Holidays

SKY SPORTS were forced to apologise after Soccer Saturday made three blunders in the first-half of a match.

League One and League Two clubs got their seasons underway today as Barnsley faced Plymouth Argyle.

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But Soccer Saturday had a nightmare opening 45 minutes while covering the action at Home Park.

Former QPR star Jamie Mackie was tasked with giving updates on the game from the Sky Sports studio.

There was confusion just five minutes in when host Julian Warren went across to the pundit after Caleb Watts had found the back of the net for Argyle.

He announced that there had been a goal, only for it to be disallowed for a foul in the build-up.

The next error came when Argyle star Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu netted an own goal.

Presenter Warren said: “Goal for Plymouth, we have heard this before. Does this one count, Jamie Mackie?”

Mackie then awkwardly replied as the scoreboard said 1-0 to the incorrect team: “It is a Plymouth player that scored… but it is at the wrong end.”

The graphic quickly changed and a red-faced Warren clarified: “It is Barnsley who are in front.

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“Apologies for the slight moment of excitement for you Plymouth fans, only to find out you’re behind.”

But the blunders were not done there as The Tykes then made it 2-0.

When Adam Phillips doubled their lead, Sky Sports accidentally made a score correction on the vidiprinter to say it was still 1-0.

They were then forced to hilariously correct the correction.

Warren handled it like a pro, brilliantly saying: “I think the vidiprinter might still be on holiday, lying on a lounger with a couple of pina coladas.”

There were no errors in the second-half as Barnsley won 3-1.

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NAGA Munchetty “went ballistic” at intern for getting her porridge wrong insiders claim as the host is hit by a bullying probe.

The insider previously worked with Naga, 50, on BBC Breakfast and revealed the host is an “absolute nightmare” and would “kick off about the smallest of issues”.

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A source has claimed that under-fire BBC presenter Naga Munchetty has a reputation for going “ballistic” at junior staff.

They also revealed that she humiliated an intern who didn’t make her porridge perfectly.

An insider told the Mail: “She has a reputation for going at young members of staff and making them out to be fools.

“She would kick off about the smallest of issues, including one time she went ballistic over her breakfast not being prepared exactly how she likes it by an intern.”

This included the occasion where Munchetty refused to eat porridge delivered to her by an intern during an ad break as it was too hot for her to eat in the time she had.

“The guy walked off the set utterly humiliated and went back to chuck it away before trying again in time for the next ad break, it was pretty brutal to watch,” the insider added.

A BBC spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. 

“We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.” 

It comes as the BBC is set to launch an investigation into Munchetty following a string of complaints.

The Breakfast host has been placed “under review” while bosses consider escalating matters to a formal investigation. 

A source said bosses had heard from a number of aggrieved colleagues, logging concerns over her “hard” and “bullying” behaviour on BBC Breakfast and her Radio 5 Live show. 

She had also been hauled in by bosses over allegations she made an off-air sex jibe at 5 Live. 

The source said: “Following the amount of people who have come forward to share their experiences with Naga, the BBC has officially moved to place the complaints under review.

“The review is to ascertain whether a full-on investigation is required and that could come in weeks.” 

The Sun previously reported Munchetty faced complaints on 5 Live including a bullying claim and the use of crude, sexual language. 

Bosses were forced to apologise on her behalf after a tense interview with Spice Girl Geri Horner in 2023. 

Munchetty began work on BBC Breakfast in 2014 and covers Thursday to Saturday alongside Stayt, as well as presenting a Radio 5 programme three times a week. 

She is the BBC’s 10th highest earner, on around £355,000. 

We reported since the bullying row had erupted on BBC Breakfast, her team had approached LBC radio to seek out new opportunities. 

Many holiday destinations have serious laws on vaping where travellers could be fined or worse jailed on holiday, warnings have been issued to travellers to ensure they know the rules before they fly

These are the holiday hotspots where vapes can land you in serious trouble. Travellers may be fined, detained or even jailed for taking or using their vapes in these countries. The UK have cracked down on their own vaping laws and these popular holiday destinations also have their own that must be taken seriously.

Experts at Vape Ease UK have warned British travellers to check laws before flying as there are many destinations where travellers could be in for a shock and serious action has been taken on vaping. From Thailand and India’s jail time to Mexico and Singapore bans, tourists have been issued serious warnings. It comes after a flight attendant urges tourists to always leave a shoe in their hotel room safe.

Turkey

More than 4.4 million Brits visited Turkey in the last year and due to its popularity it’s necessary to know the vaping laws. The country bans the sale of vapes, whilst using them is allowed only in certain areas like smoking zones. Travellers can only bring one device, spare pods or refill bottles that are no greater than 30ml in volume or up to 10 disposable vapes per person.

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You must also be 19 years old to vape in Turkey. According to globaltobaccocontrol.org, e-cigarettes and e-liquids are also classed as tobacco products so all the restrictions applied to smoking also apply to vaping.

India

Vaping in India has been banned since 2019 when they introduced the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes Act (PECA) which banned everything to do with electronic nicotine products – production, sales, imports, exports, transport, storage and advertisement. E-cigarettes cover all types: refillable vapes, disposable vapes, heat-not-burn (HnB) products, and E-hookahs.

Travellers can face fines, imprisonment or both if caught doing any of the above. First time offenders who violate the ban could face up to one year in prison, or a fine of £1000 or both. For subsequent offences, this would increase to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of £5000.

Denmark

Whilst vaping in Denmark is legal there are certain rules and restrictions that apply: such as the age limit of 18 years old where you can purchase and use vapes. Flavoured E-liquids are banned which came into effect in April 2021, only tobacco-flavoured ones are allowed. Vaping is allowed in public places but not in all areas such as on public transport, schools and childcare facilities, and certain indoor spaces like bars and restaurants may have their own policies so you must check.

UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)

Vaping is legal in the UAE but must meet the standards set by the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology (ESMA). Like most countries you must be at least 18 to purchase a vape in the UAE. There are designated areas where people can vape. If these rules are not followed then penalties can include a minimum imprisonment of one year for serious offences and a fine ranging from £20 000 to £200 000.

Australia

Australia’s approach to vaping is a medical one as of July 2024, all vaping products can only be sold in a pharmacy for the purpose of assisting those that are trying to quit smoking or manage their nicotine. From March 2024, travellers entering the country can only bring a small quantity of vapes with them. The vapes must only be for the traveller’s treatment or someone they are caring for. The maximum allowed is 2 vapes in total, 20 vape accessories and 200ml of vape substance liquid.

Mexico

The sale of vapes in Mexico is generally banned, and there are certain public places where a vape is not allowed in: Indoor public spaces (bars, restaurants, shops and government buildings), workplaces and public transport. When travelling they advise, to pack it in your checked luggage, carry a small amount of e-liquid and if questioned by customs officials to answer any questions about your vape and its intended use.

Thailand

Thailand have some of the strictest rules overall as e-cigarettes are illegal since 2014. Anyone found breaking this law could be arrested and face jail time of up to 10 years or fined up to £700. Travellers are advised not to bring any e-cigarettes with them or any item associated with them. Travellers should be aware of the ban beforehand as tourists in the past have been arrested before having not known.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong state imports, manufacture, and sale of vapes have been banned since 2022 but not the use of it, however laws are set to change by early to mid 2026. Breaking these laws will result in heavy fines of up to £200 000.

