logo
Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations

Thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for these three cheap African holiday destinations

The Irish Sun12-06-2025

WITH expensive costs and overcrowded attractions, thousands of Brits are ditching Europe for more affordable destinations in Africa.
Recent research by TUI has seen a boom in demand for North African
holidays
.
3
North Africa is becoming a much popular destination with Brits
Credit: Alamy
3
Morocco has reported record tourist numbers
Credit: Alamy
Morocco
,
Egypt
and
TUI's UK commercial director Chris Logan said that the reason for the demand was not because of the "fantastic value for
money
" compared to pricier places in
Europe
.
He told PA: "There's good quality accommodation and great
weather
beyond the traditional
summer
season.
"Even in the winter months temperatures are mild, making them a perfect choice for year-round travel."
Read more on Africa
And according to aviation analysts Cirium, nearly 20,000 flights are set to fly from
London
to North African destinations.
This is up from around 8,600 back in 2019.
Some of TUI's new routes include Stansted to Enfidha in Tunisia and from
Holidays are extremely cheaply too - we found deals under £300 each when four-star
hotels
in
Most read in News Travel
This demand has also been backed by Booking.com who said they had seen an increase in searches for summer holidays to Tunisia by 64 per cent compared to last year.
Searches for
Inside luxury camping bivouac under the dunes in Morocco's Sahara desert
Experts say many people are being drawn to the region by its wide availability of high-quality hotels costing considerably less than similar properties in locations such as
Spain
,
France
and Italy.
Nicki Tempest-Mitchell, managing director at travel agency Barrhead Travel said north Africa was "a region to watch over the
next
few years".
Other new Africa flights from the UK include easyJet's first route to Cape Verde from
London Gatwick
as well as flights to the
And
Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, a network of independent travel agents, said there is a "clear trend toward value-conscious holiday planning".
She went on: "Ongoing
cost of living
pressures and squeezed disposable incomes have meant that while people remain committed to taking holidays, they're increasingly focused on maximising value for money.
"This shift has driven growing popularity for destinations like Morocco, Egypt and Tunisia, which offer more competitive pricing and high-quality accommodation options compared to the more traditional western Mediterranean resorts."
The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor recently visited
Our Head of Travel (Print)
And our
3
Flights have also boomed - up 20,000 from 8,600 in five years
Credit: Alamy

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers ‘trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat
Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers ‘trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

Major evacuation as 1,500 passengers ‘trapped on train for 2 hours with no air con' in sweltering heat

