DOCTORS have urged passengers to pick up a simple £2.99 item to avoid pain during flights.

Many flyers can experience sinus pain when on a flight – caused by changes in pressure.

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This is caused aerosinusitis and, unlike “aeroplane ear“, which can be solved by popping your ears, it doesn’t have an easy fix.

However, doctors say that simple congestion relief medicine can do the trick – which can be picked up for as little as £2.99.

Dr Richard Lebowitz, an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) doctor at NYU Langone Medical Center, told the Thrillist website: “The sinuses are air-filled spaces – that is, empty spaces – in the bones of your face, and they have little openings in them, so they can equalize pressure.

“They’re normally just always open, but they can get blocked from swelling or inflammation of the sinus lining.”

Dr Richard explained that this could cause intense pain for flyers.

He said:  “The sinus needs to equalize pressure, too. But there’s no way for it to do it, so it just keeps getting worse and worse over the course of that descent. It can be really excruciating at times.”

Moving on to the simple treatment, Dr Richard said: “You can try to reduce the swelling of the membranes that can block the opening, so that would mean using the same things you’d use if you have this problem with your ears – Rin and Sudafed.”

He added that in extreme cases, doctors may prescribe oral steroids for inflammation – and in even more extreme cases, a surgical procedure can be undertaken.

He said: “It’s very easy to fix the problem if you’re someone who has this regularly and flies a lot or professionally.

“You have to open up those sinus drainage halfway surgically. Once you do that, the problem goes away.”

Aerosinusitis can be extremely uncomfortable for some passengers.

Erica Klauber, 39, recalled experiencing severe pain and even fearing she was having an aneurysm while on a business trip in 2013.

She said:  “I remember looking at the guy next to me.

“I was like, ‘Should I reach out and tell him? Do I have the faculties to tell him that this is it?’”

However Dr Richard reassured travellers that as painful as may feel, aerosinusitis is “not really a big deal”, adding: “Once the pain has resolved, the problem is resolved.”

He added that while many patients fear their heads might explode, “that isn’t a real thing. Your sinus cannot explode or implode. It just hurts a lot.”

THE Italian island of Giglio is home to wide sandy beaches and hidden coves, and it remains largely untouched by hordes of holidaymakers.

Set in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Giglio is just one of the seven major islands that form part of the Tuscan Archipelago.

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The string of seven islands, which include the more commonly known Elba, were said to have been formed by the scattered pearls of the goddess Venus’s necklace.

Covering just nine square miles, Giglio is home to just 1,100 residents.

While this number swells somewhat in the summer months, the Italian island remains largely untouched by British holidaymakers.

Home to the island’s ferry port, Giglio Porto is the main town on the island.

The harbour is backed by a string colourful houses where the majority of the island’s residents live.

From Giglio Porto, day-trippers can rent a small motorboat, which means they can explore hidden coves that aren’t reachable from land.

There are also several scuba dive centres located in Giglio Potro where scuba divers can hire equipment and book onto underwater tours, to explore shipwrecks, sea caves and coral walls in the waters surrounding Giglio Porto.

Other towns on the island include Giglio Castello and Giglio Campese.

Located on the top of a hill, Giglio Castello is an ancient medieval village that’s home to formidable city walls and winding cobblestone streets.

Meanwhile, Giglio Campese is home to Giglio Campese Beach, the largest beach on the island.

The dark red sand is the most tourist-focused spot on the island, with visitors able to rent out sunloungers and parasols.

Other beaches on the island include Cannelle Beach, which has fine white sand and crystal-clear waters and Caldane Beach, one of the smallest beaches on the island.

Visitors can reach Giglio on a direct ferry service from Porto Santo Stefano on the Tuscan mainland.

Ferry journeys take roughly one hour with tickets starting from £11 per person.

And there are plenty of other secluded spots in Italy only locals seem to know about, including Ponza.

Ponza

Ponza is part of the Pontine archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea, and it is home to beaches that rival Capri — but for a fraction of the price.

One of the more rustic Italian islands, with its untouched natural landscapes, hidden coves and sea caves.

To get there, you can hop on a train from Rome’s main station, Termini, to the port city of Anzio. The journey takes just over an hour and costs around £5.

Meanwhile, here are the 100 best beaches in the world to visit in 2024 – and four from the UK have made the cut.

And one tiny UK town has been compared to a stunning Italian island.

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PORTUGAL has introduced a brand new monthly rail pass which gives tourists and locals unlimited train travel for just €20.

The Green Rail Pass is Portugal‘s latest attempt at getting more people onboard public transport to explore the best the European hot spot has to offer – here’s all we know about the new railcard.

