There’s no escaping sea and sky on Tiree, as the Inner Hebridean island is only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide. Shallow seas provide rich feeding grounds for marine life, and it is one of the UK’s best spots for whale watching. Tiree Sea Tours – a member of the WiSe national training scheme for minimising disturbance to marine wildlife – offers half-day and full-day sea-faris (from £75). Visitors can also try to spot basking sharks circling the island in the plankton-rich waters at viewing spots in Hynish Bay or Caoles, or from the deck of the CalMac ferry over to nearby Coll. Sunset Pods’ two cabins (from £700 a week, one week minimum stay in July-August) sleep four and offer views over Balevullin beach, a Dark Sky discovery site and home to Blackhouse Watersports.
Birdwatchingin Kent
Camping out in Elmley bird reserve on Kent’s Isle of Sheppey Photograph: Rebecca Douglas
Dipping its toes in the Thames Estuary, the Isle of Sheppey is visited by thousands of migrating shore birds every year. Visitors of all ages can get twitching by staying at Elmley nature reserve in pop-up summer bell tents for four (from £170 a night,two nights minimum), and joining a Wildlife Wander Walk (£25) to spot species such as egrets, lapwings, avocets and marsh harriers. You can also jump in a Land Rover for an off-road adventure with an ecologist (from £20). To view it all from the water, Jet Stream Tours offers a four-hour around-the-island trip (£90 per family) that passes by Elmley and the cliffs of Eastchurch.
Waterside camping in Gwynedd
Walking near Bert’s Kitchen Garden campsite, Trefor, Llŷn Peninsula Photograph: Simon Bray
On the Llŷn Peninsula, Bert’s Kitchen Garden campsite (from £44 a pitch) always has something new to offer. Last year, the husband-and-wife team who run it opened Beachside, a cafe on wheels offering local produce, including Heartland Coffee Roasters, and supper clubs with chefs from the area. A new sauna provides warmth after bracing sea swims. The site’s private beach is ideal for families who love to be on the water, with paddleboards and kayaks for hire.
Further inland, in the heart of Eryri national park, Llyn Gwynant campsite (from £16pp; day visitors welcome from £5pp plus £5 per car) offers access to a river, mountain and lake, with boat hire on the doorstep. Glanllyn Lakeside caravan and camping park (from £27 a pitch) has a pebbled beach, ideal for launching kayaks and paddleboards, on the shore of Bala lake.
Rewilding in action in Devon
Visitors can spot beavers and lynx at Coombeshead rewilding centre in Devon
Coombeshead is a 162-hectare (400-acre) rewilding site just north of the Tamar Valley, owned and run by Derek Gow, an author and campaigner specialising in species reintroduction and nature recovery. This summer, families who book a stay in a shepherd’s hut will receive a complimentary animal encounter to learn more about the reintroduction of white storks, water voles, wild cats, and Coombeshead’s newest arrival, the European lynx. The off-grid shepherd’s hut and campsite (from £12 a night) share the kitchen, shower and toilet block, and a rewilding garden. You can also book a two-hour wild walk or dusk beaver-watching experience (from £28 a person).
Wildlife in Cheshire
Northwich Woodlands in Cheshire. Photograph: Sabena Jane Blackbird/Alamy
Once derelict, Northwich Woodlands is now home to more than 2,000 plant and animal species, offering families ample opportunity for nature immersion. Across more than 323 hectares, nine distinct habitats include wildflower meadows, wetlands and two canals: the Weaver Navigation and the Trent and Mersey. This summer, kids can get stuck in on guided pond-dipping and bug-hunting days throughout July and August.
Two- to five-berth canal boats are available to hire from nearby Anderton Marina through ABC Boat Hire (from £431 a night, two nights minimum) and feature several overnight itineraries, including along the recently refurbished Huddersfield Narrow canal across the Pennines.
Woodland trails in Epping Forest
The Oak Trail in Epping Forest. Photograph: Nathaniel Noir/Alamy
Outdoor specialist Millets recently ranked Epping Forest as the third most family-friendly forest in the UK, after the New Forest and the Forest of Dean. Maps of more than 30 child-friendly trails, including the Willow and Holly trails, are available at the Epping Forest visitor centre at High Beach. You can also find 20 walks for all abilities on the Epping Forest Walks app. Events over the summer include crafting at the Toot Hill Country Show, as well as a 90-minute obstacle course for kids of all ages at Wild Forest (from £22). The Lee Valley Almost Wild campsite (from £30 a pitch), a short walk from Broxbourne station, has 20 basic pitches for those aged over 12.
Conservation in North Yorkshire
Wild swimming at Broughton Sanctuary
Heggs Farm, a 55-hectare rewilding project just north of the Yorkshire Dales national park, prides itself on being wild. Members of the CampWild platform, which helps landowners and farmers open sections of land to campers, can book a stay at Heggs in two camping spots (from £15), or a camping bothy (from £45) for up to four people. Families are invited to participate in several conservation activities during their stay, including caring for newly planted trees, plugging dams to create new wetland areas, and recording wildlife sightings.
Near Skipton, on the southern edge of the Dales, Broughton Sanctuary also offers conservation activities for families. Weekly tree-planting events with ranger Joel Batchelor are free to attend, and kids can enjoy its Wild Explorers forest school (£35 a day).
Explore marine life, Isle of Arran
A seal perches on a rock in the South Arran Marine Protected Area, Isle of Arran. Photograph: Nature Picture Library/Alamy
Scotland’s first marine protected area visitor centre, the Coast discovery centre in Lamlash, has been thrown into the spotlight after appearing in David Attenborough’s hard-hitting new documentary, Ocean. With a summer of events lined up, there’s no better place for kids to learn about our fragile marine environments. Activities include gentle shore scrambles with wildlife experts; snorkel taster sessions (from £40); and a two-hour boat ride on Coast’s research vessel involving everything from habitat mapping to plankton sampling (from £30).
Surfing in the south-west
Wales and south-west England offer great surfing beaches. Photograph: Peathegee/Getty Images
Some of the UK’s best surfing spots, including Rest Bay and Woolacombe, are less than three hours’ drive from Bristol, so it’s no surprise that many campervan hire companies are setting up shop in the city. Roadsurfer’s vans include the Surfer Suite, which sleeps four with an outdoor shower and pop-up roof (from £65). Alternatively, Shaka, from Camplify is a thoughtfully converted baker’s van kitted out with luxuries including a composting toilet and hot shower, as well as quirkier additions such as stained-glass windows and a record collection. It’s available to rent for up to five people (from £110) and can be delivered within a 100-mile radius of Bristol.
Three Cliffs Bay offers rock climbing, sand dunes and swimming. Photograph: Billy Stock/Alamy
Three Cliffs Bay’s constantly shifting landscape – the tide sweeps in and out across soft sand to dunes, a salt marsh and the Pennard Pill stream – provides never-ending fun for kids of all ages. Rising out of the bay are the famous three limestone cliffs, one of Wales’s most accessible climbing spots. Gower Adventures offers the best way to give it a try; families can join full-day climbing adventures with expert tuition from local guides (£210 for a family of four). Spend the night pitched up at Nicholaston Farm (from £29 a pitch) – a sheltered campsite with big sea views, good washrooms, and a farm shop.
Stargazing in the Cairngorms
The northern lights seen from the Cairngorms national park. Photograph: Wirestock/Getty Images
Aberdeenshire has more hours of sunshine a year than a lot of places in Scotland, which also means more clear nights for stargazing. On the eastern edge of the Cairngorms national park in an area with particularly low light pollution, Cairngorm Bothies is an ideal base to view celestial events such as the Perseid meteor shower in August. Its 12 self-catering bothies sleep either two or four (from £125 a night, two nights minimum), and several are fully accessible. Thanks to a partnership with hiking guides Hillgoers, families staying here can book stargazing excursions with a certified “star ranger” this summer. Alternatively, head to the Glen Tanar visitor centre, a designated Dark Sky discovery site some 15 minutes down the road by car.
Gravel biking, North York Moors
There are three new gravel biking routes on the North York Moors this summer. Photograph: Gary Walsh/North York Moors National Park Authority
The North York Moors national park’s Sutton Bank centre, which sits on an escarpment over the Vale of York, has launched three new gravel biking routes this summer. Part-created by cycling journalist Guy Kesteven, the routes are accessible from the Sutton Bank Bikes hire station (from £40 a day). The 15-mile (25km) Moorland Meander has an “easy” rating, taking in the open plateaus of the moors with only 200 metres of climbing. Also new this year is an Edge of Empire accessible trail at archaeological site Cawthorn Roman Camps. On a working farm, a shepherd’s hut on Stonebeck Gate Farm (from £110 a night) sleeps four.
The River Ouse in East Sussex is now legally recognised as a living entity. Photograph: Philip Bird/Alamy
The River Ouse has become the first river in the UK to gain legal rights — a big step forward in the campaign for cleaner waterways. The Kayak Coach runs trips here to suit all abilities and ages, including a two and a half hour adventure for beginners, which paddles along the Ouse from the middle of Lewes (£60).
