trip

Winning tip: fabulous food and views on a Scottish island

There are not many pub lunches that require a trip across the Atlantic, but to reach Tigh An Truish (a 30-minute drive south of Oban), visitors must cross the 250-year-old Bridge over the Atlantic – Clachan Bridge, which links the west coast of the Scottish mainland to the Isle of Seil. This transatlantic journey is well worth it for delicious and lovingly presented local fare (think Argyll venison and mussels brought into Oban harbour). The pub bustles with visitors and locals, while the adjoining restaurant is a warm space to coorie in from the wild west coast and enjoy the stunning views down the Clachan Sound.
Calum Hamilton

Homegrown ingredients in the South Downs

JESSICA Alba shared some cheeky snaps from her latest holiday after debuting her new beau.

The actress, 44, is currently soaking up the sun in Australia, enjoying an envy-worthy vacay including trips to the beach.

Jessica shared some photos to her Instagram from the trip, looking as gorgeous as ever.

In the first pic the beauty is smiling laying on her front on a beach towel.

The ocean laps in the background, as others share the sand with the star and enjoy some time in the water.

Her skimpy leopard print and red floral bikini hugs her body, as sand clings to her thighs and booty.

girls’ night

Jessica Alba, 44, looks like her teen daughter’s sister in a leather dress

She finished off the look with a simple black sun cap and shades.

Jessica also posted a photo of her legs and bikini bottoms while laying down.

It perfectly shows off her flat stomach and sun-kissed skin.

Dispersed between her beach pics, Jessica posted a series of quotes expressing gratitude for every moment in life – including those that seem more mundane to experience.

“One day I will be near the end,” read a poignant text post.

“And realize that all of it was the point.

“The ordinary and the exxtraordinary.

“Trips across the world.

“And trips to the grocery store.

“Sitting on boats applying sunscreen.

“And laying in bed putting lotion on my legs.

“Before I go to sleep.

“Dancing in the rain and singing in the shower.

“Staying out late to waste the next day hungover.

“And staying in and feeling rested.

“Sunday morning at the farmer’s market.

“Long road trips with people you love.

“And crying at a red light in your car alone.

“All of it is the point.”

Fans of the star flocked to the post’s comment’s sections to praise her outlook on life, as well as let her know she looks amazing.

“Talented and beautiful, inside and out,” said one user.

“She’s been working on her [peach emoji],” and “you are the creator of your reality, and life can show up no other way for you than that way in which you think it will,” replied others.

Alba’s positive attitude comes just after her and her new beau Danny Ramirez made their relationship official to the public.

The pair were first spotted sharing a kiss back in May of this year in London’s Regent Park.

CRASH TRAGEDY

England icon Stuart Pearce’s son, 21, killed in tractor crash

‘GUT-WRENCHING’

My little girl is slowly fading before my eyes and will die before she’s 10

In February, Jessica filed for a divorce from her husband Cash Warren.

They were together for 16 years before the split.

OVER a family dinner at home, I had a proposal for my teenage son. 

If I organised a road trip round north-west Norway, would he leave that ruddy mobile phone behind? 

A few months later and I’m driving our family of five on the Atlantic Ocean Road, ticking off Storseisundet Bridge from my bucket list. 

The name might not be familiar but you’ve probably seen the bizarre, twisty structure in photos — or perhaps in James Bond film No Time To Die. 

It is the longest of eight bridges on the five-mile highway, which connects a chain of tiny islands. 

Search for it on Google Maps and it looks like the road simply runs over water. 

SPLASH OUT

Costa del Sol’s biggest waterpark hotel with eight pools is 23C in half term

TURKISH DELIGHT

The perfect place for families – with waterslides, fairground rides and fun

To soak it in, almost literally, we stopped to hike along a coastal path and then over a pedestrian bridge, with the fierce ocean lapping just a short distance below. 

“Ooh, this is a bit Top Gear!” said my wife as we then continued our drive, through a succession of dramatic bends. She wasn’t wrong. 

Norway’s north-west coast is a seriously fun place to drive. 

We’d borrowed an electric Polestar 4 car, which was very much at home in a country where electric vehicles now outnumber petrol motors. 

It’s much sportier and roomier than our own family car, and packed with 007-style features. 

At one point the display flashed “Front radar blocked”, prompting my ten-year-old to speculate that the weapons system had been disabled.

Less excitingly, it was just dirt on an external camera. Audible speeding alerts were welcome, given most roads had a modest 50mph limit. 

The drive from Alesund to mountaineering capital Andalsnes includes a long coastal stretch, some epic bridges, sweeping bends and extra-long tunnels.

But with late-afternoon darkness and driving rain, it was a relief to arrive at our accommodation — a snug and cosy wooden cabin at Andalsnes Hytteutleie. 

Deer stew 

Next morning, my wife and kids enthusiastically tackled indoor climbing walls at the Norwegian Mountaineering Centre. 

We’d borrowed an electric Polestar 4 car, which was very much at home in a country where electric vehicles now outnumber petrol motors

Just next door was the entrance for the Romsdalen Gondola, a cable car which took us up through the clouds to the Nesaksla Mountain, some 2322ft above sea level. 

Relaxing in the Eggen Restaurant at the top, we were treated to views of the valleys way, way below. 

We feasted on local produce including fish soup, deer stew, Angus meat burgers and delicious apple juice. 

From Andalsnes runs the Golden Train on the Rauma Line, described as “Europe’s most scenic train journey”.

Instead, we used our glossy white Polestar to follow the route. 

Parking at the base of Trollveggen (Troll Wall) we marvelled at the tallest vertical rock face in Europe, a mighty 3,600ft. 

Soon after, we passed by the Kylling Bridge — the majestic railway crossing featured in Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince. 

As we approached the village of Bjorli, we explored the banks of a fir tree-lined river, with a mountain backdrop and the ground beneath us covered by a sprinkling of snow. 

It was a scene so magical, I half expected an appearance from Father Christmas himself. Our onward journey to the city Molde, on the banks of a fjord, included a hassle-free ferry trip. 

When there, we based ourselves for a few days at the Kviltorp Camping site, staying in four-bedroom “sea house” overhanging the water’s edge. 

Over breakfast, fog peeled away to reveal spectacular mountains across the fjord. Just beautiful. 

At the Molde Salmon Centre we learned about the science behind large-scale fish-farming and then cooked a salmon dish in the large kitchen. For our MasterChef-loving kids, this was an unexpected highlight of our week.

Over breakfast, fog peeled away to reveal spectacular mountains across the fjord. Just beautiful

A trip to the Aker Stadium to watch local football side Molde FK — former home to Man City star Erling Haaland and once managed by Man United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, didn’t disappoint either. 

SHOP TO IT

Shoppers race to grab kitchen set scanning for just £6 with huge £50 off

MURDER PROBE

‘Murdered’ businessman found dead inside his own home just weeks after wife

We rounded off our trip back in Alesund, where an exhausting walk up 416 steps to Viewpoint Aksla is almost mandatory — and great for photos. 

