Brits are swapping overcrowded Spain and Greece for surprising long-haul destinations
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.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
The best luxury hotels in Scotland for fine dining, spas and castle stays
With some of the most epic scenery on the planet, the finest fresh produce and a proud reputation for extending visitors a warm welcome, Scotland is the perfect destination for a luxury hotel stay. And what remarkable luxury hotels the country boasts. Posh places to stay sprang up as long ago as the 19th century, when Queen Victoria fell hopelessly in love with the Highlands, forging her castle home at Balmoral and spearheading tourism in Scotland. Today, Scotland is supremely well set up for discerning travellers, with luxury hotels dotted throughout the length and breadth of the country. Think hot tubs amongst the heather, cosy drams by the fire after Michelin-starred feasts, and a tough choice to make between a round of golf on one of the world's top courses, or a sumptuous spa treatment using organic Scottish seaweed products. And most come surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery – a unique ingredient that makes Scotland's luxury hotels such a joy to discover. Best luxury hotels in Scotland 2025 At a glance The best of Scotland's luxury hotels are up there with the finest hotels in the UK, but they are not cheap at the peak of the summer holiday season. If you want to make substantial savings, consider visiting in the quieter shoulder seasons; May and September into October often offer cheaper room rates, plus the weather is often drier with less chance of midgies too. Robin McKelvie 1. The Caledonian Edinburgh hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton Edinburgh An old favourite of legendary Scottish actor Sean Connery, 'The Caley' has been at the top of the Edinburgh luxury hotel tree for decades. First opened in 1903 as a grand railway hotel, this palatial retreat has constantly upped its game, continually renovating and improving. Book a room with an epic view of Edinburgh Castle before treating yourself to fine dining at Dean Banks at the Pompadour. Alternatively, opt for the creative six-course tasting menus (new in 2025) conjured up at The Court x Mark Greenaway, with the eponymous chef showcasing some of the highlights from his latest cookbook Progression. Indulge in the spa, with its indoor pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre, complete with a steam room and sauna. Treatments come courtesy of Ishga, the organic Scottish seaweed treatment brand from Scotland's Outer Hebrides. 2. Kimpton Blythswood Square, Hotel & Spa Glasgow Housed in the former headquarters of the Royal Scottish Automobile Club, the Kimpton Blythswood Square is undoubtedly Glasgow's grandest luxury option. It sits on Blythswood Square, which was once part of the city's red-light district. These days, the square is far more salubrious, as is this glorious luxury hotel. Think lashings of marble, mood lighting and plush furnishings at a hotel that seamlessly weaves the old world with the ultra-modern. Unusually for Glasgow, the Kimpton boasts a sizeable swimming pool, as well as a steam room and a jacuzzi in its excellent spa, which guests can frequent twice a day. And you will want to. 3. Cameron House hotel Loch Lomond Cameron House may only lie a 30-minute drive from Glasgow, and an hour from Edinburgh, but it feels a world away. This luxurious resort lies on the famously bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. You can stay in the main hotel, with its grand stone castle-esque building and impressive new annexes, or head a few miles up the road to stay at the Cameron Club. Here, the Loch Lomond Apartments offer plenty of space and lashings of luxury close to the resort's famous spa, where you'll find a swimming pool and outdoor infinity pool gazing over the loch, as well as superb beauty and spa treatments. The main hotel offers a leisure club with a large swimming pool, plus flumes, which are a hit with kids. There are plenty of options for getting active around the loch and on its waters too: for an adventure, take a four-by-four drive with 4x4 Adventures Scotland, or savour a champagne-kissed speedboat ride on the hotel's own Jacobite Warrior. The food and drink offerings are excellent as well; La Vista is a superb new Italian right down on the water, while the Cameron Grill offers the best of Scottish beef and seafood. And if that's not enough, Cameron House also sports its own cinema and championship golf course 4. Trump Turnberry hotel Ayrshire Donald Trump may be a Marmite figure in the political world, but there is no disputing the level of luxury and spellbinding location of Trump Turnberry, his luxury hotel in Ayrshire. Turnberry enjoys a truly magical setting, gazing out across the rugged coastline towards the mountainous Isle of Arran. Colin Montgomery, one of Scotland's most famous golfers, said in 2025 that he believed The Ailsa is Scotland's finest golf course, making a round here a dream for any true lover of the game. The Turnberry Spa offers a host of beauty and massage treatments, with an infinity pool, hot tub, saunas, steam rooms, ice fountain and experience showers. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness centre – look out for the unusual, but rewarding cold therapy, a non-invasive way to rejuvenate your skin. There are a glorious sweep of eating and drinking options too. At Trump Turnberry, you'll soon appreciate how Ayrshire produced one of the world's most romantic poets, Robert Burns. Address: Maidens Rd, Turnberry, Maidens, Girvan KA26 9LT 5. Glenapp Castle hotel Ayrshire Ever dreamt of staying in your very own Scottish Castle? Well, now you can. Enter the glorious world of the 1870s, when this remarkable fortress was built, complete with dreamy turrets and battlements, in the southern extremities of Ayrshire. The castle reopened after a massive revamp in 2021, which brought an enhanced level of luxury and a top floor four-bedroom suite that might be the most luxurious hotel suite in Scotland – or anywhere in the UK. For decor, think marble, hardwoods, antiques and chandeliers. Enjoy fine-dining with a six-course dinner, or try out their new for 2025 Azalea Glasshouse. Glenapp reclines in 36 acres of gardens and rich woodland overlooking the coast and the islands of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Activities include archery, croquet, tennis and mountain biking, with myriad trails to hike too; the walled garden by Gertrude Jekyll is glorious. For a sublime luxury treat, combine your stay with their 'Hebridean Sea Safari', which whisks you off to the isles in their boat to glamp on remote island shores with a private chef in tow. 6. Gleneagles hotel Perthshire Quite simply, Gleneagles is Gleneagles. There is no comparable luxury resort in Scotland – and it's arguably one of the finest luxury oases anywhere in Europe. Whether you want to play golf on one of a choice of championship golf courses (in 2014, Gleneagles hosted the 40th Ryder Cup), dine in Scotland's only two-star Michelin restaurant, Andrew Fairlie, or simply relax in a health spa that offers myriad treatments, as well as a chance to bubble away outdoors, you will find all at Gleneagles. This resort hotel in the heart of Perthshire works equally well for couples seeking a romantic escape, groups desperate to play golf and families seeking true relaxation. Some of the experiences on offer at Gleneagles are uniquely Scottish, with a chance for kids to drive mini Land Rovers, train gun dogs and experience a bird of prey swooping in to land on their arm. Whatever your age, Gleneagles delivers a simply unforgettable experience. 7. 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The Torridon hotel Loch Torridon, Highlands It's hard to imagine a hotel with a more spectacular setting than the Torridon, located deep in the Highlands in the wilds of Wester Ross. You'll spend a lot of your time here just gazing out of the massive windows: peering out over Loch Torridon and marvelling at the kilometre-high mountains that soar spectacularly across the loch's cobalt waters. This is the sort of hotel where Highland cows might wander past, or even a deer. Take a wander in the grounds; that splash you hear on the shore may well be an otter. The Torridon also offers myriad active adventures, including hiking in the local mountains, providing you have the experience and the gear. The hotel restaurant offers proper fine dining laced with local produce, while the adjacent inn offers more informal pub-style dining. Expect proper old school Scottish luxury run by a couple whose reputation stretches back decades. This is the Highlands condensed neatly into one hotel. 10. Kinloch Lodge hotel Isle of Skye Kinloch Lodge is a magical hotel on the Isle of Skye with serious history. It grew up as a hunting lodge for Scottish clan royalty and in recent decades has been a brilliant restaurant with rooms run by Skye clan royalty, with the Macdonalds overseeing things brilliantly. Today, Jordan Webb is the star in the kitchen. Criminally, they no longer hold a Michelin star, but the restaurant offers one of the finest meals you can possibly have on Skye which, by default, is one of the best meals you'll have in Scotland. Kinloch feels unique and exclusive too, with your own private beach where you can paddle with a gorgeous view gazing back towards the hills of the mainland. Make sure to book (through the hotel) a foraging trip with the Skye Ghillie, who will come to you to help you discover delights such as chanterelles amidst the lush nature surrounding the hotel. A real family sense of luxury permeates here, with the presence of Macdonald clan adding to real sense of intimacy. Why trust us The hotels featured in this list have been carefully selected by The Independent's expert travel writers, each with a deep knowledge of the destinations they cover. Robin McKelvie has been travel writing his way around his native Scotland for over two decades and has stayed in over 500 Scottish hotels. When picking which hotels to include, Robin considered his own experience staying in the hotels and evaluate location, facilities, service and all the other details that make for an exceptional stay for all types of traveller. FAQs When is the best time of year to travel to Scotland? Compared with other countries, the weather in the UK is not usually the main attraction; however, the British summertime, with the sunniest days occurring between June and August, is likely the best bet. If you are travelling to the capital, the busiest month is usually August, when the Edinburgh International Festival and Edinburgh Fringe Festival take place. Unless you're heading there specifically to catch a comedy show or theatre performance, it may be best to avoid this month due to the inflated prices, limited accommodation and teeming crowds. Where are the nicest areas to stay in Scotland? The top places on your Scottish bucket list should be the main cities, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as the rugged mountains and vast landscapes of the Scottish Highlands, and the wild natural beauty found on its islands, such as the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Mull and the Isle of Skye. Where do celebrities stay? The Fife Arms has hosted celebrities such as Judi Dench and Rita Ora. The Balmoral in Edinburgh has seen many A-listers coming through its doors, including Oprah Winfrey, Elizabeth Taylor, Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Bill Clinton, as well as Tom Hanks who based himself there while filming The Da Vinci Code.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Pokemon-like sea creature with painful sting forces beaches in Spain to close