Japan

Japan vaping laws are heavily regulated, nicotine e-liquids are classified as medicinal products and travellers can only bring up to 120ml of e-liquid. Non -nicotine vapes are allowed and do not face restrictions. Vaping in public spaces is strictly banned unless in a designated smoking zone. They have strict penalties in place for those who break these rules with heavy fines or imprisonment.

Singapore

Singapore have a zero-tolerance policy with vaping that includes importing, selling or using e-cigarettes as illegal. You can face fines of up to £2300, legal trouble and confiscations at customs if seen with a vape.

A spokesperson from Vape Ease UK warned travellers that the “last thing anyone wants is to be detained or fined on holiday. In places like Thailand and Hong Kong, the laws are shockingly strict. When in doubt – leave your vape behind.” It is not worth the risk bringing your vape on holiday.

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MIGRANT hotel residents have been spotted laughing while they video protesters and counter-demonstrators clash.

People believed to be asylum seekers inside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, in Islington, waved and blew kisses at protesters in the street below.

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The protest outside the north London hotel was sparked today, while another demonstration will also take place in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel.

The Metropolitan Police said the display was organised by local residents under the banner “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no”.

Online groups called Patriots of Britain and Together for the Children have voiced their support for the demonstration.

A counter-protest, created by Stand Up To Racism, has also unfolded.

On student involved said he wants migrants to “feel safe” in the UK.

Pat Prendergast, 21, said: “I want people to feel safe. I think the (rival protesters) over there are making people feel unsafe.

“I want to stand up in solidarity and say that, you know, we want people here.

“We want migrants. We want asylum seekers.”

Meanwhile people against the hotel being used for migrants shouted “get these scum off our streets”, while waving England flags.

A large group of masked protesters dressed in black and chanted “we are anti-fascist”.

A man donning an England football shirt was also arrested by police after an aggressive altercation with officers.

There were clashes before cops separate the two groups.

Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: “We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners.

“We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides.

“Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality.

“We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community.

“Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.”

In a statement, the organisers of the counter protest said: “Yet again far-right and fascist thugs are intent on bringing their message of hate to Newcastle.

“They aim to build on years of Islamophobia, anti-migrant sentiment and scapegoating.

“In Epping and elsewhere recently we have already seen intimidation and violence aimed at refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.

“Newcastle, like the rest of the North East, has a well-earned reputation for unity in the face of those who seek to divide us.

“Whatever problems we face, racism and division are not the answer.”

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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A KNIFEMAN is on the loose after a teenage boy was stabbed to death in a Powerleague football car park.

Cops now say a murder investigation has been launched after the brutal attack in Bury, Greater Manchester.

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The 19-year-old man was attacked just before 9pm on Friday, August 1 in a car park on Market Street, according to Greater Manchester Police.

He sustained several stab wounds and later died from his injuries, the force said.

His family are being supported by specially trained officers.

No arrests have yet been made in what police believe was a “targeted attack” and officers have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

Detective Chief Inspector John Charlton, from the Major Incident Team, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the victim’s family and friends after this tragic and upsetting incident – our specially trained officers are supporting them at this difficult time.

“This incident will have shocked the community and distressed anyone who witnessed it, but we believe this was a targeted attack with no wider threat.

“We have several scenes in place with the investigation ongoing in order to identify and apprehend the offenders responsible.

“There will be officers in the area today and in the coming days as we are determined to bring the family the answers they deserve.”

A FOUR-year-old girl was tragically killed after a careless driver, 23, ploughed into the pavement.

Mayar Yahia was struck down on a Birmingham street while walking with her family after celebrating Eid.

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Horror unfolded on April 14 last year when Javonnie Tavener sped through a barrier in his Corsa.

He ploughed into the little girl, her mother Sara, and their neighbour on Upper Highgate Street.

She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives

Mayar’s grieving father

Paramedics tragically pronounced the tot dead at the scene, while Sara and her friend were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Three other pedestrians were also hurt in the crash.

Cops later detained and charged 23-year-old Tavener with causing death by careless driving, causing death whilst driving uninsured and two counts of causing serious injury by careless driving.

He pleaded guilty to all charges at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday this week.

The defendant has been remanded in custody while awaiting a sentencing date.

In a statement, released via West Midlands Police at the time of her death, Mayar’s grieving father said words failed to capture his grief.

He said: “It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating loss of our cherished daughter, Mayar.

“She was an extraordinary young girl, only four-years-old, full of life and joy, and her absence leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives.

“Among all, she held a special place in my heart.

“Words fail to capture the depth of our grief and the magnitude of this loss.

“However, we find solace and strength in the unwavering support and compassion shown by the police officers, our community, family, and friends.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you who have stood by our side, offering your love, prayers, and support during this incredibly difficult time.”

Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from WMP’S serious collision investigation unit, said: “Mayar was just four years old when her life was tragically taken away from her.

“She was walking back with her family and friends after celebrating Eid.

“Pedestrians should be afforded and be reassured of protection when walking on the pavement and a split-second decision by Tavener to overtake where he did has led to this tragic chain of events.

“I would urge all drivers to think about this incident and how those decisions can have such catastrophic consequences.”

The road where Mayar was killed is now set to be pedestrianised after a campaign led for safer streets and roads.

It will stop traffic from reaching a stretch of Upper Highgate Street near New Hope Community Park.

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A woman has claimed she was “unfairly” charged by easyJet when she was travelling from London Luton Airport to Paris – and she said the experience only got worse

Travelling to the airport can be a stressful experience, and it can be even worse when things go wrong. This is exactly what appeared to happen to one woman when her easyJet flight wasn’t what she expected for more than one reason.

Emi, who shares her life on TikTok under the username emilia.petcu, recounted her less-than-pleasant experience travelling from London Luton Airport to Paris. She felt “unfairly” overcharged and described her flight as a “poor experience”, which cast a shadow over her Parisian getaway.

In her video, Emi alleges that easyJet hit her with a £96.00 fee for a backpack she believed complied with the cabin policy and should have fit under the seat. She branded the last-minute charge as “unfair”, despite airlines’ usual reminders to passengers to verify baggage rules before flying.

But the troubles didn’t stop there, as she also claimed the aircraft was dirty, adding to her travel woes. Her post included the caption: “The experience only got worse on board. The airplane was dirty, with poor hygiene and cleanliness conditions.

“The flight was delayed without clear updates.”

Emi documented the journey, which took place on July 24, showing both the bill and the state of the plane. Visuals of crumbs and rubbish strewn around her seating area did little to improve her impression of the airline.

The video has racked up a fair number of views since being posted, sparking a flurry of comments from viewers sharing their diverse opinions and experiences.

One viewer recounted: “This happened to me. I complained to easyJet and they gave me the amount in a voucher.”

Another chimed in with a similar experience, adding: “I had the same thing at Luton.”

A third shared their luggage strategy: “I’ve used the same backpack for the last three to four years with different airlines.”

Meanwhile, another commenter offered straightforward advice: “Follow the rules, no charges – simple.”

