FROM a “culture vulture” to a “cultural influencee”, what kind of traveller are you?

Now, you can find out in a fun travel quiz.

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If you’re all about the experience and only want to soak up the local culture, then you are no doubt a “Culture Vulture”.

But if your trip has purely been planned around your favourite influencer, then you are likely to be a “Cultural Influencee”.

The quiz comes as research from ibis Hotels revealed a wider look into the nation’s travel habits, with one in five Gen Z‘s only booking a holiday destination they have seen on social media.

A poll of 2,000 people who have been abroad within the last three years found three in 10 young adults take inspiration from what they see on Instagram.

Nearly a fifth (19%) also turn to TikTok, while 21% use YouTube, and one in 10 will trust the opinions of an influencer.

But across all age groups, going to see friends and family remains the most common reason for going away (44%).

Meanwhile, 28% will go somewhere based on their personal interests and hobbies.

A spokesperson for ibis Hotels, which has recently launched its new “Go get it” campaign for Global Tourism Day, said: “The world around us is constantly evolving and modernising, technology, social media, AI, it all impacts the way we engage with people and places, but the fundamentals of travel have remained the same.

“After 50 years of welcoming millions of guests a year, we understand that there are millions of reasons to travel and, fundamentally, they are all about making their mark on the world and having the world make its mark on us.”

The study found that 53% of travellers claim the experience is more important that “just ticking somewhere off the list”.

More than half (52%) feel it’s important for them to try new things, such as local cuisines (52%), and local cultures and traditions (52%).

And 21% think it’s key for them to feel like they belong in the destination they have chosen to travel to.

Cost is the biggest factor when choosing a travel destination (52%), while 43% are influenced by the surroundings, and 25% make a decision based on the type of cuisine.

A third of travellers globally prioritise the weather in their decision-making process about a given destination.

Unsurprisingly, this is a key factor for Brits, with 42% choosing a destination because of the weather.

The OnePoll data revealed beach holidays to be the most popular holiday experience (43%) – with 39% planning this type of trip in 2025.

A significant 42% are lining up a city break, as London, Amsterdam, and New York come out top on the list of places people intend to travel to in the next three years.

It also emerged 27% would like to travel more in 2025 compared to 2024, although 24% who feel like this are worried about being able to afford it.

A spokesperson for ibis added: “While the future of travel remains consistent, people’s intent to get away is likely always going to change.

“We are passionate about assisting for the different travel intentions and elevating convenience for the traveller.

“It’s important that people get exactly what they come for and get the most out of their experience.”

MABLETHORPE, near Skegness, is often slated as a seaside town.

It came bottom of the list for England’s seaside resorts this year in a Which? survey but I find it hard to believe, having visited it both as a child and now as a mum.

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The little coastal gem always delivers all the fun in the sun you’d expect at the Great British seaside.

I grew up going to the Lincolnshire coast every year for my family’s annual trip to the seaside and I still love taking my boys back now. 

One of my earliest holiday memories is riding a tandem in the sunshine with my parents and my brothers and going to watch the Care Bears Movie, around the time that Mablethorpe’s cinema was reopened as the Loewen, which is still going strong.

Mablethorpe’s beach stretches for miles and there’s two little trains that run you along the front if you’re staying further out at one of the holiday parks like Haven Golden Sands and want to get into the centre.

The trains are known as Landy and Sandy as one runs on the road and the other on the beach.

Tickets for Landy are £2 each, while Sandy costs £3 per person return or £1.50 for a one way trip and then you can amble back along the sandy shore, paddling in the sea if the tide is right. Under threes travel free and dogs are welcome aboard.

The trains are just one of the attractions run by Jacksons of Mablethorpe, which also offer a beachfront arcade with a mix of machines to keep all ages amused.

As the company is on the cusp of celebrating its 100th anniversary next year, it must be doing something right and there’s plenty of visitors like my family who keep coming back year after year.

If arcades and bars aren’t your thing, my top tip would be to check out the seal sanctuary at North End Beach over the road from the Haven park if you love wildlife or take a trip down the coast to charming Sutton-on-Sea if you fancy a change of scene. 

Golden Sands is a great place to stay, with indoor and outdoor pools and loads of kids activities like archery, climbing, high ropes and a free soft play.

It’s consistently rated as one of the most popular Haven sites and we’ve had loads of brilliant breaks there, meeting up with friends and having a blast.

My favourite time of year to visit is actually the October half term as I’ve often bagged a bargain as the holiday season comes to an end.

It’s fun checking out who’s decorated their caravan for Halloween and holiday parks can be a great place for traffic-free trick or treating.

And Lincolnshire is perfect for a staycay if you want to keep things cheap as chips as it’s not a big holiday hotspot, other than for Midlanders, so the prices are lower than at other seaside spots.

The irony of Mablethorpe’s surprise rating of just 46 per cent in this year’s Which? survey is that it’s only a year since it was named England‘s best beach in research commissioned by car rental firm Sixt, beating the likes of Cromer in Norfolk.