Further east, the River Rother meanders through The Original Hut Company’s campsite (shepherd’s hut for five, from £150) near Bodiam Castle. The company’s partnership with adventure provider Epic Life makes it easy to rent kayaks or paddleboards (from £6) directly from the campsite, or you can join a session on giant paddleboards for up to eight people (from £95.40). Nearby, the Pop-Up campsite on regenerative Hop and Hare farm (from £15 a night per person, two nights minimum) will keep kids busy with egg collecting, a nature trail, den building and paddleboards.
Wildlife spotting in Norfolk
Pensthorpe offers family camping as well as great wildlife watching
Follow in the footsteps of Chris Packham and Anita Rani to spot wildlife on the former site of BBC Springwatch, Pensthorpe nature reserve. Activities include a Poo Trail for younger children and evening activities such as badger watching (£20.95) and a Creatures of the Night (£16.95) bat and owl-watching adventure. There’s a pop-up campsite now too, with grass pitches from £30 a night, or bell tents for four from £130 a night (both two nights minimum).
If you’d rather do it yourself, pick up a four-mile section of the Norfolk coast path from Morston Quay through Blakeney national nature reserve to pretty Cley-next-the-Sea and catch the Coasthopper bus service back. If you can time the tides right, a ferry service from Morston Quay heads out to Blakeney Point, which is home to England’s largest grey seal colony.
Mountain biking, Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean has some of the most accessible mountain bike trails in the UK. Photograph: Andrew Lloyd/Forestry England
Families looking to try mountain biking will love Old Bob’s, the newest trail at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, named after a pumping engine from a nearby former coal mine. Weaving just over a mile through the forest, the trail features three areas designed for practising off-road riding skills. It’s also one of the UK’s most accessible mountain bike trails, suitable for bikes with up to four wheels as well as adaptive bikes.
More gentle activities nearby include woodland fun in Puzzlewood’s rare temperate rainforest, where you can stay in a cottage sleeping four plus an infant (from £240 a night, minimum three nights), and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail just across the road from the cycle centre.
In the middle of the Causeway Coast, Portrush’s sheltered harbour and sweeping beach is an excellent spot to try paddleboarding and surfing. Portrush Surf School, run by pro surfer Martin “TK” Kelly, has availability on a four-day VIP Surf Camp for nine- to 16-year-olds (£140) throughout the summer holidays, or you can book a three-hour family surf or paddleboard lesson (£160 for four; over-nines only).
Visitors can get a little further off-the-beaten-track with Free Dive Northern Ireland, which takes groups from Portrush to coastal locations on half-day paddleboard and cave-snorkelling adventures (from £50pp) throughout July and August.
Dive into a quarry in Surrey
Divers Cove, Godstone, Surrey
As water temperatures creep above 20C, it’s a great time to take older kids to try more serious wild swimming. In Godstone, Surrey, a sand-extraction site has been converted into a natural swimming lake known as Divers Cove. Circuits of up to 650 metres are marked out around the lake, and all sessions are overseen by lifeguards (£10.99; over-sevens only).
Younger kids might prefer the nearby green flag-awarded Frensham Great Pond, which has a roped-off swimming area and gentle shelving beach. And at Box Hill, visitors can experience one of Nature Calling’s six new art projects. Dawn After Night, Spring After Winter is a free digital adventure game designed to help more people connect with their local landscapes.
Wild camping on Dartmoor
Dartmoor offers a great opportunity to learn the responsibilities of wild camping. Photograph: Lee Pengelly/Alamy
The Supreme Court recently upheld the legal right to wild camp on Dartmoor, providing an excellent opportunity to educate the next generation about the joys and responsibilities of wild camping. Before embarking on an adventure, read up on the code of conduct – which includes rules on travelling light, leaving no trace and staying out of sight – and find out where you’re allowed to camp using the national park’s backpack camping map. The Dartmoor Preservation Association has also created a handy guide to the 3Ps (pees, poos and periods) when wild camping. If the idea of pitching up alone is too much, try booking a spot at Beardown Farm, which has two wild campsites on a 450-hectare working farm on the high moor. Pitches (from £5 per adult; £2.50 per child) include communal tap and fire pits, plus a composting toilet in summer.
‘Farmtivities’ in Somerset
Higher Farm near Castle Cary. Photograph: Dave Watts
In just two years, brothers Giacomo and Matteo have transformed Higher Farm near Castle Cary from a traditional dairy farm into a biodynamic hub. In May this year, the 20-hectare site – with 2,000 newly planted trees, a swimming lake, orchards, and two friendly pigs named Clover and Pumpkin – opened for the summer season. Day visitors can join in “farmtivities” throughout the summer, including self-guided farm tours, pick-your-own and feeding the animals. A pizza van is open on Saturdays, and there’s a play area for kids. Guests can also spend the night in a secluded spot, tucked into two heated yurt cabins, each sleeping three people (£130 a night, two nights minimum).
Own a pony for a day in Lancashire
Horse bonding includes mucking out, grooming and riding. Photograph: Photo_Concepts/Getty Images/Image Source
The Horse and Pony Protection Association (Happa) is offering children the chance to own a pony for a day (£35) at its site overlooking Thursden Valley near Burnley this summer, helping six to 16-year-olds understand what it takes to look after a horse, including mucking out, grooming, walking with the ponies and riding. There’s also a cafe, education trail and outdoor park.
Meanwhile, near Preston, Alpaca Fold is running an alpaca walking experience (£20 per adult; £15 for 16s and under) on its 14-hectare site close to Samlesbury village, this summer. Sandwiched between the two on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, Little Oakhurst Boutique Glamping has shepherd’s huts and yurts (from £130 a night for four).
Prices are correct at the time of going to press, based on July stays and per person unless otherwise specified
Brit tourists should not be used as a ‘punching bag’ for the worsening housing crisis impacting Spain, hotel bosses have warned in a major clap-back at protesting locals
Brits have been defended in a huge campaign aiming to counter anti-tourist protests(Image: Getty Images)
Hotel bosses on a tourist-engulf Spanish island have jumped to the defence of Brits following a string of confrontational protests. Last year, a staggering 15.3 million international visitors flocked to the Balearics – a beautiful archipelago made up of Majorca, Ibiza and Menorca. The influx resulted in fed-up locals storming the streets en masse – waving banners demanding holidaymakers ‘go home’.
Arguing the rising demand of holiday rentals is pricing them out of the property market – and worsening the country’s housing crisis – residents even took to squirting Brits with water pistols to get their message across.
Anti-tourist sentiment in Spain has spiralled out of control in recent years(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The latest protest, which took place just last month, comes as activists vowed to unleash ‘misery’ for Brits during the busy summer period. However, it seems the Mallorca Hotel Business Federation (FEHM) is pushing back on the island’s anti-tourist landscape by launching a new campaign.
The initiative, which aims to thank millions of tourists for visiting the island and raise awareness of the ‘importance of tourism’ to the economy, has seen around twenty billboards distributed throughout Mallorca, using positive and welcoming messages in English and German.
According to local news site Majorca Daily Bulletin, Javier Vich, the president of the federation, said: “We cannot allow a radical minority to damage the work carried out over many years by so many people who have made tourism their way of life… Tourism cannot be the punching bag for all the structural problems of this community.”
Brits have been ordered to ‘go home’ in a series of confrontational protests(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Javier added that every month during the high season, a staggering 235,000 salaries are paid in sectors linked to tourism. This includes workers in the transport, catering, culture, leisure and hospitality sectors.
The hotel boss went on to argue that Spain risks suffering a slowdown in bookings during the summer season, and more and more Brits flock to rival destinations like Greece and Turkey – which ‘welcome tourists with a red carpet’. Even Morocco – which has long struggled to attract high levels of tourism, has seen its visitor numbers surge in recent months.
Spanish hoteliers have launched billboards around the island showing appreciation to tourists(Image: Hotel Federation)
“We must also be aware of their value,” Javier warned. “Mallorca has been, is and must continue to be a hospitable land…” While the campaign may be well received by self-serving hotel bosses, that cash in on tourism, it’s safe to say the news won’t go down well with locals demanding change.
And still – despite the alarming number of protests and graffiti that have been smeared across Spain – British expat Sandra Laurie, who has lived in Spain for nine years, says Brits should continue visiting Spain. “Local businesses, restaurants, and shops have built their success on welcoming tourists from all over the world,” she exclusively told the Mirror earlier this year.
“If you have a trip planned—don’t let the headlines deter you. The Costa del Sol and other popular destinations are buzzing with life. The beaches are packed, the pueblos are alive with energy, and both locals and tourists are soaking up the sun, relaxing, and making the most of everything Spain has to offer.” Of course, Sandra says being a ‘respectful’ visitor is key to being welcomed to the sunny country.
Has rising anti-tourist sentiment put you off visiting Spain, or ruined your holiday? Email [email protected] for a chance to share your story
The picturesque river has been described as the ‘most beautiful wild swimming spot’
The ‘fairytale’ views impress walkers and swimmers(Image: Getty)
The Peak District is a wild swimmer’s paradise, famous for its stunning walks and waterfalls. One unmissable spot is Three Shires Head. As the meeting point of Cheshire, Derbyshire, and Staffordshire on the River Dane, it makes a perfect day trip from cities such as Manchester and Sheffield.
