Sarah Holt

Seven quieter and relatively affordable European destinations are recommended for the late-August bank holiday weekend, when UK airports are expected to be especially busy. The suggestions are Ariège in southern France, Oslofjord in Norway, Italy’s Riviera di Ponente, Portugal’s Alentejo region, Aarhus and the Odder Coast in Denmark, Graz in Austria, and Dalsland in western Sweden. The guide highlights lower visitor numbers because schools in several countries have already resumed, and provides indicative flight, transport, accommodation and activity prices for each location.

A five-day Australis cruise from Punta Arenas in Chile to Ushuaia in Argentina offers remote fjords, glaciers, wildlife, hiking and a taste of Antarctic expedition travel without the Drake Passage or the higher cost of a full Antarctic cruise. The voyage includes Zodiac excursions to Ainsworth Bay, Tucker Islets and Wulaia Cove, visits to glaciers and Glacier Alley, and opportunities to see Magellanic penguins, dolphins, seals and whales. The ship provides full-board meals, drinks and comfortable cabins, but no Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to disconnect. The cruise costs from $1,955 per person for 2026–27 departures.

Porto Santo, a smaller and quieter island near Madeira, offers expansive golden beaches, protected marine life, wellness-focused sand treatments and affordable dining. Its landscapes include mountains, geological formations and extensive walking trails, while local wine production features a rare grape variety. Scenic viewpoints, a notable golf course and accessible transport links enhance its appeal as an uncrowded alternative to the Canary Islands.

The Prosecco Hills in Veneto are presented as a peaceful, cooler and less expensive alternative to crowded Venice, reachable by car in about 40 minutes. The UNESCO-protected landscape offers vineyard cycling and walking routes, wine tastings at more than 1,100 wineries, historic churches and abbeys, uncrowded towns such as Serravalle, and distinctive regional cuisine. The feature highlights Bellenda winery, the Alice Relais nelle Vigne boutique hotel, and local restaurants, with hotel rates starting at €130 per night and airport transfers available from Venice Marco Polo.

Britons remain keen to take summer holidays despite cost-of-living pressures, and careful timing, destination choice and accommodation planning can substantially reduce expenses. Flight prices may fall later in August, while flexible departure days and less fashionable destinations such as eastern Spain, the Balkans, Bulgaria and Turkey offer better value. Travellers can also save through self-catering apartments, campsites, package holidays, ferry-and-drive trips and cruises with meals included. UK breaks are not always cheaper, but affordable options include campsites, family-friendly holiday parks and all-inclusive resorts where food, activities and entertainment are bundled into the price.

Eight UK and Channel Islands destinations are recommended for relatively sunny, rain-free breaks in May and June without flying. The selection uses 30-year Met Office climate data and highlights Eastbourne, Milford on Sea, the Moray Coast, Milford Haven, Eden Valley, Ventnor, St Ouen’s Bay and Hunstanton, alongside beaches, walking routes, wildlife, heritage attractions and suggested accommodation.

A travel guide highlights seven picturesque French villages that can be reached from the UK without flying. The destinations include five villages in Normandy, plus Saint-Suliac in Brittany, La Roche-Guyon near Paris and Flavigny-sur-Ozerain in Burgundy, with suggested ferry and rail routes, local attractions, food specialities and accommodation prices. The piece presents smaller French towns as quieter alternatives to the country’s major tourist hotspots.

A travel guide highlights six picturesque Spanish villages suitable for slower, no-fly breaks from the UK: Santillana del Mar, Liérganes and Comillas in Cantabria; Beget in Catalonia; Sajazarra in La Rioja; and Frias in Castile and León. It describes each destination’s historic sights, landscapes, food and outdoor activities, and provides suggested ferry, train, bus and driving routes, along with accommodation options and indicative prices.

Nine islands are recommended for warm, lower-cost spring escapes before the peak summer season. The guide covers La Graciosa in Spain, São Tomé, Masirah in Oman, Symi and Porto Santo, Gozo in Malta, Mljet in Croatia, Ilha de Tavira in Portugal, and Sardinia in Italy, highlighting weather, beaches, hiking, wildlife, cultural attractions, transport links, and indicative accommodation and travel prices.

