A UK train station was once the world’s largest has opened a new lounge for parents to take the kids.

York Railway Station confirmed the second family-friendly zone will open next month, after the success of the one at London Kings Cross. which opened in 2022.

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The new family lounge is being built by rail operator LNER, with works already staring.

Inside is a children’s play area that’s based on the city’s historic walls with a fake castle.

There will also be beach huts with tabletop games, wall games, soft flooring and crawl spaces.

A series of specially designed murals focusing on York’s famous landmarks will decorate the walls inside the lounge.

Other features are set to include a breastfeeding area for new mums as well as ample seating for the entire family.

The family lounge is due to open in mid-December, giving families travelling for Christmas an additional space to unwind at the Victorian train station.

Colette Casey, LNER’s Customer Experience Director, said: “As a parent, I’m delighted that LNER is introducing Family Lounges with a new space in York our latest addition.

“York is a major hub station for us with millions of customers starting or ending their journeys here each year.

“We constantly strive to deliver improved experiences for all our customers as they travel with us and providing these new facilities is bound to aid that.”

York Railway Station was the largest in the world when it first opened in 1877.

The northern railway station had 13 platforms, a train shed, station buildings and a hotel.

It has undergone several renovations in its 147-year history, with the family lounge being the latest feature to open at the station.

Visitors to York Railway Station have previously raved about their time at the train station, with one person writing on TripAdvisor: “A beautiful historic railway station.”

Another person added: “This is an impressive old train station.”

Even if you aren’t in York, you can head to London Kings Cross Station to see what the lounge is like.

Located next to the Travel Centre in London Kings Cross, the family lounge is accessible for families who are booked on to trains departing from the station.

Inside are four brightly-coloured beach huts complete with tabletop toys and games.

There’s also a bespoke Hornby train set, keeping both big and little kids entertained, and a soft play area with a slide and a tiny black boulder doubling as a climbing frame.

Other features include a breastfeeding area for new mums, ample seating for the entire family and interactive screens with films.

The lounge can be used by families travelling with any rail operator, not just those who have a ticket with LNER.

Meanwhile, the world’s most beautiful train station is just one hour from the UK, and it is like “travelling back in time to golden age of rail”.

And a derelict train station dating back to 1881 could be transformed into a holiday park.

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SIERRA Leone has announced the launch of its own airline, with direct UK flights to follow later this year.

A direct service hasn’t linked the UK with Sierra Leone since British Airways suspended its service during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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New airline Air Sierra Leone hopes to operate a thrice-weekly service between London and the West African nation.

The new route will be operated by Nigeria-based Xejet Aviation and has received the backing of the Sierra Leone Government, Travel Gossip reports.

The new route is set to launch on December 2, with direct flights operating from London Gatwick every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Meanwhile, flights from Sierra Leone to London Gatwick will operate every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

In a post on x (formerly Twitter), Sierra Leone’s Minister of Transport and Aviation Fanday Turay described the new route as “representing a significant advancement for our country’s aviation industry”.

It is not yet known how much flights will cost, although Travel Gossip has reported promotional fares of $750.

More information, including flight times and prices will be announced on Saturday (October 19).

When flights from the UK begin operating later this year, they will land in Freetown, the capital city of Sierra Leone.

A new airport opened in Freetown last year, with a capacity to manage 90,000 passengers per month.

This is five times what it was previously capable of processing, meaning it can now host far more tourists than before.

Meanwhile the European Union is building more than 60 miles of road upgrades, to make it easier for visitors to travel around once they’ve arrived. 

Despite it once being considered one of the more dangerous destinations to visit, there are no current travel advisories in place from the UK Foreign Office.

At present, no tour operators currently run tours or packages to Sierra Leone.

It’s easy to see why people would enjoy Sierra Leone as a holiday destination, with high temperatures sticking around the 30C throughout the year.

Sierra Leone is also very affordable, with a night for two in a double room in the capital Freetown from £19.

Elsewhere, a beer in the country can be bought from around 50p.

There’s plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained too, including Bureh Beach and the Turtle Islands.

Bureh Beach is a surf haven, while the Turtle Islands have been described as “the stuff castaway movies are made of” by travel experts Bradt.