Tourists and residents were warned not to swim at beaches in Spain after mythical-looking sea creatures washed up on shore. The town of Guardamar del Segura, in Alicante on the Costa Blanca, reported that it closed all of its beaches on Wednesday, 20 August, due to the appearance of Gaucus atlanticus, also known as blue dragon. Tourists are often warned off visiting Spanish beaches when jellyfish known as Portuguese man o' war wash up on shore, as their sting can be powerful. Yet despite their small size, blue dragons literally eat the much larger Portuguese man o' war for breakfast, attacking and feeding off these venomous creatures. The local police station warned residents and tourists that swimming was prohibited on all beaches in the municipality. 'Contact with this sea animal can be dangerous and cause painful burns to the skin,' Guardamar del Segura Local Police wrote in a social media post. 'We urge neighbours and visitors to respect the directions, exercise caution and avoid direct contact with specimens that may appear in the sand. 'The local police, in coordination with municipal services, will maintain surveillance and inform timely about the development of the situation,' the station added. By the next day, on Thursday, 21 August, the ban was lifted and bathing was once again allowed, but police urged visitors to take caution. A yellow flag indicating a moderate hazard remained waving on Thursday. The mayor of Guardamar del Segura, José Luis Sáez, warned those in the coastal town on Wednesday that two blue dragons were found on Vivers beach. The animals have been likened to Pokémon characters, but despite their pretty appearance, they can still pack a punch with their sting. The creatures have light and dark blue stripes, with stinging tendrils that fan out like wings and drift where ocean currents and wind takes them, buoyed by a gas bubbles in their stomachs. 'We remind the population that, despite its bright and flashy colour, and its small size of 4cm, they should stay away from this animal because of its bite,' Mr Sáez said. He said that a 'preventive device' has been put into action to detect possible specimens washed away by the sea currents, while local authorities were keeping an eye on the situation. The mayor advised people who may come across a blue dragon: 'Don't touch it, not even with gloves, notify the rescuers and authorities and if you get itchy, rinse with salt water and go to the emergency room or health centre.' 'These are poisonous specimens whose sting causes nausea, pain and vomiting,' he added.
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
‘We went on holiday together as firm family friends. Six years on, we still aren't speaking'
As we reach peak holiday season it's worth remembering the hazards of the group holiday. 'Friends and family' is fine when it's a WhatsApp group, less so when it involves a shared villa, children who can't stand each other and irritable proximity for a full week or more. Commit in haste, repent at leisure. Having experienced the reality of the shared holiday first-hand, I now only holiday with two very dear friends I've known since schooldays, or my husband and son. I have too many bitter memories of 'joint holidays' that turned into endurance tests, from the trip to America staying with relentlessly sporty friends who liked to rise at 6am and had invited their obnoxious religious cousins to stay at the same time, to the 'girls' trip' to Cornwall that ended in A&E when my friend drunkenly fell down a flight of stairs and broke her ankle. Evidently, I'm not alone. 'My aunt owns a lovely finca [a ranch] in Spain and about 15 years ago, I arranged to spend a week there with my friend Bridget*,' says Emma*, 48. 'We'd worked together at a TV production company and always had a laugh on nights out – so I assumed it would be fine. 'We flew to Malaga and then got a local bus to our town. On the bus, Bridget started chatting to a group of three lads. 'They were very drunk so I just said 'hello', and went back to reading my book. When we got off, they followed us down the street towards our accommodation.' Understandably disturbed, Emma asked them where they were staying. 'They said, 'with you.' It turned out they hadn't booked anywhere and Bridget had told them they were welcome.' Emma explained that was not an option, and sent them on their way. 'From that point onwards, Bridget refused to speak to me. She would get up early in the morning and leave the house all day,' says Emma. 'Any food or provisions she bought, she'd keep in her room.' A few days later Emma decided to tackle her. 'I said it was ridiculous, why didn't we put it behind us and do something nice together the next day – our last day? She agreed and we arranged to visit a picturesque village nearby, heading off at 10am. 'The next morning, she was waiting in the kitchen,' Emma recalls. 'I said: 'Shall we go then?' She replied: 'I've already been.''' Bridget had risen at 6am, booked a taxi to the village and returned. 'I was so annoyed, I changed my seat on the flight home,' Emma says. 'A week later, my aunt said that quite a few things were missing from the house: towels, bedding, a picture. Bridget must have stolen them – although she denied it of course.' But while holidays with just one or two 'friends' might be intensely unpleasant, family trips can involve a whole cast of outraged people. 