I never did convince my son to leave his phone at home — but at least it’s now filled with hundreds of pictures of beautiful Norway. 

A MAJOR cruise line has revealed it will be launching a 124-day voyage around the world in 2028.

The Epic World Explorer will be one of P&O Cruises longest-ever world voyages.

The cruise line’s Arcadia ship will set off from Southampton on January 6, 2028 and finish back in Southampton on May 10, 2028.

The 124-night cruise – which is exclusively for adults – will focus on the Far East with stops in South Korea and Thailand.

It will also call into Japan for the first time since 2019, with a new overnight stop in Tokyo with calls to Kagoshima and Nagasaki.

Other top destinations include San Francisco in the USA, Cape Verde and Sydney in Australia.

Read more on travel inspo

SNOW WAY

All the best Xmas days out under £10 including FREE ice skating & Santa’s grotto

GO ALL IN

The cheapest all-inclusive hotels in the UK you’ve never heard of – from £25pp

In fact, there are over 30 destinations on the voyage.

Prices for the cruise start from £11,199 per person.

On board the ship, which features an Art Deco domed roof and can accommodate up to 2,094 guests and 866 members of crew, there are 15 bars and restaurants, five entertainment venues and two swimming pools.

Included in the price of the cruise, guests get access to the Palladium, which is a three-tiered theatre that hosts live entertainment.

Shows include Magic Moments – it tells the story of Burt Bacharach’s life and music.

Or you could watch magic show, Unbelievable.

Also included is the Screening Room, which is a 30-seat cinema that shows the latest blockbusters.

For a bit of gambling, passengers can head to the Monte Carlo Casino with classic table games such as blackjack, roulette and poker.

Fancy some late night entertainment? Then there’s The Globe – a circular bar with live music, game shows and ballroom and Latin dance events.

Passengers don’t need to worry about missing the pub either, as they can enjoy The Rising Sun with interiors just like a British country pub.

There are cosy booths, a jukebox, darts, karaoke and even live sports screenings.

For travellers wanting to stay fit during their voyage, there are plenty of opportunities to do this.

In addition to a fully-equipped gym, there is also a sports court on board where passengers can play football, basketball, tennis or cricket.

There are even complimentary fitness classes too.

If treating yourself is more your thing, then there is The Oasis Spa and Salon, complete with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam room.

Guests can also grab a number of treatments like haircuts, massages and facials.

The ship has a number of pool areas as well – one of which has a retractable roof for all-weather enjoyment.

When it comes to food onboard the ship, travellers will never be short of choice.

At breakfast, The Belvedere offers a casual dining spot with an all-day buffet.

For a lighter lunch or fast food, there is the Neptune Grill which serves hot dogs and classic fish and chips.

Alternatively, you could grab some small plates at the Meridian Restaurant.

Steak lovers should then check out Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill.

For a special treat, once a week on sea days the Arcadia serves typically British afternoon tea with cute sandwiches, sweet treats, warm scones and unlimited tea at the Meridian Restaurant.

The speciality restaurants onboard the ship are Marco Pierre White’s Ocean Grill, which serves a number of steaks and fresh seafood dishes and Sindhu, which combines Indian and British cuisine.

There are five types of cabins on board including inside, sea view, deluxe balcony, mini suite and suite.

The most basic cabin, which is inside, is simply inside with a comfy bed, tea and coffee making facilities and White Company toiletries.

There of course is also a TV with free movies and TV shows on.

Sea view cabins then have the added benefit of a window or port hole.

In the deluxe balcony cabins, guests can enjoy a sea breeze in their own private outdoor space.

Mini suites then have an additional lounging area and at the top end, suites have a dedicated butler service as well as spacious accommodation and a large bathroom.

Guests in suites can also enjoy breakfast each day in an exclusive restaurant.

And at the end of your 124-day cruise, if you want to take home a souvenir to loved ones there are plenty of shops on board including jewellery, cosmetics, perfume, clothes and art and collectibles stores.

The sailing has been announced as part of P&O Cruises’ new winter 2027 and spring 2028 programme, which also includes a 75-night Grand Tour of South America.

OMAZE-ING

I went from council flat to winning £4m house… But this is why I’m selling up

BOTTOMS UP

Wetherspoons reveals opening dates of 5 new pubs starting next week

In other cruise news, The Sun’s assistant travel editor, Sophie Swietochowski went on the world’s largest cruise ship with Vegas-like casinos, Broadway-style shows and dare-devil slides.

Plus, there is a little-known hack that experts swear by to save you hundreds when booking a cruise holiday.

Laura Teagle, who enjoyed a “gorgeous” day trip to a European city, has shared a money-saving hack that will help you travel to abroad for less than it costs to get around the UK

France is synonymous with its sun-drenched vineyards, bustling boulevards and medieval castles. A trip over the British Channel is one many make from the UK for a weekend break or longer. But one influencer has taken the extreme route and managed to find a genius way to make a day trip to France affordable.

While the Eurostar is famed for offering easy travel to places like Paris and Brussels, there’s one underrated gem in France that TikTok personality Laura Teagle says foodies and day-trippers must visit. While train fares continue to soar, making enjoyable days out across Britain increasingly costly, Laura has a handy trick to make a day trip to France easy and friendly on the wallet.

Posting under @teagleeats, Laura shared with her audience how she managed to secure discounted Eurostar fares. The influencer nabbed £39 railway tickets to a French destination she described as “gorgeous” at a lower cost than journeying between major British cities.

Laura chronicled her excursion to Lille, a “charming” city situated just inside the border with Belgium. She opened her post declaring: “When a day trip to France is cheaper than a day out in London you best believe I’m going.”

Laura – who also operates her own confectionery enterprise called Teagle’s Treats – outlined how she obtained the budget-friendly train fares. In a TikTok video following her post showcasing her adventure to Lille, she revealed: “Okay I didn’t realise this wasn’t common knowledge but I’m gonna tell you the best life hack for travelling to France for cheap.

“So I’m always going straight to the Eurostar website, then once I’m there instead of typing in a date, a time and location, I’m gonna go down and I’m gonna search for this – the book now button for Paris for £39. When you get there you’ll see this: all these different locations all from £39 each way.

“The next trick is to go all the way through the calendar and see where all of these £39 dates are and choose the one that’s most appropriate. So in this case I choose January 17 and then obviously to return on the same day, I’m gonna click the same date.

“Then we’re gonna choose ‘get times’ and we’re gonna be presented with this screen. Then I’m gonna swipe through all of the different times and choose the cheapest or the best time available.

“So in this case it’s a 7:04 train for £44 and for the return, I’m gonna do the exact same thing. I’m gonna swipe choose the best cheapest price for the latest train so the 7:35pm.

“And that’s literally it. That is how you travel to France for the day for so cheap.”

