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The Guardian
3 days ago
- The Guardian
Where tourists seldom tread, part 18: three seaside towns that defy the tides of fashion
Tis the season to be beside the seaside – and to hype and critique coastal towns in surveys and rankings. I suppose lists of this year's 'in' and 'out' resorts help tourists decide where to go; no point going to Skegness for Michelin-starred food, or to Salcombe for a laugh and cheap beer. Less obvious coastal towns provide more nuanced fare. Perhaps the most alluring spots are those where we don't forget the sea. These three towns are routinely ranked last resorts or else ignored altogether, but they offer more than stuff to eat, drink, buy and post on socials – and are close to swimmable beaches. A century ago, Clyde steamers and the Glasgow and South Western Railway took thousands of sunseekers from inland towns to the Ayrshire coast. They came to escape the smoke and noise of industry, breathe in the briny air, and admire the Isle of Arran and tiny Ailsa Craig – from afar or up close on an excursion. The bed and breakfasts on elegant Park Circus (a sweeping crescent lined with cherry trees that blossom red on one side and white on the other) and the Georgian villas on Eglinton Terrace evoke something of the golden days of yore. It's easy to imagine parasol-sporting ladies and tall-hatted gents strolling across the Low Green, a large field between the town centre and the beach. This open space – perfect for picnics, kite-flying and impromptu games – and the absence of any clutter on the prom make the seafront unusually peaceful. It's as if Ayr has refused to become a traditional resort. No tat, no tack, not many tourists. There are places to play on swings and get an ice-cream or a pint, but lovers of amusement arcades and bucket-and-spade shops should probably stay away. On the short block beside the Low Green the buildings are mainly residential – including care homes, that standard fixture of coastal towns. The beach is a golden sweep about two miles in length, with the old harbour at the north end. Wharves and quays once bustled all along the River Ayr. By the 14th century, this was Scotland's principal west coast port. In the 18th century, more than 300 ships were moored every year, unloading American tobacco, French wine, Spanish salt, English earthenware and slate from Easdale in the Firth of Lorn. Walk south and you come to the ruins of Greenan Castle, a 16th-century clifftop tower. The sunsets over Arran are life-enhancing. I watched a woman of retirement age do her tai chi moves while keeping her eyes fixed on the island – spiritually separate from the dog-walkers and prom-striders. Robert Burns was born near Ayr and baptised in the Auld Kirk. In Tam o' Shanter he writes: 'Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, / For honest men and bonny lasses'. A lively pub on the high street, which is set back a good mile from the beach, is named after the poem; it claims to be the oldest in Ayr, but so does the Black Bull on the opposite side of the river. The old bridge (or Auld Brig, if you prefer, which inspired another Burns poem) that takes you across is pedestrianised and a beauty. All the old pubs are enticing but I had my most enjoyable, peaceful beer and dram in the Twa Dugs – also named for a Burns poem. In Ayr's Waterstones, I found a long-overlooked 1969 Booker-nominated novel by Gordon M Williams, From Scenes Like These, that provided a brutally realistic riposte to Burns-esque takes on rural Scotland. I read it in the boozers, the caffs, on benches. People in Ayr will tell you the town has declined. They'll tell you that in nine out of 10 seaside resorts. But this column gets me around, and I can vouch for the town's general busyness and good looks. Sedate, somewhat stern, bereft of traditional fun stuff, it's an ideal hideaway for those who want to do beach walks, read or write, and check into small, friendly guest to see and do: Rozelle House Museum, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Culzean Castle and Country Park Bangor, the oldest city in Wales, came second from bottom in the Which? 2025 rankings and absolute bottom in 2024. Perhaps the latter partly anticipated the former. Casually saddle a place with derision and it takes a great effort to shake it off. As the gateway to the island of Ynys Môn (Anglesey), a university town and former royal capital, Bangor doesn't need star ratings or hip amenities. The city's origins stretch back to the founding of a monastery in the early sixth century. A cathedral was later built on the site. For centuries, Bangor was the spiritual and ecclesiastical hub for Gwynedd – a kingdom until the English came a-conquering – but remained a small settlement. Nonetheless, during the first flush of Welsh tourism, at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, pleasure steamers from Liverpool brought visitors to see the big church and the wild waters of the Menai Strait. The boom years came after 1826 with the completion of