Travel
Lesser-known seaside city just 3 hours from the UK where it’s hot in winter and your money goes very far
JUST a few hours from the UK is a seaside resort often overlooked by Brits – despite its amazing weather and affordability.
El Jadida, in Morocco, is often skipped in favour of destinations such as Marrakech when visiting the country.
The fortified city was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and named Mazagan.
However, it was given up by 1769 and became part of Morocco, now named El Jadida.
It is even a UNSECO World Heritage site, due to its “outstanding example of the interchange of influences between European and Moroccan cultures”.
Now, the small city is full of market stalls where you can find cheap wares and bargain food.
Common dishes include tagines, which come with meat, potato and vegetables, and cost as little as £2.
Despite being a predominately Muslim country, you can also find bars and cafes serving alcohol along the seafront, costing between £3 – £5 for beers.
Attractions include the Mazagan Fortress, shaped like a star with old cannons still in place.
There is also the Portuguese Cisterns, featuring in the Orson Welles’ film Othello, where you can see a mirrored image when the sun shines directly over.
Otherwise the main beach is Deauville Plage, with a huge stretch of sand as well as sunloungers and umbrellas to rent.
One of the most popular hotel resort for the city is the huge five-star Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.
The Sun’s Alice Fuller recently visited – here’s what she thought.
Rooms can be found for as little as £137 a night, making it an affordable five-star resort.
Not only are flights three hours, but you can expect temperatures up to 20C in the colder winter months.
Non-stop flights run from the UK to Casablanca, which is less than an hour away.
What is it like to visit Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort
The Sun’s Deputy Digital Night Editor Mark Hodge recently visited Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort.
“Set in its own four-mile stretch of stunning white sands, it offers relaxation and adventure in equal measures.
“Everything on this incredible 250-hectare estate exudes luxury — from the many restaurants, cafes and bars to the biggest casino in North Africa.
“The two jewels in the crown are the huge beach and the 18-hole golf course designed by nine-time major champion Gary Player.
“Other activities include exhilarating quad bike rides, which I did on my first day, cutting through the fresh sea air.
“Parents who want time to themselves can also take advantage of the kids’ club.
“The resort has a traditional Moroccan hammam too, where guests can drift into a slumber while being bathed and scrubbed in a lavish marble and mosaic steam room.”
The 3hr15 flights run from London Gatwick and Manchester with Royal Air Maroc.
Fancy a package holiday? You can find seven-night stays with breakfast and return flights from the UK for as little as £719 with Loveholidays.
It’s not the only Moroccan destination you should visit this year.
Also overlooked is the city of Essaouira, much quieter than Marrakech too and often dubbed the “laid-back version” of it.
There is also Fez, referred to by many as the “country’s cultural capital”.
And Ouarzazate has been dubbed the “Hollywood of Morocco” after featuring in a number of huge blockbuster films.
Travel
Ryanair passenger left stranded 200 miles away from his destination – and £400 out of pocket
A RYANAIR passenger said he was left stranded by the airline – after landing in the wrong country.
Xavier de Vally, 37, flew with his friend James from Manchester Airport to Gothenburg in Sweden on 8 August for a gig.
But he said his flight never reached its destination, as it failed to land and diverted to Copenhagen instead.
The friends were told they’d have to make their own way to Sweden, with a promise from the budget airline they would receive a refund for all reasonable expenses.
But Xavier and James, who ended up taking a train to the Swedish city, said they’re still out of pocket months on after their nightmare trip.
Xavier told Manchester Evening News: “We actually were at the point of landing, literally coming down onto the runway, but we weren’t allowed to land.
“I don’t know why that was, there was no bad weather or anything like that.”
However, the change in landing was due to a curfew at Gothenburg Airport – so the flight was diverted to Copenhagen, almost 200 miles away.
Xavier, who was in a leg brace after recent ankle surgery, claims he was left without the assistance he had booked to exit the plane when landing in Gothenburg.
As well as being told they’d have to make their own way to their final destination, Xavier said they received a text telling them to go to the wrong city – Venice rather than Gothenburg.
When the pair arrived through passport control in Copenhagen it was “way after midnight”, and they struggled to find a hotel for the night.
They walked to three different hotels, despite Xavier’s injury, before they found somewhere to stay.
The next morning they were able to catch a train to Gothenburg.
