Latest news with #Hotelscom
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Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Charming Italian Alpine Town Is a Rising Star in 2025—and It's Just 1 Hour From Venice
With dreamy beaches, enchanting Roman streets, and stately Florentine galleries, it's no wonder that Southern Italy is so beloved—but perhaps the south is a bit too loved, with overtourism becoming an increasingly pervasive issue. The north of Italy is often overlooked by travelers, but has much to offer. And one small town is quickly gaining more attention. According to data from interest and search volume for Italy's Belluno province (located a little more than an hour from Venice), increased 115 percent between 2024 and 2025. The province is home to the eponymous town of the same name, which is considered the "gateway to the Dolomites" and is full of charm. But there's much to see throughout Belluno. During the winter, there's no better place to ski and snowboard. Belluno has such nice terrain conditions and powder that the town of Cortina d'Ampezzo will host the women's alpine skiing events for the 2026 Winter Olympics. However, Belluno is truly a year-round destination. For outdoor enthusiasts, the Belluno Dolomites National Park is home to Monte Schiara, an 8,415-foot-tall mountain with numerous hiking and climbing trails. The park also has springs, swamps, and rivers, plus stunning canyon vistas. In the spring and summer, there are beautiful fields of wildflowers to walk through. AllTrails even has a curated list of hikes that include details on how best to see and experience the blossoms. But it's not all about the wilderness here. For visitors looking for more of a cultural experience, Belluno is also filled with Medieval history, fantastic dining, and gorgeous buildings. You'll find storied architecture. Roman gates, dazzling palaces, Baroque bell towers, Franciscan churches, and bridges built during the Austrian empire—and you can see all of this just by strolling through town. In Mel, Italy, you'll find Castello di Zumelle, which dates back to the 1st century A.C.E. You can also find performances, guided tours, a café, and even some activities for kids at the castle. After you've worked up an appetite taking in all of Belluno's sights, you can sit down to a memorable meal. Outside of Belluno's main city center, you'll find Al Borgo tucked into an 18th-century villa. The Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, and you'll want to make sure to leave room for dessert—the house-made ice cream is a must-try. Just remember, you might want to pack a cardigan, even during the summer. Average highs reach 80 degrees, but the nights can get pretty cool, dropping down to the 60s.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Hotels.com discount codes for August 2025 – how to save 10% or more
Whether you're looking for a summer city break, a European beach getaway or a Thailand backpacking adventure, has plenty of options to get excited about. With everything from stately castles to sleek high rises and boutique boltholes, our team of deal experts is pulling back the covers on how to stay in your dream hotel for less. Here are all the best ways to save money on your booking. The best ways to save at Apply a discount code You can almost always save 10 per cent or more on your booking by applying a promo code. To apply the code that we've listed above, continue to the booking confirmation screen, where you'll see an 'Apply a coupon code' field under the hotel summary section. Paste in your code and apply to see your booking cost reduce. Sign up for a one key membership One key is a free loyalty program, available for UK and US customers, where you work your way up the tiers for more benefits. All members start with a blue tier membership, moving up to silver, gold and platinum, unlocking more perks with each level. Here's a breakdown of what you get: Blue: Save 10 per cent or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide Silver: Get 15 per cent or more off member pricing for 10,000+ hotels, plus three per cent one key cash (aka rewards points) towards future stays and hotel food or drink perks. Gold: Save 20 per cent or more thousands of hotels, plus room upgrade and four per cent one key cash and hotel food or drink perks. Platinum: All of the as above, plus six per cent one key cash and VIP customer support. You earn one key cash on eligible bookings, which starts at two per cent and increases with each tier. These accumulated rewards points can be used towards future hotel or car hire booking. As well as the one key membership can be used on partner sites Expedia and Vrbo, meaning more opportunities to build up your perks and discounts. You will automatically build up your one key cash pot in your account after completing eligible trips and your balance won't expire, as long as you make at least one eligible booking within an 18 months. Student and NHS discounts Students can get 10 per cent off on bookings via Unidays or Student Beans. Similarly, NHS staff and healthcare workers can also take advantage of this discount with a Health Service Discounts account. These offers can be used on top of existing member pricing or site-wide promotions. To redeem your unique code from any of these sites, simply register with a valid ID or login to your account, copy your code and apply it at checkout. Last-minute deals If you're flexible on dates or enjoy a spontaneous getaway, then you can save 20 per cent or more with last-minute hotel