They continued: “Eight tiny islands form the Turtle Islands, an undeveloped archipelago thrown across the Atlantic just off the western shore of Sherbro Island.

“Each one is a slice of pure, bright sand sat amid breath-taking azure, framed by sighing palms silhouetted against a hazy blue sky.”

They get their name from the wildlife that can be seen in the waters around the archipelago, with snorkelling and diving very popular around the islands.

Other popular natural attractions include Mount Bintumani, the highest peak in West Africa, where people come from all over to hike amid the lush rainforests that cover its lower slopes.

Those forests are home to a large variety of animals, like pygmy hippopotamuses, dwarf crocodiles and several species of primate.

Visitors could soon be able to see primates in Sierra Leone as part of plans for a new eco-tourism circuit that would take in both Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Mt Bintumani.

Luther star Idris Elba has unveiled plans to transform Sherbro Island, just off the coast of Sierra Leone, the country in West Africa where his father was born.

Sherbro Island has miles of sandy beaches and is described online as a place to relax and slow down.

The island is one of several places with impressive stretches of shoreline in the country.

And thanks to Idris, it could soon become a hugely important destination.

Currently the only place that accommodates tourists on the island is the Bonthe Holiday Village, which offers accommodation with AC in comfortable rooms located in chalets.

But Elba wants to create much more for tourists and locals to enjoy on the island.

He has said that he wants to make it an ‘afro-dynamic eco-city’ and a new urban hub for all of Africa, which will include new hotels.

Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP), who are helping with the development has said that it will be done while protecting the island’s ‘delicate ecosystem’.

British Airways is understood to be discussing a return with the west African country about resuming its flights.

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Meanwhile, this new European airline is set to launch flights this summer.

And this lesser-known airline has new flights from two UK airports.

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UNIVERSAL’S Epic Universe has finally revealed its opening date – and you won’t have to wait long.

The huge new theme park, opening in Florida, was first announced in 2019.

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With five massive themed lands inside, the park confirmed that the resort is opening next year.

The official opening date of Epic Universe is May 22, 2025.

And tickets will go on sale before this, with them launching this month on October 22, 2024.

Brits will be able to choose from two pass types – The 2025 Explorer Ticket which includes 14 days at the Universal theme parks, and a one-day pass for the new Epic Universe.

Or there will be the All Parks Ticket with unlimited access for all parks, launching in 2026.

Tickets will start from £399.

The theme park will be one of the biggest in the US, stretching across 750 acres.

This will include more than 50 attractions, ranging from kids rides to terrifying rollercoasters.

The themed lands are as followed:

Celestial Park

Celestial Park will be the central land, with guests travelling to the other lands by ‘portals’.

Dual-launch rollercoaster Starfall Racers will hit speeds up to 62mph, while other rides include the wet-play area Astronomica and the Constellation Carousel.

Food options will include Chinese and Italian, with restaurants and shacks including the Blue Dragon Pan-Asian Restaurant, Victorian-themed Atlantic and The Oak & Star Tavern, along with Pizza Moon for snacks.

The main hotel will also be found at Celestial Park.

The 500-room Universal Helios Grand Hotel will include a private entrance into the theme park as well as a huge swimming pool and rooftop lounge.

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Super Nintendo World

Entering via the iconic green pipe, guests can enter the Mario-themed Super Nintendo World.

Similar to the one already open at Universal Studios Hollywood, the main ride will be the Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, an AR racing game

Yoshi’s Adventure, will let passengers collect eggs around the Mushroom Kingdom, where characters including Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach will be roaming.

Themed snacks will be served at Toadstool Cafe, Yoshi’s Snack Island and Turbo Boost Treats.

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How to Train Your Dragon

The  How to Train Your Dragon land is based in the Isle of Berk. 

Family coaster Hiccup’s Wing Gliders will let passengers fly through the air alongside Hiccup and Toothless, while Fyre Drill is a water cannon ride.

Other rides include Dragon Racer’s Rally, Biking Training Camp and live show The Untrainable Dragon.

Food and drink will be found at Mead Hall, Spit Fyre Grill and Grog & Gruel, while Viking Traders, Hiccups Work Shop and Toothless’ Treasures will sell merchandise.

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Dark Universe

Dark Universe will be the scariest of the Epic Universe lands, set around Frankenstein Manor.

