EASYJET holidays is launching breaks to a little-known island with whitewashed desert towns and Star Wars filming locations.

British holidaymakers will now be able to book package holidays to Djerba, Tunisia, with easyJet holidays.

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Located in the Mediterranean Sea, Djerba is part of Tunisia, a country in North Africa.

The tour operator has confirmed it will be launching package holidays after its sister airline launched flights to the island earlier this year.

EasyJet already operates flights from London Luton Airport and Manchester Airport to Djerba-Zarzis International Airport on the northwestern side of the island.

Package holidays are available to book from early November, with beach holidays starting from £295 according to the tour operator.

Sun Online Travel have found cheaper deals, with three-night breaks from £189 per person in December.

All of the holiday packages come with not only return flights and hotel, but also 23kg of luggage and transfers.

While most Brit holidaymakers probably haven’t heard of Djerba, there are plenty of things to do on the island.

The island destination has pristine beaches that are perfect for sunbathing and swimming.

Star Wars fans will know Tunisia was used as a filming location, with a glimpse of Djerba also featuring in the franchise.

Along the western coastline lies is the home of Obi-Wan Kenobi from the sci-fi saga’s first movie, A New Hope.

It was built explicitly for that film, in 1977, and left behind afterwards, often used by passing cyclists to escape the heat.

Djerba was also the location for Star Wars’ Cantina spaceport.

One of those is Sidi Mahres Beach, which is famous for its stretches of white sand.

Visitors can explore El Ghriba Synagogue, one of the oldest synagogues in the world, and is free to enter.

Meanwhile, the Houmt Souk Market is home to traditional crafts and local produce.

There’s also Djerba Explore Park, which has a crocodile farm and a museum of local heritage.

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Guellala village is located on the island’s southern tip and is considered a must-visit thanks to its pottery and stunning sunsets.

Alcohol is plentiful — and local Tunisian beer Celtia is all but essential when the temperature tops 23C in November.

Tunisia fell off the radar as a popular holiday destination following the 2015 terror attack.

However, the travel ban was lifted in 2018, with the Foreign Office deeming the majority of beach resorts safe to visit.

It still advises against travelling to locations near the Chaambi Mountains National Park, Dhehiba, and the Libyan and Algerian border – but these are unlikely to be visited by tourists.

The local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), with £10 equaling about 38 TND, while certain holiday resorts also accept dollars and euros.

Make sure to swap every dinar back before you leave because taking them outside of the country is forbidden.

Although Arabic is Tunisia’s official language, the majority of the staff in the holiday resorts will also speak English.

The newest easyJet flights were launched earlier this year, from Glasgow to Enfidha in Tunisia.

If you want a package holiday, you can find cheap deals for that too with all-inclusives under £300.

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A BRIT who has travelled the world always takes this £5 item in her hand luggage as its useful for cold planes and hotel rooms.

Jewellery designer Kiki McDonough colourful gemstone earrings, rings and bracelets, are a big favourite with the Royal Family.

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Princess Kate, the Princess of Wales, wears her earrings, as did Princess Diana.

The first piece of jewellery Kiki made, a pair of earrings, is now on display at the Victoria and Albert museum in London.

When Kiki isn’t in her home in Battersea or in her Chelsea store, she travels the world either for work and sourcing gemstones or for pleasure.

So far this year she been to the US, Nepal and India and also went off to Barbados for a beach holiday with her girlfriends.

Kiki thinks all airports are “ghastly” but she finds comfort by relaxing in her seat, wearing comfortable trousers, a fleece and socks and reading “a really good” book.

She is loyal to British Airways so she can pile up the points and since the pandemic, travels with only a carry-on.

In that carry-on though is always a hot water bottle, she says is essential for tolerating the air-conditioning in her hotel room.

Kiki also revealed the very unusual item which has travelled all around the world with her – a pebble.

She told Bloomberg: “When I was 6 I found a beautiful, very individual-looking pebble on Southwold beach, Suffolk, where we used to go for our holidays.

“It is a pretty pale shade of pink, and it has streaks of a darker shade of scarlet running across it.