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Government officials in Portugal have started a huge push for affordable and enjoyable travel options for citizens in recent years.

They already offered a similar rail pass which allowed for unlimited travel across the national train services but it set back travellers a whopping €49.

But with many seeing the high price as simply too much officials started to look into the Green Rail Pass which is more than half the price.

Prime Minister Luís Montenegro first spoke on his intent to launch the pass back in August.

He said: “This is an investment in people, it is an investment in the environment, it is an investment in the future.

“This is strategically and structurally managing the future of Portugal.”

The pass was finally approved by the country’s Council of Ministers on Friday.

Anyone travelling with the cheap card will be able to seamlessly hop onboard nearly all urban, regional, inter-regional and inter-city services operated by the state-owned rail company Comboios de Portugal.

But it won’t be valid on urban trains in the Lisbon and Porto Metropolitan Areas due to the popularity of those regions.

Premium high speed trains ran by Alfa Pendular are also not included.

It only applies to train services so can’t be used on the country’s metro or light rail systems either.

Exact details on how the pass will work or when it can first be used are yet to be announced.

Further information is expected in the coming weeks from the government.

Plans were originally in place for it to launch by the end of September.

With officials being quoted as saying it will be introduced before the end of the year.

Negotiations with Comboios de Portugal are ongoing as to how the scheme will work.

Everyone involved is aiming to ensure an effective and safe roll-out of the railcard which aligns with the current quality of the service.

How it compares to the rest of Europe

Portugal’s unlimited travel pass is set to be one of the most value-for-money cards in the whole of the continent.

Germany introduced a €49 Deutschlandticket in April last year allowing for unlimited rail travel on regional services for a month.

At the time it was dubbed the “biggest public transport reform in German history” after the first two months saw a huge surge in travellers.

Despite the success the price is set to increase by €9 next year.

France also has a monthly card called the France Pass but it is only available to French residents aged 27 and under.

Austria offers a year-long €1,095 Klimaticket which lets people use all forms of public transport throughout the country.

With Hungary offering €25 railcards for unlimited travel in any one of its 19 counties.

Or a €49 monthly national travel card to use on every bus and train line in Hungary operated by the main three railway companies and top bus providers.

In comparison, the UK offers a BritRail Pass which allows people not from the UK to travel across Britain by train for a number of consecutive days.

The cheapest available pass costs £96 and allows for two days of nationwide travel on accepted services.

For an entire month worth of unlimited travel Brits have to fork out an eye watering £568, according to Trainline.

The most beautiful train journeys in Europe

HERE are the top 20 train journeys in Europe, according to Rustic Pathways:

1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

2. Vale of Rheidol Railway

3. Kyle Line

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4. The Flam Railway

5. Bernina Express

6. Settle-Carlisle Railway

7. Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways

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8. Gotthard Panorama Express

9. Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway

10. Brecon Mountain Railway

11. Lynton and Barnstaple Railway

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12. Llangollen Railway

13. Bala Lake Railway

14. Jacobite Steam Train

15. The Bergen Railway

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16. South Devon Railway

17. Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway

18. West Somerset Railway

19. Glacier Express

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20. Le Train Jaune

TAKE the kids to explore a city for an October half-term treat. You don’t have to go to London for a choice of fantastic attractions and experiences.

You’ll find it cheaper to stay and pay for family fun at other favourite cities across the UK. Trisha Harbord brings you a selection of the best things to see and do in these walkable cities.

Edinburgh

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THE cobbled Royal Mile is one of the UK’s most famous streets. Visit the castle on the hill then start your walk to the Scottish Parliament.

You’ll pass St Giles’ Cathedral, Parliament Square, cashmere shops, the famous World’s End pub, one-time jail Canongate Tolbooth and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

FREE: The Museum of Childhood with toys and games from across generations. Harry Potter fans can join a free tour around the town with stops including the inspiration behind Diagon Alley and Voldemort’s grave, see pottertrail.com.

THRILL: Re-live Edinburgh’s darkest history in the Dungeon, with special effects, scary actors and a drop ride.

If you have a car, ride the waves at the new Lost Shore surf centre, 25 minutes from the city.

GO: Two nights’ B&B for two adults and two children at Arrandale Guest House is from £430. See visitscotland.com for details.

Cardiff

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WALK the walls of the castle. Once a Roman fort, it’s a mix of buildings from all eras and now a Gothic extravaganza.

Visit Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades and stop off at Spillers, the oldest record shop in the world.

Bute Park is the green heart of the city with natural play features.