the Holyhead Road, linking London with Dublin – hitched to the recently created UK by the 1800 Acts of Union. The first major civilian state-funded road building project in Britain since the Roman era, the job was given to Thomas Telford. The road (much of it on the same route as today's A5) swept through central Bangor, making the former big village a major staging post, and creating the longest high street in Wales. To replace the ferry-shuttles, Telford's magnificent Menai Suspension Bridge opened in 1826. Two decades later, Robert Stephenson built a tubular bridge to carry the Chester-Holyhead railway across the straits. With communications much improved, Bangor became a proper little port, with shipbuilding, sail making, iron founding, smithing and timber yards, as well as slate yards. Walk to the natural end of this high street – which turns residential – and you come to the shore, a pier and a large park between neo-Norman Penrhyn Castle and the sea. You don't have an in-town beach, which might be why some of the raters have a low opinion of Bangor. But the Wales Coast Path and the railway line link Bangor with beaches at Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr, eight and 10 miles away respectively. In fact, this might be the best-connected seaside town in the UK, with Eryri national park (Snowdonia), Unesco-listed Caernarfon Castle and Criccieth and the Llŷn peninsula accessible by bus, and of course Anglesey on the to see and do: walk the Menai Suspension Bridge, kayaking off Caernarfon, Aber Falls Distillery The Cumbrian coast is the most intriguing stretch of littoral in these islands. Backed by the towering, cloud-drawing fells of the national park, the shore is often beneath a blue dome. The towns along it are chapters in British social history. Whitehaven is like a Devon port town without the crowds. Workington is a fascinating ex-industrial town. Nethertown is a hidden hamlet in a spectacular setting. Millom, at the southern tip of the old county of Cumberland, is a stop on the coast-hugging railway line – a superlative train ride – between Barrow-in-Furness and Sellafield. Its main connection to the nexuses of nuclear war and power are the Millomites who commute south and north for work. Millom once had industry; hematite ore (iron oxide) was found at Hodbarrow in 1856 and mined till 1968, the population swelling to 10,000. Much of the land was transformed into an RSPB nature reserve, centred on the north-west's largest coastal lagoon; little, common and sandwich terns breed on the islands and you can see ringed plovers, redshanks, great crested grebes and oystercatchers around the wetlands. Millom is tiny, but has none of the jams and crowds of the villages in the nearby Lakes. The Camra-rated Bear on the Square has real ales, good food and live music. The town has its own fell – Black Combe – and while only a 600-metre Marilyn, its isolation and proximity to the sea make it feel higher. The views from the summit are magnificent – with Blackpool Tower and Scafell Pike visible in clear weather. The poet Norman Nicholson (1914-1987) was born in Millom and spent almost all his life here, shunning metropolitan literary circles and asserting that the much-maligned 'provincial' has more in common with people of other times and lands and consequently 'may be all the more aware of that which is enduring in life and society'. The titles of his books reflect the locale: Rock Face (1948); The Shadow of Black Combe (1978); Sea to the West (1981). St George's church has a stained-glass window designed by Christine Boyce that was inspired by Nicholson's writing. His house is being restored, while Millom as a whole is undergoing a major rebuild with heritage and health projects afoot as well as a 7.5-mile walking and cycling trail. For a swim, head to Silecroft by train (one stop) or on foot (3.5 miles); Haverigg beach, though closer, often has pollution to see and do: Millom Heritage and Arts Centre, Swinside Stone Circle Further information: Visit Scotland, Visit Cumbria and Visit Wales
The Guardian
4 days ago
- The Guardian
Where tourists seldom tread, part 18: three seaside towns that defy the tides of fashion
Tis the season to be beside the seaside – and to hype and critique coastal towns in surveys and rankings. I suppose lists of this year's 'in' and 'out' resorts help tourists decide where to go; no point going to Skegness for Michelin-starred food, or to Salcombe for a laugh and cheap beer. Less obvious coastal towns provide more nuanced fare. Perhaps the most alluring spots are those where we don't forget the sea. These three towns are routinely ranked last resorts or else ignored altogether, but they offer more than stuff to eat, drink, buy and post on socials – and are close to swimmable beaches. A century ago, Clyde steamers and the Glasgow and South Western Railway took thousands of sunseekers from inland towns to the Ayrshire coast. They came to escape the smoke and noise of industry, breathe in the briny air, and admire the Isle of Arran and tiny Ailsa Craig – from afar or up close on an excursion. The bed and breakfasts on elegant Park Circus (a sweeping crescent lined with cherry trees that blossom red on one side and white on the other) and the Georgian villas on Eglinton Terrace evoke something of the golden days of yore. It's easy to imagine parasol-sporting ladies and tall-hatted gents strolling across the Low Green, a large field between the town centre and the beach. This open space – perfect for picnics, kite-flying and impromptu games – and the absence of any clutter on the prom make the seafront unusually peaceful. It's as if Ayr has refused to become a traditional resort. No tat, no tack, not many tourists. There are places to play on swings and get an ice-cream or a pint, but lovers of amusement arcades and bucket-and-spade shops should probably stay away. On the short block beside the Low Green the buildings are mainly residential – including care homes, that standard fixture of coastal towns. The beach is a golden sweep about two miles in length, with the old harbour at the north end. Wharves and quays once bustled all along the River Ayr. By the 14th century, this was Scotland's principal west coast port. In the 18th century, more than 300 ships were moored every year, unloading American tobacco, French wine, Spanish salt, English earthenware and slate from Easdale in the Firth of Lorn. Walk south and you come to the ruins of Greenan Castle, a 16th-century clifftop tower. The sunsets over Arran are life-enhancing. I watched a woman of retirement age do her tai chi moves while keeping her eyes fixed on the island – spiritually separate from the dog-walkers and prom-striders. Robert Burns was born near Ayr and baptised in the Auld Kirk. In Tam o' Shanter he writes: 'Auld Ayr, wham ne'er a town surpasses, / For honest men and bonny lasses'. A lively pub on the high street, which is set back a good mile from the beach, is named after the poem; it claims to be the oldest in Ayr, but so does the Black Bull on the opposite side of the river. The old bridge (or Auld Brig, if you prefer, which inspired another Burns poem) that takes you across is pedestrianised and a beauty. All the old pubs are enticing but I had my most enjoyable, peaceful beer and dram in the Twa Dugs – also named for a Burns poem. In Ayr's Waterstones, I found a long-overlooked 1969 Booker-nominated novel by Gordon M Williams, From Scenes Like These, that provided a brutally realistic riposte to Burns-esque takes on rural Scotland. I read it in the boozers, the caffs, on benches. People in Ayr will tell you the town has declined. They'll tell you that in nine out of 10 seaside resorts. But this column gets me around, and I can vouch for the town's general busyness and good looks. Sedate, somewhat stern, bereft of traditional fun stuff, it's an ideal hideaway for those who want to do beach walks, read or write, and check into small, friendly guest to see and do: Rozelle House Museum, Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Culzean Castle and Country Park Bangor, the oldest city in Wales, came second from bottom in the Which? 2025 rankings and absolute bottom in 2024. Perhaps the latter partly anticipated the former. Casually saddle a place with derision and it takes a great effort to shake it off. As the gateway to the island of Ynys Môn (Anglesey), a university town and former royal capital, Bangor doesn't need star ratings or hip amenities. The city's origins stretch back to the founding of a monastery in the early sixth century. A cathedral was later built on the site. For centuries, Bangor was the spiritual and ecclesiastical hub for Gwynedd – a kingdom until the English came a-conquering – but remained a small settlement. Nonetheless, during the first flush of Welsh tourism, at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, pleasure steamers from Liverpool brought visitors to see the big church and the wild waters of the Menai Strait. The boom years came after 1826 with the completion of the Holyhead Road, linking London with Dublin – hitched to the recently created UK by the 1800 Acts of Union. The first major civilian state-funded road building project in Britain since the Roman era, the job was given to Thomas Telford. The road (much of it on the same route as today's A5) swept through central Bangor, making the former big village a major staging post, and creating the longest high street in Wales. To replace the ferry-shuttles, Telford's magnificent Menai Suspension Bridge opened in 1826. Two decades later, Robert Stephenson built a tubular bridge to carry the Chester-Holyhead railway across the straits. With communications much improved, Bangor became a proper little port, with shipbuilding, sail making, iron founding, smithing and timber yards, as well as slate yards. Walk to the natural end of this high street – which turns residential – and you come to the shore, a pier and a large park between neo-Norman Penrhyn Castle and the sea. You don't have an in-town beach, which might be why some of the raters have a low opinion of Bangor. But