Travel
Tiny Greek village you won’t have heard of dubbed a coastal gem has £4 sunloungers and amazing seafood
BRIT holidaymakers probably won’t have heard of Sivota, a tiny harbour village in Greece.
Sivota is often overshadowed by its more well-known neighbour Corfu; however, it has all the trappings of a seaside holiday.
Located in Epirus Region in Greece, Sivota sits near other well-established beach towns like Praga.
While the tiny village isn’t on the main tourist trail in Greece, it is a popular stop on sailing holidays in Ionian.
This is largely thanks to its pretty beaches, lush coastline and crystal-clear waters.
Travel blog Travels & Wandering described Sivota as a “hidden gem” in northwestern Greece.
The fishing village is surrounded by several small islets, including Mavro Oros and Agios Nikolaos.
There are plenty of beaches within walking distance of Sivota, including Bella Vraka Beach.
Beach-goers will need to walk through shallow waters to reach the tiny beach, which is actually on the tiny island of Mourtemeno.
Other beaches in the area include Mega Ammos Beach, which is known for its snorkeling, Zavia Beach and Gallikos Molos Beach.
Gallikos Molos Beach is the closest beach to Sivota, it also has the most facilities of any of the neighbouring beaches with a beach bar.
Renting sunloungers and parasols at the beach cost just €5 (£4.20) per person, making it more affordable compared to the likes of Mykonos and Santorini, as reported by the Independent.
Three little-known Greek islands to visit
THERE are plenty of Greek islands to visit, including several little-known spots that are free from the crowds.
- Located in the Dodecanese Sea, Symi is a fairytale-like island home to traditional Greek villages and harbour-front bars and cafes. Reaching the tiny island became a lot more accessible after Jet2 announced the launch of a new route from the UK.
- Despite being twice the size of Mykonos, Tinos is often overlooked by most holidaymakers. But holiday demand for the island is predicted to grow thanks local food and sandy beaches.
- Meanwhile, the island of Paros has a wave of chic new hotels opening. The island has its own airport – making it much easier to visit than some other smaller islands in Greece that can only be accessed by ferry.
Visitors can also book onto boat trips where they’ll be able to explore some of the smaller islands, hidden coves and the Blue Lagoon.
Because of its coastal location, Sivota is known for its amazing seafood, with several restaurants only serving fish.
Spiridoula taverna has been named as Sivota’s number one seafood restaurant on TripAdvisor.
Other top-rated restaurants include 12 gods, which has views overlooking the harbour, and Odyssey Taverna.
There are a number of affordable hotels in Sivota, including LANGO LUXURY LIVING Sivota, which has £60 stays.
Direct flights operate from the UK to Preveza, the closest airport to Sivota.
EasyJet operates direct flights between London Gatwick and Preveza, with one-way fares from £33 in October.
Preveza Airport is a 90-minute drive from Sivota.
Alternatively, holidaymakers can fly from the UK to Corfu International Airport where they’ll be able to board a ferry from Corfu to Sivota.
A short history of Sivota
In ancient times, the area around Sivota was inhabited by the Thesprotians ( a Greek tribe).
The waters near Sivota were the site of the Battle of Sybota in 433 BC – a significant clash between the Corinthians and the Corcyraeans and one of the precursors to the Peloponnesian War.
During the Roman period, the region fell under Roman control and subsequently became part of the Byzantine Empire.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Sivota saw various invasions and occupations, including those by the Normans and the Venetians.
In the 15th century, Sivota, like much of Epirus, came under Ottoman rule, which lasted until the early 20th century.
The village and its surroundings became part of the modern Greek state following the Balkan Wars in the early 1910s.
In recent decades, Sivota has transformed from a quiet fishing village into a popular tourist destination, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and charming harbour.
If you don’t want to go this far, then a beautiful UK seaside town has been compared to a Greek island.
And another seaside town in the UK is also home to dolphins, whales and puffins, as well as amazing castles.
Travel
Is your favourite top? The UK’s best theme parks revealed – with record-breaking rollercoasters and reimagined rides
THORPE Park has been named the country’s best theme park by the Great British public.
The UK Theme Park Awards took place last night, with the Surrey-based park bagging the top spot.