Or, if you’re lucky enough to live even closer, it’s a wonderful afternoon out. Visitors say that it “feels like a hidden world” with “views that make you stop in your tracks.”
The picturesque setting makes the perfect backdrop for a scenic walk, picnic, or swim – if you can brave the cold water. I visited for the first time recently, keen for a cooling dip on a warm July day, and it’s already one of the best things I’ve done all summer.
After parking in a nearby lay-by, it took us approximately 30 minutes to walk the rocky path that descends to the river. It was well worth the effort when we reached the pools and the small waterfalls found near the packhorse bridge.
Understandably, it was very busy when we arrived around midday on a Saturday, with groups playing music and families enjoying ball games. So if you’re looking for a tranquil swimming spot, you’ll likely need to wait until the end of the summer season. Alternatively, you could plan an early morning visit to secure a quiet spot around one of the smaller pools, perfect for a dip or a chilled morning spent taking in the fairytale scenery.
Three Shires Head is where the counties of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire meet(Image: Getty)
Everyone in my group agreed we’d love to go back another time, so it’s somewhere I’d definitely recommend if you’re planning a wild swim and you’re comfortable with the sloped, rocky walk. Just remember to take care and pack any essentials you’ll need, such as water bottles.
Praising the spot on TripAdvisor, one visitor wrote: “An amazingly beautiful place with walks all around. Great for open air bathing. Take care though, the water is cold so know your stuff.”
Sharing advice, someone else said: “Lots of reviews have said it is a bit of a walk to get here, but I found a website that suggested a short route, which took about 15/20 minutes. There was plenty of parking in the lay-by.
“Slight climb down a ladder, but OK if you have good mobility. The walk is through fields with sheep so if you have a dog, please keep them on lead (like we did). We found a little spot where nobody else was, but we were there early, and people started to arrive by midday.
“It was a really hot day, but the water was still quite chilly. There are some lovely little waterfalls and the water is clean. There’s no shops nearby so make sure you take everything you need for the time you plan to spend there- drinks, food, suncream etc.”
Meanwhile, an impressed visitor said: “Three Shires Head feels like a hidden world, waterfalls, old packhorse bridges, and proper peace and quiet. It’s a stunning spot for a ramble, with views that make you stop in your tracks. A proper breath of fresh air.”
The closest postcode for Three Shires Head is SK11 0BQ, and there is free parking in the lay-by on the A54. The closest train station, Macclesfield Station, is 25 minutes away. However, you will need a car to drive from the station.
Wild swimming can be dangerous. Always be aware of the risks and follow safety recommendations.
This gorgeous Italian city has been referred to as Venice’s little sister, and it’s the perfect getaway destination with stunning historical buildings, delicious Italian cuisine and more
Padua is a gorgeous city full of art, markets and gardens(Image: Getty)
This breathtaking Italian city, often dubbed as Venice’s little sister, is a treasure trove of historical architecture and an ideal spot for a long weekend getaway. Italy is renowned for its captivating city break destinations, but some can be overrun with tourists. Padua, nestled in the north of the country, offers a fantastic escape without the throngs of visitors.
The city is a haven of Renaissance art, medieval marketplaces, and tranquil gardens, yet it has managed to stay relatively untouched by mass tourism. It’s a highly underrated gem, brimming with arcaded streets and bustling piazza cafe-bars.
Padua is full of historical buildings and art(Image: Getty)
Art enthusiasts can marvel at the Scrovengi Chapel, adorned with Biblical scenes painted by Renaissance artist Giotto in 1306. The artwork is so invaluable that visitors are only permitted a 15-minute viewing.
Padua also houses Musme, the Museum of the History of Medicine, showcasing interactive displays and artefacts that highlight the city’s contribution to modern science, reports the Express.
From there, guests can stroll over to Palazzo del Bo to witness the world’s first anatomical theatre, constructed in 1595, housed within the University of Padua’s historic headquarters.
Padua has remained unaffected by overtourism unlike Venice.(Image: Getty)
Take a leisurely walk through the Arena Gardens adjacent to the canal, where you’ll find the remnants of a Roman amphitheatre nestled among lawns and coffee kiosks.
The university also lays claim to the world’s oldest botanical garden, established in 1545. Back then, circular plots of medicinal plants would have been meticulously cared for.
A frequently missed gem in Padua is a visit to the Cathedral Baptistery. Competing with the beauty of the Scrovengi Chapel, the Cathedral Baptistery was adorned in the 1370s by Giusto de’ Menabuoi, a disciple of Giotto.
Oratory of Saint Giorgio
The patron saint of Padua has been resting in an open tomb for visitors in St Anthony’s Basilica since the 13th century, which also boasts bronze statues and a lavishly decorated ceiling.
Just a stone’s throw away is St George’s Oratory. Once serving as a Napoleonic prison, this Gothic-style Roman Catholic chapel showcases a stunningly detailed portrayal of its namesake.
Padua houses numerous UNESCO-listed frescoes, some of which are free to admire at your leisure. If you wish to observe these frescoes, other sites worth visiting include Church of the Eremitani, Palazzo della Ragione and the Oratory of Saint Michael.
Inside Scrovegni Chapel with 14th century frescoes by Giotto(Image: Getty Images)
Of course, it’s also a major destination for Italian food-lovers, as the city boasts several delicious local dishes, including bigoli in salsa (spaghetti with anchovy and onion sauce), risotto with rovinassi, and the local chicken dish Gallina Padovana.
If you’re a sun worshipper, now’s the ideal time for a city break to Padua as temperatures can soar to 29C in July. If you fancy a cooler getaway, hold off until October when temperatures hover around a more temperate 19C.
From its bargain beaches to its variety of experiences and relaxed charm, the country is an affordable gem for those looking to holiday in Europe
05:00, 20 Jul 2025Updated 07:54, 20 Jul 2025
Travel expert reveals why budget-savvy holidaymakers are flocking to Bulgaria(Image: Evgeni Dinev/Getty)
When planning a European getaway, Bulgaria may not be the first destination to come to mind, but that’s exactly why it’s becoming a top pick for savvy travellers, according to travel specialists. Tucked along the Black Sea coast, this “Eastern European gem” offers far more than its modest profile suggests.
According to Daniel Howick, Travel Manager at Your Co-op Travel branches, Bulgaria continues to excel in terms of value, natural beauty, beaches and family-friendly experiences. Located in southeastern Europe, Bulgaria is generally considered a good place to visit for people interested in history, nature, and affordability.
It offers a blend of beautiful landscapes, ancient ruins, vibrant cities, and a rich cultural heritage. Below, Daniel has shared five reasons why British holidaymakers are setting their sights on Bulgaria this year – from unbeatable prices to a surprisingly rich cultural offering.
Bargain beaches without sacrificing quality
Daniel says Bulgaria’s headline attraction is its prices, which he says are hard to beat. He adds: “Whether it’s a getaway with friends or a sunshine-soaked family escape, the country routinely comes out as one of the most affordable beach destinations in Europe.
“We’ve found holidaymakers love that they can book an entire beach holiday – flights, hotel, food, and drink – for a fraction of the cost they’d pay in Spain, Portugal or Greece. Sunny Beach is a standout resort in Bulgaria that boasts a Blue Flag-awarded beach, golden sands, and a vibrant nightlife scene, as well as family-friendly amenities.”
Daniel says Bulgaria’s headline attraction is its prices
All-inclusive comfort at self-catering prices
The travel manager says one of Bulgaria’s major appeals is how far your money goes. Holidaymakers can enjoy all-inclusive hotels for the prices typically associated with self-catering stays elsewhere in Europe.
Even those who opt to dine out will find the costs “refreshingly low”. He explains: “Because Bulgaria isn’t in the Eurozone, the cost of living is significantly lower, which means meals, drinks, and taxis are incredibly affordable.”
Experiences to suit everyone
Beyond its golden coastlines, Bulgaria often surprises visitors with its cultural and historical depth, according to Daniel. A “must-see” is Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, he says. This ancient town features cobbled streets, Byzantine churches, and Roman ruins. He adds: “Whether you’re a history buff or just looking to explore Bulgaria beyond your sun lounger, Nessebar adds an unforgettable layer of magic to your stay.”
Bulgaria often surprises visitors with its cultural and historical depth
Charm that’ll have you coming back for more
Bulgaria draws a diverse crowd, including families looking for hassle-free fun in the sun, younger groups seeking nightlife on a budget, and couples enjoying a quiet escape. But what’s especially notable, according to Daniel, is the high number of repeat visitors.
“Many travellers who take a chance on Bulgaria return again and again,” he says. “It is proof of its lasting appeal. With a variety of things to see and do, each trip to the country reveals something new.”
A hidden gem that’s easy to reach
Daniel claims that one of Bulgaria’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. Direct flights from the UK to coastal cities like Burgas are “frequent and inexpensive,” even during peak summer months.
The relatively short flight time (around three hours) adds to its “convenience”, making it ideal for long weekends or quick getaways. He said: “Add to that the low cost of airport transfers and hotel shuttles, and it’s no wonder many travellers find the overall travel experience refreshingly simple and affordable.”