deals. There are plenty of reduced rates on offer, including weekend breaks in cities such as London and Paris from £200 per night. You can even book rooms on the same day, which are sometimes cheaper than normal as its the hotel's last chance to fill the room. Save with sales doesn't have a dedicated sale page, however you can expect flash sales and limited time promotions during seasonal events and key sales period, such as Black Friday, Boxing Day, Valentine's Day and in the run-up to summer. Use Tesco clubcard vouchers Tesco Clubcard members can double their voucher value, starting from £5, and use it towards any booking. For example, £10 worth of Clubcard vouchers is converted to £20 in credit. To redeem, simply login to your Tesco Clubcard account in the app or online, exchange the voucher for a code and then paste it into the coupon field at checkout. If you have any issues, try booking via the dedicated link via the Tesco Clubcard page. Group discounts offers up to 70 per cent off for group bookings of nine rooms or more. From corporate travel and wedding parties, to travelling with friends or family, it's well worth getting a direct quote from the customer service team to see if this beats any other rates. In fact, guarantees to meet or beat the price of any other quotes for the same number of rooms at another hotel of comparable quality. What to know before you book Flexible vs non-refundable rates Flexible bookings usually let you cancel up to 24 hours before check‑in for a full refund. Whilst non‑refundable rates are cheaper, they do come with a risk of losing more money should you need to change or cancel your booking. We recommend checking the cancellation policy on the room page, as times and terms vary by hotel. To amend or cancel, head to the 'Trips' tab on the main menu and click on the relevant booking. You will see options to change or update the booking, where you can follow the prompts until you reach your desired outcome. Mobile app vs website bookings It's worth downloading the app to take advantage of app-exclusive deals and lower rates. You can also set up push notifications and alerts for sales or price drops, and easily manage your booking in just a few clicks. Price match promise You can book with peace of mind that you're always getting the best deal, thanks to the price promise. This means that if you find the same room cheaper elsewhere, even after booking, you'll be refunded the difference. Just make sure to submit your claim before 11:59pm the day before check‑in. Other important details include: The cheaper rate must be for the same hotel, room type, dates, cancellation policy and currency. You can't claim on stays booked via other platforms' promotions (such as package deals, discount codes or membership pricing) The price promise is only applicable to refundable bookings. The team at The Independent specialises in finding the best travel deals and discount codes. We focus on great offers for hotels, flights and package holidays, ensuring that we only recommend deals we would use ourselves. If you're interested in package deals or all-inclusive options, be sure to check out the latest offers from Tui, First Choice and Loveholidays. Why you can trust us Since 1986, The Independent has been a trusted consumer advocate, harnessing extensive experience to uncover the finest deals and discounts. Whether you're planning the perfect getaway or taking advantage of major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Boxing Day sales, our dedicated team is committed to finding you the best money-saving opportunities. We handpick exceptional offers from brands we believe in, ensuring you get the incredible value you deserve. *See the website
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Charming Small Town Is Trending—and It's One of Europe's Best-kept Secrets
Located just a 45-minute drive outside of Brussels, Brugelette, Belgium, at just 20 square miles in size, is a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the big city. This small town, which is a municipality of Wallonia, is filled with charming details, history, and wildlife from all over the world. Brugelette is fairly underrated, so you won't have to deal with overwhelming crowds of people, but not so unknown that you will struggle finding accommodations. In fact, Brugelette is trending, according to online travel agency The site's internal data shows that searches for the town have increased by 140 percent between 2024 and 2025, meaning you're likely to bump into fellow travelers as you wander through small streets, visit the award-winning zoological gardens, and explore its historic architecture. There are many things to do in this town, but the first thing on your list should be a visit to Pairi Daiza, widely considered to be Europe's best zoo. It has also been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide—meaning it is considered a must-visit destination. The zoo gardens, interesting architecture, and it has more than 7,500 animals, and you can actually spend a night at the attraction among the animals. That's right, you can sleep face to face with Siberian tigers or with an overhead view of polar bears. Adult tickets range between $50 and $57 and can be purchased on the Pairi Daiza website. Beyond the zoo, you'll also find Brugelette surrounded by four UNESCO sites that are all part of the Major Mining Sites of Wallonia, considered four of the best preserved mines from the 19th and 20th centuries. Through the mines, visitors can get a glimpse into days gone