Just think about it – not having to pay for anything (after the initial payment) and everything you need all in one place, including virtually an endless supply of food and drink. Sounds like a dream.

I had only ever been on one all-inclusive holiday in my 35 years on this earth – a cruise from Australia to Fiji, and back (back in the days when I lived in Australia).

It was a fantastic experience at the time. But that was over 10 years ago, and my taste in holidays has changed since.

Now, my wife and I prefer either a cosy staycation in the UK, where we can go out on walks with our golden retriever, or visiting an overseas destination where there is plenty to see and do.

So when I was offered the chance to travel to Crete for an all-inclusive stay at Mirabello Bay Luxury Resort, I jumped at the chance to try something a little different.

3 things to consider before booking an all-inclusive holiday

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Mirabello Bay (I’ll get to that in a minute), but upon our return, we had time to reflect and asked ourselves – are all-inclusive holidays really “worth it”?

We decided there were three main things to consider before booking an all-inclusive holiday:

What exactly is included in an all-inclusive package?

It is worth considering exactly what you get when booking an all-inclusive holiday.

At Mirabello Bay, food and drink were included in the package, meaning you could enjoy a drink at any of the bars on site, or a meal at any of the fantastic restaurants on site, including:

• Elia
• Kafenion (my favourite)
• Bahia Mar Grill
• Amalthea

Kafenion restaurant was my favourite. (Image: Patrick Glover)

While Amalthea was an all-you-can-eat buffet with a wide range of options, the others served up delicious Cretan dishes.

Another feature of Mirabello Bay is Spilia, a natural cave for “unique and exclusive” wine tastings.

All residents also have access to the numerous pools scattered across the site, a gym, a tennis court, a hotel-only beach, and an exclusive waterpark.

But if you are looking to do more than just lounge around with a cocktail by the beach, that is when you start to venture out of the all-inclusive package.

For example, you can take part in various water sports at Mirabello Bay, or head out for a spot of sailing, but all will cost you extra.

There are also spa treatments available on-site (in the Aegeo Spa), which again, guests have to pay for.

All-inclusive holidays are different for everyone

So this leads into my next point – what are you looking to get out of your holiday?

If you are looking to spend your time away relaxing in the sun, by a pool (or beach), eating and drinking as much as possible, then an all-inclusive holiday is perfect.

Having our own private pool with out room was one of the highlights of our stay. (Image: Patrick Glover)

They are also ideal for families, as there is always plenty for the kids to do, and you can do it all within the safety of the hotel grounds.

At Mirabello Bay there were daily shows, sports activities, a kids club, and a water park, while in the evenings, families could sit under the stars and watch a movie at the hotel’s outdoor cinema.

When it came to food, the buffet at Amalthea had something for everyone, even the fussiest of eaters.

As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, my wife and I like to be active when on our holidays – heading out for walks, sightseeing, and just getting as much out of our trip as possible.

For people like us, an all-inclusive holiday may not be the way to go.

Don’t get me wrong, there was still plenty to do. On-site, we were able to:

• Partake in various water sports – prices vary depending on the activity.
• Play tennis – free.
• Workout at the gym – free.
• Relax with a spa treatment – starting from €33.
• Visit the waterpark – free (for hotel guests).

I enjoyed spending time in the ocean while in Crete, whether it be swimming or in a kayak (pictured). (Image: Patrick Glover)

Off-site, we took part in various activities, including:

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Island of Spinalonga (a must-visit) – entry €20 and boat transfer to the island from €14.
• Walk into the nearby town of Agios Nikolaos – free.
• Take part in a Cretan culture experience at Spiridi Olive Oil Farm – tour €8 and cooking class €45 (adult prices per person).

Spinalonga (pictured) is a must-visit if you are visiting Crete. (Image: Patrick Glover)

While most of these activities aren’t overly expensive, if you are looking to partake in numerous adventures, it does add up.

Are all-inclusive holidays worth it?

So, are all-inclusive holidays “worth it”? I don’t think it is a simple yes or no answer.

It depends really on what you are looking to get out of your holiday and whether you are going as a couple or a family.

The current lead-in rate for a deluxe room with a bay view and an all-inclusive package at Mirabello Bay in 2026 is £511 per night (prices will vary throughout the year).

