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Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Pretty island' just 4 hours from UK often overlooked by tourists
Brits looking to escape the crowds in the Canary Islands may want to check out one gorgeous spot that often 'flies under the radar' because it's a little more reserved than other holiday hotspots A beautiful island that's just a four-hour flight from the UK has been tipped by travel insiders as a must-visit for those who want to escape the summer holiday crowds. La Palma isn't a secret holiday spot by any means, but according to experts it 'flies under the radar' when it comes to the Canary Islands, because the likes of Tenerife or Lanzarote have a bigger reputation for their party scenes and beaches. Still, for those who want sun, sea and sand as well as plenty of breathtaking scenery for those all-important Instagram snaps, La Palma is worth having on the list. According to On the Beach, one of the best months to visit is June when the weather is getting hot and sunny (temperatures tend to be around the high twenties), but the summer crowds haven't descended onto the resorts yet, since it's outside of the peak school holiday seasons. "The 'Pretty Island' lives up to its name, lush, volcanic and peaceful, especially in June. Unlike Tenerife or Gran Canaria, La Palma flies under the radar, perfect for peace seekers," the brand's chief customer officer Zoe Harris told the Mirror. If you're not tied to term dates, June isn't the only great month to visit La Palma. Like the other Canary Islands, it boasts year-round sunshine and balmy temperatures, so it can be a brilliant winter sun destination, especially if you're hoping to make the most of the countless hiking trails without having to deal with the summer heat. After all, La Palma is a must visit for any intrepid explorer, as it boasts a rugged coastline and rocky summits, so it's well worth lacing up your hiking boots for an adventure. One particularly popular spot is Playa Nogales, one of the top-rated on Tripadvisor. You'll need to take on a steep path to reach it, but when you do, you'll be treated to spectacular views courtesy of the black sand shores. "Of the best beaches I have seen, quiet, clean and with black sand," one happy visitor wrote. "To enter you have to go down a few steps, but it is very worth it. Bathing is difficult because of the waves, so I do not recommend bathing. A treasure in the palm." Speaking of beaches, the island has plenty on offer for the sun-seekers who want to lay out a towel and bask in the summer warmth. Most of the beaches boast black sands because of the volcanic landscape, but that doesn't mean you can't relax on them! For example, Puerto de Tazacorte beach is popular with families thanks to the large stretch of shore, the nearby restaurants and cafés, and amenities such as sunbed hire and a car park. If you're looking to add La Palma to the bucket list, the good news is that getting there is pretty simple. There are a variety of direct flights from the UK on offer with the likes of easyJet and TUI, with a flight time of approximately four hours and a half. Oh, and one top tip when you're booking your holiday - make sure you don't confuse it with Palma, the city in Majorca! Although also a brilliant holiday hotspot with beaches and a plethora of hotels, bars and restaurants, it won't have the same landscape and it will likely be far busier than you'd be after...
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The most popular destination for Brits has been revealed - and it has a beach with the warmest sea in Europe
The UK's top destination for summer holidays has been revealed and Spain and Greece have missed out on this year's crown. According to research by On the Beach, it's Turkey that's this year's leading summer destination. More Brits than ever are heading to Turkey with bookings rising by 54 per cent in two years. Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, says: 'Turkey is the king of summer once again. 'Their incredible all-inclusive offering, combined with guaranteed sunshine and purpose built, luxurious hotels has become a major pull for Brits. The rise of this great holiday destination continues!' And a Turkish beach has recently been named the warmest in Europe. Konyaalti Beach in Antalya has the continent's warmest seas at 27.8 degrees celsius, according to research by Iglu Cruise. So it's no surprise that Antalya is one of Turkey's leading destinations for Brits. On the Beach says the resort area on Turkey's beautiful Turquoise Coast has seen a 17 per cent increase in visitors over the last year. Spain's Canary Islands are this year's second-most popular destination with Brits seemingly undeterred by the recent wave of anti-tourist protests. Mainland Spain rounds out the top three while the country's Balearic islands are the fourth most popular spot. Greece is this year's fifth most popular holiday destination while Egypt takes sixth place. Tunisia enters the top 10 most popular summer hotspots for the first time this year, snatching 10th position in the ranking. According to On the Beach, Brits are mostly opting for all-inclusive breaks this year. Just over six in 10 holidays (62 per cent) booked with the brand are all-inclusive. Zoe says: 'It's been 75 years since the first package holiday and clearly Brits still love a deal with all the trimmings. 'All-inclusive is now the nation's favourite way to holiday, it's putting your wallet on do not disturb. 'No surprise really, who wouldn't want unlimited pina coladas and zero stress? It's sun, fun and absolutely no need to split the bill.' Portugal, the UAE and Cyprus are also among this year's most popular summer destinations for holidaying Brits. Meanwhile, if it's a city break you're looking for, a stag do favourite has topped the list of best-value destinations.
