EACH Christmas, one major activity fires up the magic spirit for families – festive train fun.
With November just one week away, family members are most likely going to begin nudging you for things to do together over the festive period – and what is a more perfect way to spend time with the family than a Christmas train experience!
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There are a number of different Christmas train experiences in the UK including The Polar Express (pictured)Credit: National Holidays
Here are some of the top Christmas train experiences across the UK.
The Polar Express
Perhaps one of the most iconic Christmas train experiences is The Polar Express, which runs in a number of locations across the country including Birmingham, London and south Devon.
Inspired by the iconic film, passengers get to head on board with a Golden Ticket to meet Santa, whilst enjoying entertainment, music and even dancing chefs.
Trips depart from across the country and tickets prices vary depending on date and location, but can usually be found as low as £27 per person.
Santa Steam Express
The Santa Steam Express heads off from London Victoria Station and features an interactive storytelling theatre experience whilst on the journey.
Passengers will also get to meet Santa and his elves.
The experience runs on December 20 and December 22, with four departures each day.
The experience then lasts around 90 minutes, taking passengers through London’s suburbs.
All children get to meet Santa, who will deliver them a traditional gift and they will also receive a snack and drink.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway will be running a Christmas journey through the North York Moors National ParkCredit: Instagram
Parents aren’t left out though, as they will be able to have tea or coffee and a mince pie.
There are a range of different classes on board the train that vary in price.
For example, Coach Class costs from £55 per person, Club Class from £75 per person and Private Compartments available from £600 each, for up to six guests.
Christmas North Yorkshire Pullman
On board the North Yorkshire Pullman, passengers get to journey through the North York Moors National Park.
Each guest will enjoy a three-course meal, with tea and coffee, as well as a mince pie.
Trips take place from November 25 to January 4, departing and returning to Grosmont Station.
Seats cost from £99 per person.
Christmas Afternoon Tea on the Great Western Saloon
For an afternoon treat, opt for the Great Western Saloon, which departs from Grosmont in North Yorkshire.
The train travels along the heritage line and as it does, passengers get to enjoy a range of sandwiches, other savoury nibbles and sweet treats.
The experience will be running on November 27 and December 4, 11 and 18.
Tickets cost £85 per person and the experience is for those aged 16 and over.
South Devon Railway will be running All Aboard for Festive Dining, with a Festive Ploughman’s LunchCredit: Supplied
All Aboard for Festive Dining
Down in Devon, the South Devon Railway is running the ‘All Aboard for Festive Dining’ experience.
Dubbed to be “one of Britain’s most nostalgic rail journeys”, passengers will be able to see the stunning Dart Valley scenery as well as hear the chugs of the steam engine.
Passengers can choose from four different experiences.
In the 1950s Restaurant Car, guests can enjoy a Festive Ploughman’s Lunch with local cheeses, chutneys and bread, or opt for Festive Afternoon Tea instead.
Alternatively, head to the 1925 Pullman Car ‘Lydia’ for a spot of luxury dining in Winston Churchill‘s former dining carriage.
In this carriage, guests can have a Pullman Festive Afternoon Tea or the Pullman Christmas Lunch.
The festive dining experiences run throughout December, costing from £69.95 per person.
One The Kent & East Sussex Railway, there is a Santa Special experience that lasts 75 minutes and each passenger gets a giftCredit: kesr.org
Kent & East Sussex Railway (K&ESR) Santa Specials
The Kent & East Sussex Railway will feature Santa Specials this festive period.
The experience lasts 75 minutes, and passengers get to have gifts hand delivered by Santa.
On board, there are also a number of family photo opportunities and complimentary hot drinks (which includes mulled wine for adults).
You also get entry to the Winter Wonderland marquee and unlimited rides on the vintage gallopers at Tenterden Town Station.
With the Bronze package, passengers get a complimentary refreshment pack, containing a mince pie for each adult and a chocolate bar for each child.
Passengers in Silver and Gold class carriages then get to meet Jingle and Sparkle, Santa’s Head Elves.
There are Silver first class and Gold premium class packages as well.
The 2025 Santa Specials run every weekend from November 29 until December 21, plus December 23 and Christmas Eve.
Tickets cost from £30 per person (based on booking a table of four for £120).
On the Elf Express, passengers get to travel through the Cairngorms National ParkCredit: Severn Rail Railway
Elf Express
The Strathspey Railway travels through the Cairngorms National Park on a heritage steam train, and for the festive season there will be elves onboard with the passengers.
The train is operating on various dates from November 28 to January 4 and it costs from £34 for adults and children.
The Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials allow people to experience a festive journey as well as meet SantaCredit: .eorailway
Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials
Families heading on the Epping Ongar Railway Santa Specials start their journey before they reach the station.