Xavier said they did have a nice time on their trip in the end, but when they put through their claim to Ryanair for expenses, it came to just shy of £400.
Almost two months on, the pair are yet to receive a refund, despite Xavier attempting to go on nine webchats with the airline to find out its whereabouts.
A Ryanair spokesperson told Sun Travel: “This flight from Manchester to Gothenburg (8 August) was delayed ahead of take-off due to ATC ‘staff shortages’ which was outside Ryanair’s control.
“The flight was diverted to Copenhagen Airport, due to maintenance on the runway at Gothenburg Airport.
“Despite Ryanair’s efforts to arrange accommodation for passengers, availability was limited, and passengers were advised that they could also arrange individual accommodation and that they could claim back expenses on Ryanair.com.”
However, they said that his refunds would be processed.
They continued: “This passenger submitted an EU261 expenses claim on 13 Aug and is awaiting approval.
“While we endeavour to pay valid expense claims as soon as possible, some payments are currently taking longer than usual due minor processing delays.
“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused as result of these ATC ‘staff shortages’ and maintenance at Gothenburg Airport which are entirely beyond Ryanair’s control.”
It’s not the first time a Ryanair passenger has ended up in the wrong country.
Flight compensation rules
A look at your rights if a flight is delayed or cancelled, when your entitled to compensation and if your travel insurance can cover the costs.
What are my rights if my flight is cancelled or delayed?
Under UK law, airlines have to provide compensation if your flight arrives at its destination more than three hours late.
If you’re flying to or from the UK, your airline must let you choose a refund or an alternative flight.
You will be able to get your money back for the part of your ticket that you haven’t used yet.
So if you booked a return flight and the outbound leg is cancelled, you can get the full cost of the return ticket refunded.
But if travelling is essential, then your airline has to find you an alternative flight. This could even be with another airline.
When am I not entitled to compensation?
The airline doesn’t have to give you a refund if the flight was cancelled due to reasons beyond their control, such as extreme weather.
Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other ‘extraordinary circumstances’ are not eligible for compensation.
Some airlines may stretch the definition of “extraordinary circumstances” but you can challenge them through the aviation regulator the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Will my insurance cover me if my flight is cancelled?
If you can’t claim compensation directly through the airline, your travel insurance may refund you.
Policies vary so you should check the small print, but a delay of eight to 12 hours will normally mean you qualify for some money from your insurer.
Remember to get written confirmation of your delay from the airport as your insurer will need proof.
If your flight is cancelled entirely, you’re unlikely to be covered by your insurance.
Earlier this year, a couple heading to Denmark ended up nearly 800 miles away in France after boarding the wrong plane.
And another couple said they had no seats on the plane – after boarding the wrong plane, but to the same destination.
Travel
Aer Lingus joins TSA PreCheck programme
The programme offers eligible passengers expedited security screening when departing US airports
Continue reading Aer Lingus joins TSA PreCheck programme at Business Traveller.
Travel
‘Secret’ UK island forgotten by tourists you can visit certain days of the year – with one small bar and rare wildlife
A SMALL island in Somerset is often described as secret because of its isolated location.
Steep Holm in the Bristol Channel, five miles offshore from popular seaside town Weston-super-Mare, is often unheard of because of its remote setting and being difficult to reach.
The island is run by Kenneth Allsop Memorial Trust, and except for wardens who help maintain it, it’s uninhabited.
Strong tidal currents also make the island a difficult place to land.
But during certain times of year, organised trips by Bay Island Voyages allow visitors to discover what Steep Holm has to offer.
Trips are run on certain days of the year from the end of March through to October.
Because Steep Holm is only accessible at high tide, day trips there last 12 hours.
As a protected nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), the island is a haven for rare plants and wildlife.
Steep Holm is the only place in the UK where wild peonies grow, and the island is home to rare plants like Alexanders, golden samphire, and wild leeks.
European herring gulls and lesser black-backed gulls can often be seen nesting, and a small population of muntjac deer have also been spotted.
The island also has a rich history, with evidence of occupation dating back to prehistoric times.
The Romans built a signal station on the island, and it was fortified in the 1860s as part of the Palmerston Forts – constructed to encircle Plymouth and to protect the Royal Dockyard against a landing by the French.
There are also Victorian military installations, including underground ammunition stores
On a clear day, visitors can enjoy excellent 360 degree views of the Bristol Channel and the Somerset and Welsh coastlines.
