Think you’ve missed the boat on a summer beach holiday, or that it’s too pricey to even consider? Travel Mum Jen Carr knows just the trick for getting a travel bargain – even during the school summer holidays
The Travel Mum has shared her tips for bagging a cheap holiday
From the golden sands of Spain’s Costa Brava to the surprisingly affordable shores of Bulgaria, there are plenty of destinations offering value for money even during the school summer holidays, if you know where to look.
Whether you’re craving short flight times, child-friendly resorts, or self-catering spots that make dining with little ones easier, Jen has five of the best last-minute summer deals from sun-soaked countries like Spain and Italy for families in 2025.
Costa Brava, Spain
Just a short flight from the UK, the Costa Brava offers sandy beaches, safe shallow waters, and great-value accommodation. Towns like Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar have family hotels from under £400 per person, including flights. Many beaches have play areas, and local restaurants are super welcoming to kids.
A great destination for a family holiday. The Antalya Coast and Dalaman area offer tons of family friendly hotels at great prices. TUI have a last minute deals page with lots of great options for August. Turkey hotels are brilliant at catering to bigger families, with many hotels offering rooms to fit up to 6 people. You can holiday in Instanbul in August from Luton airport from just £299 per person.
Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast
For a beach holiday with a difference, and some of the cheapest prices in Europe, Bulgaria is a hidden gem. Sunny Beach and Nessebar offer golden sands, water parks, and plenty of family-friendly restaurants. Accommodation and food are super affordable once you arrive and you can fly from London Stansted to Sofia Bulgaria for £303 with a room only option.
Corfu, Greece
Corfu remains one of Greece’s best islands for families, with calm beaches, charming villages, and warm hospitality. The food is amazing and you can find some great package deals to stay in areas like Sidari and Aghios Georgios. I recently helped someone book a 7 night stay in August for under £380pp with flights, luggage, transfers and hotel!
Sicily, Italy
Italy and budget don’t always go hand in hand, but Sicily can be an exception. Not only is it beautiful and culturally rich, but there are surprisingly affordable apartments still available this summer. Add in family-friendly beaches, delicious food, and warm welcomes from the locals and it’s a winner. Look at flights to Trapani and find an apartment rental in the town. You can currently fly from London STN to Trapani for a week in August for £144pp.
Tips for booking holidays on a budget:
Be flexible with your dates – mid-week departures are often cheaper.
Use comparison tools like Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights for DIY bookings.
Consider flying from regional airports or into alternative destinations. If you can fly from Scotland in August you will save a fortune.
Look at self-catering options to save money on meals.
Set up deal alerts or use sites to find last-minute bargains.
Don’t assume you’ve missed the boat just because it’s July. With a bit of flexibility and the right approach, you can still enjoy a sun-soaked family beach holiday this summer, without the eye-watering price tag, for more tips check out https://thetravelmum.com/family-holiday-deals/.
Brits are being warned to check local laws in their holiday destinations before setting off as multiple countries impose strict vape bans that could result in a hefty fine or even prison time
Brits are being warned of vape bans imposed in foreign countries(Image: Getty Images)
As summer holiday season kicks off, British travellers are being urged to double-check vaping laws at their holiday destinations or risk hefty fines, confiscation, or even prison.
While most holidaymakers remember to pack suncream, passports and sunglasses, one everyday item could land you in trouble abroad: your vape. UK-based retailer WizVape has issued a warning for travellers this summer after the UK’s own ban on disposable vapes came into effect on June 1, 2025.
With similar restrictions now appearing across Europe and beyond, vape users could easily be caught out by local laws. “Many travellers are unaware that simply carrying a disposable vape could result in confiscation, hefty fines, or even legal trouble abroad,” says Saif Khan, Director at WizVape.
The UK has also imposed a ban on disposable e-cigarettes(Image: PA)
“Whether you’re heading to the beach or the city this summer, it’s essential to check the local laws before you fly.”
In Europe, countries such as France and Belgium have already implemented full bans on disposable vapes.
In Spain, vaping may still be legal, but using your device on beaches in Barcelona or Benidorm could see you slapped with a fine of up to €750 (£650).
Other European nations are planning restrictions too. A disposable vape ban in Germany has passed the Bundesrat but awaits parliamentary approval.
Ireland are also expected to implement a ban by the end of 2025. In Hungary, flavoured e-liquids and popular devices like Elf Bars are already prohibited.
“Make sure you’re using a reusable device and have packed enough refills so you don’t need to purchase a non-UK friendly vape for your return,” adds Khan.
Outside Europe, the risks are even higher. In Thailand, tourists face severe penalties for possession of any vaping device – including large fines or even jail time. Other destinations with complete bans include:
Singapore – fines of up to £1,150 for possession.
Mexico – devices often confiscated at airports.
India, Qatar, Brazil and Argentina – strict bans and penalties in place.
Travellers returning to the UK should also be cautious about bringing disposables home. With the UK’s ban now in place, anyone caught with a single-use vape could have it confiscated at the border.
“Don’t assume what’s legal abroad is legal at home,” Khan warns. “Stay informed and travel smart this summer.”
There are only three bank holidays left in England and Wales this year
Bank holidays provide a perfect opportunity to go out and spend time with loved ones(Image: JohnnyGreig via Getty Images)
Mark your calendars, folks – it’s time to jot down the remaining bank holidays for 2025. In England and Wales, we’ve only got three more to look forward to this year, with the next one just over a month away.
Regrettably, there are no plans to add any extra days off to the total of eight we’re getting in 2025, as there aren’t any national events on the horizon. However, many Brits will be chuffed to know that one is scheduled during the peak of summer on August 25, offering us the opportunity to (hopefully) bask in some much-needed sunshine.
The remaining bank holiday dates for England and Wales in 2025 are:
Summer bank holiday: August 25 (Monday)
Christmas Day: December 25 (Thursday)
Boxing Day: December 26 (Friday)
While England and Wales have just three bank holidays left, residents of Scotland and Northern Ireland still have four to enjoy in 2025. In Scotland, these fall on August 4, December 1 of St Andrew’s Day, in addition to Christmas and Boxing Day.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland’s bank holidays fall on July 14, marking the Battle of Boyne and August 25, followed by December 25 and 26. Those who also like to plan ahead can start pondering their 2026 and 2027 bank holidays now, as the Government has already unveiled its upcoming schedule.
The next bank holiday date falls on August 25 in England and Wales(Image: Abstract Aerial Art via Getty Images)
While many people relish the day off on a bank holiday, it’s vital to remember that you’re not always guaranteed to get paid leave. It’s worth having a chat with your employer about your options.
Bank holidays can also impact how and when benefits are paid. If your payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, you’ll likely receive your money the working day before. However, this may differ for the Child Benefit.
Bethany Clarke, 27, and her best friend Simone White, 28, met in Laos, Southeast Asia, for the trip of a lifetime, but after consuming vodka shots that are thought to have been tainted with methanol, it ended in tragedy
Bethany Clarke and her best friend Simone White were in Laos when they were thought to be poisoned by methanol (Image: Handout)
It was meant to be a fun-packed couple of weeks travelling through Southeast Asia for Bethany Clarke and her best friend Simone White. Enjoying free shots of vodka at their hostel, the pair couldn’t wait to find out what their adventure would bring.