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Put simply, you have to think about whether it is worth spending £511 per person, per night to cover:

• Your three meals a day, plus any extra food you consume in between
• All you can drink
• Accommodation, with a private pool (not available with all rooms)
• Access to exclusive pools, beaches, and a waterpark
• Gym access
• And more…

It is also worth considering prices and what is available will vary between resorts, I have just used Mirabello Bay as an example.

So…will you be booking an all-inclusive holiday for your next trip? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.

The disruptions are caused by engineering works between Preston and Edinburgh/Glasgow Central, affecting travel on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 April.

No trains will be running this weekend between the following locations:

• Preston
• Oxenholme, Lake District
• Penrith, North Lakes
• Carlisle
• Lockerbie

Northern Rail posted on X: “Major engineering work between Preston and Edinburgh / Glasgow Central from Saturday 11 to Sunday 19 April.”

Travellers are advised to check their journeys on the National Rail journey planner, as services may be diverted, delayed, replaced by a bus service, or only run part for part of their normal route.

Rail replacement busses will be in operation to aid travellers on their journeys, which will be made visible in online journey planners and the National Rail website.

The National Rail website also hosts a rail replacement services page offering advice.

The engineering works started on April 11 are expected to be completed by the end of Sunday April 19.

Emelia Newman admits she is “obsessed” by the prospect of renovating her property on a budget, and recently showcased work on her hallway after lifting the room’s carpet

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A woman who removed the “horrendous” old carpet from her property during a renovation project has expressed her bewilderment at what she discovered under it. Emelia Newman, who runs her own lampshade business, took to TikTok sharing that she was “praying for wooden floorboards” as she rolled back the underlay.

Admitting she is “obsessed” with making her home “look high-end without spending a fortune”, she soon spoke of her relief in a video. “Such a satisfying moment ripping up that horrendous old carpet!” Emelia said, before asking her followers for advice: “But also, help – what do I do now? Sand it? Varnish it? Leave it?”

Indeed, her short clip concluded with her uncovering just what she’d wished for in her hallway in the form of flooring that oozed potential.

In a follow-up video, meanwhile, Emelia showcased the completed project. “So what do you think of the finished hallway?” she questioned.

“I’m so chuffed I did it all myself and honestly it really does make me smile every time I open the front door! The power of pattern and colour.”

Opting to keep the wooden floorboards exactly as she’d found them, Emelia complemented them with a new patterned wallpaper whilst adding a series of framed pictures – using pages from magazines – to the walls of the room.

She also installed a feature shelf above the radiator, placing a lamp and plant on it to add to the relaxed vibe.

“Love the wallpaper and love that you used it over the thermostat to cover it!” one TikTok user penned in response. “Very tricky.”

To which Emelia confessed: “Thank you! Yes it was tricky haha, but I would have annoyed me so much if I hadn’t done something about it.”

Opening up about her project, she explained: “I’m not an interior designer. I’m just obsessed with interior design.

“I genuinely love spending my free time trawling through thousands of lampshades, curtains, bedside tables… you name it… to find the ones that look expensive, but don’t actually cost that much.”

Emelia added that she hopes to share her finds with “two types of people” – those who want beautiful homes without spending large amounts of money decorating, and those who don’t have the time to carry out their own research on affordable alternatives.

“It’s all about truly loving the things going in your home and trying not to be swayed by what’s trendy,” she elaborated.

England fans will have to pay over £100 to get to one of their World Cup group games by train with prices hugely inflated ahead of this summer’s competition.

The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey will host seven games this summer, including England’s group match against Panama and the final on 19 July.

Fans are already paying record-high match tickets to attend games this summer. And anyone attending travelling to the stadium in East Rutherford from New York City’s Penn Station with have to pay €150 (£111) for a round-trip ticket which takes just 15 minutes.

It is a staggering price increase brought in specifically for this summer’s competition, nearly 12 times the usual $12.90 fare for a return trip.

40,000 football fans are expected to use mass transit for each of the games at the venue. Alternative methods for getting to the MetLife Stadium are also pricey with limited car parking spaces at the site costing £225 (£166).

NJ Transit officially confirmed the pricing on Friday.

England face Panama in their final group match on 27 June at the Stadium with Brazil, France and Germany also in action there.

New Jersey Governor, Mikie Sherril defended the price hike, insisting locals would ‘not be stuck with the tab’ for the first World Cup across the Atlantic since 1994.

”Fifa should pay for the rides,’ Sherril said. ‘But if they don’t – I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”

Sherrill’s comments did not sit well with Fifa who claimed transport issues were discussed well in advance of the World Cup.

