GLOBAL travel website Skyscanner has named Córdoba in Spain as a trending travel destination for next year.

In its latest Travel Trends report, the flight comparison website named the destinations that had seen a boom in searches in the last 12 months.

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Córdoba in Spain was one of the five places in Europe that had seen a spike in searches from Brit holidaymakers.

Located in Andalusia in southern Spain, Córdoba isn’t as famous as other destinations in the region like Seville, Granada and Malaga.

Despite not being a household name, the Spanish city has plenty to keep holidaymakers entertained, including four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

It’s also packed with flower-decked courtyards – with a ‘patio festival’ every summer where you can tour them – as well as live flamenco performances across the city.

Córdoba used to be Spain’s former Islamic capital, with the city’s Great Mosque being a testament to its heritage.

The Mezquita mosque is the biggest attraction in the city, with Lonely Planet writing: “One of the world’s greatest works of Islamic architecture, the Mezquita hints, with all its lustrous decoration, at a refined age when Muslims, Jews and Christians lived side by side and enriched their city with a heady interaction of diverse, vibrant cultures.”

Visitors enter the mosque through Patio de los Naranjos, a lovely courtyard decorated with orange, palm and cypress trees and fountains.

Its interior, with red and white stone columns, garners the most attention from visitors.

Holidaymakers can also climb the 54m-high bell tower for panoramic views overlooking the city.

Entry tickets cost €13, with night tours of the Mezquita mosque costing €20 per person.

Another nod to the city’s Islamic heritage is the Hammam Al Ándalus – a luxurious experience that harks back to when bathhouses were an integral part of daily life. 

Entry tickets cost just over £50 and include access to the thermal baths, steam room and other massages and treatments.

There are plenty of other attractions in the Spanish city, including Palacio de Viana – a renaissance palace that’s known for its twelve patios and extensive art collection.

Meanwhile, the Alcázar Castle of Cordoba is another popular place for tourists to visit, serving as both a fortress and a palace in its history.

Built under Castilian rule in the 13th and 14th centuries, the Spanish fortress was where the Catholic Monarchs, Fernando and Isabel first met Columbus in 1486.

Inside the fortress, visitors will find Roman mosaics on display while its gardens are full of fish ponds, fountains, orange trees and flowers.

Other attractions include the Roman Bridge, which spans over the Guadalquivir River.

Trying local cuisine is a must in Spain, with Córdoba having a few of its own.

Holidaymakers should try salmorejo (a thicker version of gazpacho), flamenquín (a breaded roll of ham and pork) and rabo de toro (oxtail stew).

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Wine bars are another must for holidaymakers, with several cheap spots dotted throughout the city.

The prices of wines are said to start from just €1 (84p) at Jugo Vinos Vivos Tienda.

Otherwise there is also JUGO Vinos Vivos, which has not only been called a “charming hidden gem” but also the “best wine bar in Cordoba”.

Hotels in Córdoba are relatively cheap, with Sun Online Travel finding rooms at Eurostars Conquistador, a four-star hotel, from £67 per night, based on two people sharing a room.

It’s best to visit Córdoba in May when scents of jasmine and orange blossom fill the air.

The closest airport to Córdoba is Seville Airport where direct flights operate from the UK.

Direct flights operate from UK cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

EasyJet flies a direct route from London Gatwick to Seville, with return fares starting from as little as £37 in January.

From Seville, Brits will need to board a train to Córdoba, which will take roughly one hour.

Other lesser-known places to visit in Andalusia

THE Sun’s travel reporter Hope Brotherton spent several days exploring lesser-known cities in Andalusia, here are some of her recommendations…

Conil de la Frontera

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Because of its seaside roots, the Spanish town is known for its tuna fishing industry. On my visit, my guide recommended grabbing a bite to eat at Anticuario Conil Tapas – a restaurant in the heart of the town. I opted for a bottle of beer and a plate of red tuna accompanied by a small smattering of French fries – needless to say, it hit the spot.

To walk off my lunch, I climbed Torre de Guzman – one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The tower, which was built in the 14th century, used to be part of the old castle and the walls, which once guarded the city. From the top of the tower, which is free to enter, visitors can enjoy views of the Andalusian Coast, terracotta rooftops and whitewashed houses.