Dublin Live
23-04-2025
- Dublin Live
Dublin Airport flight prices to Rome skyrocket as people head to Pope's funeral
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The price of flights to Rome this weekend have skyrocketed as many devoted Irish people are set to travel to the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday. Thousands are desperate to pay their last respects to the late Pope and a huge scramble is now underway to secure travel arrangements. Flight prices are soaring, with the cheapest return ticket from Dublin Airport to Rome from Friday to Sunday costing €457 with Ryanair. This is more than double the price of the following weekend, with the cheapest return ticket costing €205. To fly with Aer Lingus for the Pope's funeral this weekend, passengers will have to fork out €782 for return flights on the same dates. Accommodation is also hard to come by, with saying nine in ten rooms are already gone and the remainder have hiked fees. Travel website On the Beach saw bookings begin to surge just hours after 'the people's Pope' passed away on Easter Monday. The firm's Zoe Harris said: "His passing prompted an outpouring of grief around the world and what followed was a flurry of bookings to Rome. With the Pope's burial due on Saturday and the historic process of the conclave beginning in two weeks, we know that people will want to be in the heart of Italy for this historic moment. We're expecting bookings to rise further over the next 48 hours following Tuesday's confirmation of dates of service." The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish travellers to prepare for "significant crowds". A new travel alert reads: "Following the Pope's passing, it is expected that there will be significant crowds gathering in Rome over the coming days, particularly in the area of St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione. "Irish citizens who are gathering in Rome to pay their respects should monitor local news and consult Italian authorities for the latest updates. The Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See and the Embassy of Ireland to Italy are monitoring the situations closely and will be posting relevant updates on their social media pages. "If you wish to attend the public elements of the funeral rites, including the lying in state, please be aware that queuing will be mostly outdoors and waiting times are expected to be very long. You should check the weather forecast and ensure that you have adequate food and water for the duration of your wait." Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Flights from Dublin to Rome skyrocket as Irish make plans for Pope's funeral
The price of flights to Rome this weekend have skyrocketed as many devoted Irish people are set to travel to the Vatican for Pope Francis' funeral on Saturday. Thousands are desperate to pay their last respects to the late Pope and a huge scramble is now underway to secure travel arrangements. Flight prices are soaring, with the cheapest return ticket from Dublin Airport to Rome from Friday to Sunday costing €457 with Ryanair. This is more than double the price of the following weekend, with the cheapest return ticket costing €205. To fly with Aer Lingus for the Pope's funeral this weekend, passengers will have to fork out €782 for return flights on the same dates. Accommodation is also hard to come by, with saying nine in ten rooms are already gone and the remainder have hiked fees. Travel website On the Beach saw bookings begin to surge just hours after 'the people's Pope' passed away on Easter Monday. The firm's Zoe Harris said: 'His passing prompted an outpouring of grief around the world and what followed was a flurry of bookings to Rome. 'With the Pope's burial due on Saturday and the historic process of the conclave beginning in two weeks, we know that people will want to be in the heart of Italy for this historic moment. We're expecting bookings to rise further over the next 48 hours following Tuesday's confirmation of dates of service.' The Department of Foreign Affairs has warned Irish travellers to prepare for "significant crowds'. A new travel alert reads: 'Following the Pope's passing, it is expected that there will be significant crowds gathering in Rome over the coming days, particularly in the area of St. Peter's Square and Via della Conciliazione. 'Irish citizens who are gathering in Rome to pay their respects should monitor local news and consult Italian authorities for the latest updates. The Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See and the Embassy of Ireland to Italy are monitoring the situations closely and will be posting relevant updates on their social media pages. 'If you wish to attend the public elements of the funeral rites, including the lying in state, please be aware that queuing will be mostly outdoors and waiting times are expected to be very long. You should check the weather forecast and ensure that you have adequate food and water for the duration of your wait.'