Throughout her adventure in Lille, Laura and her mate explored numerous bakeries to taste the regional delicacies. Following her 7am departure from London aboard Eurostar, she and her companion popped into a Lille supermarket to grab some brie for €1 (87p).

She described the “gorgeous” stroll to a patisserie, where she tasted pain au chocolat that she dubbed “literally the best” and declared she craved “75 more” of the bakery’s eclairs. Following that, it was a morning exploring the Palais des Beaux-Arts museum.

Laura branded it a “must go” destination for merely €4 (£3.5). Another bakery visit ensued, where she sampled Lille’s renowned brioche and suggested tourists should also savour the wonderful cuisine available. She continued: “Being close to Belgium we obviously had to check out beer shops” before making a beeline for Méert, a bakery that’s become an internet sensation for its delectable treats.

Laura enthused: “I don’t care that this is hyped up online and the queues are long, you have got to go.” She posted a snap of a vanilla tartlet from the bakery, confessing she “literally dribbled” while capturing the shot.

She reiterated: “I’ll say it again. God! Bless! The! French!” Laura and her companion then enjoyed an alfresco lunch, featuring a cheese board that left her “speechless” and saucisson, a French sausage she dubbed “our actual fave”.

After sampling some local booze, they made their way to the Lille flea market which she declared was “100% worth the visit”. Their next stop was Au Point Central, a bistro offering €5 glasses of Pinot Noir.

Come dinner time, Laura and her friend hit Cafe de Paris for a “perfect” sirloin steak, fries and a salad at a cost of €25 (£22). Laura’s final verdict was unequivocal.

She declared: “I will absolutely be continuing to advocate for getting the first train out/last train back on Eurostar on all and any occasions.

“£150 all in return trains, all food, drinks and activities like London could just never? Grab your passport, grab your girls and go flirt with the French, eat their food and drink their wine.”

Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami went up, up, up for their “Golden” moment on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

The trio, who provide the singing voices for the animated “KPop Demon Hunters” central girl group Huntr/x, hit the late-night TV show Tuesday to perform the Netflix movie’s signature song. It marks the first time they have hit the stage together for a live, full-length performance of “Golden,” and even Fallon could not contain his excitement.

The first No. 1 female K-pop song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100, “Golden” has helped propel the “KPop Demon Hunters” soundtrack to its newest accolade. Fallon informed Ejae, Nuna and Ami during the show that the record had gone platinum.

When asked about their experiences around the massive popularity of “KPop Demon Hunters,” the trio offered words including “surreal,” “scrumptious” “delicious,” “stunning” and “bonkers.”

“We try to come up with new adjectives every time,” said Nuna, who provides the singing voice for Mira.

Their “Tonight Show” appearance follows their brief cameo on the Season 51 premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” During their sitdown interview with Fallon, both Nuna and Ami (the singing voice of Zoey) recounted real-life encounters with “Golden” that drove home the magnitude of “KPop Demon Hunters’” impact.

For Nuna this happened on a trip to Korea when she saw an elderly street performer playing “Golden” on a traditional Korean instrument.

“I had to do a double take because in Korean culture, it’s especially impressive if an elderly person is impressed with you,” said Nuna, who explained that Korean elders rarely bat an eye at accomplishments like attending an Ivy League college or graduating top of your class. “It’s really hard [to impress them]. They have high standards. So for the older generation to embrace it, it’s something different.”

Ami’s encounter was with a much younger fan. She recalled a trip to an H Mart where she saw a young boy singing “Golden” at the top of his lungs while holding hands with his mother.

“I think it’s one thing to hear our song on the radio, but to hear it come out of a child, live?” Ami said. “In H Mart, my favorite place? … I just cried at HMart.”

Ejae, meanwhile, offered an anecdote that suggests “Golden’s” success may have been preordained.

Prompted by Fallon, the co-writer of “Golden” shared that while recording her part of the song at the studio, she saw a brief glimpse of “a grunge ghost.”

It was “a tall dude with a flannel … and blue jeans,” Ejae said. And this brief encounter may have been auspicious.

“My mom reminded me later [that] there’s a myth in Korea in the music [business], if you see a ghost or any paranormal activity while recording a song, it’s a hit,” she said.

As I fell asleep in a tent to the sounds of waves crashing on the beach and no cell phone service anywhere in the vicinity, I thought, this is the respite I needed. That is, until the wee hours of the morning when I heard something rumbling.

I slowly unzipped the tent door, poked my head out and saw it: a lone bison head-butting a picnic table, lifting one end into the air with alarming ease. I quickly snuck back into my hideaway and stayed quiet, listening to the gnarled sounds of this massive animal grazing just feet away from me.

A North American Bison roams free and grazes near Little Harbor campground in Catalina

(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

The experience of bikepacking around Catalina Island was more than I had expected — both in its natural beauty and in its surprises. Within two days, 40-plus miles and some 5,000 feet of elevation, I was gobsmacked by the vistas, the morning light on the canyons and the solitude on the campground — aside from the abundant wildlife.

While not an “easy” trip (did I mention 5,000 feet in elevation?), the route from Catalina’s East End to Little Harbor and back to Avalon is one I’d recommend to both experienced adventurers and those newer to bikepacking, a blend of cycling and backpacking. It just requires some planning. Here’s what you should know, from getting your bike pass to planning out your stops.

Before the trip

The author’s bike of choice for this trip: a Surly Pugsley.

(James Murren)

Make your bicycle, camping and Catalina Express reservations

All cyclists on Catalina Island must have a Freewheeler Bike Pass, which can be obtained by purchasing a Catalina Island Conservancy membership. The cheapest $50 membership gets you one bike pass for the year, along with free admission to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, discounts on Catalina Island campsites and other perks.

Once you have a pass, you must book a reservation to ride on Conservancy land. (You’ll get your physical bike pass when you arrive on Avalon and visit the Trailhead Visitor Center or Two Harbors Visitor Services.)

Camping reservations are also made through the Catalina Island Conservancy website. I reserved one night at Little Harbor Campground, but if I were to do it again, I would book two nights.

To get to and from Catalina, take the Catalina Express, which runs multiple trips a day from three locations in the Los Angeles area. When purchasing your ticket, you’ll pay a separate “additional article” fee to bring your bike onto the ferry.

What to pack

The essentials at the Little Harbor Campground.

(James Murren)

Your bike. I decided to bring my Surly Pugsley fat bike simply because I love my state of mind when I’m on it. I feel like I’m going with the flow, stopping and taking pictures and having a good time. Time is not of the essence. A gravel or mountain bike will work fine on Catalina. E-bikes with pedals are also permitted and hard-shelled helmets are required for all bikers.

Bikepacking bags, a sleeping pad and sleeping bag. Just note that you’re allowed two pieces of luggage on the Catalina Express.

Clothes. Bring whatever you like to ride in and sleep in at night. I’d suggest a light puffy jacket if there’s no rain in the forecast, and pants and thermal leggings to keep the chill off. If rain is expected, pack appropriately, but also know that the Conservancy does shut down the trails and roads if the conditions seem dangerous.

