Milo Boyd

Belcastel, a historic village of 189 residents in France's Occitania region, is compared with the Cotswolds for its honey-coloured stone buildings, cobbled streets, slate roofs and picturesque setting on the Aveyron River. Its medieval château was restored by architect Fernand Pouillon from 1974, prompting the revival of the surrounding village, which was later nominated for France's Plus Beaux Villages de France list. Attractions include the castle, views over the river and a meal at Michelin-listed restaurant Vieux Pont. The village is difficult to reach by public transport and can become overcrowded in summer, so visitors are advised to arrive early or travel in spring or autumn.

Jet2 says its hand luggage policy will not change under new European rules because every booking already includes a free 10kg cabin bag and one personal item. EU regulations expected to take effect by mid-2027 will require clearer upfront pricing, a guaranteed free personal item, faster refunds and longer compensation-claim windows. The rules will also affect UK passengers flying from European airports or with EU-regulated airlines.

The article presents 15 of the UK's top seaside towns, selected with input from locals across popular holiday regions. The destinations include Tenby, Falmouth, Torquay, Clevedon, Amble, Scarborough, Southport, Portstewart, Folkestone, Leigh-on-Sea, Skegness, Wells-next-the-Sea, Gullane, Blackpool and Lyme Regis. They are praised for features including sandy beaches, harbours, heritage, food and drink, family attractions, cultural scenes, affordability and nostalgic seaside experiences.

Morocco has become Africa's leading tourism success story, with visitor numbers rising sharply and surpassing Egypt in 2024. The government aims to attract 26 million tourists by 2030 and is investing about £15 billion in transport, airports, stadiums and urban infrastructure ahead of co-hosting the World Cup. Expanded airline routes and low-cost fares are making Morocco more accessible from the UK, while visitor growth is also accelerating among American and Gulf travellers. Marrakech is experiencing particularly strong demand, whereas Rabat remains comparatively quiet despite its historical, cultural and literary attractions.

UK authorities issued updated travel guidance for multiple Middle Eastern countries as US–Iran hostilities intensify. Continued US airstrikes, Iranian retaliation against regional allies, and clashes affecting key maritime routes have heightened regional instability. The Foreign Office urged travellers to stay informed, monitor local developments, and prepare for potential crises as disruptions to shipping and global energy supplies raise broader economic concerns.

Several Greek regions face extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 43°C, while certain islands and mountain areas remain significantly cooler. Travel expert Yahya Dawood highlights Samothraki and Thassos in the North Aegean, Cycladic islands benefiting from the Meltemi winds, and higher-altitude Cretan villages such as Anogia as comfortable alternatives, offering milder temperatures and natural cooling conditions during peak summer heat.

Archaeologists identified a timber-built artificial island beneath the stone surface of a crannog in Loch Bhorgastail on the Isle of Lewis, dating between 3500 and 3300 BC. Excavations and stereophotogrammetry revealed a substantial wooden structure and layers of construction spanning the Neolithic, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Hundreds of pottery fragments were recovered, and researchers developed a new shallow-water photogrammetry technique to map the site accurately. The findings highlight the complexity of early communities and provide new insights into crannog construction across the Outer Hebrides.