Some commenters came to the airline’s defence, offering an alternative viewpoint. One person pointed out: “Please bear in mind the staff have six to eight minutes to clean the plane and, if they are late, it’s 90% of the time not their fault.

“It can be if the plane in front of them was late taking off or landing – it delays others.”

Another person wrote: “Blame the set of passengers for leaving the mess, not the crew. If they were to tidy it, the flight would be delayed and they would get bother from the airline for being late and the passengers too.”

In the video, Emi didn’t showcase her bag, leaving viewers unable to judge its size; she only displayed the receipt given to her by staff upon paying the fee.

easyJet has not commented on this particular case, but the airline did issue a statement regarding its baggage policy. It read: “easyJet’s bag policy is well understood and all customers can bring one small under seat bag for free.

“We provide clear information on bag allowances including dimensions clear when booking, via email before travel and on our boarding passes and our ground handlers check bags to ensure they will fit in the cabin, and in fairness to customers who have paid to bring additional bags.”

Linda Trestrail, 69, and Wendy Russell, 71, had their tickets checked five times but still ended up on the wrong flight. The pair have blasted Jet2 for the “catalogue of disasters”

Two elderly women have slammed Jet2 saying their holiday was “ruined” after a major airport error.

Linda Trestrail, 69, and Wendy Russell, 71, had their boarding passes verified five times but still ended up on the incorrect aircraft. The blunder was only discovered when the captain announced they were touching down in Menorca instead of Majorca.

Jet2 apologised for the “human error” and blamed it partly on the special assistance provider at Bristol Airport. But the women were left furious about the “catalogue of disasters” and claimed they had not received any compensation at the time of the incident.

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Linda said: “You hear of bags going on the wrong flights but not people. The reason we booked Majorca is because of the short flight, we knew our mobility wasn’t good so didn’t want to do much travelling – we are disabled pensioners.”

She added: “You get compensated if you get delayed or lose luggage – but they lost us, not the b****y baggage.”

The pair were given wheelchair assistance at Bristol Airport and helped onto the shuttle bus and plane. Linda said they showed their tickets to the luggage desk, security, a gate desk person, and a ground crew member on the bus – who even did a head count.

She added: “Jet2 are the only ones who do double security check on tickets – so they did that, and then we were directed to our seats on the flight. A cabin crew member asked if we were in the right seats, I said yes but she took our tickets away and confirmed we were in the correct seats.

“Then the captain says we’re landing in Menorca in 10 minutes. Chaos ensued. I cried to Wendy, ‘Oh my god, Wendy! He said Menorca not Majorca!’ I told the flight attendant we were on the wrong plane – and she burst out laughing.

“Our tickets were checked five times – even by the flight attendant twice on the plane. Two passengers had flown from Bristol Airport to Menorca – and Jet2 didn’t even know who was on their plane.”

It emerged that three seats on that flight were vacant, and Wendy and Linda were occupying two of them – settling into the numbered seats they had been allocated on their original flight to Palma De Majorca. The stunned pair were instructed to remain on the aircraft, as the captain introduced himself and confessed he had never witnessed or encountered such a blunder in his entire career.

Despite his offer to personally fly the ladies back to Majorca, Linda claims that Jet2’s CEO, Steve Heapy, “was going mental”, and they were unable to return to Majorca or even stay on the plane “due to security reasons”.

Wendy, who has undergone three brain surgeries and suffers from arthritis, expressed her disbelief: “We went through five major checks there and no one picked up the error – it begs the question about what is going on. They are banging on about security, security, security – but we could’ve been anybody.”

To add insult to injury, when they enquired about their luggage, they discovered their bags had arrived in Majorca without them.

Wendy highlighted this as a serious security breach: “I had my injection in my suitcase – our families were so worried. Our luggage was on the right plane as it took off with two bags without the passengers – that’s so concerning. They are allegedly so concerned about the seriousness of it, but whichever way you look at it it’s a major breach of security. Two suitcases that could have had anything in them.”

The women waited at Menorca airport with the “kind assistance” of a Jet2 manager, enduring several hours before travelling on an internal flight with other employees. Upon reaching their intended destination – Palma De Majorca – a private car was arranged to take the pair to their resort.

Linda said: “We were supposed to be at the resort for 1pm – but neither of us knew what time it was by now. The transport coach we had booked had gone hours and hours ago – and from minute we left home it was around 17 hours later our feet and legs were like balloons”.

“Then the Jet2 rep at the resort wouldn’t even meet us there, she called me and said she had left – and apparently didn’t have time to see to two disabled pensioners – I was furious.”

The journey that ought to have taken them just five hours from departing their homes at 3am on 26 September – dragged on for more than 17 hours.

Linda and Wendy say they crumpled in their room when they finally arrived. But the letdown continued for the unlucky pair – who by this stage were in “such an awful state”. Linda says she got a phone call from a different Jet2 representative two days afterwards, offering the disabled women a ‘complimentary excursion’ – despite them being unable to walk.

She revealed: “He told us that because of our ordeal, they were going to give us a free excursion – I said ‘Are you joking – a what? Do you realise we can’t even walk let alone go for an excursion?

“We’ve been in a state. He replied it was a gesture of good will for what we’ve been through, I honestly thought he was joking and said I’m putting in formal complaint before we leave – we couldn’t go anywhere with our legs and feet swollen and we were in such a bad state. He told us to go to the CEO, Steven Heapy, when we got home and said we would be compensated.”

Wendy and Linda found themselves the talk of the town during their holiday, with Linda recounting: “We went on the beach one day and a man came up to us and said, ‘You two aren’t the ladies who were put on the wrong flight?’ Everyone knew us. We tried to make the best of the situation – but honestly, it was disgraceful.”

The duo, who confessed to feeling “terrified” during their return flight to England on October 6, 2023, claimed their holiday was “ruined”. They have been waiting for a response from Jet2 since then, despite their travel agent from Hays Travel and their children reaching out to the airline.

They say they’ve only received an apology from Bristol Airport so far.

They are still seeking compensation for their “spoilt” holiday. Wendy stated: “You put your faith in these people and when you think of the checks, with tickets passed backwards and forwards plus they were checked again on the plane. There were two Jet2 planes at fault and Bristol Airport. Luckily it was trauma for us – but for someone else, it could have been a lot worse – a lot worse, and this should never happen again.”

Jet2 has since apologised for the mishap. A spokesperson stated: “We would like to offer our sincere apologies to Mses. Trestrail and Russell for this incident. This is an extremely isolated incident and although there was no security risk, we have of course investigated it as a matter of urgency, including with the third-party special assistance provider. We can confirm that the customers went through security correctly, and their luggage was also screened correctly.

“However, after these checks the customers were taken to the incorrect aircraft, which is the responsibility of the third-party special assistance provider at the airport. Upon boarding the aircraft, the incorrect destination on their boarding passes was unfortunately not identified and we apologise for this oversight which was down to human error.

“We have carried out additional training with the team to ensure this does not happen again. As soon as we learned of the issue, our team booked Mses. Trestrail and Russell onto the soonest available flight from Menorca to Majorca and they also provided all the assistance they could both throughout their journey and the rest of their holiday.

