Part of Alton Towers evacuated over toilet fire
One toilet was damaged and another was affected by smoke from the fire, they added.Firefighters cleared the area of smoke and made sure the fire was out and had not spread before they left at about 16:30.The Alton Towers spokesperson thanked their guests and added that "the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members is always our top priority".
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Daily Mail
13 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Travel expert reveals trick that saved her 21% on holiday booking
A travel expert has revealed a nifty trick that helped to save 21 per cent on her holiday booking. Chelsea regularly shares her tips for bagging bargain trips and and travelling hacks on her social media. In a TikTok video postedon her account @cheapholidayexpert, Chelsea revealed she had found a barge on Airbnb. She opened the video with a brief tour of the characterful accommodation, and showed off the boat's fully kitted kitchen. 'Here's the kitchen, I'm impressed with how much is in here, we've got a full oven, there's a fridge, loads of storage,' she exclaimed. The barge also boasted a log burner and a sofa, as well as a double bed and a bar at the back of the boat. The accommodation was originally priced at £152 per night, but Chelsea had secured it for just £120. 'I first found it on Airbnb for £152 but I decided to see if I could possibly book it direct,' she explained. The holiday expert revealed she looked out for a 'few key words' to help find the barge's own website. On the site, she managed to bag a night away for £120, avoiding the price hike on Airbnb. 'This is a great hack, I use it all the time,' Chelsea gushed. The video attracted more than 18,000 views and thousands of likes, while some TikTok users admitted they had tried the trick before too. 'Yep always check if I can find it direct,' someone penned. Another agreed: 'Yep, used it before.' It comes as a personal finance content creator claimed he'd found the best way to save money on flights - and said it was more effective than using popular search engines such as Google flights and Skyscanner. Casper Opala, who goes by the handle Casper Capita l regularly shares money-saving tips - and frequently advises on saving money on flights and holidays. @cheapholidayexpert TRY THIS HACK before you book an Airbnb 👀🏡 💾 Save this for the future and send it to a mate that you think would love this - or perhaps just love to stay on a cool barge with you!!! 🛶➡️ @floatinghomestays_mcr on Insta! (I paid for it myself) There's SO MUCH CHOICE on Airbnb but as there becomes more and more places for owners to list their properties, it is ALWAYS worth checking to see if you can find the same accommodation on another platform for less. This could be on another booking site including: 👩💻 Vrbo 👩💻 👩💻 Sykes 👩💻 HolidayLettings The reason this can sometimes work out cheaper is because Airbnb charges guests a service fee in addition to the cost per night 💸 Another option could also be to check to see if: 👩💻 The owner has their own website or social media This one can often work out the cheapest since they're not having to give away part of their fee to the platform 💸💸💸 ⚠️ HOWEVER ⚠️ The big flag with all of these is knowing that it's whoever you part your cash with is the one that you have a 'contract' with. Therefore, it's always worth checking out what protection and customer service is available if anything needs to be changed, cancelled or if anything goes wrong. Now, there's pros and cons for both - some individuals may provide a much better service than a big company, and then for others it would be vice versa! So always check the reviews and whether you're booking direct or on any platform, always be on the lookout for false listings where someone has simply lifted the photos from an existing holiday let (let me know if you'd like me to cover spotting this in more depth!) 👀 📣 LET ME KNOW Do you double check your Airbnb is anywhere else before booking? If so, how much did you save?!! #travelhack #travelhacks #airbnb #airbnbhacks #moneysaving ♬ original sound - Holiday Expert Posting on Facebook, Casper, who's based in Chicago, revealed how he'd paid $92 (£68.52) for a flight that should have, he says, cost $1,050 (£783) - using ChatGPT, which he says 'uncovers what Google overlooks'. Describing the artificial intelligence software as 'your new travel agent', he details seven steps to guarantee lower flight costs. He's so convinced he now uses the AI software for every trip. If you're looking for flights a month from now, for example, the money man suggests tapping in the command: 'Find the cheapest way to fly from [City A] to [City B] next month, include hidden routes + alternate airports.'
The Independent
14 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cruise passengers reveal their top ship features and it's not waterslides
Forget onboard waterparks and mega-slides, passengers just want upmarket cabins and decent entertainment during a cruise. A survey by travel agent asked 1,200 guests what makes them sail on the latest cruise ships. While the trend in new vessels has been towards waterslides and immersive activities on the latest ships, top of the passenger wish list was actually upgraded accommodation, chosen by 28 per cent of respondents, followed by more space and expanded public areas among a quarter. Another 16 per cent said they favoured refreshed entertainment and shows. Meanwhile, more flashy features such as waterparks and 'bragging rights' had less pull and were selected by just 10 per cent and two per cent, respectively. When it comes to brand loyalty, only 15 per cent said they would stick to their favourite cruise line when trying out the latest ships. Most respondents – 85 per cent – said they're happy to explore different cruise lines if it means experiencing something new. The survey comes during a busy year for new cruise ship launches. Almost 40 ocean and river cruise ships are setting sail for the first time this year, including Royal Caribbean International's Star of the Seas, Virgin Voyages' Brilliant Lady, MSC World America, Princess Cruises ' Star Princess and Disney Destiny. But the research also revealed that most travellers aren't swayed purely by the novelty factor. Just 10 per cent said they were more likely to book a cruise simply because a ship is new, with two thirds indifferent and 16 per cent preferring more established options. Tony Andrews, managing director of said: 'It's clear that travellers are drawn to the added comfort and upgraded experiences that newer ships can bring. Extra space, enhanced cabins and improved facilities evidently make a difference when passengers are planning a holiday at sea. 'Loyalty to cruise lines doesn't necessarily dictate where customers will book. People want the best value and experience for their money, and they're open to shopping around to get it.'
