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Europe
There Is Nothing Like A Dane!
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
Fighting talk at the Copenhagen Sword and Glima Club
I’d worked with Leanne for several years when she lived in the UK so, when she said ‘we’ll hang out together’ when you visit me and Gorm in Denmark’s Roskilde, I hadn’t expected to be proving myself on the battlefield with sword and shield in hand!
12:00 AM 5th September 2026
Short Haul, Tall Order: Brits Choose To Forego Travel Insurance For ‘Quick Flight Home’ Holidays
Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay
More than one in two Brits will take the risk of skipping travel insurance when travelling to countries with a relatively short flight home.
12:00 AM 5th September 2026
Africa
From Ukraine To Kilimanjaro: Diana's Journey
Steve Whitaker
Features Writer
The summit
One might infer, in Diana Fedorenko’s recent successful ascent of the highest mountain in Africa, a metaphor for personal experience.
P.ublished 4th September 2026
Europe
Plopsaland: A Theme Park Experience To Remember.
Jeremy Williams
Arts Correspondent
Plopsaland Belgium first opened its doors in De Panne back in 1935 as Meli Land, before being acquired by Plopsa in 1999 and reopening under its new name in 2000. Since then, it has grown into a celebrated theme park and wider resort, built around the colourful characters of the Studio 100 world.
P.ublished 31st August 2026
Cost Of Journey To Manchester Airport Spoils Holiday For More Than A Third Of Holidaymakers
A Class 397 at Manchester International Airport Station.
New research has revealed that getting to Manchester Airport is putting a serious dent in the holiday mood, with nearly half (48%) of northern holidaymakers saying it’s the most stressful part of their trip.
P.ublished 4th September 2026
Europe
Pairi Daiza: A Magical World Where The Animals Steal The Show
Jeremy Williams
Arts Correspondent
All photos courtesy of Pairi Daiza.
There are some family days out where you arrive with high expectations and spend the first few hours wondering whether the reality will live up to everything you have read beforehand. Pairi Daiza was one of those places. We arrived with an open mind, but expectations were certainly high. Everything we had read ahead of our visit made it clear that this was more than just a zoo.
P.ublished 31st August 2026
Motorhoming
Lush Islands, Medieval Walls, Cascading falls: Croatia's Sensory Feast
Rich in culture and diversity, Croatia’s abundant beauty spans coastlines, historic towns, over 1,000 islands - and eight national s parks. Boasting ten UNESCO World Heritage sites, Croatia overtook Spain as the ‘Best Country to visit in Europe’ by European Best Destinations in 2025.
P.ublished 29th August 2026
Travel Insurance Specialist Shares Tips And Insights For The 8.7m Airport Customers Affected By Cyber Attack
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) confirms that customer data belonging to around 8.7 million travellers was accessed in a cyberattack on Thursday 27 August. The data relates to car park, lounge and Fast Track bookings and in-airport Wi-Fi sign-ups at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports.
P.ublished 29th August 2026
Europe
Two New Gorillas Arrive From The UK To Belgium's Pairi Daiza
Soundi, aged 10, and Boula, aged 19, two female western lowland gorillas, arrived safely at Pairi Daiza from the United Kingdom on Tuesday, 25 August. Their arrival marks the first step in the formation of a new group of four gorillas at the park, created as part of the Ex situ Programme (EEP), coordinated by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
P.ublished 28th August 2026
Brits Swapping Crowded Tourist Hotspots For Calmer, More Meaningful Cultural Experiences
New research from Wakefield Council’s tourism team, Experience Wakefield, has revealed that nearly six in 10 people (59%) would choose a lesser-known destination with space to explore, over visiting a crowded tourist hotspot, reflecting a growing appetite for destinations that offer a more authentic and rewarding experience.
P.ublished 27th August 2026
UK
Unlike Anywhere You've Stayed Before: How One Cumbrian Castle Is Quietly Redefining The Family Holiday
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
Augill Castle Photo: Dan Appleby Productions
As families flee the crowds this summer, Andrew Palmer discovers that Augill Castle's secret isn't its turrets or its 148 windows, but a philosophy its owner sums up in one line: "I make a fuss by not making a fuss." There is a particular kind of fuss that ruins a family holiday.
P.ublished 22nd August 2026
Hotels
Elegant And Genteel With Country Park Surrounding Make Hardwick Hall The Ideal Luxury Escape
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
Picture Sean Elliott Photography
Sitting proudly in a country park just north of Sedgefield is one of the jewels in the hospitality crown of Durham. Hardwick Hall Hotel is a period genteel manor house full of character enveloped in a country park setting of acres of woodland and a lake – it's little wonder it has gained the title of one of the most beautiful hotels in this part of the North East.