‘Ever since the host city agreements were signed in 2018, Fifa has worked in collaboration with the Host Committees and their partners to develop a transportation plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transit options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium,’ World Cup chief event operations officer Heimo Schirigi said in a statement first reported by Front Office Sports.

‘The goal is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles, and ensure the fan experience is positive and memorable defined by the action on the pitch, not delays on the road.

‘The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.’

MORE: Coronation Street and Emmerdale facing long-term schedule chaos

MORE: Nike admit there is bizarre problem with World Cup shirts including £135 England top

MORE: Man Utd legend Paul Scholes makes huge claim over Arsenal star Max Dowman

There are a range of activities on offer from wakeboarding to yoga

An aqua park situated in “idyllic and lush English countryside”, is set to reopen on Saturday, May 2 – just in time for the bank holiday weekend. Southlake Waterpark in Little Paxton, near St Neots, not only has an aqua park, but also paddle boarding, open water swimming, a boat driving hub, and yoga by the lakes.

The venue is set within three freshwater lakes, and offers free parking on-site along with changing facilities, showers, and toilets. The aqua park features a large inflatable course with two big slides, and if you’re looking for that extra thrill, it has a large ramp to jump off into the water.

If you fancy something with a bit more adrenaline, then they offer lessons in waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, wake-skating, and Ringo rides. Lessons are led by coaches and anyone at any skill level can have a go. Ringo rides are a good option for groups, as up to five people can ride at the same time.

For a more chilled activity, there is paddleboarding. While more experienced paddleboarder will be able to make their way gracefully around the lake, it may involve a bit more concentration and balance for a beginner. It’s a great way to have a laugh with friends and family all in the serene setting of the lake. Open water swimming is also available if you want to ditch the board.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, then there are yoga classes right on the edge of the lake. In the spring and summer, classes take place outside in a beautifully decorated marquee, with the addition of heating and blankets during the colder months. Classes should leave you feeling chilled out and relaxed. For that added bit of excitement while still staying dry, you could learn to drive a boat at the boat driving hub.

The aqua park, which is large enough to host up to 100 people per session, is available for children aged six and up. Users will need to be a minimum of 120cm tall and have the ability to swim 25m unaided.

The park will be operating 11am to 6pm everyday and costs £17 per 50-minute session, per participant. A second consecutive session on the same day costs £8.50. It costs £15 to rent a paddle board for a 50-minute session or alternatively, visitors can bring their own paddle board, kayak, or canoe to use on-site for £7 per person, per session.

From competitive swimmers or those who simply enjoy a wild swim, Southlake Waterpark offers open water swimming sessions running from April 18 until October 31, 2026 for £5 per swim.

Reviews have described the venue as a “really fun and interactive experience” with a “great lake to swim in”. One review said: “Fantastic inflatables – best and biggest we’ve experienced. My 9 year old son and I had the time of our lives.

“Loads to enjoy for all ages (adults included!). Friendly staff and atmosphere, clean and tidy changing rooms with free lockers to store belongings. We’ll definitely be back again!”

Another review said: “Excellent afternoon. I haven’t laughed so much for ages and the kids really enjoyed it too. Glad that we all decided to have a go. I would have been really envious watching even though I struggled to get on the inflatables.”

Matt Fitzpatrick ended day two of the RBC Heritage with a one-shot lead after carding an eight-under-par 63.

The Englishman made eight birdies, including sinking a 36-foot putt on hole 15, in a bogey-free second round at Hilton Head.

“Yeah, it was lucky, there’s no two ways about it,” Fitzpatrick said. “Sometimes you need that in a week, so it’s nice to get, and then even nicer to take advantage of it.”

Fitzpatrick – the 2022 US Open champion – began Friday in a six-way tie for third following an opening round of 65.

“I wouldn’t say I striped it today, but at least I kind of kept the ball in front of me, and that’s what you’re trying to do on this golf course,” Hovland said.

The 31-year-old tops the leaderboard on 14 under par at the halfway stage, with Norway’s Viktor Hovland one stroke behind after retaining second spot with a second-round score of 65.

Overnight leader Ludvig Aberg dropped to joint fourth position following three bogeys on the back nine.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre ended the day six shots behind Fitzpatrick after posting a 68, while world number one Scottie Scheffler carded a 67 and is seven shots off the pace.

