
World's best holiday cities revealed and three of them are only two hours from the UK
7
Florence came in a number 11 when it comes to the world's best cities
Credit: Alamy
7
The Ponte Vecchio in Florence has beautiful views and is great for a picture
Credit: Getty
Voters praised the capital of
There was an honourable mention of the
Florence is considered a romantic city, full of beautiful architecture like the
Read More on Going Abroad
It's the ideal destination for art lovers too as its home to work by Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
Just because it's a hub of culture, doesn't mean that it's necessarily costly.
In fact in Florence
Florence is 80 miles inland, but you could still be at the beach in an hour and a half. Or even head over to Pisa which is an hour and a half by both car and rail.
Most read in City breaks
One Sun Travel writer
You can fly directly from
San Sebastian cider season
7
Seville is one of the most popular cities - and it two and a half hours away from the UK
Credit: Alamy
7
There's plenty of beautiful architecture around the city
Credit: Alamy
It was described as offering a "window on thousands of years of history" with its best site being
The Spanish city is famous for its Cathedral and Plaza de España.
It's also famous for tapas, Seville orange trees and the traditional art of flamenco - if you're lucky, you'll catch some dancers in the street.
Deputy Travel Editor
For anyone wanting to visit Seville Cathedral, Kara discovered 100 free tickets are given out at a certain time of day.
You can fly directly from London Gatwick to Seville in two hours 40 minutes.
7
Porto has plenty to offer and it's two hours and 20 minutes away from the UK
Credit: Alamy
7
The city is famous for it's port production
Credit: Getty
The colourful city came in 24th place on the list of Top 25 best cities - and was awarded a reader score of 88.24.
Porto is filled with restaurants and bars and, of course, is known for its port wine production.
Readers of
Porto is found on the
When
And of course there are vineyards aplenty and an opportunity to do tastings all around the city.
Brits can fly directly to Porto from several UK airports, including London Gatwick, which takes two hours 20 minutes.
These Are The 25 Best Cities For 2025
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Tokyo, Japan
Bangkok, Thailand
Jaipur, India
Hoi An, Vietnam
Mexico City, Mexico
Kyoto, Japan
Ubud, Bali
Cuzco, Peru
Florence, Italy
Seville, Spain
Granada, Spain
Istanbul, Turkey
Siem Reap, Cambodia
Mumbai, India
Cape Town, South Africa
Rome, Italy
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Agra, India
Oaxaca, Mexico
Mendoza, Argentina
Siena, Italy
Porto, Portugal
Mérida, Mexico
Here are
Plus, the
7
Florence and Seville are some of the most popular cities in the world - and close to the UK
Credit: Alamy

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
First tourists visit North Korea's ghostly ‘Benidorm' resort where ‘minders' follow visitors & phones are ‘bugged'
NORTH Korea has welcomed its first tourists to its ghostly new " Benidorm " beach resort. But the initial batch of visitors have reported that they are followed everywhere and their phones are likely bugged. 10 The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours Credit: East2West 10 A group of 13 inaugural guests went to the resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourists watched 24/7 on a rare trip inside the repressive state Credit: East2West The newly built resort, called Wonsan‑Kalma, has opened for Russian tourists on package tours. It features a a giant artificial white sand beach - once a missile test site - on the Sea of Japan, and was opened by dictator Kim Jong Un himself. But Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own. "You are accompanied everywhere… even on the beach someone walked with us," according to blogger Daria Zubkova. read more in world news Yet this was as "sweet concern" for guests rather than more "They are walking [with you]. "[If] you want, they chat with you, [if not] they just walk behind you." Daria added that the minders "argue that they worry about us getting lost or something else". Most read in The US Sun But the veterinary therapist added: "What many people are afraid of….is some kind of wiretapping everywhere and so on. "Most likely, I think that there is probably all of this, but we just weren't afraid, because we have nothing to say that would make someone scold us for it." North Korea's 'Benidorm' to FINALLY open next week as tyrant Kim Jong-Un cuts ribbon - and Brits have signed up to visit The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports, and has jet-skis. Russian tourists holidaying there must make their own way to the eastern city of Vladivostok. From there they are flown into North Korea - to the capital city of Pyongyang. But once in the country, the group of 13 inaugural guests had their short flight from Pyongyang to Wonsan was suddenly cancelled - and a train arranged instead. "An entire train for just 13 people is simply unthinkable," said Daria. "It was new, very comfortable, with air conditioning." 