Hezbollah launched over 320 rockets and drones at Israel in retaliation for the assassination of senior commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut. Israel, anticipating the attack, conducted preemptive airstrikes on southern Lebanon. The conflict has heightened fears of a regional escalation, with significant damage reported in Lebanon and injuries to civilians. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, are managing the situation, while the U.S. reaffirms its support for Israel. The article highlights the ongoing tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region.

The article showcases a selection of the best places to stay in the UK during springtime, highlighting various accommodations such as private cottages, historic estates, and vineyard lodges. These destinations offer unique experiences like private access to gardens, historic connections, and opportunities to observe local wildlife. The locations range from Lincolnshire to the Scottish Borders, and include exclusive stays like the Spring Cottage at Cliveden in Berkshire. The article emphasizes the natural beauty and tranquility of these springtime escapes, providing details on the features and booking information for each.

The Avebury stone circle, a World Heritage site in Britain, has been revealed to be largely a reconstruction from the 1930s, financed by marmalade tycoon Alexander Keiller. Historic England released photographs showing men using trucks, ropes, and pulleys to erect the stones on new concrete plinths. While some experts were aware of Keiller's work, the public release of these images has surprised many visitors. The restoration was deemed necessary after the original Neolithic stones were destroyed or buried by Christians trying to erase pagan traces. The site, which also includes Silbury Hill and West Kennet Long Barrow, has been considered sacred, especially during the solstice. The revelation has altered the perception of the site for many, highlighting the modern contributions to its current appearance.

Britain's eccentricity is showcased through a variety of unique holiday accommodations, including a stone pineapple in Stirlingshire, a Nazi lookout tower in Jersey, and a caravan on a hotel roof in Bristol. Other unusual stays include a circus wagon in Wales, a railway carriage overlooking Cardigan Bay, a treehouse in Devon, double-decker buses in Shropshire, a Victorian station in West Norfolk, an archway at Berrington Hall in Herefordshire, and a converted horse-transporter in Devon. These quirky rentals offer a range of experiences from historical to whimsical, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Explores lesser-known attractions in Paris, focusing on the eastern Bois de Vincennes park and the western Bois de Boulogne area. Highlights include segway tours, parkour courses, the Paris Jazz Festival, and dining at Le Chalet des Isles. In the west, guided tours in classic French 2CV cars, visits to the Parc Andre Citroen, the Louis Vuitton art gallery designed by Frank Gehry, and the Museum of the Thirties are recommended. The article also mentions the recently restored gardens of eccentric 1930s banker Albert Kahn.

The article discusses the origins of the first vaccine developed by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century and the early opposition he faced from skeptics. It highlights the historical significance of Jenner's work, the establishment of the Dr. Jenner's House museum in Berkeley, and the challenges it faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum, which nearly closed due to financial difficulties, was saved by a crowdfunding campaign. The article also touches on the museum's future plans to expand its educational programs and international presence, emphasizing the enduring importance of vaccination.

Hardknott Pass in England's Lake District is a challenging and steep road that has sparked debate over its safety. The Institute of Advanced Motorists and Cumbria Police advise caution or avoidance due to its dangerous conditions. Despite warnings, some locals and tourists find the road thrilling and beautiful. The pass features severe gradients and hairpin bends, making it one of Europe's most difficult roads. While some drivers and cyclists relish the challenge, others have had harrowing experiences. The road offers access to stunning mountain landscapes, reminiscent of its Roman origins.

Hard-pressed families facing the cost-of-living crisis can enjoy 101 free Easter events across Britain. Highlights include the Passion of Christ re-enactment in Trafalgar Square, hot cross bun celebrations in St Albans, and a bunny rave in Camden. Other notable events span from a Peter Rabbit trail in Norwich to a Celtic music festival in Falmouth, and a traditional bonnet parade in Lyme Regis. The guide covers a wide range of activities, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy without spending a penny.

The article details a road trip in the UK’s only all-electric version of the classic VW campervan, the VW ID Buzz. The author describes the vehicle's design, features, and performance, highlighting its eco-friendly aspects such as a solar panel and sheep’s wool insulation. The trip includes a stay at Three Cliffs Bay Holiday Park and a wildlife jet boat safari from Oxwich Bay. Despite some minor issues like faulty internal lights, the overall experience is positive, emphasizing the vehicle's suitability for a nature-friendly travel experience.

Exploring the outskirts of Paris reveals hidden gems such as the historic St Denis Basilica, the Stade de France, and the vibrant Parc de la Villette. The southern areas offer a unique experience with French Chinatown and the world-renowned street art in Vitry. The Museum of the Occupation provides a thought-provoking look into Nazi-occupied Paris. These destinations offer a richer, more diverse perspective of the city beyond its central attractions.

