Tui launch day trip to Finland's Lapland despite climate concerns
Priced from £750 per person, the package includes return flights with in-flight meals (full English breakfast and Christmas dinner), thermal clothing, a hot lunch, and activities like reindeer sleigh rides and husky adventures.
These festive trips are scheduled between 5 and 23 December, departing from 11 UK airports as part of Tui's Winter 2026 programme.
Anna Hughes, director of Flight Free UK, criticised the extreme day trips, expressing concern over their environmental impact due to increased flight emissions.
Hughes noted that such trips contribute to climate change, directly affecting Lapland's snowfall, and suggested sleeper trains as a more sustainable alternative for similar experiences.
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
I visited Greece's biggest island with olive oil shots, TUI hotels and restaurants with free desserts
The five-star hotel had cooking classes and even a wine tasting EXTRA VIRGIN I visited Greece's biggest island with olive oil shots, TUI hotels and restaurants with free desserts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) I KNOCK back my glass, swirling the golden liquid around in my mouth before swallowing. It tastes very smooth at first, then comes a subtle bitterness that catches the back of the throat as it slides down — this is a sign of a high quality extra virgin olive oil, I'm told. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Hersonissos in the north of Crete, Greece Credit: Getty 7 Relax with a gong bathing session on floating aqua boards Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied I'm not surprised it's so good. After all, I am standing in the birthplace of Greek olive oil: Crete. And this balmy island produces some of the finest in the world. I'd booked my excursion through National Geographic, which offers small guided tours to the family-run Agno. The business owns thousands of trees spread across 40 different sites, where olives are hand-picked and processed into oil in less than six hours, ensuring the freshest, highest-quality product possible. Unsurprisingly, their oil has been awarded first prize by the International Extra Virgin Olive Oil organisation — which is a bit like winning the Champions League, but for salad dressing. Nearly 900,000 Brits holidayed in Crete last year, sampling its mix of Mediterranean cuisine, history and culture — and much of it is fantastic value. During my visit, I enjoyed a delicious three-course meal with wine for just £19 per head and stayed in a five-star hotel which, including flights, set me back a breezy £855 for a week all-inclusive. I was staying at the TUI Blue Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel which caters for both lazy sun-worshippers and holidaymakers who demand an endless choice of stimulating activities. The sprawling property has wine tasting and cooking demonstrations along with fitness and wellness classes, enabling guests to burn off calories just as easily as piling them on. I embraced it all from day one, kicking off my holiday with a gong bathing session. I was instructed to wear swim shorts and head to the pool area, where floating aqua boards were awaiting. Secret hack for free dessert Laying down on the board, I shut my eyes while the instructor at the edge of the pool softly banged the gong, lulling me into a 45-minute slumber. Martin Lewis warns about strict passport rule that could see you board your flight - only to get sent home on arrival Yes, it may sound silly, but the experience was pure bliss. I've never felt such profound relaxation. Juicy lamb chops The following day, still in a sleepy state, I was reluctantly dragged (or not) to a wine tasting session, another activity on the Tui Blue programme. I learned how wine making in Crete dates back thousands of years, with producers now selling their product around the world. My favourite was Viavano Gavalas — a white wine using a grape that can only be found in Crete. It's aged in oak barrels and has a smooth, creamy flavour which goes well with meat and fish. You can pick a bottle up online for as little as £10. I also had the privilege of attending a cooking class while I was here, accompanied by one of the hotel's chefs who hails from Crete. We learned how to create some classic Greek dishes including tzatziki, a yoghurt mezze dish that pairs well with practically everything and is a staple of the country's cuisine. The dish is made by mixing shredded cucumber, crushed garlic, fresh herbs and salt in yogurt before adding red wine vinegar and olive oil. If you're not into cooking your own food, the hotel's all-inclusive package includes access to two buffet restaurants as well as its Oregano Greek Tavern and a Tex Mex joint. After taking advantage of all the excellent dishes, I was feeling even more grateful for my swim-up suite, which enabled me to jump into the hotel's meandering pool straight from my balcony. I could have spent an entire week without leaving the Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel, but it was worth tearing myself away for a brief visit to Hersonissos, on the east side of the island and about 20 minutes' drive from the city of Heraklion. 