The six best Canary Islands cruises to book now
Yes, this life-affirming eight-island archipelago is awash with world-class beaches, but it also has Unesco World Heritage sites, world-class cuisine, superb wines, wondrous marine wildlife, mountains higher than Ben Nevis and thrillingly eclectic island capitals that are a joy to sail into.
And for me, cruising is the best way to savour Macaronesia, whether to make the Canary Islands your focus, or build in further delights in Madeira, Africa, Iberia and the Mediterranean. Columbus made his last landfall in the Canary Islands on his way to America; no wonder he was so intent on making it back across the Atlantic.
Here are the best Canary Islands cruises to book but you'll need to be quick: owing to its warm temperatures year-round, the islands are a popular option for a holiday at sea.
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Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
The lesser-known affordable beach city that Brits are flocking to this summer – with £1.70 wine and £15 flights
Read on to find out what else you can do in the country, straight from the locals EUR-ON The lesser-known affordable beach city that Brits are flocking to this summer – with £1.70 wine and £15 flights Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A COASTAL city you probably haven't heard of is seeing a huge boom in demand from British tourists. Sitting on the Adriatic Coast, Durres in Albania is a little-known gem that is way cheaper than your average European getaway. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Durres is Albania's second largest city and is home to a long, sprawling beach Credit: Getty 5 And Love Holidays has just named it a top emerging destination Credit: Alamy Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here New data from Love Holidays suggests the city is an emerging destination, with bookings up by a staggering 224 per cent compared to last year. Yet, the idyllic port city remains less crowded and more affordable than several European hotspots. Dubbed "the eternal city on the Adriatic Coast" by Albania's National Tourism Agency, Durres benefits from a Mediterranean climate and features a number of secluded bays with turquoise waters and golden sand. One of the most popular spots in the city is Durres Beach, which stretches over 6.5 miles, making it the largest in Albania. Littered along the promenade are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants to explore. Cosmo Restaurant, which sits at the west end of the beach, is rated the best in the city and serves seafood dishes such as freshly caught lobster. There are a number of hotels on the promenade too, many of which have direct beach access. Guests can also hire two sunbeds and an umbrella on the beach for between £4.33 and £21.63. If you don't fancy sitting on the beach, then head to Hawaii Beach Club on the pier and grab a cocktail to enjoy on one of the club's sunbeds looking out at the sea. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations Across the bars and restaurants in Durres, a beer is likely to set you back £2.05 to about £2.40, and a glass of wine will cost around just £1.73 to £3.03. For something more active, there are a number of watersports activities you can do from the beach as well, such as jet skiing and 'flying fish'. But it isn't just all about the beach in Durres, as it is Albania's second largest city meaning it has a wealth of different historic and cultural spots to explore. One spot is the ruins of Durres Castle, which was originally built in the 5th century, and the Venetian Tower which was built in the 15th century and was used to defend the city from attack. If you head to the top of the nine-metre tower, you will get to see stunning views of the city and the sea. Durres Mosque, which sits in the centre of the city, is also free to visit. 5 There are many historic sites in the city as well, some of which are free to enter Credit: Getty It opened originally in 1938 but since has seen a myriad of different uses including, at one point, being a youth centre. Today, it is a religious centre and an active place of worship - so make sure to be dress appropriately and remove your shoes if visiting. Another key spot to explore is the Roman amphitheatre of Emperor Hadrian, which has around 15,000 seats and is the second largest amphitheatre in the whole of the Balkans. The amphitheatre was built in the early second century and was used to host social gatherings and gladiator contests with wild animals. However, in the fourth century gladiator fights were banned and a Christian chapel was built in the centre of the amphitheatre. It was later discovered in the 1960s after being buried for hundreds of years due to a number of earthquakes. It costs around £2.60 to enter the amphitheatre. 5 Hotels are affordable too, with some seven-night last minute breaks available for less than £138 per night for two people Credit: Getty Just outside of the city centre is the Abaia Winery and Vineyard, where visitors can go on a tour and see the site's five different wines being made. The experience is the top rated thing to do in Durres, with many guests enjoying the cellar visit and restaurant that serves local food to go with the wines. The cost of a guided tour varies depending on the season and length of the tour, but prices start from £17 per person. There are numerous hotels across the city, most of which are super affordable. For example, you could stay at the Hotel Epidamn Boutique & Spa, which has a restaurant, bar and garden, for £69 a night for two adults. Or, according to Love Holidays, you could grab a last minute seven-night package for two people, for around £138 per person, per night this summer. Durres is conveniently located just 40 minutes from Tirana, the capital of Albania. You can catch a direct flight from the UK to Tirana from a number of airports, including London Luton with Wizz Air for as little as £15 one-way and from London Stansted, with