.
Tenerife, already a favourite amongst British holidaymakers, is frequently serviced by numerous budget airlines, with a flight time just over four hours from the UK.
Santa Cruz, situated near the North Airport at the island’s peak, offers flights from London for a bargain price of as little as £36 during the winter season, according to Skyscanner.
SHOPPERS who use Apple Pay or Google Pay may be at higher risk of fraud, consumer group Which? has warned.
It said the use of one-time passcodes by banks could be making people with digital wallets an easy target for scammers.
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Shoppers who use Apple Pay or Google Pay may be at higher risk of fraud, Which? has warnedCredit: Getty
A survey by the consumer champions found that the majority of banks are still using these security features, putting consumers at risk.
Unlike contactless cards, there is no £100 spending cap on cards added to Apple and Google Pay, so fraudsters can quickly drain victims’ accounts once they gain access to it.
Scammers normally trick people into divulging their card details by setting up a fake transaction, Which? said.
People will think they’re paying for a bargain product advertised online, or they might fall victim to a phishing message.
A common example is parcel delivery scams, where you’re asked to pay a nominal amount for re-delivery.
Scammers monitor the transaction in real time, inputting the victim’s card details into a digital wallet on their own phone.
Many banks will then ask for a one time passcode (OTP) to verify the cardholder, which the scammer then asks the victim for to complete the “transaction”.
The fraudsters are then able to drain the victim’s bank account.
Which? surveyed 15 banks and card providers about their digital wallet setup process between April and May this year, and found the majority still use OTPs sent through text message as one of the options for adding cards to a digital wallet.
Of the 14 providers that allow cards to be added to wallets (Capital One is the exception), just two banks confirmed they do not use OTPs, while a third appeared not to when Which? researchers tested the process.
New ‘property tax’ will PUNISH hard-working Brits and torpedo house market, blasts Kirstie Allsopp
Barclays, Co-op, HSBC (with its sister banks First Direct and M&S Bank), Santander and Virgin Money said they currently use SMS OTPs, though they are not the only verification option.
Starling said it still uses OTPs for setting up Apple Pay alongside other options, but it removed them from Google Pay in 2022.
TSB said it is working to set up in-app verification, but is using OTPs in the meantime.
American Express, Lloyds Banking Group and NewDay (which operates the John Lewis Partnership Credit Card) – did not outline which verification methods they use.
When Which? tested the set up processes for cards, Amex did use SMS and email OTPs, while Halifax did not and instead offered several “more robust methods” including in-app approval.
Chase and Monzo said they have never used OTPs for setting up digital wallets.
It comes after Cifas, UK Finance and the Cyber Defence Alliance previously warned about the link between OTP use and digital wallet fraud.
Providers can also limit how many wallets a card can be added to overall, or within a certain time period, but most banks do not implement these restrictions.
Virgin Money allows an individual card to be added to a maximum of five devices.
Starling with a total limit of 15 devices, while Monzo customers can only add their Monzo cards to a digital wallet twice in a 24-hour period and three times every 30 days.
However, Which? said that even with these limits in place, consumers can still fall victim to scammers as they only need to add one card to a digital wallet to start spending.
Which? Money deputy editor Sam Richardson said: “For millions of us, digital wallets are a quick, easy and secure way to make payments, but weaknesses in card providers’ security means they can also be a gift to scammers.
“Banks have known for years that using one time passcodes (OTPs) to verify account holders is leaving consumers vulnerable.
“It’s clear further investment is needed to make the digital wallet set-up process fit for the threats consumers face in 2025.
“In the meantime, we’d caution shoppers to always think twice before sharing their payment details – or OTPs – online.
“If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, contact Action Fraud and your bank immediately.”
Apple told Which? it is not responsible for approving or rejecting the addition of a card to Apple Pay, or for approving or rejecting transactions.
It said that it takes users’ security seriously and Apple Pay has been designed in a way to protect users’ personal information.
A Google spokesperson said: “Security is core to the Google Wallet experience and we work closely with card issuers to prevent fraud.