“We have been in touch with Mses. Trestrail and Russell to offer an appropriate gesture of goodwill and once again offer our sincere apologies. We understand they are due to travel with us once again this year, and we look forward to welcoming them onboard and delivering the usual VIP customer experience that we are recognised for.”

A spokesperson for Bristol Airport said: “Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention, we will continue to work with the airline and the special assistance provider to further investigate the circumstances and introduce improvements for the future.”

From the port of Stari Grad, one of the oldest towns in Europe, we slip into the water and begin swimming out of the harbour, past the church of Saint Jerome and around a pine-clad headland to a nearby bay on Hvar’s northern coast. We emerge like an amphibious invasion force – about 160 swimmers, making our way to the hotel pool bar where drinks await. So far, so civilised. But this is only a warm-up …

Frome, in Somerset, has been named one of the best high streets in the UK, and is home to a wealth of independent shops – but some residents are not happy with the situation

Frome in Somerset is frequently celebrated as having one of Britain’s finest high streets, thriving whilst countless other locations struggle to survive. Yet even in this success story, empty shopfronts remain, including a former Shoe Zone where the faded lettering of its sign can still be spotted.

One local complained that residents must now venture elsewhere to purchase footwear. Another source of frustration centres on newcomers from the capital relocating to the area – dubbed FILTH (failed in London, try here) – who attempt to transform the town.

One shop owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, explained to the Express: “We like it as it is. When new people come in they want to change everything.”

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She revealed that these outsiders want to turn Frome into “cafe central” featuring outdoor dining and additional pedestrianised areas. A customer in the shop remarked: “We don’t want any more Londoners. We’ve fulfilled our quota, now we’re feeding them to the pigs. “People born here struggle to stay here,” explained Alice Cleaver, 29, manager of homewares shop The Shop Next Door.

“Rent is absolutely crazy.” Finding affordable accommodation took her two years through personal connections.

“If you try and go through estate agents, you’re f*****,” Ms Cleaver added. The average sold house price in Frome stands at £346,382, according to Zoopla, significantly above the UK average of £282,776.

During the first four months of 2024, 168 Frome properties entered the rental market, with the average monthly rent at £1,123, according to Rivendell Estates. This represented a marginal decline of 0.09%.

Currently, you can expect to pay between £800 and £900 monthly for what the businesswoman describes as “s***holes”. In 2023, Frome Town Council declared a housing crisis as rents spiralled beyond locals’ reach. However, the area’s prosperity benefits independent enterprises.

Ms Cleaver remarked: “There’s a lot of money here… business is going really well. “There are a lot of people moving here all the time from London,” she continued. “It’s totally understandable.”

The manager has numerous friends from London, and she views Frome through their perspective. “It’s a great town,” she explains. “A lovely place to live.”

Yet she noted: “It feels like we’re not the ones that are supposed to be living here. I’ve found somewhere affordable, but this is not the town for us. I don’t really make enough to afford to live here, you just have to find someone you know.”

Despite the town’s comparatively affluent residents, some shops are still finding conditions “tough”, and a monthly market, which draws 12,500 visitors, enhances businesses’ earnings. Garry Yoxall, 60, owner of the Pedestal Gallery and PostScript, a printing service, revealed that local shop owners maintain a Whatsapp group to share advice and alert each other about potential troublemakers.

“You know everyone in the town; there’s a network,” he said. He believes that money from Londoners relocating (DFL) has led to Frome’s evolution as it attracts people “looking to get away from the town”.

“You just have a look around the town. The geography, the architecture, the scenery. It’s just the right size, and not too disparate. Success breeds success,” said the former Shell employee, who is now a fully paid-up member of Greenpeace.

His gallery, which showcases contemporary paintings and sculptures, including works by Peter Hayes admired by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, hasn’t experienced a loss-making month since its opening last year.

Owning a gallery has always been his dream, and when the premises opposite his first business became available, Mr Yoxall seized the opportunity.

Before this, he felt the town “wasn’t ready” for such a venture. On market days, Mr Yoxall can earn up to £1,000. He noted that middle-ground purchases, typically made by younger people starting out, are “just not there anymore”.

However, high-end purchases persist, and he can still rely on low-end gifting. The businessman also benefits from low staff costs and “reasonable” rent. Truly Sopel, 46, who operates a dynamic underwear design house in Frome for the past 19 years, has seen the town evolve.

“Over time its sort of independent shops have actually attracted a lot of forward thinking creative individuals who are really passionate about what they do,” she said. “Retail sense, I think that’s what makes it work.”

The area has seen an influx of new residents, their friends and families, Ms Sopel added, with plenty of Airbnbs and good connections to London making it a “tourist attraction”. She said: “Certainly until 2016 or 2015 it was me selling stuff to local people.

“But everyone I’ve sold to today is a visitor. I nearly left six years ago. Thank God I didn’t.”

Andy Le Grange, 64, the owner of Just Ales 2 micropub, attributes the town’s success to its independent councillors, who aren’t tied to any political party. “If you don’t work for Frome, you won’t get elected,” he said.

“That makes a hell of a difference.”

Instead of top down, the town operates from the bottom up, the publican added. But Frome hasn’t always been like this, as John Szymanski, 40, a fashion designer and clothes maker hailed as one of the town’s greatest successes, pointed out.

“I’ve known Frome when it wasn’t like this at all – basically a s******e,” he said. The businessman added that those who rent out shops are reasonable. Mr Szymanski said: “Landlords understand it’s not easy having a small business; they just want to help.” During the pandemic, they adopted a “pay when you can” policy. “If you can’t, don’t worry,” they reassured. He also mentioned

an influx of Londoners. Mr Szymanski stated: “Normally they first come in [to his shop] when they’re looking for a house. “They say, ‘We’ve seen something we like’. I say, ‘Put an offer in. If you don’t, it’ll be gone within three days.”

He added: ” Celebrities live around here as well. That’s the draw.” Babington House – a Georgian manor in the heart of Somerset, complete with bedrooms, a spa and cinema for members, managed by Soho House – also attracts newcomers, the designer said.

He often observes people rushing for the train to London outside his shop window, where he still conducts most of his business, seemingly resisting the trend of online shopping that has affected other UK high streets.

However, he still enjoys success online, including selling his flower bag on TikTok. John said 23 have been dispatched worldwide, including to America, Japan, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland and South Africa.

Cameron Mofid has visited every UN-recognised country and territory on Earth, but two destinations in particular stand out as his top favourites

An audacious explorer who has set foot in every country on Earth before his 26th birthday has shared two surprising favourites from his travels. Cameron Mofid, hailing from San Diego, California, embarked on a daring mission to visit all UN-recognised countries and territories across the globe – a staggering 195 in total – while grappling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) during the pandemic.

The resolute traveller achieved his remarkable feat in April when he and his travel mates arrived in the enigmatic nation of North Korea, which recently completed the construction of a sprawling new coastal resort.

