GLASTONBURY’S poshest ‘tent’ where guests can enjoy a luxury festival experience is taking bookings for 2025 from today – at a cost of £28k.

The team behind the luxury pop-up say bookings are at an ‘all time high for this stage of the year’ given the festival’s planned fallow year in 2026.

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The Tipi Tenthouse Suite offers up to five double bedrooms with a dining area and en-suite shower room which will set glampers back £27,999.

While on-site, guests can enjoy the bar, an a la carte restaurant, live performances and a spa complete with hot tubs, complimentary yoga sessions, a swimming pool, and saunas.

The site also works with Voler Aviation Services to offer helicopter charter flights and has a fleet of all-electric Audis to offer eco-friendly ground transport.

The luxury accommodation boasts a flushing toilet, a boujee carpeted floor for comfort and deckchairs for lounging outside.

Those who hate the camping part of the festival have a home away from home with wooden doors, a dining table and large windows.

The site lies a 10-minute walk from the festival’s pedestrian gate D.

Prices vary from £2,999 for a classic room, and the Tipi Tenthouse Suite is priced at £28k for up to 10 people – it features an en-suite shower room and a dining area and furnished living space.

It is billed as a place which will “allow you to share your experience with those closest to you whilst giving you your own space too”.

The rooms even come with mood lighting and car parking passes included so guests can skip the hassle of fighting in queues for somewhere to park.

Guests can also treat themselves to visiting the Wellness Spa for the hot tubs and a pool as well as a beauty salon offering booked treatments.

There is even a concierge service and 24 hour private security.

Mark Sorrill, Managing Director of The Pop-Up Hotel, explains: “Since launching in 2011 as the first luxury glamping accommodation, we’ve evolved to deliver an unparalleled festival experience for our hotel guests during Glastonbury matched with a 5* service found at any international boutique hotel.

“There’s certainly a reason why it’s a sell-out success every year.”

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THE kids are finally back at school, so now it’s time for the grown-ups to put their feet up.

And there are few better ways to unwind than a cruise. From epic adventures around the Caribbean to wild nights partying on the White Isle, Sophie Swietochowski picks her top adult-only sailings still with availability this year.

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1. FRENCH DAZE & IBIZA NIGHTS: If a raucous adults-only getaway is what you’re after, that’s certainly what you’ll get on board Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages — and this French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise has 70 per cent off for the second passenger, but you’ll have to be ready to set sail straight away.

When you’re not swigging back cocktails in your jammies at the PJ party on board Scarlet Lady, you’ll be dancing til dawn on the sands of Ibiza or slurping some of the finest rose in France’s Provence.

And if all that boozing leads to a bit of a sore head, the ship is home to a marble-clad spa complete with a mud room, salt room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, and heated hammam benches.

The seven-night voyage costs from £1091.69pp, based on two sharing an indoor cabin and departing from Barcelona on September 29.

The ship calls at Marseille, Cannes, Mallorca, and Ibiza. See virginvoyages.com.

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2. NORWAY’S LAND OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS: This 14-night icy voyage around Norway’s snow-capped peaks is certainly one for the bucket list as you hunt for the famous Northern Lights.

Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition is all about the grown-up getaways with sophisticated dining options like Lupino’s, an al-fresco style Mediterranean restaurant, and a lavish theatre hosting epic musical performances.

The sailing departs in November so pack your winter coat as it’ll be chilly outside, but the frost only adds to the magic.

The ship sails from London Tilbury to Haugesund, Alesund, Trondheim, Alta, Leknes, Narvik, Bodo and Bergen.

The Norway’s Land of the Northern Lights voyage costs from £1,199pp in the end of summer sale. See ambassadorcruiseline.com.

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3. CARIBBEAN DISCOVERY: Got buckets of time? Well, pack your sunscreen as P&O Cruises has a mega 24-night trip that will take you around some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque, sun-drenched islands.

You’ll tick off St Maarten, the French-half Dutch port littered with little boutiques; Guadeloupe, where hikers will have their pick of craggy trails; Kingstown in St Vincent, home to lush botanical gardens and Bridgetown in Barbados, where you can swig on rum until the sun comes up.