As they can hop on a vintage London bus at Epping Underground station or in Ongar, to get to North Weald Station – and you’ll spot different festive characters will be walking around.
Then once on board, the train will head off on a return journey via Epping Forest.
The Santa Specials trains will be running on November 29 and 30 and on December 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Tickets start at £65 per two people.
Bluebell Railway SteamLights is another light-train experience, but this one goes through the Sussex countrysideCredit: bluebell-railway
Bluebell Railway SteamLights
The Bluebell Railway SteamLights train heads off through the Sussex countryside, with passengers able to spot festive-themed scenes along the way.
Then the train arrives at Horsted Keynes Station, with passengers able to get off and take pictures of the train which is entirely covered in lights for 30 minutes.
The train then heads back to Sheffield Park, with the experience lasting around two hours in total.
The experience is running from November 22 to December 28 and tickets start from £35 per person.
Devon claims to be home to the UK’s first ever steam train of lightsCredit: Alamy
Christmas Train of Lights
Located along Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon is the Christmas Train of Lights – supposedly the UK’s first ever steam train of lights, according to the operator’s website.
Both a spectacle from the inside and the outside, passengers will get to experience lineside displays and a number of festive surprises throughout the journey.
They will run from November 28 to December 30.
Tickets cost £29.95 per adult and £21.95 per child.
And if you want to include your furry best friend, there is even a Santa Paws experience on the East Somerset RailwayCredit: eastsomersetrailway
East Somerset Railway Santa Paws
One for families with a much-loved pooch is the East Somerset Railway Santa Paws experience.
Four-legged friends aren’t left out of the fun on this one as you can bring them along to meet Santa.
There are lots of photo opportunities and your pooch even gets a special gift.
ANYONE seeking Christmas luxury can add a trip on this incredible train to your festive wish list.
For the seasonal period, the Northern Belle has launched three new offerings from exploring Edinburgh to wandering around Christmas markets, and indulging in dinner with all the twimmings.
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The 1930s style Northern Belle is returning to UK cities and towns for ChristmasCredit: InstagramGuests can expect luxury as well as plenty to eat and drinkCredit: Northern Belle
From November 15 until December 20, the Northern Belle, is going all out for Christmas.
One of the experiences is for the ‘Christmas Lunch’ where guests are welcomed in style as a red carpet is laid across the platform.
Onboard there’s welcome Champagne and tasty canapés, once guests are settled into a comfortable armchair, they will be served a seven-course festive feast.
The sample menu includes a Scottish salmon roulade starter, roasted white onion potage and a turkey dinner.
There’s a choice of three desserts; spiced apple and cranberry tart, dark chocolate and hazelnut delice, and a mandarin and gingerbread panna cotta.
To finish off the meal will be a seasonal dessert, cheeseboard and glass of Port.
Throughout the meal, live musicians will play festive tunes, and there’s even an onboard conjuror to entertain.
After the meal, passengers can relax with a Fortnum & Mason cup of tea and petite fours.
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The Northern Belle is heading all over the country for the festive treat, and is heading to cities like Newcastle and York.
But it will also visit some market towns too. For example the journey from Norwich will also pick up passengers at Ipswich.
After the seven course dinner, passengers will be served dessert and a cheeseboardCredit: Northern BelleMusicians will entertain by playing a selection of festive tunesCredit: Northern Belle
On the journey to Preston, the train will make three initial stops at Chester, Liverpool and Wigan – but wherever you get on, the Northern Belle does a round-trip to each destination.
Tickets for Christmas lunch on the Northern Belle start at £395 and are available to book now.
The Northern Belle came in fifth place between the Glacier Express at number four and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express at number six.
Other trips onboard the Northern Belle include Historic Edinburgh at Christmas.
The journey begins in Hull at 7.25AM where passengers can enjoy a three-course brunch with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary cocktail.
The vintage style train is made up of seven carriagesCredit: northernbelle
Passengers will journey up to Edinburgh where they will have five hours to explore the city.
On returning to the train, guests can indulge in a champagne reception that awaits before enjoying a six-course dinner with fine wine – the price for this starts at £495 per passenger.
The other Christmas offering is exploring York’s festive markets for passengers who hop on in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The journey involves the same cocktail and three-course brunch offering as the Edinburgh exploration and then free time will be exploring York and the markets.
On the return journey guests will again get to enjoy a six-course dinner – tickets start at £495pp.
Next year, the train is offering Mother’s Day Lunches onboard, Afternoon Tea, as well as trips to Cheltenham, Chatsworth House, the Sandringham Flower Show, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Torquay.