The awards were organised by ThemeParks-UK.com who publish independent consumer guides.
More than 360,000 votes were cast by the public and combined with scores from expert judges to rank the country’s best theme parks.
Awards were spread across 22 categories, including the Best New Attraction, the Best Theme Park for Families, the Best Seaside Park and the New Park of the Year.
Thorpe Park beat the likes of Alton Towers and Drayton Manor to be named the best in the country for 2024.
The Surrey-based theme park, which first opened to the public in 1979, also took first place for the best new attraction, Hyperia.
Hyperia opened to the public earlier this year, becoming the country’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.
Standing at a whopping 236ft tall, the hypercoaster claims to be the UK’s highest, swiping the crown from Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s The Big One by just a few inches.
It also smashes coaster speed records, reaching break-neck speeds of 81mph.
Hyperia wasn’t the only new addition this year, with American-themed Big Easy Boulevard also opening this year.
The new area replaced the park’s Angry Birds land, which had been in place for ten years.
Big Easy Boulevard is based on New Orleans and has several rides, as well as a 4D cinema.
Detonator, a drop tower ride that sends people plummeting 100ft, remains in the area from the Angry Birds land – although it has been rebranded to fit in with its new surroundings.
Other rides at the theme park include Stealth, the UK’s fastest launch coaster, and Vortex, a giant pendulum that swings riders through the air.
Drayton Manor’s Gold Rush took second place as the best new attraction at a UK theme park, with Legoland’s Minifigure Speedway coming in at third.
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
Nemesis Reborn
Other winners of the night included Nemesis Reborn at Alton Towers, which was named the Best Reimagined Attraction.
Nemesis was first unleashed to the public in March 1994 and has become a favourite among thrill-seekers ever since.
However, it closed in November 2022 for retracking and for other changes to be made to the rollercoaster.
After undergoing the biggest overhaul in its 30-year history, the ride was renamed Nemesis Reborn.
You can read our world-first review of Nemesis Reborn here.
Paultons Park
Paultons Park bagged the top spot for the Best Theme Park for Families and Toddlers.
Paultons Park features more than 70 rides, including roller coasters, family rides, and attractions.
It is also known for being the home of Peppa Pig World, voted the No.1 theme park on TripAdvisor.
Guests will find Grampy Rabbit’s Sailing Club, The Queen’s Flying Coach, Grandpa Pig’s Little Train, and Peppa’s Big Balloon in the Peppa Pig World.
Kids can also enjoy play areas, as well as meet and greets with Peppa Pig and George Pig.
Peppa Pig World isn’t the only attraction at Paultons Park, as there’s also Tornado Spring, a world set in a midwest desert resort town in the 1950s.
Other themed worlds include the Lost Kingdom, Critter Creek, and Little Africa.
Drayton Manor
Drayton Manor topped the list as the UK’s Best Value Theme Park.
The park is already considered to be among the more affordable resorts in the UK, with UK Family Break previously describing it as “the ideal place for an unforgettable cheap family day out”.
Drayton Manor is home to more than 50 attractions, including Stormforce 10 River Rapids, Thor, Accelorator, Thomas and Percy’s Submarine Splash and The Bounty Pirate Ship.
Meanwhile, this new theme park with 25 attractions has opened in Europe – and flights are only £15.
And here are five European theme parks that are alternatives to Disneyland.
The Sun’s review of Hyperia at Thorpe Park
The Sun’s Lee Bell visited Thorpe Park to try the new ride out. Here’s what he thought…
“I was able to ride the steel monster three times, experiencing its exhilarating speeds in the middle of the train, at the front and then, for my last (and best) ride, right at the back.
“First impressions: it’s unlike any other rollercoaster in the UK right now.”Not only for the obvious reason that it’s over double the height, but its focus on flinging riders out of their seats and experiencing ‘weightlessness’.
“It’s no surprise that the first drop is what really steals the show on this rollercoaster.
“While it’s the tallest in the country, it’s unique in that it twists riders 180 degrees while they plummet down a huge vertical drop right before reaching the ground at top speeds of over 80mph.
“The back row is easily the best place to experience this, since you’re catapulted over the crest of the drop at speed, and right into the drop with a free-fall-like feeling.
