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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p
FESTIVAL and camping season is here and with that, so is the frantic rush to find items that make it that little bit easier. Whether crawling around in a cramped festival tent or away with the family in a holiday park, as much as we may love camping there are some things about it that can be a nightmare. Advertisement 15 Camping and festival season have returned Credit: AP Here are The Sun's travel team's top recs for camping this summer . Collapsible items With a limited amount of storage space in caravans and tents, making sure your kitchen equipment is as space-saving as possible is an essential. Look for collapsible items to stack and save space. This Advertisement Read more on camping Ikea does a great collapsible washing up bowl for just £5. The Pepprig bowl collapses flat and features a hole to hang from pegs. And when it comes to cooking up a storm, a stacking nest of pans is essential. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement Most read in News Travel Camping pans From £17.99 on Amazon or for a more sophisticated set that covers all bases for a family, UK's Premier Scottish Caravan Site: Camping & Glamping Gold Standard With a whopping 25 items suitable for a family of four you get a big pot and frying pan and within is stored a sieve drainer, plates, cups and cutlery. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement 15p Plates You don't want to waste weight - or risk breakages - by using standard crockery in a Invest in some melamine plates, cups and bowls but for me, I want to make things easy when it comes to washing up. A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Advertisement 15 A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon Credit: Amazon ReadyBed For £27.50 from Argos , What I personally love is that there's no risk of rolling off the airbed as you're fully zipped in. It's got a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine. Advertisement Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 ReadyBed has a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine Credit: Argos Magic mirror This bit of kit is my most cherished camping item. It's a Advertisement Costing £45, it comes with a tie at the top so that it can be looped around a tent pole. The best feature is how compact it is, folding into a flat square – just be wary as a lot of Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 Magic Mirror is a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares Credit: Magic Mirror Advertisement Vango Micro Steel Chair You can probably find cheaper camping chairs out there, but Unlike some traditional camping chairs, you'll have to construct it, a bit like a tent, but that takes about 30 seconds. The steel frame of the chair relies on a tent-pole like structure which means it's easily collapsible and can be shoved in a teeny bag along with the canvas-material chair. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor Advertisement 15 This camping chair takes less than a minute to construct Credit: Outdoor World Vango Square Water Carrier Water carriers are so cheap but so useful, especially at a festival where the toilet facilities may not be anything more than a hole in the ground. Fill it up every day from the campsites water station and use it to wash your hands, brush your teeth , drink from etc. Advertisement Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 A water carrier is super useful for when the toilets and taps are far from your tent Credit: Outdoor World Loop earplugs As much as I enjoy a festival or two, I do need my beauty sleep otherwise I can be pretty unpleasant to be around. So when it comes to going to bed, I won't go without my Loop earplugs. Advertisement These handy little gadgets block out almost everything, muffling all background noise and thumping bass. They might be the most I've ever spent on earplugs, but they're well worth it. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 These handy little gadgets block out almost everything Credit: Loop earplugs FreshWipes We all know that as the days go on at festivals, one thing that gets worse (aside from the hangover) is people's hygiene - and I don't like to be one of those people. So what I bring is FreshWipes, the OceanFresh scent does the trick and is biodegradable too. Advertisement Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter 15 FreshWipes keep you fresh and are biodegradable too Credit: Fresh Wipes Face and body cooling spray With the hot and sticky weather we have been experiencing lately, being able to cool down is not the easiest unless you drench yourself in water. Whilst chugging water can help to keep you hydrated, sometime it just feels like your skin is about to burn off. Advertisement This is where a face and body cooling spray comes in. For years I have sworn by Superdrug's own brand And this bottle will last you the whole summer. I use it over makeup on my face for a cooldown spritz and down my arms too - it really helps to take the edge off of the heat. Advertisement I also recently discovered their Vitamin E Mist, which comes in a small 50ml bottle for £2.50. If struggling on space, definitely grab one of these and it is even in Superdrug 's '3 for 2' offer, so you can pick up some other travel minis too. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 One cooling spray bottle will last you the whole summer Credit: Superdrug Advertisement Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Now this one may be weird to people - essentially a bottle for sun cream, despite sun cream already coming in a bottle. But if you are like me, the price of sun cream irks you each year the season gets warmer and sunnier. And if you are anything like me, the bog standard sunscreen is no good. With oily skin, a hate for tackiness and a dislike for the smell, I make sure the sunscreen I get suits me. Advertisement And to cut costs, I will often purchase the biggest bottle available. However, with this, it is hard to carry around the sun cream. This is where the The small and compact applicator can be filled with any sunscreen of your choosing and costs just £6.38 from Boots . Advertisement Despite the product specifically being designed for use by children, it is suitable for anyone who wants to carry a smaller bottle of sunscreen around with them without the risk of the bottle lid pinging off in your bag. It is also 100ml so suitable for hand luggage! Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator is 100ml so suitable for hand luggage Credit: Boots Advertisement Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe Fragrance Free 30ml Whilst this little product is rather steep in price for £8, I don't go away without it. As an 'everywhere spray', The spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' - helping you to feel a bit cleaner whilst in a not-so-clean environment. It is completely fragrance free and includes thermal water, prebiotic lactic acid and inulin and Vitamins C, E and F to protect your skin - essentially no nasties. Advertisement One bottle is the equivalent of 100 wipes and it can be kept in the fridge for added cooling effects. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 This spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' Credit: Boots SPF 30 Lip Balm on a carabineer As an avid hiker and camper during my teenage years, you would not find me without a lip balk attached to a belt loop on my hip. Advertisement Just a basic SPF 30 lip balm with moisturising coconut in helped against the harsh elements of sun and wind whilst adventuring. The carabineer attached just adds convenience as you can attach it yourself as I did, the zip or side of a bag or even keys or a water bottle. They can be picked up at most outdoors shops like Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 The carabineer attached to this lip balm adds convenience Credit: Trespass Ikea lamp There are so many different camping lamps out there - from wind-up ones to battery operated. And they also can widely range in price. Ikea has just released a lamp which I cannot wait to get my hands on. Advertisement The It has a rope loop on it to hand in your tent, but also due to its flat bottom it can sit on a table easily - meaning you can move it between your If wanting something smaller, the classic lightbulb shaped lamps on caribineers are also great and can be picked up for under a fiver. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter Advertisement 15 This small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical Credit: IKEA Soft running bottles Whilst not the cheapest at £9.99 each from They can be rolled up to the size of a fist and are easy to shove in the remaining room in a pack camping back. For festivals, they are even better - as often to get into the main arena, your water bottle needs to be empty - and these can just fit in your pocket to be filled once in the area. Advertisement Even when full, they can still slide into a pocket, which means you won't be carrying around a clunky bottle. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Soft bottles can be can be rolled up to the size of a fist Credit: Decathlon These are the Advertisement Plus, 15 All these items can help make camping experiences easier and more enjoyable Credit: Alamy
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p