Nestled in the Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot Community Homestay Network is a cornerstone for building businesses. It enables women to grasp financial independence by opening up their homes to tourists. It was an enriching cultural experience for both me and my host. Their support of each other spilled over during my stay, in their warmth, delight and genuine desire to share and learn. Vicky Bamford
Fishing conservation in Mexico
Scuba diving in Mexico. Photograph: Chris A Crumley/Alamy
I had the trip of a lifetime in Mexico and out in the Pacific, diving with some incredible creatures. We funded – and were joined on the trip by – two young women who were learning to dive with a charity called Héroes del Mar, which works with Mexican young people in fishing communities to raise awareness of conservation and how it can go hand in hand with fishing as an economic lifeline for rural areas. They should be able to gain a career in conservation, train the next generation in their community and ensure fishing benefits communities and wildlife. Holly
Dolphin-watching in East Sussex
Dolphins can be spotted on boat trips from Brighton and Newhaven. Photograph: Callum Leyden/Alamy
Sussex Dolphin Project runs some fantastic boat trips from Newhaven and Brighton marinas, including a wildlife sailing experience and a sunset cruise, on which you may be lucky enough to see dolphins. Trips are from £30 for adults and £19 for children. The Trust focuses on education, training and citizen science in the local community. Ayesha Twyman
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Giving peace a chance, worldwide
Asturias in north-west Spain, one of many places where members of Servas can connect. Photograph: Alfonso Sangiao Delgado/Alamy
Not one trip but many – like thousands of others across the world, we are members of Servas, set up in 1949 as a volunteer-run NGO to build international friendships, and promote peace and understanding. We have learned about urban ecology in Nantes, self-sufficiency in Asturias and what it was like to live in Ceaușescu’s Romania, and met like-minded people who have become friends. We have also welcomed visitors from all over the world. Others who travel more widely than we do tell us about warm welcomes and fascinating experiences all across the globe. Barbara Forbes
Time for tea in Sri Lanka
Tea workers in Sri Lanka. Photograph: Robert Harding/Alamy
In the mountains on the outskirts of Kandy sit the lush hills that host the plantations of this famous tea-growing region. We visited our female hosts as they finished their eight-hour shift, for which they earn £20 a week for working six days and carrying 20kg a day on their backs. We visited their home close by, where we mixed spices, cooked our dinner and enjoyed a typical evening with several generations of the family. A truly authentic experience, steeped in the local culture, with our payment supporting and benefiting the entire community. Julie Fell
A small village in mainland terms, Carloway runs an annual agricultural show which attracts about 2,000 visitors to what is now the best window on crofting in the Western Isles. It’s located on the western fringe of Lewis, the most northerly island in the Outer Hebrides. The mixture of fete, Highland games, baking and fruit-and-veg competitions with best sheep, dog, horse and cattle show is all run by local volunteers. Held on the first Wednesday in August, it also has ceilidhs and Highland dance events through the week. There’s a community-owned shop, self-catering and bunks (Garenin village) – and it’s only a few miles from the world-famous Callanish or Calanais standing stones. You have to pinch yourselves at the privilege of listening to superb Gaelic singers while supporting their culture and community. Foster Evans
Winning tip: Local hosts on an Alpine hike in Italy
Remote villages in Italy benefit from hikers taking on the 500-mile Grande Traversata delle Alpi. Photograph: Fabrizio Robba/Alamy
We completed three weeks of the Grande Traversata delle Alpi, an 800km (500 mile) long-distance trek in the Italian Alps. It was conceived as an economic regeneration project in the 1970s to join up and provide tourism to tiny villages with ageing populations and declining industry. In each location, one or more providers elects to supply overnight accommodation and food to hikers; as a result the variety in our stays was immense. It cost €60-70pp pn for half-board, sometimes less in dormitories. It’s a very quiet trail compared with many in the Alps, and we often had it to ourselves. Villagers are really friendly and we enjoyed some delicious local food, always at least three courses, with vegetarians fully catered for. Samantha McGrady
A woman has shared a video of the “most scenic” train route in the world, which travels through the snowy Swiss Alps and has floor to ceiling windows for passengers to enjoy the views – but the price has floored people
14:39, 06 Sep 2025Updated 14:41, 06 Sep 2025
A train route connecting two gorgeous European destinations offers a stunning escape (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
Trains are a fantastic mode of transport for people, offering a more eco-friendly alternative to flying or driving, and providing passengers with the chance to take in the stunning scenery along their route. Experiencing the natural beauty of a foreign country can be an awe-inspiring adventure, as there’s always something new to discover when you’re exploring unfamiliar territory.
This is why a particular train journey through the snowy Swiss Alps has left people amazed. The train features floor-to-ceiling windows, offering passengers an unparalleled view of the breathtaking landscape. Eveline, a holidaymaker who regularly shares her train travel experiences on social media, has dubbed this Swiss route “the most scenic train journey in the world.”