the Wales Coast Path and the railway line link Bangor with beaches at Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr, eight and 10 miles away respectively. In fact, this might be the best-connected seaside town in the UK, with Eryri national park (Snowdonia), Unesco-listed Caernarfon Castle and Criccieth and the Llŷn peninsula accessible by bus, and of course Anglesey on the to see and do: walk the Menai Suspension Bridge, kayaking off Caernarfon, Aber Falls Distillery The Cumbrian coast is the most intriguing stretch of littoral in these islands. Backed by the towering, cloud-drawing fells of the national park, the shore is often beneath a blue dome. The towns along it are chapters in British social history. Whitehaven is like a Devon port town without the crowds. Workington is a fascinating ex-industrial town. Nethertown is a hidden hamlet in a spectacular setting. Millom, at the southern tip of the old county of Cumberland, is a stop on the coast-hugging railway line – a superlative train ride – between Barrow-in-Furness and Sellafield. Its main connection to the nexuses of nuclear war and power are the Millomites who commute south and north for work. Millom once had industry; hematite ore (iron oxide) was found at Hodbarrow in 1856 and mined till 1968, the population swelling to 10,000. Much of the land was transformed into an RSPB nature reserve, centred on the north-west's largest coastal lagoon; little, common and sandwich terns breed on the islands and you can see ringed plovers, redshanks, great crested grebes and oystercatchers around the wetlands. Millom is tiny, but has none of the jams and crowds of the villages in the nearby Lakes. The Camra-rated Bear on the Square has real ales, good food and live music. The town has its own fell – Black Combe – and while only a 600-metre Marilyn, its isolation and proximity to the sea make it feel higher. The views from the summit are magnificent – with Blackpool Tower and Scafell Pike visible in clear weather. The poet Norman Nicholson (1914-1987) was born in Millom and spent almost all his life here, shunning metropolitan literary circles and asserting that the much-maligned 'provincial' has more in common with people of other times and lands and consequently 'may be all the more aware of that which is enduring in life and society'. The titles of his books reflect the locale: Rock Face (1948); The Shadow of Black Combe (1978); Sea to the West (1981). St George's church has a stained-glass window designed by Christine Boyce that was inspired by Nicholson's writing. His house is being restored, while Millom as a whole is undergoing a major rebuild with heritage and health projects afoot as well as a 7.5-mile walking and cycling trail. For a swim, head to Silecroft by train (one stop) or on foot (3.5 miles); Haverigg beach, though closer, often has pollution to see and do: Millom Heritage and Arts Centre, Swinside Stone Circle Further information: Visit Scotland, Visit Cumbria and Visit Wales
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Europe's vacation hell: Streets fill with tourists in Italy and Greece
Europe's most famous vacation hotspots are busier than ever this week - despite anti-tourism protests taking place across the continent. Images show swarms of holidaymakers packed shoulder-to-shoulder and forming huge queues waiting for trains and buses in some of the most beautiful destinations in Italy and Greece. In the Italian village of Varenna - famed for its tiny streets and colorful facades of houses - people have complained of crowds so dense they were barely able to reach down to take their phones out of their pockets. Meanwhile, footage from the Greek island of Santorini shows thousands of people inching along narrow streets with barely enough room to pass each other. It comes as Europe struggles to cope with a recent surge in tourism - with some areas being forced to introduce special measures in an attempt to combat the problem. Disappointed sunseekers have taken to social media to share how their dream holiday didn't quite match reality. A holidaymaker in Lake Como, Italy, posted a video warning others what to expect, showing packed coastal pathways and an hour long line for the ferry. The clip is captioned: 'Lake Como in June is so amazing, the views are stunning, but so many people and waiting times.' Another visitor likened the experience to 'the tourist Hunger Games' alongside a seemingly endless line of people. Meanwhile, a tourist in Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, revealed how even areas which are meant to be quiet have been swarmed by holidaymakers. She wrote across a TikTok video of a crowded beach: 'You traveled to a "secret beach" in Portofino, except it definitely isn't secret anymore.' The caption read: 'Expectation vs Reality in Portofino! Literally took one look at the crowds and left'. Another TikToker posted a clip of a busy street in Portofino and simply wrote: 'Watching Portofino get flooded with tourists.' A third posted an image showing the scenic views she expected in the town, before revealing the overcrowded reality. @thesorcis We recommend staying in Portofino and then exploring the town when all the boats of tourists leave 🙏🏽 #portofino #instavsreality #tourits #crowded #italy #holiday #cheers ♬ original sound - Blade of Eleonora☪️ A woman visiting Positano, on Italy's Amalfi Coast, was also left disappointed by her experience. She said: 'Social media lied. I've been dreaming of going to Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast for years. 