Plus, one of the UK's best campsites has safari lodges, pet pigs and secret waterfalls CAMP OUT All our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FESTIVAL and camping season is here and with that, so is the frantic rush to find items that make it that little bit easier. Whether crawling around in a cramped festival tent or away with the family in a holiday park, as much as we may love camping there are some things about it that can be a nightmare. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 15 Camping and festival season have returned Credit: AP Here are The Sun's travel team's top recs for camping this summer. Collapsible items With a limited amount of storage space in caravans and tents, making sure your kitchen equipment is as space-saving as possible is an essential. Look for collapsible items to stack and save space. This Outwell kettle, £39.99, is also collapsible to just 4.5cm despite holding 1.5litres when expanded. Ikea does a great collapsible washing up bowl for just £5. The Pepprig bowl collapses flat and features a hole to hang from pegs. And when it comes to cooking up a storm, a stacking nest of pans is essential. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Camping pans The BeGrit Camping Pans is a four-piece stackable stainless steel set that includes a frying pan, two pots, plate and spoon in a storage bag. From £17.99 on Amazon or for a more sophisticated set that covers all bases for a family, Decathlon sell the Quechua Stainless Steel Non-Stick Camping Cookset for £49.99. UK's Premier Scottish Caravan Site: Camping & Glamping Gold Standard With a whopping 25 items suitable for a family of four you get a big pot and frying pan and within is stored a sieve drainer, plates, cups and cutlery. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 15p Plates You don't want to waste weight - or risk breakages - by using standard crockery in a caravan. Invest in some melamine plates, cups and bowls but for me, I want to make things easy when it comes to washing up. A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon and are perfect for most meals and avoid the need to use lots of water or make several trips to the block to wash up. Lisa Minot, Head of Travel 15 A nice big pack of disposable, biodegradable and compostable plates costs around £7 for 50 from Amazon Credit: Amazon ReadyBed For £27.50 from Argos, ReadyBed is an air mattress and sleeping bag rolled into one, which saves on space and weight when you're packing – pivotal when you've got kids or you're lugging heaps of gear across a festival site. What I personally love is that there's no risk of rolling off the airbed as you're fully zipped in. It's got a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 ReadyBed has a built-in pillow and the sleeping bag element/cover can be removed and chucked in the washing machine Credit: Argos Magic mirror This bit of kit is my most cherished camping item. It's a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares that unravel into a full-length travel mirror. Costing £45, it comes with a tie at the top so that it can be looped around a tent pole. The best feature is how compact it is, folding into a flat square – just be wary as a lot of festivals don't allow glass. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 Magic Mirror is a foldable mirror made up of four glass squares Credit: Magic Mirror Vango Micro Steel Chair You can probably find cheaper camping chairs out there, but this £24.99 chair is great for packing light (it weighs just 1.5kg) and if you're tight for space. Unlike some traditional camping chairs, you'll have to construct it, a bit like a tent, but that takes about 30 seconds. The steel frame of the chair relies on a tent-pole like structure which means it's easily collapsible and can be shoved in a teeny bag along with the canvas-material chair. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 This camping chair takes less than a minute to construct Credit: Outdoor World Vango Square Water Carrier Water carriers are so cheap but so useful, especially at a festival where the toilet facilities may not be anything more than a hole in the ground. This one for £7.99, folds into practically nothing and comes with a nifty tap feature that will give you running water at the twist of a nozzle. Fill it up every day from the campsites water station and use it to wash your hands, brush your teeth, drink from etc. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor 15 A water carrier is super useful for when the toilets and taps are far from your tent Credit: Outdoor World Loop earplugs As much as I enjoy a festival or two, I do need my beauty sleep otherwise I can be pretty unpleasant to be around. So when it comes to going to bed, I won't go without my Loop earplugs. These handy little gadgets block out almost everything, muffling all background noise and thumping bass. They might be the most I've ever spent on earplugs, but they're well worth it. Loop earplugs cost from £19.95. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter 15 These handy little gadgets block out almost everything Credit: Loop earplugs FreshWipes We all know that as the days go on at festivals, one thing that gets worse (aside from the hangover) is people's hygiene - and I don't like to be one of those people. So what I bring is FreshWipes, the OceanFresh scent does the trick and is biodegradable too. FreshWipes cost £5.99 per pack. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter 15 FreshWipes keep you fresh and are biodegradable too Credit: Fresh Wipes Face and body cooling spray With the hot and sticky weather we have been experiencing lately, being able to cool down is not the easiest unless you drench yourself in water. Whilst chugging water can help to keep you hydrated, sometime it just feels like your skin is about to burn off. This is where a face and body cooling spray comes in. For years I have sworn by Superdrug's own brand 'Face & Body Cooling Spray 200ml' costing just £5. And this bottle will last you the whole summer. I use it over makeup on my face for a cooldown spritz and down my arms too - it really helps to take the edge off of the heat. I also recently discovered their Vitamin E Mist, which comes in a small 50ml bottle for £2.50. If struggling on space, definitely grab one of these and it is even in Superdrug's '3 for 2' offer, so you can pick up some other travel minis too. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 One cooling spray bottle will last you the whole summer Credit: Superdrug Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator Now this one may be weird to people - essentially a bottle for sun cream, despite sun cream already coming in a bottle. But if you are like me, the price of sun cream irks you each year the season gets warmer and sunnier. And if you are anything like me, the bog standard sunscreen is no good. With oily skin, a hate for tackiness and a dislike for the smell, I make sure the sunscreen I get suits me. And to cut costs, I will often purchase the biggest bottle available. However, with this, it is hard to carry around the sun cream. This is where the Solar Buddies Applicator comes in. The small and compact applicator can be filled with any sunscreen of your choosing and costs just £6.38 from Boots. Despite the product specifically being designed for use by children, it is suitable for anyone who wants to carry a smaller bottle of sunscreen around with them without the risk of the bottle lid pinging off in your bag. It is also 100ml so suitable for hand luggage! Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Solar Buddies Sunscreen Applicator is 100ml so suitable for hand luggage Credit: Boots Luna Daily The Everywhere Spray-to-Wipe Fragrance Free 30ml Whilst this little product is rather steep in price for £8, I don't go away without it. As an 'everywhere spray', Luna Daily is perfect for festival camping when you feeling grabby after using a questionably-clean portaloo or after crawling around in and out of your tent. The spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' - helping you to feel a bit cleaner whilst in a not-so-clean environment. It is completely fragrance free and includes thermal water, prebiotic lactic acid and inulin and Vitamins C, E and F to protect your skin - essentially no nasties. One bottle is the equivalent of 100 wipes and it can be kept in the fridge for added cooling effects. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 This spray-to-wipe product can be used anywhere - including 'down there' Credit: Boots SPF 30 Lip Balm on a carabineer As an avid hiker and camper during my teenage years, you would not find me without a lip balk attached to a belt loop on my hip. Just a basic SPF 30 lip balm with moisturising coconut in helped against the harsh elements of sun and wind whilst adventuring. The carabineer attached just adds convenience as you can attach it yourself as I did, the zip or side of a bag or even keys or a water bottle. They can be picked up at most outdoors shops like Trespass or Go Outdoors for a couple of quid. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 The carabineer attached to this lip balm adds convenience Credit: Trespass Ikea lamp There are so many different camping lamps out there - from wind-up ones to battery operated. And they also can widely range in price. Ikea has just released a lamp which I cannot wait to get my hands on. The small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical. It has a rope loop on it to hand in your tent, but also due to its flat bottom it can sit on a table easily - meaning you can move it between your campsite dinner setup to the roof of your tent, giving you light wherever you go. If wanting something smaller, the classic lightbulb shaped lamps on caribineers are also great and can be picked up for under a fiver. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 This small table lamp which is battery-operated and donut-shaped looks stylish whilst also being practical Credit: IKEA Soft running bottles Whilst not the cheapest at £9.99 each from Decathlon, soft running bottles are great space savers. They can be rolled up to the size of a fist and are easy to shove in the remaining room in a pack camping back. For festivals, they are even better - as often to get into the main arena, your water bottle needs to be empty - and these can just fit in your pocket to be filled once in the area. Even when full, they can still slide into a pocket, which means you won't be carrying around a clunky bottle. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter 15 Soft bottles can be can be rolled up to the size of a fist Credit: Decathlon These are the UK's best campsites with flawless 10/10 reviews, honesty shops & even resident deer. Plus, one of the UK's best campsites has safari lodges, pet pigs and secret waterfalls.