Sadly, it ended in tragedy after the pair were poisoned by what they believe was methanol.
Bethany, who was 27 at the time and lived in Brisbane, Australia, and Simone, who hadturned 28 just a week before the trip and lived in London, Greenwich, met in Laos as a halfway point for a holiday together. They had been best friends since the first year of primary school, and after amending their plans to include two Southeast Asia countries, they were excited to explore Laos before heading to Cambodia.
During the first few days of their trip in November 2024, they spent time in Vang Vieng, a small town on the Nam Song River in Laos, which had once been a notorious party destination for backpackers. In between activities, like tubing down the river, they stayed two nights at the Nana Backpackers Hostel after being impressed by its numerous “positive reviews”.
Bethany (front) and Simone (back) met for what was meant to be a two and a half week adventure in Southeast Asia(Image: Handout)
At the hostel, they met one of their friends from home who had also been travelling, and on their second night, the three friends took advantage of the hostel’s happy hour, offering free vodka and whiskey shots from 8pm to 10pm. That night, Bethany and Simone drank vodka with a mixer, like Sprite, but Bethany recalled it tasting “quite weak”.
“I remember thinking ‘that’s unusually weak’, but I didn’t think anything of it. I just thought it’s happy hour, the chances are they’re wanting to cut costs, so they’re probably putting water in it,” Bethany exclusively told the Mirror. “I hadn’t heard about methanol poisoning and about how organised crime rings would add methanol in, to cut costs.”
Looking back, Bethany recalled that the whiskey was “black” and that her friend didn’t like it, but again, didn’t think much of it. When the happy hour ended, Bethany went to bed feeling tired, while Simone and their friend went across the road to an Irish bar for some more drinks.
“I just remember thinking I’m unusually tired, and I do get tired after drinking, but that was quite extreme. I don’t know whether it was the methanol already kicking in, or whether it was jet lag. Looking back, it was probably the methanol”.
She explained that being asleep could have “masked” some of her symptoms. According to the UK Health Security Agency, the substance can cause “convulsions, blindness, nervous system damage, coma and death.”
The next morning, Bethany said she felt “weak and not very well coordinated”. She added: “My brain wasn’t really able to problem-solve or think very clearly. I had no hunger whatsoever, which, again, is quite unusual if you’re hungover, but I just had no interest in food at all.”
The vodka and whiskey shots served at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng during happy hour(Image: Handout)
Putting it down to being hungover, Bethany and Simone “forced themselves to eat something” and went out for their booked tour to the Blue Lagoon in the morning, before a kayaking experience in the afternoon. However, during the day out, Bethany said that they didn’t have “any sensible conversation” but instead were just talking about how they were feeling, “it was like having the brain of a five-year-old, it was really, really strange.” She also recalled Simone being sick off the kayak, which she said was “unusual”.
Later that day, they caught a bus to their next destination in Vientiane, but halfway through, Simone was sick and Bethany fainted and hit her head. “We didn’t have any conversations with anyone around us, and nobody seemed concerned,” Bethany said.
Showing no signs of improvement, they went to a public hospital after being dropped off by the bus. Still unaware of the severity of the situation, Simone and Bethany were checked over and were told that it could be “food poisoning”.
“We had different diets, so that didn’t make sense,” Bethany shared. “They put an IV in me, which I reluctantly agreed to, and eventually Simone came into the room, still walking and talking. I gave her some electrolytes once she got a bed, but she threw them up immediately.
“I checked her heart rate, and it wasn’t bad. And given that she had eaten something, I wasn’t too worried – at that point she had eaten more than me, so I thought maybe I was worse as I had fainted. We also thought that, as she had chosen to come in this last minute, she was presumably feeling a little bit better, but turns out the opposite was true.”
She continued: “Less than two hours later, she went into respiratory distress and was gasping for air. Simone wasn’t able to talk anymore or look at me, her eyes were glazed, looking in a different direction.” Simone was moved to the ICU part of the hospital before their friend suggested going to a private hospital for further care.
They arrived at the private Kasemrad International Hospital in Vientiane, around 27 hours after they consumed their drinks at the hostel. Tragically, Simone’s condition deteriorated, and she needed emergency brain surgery before being placed on life support.
Simone tragically passed away on 21 November 2024 at the age of 28(Image: Handout)
Simone’s mum flew in from Kent to be with her daughter, and was given the heartbreaking ultimatum on whether to keep her on life support. Bethany said that doctors had to explain to Sue how to switch off her daughter’s life support, and she was told she’d have to do it herself, due to religious reasons.
Sue made the heart-wrenching decision to take the tube out of her daughter’s mouth and turn off her life support. The 28-year-old died on 21 November 2024, just nine days after drinking the shots at Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng.
An inquest into her death earlier this year confirmed that Simone tragically died from a bleed on the brain. Simone is one of six tourists to have died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos.
The hostel closed, but now appears to be rebranded as Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel. According to Tripadvisor, it is planning to reopen and is taking bookings from August this year.
Bethany recovered, but has been left with the devastating heartache of losing her best friend. Now, she has launched the Simone White Methanol Awareness campaign to help raise awareness and prevent this from happening to anyone ever again.
She has called for the government to do more to help travellers understand the dangers of drinking alcohol abroad, including putting up warning posters in airports. In addition, Bethany set up a petition for the dangers of methanol poisoning to be taught in schools across the UK.
The hostel now appears to be rebranded as Vang Vieng Central Backpacker Hostel(Image: Handout)
Bethany shared with us: “Since the poisoning, I’ve found out more information about Vang Vieng in general, because it does seem to have a history of very loose safety regulations. There were no documented cases of methanol poisoning in Laos when we were there, so how were we meant to know? It’s frustrating that these cases go undocumented because no one really understands the true extent of what’s actually going on.”
Worryingly, Bethany claims that “so many” of the hostel’s reviews had been deleted, which she found out just days after the alleged poisoning happened. She claimed: “On reviews, people were saying that people were being poisoned and to stop serving these drinks, but they’d come back immediately, saying this is slander and all that. Then, less than a day later, the review would be gone from Google.”
This led Bethany to actively share warnings and messages on social media, while they were still in hospital, about the Vang Vieng hostel in a bid to warn others about the serious risk of the drinks. “I’m so glad I did that at the time, you don’t know how many more people could have gone, it’s so scary,” she added.
Describing her best friend, Bethany shared: “She was a very caring person, she had great listening ears and if I had any problems, she would help me out. She was an organiser, and she had a very busy social schedule and so many friends. She was my best friend, and I probably won’t ever meet anyone like that again.”
A mum has been praised as a ‘genius’ after sharing the main activity she packed to keep her baby occupied during their three-hour flight from Germany to Spain – and it’s not what you might expect
A mum shared 50p item that kept her baby entertained ‘for hours’ on a plane (stock image)(Image: Getty Images)
If you’re going on a family holiday anytime soon, you’ll probably know parents or guardians often face the added challenge that come with travelling with babies. This will become extra nerve-wracking if it’s their first flight so you don’t know how they’ll react.
