THE energy is high as my fellow party-goers, dressed in blinging club gear, and with their faces covered in glitter, fling their hands towards the sky.

Club classics are echoing around the room while powerhouse singers belt out melodies and podium dancers twist their bodies in time to the music.

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This could easily be a thumping club night in Ibiza, but instead of heavy beats in a warehouse, we’re listening to club tunes played by stringed instruments and saxophones in a countryside setting.

I’m at Warner Leisure’s Heythrop Park for an Ibiza Sunsets break that proves you really don’t need to fork out on flights to the White Isle to party like you’re there.

For this weekend, the Oxfordshire countryside retreat was hosting DJ sets from dance aficionados Dave Pearce and Vernon Kay, reimagined anthems from 16-piece orchestra Ibiza In Symphony, and even an old-school neon party, complete with glow sticks.

Heythrop Park, a Grade II-listed former stately home, is more reminiscent of Downton Abbey than the super-clubs of San Antonio.

Although the musical welcome from a saxophonist immediately conjured up memories of the party island.

I was staying in a spacious superior room with large windows offering amazing views of the parkland and countryside setting — a little different to the seaside surroundings of many Ibiza hotels.

A more typical Warner weekend is usually itinerary-led and packed with activities, but an Ibiza Sunsets break is a more chilled affair.

There is evening entertainment spread across the three-day weekend, including DJ sets inspired by legendary San Antonio nightspot Cafe Mambo.

But the rest of the time can be spent at leisure, taking advantage of activities such as archery and clay pigeon shooting or yoga.

The first day involved a peaceful stroll around the grounds where I stumbled across a silent disco in full swing in the beach club-like Moroccan Garden.

We were ushered to join in with the stomping feet, but it turned out to be just as much fun watching the crowd quietly cutting some shapes.

With all that partying, there’s bound to be a few sore feet — and heads — so when you’re not swaying to melodies, you can fill your time with a visit to the onsite spa.

I opted for a dip in the pool and a sauna for as long as I could withstand the heat, before heading to the outside hot tubs.

Unusually for British summer time, the weather was glorious when I visited.

And without a cloud in the sky, I could almost believe I was in the Balearics.

For those in need of real TLC, optional extras at the spa include facials, mud wraps and reflexology treatments.

Stomping feet

I’d booked in for a Drift Away full-body massage which certainly eased my aching limbs and put me into a zen-like state.

Ibiza Sunsets packages include breakfasts and three-course dinners, so you will never go hungry.

The hotel’s poshest restaurant, Brasserie 32, serves refined pub fare including fish pies, beef short rib and risottos.

Or there’s the Market Kitchen, a buffet-style restaurant in the pretty orangery.

I ate there on my final evening and was serenaded by a flamenco guitarist.

Outside of the main restaurants, visitors can party the nights away in the Late Lounge bar which got everyone on their feet dancing to anthems during my stay.

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If you prefer a more cosy atmosphere, the resort’s pub, The Travelling Duke, serves spirits, ales and ciders as well as steaks, and fish and chip dinners.

With the sun still beating down, it seemed rude not to have a drink outside on the terrace where a DJ was playing chilled Ibiza sounds that channelled the energy of the famous sunset sessions at Cafe Del Mar.

Then it was time for the final evening event — the one we had all been waiting for — as celebrated dance DJs Dave and Vernon took to the decks to transport us back 30 years to the Nineties.

And they certainly didn’t disappoint!

The Late Lounge erupted to the exhilarating sounds of Robert Miles, Darude, Faithless and many more, amid an atmosphere that could only be described as electric.

I couldn’t have been more grateful for my ultra-comfy bed at the end of the night.

Partying that hard in your fifties can be exhausting, but not when you have access to Heythrop’s plush facilities.

I could get used to this.

IT WAS while standing under the darkened desert sky in the beautiful Neon Museum that Las Vegas finally clicked for me.

The museum’s director Aaron Berger recalled visiting the towering Luxor Hotel as a child with his father, who asked why he thought it contained the world’s first diagonal lifts (yes, you actually ascend to your room on a 35-degree angle).

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When young Aaron gave up on guessing, his dad simply replied: “To delight you”.

And that perfectly sums up the spirit of this city — every aspect of it is geared towards joy and excitement.

Those whose only experience of Las Vegas is what they’ve seen on the cinema screen will think of vast casinos, strip clubs and heaving bars.