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
I attended the UK's only naked cruise - here's the strict rule all passengers must follow
A man who stripped off and set sail on the UK's only naked cruise has revealed what goes on during the three-hour annual trip - and the strict rule that all passengers must abide by. Journalist Ben Endley bared it all as he set sail on a double-decker ship along the River Exe in Devon. In a revelation that will leave some shocked, the first-timer told how the event was not attended by swingers or the sex-obsessed but rather those keen to experience the sense of freedom that comes with baring all. What's more is that there's a rule in place for those who 'misbehave' - they will be banned from future trips, according to the organisers of the double-decker 'Nude Cruise', which tours the River Exe. Ben, who was on board the Nude Cruise, described it as 'remarkably normal' and not dissimilar from a boat trip 'organised by a local village church group' in The Sun. And now, in its 13th year, the outing hasn't strayed from its organiser's original promise of creating a 'safe environment' for all participants. Rachel Wick, a local authority administrator who launched the boat trip in 2012 with her partner Nigel, said that people need not associate being naked with sex. The 50-year-old added that, should people attend the cruise, they would see that it doesn't have a sexual nature. She said: 'If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it's ever happened but we're always mindful that this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on.' Participants, who pay £22 for a ticket, which comes with a free hot pasty, include barristers, doctors and prison officers, according to Nigel, who added that the nudist events they organise are popular with venues because guests tend to stay put and enjoy food and drink. Nigel explained: 'It is the sense of freedom and being relaxed in your own body that draws people in. It's a very friendly environment. If we go to a hotel, people generally don't go out; they stay all day.' He added that they have never experienced any fights at an event, and that the attendees are typically older. What's more, Rachel and Nigel see their naked cruise as an important leveller - precisely because people remove clothes that might signify wealth in other environments. She added that people don't have to look a certain way to attend, and that the group is made up of attendees of all different shapes and sizes. And, its not just those on board who welcome the Nude Cruise. When it sailed past pubs and restaurants in Topsham, the cruise was greeted enthusiastically by people on the shore, some of whom had turned up in fancy dress. British Naturism, the UK's national representative body for naturists, which traces its origins to 1891, has around 10,000 members. While membership isn't soaring, casual naturists are on the rise. A 2022 survey reported that more than six million people in Britain occasionally get naked recreationally, up almost 12 per cent in 20 years. In April, Daily Mail spoke to Tom Dryer-Beers about his life at Spielplatz, the UK's longest-operating naturist resort that's situated just off the M25 in the village of Bricket Wood in Hertfordshire. A professional life model for many years, Tom moved to Spielplatz - German for playground - eight years ago and lives there with his wife, Victoria. He explained: 'We used to visit naturist places because it's such a lovely experience. We love the sunshine and being outdoors and it's just a lovely social occasion. We dipped our toes for several years before we came to Spielplatz and realised there was an opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle without having to travel.' While residents at Spielplatz have the opportunity to be nude whenever they like, it isn't compulsory, said Tom. He said: 'You're free to choose whether to wear clothing or not. Most people will take advantage of the warm weather whenever it comes up. People tend to feel temperature differently so everybody takes part as they wish.' Tom is one of around 50 permanent residents at Spielplatz but the resort also has seasonal occupiers who live in caravans or chalet homes while they're there. The season tends to run from April to the end of September. Keen naturists can also visit Spielplatz for the day with Tom explaining that guests tend to 'lounge about the place' enjoying the resort's 'lovely swimming pool and sauna' as well as its fully 'licensed bar'. But while Spielplatz is keen to encourage new members, there are also some pretty stringent rules to keep out any 'voyeurs', explained Tom. He said: 'We do ask that if any visitors come, they give evidence of having had naturist experiences before, because we are looking for people who know what it is like to respect the movement and the residents. 'It's for everybody's safety and security. There are people who don't understand naturism and don't respect those who just enjoy being socially naked with friends and we don't want them visiting.' When a person applies to visit Spielplatz, the reception team will ask them to demonstrate their commitment to naturism, Tom said. This could be membership of the British Naturism Society or evidence of having visited other naturist resorts around the world. Tom added: 'If they have no background of that, they should come as a guest of someone [who lives here]as we are not looking for voyeurs.' Spielplatz also has an electric gate to provide security but Tom says the community generally doesn't 'have much trouble at all with people'. He explained: 'We tend to have neighbours who respect this place and are actually quite grateful we're here because we're good neighbours.' Visitor numbers tend to depend on the season, with Tom revealing visits have fallen for the last couple of years due to the UK's 'relatively poor summers'. And while the majority of work inside the resort is done by residents, outsiders will come in to do work that Spielplatz residents 'don't have the skills or equipment for'. Tom said: 'They wouldn't necessarily be naturists. But we don't encourage them to come during our open season. We try to reserve any work of that sort for the off times.' The majority of Spielplatz' residents are 'middle aged couples upwards to retirees', said Tom. '[That's] largely because they have the time and the interest to relax and just enjoy company. 'Younger people tend to be busy rushing around and have lots of things to do. We do get some families with young children coming in. Of course, they love the pool and running around on the grounds but the age range will generally be from 30 upwards.' Tempted to give naturism a go? Tom said: 'The most important thing is just to realise that we all have bodies. 'Everybody's body is beautiful. Respect each other, respect yourself and just have a good time. There's no need to make it more fussy than that.'