P.ublished 22nd August 2026
Going On Holiday? Here Are 5 Expert-Backed Ways To Deter Burglars
Image Credit ricardoreitmeyer Adobe Stock
Every summer, millions of UK homeowners pack their bags and head off on holiday, giving burglars the perfect opportunity to target vacant properties. Burglaries increase by up to 25% in July and August compared to the winter months, largely because burglars know homes are more likely to be left empty for days or even weeks at a time.
P.ublished 22nd August 2026
Short breaks
The Wonderful Madness Of A UK Coach Holiday
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
On Devon’s sunlit sweep of Torbay, palm-lined promenades and pleasure boats share the stage with 400 million years of geological drama — and a cast ranging from Agatha Christie to Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Here, Phil Hopkins, takes us on his coach journey to Torquay:
P.ublished 21st August 2026
Are You A Type A? You Could Be At Risk Of Holiday ‘Fret Lag’, Says Psychologist
With the summer holidays now well underway, families will be prepping to jet out of the UK for their annual trip. Experts predicted 2.2 million British holidaymakers were heading overseas in late-July, with high travel volumes likely to continue throughout August. Despite an upcoming holiday being something to look forward to, time away from home can elicit feelings of anxiety for some.
P.ublished 15th August 2026
Two Hotels, One City: Rediscovering Porto's Old-World Grandeur And Modern Cool
Having previously visited Porto and left thoroughly impressed, I wondered whether a return trip a few years later could possibly live up to my memories. At the invitation of IHG, I had the perfect excuse to find out, with the opportunity to experience two of its five-star hotels in very different corners of the city.
P.ublished 15th August 2026
UK
Capsule Hotels Come To Soho: Small Rooms, Big Ideas
Andrew Palmer checks into London's answer to the Japanese capsule hotel — and discovers it isn't just for gap-year backpackers with more energy than sense. Ever since I saw these advertised for Japan on a travel programme many years ago, I've always wanted to try one. I wasn't disappointed — although there are a few things worth knowing before you book.
P.ublished 8th August 2026
Americas
Beautiful, Vibrant, Bold - So Why Does Barbados Leave Me Cold?
Barbados conjures up images of palm trees swaying in the breeze, sun kissed, dazzling white sand - and the strains of reggae reverberating around beach bars.
P.ublished 8th August 2026
travel tips
10 Things To Know If You’re Using AI To Book Your Last Minute Holiday
Jane Hawkes
Consumer Expert
Image: Brady Knoll on Pexels
Our consumer expert shares her advice for people who are thinking of using AI software such as ChatGPT to book their 2026 holiday.
P.ublished 8th August 2026
Holiday Tax Fears Grow Across The North As Businesses Warn Of Closures And Job Losses
Cleveland Way Photo: ©Steve Hare
Nearly half of people across Yorkshire and the North East fear the proposed "holiday tax" could force local businesses to close, according to new polling that lays bare growing regional anxiety over the levy's economic fallout.
P.ublished 5th August 2026
Doctor Explains Why Jet Lag Gets Worse As You Age – And The Simple Fixes That Actually Help
Photo: Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels
For travellers who enjoy venturing overseas, adjusting to timezone changes can be difficult and take up precious holiday time. While jet lag can affect us at any age, older travellers are more likely to feel the impact due to their sensitivity to circadian misalignment. To help Brits maximise their time away this summer, travel insurer Total Travel Protection has partnered with Dr.
P.ublished 1st August 2026
travel tips
Popped Ears and Upset Stomachs: The Holiday Ailments 7 Million Brits Could Face This Summer
Image Towfiqu barbhuiya on Pexels
With 7 million Brits set to travel abroad this summer, thousands will suffer with issues of 'travel tummy' and the painful 'ear popping' that occurs when flying. The team at LivingCare Group share tips on how holidayers can avoid this pain and the best treatment. 1.
P.ublished 1st August 2026
Hotels
The Milner York: Grandeur At The End Of The Platform
Picture the scenario. You arrive at your destination by train, exhausted and disoriented, and find yourself hunting for a taxi to complete the final leg to your hotel. Ten minutes become thirty. By the time you reach your room, the journey has outlasted its welcome. Arriving at The Milner York is nothing like that.
P.ublished 1st August 2026
travel tips
10 Must-Dos Before You Jet Off On Holiday
The excitement of going on holiday often means our attention is focused on packing suitcases, planning excursions and counting down the days until departure.