Eight affordable European university cities are recommended for a spring city break: Leiden, Coimbra, Valladolid, Salamanca, Odense, Uppsala, Pavia and Wroclaw. The destinations combine historic architecture, student-focused food and nightlife, cultural attractions and lower accommodation costs than nearby major cities such as Amsterdam, Lisbon, Madrid and Copenhagen. The article also outlines transport links, typical hotel prices and inexpensive local dining options for each location.

A first-person account of Viking’s seven-night Danube Christmas Delights cruise, which visits Christmas markets in Budapest, Passau, Linz, Vienna and Bratislava. The writer praises the markets’ regional food, drink, crafts and historic settings, highlighting Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace market, a wine tasting in Austria’s Wagram region, the UNESCO-protected Wachau Valley and a Mozart and Strauss concert. The cruise is presented as a festive and culturally rich way to explore several Central European destinations, with 2026 fares starting at £2,895 per person including flights, meals, excursions and gratuities.

Nine UK destinations are presented as affordable options for festive mini breaks, combining Christmas markets, seasonal attractions, winter walks and cosy accommodation. Price data from Key Data and Lighthouse shows that December stays are generally more expensive than November, but destinations including Chester, Lincoln, Portsmouth, York, Antrim, Cornwall, Northumberland, the New Forest and Ledbury still offer comparatively good-value options. The recommendations range from city hotels and Christmas events to countryside cottages, coastal escapes and woodland lodges, with examples of nightly or package prices for the Christmas period.

Seven European destinations are recommended for affordable October half-term family holidays, when milder temperatures and reduced crowds make southern Europe attractive. Options include Begur and Roquetas de Mar in Spain, Skiathos in Greece, Menorca, Sicily’s Egadi Islands, Fréjus on the French Riviera, and Medulin in Croatia. The article compares flight, package and accommodation prices, highlighting Spain, Skiathos and the French Riviera as particularly budget-friendly choices.

Poros, a small green island in the Saronic Gulf southwest of Athens, is presented as a quieter and more affordable alternative to Greece’s famous islands. The travel feature highlights its pine-covered hills, beaches, sailing culture, relaxed atmosphere, inexpensive food and drink, and attractions including the Sirene Blue Luxury Beach Resort and family-run cookery classes. A day trip to car-free Hydra adds a livelier contrast. Jet2holidays has made Poros easier to visit by bundling Athens flights, port transfers and ferry crossings into package holidays.

Seven quieter late-August destinations are recommended for travellers seeking affordable European breaks after local schools return. Suggestions include alpine swimming and hiking in Laax, Scottish countryside and distillery visits around Crieff, island-hopping in Sweden’s southern Gothenburg archipelago, food and cultural events in Porvoo, nature and fjord excursions on Norway’s Selbjørn, heritage sightseeing in Bremen, and beaches, vineyards and farm-to-table cuisine in Denmark’s Odsherred. The guide provides indicative accommodation, transport and package prices for each destination.

A small-ship Variety Cruises voyage through Greece’s Cyclades, Dodecanese and Peloponnese offers access to quieter destinations, wineries and historical sites away from the crowds of places such as Santorini and Mykonos. The journey visits Serifos, Samos and Tinos, where the traveler samples wines made from indigenous grapes, alongside mainland excursions to Monemvasia and the ancient site of Mycenae. The feature concludes that Greece’s less-visited islands and rural regions provide a more peaceful and culturally rich alternative to mainstream tourism.

Eight less-crowded European island-hopping destinations are presented as alternatives to expensive, overcrowded Greek islands in peak summer. The options include the South Funen Archipelago in Denmark, Ria Formosa in Portugal, Sweden’s Bohuslän islands, Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, the Dutch Wadden Islands, Croatia’s Šibenik archipelago, Portugal’s Azores and Germany’s Lake Constance. The guide outlines ferry, road, flight and sailing connections, notable landscapes and attractions, and indicative accommodation and transport costs, with an emphasis on lower-cost and quieter alternatives.