“At the time it reminded me so vividly of those deliciously sickly raspberry ripple ice creams.

“I started to carry it with me all the time.

“It has travelled all around the world with me, and I really do think it brings me good luck.

“Little did I know at age 6, I would go on to become an expert in gemstones.”

Kiki also advised on what to do once you have arrived at your destination.

She said: “First of all, [I find out] where the spa is. Secondly, where I can eat, and thirdly, how far the beach is located.”

Kiki also recommends travelling solo as it can be highly rewarding.

She said: “When I first got divorced, I thought, oh my goodness, I might easily be traveling on my own for the rest of my life, and I might not meet somebody else, so let’s see how that works.

“So I took myself off on a tiger safari to India. I met wildlife photographers Jonathan and Angie Scott.

“They have won endless awards. They taught me so much about what it really is like to live and work, out in the wilderness – they live in the Maasai Mara, and they know everything there is to know about the wildlife and the culture there.

“Fifteen years later, we are still in regular contact, and I avidly follow what they are up to, supporting their conservation initiatives as often as I can.”

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As well as celebrating these extraordinary great apes on 19^th August, International Orangutan Day, it’s important to raise awareness about the need to raise funds to support the challenges facing one of our closest animal relatives. This day highlights the urgent need to protect these remarkable creatures and their rapidly disappearing habitats. But what can we do to help?

As well as fundraising, doing good for others brings a profound sense of fulfilment and joy that goes beyond financial contributions. The feel-good factor of helping others reinforces a sense of purpose and community, reminding us that our actions, no matter how small, can lead to positive change.

But why does doing good boost health and wellbeing? Helping others provides bursts of euphoria called “the helper’s high” from dopamine and endorphins, which are released in the brain and increase immunity antibodies, so doing good is officially good for you.

We have some great opportunities for you to boost your wellbeing by embracing the feel-good factor with our fundraising events, The Rainforest Run on 22^nd September or our Charity Abseil on 5^th October.

On-screen, Steven Cree is known for his extensive range of roles across television, film, and stage, as Ian Murray in the popular worldwide hit Outlander and blockbusters such as Terminator: Dark Fate. But beyond the backlot, Steven is a well-respected figure in the entertainment industry and among environmental advocates for his support of conservation initiatives. Following his successful Sky Dive for International Animal Rescue in 2023, and along with our IAR Costa Rica Team and many others across the UK, Steven is now lacing up his running shoes for a new and meaningful challenge and will head up ‘Team Orangutan’ and participate in The Rainforest Run.

Talking about the event, Steven said:

“I am proud to be running in support of International Animal Rescue. Not only do they save animals from suffering, but they also rehabilitate and release them back into the wild and work to protect their precious natural habitats. Their vision is a world where humans and animals coexist in sustainable ecosystems. Their mission is to build awareness and implement effective systems such that habitats and animals are protected.”

When asked about his ‘why’ for participating in the Rainforest Run, Steven said:

“The Rainforest Run is a brilliant way for anyone to start running for a good cause, as participants can run, jog, or walk a 5k or 10k distance, all while raising vital funds. Together, we can make a difference. It’s a £10/$13 sign-up fee, and you can run as little or as far as you like, making it a brilliant event for all the family. And, as a virtual run, you can run where and when it suits you. The feel-good factor you’ll get from taking part is worth the small sign-up fee alone,” added Steven You can sponsor Steven and Team Orangutan here https://www.justgiving.com/team/or

Along with the Rainforest Run, in October, adventurers will have the unique opportunity to abseil 85 meters down Portsmouth’s iconic Spinnaker Tower.

As we celebrate the feelgood factor of fundraising for International Orangutan Day, it’s good to remember that orangutans share an incredible 97% of their DNA with humans, earning them the name “orangutan,” which means “forest person” in Malay—a reflection of their human-like qualities. As the largest tree-dwelling mammals, their arm span can reach up to seven feet.

Participating in fundraising efforts on this day not only contributes to their conservation but also provides a rewarding feel-good factor, knowing that you’re directly helping to preserve these incredible creatures and their homes for future generations.