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Siobhian Brown, SNP candidate for Ayr, said: “As per our manifesto commitment, we recognise women face abuse in their everyday lives and need increased protection against this – that’s why we will bring forward a Misogyny Bill to legislate to ensure harassment and abuse based on misogyny is outlawed in Scotland.”

Passengers claim they thought pilot was “joking” when he stepped out of the cockpit to make the announcement.

A group of passengers were kicked off an easyJet plane because it was “too heavy” to take-off. Holidaymakers heading to Malaga were stunned when the pilot stepped out of the cockpit and told them the aircraft was over weight limits for the runway.

Passengers claimed they were told if people didn’t disembark, all the luggage would need to be left behind at Southend Airport. Kelly Wayand, who was travelling with her mum, disabled dad and partner, said she “couldn’t believe what was happening” and thought it was a joke at first.

Independent travel agent Kelly, 45, added: “It was bizarre, I had never heard anything like it before. The pilot came out of his cockpit and told everyone we couldn’t set off unless six of us got off the plane.

“He said it was either that or we leave all of the luggage behind. I was travelling with my dad, who is disabled, my mum, and my partner, so it would have been hard work for us to get off.”

Although Kelly and her family weren’t able to get off, another group made the sacrifice to allow the flight to go ahead. Kelly said: “Five people got off fairly quickly in around 10 minutes.”

As reported by The Mirror, the five kind flyers who decided to take the hit received a round of applause from their fellow passengers. Carly Mowbray was also on the April 11 flight.

She said: “The people who got off departed to a round of applause from those of us that stayed. The flight crew said they had not experienced it before. There were already 10 empty seats before the extra passengers got off.”

Flight records reveal the aircraft – an Airbus A319 – was scheduled to depart at 8.40am but actually took off at 8.59am. According to Airbus, an A319 has a maximum take-off weight of 75.50 tonnes.

EasyJet released a statement saying: “Five passengers on flight EJU7008 from Southend to Malaga volunteered to travel on alternative flights as a result of the aircraft being over the weight limits for the weather conditions and the short length of the runway. Weight restrictions are in place for all airlines for safety reasons.”

The budget airline added: “The customers were provided with transport and a later flight to Malaga on the same day, free of charge, from London Gatwick and we have been in touch with them to provide the compensation they are entitled to, in line with regulations. The safety and welfare of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s highest priority.”

Under UK261 regulations, passengers who are denied boarding for a medium-haul flight such as between Southend and Malaga are entitled to £175 or £350 compensation, depending on the duration of the delay.

There is often a perception that geographical distance reduces vulnerability – an idea that can be particularly appealing in neutral countries with long-standing stable and strong economies.

Switzerland is a clear example: its long-standing neutrality, formally recognised at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 and still recognised as a central part of its foreign policy, combined with its economic strength, has helped keep it outside major conflicts historically and reinforced the perception that distance, stability and wealth provide protection.

But in a world where energy, food, finance and even the atmosphere are tightly interconnected, distance (and neutrality) doesn’t shield Switzerland, or any other nation.

Take the Strait of Hormuz. Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquified natural gas passes through it. When it’s disrupted, the effects don’t stay local; they ripple outward through longer shipping routes, strained supply chains and shifting economic decisions in ways that reach far beyond the countries directly involved and could cause long-term environmental damage.

More often than not, this appears as subtle environmental and economic changes rather than sudden shocks.

Switzerland offers a particularly instructive example. It is neither an energy exporter nor a strategic actor in the conflict. Yet it sits at the intersection of multiple global systems: shipping and transport routes, European agriculture, high-value manufacturing and international finance.

Shipping routes and ice melt

When maritime routes are disrupted, as is currently happening, shipping does not stop. It adapts. Tankers take longer routes and fuel efficiency declines. The result is an increase in particulate emissions, including black carbon. These particles can travel vast distances. In high-altitude environments, their impact is amplified. When deposited on snow and ice, black carbon reduces reflectivity, increasing heat absorption and accelerating melt. In the Swiss Alps, where glaciers are already under pressure, even small increases can have measurable effects. Therefore, what begins as a logistical adjustment in global shipping can end up altering the physical state of distant mountain systems.

Switzerland’s industrial base offers another useful illustration. When firms face restricted or more expensive products, they often shift to alternative production methods. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, disruptions to chemical supply chains can force firms to switch suppliers or change elements used in production. While this may make economic sense, such changes are often not environmentally neutral. Different processes generate different byproducts, introducing new compounds into waste streams. The result may not be an immediate environmental crisis, but could create a gradual shift in the composition of pollutants.