“It’s an incredible ride that will make you want to ride it again and again.”It’s certainly a coaster that can compete with some of the best in Europe and is easily, in my experience, the best the UK has to offer.”
Travel
Floating glampsite where guests get their own rowing boat crowned one of the best in the UK
A UNIQUE holiday destination in Suffolk has just been named one of the friendliest accommodation providers in the UK.
Hippersons Boatyard in Beccles has been announced as one of this year’s winners at the Visit Britain’s ROSE Awards.
The awards recognise the accommodation providers across England who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes.
But Hippersons is very different from your usual holiday park or self-catered apartment.
Guests can stay in in one of six quirky houseboats which are nestled on the River Waveney in The Broads National Park.
The boatyard is self catering, offering fun for families or a romantic getaway for couples.
Each accommodation has a private rowing boat for exploring the river, and there are a wide range of other water-based experiences on offer.
Canoes, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, and a pedal boat are all available for hire.
There are also self drive boats you can take out for the day to explore the wider Broads.
Among the houseboats to choose from are ‘Secret Water’ – a luxury floating glamping pod with a large deck at the front to watch the sunrise and sunset from, a double room and a bunk room, small kitchenette, and a wet room with underfloor heating.
Local cafe Relish can make food hampers if you’re in need of supplies, or if you need some time out from cooking, there are plenty of pubs and restaurants nearby.
Nearby attractions include the Beccles Lido, where you can book a slot and swim in the outdoor pool.
There’s also Beccles Museum with displays on local industries and crafts.
A 30 minute drive away is Secret Sauna, a wood-fired sauna cabin in a secluded location, perched on the banks of the River Waveney.
And if it’s speed you’re after, you can book a turn at Beccles Go Kart race circuit.
One Hippersons Boatyard guest, who visited in August this year, described their stay on Tripadvisor.
They wrote: “The accommodation was well finished with a beautiful view out of the boatyard towards the river. My kids (and I) loved watching the fish swim past as we ate out on the water. We were welcomed by very hospitable staff and found a welcome hamper on arrival. The boathouse came with a dingy and life jackets, which we could use at our leisure.
VisitEngland Awards For Excellence 2024
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
- GOLD: Sleepy Owl, Bideford, Devon
- SILVER: My Cottages in St Ives, Cornwall
- BRONZE: Bethnal&Bec Luxury Stays, Hertfordshire
Pub of the Year
- GOLD: The Peterville Inn, St Agnes, Cornwall
- SILVER: The Acorn Inn, Dorset
- BRONZE: The Red Fox, Wirral
Bed & Breakfast and Guesthouse of the Year
- GOLD: The Bosham Boathouse B&B, Bosham, West Sussex
- SILVER: MonkBridge House, North Yorkshire
- BRONZE: Bossington Hall, Somerset
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year
- GOLD: The Secret Garden Glamping, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
- SILVER: Kits Coty Glamping, Kent
- BRONZE: Darwin Forest Lodges, Derbyshire
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
- GOLD: Hoe Grange Holidays, Matlock, Derbyshire
- SILVER: ROARR!, Norfolk
- BRONZE: Colchester Castle, Essex
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award
- GOLD: Mill Farm Eco Barns, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
- SILVER: Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent
- BRONZE: The Yan at Broadrayne, Cumbria
Experience of the Year
- GOLD: Grey Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Seahouses, Northumberland
- SILVER: York Ghost Walk, The Deathly Dark Tours, North Yorkshire
- BRONZE: Mountain Bike Taster Day, Pure Outdoor, Derbyshire
Large Hotel of the Year
- GOLD: The Grand, York, Yorkshire
- SILVER: Hope Street Hotel, Merseyside
- BRONZE: Rockliffe Hall Hotel, County Durham
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
- GOLD: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Gloucestershire
- SILVER: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire
- BRONZE: ROARR!, Norfolk
New Tourism Business of the Year
- GOLD: The Wizard Walk of York, North Yorkshire
- SILVER: Sleepy Owl, Devon
- BRONZE: Boys Hall, Kent
Small Hotel of the Year
- GOLD: The Gallivant, Camber, East Sussex
- SILVER: Wildhive Callow Hall, Derbyshire
- BRONZE: THE PIG at Harlyn Bay, Cornwall
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
- GOLD: Nothe Fort (operated by Weymouth Civic Society), Weymouth, Dorset
- SILVER: Cotswolds Distillery, Warwickshire
- BRONZE: The Battle of Britain Memorial, Kent
Taste of England Award
- GOLD: Allium at Askham Hall, Penrith, Cumbria
- SILVER: Blackfriars Restaurant, Tyne & Wear
- BRONZE: La Locanda, Lancashire
Unsung Hero
- GOLD: Katie Calder, V-ATE Automotive Smokehouse and Bowl, Boston, Lincolnshire
- SILVER: Duncan Wise, Northumberland National Park Authority, Hexham, Northumberland
- BRONZE: Brett Hawkes, Crowhurst Park, East Sussex
“The boatyard is really well placed a short walk from the historic centre of Beccles (but no road or town noise!). My kids loved visiting the headed lido and we enjoyed a meal out at the Royal Oak. Both Norfolk and Suffolk attractions were accessible from Beccles. Just a brilliant stay, I really can’t recommend enough. We’ll be back!”