With nearly 200 countries under his belt, picking out the best might seem a daunting task. Yet, two nations particularly stole Cameron’s affection, despite both being subject to severe travel warnings by the Foreign Office (FCDO). It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

READ MORE: American tourist slams pretty European town that was nothing like pictures suggestedREAD MORE: ‘I stayed up until 2am to see iconic attraction but it was still horribly busy’

Algeria stood out as his initial top pick, which he described as “unbelievable”. In an interview with CNN, he disclosed: “It’s one of my favourite countries in the whole world. The countries that receive the least amount of tourism are often the ones where you have the best experience, because you feel totally immersed in their culture.”

Cameron also expressed his fondness for Yemen, having ventured through the Middle Eastern country in February 2023. He remarked on the sensation of stepping back in time while meandering its streets, reports the Express.

He elaborated: “To see people dress the same way that they were hundreds if not thousands of years ago. To see people living in mud houses, to see people still using flip phones.”

Algeria, positioned in northern Africa, is largely dominated by the Sahara Desert apart from its northern coastline where most of its population lives. It stands as Africa’s biggest nation.

The nation possesses a diverse historical heritage, having been governed by numerous Arab and Berber ruling families from the 8th to 15th centuries before establishing ties with the Ottoman Empire and later being incorporated into France in 1848.

Regarding travel to Algeria, the FCDO has designated most of the country in green on its platform, suggesting visitors should “see our travel advice before travelling”. Nevertheless, the frontier areas are highlighted with amber and red alerts.

In particular, the FCDO advises against all journeys within a 30km zone of Algeria’s frontiers with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and certain parts of Tunisia. Additionally, it suggests avoiding all non-essential travel within 30km of the remaining Tunisian frontier.

Meanwhile, Yemen, a comparatively young state positioned at the southern edge of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, borders the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, situated below Saudi Arabia.

From 2011 onwards, Yemen has been consumed by political turmoil and is presently enduring a catastrophic civil conflict that has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths and triggered a humanitarian catastrophe, with 23 million individuals requiring aid.

The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning regarding travel to Yemen, urging against all trips to the nation and pressing those currently there to leave “immediately” in light of the precarious security conditions.

Their report cautions that terrorist attacks are highly likely in Yemen, with a “very high and constant threat” of kidnapping. It underscores that propaganda from Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has explicitly encouraged the kidnapping of Westerners.

Tourists visiting Paris have been urged to check their suitcases for one item of clothing after a woman was banned from entering several clubs because of what she was wearing

If you’re planning a trip to Paris this summer, you might want to double-check your luggage to make sure the clothes you’re taking adhere to a little-known rule about fashion in the French capital. The balmy summer weather we’ve been experiencing means most of us have been living in shorts, T-shirts, and sandals for the past few weeks.

Anyone heading off to parts of Europe, such as Spain, France, and Italy this summer will probably also be packing very similar clothes into their suitcases, as the warm weather is set to continue. But if your summer holiday includes Paris, one woman who recently visited the city has a stark warning about what outfits you should pack.

Laney Tucker, from the US, recently spent time in Paris with some friends, and took to Instagram after her trip to tell other women to make sure they’ve packed the right footwear in their suitcase before they fly out to the city.

She claimed she was turned away from multiple nightclubs while trying to enjoy a Parisian night out because she was wearing sandals, and the dress code for the clubs stated she needed to be wearing heels.

The woman claimed she eventually got into a club by claiming that her sandals were a designer brand, but she wished she had packed a pair of heels to save herself the hassle.

She said: “Important note to all the girlies coming to Paris: We didn’t get into a couple of clubs last night because we were wearing sandals. Almost everywhere requires heels.

“I did get us into one club by telling the bouncer my sandals were Valentino, and to be honest, I hate myself for that. Take me straight to jail.”

In the caption, she wrote: “The self-loathing I feel right now … but a girl’s gotta do what she’s gotta do to get into the club.”

Commenters on the post were split. Some people believed Laney lacked “common sense” for trying to get into a club with sandals on, while others argued that the heels-only rule is “outdated” and “nonsense”.

One French national wrote: “As a French [person], I hoped this nonsense heels in clubs [rule] was over. Seriously. Men enter clubs wearing sports gear, and we have to break our feet on the dancefloor.”

But someone else argued: “What kind of adult wears sandals to a club in Paris, or anywhere that’s not on a beach?”

Others pointed out that the rule likely doesn’t require women to wear heels, but instead simply requires all people to wear closed-toed shoes for health and safety reasons.

Dress codes in Paris

For the most part, you can wear whatever you want when travelling around the city of Paris itself. However, some evening restaurants and nightclubs have far stricter rules about what you can and can’t wear.

According to Clubbable, women should look to wear “elegant” short dresses, leather jackets and trousers, or “fashionable” jeans. Women should not wear big jumpers, trainers, sportswear, or beachwear.

Clubbable claims men should always wear a shirt on a night out in Paris, whether it’s a casual floral number or a proper dress shirt. This can be paired with casual jeans or trousers.

DID you know there are rainforests in Britain? Nope – me neither.

But you may well have visited one without realising if you’ve holidayed in Cornwall, Wales or along the Atlantic Coastline.

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Especially if you remember walking through green woodland packed with ferns, moss and lichen – with a really memorable earthy, damp scent.

They once covered more than 20 per cent of the UK – but history devoured them – and now there’s less than one per cent.

So the Wildlife Trust, sponsored by Aviva, has just launched an epic 100-year restoration project to bring them back.

The temperate rainforest restoration programme will restore approximately 1,755 hectares of temperate rainforest across the British Isles. 

Some of the new sites created through this programme include Bowden Pillars in Devon, Bryn Ifan in North Wales, Creg y Cowin and Glion Darragh on the Isle of Man, Trellwyn Fach in Pembrokeshire, and – most recently – Skiddaw in Cumbria.

Garden Designer Zoe Claymore, won a silver gilt medal at RHS Chelsea for her British Rainforest Garden.

She told me: “I didn’t know it at the time – but I played in a British rainforest as a child. The end of my grandparents garden in Devon went into Lidford Gorge which is one of the last existing rainforests.

“In the UK they’re found in the Goldilocks zone – not too hot, not too cold – and by rivers, gullies and gorges, because you also need the moisture from the river creating that ecosystem.”

But there are ways of recreating one in your own garden, she said.

“Even if  you don’t live in an area suited to creating a rainforest there’s other plants that will create the same vibes.

“Create shade with Hazels – they’re a great small tree which gives a real native-feel and perfect for small gardens. Or include hollies, birch or willows.

“Create a water feature – from a little stream with a few rocks or simply as an old-school rock water bowl – to  create that sense of humidity.

“But even if you just did a pond in a pot surrounded by some fun little logs, that will create habitat, that will bring wildlife, and it will create that kind of feeling of rainforest-y wetness.”

It’s easy to make a home made pond – using old washing up bowls. Tesco’s are currently selling one for just £2.75.

First choose a spot that’s sunny but not in direct sunlight all day – otherwise the water will evaporate.

Then all you have to do is put some logs around it, and a few stones, so wildlife can climb in and out easily – almost like a ramp.

Ideally fill it with rain water rather than tap.

And then put in about three water plants – like mini water lillies or water forget-me-not and sit back waiting for the wildlife.

Zoe added: “Then use British classic woodland plants and really focus on ferns – the unsung beautiful heroes of shade gardening – as well as bluebells, foxgloves, primulars, ivy, bananas and – if you’ve got a wet area – moss – which is the jewel in the crown – so your garden will be green all year round.”