Camping in the UK is presented as an attractive alternative to overseas holidays, especially given current airport chaos and the cost-of-living crisis. The article lists various campsites across the UK, detailing their unique features, amenities, and prices. Sites range from beginner-friendly locations like Blaithwaite Estate in Cumbria to luxurious glamping options like Deerstone Glamping in North Yorkshire. Each site offers distinct attractions, from bushcraft classes to private motorboat cruises, catering to different preferences and budgets.

The UK is gearing up for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration with a variety of events to mark the Coronation of King Charles. Activities range from medieval jousting tournaments and champagne parties to picnics, steam train rides, and choir performances across different regions including the South East, South West, Central England, North West, North East, Scotland, and Wales. Highlights include a Churchillian Champagne party, a two-hundred-strong choir performance at Winchester Cathedral, and a three-day festival in Cardiff featuring music and celebrity chefs.

Signs of spring are evident across the UK, with various locations offering unique experiences to enjoy the season. Highlights include Stourhead in Wiltshire, known for its tulips and azaleas, and Cornwall’s Fowey Estuary, famous for its bluebells and wild garlic. In the South East, Suffolk’s RSPB Minsmere coastal reserve is renowned for its birdsong, while Brogdale Collections in Kent boasts the world’s largest fruit tree collection. The Midlands feature the Golden Triangle in Gloucestershire, known for wild daffodils, and Rutland Water Park, famous for its waterbirds. Wales offers Bodnant Garden with its rare specimens and Aberglasney in Carmarthenshire, a restored Tudor estate. Scotland’s Glenwhan Gardens and Mar Lodge Estate in the Cairngorms are notable for their azaleas and black grouse. The North West and North East regions include Sizergh park in the Lake District, known for cherry blossoms, and Ripon in North Yorkshire, famous for its rhododendrons.

UK airports have introduced 'drop-off' charges, with some like Heathrow and Gatwick now charging £5, and Stansted charging £7 plus a £25 fee for stays over 15 minutes. To avoid these charges, passengers can be dropped at long-stay car parks and take a courtesy bus. Short-stay parking is expensive, with one hour costing £21 at Gatwick and £73.30 at Heathrow. Long-stay parking is cheaper, especially when booked in advance. 'Meet and greet' valet services are more expensive but convenient. Holiday Extras offers discounted airport parking, and Maple Parking provides valet services with car cleaning. Daily Mail readers can get a 20% discount with Maple Parking using the code Mail20.

Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, a secluded hamlet in Wales, is home to The Hand, an award-winning hotel known for its fine cuisine and mix of authentic countryside experiences. The hotel, owned by Jonathan Greatorex, offers a variety of country pursuits and attracts guests from distant cities. Chef Grant Mulholland, who has been with The Hand for 18 years, is celebrated for his culinary expertise and locally sourced ingredients. The hotel features a range of rooms, some dog-friendly, and amenities like a hot tub, sauna, and spa treatments. The surrounding area, including the Berwyn Mountains and Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities.

Explores lesser-known attractions in Paris, focusing on the eastern Bois de Vincennes park and western sites like Bois de Boulogne, Parc Andre Citroen, and the Louis Vuitton art gallery. Highlights include segway tours, parkour courses, jazz festivals, and historical art and architecture tours. Notable figures mentioned include Paul Landowski, Le Corbusier, Albert Kahn, and Frank Gehry.

A road trip through the 15 islands of the Outer Hebrides offers a unique and inspiring experience, despite the logistical challenges and costs. The journey features quiet, well-maintained roads, scenic landscapes, and cultural landmarks such as Kisimul Castle and the Politician Bar. The trip is characterized by its wild, untamed beauty and the charm of interconnected islands via causeways, bridges, and ferries.

Simon Heptinstall recounts his experience driving from Rapallo to Portofino along the SP227 for a marketing campaign featuring the Peugeot 308CC. Despite the car's modesty compared to the luxurious backdrop, the road trip showcases the glamour of Italy's most expensive address, with its picturesque landscapes, celebrity connections, and the challenge of capturing the perfect promotional photograph.

The article explores the history of the first vaccine created by Edward Jenner and the early opposition to vaccination. It highlights the significance of Jenner's work, the transformation of his house into a museum, and the challenges it faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The museum, now gaining international attention, aims to expand its educational programs and online presence. The narrative also touches on the early 'antivaxxers' and the eventual recognition of Jenner's contributions to medicine.