While parents are often armed with a selection of toys and activities to entertain their kids in the cabin, it’s a whole different experience when it comes to keeping babies entertained. While popular tips usually include packing their favourite things to play with or timing flights to coincide with nap time for keeping infants happy mid-flight, sometimes it pays to have an extra trick up your sleeve.
One creative mum known as Lala, took to TikTok, where she has over 6.1 million followers, to share her unique life hack for keeping her seven-month-old daughter amused on their recent three-hour flight from Germany to Spain.
“If you don’t pack a head of lettuce for your next flight with your baby, what are you even doing?” Lala said in her video while packing a head of sweet gem lettuce into a zip lock bag.
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The video then cut to Lala and her partner getting onto the plane with their sleeping baby snuggled up in her arms. She went on to explain the little one slept through take-off, only to wake later on as they soared high above the ground, which is when they introduced the lettuce.
“Whenever we want to eat in peace at home, we always give her a piece of lettuce, and it always keeps her occupied for so long. And I thought, if it works at home, why would it not work on a plane?” Lala said as she showed their baby the lettuce before letting her tear off a leaf.
Lala added: “She loves tearing things, like anything really. Like, bread, paper, tissue, anything. But bread is way too messy, like there are crumbs everywhere. And with paper or tissue, we always have to keep an eye on her that she doesn’t eat it. But lettuce, lettuce is genius.”
Continuing, she expressed how the lettuce provided a fun and unique texture for the infant to explore, as well as being a healthy, hydrating snack if wanted to taste it.
“This kept her occupied almost the entire flight,” Lala revealed. “She had so much fun, and the best part when it’s time to clean up, you can just eat it. This way, I’m not only entertaining my baby but I’m also getting my greens in.”
Lala then shared: “We were so nervous about her first flight at first, but this was such an amazing experience for us. She did so well, she was just having fun the entire flight and we’re so proud of her.”
The comment section of the video soon filled with comments from viewers sharing their take on the clever hack for in-flight entertainment.
One person joked: “I have a 14 hour flight with my baby next month. I’ll just bring a whole field,” while another added: “Plus points cause it helps her develop her fine motor skills.”
A fellow mum wrote: “You Lala have just unlocked a whole new toy for all of us mums out there thank you.”
“That’s effing genius! I’m trying this on the next flight!” another viewer wrote.
A man issued his honest thoughts about his flight with low-cost airline Ryanair, after being left staggered by the price of a coffee and ham and cheese croissant
A man was shocked by the prices of some of the airline’s food
A YouTuber has been left shocked by the prices of Ryanair‘s breakfast items on board. Johnny G opted to travel with the low-cost airline from Sofia to Varna in Bulgaria, after hearing complaints about some its services. Before delving into his review, he told his subscribers: “Today I made it my mission to fly with Ryanair and see for myself how bad this airline really is.”
Once settled onto the plane, Johnny, from Switzerland, said he found the cabin “very basic” as he expected, and wasn’t a fan of the seats. Yet, what truly caught him off guard was the pricing of the airline’s refreshments. Presenting the menu to his viewers, a Lavazza coffee was listed at a cost of €3.15 (£2.72), while croissants and breakfast rolls were priced between €3.25 (£2.81) and €6 (£5.19).
Johnny chose to purchase a ham and cheese croissant, which cost €5.75 (just under £5) alongside a coffee during his 2023 flight. Sharing his thoughts, he said: “For a coffee and a croissant, I pay more than for the flight itself.”
What also left him stunned was how nice the coffee actually tasted, compared to others he’s tasted on flights. He added: “To be fair, I’ve probably never had such good coffee on a plane, but it takes me a while to figure out how this wicked cup works.”
After his flight came to an end, he shared his verdict, adding: “Although Ryanair certainly has its imperfections, I don’t think it’s as bad as everyone says.
A man was shocked by the prices of some of the airline’s food
“You can’t spend pennies and expect gold for it. The crew were friendly, the plane was in good condition and the flight was on time.”
Since Johnny’s experience, inflation has prompted Ryanair to increase their prices. A Lavazza coffee is now €3.75 (£3.25), while a ham and cheese croissant €6 (£5.19).
To some, these prices might appear steep, but keep in mind that only hot beverages served by Ryanair are allowed on flights.
Ryanair’s clear policy states: “You must not take hot drinks on the plane, or drink your own alcohol when on the plane.”
Passengers are however welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks on board, as long as it does not exceed the hand-luggage weight limit.
In a recent announcement, Ryanair shared plans to expand their “personal bag” allowance by a sizeable 20 per cent, in line with new EU standards for hand luggage.
Under the changes, passengers will be allowed to carry on a bag with maximum dimensions of 40cm x 30cm x 20cm, without any additional fees.
The bag must weigh under 10kg and it has to fit “under the seat in front you.”
These amendments are expected to come into force in the next coming weeks.
A security officer has revealed a common mistake the majority of passengers make when going through airport security, and doing this will get you stopped and searched.
Airport worker reveals top reason why passengers get stopped at security(Image: Getty Images)
An airport worker has revealed the most common mistake passengers make when going through security – that leads to them being stopped the majority of the time. Going on holiday is exciting, but it can also be stressful. A security airport for one of London’s busiest airports has shared advice to help you avoid delays getting to your gate.
On average, London’s Heathrow Airport handles approximately 1,300 flights per day across all four terminals. According to OAG, it’s also one of the busiest airports in the world. One important thing to note is that travel restrictions are different depending on the country.
London Heathrow is one of the busiest airports in the UK(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
It’s best to learn the rules beforehand to avoid getting stopped and getting second-hand embarrassment. He told Travel Radar: “Your bags will be rejected and have to be manually searched if you don’t remove certain items – these are CAA and DfT rules we have to follow, and we have no power to change or circumvent them.”
The security officer also explained that there’s always a reason why people have to empty their pockets or their bags. Whenever unsure, ask any member of staff. Otherwise, be prepared to have a ten-minute bag search.
Whenever travelling, it’s important to empty all of your pockets before passing through, as the scanners can detect anything that may seem suspicious. Even an extra pocket on your trousers could set the red alarm.
Most importantly, travellers are to pack smartly, considering the number of items they’re bringing with them and their shape. For instance, some countries have ditched the rule of putting all liquids under 100ml in a transparent plastic bag, and can now be spread in the luggage. However, some airports still ask travellers to do so.
As a former check-in agent, there was a time when a passenger had to have his luggage searched because he had a toy shaped like a gun, but it turned out to be a harmless water pistol. Those items are better off left at home – and I’m sure this passenger learnt his lesson for his next time travelling.
With Brits heading off to sunny destinations for the summer, it’s best to take precautions when it comes to travelling. If you’re a nervous flyer, it’s best to get to the airport with time to spare, but either way, it’s best to avoid getting stuck at security.
Have you ever had an encounter at the airport while going through security? Let us know in the comments below.
The trail hugs every curve of the cliffside. On my left, the Mediterranean Sea swirls beside craggy rocks, while flowering plants unfurl on my right. A quarter of France’s coast is lined with similar sentiersdes douaniers(customs officers’ paths), which were once used to patrol the sea. The difference on this trail is that I’m wearing nothing but my backpack.