“For example, banks notify customers when their card has been added to a new digital wallet, and we provide signals to help issuers detect fraudulent behaviour so they can decide whether to approve added cards.”
An American Express spokesperson said: “Privacy and security are a priority for American Express.
“We have controls designed to protect customer accounts and guard against unauthorised fraudulent activity, and if we identify activity that may be fraud, we will take protective actions.”
Barclays said that the verification method used for adding a card to a digital wallet will depend on the user journey. It said it does not currently have plans to phase out use of OTPs.
Co-Op Bank said it monitors for fraudulent registrations through its fraud detection systems and has multiple strategies in place to detect digital wallet fraud. It does not currently have plans to phase out use of OTPs.
HSBC said it has no immediate plans to phase out OTP delivery for adding cards to digital wallets, however, it keeps its digital wallet provisioning process under review.
Lloyds said it has invested millions of pounds in multi-layered fraud defences, and continues to regularly review its authentication methods.
Nationwide said that it has multiple layers of protection in place to keep its customers safe from fraud including warning messaging, AI models and sophisticated internal analytics. It is currently exploring alternatives to OTPs.
Natwest said it regularly reviews its customer experience and authentication to ensure security, and said it is reviewing how it uses OTPs.
NewDay declined to comment.
Santander said it is looking at other forms of authentication, and other security measures, which may be less visible to a user than the mechanism used for two-factor authentication.
Starling said it currently only uses OTPs for Apple Pay, and removed this option from Android phones in 2022.
TSB told Which? that it is working closely with card and wallet providers to implement approval via the TSB Mobile App. In the interim, OTP verification is accompanied by the necessary risk verification, alongside fraud controls to keep customer details safe.
Virgin Money said its fraud team has heightened monitoring and controls around digital wallet fraud. It also said that it is looking at in-app verification as an option but has no current plans to phase out use of OTPs.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
FRANKIE Bridge has raised eyebrows after saying “you’re dead to me” in a scathing post after appearing to ‘snub’ former bandmate and friend Rochelle Humes.
The Loose Women panellist, 36, took to TikTok to share the damning video, showing her sipping on a glass of rosé wine.
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Frankie raised eyebrows with a scathing post about someone being ‘dead to her’Credit: Getty
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Last month it was revealed she and former bandmate Rochelle – pictured with husband Marvin Humes – ‘snubbed’ each other at WimbledonCredit: WireImage
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The former pop stars have been working together since they were 12Credit: Getty
A caption written over the clip read: “You’re so quiet…
“Thanks, you said something five years ago and I’ve just realised you’re actually dead to me.”
Frankie then added below: “Takes me a while, but once you’re dead you’re dead.”
The Sun has contacted a representative for Frankie for comment.
Mum-of-two Frankie and presenter Rochelle, 36, shot to fame together at just 12-years-old in pop group S Club Juniors.
Frankie and Rochelle then joined girlband The Saturdays in 2007, going on to enjoy a string of huge hits including Issues, Ego and What About Us.
The Saturdays – also made up of Vanessa White, Una Healy and Mollie King – have always insisted their decision to go on indefinite hiatus in 2014 wasn’t down to them falling out.
Speaking to HELLO! previously, Frankie explained: “We never fell out. We never really officially broke up or anything, so the option [to get back together] has kind of always been there.”
As guests of sponsor Evian, the pair were invited to watch the tennis in a suite in the sought-after hydrangea building nearCourtOne.
But while they mingled with other celebrities and guests just yards away from one another – they failed to actually interact with each other.
The I’m A Celebrity clip I use to win any row with Marvin, says Rochelle Humes
An insider told The Sun: “It was clear the women were keeping their distance. They sat on opposite sides of the suite and kept to themselves.
“While Frankie posed for pictures with S Club’s Rachel Stevens, Rochelle took selfies with her husband Marvin and his I’m A Celebrity campmate Sam Thompson.
“It was a shame because having the two girls from The Saturdays together for a mini-reunion was exciting for everyone there.