The South West 660 is a new 660-mile driving route around the southwest peninsula of the UK, designed to become an iconic road trip akin to Route 66. It starts from Poole in Dorset, traverses the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, and ends in Watchet, Somerset, avoiding trunk roads and busy resorts in favor of quieter, scenic routes through areas of natural beauty and heritage sites. The route is a commercial project initiated by Devon-based businessmen and offers drivers special routes and discounts, with involvement from hotels and hospitality businesses. The AA has partnered with the project to add credibility. The South West 660 is divided into 12 sections, each about 50 miles long, and is best enjoyed slowly to appreciate the journey, with highlights like the remote Hartland Quay offering dramatic coastal views and historical insights.

The North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer, UK, offers guests a unique experience with its dedicated curling rink, established by former British Olympic curling team captain Hammy McMillan. The hotel features 72 rooms and is adorned with curling-related decor. Visitors can enjoy a 'stay-and-play' package that includes a curling session with professional trainers. The author's personal attempt at curling highlights the sport's challenging nature, contrasting with the grace of Olympic athletes.

Simon Heptinstall explores the coast of Northern Ireland, starting from Warrenpoint and covering 350 miles to Derry. He describes the journey as one of the great coastal drives, highlighting the scenic Mourne Mountains, the picturesque villages with their pastel-painted cottages and poetry quotes, and the famous Antrim Coast. Heptinstall advises travelers to skip the sat-nav and stick to the shore as closely as possible, enjoying local seafood cafes and the Giant's Causeway. The trip concludes with a drive through the old walled city of Derry, entering through the narrow Bishops Gate.

Hardknott Pass in England's Lake District is a challenging and steep road filled with sharp hairpin turns and a crumbling surface. Built by the Romans, it is considered one of Britain's most difficult roads, with locals and authorities often advising caution. Despite its dangers, some view it as a thrilling and beautiful route worth experiencing. The road's history includes use by the Romans, horse and carriage trips in the 1880s, and tank testing during World War Two. The article provides various perspectives on whether the road should be closed or celebrated as a national treasure.

The Susten Pass in Switzerland, originally a medieval mule trail, was transformed into the first official Alpine Pass by the Swiss Government to boost tourism. Opened in 1945, it is celebrated for its gentle gradients, elegant bridges, and stunning views, making it a favorite among drivers. Despite its historical significance and beauty, it is now a strategic backwater, closed during winter and nighttime. The pass offers a varied driving experience with sweeping valley roads, hairpin turns, and scenic lay-bys, attracting tourists, bikers, and coach tours during the summer months.

Simon Heptinstall embarks on a scenic road trip along the Adriatic Highway in Croatia, describing it as an ideal Mediterranean coastal drive. Starting from Opatija and ending in Dubrovnik, he highlights the picturesque views, charming villages, and the overall enjoyable driving experience. He emphasizes the importance of choosing smaller roads for uninterrupted sea views and suggests splitting the drive into shorter segments for a more relaxed journey. The article paints a vivid picture of the route's beauty and the pleasure of leisurely cruising along the coast.

Driving Puerto Rico’s Ruta Panorámica offers a tropical adventure filled with scenic views, cultural experiences, and authentic local encounters. The route spans 167 miles from Mayaguez to Maunabo, featuring challenging terrains, lush landscapes, and quaint villages. Highlights include staying at Hacienda Juanita, a former coffee plantation, and experiencing local customs such as cockfighting. The route avoids the commercialized areas of San Juan, providing a more genuine Caribbean experience.

Motorhome holidays have seen a surge in popularity, with Volkswagen reporting a significant increase in sales and the market for second-hand vehicles nearly sold out. The article showcases a variety of unique motorhomes, including a converted horsebox named Juniper, an all-electric Nissan campervan called Spoot, a luxurious German-made RV, the UK's smallest motorhome by Wheelhome, a 141mph super-campervan by Fiat, a 'chaletvan' converted from a Fiat Ducato, and a rugged Land Rover Defender 4x4 named Blue Belle. These motorhomes offer features ranging from rustic charm to high-speed travel and eco-friendly options.

The road to Maratea on the Mediterranean coast of Italy offers a thrilling experience with 18 hairpin bends leading to a 2,000ft pinnacle with a statue of Christ the Redeemer. The statue, carved from Carrara marble by Florentine sculptor Bruno Innocent in 1965, is similar to Rio de Janeiro's Corcovado but faces inland. The road and statue were funded by a wealthy Italian count to attract visitors in the 1960s. The area offers stunning views of the Basilicata coastline and has a history of poverty and neglect.

