Natalie King

Newcastle upon Tyne has been named the UK's cheapest city-break destination in SeatPick research, with average hotel prices of £79 per night. The city is highlighted for its walkable centre, independent shops, historic attractions, cultural venues, restaurants and affordable nightlife, including the Diamond Strip and Bigg Market. Liverpool ranked second and Birmingham third, with both praised for their compact city centres and visitor amenities.

Mount Etna’s eruptive activity and airborne ash have led to the suspension of arrivals at Catania-Fontanarossa Airport in Sicily. Travellers flying from the UK should check their flight status with their airline and the airport, as delays, diversions and cancellations are possible; other Sicilian airports are currently unaffected. The FCDO has issued no warning against visiting the island but advises checking with travel providers and local authorities. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, airlines must provide assistance such as meals, communications and overnight accommodation during qualifying delays, although compensation claims are unlikely because volcanic eruptions are generally treated as extraordinary circumstances.

Holidaymakers at Hotel Best Oasis Park in Salou, Spain, have been filmed reserving sunbeds with unattended bags, inflatables and other belongings before the pool opens. Visitors and TikTok commenters criticized the practice as selfish, while reports described long queues, people pushing past others, children nearly being trampled and arguments over preferred spots. Guests suggested the hotel remove unattended items or limit towel reservations, and the hotel was contacted for comment.

Burj Al Babas, a Turkish development planned to contain 732 Disney-style castle homes, has become an abandoned site with 587 unfinished buildings. Construction began in 2014 but was disrupted by environmental disputes, unpaid workers, contractor withdrawals, political instability and the developer’s bankruptcy. Although many homes were pre-sold, none were completed by 2022, and reported efforts to restart the project have produced no visible progress by 2026.

A British tourist in Tenerife filmed fellow holidaymakers gathering before breakfast to reserve poolside sunbeds and parasols with towels. Chenaiyah Bernard found the behaviour amusing rather than aggressive, particularly because she later had no difficulty finding a sunbed herself, suggesting the early-morning scramble was unnecessary. Her TikTok video attracted more than 160,000 views, with commenters broadly criticising the practice and questioning the appeal of such holidays.

Butlin's has introduced more than 100 Boxbars self-service bars across its resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness ahead of the summer holidays. The £1 million system lets guests obtain more than 20 alcoholic and soft drinks, including beer, spirits and cocktails, by scanning an all-inclusive wristband or using contactless payment, with drinks dispensed in as little as six seconds. Traditional staffed bars will remain available, while the new system is intended to reduce queues and improve service during family and Big Weekender breaks.

Travellers flying with Jet2, Ryanair or TUI are advised to keep five categories of items out of checked luggage: prescription medication, batteries and electronics, valuables, swimwear, and phone chargers with travel adapters. The guidance highlights the risk of delayed or lost bags, lithium-battery fire restrictions, potential damage or theft of valuables, and the practical benefits of having essential items immediately available after arrival.

A study by Indigo Car Hire ranks St Ives in Cornwall as the UK’s worst seaside destination for parking during the six-week summer holidays, scoring it 92 out of 100. Whitby, Tenby, Padstow and other popular coastal towns also ranked poorly because of limited spaces, high prices, narrow streets and heavy visitor demand. Visitors are advised to use St Ives’ park-and-ride facilities or travel from St Erth by train, while the study’s organizers say the rankings are intended to help tourists avoid frustration rather than discourage visits.

Natalie King reviews an overnight family stay at Alton Towers Hotel with her two children. She praises the hotel’s immersive Victorian-explorer theming, comfortable Moon Voyage room, children’s entertainment and convenient location beside the theme park. The buffet meals were adequate rather than outstanding, and a bathroom door malfunction caused an inconvenience. Despite the high prices and relatively basic themed rooms, the stay was considered worthwhile for families seeking to avoid a long drive after a full day at the park.

A study by Getsby using data from Budget Your Trip identifies Wroclaw, Poland as the cheapest European city for a weekend break, costing about £35 per person per day. Poland dominates the rankings with Poznań, Katowice, Gdańsk and Kraków also in the top five, and Warsaw in tenth place. Wroclaw is highlighted for its canals, medieval architecture, traditional foods and seasonal Christmas market. Other affordable destinations include Sofia, Zagreb, Malmö and Budapest, with most low-cost options located in Eastern Europe.

A travel content creator who has visited 60 countries and 90 airports ranks Charles de Gaulle as the worst due to chaos and inconvenience, despite its recent Skytrax award. He also criticizes Kuala Lumpur for poor security setup, Hong Kong for overreliance on technology, Delhi for armed document checks and lengthy security procedures, and Bogota for inadequate infrastructure to handle transit traffic driven by Avianca.

Lisbon ranks first in a new Gourmet Grocery Index highlighting European destinations where supermarket shopping enhances tourism, driven by the city’s variety of food shops and comparatively low costs. Tinned fish emerges as a popular, travel‑friendly souvenir, while Barcelona, Florence and other European cities follow in the top rankings. Lynton & Lynmouth is the only UK location included due to its concentration of independent food producers. Travellers are reminded to follow airline liquid rules and UK restrictions on bringing meat and dairy products from the EU.