by and view prime examples of functional architecture from the height of the Industrial Revolution. For even older historic buildings, consider checking out Château d'Attre and Château de Beloeil. Château d'Attre is a castle that was built in the late 1700s, and largely influenced by French architecture from Louis XV's era—buildings from this era were characterized by their modest exteriors that deeply contrasted with their lavish interior design. The grounds of Château d'Attre also include a pristinely manicured garden, an artificial rock cave, and a Swiss chalet. Château de Beloeil, on the other hand, is an 800-year-old castle completely surrounded by a moat. This regal property is still home to the actual House of Lignes, one of the oldest noble families in Europe—but that doesn't mean you can't visit. Today, you can tour parts of the home and the building's gardens. Whether you want to take a day trip from Brussels or want to pencil a few days on a whirlwind European itinerary, Brugelette has plenty for nature and history enthusiasts, without all the crowds.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hotels.com discount codes for August 2025 – how to save 10% or more
Whether you're looking for a summer city break, a European beach getaway or a Thailand backpacking adventure, has plenty of options to get excited about. With everything from stately castles to sleek high rises and boutique boltholes, our team of deal experts is pulling back the covers on how to stay in your dream hotel for less. Here are all the best ways to save money on your booking. The best ways to save at Apply a discount code You can almost always save 10 per cent or more on your booking by applying a promo code. To apply the code that we've listed above, continue to the booking confirmation screen, where you'll see an 'Apply a coupon code' field under the hotel summary section. Paste in your code and apply to see your booking cost reduce. Sign up for a one key membership One key is a free loyalty program, available for UK and US customers, where you work your way up the tiers for more benefits. All members start with a blue tier membership, moving up to silver, gold and platinum, unlocking more perks with each level. Here's a breakdown of what you get: Blue: Save 10 per cent or more on over 100,000 hotels worldwide Silver: Get 15 per cent or more off member pricing for 10,000+ hotels, plus three per cent one key cash (aka rewards points) towards future stays and hotel food or drink perks. Gold: Save 20 per cent or more thousands of hotels, plus room upgrade and four per cent one key cash and hotel food or drink perks. Platinum: All of the as above, plus six per cent one key cash and VIP customer support. You earn one key cash on eligible bookings, which starts at two per cent and increases with each tier. These accumulated rewards points can be used towards future hotel or car hire booking. As well as the one key membership can be used on partner sites Expedia and Vrbo, meaning more opportunities to build up your perks and discounts. You will automatically build up your one key cash pot in your account after completing eligible trips and your balance won't expire, as long as you make at least one eligible booking within an 18 months. Student and NHS discounts Students can get 10 per cent off on bookings via Unidays or Student Beans. Similarly, NHS staff and healthcare workers can also take advantage of this discount with a Health Service Discounts account. These offers can be used on top of existing member pricing or site-wide promotions. To redeem your unique code from any of these sites, simply register with a valid ID or login to your account, copy your code and apply it at checkout. Last-minute deals If you're flexible on dates or enjoy a spontaneous getaway, then you can save 20 per cent or more with last-minute hotel deals. There are plenty of reduced rates on offer, including weekend breaks in cities such as London and Paris from £200 per night. You can even book rooms on the same day, which are sometimes cheaper than normal as its the hotel's last chance to fill the room. Save with sales doesn't have a dedicated sale page, however you can expect flash sales and limited time promotions during seasonal events and key sales period, such as Black Friday, Boxing Day, Valentine's Day and in the run-up to summer. Use Tesco clubcard vouchers Tesco Clubcard members can double their voucher value, starting from £5, and use it towards any booking. For example, £10 worth of Clubcard vouchers is converted to £20 in credit. To redeem, simply login to your Tesco Clubcard account in the app or online, exchange the voucher for a code and then paste it into the coupon field at checkout. If you have any issues, try booking via the dedicated link via the Tesco Clubcard page. Group discounts offers up to 70 per cent off for group bookings of nine rooms or more. From corporate travel and wedding parties, to travelling with friends or family, it's well worth getting a direct quote from the customer service team to see if this beats any other rates. In fact, guarantees to meet or beat the price of any other quotes for the same number of rooms at another hotel of comparable quality. What to know before you book Flexible vs non-refundable rates Flexible bookings usually let you cancel up to 24 hours before check‑in for a full refund. Whilst non‑refundable rates are cheaper, they do come with a risk of losing more money should you need to change or cancel your booking. We recommend checking the cancellation policy