A RYANAIR passenger said he was left stranded by the airline – after landing in the wrong country.

Xavier de Vally, 37, flew with his friend James from Manchester Airport to Gothenburg in Sweden on 8 August for a gig.

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But he said his flight never reached its destination, as it failed to land and diverted to Copenhagen instead.

The friends were told they’d have to make their own way to Sweden, with a promise from the budget airline they would receive a refund for all reasonable expenses.

But Xavier and James, who ended up taking a train to the Swedish city, said they’re still out of pocket months on after their nightmare trip.

Xavier told Manchester Evening News: “We actually were at the point of landing, literally coming down onto the runway, but we weren’t allowed to land.

“I don’t know why that was, there was no bad weather or anything like that.”

However, the change in landing was due to a curfew at Gothenburg Airport – so the flight was diverted to Copenhagen, almost 200 miles away.

Xavier, who was in a leg brace after recent ankle surgery, claims he was left without the assistance he had booked to exit the plane when landing in Gothenburg.

As well as being told they’d have to make their own way to their final destination, Xavier said they received a text telling them to go to the wrong city – Venice rather than Gothenburg.

When the pair arrived through passport control in Copenhagen it was “way after midnight”, and they struggled to find a hotel for the night.

They walked to three different hotels, despite Xavier’s injury, before they found somewhere to stay.

The next morning they were able to catch a train to Gothenburg.

Xavier said they did have a nice time on their trip in the end, but when they put through their claim to Ryanair for expenses, it came to just shy of £400.

Almost two months on, the pair are yet to receive a refund, despite Xavier attempting to go on nine webchats with the airline to find out its whereabouts.

A Ryanair spokesperson told Sun Travel: “This flight from Manchester to Gothenburg (8 August) was delayed ahead of take-off due to ATC ‘staff shortages’ which was outside Ryanair’s control.

“The flight was diverted to Copenhagen Airport, due to maintenance on the runway at Gothenburg Airport.

“Despite Ryanair’s efforts to arrange accommodation for passengers, availability was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual accommodation and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com.”

However, they said that his refunds would be processed.

They continued: “This passenger submitted an EU261 expenses claim on 13 Aug and is awaiting approval.

“While we endeavour to pay valid expense claims as soon as possible, some payments are currently taking longer than usual due minor processing delays.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as result of these ATC ‘staff shortages’ and maintenance at Gothenburg Airport which are entirely beyond Ryanair’s control.”

It’s not the first time a Ryanair passenger has ended up in the wrong country.

Flight compensation rules

A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.

What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?

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Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.

If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.

You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.

So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.

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But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.

When am I not entitled to compensation?

The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.

Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.

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Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?

If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.

Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.

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Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.

If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.

Earlier this year, a couple heading  to Denmark ended up nearly 800 miles away in France after boarding the wrong plane.

And another couple said they had no seats on the plane – after boarding the wrong plane, but to the same destination.

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A SMALL island in Somerset is often described as secret because of its isolated location.

Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel, five miles offshore from popular seaside town Weston-super-Mare, is often unheard of because of its remote setting and being difficult to reach.

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The island is run by Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, and except for wardens who help maintain it, it’s uninhabited.

Strong tidal currents also make the island a difficult place to land.

But during certain times of year, organised trips by Bay Island Voyages allow visitors to discover what Steep Holm has to offer.

Trips are run on certain days of the year from the end of March through to October.

Because Steep Holm is only accessible at high tide, day trips there last 12 hours. 

As a protected nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the island is a haven for rare plants and wildlife.

Steep Holm is the only place in the UK where wild peonies grow, and the island is home to rare plants like Alexanders, golden samphire, and wild leeks.

European herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls can often be seen nesting, and a small population of muntjac deer have also been spotted.

The island also has a rich history, with evidence of occupation dating back to prehistoric times. 

The Romans built a signal station on the island, and it was fortified in the 1860s as part of the Palmerston Forts – constructed to encircle Plymouth and to protect the Royal Dockyard against a landing by the French.