The cruise also calls at Madeira and Ponta Delgada in Portugal.

With plenty of days at sea you’ll have ample time to soak up Aurora’s fun with an epic casino on board, interactive game shows, archery, a cinema and even a library.

The 24-night sailing (R421) costs from £2,399pp, departing Southampton on October 29. See pocruises.com.

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4. FESTIVE FLAVOURS: For a festive-themed European break, few do it better than TUI’s adult-only river cruises.

This five-night sailing along Germany’s Rhine River will call at some of the best Christmas markets in the world, including the one in Cologne selling sweet and spicy biscuits and blown-glass trinkets.

From the top deck of TUI Skyla, you’ll be able to admire the passing cities or join one of the open-air movie nights under a blanket of stars.

Be prepared to not just fill your boots with Christmas gifts but your stomach with grub as on top of the market grub, cruisers will be treated to a six-course gala dinner on board the ship one evening.

The five-night voyage costs from £978pp, departing Mainz on December 8 and calling at Bonn, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Koblenz. See tui.co.uk.

A SMALL family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh with nine types of mashed potato on its menu has just been announced as the winner of best restaurant in the UK for casual dining.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, located a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Old Town, specialises in traditional Scottish comfort food, dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties and chicken in whisky sauce.

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But what makes this eatery unique, is everything comes with your own choice of mashed potato.

There are nine flavours to choose from:

• Classic Scottish dairy butter
• Mature Scottish cheddar cheese
• Mild smoked applewood cheese
• Wholegrain mustard
• Smoked bacon and spring onion
• Scottish black pudding
• Chilli smoked bean medley
• Creamed horseradish
• Olive oil mash

Of course, if you’re not a fan of the smooth and silky side, you can opt out of having it – purple-sprouting broccoli is served up instead.

Makars was given the accolade in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants 2024.

Tripadvisor chose its winners by looking at the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for restaurants from travellers over a 12-month period.

Makars was described by reviewers as an “Edinburgh legend” and “local gem”.

As well as serving up delicious food in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant focuses on using local ingredients and is moving towards plant based cooking.

Alongside slow cooked lamb shank, slow cooked beef shoulder, and wild board sausage, it offers vegetarian haggis and vegetarian sausage made from skirlie (a traditional Scottish dish made from oatmeal and onion).

Makers also has dishes with lions mane mushroom on offer for its vegan and vegetarian customers, an ingredient known for being packed with potent antioxidants to fight disease, with claims it can boost brain cell production.

The mushroom is described as having the taste of lobster and crab, with the look of a lion’s mane. 

Typically, they’re quite expensive, but Makers has developed an advanced lions mane grow facility in Edinburgh, allowing them to offer them at a cost they think is fair – that’s dedication.

Prices at Makers range from £18 to £23, not including sides or dessert.

One customer who visited the restaurant this month described their meal as a “feast to remember”.

They wrote in their review on Tripadvisor: “Quite simply – the best dining experience I’ve had in months! The place is buzzing, but not crowded.

“The staff were superlative, offering friendly assistance throughout the meal, without being obtrusive.

“The food was first class. Loved the black pudding mash. A feast to remember.”

Another penned: “Friendly and relaxed atmosphere for a truly gourmet experience.”

Makers also came in the top 10 restaurants for casual dining worldwide.

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Sliding into ninth place, it joined the likes of restaurants in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Peru.

While Makers does accept walk in customers, it’s recommended you book in advance as it can get very busy.

THE type of food we see on flights today has changed massively from the early days of aviation.

The first in-flight meal was served in 1919 on the Handley-Page London to Paris route, and consisted of just a sandwich and fruit.

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But in the decades that followed, in flight meals became a luxury experience.

Some journeys offered seven course dinners and menus with luxury food items like fillet steak and cherry souffle served with fresh cream.

For some first class passengers, meals were served on beautiful china plates.

Former Chief Pilot and Director of British Airways, Al Bridger has shared how food on flights has changed through the years in his book Flavour of Flight: The Food and Drink of British Airways.

