Amy Jones

Yasmin Kauser said her family holiday in Alanya, Turkey, booked through Loveholidays for £4,863, descended into a prolonged accommodation crisis. The family reportedly arrived to find no rooms available, received only one room for six people, was later turned away from a replacement five-star resort and spent hours outside with luggage and four children in temperatures reaching about 40°C. Emergency accommodation was eventually arranged, but Kauser described one room as smelling of urine and mould and said the family remained there for the rest of the trip. Loveholidays said it was investigating the hotel suppliers, had offered £1,015.99 compensation and an upgraded hotel, and later offered a full refund after being unable to contact Kauser.

Swimmers at beaches around Illetes and Cala Comtessa in Majorca have reported being bitten by small fish, with some incidents causing bleeding. Similar reports have occurred at several other Mallorca beaches since 2023. Experts suggest that rising summer sea temperatures may make juvenile fish more active and less wary of humans, while emphasizing that the fish are not poisonous and generally cause little harm. เครดิตฟรี

The Azores, a Portuguese volcanic archipelago roughly four hours from the UK, are presented as a cheaper European alternative to Hawaii, offering pristine beaches, crater lakes, waterfalls, hiking trails and hot springs. A week-long trip typically costs about £700 per person compared with £1,500–£4,500 for Hawaii, while direct flights from London start at £118 and local pints cost around £1.28. São Miguel is highlighted for attractions including Sete Cidades, volcanic beaches, Vila Franca do Campo’s natural pool, Ponta Delgada and geothermal cooking and bathing experiences.

Disney World expert Mark Patterson, who has visited Walt Disney World Resort 48 times, recommends booking accommodation with a kitchenette and free breakfast to reduce food costs by as much as $100–$200 per day for a family. He particularly favors the newer hotels in the Flamingo Crossings area, while warning that visitors will need transport to the parks. Hotels near Disney Springs offer convenient access to dining and entertainment but may add substantial costs through paid breakfast, parking and resort fees, which can significantly increase the advertised room price.

Travelers using Palma de Mallorca Airport are warned of possible delays and operational bottlenecks because Swissport ground-handling workers and Balearic Islands metal-sector employees plan overlapping strikes. The most significant disruption is expected on July 28, when Swissport action coincides with the regional strike, potentially affecting baggage handling, check-in, boarding and arrivals across Palma, Ibiza and Menorca. Passengers are advised to check in online, travel with hand luggage where possible, monitor airline updates and arrive within the normal recommended window.

Sarakiniko Beach on the Greek island of Milos is known for its smooth, bone-white volcanic rock formations, turquoise waters, caves and moon-like landscape. Visitors commonly praise its unusual scenery and enjoy swimming, snorkelling and cliff jumping, although sea anemones can cause painful skin reactions. The beach is about a 10-minute drive from Adamas and Plaka, and can be reached from the UK via Athens and then by flight or ferry to Milos.

Updated International Civil Aviation Organization rules require power banks to be carried in hand luggage, individually protected, and neither recharged nor used to charge other devices during flights, with a general limit of two per passenger. Airline policies vary: Emirates allows one power bank, while Virgin Atlantic permits up to five depending on watt-hour ratings. Travellers are advised to check their airline’s specific requirements before departure.

A travel writer describes a visit to Stow-on-the-Wold in the Cotswolds, highlighting its historic market square, abundance of independent shops, renowned Borzoi Bookshop, antique stores, and traditional tearooms. Local pubs such as The Porch House and landmarks like the ‘Tolkien Door’ add to the town’s charm, while thriving small businesses and scenic medieval streets make it a notable destination for visitors.

Passengers who stand in the aisle and retrieve overhead luggage immediately after landing may create avoidable risks, including trips, falls, collisions and luggage-related injuries. eShores director Gavin Lapidus says early crowding can also obstruct cabin crew and hinder post-landing procedures. Waiting until the row ahead begins moving is safer and does not delay disembarkation.

The Cotswolds is identified as England’s top walking destination, surpassing the Lake District and Peak District due to its rolling hills, river valleys, ancient towns and extensive trails, including the 102‑mile Cotswold Way. The region’s villages such as Bibury, Bourton‑on‑the‑Water and Castle Combe attract visitors with picturesque cottages and historic charm. Responsible Travel highlights the area's literary inspiration, slow‑food ethos and abundance of scenic routes across six counties.

United Airlines plans to add a special Economy Plus row to all 50 of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, replacing an open middle seat with a fixed shared table, cup holders and additional elbow room. The seats will retain Economy Plus’s extra three inches of legroom and become available to book later in 2026. The airline is also developing a United Relax Row, in which three economy seats can convert into a lie-flat mattress-like space with bedding and family amenities.

British travellers to Greece are advised of stricter alcohol laws, including bans on selling or serving alcohol to anyone under 18 and potential penalties for parents or adults if minors are harmed by excessive drinking. Updated guidance also stresses carrying passports for identification and provides detailed safety advice on swimming, beach conditions and booking licensed water sports.

Bath has been named the world's happiest city for 2026 in Time Out's survey of more than 24,000 locals. Ninety-three percent of residents said the city made them happy, while respondents also praised its community spirit, green spaces, neighbourhoods and everyday quality of life. The article highlights Bath's Roman Baths, Georgian architecture, Pulteney Bridge, parks and literary and film connections, alongside recommendations for restaurants, cafés, bars and attractions such as Thermae Bath Spa.