Dark ride Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment will bethe ‘most terrifying yet’ along with rides such spinning family coaster Curse of the Werewolf.

Other activities include Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, with food served at Das Stakehaus, The Burning Blade Tavern and De Lacey’s Cottage.

Why Epic Universe will be… epic

The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot explains what this new theme park means for the industry:

THE astonishing scale of  Epic Universe – with five fabulous new lands – will see Universal Resort Orlando challenging its arch rival Walt Disney World like never before.

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 I’ve always adored Universal’s quirky sense of humour and total immersion. It’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter rewrote the rule book when it came to attention to detail when it launched in 2010 with the incredible Hogsmeade.

 No one had done authentic, immersive theme park lands like them before and it saw even the likes of Disney rushing to catch up.

 And since then, they have been on a roll with a raft of exciting openings from the thrills of the Velociraptor ride in Jurassic Park to the quite brilliant Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure.

 With three parks – Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and now Epic Universe as well as the Volcano Bay water park and eight onsite hotels, you could spend an entire trip just exploring the wonderful worlds.

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 I can’t wait to see what astonishing new experiences they will deliver with the new park. It’s going to be Epic.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic

The main attraction at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic is the Harry Potter and the Battle of Ministry, set in 1990s London.

Le Cirque Arcanus, will be a full-scale live theatre experience with aerialists, special affects and puppetry.

Cosme Acajor Baguettes Magique will sell wands while food (along with butter beer) are served across stalls such as Café L’Air De La Sirène, Le Gobelet Noir, Bar Moonshine for exclusive beers and the Bièraubeurre Cart.

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EVERY year, a scenic gorge in Germany’s Black Forest is transformed into a charming Christmas market with over 40 stalls and live music performances.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market, also known as Ravennaschlucht Weihnachtsmarkt, is located between Hinterzarten and Freiburg in southern Germany.

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The German Christmas market is set underneath the 40m-high Höllental Railway Viaduct, making it look like it’s been plucked straight from a Harry Potter film.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market first started as a small gathering of local vendors in the early 20th century.

However, it has since become one of the region’s most popular festive markets.

The viaduct is lit up during the festive period, with wooden huts and snow-dusted trees lining the bottom of the gorge.

The Christmas market is home to over 40 stalls that sell a range of handmade items, including wooden toys, cuckoo clocks and ornaments.

There’s also a range of food and drink vendors serving a range of local grub like Bratwurst, Flammkuchen (smoky German pizza), fire-roasted nuts and crepes.

Traditional choirs and bands perform at the Christmas market, while a series of live demonstrations also take place.

Younger guests can also take part in a Christmas quiz and follow a nativity trail.

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market even has its own post office where younger visitors can send letters to Father Christmas.

Previous visitors have raved about the Christmas market.

Travel blogger Prost with the Proppes writing: “The Christmas market at Ravenna Gorge is one of the most magical we have been to.

“The market is smaller than the ones in bigger cities, therefore I don’t think you need more than a day or two.”

Another travel blogger, known as A Dangerous Business, added: “This magical Christmas market in the woods lived up to all my expectations.”

Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market will open to the public on select dates in November and December.

The Christmas market will be open on November 22, 23, 29, and 30, and it will also be open on December 1, 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15.

The market will be open from 3pm to 9pm every Friday, opening an hour earlier on Saturdays and Sundays.

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Entry tickets cost €5.50 (£4.60) for adults who arrive before 4pm, with this fee rising to €7.50 (£6.27) for entrants who arrive after this time.

Tickets for children aged between six and 15 are free.

Shuttle services operate from several nearby towns and villages, including Titisee, Hinterzarten, Himmelreich and Freiburg.

Children will need to pay €2 (£1.67) to board the shuttle service from Titisee, Hinterzarten and Himmelreich, with shuttle services from Freiburg costing €28 (£23.41).

Visitors can also book onto torchlight hikes, lantern walks and winter hikes to the Christmas Market.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg is the closest airport to the Christmas market, with British Airways and easyJet both operating a direct route from London.

One-way fares start from £15 in December, with return fares from as little as £32.

Meanwhile, this travel writer thinks their hometown has the best Christmas attraction in the UK.

A city in Germany has been dubbed “Christmas city” because it has one of the world’s oldest and most famous Christmas markets.

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