As far as facilities go, The Visitor Centre housed in the Victorian barracks is visitors’ base for the day.
Items you don’t need to explore the island can be safely left there.
There’s also hot and cold drinks, home-made cakes, confectionery and crisps available there, as well as a selection of beers, wines and cider at the licensed bar.
Toilets have water provided by the underground reservoir, but as the water is pumped by a generator, it’s not suitable for drinking.
Fresh water is brought to the island for drinking from the barracks cafe, otherwise visitors need to bring their own water flask.
Sailings to Steep Holm can be cancelled at short notice because of the weather, even if it’s a nice day on the mainland, so back up plans are advised.
The cost per person to visit is £47.70.
Other secret islands in the UK
Northey Island – A remote island in Essex that’s owned by the National Trust and considered to be “the closest you’ll get to true wilderness in Essex”. Visitors need to arrange a permit and can’t cross over to the island at high tide.
Foulness Island – A secretive island that’s used by the Ministry of Defence for weapons testing. The only way for the public to reach the island is via the Broomway.
Lundy – A secluded island in Devon that dates back to the Neolithic period. In 1160, King Henry II granted the land to the Knights Templar.
Holy Island – Also known as Lindisfarne, this island is home to Lindisfarne Castle and Lindisfarne Priory, which was once a centre of early Christianity in Anglo-Saxon England.
Another tiny island in the UK has been dubbed a “hidden treasure”.
And we’ve rounded up five islands off the coast of the country where you don’t need your passport.
Travel
Air France to introduce free wifi across its fleet
The carrier is partnering with Starlink to roll out high-speed inflight wifi, with the first aircraft expected to benefit from the free service from next year
Continue reading Air France to introduce free wifi across its fleet at Business Traveller.
Travel
New Nickelodeon Land to open at ‘Turkish Disneyland’ next year – with Paw Patrol rides and Spongebob attractions
A POPULAR theme park in Turkey will be home to a new Nickelodeon Land when it opens next year.
Dubbed Turkey’s answer to Disneyland, the gates to Nickelodeon Land and Nickelodeon Hotel & Resorts will open at Antalya’s The Land of Legends in January.
The park will consist of three unique areas; the underwater Bikini Bottom from SpongeBob SquarePants, intergalactic Star Trek: Wild Galaxy, based on Star Trek: Prodigy, and the open-air Adventure Bay PAW Patrol.
Guests will be able to enjoy a range of experiences such as “riding the giant Jellyfish Jam swing” in Bikini Bottom, to experiencing an adventure through space in the Star Trek: Wild Galaxy 5D cinema.
At the Nickelodeon-themed hotel, each guest can continue to enjoy hanging out with their favourite Nikelodeon legends.
The hotel rooms have been specially designed in one of five concept themes – DORA, PAW Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Trek.
Each room is complete themed interiors such as Spongebob bedside tables as well as kid-friendly facilities to make each member of the family feel at home.
Younger guests will also be looked after with an array of experiences on offer at the hotel.
There’s Character Dining to Club Nick, where kids can play, learn and develop with their new friends.
The outdoor pool area features an Aqua Tower, Spray Area and in true Nickelodeon style, a chance to be Slimed.
Away from the family areas, parents can find the time to switch off at Anjana Spa.
Inside which will offer holistic therapies, massages and traditional Turkish Hammam or let off steam in the hotel’s fully-equipped gym with yoga and Pilates studios.
The park experience begins at the iconic Chateau in The Land of Legends Shopping Avenue, the centre of nightly entertainment.
Guests can mingle with their favourite Nickelodeon characters and shop for souvenirs, including clothes, mugs, keyrings and toys.
The new park and hotel will open on January 15th.
The Land of Legends in Antalya already has three parks – Adventure Land, Aqua Land, and Tropic Lagoon.
Adventure Land is full of adrenaline-inducing rides, like Typhoon Coaster, Skyfighter and Hurricane,
Aqua Land has a host of water-themed rides, including 40 water slides.
Use these tips on your next theme park trip
Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.
- Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
- Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
- Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
- Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
- If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.
And Topic Lagoon has one of the world’s longest water slides, a heated pool, wave pool, and plenty of sunbathing areas for relaxing.
The Land of Legends is also located close by to the beachside resort of Belek, with sister properties, Rixos Premium Belek and Rixos Park Belek, for those wanting a day relaxing by the ocean.