Prices start from £315 for a three night stay. To book, visit the Hippersons Boatyard website.
Travel
Scottish town with one-of-a-kind water attraction that people say is like a theme park ride
AN UNUSUAL water attraction in the UK has been likened to a theme park ride by visitors – and it’s the only one of its kind in the world.
The Falkirk Wheel is a rotating boat lift that carries barges and boats between the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal.
Located in Falkirk, Scotland, it is the only one of its kind in the world, making it a tourist attraction in its own right.
After first opening in 2002, it has become one of Scotland’s busiest tourist attractions, with 500,000 visitors every year.
Travel website Secret Scotland described it as an “exceptional” example of engineering, writing: “The Falkirk Wheel boat lift is an exceptional feat of modern engineering that connects the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Canals described the Union Canal as “a route to remember” on their website.
They added: “From the iconic Falkirk Wheel to the historic heart of Scotland‘s capital city, discover boat trips, inspiring trails and amazing heritage.”
The rotating wheel takes around five minutes to lift boats from one canal onto the other.
Barges can be hired and taken down both canals, with Edinburgh at the end of one and Glasgow at the end of the other.
Although visitors won’t need to hire a barge to give the Falkirk Wheel a go, with tours onboard two boats from the Scottish Canals Trust are also in operation.
The Original Tour lasts 50 minutes and includes two turns on the Falkirk Wheel.
Visitors will depart from the Falkirk Wheel Basin where they’ll enter the lower gondola of the wheel before sailing through the sky to join the Union Canal 35 metres above the basin.
Boat tours will then continue along the aqueduct, heading through Roughcastle Tunnel before reaching the mouth of the Union Canal where boats will turn back to the start.
Tours last 50 minutes, with tickets costing £17.40 for a full-paying adult and £9.60 for children.
The Falkirk Wheel has been praised by visitors on TripAdvisor, with a 4.5/5 star rating from over 4,000 reviews.
One person wrote: “The area has been turned into a children’s theme park ride”.
While a third person wrote: “It’s more like a theme park attraction than a boat lift”.
There are plenty of other attractions at the Falkirk Wheel, including a splash zone with a huge stone map and mini canal lock gates.
A fleet of little paddle boats lets younger visitors experience the water in the boating pond.
Older children can take to the water on bumper boats, each of which come equipped with a squirt gun.
Other activities include paddle boarding and water zorbing and canoeing on the water trail.
Nearby, there’s also Helix Park where a huge set of two Kelpie statues can be found.
Kelpies are mythical shape-shifting horse spirits that were said to drag humans to their deaths in the water.
The statues were designed by Andy Scott, and they’re the largest equine statues in the world.
Spanning more than 350 hectares, there are plenty of other features inside the huge park, including an adventure zone and splash play area for kids, with fountains spraying from the ground and huge climbing structures.
Meanwhile walking and cycling routes “meander through lush greenery and enchanting woodlands” according to the park’s website.
The paths in and around the park connect 16 communities via 26 kilometres worth of trail, all of which can be explored.