But there is another side to Sin City just beneath its glitzy exterior, waiting for those willing to look for it.

Take the Neon Museum as an example — at first glance the signs that make up its exhibits seem to be the glowing altars in this temple to tackiness.

Yet taked a guided tour and you discover they are the mile markers of the city’s fascinating history, shining a light on everything from Vegas’s connections with the Mob to one hotel’s brave decision to shatter the colour bar in the 1950s.

Back in the present day, though, there’s only one way to properly explore this desert oasis — and that is by eating your way around the city.

Vegas loves to borrow the best bits from around the world (see the half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower or the actual canals in the Venetian) and its culinary scene is no different.

Highlights for me included a delightfully authentic, and gut-busting, Italian feast at Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District, and some of the best Chinese food I’ve ever tasted at Mott 32 — think a Friday night takeaway but with a Michelin star.

And for a real taste of the city’s soul, I’d recommend letting Secret Food Tours whizz you through a mystery selection of restaurants, each with their own unique role in its history.

Over the course of an afternoon, you can enjoy a selection of treats from lesser-known eateries to give you a true flavour of the place.

As for where to stay, there are endless glitzy hotels, with owners famously fond of blowing up underperforming sites and rebuilding in their place.

Indeed, during my stay alone I heard of two that were scheduled for demolition in the next few months.

For the classic Las Vegas Strip experience, you can’t go far wrong with Caesars Palace.

An institution here since it opened in 1966, Caesars won’t break the bank (with rooms from around £70 per night) and it’s only a 15-minute walk from just about anything in the city centre.

It boasts a host of restaurants, including branches operated by star chefs like Gordon Ramsay and Bobby Flay, as well as a stunning, Greek mythology-themed shopping mall.

And for some variety you can always stroll to other nearby hotels for a bite, all home to equally impressive restaurants, as well as next door to watch the world-famous Bellagio fountain display.

Guests of Caesars can also take advantage of a well-equipped gym, a spa, Roman baths and a wellness centre — you can even have some light cosmetic procedures done if they take your fancy.

Just bear in mind that some of these cost extra and there were a couple of payment mishaps while I was there (including one person in my group being incorrectly charged more than £650) but these were handled professionally and, as far as I’ve heard, refunded promptly.

Get out and go wild

However, if you fancy stationing yourself Downtown instead — where many of the older, original casinos sit — the Main Street Station Hotel is a top pick.

It’s built on the site of the original railway station and its former owner had a fascination with antiques and interesting knick-knacks, leaving it as a sort of residential museum today.

Highlights include Sir Winston Churchill’s snooker table, a Pullman railway coach converted into a cigar lounge and a section of the Berlin Wall set behind the urinals in the gents’ loos.

Sitting right at the heart of the busy Freemont Street, the area is a firm favourite with Vegas natives — as a nightlife hub at more affordable rates than you might find on the main strip.

The main thing to know about Vegas is that there’s always something happening, some reason to get out and go wild — but what about those looking for a bit more peace and solitude?

Well, you can get that here too.

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It’s one of the perks of a city built in the middle of nowhere.

A short ride out of town and you’ll hit the gorgeous wilderness of the Old West.

What happened in Vegas isn’t necessarily staying there, but after seeing those landscapes I sure wish I could

Firms such as Pink Jeep Tours will take you out to the Valley of Fire State Park, named for its towers of blazing red sandstone.

Standing out in the Mojave Desert, you could almost have no idea that one of the world’s most densely populated cities is a matter of miles way.

It is the perfect break from the hubbub of central Las Vegas, as you take in sights such as the eerily beautiful petroglyphs carved into the rock by native tribes, some of which are estimated to be thousands of years old.

And on cooler days, you can even make your way along a trail to a model Spanish town used as a set in the classic 1966 film The Professionals.

What happened in Vegas isn’t necessarily staying there, but after seeing those landscapes I sure wish I could.

WHEN flying in economy class, the space to stretch out can be tight enough without hidden obstacles cutting into your legroom.

Housing boxes are often overlooked but can definitely be legroom killers and ruin your comfort, so make sure to know how to find them when booking your plane seats.

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These boxes, typically hanging down under the seat in front of you, can limit your ability to stretch out fully, especially on long-haul flights.

The purpose of these boxes is to house electronic components or inflight entertainment systems, but their placement often interferes with passengers’ legroom.