“Even though they were pleasant to each other when they did brush shoulders, they didn’t spend any extra time together than they had to, in between being amicable while passing each other en route to watch the tennis.”
While Frankie has taken the “never say never” approach to a potential Saturdays return and Una, 43, has admitted several times she’s ready to perform with the girls again, Rochelle previously insisted she “highly doubts” it will happen.
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Frankie and Rochelle performing with Saturdays bandmates Una, Vanessa and MollieCredit: WireImage
When it comes to packing your hand luggage, there are plenty of items you need to be careful with in order to make it through airport security
When it comes to packing your hand luggage, there are plenty of items you need to be careful with in order to make it through airport security(Image: Anastasiia Krivenok via Getty Images)
If you’re jetting off this summer and planning to cram your life into a hand luggage bag, there are some items that could land you in hot water. Hand luggage liquids generally need to be under 100ml to pass through airport security, including water bottles, face oils, moisturiser and hand gel, reports the Express.
However, some items that aren’t technically liquids can cause issues at security. Fulton Umbrellas have put together a list of surprising items you can and can’t take with you on your travels.
Firstly, soft cheese is part of the 100ml limit if you’re travelling back to the UK from the EU. The same applies for jams, chutneys, sauces and anything sold in liquid like antipasti or olives.
Leave the soft cheese at home(Image: Getty)
Some countries even have stricter rules when it comes to travelling with food, so always check before you pack. Another item that should not be packed in your carry on is protein powder.
This is because powders can obstruct x-ray machines and therefore will need to be manually checked by staff. This can be a lengthy process so it’s fastest and safest to just leave it at home – or if you’re really desperate, put it in your checked bag.
Surprisingly, in the UK there is one item you are allowed to take on that you might not be aware of.
Protein powder can obstruct x-rays(Image: Getty)
If you’re only taking carry-on luggage with you, but you fancy dabbling in a little arts and crafts on the plane, you are allowed to take a small pair of scissors on board.
In the UK, the standard rule is that any pair of scissors with a blade length less than 6cm is permissible.
For larger pairs, it’s recommended to stow them in your checked luggage. Different airlines may have varying regulations regarding items with blades, so it’s advisable to verify if you need to carry scissors with you.
Not so long ago, parking at the curb in Southern California was relatively simple: It was either free to park, or you had to feed change into a meter. Boy, times have changed! Now, any given meter might require quarters, a credit card, an app, your license plate number or any combination of the above.
As the experience of paying for parking in Southern California grows more complex and confusing, I want to hear your stories about paying for public parking — the good, the bad and the ugly.
Maybe you’ve come to love parking apps like Park Smarter or ParkMobile that alert you when a parking session is about to expire and allow you to add more time remotely. Or maybe it’s taken so long to download a needed app and type in your credit card information that you missed an appointment or were late to a meeting.
I’d also love to hear about any strategies you’ve devised to make the experience of parking more streamlined. Do you keep rolls of quarters in your car or a folder of parking apps on your phone? Have you given up entirely and started taking the bus?
Share your story in the form below, and I might follow up with you to include your tale in a coming story.
A WOMAN has revealed her must-have camping buys for the summer.
And her advice comes just in time for those heading to Glastonbury tomorrow for a fun-filled week.
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Stella, a camping enthusiast has shared her top buys to make it more comfortableCredit: Tiktok/@stellasoloadventures
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she was a big fan of these hand warmers even in the summerCredit: Tiktok/@stellasoloadventures
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It comes just in time for Glastonbury goersCredit: Getty
If you still have some last minute camping shopping to do, then you’ll want to keep reading.
Stella revealed the products you may have never thought you would need but will become essential.
In the clip, she said: “If you’re going to be camping at any festivals or just camping in general, these things might help.
“First of all, heat patches. Put them on your bum.
“Trust me, they are a lifesaver in the cold night.”
Stella headed to Home Bargains to pick up the HotHands hand warmers which come in a pack of five pairs for £3.45.
