WE all know the famous Blackpool Illuminations, but if you can’t venture up north to catch them, there’s a tradition in the middle of the country that’s been going almost as long.

Matlock Bath in Derbyshire may be landlocked, but its seaside vibe draws the crowds, especially in the autumn when it’s got its own version of the illustrious illuminations on the coast.

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I headed for the bright lights of this Heart of England hotspot to see why tourists are still in love with its illuminated boat parade, more than 125 years after it first lit up the River Derwent.

The big event takes place in Derwent Gardens every weekend in September and October, with children’s rides, food stalls and character appearances making for a festive atmosphere.

There’s even a fireworks display on some evenings, included in the price.

As we joined a steady stream of visitors wandering along the road towards the riverside park in the twilight, autumn leaves crunching beneath our feet, there couldn’t really be a more quintessentially British build-up to Bonfire Night.

The riverbank started to get crowded about half an hour before the boats appeared, but the parade spends a good hour rowing up and down, so you’ll soon get to see the displays if you’re not at the front when they first take to the water. 

Honestly the effort taken by the Matlock Bath Venetian Boat Builders’ Association to create these light displays on just a rowing boat is incredible.

This year’s winner is a moving model of a fairground teacup ride, with child-size dummies riding in the cups and bubbles spouting from the central teapot.

Our favourite was the second-place Optimus Prime, which transformed from truck to robot and then back again as it was rowed along the river.

But hats off to all the designers and builders, who take their inspiration from everything from current culture like Squid Game or Spirited Away to historical figures like Florence Nightingale.

I also loved the helicopter, the planes and the lifeboat with its friendly, waving captain, marking 150 years of the RNLI.

There’s even a candle-lit boat to give an idea of what visitors would have seen if they attended the first illuminations in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria‘s jubilee.

I grew up visiting the Skegness Illuminations and I can remember the excitement as a child of being out in the dark, looking at the moving lights and trying to guess the story behind them.

They’ve even got a few of the ones I remember from childhood scattered through the gardens here.

I spotted a cow jumping over the moon at a little grotto, which was definitely a touch of nostalgia for the famous Jolly Fisherman mascot and the rest of the Skeggie lights, some of which were sold off a decade ago.

I do love the Blackpool Illuminations, which are free to visit and run until the New Year.

But Matlock Bath has a festive, family-friendly vibe that made it worth the ticket price of £7 or £8 for adults, depending on whether it’s a fireworks night, and just 50p for children.

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Tokens for the kiddie rides were £2.50 for a single or five for £10. My tip would be to bring your own food and light-up wands if you want to keep costs down.

There’s loads to do in the town if you’re travelling from further afield and want to make a day of it.

Theme park Gulliver’s Kingdom is over the road from Derwent Gardens and even opens its car park for illuminations visitors.

A short stroll away are the cable cars which take you up to the unique Heights of Abraham attraction, which offers cut-price tickets for anyone attending the illuminations.

With playgrounds, tours of the caving systems and spectacular views out over the countryside, it’s a must-see for anyone who’s not been before.

And just up the road from Matlock Bath is Crich Tramway Museum, which is great if you love heritage vehicles.

It’s no wonder that 100,000 visitors enjoy these awesome autumn illuminations every year.

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IF you fancy enjoying rolling hills in the Italian countryside, while being only half an hour’s train ride from Rome, Castelli Romani is just the ticket.

It comprises a collection of small towns perched around the crater of an ancient volcano, each offering spectacular views of two pristine lakes.

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Anyone wanting to experience both the hubbub of the Italian capital and a more relaxed pace of life will love it. The train fare into Rome is just €4.

The Eternal City has long been on my bucket list and I was keen to tick off sights including the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum and Spanish Steps.

But having discovered Castelli Romani, a day in the city will soon have you longing to be back in the sticks — and while a hotel in Rome does not come cheap, you get so much more for your buck at the Park Hotel Villa Grazioli in Grottaferrata.

Flying into Rome Fiumicino Airport, it’s just a short transfer to the hotel, which sits in stunning hillside gardens with a majestic view of Rome.

 The grand, 16th century villa, built for a cardinal, is rich in historic detail and its 62 rooms start from around £100 per night in November.