Off the coast of the southern French resort town of Hyères, Île du Levant is home to the only naturist community of its kind, the Domaine Naturiste d’Héliopolis. For 93 years, this rustic Eden has lured free-spirited lovers of nature and authenticity, as unabashedly naked as Adam and Eve before they ate the forbidden fruit. On every visit, I’ve found that when people shed their clothes, they shed their pretence. Unlike traditional naturist retreats where nudity is de rigueur, Héliopolis is peppered with clothing-optional spots. This makes it the ideal place for travellers to dip their toes into the naturist way of life.
I first came to Île du Levant with my twin sister when I was 20. We had grown up in a home that was comfortable with nudity, yet a clothes-free island was unfamiliar territory. Disrobing on the hiking trail, it seemed as if we were breaking the rules. And when a pleasure boat came close to us, we felt as exposed as the rocks below. The sun soon melted our inhibitions, however. It was exhilarating to be nude in nature, each sense amplified as if our clothing had been stifling them.
We instantly befriended a British couple, the awkwardness of chatting to strangers cast away with our clothes. When I returned to Héliopolis 26 years later, after moving to nearby Marseille, I was just as enchanted by its bare-it-all bonhomie, and felt worry-free as a solo female. I have returned every year since.
Plage des Grottes, Héliopolis’s only sandy beach. Photograph: Alexis Steinman
The Fédération Française de Naturisme defines naturism as: “A manner of living in harmony with nature, characterised by the practice of communal nudity, which consequently fosters respect for oneself, others and the environment.” The seeds were planted in late 19th‑century Germany as a social-health movement in response to dehumanising industrialisation. While certain aspects such as alfresco gymnastics and abstention from alcohol have disappeared, the crux of the philosophy – that gathering au naturel in sun-kissed nature does the body and mind good – is still its raison d’etre.
One of the more unusual side‑effects of the back-to-nature trend that took hold during the Covid pandemic has been a surge in popularity of naturism in the UK, with an Ipsos poll in 2022 showing that one in seven Britons (6.75 million people) had practised it, up from 3.7 million in 2011.
There is also an increased interest among young adults. A symbol of body positivity and eco-consciousness, naturism is also “a break from the noise of the news, consumerism and other concerns that weigh on our generation”, says Naomi Gergaud, a 30-year-old fourth-generation Levantine, whose grandparents used to say: “We weren’t born in knickers.”
The UK’s cool climate is not ideal for being in your birthday suit, however, so many Britons join northern Europeans in sunny southern France. The country is the world’s leading naturist destination, welcoming 2.6 million visitors a year at naturist clubs, beaches or campsites. Or on an island, as in Héliopolis’s case – though not an entire one, as 90% of Île du Levant is occupied by the French military. Over the centuries, everyone from Barbary pirates to Benedictine monks settled on the isle for its strategic, remote location.
A vintage photograph is testament to the island’s history of naturism. Photograph: Alexis Steinman
The French natural medicine doctors Gaston and André Durville put down roots on Île du Levant in 1932, fresh from founding a naturist camp called Physiopolis on Platais island in the Seine. The brothers named their Mediterranean settlement Héliopolis, after the ancient Greeks’ belief in the therapeutic properties of the sun (helios). Almost a century later, Héliopolis is a trip back to those simpler times, despite being just five nautical miles from the shore.
I board a passenger boat – fittingly called Amour des Îles(love of the islands) – in Hyères. As waves splash me in a salt-water mist, the 90-minute journey across the Mediterranean sets the scene for a great escape, especially when the captain takes a detour to an out-of-this-world rock formation, Cap des Mèdes, because “the light is too beautiful”. There is no rush since Île du Levant moves at its own pace.
That is partly because no cars are allowed on the island, save for a taxi to ferry people from the port to their accommodation. Héliopolis has a small footprint of just 65 hectares (160 acres) and about 90 year-round residents. Besides, walking aids wellbeing, especially since it is on such a steep slope. A local tells me it takes three days for your legs to adjust. So pack lightly, which is easy when you will mostly be sporting a sarong. But don’t forget a torch – though electricity arrived in 1989, there aren’t any streetlights – which adds to the yesteryear charm.
La Pomme d’Adam cafe/restaurant, the resort’s social hub. Photograph: Alexis Steinman
After dropping my bag at Soléa Lodges, a trio of lovely studios overlooking the sea, I head off on an amble along eucalyptus-scented roads that weave past phone-booth libraries and dreamily named homes like La Recluserie (secluded hideaway). I find it easy to navigate using the wooden street signs, which have adages in French such as “Être nu rendre heureux” (being naked makes you happy). That is surely the case when a leathery woman clad in just a lavender bumbag and matching flip-flops greets me with an ebullient “Bonjour”. Saying hello is one of the isle’s rules – reminders are posted on graphic signs about town. Others are to conserve water, a precious resource here, and to sit on a sarong in restaurants.
All roads lead to the Place Durville that tops Héliopolis. The cafe/restaurant La Pomme d’Adam has been the resort’s social hub since 1932. “I came to holiday here and never left,” says my waiter. Holidaymakers pick up nude-themed collectibles at L’Érotique Traversée des Siècles and hefty slices of quiche for picnics at Boulangerie Pâtisserie la Grigne. Full nudity is forbidden in shops (Levantines don thong-like minimums to skirt this rule). This is because Hyères’s town council has a presence in Héliopolis, helming the itty-bitty town hall, post office and police station. The full-time islanders manage everything else with their local union. Hence, the quirk of Héliopolis being a “private domain that is open to the public”.
Nudism keeps tourism at bay compared with the busier Îles d’Or (Golden Isles) such as Île de Porquerolles, which attracts four times as many visitors as Île du Levant in high season. I have only visited in spring and autumn, which are the best times to savour the silence with the locals.
The restaurant at the island’s HéliOtel. Photograph: Alexis Steinman
A third of Héliopolis is covered by the Domaine des Arbousiers, a nature reserve that sprawls between a dense maquis and the wind-battered coastline. The strawberry-tree-lined Sentier du Point du Jour leads to the highest point, where I’m rewarded with a panorama of the surprisingly pretty military base (early birds should come for sunrise). Heading back to the Mediterranean, the precipitous Sentier des Moines path zigzags through a fragrant pine forest to the Sentier du Bord de Mer.
This seaside trail is best traversed in the buff. With my skin deliciously warmed by the sun and refreshed by the breeze, I feel as free as the squawking seagulls gliding the thermals above me. Each step affirms the “naturism is liberty” axiom that Levantines preach. A dip beckons at Bain de Diane, where concrete platforms scattered between rocks are topped with sunbathers. Their naked bodies are as much a part of the landscape as the lizards that scurry beside them, recalling writer Sophie Fontanel’s poetic novel La Capitale de la Douceur: “It’s hard to believe that we look so much alike when we’re undressed. We’re all the same ideogram.”
Past the port, Plage des Grottes is Héliopolis’s only sandy beach. The gorgeous turquoise cove has always been adamantly nude. “Locals once used mirrors to deflect sunbeams into the eyes of textiles [clothed people] to steer them away,” says septuagenarian Frédéric Capoulade, the island’s historian.