Other attractions include España Square, which is the main square in the town. While I didn’t have enough time for a swim in the sea, there are several beaches in Conil, including Playa Punta Lejos.

Cadiz

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The Spanish port city of Cadiz isn’t top of most British holidaymakers, even though I think it should be.

It’s around a 90-minute train journey from Seville and there’s so much to do to keep holidaymakers entertained.

Make a beeline for the city’s cathedral. It’s topped with a glistening golden dome that reflects the sunlight, making it impossible to miss.

Nearby, there’s also el Callejon del Duende, the narrowest street in the city. While it’s been closed to the public for years, I popped my camera through the gate at its entrance and snapped away at the tiny passageway now filled with plants and flowers.

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As my tour guide advised, I visited the Roman amphitheatre (free to enter) as soon as it opened so I could avoid the hordes of day-trippers who flood the city from their cruise ships.

Meanwhile, these are the best all inclusive deals for Spain this year.

And we found the best all inclusive family holidays this summer.

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BRITISH Airways has axed flights around the world cancelling hundreds of trips after it was hit by engine issues.

The flag-carrier grounded aircraft after finding maintenance issues with some of its Rolls-Royce jet engines.

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New routes to Malaysia have been canned, while the frequency of flights to Qatar has been halved.

Some services have also been suspended between Gatwick and JFK in New York.

Thousands of flyers will have been affected by the changes and hundreds of craft halted.

The airline has already scrapped 11 routes because of the issue, the Telegraph reports.

BA said the issue is with the Trent 1000 engines used on its fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliner jets.

There is excessive wear and tear on them and Rolls-Royce has been unable to supply enough replacement engines and parts.

BA has grounded five planes or 15 per cent of the fleet.

Boeing 777s have been used to pick up the slack, but those too also need to be repaired every so often.

The launch of a Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur route will now be delayed from November to April 2025.

One of the two daily trips to Doha has been canned, while flights between Gatwick and JFK will be suspended for winter from December.

A BA spokesperson said: “We’ve taken this action because we do not believe the issue will be solved quickly, and we want to offer our customers the certainty they deserve

“We’ve apologised to those affected and are able to offer the vast majority a flight the same day with British Airways or one of our partner airlines.

“We continue to work closely with Rolls-Royce to ensure the company is aware of the impact its issues are having on our schedule and customers, and seek reassurance of a prompt and reliable solution.”

BA has contacted customers whose flights have been cancelled and offered alternative travel arrangements.

They said: “Unfortunately, Rolls-Royce, our engine supplier for our fleet of Boeing 787 aircraft, is experiencing challenges,” it said.

“We’re not the only airline experiencing this issue and are doing all we can to work with Rolls-Royce to resolve the situation.”

A Rolls-Royce spokesman said: “We continue to work with British Airways and all of our customers to minimise the impact of the limited availability of spares due to the current supply chain constraints.

“Unfortunately, this is an issue affecting the whole aerospace industry.”

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AS the leaves begin to turn and a chill creeps into the air, the country is transforming into a playground of eerie delights.

From pumpkin patches to haunted castles, this year’s Halloween attractions promise thrills and chills for all ages.

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Whether you are seeking family-friendly fun or scream-your-lungs-out scares, Jacob Lewis has found the best bewitching Halloween events across the country.

Budget-friendly boos

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FOR those watching their wallets, Pembrokeshire’s Milford Water-front offers a free Halloween trail from October 28 to November 3.

To make it a full getaway, Hotel Ty Milford Waterfront is offering a “kids stay free” deal when sharing a family room, with prices from £116 per night.

See milford waterfront.co.uk.

In Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, history meets mystery with the Ghostly And Macabre guided walking tour.

Running every Friday from Halloween until March, the 90-minute journey through the town’s darkened streets uncovers centuries of grim history.

Tickets £7.50 for adults and £4 for children (aged 14 and over).

See visit-burystedmunds.co.uk.

Or head to Derby for a free event that begins family-friendly but, as night falls, sees the atmosphere shift to an adults-only March Of The Vampires.

Go to visit derby.co.uk.