One look at her footage and it’s easy to see why. “Want to ride the most magical train in December? Then now is the time to book! It sells out fast!” she captioned a TikTok video where she showed off her scenic train journey.
The clip offers viewers a glimpse of Eveline’s perspective from the train, featuring panoramic views of the snow-covered Swiss Alps as the train winds its way through the mountains, even passing through tunnels carved directly into the rock.
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“POV: it’s December and you took the train from Switzerland to Italy,” Eveline wrote on the video as she continued to show the interior of the train, which featured floor to ceiling windows for passengers to fully take in the surroundings they were travelling through.
She went on to reveal: “This is the Bernina Express and it will take you on a scenic ride through glaciers and palms, parts of the route is an UNESCO heritage.”
The railway connects the Swiss Alpine city of Chur with Tirano in northern Italy, making numerous stops on its way. The full trip lasts approximately four-and-a-half hours, though travellers enjoy endless entertainment simply by gazing through the windows at the spectacular snowy peaks they pass.
During the winter months, passengers also journey through snow-covered woodlands resembling a perfect winter fairy tale. The complete four-and-a-half-hour rail experience costs around 66CHF (£61) per person for economy seating, or 113 CHF (£104) for premium class accommodation.
However, Eveline explained you can easily cut this expense in half by disembarking at one of the intermediate stations. “Or travel with an interrail pass and then you only need to book a seat for 32 CHF in first class,” she said.
Travellers must ensure they purchase tickets from the correct website, otherwise they risk boarding a “normal” service without the panoramic windows.
People were quick to express their awe in the comments, with many expressing a keen desire to experience the train journey.
“Omg this is a dream,” one individual commented, while another exclaimed: “Omg, this is like a movie.”
Another shared their personal experience, saying: “Me and my hubby travelled on the Bernina Express last month it was stunning. Window shopped in St Moritz – such a beautiful part of the world and not far from Italy.”
One person offered some advice, writing: “I did this and it was stunning, but don’t pay so much for the Berninia – just get the normal train. The Bernina was just and the end of our normal train carriage, so it was a lot cheaper!”
Despite its name, Flag Day (Vlaggetjesdag) in Scheveningen – a seaside resort close to The Hague – is actually more about fresh herring. Fishmongers bring in the first catch of the year in June, the hollandsenieuwe, and mark the start of the herring season with festivities, marching bands, wearing traditional costumes, and even an auction of the first vat of fish to raise money for charity. Don’t miss the chance to share a jenever (gin) with a Scheveninger, who will tell you how this year’s herring compares with last year’s. Olivia
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On the road from Sarajevo to Mostar, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is a small bakery in the town of Ostrožac called Pekara Centar. There, for less than a euro, you can enjoy lepinja with kajmak – a charred traditional flatbread made in a stone oven and filled with a rich, creamy spread from a local dairy. The bakery is on one of the most picturesque roads through the Neretva River canyon, making this delicious bite even more special. AG
Catch of the day in Bavaria
Chiemsee, a freshwater lake sometimes called the ‘Bavarian Sea’, in southern Germany. Photograph: Foottoo/Getty Images
In the beautiful surrounds of Chiemsee, southern Germany, my partner and I enjoyed a lunch of fresh fish at the family-run Chiemseefischerei Stephan, just west of the lake. With just a couple of options available on each daily menu, we didn’t have to faff around with a complicated order, and instead enjoyed the simplicity of the fish, rich potatoes, crisp salad and local Bavarian weissbier in the modern wood-panelled room. There was also Chiemsee sushi on the menu. I remember stepping out of the restaurant afterwards into the bright sunshine, hand in hand with my partner, mountains in the distance, and thinking: could life get any better? Ellen
A mountainous feast in Kosovo
A plate of fergesë, made with red pepper, tomato and feta cheese. Photograph: Saxana/Alamy
After scaling Kosovo’s highest peak, Gjeravica, Gacaferi Guest House provides delicious home-cooked food in an idyllic setting surrounded by mountains and shepherds herding flocks. Expect delicious byrek (savoury pastry), fergesë (Albanian red peppers and feta cheese), speca në ajkë (fermented peppers with yoghurt), and homemade cheese – all cooked over a wood fire and washed down with local rakia. Ross Cameron
A brilliant kitchen garden in the Czech Republic
Courgette flowers before frying. Photograph: Smitt/Getty Images