People can often be less social at traditional nude beaches. “As a naturist community, we don’t have the same barriers here,” says Fred Godeau, who owns the hip HéliOtel with his partner, Julie (their restaurant serves up a stellar panorama). Fred’s words echo the Durville brothers’ belief that clothes represent the social class to which an individual belongs. Everyone is on an equal footing wearing just a smile.
The ferry goes from Hyères (90 mins, €29 return, tlv-tvm.com) and Lavandou (35-60 mins, €34return, ot-lelavandou.fr). Accommodation at Soléa Lodges (open year-round, iledulevant.com.fr) starts at €80 a night for a studio sleeping three. HéliOtel (open May-September, heliotel.net) has doubles from €150 B&B
Igbo-Ora in Nigeria has been dubbed the ‘Twin Capital of the World’, with an unusually high number of twins born there – and locals believe they’ve found the reason why
The town hosts an annual World Twins Festival(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A tiny Nigerian town is known for its high rate of twins, leaving scientists scratching their heads for years. In Yoruba culture, prevalent in the area where the town of Igbo-Ora is situated, twins are seen as a gift from the supreme deity Olodumare and are thought to be protected by spirits – they are even thought to have supernatural abilities.
One local resident hinted at a “secret” that could explain the remarkable twin phenomenon.
Globetrotting YouTube star Drew Binsky made his way to the so-called ‘Twin Capital of the World’ to chat with locals about their town’s extraordinary claim to fame. Despite Nigeria being officially an English-speaking nation, Drew discovered that finding people speaking his native language was challenging.
There’s an extraordinarily high proportion of twins born in the town(Image: YouTube/DrewBinsky)
He said: “Even though Nigeria is an English speaking country, it’s actually very difficult to find English speakers. Usually the ones that go to school that are educated can speak. But here in the villages, they usually speak native language, which is Yoruba.”
Drew eventually teamed up with a local woman named Grace, who became his guide and offered one intriguing theory for the abundance of twins.
She revealed: “There’s actually a secret behind that. There is a soup in our land here that people eat that will make them to give birth to twins and multiple [births].”
Grace, herself a twin, helped Drew chat to Yoruba-speaking locals(Image: YouTube/DrewBinsky)
Grace attributes the town’s unique demographic pattern to a local dish made with okra leaves, although researchers have yet to establish any concrete evidence linking the local diet to the twin mystery.
The town of Igbo-Ora, renowned for its high proportion of multiple births, may have found a clue in the peel of locally-grown yams, with a University of Lagos Teaching Hospital study suggesting a chemical link to the phenomenon.
Local resident Grace expressed her pride in living in Igbo-Ora, noting the scientific interest in the town’s twin phenomenon.
She continued: “Everybody’s a twin here. There is no single house in this town that does not have a twins. Every house, no matter how small or how big the house is, they will surely have a set of twins.”
It’s almost unusual not to be a twin in Igbo-Ora(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
While the global average for twin births stands at about 12 per 1,000, Igbo-Ora boasts an astonishing rate of at least 50 per 1,000.
Drew sampled the okra-leaf soup known as Ilasa, jokingly hinting it might increase his chances of having twins.
The soup, a local delicacy, features okra leaf, “locust beans,” and marugbo herb.
Igbo-Ora celebrates its unique status with a twins festival, where twins, triplets, and even quadruplets don matching attire and take part in photo sessions.
Despite its fame for multiple births, Igbo-Ora faces severe economic challenges, with one inhabitant describing the town as “financially handicapped” and calling for assistance from international aid organisations.
An American visiting the UK decided to sample some good old fashioned fish and chips, but Brits spotted a “problem” when he tucked into the food at a popular seaside resort
06:58, 12 Jul 2025Updated 09:08, 12 Jul 2025
Brits spotted a “problem” with his order (stock image)(Image: SolStock / Getty Images)
When you visit a different country, it’s natural to explore and sample some of the traditional delicacies on offer and, here in the UK, one of the most beloved meals is fish and chips. Perhaps that’s why an American ventured to a popular seaside resort in Lancashire to sample the goods – after all, you can’t beat a chippy tea right by the sea.
A man, known as Kalani Ghost Hunter on TikTok, recently headed to Blackpool to sample one of his “favourite” British meals, and his video has since gone viral. He headed to Bentley’s Fish and Chips to carry out a taste test, as he said it was recommended by some of the locals, and he was keen to tuck in and see what was on offer.
He admitted that, when he has fish and chips, he has to have Dandelion and Burdock, as he said it’s “needed” to pair with the meal. Showing off the dish, he explained: “So, we’ve got our fish here, take a look at that – that is the large portion of fish and chips.
“Vinegar, salt – you guys know the combo. Now let’s dive in. I’ve been waiting for this meal for so many days. Mmm, so they’re frying in vegetable oil, and you guys know I’m a beef dripping lover but, what I will say is, there’s a very nice crunch on this.
“That’s a good batter flavour. Let’s try out a chip – I will say they have nice, chunky chips. That’s a solid piece of fish and chips. You guys know we love the curry sauce.
“I also love taking a chip through some mushy peas. I also love me some cheesy chips. Now they have melted the cheese on top here – let’s get us a nice bite. I love some cheesy chips.”
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Overall, he said the fish and chips were fried “nicely”, and he deemed the meal a “solid option”, awarding it an 8.6/10. According to the reviewer, the meal was “very good”, and he really enjoyed it.
However, in the comments, people were quick to chime in with all sorts of ideas. Some people spotted a “problem”, as they thought he was missing one key item on top of his chips.
One person wrote: “Cheese, chips and gravy.” Another added: “Have you tried cheesy chips and gravy?”
A third added: “Need to chuck some gravy on the chips and cheese.” Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “You need to add gravy to your cheesy chips.”
Some people also thought Blackpool “wasn’t the best place” to sample fish and chips, but others said there were a few spots that serve up tasty offerings. One person thought the eatery he went to was lovely though, adding: “Good chippy that.”
Another also chimed in with: “Ignore the people in the comments hating on Blackpool. Yes, of course it’s not the gastronomic capital of England, but it’s fun and a great time, if you’re not pretentious.”
Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It’s situated on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, around 27 miles (43 km) north of Liverpool and 14 miles (23 km) west of Preston.
It’s the main settlement in the borough, which carries the same name. The town also homes the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, which is world-famous for its unique sprung dance floor and amazing architecture.
A charming seaside village that was once completley inland has been casted into the tourist spotlight after one of its secluded beaches was crowned the best in the south of England
This quaint seaside resort has been hailed for having one of the UK’s best beaches(Image: Getty Images/Westend61)
Escape the bustling city with this charming seaside village that’s just a short train ride away from London.
Tucked away on Hampshire’s pristine coastline, and sandwiched between Bournemouth and Portsmouth, lies the quaint parish of Milford on Sea. Steeped in history, the village originally began as a Saxon settlement and was actually solely inland until the 1800s.
However, due to coastal erosion and the region expanding, Milford on Sea has slowly transformed itself into an iconic seaside resort. Acclaimed for its breathtaking views of the Isle of Wight, its golden beaches, vibrant high street, and pastel-coloured beach huts – the village might be small but is jam-packed with things to do.