10 The resort has opened for its first guests Credit: East2West 10 North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un opens Wonsan-Kalma pet project beach resort Credit: East2West 10 Russian tourist Daria Zubkova shows an empty beach in Wonsan-Kalma resort Credit: East2West 10 The resort can accommodate up to 20,000 people, according to reports Credit: East2West She added: "I saw villages [from the windows of the train]….people are working in the fields, not very rich people." Another tourist Lyudmila said: "I was even interested in riding the train, because for the first time I saw that the mountains they paint in their pictures really exist. "It is also very interesting to see the country from the train." But once they got to Wonsan, their hotel was full with visiting officials and journalists accompanying Putin's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. The tourists were then moved to inferior accommodation. Tourists were also told that sending emails cost £1.65 each. The tour company made clear that the secret police would have the opportunity to monitor their messages. "Please note that the email will be sent from the hotel's email box, not yours. "Therefore, to make it easier to find a reply addressed to you, we recommend that you include your room number in the subject line." Tourists were also told in advance: "We recommend taking tea, coffee, sugar with you!!! Fruits are not served." But Daria added: "There were a lot of types of meat, duck, rabbit, different types of fish. They really tried to please us." The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 - once they have made their way to Vladivostok. All but £325 of this has to be paid in cash. "We like everything," said tourist Pavla Gambal. "The sea is warm, the beach is clean, they keep order. "The territory is well-kept. The food is very tasty, you can eat it." It comes at a time when when North Korea has sent soldiers to die for "ally" Vladimir Putin, along with ship loads of military equipment and ammunition. 10 Russian guests say the experience is very different inside a state even more repressive than their own Credit: East2West 10 The basic cost of this tour for Russians is £1,360 Credit: East2West 10 A small group of Russian tourists was taken to the resort Credit: East2West


The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I visited the ‘Wetherspoons of Spain' – jugs of beer cost £1.50, lunch is £1 and there's 350 of them across the country
SITTING outside in the sun with a cold beer in hand, I've nabbed a prime spot for lunch to watch the world go by. Nothing screams summer Advertisement 5 100 Montaditos started as a small cafe in Seville and now has more than 300 locations across Spain, but Brits would never know it was a cheap chain Credit: Alamy 5 Helen (pictured) cools off with a cheap pint in the 'Spanish Wetherspoons', 100 Montaditos Credit: HELEN WRIGHT 5 There are 100 Montaditos all over Spain with cheap pints and decent food for a bargain price Credit: Alamy If, like me, you love a bargain bite in the local It's by far the Advertisement Cheap as frites 100 Montaditos has been dubbed the 'Spanish Wetherspoons' for its affordable prices, decent food and community vibe. However, most Brits would walk right past without even knowing they are missing out on a A 'montadito' is a classic tapas dish in Spain, which is essentially a mini baguette sandwich. They are often served alongside beer or wine in tapas bars 100 Montaditos originated as a With a limited holiday budget, I headed to the 100 Montaditos in Advertisement The location could not be more central, it's right The bar looks small from the outside, but stepping inside, there is a huge kitchen and dining room, so it's handy if you need an air-con break from the hot weather too. It's a hot day, so I I went to the UK's biggest Wetherspoons with rooftop bar overlooking the beach These are known as 'turbo-sized' and at 300ml, are slightly smaller than our UK pints, but plenty for me at lunchtime. Drinking local Advertisement Considering Palma in Majorca isn't known for being a A glass of wine here is the same price, and