P.ublished 1st August 2026
UK
Award-Winning Catgill Farm Named An Outstanding Site For 2026
Catgill Farm Camping and Glamping has been named an Outstanding Site for 2026 by Campsites.co.uk, recognising the family-run Yorkshire Dales destination as one of the UK's most consistently exceptional places to camp, glamp and tour.
P.ublished 31st July 2026
travel tips
Holiday Problems We Accept – But Shouldn’t
Your summer holiday is something you’ve saved up for and spent weeks, if not months, looking forward to. But around three million Brits reported having a problem with their package holidays in the last year alone.
P.ublished 29th July 2026
The Best Times To Go Abroad For The Perfect Temperature Beach Holiday
Image: Adobe Stock | methinee
Timing a beach holiday is never as simple as booking in the summer, is it? Book too early in the season, and you risk disappointing temperatures – but leave it too late, and you're dealing with big crowds, extortionate prices and weather that borders on being too hot.
P.ublished 25th July 2026
Africa
The Smoke That Thunders: The Magic Of Victoria Falls
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Travel Editor
Victoria Falls is one of the world’s seven natural wonders. Images by Steve Hare.
A global phenomenon, the Victoria Falls - the world’s largest sheet of falling water - span the South African countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, (formerly Rhodesia). Up to 500 million litres of water thunder down the falls into the mighty Zambezi river every minute in the rainy season.
P.ublished 25th July 2026
Europe
Paris Is Paris
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
Notre Dame Photo: Graham Hermon
Netflix's Emily in Paris captures the city in superb, flattering light — it's the American in Paris who is the joke. Andrew Palmer, a regular visitor for rather longer than the show has existed, prefers his Paris with fewer entanglements and considerably better organs. I never get tired of Paris. Who would?
P.ublished 18th July 2026
Baggage Tech Takes Centre Stage As Europe Braces For New Cabin Bag Rules
Photo: owfiqu barbhuiya on Pexels
As the EU's fare transparency reforms edge closer, new industry data suggests the bigger challenge for airlines may already be sitting in the hold, writes Andrew Palmer, Group Editor.
P.ublished 18th July 2026
EU Cabin Bag Ruling Sparks Fresh Questions For Airline Operations
As Brussels confirms passengers will no longer face surprise charges for cabin luggage from 2027, one aviation technology firm argues the real test lies not at the checkout, but at the gate, writes Andrew Palmer, Group Editor.
P.ublished 16th July 2026
Transport Secretary Engages With EU Commissioner On Ees Border Checks Ahead Of Summer Holidays
The Transport Secretary has yesterday spoke with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism about supporting holidaymakers through the EU’s enhanced security checks, during the summer holidays. During a productive meeting, Heidi Alexander and EU commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas discussed the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
P.ublished 14th July 2026
Asia
Singapore Airlines Goes Daily From Manchester Airport
Today Singapore Airlines (SIA) increases its popular Manchester–Singapore service, taking it from five-flights a week, to a daily service. This upgrade gives customers greater choice and connectivity to Singapore, Southeast Asia, and SIA’s wider global network. Flight SQ301 now departs daily from Manchester Airport at 1035hr and arrives at Changi Airport in Singapore at 0700hr (+1).
P.ublished 13th July 2026
Weekend
Bucket List: Japan — Where the Trains Run on Time, the Sumo Runs Fast and the Wasabi Runs Hot
Continuing his occasional series on whether bucket list destinations live up to expectations, Group Editor Andrew Palmer recalls a solo fiftieth-birthday trip to Japan — a country he found so beguiling that the only seismic event he experienced happened six miles from Ripon.
P.ublished 11th July 2026
UK
Family-Run Howgill Lodge Named Among The World's Top 10% Of Hotels In Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Awards
The family behind one of Yorkshire's best-loved countryside escapes are celebrating after Howgill Lodge, the sister site to award-winning Catgill Farm, was recognised in the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Awards, placing it among the top 10% of hotels worldwide.
P.ublished 4th July 2026
Americas
Abspawlutely Delighted To Meet You: Paddington In Peru
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Travel Editor
Deeply loved and cherished: Paddington Bear Images by Steve Hare
Paddington Bear, a true British icon with an endearing personality has captured the hearts and minds of millions the world over since author Michael Bond created him in 1958.
P.ublished 4th July 2026
Europe’s Most Walkable Cities Revealed
Image WASSIM AHMED on Pexels
Italian favourites Venice, Florence, and Rome top the list of Europe’s most walkable cities. Berlin’s famous parks make it the most walkable city outside of Italy.
P.ublished 4th July 2026
Hotels
The Boulevard of Broken Screams!