Flying with just a small personal bag can be a struggle when it comes to packing light, but a flight attendant has shared a handy hack that could help avoid extra fees
I discovered how to dodge extra baggage fees with flight attendant’s 1 clever hack(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)
Excess luggage charges can quickly escalate, turning a dream getaway into a costly nightmare. Keen to keep my Poland trip this month on the cheap, I flew with no-frills carrier Ryanair and stuck to the complimentary baggage allowance – just a small personal item.
The challenge arises when you’re keen to bring home souvenirs, on top of having a compact cross-body bag. Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz previously shared with Express.co.uk a nifty loophole, noting that “duty-free bags don’t count as carry-on baggage” and are usually overlooked by gate staff. This tip has even been echoed by thrifty TikTokers, so I was eager to try it out.
Miguel outlined the trick: “If you have something that doesn’t fit in your suitcase or you want to bring an extra bag on board, here’s the trick.
“All you have to do is carry a duty-free bag. Or ask for one at the duty-free shop, and you can place whatever you want in the shopping bag.”
I flew with budget airline Ryanair and just opted for the free baggage option – a small personal bag(Image: Maria Korneeva via Getty Images)
Boarding the plane with my bulging duty-free bag had me anxious, but to my relief, the crew waved me through without a hitch.
With Ryanair’s baggage fees stretching from £12 to £59.99, avoiding that extra charge felt like a victory.
This trick was a lifesaver for the extra bag and jacket that I couldn’t squeeze into my main luggage.
While this method did work wonders for me, a few folks have mentioned that airline staff requested a look inside their bags.
Duty-free bags are allowed in addition to hand luggage(Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)
To sidestep this, if you’ve made any duty-free purchases, place them on top. Also, always ensure your airline permits carrying duty-free items onboard in this manner.
Having triumphed with this hack, I’m eager to test out the neck pillow packing hack. This essentially involves replacing the pillow stuffing with small clothing items.
here are 6 blunders that an expert encourages visitors to avoid when going to Disneyland.
6 blunders to avoid when visiting a Disney theme park (Image: Walt Disney Resorts via Getty Images)
A travel agent who specialises in Disneyland has shared the ultimate no-nos for Brits jetting off to meet Mickey at the happiest place on Earth.
A Disney getaway represents a significant financial commitment, and for many families, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Therefore the important thing to do is pre-prepare so that all of the wonderful opportunities available are not missed.
Hannah Westphal from byHannah Vacations is a travel agent to specialises in Disneyland and Disney World. She says on her website: “The Most Magical Place on Earth will be the most stressful vacation planning you’ve ever done.”
So to that end, here are 6 blunders that the expert encourages visitors to avoid . . .
1. Dressing inappropriately
Hannah warns against impractical clothing choices, stating: “It’s easy to forget, but comfortable shoes are essential for a fantastic Disneyland trip. High heels, flip-flops, and brand-new shoes might not be the best choice after a day of exploring rides and soaking up the magic.”
2. Lingering too long over meals
Additionally, don’t spend ages dining when you could be enjoying attractions. Whilst Disney offers an incredible array of dining options, Hannah advises striking a balance between eating and entertainment
She explained: “If you’re tight for time exploring the parks, a long, leisurely meal might not be the best way to spend your day.
“It’s a shame to see visitors feeling deflated after a lovely meal, only to find they’ve squeezed themselves out of time for their top ride.”
The specialist recommends that guests should either set aside sufficient time for dining or choose swift bite-sized options to maximise their park experience. For those curious about food budgeting, Disneyland has published comprehensive details of all its dining establishments online, including pricing brackets and full menus.
Disneyland and Disneyworld are vast theme parks, so one expert has outlined 6 blunders to avoid (Image: Dave G. Houser via Getty Images)
3. Failing to utilise the Disneyland app
To elevate your enchanting adventure, visitors can download the Disneyland app, which the specialist describes as a “fantastic tool” for your trip. Yet countless guests fail to harness its full potential.
“The app provides everything you need to know, from current ride wait times to character meet-and-greets and show schedules,” Hannah explained.
Visitors can also browse their PhotoPass snaps and attraction photos, store their park tickets conveniently on the app, and pre-order meals to avoid lengthy queues.
The specialist recommends downloading the app and establishing your profile well in advance. This approach allows you to familiarise yourself with its capabilities before arrival, preserving valuable park hours for what truly matters – soaking up the enchantment.
4. Standing in line for treats
Few things prove more frustrating than developing an appetite whilst trapped in an endless queue for refreshments at Disneyland (or whilst awaiting an attraction). Thankfully for visitors, there’s a clever strategy to sidestep those interminable waits – pre-ordering your snacks.
Disneyland has come a long way from the days of our childhood, now offering a host of conveniences to its visitors. One such convenience is the ability to pre-order food and drinks via the Disneyland app, allowing guests to bypass queues and spend more time enjoying the attractions.
Hannah explained: “Simply place your order and pay through the app. Once you get a notification that your food’s ready to collect, you can swing by and grab it.”
5. Watching fireworks inside the park
When it comes to the nightly fireworks display, a favourite among park-goers, Hannah cautioned about the typically large crowds that gather to watch.
“While the fireworks are stunning from within the park, you might find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed by the crowds,” she revealed. “For a more relaxed experience, you might want to consider alternative viewing spots outside the park.
6. Not exploring beyond the rides
Hannah also highlighted that there’s more to Disney parks than just the rides; they’re brimming with amazing performances by talented cast members.
She encourages visitors not to overlook these experiences simply because the thrill rides seem like the main attraction.
Hannah advised: “The way I see it, it wouldn’t be a good idea to miss out on a fantastic show just for the sake of a short ride with a lengthy wait.”.
She recommends guests make the most of the parades, spectacular evening shows, and captivating daily events that only Disney parks can provide.
A baggage handler has shared his top tip for ensuring your luggage doesn’t get damaged during a flight – and it’s all to do with the type of wheels your suitcase has
It’s all in the wheels when it comes to which suitcases are least likely to be damaged(Image: Getty)
Picture yourself embarking on that dream getaway you’ve been planning for ages. You’ve navigated airport security at your perfect destination and now find yourself stationed beside the baggage carousel, anxiously awaiting your luggage’s arrival.
Yet when your case finally emerges, it’s glaringly obvious that it’s been through the wars. It’s bashed about, potentially sporting a busted zip, leaving you to wonder what carnage awaits your fragile belongings inside.
This nightmare scenario is every holidaymaker’s worst fear, but there are measures you can implement to reduce the likelihood of your baggage getting a battering.
An airport baggage handler has taken to Reddit to reveal insider knowledge about their profession, according to Devon Live.
The key to protecting your luggage lies entirely with the wheels, reports the Express.
How well your luggage fares may depend on the type of suitcase you have(Image: Peter Dazeley via Getty Images)
Cases featuring two wheels, or ideally four functioning ones, can be effortlessly wheeled into the aircraft’s cargo hold, keeping your precious items secure.
Bags lacking wheels frequently end up being hurled into the hold, potentially causing significant damage.
The baggage handler admitted that cases with jammed wheels represent their “absolute least favourite” items to handle.
They revealed: “We try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving six inches.”
A baggage handler opened up about their job on Reddit(Image: Kathrin Ziegler via Getty Images)
To guarantee your belongings’ safety, they suggest purchasing a top-quality suitcase equipped with four properly working wheels, cushioned interior lining, and a robust outer casing for maximum protection. The handler confessed that fragile stickers might not offer the safeguard travellers assume, hinting that they could inadvertently encourage harsher treatment from staff.
“Some of us are tempted to treat them worse, but we never do. Having a fragile tag doesn’t really make a difference,” he clarified.
Regarding how far wheel-less luggage can be lobbed, the baggage handler revealed the furthest distance they’ve seen was “about five metres or so”.
A tiny but stunning UK town surrounded by lush countryside and dripping in history is just like the Cotswolds – just without the coach-loads of selfie-stick-waving tourists
This tiny town was once ranked the best place to live in Britain – and it’s easy to see why(Image: Getty Images)
A quaint town touted as one of the UK’s ‘best-kept secrets’ makes for the perfect alternative to the tourist-riddled hotspots. Enveloped in rolling Lincolnshire countryside and conveniently located just off the A1 lies the quintessential parish of Stamford. Here, you can expect the same standard of natural beauty, cobbled alleys and ubiquitous history as you’ll find in the Cotswolds – which have garnered swathes of criticism for becoming insufferably busy and overcrowded.
In the words of Sir Walter Scott, Stamford is ‘the finest sight on the road between Edinburgh and London’. And if you’re still not convinced, the town was also crowned ‘Britain’s top place to live’ back in 2021.
Stamford is 99 miles away from Cotswolds, but boasts equally stunning views and charm(Image: Getty Images)
Despite its long list of accolades, the market town has managed to avoid the blinding tourist limelight – perfectly preserving its Georgian architecture, limestone buildings, and peaceful atmosphere. But historically, Stamford has always been quick to recognise its unique past and appearance – and became England’s first-ever conservation area back in 1967.
“There are over 600 listed buildings in and around the town: largely 17th and 18th century mellow limestone buildings with some older timber framed buildings,” explains Visit Lincolnshire.
“Stamford has the finest collection of medieval churches – five in all – of any small town in England. The area is also known for its stone and slate quarries and the Collyweston stone slate is found on the roofs of many Stamford buildings.”
