TRAVELLERS should always leave the airport during a long layover, according to travel experts.

Nipping out to see some of the sites can make you feel like you’re getting a two-for-one holiday.

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Obviously, this does depend to some extent on just how long the gap between flights is.

If it’s just an hour or two it may just be worth mooching around the airport shops for a possible bargain.

But when the layover is three or four hours or possibly more, it might be worth leaving the airport to go and explore.

Anyone considering heading outside should always consider how long it will take you to get into the city and just how easy it is to get there.

At some airports you might only need a few hours to leave the airport, see a famous site and be back in good time to board.

Elsewhere though you might need a minimum of half a day to make it worthwhile going past the security checkpoints.

Katy Nastro, Going’s resident travel expert told the Thrillist: “Filling your time during a lengthy layover with an impromptu city jaunt can feel like two adventures for the price of one.

“For example, I actively search for long connections through Copenhagen so I can bakery hop via bicycle.”

However, Katy did warn that you can’t expect that sort of flexibility at all airports.

She added: “When it comes to domestic layovers, you can get by with less time than an international one, mainly because there is no immigration to navigate through.

“International flights, especially to smaller cities or in more remote areas are not to be played with because these flights usually don’t have endless options to fall back on if missed.”

But if you take account of all these factors ahead of time will help making the decision easier.

The founder and CEO of Points Path, Julian Kheel, has managed to forge a career out of maximising every single travel opportunity.

He makes sure to find out how far it is between the airport and the city centre and how easily accessible the airport is.

Also considering how likely it is to encounter a traffic jam to and from the airport is also important to factor in.

Julian said: “For instance, if you’re going to have to return to the airport in the middle of rush hour, you’ll need to factor in plenty of additional time for traffic.

“You can also consider whether using mass transit like a train or subway is a good backup option.”

He added that it was also important to determine if you will need to pass through customs as you exit and re-enter the airport.

Julian said: “In some cases when traveling overseas, you may not be able to explore a city without getting an entry visa.

“Each country has different rules, but leaving an airport during an international connection can require additional paperwork that simply connecting through doesn’t.”

Then when you have calculated a number in your head, Katy recommends then doubling that figure.

She said: “Everyone’s propensity for risk and waiting is to each their own, but erring on the side of caution when catching your next flight will never be a regret.”

So, if you work out that you need two hours to get to and from the airport and back again through all the security checks, actually allow four hours.

Then you also need to consider just how much time you will need to actually see the tourist attraction you have gone to visit.

Julian says you should really have at least 3-4 hours of time to go and explore.

For most places, you will need a minimum of six hours of layover time to get there, look around and head back in time to get your connecting flight.

Airlines can be of help too so you can make your decision.

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines said: “Delta recommends travellers follow their posted recommendations for airport arrival time.

“Since you would have to go through security again if you leave the airport on a layover, this may not always work well for passengers.”

Anyone considering venturing outside of the airport should always check your tickets and plan to be at your gate within 45 minutes of the boarding time – not the departure time.

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A HOTEL resort in Spain is said to be more like Thailand – despite being right by Benidorm.

Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa has the “serenity, peace and quiet of South-East Asia” according to the website.

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It was named Spain‘s Leading Hotel in the this year’s Wold Travel Awards.

A number of famous celebrities have stayed too, including Wayne Rooney and Bruce Willis.

Surrounded by 370,000sqm of pine forest, the hotel itself has its own lush tropical gardens with 3,000 Asian species.

This includes a 200-year-old bonsai tree as well as bonsai and palm trees.

And on-site are seven swimming pool surrounded by the jungle, with four heated.

The adult-only Faces of Angkor pool is a Balinese style pool, heated and surrounded by huge stone statues.

Thailand is also known for its massages – and the hotel has its own Thai spa onsite.

There are nine restaurants too, ranging from Asia cuisine at Koh Samui as well as a range of Mediterranean options.

Taking your entire family? There is a kids play area, a Teens Club and a mini-dinner service for young guests, as well as a nanny service.

Rooms start from around £200 a night, or you can book a package holiday.

TUI has seven-night stays for as little as £1,077pp, including return flights.

Or book with Loveholidays for seven night stays from £819pp, with return flights.

Each of the rooms could with king-size beds, as well as huge TVs complimentary WiFi and amenity kids.