For a ‘how to’ guide adapted to all UK gardens – as well as a rainforest-inspired pot combination  – head to www.zoeclaymore.com – and a share of the proceeds will go the Wildlife Trust.

Also in Veronica’s Column this week…

Gardening tips, news, plant of the week and a competition to win a garden border worth £195

PLANT OF THE WEEK! Dierama Wind Nymph Pink – pictured above – clump forming perennial with slender arching stems with soft pink blooms and evergreen foliage. Bees love it. Plant in direct sunlight, likes well drained soil but might need protection in Winter.

NEWS! A dad’s 60-year-old lawnmower has taken its place in gardening history as the UK’s oldest Flymo – after he read a plea in Sun Gardening. 

Pete Goddard’s monumental mower was inducted into the British Lawnmower Museum in Southport, Merseyside, last week after Flymo sent out a request for old mowers. 

The rare blue Flymo was unveiled last month – taking its place in the museum alongside King Charles, Brian May, and Nicholas Parsons’ former mowers.

It came after a nationwide search for the UK’s oldest Flymo to celebrate 60 years since the iconic hover mower was invented.

The 79-year-old retired Highway Maintenance Operative’s Flymo was originally bought in the 1960s by his father-in-law and lovingly maintained across three generations – and still works today.

NEWS! Great Comp Gardens will show off some salvias not released to the general public before – at it’s  annual Summer Show next weekend. 

The seven acre garden in Platt, near Sevenoaks will be at it’s best – with the hot and cool border in bloom, salvias bringing swathes of colour to the perennial borders and the Italian Garden in full flower in time for their annual two-day flagship event. 

The weekend event features a group of talented artists, craftspeople, award-winning nurseries and garden ornamental suppliers plus live jazz bands on the lawn.

Curator William Dyson says: “We can’t wait to share the garden with our Summer Show visitors – it looks particularly splendid in August with the salvias in full flow.

“We’ve also introduced lots of new and interesting plants to the garden this year including a collection of new world salvias that we’ve inherited from Lindsay Pink (a collector in Portsmouth) that people won’t have seen before. 

“We urge people to come along and see our revamped planting schemes which help to showcase new salvias that we have been keeping under wraps until now. There are salvias that I’ve only seen once before and can’t wait to show people. We are mixing in drifts of South American annuals like Cosmos for interest and colour and Tagetes erecta (Mexican marigolds) plus lots of varieties of dahlias.”

For more info visit www.greatcompgarden.co.uk

WIN! Garden on a Roll – which provide ready-made garden border paper templates, and the plants to put them in – are offering three £195 borders at 3m x 60cm of any style – including the  ‘Wildlife border’ for bees and butterflies. To enter visit www.thesun.co.uk/GardenBorders, or write to Garden on a Roll competition,  PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm. August 16, 2025. T&Cs apply

JOB OF THE WEEK! Stake your dahlias, trim your lavenders, take fuchsia cuttings, prune climbing and rambling roses, add tomato food to corn and peppers.

For more gardening content follow me @biros_and_bloom

It has everything you could possibly need for a perfect UK staycation by the sea. But there’s one thing I’ve not been able to stop thinking about since I left.

The UK has so many wonderful seaside towns and beaches, from the iconic coastal resorts of the north-west and south-east to the postcard-perfect communities of the south-west and Scotland.

But, for me, one stands apart above all others. Its natural and architectural beauty, the quality of what it has to offer visitors, its beaches and its location as a gateway to one of the most beautiful parts of the UK all make it a must-visit destination. It was also recently named the “best” seaside town in the UK.

For a long time, I avoided Tenby, on the south-west coast of Wales, mistakenly thinking it wasn’t worth visiting, perhaps due to the feel of slightly faded seaside grandeur and reputation for stag and hen parties it had in the 1990s. I’ve spoken to lots of people who’ve made the same mistake.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. In 2025, Tenby combines to perfection its outstanding natural characteristics, its historic town centre and the need for high quality pubs, restaurants and other facilities to thrive as a seaside town in the modern era.

It’s a one-of-a-kind town which you can visit again and again and never get bored of — in fact, I go there at least once a year now and would go a lot more often if I could.

Its history goes back centuries, so you’ll find much of the town centre built around narrow streets and surrounded by imposing medieval walls. Some of the streets are linked by narrow alleys centuries old, down which you’ll find pubs, restaurants and a Tudor merchant house that has stood for hundreds of years.

This summer, I took my two young children, rented an apartment in the town and spent three days in this wonderful place. I’m already booked to return in September! But I’m left with a problem: I want to live here for good, so how can I persuade the children’s city-dwelling mum to let us all move here?

How to spend 24 hours in Tenby

Start with breakfast or a coffee and cake in one of the town centre cafes. There are lots to choose from, including No25 Cafe, Caffe Vista or Fuchsia or the Loafley Bakery and Deli. But my favourite is Stowaway, a truly unique spot – it’s tiny and built into an archway under one of Tenby’s famous seafront streets, right above the water. It does coffee and cake and sandwiches. It’s wonderful and so cosy on a blustery day.

After breakfast, the best thing to do in Tenby if the weather permits is hit one of its four (yes, four) beaches. They are all within walking distance of the town centre and each other so if you get bored of one (you won’t) you can just walk to another one. Depending on the tides, some of the beaches break up even more and you can find yourself sitting on what feels like a private beach! Just make sure you watch the tide and can actually get off the beach (there are stone steps leading up to safety in several areas).

For lunch, try fish and chips at one of Tenby’s excellent chippies, like Fecci’s, or grab a lobster roll or crab sandwich from a small stand in the harbour.

After lunch, take a boat trip to Caldey Island, where you can enjoy yet another beautiful (and pretty much empty) beach with near-white sand before exploring the gorgeous, peaceful island on foot. There’s an Italianate-style monastery built in 1906 and a 13th century church, as well as lots of largely unpopulated island to explore.

In the night, hit one of Tenby’s restaurants. Billycan is popular with couples, groups and families and serves food in large portions. Harbwr is a pub run by the brewery of the same name, serving good pub food alongside its own beers. The Hope and Anchor is a gastropub specialising in seafood, or there’s Tap and Tân, half barbecue joint and half craft beer bar, where the meat is cooked on open flames in front of you as you order. There are also plenty of other options, including Indian restaurants.

Tenby’s wonderful beaches

Where else can you can easily access four different beaches on foot from a town centre within minutes? North and South Beach are large beaches with wide open spaces at low tide (and great waves at high tide). North Beach is distinguished by the jagged rock which rises from its heart. Between those two beaches are the smaller Harbour Beach, where you’ll find the town’s fleet of small fishing boats moored, and Castle Beach, which is sandwiched between two rocky outcrops, one of which is home to a distinctive clifftop fort.

The section of beach between South Beach and Castle Beach is conveniently interrupted by rocks, so when the tide comes in, it feels like you’ve found yourself on a whole new private beach cut off from the rest. Just make sure you know how to get off when the water comes in – not all the sections have steps leading up from the beach and you don’t want to be trapped!