Stamford has a bustling high street and stunning architecture(Image: Getty Images)
With a bustling high street filled with independent cafes and shops, Stamford has also embraced the modern. Head over to The Drawing Room for a caffeine pick-me-up and delicious slice of cake, or check out The Slanted Door for an evening of fine dining and cocktails – and don’t forget to call in at St Martins Antiques Centre for a truly unique souvenir.
Of course, no trip to Stamford is complete without visiting Burghley House – a gorgeous Elizabethan mansion built by the First Minister of Elizabeth I.
Built between 1555 and 1587 Burghley has its original Tudor kitchen, 18 magnificent State Rooms and priceless works of art – as well as perfectly manicured gardens you can roam around.
Burghley House is a must-see attraction(Image: Corbis via Getty Images)
Last year, the stately home was temporarily closed for the filming of a Netflix adaptation of Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel Frankenstein. The film is set to be released this year, which means you still have time to visit the grand building before it gets overwhelmingly popular.
How to get to Stamford
Located just over 90 miles from central London, it takes around two hours and seven minutes to drive up to Stamford – if you’re lucky enough to avoid any traffic. Indirect trains, which usually include a stop at Peterborough, can however slash the journey time down to just over one hour.
If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £21.20. If you have a rail card – this can bring the price down to £17.15.
Unlike the Cotswolds, staying in Stamford doesn’t have to break the bank. Despite its small size, there is still a range of accommodation types to suit varying budgets – from no-frills hotels to luxury suites.
For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, August 15 -17) at the stunning and centrally-located Crown Hotel will set you back £404. This is based on two adults sharing a Double Room, and includes breakfast.
If you’re not wanting to splurge out, check out this cosy one-bedroom apartment that costs just £217 on the exact same nights. It has an equally good location, and comes with a fully-equipped kitchen which can help you avoid costs by cooking at home.
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
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A former Heathrow Airport employee has revealed an easy trick to getting your seats changed at the very last minute, avoiding the extra fees – but there’s a catch
Former Heathrow Airport worker reveals the best time to ask for a seat change(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
When it comes to travelling for long hours, especially on a plane, everyone wants to sit next to their loved ones. But sometimes, big parties get split up. Here’s how travellers can change their seats at no extra cost. Many of us are counting down the days until our much-deserved holidays, away from the busy city life and spending some time at the beach soaking in all the UV rays.
But at the time of checking in for our flight, we’ve all been in a situation where seats have been allocated poorly. A former check-in agent at the UK’s busiest airport Heathrow shared some insightful information as to when the most appropriate time to ask for a seat change is – and it’s not at the check-in desk.
The best time to ask for a seat change is when check-in closes(Image: Getty Images)
She said: “Online check-in doesn’t always offer the best seat selection, and let’s be honest, no one likes getting stuck in the middle seat.” The former airport worker revealed that the best time to ask for this is after the check-in closes.
It’s important to note that all airlines operate differently, and different rules apply based on the routes. Although most airlines will automatically seat you with the people under the same reservation, sometimes, sudden changes occur.
For those who wish to have their seats changed, they must wait until the check-in time closes, or in some cases, after all passengers have boarded. “This is when all unclaimed seats, such as those from passengers who haven’t checked in, become available,” she added.
According to Forbes, airlines allocate seats for weight and balance reasons, which is why it’s important for passengers to sit in their designated seats.
Gerrie Brand, a spokesperson for Dutch airline KLM, said: “The captain calculates weight and balance for take-off. If the occupancy is low, passengers tend to want to change seats, but that could change the weight distribution and balance for take-off.”
However, the former Heathrow employee warned that this trick doesn’t always work, especially during peak season. In this case, passengers can ask the cabin crew once on board, or the passenger who’s seated next to them.
As holidaymakers look forward to their much-deserved breaks, it’s important to remember that check-in agents are human too and will always try to accommodate all passengers, especially those travelling with small children.
Nonetheless, as much as travelling can be expensive and stressful, taking out your anger on the staff won’t benefit you at all! Kindness goes a long way, so just be nice!
A number of people who have visited the bone caves have been greeted by deer, with the area being labelled one of the ‘most mysterious and magical’ in the UK
UK’s most mysterious place where deer will greet you in beautiful yet eerie setting(Image: Lewis Mackenzie Photography via Getty Images)
The UK boasts an array of breathtaking walks, but the Scottish Highlands are particularly noteworthy. Here, you can traverse mountain paths, skirt around lochs, and explore caves or the remnants of ancient castles.
One path leads to the ominously named ‘bone caves. Situated in Assynt, close to Inchnadamph, the bone caves have been dubbed one of the “most mysterious and magical places” in the UK.
The discovery of lynx, reindeer, and polar bear bones within these caves is a testament to their past inhabitants, despite these species no longer roaming the region.
Comprising four natural limestone caves set into the high limestone cliff face of Creag nan Uamh (Crag of the Caves), they stretch about five metres deep and are just tall enough for an average person to stand upright.
The bone caves can are found in the Scottish Highlands(Image: Getty)
These caves were once part of a larger system that has since been worn away by erosion as the valley deepened, leaving only a few intact today, reports the Express.
First documented in 1889 by Geologists Peach and Horne, the caves’ true treasures weren’t unearthed until 1928 when J. E. Cree conducted excavations.
Cree’s exploration yielded a bear tooth, human skeletons, antlers, among other artefacts. Many of these discoveries from the caves are now exhibited at the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
To access the caves, walkhighlands.co.uk provides a route that begins at a car park on the A837 between Elphin and Inchnadamph.
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Several visitors have shared their experiences on TripAdvisor. One review reads: “Amazing walk, amazing scenery and a real sense of atmosphere when you arrive at the bone caves. Fairly easy most of the way, a few rocky areas.”
Another wrote: “This is a great walk, only takes about 1hour each way. Should have a stick and good shoes for walking but otherwise very simple walk. Certainly recommend this if in the area, really pretty walk and great views from the caves.”
While a third visitor commented: “These are a set of natural pre-Ice Age caves set high in a limestone cliff, where a large number of animal bones were discovered during excavation (hence the name).
“It’s a beautiful trail through a deep, secluded valley with a steep climb up to the caves followed by a sharp vertigo-inducing descent right along the edge of the cliff back to the valley. We were greeted by a deer at the end of our walk!”
Along with the stars on Hollywood Boulevard and the Universal Studios theme park, a new celestial attraction is set to debut in Los Angeles.
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at Exposition Park is expected to complete construction this year, according to its architects, only three years after the first shovels broke ground.
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That would make the center ready in time for when Los Angeles hosts visitors from around the world to see the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics.
One of the aspects that makes this place special is its showcase, the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The spacecraft stands in a stack position, meaning it’s standing — complete with boosters and a rare fuel tank — as if it were ready to launch. It’s the only shuttle in the nation to feature such a feat.
Jeffrey N. Rudolph, president and chief executive of the California Science Center, and Ted Hyman, partner at architectural firm ZGF, which designed the air and space center, recently shared updates with The Times, including news of an exclusive partnership with director/producer J.J. Abrams’ production company Bad Robot.
(William Liang / For The Times)
What’s that shiny thing off the 110 Freeway?
That silver cylindrical colossus that is easily seen from the freeway houses the stacked space shuttle.
The Endeavour was meticulously placed there in January 2024 as much of the museum was built around it.
As for the 20-story diagrid, or shuttle housing building, the museum’s construction crew is about 80% finished wrapping a stainless-steel skin exterior around the shuttle, according to an estimate from Mark Piaia, a ZGF project architect.
The shiny view comes courtesy of 4,247 panels and 1,074 diagonal strips that would stand 7,862 feet tall if lined up.
(William Liang / For The Times)
When will construction be done and the museum be open?
Rudolph said building construction is expected to be completed this year.
He would not provide an official opening day but noted that artifact and exhibit installations would still need to be completed.
The museum is expected to house about 20 planes and jets, including a Boeing 747.
There are also plans for a 45-foot slide that imitates the feeling of entering the atmosphere with a radiating orange glow, two sonic booms and the “S” turns a shuttle would make upon reentry.
(Courtesy of ZGF via the California Science Center)
What should visitors expect to see?
Rudolph was excited about what he’s calling “the reveal.”
He exclusively told The Times that a pair of introductory films are being produced by directing/producing titan J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot. That’s the same production company responsible for some of the latest “Star Wars” and “Mission:Impossible” movies.
The first film will greet visitors as they walk into the museum and will focus on the entire air and space exhibits.
The second will screen at a mini theater at the entrance to the space shuttle exhibit. It is a five-minute film that focuses on the history and inspiration behind the space shuttle. The film ends with a simulated launch, during which steam rises from the floor and through hallway doors and fills the theater.
As the steam impairs a guest’s vision, the screen is removed and visitors get a surprise: a full, “envelope” view of the stacked 20-story space shuttle.
“It is an amazing experience and we want to really build it up,” Rudolph said. “It’s not just about the hardware, but about the people and the educational aspects.”
Can visitors get inside the shuttle?
The delicate nature of the shuttle makes that impossible.
“There’s no way,” Rudolph said. “The hatch is very small and it’s very fragile.”