In the off-the-beaten-path Klatovy region of the Czech Republic’s south-west, I spent a few days driving around rolling countryside, climbing lookout towers and cooling off in rivers while looking out for kingfishers. The food scene was surprisingly excellent, with the highlight being Hospůdka U Štěpána, a fantastic restaurant near Sušice. A huge kitchen garden provides most of the produce, accompanying the wide range of different steaks from self-reared charolais beef. Fried courgette flowers followed by striploin in chimichurri sauce were some highlights in our August visit, along with the rustic vibe and more than fair price. Enrico
My favourite pizza in Rome
Photograph: edpics/Alamy
Having tested a few pizza-piazza combinations in Rome, we enjoyed a pizza from Antico Forno Roscioli sitting on the kerb in Piazza Navona. It’s a 500-metre walk from the 19th-century bakery to the 15th-century public space (built atop the first-century Circus Agonalis). It’s the best pizza in Rome (in my humble view) and a relatively uncrowded and spectacular baroque spectacle of a square (oval?). Daniel Becker
Cycling in Groningen. Photograph: Rudmer Zwerver/Alamy
We caught the train to Groningen in the Netherlands and spent five days cycling its extensive paths. Every night we indulged in a four-course, fine-dining experience. Ginger soup or fried polenta with wasabi, local beef or salmon tartare followed by organic Dutch cheeses, and a liquorice sorbet with blackberry creams. Perfect after a 30-mile cycle ride, and a constant source of conversation. Sophie
Jazz and open-air dining in rural France
We stumbled across the biodynamic vineyard La Guinguette du Domaine Gayrard in Virac, north-east of Toulouse, and found that not only did it produce some lovely wines but it also hosted a guinguette (open air dining from a simple menu with live music) during the summer months. We booked for dinner and were blown away. This gastronomic triumph was complimented by the most beautiful surroundings: we sat outside, looking over the vineyards as mellow jazz was played and the chef cooked our meal from a trailer. A truly unexpected gourmet experience. Rachael
At Ca’Ordano in the hills of Monferrato, the tasting was simple but unforgettable. A glass of nebbiolo red wine came first with a simple plate of local salami and cheeses. Then, agnolotti pasta filled with roast beef, perfectly paired with a rich monferrato rosso. The visit was small-scale and personal, with no fuss or ceremony, just honest hospitality and food rooted in terroir – they’d hate me for calling it that, but it is what it is: a quiet, undiscovered corner of Piedmont with true flavours among the rolling hills. Mariateresa Boffo
Winning tip: the old Crete ways are the best
In the hills west of Rethymno there is Atsipopoulovillage, famous for Ta Souvlakia tou Gagani, a lovelyrestaurant sitting in a beautiful church courtyard. But a tiny restaurant called O Manolis, sitting in a less-illustrious location (the seating occupies empty parking spaces off the main street), embodies everything good about rural Crete. Deliciousness beyond description is produced in that restaurant and served with genuine Greek warmth. With no menu, Manolis serves whatever is harvested that day from his garden, declaring confidently it’s the greatest in Europe, or what he hunts and forages from the hills in the old Cretan way. Rory Ferguson
A Balkan woman opened up about her experience in America while visiting supermarkets – she could not get over the portion sizes or difference in products sold. Her honest opinions have divided people
A tourist visiting the US could not get over these things she found in a supermarket (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
A tourist visiting America has divided opinion after being left gobsmacked by a number of culture shocks while shopping in a US supermarket. You may not realise just how used to your native country you are until you go on a long holiday or move abroad and start missing things from back home. It’s no secret that American stores are renowned for having significantly larger portions, but one woman, named Lucija, who is from the Balkans, was shocked by a number of things she has never seen while shopping before.
Sharing a video online, Lucija created quite a stir with her post, which has raked in over 6.9million views on TikTok. She listed “things in American supermarkets that would put Europeans into coma”.
Bread
Lucija was shocked to learn was ‘normal’ bread looks like in US supermarkets as she found endless rows of burger buns.
Typically, American families buy bread which lasts a longer time, rather than a fresh loaf like in many European stores. The bread sold in the US tends to have higher levels of added sugar, preservatives, and dough conditioners, particularly when compared to bread sold in the UK. These ingredients are used to extend shelf life and enhance sweetness.
Our sister site, Daily Express, previously reported that in an investigation is was discovered that a standard-sized loaf of Warburtons contains 17g of sugar, whereas the same-sized loaf of Wonder bread packs a staggering 50g of sugar.
“USA, the land of sugar and additives,” commented one individual on the post. “American bread is anything but normal,” wrote another.
Lucija could not get over how big a bag of popcorn is in supermarkets – or the unique flavours like cheddar cheese flavoured popcorn. “Cheddar cheese popcorn… I feel sick,” commented one individual.
She was also gobsmacked by a “lifetime supply” of Vaseline in a giant tub that is bigger than her hand.
