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Motorhoming
Raw, Remote, Remarkable: The Allure Of Scotland’s Islands
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
Beauty abounds in the Scottish Islands Images by Steve Hare
Scotland’s wild and rugged islands include the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland - and the Shetland Islands situated between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.
12:00 AM 16th May 2026
Hotels
Five Star Liverpool Luxury
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
Standing loud and proud on one of Liverpool’s earliest streets that dates back to medieval times is The Municipal Hotel & Spa. Opened around 3 years ago as a hotel, the Grade 11 listed building that dates back to 1868 was once home to the beating heart of Liverpool City Council.
12:00 AM 16th May 2026
Shoulder Season Travel: The Key To Relaxed, Affordable Adventures
Schönbrunn Palace Image by Gerhard Bögner from Pixabay
Shoulder seasons typically refer to the travel period between peak and off-peak months as a sweet spot where destinations often have smaller crowds and lower prices. In spring, this usually falls in April and May, and September and October for autumn.” Why travel during the shoulder seasons? Travelling in the shoulder seasons offers the perfect balance of lower costs and comfortable weather.
12:00 AM 16th May 2026
The King’s Arms Hawkshead Launches “Alice’s Cottage”
King's Arms Hawkshead has announced the launch of Alice’s Cottage, a beautifully renovated Grade II listed one bedroom property located in the centre of the picturesque village of Hawkshead. Positioned on the village’s historic main square, Alice’s Cottage combines timeless Lakeland charm and comfort.
12:00 AM 16th May 2026
Europe
CYPRUS – Still Open For Business!
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
Sunsets to die for
In a week when Cyprus’ tourist sector has been highlighting turnover drops of 50%+ following the drone attack on RAF Akrotiri several weeks back, I can report that I am just returned from this stunning Mediterranean island intact, suntanned (a slight exaggeration perhaps) and with not one missile or drone in sight!
P.ublished 9th May 2026
Maintaining Fitness While Travelling
Image Pixabay
When I’m travelling, exercise becomes even more important – not less. Travel can be physically draining. Long periods of sitting, changes in routine, different food, disrupted sleep – it all adds up. I’ve found that keeping some form of movement in my day helps me stay energised, focused and balanced.
P.ublished 9th May 2026
Worried about being delayed at the airport?
New data showing the worst UK airports for flight delays may be the “calm before the storm” ahead of the summer holiday season our regular columnist Jane Hawkes, has warned.
P.ublished 9th May 2026
Short breaks
Celebrate England’s Newest National Trail With A Coastal Escape At Hotel Victoria, Robin Hood’s Bay
Following the official designation of the iconic Coast to Coast Path as England’s newest national trail this March, outdoor enthusiasts now have even more reason to explore one of the country’s most breathtaking long-distance routes.
P.ublished 8th May 2026
Cruising
Unsurpassed Beauty: Through Fairytale Fjords To The Arctic Circle
Visitors the world over are awestruck over by the majesty and enchantment of the Norwegian Fjords. Widely acknowledged as the world’s most beautiful voyage which abounds with myths and folklore, epic scenery lies in store around every corner.
P.ublished 2nd May 2026
Things To Do By Bus This Spring In The Lakes
Spring is the perfect time to discover the Lake District, and Stagecoach is inviting everyone across Cumbria and Lancashire to make the journey by bus. Travelling by bus is not only convenient and affordable but also one of the best ways to sit back, relax and soak up the stunning scenery as you explore this world-famous region.
P.ublished 2nd May 2026
Rivers Of Blue And Fields Of Fire
Andrew Liddle
Guest Writer
The famous blue river
At this beautiful time of year, the highlight of a holiday in the Netherlands has to be a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, home to one of the world’s most breathtaking displays of spring flowers. Located in the small town of Lisse, this amazing park is a celebration not just of horticulture at its most vibrant but of a deep-rooted cultural tradition that stretches back centuries.
P.ublished 27th April 2026
Americas
Bayfront Views With Urban Energy Abound At Hyatt Centric Brickell Miami
All images Courtesy of Hyatt
From glistening skyline views and thoughtfully appointed waterfront suites to the elevated Cuban-inspired cuisine of Caña restaurant, this pristine Hyatt hotel delivers a complete Magic City experience. Miami rewards location. In Brickell, location can define the whole stay. You are either plugged into the district’s pace or watching it from the sidelines.