There is, however, a mock-up of the flight deck — an area designed to carry cargo — that visitors can toy with to get a feel that only shuttle astronauts once got.
We’ll continue to follow the progress of the air and space museum as we head toward opening day.
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British and Irish Lions: 15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 James Lowe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Jamison Gibson-Park; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Dan Sheehan, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 5 Joe McCarthy, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Jack Conan.
Replacements: 16 Ronan Kelleher, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Bundee Aki.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Jake Gordon; 1 James Slipper, 2 Matt Faessler, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Jeremy Williams, 6 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c).
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Tom Hooper 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Andrew Kellaway.
Jac Morgan unlucky to not feature after a great tour and Will Skelton and Rob Valetini will be out for the first test through injury.
Believe it or not, France has had a form of social security since the 1600s, and its modern system began in earnest in 1910, when the world’s life expectancy was just 32 years old. Today the average human makes it to 75 and for the French, it’s 83, among the highest in Europe.
Great news for French people, bad news for their pensions.
Because people are living longer, the math to fund pensions in France is no longer mathing, and now the country’s debt is nearly 114% of its GDP. Remember it was just a couple of years ago when protesters set parts of Paris on fire because President Emmanuel Macron proposed raising the age of legal retirement from 62 to 64. Well, now Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has proposed eliminating two national holidays, in an attempt to address the country’s debt.
In 2023, before Paris was burning, roughly 50,000 people in Denmark gathered outside of Parliament to express their anger over ditching one of the country’s national holidays. The roots of Great Prayer Day date all the way back to the 1600s. Eliminating it — with the hopes of increasing production and tax revenue — brought together the unions, opposing political parties and churches in a rare trifecta. That explains why a number of schools and businesses closed for the holiday in 2024 in defiance of the official change.
This week, Bayrou proposed eliminating France’s Easter Monday and Victory Day holidays, the latter marking the defeat of Nazi Germany. In a Reuters poll, 70% of respondents didn’t like the idea, so we’ll see if Paris starts burning again. Or maybe citizens will take a cue from the Danes and just not work on those days, even if the government decides to continue business as usual.
Here at home, President Trump has also floated the idea of eliminating one of the national holidays. However, because he floated the idea on Juneteenth — via a social media post about “too many non-working holidays” — I’m going to assume tax revenue wasn’t the sole motivation for his comments that day. You know, given his crusade against corporate and government diversity efforts; his refusal to apologize for calling for the death penalty for five innocent boys of color; and his approval of Alligator Alcatraz. However, while I find myself at odds with the president’s 2025 remarks about the holiday, I do agree with what he said about Juneteenth when he was president in 2020: “It’s actually an important event, an important time.”
Indeed.
While the institution of slavery enabled this country to quickly become a global power, studies show the largest economic gains in the history of the country came from slavery’s ending — otherwise known as Juneteenth. Two economists have found that the economic payoff from freeing enslaved people was “bigger than the introduction of railroads, by some estimates, and worth 7 to 60 years of technological innovation in the latter half of the 19th century,” according to the University of Chicago. Why? Because the final calculations revealed the cost to enslave people for centuries was far greater than the economic benefit of their freedom.
In 1492, when Christopher Columbus “discovered America,” civilizations had been thriving on this land for millennia. The colonizers introduced slavery to these shores two years before the first “Thanksgiving” in 1621. That was more than 50 years before King Louis XIV started France’s first pension; 60 years before King Christian V approved Great Prayer Day; and 157 years before the 13 colonies declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776.
Of all the national holidays around the Western world, it would appear Juneteenth is among the most significant historically. Yet it gained federal recognition just four years ago, and it remains vulnerable. The transatlantic slave trade transformed the global economy, but the numbers show it was Juneteenth that lifted America to the top. Which tells you the president’s hint at its elimination has little to do with our greatness and everything to do with the worldview of an elected official who was endorsed by the newspaper of the Ku Klux Klan.
If it does get to the point where we — like France and Denmark — end up seriously considering cutting a holiday, my vote is for Thanksgiving. The retail industry treats it like a speed bump between Halloween and Christmas, and when history retells its origins, it’s not a holiday worth protesting to keep.
The following AI-generated content is powered by Perplexity. The Los Angeles Times editorial staff does not create or edit the content.
Ideas expressed in the piece
LZ Granderson advocates for eliminating national holidays but argues this should start with historically problematic ones, highlighting Thanksgiving’s origins in colonialism and slavery as a prime candidate for removal.
The author criticizes President Trump’s suggestion to reduce holidays—made on Juneteenth—as racially motivated, given Trump’s past controversies involving race and his endorsement by a KKK-linked newspaper.
Granderson defends Juneteenth as economically transformative, citing research that ending slavery spurred unprecedented U.S. growth, and condemns any effort to revoke this holiday.
He supports holiday reduction for fiscal reasons, citing France and Denmark as models, but emphasizes that the choice must prioritize justice over convenience.
Different views on the topic
French Prime Minister François Bayrou proposed cutting Easter Monday and WWII Victory Day to boost economic output and tax revenue, framing it as essential to reducing France’s debt (114% of GDP) and funding defense needs[1][2][4].
The plan faced immediate backlash: 70% of French citizens opposed it in polls, unions condemned it, and the far-right National Rally—Parliament’s largest party—rejected it[2].
Historical precedent warns against such moves; France’s 2003 attempt to scrap Pentecost Monday caused widespread confusion, protests, and enduring public resentment[3].
Denmark’s elimination of Great Prayer Day in 2023 triggered mass defiance, with schools and businesses closing anyway—illustrating deep cultural attachment to holidays.
Unlike Granderson’s focus on racial justice, macroeconomic arguments dominate overseas: Bayrou asserted cutting “holy cheese” holiday clusters would streamline productivity without targeting specific historical narratives[1][2][4].
The stunning Church Doors Cove is located along the Pembrokeshire coastal path and offers visitors the chance to witness a natural ‘doorway’ carved into the cliffs by the sea
The dazzling hidden gem cove beach is an actual geological wonder(Image: Getty)
For those seeking awe-inspiring vistas this summer, there’s no need to venture beyond the UK.
A stunning ‘hidden gem’ cove beach lies nestled along the Welsh coastline, a literal geological marvel. Tucked away on the sparkling Pembrokeshire coastal path is Church Doors Cove – a natural wonder that doubles as an Earth-carved treasure.
Church Doors Cove is a petite beach hemmed in by towering cliffs. Its most distinctive feature is the enormous natural ‘door’ etched into the cliffs over centuries of coastal erosion.
This dramatic archway – giving Dorset’s famed Durdle Door a run for its money – stands tall and frames the sea and sky perfectly, creating a breathtaking, almost mythical scene that has been a hit with photographers over the years.
The cove’s striking rock formations, particularly the lofty arched cliffs that conjure up the image of a grand natural doorway, resemble cathedral doors – hence the name of this geological spectacle, reports the Express.
Just a short drive from the lively seaside town of Tenby, this enchanting and somewhat concealed gem is perfect for those planning a staycation this summer, offering a chance to truly immerse oneself in nature.
The cove is a geological wonder(Image: Getty)
The rocky beach, only accessible at low tide during certain times via the coastal path, reveals a sandy stretch dotted with rock pools teeming with marine life.
The pristine waters surrounding the cove make it a prime spot for snorkelling, if you’re up for braving the chilly English sea.
The pools also offer an intriguing exploration opportunity for both kids and adults, giving travellers a peek at the vibrant marine life and ecosystem of the region.
Despite its secluded location, Church Doors Cove is surprisingly accessible. Conveniently situated near the quaint village of Manorbier, visitors can park at the Manorbier Youth Hostel and follow the coastal path.
This walk is a draw in itself, providing a serene yet thrilling experience as you approach the cove. The trail can be steep in places, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
The path leads to a staircase which takes you down to the shore, where a rocky tunnel guides you to the cove. It’s absolutely vital to check the tide times before heading to Church Doors Cove to avoid being caught out by the incoming sea.
Manorbier village itself is home to a grand castle, a historic Norman church, a friendly pub, and several charming cafes. Recognised for its beauty, Manorbier was declared a conservation area by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park in 1997, ensuring there’s plenty for visitors to discover.
While Church Doors Cove may be tucked away, it’s surprisingly easy to reach(Image: Getty)
The natural archway also provides a unique route to explore the neighbouring areas of the cove when the tide is right – including Shrinkle Haven, a pristine, secluded beach just a hop, skip and a jump away.
It’s crucial to remember that the beach is entirely untouched, with no amenities on offer, so it’s essential to bring any snacks or water you might require. Facilities such as toilets and a café are located at the Manorbier Youth Hostel, which serves as the entrance point and is 500m from the beach.
Given the absence of lifeguards, vigilance is always advised.
Despite its secluded feel, Church Doors Cove is conveniently situated near Tenby, one of Pembrokeshire’s most charming coastal towns. Approximately five miles away, Tenby is famed for its colourful Georgian homes, medieval town walls, and breathtaking beaches.
After a day of exploration at the cove, visitors can take a brief journey to Tenby and indulge in its quaint cafes, traditional pubs or peruse its boutique shops. The town is rich in history, boasting attractions like the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, and the historic St. Mary’s Church.