One American pointed out: “US is a big country everything is far each other unless you live in the city. They don’t like to go out every time to go to the store. They like to store food that last. Weeks or months that’s why they sell it big portion.”
Another agreed and shared: “The root cultural difference is that America is too damn big. for most people, grocery store is too far away. European countries smaller, grocery stores are closer. Europeans more likely (or more capable of) going grocery multiple times/week. Americans want to go once a week or less.”
“When people buy food to last a week, not a singular meal,” said another. One other insisted: “Oh come on Balkan families would be excited to use products with that size.”
Cookie-flavoured bath products
Lucija was shocked after she spotted the Dove Crumbl cookie flavoured bath and shower products she spotted in supermarkets. “I have no words for this one,” she said.
Earlier this year the Crumbl company, which has become one of the fastest selling dessert chains in the US, collaborated with Dove to roll out dessert-scented body washes, hand washes, and body scrubs. The three scents are Confetti Cake, Lemon Glaze, and Strawberry Crumb Cake.
“What/s wrong with the Dove one? It’s just a selection of scents,” added another. “The Dove is the greatest of all time, I want that in Europe,” insisted another.
Bright orange Fanta
“ORANGE Fanta,” wrote Lucija in her baffled post.
There’s nothing like tucking into a cold Fanta on a warm day, but in many European countries, the colour of the treat looks a lot different to other continents. While in the UK and other European countries, it looks light a deep yellow or light orange, in the US it is a bright and bold orange colour. The colour varies because of the ingredients used and regulations.
One US-based Redditor shared their experience drinking the fizzy beverage in Europe, explaining the colour difference was due to different ingredients and varying levels of sugar content. “Fanta in Italy has no dyes or artificial flavours,” they wrote, alongside a photo of the pale yellow drink
They added: “Slightly less sugary and a bit more tangy. It’s the same soda only by name.”
One other commented: “You’re so right about everything but I will not accept Fanta slander. Fanta in Europe is just sparkling orange juice.”
Another shared: “I’m from the Maldives and the Fanta here has the same neon orange colon, isn’t it supposed to be like that?”
“I am from an African country and orange Fanta is so nice but once you move to a European country their Fanta is just disgusting,” another insisted.
Skittles drinks
Lucija was shocked to see what she has dubbed “radioactive soda” after she found Skittles drinks on the shelves of US supermarkets. She found a purple, red and green version of the beverage.
Pre-made hard boiled eggs
Lucija could not believe her eyes as she saw 12 hard boiled eggs in a sealed plastic, grab-and-go bag. “Just ew,” she wrote.
“Hard boiled eggs? Can’t you just boil them by yourself?” commented one confused individual.
Another shocked person said: “HARD BOILED EGGS IN A BAG!? I wonder how it smells when you open that hard boiled bag.”
Claire Donnelly visited Lake Annecy in France, launching herself down the sides of mountains on an e-bike in pursuit of thrills, strong cheese and delicious wine
When our tour guide asked me if I fancied trying an e-bike – and mentioned that we’d be stopping for cheese and drinks en route – I didn’t need asking twice.
On holiday in the French Alps, staying in a stunning chalet above Lake Annecy, it sounded like a perfect way to spend an afternoon. I pictured myself pootling along flat, leafy trails, taking breaks to marvel at the dazzling, turquoise water or nibbling local cheese while I sipped a glass of wine.
I was heading out with a group and a guide, and after a quick e-bike tutorial – I’d never ridden one before, but our instructor made everything clear – we set off, making our way to the centre of La Clusaz, a charming Alpine village famous for its winter skiing and summer sports.
Claire decided to push herself to her limits(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
So far, so good. This terrain was pretty easy, and I figured that once we left the town behind, we’d start enjoying some cheese and chilled-out cycling vibes. But as our guide zipped through the streets, I realised we were heading to some kind of registration point. When we got there I was given a number to pin on my back and I thought I heard someone say something about ski lifts.
Looking around I noticed a timed finish line, info points and billboards covered in printed route maps… and realised, like an idiot, I’d signed up for what looked suspiciously like an Alpine mountain bike race.
Before I could worry or ask for more details, we were on the move again and heading up, up, up towards the mountain. I live in West Yorkshire, in a valley known for its rugged landscape and killer hills – but even by my Pennine standards, this was steep.
The e-bikes handled the gravel and incline with ease, though, and in a few minutes, we were having our bikes hauled aboard the ski lift and gliding towards the 1500m-high summit. Making our way to the start line, we passed a lot of serious-looking cyclists, checking their smart watches and adjusting their designer shades.
My Aldi cycling shorts and Zara vest were holding up well, but looking down the town seemed a long way away and we were all feeling a bit out of our depth. It was at this point that one of our group revealed that the last time she tried mountain biking she’d fallen off and injured herself, leaving her traumatised, another mentioned she’d not been on a bike of any kind for 20 years.