Ryanair warned that UK travellers may face long passport queues at 16 European airports due to ongoing problems with the EU’s Entry/Exit System. The airline said delays stem from slow processing, insufficient staffing and incomplete self‑service infrastructure, urging an extension of EES flexibility. Destinations such as Tenerife South, Alicante, Malaga, Milan and Lisbon were listed as hotspots. Ryanair advised passengers to allow extra time for travel as summer holiday demand peaks.

Wildfires in Spain’s Andalusia region have disrupted travel plans, prompting updated guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advising travellers to follow local emergency instructions. Travel insurance coverage depends on the circumstances, with cancelled flights generally refunded by airlines and package holidays offering broader reimbursement, while independently booked trips require separate claims to each provider. According to Defaqto’s Anna-Marie Duthie, travellers may be covered for cancellations or additional costs if government advice changes or if their insurer includes protection for catastrophic events. She notes that extreme weather could eventually influence insurance premiums and destination insurability, though immediate policy changes are unlikely.

Plans by architecture firm Orms would transform the long‑closed BT Tower in London into a luxury hotel featuring a rooftop pool, visitor experience area, shops, and cafés. The redevelopment includes a new public square, improved pedestrian access, and reconfigured tower interiors, with Camden Council expected to receive the planning application in autumn. Construction could begin in 2029 once BT removes existing equipment. Other historic London buildings, including Custom House and Admiralty Arch, are also undergoing hotel conversions.

Developers aim to transform the long-abandoned Pleasure Island site in Cleethorpes into a £70 million holiday complex featuring a Lidl supermarket, hotels, lodges, retail units and leisure facilities. Council officers have recommended approval for the scheme, which is expected to create around 400 permanent jobs and another 400 during construction. Despite objections from rival retailers and residents raising traffic and wildlife concerns, assessments found no significant adverse impacts. Officials concluded the project would support tourism, improve the local economy and revitalise the derelict site, with councillors set to consider the plan at an upcoming committee meeting.

A Barnsley couple, Andy and Claire Stocks, transformed an £8,000 carpenter’s van into a motorhome during the pandemic and have since embraced a semi-retired vanlife, focusing on UK travel and running a YouTube channel reviewing campsites. Their van conversion led to widespread online attention, a growing audience, and an upcoming book release. Despite early setbacks, challenges with tight living space, and occasional misadventures, they continue to enjoy exploring overlooked destinations such as the Isle of Mull and Hartlepool Marina. They plan to stay on the road as long as they can and encourage others to pursue similar adventures.

A festive Polar Express Train Ride returns to London Euston from December 5 to 23, offering an hour-long immersive experience inspired by the film and book, complete with performers, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa. Tickets start at £69, with early access available via mailing list signup. Similar Polar Express events will also run in Tunbridge Wells, South Devon, and North Yorkshire, with some locations already seeing high demand.

A UK travel company, Travel Bespoke Ltd, has ceased trading after 15 years, leaving customers with cancelled ski and spa holidays. ATOL confirmed the firm’s collapse and is contacting eligible consumers to assist with refund claims, while advising others without ATOL-covered bookings to seek help from insurers or card providers. The company’s three trading brands have shut down, and the collapse follows another recent failure in the travel sector involving Groupia Ltd. Travellers are urged to verify ATOL protection when booking holidays and ensure adequate insurance or credit card safeguards.

A Which? survey of over 3,600 car hire customers found that hidden fees and long queues remain common, with 13% of renters paying more than expected. Goldcar ranked worst due to undisclosed charges and slow service, followed by Dollar and Avis, both criticised for unclear pricing and slow collection despite strong vehicle descriptions and easy returns. Autoreisen topped the rankings with five-star ratings across all categories and the lowest average daily price, joined by Arnold Clark and Alamo as recommended providers. Which? urged travellers to use reputable firms or trusted brokers to avoid unexpected costs and poor service.

Slick City, a new 50,000‑square‑foot indoor slide park in Nottingham, is launching adult-only nights on the first Friday of each month, offering grown-ups exclusive access to 16 slides, air courts and interactive games. Pricing for the adult sessions has not yet been confirmed, though similar sessions currently cost between £21.85 and £24.95. The venue also runs sensory-friendly hours for visitors needing a calmer environment. Other adult-oriented activity venues, such as DJW Events’ soft play bar in London, highlight the growing trend of childlike play spaces reimagined for adults.

A family stay at Billing Aquadrome in Northampton highlights the park’s extensive facilities, including 11 lakes, an aqua park, water activities, entertainment, and family-friendly events. The accommodation features luxury touches such as a hot tub and premium appliances, and numerous free and affordable activities add value. Despite basic food offerings and long wait times, the park provides a balanced and enjoyable staycation experience with clean surroundings and ample entertainment options.

Major UK airlines have updated boarding pass policies ahead of summer travel, with Ryanair moving to fully digital passes except at select Moroccan airports. Jet2 supports digital passes through its app but still allows printed versions, while TUI accepts both digital and paper passes for its own flights and advises customers to check rules when flying with partner airlines. EasyJet generally supports mobile passes but requires printed versions at certain airports in Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia. Travellers are encouraged to verify requirements and prepare digital or paper boarding passes accordingly.