Food. Sustenance for an overnighter can be covered by using the Airport in the Sky Restaurant near the Catalina Airport as a feed station. You can also fill your water containers there. Have a nice-sized meal at the café and buy what you need to eat while on your bike. I had the café pack me a sandwich for camping that evening. You can also bring food supplies with you or stop by Vons on the island to get what you need. At Little Harbor Campground, there is potable water, along with Porta Potties and cold showers.

Note: Fuel canisters/containers are not permitted on the Catalina Express. When you arrive on Avalon, Chet’s Hardware offers small canisters. If you buy one and do not end up using it, they will allow you to return it if the seal is intact. I ended up not using my stove. Overnight oats and cold instant coffee got me going.

My bikepacking journey — and what you might expect

Day one

Catalina Island boasts 40 miles of trails and roads that are open to mountain biking.

(James Murren)

I woke in Avalon and pedaled my fat bike along Pebbly Beach Road to the turnoff for Wrigley Road. Climbing up Wrigley, I turned left on Renton Road, going around the gate and ascending up the remote double track. I had not seen another person for quite a while as I biked deeper into the hinterlands of the island, connecting to East End Light Road. Along the “backside” of the southern end of Catalina, it felt even more remote. East End afforded stunning views of the ocean and San Clemente Island to the south.

East End Road met up with Divide Road, as the trail map showed. The ocean sparkled in the distance, little crystals dancing on its surface. I scanned for whales but didn’t see any this time.

A view of the boats in the Avalon harbor.

(James Murren)

The start of the route at East End Road.

(James Murren)

Divide Road merged with the Airport Road at the Wrigley Reservoir, which was empty of water. There was a slight challenge here, though, in that I came to a chain-link fence with an opening for people to step through. Luckily, a touring group in an open-air truck was going by and the driver pointed out that I could walk around the fence to the right, where there was a clear path to do so.

The Airport in the Sky was my lunch destination. My wife took a shuttle bus from the Conservancy to the airport and met up with me. After lunch, I set out from the airport on the mostly six-mile descent to Little Harbor campground. El Rancho Escondido Road had a bump or two along the way, breaking up the downhill riding with a little climbing. I turned right onto Little Harbor Road and made my way to my campsite. My tent set up and food safely stored in the provided metal boxes, I went over to the tiny beach and sat on a driftwood log, relaxing under the sun’s warm rays.

1

2

1. Catalina Island’s Airport in the Sky restaurant is a great place to refuel. (James Murren) 2. The island at dusk. (James Murren / For The Times)

In the middle of the night, as I mentioned above, a lone bison visited my campsite. Thankfully, nothing happened to me (other than not getting much sleep from that point on to sunrise) but Catalina Island officials warn visitors that there is no safe distance away from the large animal. “Never approach, touch or attempt to feed bison. If you feel threatened, identify an escape route,” the Conservancy states. “Place a large object between you and the bison (tree, rock, vehicle), and give the bison a path to avoid you.”

Day two

A stop at Cottonwood Beach. During the rainy season, you may see a small waterfall here.

(James Murren)

From the campground the next morning, I went around to Middle Ranch Road. More stunning views of the Pacific marked the first few miles as I climbed, then descended, and climbed some more. It was somewhere around 8:30 in the morning and it felt like I had the entire place to myself.

Eventually, Middle Ranch turned inland. The terrain was gradual in its ascent and once I reached Quail Valley and Middle Ranch, the recently graded road was fast hardpack that allowed for cranking away the miles. I was big-ringin’ it and cruising. Getting into a pedaling cadence was great.

Looking out at the blue ocean and sky.

(James Murren)

Middle Ranch met up with Airport Road, where I turned right and pedaled to Stagecoach Road. Stagecoach descended to Avalon, the hard road quickly dropping with forever views of the big blue ocean.

My overnighter came to a close and I thought of moments during both days when I was by stunned by the beauty that surrounded me — I was even able to see snowcapped San Gorgonio back on the mainland. I thought of friends that I wanted to bring along next time. Yes, no doubt, there will be a next time.

Mum Vikki White had never been on a coach holiday before when she headed to Newquay with her mother and young daughter but she wasn’t prepared for what awaited

What do a six-year-old girl and an 80-something-year-old mum have in common? They both loved our classic British coach holiday to Newquay!

According to latest research, us Brits are thoroughly embracing multi-generational travel, which is why I decided it was time for me to try out the trend.

My six-year-old , my mother and me (a 40-something) were keen to spend a few days together in the school holidays and a Daish’s Holidays coach trip to Newquay looked to meet all of our requirements.

It’s safe to say I was a bit unsure – from sunshine breaks to skiing to UK jaunts, I try to squeeze in as many holidays as I can each year, but a coach trip was a first.

Thankfully, from the moment we hopped onboard our luxury vehicle, we felt right at home. Much to my relief, given the 320-mile trip we were embarking on, the coach was modern, boasting comfy seats with foot rests and air conditioning.

READ MORE: Ryanair issues holiday alert to Brits flying to Europe in October

So far, so good. Many of the friendly clientele on board told us they regularly took Daish’s Holidays coach trips, which was surely a good sign. They explained it isn’t a mode of travel for the impatient—we stopped at several service stations for rest along the way. With a bit of traffic as we headed down towards the South West region, we only just made it for dinner at our home for the next four nights, the Barrowfield Hotel.

Close to Newquay’s seafront, the 80-room residence is managed by Frank, who stepped on board the coach to personally greet us. My daughter was keen to hand over her ‘golden ticket’ to another member of the smiling staff at reception and was thrilled to be offered a choice of toys in return. There were only a few children staying at the hotel, and I thought this was a lovely touch.

Just like on the coach, we had our own seats in the dining room for our half-board meals, which needed to be selected in the morning for the evening and vice versa. From breakfast fry-ups to roast dinners with apple crumbles, dishes here are hearty and traditional.

The evening entertainment in the bar ranged from cabaret dancing and quizzes to live singers and bingo, with a kids’ games room providing even more entertainment. The number one attraction for all three of us at the hotel, however, was the indoor, heated swimming pool. We made full use of this during our stay and often had it to ourselves.

Keen to explore Newquay, we were pleased to find its tourist heart a short seafront stroll away. We tried out the Blue Reef Aquarium Newquay, which sits above lively Towan Beach and my daughter loved the informative talks about its resident Loggerhead Turtle and Blacktip Reef Sharks.

My mother was keener to try some of the trendy coffee shops on offer, and we particularly loved Mothersurf with its amazing cheese toasties. There are plenty of shops to peruse, and we couldn’t resist a play in one of the traditional arcades, with game machines spitting out tickets for every win that could be exchanged for prizes.

Back to the Barrowfield Hotel, where our bedrooms were spacious, with comfortable beds and great walk-in showers. And while our half board deal was a total bargain, we couldn’t resist heading out to check out local eateries on two of our nights’ stay – our favourite was Ginger and Joe, which offered tasty artisanal small plates and fabulous cocktails.