Our lovely guide reassured us that there were a few races that day and we were joining, the Rando 3 Fromages, a relatively easy 12km version and we could stop or walk whenever we needed to.
Lake Annecy is known as the Venice of the Alps (Image: DAILY MIRROR)
It also has plenty of mountain action higher-up in the hills(Image: DAILY MIRROR)
As he said, we’d spend a couple of hours making our way downhill, stopping off to fortify ourselves with local cheeses, provided by artisan farmers. Held every year for the last four years, the Rondo is the easiest part of a dedicated biking and mountain sports weekend, the Bélier VTT.
It’s one of several that take place here as the region pushes to extend its tourist season, tempting visitors to explore its picture-perfect Alpine villages in the warmer months too. A summer trip is definitely something I’d recommend.
We stayed in an amazing, luxury chalet, perched in the mountains, just above the popular ski base of La Clusaz. Less than an hour’s drive from Geneva airport, we woke every day to crisp fresh air, endless blue sky vistas and the soothing sound of cattle bells.
The popular town of Annecy – dubbed ‘the Venice of the Alps’ – is a short drive or bus journey away too and the weather was perfect. We visited in mid-June. It was glorious, a sunny 27 degrees most days but pleasant and cool in the evening and with no shortage of things to do.
This is a sporty place, where residents and visitors like to keep fit so if biking, hiking, water sports or trail running appeal, you’re in the right place. And today we were joining the Alpine sports crew.
As we hit our first downhill track, littered with giant rocks and with a sheer drop to our left, it’s fair to say we were all absolutely terrified. Our instructor had told us how to tackle these steep inclines – stand up on the pedals, keep your legs straight, use one finger on the sensitive brakes (any more and you’ll fly off) and don’t avoid the rocks, go over them.
There was a lot of wobbling, some swearing and I definitely said a prayer or two – but I followed his advice, and amazingly, it worked. After the first few terrifying descents, I started to find my rhythm and actually embrace the thrill of flying down a mountain on two wheels.
All around us were scenes of vast, panoramic beauty as we rushed past towering pines and delicate alpine blooms, watching farmers herd goats and nudge cattle across the peaks. After a few miles we hit our first cheese station wolfing down freshly cut bread and goat’s cheese, served by local producers.
There was more cheese and more twists and turns on the way down. We crossed gentle streams and lush fields before cycling through a blast of welcome rain on our final, gnarly descent back to the registration point.
I crossed the finish line in just over two hours. I was soaked to the skin, full of the best cheese I’ve ever tasted, covered in mud but somehow still in one piece and beyond elated. It was a high-octane Alpine experience I’ll never forget – and now that my legs have stopped shaking, one I might even repeat next year.
Airbnb wants to do your hair, cook your dinner, massage your back and possibly photograph your honeymoon. All these services, and several more, are part of a new bid by the company to further expand beyond its roots as a lodging broker.
The company unveiled Airbnb Services — which includes 10 initial categories — while relaunching its experiences program and introducing a new app design at a media event in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Rather than heavily emphasizing lodging, the redesigned app more strongly integrates all of its offerings and encourages more interaction among guests and hosts.
This new approach opens new possibilities for the company and its customers, who could order services and experiences from home or on the road. But this step depends on a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The new services menu — which went live Tuesday with 10,500 offerings — will be offered in 260 cities, and Airbnb vows to protect consumers by carefully vetting those legions of service providers.
Airbnb, born in 2007, grew to challenge the hotel industry and became a giant in the world of hospitality. It first launched its Airbnb Experiences program in 2016, serving as a matchmaker between travelers and people offering their services as specialized tour guides and teachers. But that effort sputtered.
By 2022, many critics on Reddit and elsewhere were complaining that Airbnb experiences were unreliable, and industry website Skift reported that Airbnb had stopped adding new experiences and reduced emphasis on them on its homepage. With this relaunch, company representatives said, Airbnb is aiming to focus more narrowly on distinctive experiences that have been more closely vetted. The company also said it would include more experiences focused on meeting or spending time with celebrities.
To start, Airbnb would offer about 22,000 experiences in 650 cities in 22 categories. To announce the new moves, Airbnb co-founder and Chief Executive Brian Chesky convened hundreds of influencers, podcasters and media in a special-event space in Boyle Heights.
“What if you could Airbnb more than a place to stay?” Chesky asked the audience. “Today we are changing travel again.”
For instance, Chesky said, “Now you can book a professional chef to come right to your home.” The same goes for photographers, personal trainers, massage and spa treatments, hair-styling, makeup and nails. Moreover, “you don’t need to stay at an Airbnb to book these services. You can book them in your own city.”