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
The Boulevard Hotel, part of Blackpool's 'Pleasure Beach' Resort
It is one of those facts that you don’t see coming but, when it does, it completely arrests your attention and leaves you in a momentary state of disbelief!
P.ublished 4th July 2026
Americas
Bucket List: Rio de Janeiro — Where 007 Pointed, and I Followed
Continuing his occasional series on whether bucket list destinations live up to expectations, Group Editor Andrew Palmer heads to Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the 2016 Olympics, chasing a city he first fell for thirty-odd years earlier, dangling from a cable car alongside Roger Moore. Blame Roger Moore.
P.ublished 27th June 2026
Flight Delays Hit One In Three Passengers This Summer - Here’s How To Claim What You’re Owed
Millions of British holidaymakers face delayed or cancelled flights every summer - and most never claim a penny of the compensation they're legally entitled to. New Civil Aviation Authority data reveals punctuality failures remain widespread across UK airlines, with package holiday giant Tui among the five worst performers for on-time departures.
P.ublished 27th June 2026
The Travel Mistakes Experts Are Seeing Most Often
Millions of people are preparing for summer holidays, but immigration experts are warning that one overlooked travel requirement could leave passengers stranded before they even board their flight.
P.ublished 20th June 2026
Americas
Amazon Jungle Fever: What Lurks In The World's Largest River?
An eye-watering seven million square kilometres, the Amazon River Basin covers around 40 per cent of South America and crosses eight countries. Home to the world’s largest rainforest, it teems with up to three thousand fish species including piranhas.
P.ublished 20th June 2026
Hotels
The King’s Arms Crowned Best Pub In Cumbria At National Pub & Bar Awards 2026
(L-R)Head Chef Ross Bowman and General Manager Ollie Stolborg
The King’s Arms, Hawkshead, has been named the best pub in Cumbria at the prestigious National Pub & Bar Awards 2026, cementing its reputation as one of the Lake District’s leading hospitality destinations. The award recognises excellence in service, atmosphere, food and drink offering, and overall guest experience.
P.ublished 15th June 2026
Europe
The Price Of Danish Happiness
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
Copenhagen's Gefion Fountain with the English Church in the background
In a country where most of the population seems to bemoan the fact that Chancellor Rachel Reeves, introduces new stealth taxes on a weekly basis, it is a curiosity that in Denmark, with one of the highest tax regimes in the world, there is little pushback against the Minister of Finance and people remain among the happiest on the planet.
P.ublished 13th June 2026
6 Long-Haul Flight Mistakes That Could Leave Travellers Exhausted Before Their Holiday Even Starts
Image: Pexels
As summer holiday season approaches, travellers everywhere are busy plotting itineraries, hunting for flight deals and perfecting the art of carry-on packing. But while most attention is given to the destination itself, travel experts say one of the most overlooked parts of any trip happens long before you check-in at the hotel: the flight.
P.ublished 13th June 2026
Hotels
Summer By The Sea: Hotel Victoria Announces Coastal Programme Of Events
Garden Terrace views
Hotel Victoria in Robin Hood’s Bay is set to host a series of events this summer as part of its 2026 programme for locals, visitors and guests.
P.ublished 13th June 2026
Sleep Lounge P&O
P&O Ferries is expanding its range of onboard travel options with the introduction of a new Sleep Lounge on its popular North Sea route between Hull and Rotterdam. Designed to provide passengers with greater flexibility and comfort during overnight sailings, the new facility will be available on crossings from 13 July and aims to offer an alternative to traditional cabin accommodation.
P.ublished 13th June 2026
Americas
Buenos Aires: Bursting With Latin American Passion And Sensuality
Buenos Aires - a multi-cultural melting pot pulsating with a kaleidoscope of colour - is the birthplace of tango and among the world’s most dynamic capital cities. Famed for icons including Eva Peron and Maradona, it is lovingly called the ‘Paris of South America’ with a rich cultural tapestry and vibrant arts scene to match London and the finest European capitals.
P.ublished 6th June 2026
Setting A New Standard: National Win For The Tempus Shines Light On Region's Distinctive Hospitality Scene
The Tempus, Northumberland has won Gold at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence to become the country’s Small Hotel of the Year 2026, setting a new national standard and shining a light on Northumberland’s distinctive hospitality scene.
P.ublished 4th June 2026
Europe
La Dolce Strada: Memories Of Italy In A Vintage Rolls
When a young journalist was invited on a press trip to northern Italy and handed the keys — metaphorically speaking — to a vintage Bentley, he had no idea the experience would stay with him for the rest of his life. Andrew Palmer revisits a journey through Trentino and the Veneto that captured something rare: the Italy that tourism forgot.
P.ublished 30th May 2026
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