HORRIFIED Brits were evacuated after being trapped on a train for two hours with no air con. Weary passengers have slammed Thamelink after their morning service from Bedford to Brighton came to a screeching halt on the hottest day of the year. 4 Fuming passengers were forced to wait in carriages with no aircon for two hours Credit: Twitter 4 The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough Credit: Twitter 4 Everyone was evacuated onto the tracks Credit: Twitter The train broke down between Elephant and Castle, and Loughborough - but ticketholders were left waiting in their carriages during the sweltering heat today. There was no air conditioning, and a major evacuation was eventually carried out after several hours. People were led onto the tracks to fend for themselves, and claimed they were given no instruction on where to go next. One passenger fumed on X: "Absolutely disgraceful from Thameslink Bedford to Brighton service train broke down the passengers left sweltering for almost two hours before being taken off in the middle of nowhere with no direction all left to their own." Read More Another ranted: "Stuck on train to Brighton between Elephant & Castle & Loughborough junction past 20 minutes, rammed with people, hottest day of the year why are there no aircon and no windows that can be opened? there is no ventilation. "Medical issues waiting to happen." A third vented: "[Thameslink] you will have hell to pay. We've been stuck on this hot and humid train for over an hour. Most read in The Sun "The doors were closed because we were told we may be moving. That was 15 minutes ago. It's like an oven in here and we're being slow cooked." A spokesperson for the train operator initially wrote: "Due to a fault on a train between London Blackfriars and Herne Hill, some lines are blocked. We're working to gather more information on this incident." In a separate reply to another passenger, they said: "We are aware of your location (and the lack of working A/C on the train) and are working with response teams to get you moving as soon as possible. "Please do not attempt to self evacuate as the tracks are still live." In a statement to MailOnline, Thameslink confirmed: "Earlier today, a fault on a train near Loughborough Junction brought all services to a halt in the area, three of them outside station platforms. "Without power and air conditioning on such a hot day, we pulled all resources from across Sussex and Kent to get personnel on site to safely evacuate passengers as quickly as possible along the track. "This would have been a difficult and uncomfortable experience for our passengers and we are truly sorry. "With safety our top priority, the safest place was to remain on the trains while we worked our hardest to get help to those on board. "There is engineering work taking place today, which means this is the only route Thameslink trains can take south out of London and severe disruption is expected for the rest of the afternoon. "Anyone travelling south of London is currently advised to use Southern services from Victoria but you should check the latest travel advice at "Passengers delayed by 15 minutes or more are also entitled to compensation, with details on our website." A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: "We were called at 11.46am today to assist around 1,500 railway passengers who are on board two trains which are stranded near Loughborough Junction station. "The power to the railway line has been isolated and crews are currently working alongside staff from Network Rail to lead the passengers from the trains to the station. "Around 25 firefighters are currently in attendance." British Transport Police added: 'Officers were called to Loughborough Junction Railway Station at just before 11am today (21 June) to reports of a train broken down nearby. "Officers assisted Thameslink and Network Rail and all passengers have been evacuated safely.' This comes as an amber heat health alert has been issued for the whole of England until 9am on Monday. The alert - a step up from the yellow heat health alert issued earlier this week - warned that "significant impacts are likely" across health and social care services because of high temperatures. But, the Met Office has also warned of thunderstorms across northern parts of England today. A yellow thunderstorm weather warning is in place from Nottingham up to above Newcastle. It will come into force from 3pm and last until 4am on Sunday. The Met Office warned there could be "frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds", along with a chance of flooding. Parts of eastern England could climb higher than the 32.2C seen on Thursday and become the hottest day of the year so far. Met Office spokeswoman Nicola Maxey said: "There are scattered thunderstorms coming through. "Some of the rain could be quite intense, and frequent lightning, hail, gusty winds and some heavy downpours, which we haven't seen for a while. "Some of the ground is quite hard at the moment, and when you get heavy rain hitting hard ground, it can cause surface water issues. "You might find surface water on the roads, drains finding it difficult to cope and a small chance of homes being flooded." It comes after hundreds headed out early this morning to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge in celebration of the summer solstice. Those who marked the year's longest day elsewhere experienced 18C temperatures in Salisbury and Greater London by 5am, according to the Met Office. The weather agency also confirmed that Yeovilton in Somerset and Crosby in Merseyside had the highest recorded overnight figures in England, both reaching 19.7C by 6am. The mercury in Cumbria and Lancashire also reached highs above 19C. An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. Aidan McGovern, meteorologist at the Met Office, said: "At the moment, the temperatures will be highest towards the east, [with] lower temperatures in the west compared with Friday but still high humidity, so it's going to feel oppressive in many places, and [there is] always a chance of some showers developing as the day progresses, particularly towards the west. "Temperatures [will be] peaking at 31 to 33, or 34C, somewhere between London and Midlands and north-east England." 4 Passengers claimed they were left to fend for themselves on the tracks Credit: Twitter More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at

The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK
The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK

The Irish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

The Spanish love these three drinks to keep them cool in summer – here's how to find them in the UK

WHILE the UK is set to hit 30C this week, us Brits are still not as good at coping with hot weather as Spaniards. And when it comes to drinks, Sangria might seem as Spanish as a siesta when it comes to beating the heat, 4 The Spanish have three drinks they love for when the weather gets hot Credit: Alamy 4 Agua de Valencia is also a popular drink Credit: Alamy But there are The most family-friendly of the three is the non-alcoholic horchata de chufa, which has a creamy consistency like a milkshake, but is made from chufas or tiger nuts, which are a root. It's packed with iron, potassium and antioxidants and often flavoured with cinnamon or lemon. I first encountered it when I visited relatives living in Alboraya, on the outskirts of Read more on spanish My grandma took one mouthful and declared that it was a drink that could send you mad, so I think it's fair to say that it might be a bit of an acquired taste. But for many Valencians, it's up there with A lovely spot to enjoy it is at the Mercat Colon near the Turia, which is a gorgeous 100-year-old art nouveau market hall in the city centre, renovated and now used to house bars and shops. Orxata Daniel, one of the most popular horchaterias, has a base there so you don't need to catch the metro out of the city centre if you want to try the drink the Spanish go mad for. Most read in News Travel You can also buy it pre-bottled in the UK now (£14.95 for two on Amazon) although it's not a patch on the freshly made drink. If you're after a thirst-quencher that includes something a bit stronger, then San Sebastian cider season It's another drink that uses what the Valencians find in abundance in their lands, but this time the key ingredient is orange juice. Oh, and cava, gin and vodka, of course. When I first tried this delicious cocktail on a bar crawl through the bohemian district of Rusafa, next to the main city train station, I had no idea quite how much booze it contained, thanks to the fresh orange juice used as a mixer. Safe to say, I certainly discovered just how alcoholic it was when it came to the next day's hangover. I even had it as a signature drink at my hen do as it's a real crowd-pleaser and one that suits most people's taste buds, if not their tolerance of alcohol! To find it in the UK, restaurants like Bar + Block or Iberica, which have a number of eateries across the country. 4 If you don't want alcohol you can try horchata Credit: Alamy One drink that really is a taste of summer for Spaniards across the country is In the same way that we might enjoy a white wine spritzer on a sunny day, this is their equivalent, but with red wine. It's often made with either gaseosa soda or lemonade and the name translated means summer red wine. This is probably the closest to the sangria that we Brits know and love when we head abroad, but a little bit less alcoholic and so better for keeping hydrated in the heat without risking a hangover. Most Spanish restaurants will serve it, including popular ones like Al-Andalus Tapas Bar in Oxford or The Ginger Pig in London. Hopefully It's a little taste of the Med but without even leaving your own back garden. In the mean time, we've found the 4 Tinto de verano is a must as well Credit: Alamy