For more information about our Feel Good Factor Fundraising Events and how you can participate, visit https://bit.ly/FeelGoodFundraisingForIAR

EVER considered detouring en route to your holiday?

Lesser-known regions close to popular destinations are well worth a visit.

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And they are the next hottest trend, according to travel firm Expedia’s Unpack 2025 report on where holidaymakers want to go next year.

We’re all about getting more bang for our buck when it comes to getaways.

So if you’re travelling to one of these cities in 2025, why not add on a detour?

Sophie Swietochowski shares her top picks.

Destination: Cancun, Mexico
Detour: Cozumel

IF you are visiting Cancun, it would feel almost criminal not to hop over to Cozumel.

This tiny island just off Playa del Carmen has a rich biodiversity, home to tropical plants and white sands, while its surrounding waters are teeming with coral reefs and colourful fish.

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The best place to see starfish is Playa El Cielo, where the crystal clear waters mean the sea creatures are easy to spot.

Regular ferries operate from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, with fares from around $17 for the fast, 20-minute ferry.

STAY: The bright and airy Westin Cozumel, with its own beach, is ideal for those wanting to get stuck into the wildlife scene.

It has snorkel gear available to catch some great aquatic sights.

Rooms from £158 per night. See hotels.com.

Destination: Los Angeles, USA
Detour: Santa Barbara

THOSE in the know often say they prefer the laid-back, seaside city of Santa Barbara to the buzz of Los Angeles, on the California coast – that’s partly why the A-listers love it.

Perhaps it’s the more mellow, Hamptons-like atmosphere or the tropical beach sunsets.

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Look out for dolphins on the horizon (you can book a sunset catamaran tour, $65pp, at sbsail.com).

It’s one hour 30 minutes by car from LA, or you can catch a train, which takes more than two hours.

You’ll be sipping local wines from the nearby hills in no time.

STAY: In a quiet patch on West Beach, Brisas Del Mar Inn At The Beach has a Mediterranean vibe, with terracotta terraces surrounded by climbing vines – there are bikes to rent, too.

Rooms cost from £194 per night. See expedia.co.uk.

Destination: Paris, France
Detour: Reims

A 46-MINUTE train ride from Paris’ Gare de L’Est, Reims is often called the city of ­Champagne.

Yet despite the famous fizz’s pricey reputation, you won’t need to splash the cash when you get here.

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Drink in the sights of the ­towering cathedral before ­drinking in the bubbles – the Pommery champagne house has self-guided tours of its ­cellars, along with tastings, for around £22.50 (see ­champagne-booking.com/en).

STAY: The Hotel Continental, a former 19th century mansion, is centrally located and home to a spa with infra-red sauna, bucket showers and massage booths.

Rooms cost from £122 per night. See hotels.com.

Destination: Barcelona, Spain
Detour: Girona

FROM Barcelona, you can jump on the train and venture 40 minutes north to Girona.

The city has become known for the remarkable rise of its football club – but there’s so much more to it than that.

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Its old town is a maze of narrow streets, framed by Roman and Gothic architecture that ooze history.

The same could be said for its 12th century Arabic baths, built in a temple-like structure, that can still be visited today.

This region is famous for its Catalonian cuisine, so sample as much as you can – Txalaka does great tapas, with bites from €5.50.

STAY: The central and chic Bypillow Erba has comfy Scandi-style rooms from £59 per night. See bypillow.com.

Destination: Milan, Italy
Detour: Brescia

WITH its four prominent squares – one Roman, one Medieval, one Renaissance and one Modern – the cultural city of Brescia pairs perfectly with a trip to fashionable Milan.

Sitting at the foot of mountains in northern Italy, just over 30 minutes from Milan by train, Brescia is crammed with fascinating architecture and petite art galleries.

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Swing by one of the quaint bars and order a pirlo, a traditional aperitivo, made of still wine, Campari, sparkling water and a wedge of orange.

STAY: The boutique Locanda Delle Mercanzie was once a medieval palazzo and has buckets of character.

It’s a short walk from landmarks like Piazza della Loggia and Brescia Castle.

Rooms cost from £81 per night. See expedia.co.uk.