With coastal walks, boat excursions to discover nearby castles, and wildlife spotting opportunities, the area around Church Doors Cove and Tenby provides an ideal blend of natural beauty, historical fascination, and adventure – making it a perfect spot for a quintessential British holiday immersed in nature.
A baggage handler has shared the ‘worst’ types of suitcases to take on a plane – and those that are more likely to get to your destination unscathed
A baggage handler has named the best and worst types of suitcases to travel with(Image: PonyWang via Getty Images)
A baggage handler has named the “worst” types of luggage to use when jetting off abroad, and also revealed which are more likely to arrive in one piece. With a plethora of suitcase options out there, picking the perfect travel companion can be quite the conundrum.
Thankfully, social media platforms like TikTok and Reddit have become goldmines for savvy travel advice, with airport staff dishing out their best-kept secrets to ensure your belongings stay intact during transit. On Reddit, a user by the name of Adam, who works as a baggage handler, opened up the floor for any burning questions.
A curious traveller inquired: “Any tips for avoiding baggage being lost or destroyed? And best/worst types of suitcases/bags?”
Adam’s top tip for dodging misplaced bags was simple: name tags. He pointed out that many bags look the same and often end up on the same flight, saying: “We see a lot of bags that look exactly identical to one another going on the same flight.”
He suggested personalising your luggage with a tag bearing your name and address, making it easy to identify as yours. Other recommendations included distinctive straps wrapped around the bag, reports the Express.
Suitcases come in all shapes and sizes(Image: Getty)
For those keen to keep their cases from harm, he recommended opting for luggage that boasts “four good wheels, with soft lining on the inside and a hard outer shell.”
When another user quizzed, “Why do you hate my bag?” Adam had a clear response: “Is your bag one with a dodgy wheel? One with no wheels at all? One with no proper handholds? Those are some of the bags I really, really hate.”
A curious traveller posed the question: “Hard case bags or cloth bags? Which is better?” To which the airline employee replied: “If you don’t mind your stuff being compressed, then soft case will do you fine, these tend to be more space efficient in the hold.”
The airport worker shared some savvy tips for safeguarding breakables while flying, advising: “If you have anything kinda fragile, you want a hard case to keep that stuff protected.”
Some suitcases are more prone to damage(Image: Getty)
When quizzed about the best and worst types of luggage to use, Adam revealed: “Some of the worst bags to buy are the ones which have no wheels.”
He explained the logistics behind the scenes at his airline: “In my airline, none of our holds are bin loaded, so we have to manually stack the bags inside each hold, and they can get fairly long. If your bag has at least 2 high quality wheels, then it allows us to roll them down the hold quickly, making it easier for us.”
Adam highlighted the importance of efficiency, noting: “Otherwise, we have to throw the bags in order to keep to the scheduled times.”
He confessed his pet peeve when it comes to luggage: “My absolute least favourite bags are the ones that have 4 wheels, but one of them is seized up, so we try to roll it down, but it just falls over after moving 6 inches.”
‘Aliens!” The call came loud and shrill from the trees as I scanned the foliage for the unmistakable shape of my four-year-old son. For a moment, nothing stirred. The beams of light from the sun spotlit a nearby clump of bracken so intensely it reminded me of the torches Mulder and Scully used in The X Files.
Then, a rustle came from up ahead. “Quick! I found them,” he yelled before disappearing into a clearing between the pines. I walked on, to find, in front of us, the curved edges and spherical lines of a UFO, coloured so dark it nearly blended into the shadows. It was, of course, a metal sculpture representing the alien vessel said to have landed here over 40 years ago. On top of it stood my son.
Even before I managed to take a decent picture, he wanted to run on again. “We’ve got to find number four now,” he declared.
We were in Suffolk’s Rendlesham Forest, a 15-mile drive from Ipswich, walking a free UFO trail, based on the sighting of unexplained flying objects by US military officers based here in 1980. Loving to follow a trail of any kind over several hours – but especially one where he can tick off numbers, so he knows there is an end (handily, this one culminates in a playground) – he walked, ran and skipped the three miles, while I enjoyed spending time outside with him.
When it comes to the summer holidays, it can feel as if we are doing a countdown. Of the 13 weeks most children get off school each year, six are lumped together over the summer, making July and August feel like a stretch of endless time. Not only can it be a nightmare, due to the juggle of childcare and work, but keeping kids entertained and – crucially – active rather than sat in front of screens can be expensive. So many activities cost a fortune. But there is another way. And it is completely free. And that is the outdoors.
The UFO-themed walk was on Forestry England land, which is one of the first places to turn during the holidays. From interactive app-based trails that allow you to take videos of your child pretending to be a dragon complete with AI wings, to crafting missions where you work together to find natural items on the woodland floor to make the face of the Gruffalo, they are an inexpensive way to immerse yourself in nature.
On the UFO trail, a free leaflet at the start guided us around the trees where I could tell the story of the key sites. My son was so enamoured of the map and tale that the next morning at breakfast he asked me to read it again while he followed the map with his finger and remembered our adventure.
Phoebe Smith and her son with Maggie Hambling’s scallop shell on Aldeburgh beach.
But an outdoor adventure doesn’t have to be deep in the forest, where maps are required. The next day, we headed to Thorpeness, home to the much-photographed House in the Clouds, a former water tower that was disguised as a red and black clapboard house in 1923. Our mission was to find a way to get a good photograph of it. We followed a footpath up a hill, past quirkily painted weatherboarded houses which were popular after the first world war. While I was in awe of the house we had come to see, my little one found it way more exciting to discover the windmill opposite (bought by the creator of the House in the Clouds to help pump the water).
Adjacent to Thorpeness is the town of Aldeburgh, where we spent hours on the shingle beach filling buckets with “magic stones”, chasing the waves, paddling in the North Sea and taking shelter under Maggi Hambling’s giant scallop shell sculpture when rain fell. The day was rounded off with a hearty helping of fish and chips from Aldeburgh Fish and Chips, owned by the same family since 1967. Weeks on, my son still talks about this day as one of the best in his life.
Beaches are always a winner when trying to convince kids that nature is cool. On a previous trip, I took my boy to New Quay in Ceredigion, west Wales (one of a few places that lay claim to being the inspiration for the characters and town in Dylan Thomas’s Under Milk Wood). We didn’t set foot indoors for an entire day. When the tide was out, we set up a beach “base camp” with some shade under a giant parasol, then proceeded to bury each other in the sand. Then we looked for jellyfish washed up on the shore (a great opportunity to teach him about them), went rock pooling in the shallows (we found crabs, limpets, anemones and periwinkles) and built an elaborate fortified river, hewn from the silt using our buckets and spades.
As the temperature rose, we swam in the sea and, just before the end of the day, we were treated to a spectacle of the resident bottlenose dolphins putting on an impromptu performance at dusk. None of this cost a penny. Yet we’d shared some of the best quality time I’ve experienced – bonding over the natural world, revelling in getting sand between our toes, and shivering in the cool waters of the Irish Sea.
An e-bike adventure on the Isle of Mull
For something that feels like a bigger trip to my son, I try to involve a train. A couple of summers ago, we took the fast train to Scotland, then caught the ferry to the Isle of Mull as foot passengers. There, I hired an e-bike with a child seat and trailer, and we stopped off to wild camp near a loch. He helped me put up the tent, I cooked our dinner on a stove and we bonded over a shared love of marshmallows.
We stayed up watching the sunset, despite it being way past his bedtime. “I love the sun so much,” he told me as we saw the sky turn purple. “I don’t want to go to sleep.” He did, thankfully, nod off under a sky full of stars, with not a mention of Bluey, Peppa Pig or any of the other characters he usually demands entertain him. On one of the last days, we woke before dawn. I packed a chocolate croissant in my bag and we climbed the nearest hill to watch the sun rise. He still talks about it and asks when we will do it again.
One of my most memorable trips with him was paddleboarding on the river near our house. I packed a picnic and we paddled to an island, where we sat and watched the birds, while he asked what each one was called and demanded we collect some of their lost feathers to take home, in the hope we might one day be able to make a cape that allowed us to fly back here.
Memories like this are priceless. I know, given his age, he probably won’t remember everything we do, but I hope going into the wild places will instil in him a knowledge that the natural world is a wondrous place and the backdrop to some of our happiest times together. For me, it helps to remember that when it comes to the holidays, instead of counting the days, I need instead to make the days count.
Phoebe Smith is the author of Wayfarer and the2025 recipient of the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness award for promotion of accessible adventure, particularly to women and those from underprivileged communities
Idyllic hidden beach in the UK is an oasis of calm with golden sand and turquoise sea ‘like the Caribbean’ – one visitor felt like they’d ‘died and gone to heaven’ after finding the bay
The area, home to the hidden beach, has been described as one of the most spectacular wildlife locations on the planet. Wildlife cameraman Hamza Yassin set out to capture iconic species like red deer, pine martens, white tailed sea eagles and puffins that live on his doorstep(Image: Channel 4)
A lesser-known beach gem in the UK with sparkling turquoise sea and white sandy beaches is a haven for nature lovers. The stunning scenery and views have been likened to the Caribbean by some, while another visitor said they thought they’d “died and gone to heaven” after visiting the beauty spot.