Metro
22-04-2025
- Metro
The cheapest all-inclusive holiday destinations for summer 2025
Following the rise of coolcations and the rail renaissance, an unlikely new travel trend is sweeping the UK. All-inclusive holidays are now more popular than they have been for years. According to a 2025 Expedia report, there's been a staggering 60% increase in travellers searching for all-inclusive experiences. As with many trends, Gen Z is leading the charge — 41% say minimal stress is the top reason they are living in the all-inclusive era. We get it. Everything is covered, from accommodation to food, and there's the added draw of activities and entertainment at your fingertips — bliss for anyone seeking a mixture of relaxation and adventure. As Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, tells Metro, all-inclusive holidays are like the buffet of life. 'You pay once and just keep piling it on, no judgment,' she says. 'It's the ultimate cheat code for adulthood, everything planned, everything paid for. All you need to pack is your appetite and a good beach read.' Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Travel Supermarket recently rounded up the cheapest all‑inclusive destinations for 2025. Metro has spoken to travel insiders to find out more about each one, so you can enjoy a stress-free summer holiday without breaking the bank. Turkey is home to many budget holiday spots, with Istanbul, Kusadasi, Bodrum and Marmaris among the areas with the most purse-friendly prices. But Alanya and Dalaman are the locations that made the list of the most affordable all-inclusive holiday destinations for summer 2025. In fact, Alanya ranked number one, with prices for a seven-night stay starting at £450 per person, while prices for an all-inclusive stay in Dalaman start at £567 per person. Zoe explains: 'Last year, Turkey overtook Spain as the number one go-to destination for Brits. And hotels offering some incredible all-inclusive offerings is what's attracting them.' And for those who can't wait until summer for their getaway, the Turkish Riviera is an off-season paradise, where temperatures are typically upwards of 20°C even in the colder months and the water is warm enough to swim in all year round. Metro's Kitty Chrisp thought she hated all-inclusive holidays until she spent a weekend at the Tui Blue Angora Beach Hotel in Izmir, Turkey. 'World's away from the chaotic bazaars of Istanbul, this part of the country's 8,000km coast is all about relaxation: a weekend here is everything you need to tap out of busy city life, and into a good book.' Read Kitty's full review here. The Gulf of Hammamet, in Tunisia, sits on the Mediterranean coast and is home to sloping sandy beaches perfect for swimming and watersports, as well as the ruins of the ancient city of Carthage, a part-excavated UNESCO World Heritage site with an ancient Roman theatre, villas and baths. Hammamet and Sousse have been ranked as two of the cheapest destinations for an all-inclusive holiday in 2025, with deals on seven-night stays in the region starting from £566 per person. Port El Kantaoui, a harbour town in the same area, ranked number one on Travel Supermarket's list of the cheapest destinations for all-inclusive winter sun. The average price for a week's holiday in the winter months was estimated to be £333 per person. While summer sees soaring temperatures of up to 34°C in this area of Tunisia, visit in winter to enjoy highs of 17°C. Spring brings highs of around 26°C. Puerto de la Cruz, in Tenerife, ranked third on the list of the cheapest all-inclusive destinations for winter sun, with an average price of £463 per person. While it has a reputation for attracting tourists who want to spend a week on a sunbed with a cocktail in hand, this perception does an injustice to Tenerife. In reality, there's so much more to this underrated Canary Island, from volcanic hikes and stargazing to cheese-tasting tours and fine dining experiences. Elsewhere in the Spanish archipelago, Which? estimated that a last-minute all-inclusive holiday for seven nights in Fuerteventura costs an average of £1,103 per person – the fifth cheapest destination on their list behind Morocco, Turkey and