Caldey Island

Caldey Island is a truly remarkable place and one of Britain’s “holy islands”. There has been a monastic presence here for centuries, and their current home is a beautiful, white, Italianate-style monastery built in 1906. You’ll also find the 13th century St Illtyd’s Church. But the true joy of Caldey Island is to be found roaming from one end of the island to the other. En route you’ll pass horses grazing in fields and even a functioning chocolate factory, where you can buy a bar.

Once you’ve reached the far end of the island, you can gaze out to sea while enjoying the serenity of this island. You can reach Caldey by boat from Tenby. There are regular departures to and from the island from Tenby’s harbour. In fact, once you reach Caldey, you are dropped off at an empty beach of near-white sand that would not look out of place in the Caribbean. With most of the crowds enjoying the beaches back at Tenby, this could be a perfect place to have a beach to yourself.

Folly Farm

Just 15 minutes from Tenby by car is Folly Farm, another destination that’s evolved with the times to keep families entertained for hours. You can comfortably spend a day here and not see and do everything, which is exactly what I did with my children.

Folly Farm is a perfect mix of animals (ranging from lions, rhinos and penguins to goats, pigs and rabbits) and places for the kids to play. There are several excellent, exciting and well-maintained play areas both indoors and outdoors to keep children entertained for hours (and helpfully tire them out ready for bed time). There are also fair rides (which cost extra) and an indoor soft play and arcade. Folly Farm now has new accommodation, from luxury lodges (one overlooks the rhino compound!) to glamping, cottages and touring pitches. In short, Folly Farm is great.

The joys of Pembrokeshire

Tenby is just one of the many jewels in Pembrokeshire’s crown. There is so much to see and do here (most of it based on the natural world and great outdoors) and the information below doesn’t come close to covering it all but gives you an idea of what to expect.

Firstly, Pembrokeshire is home to an unreasonable amount of beautiful beaches (and that’s not counting the four in Tenby). One of them, Barafundle, has just been named the best in the UK and it’s not hard to see why. Whitesands, Freshwater East and Freshwater West can also all claim to be among the finest beaches in the UK. As well as the vast beaches, you’ll find the “grave” of Dobby from Harry Potter at Freshwater West.

You can walk to Barafundle from Bosherston, walking through gorgeous and peaceful lily ponds en route. Also nearby is the wild and exposed St Govan’s Head, home to one of the most remarkable features you’ll find anywhere on Britain’s coast: St Govan’s chapel, built into the very cliff face in the 13th or 14th century, with thunderous waves crashing below. Also in this corner of Pembrokeshire is the Stackpole nature reserve, while further north you’ll find the sparse beauty of the rolling Preseli Hills.

Pembrokeshire has a fascinating history so it’s dotted with man-made landmarks stretching back centuries. Among them are the Pentre Ifan burial chamber, which dates back to Neolithic (New Stone Age) times, when our ancestors buried their dead in tombs such as this.

Pembrokeshire also has several castles, in part due to the existence of the Landsker Line, which once separated the Welsh in the north of the county from the Norman and Flemish settlers in the south.

Among them is Carew Castle, which stands above the tidal waters where the Carew river meets the waters of the channel. Such is the tidal range here that you can see a vastly different picture depending on the time of day you visit. The castle is great for exploring, the walls around the nearby tidal mill are amazing for crabbing. Just drop in your net and bait and you’re all but guaranteed to pull out a crab. There are two village pubs right next to the castle car park.

Where to eat and drink in Tenby

Tenby has loads to offer in terms of food and drink. For breakfast you can choose from town centre cafes like No25 Cafe, Caffe Vista or Fuchsia or the Loafley Bakery and Deli. Stowaway is a unique spot, a tiny underground cafe serving coffee and cake close to the water’s edge. There are plenty of fish and chip shops, among them Fecci’s, Indian restaurants, a pasty shop and you can even grab a lobster roll or crab sandwich from a small stand in the harbour.

There’s also a wider range of pubs and restaurants serving good food. Billycan is popular with couples, groups and families and serves food in large portions. Harbwr is a pub run by the brewery of the same name, serving good pub food alongside its own beers. The Hope and Anchor is a gastropub specialising in seafood, or there’s Tap and Tân, half barbecue joint and half craft beer bar, where the meat is cooked on open flames in front of you as you order.

Slightly more upmarket and expensive is Plantagenet House, housed in a gorgeous and historic yellow building with a medieval Flemish chimney down an old alley right next to the Tudor merchant house.

Where to stay in Tenby

Tenby has a large number of hotels, B&Bs and AirBnbs, many of which line Tenby’s famous clifftops looking out over the sea. One of the most remarkable in terms of its location is the Imperial Hotel which seems to defy physics in the way it rises from the rocks above the water. It literally could not be closer to the cliff edge. Many other hotels look out to sea from their high vantage point and if you walk along the seafront streets in the morning and look up you’ll see loads of guests staring out to sea from their bedroom, presumably reflecting on how lucky they are to be there.

One of the great things about Tenby is that it is very compact, so even if you’re not lucky enough to bag a place with a sea view, you’ll never be too far away from the water. I rented a small apartment on Booking.com away from the water for £270 for two nights and it took five minutes to walk from the door to the beach.

There are also the standard chain hotels like Premier Inn and Travelodge and there are also incredible houses or converted apartment on the seafront available on Booking.com or on Airbnb. Some of them are literally a handful of steps from the beach. You can also try holidaycottages.co.uk

It’s always worth thinking about the fact that, like many parts of Wales and the UK, Pembrokeshire does have a serious problem with homes being bought and rented out to visitors, instead of being lived in by the local population.

The ‘best’ seaside town in the UK

I don’t really need anyone to tell me that Tenby is one of the UK’s finest seaside towns. But last year it was ranked as the best holiday destination for entertainment. Scoring 7.71 out of 10, it was highlighted for its 13th-century town walls, sandy beaches, and abundance of pubs and restaurants.

I’m a family travel expert, mum of two and a lifelong bargain hunter who has made it my mission to prove you don’t need loads of money to have an unforgettable family holiday

As a mum of two and a lifelong bargain hunter, I’ve made it my mission to prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make unforgettable family memories. In fact, with a little flexibility and some clever planning, it’s often cheaper for my family of four to jet off abroad than to holiday right here in the UK.

While others are booking pricey cottages or UK resorts, I’m tracking flight deals, exploring European holiday parks, and uncovering little-known ways to stretch the family budget without compromising on fun. Because for us, holidays aren’t about luxury, they’re about connection, culture and quality time together.

Whether we’re eating street food in Greece or camping on the French coast, I’ve learned one universal truth: kids don’t care how much you’ve spent. They care that you’re there. And with that mindset, here’s how we make European getaways cheaper than a British break, and how you can too.

1. Rethink holiday parks abroad

Start by finding cheap flights from your nearest airport (you can use The Travel Mum website for this). Once you’ve landed a bargain flight, look for nearby holiday camps. Don’t be put off by the word camp, most offer mobile homes with air conditioning, pools, kids’ activities, arcades and more.

We’ve got a few lined up along the south of France this summer, and I’ll be sharing the trip on Instagram stories. These sites offer so much more than a basic UK caravan park, often for a fraction of the price.