A lesser-known Austrian road offers a challenging and steep drive, rising 5,000ft in just seven miles. Starting from Flattach to Fragant through Innerfragant, the road features a 12% average gradient, peaking at 20%, with 40 hairpin bends and minimal safety barriers. It's impassable from September to June due to snow. The route leads to the Oscheniksee reservoir dam, offering breathtaking 360-degree views. While drivers may find the road a test of their skills, it's the cyclists who regularly conquer this ascent who truly earn admiration.

Simon Heptinstall describes the challenging Hardknott Pass in Cumbria, known for its steep gradients and hairpin turns. He recounts experiences of traversing the pass in various conditions and vehicles, emphasizing the difficulty of the drive. Despite the challenges, he notes the pass's beauty and its history, including its use for testing tanks during World War II and its failure to become a tourist route in the 1880s. The pass offers access to a stunning, untouched mountain landscape, though it is often subject to harsh weather conditions.

Simon Heptinstall recounts his ambitious journey to set a world record by driving through 12 European countries in 24 hours. Starting from Folkestone, he travels through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. The journey is marked by precise planning, quick stops, and various encounters, including a humorous interaction with a Swiss border official and a bribe attempt at the Slovenian border. The trip showcases the versatility of the BMW 7-Series and the challenges of such an endeavor.

Watcombe and the broader Torbay area, known as the English Riviera, retain their historical charm with a mix of secluded coves and wide sandy beaches. The region, once popularized by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, continues to attract visitors, with modern amenities blending seamlessly with its Victorian heritage. The area offers a variety of activities, from watersports to cultural experiences, and has seen a resurgence in popularity according to Tripadvisor. The Cary Arms Hotel and other local establishments provide picturesque accommodations and dining options, contributing to the area's appeal.

Katherine and John Spencer, the last cheesemakers in Cheddar, Somerset, are reviving traditional cheesemaking with their Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company. They produce high-end, authentic cheddar using local raw milk and mature some of their cheese in the region's historic caves. Their efforts have earned them accolades, including 'Best Cheddar' at the 2008 World Cheese Awards. Despite the global mass production of cheddar, the Spencers' dedication to traditional methods has brought recognition and success, highlighting the unique flavors and quality of their cave-matured cheddar.

Dr Jenner's House in Gloucestershire, where vaccination was invented over 200 years ago, has received significant donations to help maintain it during the pandemic. The site, previously a lesser-known attraction, is now gaining attention due to the relevance of vaccinations in combating Covid-19. The house offers insights into the beginnings of immunization, showcasing Jenner's work and the historical context of his discoveries. Despite initial ridicule, Jenner's contributions are now widely recognized, and the museum hopes to reopen in June, contingent on the success of current vaccination efforts.

The article highlights various photography holidays available worldwide, from luxury trips in Cambodia with Creative Escapes to more affordable options in the UK with Light & Land and HF Holidays. National Geographic offers high-end tours, including a 20-day luxury tour of Africa. Jessops, a high-street photography chain, also provides well-organized residential holidays. These trips cater to different photography interests, from landscapes to wildlife, and emphasize the use of proper camera equipment over smartphone lenses.

The article provides an expert guide to the best walking holidays in the UK, highlighting various regions such as the South West, Scottish Highlands, Peak District, Pembrokeshire, Lake District, Northumberland, Yorkshire, Isle of Wight, Northern Ireland, Norfolk, South Downs, and the Cotswolds. Each region is described in terms of its best features for walking holidays, including scenic routes, accommodation options, and logistical considerations. The guide also covers different types of walking holidays, such as fully independent, self-guided, and escorted tours, and offers practical advice on planning and costs.

The article highlights various cider farms across the UK, emphasizing their unique offerings and attractions. It covers locations in Somerset, Devon, Gloucestershire, and North Yorkshire, detailing the artisanal and award-winning nature of modern cider. Key spots include Brogdale Collections in Kent, Woolton Farm near Canterbury, and Tillingham vineyard in East Sussex. The piece also mentions notable cider brands like HP Bulmer and Rattlers, and features historical and cultural references, such as Salvador Dali's admiration for cider and Laurie Lee's literary work. The article provides a mix of travel recommendations and insights into the cider-making process, with a generally positive sentiment towards the featured locations and products.

Families can enhance their stargazing skills acquired during lockdown by visiting some of the UK's darkest spots. Increasing numbers of 'dark sky' resorts, hotels, and holiday homes are offering special breaks for stargazing, with some locations even providing opportunities to glimpse the Northern Lights in Scotland. Notable locations include the Twice Brewed Inn in Northumberland, Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire, and the Scottish Dark Sky Observatory. Visit Scotland offers free stargazing tutorials and a directory of accommodations, while Dark Sky Rangers like Elizabeth Tindal provide unique stargazing experiences.