A solo traveller joins Ramble Worldwide’s three-night weekend hiking break in Bad Hofgastein, Austria. The trip includes walks through the Gastein Valley and Hohe Tauern mountains, a summit climb, a visit to the Alpentherme Gastein spa and group meals. Despite rain and a fear of heights, the writer completes about 20 miles, overcomes the summit challenge and forms friendships with the other guests. The package is aimed at time-poor travellers and costs from £699 per person, with departures from June 2026.

Eight less-visited European island destinations are presented as alternatives to expensive and overcrowded favourites. Serifos, Cres, the Glénan Islands, the Egadi Islands, Leros, the Wadden Islands, La Graciosa and Holmöarna are compared through their landscapes, activities, access, accommodation costs and seasonal demand. The article identifies lower-demand periods—often June, July or September—as the best times to secure better availability and prices, while noting that some destinations remain consistently busy or have limited accommodation.

Nine less-visited European lakes are recommended as cheaper, quieter alternatives to popular destinations such as Garda and Como. The list covers lakes in France, North Macedonia and Albania, Hungary, Finland, Italy, Czechia, Denmark and Austria, with suggestions for beaches, hiking, boating, watersports, vineyards, cultural attractions and mountain activities. Indicative transport and accommodation prices are provided, highlighting options such as Lake Sainte-Croix from £610 for a week, Lake Ohrid packages from £390 per person and budget-friendly stays around Lake Balaton and Lake Zell.

Eight European market towns are recommended as quieter and more affordable alternatives to overcrowded major cities for spring and summer trips. The destinations span France, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Spain and Portugal, offering historic architecture, lakeside and coastal scenery, local food, traditional markets and outdoor activities. The guide also provides transport information, accommodation suggestions and indicative prices for each location.

Seven family-friendly Easter destinations are recommended for accessible spring warmth: Spain’s Costa del Azahar, the Athens Coast and Kalamata in Greece, France’s Languedoc, Morocco’s Agafay Desert, southern Sardinia and Cyprus’s Pissouri. The article provides typical April temperatures, activities, transport options and indicative accommodation or package prices, with Easter bookings reportedly up 15% year on year and family bookings also increasing.

A travel guide highlights ten picturesque European seaside towns reachable by rail, including Sitges and Cadaqués in Spain; Saint-Raphaël, Arcachon and Deauville in France; Noordwijk, De Koog and Domburg in the Netherlands; and De Panne and De Haan in Belgium. It outlines rail and ferry connections, beaches, cultural attractions, outdoor activities, restaurants and indicative accommodation prices, while presenting train travel as a holiday experience and a flight-free alternative.

Las Vegas offers far more than casinos, including the red sandstone landscapes and petroglyphs of Valley of Fire State Park, the city’s neon-sign history, Downtown food tours and distinctive restaurants. The feature also highlights unusual attractions such as the Berlin Wall display at Main Street Station, Bellagio’s hidden Vault bar, and Area 15’s immersive experiences, including Wink World and Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart. The writer leaves convinced that exploring the city’s nature, history, food and entertainment provides a richer experience than gambling.

Sierra Leone is presented as an emerging winter-sun destination offering off-grid wildlife, island and beach experiences alongside adventure activities. The feature highlights primate encounters on Tiwai Island, chimpanzee rehabilitation at Tacugama, camping on the Banana Islands, surfing at Bureh Beach and Freetown’s urban life. It also acknowledges the country’s history of slavery and civil war through Bunce Island and the Peace Museum. A planned 2025 ecotourism circuit, new lodges and prospective direct flights from Gatwick are expected to make travel more accessible while supporting local jobs and conservation, although growing visitor numbers could threaten the secluded character of the beaches.

Eight picturesque UK destinations are recommended for pre-Christmas breaks: Rye, Mousehole, Helmsley, Much Wenlock, Altrincham, Narberth, Oban and Newcastle in County Down. The guide highlights festive markets, Christmas lights, independent shopping, seasonal food and drink, winter walks and local attractions, alongside transport advice and accommodation prices. Events include Rye’s Christmas festival, Mousehole’s harbour light displays, Much Wenlock’s Christmas Fayre and Newcastle’s Northern Light experience at Slieve Donard.