A new UK-Switzerland agreement is expected to make travel easier for British holidaymakers and business travellers. By the end of 2026, eligible UK visitors should be able to use Swiss airport e-gates, initially at Zurich and later at Geneva and Basel, while roaming charges are also expected to be removed. The wider free trade agreement could increase UK services exports to Switzerland by an estimated £5.2 billion annually and ease work-permit and visa arrangements for UK professionals.

Children aged eight and over can now use eGates at 13 major UK airports, lowering the previous age limit of ten and allowing about 1.5 million more young travellers to pass through border control more quickly. The change aims to ease travel for families during the summer holidays and improve airport efficiency. Government and airport industry representatives welcomed the move, highlighting reduced waiting times and smoother arrivals. Travellers are also reminded to ensure all passports meet validity requirements, particularly for EU trips.

British Airways launched an upgraded mobile app offering faster access to boarding passes, real‑time journey updates from Heathrow and Gatwick, expanded self‑service features and upcoming baggage tracking. The update aims to improve passenger experience during the busy summer travel season, with additional enhancements planned. Club members gain new tools to track Avios and manage account details, and the airline also advised passengers to carry medication prescriptions to avoid airport security delays.

A stay at hub by Premier Inn London Farringdon (Old Bailey), housed in the former Snow Hill Police Station, is praised for combining preserved Victorian features with contemporary boutique-style interiors. The compact 11-square-metre room uses clever storage and electronic controls, while communal lounges, a bar, dining area and late-night pizza add comfort. Rooms start at £75 per night, making the hotel an appealing budget option for visitors to central London who are willing to trade some space for value.

Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds attracts roughly 300,000 visitors a year because of its picturesque cottages, River Windrush, shops and traditional hospitality. Its storybook appearance has led some tourists to mistakenly ask whether they need to pay to enter or when the village closes, although access is free. Residents and local businesses credit tourism with supporting pubs, cafés and independent shops, but surveys indicate serious concerns about traffic, parking, overcrowding and declining quality of life, creating tension between the village’s economic dependence on visitors and the pressures of overtourism.

Durdle Door Beach in Dorset is presented as a UK alternative to Portugal's Algarve, thanks to its golden shingle, clear blue waters, white cliffs and iconic limestone arch. Located on the Jurassic Coast, the beach has attracted visitors, film crews and international recognition, including a National Geographic recommendation. Nearby attractions include Man O’War Beach, Lulworth Cove, Stair Hole and West Lulworth.

Hull City Council is examining plans to restore or replace the open-air lido in East Park, which closed in 1985 and was demolished in 1988. The proposal is intended to provide a safe outdoor swimming facility amid a rise in open-water deaths during recent heatwaves. Councillors support improving access to supervised swimming and water-safety education, although the facility may be built somewhere other than its original site. Hull currently has one council-run lido at the refurbished Albert Avenue Pools and Fitness.

The UK Foreign Office updated its travel advice for Greece following several recent attacks involving explosives and weapons targeting political figures and institutions. While no warning against travel is in place, British tourists are urged to stay vigilant and informed about terrorism risks. The guidance highlights passport validity requirements and notes that Greece has waived biometric data collection under the EU’s new Entry/Exit System. Travellers are advised to follow local instructions and ensure proper documentation, particularly residents in Greece.

British expat Maria Randall describes the emotional and practical difficulties of moving from London to Croatia in 2023 after a spontaneous holiday convinced her and her husband to relocate. She struggled with language and cultural differences, then endured the deaths of her dog, younger brother and mother, as well as a frightening hospitalisation caused by dairy contamination. Over time, she made friends, adapted to Croatian life and launched Island Discovery, a boat-tour company near Split. Although she misses aspects of the UK and has observed rising rents, prices and construction in Croatia, she now considers the country home and says the experience transformed her identity.

Swindon Oasis, a Grade II-listed leisure centre opened in 1976, has remained abandoned since its permanent closure in October 2020. Once known for its lagoon, wave machine, waterslides, concert hall and domed roof, the site is now filled with grime, stagnant green water, rotting slides and rusting fixtures. The venue is linked to the naming of the band Oasis and hosted Liam Gallagher with Beady Eye in 2011. Plans to retain the pool and dome while replacing the sports hall with 700 flats were partly approved, but the flats were rejected, leaving the complex's future uncertain.

The Dutch rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen is offering a discounted Nederland Dal Vrij subscription that provides unlimited off‑peak, weekend and holiday train travel across the Netherlands for £42.20 per month, reduced from its usual £110.18 price. The offer is available for purchase until 30 June. Cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam are highlighted as key destinations accessible with the pass, and the subscription remains a cost‑effective option even at full price compared with individual UK rail fares.

Margate and Ramsgate will introduce year-round bans on alcohol consumption in their high streets from 1 July under a three-year Public Spaces Protection Order. Violations may result in an approximately £100 fine, rising to as much as £1,000 if unpaid and prosecuted. The order also covers alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in parts of Broadstairs, Cliftonville West, Margate and Ramsgate, following reports of fights, assaults and businesses closing early because of intimidation. Thanet District Council and local representatives say the restrictions are intended to improve public safety and protect the local economy.