His book includes a host of fascinating pictures of in flight meals from decades gone by, including recipes on how to make some of passengers’ favourite plane dishes.

He told Sun Travel: “British Airways and its predecessor airlines have always strived to give the best possible offering to their customers across all the cabins.

“From the very early days of introducing fine sandwiches to taking advantage of all the technological advances with onboard ovens and the highly innovative ‘height cuisine’ of the 2000s, designed with top chef Heston Blumenthal, by using flavours and the freshest ingredients to maximise taste at altitude.

“Flavour of Flight charts this journey of the airline’s drive to always improve and create better product, as we all know that food and drink play an important role in the overall customer experience when travelling.”

In the very early era of flying, food service was limited. There was no galley or ovens on the aircraft, which meant the only hot items available were flasks of coffee, tea, Bovril and chocolate.

Fast forward to the 1930s, the air travel industry was growing, and there was a move towards a much more luxurious travel experience.

Al writes in the book that the purpose-built aircraft had two toilets, and, importantly, a bar and a kitchen in the centre section.

This space allowed for exceptional table service to happen, in the form of five-course lunches and seven-course dinners.

And the quality of food onboard had dramatically improved from just sandwiches in the previous decade.

Typical menus from the time included roast chicken with green salad and peaches with Melba sauce for dessert, along with cheese and a wine list.

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Fast forward again to the 50s, culinary progress was made with more complex dishes – the likes cream of pea soup, seafood cocktail, fillet of sole, and soufflé Montmorency appeared on menus.

In the 60s, whole roast joints were being served in the cabin.

Al writes: “These were presented on a trolley and carved individually to the customer’s taste, making this a moment of inflight theatre.”

While this was popular, Al can’t see this making a return.

In recent years, budget cuts have led to plane food and the way it’s served on many airlines being more basic.

However some of the food from the early days of flying, such as lamb cutlets and the great British pie, are still around today, but with a modern twist.

Al has been privileged to have eaten many meals across his time flying with British Airways, but one of his favourite meals has to be roasted cauliflower risotto.

He told Sun Online Travel: “I love the roasted cauliflower risotto from the current Club World menu. It is my go-to meal, and the recipe is in the final chapter of Flavour of Flight.

“Simple and quick to make, it blends the flavour of cauliflower with Parmesan cheese so its filling and very tasty.”

SUMMER may be drawing to a close, but there’s still time to make the most of a new National Trust pass that’s perfect for autumn day trips.

The Explorer Pass was launched earlier this year by the National Trust.

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The pass lets you visit sites across four, eight or 14 days from just £44 for a single parent family or £69 for two adults in the same household and their children.

That’s quite a saving on a full-year family membership which costs £99 for one adult and their youngsters or £159 for two adults and their children.

It’s an absolute bargain, given that one-day entrance into some of the more popular National Trust places can cost almost as much as the four-day Explorer Pass, so essentially you’re getting an extra three days of visits free.

Plus the pass includes parking, which can quickly add up at some sites if you’re not a member.

There’s a couple of National Trust sites that charge £5 for all-day parking if you’re a non-member, so once you’ve factored in entry costs and car parking fees, you may well be better off using an Explorer Pass, even if you won’t use all the days it comes with. 

Some of the more expensive places to visit include Cragside in Northumberland, which costs £60.30 for a two-adult family or £38 for a one-adult family.

And Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire, family entrance costs £60.50 for the two adult option or £36.30 for single parents.

One thing to be aware of is that the one-off entrance price generally only covers up to three children, while the family memberships cover all the children or grandchildren of the named adults.

So if you’ve got a bigger family with more than three children in tow, family membership, whether with the Explorer Pass or the annual option, could be the way to go.

There has been a similar overseas visitor pass for foreigners holidaying in the UK for years, but you couldn’t buy it if you were living here.

So making this pass open to everyone is a great move, especially if you’re visiting a different area of England or Wales for a staycay and there’s a few different National Trust places you want to visit while you’re there.