The hotel is only open until the end of the month before it closes for the season, although it will reopen again by May 2025.

Its easy to get to, as its around 40 minutes from Alicante Airport, or 24 minutes from the train station.

Another famous guest, Joan Collins, said: “Elegant and beautiful, the service and food GREAT!”

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Football player Zinedine Zidane said: “Thank you very much for your hospitality and friendliness. A beautiful place in Spain!”

Other guests have raved about it on Tripadvisor.

One wrote: “We really liked it, feeling like we were vacationing in Asia.”

A second agreed: “A taste of heaven amongst beautiful gardens a feeling of being whisked away to Thailand without the long haul flight.

“You’d think you were in Thailand not Benidorm.”

TUI has recently launched new hotels in Thailand, Vietnam and China.

A hidden bay in eastern Europe is said to be just like Thailand too.

We’ve also found some Maldives-style rooms that are actually at a hotel resort in Greece.

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A LOW cost airline has launched its first-ever flight from a regional UK airport with 174 passengers on board.

The airline will provide direct flights from a UK airport to a popular European capital.

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Customers flying on its North American connections can even visit two countries in one trip as stop overs are free in this major city.

It has been announced that for the first time ever, Wales and Iceland will be connected by a direct flight.

Customers on board PLAY Airlines can fly from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Cardiff, Wales, up to twice per week.

This will enable the people of Wales to explore the glorious blue lagoons and Viking history of Iceland.

Or, enable the people of Iceland to explore Wales and its stunning beaches, mountains and castles.

The first-ever flight took off just a day before Wales’ football game in Iceland – with 174 passengers on board.

Customers were treated to Icelandic sweets before take off such as Aurora Borealis cake, candy stripes, and chocolate liquorice.

Plus a water salute from Cardiff Airport firefighters.

Lee Smith, Cardiff Wales Airport’s Head of Business Development, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome PLAY Airlines to Wales today.

“This exciting service allows customers to enjoy direct flights between Wales and Iceland for the first time.

“PLAY’s Icelandic hub in Reykjavík also allows for people in Wales to take advantage of PLAY’s free stopovers in Iceland, before jetting off to five key cities in North America.

“We look forward to working with the team at PLAY to continue growing in Wales.”

Flight costs from Cardiff to Reykjavik in October start from as little as £55, per person for a round trip.

The trip time one way takes about three hours.

And there is still availability to fly out in October.

Customers using PLAY Airlines from Cardiff also have the option of visiting five other major cities abroad.

Such as New York, Washington, Boston and Baltimore in the USA.

Or Toronto in Canada.

RYANAIR has announced its schedule for flights to a popular winter holiday spot full of “magical experiences” for the family.

From Sunday 27th October, the airline will be putting on flights to Lapland-Rovaniemi, with five return flights per week from London and two return flights a week from Liverpool.

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Return journeys from London Stansted in early November are available from as little as £51.

Lapland is the famous winter wonderland with snow-covered forests, husky and reindeer rides, and ice hotels – not to mention being the ‘home’ of the Santa himself.

Flights to the Finnish airport situated within the Arctic Circle take three hours and 30 minutes.

Ryanair’s Head of Communications, Jade Kirwan, said Lapland is every kid’s (big and small) dream “with magical experiences that you will share with your family forever, including miles of glistening snow, reindeer and husky rides, snowball fights, chasing the northern lights, adventuring Christmas-themed parks and of course, a special visit to the big man himself and his jolly team of elves”.

She added: “It’s never too early to start your Christmas planning, especially when it means getting ahead of the flock to secure the best fares available, so make sure to visit Ryanair.com today and book your once in a lifetime trip to Lapland this Winter.”

Lapland is covered in snow and ice from November to late May, making it the ultimate place to visit to get into the festive spirit.

There’s a wide range of winter outdoor activities visitors can get involved in, including reindeer and dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice fishing and snow shoeing.

It’s also one of the best places to see the northern lights, which appear December through to March.

December and January are said to be the most ideal time for seeing the lights.

Lapland is home to the only indigenous people in Europe who, for at least 5000 years, have inhabited the Arctic.

They’re known as the Sámi and there are plenty of opportunities to experience their culture and traditions.

It’s also home to unique attractions like Santa Claus Village – the official home town of Santa Claus.