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Scottish Sun
I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again
BAG BLUNDER I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again AS I WATCH an airport worker turn off the conveyor belt, my worst travel fear is realised - my suitcase hasn't arrived. Let's be real, it's not the end of the world, bags get misplaced all the time. The real disaster was what I neglected to pack in my hand luggage. Advertisement 4 I will never pack hand luggage in the same way again Credit: Supplied 4 My recent trip to the USA was derailed by a missing cabin bag Credit: Supplied I had arrived in Syracuse for a week-long journey across New York State, my bag however, was still in Philadelphia. After filling in a form about my missing suitcase and being told it 'happens all the time', I wearily trudged back to my hotel room. Knowing that I didn't bother to put the basics in my hand luggage when I left for the airport almost 12 hours ago, I almost didn't want to open it. Deodorant, hand sanitiser, Chapstick, a jumper, a book, my passport, purse and house keys were all I had. Advertisement Read More on Packing Tips BARGAIN BUYS Our favourite gamechanger travel items under £1 for both adults and kids Heading downstairs to the hotel reception, I explained the situation and they handed over some essentials - it seemed like I wasn't the first person on this day to have their bag misplaced. Returning to the room, I was armed with a small plastic toothbrush, toothpaste sachets and makeup wipes. I felt a bit better about the situation, until the following morning. With a full day of exploring ahead of me and a packed schedule, I had no time to pick up anything at the local shops - including clothes and clean underwear. Advertisement It was a horrible feeling having to don the slouchy clothes I'd worn on my twelve-hour train and plane journey to the States for another whole day. Luckily, I had group members come to my aid, some offered make-up and moisturiser, one lent me her tiny travel hairbrush which did the trick. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only 4 My suitcase had been left in Philadelphia - while I was in Syracuse Credit: Supplied In all my years of travelling, I'd never had a suitcase not turn up. Advertisement But then again, I had never taken a connecting flight before either. In saying that, I've travelled long enough to know that without fail, you should pack your travel 'essentials' in your hand luggage - and to me, that's your passport, travel documents, purse and keys. Now the word 'essentials' has a whole other meaning. Always pack at least a day's worth of clothes, maybe more if you can fit them in. Advertisement For any make-up wearers, pack that in there too. Luckily most of them are travel size by default like mascara and concealer, as for foundation, that can be decanted into a smaller container. Another essential is moisturiser, because we all know the air conditioning on the plane can be incredibly drying. Any contact lens and glasses wearers should pack both of those as well as a hairbrush and toothbrush. Also check if you can take a handbag as a personal item, if not fold one down and pop it inside along with your cards and cash if you want it. Advertisement You can argue I was being dramatic because my bag was delivered to the hotel at 6PM the following day and some remarked that it was the happiest reunion they'd ever seen. Flying back home I wasn't too bothered about what was in my hand luggage knowing I'd be reunited with the rest of my belongings by the end of the day. But still, disaster struck when I arrived in Heathrow and my suitcase had been delayed coming out of Chicago, talk about bad luck. Luckily, two hours later I saw my black and red suitcase come around the carousel and one thought struck me, I'll never pack hand luggage in the same way again. Advertisement A travel expert has revealed a way of fitting even more in your suitcase this summer. And Sun Travel reveals our favourite gamechanger travel items under £1 for both adults and kids. Hand luggage rules for UK airlines We've rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare. Ryanair One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm EasyJet One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm Jet2 One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg TUI One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg British Airways One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg Virgin Atlantic One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
I lost my bag twice on holiday – these are the very common packing mistakes I'll never make again