'And while it is definitely a very beautiful town, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. 'I was expecting all of the stairs, but I wasn't expecting the magnitude of the crowds and the lineups. 'Positano has become a travel destination where you need to have every moment of your itinerary planned out in advance, and book reservations for pretty much everything. 'Otherwise, it will all be booked up before you even touch down in Italy.' @herenowwherenext Expectation vs REALITY in Portofino!! Literally took one look at the crowds and left 😅😅 #expectationvreality #portofino #expectationvsreality #portofinoitaly #italytravel #italia #travel #travelreality ♬ original sound - william springfield Not so secret: A tourist in Portofino, a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, revealed how even areas which are meant to be quiet have been swarmed by holidaymakers @vickirutwind Social media lied 😳 🇮🇹 I've been dreaming of going to Positano on Italy's Amalfi Coast for years. And while it is definitely a very very very beautiful town, it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. ✈️ I was expecting all of the stairs, but I wasn't expecting the magnitude of the crowds and the lineups. 📝 Positano has become a travel destination where you need to have every moment of your itinerary planned out in advance, and book reservations for pretty much everything. Otherwise, it will all be booked up before you even touch down in Italy. And while that might be your travel style, I really like having an opportunity to explore and be spontaneous. 💴 I also think if you want some of the magical experiences you are seeing on social media, you have to pay a major premium to stay at the super luxury hotels, and dine at the most expensive restaurants with reservations booked way in advance. 🌎 In the end, I did still have a nice time in Positano because it's a beautiful town, the main beach has a nice beach club, and we had some nice meals. But for now, it's not one of my favorite travel destinations. I'm on the fence about whether I'll return. Have you been to Positano? And if you have, what did you think about it? #positano #positanoitaly #amalficoast #travelitaly #instagramvsreality #italytravel ♬ original sound - william springfield Meanwhile, in Greece, overcrowding is also frustrating sunseekers. One woman revealed how much the island of Santorini has changed since her last visit two years ago, before the tourism surge became so severe. She posted a picture of a packed street, writing, 'Santorini! When we stayed here in 2022, we scoffed at the people who came off the cruise ships. 'This time, we were those people! Santorini in summer is no joke. The heat, the crowds, the lines. No magic this time. Just sweat, nausea and swollen feet. 'Don't be deceived by the smiling faces.' Some areas have introduced special measures in an attempt to crackdown on overcrowding. Portofino has banned picnics and drinking booze on the streets among a swathe of other prohibitions. Tourists risk being fined for carrying out a variety of actions typically enjoyed abroad. From July 15, travelers in Portofino will no longer be able to walk through the town barefoot, in swimwear, or topless - or sit in the piazza in such attire. Consuming alcohol on public streets has also been prohibited, with only restaurants, bars, and designated areas left to booze in. Begging, sitting, or lying on the streets, walls, sidewalks, and parks has also been banned along with having picnics. The new ordinance, signed by Mayor Matteo Viacava, will take effect during the summer season and temporarily expire on September 30. Anyone who is caught violating the regulations before then will be subject to a fine of between $30 and $580. The goal of the latest crackdown is to protect the 'peace and quiet of residents and tourists' in the exclusive coastal resort which brings in up to 100,000 tourists during peak season - despite the town only having a population of 400. The municipality had already attempted to combat troublesome tourists in 2023. During that period, stopping at particularly popular viewpoints across the picturesque town was prohibited. Santorini has also introduced new rules and measures to manage the influx of tourists. These include a tourist tax, restrictions on access and parking, and a proposed 'saturation law' limiting daily visitor numbers. Meanwhile, Spain's Balearic Islands have stopped using influencers to promote holiday hotspots and warned that 'selfie tourism' is ruining the region's most beautiful beaches.