Here, there’s the chance to meet Santa in Santa’s Workshop Village, you can cross the Arctic Circle, which is marked in the centre square of the village, and you can also catch a glimpse of the northern lights.

There’s no entry fee for Santa Claus Village and you can also meet Santa and his elves every day of the year for free. 

For a truly unique experience when you visit Lapland, you can stay at the Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos.

Each room at the hotel is carved with a unique design and decorated with ice art and coloured lighting. 

And guests sleep on frozen beds covered with reindeer skins and fleeced-lined sleeping bags.

If the cold isn’t for you, its glass igloos are heated with 360-degree glass roofs and views of the sky.

The hotel also has the only snow sauna in the world, with snow walls and a humid steam room. 

And there’s an optional service to wake guests during the night if the northern lights appear. 

Prices for a one night stay at Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos start from £183.

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EARLIER this year, social media was abuzz with news that teachers can now sign up for the popular Blue Light Card – a discount scheme that’s saved my family hundreds of pounds over the years.

It’s no wonder that so many teachers were trying to take advantage of their newfound eligibility that the website crashed and the company had to introduce a waiting list to join. 

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We’ve been using our Blue Light Card, launched in 2008, since its very early days as my husband’s in the emergency services.

Over the years, the savings have really added up, especially when it comes to booking holidays and days out.

It’s my go-to app when I’m looking at whether I can get a discount on tickets, hotel rooms or even breaks away. 

It’s now second nature for me to use it when I book a UK holiday park, as both Butlin’s and Haven are the among those covered.

We’ve been visiting Butlin’s at least once a year since my eldest son, aged 12, was born.

Every time we’ve used our Blue Light Card privilege, it’s saved us £20, adding up to more than £200 over the last decade.

And our Haven savings probably add up to about the same amount over the years too.

It’s certainly not bad for a discount scheme that only costs £5 to join. 

When my husband first became a member, it was free if you just joined online or £5 for five years if you wanted a card to keep in your wallet.

Now it costs £5 for two years, but there’s lots of people still waiting for their application to be processed as the company works its way through the backlog from the summer rush.

We’ve also had some great deals on days out over the years with our Blue Light Card.

Sometimes the card holder can get in for free, with other friends and family members bagging a discounted rate.

We’ve done that before at attractions like the Legoland Discovery Centre in Birmingham.

I’ve noticed that lots of circuses have been offering free Blue Light Card tickets this year.

The big theme parks like Alton Towers and Legoland even host exclusive members-only days out, with tickets that can only be bought through the Blue Light Card site.

These usually run at the start and end of the season and often include discounted prices for the on-site hotels as well.

But you’ll need to be quick if you want to bag a bargain as these member-only days often sell out on the day they go on sale.

Whether it’s taking £20 off a stay at Butlin’s or bagging a bargain theme park ticket, it’s worth taking your time to trawl through the website, or the app, to see what appeals to you.

There’s so many partner companies signed up that there’s bound to be stuff you’re already buying that you could save on.

You can even use your card in the least likely places and sometimes those small wins are the best of all.

We had an excellent takeaway meal from My Plaice in Gorleston while we were on holiday in Great Yarmouth and the owner knocked 10 per cent off the price of our fish and chips when my husband showed our Blue Light Card. 

I think the deals to be had with the Blue Light Card beat those on offer with other discount cards like Kids Pass, which I’ve also been using this year.

If you’ve heard about Blue Light and thought it wasn’t for you, maybe it’s time to take another look and see if your job qualifies for membership, now the categories covered have been extended beyond the emergency services, military and healthcare professionals.

I’ve shared other money-saving hacks on days out in the UK, including a kid’s pass.

Earlier this year, we revealed some of the best free kids’ attractions in London for families to visit.

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GLOBAL travel website Skyscanner has named Córdoba in Spain as a trending travel destination for next year.

In its latest Travel Trends report, the flight comparison website named the destinations that had seen a boom in searches in the last 12 months.

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Córdoba in Spain was one of the five places in Europe that had seen a spike in searches from Brit holidaymakers.

Located in Andalusia in southern Spain, Córdoba isn’t as famous as other destinations in the region like Seville, Granada and Malaga.

Despite not being a household name, the Spanish city has plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It’s also packed with flower-decked courtyards – with a ‘patio festival’ every summer where you can tour them – as well as live flamenco performances across the city.