Grownup goose bumps

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EXTREME scare experience PrimEvil at ROARR! in Norfolk is not for the faint of heart.

Running between October 17 and November 2, the fully immersive event features five terrifying haunts, including Werehouse 51: Toxic Mutation, and roaming street actors.

Other attrac-tions include high ropes courses and zombie archery. Tickets from £28 at primevil-scare.com.

Ghost hunters will find their perfect Halloween treat at Hever Castle in Kent.

This year, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn invites brave souls on an after-dark tour, delving into the castle’s most unfortunate owners and their gruesome fates.

The experience begins with a glass of prosecco (or a non-alcoholic alter-native) at the Moat Cafe, setting the stage for a truly haunting night.

Strictly for over-16s.

Tickets from £35.26 at hevercastle.co.uk.

Pumpkin picking

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DODDINGTON Hall in Lincolnshire is the UK’s best pumpkin patch, according to an in-depth ranking by Outdoor Toys.

The free-entry wonderland boasts 30 varieties of pumpkins, squashes and gourds.

See doddingtonhall.com.

In second place was Tapnell Farm on the Isle of Wight, offering a pumpkin trail and plenty of spooky photo opportunities.

Tickets, £14.50, tapnellfarm.com.

Or check out Millets Farm Centre in Oxfordshire, which secured third spot, thanks to its low £2 entry fee and annual Halloween Spook-tacular that includes pumpkin-picking, a Halloween circus and a spooky disco.

See milletsfarmcentre.com.

For a dog-friendly adventure, head to Cotswold Farm Park.

But as night falls, the patch transforms with live music and UV pumpkin displays.

Tickets from £10.95 at cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk.

Scary mazes

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HAILED as one of Europe’s most- haunted cities, York delivers an immersive experience at its Hallowscream fright nights at York Maze.

The award-winning attraction features five horror mazes, more than 100 live actors and extra-jumpy scare zones.

Strictly over-16s.

Tickets from £28 at yorkmazehallowscream.co.uk.

In Blackburn, Scare Kingdom Scream Park is pushing the boundaries of fear.

Running on select nights to November 9, it boasts 80 scare actors across 130 themed spaces around five scare mazes promising pulse-pounding adventures.

Minimum age of 13 (accompanied by an adult).

With tickets starting at £27.79, this one is an intense experience that’s not for the faint-hearted.

For details, see scarekingdom.com.

Family-friendly frights

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DRAYTON MANOR in Staffordshire has transformed into a Spooktacular Halloween wonderland until November 3.

Included with regular admission, visitors can enjoy the Carnival of Spooks walk-through and daily shows.

Tickets from £27.50 at draytonmanor.co.uk.

The Halloween in the City festival returns to Manchester on October 26 and 27, when the city centre will be overrun by giant inflatable monsters, including eight-metre-long Leech.

As darkness falls, buildings across the city will glow an eerie green, while thousands of pumpkin lanterns line the streets.

See visitmanchester.com.

Warwick Castle is also joining the Halloween fun with ghostly inhabitants taking over the grounds.

Families can enjoy quizzes, discos, songs and sorcery.

Tickets from £22.

For more details, see warwick-castle.com.

Thrilling trails

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FOR those who prefer their scares with a side of natural beauty, Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset is debuting a Halloween illuminated trail.

Running from October 25 to November 3, the after-dark adventure winds through the forest, revealing hidden surprises including a secret cemetery, ghostly undertakers and tree demons.

With thunderstorms, wicked witches and giant spiders along the way, it is a multi-sensory experience that blends the beauty of nature with Halloween theatrics.

Tickets from £12 at moors-valley.co.uk.

Just outside Port Talbot, Margam Country Park is launching Fright Nights – a spine-tingling experience that draws on the location’s haunted history.

The trail begins in the ruins of the gardens where visitors encounter 7ft Cistercian monks before venturing into a forest rumoured to be home to the ghost of a murdered gamekeeper.

The journey continues into the 19th-century castle, considered one of the UK’s most haunted places.

With two scare levels available – one for younger visitors and a more intense version for those 15 and up – it’s a customisable fright fest for those with different terror thresholds.

Tickets from £12.50 at www.margamcountrypark.co.uk.