On our third day, we signed up for an optional coach trip to St Ives, the picturesque seaside town we decided was the perfect place to indulge in a cream tea. We headed to the Scoff Troff Cafe and were not disappointed. Being in Cornwall, we were sure to spread the layer of jam first before applying clotted cream!

Another highlight of this day out was the Tate St Ives, which had some brilliant activities on offer for youngsters. As for me, I loved the gift shop, which was filled with unique and creative finds. The Tate sits above the soft, sandy Porthmeor Beach, where we grabbed a coffee in one of the most stunning cafes I’ve ever seen before heading back to base.

As for Newquay, we had one more day to explore before making the long journey back up North. We first spent some time snuggled up on one of our hotel’s comfy sofas, chatting to our fellow guests who had become friends. We next headed out to paddle our feet in the water at beautiful Tolcarne Beach, which is just 200 yards away from the hotel.

We enjoyed a final potter into the lively city centre too, where we bought henna tattoos to mark our girls’ trip away, before returning to the Barrowfield to pack up ahead of our early start the next morning. I loved how clear the communication is on a Daish’s holiday – from what time we were going to eat to the exact time of our departure, it was all made easy for us.

As we prepared to depart, my mum told the hotel manager, Frank, that my daughter had pronounced our trip the best holiday of her life. Much to her delight, this earned her a large Daish’s teddy bear, which took pride of place on the coach back home!

We all felt the same – we had had a blast, and as we said goodbye to our driver and fellow passengers, we decided we needed to make our short coach break an annual occurrence. Daish’s Holidays offers a range of UK destinations from Llandudno to Eastbourne and Scarborough to Torquay, so we just need to decide where to go next.

Book the holiday

A Daish’s Holiday package includes luxury coach travel or free hotel guest parking on-site at most locations, convenient pickup and drop-off along popular routes, breakfast and three-course evening meals every day and on-site entertainment. Prices from £179 to £379 for self-drive and from £199 to £399 for the coach. Early Booking and Kids Go Free discounts also apply.

It’s no secret that flights and hotels have increased in price, but for one traveller, the cost of their trip was dubbed ‘a trip to the moon with NASA’ as it saw a whopping price increase

Gone are the days of booking a flight seat for £15.99 and an all-inclusive hotel for £100 as prices for a getaway abroad shoot up. But for one traveller, they were left baffled after their holiday package increased by a whopping £17million, prompting people to label it as much as a “trip to the moon with NASA”.

The holidaymaker, who didn’t reveal the exact details of their elaborate holiday, shared a screenshot of the cost inflation while using the TUI website. What started out as an £8million trip jumped to a staggering increase of £17million.

In a message on the TUI website, with the title ‘The cost of your holiday has increased’, it read: “We’re sorry to say the price for your holiday has gone up by £17734902.34. It’s because this trip uses flights from a third-party airline.

READ MORE: Woman climbs ‘busiest mountain in UK’ but one thing leaves her annoyedREAD MORE: ‘I stayed at Premier Inn and unexpected feature I found left me floored’

“We receive the latest prices from the airline a few times each day, but the price might change when we come to request the actual seats. Your new total is shown in the holiday summary.”

While it’s uncertain what the traveller put into the booking website, he shared the screenshot and wrote on Reddit: “So, £297 for both with flights seemed a little too good to be true, so I went through the motions. Unfortunately for me, I don’t have £18,000,000 in the bank to spend 4 days in Athens, even with the £2m discount.”

The post was met with a flurry of comments as everyone applauded the post. One asked: “Who are the third party airline, NASA?”

A second added: “Just a short layover on the moon.” “Sounds more like a Space X side hustle to me. Uber x Space X if you will”, a third penned.

“NASA’s having a…. bit of time off”, another shared. “Its only £120 deposit. Put it on klarna,” a fifth wrote.

While another wrote: “I feel you OP. I hate when they add on that little 69p to the price like that too. Like it’s such a sneaky trick. You can sort of rationalise it by convincing yourself you’re only paying £8867599 but let’s be honest here, you’re really paying more like £8867600.”

Someone else remarked: “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday”, before another chimed in with: “And right now you can save £1m per person. That’s £4m off for a family of four!”

A TUI spokesperson said the error was likely caused by a technical error, and they’d like to apologise for the confusion.

We have a fantastic trip up for grabs, with breakfast and dinner included and a visit to the Game of Thrones Studio

We have teamed up with Aer Lingus and Titanic Hotel Belfast to give you the chance to win an unforgettable two-night stay in Belfast.

The prize for two includes return flights to Belfast City Airport from any UK airport on the Aer Lingus Regional network. You’ll stay at the multi award winning Titanic Hotel Belfast, a landmark destination in the city’s iconic Titanic Quarter with breakfast each morning, plus an unforgettable evening of fine dining with a three-course dinner at the hotel’s renowned Wolff Grill. Blending timeless heritage with contemporary luxury, this is the ultimate way to discover Belfast’s maritime legacy.

The lucky winner will also have the opportunity to step into the heart of filmmaking with a visit to the Game of Thrones Studio where the world of Westeros was created. Explore the groundbreaking craftsmanship and technical artistry that brought one of television’s most celebrated series to life.

Simply fill in the form below for the chance to win this complete package! The competition closes on 31st October. If you can’t see the form click here.

Aer Lingus Regional flights to/from Belfast City Airport include:

Birmingham | Up to 6 flights daily

Cardiff | Daily flights

Edinburgh | Up to 3 flights daily

East Midlands | Daily flights

Glasgow | Daily flights

Leeds Bradford | Up to 4 flights daily

Manchester | Up to 4 flights daily

Exeter | 2 flights weekly

Southampton | Up to 3 flights daily

Aer Lingus Regional is exclusively operated by Emerald Airlines. Emerald Airlines was named the most punctual airline in the UK, 2024.* Based on data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Trends Report for 2024.

The travel bug doesn’t need to wane as we age. With potentially more time on our hands, there’s a whole world out there to explore. We’d love to hear about a special travel adventure you’ve had in your 60s, 70s or even 80s. Whether it was hiking in the Himalayas, a first-time solo or group trip, or an inspiring weekend somewhere more local, we want to hear about it.

The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a £200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property – the company has more than 3,000 worldwide. The best tips will appear in the Guardian Travel section and website.

Keep your tip to about 100 words

If you have a relevant photo, do send it in – but it’s your words we will be judging for the competition.

We’re sorry, but for legal reasons you must be a UK resident to enter this competition.

The competition closes on Monday 6 October at 10am BST

Have a look at our past winners and other tips

Read the terms and conditions here

If you’re having trouble using the form click here. Read terms of service here and privacy policy here.

