THEY are the companies you trust the most with your precious holidays.

The 2024 Sun Travel Awards saw you voting in your tens of thousands for the travel providers you love to head away with, both home and abroad.

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And last week, The Sun’s Head of Travel Lisa Minot presented the very special accolades to the ­winners at an awards lunch at our London HQ hosted by the TV and radio presenter Alexis Conran.

Here’s who won your vote.

BEST AIRLINE – EMIRATES

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PICKING up the award for the second year running, Emirates is obviously a hit with Sun readers for its extensive network that carries you across the globe.

The airline’s generous seat sizes and baggage allowances in economy are probably why — as well as comprehensive in-flight entertainment and warm hospitality.

Second place went to the original flag carrier, British Airways, with airline and tour op giant Jet2 in third.

BEST SHORT-HAUL OPERATOR – JET2 HOLIDAYS

THE northern airline that has transformed itself into the UK’s largest tour operator has won the award for the second year in a row.

Its huge network of regional holidays and commitment to customer service is obviously a hit with Sun readers.

Second came its arch-rival, Tui, closely followed by new kid on the block easyJet Holidays — popular with you for its generous luggage allowances and huge network of city and beach destinations.

BEST LONG-HAUL OPERATOR – VIRGIN HOLIDAYS

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THIS year celebrating 40 years flying, Virgin Holidays continues to be the go-to tour operator for us when we’re heading across the pond to places including Orlando, Miami, New York and Las Vegas.

And its new Maldives flights are proving as popular — along with packages to the Far East, Mauritius and the Caribbean.

Second was Tui with its reasonably priced offerings to Florida and Thailand. British Airways Holidays took third place.

BEST IN CRUISE – ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

IT took delivery of the world’s largest ever cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, this year and Royal Caribbean remains hugely popular with Sun readers for its incredible family-friendly offering.

Coming in second was the British cruise experts P&O Cruises and third was all-inclusive favourite Marella Cruises.

BEST OF BRITISH – NATIONAL TRUST

THIS new award for 2024 sought to celebrate the people, places and British institutions at the very heart of your staycations.

And the top award went to the National Trust.

The charitable organisation is dedicated to preserving and protecting the historic places and natural spaces we enjoy on every day out, weekend away or summer holiday. Established in 1895, it manages more than 500 heritage properties, playing a crucial role in conservation and ensuring they are accessible for future generations.

In second place came our go-to for a bargain pint and decent fry-up, pub giant Wetherspoons. And in third, Premier Inn, popular for its reliable, value rooms and oh-so-comfy beds.

BEST SHORT-HAUL DESTINATION – SPAIN

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WITH its stunning coastlines and guaranteed sunshine, it’s no surprise that Spain took the top spot in this category.

We love our traditional favourite and are exploring beyond the norm more than ever before.

But closely snapping at its heels was Greece, with Italy in third place.

BEST LONG-HAUL DESTINATION – CARIBBEAN

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IT’S clear Sun readers love a totally tropical escape and when it comes to heading further for our holidays, the Caribbean’s intoxicating mix of culture and relaxation has helped it take the top slot.

Second is the USA, with tempting Thailand coming third.

MOST TRUSTED TRAVEL COMPANY – TUI

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THIS award is important for Sun Travel readers — they want to know they are spending their precious holiday pounds with a company that will look after them, provide support when things go wrong and strive to treat their customers fairly.

It’s always a closely fought race and there was very little between our top three. Tui triumphed, with last year’s winner Jet2 second and British Airways Holidays third.

BEST UK HOLIDAY PROVIDER – HAVEN

WITH their good-value breaks and fabulous facilities, Haven grabbed the top slot — the self-catering giant even welcomed the first-ever Wetherspoons at a holiday park this year.

In second place came Hoseasons, and in third, Park Resorts.

BEST UK ATTRACTION – ALTON TOWERS

WE couldn’t get enough of the re­vamp­ed classic, Nemesis Reborn at this year’s winner, Alton ­Towers. The natural wonders of Cornish gem The Eden Project won you over to bag second place, with Legoland Windsor third.

BEST GLOBAL ATTRACTION – WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA

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WALT Disney World Resort in Orlando claimed victory — and this year announced even more plans to expand its Florida empire with new lands coming in the next few years.

In second place it’s Universal Orlando Resort, which is looking forward to the opening of a new park, Epic Universe, in 2025.

And in third place came French favourite, Disneyland Paris.

EDITOR’S CHOICE AWARD – MERLIN ENTERTAINMENT

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TODAY, across the UK, in some very special places you will hear screams of delight and gasps of wonder.

Young and old will be learning about our nation’s history, amazing wildlife and nature, and scaring themselves silly on adrenaline-charged rides.