AS I WATCH an airport worker turn off the conveyor belt, my worst travel fear is realised - my suitcase hasn't arrived. Let's be real, it's not the end of the world, bags get misplaced all the time. The real disaster was what I neglected to pack in my hand luggage. 4 I will never pack hand luggage in the same way again Credit: Supplied 4 My recent trip to the USA was derailed by a missing cabin bag Credit: Supplied I had arrived in Syracuse for a week-long journey across New York State, my bag however, was still in After filling in a form about my missing suitcase and being told it 'happens all the time', I wearily trudged back to my hotel room. Knowing that I didn't bother to put the basics in my hand luggage when I left for the airport almost 12 hours ago, I almost didn't want to open it. Deodorant, hand sanitiser, Chapstick, a jumper, a book, my passport, purse and house keys were all I had. Read More on Packing Tips Heading downstairs to the hotel reception, I explained the situation and they handed over some essentials - it seemed like I wasn't the first person on this day to have their bag misplaced. Returning to the room, I was armed with a small plastic toothbrush, toothpaste sachets and makeup wipes. I felt a bit better about the situation, until the following morning. With a full day of exploring ahead of me and a packed schedule, I had no time to pick up anything at the local shops - including clothes and clean underwear. Most read in News Travel It was a horrible feeling having to don the slouchy clothes I'd worn on my twelve-hour train and plane journey to the States for another whole day. Luckily, I had group members come to my aid, some offered make-up and moisturiser, one lent me her tiny travel hairbrush which did the trick. The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot shares her top tips when flying hand luggage only 4 My suitcase had been left in Philadelphia - while I was in Syracuse Credit: Supplied In all my years of travelling, I'd never had a suitcase not turn up. But then again, I had never taken a connecting flight before either. In saying that, I've travelled long enough to know that without fail , you should pack your travel 'essentials' in your hand luggage - and to me, that's your passport, travel documents, purse and keys. Now the word 'essentials' has a whole other meaning. Always pack at least a day's worth of clothes, maybe more if you can fit them in. For any make-up wearers, pack that in there too. Luckily most of them are travel size by default like mascara and concealer, as for foundation, that can be decanted into a smaller container. Another essential is moisturiser, because we all know the air conditioning on the plane can be incredibly drying. Any contact lens and glasses wearers should pack both of those as well as a hairbrush and toothbrush. Also check if you can take a handbag as a personal item, if not fold one down and pop it inside along with your cards and cash if you want it. You can argue I was being dramatic because my bag was delivered to the hotel at 6PM the following day and some remarked that it was the happiest reunion they'd ever seen. Flying back home I wasn't too bothered about what was in my hand luggage knowing I'd be reunited with the rest of my belongings by the end of the day. But still, disaster struck when I arrived in Heathrow and my suitcase had been delayed coming out of Chicago, talk about bad luck. Luckily, two hours later I saw my black and red suitcase come around the carousel and one thought struck me, I'll never pack hand luggage in the same way again. A travel expert has And Sun Travel Hand luggage rules for UK airlines We've rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare. Ryanair EasyJet Jet2 One personal TUI One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg British Airways One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg Virgin Atlantic One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg 4 I wasn't too happy to wear my plane clothes two days in a row Credit: Supplied
Scottish Sun
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I visited the cheap African holiday island that feels like Mykonos and Santorini with new easyJet flights
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TRAILING vibrant pink bougainvillaea frames white-washed buildings, spilling across blue window shutters and doors. A confetti of tiny petals drifts in the breeze, dancing along the narrow, cobbled streets. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 The small town of Erriadh sits at the centre of the island of Djerba, just off the south coast of Tunisia Credit: Getty 8 Hotels line the soft white-sand beaches on the island's north coast Credit: Shutterstock 8 Houmt Souk's pedestrianised streets are lined with shops and restaurants Credit: Getty Around every corner comes another eye-catching piece of technicolour street art. The walls and doors of the sleepy paths are a quirky, open-air gallery. The resemblance to the alleyways of Mykonos and Santorini is striking and my arty stroll ends at a small cafe under a sprawling canopy of trees in a sunlit square. But when I tell you a small cup of strong coffee here costs 25p, you'll know I am nowhere near the trendy Greek isles. The small town of Erriadh sits at the centre of the island of Djerba —which was used as a filming location for Star Wars — just off the south coast of Tunisia. And at its heart is Djerbahood, the passion project of a famous