Budget Brisbane’s chic and cheerful – Clare Fitzsimons gets closer to nature for way less in one of Australia’s finest cities, forking out a surprisingly small amount for her stay

Sitting on pale yellow sand decorated by imprints of dozens of tiny silver gull feet, with the Pacific Ocean lapping around my toes, the first hint of an orange and red dawn appears on the horizon.

It’s hard not to think in cliches at moments like these and while “the best things in life are free” is an overused phrase, it does sum up my surroundings pretty perfectly.

Watching a sunrise on the Australian coast is one of those priceless moments people pay a fortune for – but you don’t have to. We all know getting to Oz is never going to be cheap but there are ways to make that once in a lifetime trip Down Under cost not much more than a week in Spain.

I’ll admit the thought of doing Brisbane on a budget at first brought visions of the I’m A Celebrity camp – with all those terrifying spiders, and snakes. But I needn’t have worried as the east coast city’s plush hotels and apartments are remarkably affordable, costing from £79 per room a night.

We stayed at the Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites (from £94 for a one bedroom apartment sleeping two and £141 for two bedrooms) and it was the perfect place to rest up after the 24-hour flight. I flew with Singapore Airlines, with a three-hour stopover at Changi and yes, it’s a long flight, but wasn’t as bad as I’d feared and soon the jetlag was gone.

Brisbane hosted the British & Irish Lions earlier this year and there’s an Ashes Test this December, not to mention the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, but a slew of free and cheap activities are also on your doorstep. From the botanical gardens, the famous Brisbane sign and the Wheel of Brisbane (like the London Eye but a lot faster), to miles of riverside to wander for hours – and it was all delightfully spider and snake-free.

Not a walking fan? You can jump on the CityCat, which is a boat service ferrying people along the Brown Snake, as the river is known, all for just 50 cents a trip – that’s less than 25p.

This budget friendly approach is not unique to boat services. Trains are the same price and are incredibly easy to use as I discovered when I split my trip and moved south an hour or so to the Gold Coast and the idyllically named Surfers Paradise (with that beach and sunrise).

The accommodation was very affordable there too. We had a two bed suite at The Island Gold Coast, just a few yards from the sea, and its rooms start at £91.

Food prices are similar to Britain but portion sizes are enormous and most meals easily feed two. There are plenty of bargains and special offers to be had – The Island, for instance, does a weekend bottomless grazing lunch (delicious) in its rooftop bar with all food and drink included for less than £40.

In fact, whatever and wherever you choose to eat, from bargain burgers to high-end fine dining (Donna Chang restaurant in Brisbane is a real gem if you’re splashing out), you are pretty much guaranteed to get food with a view.

One of the best was at Joeys, atop a Brisbane cliff with fabulous food you’ll have earned after the steep climb up the steps to get there.

And while that restaurant brought a smile to my face, it was real joeys that warmed my heart during a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary along the Gold Coast.

Hopping excitedly over to eat from my hand, the pint-sized young kangaroos were undeniably cute and even the much larger and slightly more intimidating adults were very gentle and happy to be petted while they munched away on food pellets.

Animal interactions are a huge part of this park, and even locals will often come to the entrance for a morning coffee and to watch (and feed) the lorikeets.

Here for free, even before you go in, staff will give you a small plate of liquid nectar, to which parrots are partial. Next expect flurries of green feathers flocking over in seconds, hanging on the plate, your arms and often your head. A pair of the birds even decided to get a little amorous and start smooching while scrabbling about in my hair – a very odd experience.

But the highlight of the trip was four-year-old Kiki the koala.

Queensland is one of the only states which allows people to hold koalas and the Currumbin is one of the leading animal conservation sanctuaries with its own wildlife hospital treating 16,000 animals a year – including 500 koalas. Kiki was brought over and, while I was grinning like a child, she was placed in my arms for a cuddle and a photo, clinging to me like she was a baby – or more like I was a tree. The park is a bit of a splurge at around £35 for entrance and the koala experiences starting from £30, but it’s easily a full day out and something I’ll never forget.

Even if you don’t leave Brisbane, you can still meet a few of Kiki’s rellies on The Koala and River Cruises (costing just over £55) which takes you up the river to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. This time I stroked the equally adorable five year-old Fraser, fed kangaroos and saw everything from dingoes and wombats to crocodiles and snakes.

If wildlife isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other fascinating excursions that won’t break the bank. A trip to Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre takes you back 60,000 years to learn about the ancestors of the first nation people. Going on a walkabout, the guide relates the history of the people and their connection with the land.

Jellurgal is known as the Dreaming Mountain and a Dreaming Story is a tale told through the generations as the people don’t believe in writing down their language so everything is passed on by oral tradition.

Whatever you want from a holiday you can find in Queensland. From thrill-seeking to beach-lazing – the state enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year. A day trip from Brisbane to Tangalooma Island Resort on nearby Moreton Island takes you to the white beaches of the third largest sand island in the world (the top two are also in Oz) where you can spend the day sunbathing and watching the enormous pelicans bob along the coastline.

Despite visiting in Australia’s winter, the temperatures were remarkably similar to a British summer, regularly in the 20s.

If views are your thing then the Story Bridge Adventure Climb is the place for you. It’s pricey at £75 but as one of remarkably few climbable cantilever bridges in the world, definitely worth it – even in the very fetching jumpsuit you have to wear.

If that’s not enough of an adrenaline rush, try a kayak trip along the Brisbane River (costing just over £35). Having read the river contains bull sharks, I was a tad nervous. It didn’t help when my brilliant guide from the Riverlife Adventure Centre showed me how to get back into the kayak if I fell out (which largely seemed to be belly-flopping onto the top and wriggling about like an eel).

Despite my fears and a few large wobbles, I managed not to fall in and the sense of achievement (and yes, relief) was palpable on returning to the pontoon 90 minutes later. Shark-infested river survived.

That’s what Australia is, a series of unforgettable moments you’ll be regaling your friends about for years.

And while not all the best things in life are as free as that sunset, they’re a lot closer than you’d think.

Book the holiday

Singapore Airlines offers return flights to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, from Gatwick and Heathrow starting at £1,114 in economy; £2,884 in premium economy. singaporeair.com Rooms at the Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites apartments start at around £94 a night. oakshotels.com Rooms at the ibis Styles Brisbane Elizabeth Street hotel start at around £79 a night. ibisstylesbrisbaneelizabeth.com.au Rooms at The Island Gold Coast hotel in Surfers Paradise start at around £91 a night. theislandgoldcoast.com.au

More info at queensland.com

Holidu has shared the ultimate European destinations for “one night only” trips, and the top-ranking destination is in France – notable for its walkability and proximity to the UK

Brits low on time but in desperate need of an escape can make the most of their holiday in one of the European cities. Named the best for “one night only” trips, these destinations are convenient to visit from the UK and can be thoroughly enjoyed — even if only for a day.

The holiday rental search engine, Holidu, has created a list of Europe’s best cities for one-night breaks, looking at the factors that can make all the difference in 24-hours, including travel time from the UK, the distance from the airport to the city centre and how long it takes to walk between the city’s three main attractions.