Not only are these buys super cheap and easy to travel with, they can help keep you toasty all night long with ten hours of use.
The camping whizz also recommended picking up the hard ground tent pegs from the store which cost just 99p a pack to make sure your tent stays where you put it.
Last but not least, she urged everyone to buy some single se coffee filters.
Stella added: “The next thing is my absolute camping godsender and it’s these coffee filters.
Recently reunited noughties pop band accidentally reveal secret Glastonbury set
“I’m a bit of a coffee snob and let me tell you, these in the morning, absolutely stunning. It’s about as going to get to grinding the beans yourself on a campsite.”
You can buy the Cup Filters Italian Style Coffee from M&S, it includes 10 single use filters filled with coffee for just £4.25.
The video went viral on her TikTok account @stellasoloadventures with over 73k views and 4,200 likes.
People were quick to thank her in the comments for her tips.
Glastonbury 2025 – confirmed acts so far
TICKETS to the 2025 festival sold out in just minutes before some of the acts were even confirmed. Here is who has been confirmed so far.
Confirmed headliners:
The 1975 will take to the Pyramid Stage on Friday.
Neil Young will headline the festival for the second time after his last set in 2009 on Saturday after RAYE makes her return.
Charli xcx will headline the Other Stage on Saturday night.
On Sunday, Olivia Rodrigo is due to belt out her hits for her first appearance while Rod Stewart will perform in the legends slot.
More acts to appear on the Other Stage include Loyle Carner and The Prodigy.
Doechii will make her Glastonbury debut on the West Holts Stage on Saturday night.
Other names confirmed include Noah Kahan, Alanis Morissette, Gracie Abrams, Busta Rhymes, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, Myles Smith, En Vogue, Amaarae, Cymande, Shaboozey, Osees and Gary Numan.
One person wrote: “The heat pads on the bum thing I got to try out!
“I always stuff them in my bra (not direct skin contact) because I feel like that way it warms my entire body.”
Another commented: “You influenced me on to those coffee filters.”
“Those 99p Home Bargains pegs are really good!! We were so impressed with them for the price,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “I use the coffee bags, they’re pretty good too.”
Someone else added: “Check out Areopress for coffee. Best single cup coffee brewer I’ve ever used.”
With many families heading to the coast over the summer, it’s important to be aware of local by-laws that could unexpectedly turn your beach day into an expensive lesson
Unexpected £2,500 fine risk for feeding seagulls at UK beaches(Image: Getty Images)
As the summer season rolls in, British families are flocking to the seaside for day trips or staycations. However, a lesser-known regulation could turn your beachside fish and chips into a hefty bill.
In several coastal spots nationwide, feeding seagulls is actually illegal, with fines potentially exceeding £1,000. Last year, a 97-year-old woman faced a potential fine of £2,500 and even court proceedings after a neighbour reported her for feeding birds in her garden in Fylde, near Blackpool.
With this incident in mind, Luxury Group Stay, a leading provider of high-end holiday homes in the UK, is advising holidaymakers to familiarise themselves with local by-laws that could disrupt their well-deserved getaway.
Last year a woman was threatened with a £2,500 fine for feeding seagulls near Blackpool (Image: Getty)
In Suffolk, visitors to Aldeburgh will encounter signs cautioning that anyone caught feeding gulls may be prosecuted under public health and anti-social behaviour by-laws.
This regulation was implemented in the seaside town back in 2009 in response to escalating complaints about the gulls’ conduct, including aggressive swooping, incessant begging, and damage to bins and properties, reports the Express.
And it’s not just Fylde and Aldeburgh enforcing these restrictions. Numerous councils across the country have introduced Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) or other measures in an attempt to curb gull feeding.
Luxury Group Stay’s spokesperson revealed, “With more local fines and by-laws catching guests off guard, we’re seeing growing demand for private stays where families can relax, dine outdoors, and enjoy themselves without worrying about unexpected restrictions.”