A travel feature reviews TUI’s 10-night Kenya package, combining a five-night safari through Tsavo East, Amboseli and Taita Hills with a beach stay near Mombasa. The safari offers sightings of lions, elephants, hippos, giraffes, flamingos and other wildlife, while lodges such as Salt Lick provide distinctive accommodation and viewing experiences. The article then highlights Diani Beach’s relaxed resorts and Mombasa’s historic Swahili culture, including Fort Jesus and inexpensive local food. Kenya is presented as a comparatively affordable long-haul destination, with Mombasa’s consumer costs reportedly down almost 7 per cent year on year; the package costs from £2,995 per person, including flights, transfers and full board.

Autumn is presented as an attractive alternative to the crowded, hotter and more disruption-prone summer travel season. Eight destinations are recommended for their milder weather, lower prices and quieter conditions: Crete, Catania and Sicily, Spain’s Costas, Vigo, Los Angeles and California, Portugal’s Douro Valley, Alberta and Borneo. Examples include autumn savings of up to 35 per cent in Alberta, cheaper flights and accommodation in Sicily and Spain, and discounted river cruises and package holidays. The article highlights beaches, cultural attractions, food and wine, wildlife, hiking and outdoor activities across the destinations.

A travel guide highlights five scenic UK beaches accessible via high-speed ferry: Cobo Beach in Guernsey, Porthcressa on St Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly, Sands of Evie in Orkney, Whiterocks Beach on Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coast, and Ryde Beach on the Isle of Wight. It outlines each beach’s attractions, nearby amenities and onward travel options, while detailing ferry operators, routes and journey times.

Former Pan Am cabin crew member Joan Foulks recalls the airline's glamour, strict appearance standards, celebrity passengers and elaborate first-class service during her 1979–1991 career. Her memories accompany news of a 2025 Pan Am commemorative trip for 50 passengers, travelling from New York through Bermuda and Europe on an adapted Boeing 757, with tickets costing up to $65,500. Foulks contrasts the polished standards of historic air travel with today's more casual, space-focused airline experience, while offering advice for the planned flight's crew.

Family holiday prices have risen significantly, but travellers can reduce costs by delaying trips until the final week of August, booking on Tuesdays or during off-peak hours, and comparing less popular destination alternatives. The article recommends destinations such as Montenegro, the Albanian Riviera, Morocco and Turkey, highlights cheaper UK holiday parks including Hoburne and Hoseasons over Center Parcs, and advises researching price data and considering destinations where the pound goes further.

Rhodes has seen tourism rebound after the 2023 wildfires burned 135,000 hectares of forest, destroyed or damaged homes and businesses, and prompted the evacuation of about 20,000 tourists. Although fire damage remains visible in places such as Kiotari, bookings have reportedly stayed strong, the island has avoided new fires so far, and a voucher scheme supports affected visitors. The feature highlights Rhodes’ beaches, historic sites, inland landscapes, traditional food and wine, while noting recent minor earthquakes and Greece’s heightened wildfire risk.

Pesaro, a quieter and more affordable Adriatic alternative to Venice, combines long beaches and lower-cost luxury accommodation with strong musical, historical and culinary attractions. The city’s links to composer Gioachino Rossini, its 2024 Italian Capital of Culture programme, Renaissance and Roman heritage, and restaurants ranging from Rossini Bistrot to Michelin-starred Nostrano make it suitable for both seaside breaks and cultural trips. Its rail connections also provide access to Ravenna, Rimini, Ancona and Pescara.

Rabat is presented as a relaxed, sunny alternative to crowded Mykonos, combining a historic medina, the UNESCO-listed Kasbah of the Oudaias and Mediterranean-style architecture. A TUI overland tour also takes in Casablanca, Beni Mellal, the Hassan II Mosque and Ouzoud Waterfalls, showcasing Morocco's architecture, food and countryside. Rising UK flight capacity and government investment underline Morocco's expanding tourism sector, while the writer concludes that a country tour offers a richer experience than a conventional city break.