It was judged on water quality, parking, nearby amenities and whether there’s lifeguards on duty.

I’d be far more inclined to agree with last year’s rating, although if you’re looking at Mablethorpe town centre as a whole, there are bits that do look like they need a bit of TLC, like entertainment complex Spanish City, which was recently spotted on hit TV drama Sherwood.

Last year, it was neighbouring Skegness that came joint bottom of the Which? seaside survey, so it just goes to show that fortunes can change overnight.

If you’re looking for an alternative to the hustle and bustle of Skegvegas, the golden sands are what make Mablethorpe a must-visit in my eyes.

What are the Sun team’s favourite seaside towns?

The Sun’s travel team share some of their favourite English seaside towns

Folkestone, Kent

With views of France (on a very clear day), the main attraction is the Harbour Arm, sitting at the edge of the converted train tracks and selling hand-crafted goods and amazing food.

The multicoloured high street with shops and restaurants can’t be missed, my favourites being Burrito Buoy for some amazing margaritas and The Folkestone Bookshop for some novels.

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You’ll need to pack your beach shoes as it has a stony beach over a sandy beach – but after a few drinks at the much loved pilot bar, you’ll hardly care.

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Mousehole, Cornwall

The small sandy bay has retained it’s chocolate box charm, crammed with weathered fishing boats and backed by pokey cafes and airy art galleries where seaside-inspired works hang from the walls.

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For impeccable views of a wild sea and homemade grub, head to Rock Pool Cafe which sits atop a craggy cliff and order a ‘make it yourself’ hot chocolate.

There are some impressive coastal walks – but be warned it can be hilly.

Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor

Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire

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Accessible on a spit of sand when the tide is out, this quirky little community art project is made up of driftwood, flags and mementoes from those who have visited to admire the huge swathes of golden sands and sparkling waters.

Sadly the original was destroyed in a fire in 2023 but an enthusiastic band of local volunteers are slowly re-building the landmark.

Lisa Minot, Head of Travel

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A COUPLE who spent the night in a derelict shack with no plumbing were forced to drink water from a local river to survive.

But the duo were treated to lush views of the Welsh countryside during their overnight stay at Grwyne Fawr.

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“For this year 2023 I’ve decided to challenge myself and stay in every bothy in Wales this summer,” adventurer Heitor Visuals wrote on the video’s caption.

“And how better way to start than by spending the night at the smallest bothy in the UK – Grwyne Fawr.”

After walking through rural woodland and across rolling hills, the hikers arrived at the mould-infested shack.

The cramped two-storey space is stocked with some necessities – including tinned meals, tools, loo roll and a stove for cooking meals.

A bothy is a basic shelter, usually left unlocked and available for anyone to use free of charge.

The majority of bothies are repurposed structures with histories of offering respite in isolated locations: crofters’ homes, shepherds’ huts, remote farmsteads.

Located at the bottom of a deep ravine, Grwyne Fawr is easy to overlook.

And getting to the building from the main path while wearing a heavy pack takes careful footwork.

As darkness descended, the couple fired up the stove to cook their respective dinners – a hearty bowl of penne pasta with cheese sauce and Uncle Ben’s Mexican Style rice with a tin of chilli con carne slopped on top.

They also sourced water from the bone-chilling river located next to Grwyne Fawr.

The following morning, the two tucked into an all-day breakfast sachet washed down with a piping hot cup of tea before heading home.

SANDS NICE

Meanwhile, Brits can still enjoy a summer staycation, with many beach huts now having kitchens and bathrooms inside.

But some even let you stay overnight – with beds squeezed inside too.

Similar to glamping, many huts have been kitted out with everything you might need for an overnight stay.

And some cost as little as £49 a day – compared to the average price of buying a beach hut of around £123k.

For example, Beach Hut 409 on Mudeford Split is right on the beach, with four beds inside.

This is along with a kitchen, complete with fridge and cooker, as well as outdoor shower and portaloo.

Or there is Sea Angel Vintage Beach Chalet in Cornwall, which sleeps four as well thanks to a double bed and bunk bed.

Previous guests even said there was a “bottle of bubbly and chocolates waiting for them” on arrival.

The cheapest option is staying at Branksome Chine in Dorset, which costs less than £50 a night.

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THE kids are finally back at school, so now it’s time for the grown-ups to put their feet up.

And there are few better ways to unwind than a cruise. From epic adventures around the Caribbean to wild nights partying on the White Isle, Sophie Swietochowski picks her top adult-only sailings still with availability this year.

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1. FRENCH DAZE & IBIZA NIGHTS: If a raucous adults-only getaway is what you’re after, that’s certainly what you’ll get on board Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages — and this French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise has 70 per cent off for the second passenger, but you’ll have to be ready to set sail straight away.

When you’re not swigging back cocktails in your jammies at the PJ party on board Scarlet Lady, you’ll be dancing til dawn on the sands of Ibiza or slurping some of the finest rose in France’s Provence.