It also provides a free shuttle service to Frascati train station for easy access to Rome.

The nearby medieval village of Rocca di Papa, its colourful houses tumbling down a steep cliffside in a maze of narrow streets, is a great starting point for those who want to explore the winding hillside trails.

The fit and fearless can hike to the top of Monte Cavo and be rewarded with not just more views of Rome but of the sparkling Mediterranean

These pass through forests of chestnut trees and afford stunning views of Lakes Albano and Nemi, where volcanic soil renders the water an intense azure blue.

The fit and fearless can hike to the top of Monte Cavo and be rewarded with not just more views of Rome, but of the sparkling Mediterranean.

In the town of Ariccia, we dine in one of the region’s traditional fraschetta restaurants. These casual, rustic affairs are often found in converted wine cellars.

At Osteria N.1, we feast on local speciality porchetta — a juicy, slow-roasted pork roast — apple slices, olives and ricotta drizzled with honey.

Pasta-making class

Also worth a wander is the town of Nemi, overlooking the same-named lake.

Cafes and restaurants line cobbled streets where you can eat and drink while taking in, yes, more fabulous views.

Heading farther south, to the Tenimenti Leone vineyard, we got to sample some of the region’s wonderful wines.

The beauty of the 178-acre site is matched only by the quality of the bottles of red and white it produces.

Rome is beautiful — about that there is no doubt — but it is wonderful to be able to dip in and out and appreciate it from afar as well as up close

Meanwhile, in Rome, we enjoyed a pasta making class at a cookery school in the city’s beautiful Trastevere neighbourhood.

For €59, you can make traditional Italian fettuccine and ravioli from scratch, while enjoying a glass or two of prosecco and aperitivo snacks.

We then joined a City Experiences tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums.

These sites are crowded at all times of year, but the tour offered a very welcome, skip-the-line, small-group experience with expert guide.

However, you are still going to have to deal with the inevitable hordes of tourists, and it was a little difficult to appreciate the sheer mastery of  Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel while constantly rubbing shoulders with fellow visitors.

Rome is beautiful — of that there is no doubt — but it is wonderful to be able to dip in and out and appreciate it from afar as well as up close.

If you want to experience the real Italy, Castelli Romani is the best of all worlds.

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JAPAN is surprisingly affordable for a family getaway now, with the Yen at a decades-long low against the Pound, making everything incredibly cheap.

With hot meals from just 85p, Disney and Universal tickets half the price of their US counterparts and return flights from £426, the country has become a long-haul option for more and more families.

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On a wallet-friendly holiday, my wife Morgan, two-year-old daughter Lena and I explored Tokyo and Osaka, expertly guided by Inside Japan Tours.

First stop was OMO5 Otsuka, a city-break hotel in the low-key neighbourhood of Otsuka offering stylish, compact rooms.

Sword-like knives

The less-well-known Tokyo suburb is home to the Toden Arakawa Line, the city’s last remaining electric tram, which the hotel celebrates with a special kids’ room themed around the traditional trolley-cars.

OMO’s 17 affordable properties in 11 cities across Japan are about connecting guests to the community, whether that’s through the food at the cafe, the gift shop promoting local makers or tours run by the staff.

OMO Rangers are on hand to escort guests on bar crawls or foodie trips (from £4.81), helping holidaymakers see what is behind intriguing shop fronts that they might be too intimidated to visit alone.

Making the most of the inevitable jet-lag, we caught the 4am subway to the famous Tsukiji fish market.

Shouts from fishmongers pierced the salty air, mingling with the rhythmic thud of massive tuna being sectioned by sword-like knives.

Lost in translation, we stopped at one of the open-air food stalls and accidentally ordered four sticks of wagyu beef for an eye-watering £70.

Blissfully unaware she was dining on the Rolls-Royce of cows, Lena quickly devoured almost our entire holiday budget.

Next day, teamLab Planets (£18.30), an interactive art installation, offered a mind-bending digital playground that had us all channelling our inner toddler.

Shoes off, we waded into knee-deep water, squealing alongside Lena as digital koi darted between our legs and bounced through a galaxy of giant colour-changing balls.