Beautiful rare eagles circle the spot and otters duck and dive in the sea – you may spot them if you’re lucky. The large bay is a fantastic family day out, a romantic spot for couples, or a chilled place for solo visitors – Sanna Bay in Scotland has been praised time and time again for its amazing scenery.
The beach can be reached by a delightful coastal walk, however it is also accessible by car – and a short walk over dunes down to the sand and sea. A rocky headland, sand dunes and cliffs surround four sandy beaches in this most western point of mainland Britain, described as a “Scottish oasis”.
Located on the Ardnamurchan peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, this is a great place for observing wildlife, reports Wild About Lochaber. There are also holiday cottages, camping options and places to stay in the nearby area for an unforgettable away-from-home experience.
The wild area where the hidden beach is situated has several places relatively nearby to stay in (Image: www.unique-cottages.co.uk)
The Wild About Lochaber website describes Sanna Bay as “one of the most stunning beaches on the Ardnamurchan peninsula”. The dune cliffs “reach up to 3m in height” and there is a unique sand isthmus – a narrow piece of land – “connected to a low rocky platform”.
Wild About Lochaber detailed the uniqueness of this beauty spot: “Sanna Bay is renowned for its stunning scenery, white sandy beaches and clear turquoise seas. The bay also offers some fabulous views of Ardnamurchan Point and The Small Isles.
“In spring and summer, the dunes are a riot of colour. This is a great place for wildlife watching. Look out for butterflies nectaring on the machair flora, dragonflies and damselflies scouting the wee burn, sand martens nesting in the dune cliffs, coastal birds and otters foraging along the shoreline.
“You can also scan the coastal cliffs for a good chance of seeing white-tailed eagle. There are also some lovely rock pools waiting to be explored by the young and older alike.”
They added the stunning beach “is popular with botanists, wildlife watchers, walkers, geologists, artists, and photographers”, describing it as a “great place to explore and enjoy”. One TripAdvisor reviewer wrote that “Sanna Beach is akin to the Caribbean in Scotland”.
A review of Sanna Beach by JJC said: “The walk was about five minutes over the sand dunes to the beach. Once there…wow, wow wow. The water was turquoise, the sand pure white.
“If the temperature was higher it could have been the Caribbean. Behind us were about 10 wild swimmers who jumped into the water. I can highly recommend Sanna Beach.”
Another claimed they thought they’d “died and gone to heaven” after a visit to the spot. In a TripAdvisor review the visitor wrote: “No pubs, cafes or shops but who cares, this is one of the most stunning white sand beaches in Scotland.
“With the beautiful blue and turquoise sea you could be in the Bahamas . A great place for a walk, take photos or just sit and enjoy the view.”
EXCLUSIVE: Six months ago, Mark Danby left the UK behind for the warmer climes of Spain, uprooting his life and switching for Manilva, but noticed a certain “contrast” between the two nations
Mark Danby left the UK behind to seek out the sunnier climes of Spain (Image: Tapas Guy/YouTube)
A man has claimed Spain is “20 years or so behind the UK” in a specific aspect. Mark Danby from Stockport, Greater Manchester, decided to shake things up and moved to sunny Spain six months ago, making his new home in Manilva, part of Malaga on the Costa del Sol.
Enjoying his new life under the Spanish sun, Mark has encountered some hurdles, previously opening up about the challenges of the local visa system.
As an IT professional by day and the ‘Tapas Guy‘ on YouTube, he made his move via the digital nomad visa, aimed at those working remotely for companies overseas or as self-employed.
Despite the benefits, it seems that slow bureaucratic processes can be a universal headache, with Mark noting that “everything takes so long”. This may stem from a stark “contrast” between life in Spain compared to the UK.
Mark was struck by the “biggest culture shock” following his move abroad, which he shared in an online video. He pointed out how Spain appears to trail “about 20 years or so behind the UK” in terms of technology adoption.
A view of ‘Puerto de la Duquesa’ yachts and boats docked in Manilva(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
He explained: “And I describe it as being Spain being about 20 years or so behind the UK in kind of technology. Everything takes so long. They don’t go for electronic systems. They like their pieces of paper; that is the biggest shock.
“They are paper pushers; they’re pen pushers. Everything is paper, like when you go for your…your sort of your visa applications or your… as I’m now waiting for my TIE card, which is my foreign residency card, everything is paper processed.”
Mark highlighted that he is in the throes of waiting for his card and revealed they’ve “already kind of accepted it”. He described the bureaucratic process where applicants must go to a police station to hand in paperwork and have their fingerprints taken, and the individual produces the card
He added with a hint of frustration: “If they had a little printer machine by them, they could just press a button and print it out, but oh no. You know, it has to go through the paper process and it has to..”
Mark elaborated on the nature of the procedure: “You know, it can take another…you have to sort of make another appointment to go back. Everything’s booked up solid and, you know, I’ve still not got it. Everything takes a long time, a very, very long time.”
Mark works in IT but also shares Spain-related content on his YouTube channel(Image: Mark Danby/YouTube)
A TIE card refers to a Spanish Foreign Identity Card (or tarjeta de identidad de extranjero in Spanish). It allows people to prove their legal status as a foreigner in Spain and is required by people with a visa that lets them stay for longer than six months.
Spain complies with Schengen zone rules, which stipulate particular passport criteria and allow individuals to roam freely across the zone visa-free for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day timeframe.
For more Spanish travel advice, visit the GOV website here.
Two stunning but overlooked destinations just a couple of hours from the UK are slated for a huge tourist boom, after a major airline ramps up its offerings – but there is one small catch
BA has added two beautiful destinations to its short-haul offerings(Image: Getty Images)
British Airways is ramping up its offerings as it launches two new direct routes – with prices starting at just £60. The upmarket airline has revealed that Brits will soon be able to fly to two new stunning destinations under its Gatwick-based subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, bringing its total number of short-haul destinations to 130. This includes the fairytale city of Graz in Austria and the overlooked hotspot of Rabat in Morocco.
However, there is one small catch. Both new routes won’t debut until November this year, meaning Brits wanting to explore somewhere new this summer won’t be able to take advantage of the new flights.
BA is launching new routes from London Gatwick to Graz and Rabat – but not until November(Image: Getty Images)
“We are excited to further strengthen our connectivity between London and Austria with the addition of Graz,” said Karen Hilton, managing director of BA Euroflyer. “We will be the only direct operation between the two cities, offering more choice to our customers, whether it’s for business, leisure, or visiting friends and family.
“With its year-round warm weather, Morocco is ideal for those seeking an off-season escape without a lengthy flight time. The addition of Rabat means we now fly to three fantastic destinations in Morocco – an excellent choice for families, couples, and friends alike.”
Graz, Austria
Graz is the capital city of the southern Austrian province of Styria, but has long remained out of the tourist spotlight. Overshadowed by the likes of Vienna and Salzburg, this quaint city was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2011, and its historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
BA will operate flights to Graz three times per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, starting on November 21, 2025. The journey takes, on average, two hours and 20 minutes.
The charming city is dripping in history, but has long been ignored by tourists(Image: Getty Images)
Highlights include the prominent mid-16th century clock tower on the Schlossberg mountain, which offers breathtaking views of the city – showing off its impressive range of architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Historism and Art Nouveau eras. Its main square, Hauptlaz, is a great place for those wanting to pick up souvenirs at the weekly markets – and used to be used as an execution site back in the Middle Ages.
“Next to the Grazer Dom cathedral is one of the most striking buildings in Graz,” explains travel experts over at Lonely Planet. “This is the Mausoleum of Ferdinand II, part of St. Catherine’s Church, complete with soaring turquoise domes. Ferdinand had his court artist Giovanni Pietro de Pomis, originally from northern Italy, start work on the mausoleum and church in 1614.”
Grazer Dom Cathedral is a must-visit attraction(Image: Getty Images)
Rabat, Morocco
Attracting a fraction of the tourists that flock to Marrakech, Rabat is actually Morocco’s capital – and is brimming with rich history, impressive architecture, and things to do. BA will fly to the city twice per week (on Wednesdays and Sundays) starting on November 5, 2025.
Rabat boasts a much more laid-back atmosphere than the bustling streets of Marrakech(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage city thanks to its blend of tradition and modernity, this riverside region boasts manicured green spaces and an efficient tramway linking its districts together. The biggest attraction has to be Kasbah des Oudaias, a 12th-century citadel located within the Kasbah’s medieval gates. Initially constructed as a military fortress to protect the region, this preserved landmark now has a Mediterranean feel to it, and is filled with artisan shops and cobbled streets.
The stunning citadel feels like you’ve stepped back in time(Image: Getty Images)
“Rabat is also a modern eco-responsible capital with its green spaces. Beautiful parks await you, such as the botanical test garden or the Exotic Gardens of Bouknadel which is a few kilometres from the city,” hails the country’s official tourist board, Visit Morocco. “Rabat also boasts an outstanding coastline; on the Atlantic Ocean shores, it has kilometres of well-equipped beaches that lead to the neighbouring city of Casablanca.”
*BA Euroflyer flies from London Gatwick to Graz from £60 each way, and to Rabat from £70 each way. This included taxes and carrier fees.
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