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Climate
- The Sun
UK weather: Met Office warns of thunderstorms and heavy rain today – but temperatures to still hit balmy 29C highs
THUNDER and rain is forecast to sweep the UK today, but Brits can still expect warm weather for now. The Met Office said parts of the UK will see "showery rain" and it may even bring thunder towards the North. 6 6 6 It will be generally drier in the south, but "with the occasional showery outbreak". However the balmy temperatures remain, and it could even hit 29C. It comes after a weekend of sunny weather in the early 30Cs. Baking Brits made the most of the heatwave yesterday - as temperatures are set to plummet this week. Sunseekers flocked to beaches and parks to soak up the last of the rays, before cooler conditions and downpours creep in from today. Hundreds of people basked in the sizzling sunshine at Lyme Regis in Dorset. The seaside resort was packed with parasols and picnic blankets as daytrippers enjoyed the cloudless blue skies. In Hathersage in the Peak District, youngsters cooled off from the searing temperatures with a dip in an outdoor pool. 5-Day Forecast Monday: Bands of showery rain will move east today, turning thundery in places, particularly across Scotland and northern England. Generally drier in the south with the occasional showery outbreak. Feeling fresher for many, but very warm in eastern England. Tuesday: A band of rain will move east through the day, followed by heavy scattered showers. Windy for many, particularly across the south. Feeling fresh. Wednesday-Friday: Dry for many, although scattered showers are possible at times, mainly in the north. Increasingly warm through the week, particularly in the south, with muggy nights returning. While hot-and-bothered Brummies were seen splashing themselves with water from a fountain in Birmingham as they tried to beat the heat. The much-anticipated Wimbledon men's final also took place under sweltering conditions at SW19. Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz and world no.1 Jannik Sinner battled through 29C temperatures in an epic Centre Court showdown, watched by 15,000 people. A further 25,000 tennis fans braved the heat to cheer them on in the grounds. But residents in Cannock, Staffs will be happy to see the back of the sun - after their road started melting. Locals complained that tar has been sticking to their tyres and shoes in Gorsemoor Road. Amber heat health alerts remained in place for much of the country on Sunday, with Brits warned to cover up, seek shade and apply sunscreen regularly. The third heatwave of the year also led to hosepipe bans being declared for millions of people across Yorkshire, Kent and Sussex. Those who ignore it could face a £1,000 penalty. 6 6 6
The Sun
11-07-2025
- The Sun
Is the Med too hot for you now? Our favourite sunny European holiday destinations with temperatures under 30C in summer
WHILE some sunseekers love basking in 30C and over heat, for some it is just too much. So, where should you head instead of the usual Costas? 6 The Sun's Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of top coolcations for this summer where you can find some beautiful alternatives to your favourite holiday destinations, but the temperature is under 30C. Swap Algarve for Costa Verde, Portugal If you love the Algarve in Portugal then the Costa Verde will be right up your street. It's at the northern end of the country where the climate is cooler and with a higher rainfall that makes the landscapes feel somewhat lush and tropical. You can take the whole family to the eight-person Casa do Alto which is carved into the mountainside and offers epic views of the tumbling landscape and sea in the distance. If you're not content enough lounging by the large swimming pool, a sandy beach sits a fifteen minute drive away while the boozy city of Porto is a short train ride from the villa. Seven nights' self-catering costs from £237.25pp, based on eight sharing and for arrival on August 29 with Flights from London to Porto cost from £52 return with Ryanair. Swap Cannes for The Alps, France The French Alps during summer time make for an excellent escape where you can burn off endless steam. Once the snow melts, the mountains are littered with cyclists and adrenaline-junkies hurling themselves off the cliff-edge on a paraglider or navigating down a canyon. The Irish cable car that's only one that crosses open sea in Europe with incredible views, stone walls & €10 tickets Better still, temperatures peak in the mid 20Cs in this region meaning you'll have more energy to get stuck in. Although if it does heat up, there's plenty of watersports at the nearby lake. The easiest way to book is through Responsible Travel which rolls your accommodation and activities into one - although flights cost extra. You can pick from camping accommodation, self-catered apartments, traditional B&Bs and hotels. A seven-night trip costs from £447pp. 6 Swap Spain's Madrid for the Netherlands The Netherlands offers a different kind of getaway to a beachside fly and flop in Spain – but it's no less fun, especially when you're staying at one of Eurocamp's top holiday parks: Marvilla Parks Kaatsheuvel. The weather tends to be mild in the region of North-Brabant during summer, but temperatures can hit 23C in August, so there'll still be opportunity to flop by the pool which has a play area for kids, along with some twisty slides. If you're up for adventure, the sand dunes of Loon National Park border the resort. But kids and teens will likely prefer a visit to Efteling, a fairytale-inspired theme park just a ten-minute drive away. Seven nights' self-catering is from £146.18pp, based on six sharing a Premium three bedroom holiday home and arriving on July 4. 