P.ublished 25th April 2026
Broadening Horizons: New Coach Tour Operator Dedicated To ‘Silver Tourism’ Launches In The North East
Romantic Journeys of Yorkshire - Skipton Canal Photo courtesy Primrose Holidays
A new independent coach tour operator, Primrose Holidays, has launched in the North East of England, dedicated to meeting growing demand among ‘silver tourists’ for high quality, experience-led travel – minus the hassle.
P.ublished 20th April 2026
Going Abroad This Summer? Don’t Cut Costs On Travel Insurance
Jane Hawkes
Consumer Expert
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
With global travel becoming increasingly uncertain, a consumer rights expert and former stewardess is advising holidaymakers to pay particular attention to their travel insurance. Consumer expert Jane Hawkes, whose website Lady Janey features advice on consumer advice and money-saving tips, says risking no or insufficient travel insurance can be costly in the long run.
P.ublished 18th April 2026
Americas
All Aboard For The Sacred Sanctuary Of Machu Picchu
An enduring symbol of the expansive Inca Empire, visitors are spellbound by Machu Picchu’s mysticism, beauty and cultural significance. Often referred to as the lost city of the Incas - and designated one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ in 2007 - the 15th century citadel in the Andes towers almost 8,000 feet above sea level.
P.ublished 18th April 2026
Motorhoming
Motorhome Magic France: The Scenery, Charm, Romance
Very few travellers are immune to the charms of France – with its diverse landscapes, UNESCO marvels and fairlytale villages. The most geared-up country in Europe for campervans and motorhomes with over 4,000 motorhome service stations, known as Aires, eliminates the often stressful quandry of where to find an overnight park up.
P.ublished 11th April 2026
Turn Detective If You Get Unwell On Holiday
Regular columnist Jane Hawkes, who runs the consumer advice website Lady Janey, says you should turn detective if you become unwell on holiday. Timing is critical for holidaymakers who become unwell if they want to claim from their travel insurance or tour operator.
P.ublished 11th April 2026
Short breaks
A Journey Through Northumberland’s Wonderland This Spring
Northumberland, England’s northernmost county, is emerging from her winter hibernation and bursting into a blaze of colour. With the long-awaited arrival of longer, lighter days and sunset’s ‘golden hour’ nudging past 8pm, the county is enticing visitors with open arms to experience its symbolic reawakening with a packed calendar of events.
P.ublished 4th April 2026
Bucket List: Not A Destination, But An Experience
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
In his occasional series of articles about whether bucket list destinations and experiences live up to expectations, Andrew Palmer recalls the day he broke the sound barrier — and the woman who made history doing it for a living. There are journeys that take you somewhere, and then there are journeys that are the somewhere. Concorde was emphatically the latter.
P.ublished 28th March 2026
Haven at Last
Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
Established 62 years ago, Haven currently has 41 caravan holiday parks and 1 cottage resort in the UK. Having changed hands several times since its inception, Haven has always been known as good-value holiday fun with entertainment built in. However, at age 43, I have never been to a Haven.
P.ublished 21st March 2026
Europe
South Costa Blanca's Golden Gems Under The Lens
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
World class: South Costa Blanca’s Blue Flag beaches Images by Steve Hare
The Mediterranean coastline of the Costa Blanca, or ‘White Coast,’ stretches 120 glorious miles from Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. Located in the region of Alicante, the temperate climate boasts 300 days of sunshine annually.
P.ublished 21st March 2026
Motorhoming
Spanish Roadtrip 2026: Love The View? We Do Too!
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
Incomparable: Lake Viñuela park up
Getting off the beaten track when travelling is no mean achievement in today’s world of mass tourism - especially in countries like Spain whose growing population hit 49 million last year.
P.ublished 14th March 2026
Hotels
The King’s Arms, Hawkshead Awarded Four AA Gold Stars And An AA Rosette Award For Culinary Excellence
The King’s Arms in Hawkshead is proud to announce that just 6 months after opening it has been awarded Four AA Gold Stars for 2026, alongside an AA Rosette Award for Culinary Excellence Award, recognising the pub’s outstanding standards of hospitality, accommodation, and dining.
P.ublished 14th March 2026
Oktoberfest: The Dream, The Drench, And The Detour
In the second of his occasional series exploring whether bucket list destinations live up to expectations, our Group Editor travels to Munich for Oktoberfest — only to find that the real magic lies elsewhere: in a wonderful restaurant, a chance encounter with strangers, and the serene beauty of a lakeside haven just a short train ride away. A Lake, a Haven, and an I…
P.ublished 7th March 2026
Is A Tourist Tax Right For The North East And Yorkshire?