Ryanair from £15 one-way. What is it like to visit Albania? LOCALS have shared the best spots to visit in the country and their top tips... Pristine beaches and secluded bays: Albania offers a mix of sandy and pebble beaches. The Albanian Riviera in the south is home to beautiful spots like Ksamil Beach, which locals describe as a "tropical beach in Europe," and the more off-grid Gjipe, perfect for camping. Secluded, boat-accessible gems like Krorëz Bay and Dafina Bay provide a tranquil escape from crowds. Diverse dining options: From budget-friendly street food to high-end restaurants, Albania's food scene has something for everyone. For an authentic and cheap meal, look for a "Zgara" (grill) spot or grab a byrek (filo pastry) for as little as 40p. For a more formal experience, check out Tirana's Arka Rooftop or the farm-to-table restaurant Mullixhiu, with main dishes for under £7. Hidden natural gems: Beyond the popular tourist spots, Albania is full of natural wonders. Discover the breathtaking Grunasi Waterfall in Theth National Park or the lesser-known Shengjergji Waterfall near Tirana. The mysterious Haxhi Ali Cave is only accessible by boat, adding to its allure for adventurers. Affordable attractions: Many of Albania's most impressive sights are also budget-friendly. The Blue Eye Spring, a mesmerising underwater spring, costs just 40p to enter. Meanwhile, the historic Gjirokaster Castle offers panoramic views and a journey through Albania's past for around £3. Must-do activities: The country's varied landscape allows for a range of activities. Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites like Berat and Gjirokastra, or hike the stunning Accursed Mountains. For thrill-seekers, options include paragliding over the coast of Vlore or navigating the rapids of the Vjosa River. Vibrant nightlife: Whether you're in the capital or at the beach, Albania has a lively nightlife scene. Tirana's exclusive Blloku area is known for its upscale bars and clubs. Meanwhile, coastal cities like Durres and Ksamil come alive in the summer. Don't miss the unique experience of a drink at the rotating Sky Club. Best bars for a drink: From trendy cocktail spots to classic pubs, there's a bar for every mood. For unique craft cocktails, check out Nouvelle Vague in Tirana. For a simple and cheap drink, beer starts from around £1.50 at places like the newly renovated Sky Club. Family-friendly options: For those travelling with family, Albania has many welcoming options. The coast from Kavaja to Zvernec offers affordable places to stay and eat. Destinations like Durres have plenty of family-friendly activities and hotels. Albania has previously been noted as an underrated beach destination with cheap pints and short flights. Plus, these are the best places to visit on the Albanian Riviera.
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
‘My Greek villa had a gorgeous olive tree and now I can grow my own at home for £320 less'
Shopping Writer Meghan has found a way to transform her home into a Mediterranean haven just like the Greek villa she recently stayed in, with this huge olive tree that's now £320 less Anyone who has ever visited Greece will likely know that there are olive trees literally everywhere, and I was lucky enough to have a gorgeous array of native Mediterranean trees growing right on the doorstep of my coastal Greek villa on my recent holiday. And if, like me, you'd love to add a Greek twist to your UK garden or patio without spending a fortune, this Gardening Express sale is just for you, as a huge XXXL olive tree is currently up for grabs with a massive £320 saving. The tree touted as a Mega XXXL Tuscan olive tree is perfect for adding a Mediterranean flourish to any outdoor space. This olive tree is an ideal choice for creating a Greek-themed centrepiece in your courtyard, patio, or garden, and right now, you can do so at a fraction of its ordinary price, as this sale sees its price plummet from £500 all the way down to £180. This extra-large, chunky-trunked, heavy-duty specimen boasts a gorgeous, dense, bushy crown of attractive silvery foliage that's sure to add a Mediterranean vibe to any outdoor space. Whether you're planting directly into the garden, adding to an existing border or transplanting into a terracotta planter, this tree retains its elegant, grey-green leaves all year. It's tiny, fragrant, creamy-white flowers first appear during the summer, which then become ample green edible fruit in the Autumn, ripening to black as we head deeper into the season. This well-established olive tree promises to make an immediate and impressive impact on your garden. It's fully hardy, ensuring it can withstand any condition, from droughts to harsh UK winters. With proper care, these long-living trees are likely to continue to thrive for decades. Arriving at a height of 2 metres, with a 1.3-metre head of foliage and a trunk girth of a whopping 60cm at the time of delivery, these trees are set to just keep getting bigger and better over time, becoming more characterful as the trunk develops its noteworthy gnarled bark. They're perfect for a sunny, Greek-style garden and will happily settle in any sun-drenched part of your outdoor space. Although they're slow-growing, with a nice stem and attractive silvery leaves, you can now admire the iconic Mediterranean tree from your own backyard. It's set to transport you back to your favourite holidays on the continent. Save a massive £320 on this monster of an olive tree while this Gardening Express deal lasts, and secure the must-have piece to turn your garden into an Italian haven for the significantly reduced price of £179.99 while this deal lasts. For those looking for something a bit smaller, check out this extra-large, heavy-duty Tuscan olive tree, which is currently available for £149.99, down from £399.99. If you're open to shopping around, consider this two-pack of 5-6ft tall Olive Trees in Pots from B&Q for £94.99. Alternatively, Amazon is offering a 1.1m olive tree for £44.90.