Chesky said he expects to add thousands of more services over the course of 2025.
In the case of Airbnb Experiences, “we’ve learned a lot about how to make them better,” said Chesky, tacitly acknowledging the feature’s uneven history. As before, the goal is to give travelers an experience that reaches beyond the usual photo-op spots and bus-tour stops.
Stressing small groups, specific themes, Chesky said the new experiences will fall into five categories: history and culture; food and drink; nature and outdoors; art and design; and fitness and wellness. He encouraged anyone who is an expert in their city and has something to share to apply to be a host. Airbnb representatives said the vetting process, which can take up to two weeks, includes online scrutiny of a host’s work history, licensing, education and any awards — along with ongoing attention to guest reviews.
The renewed program also includes about 1,000 Airbnb Originals — adventures in the company of “the world’s most interesting people.” As examples, Chesky cited a mezcal-tasting session in Mexico City with an expert, a class with a ramen master in Tokyo, a dance with a K-pop performer in Seoul and a visit to Notre Dame with an architect who worked on the cathedral’s restoration.
Those offerings feature at least a few celebrity options, which include spending a Sunday with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, “learning to throw the perfect spiral” or an anime-intensive encounter called “Become an Otaku Hottie with Megan Thee Stallion.” Airbnb said those initial celebrity experiences are free, offered as a promotion, with guests chosen from applicants.
Tens of thousands of Los Angeles County workers walked off their jobs and onto picket lines Tuesday, amid what their union described as a failure by the county to fairly bargain for a new contract.
SEIU Local 721, which represents roughly 55,000 workers, began a two-day strike Monday evening with social workers, nurses, clerical workers and other public employees walking off the job. The union said this is the first time in county history that all its members have joined a strike.
As a result, libraries, nonurgent health clinics and parks are closed. Public service counters throughout the county will be moving more slowly. Wildfire debris clearance may be paused.
A sea of workers in SEIU Local 721’s signature royal purple T-shirts descended on the county Hall of Administration in downtown L.A. on Tuesday for a rally marking the first full day of the strike.
Mike Long, a spokesperson for the union, said 14 members were arrested for refusing to disperse at a march after the rally, a tactic, he said, meant to underscore the severity of the situation.
The impetus for the strike, union leaders said, was 44 labor law violations allegedly committed by the county, including retaliation and contracting of jobs that are supposed to be filled by union workers. Union members said they were also insulted by the pay offered by county officials, who have said they can’t afford significant increases due to a dizzying number of financial woes.
“Does anyone remember what they tried to give us in the fall? Zeroes,” said union head David Green as workers dinged purple cowbells at the downtown rally. “Do we deserve zeros?”
L.A. County Chief Executive Fesia Davenport said county officials have “moved off” a zero raise offer in recent weeks but remained cautious about what they could offer.
“We don’t want to negotiate ourselves into a structural deficit,” Davenport said in an interview Monday. “We want to hold the line.”
Otherwise, she said, the county might have to cut positions down the road, similar to what Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has proposed. Last week, Bass released a budget proposal that included 1,650 layoffs to help close a nearly $1-billion deficit fueled in part by employee raises the city agreed to last year.
The county said it is now offering SEIU Local 721 members a $5,000 bonus in the first year of the contract, as well as a cost-of-living adjustment and an additional bonus.
“The County is offering what we believe is a fair three-year compensation package, considering the tremendous budgetary pressures we face,” Davenport’s office said in a statement.
Steve Koffroth, SEIU’s chief contract negotiator, said the county waited until the last moment to respond to the union’s first proposal for a new contract. The previous contract expired at the end of March.
“We got it to them before Christmas, and they sat on it for months,” Koffroth told the booing crowd.
When county officials made a counteroffer, he said, “they came with a pittance.”
The county had initially said it couldn’t afford raises this year because of wildfire costs, a massive sex abuse settlement and the loss of federal grants. Davenport said the union’s initial salary proposals could have cost the county billions of dollars.
Union members allege the county has spent too much money on outside contract workers rather than filling thousands of vacancies. Many speakers at the rally pointed to a union-led study last December that found the county spent billions on private firms, in what amounted to a “taxpayer-to-private-sector-pipeline.”
The county dismissed the report as a “misleading and erroneous” negotiation tactic.
Union members said the reliance on contractors has been particularly apparent in healthcare, where they said that vacancies are temporarily filled by highly paid contract workers.
“How would you feel if someone comes into your hospital for three weeks and makes four times your salary and leaves you,” said Theresa Velasco, a member of the union’s executive board, who works as a community health worker at Rancho Los Amigos, the county rehabilitation hospital.