And if all that boozing leads to a bit of a sore head, the ship is home to a marble-clad spa complete with a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated hammam benches.

The seven-night voyage costs from £1091.69pp, based on two sharing an indoor cabin and departing from Barcelona on September 29.

The ship calls at Marseille, Cannes, Mallorca, and Ibiza. See virginvoyages.com.

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2. NORWAY’S LAND OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS: This 14-night icy voyage around Norway’s snow-capped peaks is certainly one for the bucket list as you hunt for the famous Northern Lights.

Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition is all about the grown-up getaways with sophisticated dining options like Lupino’s, an al-fresco style Mediterranean restaurant, and a lavish theatre hosting epic musical performances.

The sailing departs in November so pack your winter coat as it’ll be chilly outside, but the frost only adds to the magic.

The ship sails from London Tilbury to Haugesund, Alesund, Trondheim, Alta, Leknes, Narvik, Bodo and Bergen.

The Norway’s Land of the Northern Lights voyage costs from £1,199pp in the end of summer sale. See ambassadorcruiseline.com.

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3. CARIBBEAN DISCOVERY: Got buckets of time? Well, pack your sunscreen as P&O Cruises has a mega 24-night trip that will take you around some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque, sun-drenched islands.

You’ll tick off St Maarten, the French-half Dutch port littered with little boutiques; Guadeloupe, where hikers will have their pick of craggy trails; Kingstown in St Vincent, home to lush botanical gardens and Bridgetown in Barbados, where you can swig on rum until the sun comes up.

The cruise also calls at Madeira and Ponta Delgada in Portugal.

With plenty of days at sea you’ll have ample time to soak up Aurora’s fun with an epic casino on board, interactive game shows, archery, a cinema and even a library.

The 24-night sailing (R421) costs from £2,399pp, departing Southampton on October 29. See pocruises.com.

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4. FESTIVE FLAVOURS: For a festive-themed European break, few do it better than TUI’s adult-only river cruises.

This five-night sailing along Germany’s Rhine River will call at some of the best Christmas markets in the world, including the one in Cologne selling sweet and spicy biscuits and blown-glass trinkets.

From the top deck of TUI Skyla, you’ll be able to admire the passing cities or join one of the open-air movie nights under a blanket of stars.

Be prepared to not just fill your boots with Christmas gifts but your stomach with grub as on top of the market grub, cruisers will be treated to a six-course gala dinner on board the ship one evening.

The five-night voyage costs from £978pp, departing Mainz on December 8 and calling at Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Koblenz. See tui.co.uk.

A SMALL family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh with nine types of mashed potato on its menu has just been announced as the winner of best restaurant in the UK for casual dining.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, located a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Old Town, specialises in traditional Scottish comfort food, dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties and chicken in whisky sauce.

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But what makes this eatery unique, is everything comes with your own choice of mashed potato.

There are nine flavours to choose from:

• Classic Scottish dairy butter
• Mature Scottish cheddar cheese
• Mild smoked applewood cheese
• Wholegrain mustard
• Smoked bacon and spring onion
• Scottish black pudding
• Chilli smoked bean medley
• Creamed horseradish
• Olive oil mash

Of course, if you’re not a fan of the smooth and silky side, you can opt out of having it – purple-sprouting broccoli is served up instead.

Makars was given the accolade in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants 2024.

Tripadvisor chose its winners by looking at the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for restaurants from travellers over a 12-month period.

Makars was described by reviewers as an “Edinburgh legend” and “local gem”.

As well as serving up delicious food in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant focuses on using local ingredients and is moving towards plant based cooking.

Alongside slow cooked lamb shank, slow cooked beef shoulder, and wild board sausage, it offers vegetarian haggis and vegetarian sausage made from skirlie (a traditional Scottish dish made from oatmeal and onion).

Makers also has dishes with lions mane mushroom on offer for its vegan and vegetarian customers, an ingredient known for being packed with potent antioxidants to fight disease, with claims it can boost brain cell production.

The mushroom is described as having the taste of lobster and crab, with the look of a lion’s mane. 

Typically, they’re quite expensive, but Makers has developed an advanced lions mane grow facility in Edinburgh, allowing them to offer them at a cost they think is fair – that’s dedication.

Prices at Makers range from £18 to £23, not including sides or dessert.

One customer who visited the restaurant this month described their meal as a “feast to remember”.

They wrote in their review on Tripadvisor: “Quite simply – the best dining experience I’ve had in months! The place is buzzing, but not crowded.

“The staff were superlative, offering friendly assistance throughout the meal, without being obtrusive.

“The food was first class. Loved the black pudding mash. A feast to remember.”

Another penned: “Friendly and relaxed atmosphere for a truly gourmet experience.”

Makers also came in the top 10 restaurants for casual dining worldwide.

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Sliding into ninth place, it joined the likes of restaurants in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Peru.

While Makers does accept walk in customers, it’s recommended you book in advance as it can get very busy.