'Two years ago, I took a trip to France with my sister, brother-in-law, niece and parents,' says Imogen*, 42. 'It cost quite a lot and we were all looking forward to a break. We ended up refereeing my parents' shouting matches. We spent one entire day trying to give them marriage guidance, knowing full well that my dad's reluctance to be there was because he was having an affair that he'd previously denied.' Imogen is a veteran of the disastrous break, adding: 'A few years before that, I was invited on a peaceful-sounding boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads. We'd drawn straws and won the best cabin, but the other couple had a tantrum, and we were forced to sleep on the pull-out bunks in the galley.' The couple kept Imogen and her long-suffering partner awake every night with their exuberant sex life. 'On a barge with paper-thin walls,' adds Imogen. 'I spent several hours one night sitting alone on the roof in waterproofs, drinking wine in the pouring rain.' She and her partner are no longer friends with the couple in question. Perhaps even worse, however, is the shared-holiday-with-children when the children simply refuse to get along. 'I had known this family since my eldest, now 20, was a newborn,' says Farhana Hussain, 48, a 'divorce doula'. 'We met at an NCT [National Childbirth Trust] group, our kids grew up together, even after they moved away, and we had weathered a lot together.' Hussain was a newly single mum with three boys, then aged 14, 12 and 10. 'I was still wrestling with single-parent guilt and the fear that holidays would never feel as good,' she explains. So when said friends invited her and another couple to their lakeside holiday home in Germany, 'it felt like the perfect first trip to prove I could still give my boys a great holiday. For the first few days, it was idyllic. The kids were around the same ages, they all got along, the wine was good, and the scenery was perfect.' But they hadn't factored in a potentially explosive clash of teenage hormones. 'It was all-out war. Boys versus girls. Shifting alliances. My personal low point was the unsolicited parenting advice I definitely should not have given my friends,' says Hussain. 'That led to a polite, but very real, silent war between the adults.' Meanwhile, the younger group was 'playing the adults off against each other', she says. 'The tipping point was a stand-off over who got the 'good' room, ending with a shattered glass shelf at 2am and three sets of parents running upstairs in pyjamas. I was counting the days and sometimes the hours until our flight home.' When the holiday was over, Hussain says, 'it was all very polite thank-yous and see-you-soons, but I was too scared to message afterwards in case it reignited anything. Six years on, we still haven't seen them,' she admits. Perhaps even worse are the 'ambush' holidays, where the other family invites extra guests – without actually mentioning it. 'My family went on a joint family holiday to Suffolk a few years ago,' says Helen*, 36. 'Unbeknown to us, we only found out on arrival, our friends had invited a third family, who we'd met briefly twice, to come and stay in the small, three-bed house we were renting. There weren't enough beds for people, and it was every man for himself.' This unexpected musical beds situation meant that 'some nights I ended up on the sofa in the sitting room if I hadn't managed to secure my bed for that evening', she says. 'In the end, the family pitched a tent on the front lawn. It was unbridled chaos.' Rather than confront the issue, she says: 'We didn't speak about it at all. We were all too polite and British.' Many of us, after a holiday disaster, would simply let the friendship slide but, says psychotherapist Karen Hartley, group holidays can work if you set manageable expectations and have a pre-emptive discussion. 'The fantasy of a 'perfect' group holiday, often fuelled by social media, clashes with reality,' she says. 'Even strong friendships can be strained when forced into shared decisions about budgets, activities or parenting styles. Differences become magnified without the usual space to decompress.' She suggests discussing these issues before the trip, rather than waiting until you're in the supermarket aisle in France as your children fight over which flavour of crisps to buy. 'Agree on shared 'holiday rules', like flexible bedtimes but no treats before dinner,' says Hartley. 'You may want to confirm a budget or all add to a kitty for shopping. And remember, you don't have to spend the whole time together in a big group – it's fine to peel off and do your own thing, and it gives everyone some breathing space.' She adds: 'Let minor issues slide to keep the peace.' Nevertheless, witnessing other people's relationships in gory close-up can be a shock. 'Without routines to buffer us, comparisons and emotional reactions intensify,' says Hartley. 'Singles may feel isolated; parents might judge others' lax rules. It's a pressure cooker.' However, what you should never do is stage a confrontation in front of the entire group. 'Take a break, cool off, then pull the involved parties aside for a private conversation,' says Hartley. 'Try to avoid blame and focus on solutions for the duration of the holiday.' 'Group holidays test relationships,' she admits. 'But with preparation and empathy, they can also strengthen them.' So before you agree over a drunken dinner with your friends to spend a month abroad together, think about how compatible you really are. Liking the same wine isn't enough reason to enjoy each other's company for a fortnight.