There are several stunning beaches in Milford on Sea, leaving you spoilt for choice(Image: Getty Images)
Milford on Sea boasts four gorgeous beaches along the shore. Many head to Hurst Road Beach, which is the closest to the village centre. Here, you’ll find parking and toilets nearby as well as the Needles Eye Café which has its own ice cream kiosk and children’s play area.
There’s also Hordle Cliff Beach, a two-mile stretch of coastline which turns into a sandy paradise at low tide. It’s a great place to soak up the rays with a good book, relax in a shaded beach hut, or try your hand at watersports including kite surfing and kayaking.
Taddiford Gap was named one of the UK’s best beaches by The Times(Image: Mike Faherty)
However, it’s Taddiford Gap, located just off the B3058, that was recently crowned one of the best 50 UK beaches in 2025 by The Times. This shingle and mud-sand beach is a little more off the beaten track, meaning you won’t be rubbing shoulders with strangers when trying to sunbathe. “A short walk along a footpath brings you to a grassy cliff and a quiet stretch of shingle with the best views of the Needles,” the publication wrote.
Avoid the crowds of tourists on this stunning secluded beach(Image: Jim Champion)
After a day on the beach, head over to Hurst Castle for a fascinating history lesson. This artillery fortress was built by Henry VIII and remained in military use until 1956, playing an active role through both world wars. “With spectacular views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight from the top of the Tudor Keep and plenty of open spaces for children to explore, it’s a great day out for the whole family,” The New Forest explained. “The café offers hot and cold drinks, homemade food, and cakes. Dogs on leads are very welcome too.”
Located just 98 miles from central London, it takes around two hours and 41 minutes to drive to Milford on Sea. Alternatively, you can get a train from London Waterloo to Lymington town – which takes one hour and 45 minutes and usually includes one change in Brockenhurst.
From here, you can hop in a 12-minute taxi or catch the X1 bus towards Bournemouth and alight at Barnes Lane – which takes around 21 minutes. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult rail fares for as little as £11.30 this month.
Milford on Sea is filled with a range of accommodation types to suit your budget, from stunning eco lodges to no-frills B&Bs. A weekend’s stay (Friday, August 8-10) at The Beach House, a Victorian mansion just 200 yards from the sea, will set you back £365. This is based on two adults sharing a Double Room and includes breakfast.
If you’re travelling as part of a much bigger group, you have to check out Saltwood. This huge holiday home features two double beds and two single beds (meaning it sleeps up to six people), as well as a private kitchen and ‘ample space for relaxation and comfort’. Staying here on the exact same nights costs £1,213.
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
What’s your favourite UK seaside resort? Let us know in the comments section below
We found a stylish getaway at this Italian holiday hotspot that looks straight out of a TV show or movie, where you’ll find fine dining, luxury living and a fascinating history
A survey of 1,700 holidaymakers has revealed some of the best and worst of British holiday park breaks
04:00, 12 Jul 2025Updated 10:39, 12 Jul 2025
Pontins – who were bottom of the list – have closed locations including Camber Sands in East Sussex(Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
A survey by Which? has revealed some of the best and worst holiday parks in the UK for 2025, with well-known brands such as Haven and Center Parcs losing out to lesser-known providers.
The survey was completed by 1,700 Which? members who were asked to rate their experiences in UK holiday parks and resorts. Respondents were asked to rank details from the cleanliness of the park to the quality of their accommodation, variety of free activities on offer, and the overall value for money of their holiday.
Topping the chart for “customer score” was Potters Resorts, which offer all-inclusive holidays at two resorts based in Essex and Norfolk. While it’s an adults-only resort most of the year, children are allowed during the summer holidays in Norfolk. Potters scored an impressive 87%, with an impressive five-stars for quality of facilities and accommodation, and a perfect score for the variety of free activities on offer.
Potters Resorts have two locations including the beautiful Hopton-on-Sea in Norfolk(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Although Potters is the most expensive of the parks included in the Which? survey, the price includes all food and drink, activities that range from pickleball to archery and evening entertainment which is described as ‘West End’ quality, netting the parks a four-star rating for value for money.
Forest Holidays came in second, with an overall customer score of 80%. The brand has eight parks in England, three in Scotland, and two in Wales, with rural locations and accommodation such as log cabins and treehouses. Customers gave positive feedback for the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although they only got three-stars for value for money.
Another winner was Bluestone Wales, which is set in picturesque Pembrokeshire. Bluestone offers luxury lodges and cottages, also scoring highly for the quality of accommodation on offer. While they scored well for the variety of children’s activities on offer and the entertainment, they also scored three-stars for value for money, giving them an overall score of 77%.
Forest Holidays clinched second place(Image: Leicester Mercury)
Pontins are yet again at the bottom of the chart, having also come bottom in 2024. The brand only has one holiday park that’s currently open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed in order to house construction workers.
Scoring just 56% for customer satisfaction, Pontins scored just two-stars in most areas and, despite being the cheapest option, customers still felt they received poor value for money.
Sand Bay near Weston-Super-Mare is the only Pontins currently open to the public(Image: Rowan Griffiths)
In a Tripadvisor review of their Pakefield park, one customer said: “Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor”.
Another complained: “Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests.”
However, there were positive reviews of the Pontins experience. One said: “We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can’t get any better!”
And many reviews praised the entertainment on offer, with one saying: “The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people.”
Away Resorts have 25 family-friendly resorts including one in Newquay(Image: William Dax / SWNS)
The bottom of the list also included Largo Leisure Parks, a chain of six parks in Scotland, who scored 64%. However, it’s worth noting they had a small sample size of just 30 respondents who had visited their parks.
A spokesperson for Largo Leisure said: “Whilst this is of course disappointing, this relates to only 30 people who were surveyed about Largo Leisure over 12 months ago. On both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, where we have thousands of reviews for each of our six Scotland holiday parks, all of them are rated 4.3 or above out of 5.
“We regularly get 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews and we would encourage people to take a look on both to see a true reflection of the guest experiences at our parks. We are very proud of our track record for providing exceptional holidays for our guests but we never stop trying to improve. We are enjoying a busy year across all our parks and if people read the online reviews they will see why.”
Away Resorts had the same score. They have 25 parks across the UK, including the popular south-west of England area and the Isle of Wight.
Away Resorts got just two stars for value for money, despite offering a wide range of accommodation from caravans and glamping to luxury lodges. They also scored poorly for customer service, but received three-stars for cleanliness and quality of accommodation.
The most popular holiday park provider in the survey was Center Parcs, which scored 69%, putting it neck and neck with Haven. While it scored well for the quality of its facilities and accommodation, it received low scores for the variety of free activities on offer and overall value for money. It was the third most expensive on the list, coming in after Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, who offer adults-only breaks.
Center Parcs in Elveden Forest – their parks received high scores for quality but were described as ‘expensive’(Image: Publicity Picture)
One Which? member wrote: “Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back.”
Haven, who have 38 parks across the UK, scored the same percentage as Center Parcs, although they did get three stars for value for money. Which? readers gave them two star scores for food and drink and the variety of free activities on offer.