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Brits are swapping overcrowded Spain and Greece for surprising long-haul destinations
Could Britain's love affair with the Med finally be cooling off? According to new research, a raft of non European destinations have won our affections this summer. Classic sun resorts across Italy, France, Spain and Portugal are becoming less popular, with tourists seeking their holiday kicks further afield, including in Thailand, Canada and the US. Virgin Media 02 data suggests that visitors to Spain have plummeted by around 9% year-on-year - with protests against over-tourism amongst the factors that may be seeing UK holidaymakers jetting off in a different direction. Another enduring favourite, France, has been eclipsed by the US this summer, which has commanded 17% of visitors compared to a hop across the Channel, where only 14% have travelled. Greece and Portugal? They're also down by 7% and 5% respectively, the new data suggests, with many dedicating their summer breaks to more far-flung places. Many are making for Maple Leaf territory, with Canada now accounting for 9% of trips from the UK. Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has enjoyed 8% of the British tourist pie, with Thailand and Australia both at 5%. When it comes to last minute getaways though, it seems convenience is everything with resorts that are just a short hop away by plane still seeing the biggest numbers of Brits. Almost 38% of us will take late breaks to Spain while Greece will see 25% and Italy 23%. Christian Hindennach, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Media O2 said of the latest research: 'As Brits explore new holiday spots beyond Europe, we're proud to keep them connected wherever they may roam.' After months of over-tourism protests across Spain, there was more bad news for Brits heading to our favourite holiday destination this week - after seven miles of Costa Blanca coastline was closed. Tourists have been banned from going into the water because of rare sea creatures with a potentially-fatal sting. Reg flags went up on beaches in the municipality of Guardamar del Segura just north of Torrevieja following the appearance of so-called blue dragons, which have been branded 'the most beautiful killer in the ocean.' The sea slug, also known as Glaucus atlanticus, feeds on the venomous cells of creatures like the deadly Portuguese man o'war, storing them within its body in concentrated doses. This process concentrates the toxin, making the blue dragon's sting far more potent than that of its prey. Typical symptoms of the blue dragon's sting include nausea, pain, vomiting and, in some cases, severe allergic reactions which can be fatal. Guardamar del Segura's mayor Jose Luis Saez, confirming the sea ban order yesterday which he indicated would remain in place until further notice, said on his official X account: 'Red flag on the beaches of Guardamar. 'Bathing is prohibited following the appearance on Vivers Beach of two specimens of Glaucus atlanticus, known as the Blue Dragon.' He added: 'We remind people that despite its bright and striking colour and it's small 1.5 inch size, they should stay away from this animal because of its sting. 'Guardamar del Segura Town Hall has has launched a preventive operation to detect possible specimens carried by ocean currents. 'Town hall workers are closely following the evolution of the situation and will inform people about the different measures to be taken. 'If you see one of these creatures don't touch it, even with gloves on, alert lifeguards and other authorities. 'If you get stung, wash the area affected with salt water and head to your nearest first aid point or health centre. 'These creatures are poisonous and their stings can cause nausea, pain and vomiting. 'For the time being and until further notice, bathing in the sea is prohibited.' Vivers Beach, a natural stretch of coast south of the Segura River and north of La Babilonia Beach, was said to be full of people yesterday although less people than normal were in the sea defying the bathing ban order and risking heavy fines. Lifeguards with loudhailers were expected to remind tourists and locals today about the prohibition according to local reports, although sunseekers will still be allowed to head to beaches even if they don't take a dip in the sea. Red flags went up at Santa Barbara beach in La Linea de la Concepcion near Gibraltar on Sunday after police received an emergency call about a blue dragon sighting and six were later found on the shoreline. It was reopened to bathers the following day, with a yellow warning flag up instead of the red one.