The proposal to allow mayoral authorities to introduce an overnight visitor levy has prompted a straightforward question for our region: would a tourist tax strengthen Yorkshire and the North East, or risk weakening the businesses that sustain the visitor economy? Visitor levies are small charges added to paid overnight stays, typically applied per person or per room, per night.
P.ublished 7th March 2026
UK
New Home For Blackpool Tourist Information Centre
VisitBlackpool’s Visitor Information Centre has a new home inside the world-famous Blackpool Tower. The centre has relocated from Festival House on the Promenade in a move that will bring visitor services into the heart of one of Blackpool’s most iconic landmarks. The Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is a vital resource welcoming thousands of visitors every year.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
UK
New Ride Spins Into Action
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
AVIKTAS AN ARTISTS IMPRESSION
Aviktas comes to life as new ride spins for the first time at Pleasure Beach Resort There were cheers on site at Pleasure Beach Resort this week as Aviktas, the park’s highly anticipated £8.72M mega ride, completed a major new milestone – with its huge pendulum spinning for the very first time.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
Motorhoming
Spanish Roadtrip 2026: Coast And City - The Ultimate Mix
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
Moorish magnificence: The Alcazaba of Malaga Images by Steve Hare
Among the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Spain receives a record high 96.8 million visitors last year - and is predicted to be the world’s most visited country by 2040.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
A Refined St Patricks' Day Escape
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
The Lobby
If you are looking for a refined way to celebrate St Patrick's Day, then The Chancery Hotel is the perfect solution. In the heart of Dublin City Centre, The Chancery Hotel introduces a stylish way to experience Ireland’s most iconic celebration. Their exclusive St.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
A Wild And Wonderful Home From Home
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
Exterior Larpool Mill
From fashion to furnishings and food, art and theatre and staycations, the release of the new film version of Emily Brontë's classic Wuthering Heights will be influencing everything over the next few months. I, for one, remember, as a small child, watching the black-and-white version starring Lawrence Olivier and Merle Oberon.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
Cruising
All At Sea Again: How A Hull To Rotterdam Mini Cruise Rekindled My Love Of The Water
As a child I spent a lot of time on ferries. Each summer my parents would load the three of us into the back of our Vauxhall and drive us off on a European adventure for a week or three. I loved it. I loved the adventure. I loved the boat. I loved being on the sea. Strangely though, as an adult, the sea is not something I have done a lot of.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill to Sri Lanka: Day Nine - Dalhousie & Adam's Peak
Waking up with a slight hangover from the night before (must have been a dirty glass!), I decided to spend another couple of hours in Kandy enjoying Sri Lanka’s second city before the three hour journey to Dalhousie.
P.ublished 27th February 2026
Short breaks
Golden Treasure: Bamburgh Beach Ranked World’s Third Best
Bamburgh’s golden beach - framed against the town’s majestic castle - has seen off fierce competition to be ranked third best in the world’s ‘one of a kind’ beaches.
P.ublished 26th February 2026
My Top Tips For Avoiding Excess Airline Fees
With most airlines charging extra for priority boarding, seat selection and even carry-on luggage, our regular columnist Jane Hawkes, founder of the ladyjaney.co.uk consumer advice website, is telling customers ‘not to trust the headline fare'. Those additional charges often catch people out beca…
P.ublished 21st February 2026
Asia
Bucket List Destinations: Do They Live Up To Expectations?
Andrew Palmer
Group Editor
The Taj Mahal All photos: Andrew Palmer
A young man, a backpack, and a subcontinent that confounded, dazzled and ultimately overwhelmed. In this occasional series, recalling bucket list destinations, Group Editor Andrew Palmer recalls a journey that exceeded every expectation — and one monument that moved him to tears.
P.ublished 21st February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill To Sri Lanka: Days Seven & Eight - The Highlands and Dangerous Kiwis
A really early start to the day today as we decided to climb Sigiriya ahead of the crowds and while it was still relatively cool. Rising dramatically from the central plains, the UNESCO-protected ruins of this 5th-century 'Sky Fortress' are one of Sri Lanka's major attractions and an impressive feat of engineering skill.