Entry to Helix Park is free, making it ideal for families.
Five new water attractions opening in the UK
- Therme Manchester will have 25 swimming pools, 25 water slides and an indoor beach.
- Modern Surf Manchester will be a surfing lagoon offering lessons to both beginners and experts.
- Chessington World of Adventures Waterpark is set to have wave, infinity and spa pools as well as waterslides and cabanas.
- The Cove Resort, Southport is likely to have a water lagoon and a thermal spa with steam rooms and saunas.
- The Seahive, Deal plans to be the “surfing wellness resort” in the UK.
Meanwhile, Dundee has been named Scotland’s most underrated city thanks to its ties to the Beano and the Dandy.
And we’ve recently revealed our favourite spots for a September break.
Travel
Pretty UK beach where the ‘forest meets the sea’ – with miles of golden sand and tiny island
LLANDDWYN Beach in Wales has won praise online, with some describing it as where the forest meets the sea.
Located in Anglesey, Traeth Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn Beach) is backed by Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest, meaning the tall forest trees line the banks of the beach.
TikTok user aimee__laurenwilliams recently posted a video about the beach, writing: “One of the only UK places where the forest meets the sea”.
Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest covers a large swathe of land in Anglesey, including Malltraeth Sands, the Cob Pool, Cefni Saltmarsh, Abermenai Point, Llanddwyn Island, Llanddwyn Bay and Penrhos Bay.
The pine trees that line Traeth Llanddwyn were planted between 1947 and 1965 to help stabilise the shifting sand dunes.
Just ten years after the trees were planted, Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest was declared the first coastal nature reserve in 1955.
Because the area covers a large expanse of land, there’s plenty to keep visitors entertained.
Traeth Llanddwyn is a Blue Flag that’s home to more than 3.5 miles of golden sand and crystal-clear waters.
While there aren’t lifeguards, there are free toilets, as well as BBQ areas, picnic benches and food trucks in the summer.
From the beach, holidaymakers will be able to reach Ynys Llanddwyn (Llanddwyn island) at low tide.
The island, which has sweeping views over Snowdonia, is named after Saint Dwynwen, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, making it a popular spot for romantic getaways.
Visitors to Ynys Llanddwyn will find the ruins of St Dwynwen’s Church, a lighthouse (Tŵr Mawr), and Pilot’s Cottages, which have been converted into a small museum and visitor centre.
Meanwhile, Newborough National Nature Reserve and Forest is also home to some of the country’s rarest mammals like the red squirrel.
There are several walking routes and trails in the nature reserve, including the Saint, Sand and Sea Trail.
The four-and-a-half-mile walk takes visitors on a three-hour journey through the Welsh nature reserve.
For families with younger children, there’s also the Nature/Animal Puzzle Trail.
The one-hour route starts in the beach car park and continues through the forest path.
Kids will be given a leaflet and tasked with animal spotting on the walk.
OTHER WELSH BEACHES
There are plenty of other “hidden” beaches dotted throughout Wales, including Skrinkle Haven Beach.
Beach-goers can only reach Skrinkle Haven Beach through a narrow tunnel when the tide is low.
Earlier this year, travel writer Catherine Lofthouse visited the beach, she wrote: “You’ll need to be fairly sprightly to travel through the tunnel safely, but we managed it with our four-year-old, so it’s possible for little legs.
“There are warning signs about getting cut off and the uneven levels you’ll encounter, so use common sense and research tide times to keep safe.
“Beyond the tunnel, Haven is certainly a good name for it with its sheltered sides and inviting golden sands welcoming us in.
“It really feels like a place that time forgot, but we don’t have the luxury of setting time aside and all too soon, we need to climb back up the tunnel before we’re stranded by the tide.”
Best Beach Destinations in the UK
HERE are five of the best coastal towns in the UK.
- Tynemouth – The best coastal location in England and Wales is Tynemouth, located in the North East of England and scoring 8.49 out of 10 overall. The area’s main beach is Long Sands Beach, a beach well known for its long stretches of golden sand and the powerful waves in the area making it ideal for surfing.
- Weymouth – Located in the South West of England is the aptly named and award-winning Weymouth Beach. This beach is located at the very heart of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site that stretches the southern coast of England.