Overall, French cities reigned supreme for one-night stays, according to Holidu’s findings. Destinations in France took three of the top ten spots, with Rennes, Nantes, and Montpellier all performing well.

It is the short flights from the UK and compact city centres convenient for exploring on foot that make them perfect for quick holidays. That said, one destination was cited as the best of the best.

Taking first place for the best one-night European city break is France’s Breton capital, Rennes. The city scored exceptionally well for how quickly British travellers are able to get there from the UK, with flights taking just 59 minutes from London and the journey from the airport to the city centre taking less than 15 minutes.

One-night city breaks have become massively popular in recent years, as time-strapped travellers forgo weeks of planning and preparation for short escapes that don’t drain their holiday allowance.

But that’s also why choosing the right destination for a short trip can be tricky, and not all European cities work well for a one-night experience. According to Holidu’s research, big-name capitals aren’t always your best bet for one-night trips.

Paris sits at 47th on the search engine’s best ‘one night only’ destination list, while Rome comes in at 85th, and Athens at 95th. A large reason for this is because of how spread apart popular attractions are, making it difficult for those with only a day free to explore efficiently.

Coming in second on Holidu’s ranking is Nantes, France. The city ranked well for its short flight time of around 1 hour and 6 minutes from London, as well as a very short airport transfer time of just 14 minutes to the city centre. Nantes is also a highly walkable city, with its major attractions all situated within a 39-minute walk.

Bremen, Germany came in at third place, while Basel, Switzerland and The Hague, Netherlands came in fourth and fifth place respectively.

DENVER — Kyle Freeland pitched six solid innings, Blaine Crim homered and drove in two runs, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Angels 3-1 on Sunday in their final home game of a miserable season.

Victor Vodnik got three outs for his 10th save as the Rockies improved to 43-113 with six games remaining, ensuring they won’t tie the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in one season by a National League team since 1900. Those expansion Mets finished 40-120-1.

Mike Trout doubled leading off the game after hitting his 400th career home run Saturday night. He scored the only run for the Angels (70-86), who went 1-9 on their last road trip of the year.

Trout scored on Jo Adell’s single in the first but Freeland (5-16) was in control after that. He retired 13 of 14 batters before Taylor Ward’s leadoff single in the sixth. The left-hander issued his only walk one out later but ended his day by getting Logan O’Hoppe to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Angels starter Caden Dana (0-3) didn’t allow a hit through three innings, but three walks in the second allowed the Rockies to tie it on Kyle Karros’ sacrifice fly.

Crim’s leadoff homer in the fourth gave Colorado the lead, and Freeland and the bullpen made it stand up.

Crim added an RBI groundout in the eighth.

Key moment: The Angels had runners on first and third with one out in the first, but Freeland struck out O’Hoppe and Christian Moore to keep the damage at one run. Freeland had seven strikeouts.

Key stats: Colorado finished 25-56 at Coors Field, the most home losses in franchise history. The previous high was 46 in 2012.

Up next: The Angels host Kansas City on Tuesday to begin their final homestand. They had not announced a scheduled starter yet.

If you feel stuck for something to do in London, Skuna Boats is the perfect activity – relaxing, fun and something really different

Having lived in London for the best part of a decade I made it my mission when I first moved here to cross as many of the main tourist attractions off the list as possible.

It’s all too easy when you live in a city as amazing as London to take things for granted so after a feverish couple of years, I done all the big ones – St Paul’s, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Royal Parks, you name it, I’d looked round it.

You may think this would leave me at a loss for fun activities to do each weekend and that’s where you’d be very wrong. Some of the very best attractions London has to offer are those that fly under the radar – and there’s one I’ve been eyeing up out of the window at work for as long as I can imagine.

Skuna Boats, based in Canary Wharf, offer a dazzling array of water-based activities. From an igloo boat, where you cosy and ensconced is a see-through igloo while you potter about the water ways of Canary Wharf, to the BBQ boat, which pretty much does what it says on the tin. But the one that really caught my eye was the hit tub boat. Imagine the fun, being in a hot tub ON the water.

One gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon four friends and I donned our swimming costumes and ventured out onto the water. We picked evening so we got the best of both worlds, making the most of the last of the sunshine and then floating around Canary Wharf, gazing at the glittering lights, as the sun went down as we sipped wine and giggled.

The first thing to mention is Skuna take safety very seriously. You delegate one of your party to be captain and alcohol is banned for them. You’re then given a very thorough safety talk and quiz so you’re ready to take to the water in the safest possible way.

After changing in the lovely on site changing rooms, where you can rent soft and fluffy robes and towels, we made our way down to the pier and our waiting boat.

After another very thorough run through of how to operate the boat – which once you get your head round everything being in the opposite direction to where you think it should be – it’s surprisingly easy. We were loaded up with our waterproof containers holding our phones, which I would highly recommend taking as the views are spectacular and our drinks and we were off.

It took a few minutes to get the hang of steering our sturdy vessel but this only added to the fun. The water in the hot tub, which is wood fired, was absolutely perfect and felt like such a luxurious way to see Canary Wharf from a very different angle.

As we wound our way along the route, one thing that really blew my mind was the number of people stopping to wave, smile and shout hello to us. I’m not a born and bred Londoner but I’ve been here for long enough to know if this amazing city has a downside, it’s that the people aren’t always the friendliest.

I thought I’d feel somewhat mortified being spotted in my cossie so close to where I work every day but everyone was so nice and we were having such an amazing time, I didn’t mind in the slightest.

Canary Wharf has always been a stunning part of London and the views from our little hot tub oasis were absolutely spectacular. What a way to see what can be an underrated part of the city.

After 75 minutes on the water, it was time for us to get out and sample the Skuna Sauna. If I was feeling relaxed by the time I got out of the hot tub, I was positively zen after leaving the sauna. A real piece of luxury and health right there on the quayside.

So, next time you’re feeling a bit stuck with what to do in London I cannot recommend Skuna Boats highly enough – I can’t wait to set sail again.

For more information and for a full list of prices, make sure to visit the Skuna website.

For most people, birthdays are spent as a celebration with those who are closest to you and it was always that way for me – but this year, I wanted a change and it served me in more ways I could’ve imagined

I’ve always admired people who travel solo. For me, it’s nerve-wracking enough to go out to eat alone – I never thought I’d be brave enough to do it, not at this point in my life. But for my 26th birthday, I booked a ticket, and I don’t regret it.

Birthdays are odd days. You look forward to them, make plans with those closest to you, and yet, without fail, someone lets you down. Last year, I decided enough was enough and decided to give myself the gift I’d been waiting for.

I didn’t let the fear from my family members hold me back either. I booked a trip to Turkey, leaving no time for anyone to talk me out of it.