French art gallery owner who convinced some of the world's best street artists to travel to Djerba, and its inhabitants to allow their walls to be daubed. Now, more than 250 murals and sculptures have transformed the heart of the neighbourhood. Relatively undiscovered by us Brits, Djerba is a great-value option for those looking to explore beyond the Med favourites. Low-cost giant easyJet has launched year-round flights to the island from both London Luton and Manchester, with fares from just £115 return, and easyJet holidays has packages from just £373pp. The island's compact size means it's easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences. Sizzling in summer, temperatures remain high all the way through to November and rarely dip below the 20Cs, even in the depths of winter, making it ideal for out-of-season sunshine. Five stunning, little-known holiday destinations Hotels line the soft white-sand beaches on the island's north coast, including our base, the 5H Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso. The resorts' vast pool, surrounded by loungers and cabanas, leads down to small sand dunes and a broad stretch of sparkling white sands dotted with straw parasols. Its contemporary rooms are spacious and bright, with marble-clad bathrooms and balconies or terraces to soak up that sunshine. 8 The Sun's Lisa Minot exploring Credit: Supplied 8 The fortress of Borj El Kebir has been protecting the island's inhabitants from invading armies since the 13th century Credit: Getty 8 Our base, the 5-star Radisson Blu Palace Resort & Thalasso Credit: Supplied With four restaurants, three bars and the biggest Thalasso spa on the island, you could be forgiven for not straying far. But the island's compact size means it's easy to explore its intoxicating mix of North African heritage and Mediterranean influences. Troglodyte dwellings In the island's capital Houmt Souk on the north coast, the minarets of mosques sit alongside the St Joseph's Catholic church. Jutting out on a headland surrounded by the Mediterranean sea, the fortress of Borj El Kebir has been protecting the island's inhabitants from invading armies since the 13th century. Today you can explore the impressive fortifications and admire the stunning sea views from its now thankfully peaceful ramparts. Houmt Souk's pedestrianised streets lined with shops and restaurants lead on to covered souks and a spice market, as well as a rather less fragrant fish market. There's plenty of opportunities for a bit of souvenir shopping, from local handi-crafts and clothes, to Pottery Square where you can buy colourful ceramics from just £2 with a little haggling. If you're in need of sustenance after all that shopping, look no further than El Fondouk. This fabulous conversion of an 18th-century caravanserai, or travellers' inn, is open daily for morning coffees and pastries in its sun-soaked courtyard – then fresh seafood with couscous, fish curries and meaty kebabs at lunch and dinner. Prices are also excellent given the quality, with main dishes from £8 to £12. Also worth a trip out from the excellent restaurants back at the hotel was Haroun, in the nearby marina. Its outside terrace comes in the form of an actual ship's deck, complete with rigging and ropes, and is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun sets. Inside, the dishes coming out of the kitchen include traditional Tunisian specialities such as brik — crispy filo pastry parcels filled with meat or fish — as well as fried calamari and fresh fish. Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise. Again, prices are very competitive, with main courses from £13.50. And while Djerba has more than enough to keep a holidaymaker happy for a week, it would be a shame to come this far and not head over on to the mainland and into a galaxy far, far away. EasyJet has multiple tours you can take from Djerba, over the ancient Roman Road that crosses the sea to southern Tunisia. The centuries-old causeway is essentially a bridge, and as you travel the five miles you're rewarded with stunning views of shimmering waters on both sides. As you travel through the arid desert landscapes of the mainland, huge rock formations rise dramatically from the flat plains. The rugged mountains are home to the Berber people, and at Chenini we peek into the unique troglodyte dwellings carved into the rocky hillsides and admire the palm trees and olive trees growing around the oasis by the Chenini Canyon. 8 Strolling the streets of Tataouine, you can easily see how George Lucas was inspired to use the location for Star Wars Credit: Getty 8 Fans can visit locations from smash-hit franchise Star Wars Credit: Rex Strolling the streets of Tataouine, you can easily see how George Lucas was inspired to use the location for Star Wars. Luke Skywalker grew up in a troglodyte home in Tatooine (get it!) and you can visit locations from the smash-hit franchise on the tour, including the Hotel Sidi Idriss and Ksar Hadada, an other-worldly Berber granary store that served as a key setting in The Phantom Menace. LISA MINOT