Best and worst holiday parks in the UK ranked by customer score
Potters Resorts 87%
Forest Holidays 80%
Bluestone Wales 77%
John Fowler Holiday Parks 77%
Hoburne Holidays 75%
Hoseasons 74%
Waterside Holiday Group 74%
Warner Leisure Villages 71%
Center Parcs 69%
Haven Holiday Parks 69%
Parkdean Resorts 68%
Butlins 67%
Park Holidays UK 66%
Away Resorts 64%
Largo Leisure Parks 64%
Pontins 56%
Pontins, Away Resorts, Park Holidays, Butlins, Center Parcs, and Haven have been approached for comment.
A TikTok user has shared a genius packing hack to help you fit more clothes in your case – and it doesn’t involve using packing cubes, which she said “don’t save any space”
Trying to cram everything you need into a small carry-on can be a struggle(Image: Olga Rolenko via Getty Images)
For those nipping off on quick holidays this summer, paying extra for a large suitcase in the plane’s hold just doesn’t make sense.
Here’s where a bit of packing savvy comes in handy, be it with a compact wheely case, a rucksack or a holdall that you can take into the cabin with you.
All the rage amongst holidaymakers on social media right now are packing cubes, praised for their ability to keep suitcases neat and make more room. But now, people are discovering an old-school packing tactic does the job equally well – and it’s said to squeeze ‘months’ worth of clothes in.
This smart technique was shown off on TikTok by @joanna. pirog, who ditched her organising cubes for a better, cheaper approach when preparing for a getaway.
She demonstrated with an unfilled suitcase surrounded by clothes she intended to take; she rolled each item tightly and methodically popped them into the bag, reports the Liverpool Echo.
She managed to fit a selection of dresses, tops, t-shirts, skirts and shorts with room to spare and, despite appearing full, Joanna found space for even more by wedging them into small crevices.
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According to her, rolling clothes meant she could get three months’ worth of belongings into just one small suitcase.
In her caption, she said: “Packing cubes don’t save space, roll your clothes and you’ll fit so much more!”.
In the video’s comments, people agreed that packing cubes were pretty useless unless you’re carrying a massive suitcase.
“I’m with you on the packing cubes. I just find they make it so much worse,” one viewer said. Another chimed in: “I’m so impressed.”
Joanna pointed out that while she travelled across Europe with her luggage, most airlines didn’t bother to check its weight – but if you do get caught out and it’s too heavy, you could be slapped with a fee to chuck it in the hold.
If you’re travelling with just hand luggage, this tip could come in very handy (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
If you’re looking for another packing trick to try this summer and you don’t want to resort to packing cubes, influencer Chantel Mila has just the thing.
She has recommended standing your suitcase upright, rather than laying it flat on the floor, and packing your belongings vertically in columns.
Not only will this help to maximise space, but you’ll be able to see everything in your case much more clearly, which will make unpacking so much easier when you reach your destination.
The breathtaking island was a playground for kings and queens thanks to its ‘perfumed city’ – nowadays it’s open to everyone and it’s still got heaps of charm
A picturesque UK island with white beaches and turquoise waters was once home to around 40 residents, but has been left abandoned for around 200 years due to one key reason
This abandoned island really does like something straight from a postcard(Image: Getty Images/Hemis.fr RM)
A beautiful UK island that could easily be mistaken for the likes of the Maldives or Caribbean was surprisingly abandoned by Brits centuries ago.
Boasting insanely white beaches, turquoise waters and its very own sub-tropical climate that welcomes balmy temperatures of around 25C – you’d expect Samson Island to have been turned into a huge holiday resort crawling with tourists. But for years, this stunning piece of land – which is roughly just 39 hectares – used to home just 40 residents, most of whom were believed to have worked as farmers and fishermen.
Despite its ethereal beauty, life on Samson wasn’t easy, and by the mid-1800s the population had dwindled down to just 10 people, all part of two remaining families. Stung by scarce resources and its isolated location, residents reportedly started suffering from malnutrition – surviving mainly off foraged food and potatoes.
The island was transformed into a deer park, which quickly backfired(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
In 1834, the island was bought by Augustus Smith, who removed the families from Samson and transformed the island into a private deer park. However, this plan massively backfired and many of the deer attempted to escape to the neighbouring islands.
Now left alone to its own devices, Samson has become a haven for wildlife, and is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Expect to see seals playing in the waves, while gannets and razorbills fly overhead if you visit.
You’ll also be able to spot the crumbled ruins that once homed multiple families. They make for a great snap and really make you think what life would have been like on this incredible island some two hundred years ago.
Crumbling houses provide an insight into life on Samson(Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)
“Nestled in the narrow strip of land between the twin hills of Samson stand the roofless remains of stone cottages and boathouses,” explains Discovering Britain. “Long walls section off parts of the island and, around the ancient burial sites that top the hills, flints, pottery and other echoes of an intriguing history of human habitation have been unearthed.”
Situated in the acclaimed Isles of Scilly, some 28 miles of Cornwall – you can now visit Samson on a day trip from the habitable islands nearby. Tresco, one of the most popular islands on the archipelago, is less than a mile away – meaning you can technically swim over to Samson, but due to potential hazards and ferry routes – it isn’t advised.
Most tourists visit Samson by boat, though it is technically possible to swim over from nearby islands(Image: Getty Images/Collection Mix: Subjects RF)
However, you can easily catch a ferry and walk the plank from the boat to the shore. If you want a bit more adventure, you can hire a kayak from Bryher and paddle across the clear water from Rushy Bay.
Getting to the Isle of Scilly will require a little bit of work. You can either fly on the Skybus, which departs from Land’s End, Newquay or Exeter Airport – or take a helicopter from Penzance. Most people opt for the Scillonian III Passenger Ferry, which takes two hours and forty minutes from Penzance but can work out much cheaper.
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Those travelling on a UK passport will need to undertake an extra step when checking in
03:51, 12 Jul 2025Updated 08:43, 12 Jul 2025
Ryanair wants passengers to confirm they ‘understand’ new rules(Image: Alla Tsyganova via Getty Images)
Ryanair passengers travelling on a UK passport are required to undertake an extra step when checking in online – meaning the process may take longer. Ryanair passengers are required to check in online and print or download boarding passes, with the exception of those travelling on Flexi Plus ticket, who can check in at the airport for free.
Travellers can check in online from 60 days before their flight, if they have paid for an allocated seat. Other passengers, who will be given a seat by Ryanair at random, can check in between 24 and two hours before the scheduled time of departure.
Because of new rules that came in post-Brexit, for trips to the EU Schengen Area, British passports must be valid for at least three months following the day of departure, and have been issued less than 10 years before the date you plan to enter. Ryanair’s online check-in reflects this, with an additional step for UK passport-holders.
After filling in important details such as date of birth and passport number, travellers will be required to read the following passage: “I understand that if I am using a British passport to travel to the EU, my passport must be valid for at least three months from the date I intend to leave the EU (excluding Ireland), and my passport should be issued within the previous 10 years upon the date I arrive into the EU (excluding Ireland)”, before ticking a box to confirm.