on the room page, as times and terms vary by hotel. To amend or cancel, head to the 'Trips' tab on the main menu and click on the relevant booking. You will see options to change or update the booking, where you can follow the prompts until you reach your desired outcome. Mobile app vs website bookings It's worth downloading the app to take advantage of app-exclusive deals and lower rates. You can also set up push notifications and alerts for sales or price drops, and easily manage your booking in just a few clicks. Price match promise You can book with peace of mind that you're always getting the best deal, thanks to the price promise. This means that if you find the same room cheaper elsewhere, even after booking, you'll be refunded the difference. Just make sure to submit your claim before 11:59pm the day before check‑in. Other important details include: The cheaper rate must be for the same hotel, room type, dates, cancellation policy and currency. You can't claim on stays booked via other platforms' promotions (such as package deals, discount codes or membership pricing) The price promise is only applicable to refundable bookings. How we choose the best discount codes The team at The Independent specialises in finding the best travel deals and discount codes. We focus on great offers for hotels, flights and package holidays, ensuring that we only recommend deals we would use ourselves. If you're interested in package deals or all-inclusive options, be sure to check out the latest offers from Tui, First Choice and Loveholidays. Why you can trust us Since 1986, The Independent has been a trusted consumer advocate, harnessing extensive experience to uncover the finest deals and discounts. Whether you're planning the perfect getaway or taking advantage of major shopping events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Boxing Day sales, our dedicated team is committed to finding you the best money-saving opportunities. We handpick exceptional offers from brands we believe in, ensuring you get the incredible value you deserve. *See the website for full terms and conditions for all offers featured on this page. Information verified and correct at time of last publication date.
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Travel + Leisure
30-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Trending Beach Town Is a More Affordable Alternative to the French Riviera—and It May Be Europe's Best-kept Secret
When people think of 'Europe' and 'Riviera,' that idyllic stretch of sand in France is usually what comes to mind. But there's actually an English Riviera, and one of its under-sung gems is the small beach town of Torquay, England, home to international ports, sandy beaches, peaceful coves, and even a water park. According to recent data, the English resort getaway is trending this summer—between 2024 and 2025, searches for Torquay increased by 150 percent. Even with an uptick of interest, this traditional beach town is more affordable and less crowded than the beaches on the bustling Spanish Coast and the beloved French Riviera. For those of you still thinking, 'no one goes to England for its beaches,' that may be a fair assumption. But Torquay bucks against most travelers' preconception of England in all of the important ways. Its southern geographic position gives it a unique microclimate, making it warmer than the rest of the country. The water is also fairly shallow, making it safe for beginner swimmers. Rest assured that you won't run into the same overtourism problems as other European beaches, and you won't likely hear that many American accents. Right now, the town is primarily popular among English tourists looking for a domestic beach holiday. In addition to classics like paddle boarding, sailing, and kayaking, Torquay also has some more intense activities for the adventurers. Think things like "coasteering," the act of climbing cliff faces as you explore deep sea caves and free swim in the waters of the English Channel. There are plenty of things to do out of the water, too. You can head to family-run Occombe Farm, and pet cute animals; attend plays, concerts, or theater performances; or take heritage tours of the region's long history with a company such as English Riviera Walking Tour. The Torre Abbey, for example, is over 800 years old and has sea views, pairing up history and unmissable scenic vistas. While Torquay might not have the culinary reputation of Barcelona or Cannes, France, there's a burgeoning restaurant scene and an abundance of classic English staples like pubs, beer gardens, tea rooms, and farmers' markets. For mystery lovers, you can't miss the Agatha Christie Mile. The famous writer was born in Torquay and lived in the seaside town until she was 17 years old. The trail has numerous milestones marking places where important events in her life occurred. Her daughter, Rosalind Hicks, helped plan the trail, which covers 15 special spots relevant to Christie's life. The biggest bonus? The tour is free and starts at the English Riviera Visitor Information Centre. In addition to the tour, there's an annual International Agatha Christie Festival in September, which has tons of literary-inspired programming. If mysteries aren't your thing, you can try for The Brixham Pirate Festival, held in the nearby town of Brixham, England. You'll find true-to-history backdrops for some of history's most famous pirates, as well as an abundance of regular people dressed up as their swashbuckling alters. Just make sure to pack your captain's hat.
