Julie Delahaye

Holidaymaker Kirsty Sarbutts described chaotic daily rushes for poolside sunbeds at a Spanish hotel, where more than 50 tourists reportedly queued before the pool opened. She said guests ran through the entrance, argued over preferred spots and that one man fell during the scramble. Sarbutts and her husband generally chose breakfast over joining the rush and often had to use plastic chairs. The dispute was intensified by guests reserving beds with towels and leaving them unattended, prompting some hotels and Spanish beaches to remove belongings and introduce fines or other restrictions.

UK travellers visiting EU countries must check both their passport expiry date and issue date. The passport must remain valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the destination and must have been issued within the previous 10 years when entering the EU. Airlines may deny boarding if either condition is not met. The article also outlines standard and expedited UK passport renewal costs and warns travellers about potential delays from the EU Entry/Exit System, which requires many UK visitors to provide fingerprints and a photograph at the border.

The UK Foreign Office updated its travel guidance for France, warning of a high wildfire risk as fires spread across several European countries. More than 10,000 people were evacuated in southern France, and access restrictions were issued around the Tour de France to support emergency efforts. The guidance directs travellers to safety information from French authorities, including evacuation procedures and prevention measures, as wildfires become more common due to drought and high temperatures.