Our favourite? A spongy, undulating floor that had us all wobbling like we were walking on the moon.

For an hour, we were all awe-struck tots in a joyful chaos where art and play merged.

Switching gears, we time-travelled from cutting-edge tech to timeless craftsmanship at the Tokyo Toy Museum (£3.85).

Housed in an old primary school, it is a tribute to traditional Japanese playthings and the art of play — and it makes for a mellow contrast to teamLab’s digital dazzle.

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Best was the indoor play zone where every item is made from wood, right down to the balls in the ball pit.

From Tokyo, it took two and a half hours on the bullet train to reach Japan’s second city, Osaka, where we checked in at OMO7 Osaka.

The affordable hotel had the same winning formula as our Tokyo base but with a few extra comforts, including a full restaurant, nightly free beer and takoyaki (Osaka’s signature street food of fried batter and octopus balls).

There’s a huge outdoor green space the size of a football pitch and sleek hot baths with a hyper-modern design.

The hotel is set on the edge of the Shinsekai district, a warren of traditional cheap eateries (a hot bowl of udon at Matsuya cost just 85p) and fairground-style attractions centred around the 103-metre Tsutenkaku Tower and observation deck.

Shinsekai, or “New World”, has a charming retro atmosphere that’s come back into fashion with Japan’s Eighties nostalgia revival.

Mario, Luigi and gang

OMO7 Osaka is also popular with visitors to Universal Studios Japan, thanks to a free shuttle bus to the park and specially trained experts to help you plan your day there.

A day ticket costs £41.34, less than half the price of Universal Studios Orlando at £92.42.

Newly opened Super Nintendo World was a highlight, immersing us in an interactive universe of Mario, Luigi and their gang.

Lena fell in love with the mushroom character Toad and got a kick out of the power-up bands that let guests collect coins in an app by punching Mario’s signature blocks or completing other simple challenges around the land.

As we bid sayonara to Osaka, our hearts were full of memories and our pockets were still jingling with Yen, proving that Japan is possible on a budget.

Just mind the prices when ordering your two-year-old a steak for breakfast.

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Marbella, a jewel on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is famed for its luxurious lifestyle, pristine beaches, and exclusive atmosphere. This Mediterranean haven has long attracted the elite, offering a perfect mix of indulgence and relaxation. From glamorous yacht-filled harbors to designer boutiques and Michelin-starred dining, Marbella radiates sophistication.

Among this backdrop of opulence, beachfront mansions epitomize lavish living. Nestled along the stunning coastline, these estates offer a chance to experience ultimate luxury and comfort. Whether you’re seeking a secluded family getaway, a romantic escape, or a luxurious corporate retreat, renting a beachfront mansion in Marbella guarantees an unforgettable experience.

Why Choose a Beachfront Mansion in Marbella?

• Ultimate Privacy and Exclusivity: Beachfront mansions in Marbella provide an oasis of tranquillity, shielding guests from crowds while offering unobstructed sea views and lush, private gardens. With gated entries, these properties create a secluded retreat like no other.
• Bespoke Amenities and Services: These luxury properties are designed to meet the highest expectations, featuring private pools, spas, gourmet kitchens, and dedicated staff, ensuring a stay filled with personalized comfort and luxury.
• Prime Location: Situated directly on Marbella’s pristine coastline, these mansions offer direct access to the Mediterranean waters, blending the peaceful serenity of a private beach with the vibrant social life Marbella is famous for.
• Tailored Flexibility: Renting a mansion provides unmatched flexibility compared to traditional hotels. Through services like Cilo Marbella Concierge, guests can create personalized experiences, from private chef-prepared meals to curated activities and excursions, ensuring a truly unique and memorable stay.

Top 5 Beachfront Mansions to Rent in Marbella, Spain

Marbella’s landscape is dotted with a myriad of opulent properties, each offering its own distinct charm and allure. Here, Cilo Marbella presents the top 5 beach mansions that have captivated the attention of the most discerning travelers.

 

Villa Velazquez, Golden Mile, Marbella   

10 bedrooms / 10 bathrooms. 29,000 sq ft

Villa Velazquez is a truly outstanding beachfront estate. It is, without question, one of the leading properties in southern Spain. Located in a small gated community with 24/7 security, adjacent to the renowned Marbella Club Hotel, this is truly the epicenter of luxury living in Marbella. It is only a few minutes from all of the amenities of both Marbella and Puerto Banus.