If you only want a short-term pass to use while you’re away, this makes it a more affordable option, rather than paying for a year.

You can’t buy on arrival though, so you need to go online before your first visit to sign up.

And you also need to check that the properties you’re interested in visiting are covered by the Explorer Pass as there’s a list of almost 40 sites that aren’t included on the National Trust website.

This includes some like Stonehenge that fall under a reciprocal agreement with English Heritage. But do your research and you could be quids in.

We love a family day out at National Trust and if we had bought an Explorer Pass to cover my family of five to visit the four nearest sites to us, we would have saved almost £100 on entry fees, as paying to visit each place individually would have added up to £161.75, compared to £69 for a four-day family pass.

My top picks would include Belton House in Lincolnshire, which has a huge woodland play area with a miniature train ride through the trees, and the Children’s Country House at Sudbury Hall in Derbyshire, which has a museum full of toys from different eras you can try.

I’ve been blown away by the Summer of Play this year at all the National Trust places we’ve visited.

From garden games to den building to outdoor music making, there’s been so much to keep my boys busy that at some sites, we’ve had to go back for a second day just to do the bits we didn’t have time for first time around. 

My favourite was the hobby horse racing in the Garden of Imagination at Calke Abbey in Derbyshire, which we visited right at the start of the holidays.

It set the tone for all the other National Trust day trips we took over the summer, as we knew there would be loads of kids’ activities included. 

We also made the most of vouchers for free kids’ meals at National Trust cafes, a nice little bonus from the boys’ Starling Kite bank accounts.

So there’s lots of ways to keep costs down if you fancy a heritage visit but without a hefty price tag.

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A SEASIDE town in North Wales is famed for having some of the best weather in the UK.

Alongside beautiful scenery, rich maritime history and lots of family-friendly attractions, Porthmadog has become known for its good weather.

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The coastal town, which has a population around 4,200, regularly tops the UK weather charts.

Its hottest temperature in 2023 was a scorching 31°C, which was recorded on Tuesday 14th June.

The Met Office considers Porthmadog to be one of the warmest places in the UK, and there are a number of reasons why.

Its unique location on the Glaslyn Estuary protects it from harsh winds by the Eryri (Snowdonia) mountains. 

It has its own microclimate that helps keep it warm – air funneling over the mountains sinks and warms.

And its located in the west of Wales, where higher temperatures last longer.

While British holidaymakers looking to chase the sun may want to head to Portmadog for this reason alone, there are many other things the town has going for it.

It has a lively attractive harbour to explore

Porthmadog Harbour is a popular mooring area for yachtsmen and pleasure boaters from all over Europe, and many visitors enjoy spending the afternoon watching the different boats roll in.

It’s also a great place to enjoy local cuisine with lots of restaurants to choose from.

You can take a ride on a steam train through the Welsh countryside

Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways is a group of heritage railways in Wales that offer scenic journeys through Snowdonia National Park.

There’s a 13.5-mile journey that runs from the harbour in Porthmadog to the slate-quarrying town of Blaenau Ffestiniog offering incredible views of mountains, forests, lakes and waterfalls.

You can learn about the town’s rich maritime history

Porthmadog’s Maritime Museum is situated in the last remaining slate shed on the harbour.

It has a large collection of artefacts depicting the seafaring activities of the area – the development of the port, the shipbuilding, the ships, and the lives of the seafarers. There’s also a special area with activities for children.

It has a beautiful beach with lots of activities and mountain views

Black Rock Sands is a beach with some unique features – you can drive straight on to the beach and there are stunning views of the nearby mountains and Harlech and Criccieth castles.

There’s also lots of activities available including water sports, cave exploring and rock pooling.

You can pick up some vinyl from a famous record shop

Cob Records, close of Porthmadog Harbour Station, is a well-known vinyl store because of its large selection of both old and modern music.

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The shop’s been open almost 50 years and used to mail out 7,500 LPs to customers around the world.

The fact that such a relatively small record shop in a small
town like Porthmadog was exporting in such volume worldwide attracted a lot of media attention, and lots of documentaries featuring the business were made for local and national TV and radio.