- Poole – Poole is the third-best coastal area for people to explore this summer, scoring 8.09 out of 10 overall for the factors we looked at. The main beach is Canford Cliffs Beach, which has won a Blue Flag Award; it’s a gorgeous sandy beach and within walking distance of Canford Cliffs Village.
- Clacton-on-Sea – Clacton is a seaside town and resort in the county of Essex, on the east coast of England. It’s home to the UK’s biggest pleasure pier, which is set currently undergoing a £40,000 transformation, with work already starting.
- Wallasey – Wallasey is a town in the Wirral, Cheshire. It’s home to a popular bathing beach at the eastern end of the North Wirral Coastal Park, next to the Derby Pool Harvester Bar and Grill.
Meanwhile, this UK seaside town is almost like visiting a Greek island.
And you can watch dolphins from a music festival at this UK destination.
Travel
New high speed train linking huge capital cities lets you visit two of Europe’s best Christmas markets in one day
A NEW train linking two of Europe’s most popular cities will be up and running in time for Christmas market season.
The high-speed service will run from Berlin to Paris, between Berlin Hauptbahnhof and Paris Gare de L’Est, with stops in Frankfurt, Strasbourg and Karlsruhe.
Passengers will be able to get from Berlin to Paris in just eight hours using the service, which will be run by German rail operator Deutsche Bahn and France‘s SNCF.
The first departure is scheduled to happen in December.
Michael Peterson, an executive at Deutsche Bahn, said: “This is the first daytime direct connection between the capitals of Germany and France, and it is also a symbol of a growing Europe.”
Alain Krakovitch, from SNCF, added: “This new connection is further proof of the Franco-German friendship and contributes to a shared foal of our two countries: more CO2-free mobility.”
Read more on train journeys
The train journey will depart from Berlin at 11:54 am and arrive at Paris’ Gare de l’Est at 7:55 pm.
In the reverse direction, it will leave Paris at 9:55 am and arrive in Berlin at 6:03 pm.
Stops on the route will include Strasbourg, France, but not Saarbrücken, as initially requested by Deutsche Bahn.
The train will also make stops in the German cities of Frankfurt and Karlsruhe.
Second-class tickets will be available starting at €60 (around £50), which is slightly more expensive than the cheapest flights between the two capitals.
But with this route, the number of daily connections between France and Germany will increase from 24 to 26.
A long-distance night train service, operated by Austrian Railways, has connected Berlin and Paris previously, although it’s currently suspended due to construction work.
As the new route between the two capital cities only takes eight hours and is set to launch before Christmas, you could technically visit Christmas markets in two cities in one day.
Berlin Christmas Time at the Red Town Hall is usually open from 11am, and from there to the train station it’s a 12 minute taxi ride.
Jardin des Tuileries Christmas Market in Paris is open until 11:45pm.
Deutsche Bahn is also planning other new international connections.
Among them are routes from Munich to Milan and Rome, in collaboration with Trenitalia, scheduled for 2026.
According to Peterson, demand for international train travel has grown faster than for domestic routes.
The new service adds to the high-speed rail network between Germany and France, which already includes routes to Marseille and Bordeaux from Frankfurt.
Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray
Brits could one day travel to Spain by train, with new routes planned for 2026.
Eurostar is also launching a new winter route – here’s what you need to know.
Travel
Old EU capital 2 hours on train from UK is new coolest place for a city break – thanks to hit Netflix show & festival
MY friend and I are lounging by the pool at the Hotel Molitor when a message comes through from her mum: “Are you at the Emily In Paris hotel?”
All she’d done was share a snap of the lido on her Instagram, with zero mention of the Netflix comedy drama that stars a US twentysomething living her best life in the French capital.
The Parisians might loathe the series but the rest of us love it — it’s one of the streaming giant’s most popular.
In fact, it’s one of the reasons we decided to book ourselves into the five-star hotel to the west of the city, which had a starring role in season three as Emily spent the afternoon sipping drinks by the pool.
It’s hardly in the centre of the action — the Molitor is in the fashionable 16th arrondissement, about 25 minutes on the Metro to the Eiffel Tower — but as a result, it’s a peaceful haven.