 

Villa Murillo, Golden Mile, Marbella

15 Bedrooms, 14 Bathrooms. 40,000 sq ft

Villa Murillo is an absolutely stunning frontline beach estate located in the heart of Marbella’s prestigious Golden Mile. Designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, and built in the classical Andalusian style, but with western influences, this magnificent property is one of Marbella’s most desirable residences. A short stroll away from both the Marbella Club and Marbella itself, the location is unsurpassed.

 

Villa El Greco, Mijas Costa, Marbella

9 Bedrooms, 9 Bathrooms. 25,000 sq ft

Villa El Greco is an extraordinary waterfront estate located on Mijas Costa approximately 20 minutes from Marbella. El Greco is, without doubt, one of the finest beachfront homes in southern Spain. The grounds of the estate are laid out with formal lawned gardens, several terraces, a tennis court and waterfront freeform heated swimming pool.

 

Villa Picasso, Puerto Banus, Marbella

10 Bedrooms, 10 Bathrooms. 21,500 sq ft

Villa Picasso is a luxury beachfront estate where lush gardens surround a villa inspired by classic Mediterranean architecture enhanced with ultra-modern features, together with a feature swimming pool which is adorned with an original drawing by Pablo Picasso. It is located at a short five minute stroll along the promenade to Puerto Banus, and a five-minute drive into Marbella.

 

Villa Melendez, Los Monteros, Marbella

8 Bedrooms, 8 Bathrooms. 12,000 sq ft

Villa Melendez is a superb frontline beach mansion with spectacular sea views in the prestigious area of Los Monteros in East Marbella. The main salon is a vast modern space created for living, dining and entertaining; designed entirely in white, which opens up onto the terrace and the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. It is private and secluded yet situated only a 5-10 minute drive from the center of Marbella and Puerto Banus.

Conclusion: Plan your Luxurious Getaway

To begin planning your luxurious Marbella getaway, contact our dedicated team of luxury rental specialists at Cilo Marbella today. We will work closely with you to curate the perfect beachfront mansion experience, tailored to your every need and preference.

Cilo Marbella is an exclusive boutique agency specializing in the sale of luxury real estate and luxury rental villas in the Marbella region of Spain.

SCANDINAVIA’S largest waterpark is home to water slides and several pools, and return flights from the UK cost just £31.

Located in Billund in Denmark, Aquadome Billund is the largest waterpark in Scandinavia.

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Billed as a tropical waterpark, Aquadome Billund is packed with attractions like water slides, a wave pool and jacuzzis.

There are five water slides at the Danish waterpark, including Turbo Racer and Feel the Rush, two of the park’s “lightning fast” slides.

Another one of the water slides is called Twister where park-goers are spun around a funnel before heading down the rest of the slide.

Meanwhile, the Tornado is a rubber ring ride where four family members are taken from the heights of the water park to its depths.

There’s also the wild river that takes visitors on a meander around the waterpark and Power Races were park-goers can race against each other to reach the bottom.

Aquadome Billund is also home to several pools, including an activity pool that’s been described as a “paradise” for water activities thanks to its basketball nets, balancing water lilies and dolphin play structures.

There’s also a secret cave pool where park-goers can dive under the water to spot brightly-coloured fish in a huge underwater tank that’s just metres away.

Other pools include a heated spa pool and a wave pool.

The waterpark is also home to a huge water playground with a host of activities, including giant tipping buckets and water cannons.

For younger visitors, there’s also a baby pool and a children’s pool for visitors aged five and under.

Adults can unwind in the infrared sauna.

Other on-site facilities include a changing area, a food court, a food terrace and a pavilion that serves snacks and other refreshments.

Aquadome Billund has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4/5 star rating on TripAdvisor from over 600 reviews.

One person wrote: “A great place, especially for small children, as the majority of the room and slides in Aquadome are dedicated to them.”

A second person added: “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen so many slides! This place makes Lalandia.”

While a third wrote: “A great day out for all the family.”