I've found the cheapest annual passes for top attractions across UK – from just £6 a year
I've found the cheapest annual passes for top attractions across UK – from just £6 a year

The Irish Sun

time5 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I've found the cheapest annual passes for top attractions across UK – from just £6 a year

FOR 13 weeks a year, parents with school-age kids scramble to find enough activities to fill the endless holiday days... without also breaking the bank. My sons are seven and nine, and I am always on the hunt for ways to occupy them in their time off. Advertisement 15 Travel writer Catherine Lofthouse is a brilliant bargain hunter when it comes to kids' activities Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 15 The Roald Dahl Children's museum in Bucks is fun for kids under 10 Credit: Alamy 15 Bus and train fans love the London Transport Museum Credit: Alamy If you're planning to visit attractions in the UK this summer, it's worth stealing this tip to future-proof your family fun days - and save a lot of money! Sometimes Advertisement As well as some brilliant, Sometimes, that means after just one extra visit, you can go as House of fun I love a bargain and think I might have found the cheapest annual pass for my family, right here on my doorstep. The 1620s House and Gardens near Coalville is a medieval manor house run by Children can get in free with their Advertisement Parking is free, so that's another huge bonus. We love doing the The perfect Haven holiday park for a kid-friendly break - with direct beach access, indoor waterpark and neighbouring seaside theme park The attraction also hosts outdoor theatre productions and is a glimpse into Jacobean life, with the family who lived here linked to one of the The old barn is now a tearoom, which often offers children's craft activities and Our favourite is dressing up for Pirate Day in August, when families sing sea shanties, learn how to handle a pretend cutlass and finish up with a huge wet sponge fight around a cardboard box pirate ship on the lawn. Advertisement Some activities do cost a bit extra and are not included with your annual ticket, but we never spend very much. This underrated place is such a find and there are places just like this all around the UK. If you don't live 15 Catherine's kids love Pirate Day at the 1620s House and Gardens near Coalville Credit: Catherine Lofthouse 15 Cardiff Castle is right in the middle of the city - and if you live or work nearby, you're entitled to a 'Key to the Castle' Credit: Alamy Advertisement Cardiff Castle This impressive building should be a must-see for anyone spending time in the I was fascinated to find out how hidden tunnels were used to keep locals safe during the If you live or work in the city, you're entitled to a Key to the Castle, which gives you free access for three years. There's a £7.50 admin charge for adults, but it's free for children, so a one-adult family visiting Preston Park, Stockton-on-Tees 15 A children's climbing frame in Preston Park Stockton-on-Tees Credit: Alamy Advertisement At Preston Park, one adult and three children can get admission all year round for £10, so if I took my boys twice a month, it would cost 42p a visit, as it's open all year-round except most Mondays. This is a Head to the skatepark to watch or test your balance, let kids loose in the adventure playground or have a mini adventure on one of the designated There's also a Victorian street where visitors can buy sweets or find out about the lives of ironmongers, printers, grocers, drapers, chemists, police officers and blacksmiths. The museum has galleries about Advertisement SeaCity Museum, Southampton 15 SeaCity Museum in Southampton is a very cool building Credit: Alamy I can highly recommend a visit here. I had almost as much fun as the kids. There is a whole area about about the We all enjoyed the immersive nature of the exhibition about the 'unsinkable' ship, which made its maiden and final voyage from Southampton Docks. An annual pass costs £25.65 when booked online in advance for one adult and three children, so if you visited twice a month, it would cost £1.07 per visit. Advertisement There's also a great cafe downstairs where you can get snacks and drinks and it's lovely to see an old building being repurposed. Scottish Wildlife Trust 15 The Falls of Clyde at New Lanark Credit: Alamy It's easy to overlook the wildlife trusts that we have across the UK, but they can offer great value for money if your annual membership includes car parking on multiple sites. Up in Scotland, wildlife trust family membership is £5 a month and includes access to visitor centres, which is usually £6.50 per adult and free for children. Or, if your child has a Advertisement If you do plump for family membership and use it twice a month, it will cost £2.50 per visit. London Transport Museum 15 The London Transport Museum is inside a former Victorian fruit and vegetable market Credit: Alamy There are loads of great free museums in London, but they can get very busy in the summer months. Instead, opt for one with an annual pass, like the London Transport Museum. My boys love it here and it's packed with Advertisement For young Its location in Adults pay £25 and kids go free, so if you visit twice a month, it will cost you £1.04 each trip. Jewry Wall, Leicester 15 