The rooms are small but stylish with large, space-age beds, Clinique toiletries and floor-length windows that look out over the huge art-deco outdoor pool.
Hotel guests lounge in Molitor-branded deckchairs and bathrobes poolside, making you feel simultaneously in and out of Paris — this was, after all, where the bikini was first introduced to the world in 1946.
Paris has always been the fashion capital of the world but, when it comes to fun, the city had felt like in recent years like it was losing its mojo.
Millennials looking for city breaks opted for cool Berlin, fun Amsterdam or chic Copenhagen, while Paris was considered better for rich oldies, with its brasseries, pricey department stores and museums.
We were seated next to the DJ decks and served Michelin-quality gourmet food but without the fuss
But it’s now back in vogue, experiencing a a renaissance.
Yes, that is in part because the spotlight is back on Paris, thanks to the recent 2024 Olympics, and Emily In Paris, but it’s also because young Paris has found its voice.
Places like the 11th and 18th arrondissements — the cool, Shoreditch-like parts of the city — are packed with restaurants and bars that have a distinctly Parisian edge but without the old-school fustiness.
Try Pantobaguette, for instance, the hip little eaterie that fuses French and Japanese cuisine.
We were seated next to the DJ decks and served Michelin-quality gourmet food but without the fuss.
We dined on ajitsuke eggs with wasabi mayo, aubergine with white peaches and anchovies with smoked butter to a background of Nineties hip-hop.
Or how about Folderol, selling only gelato and natural wine, where locals sip their evening aperitif while lounging on the kerb.
Oysters and wine
When we’d finished our ice creams, we headed to Bambino, a chic restaurant-cocktail bar where records line the walls and you can enjoy a terrace view of the Eiffel Tower.
Nobody does casual sipping like the French — they’ve turned it into an art form.
In Paris, the cool younger bars we went to were all serving affordable but great wine by the small glass, often out of a pump.
Back at a small neighbourhood bistro in the 18th arrondissement, we joined the locals for an early-evening pitstop at the stripped-back La Trincante, where they had a deal of six oysters and a glass of white wine for €14.
Add to that one extra glass of wine for my friend, and the free basket of bread you get in every French restaurant, and our bill came to less than €10 each.
The city’s flea markets are legendary, especially the Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, which features in the new series of Emily In Paris
Equally astonishing prices could be found at one of Paris’s best flea markets, Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves.
The city’s flea markets are legendary, especially the Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, which features in the new series of Emily In Paris.
But we headed to the 14th arrondissement for a market that’s mainly frequented by cool locals, and browsed jewellery, furniture and handbags.
The prices — maybe 25 euros for a painting, five for a broach — were impossible to resist.
Equally classy were the Parisians who we met at Rock en Seine, a day festival in the west of the city, who in the midst of the main-stage crowd were sipping their afford-able rosé out of dainty plastic wine glasses .
It really was a very cool crowd, who had assembled to see Fred Again, one of the most exciting artists to emerge from the British dance scene in years, play a headline set.
Among other huge stars were Lana del Rey and LCD Soundsystem. Aside from the Reading and Leeds Festivals, he is doing zero UK gigs this year — but is gracing Parisians with his presence. Clearly, Fred knows the city is where it’s at.
I’ve been to a lot of festivals but this one must be the friendliest I’ve attended — forget the French reputation for snootiness, by the end we were on first-name terms with everyone within ten metres.
In fact, we even bumped into some of our new friends at the Eurostar station the following day, on our return to London.
It seemed a fair number of festival-goers had the same idea as us, to head over for Fred Again’s set and spend a couple of days exploring the city.
And why not, because swapping a short-haul flight for a two-hour train journey makes all the difference when on a weekend break.
We arrived in Paris feeling fresh and pulled back into King’s Cross St Pancras feeling, frankly, very well rested.
GO: PARIS
GETTING THERE: London to Paris Eurostar fares start from £39pp and kids under four travel free. See eurostar.com.
STAYING THERE: Double rooms at Hotel Molitor cost from around £280 per night, on a bed and breakfast basis. See all.accor.com.
OUT & ABOUT: Tickets to Rock En Seine typically go on sale in December and cost from £63. See rockenseine.com.
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