Gregor Milne, of aircraft seating plan website Aerolopa, told The Telegraph: “On some long-haul aircraft, six out of 10 economy class seats are affected by these boxes.”

Thankfully, technological advancements are beginning to offer some relief.

“Thanks to new designs, these boxes are being replaced by smaller units that sit inside the seat pan and no longer get in the way of your feet,” the travel expert explained.

Some of the older, intrusive designs can still be found on British Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Airbus A380s, where many economy passengers might find their foot space partially blocked.

But more recent aircraft like BA’s Boeing 777s, Airbus A350s, and refurbished Boeing 787-8s are equipped with the newer, space-saving units.

If you’re planning a long-haul flight, it might be worth checking the aircraft type beforehand and booking accordingly to avoid this annoying legroom killer.

It comes as new airline designs being rolled out include thinner plane seats so that more can fit into the cabin.

But this is bad news for hand luggage travellers too – as it means less space underneath.

According to USA Today, this is because it often reduces the amount of legroom.

And travellers, especially those flying with budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet, often rely on the floor space to fly with their bags.

We’ve recently raved about the Narwey bag that lets you fit a weekend’s worth of clothes into it, and fits under the seat in front of you.

But as seats get thinner (and more uncomfortable) – this may end up proving impossible.

Expert Christopher Elliott said: “When an airline announces a new cabin interior, it often moves to thinner seats, which allow it to add more capacity.

“Installing extra rows of seats usually means subtracting legroom.”

He said he found this out the hard way himself after being “unable to sit facing forward” on a recent flight as there was so little space between the seats.

Many travellers are resorting to underseat bags not only to save on cost, but also due to a lack of room in the overhead lockers.

Most airlines charge to check in a bag, which has resulted in the cabin lockers being full of hand-luggage suitcases instead.

TRAVELLERS should always leave the airport during a long layover, according to travel experts.

Nipping out to see some of the sites can make you feel like you’re getting a two-for-one holiday.

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Obviously, this does depend to some extent on just how long the gap between flights is.

If it’s just an hour or two it may just be worth mooching around the airport shops for a possible bargain.

But when the layover is three or four hours or possibly more, it might be worth leaving the airport to go and explore.

Anyone considering heading outside should always consider how long it will take you to get into the city and just how easy it is to get there.

At some airports you might only need a few hours to leave the airport, see a famous site and be back in good time to board.

Elsewhere though you might need a minimum of half a day to make it worthwhile going past the security checkpoints.

Katy Nastro, Going’s resident travel expert told the Thrillist: “Filling your time during a lengthy layover with an impromptu city jaunt can feel like two adventures for the price of one.

“For example, I actively search for long connections through Copenhagen so I can bakery hop via bicycle.”

However, Katy did warn that you can’t expect that sort of flexibility at all airports.

She added: “When it comes to domestic layovers, you can get by with less time than an international one, mainly because there is no immigration to navigate through.

“International flights, especially to smaller cities or in more remote areas are not to be played with because these flights usually don’t have endless options to fall back on if missed.”

But if you take account of all these factors ahead of time will help making the decision easier.

The founder and CEO of Points Path, Julian Kheel, has managed to forge a career out of maximising every single travel opportunity.

He makes sure to find out how far it is between the airport and the city centre and how easily accessible the airport is.

Also considering how likely it is to encounter a traffic jam to and from the airport is also important to factor in.

Julian said: “For instance, if you’re going to have to return to the airport in the middle of rush hour, you’ll need to factor in plenty of additional time for traffic.

“You can also consider whether using mass transit like a train or subway is a good backup option.”

He added that it was also important to determine if you will need to pass through customs as you exit and re-enter the airport.

Julian said: “In some cases when traveling overseas, you may not be able to explore a city without getting an entry visa.

“Each country has different rules, but leaving an airport during an international connection can require additional paperwork that simply connecting through doesn’t.”

Then when you have calculated a number in your head, Katy recommends then doubling that figure.

She said: “Everyone’s propensity for risk and waiting is to each their own, but erring on the side of caution when catching your next flight will never be a regret.”

So, if you work out that you need two hours to get to and from the airport and back again through all the security checks, actually allow four hours.

Then you also need to consider just how much time you will need to actually see the tourist attraction you have gone to visit.

Julian says you should really have at least 3-4 hours of time to go and explore.