You could be fined if you’re found to be feeding seagulls(Image: Getty)
Given that rules can differ widely across localities and signage might be overlooked, holidaymakers are urged to be vigilant with local guidelines – or they could find their day at the beach costing more than anticipated.
They’ve also pinpointed a selection of destinations where you might cop a fine for giving snacks to the gulls.
Destinations where you may be fined for feeding seagulls:
East Devon – £80-100 fine on beaches in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Beer, and Seaton.
Dorset – Up to £100 fine in Lyme Regis, West Bay, and Bridport.
Jersey (St Saviour Parish) – Fines of up to £1,000 in many residential areas, including Clos Paumelle.
Cornwall – Up to £100 in St Ives.
North Yorkshire – Up to £100 in Whitby and Scarborough.
East Sussex – Fines of up to £100 in Eastbourne and Hastings.
EXCLUSIVE: Renowned DJ, Judge Jules, has opened up about his appearance on The Chase’s Celebrity Specia,l which saw a historic victory for him and his co-stars
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
17:00, 21 Jun 2025Updated 21:06, 21 Jun 2025
Judge Jules had a special connection to Elstree Studios(Image: Supplied)
Judge Jules has revealed that the pressure was eased slightly during his appearance on The Chase Celebrity special, thanks to his connection with the studio. The renowned DJ appeared on the ITV special last year alongside other famous faces, including Lesley Joseph, Jenni Falconer and Patrick Kielty.
The group went up against Shaun ‘The Dark Destroyer’ Wallace in the tense rounds before eventually all four celebs were part of the final chase. It was during the final round that they managed to get one over on Wallace and walked away with a total of £200,000 to split between their chosen charities.
But while some may crumble under the intense pressure of the ITV game show, lawyer and DJ Judge Jules, 58, admits that he didn’t feel too pressured due to a connection with the studios where the show is filmed. “I’m not nervous in my normal activities, before I go on the decks or anything else related to the music business,” he exclusively told the Mirror.
Judge Jules appeared on The Chase last year alongside a string of famous names(Image: ITV)
The Londoner went on to add: “It was a little bit nervy because it’s such an unfamiliar environment. The weird thing was, it’s filmed in Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed, or it was when I did it anyway. My dad (Shaun O’Riordan) worked there his entire working life, so I’d been to those studios multiple times – my dad was a TV director so I think maybe that eased off the pressure a little bit.”
Jules, who will be DJ’ing across the UK and Balerics this summer, went on to add: “It’s fast moving, you meet three others who you’ve never met before, all of you are there for a common purpose, it’s quite comedial backstage but at the same time, it’s more the alien environment.
“When you’re experienced in one area and suddenly you’re thrust into this alien environment, it makes it more nervous. We earned a chunk of money for charity, which was great. It was £200,00, so it was quite a lot.” This year, fans will see Judge Jules, the nephew of Rick Stein, at Tom Kerridge’s Pub In The Park Festival, Foodies, as well as dates across Ibiza and Sheffield’s 90s Fest at Don Valley Bowl.
The world-renowned DJ will be performing across the country this summer(Image: Supplied)
“I’ve done quite a few food-oriented festivals,” he said. He went on to add: “I think the core element of the sound stage and DJ’ing is quite similar, it’s more about what’s going on around the edges. It’s one of those that, as a DJ, I might under normal circumstances turn up an hour before, do my set and then probably go reasonably soon afterwards if I’ve got somewhere else to go, whereas I would make a day of it because there’s so much more to do.”
Jules explained that he faced difficulties last year after taking part in a live cooking demonstration on the stage, which was “very comedic”. Last summer, he and his wife were also judges on a cocktail-making stage just before he took to the stage himself. “It’s a unique day out,” he joked.
Away from his music career, Jules is the world’s only active entertainment lawyer and artist(Image: Supplied)
He said: “It’s the perfect thing for the more senior music business person to go and do. It’s such a varied experience. There is more than just food stalls, there’s comedy, there’s music, it’s an amazing experience.” Reflecting on dance music taking centre stage at festivals this year, with Reading and Leeds Festivals bringing the Chevron Stage back, he said: “It’s a different immersive action at a festival, dance, music. I’m the ultimate salesperson for it, and I don’t really know any different. I’m truly institutionalised by the experience of sort of dance floors.”