The Sun’s Kate Ferguson recently visited the park.
She said: “Known among Brits as “the Turkish Disneyland” it has dare-devil rides and water park attractions that would satisfy the biggest thrillseekers.
“There are six pools on site — the massive one just behind the beach which tends to be where families decamp for most of the day.
“When they’re not at the pool, little ones and teens can head to The Rixy Kids Club, jam-packed with activities like arts and crafts, kids’ yoga and boxing, film showings, mini discos . . . the list goes on.”
Travel
DCT Abu Dhabi to launch Paul Bocuse dining concepts
In a first for the UAE capital, The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)’s Culinary Development Programme is bringing two new restaurants by renowned French ‘nouvelle cuisine’ maestro Paul Bocuse to Saadiyat Island
Continue reading DCT Abu Dhabi to launch Paul Bocuse dining concepts at Business Traveller.
-
Womens Workouts4 days ago
3 Day Full Body Women’s Dumbbell Only Workout
-
News5 days ago
Our millionaire neighbour blocks us from using public footpath & screams at us in street.. it’s like living in a WARZONE – WordupNews
-
News1 week ago
You’re a Hypocrite, And So Am I
-
Sport1 week ago
Joshua vs Dubois: Chris Eubank Jr says ‘AJ’ could beat Tyson Fury and any other heavyweight in the world
-
Technology1 week ago
Would-be reality TV contestants ‘not looking real’
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Maxwell’s demon charges quantum batteries inside of a quantum computer
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
ITER: Is the world’s biggest fusion experiment dead after new delay to 2035?
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
How to wrap your mind around the real multiverse
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
‘Running of the bulls’ festival crowds move like charged particles
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Hyperelastic gel is one of the stretchiest materials known to science
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Liquid crystals could improve quantum communication devices
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Physicists are grappling with their own reproducibility crisis
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Quantum ‘supersolid’ matter stirred using magnets
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
How to unsnarl a tangle of threads, according to physics
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Why this is a golden age for life to thrive across the universe
-
News1 week ago
Israel strikes Lebanese targets as Hizbollah chief warns of ‘red lines’ crossed
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Cardano founder to meet Argentina president Javier Milei
-
Womens Workouts6 days ago
Best Exercises if You Want to Build a Great Physique
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Ethereum is a 'contrarian bet' into 2025, says Bitwise exec
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
DZ Bank partners with Boerse Stuttgart for crypto trading
-
Womens Workouts6 days ago
Everything a Beginner Needs to Know About Squatting
-
Science & Environment5 days ago
Meet the world's first female male model | 7.30
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Quantum forces used to automatically assemble tiny device
-
News1 week ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Caroline Ellison aims to duck prison sentence for role in FTX collapse
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Bitcoin miners steamrolled after electricity thefts, exchange ‘closure’ scam: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Dorsey’s ‘marketplace of algorithms’ could fix social media… so why hasn’t it?
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
RedStone integrates first oracle price feeds on TON blockchain
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Bitcoin bulls target $64K BTC price hurdle as US stocks eye new record
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Coinbase’s cbBTC surges to third-largest wrapped BTC token in just one week
-
News5 days ago
Four dead & 18 injured in horror mass shooting with victims ‘caught in crossfire’ as cops hunt multiple gunmen
-
Sport1 week ago
UFC Edmonton fight card revealed, including Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi headliner
-
Technology1 week ago
iPhone 15 Pro Max Camera Review: Depth and Reach
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Time travel sci-fi novel is a rip-roaringly good thought experiment
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Laser helps turn an electron into a coil of mass and charge
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Crypto scammers orchestrate massive hack on X but barely made $8K
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Low users, sex predators kill Korean metaverses, 3AC sues Terra: Asia Express
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
SEC asks court for four months to produce documents for Coinbase
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
‘No matter how bad it gets, there’s a lot going on with NFTs’: 24 Hours of Art, NFT Creator
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Blockdaemon mulls 2026 IPO: Report
-
Business1 week ago
How Labour donor’s largesse tarnished government’s squeaky clean image
-
Womens Workouts7 days ago
Keep Your Goals on Track This Season
-
Womens Workouts4 days ago
3 Day Full Body Toning Workout for Women
-
Travel3 days ago
Delta signs codeshare agreement with SAS
-
News1 week ago
Church same-sex split affecting bishop appointments
-
Technology1 week ago
Fivetran targets data security by adding Hybrid Deployment
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
$12.1M fraud suspect with ‘new face’ arrested, crypto scam boiler rooms busted: Asia Express
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Why we need to invoke philosophy to judge bizarre concepts in science
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
How do you recycle a nuclear fusion reactor? We’re about to find out
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
CertiK Ventures discloses $45M investment plan to boost Web3
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Beat crypto airdrop bots, Illuvium’s new features coming, PGA Tour Rise: Web3 Gamer
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Telegram bot Banana Gun’s users drained of over $1.9M
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
‘Silly’ to shade Ethereum, the ‘Microsoft of blockchains’ — Bitwise exec
-
Business1 week ago
Thames Water seeks extension on debt terms to avoid renationalisation
-
Politics1 week ago
‘Appalling’ rows over Sue Gray must stop, senior ministers say | Sue Gray
-
News1 week ago
Brian Tyree Henry on voicing young Megatron, his love for villain roles
-
Womens Workouts7 days ago
How Heat Affects Your Body During Exercise
-
News5 days ago
Why Is Everyone Excited About These Smart Insoles?