you can get a Vodka and Coke for £2.70. I couldn't believe my eyes when the bartender gave me a cone of crisps too. You get these free of charge when you order a drink. With prices in Spain on the rise, Brits have been complaining that But this place is just like a Advertisement It's very laid back and you can tell a lot of locals have been frequenting the place for years. Of course, being named after the famous sandwiches, 100 Montadidos has a good menu of food too, and it's just as affordable as the beer. 5 You get a cone of crisps for free with your beer in the Spanish 'spoons Credit: HELEN WRIGHT 5 There is also indoor seating, if you want to take advantage of the air conditioning Credit: HELEN WRIGHT There are 19 different 'classic' sandwiches, ranging from Advertisement Every day they have a 'EURO MANIA' deal, which is a large version of the sandwich of the day for only €1 (86p) - an absolute bargain! One of these is more than enough for me at lunch, but even if I was feeling peckish, ordering two would hardly break the bank. I can't believe you can If you don't fancy sandwiches, there are nachos, Sarah from Advertisement 'It's cheaper than Wetherspoons in Cardiff!' she said. 'We'll probably come back for chips after our night out if it's still open.' Before they left, I joined them for a celebratory shot of tequila. At only €2 (£1.73) each, I better not stay too long or I'd be totally sloshed for the cost of The atmosphere is not as authentic as in some of the more traditional tavernas and Especially for a few shots ahead of a night out like Sarah and her mates. The only disappointment was that they don't have the classic Thursday curry club but the cheeky barman said maybe they might do Paella instead one day! Advertisement


The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
The Mediterranean island that Brits don't know about with spectacular beaches and it's loved by Italians
MANY holidaymakers will jet off to Italy over the summer - but few know an underrated island so special even locals gush about it. Places like Advertisement 5 The island of Favignana is the largest in the Aegadian Islands Credit: Alamy 5 You'll find amazing beaches with bright blue seas Credit: Alamy In total there are five Aegadian Islands, but only three are inhabited - Favignana, Levanzo and Marettimo. Favignana is the largest of three main islands and from above is shaped like a butterfly. It's known for its blue and white fishing It's small, too, so there's no need to hire a car - you can cycle or walk around to see the towns or go to the beach. Advertisement Read More on Holidays Another option is to take one of the many boat day trips to take a tour of the island. You'll see loads of coves and even go to the neighbouring island of Levanzo. Some of the most popular One visitor said about Lido Burrone: "The crystal-clear water and white sand make it one of Favignana's most interesting beaches. It feels like being in the Caribbean." Another described Cala Rossa as a "blue dream" with spectacular sea and Advertisement Most read in Beach holidays The beach is a recommended place for seeing marine life, as it's full of fish and a popular For any history buffs, Favignana was once the tuna capital of the world because of its tuna fisheries. 'Otherworldly' Italian island just three hours from the UK that featured in two huge Hollywood franchises 5 There are lots of restaurants, cafes and food stops around the island Credit: Alamy 5 You can easily explore the island by bike or foot Advertisement In the 15th century, the island was ruled by Giovanni de Karissima who was also known as the 'Baron of Tuna". When it comes to where to eat on the island, you're most definitely spoilt for choice. There's plenty of seafood dishes thanks to its island location, as well as pasta, arancini and panelle. You don't have to eat at a restaurant either, there are plenty of markets and little takeaway shacks if you fancy something more causal. Advertisement There are bars dotted around the island so whether you seek shade in the towns or full sun on the beach, you can always find somewhere to have a refreshing drink. When it comes to venturing there, Favignana is 10 miles from You can travel from The trip can take up to 1 hour and 10 minutes, with tickets starting at €10 (£8.68). Advertisement Or you can hop from Marsala to Favignana which has five daily crossings and is generally quicker taking 30 minutes per trip. The ticket prices start at €13 (£11.29). Here's another Italian island that's And you can visit this Advertisement 5 The island of Favignana is known for clear waters and is popular with Italians