READ MORE: Eggs keep fresh ‘for weeks longer’ when stored in 1 common kitchen placeREAD MORE: ‘I made more than £70,000 in under 12 hours – and it’s all thanks to TikTok’

And I know I’m not alone in this. Solo holidays are trending right now, and for good reason. In a report by American Express, solo travel is shown to be a major trend among young travellers, with 76% of Millennials and Gen-Z planning solo trips in 2025.

Now, social media is full of people documenting their solo trips, and it’s giving others the push to try it for themselves. In my experience, as soon as I reached my hotel, I knew I’d made the right decision.

Paloma Orenda in Antalya was beautiful, and the staff went out of their way to make me feel seen. They gave me my own itinerary, booked me into restaurants, surprised me with a birthday massage, and reserved two days in a private cabana.

It wasn’t just the thoughtful gestures that I appreciated – every staff member was friendly, the food was great and the hotel was beautiful.

Going away alone brought its own challenges. I started strong with a whole row of seats to myself on the flight, but once there, eating alone or finding a sun lounger solo felt daunting.

The first few days were tricky. But once I got out of my head, I realised no one cared. People had spent good money on their holidays – they weren’t watching me. In fact, I might have been the person they admired, the one brave enough to go it alone.

For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror’s Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox.

On my actual birthday, I had a massage and spent time at my cabana. It was set apart from the noise, shaded by trees, the sun warming the cushions. For the first time, the day truly felt mine.

I stayed in my own space and it was freeing. I enjoyed it far more than I ever expected. I remember sitting in a restaurant, glancing around nervously as I took the first bite. I braced for stares that never came – everyone was wrapped up in their own moments. That’s when I realised how much of my fear was in my head.

Now I understand why solo trips are essential. Yes, as a woman, and a Black woman at that, there’s always a fear about safety. But if I’d let those thoughts stop me, I’d never have stepped out of my comfort zone.

I admire people who go on solo holidays – and now I know anyone can do it. Looking back, I realise the best gift I gave myself at 26 was learning that my own company is enough. Gratitude has a funny way of softening loneliness.

Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We’d love to hear from you!

Sept. 12 (UPI) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel and the United Kingdom to address security matters in Gaza and globally from Saturday through Thursday.

Rubio first will travel to Israel, where he plans to discuss the Israel-Hamas war and security in the Middle East while affirming the United States’ “commitment to Israeli security,” according to a State Department news release.

“He will also emphasize our shared goals: ensuring Hamas never rules over Gaza again and bringing all the hostages home,” said Thomas Pigott, State Department principal deputy spokesperson.

Rubio and Israeli leaders will discuss Israeli military operational goals and the objectives of the Israel Defense Force’s Operation Gideon’s Chariots II, which targets Hamas leadership and members in Gaza City.

Rubio and Israeli leaders also will discuss “our commitment to fight anti-Israel actions, including unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state that rewards Hamas terrorism and lawfare at the [International Criminal Court] and [International Court of Justice],” Pigott said.

Rubio also is scheduled to meet with the families of hostages being held by Hamas to “underscore that their relative’s lives remains a top priority,” Pigott added.

After concluding the visit in Israel, Rubio is scheduled to travel to the United Kingdom to meet with U.K. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss “critical global challenges,” he said.

Those challenges include the war in Ukraine, stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, securing a cease-fire and the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and competing with China.

Rubio’s diplomatic trip is to occur after Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Adbulrahman al-Thani was to meet with President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Rubio and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday.

The prime minister and president are expected to discuss the recent IDF strike against Hamas officials in Qatar’s capital, Doha, and a potential defense agreement between Qatar and the United States.

Antiques Road Trip descended into bitter clash on Sunday afternoon’s episode as an expert abandoned co-star during a heated row that saw them split up at the auction house

Antiques Road Trip descended into a bitter clash on Sunday afternoon’s episode as an expert abandoned co-star during a heated row. The BBC afternoon favourite returned over the weekend with a previous instalment when Paul Laidlaw joined fellow expert Margie Cooper on the valuation programme, and the pair ventured from Lincolnshire as they set off on their way to the auction house in Harrogate.

With Paul behind the wheel as Margie set out on an expedition that would see her try to contact spirits from beyond, she warned him ‘not to start with all this war stuff’ as they made their way to the auction house.

Paul began: “I don’t know much about it, airfields! Lincs, East Coast. I’ve got to bring the war up.” Margie then joked: “Oh, don’t, you’re not going to start with all this war stuff!”

READ MORE: Antiques Roadshow painting gets ‘record-breaking’ value before sad twistREAD MORE: Antiques Road Trip expert issues warning after ‘falling over’ during chaotic deal

Paul shot back: “My tactic is… but you won’t. I’m sure this won’t upset you. I will just be hovering behind, ready to snatch. Is that the best you can do?”

Margie hit back: “Don’t you dare! Don’t you dare!” Paul, who was pursuing the purchase of military memorabilia and did go on to discover some rather interesting artefacts, joked to his co-star: “We may end up in the same shop this morning. I’m talking about militaria.”

Not quite satisfied with that stance, Margie shot back: “Sniffing around! Oh no! Please! You’re not still buying that old rubbish, are you?” and she suggested once they had arrived: “Shall we divide and conquer? I’ll just abandon you by the roadside!”

Once inside, Margie deliberately crept up on her co-star and he fumed: “Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you familiar with the concept of trespassing? I thought you were,” but she fired back: “I am allowed to go where I want to! I was told!”

Paul, furious at this stage, ranted: “is this? An interrogation? You come in here and interrogate me!” Despite this, the pair still maintained a good rapport on screen for the rest of the episode and were on civil terms by the time the auction came around.

It comes just days after dealer Paul was gobsmacked after he stumbled upon a rare vintage camera in an antique shop. The camera later fetched a whopping £20,000 at auction.

Paul had snapped up the camera for a mere £60 and was left stunned alongside competitor Kate Bliss at the Bury St. Edmunds auction in Suffolk when the hammer fell at such an astronomical price, especially after watching the bidding increments soar.

The specialist found the camera while hunting for curiosities and collectables in Margate, Kent. The shop owner explained: “Three floors, the upstairs is mainly furniture, but there’s stuff everywhere. And on this floor, there are four rooms through, and in the middle, there’s a staircase which goes down to a room full of chairs and another room full below!”

Faced with the daunting task ahead, Paul joked: “Don’t send the cavalry, okay?” After spending a considerable amount of time rummaging through the treasures, Paul returned to the counter and proposed: “In your cabinet over there, optical instrument… £75 on that, I bid you £50.

“Give me £60 and I’ll shake your hand, but I’m not doing any better than that, I’m afraid,” the proprietor responded. “Shake my hand!” Paul retorted, and the owner added, “Good man, deal done.”

He then turned to the camera and revealed: “What do you get for your money when you open it up? That looks like a peepside and it is!”.

“I think this is a very early camera. If I’m right, that could be quite exciting. The photographic market is very much in the ascent, it’s a hot market, I think that’s a good thing.”

Antiques Road Trip is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.