For most places, you will need a minimum of six hours of layover time to get there, look around and head back in time to get your connecting flight.

Airlines can be of help too so you can make your decision.

A spokesperson for Delta Air Lines said: “Delta recommends travellers follow their posted recommendations for airport arrival time.

“Since you would have to go through security again if you leave the airport on a layover, this may not always work well for passengers.”

Anyone considering venturing outside of the airport should always check your tickets and plan to be at your gate within 45 minutes of the boarding time – not the departure time.

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A HOTEL resort in Spain is said to be more like Thailand – despite being right by Benidorm.

Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa has the “serenity, peace and quiet of South-East Asia” according to the website.

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It was named Spain‘s Leading Hotel in the this year’s Wold Travel Awards.

A number of famous celebrities have stayed too, including Wayne Rooney and Bruce Willis.

Surrounded by 370,000sqm of pine forest, the hotel itself has its own lush tropical gardens with 3,000 Asian species.

This includes a 200-year-old bonsai tree as well as bonsai and palm trees.

And on-site are seven swimming pool surrounded by the jungle, with four heated.

The adult-only Faces of Angkor pool is a Balinese style pool, heated and surrounded by huge stone statues.

Thailand is also known for its massages – and the hotel has its own Thai spa onsite.

There are nine restaurants too, ranging from Asia cuisine at Koh Samui as well as a range of Mediterranean options.

Taking your entire family? There is a kids play area, a Teens Club and a mini-dinner service for young guests, as well as a nanny service.

Rooms start from around £200 a night, or you can book a package holiday.

TUI has seven-night stays for as little as £1,077pp, including return flights.

Or book with Loveholidays for seven night stays from £819pp, with return flights.

Each of the rooms could with king-size beds, as well as huge TVs complimentary WiFi and amenity kids.

The hotel is only open until the end of the month before it closes for the season, although it will reopen again by May 2025.

Its easy to get to, as its around 40 minutes from Alicante Airport, or 24 minutes from the train station.

Another famous guest, Joan Collins, said: “Elegant and beautiful, the service and food GREAT!”

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Football player Zinedine Zidane said: “Thank you very much for your hospitality and friendliness. A beautiful place in Spain!”

Other guests have raved about it on Tripadvisor.

One wrote: “We really liked it, feeling like we were vacationing in Asia.”

A second agreed: “A taste of heaven amongst beautiful gardens a feeling of being whisked away to Thailand without the long haul flight.

“You’d think you were in Thailand not Benidorm.”

TUI has recently launched new hotels in Thailand, Vietnam and China.

A hidden bay in eastern Europe is said to be just like Thailand too.

We’ve also found some Maldives-style rooms that are actually at a hotel resort in Greece.

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A LOW cost airline has launched its first-ever flight from a regional UK airport with 174 passengers on board.

The airline will provide direct flights from a UK airport to a popular European capital.

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Customers flying on its North American connections can even visit two countries in one trip as stop overs are free in this major city.

It has been announced that for the first time ever, Wales and Iceland will be connected by a direct flight.

Customers on board PLAY Airlines can fly from Reykjavik, Iceland, to Cardiff, Wales, up to twice per week.

This will enable the people of Wales to explore the glorious blue lagoons and Viking history of Iceland.

Or, enable the people of Iceland to explore Wales and its stunning beaches, mountains and castles.

The first-ever flight took off just a day before Wales’ football game in Iceland – with 174 passengers on board.

Customers were treated to Icelandic sweets before take off such as Aurora Borealis cake, candy stripes, and chocolate liquorice.

Plus a water salute from Cardiff Airport firefighters.

Lee Smith, Cardiff Wales Airport’s Head of Business Development, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome PLAY Airlines to Wales today.

“This exciting service allows customers to enjoy direct flights between Wales and Iceland for the first time.

“PLAY’s Icelandic hub in Reykjavík also allows for people in Wales to take advantage of PLAY’s free stopovers in Iceland, before jetting off to five key cities in North America.

“We look forward to working with the team at PLAY to continue growing in Wales.”

Flight costs from Cardiff to Reykjavik in October start from as little as £55, per person for a round trip.

The trip time one way takes about three hours.

And there is still availability to fly out in October.

Customers using PLAY Airlines from Cardiff also have the option of visiting five other major cities abroad.

Such as New York, Washington, Boston and Baltimore in the USA.

Or Toronto in Canada.