They will be escaping the everyday and indulging in some unadulterated fun.

My Editor’s Choice award this year went to Merlin Entertainment. Its roster of theme parks and attractions create unforgettable memories for millions every year.

 Through our SuperDays promotions we know just how popular a visit to our greatest attractions are – from the thrills of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park to the wonders of SeaLife and Legoland.

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Merlin continues to innovate across its stable. This year has seen the much-anticipated launch of Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers and the terrifying Hyperia at Thorpe Park.

Turning a day out into a minibreak has become easier with Woodland Village at Legoland Windsor and Warwick Castle hotel.

They deserve recognition for never resting on their laurels and finding ever more wonderful ways to entertain.

TURKEY’S third biggest city, Izmir, sees temperatures hovering around 25C well into autumn.

Combining culture and coastline, it is the perfect place to get your fix of sunshine.

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Top that off with fabulous food and you’ve got an epic city break.

WHY SHOULD I VISIT?

OFTEN overlooked in favour of the capital, Istanbul, or other coastal towns such as Bodrum, Marmaris or Kusadasi, Izmir is something of a hidden gem.

It’s the gateway to the pretty Cesme peninsula, which juts out into the Aegean and is dotted with beautiful beaches (try Tekke, a stretch popular with families, near a string of hotels and apartments, or Alaçatı Körfezi, a shallow, protected bay which offers jet skis, banana boats, and windsurfing).

And if you love food, you are in luck. Fish and seafood restaurants line the waterfront, known as the Kordon, while you can taste a variety of snacks in the city’s bustling Kemeralti bazaar.

Most sights are within easy distance from each other, but there’s an efficient public transport system, including bus and underground.

The Bilet 35 ticket can be bought for two, three, five or ten journeys, starting from just nine lira (20p).

STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?

IZMIR’S centre has several must-sees, all within walking distance of each other.

Start by strolling the picturesque Kordon, where you will see ferries regularly crossing the bay, and pass by Konak Pier, which was designed by French architect Gustave Eiffel. Here you will find several retail stores, as well as a handful of bars and restaurants.

Beyond this is Konak Square, known for the distinctive marble and stone Clock Tower in its centre which dates back to 1901.

From here you can lose yourself in the maze of streets that make up the Kemeralti Bazaar.

Stalls sell everything from clothing to fruit and vegetables, and you will find plenty of souvenirs to take home, from glass tea sets to baklava and lokum (Turkish delight).

Don’t miss a swift ride up 56m to the top of the city’s “Asansör” — the word means elevator, and this one, which was first built in 1907, used to be powered by steam, like the one in Lisbon. You will get a fantastic view of the city from the top (free).

ANYTHING FOR BUCKET LIST?

IT’S not in Izmir, but while you’re there, a trip to the ancient site of Ephesus is a must (£33pp, muze.gov.tr).

Less than 90 minutes’ drive away, the old city dates back to 10,000BC, and at various points, was ruled by the Greeks, the Romans, and the Ottomans.

Today you can still see what’s left of its inhabitants’ elaborate houses complete with mosaic floors, temples to gods and goddesses, and even a set of open-air, marble-topped public loos.

Pose for pictures next to the impressive 56ft-high remains of the Library of Celsus. Measuring 2,000 sq ft inside, it was one of the largest libraries in the Greco-Roman world.

You will also want to snap some of the dozens of cats who consider this site their home.

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WHERE SHOULD I EAT?

IF you are just looking for a snack, Kemeralti Bazaar has simple cafes which specialise in cheap and tasty fish sandwiches — a local favourite.

And look out for those selling kumru, a hearty, local sausage, cheese and pepper roll.

You will also find street carts offering midye dolma, cooked mussels stuffed with rice and herbs, and served cold.

For more traditional Turkish food, try affordable Konyali Alsancak for kebabs and lahmacun (Turkish pizza made with mincemeat).

Or for a more romantic setting, Adabeyi on Konak Pier offers the chance to dine on anything from calamari to grilled sea bass as you watch the sun set.

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I FANCY A DRINK

FOR a tipple with a stunning outlook, head to the Skyfire bar and restaurant on the eighth floor of the Renaissance hotel, which offers a panoramic view across the Aegean.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY?

THE Swissotel Buyuk Efes Izmir is a smart, contemporary hotel close to the waterfront, featuring cool artwork and sculptures dotted around the grounds.

Or the nearby cosy Renaissance Izmir has rooms decorated with vintage, black and white photos of the city.

“IS The King home?” I asked, turning to the ranger who had been strolling the sprawling 50,000-acre grounds alongside us.

Despite being at one of the UK’s most famous castles, I hadn’t expected to cross paths with royalty on this trip.