There are also Victorian military installations, including underground ammunition stores

On a clear day, visitors can enjoy excellent 360 degree views of the Bristol Channel and the Somerset and Welsh coastlines.

As far as facilities go, The Visitor Centre housed in the Victorian barracks is visitors’ base for the day.

Items you don’t need to explore the island can be safely left there.

There’s also hot and cold drinks, home-made cakes, confectionery and crisps available there, as well as a selection of beers, wines and cider at the licensed bar.

Toilets have water provided by the underground reservoir, but as the water is pumped by a generator, it’s not suitable for drinking.

Fresh water is brought to the island for drinking from the barracks cafe, otherwise visitors need to bring their own water flask.

Sailings to Steep Holm can be cancelled at short notice because of the weather, even if it’s a nice day on the mainland, so back up plans are advised.

The cost per person to visit is £47.70.

Another tiny island in the UK has been dubbed a “hidden treasure”.

And we’ve rounded up five islands off the coast of the country where you don’t need your passport.

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A POPULAR theme park in Turkey will be home to a new Nickelodeon Land when it opens next year.

Dubbed Turkey’s answer to Disneyland, the gates to Nickelodeon Land and Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts will open at Antalya’s The Land of Legends in January.

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The park will consist of three unique areas; the underwater Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants, intergalactic Star Trek: Wild Galaxy, based on Star Trek: Prodigy, and the open-air Adventure Bay PAW Patrol. 

Guests will be able to enjoy a range of experiences such as “riding the giant Jellyfish Jam swing” in Bikini Bottom, to experiencing an adventure through space in the Star Trek: Wild Galaxy 5D cinema.

At the Nickelodeon-themed hotel, each guest can continue to enjoy hanging out with their favourite Nikelodeon legends.

The hotel rooms have been specially designed in one of five concept themes – DORA, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek.

Each room is complete themed interiors such as Spongebob bedside tables as well as kid-friendly facilities to make each member of the family feel at home.

Younger guests will also be looked after with an array of experiences on offer at the hotel.

There’s Character Dining to Club Nick, where kids can play, learn and develop with their new friends.

The outdoor pool area features an Aqua Tower, Spray Area and in true Nickelodeon style, a chance to be Slimed.

Away from the family areas, parents can find the time to switch off at Anjana Spa.

Inside which will offer holistic therapies, massages and traditional Turkish Hammam or let off steam in the hotel’s fully-equipped gym with yoga and Pilates studios.

The park experience begins at the iconic Chateau in The Land of Legends Shopping Avenue, the centre of nightly entertainment.

Guests can mingle with their favourite Nickelodeon characters and shop for souvenirs, including clothes, mugs, keyrings and toys.

The new park and hotel will open on January 15th.

The Land of Legends in Antalya already has three parks – Adventure Land, Aqua Land, and Tropic Lagoon.

Adventure Land is full of adrenaline-inducing rides, like Typhoon Coaster, Skyfighter and Hurricane,

Aqua Land has a host of water-themed rides, including 40 water slides.

Use these tips on your next theme park trip

Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.

1. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
2. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
3. Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
4. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
5. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.

And Topic Lagoon has one of the world’s longest water slides, a heated pool, wave pool, and plenty of sunbathing areas for relaxing.

The Land of Legends is also located close by to the beachside resort of Belek, with sister properties, Rixos Premium Belek and Rixos Park Belek, for those wanting a day relaxing by the ocean.

The Sun’s Kate Ferguson recently visited the park.

She said: “Known among Brits as “the Turkish Disneyland” it has dare-devil rides and water park attractions that would satisfy the biggest thrillseekers.

“There are six pools on site — the massive one just behind the beach which tends to be where families decamp for most of the day.

“When they’re not at the pool, little ones and teens can head to The Rixy Kids Club, jam-packed with activities like arts and crafts, kids’ yoga and boxing, film showings, mini discos . . . the list goes on.”

Here’s everything else you need to know about the hotel.

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