other Spanish destinations. Marrakech ranks on both the list of cheapest all-inclusive destinations for summer 2025 and the cheapest destinations for winter sun — with the average price for a week's holiday costing £479 per person in the colder months. The 'Red City' has much to recommend it, including opulent palaces, ancient architecture and atmospheric souks with aromatic cuisine. Temperatures in Marrakech reach a pleasant 19°C in January, the coldest month of the year, while August sees scorching highs of 39°C. Meanwhile, Agadir, a three-hour drive south of Marrakech, boasts average prices of £594 per person for an all-inclusive holiday. Morocco's biggest beach destination, it's home to a five-and-a-half-mile palm-lined promenade and the nearby fishing village of Taghazout is a surfers' paradise. Which? ranked Agadir as the overall cheapest location for a last-minute all-inclusive package holiday, estimating the average price per person for seven nights at £1,041. All-inclusive doesn't always mean everything's included, so read the fine print. Some resorts limit drinks per day or charge extra for premium spirits, while others may only offer à la carte restaurants once per stay, with the rest of your meals at the buffet. Zoe tells Metro: 'Keep an eye on bar queues. Reviews mentioning 'long waits for a beer' are a warning that your holiday could feel like a trip to a packed nightclub without the fun.' She adds: 'And don't forget to check TripAdvisor for food quality, no one wants to spend their holiday surviving on chips and bread rolls because the buffet's dodgy. 'In short, check what's actually included, read reviews for food and queues, and look for hidden charges like transport or tips. A little research goes a long way to making sure your all-inclusive holiday is worth every penny, and every cocktail.' Bulgaria's Black Sea coast has been touted as a cheaper version of the French Riviera, boasting sun-soaked beaches and cobbled streets. The region's infamous Sunny Beach is home to raucous nightclubs and a five-mile stretch of sand. Its hedonistic reputation has been the subject of numerous TV documentaries, which have revealed the availability of illegal drugs, overpriced private medical treatment and excessive drinking in the country with Europe's lowest alcohol prices. Nearby, Bourgas has been ranked as one of the cheapest areas for an all-inclusive holiday. Week-long stays there can cost as little as £489 per person. Meanwhile, Which? recently estimated that a last-minute all-inclusive holiday for seven nights in Bourgas costs an average of £1,108 per person, making it the sixth cheapest destination on their list, below locations in Morocco, Spain and Turkey. Now that Bulgaria has become a member of the Schengen Area, prices may go up as more tourists flock to the country, so consider an all-inclusive break to save your pennies. Only recently dethroned as Britons' most-visited summer destination, Zoe says of Spain: 'For those looking for cheap all-inclusive deals, look no further than the trusty and reliable Spanish mainland, which looks to have pocket-friendly prices this year.' Costa Blanca, on the southeastern coast, was ranked as one of the cheapest all-inclusive destinations by both Travel Supermarket and Which?. Benidorm — nicknamed the 'Manhattan of the Mediterranean' — is the tourist capital of the province and home to some of the cheapest deals, with prices for seven nights this summer starting at £508 per person. More Trending And Which? estimated that a last-minute week in Costa Blanca would cost an average of £1,114 per person. Further up the coast, Costa Dorada is also home to some of Spain's cheapest all-inclusive deals, with prices starting at £533 per person. It's home to huge stretches of sandy beaches and endless tapas joints, plus there's a four-mile coastal path to explore. This article was originally published on 21 January 2025. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: British man shot dead in popular Spanish holiday resort MORE: The sunniest city in Europe is an 'underappreciated jewel' — and you can fly there from £66 MORE: Casa Monti Roma review — Metro checks in to Rome's Pinterest-perfect hotel