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As a huge fan of The Crown, I knew a little about royal protocol and the likelihood of me actually ever meeting a member of the Royal Family (very slim).

So when the ranger confirmed that King Charles was in fact home and that we may even spot him strolling round the lush gardens or by the river, it came as a bit of a surprise.

My wife and I were exploring Balmoral Castle, the countryside estate in Scotland’s Aberdeenshire and one of the Royal Family’s most cherished homes.

It was clear from the moment we stepped foot on the majestic grounds with its perfectly manicured lawns and odes to the monarchy everywhere.

His Majesty stays in a cottage, hidden away from prying eyes while he is here, we were told.

Although that doesn’t mean he is not up for a chat with visitors.

In fact, his protection officers often encourage starstruck visitors to stop him for a conversation, the ranger tells us.

Eyes peeled, we took a long meander along the River Dee, and although there was no sighting of the King, we did manage to find a cafe within the castle grounds selling delicious cream teas.

We felt like royalty ourselves, tucking into scones with lashings of jam and sipping on tea while surrounded by pictures of the monarchy.

We even saw one of Prince Harry posing and smiling alongside his brother and other family members — a rather rare sight these days.

When not scoffing scones, you can get a behind-the-scenes look at royal life inside the ballroom where Queen Elizabeth frequently hosted parties for the Balmoral staff, or at the cricket pitch, where Prince Philip spent many an hour practising his bowling technique with a young Prince William and Harry.

Fans of the royals can even pay their respects to the late Queen’s most-loved companions at Balmoral’s pet cemetary.

Make sure you keep track of where you are venturing, though.

It took us two-and-a-half hours of hiking along countryside paths until we eventually found our car.

And that was thanks a Canadian couple we met who showed us a phone app that tells you exactly where you are and how to reach your desired location.

If only we had known.

Luckily, it didn’t take us quite as long to reach our home for the night, the Balmoral Arms in the beautiful Scottish village of Ballater.

The hotel is dripping in tartan and hostelry, with log fires constantly burning and interesting ales on tap.

As appealing as the ales looked, I had instead chosen to sample the local whiskey at The Ghillies Bar, while my wife took advantage of the huge rolltop tub in our room.

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Then it was time to refill our tummies.

The hotel is home to an excellent restaurant, 1852, named after the year Prince Albert purchased Balmoral for Queen Victoria.

We tucked into starters of smoked salmon and Caesar salad, followed by an amazing 10oz ribeye steak which had been dry-aged in a Himalayan salt chamber and was served with chips, charred baby onions and peppercorn sauce.

After all that grub, a stroll around Ballater was first thing on the agenda the following morning.

The village is littered with boutique shops selling handmade scarfs and a butcher’s selling juicy, local sausages — this one even has a royal warrant to supply meat to Balmoral, so you know they must be good.

If you are up for more of a hiking challenge, the hotel can provide maps for a number of walking routes through the rural countryside.

But no matter where you walk, you are pretty much guaranteed epic views in The Scottish Highlands.

Add that to the epic food and the cosy rooms at Balmoral Arms and you’ve got yourself an epic mini-break, fit for royalty.

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ISRAEL has been in conflict with Hamas since it was attacked on October 7, 2023, but now tensions have been raised even higher in the region.

The threat of greater conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah has cast doubts about whether UK nationals should be travelling to Israel. Here’s everything you need to know.

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Is it safe to fly to Israel right now?

Several flight companies, including easyJet, have stopped flights to Tel Aviv in light of the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. 

“Safety is always our top priority, and we’re contacting customers to advise them of their travel options.”

Ryanair has cancelled flights to Israel until at least October 26 while easyJet has cancelled them until March 2025.

United Airlines has cancelled all flights to Israel until further notice, while American Airlines has cancelled them until at least March 2025.

On September 17 and 18, 2024, thousands of pagers and hundreds of walkie talkies belonging to members of Hezbollah exploded. 

Several sources blamed this on Israel, who sent strikes into Lebanon in the following days. 

As a result of this increased tension, travel against Israel is not considered completely safe. 

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What’s the latest government advice about travelling to Israel?

The UK government has advised travellers against travelling to Israel, due to conflict in the region. 

This includes travel to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with Hezbollah launching a missile at Tel Aviv on September 25, 2024. 

The missile was intercepted by the IDF. 

Even before this event, the UK Foreign Office has warned against the threat of exchanged rocket fire between the two countries. 

The website currently warns: “Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).”

Do I need to cancel my flight to Israel?

As mentioned, several flight companies have already cancelled flights to Israel. 

If your flights are still planned to go ahead, you should get in touch with your airline or tour operator about your options if you want to cancel your flight.