FREE: Try a walking tour to learn the city’s 2,000-year history, fogosfreetours .com.

Visit the National Museum or open-air St Fagans to see craftsmen showing traditional skills.

THRILL: The Principality Stadium is the home of Welsh rugby. If you fancy, you can walk along the edge of the 75,000-seat roof, zip wire across the canopy, then abseil down.

GO: A family room at the Parkgate Hotel is from £173 a night. See the parkgatehotel.wales and visitwales.com.

Newcastle/Gateshead

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ENJOY a circular Quayside walk from the tilting Gateshead Millennium Bridge, taking in stunning views from both the Newcastle and Gateshead sides of the River Tyne.

Check out music at Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

See the Norman castle and the fantastic science attraction Centre for Life.

FREE: Visit the Discovery Museum and the centre for kids’ books, Seven Stories. Stroll through Leazes Park and Victorian Saltwell Park in Gateshead, with a lake, play areas, an animal house, maze and cafe.

THRILL: Newcastle Climbing Centre has walls for all abilities.

GO: Family room at easyHotel from £55 a night. See easyhotel.com and newcastlegateshead.com.

Birmingham

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THIS city has more canals than Venice, so weave your way through Brindleyplace with its cafes and squares.

It is close to the National Sea Life Centre, with the UK’s only 360-degree ocean tunnel to see the marine life.

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the first Cadbury shop in the city, so do visit Cadbury World with its new Chocolate Quest ride.

FREE: Take a free family trail around the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery to see Egyptian mummies, and the Staffordshire Hoard Gallery has the biggest collection of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

THRILL: Try 11 adventure activities including sky diving over at The Bear Grylls Adventure at the NEC.

GO: Family room at the Ibis Styles from £94 a night. See all.accor.com and visitbirmingham.com

York

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THIS historic hub boasts more attractions per square mile than any other UK city. Step back in time to discover the 10th century at the Jorvik Viking Centre.

Tour the amazing York Minster cathedral, see artefacts at Dig, a hands-on adventure based on real-life digs.

York’s Chocolate Story has interactive exhibits, tastings and make your own lolly.

FREE: Stroll along York’s historic walls that have protected the city for 2,000 years. Visit the National Railway Museum, full of iconic engines.

THRILL: Visit ghost tours, escape rooms, wizard walks, a dungeon and handling eagles at the Bird of Prey Centre.

GO: Family room at Travelodge York Hull Road is from £148 a night. See travelodge.co.uk and visit york.org.

Manchester

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HALF-TERM falls over Halloween and Manchester Monsters are out in force, with free events from October 25, and a spectacular procession.

See the world’s largest football collection at the National Football Museum, visit Legoland Discovery Centre and watch 2,000 creatures at Sea Life’s underwater world.

FREE: Enjoy the city’s museums, including Manchester Museum, which houses 4.5million objects from archaeology to zoology. Young gamers will love the 150 consoles playing from Mario to Minecraft at the Science and Industry Museum.

THRILL: There’s indoor skydiving at iFLY as well as carts on virtual tracks at Chaos Karts.

GO: A family room at the city centre Premier Inn, is from £87 a night. See premier inn.com and visitmanch ester.com

Brighton

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RENOWNED as the finest ever, Brighton’s 1,722ft pier has attractions for everyone from fairground favourites to thrill coasters.

Tuck into fish and chips, pizza or ice cream while enjoying sea views.

A must-visit is the magnificent 18th century Brighton Pavilion, the palace of King George IV.

The Toy and Model Museum is an amazing Aladdin’s cave of trains, boats, dolls and puppets.

FREE: See the taxidermy collection and a killer whale skeleton at the Booth Museum of Natural History.

THRILL: Glide 450ft into the air for 360-degree views on British Airways i360.

GO: Family rooms at the beach-front Best Western Princes Marine Hotel, from £99 a night. See booking.com and visit brighton.com

Bristol

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WITH more than 400 parks and green spaces, no wonder Bristol has European Green Capital status.

The streets are adorned with art including the elusive Banksy, who was born here.

Explore the world’s first ocean liner at Brunel’s SS Great Britain and travel through space in the 3D planetarium at We The Curious.

FREE: Bristol’s iconic Clifton Suspension bridge over the River Avon. Walk across to the visitor centre to learn about one of engineer Brunel’s masterpieces.

THRILL: Wake The Tiger, an immersive high-tech experience where you walk through a labyrinth of 40 spaces of art and kaleidoscope colours.

GO: Family room at Moxy from £123 a night. See marriott.com and visitbristol.co.uk.