P.ublished 20th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill To Sri Lanka: Day Six - Elephants
We set off after a leisurely wander around the town seeing the gentle bustle of the great country. Sri Lanka is a much calmer beast than India, its people are smiling, courteous, helpful and have a wicked sense of humour. At one street food stall we stopped for a vegetable roti (really well spiced and not hot….but with a ‘ball burning’ aubergine chutney to go with it) and fresh coconut milk.
P.ublished 17th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill To Sri Lanka: Days Four & Five - Tender-Footed Westerners
Travelling towards Giritale today, we stopped to view the magnificent Standing Buddha of Aukana, which reaches twelve metres high. Sculpted in the fifth century by a master craftsman, it's still relatively isolated in its jungle setting and as with many of the places visited so far was not crowded with tourists.
P.ublished 16th February 2026
Rain Forecast? This Luxury Peak District Hotel Says Wet Weather Makes For The UK’s Most Romantic Break
As rain is forecast to continue across much of the UK, one Peak District hotel is making a contrarian claim: that rain, not sunshine, creates the most romantic hotel stays. According to Losehill House, grey skies, mist and drizzle are not something to work around - they can be the secret ingredient of a truly memorable British break.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Motorhoming
Taking Your Motorhome To The EU? Top Tips On What To Do
In previous Magic of Motorhoming articles we’ve shared insights into key areas including selecting makes and models, check…
P.ublished 14th February 2026
A Suite Escape
From the moment you arrive at Oulton Hall, there’s a feeling that this is more than just another country house hotel. As you climb the stairs of the columned entrance and approach the heavy antique oak doors, as if by magic, they swing open, and it's as if you enter a bygone era.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill To Sri Lanka: Day Three
After a good night's sleep breakfast beckoned - more curry, centred around a lovely mild dhaal served with a collection of hot and spicy chutneys, gambols and freshly cooked coconut roti bread...absolutely fabulous!
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill to Sri Lanka - Day Two
Breakfast
Following a good night's sleep, there is nothing better than a good traditional fry up…….sadly neither of the above applied. As always when I start a foreign trip I lost my battle with the sheets and woke up to a curry, not a banger in sight. In this case a lovely spicy fish curry, dhal and some interesting sambols and chutneys.
P.ublished 13th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill to Sri Lanka: Day One
Those who are expecting a detailed and educational travelogue may benefit from a spoiler alert and warning…….I am not Marcel Proust! Hopefully you will get a flavour of the island, its colours and culture and if there is an occasional laugh or giggle then that is a bonus.
P.ublished 12th February 2026
Asia
From Scalegill To Sri Lanka: An Itinerant's Odyssey
Steve Whitaker
Features Writer
Nigel Buckland
Both restless and relentlessly curious, Nigel Buckland is the epitome of a traveller, in the gratifyingly anachronistic manner of Eric Newby and Wilfred Thesiger.
P.ublished 11th February 2026
Short breaks
Love And Literature On The Line
Interest in the Brontë landscape around Haworth is set to reach wuthering new heights this February with the release of a new film adaptation of one of English literature’s most enduring and uncompromising love stories. For visitors heading to the village in the days around Valentine’s, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway is offering a quieter, more atmospheric way to make the journey.
P.ublished 7th February 2026
Short breaks
Relax And Be Pampered
Large automatic glass doors open onto a spacious vestibule, and a sign says it all – ‘Welcome to Thorpe Park Hotel’ – and nothing could be further from the truth, as a warm welcome awaits from the moment you set foot in this modern spa hotel.
P.ublished 7th February 2026
Africa
The Smiling Coast: Exotic Escape For Sunshine Break
As the prospect of snow, howling winds and sheeting rain continuing to batter the UK, the lure of sunshine, stunning beaches and stimulating new cultures beckons. With a myriad of destinations from Mauritius to Mexico offering long haul packages and, closer to home, the Canaries, the Algarve and Cyprus vying for business, choices are driven by time and budget constraints.
P.ublished 7th February 2026
Americas
Would You Travel To The End Of The World?
The appeal of travelling into the unknown can also be tinged with trepidation as to what may be waiting on arrival - particularly if the destination is off the beaten track. Not ones to do things by halves, Our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain and Sharon’s husband and Yorkshire Times photographer, Steve Hare, traversed the globe to Ushuaia in Argentina.
P.ublished 31st January 2026
I’m A Consumer Rights Travel Expert, Here Is What To Do If Your Journey Is Impacted By Storms
Our consumer rights expert has advised passengers whose journeys were delayed by Storm Goretti to exercise their rights if they have been left out of pocket.
P.ublished 24th January 2026
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