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Aquadome Billund is part of Lalandia Billund, a holiday centre with an on-site holiday park and other adventure park areas.

Other themed areas inside the holiday centre include Winter World, with an ice rink, a climbing wall, a toboggan run and a brand-new ride called Sky Rider that gives park-goers an aerial view of the festive world.

There’s also Monky Tonky Land – an indoor play area with trampolines, ball pitches and a Lego area.

Other areas include a sports and fitness facility, a games and bowling area and an entertainment venue with children’s shows and family karaoke.

Outside there’s also an adventure park with a 16m-high tower complete with balancing trials, a zipline and a viewing terrace.

Lalandia in Billund is just a five-minute walk from Legoland Billund.

Holidaymakers can book to stay overnight at one of the on-site holiday homes that can sleep up to eight people.

Visitors who prefer to stay elsewhere can book day tickets to Lalandia Billund.

Entry costs just under £38 per person.

Direct flights operate from London and Manchester to Billund, with return fares starting from £31 in November.

Flights take just 90 minutes.

Meanwhile, this is what it’s like to go down the world’s tallest and fastest waterslide.

And this award-winning waterpark has the UK’s biggest wave pool.

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GOOGLE Flights have revealed a new tool that will help holidaymakers find the cheapest plane ticket.

The new booking feature, which was announced earlier this week, will help passengers find the cheapest fares.

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Holidaymakers who already use Google Flights to find airfares will know that the search engine displays the ‘best options’ at the top of the results page.

These deals are normally direct flights that fly to and from the most convenient airport, although they’re not always the cheapest options.

Google Flights‘ latest feature, which is being rolled out across the platform this week, will have an option to display the cheapest flights.

A blog post from Google reads: “But sometimes, there might be cheaper options available for those of you who are willing to give up some convenience for the best deal.

“For example, there could be a third-party booking site offering a lower price than the airline itself.

“Or you might be able to save by flying back to a different airport that’s in the same city you departed from — like flying out of New York’s LaGuardia and returning to JFK.”

In order to find the cheapest flights, passengers will need to click on the “cheapest” tab on the search engine to see if there are any better deals to be had.

In order to bag the cheapest flights, holidaymakers may need to be more creative with their itineraries by opting for longer layovers, self-transfers or purchasing flights with multiple airlines.

By using this new feature, holidaymakers will need to decide whether the cost savings are worth the hassle.

It is hoped that the new Google Flights feature will help budget travellers find the best bargains.

The news comes just weeks after Google Flights introduced a refund feature that offers travellers the lowest price guarantee when booking certain flights.

Google announced: “No one likes to feel buyer’s remorse, and that’s especially true for a big purchase like plane tickets where the prices change from day to day.”

The new tool enables travellers to determine whether the price of their trip is low, high, or average for their planned trip.

Jetsetters can also set flexible dates to find the cheapest time to book.

However, if the price drops between the time of purchase and take-off, Google will pay the difference via Google Pay.

The refund policy will only apply to flights that are booked with Google and departing from the US.

Travellers should ensure there is a price guarantee badge before purchasing a ticket otherwise, they won’t be eligible for a refund if the price drops before takeoff.

Cheap Airfares

Earlier this year, a travel expert revealed the “sweet spot” for flights to get cheap fares.

Jack Sheldon, flight expert at Jacksflightclub.com, said the best time to bag the cheapest flight tickets is between six to 12 weeks before taking off.

Flyers can get an absolute bargain deal while following the hack – and can save up to 50 per cent on flight tickets.

Booking a flight midweek instead of a weekend – when airports can be really busy – can also help you save some extra cash which you can splash on your vacation instead.

Gavin Lapidus, travel agent and director of multi-centre holiday specialists eShores, said Monday to Wednesday is the best time of the week to board a cheap flight.

If you’re flexible with your dates, always double-check departure days, as flying a day sooner or later could save you up to 20 per cent.

The travel expert has shared a number of tips around saving cash when booking your holiday.

However, travellers are advised not to overlook travel agents as lots of them specialise in finding the best value trips for customers.

Condé Nast Traveller’s fashion editor Charlotte Davey gave a word of advice when booking future flights.

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