6 Swap Budapest for Zemplen Mountains, Hungary It's not just France and Italy that boast glorious mountain regions, Hungary is home to the striking Zemplén Mountains, a rugged stretch of landscape that's part of the inner volcanic belt of the Carpathian Mountains. The area may have once been home to a lava-spilling volcano, but things are much cooler nowadays - around 21C in summer to be exact. With very little signal, travellers can take the opportunity to switch off from the outside world with a digital detox. There's ancient oaks to stroll among, boating on silent lakes, and cycle routes along quiet mountain trails. To ensure you're truly immersed in nature, check into the Kőkapu Vadászkastély és Hotel & Apartments, which is several kilometres from the nearest village. One night's room-only is from £65. See Wizz Air flies from Luton to Budapest from £25.09 each way with Wizz Air. 6 Swap the Costa del Sol for Costa Verde, Spain Things are heating up in southern Spain already, but the tranquil Costa Verde, on the northern coast, stays at around 25C in summer, which means you can still take advantage of those gorgeous sandy beaches. Eurocamp's Playa Joyel has direct access to the shores where holidaymakers can get stuck into paddleboarding, kayaking or even surfing. Don't worry if you're a novice, that's what the Ris Surf School is for. On site there's a family pool, children's pool and a jacuzzi as well as a free kids club for those aged five to 12 (during high season). Plus, there's tennis, football, badminton and boules, all available to guests. Refuel afterwards with some cracking local grub at the on site restaurant – you won't regret it. Seven nights' self-catering is from around £268pp, based on a family of four sharing a Comfort XL two bedroom holiday home, for arrival on August 20. See 6 Swap the Rhine for the Baltic Sea, Germany Not just sandy beaches await on Germany's northern coast. The region is flooded with charming historic towns, backed by lush trees and dotted with colourful houses. This includes Travemünde, a former fishing town turned port that attracts a number of wellness enthusiasts who come for yoga on the beach and natural swimming pools. Kids, on the other hand, will love Beach Bay Adventure Promenade, home to a water playground, adventure golf, climbing wall and sailing school. Check into the Landal Travemünde which has modern and airy apartments and bungalows overlooking the harbour. They come with kitchens, but if you don't fancy cooking, head to Ahoi by Steffen Henssler, up the road, which does a cracking fish and chips as well as a classic schnitzel and a currywurst. A seven-night break costs from £321.25pp with Nine cheap and free hacks to stay cool WITH temperatures soaring to 30C across parts of the UK this weekend, here are nine simple, budget-friendly tips to help you stay cool, reports The Sun's Summer Maerason. Keep blinds and curtains closed: Drawing your curtains, especially lighter-colored ones, from 9am to 9pm can significantly prevent sunlight from heating your home. Employ the tin foil hack: Placing tin foil on windows (inside or out) or car windscreens can reflect sunlight and stop heat absorption. Optimise ceiling fan direction: Ensure your ceiling fan blades rotate counter-clockwise to push cool air down and create a refreshing breeze. Use night-time ventilation: Open windows on opposite sides of your home in the evening to create a 'night-flush ventilation' cross-breeze, allowing cooler air in and trapped heat out. Create a DIY 'Ice Fan': Position a bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan to generate a cool, misty breeze, especially effective in smaller rooms. Minimise heat-generating appliances: Avoid using ovens, dishwashers, and washing machines during peak heat. Opt for outdoor cooking, cold meals, or line-drying laundry. Hang damp sheets: Drape damp sheets or towels in front of open windows or a fan. As the water evaporates, it draws heat from the air, creating a cooling effect. Seal gaps and cracks: Block draughts around windows and doors with weather stripping, caulk, or even a rolled-up towel to keep hot air out and cool air in. Stay low: Hot air rises, so spend time on lower floors of your home. For a cooler night's sleep, consider placing your mattress directly on the floor. There are also seven top 'holiday destinations to watch' this year including little known Spanish city and quiet islands. Plus, pick your dream destination from our 2025 travel hot list. 6