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How the Iran war could create a ‘fertiliser shock’ – an often ignored global risk to food prices and farming

Another example is the global fertiliser trade. In 2024, Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain together accounted for 23% of global ammonia trade, 34% of global urea trade, and 18% of global ammoniated phosphate trade, key inputs for fertiliser production. Disruptions do not simply raise prices; they constrain availability, forcing adjustments across farming systems worldwide.

In parts of Europe, including Switzerland, there could be some positive and negative affects on the environment. Reduced fertiliser use may lower nutrient runoff into waterways, easing pressure on rivers such as the Rhine River and improving conditions in some lakes. Ecosystems long stressed by excess nitrogen may experience a degree of relief. Yet this comes with trade-offs. Swiss agriculture depends on high levels of this type of fertiliser and so may see declining yields and shifts in crops if this is reduced. Alpine pastures, in particular, depend on carefully managed nutrient balances influenced by nitrogen availability. Change can disrupt that equilibrium, exposing how deeply even local ecosystems depend on global supply chains.

Environmental change can also be shaped by investment decisions. In periods of geopolitical tension, capital tends to become more cautious. Liquidity, resilience and short-term risk management take priority over long-term projects.

Finance and migration

For financial centres such as Switzerland – home to huge reinsurance firms such as Swiss Re – this shift matters. Roughly 25% of total global cross-border assets (financial investments outside your home country) are managed in Switzerland. When uncertainty rises, risk models are recalibrated and capital is redirected.

The unintended consequence is that long-term environmental investments – such as ecosystem restoration – can be delayed or scaled back. Environmental resilience depends on steady, long-term commitment; interruptions, even temporary ones, could be detrimental.

Large-scale conflicts also tend to reshape migration patterns, sometimes indirectly. Even countries that are not primary destinations can experience increased migration or adjust policies in response to broader European dynamics. In small countries such as Switzerland, even modest population increases translate into land-use pressures.

Housing demand pushes outward, infrastructure expands, and previously marginal areas come into use. Reports suggest that agricultural land in Switzerland is reducing. Approximately one square metre is lost every second, with about 80% converted into settlement areas and the remaining 20% transitioning into forests. The environmental impact is gradual: increased resource consumption, greater strain on water and waste systems. None of these changes is dramatic on its own, but together they form a pattern of slow encroachment.

The effects of distant conflicts on neutral or far away countries are rarely direct. They are mediated through systems that operate quietly, often below the threshold of public attention.

Switzerland is not unique in this respect. It is simply a clear example: a country where environmental conditions are closely tracked, where economic systems are deeply integrated, and where small shifts can be observed with unusual precision. Neutrality may shape foreign policy, but it does not deliver environmental or economic immunity. In an interconnected world, exposure is universal.

LORD Robertson’s recent Strategic Defence Review recommendations must be acted upon with regards to defence spending and the development of our defence capability.

The obvious ways to fund defence is by reducing current welfare spending where we spend 10.3 per cent of GDP in comparison to 2.3per cent of GDP on defence.

The Government also needs to increase taxation to fund defence spending.

We also need to look at how we can resource recruitment in our reservist and cadet forces which may include conscription. We cannot afford to not deliver quickly on these recommendations.

It’s viewed that Russia will be as powerful as NATO militarily by the end of the decade.

The time to act and deliver is now. The country has been failed for the past 20 years in our defence spending.

Let’s hope this Government changes that – it’s had plenty of warnings what we need to do to improve our nation’s protection.

Failure to do so will lead to potential catastrophic consequences.

We can’t say we haven’t been warned.

John Jones,

Birch Close,

York

—

York’s got talent!

THE talented and well synchronised Northern Lights A Cappella group of Durham University appeared on BBC1 Breakfast TV on Monday morning, April 13 and in the evening on Look North.

They recently won the UK championship in this distinctive style of music with movement, earning them a spot in the world finals (International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella) in New York later this month.

One of the students’ strong points, a speciality of theirs, is choreography. ‘Syncopation’ could be their middle name!

Last year they came third in the world championships against stiff competition from American universities. Fingers crossed (in unison) for this year!

Two of the 16-strong ensemble are Durham students from York; Alex – ‘beatboxer’ and Will – bass.

Google the group and find out more. It’s fun; it’s clever; it’s catchy!

Derek Reed,

Middlethorpe Drive,

York

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