Having been in the industry since the Eighties, it’s fair to say that Jules has seen his fair share of odd moments. One memory that sticks out to him during the vinyl era was one clubber running up to the decks and stealing the record, before running back through the crowd, while the record was actually playing.
His ultimate highlight, though, is doing a job he would pay others to do. “I will always be mindful of how lucky I am,” he explained. He added: “Anybody who’s had any degree of success in the arts will have had certain lucky breaks along the way – that’s just facts, whether people choose to admit it or not. And I’m very humbled and just so grateful to do what I love doing. Sadly, there are plenty of people out there who don’t enjoy what they do to make a living.”
Jules was just 16 when he started, though, explaining he had a “slow trajectory” towards his success. He does, however, know musicians who have been propelled to global fame at the start of their career and admits it can be a “difficult process.”
Away from his music career, Julius O’Riordan is also an active lawyer, mainly centred around electronic music, making him the only active artist and entertainment lawyer. “It’s a very unique viewpoint,” he said. Jules added: “To be a successful artist, you need to be a little bit selfish – hopefully not to a really intolerable extent.
“I think when you become an entertainment lawyer, whilst my experience in the music industry has got me quite a lot of work as a lawyer, the tables are entirely turned. I have to be humble, they’re not interested in my war stories, they’re interested in how my experience can play out in the advice and guidance that I give to them, that’s been really good for me as a person, I think.”
Almost five million Brits are slated to flock to this stunning European country this year, which has recently threatened holiday makers with hefty £50 fines before they’ve even got off the plane
Brits have been warned about the new penalties(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Sun-worshipping Brits have been threatened with a hefty fine for breaking a strict new rule – before they’ve even embarked.
There’s no greater feeling than stepping off the plane and feeling the warm air hit your face. It’s an experience almost five million UK holidaymakers will experience this year, as Turkey (Türkiye) prepares for record-breaking levels of tourism.
However, the country is clamping down on inpatient passengers who are too eager for their own good. The brutal warning comes as the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announces it will start introducing penalties for those who unfasten their seatbelt and stand up before the plane has fully come to a stop.
Standing up before the seatbelt light switches off now risks a fine(Image: NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“According to the regulation, airlines are obliged to remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts during and after landing until they reach the parking position and to explicitly point out that any infringement will be reported to the aviation authority, and a fine will be imposed,” the CAA said, according to Euronews. Now, passengers reaching for their overhead luggage before the seatbelt light has switched off will now be fined €62 (approx. £50).
Turkish Airlines – the country’s flagship airline – has reportedly already updated its landing announcement to make tourists aware of the penalty. It states rule-breakers will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report. Then, an ‘administrative fine’ will be imposed in accordance with ‘applicable legal regulations’.
The country is clamping down on inpatient passengers(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
It has yet to be confirmed whether other airlines will introduce similar warnings for flights touching down in the country. Either way, it’s worth sitting patiently until you know it’s safe to take your seatbelt off.
The news sparked fierce debate online, with many holidaymakers arguing the rule will worsen delays and make disembarking even longer. “There are umpteen reasons why I have been put off flying – for good,” one person said. “This is just another one of them.”
Another agreed, writing: “For goodness sake, I just want to stretch my legs, is that a crime?” while a third added: “I suspect airlines will start charging us to board first and leave first, just like they do with everything else.”
However, others seemed in favour of the new rules – with some social media commentators even suggesting the fine should be higher. “What’s the point of rushing off the plane?” one person asked. “So you can wait for longer at the baggage carousel?”
Another wrote: “I’ve never understood why people do that. You always have caught up to them at baggage claim, so why push to be the first off?” while a third branded the fine a ‘good idea’.
The Mirror has approached Turkish Airlines for comment.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.