Córdoba used to be Spain’s former Islamic capital, with the city’s Great Mosque being a testament to its heritage.

The Mezquita mosque is the biggest attraction in the city, with Lonely Planet writing: “One of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture, the Mezquita hints, with all its lustrous decoration, at a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with a heady interaction of diverse, vibrant cultures.”

Visitors enter the mosque through Patio de los Naranjos, a lovely courtyard decorated with orange, palm and cypress trees and fountains.

Its interior, with red and white stone columns, garners the most attention from visitors.

Holidaymakers can also climb the 54m-high bell tower for panoramic views overlooking the city.

Entry tickets cost €13, with night tours of the Mezquita mosque costing €20 per person.

Another nod to the city’s Islamic heritage is the Hammam Al Ándalus – a luxurious experience that harks back to when bathhouses were an integral part of daily life. 

Entry tickets cost just over £50 and include access to the thermal baths, steam room and other massages and treatments.

There are plenty of other attractions in the Spanish city, including Palacio de Viana – a renaissance palace that’s known for its twelve patios and extensive art collection.

Meanwhile, the Alcázar Castle of Cordoba is another popular place for tourists to visit, serving as both a fortress and a palace in its history.

Built under Castilian rule in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Spanish fortress was where the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel first met Columbus in 1486.

Inside the fortress, visitors will find Roman mosaics on display while its gardens are full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees and flowers.

Other attractions include the Roman Bridge, which spans over the Guadalquivir River.

Trying local cuisine is a must in Spain, with Córdoba having a few of its own.

Holidaymakers should try salmorejo (a thicker version of gazpacho), flamenquín (a breaded roll of ham and pork) and rabo de toro (oxtail stew).

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Wine bars are another must for holidaymakers, with several cheap spots dotted throughout the city.

The prices of wines are said to start from just €1 (84p) at Jugo Vinos Vivos Tienda.

Otherwise there is also JUGO Vinos Vivos, which has not only been called a “charming hidden gem” but also the “best wine bar in Cordoba”.

Hotels in Córdoba are relatively cheap, with Sun Online Travel finding rooms at Eurostars Conquistador, a four-star hotel, from £67 per night, based on two people sharing a room.

It’s best to visit Córdoba in May when scents of jasmine and orange blossom fill the air.

The closest airport to Córdoba is Seville Airport where direct flights operate from the UK.

Direct flights operate from UK cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

EasyJet flies a direct route from London Gatwick to Seville, with return fares starting from as little as £37 in January.

From Seville, Brits will need to board a train to Córdoba, which will take roughly one hour.

Other lesser-known places to visit in Andalusia

THE Sun’s travel reporter Hope Brotherton spent several days exploring lesser-known cities in Andalusia, here are some of her recommendations…

Conil de la Frontera

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Because of its seaside roots, the Spanish town is known for its tuna fishing industry. On my visit, my guide recommended grabbing a bite to eat at Anticuario Conil Tapas – a restaurant in the heart of the town. I opted for a bottle of beer and a plate of red tuna accompanied by a small smattering of French fries – needless to say, it hit the spot.

To walk off my lunch, I climbed Torre de Guzman – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The tower, which was built in the 14th century, used to be part of the old castle and the walls, which once guarded the city. From the top of the tower, which is free to enter, visitors can enjoy views of the Andalusian Coast, terracotta rooftops and whitewashed houses.

Other attractions include España Square, which is the main square in the town. While I didn’t have enough time for a swim in the sea, there are several beaches in Conil, including Playa Punta Lejos.

Cadiz

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The Spanish port city of Cadiz isn’t top of most British holidaymakers, even though I think it should be.

It’s around a 90-minute train journey from Seville and there’s so much to do to keep holidaymakers entertained.

Make a beeline for the city’s cathedral. It’s topped with a glistening golden dome that reflects the sunlight, making it impossible to miss.

Nearby, there’s also el Callejon del Duende, the narrowest street in the city. While it’s been closed to the public for years, I popped my camera through the gate at its entrance and snapped away at the tiny passageway now filled with plants and flowers.

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As my tour guide advised, I visited the Roman amphitheatre (free to enter) as soon as it opened so I could avoid the hordes of day-trippers who flood the city from their cruise ships.

Meanwhile, these are the best all inclusive deals for Spain this year.

And we found the best all inclusive family holidays this summer.

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