2. Use last-minute holiday finders

If you’ve got nerves of steel, tools like TUI’s Last Minute Holiday Finder can land you incredible deals. Sure, planning in advance lets you spread the cost, but if you’re flexible on destination, you could bag a full-package break for less than a long weekend in Cornwall.

3. Try house-sitting

Want to travel without paying for accommodation? Housesitting could be your answer. We’ve stayed across Europe for free by looking after people’s homes and pets, from dogs and cats to house rabbits, lizards and even alpacas! It’s not for everyone, but it can save you hundreds if you’re happy to take on some light responsibilities while enjoying a local experience.

4. Travel before the school holidays start

If your kids can miss a day or two of school, departing just before the official break can save you hundreds. You won’t be fined for the odd day off, and this small shift can make a big difference to your budget.

5. Use the right cards abroad

A lot of people overlook this, but it’s a big one. Avoid transaction fees by using a travel debit or credit card. Many offer near-perfect exchange rates, which means more for your money. It’s one of those small swaps that makes a big impact over the course of a trip.

6. Sign up for deal alerts

Get ahead of the game by joining mailing lists (like The Travel Mum! ) to receive handpicked flight and holiday deals straight to your inbox. The best bargains often don’t last long, so it pays to be ready to act fast.

7. Final thoughts

We’ve done luxury. We’ve done budget. And honestly? The best memories, the laughter, the adventures, the real moments, have almost always come from the simpler trips. So, if you’re weighing up a £1,200 weekend in Devon versus a £900 week in Spain with pools, sunshine, and new experiences? You know what I’ll be choosing. Travel smart, travel often, and don’t let the idea of “abroad” scare your wallet.

Jen Carr AKA @thetravelmum is a family travel expert and founder of The Travel Mum, where she shares the best affordable holiday deals for families throughout the week. https://thetravelmum.com/family-holiday-deals/

The Greek island of Zakynthos, frequently shortened to ‘Zante,’ has a reputation for being a party island overrun with tourists — but one traveller found it to be totally different

When you think of ‘Zante,’ images of raucous parties, intoxicated Brits stumbling along the strip to the beat of blaring dance music might spring to mind. The Greek island of Zakynthos, often shortened to ‘Zante,’ is notorious for being a party hotspot swarming with tourists, but that’s not always the case.

Indeed, while Zakynthos certainly has its wild side, it’s not compulsory. This was my revelation when I visited the island for a friend’s 30th birthday bash last week.

Initially, I was rather wary about the chosen destination due to the tales I’d heard, but as it turned out, I couldn’t have been more mistaken.

The main party hub of Zakynthos is Laganas Strip, where thousands of pleasure-seeking tourists gather to get drunk, dance and eventually be scraped off the floor and out of their own sick by patient bouncers.

We chose to steer clear of this part of the island and instead opted for a villa in Vasilikos, a more traditional town at the easternmost point of the island, reports the Express.

Here, the twisting roads are lined with olive trees shimmering silver from the dust stirred up by the few cars that pass by, and the sound of cicadas is almost deafening. Mountains tower above the ocean with villas and traditional stone cottages scattered across them, and goats adorned with bells meander between the groves.

From our peach-hued villa perched atop the mountain, we had a direct view down to the glistening sea, which beckoned us to take refuge from the scorching 35C temperatures.

Despite the house being a fair distance from the hustle and bustle of the strip, it didn’t mean we were short of things to do.

We spent our time at Amigo Beach Club, a mere 20-minute stroll from our digs, which boasted sunbeds, a pool, and beach access. The staff there were absolutely amazing and more than willing to cater to all 22 of us.

Just a quick 10-minute drive from Vasilikos is the renowned Gerakas Beach, which was definitely worth a look. A protected marine reserve, this lengthy stretch of pristine white sand is a turtle nesting area and strictly safeguarded, but still open during the day for those wanting to catch some rays.

There is complimentary parking just a stone’s throw from the beach, and sunbeds are available for hire; however, there is no bar on the beach itself.

We packed our own umbrellas and towels and spent a rather lovely (albeit sweltering) few hours on this sandy shore, dipping in and out of the crystal clear sea before heading back up the hill.

Free showers were available to rinse off the salt, and they were spotless and straightforward to use — a real blessing after a long day of sweating and swimming.

Once freshened up, we nipped to one of the many tavernas that dot the hillside for a late lunch.

Nicos Taverna was our chosen spot, and once again, they were more than accommodating of our large group. Here, we ate and drank to our hearts’ content for a very reasonable price (€4 Gyros, anyone?).

After spending four blissful days in this haven, I can confidently admit that my initial impressions of Zakynthos were misguided. Despite its somewhat tarnished reputation, my stay was filled with utter relaxation, delectable cuisine, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes.

Indeed, Zakynthos is what you choose to make of it.

This world-famous beach is loved by many for its vibrant atmosphere and rolling waves, but that hasn’t stopped some visitors from branding it thoroughly disappointing

One of the world’s most famous beaches has been named as one of the biggest let-downs. Through examining over 100 internationally celebrated beaches via travel reviews, Ibiza Summer Villas discovered that Bondi Beach leaves many visitors thoroughly underwhelmed.

Each location received ratings based on reviews, Google and TikTok search popularity, plus yearly precipitation levels at the destination. The study showed that Australia’s Bondi Beach tops the charts for disappointment, with holidaymakers branding it “overrated” and “disappointing”.

This stretch of coastline claimed the crown for most underwhelming when comparing poor reviews against search popularity, though the figure remained modest at merely 2.7% of reviews describing it as “disappointing” or “overrated” alongside 447,000 TikTok searches, reports the Express. It comes after a warning to Brit tourists planning all-inclusive holidays to Spain.

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Excessive crowds, heavy commercialisation, and visitor exhaustion feature prominently, securing its position at number five on the overhyped rankings.

Bondi Beach enjoys worldwide recognition for its waves, golden sands and naturally, the countless holidaymakers who descend upon this Sydney hotspot annually.

The area boasts tidal pools, a thriving food and drink scene featuring numerous cafés and pubs, plus an array of boutique and chain retailers. Yet for all its splendour, this coastal gem doesn’t appeal to everyone.

Tourists expressed frustration with the masses, with one individual posting on TripAdvisor: “I got the feeling that everyone who comes here comes for ‘been there, done that’ experience only. Crowded and overrated.”

One disgruntled visitor remarked: “Probably the most overrated beach on the planet. Crowded full of arrogant people and feels like everyone is in a bad mood.” Another added: “I can’t see anything attractive about Bondi, except possibly closeness to the city. The place is so heavily overpopulated, with apartments everywhere you look. Concrete is everywhere. Where is the nature?”.

However, not everyone shared this sentiment, with some tourists being completely taken aback by the beach’s beauty.

One such tourist enthused: “It’s a vibrant, busy beach which is perfect for surfing and swimming. There are plenty of places to eat and drink along the beach and different walks that you can take along the coastline.” Another penned: “Bondi Beach is an absolute icon! The golden sand, rolling waves, and buzzing atmosphere make it a must-visit in Sydney.

“The surf is amazing, but it can be dangerous if you don’t follow the flags and listen to the lifeguards-they’re there for a reason!”.