Those planning a trip abroad should check their passport details well in advance to avoid any last-minute rushes, as it can take a few weeks to renew a passport. His Majesty’s (HM) Passport Office suggests that the process of a new or replacement passport currently takes about three weeks.
It could take longer, though, “if we need more information, or we need to interview you”. In such instances, the Passport Office said it will contact applicants directly.
As of April 10, 2025, fees for a new or replacement adult passport (for someone aged 16 or over) are set at £94.50 for online applications, and £107 for paper submissions. For children, the fees are £61.50 and £74 respectively.
If you require a passport urgently, you can use the Premium Service (one day), but this will cost you £222 for an adult passport, or £189 for a child’s.
Tony Holliday, 57, was left with a fractured right leg, head and shoulder injuries after the crash – which happened after being given a complimentary quadbiking trip while on holiday
03:45, 12 Jul 2025Updated 06:11, 12 Jul 2025
Tony Holliday (third right) with his daughters Keeley (second right) and Rhianna (right) on holiday in Cape Verde (Image: Tony Holliday/Scala/PA)
A holidaymaker who is suing TUI at the High Court following a quad bike crash has issued a stark warning to tourists while on excursions abroad after he suffered serious injuries which “should never have happened”.
The property developer travelled to the island, off the coast of west Africa, with his wife, Bev, and two of his daughters, Keeley and Rhianna.The 57-year-old, from Cockermouth, Cumbria, is suing TuUI UK, claiming it misrepresented the nature of the excursion and was negligent, and is seeking more than £500,000 in damages.
Tony is suing TUI after he was brutally “catapulted” off his quadbike (Image: Stewarts Law / SWNS)
Mr Holliday has now urged travellers to take precautions while abroad. He said: “Please check everything. If something doesn’t feel right… take the full checks, make sure everything’s there (and) the health and safety looks like it’s in place.” He continued: “We asked questions at the time but were not given the correct answers.”
Mrs Holliday, 54, said: “Make sure that you’ve got the right insurance in place, that you’re going through your tour operator, and just think carefully about the excursions that you take your family on and that you go on, and just to try and look out for things that we didn’t see.”
The family agreed to go on the free quad bike excursion as compensation for issues with lost luggage and rooms smelling of sewage earlier in the trip.
Tony Holliday being treated after the horror crash (Image: Stewarts Law / SWNS)
In court documents filed by law firm Stewarts, which is representing Mr Holliday, Sarah Prager KC said that TUI staff described the excursion as “suitable for total beginners”, despite the company saying online that it was an “off-road adventure”, an “action-packed excursion”, and “four adrenaline-pumping hours” on “very powerful machines”.
Mr Holliday believed the excursion was provided by Tui but later found out it was organised by a local provider. Mr Holliday continues to suffer from anxiety and issues with sleep following the incident, and said he “feels a second slower than where I should be”.
He said: “Although I went through it, I didn’t witness what my family had to witness, and I don’t think they’ll ever get that image out of their head. So it’s not just me who has suffered. I think the full family has suffered through this. It should never have happened.”
Mrs Holliday said: “It’s really strange when you’ve got a partner who has no fear… he gets himself out there and he loves the challenge, work-wise. It’s really strange to then find yourself in the position where he hasn’t got that confidence any more, and your life completely changes. He will get back, he will get back to where he is. We’ll make sure he does.”
Tony Holliday being repatriated home(Image: Stewarts Law / SWNS)
Chris Deacon, international injury lawyer at Stewarts, said: “Sadly, every year I see cases like Tony’s, of people sustaining serious, life-changing injuries on holiday excursions. One of the key factors which influences whether a person can bring a compensation claim for their injuries is how the excursion (is) booked.
“This is because booking your excursion through your tour operator as part of your package holiday brings with it certain protections under the package travel regulations.
“If you book through a small, local provider, there is a risk they won’t be insured, fully or at all, with no safeguard that the tour operator may have risk assessed the provider or activity, and the added complication of potentially having to bring your legal case in a foreign jurisdiction.
“What is also worth knowing is that many travel insurance policies exclude high-risk activities such as quad biking, parachuting, bungee jumping and certain watersports. So even if you have travel insurance, don’t assume it will cover you for everything.”
A spokesperson for TUI said: “We are sorry that Mr Holliday was injured during his holiday to Cape Verde. As this is now a legal matter, we are unable to comment any further at this time.”
Tui is understood to be opposing the claim and is due to file its defence at the High Court later this year.
Wizz Air UK managing director Yvonne Moynihan has warned that passengers will be hit with higher luggage fees if new EU hand luggage legislation is implemented
Suceava has been described as “off the beaten track”(Image: MARIAN Gabriel Constantin via Getty Images)
Wizz Air has launched seven new routes, including to a little-known region filled with natural beauty.
As of last month, Wizz Air is flying four times a week from Gatwick to Wroclaw in Poland. It will be flying from the same London airport to Warsaw in Poland and Medina in Saudi Arabia from the beginning of August.
Over in the West Midlands, Birmingham is now linked up with Rome three times a week as of June, with new flights to Sibiu and Suceava in Romania later this year.
When it comes to the Suceava route, the budget carrier will operate flights three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with fares starting from £17.99.
Corporate communications manager at Wizz Air Olivia Harangozó said: “We are delighted to be adding Suceava to our route network from Birmingham. The city and surrounding region offer incredible natural beauty and historical significance, making it an ideal destination for travellers hoping to discover somewhere off the beaten track.”
Sibiu in Romania could be worth a visit(Image: Alexander Spatari via Getty Images)
This week the recently appointed head of Wizz Air UK, Yvonne Moynihan, conceded that the airline would have to raise luggage fees in response to a potential new European Union regulation. In an interview with the Mirror, Moynihan outlined how Wizz Air UK might adapt to new hand luggage rules.
While the regulation is still pending, it could force budget airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air to abandon steep additional fees for secondary cabin bags.
The decisive element for budget airline passengers lies in the EU’s Transport and Tourism Committee’s stipulation: “Passengers should have a right to carry on board one personal item, such as a handbag, backpack or laptop (maximum dimensions of 40x30x15 cm), and one small hand luggage (maximum dimensions of 100 cm and 7 kg) without an additional fee.”
In practical terms, it means that budget airlines could no longer demand high fees for a supplementary cabin bag. Despite the UK’s exit from the EU, the new directives would still influence UK travellers as EU-headquartered airlines, such as Wizz Air, fall within their scope
Airline executives have spoken out against the proposal, fearing it will lead to pricier tickets or additional baggage fees in order to compensate for lost revenue.
“We highly object, along with the other airlines. It essentially erodes consumer choice,” voiced Ms Moynihan regarding the decision. The head of the fledgeling budget carrier drew parallels to Ourania Georgoutsakou’s critique, the managing director of Airlines For Europe, who said that the policy is akin to “going to the cinema and being forced to have Coke and popcorn with your ticket.”
Ms Moynihan anticipates the EU legislation will be diluted before passing into law but warned that carriers like Wizz Air may ultimately raise their luggage charges to makeup for decreased profits. At present, ancillary services such as seat selection and baggage fees contribute nearly half of Wizz Air’s revenues.
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