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
How one theory ties together everything we know about the universe
-
News1 week ago
▶️ Media Bias: How They Spin Attack on Hezbollah and Ignore the Reality
-
Health & fitness1 week ago
The secret to a six pack – and how to keep your washboard abs in 2022
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Quantum time travel: The experiment to ‘send a particle into the past’
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Being in two places at once could make a quantum battery charge faster
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
2 auditors miss $27M Penpie flaw, Pythia’s ‘claim rewards’ bug: Crypto-Sec
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Journeys: Robby Yung on Animoca’s Web3 investments, TON and the Mocaverse
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Louisiana takes first crypto payment over Bitcoin Lightning
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
‘Everything feels like it’s going to shit’: Peter McCormack reveals new podcast
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Tiny magnet could help measure gravity on the quantum scale
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
UK spurns European invitation to join ITER nuclear fusion project
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
SEC sues ‘fake’ crypto exchanges in first action on pig butchering scams
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Decentraland X account hacked, phishing scam targets MANA airdrop
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Bitcoin price hits $62.6K as Fed 'crisis' move sparks US stocks warning
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
VonMises bought 60 CryptoPunks in a month before the price spiked: NFT Collector
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Vitalik tells Ethereum L2s ‘Stage 1 or GTFO’ — Who makes the cut?
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Ethereum falls to new 42-month low vs. Bitcoin — Bottom or more pain ahead?
-
News1 week ago
Brian Tyree Henry on his love for playing villains ahead of “Transformers One” release
-
News6 days ago
Bangladesh Holds the World Accountable to Secure Climate Justice
-
Womens Workouts7 days ago
Which Squat Load Position is Right For You?
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump says he will meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Single atoms captured morphing into quantum waves in startling image
-
Technology1 week ago
Can technology fix the ‘broken’ concert ticketing system?
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
A new kind of experiment at the Large Hadron Collider could unravel quantum reality
-
Fashion Models1 week ago
Mixte
-
Politics1 week ago
Labour MP urges UK government to nationalise Grangemouth refinery
-
Health & fitness1 week ago
The maps that could hold the secret to curing cancer
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
Help! My parents are addicted to Pi Network crypto tapper
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
Future of fusion: How the UK’s JET reactor paved the way for ITER
-
CryptoCurrency1 week ago
CZ and Binance face new lawsuit, RFK Jr suspends campaign, and more: Hodler’s Digest Aug. 18 – 24
-
Money1 week ago
Britain’s ultra-wealthy exit ahead of proposed non-dom tax changes
-
Womens Workouts7 days ago
Swimming into Your Fitness Routine
-
Womens Workouts7 days ago
Where is the Science Today?
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
How Peter Higgs revealed the forces that hold the universe together
-
News1 week ago
Road rage suspects in custody after gunshots, drivers ramming vehicles near Boise
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
A slight curve helps rocks make the biggest splash
-
News2 weeks ago
Brain changes during pregnancy revealed in detailed map
-
Science & Environment1 week ago
A tale of two mysteries: ghostly neutrinos and the proton decay puzzle
-
Politics1 week ago
Lib Dems aim to turn election success into influence
You must be logged in to post a comment Login