The Jewry Wall Museum, Leicester is built around the remains of a Roman bathhouse Credit: Alamy This museum based around the nine-metre high remains of a city centre bathhouse has been closed since 2017 and will Advertisement History fans can boast they have seen one of the tallest surviving sections of It dates from about AD 160, although younger kids might not appreciate how unique it is. While it's no longer free to visit, the Roman Explorer Pass means you can pay once and visit all year round. A family of four will cost £32, so if we visit twice a month, it will be £1.33 per trip. City of Norwich Aviation Museum If you have a fan of flying in the family, Advertisement This museum in Norwich even has free entry for children aged under eight, so you could save money if your little one is still tiny. There has also been a 'kids for a quid' scheme over the last couple of school holidays, so keep a lookout in case that makes a return The annual pass is only £40 for two adults and three children aged 8-16 years anyway, so if I took my family twice a month, it would be £1.66 per visit. 15 Planes at the Norwich Aviation Museum Credit: Alamy 15 Little bookworms will love it here at the Roald Dahl Museum Credit: Alamy Advertisement Roald Dahl Museum, Bucks Little bookworms who are fans of The centre, which is in Buckinghamshire, has digital games, painting and crafts and children's workshops. Ideal for children under 10. At £42 for one adult and three children for the year, two visits a month would cost £1.75 per trip. British Motor Museum, Coventry With two buildings packed full of motor vehicles, there's plenty to keep everyone happy for hours here - especially kids who love cars. There's a playground next to the car park and extra kids' activities during the school holidays, so you'll definitely want to make a return visit or two if you live close to Norwich. Advertisement At £46 for a family of four or £52 for a family of five, getting an annual pass for my boys and me would work out at £1.92 per trip if we visited twice a month. 15 A classic red mini at the British Motor Museum Credit: Alamy 15 Murton Park farming museum Credit: Alamy Murton Park, York Spread across 14 acres of countryside, you're bound to find something to keep everyone happy, whether you like playgrounds, farm animals, trips on a miniature railway or living history. Just outside York is home to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, the park also hosts immersive reenactment events and a monthly kids' club – all included in the price. Advertisement At £48 for an annual pass for two adults and three children, visiting twice a month would cost £2 per trip. The Story of Emily, Liskeard This one might not seem an obvious choice for family-friendly fun, but if you've got older children interested in history, this could be a good call. The attraction Set in the rectory where she grew up, the museum's recently opened War Rooms give a glimpse into the world she experienced during the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. The new family pass is £45 for one adult and two children, with the option to add extra children for £5 each. Advertisement Two trips a month for my three kids and me would be £2.08 per visit. 15 Tram fans can ride on vintage vehicles at Crich Tramway Museum Credit: Alamy Crich Tramway Museum, Derbyshire My boys love riding the There's an indoor play area for kids under 10, as well as an outdoor Tickets for a family of five booked online in advance cost £52, so that would work out at £2.17 per trip if visited twice a month. Advertisement Ironbridge Valley of Invention, Telford This World Heritage Site boasts multiple museums, including Blists Hill Victorian Town and Enginuity, which offers hands-on science and engineering fun. You can buy day tickets or pay to visit the museums separately, but an annual pass covers all the attractions for the whole year. At £61 for one adult and up to four children, it would cost £2.54 per trip to go twice a month. It just goes to show that you don't have to fork out hundreds to get annual memberships to historic houses, museums or nature reserves. While spending more for the likes of Advertisement The Big Summer Theatre Event SUN Club members can enjoy the cheapest tickets in town and save up to 60 per cent on theatre shows with The Big Summer Theatre Event! London Theatre Direct's Big Summer Theatre Event is a must for all theatre fans. The event includes all your favourite West End musicals and plays – including Tina, Back to the Future, Clueless, The Play That Goes Wrong, Stranger Things, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and more. How to book Step 1: To book your London Theatre Direct tickets head to the Step 2: Select the Theatre Tickets tile, click Step 3: Choose your theatre show and look for the dates marked with stars to check out our exclusive sale prices. Prices show the exclusive Sun Club member savings. Step 4: Your exclusive 10 per cent additional discount will be automatically applied. Step 5: Enter your details in the checkout and pay. You will then receive an email with your tickets. Offer is open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Save an additional 10 per cent off tickets. Offer ends at 23:59pm on Monday, July 7, 2025. Full T&Cs apply, see below.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store