7 The Sun's Mark Hodge surrounded by booze and corks during a wine tasting Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied 7 Tuck into traditional dishes at tavernas in the Old City Square Credit: Getty 7 The well equipped rooms at Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace Hotel Credit: christos drazos The pretty Old Town is an ideal place to spend a day, strolling in the historic streets flanked by old stone buildings and brimming with little restaurants serving properly authentic cuisine. I somehow found room in my second stomach for a meal at Sofas restaurant, where tables are spread across the bustling village square. On top of flavour-packed mezze dishes like vine leaves and fried squid, I tucked into juicy lamb chops and chicken kebabs barbecued to perfection. When the waiters asked about a third course, we waved our napkins like white flags, admitting surrender. But little did we know that in doing so, we had unlocked a secret Cretan dining hack: Free dessert. Without saying a word, the staff delivered a selection of puddings including a lemon tart topped with a blow-torched meringue as well as a chocolate, caramel and peanut pastry. Apparently it's a common tradition across the island — a bit like the limoncello shots dished out for free in Italy. Best of all, this hearty meal set us back only £38pp. What a bargain. After a week in Crete, my stomach really was ready to surrender. But this time, my napkin remained firmly in my lap. GO: CRETE STAYING/GETTING THERE: Seven nights' all-inclusive at the 5H TUI BLUE Sensatori Atlantica Caldera Palace is from £843.58pp, including flights from Birmingham on October 16 or from £1,206pp including flights from East Midlands on August 28. See National Geographic tours can be booked through TUI Musement. A western Crete with winery and olive oil tour costs from £59 per adult and £30 per child. See 7 Mark enjoys a cooking lesson at the hotel Credit: Mark Hodge/Supplied
Times
a day ago
- Times
A Latvia city break for less than £400? Here's all you need to know
The Med's big cities are still sweltering and crowded in early September but Latvia's pretty, compact capital makes a lovely short break. Temperatures are in the early 20s for sweat-free sightseeing — ideal for wandering the medieval old town, enjoying riverside walks and urban parks or even heading to beaches within easy reach of the city centre. Plus, there's a clutch of industrial warehouses turned contemporary galleries, plenty of traditional cafés in which to sample Latvian cuisine, and a thriving craft beer scene. Three nights' room-only at the four-star Wellton Riverside Spa Hotel, including flights from Stansted with Ryanair, costs £324pp with Tui. An under-seat cabin bag is included, but you can add a 20kg suitcase for an extra £56 return. A taxi from the airport costs about £30, or you can take the No 22 bus to 11 Novembra Krastmala, about five minutes' walk from the hotel (£2; • Read our full guide to Latvia The hotel is in the Unesco-listed old town, with all its attractions and restaurants within walking distance. The central bus and train station are about a 15-minute stroll, allowing for easy day trips. The hotel has a smart, contemporary feel, with oatmeal rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, geometric carpets and all-white bathrooms. There's a cheerily decorated restaurant, a roof terrace overlooking the river, and the largest spa in the old town, which includes an indoor pool, a cedar steam bath and a beer ritual room for bathing in water infused with hops, malt and yeast. Start by sightseeing from the water with a boat trip around the old town's canals (£10; Then wander the cobbled squares and narrow alleyways, lined with gothic churches and pastel-coloured or art nouveau buildings, many of which were reconstructed after the fall of communism. St Peter's Church has a 57m-high observation deck for panoramic views over the red rooftops (£8; while the former cork factory, Zuzeum, houses the world's largest private collection of Latvian art (£10; Walk along the city walls to the 17th-century Swedish Gate, then discover the city's turbulent history at the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia (£7; and the KGB's former headquarters, the Corner House (£13; Stock up on picnic supplies at the riverside Riga Central Market — one of Europe's largest markets — originally used as a military airship hangar. Eat alongside locals at the central Bastejkalna Park, with its canal, sculptures and opera house, or hop on the No 11 tram to Mezaparks to enjoy the pine forest, walking trails and swimmable Lake Kisezers. Alternatively, the sandy Jurmala beach is half an hour away by train from Riga train station and has seafront restaurants, a wooden boardwalk and forested dunes (£2 each way; Spend your final evening in the city's Beer District, a 1.5-mile walking route linking ten craft breweries and gastropubs that offer more than 200 Latvian craft beers. • The most affordable European city breaks • Return Stansted-Riga flights, departing on September 7• Three nights' room-only at Wellton Riverside Spa Hotel ( Feeling flush? If you're inspired but you've got more cash to splash, you could try Located in a beautifully restored 17th -century building on a cobbled street in the old town, the five-star Dome hotel has 15 stylish rooms decorated in warm oak and soft neutral tones, with white-tiled bathrooms. Top-floor rooms have river views. There's a small spa with a Finnish sauna, a cigar lounge and a rooftop terrace open until October, with sweeping views of the Dome Cathedral. The fine-dining restaurant is Michelin-listed and serves a five or seven-course tasting menu of French-inspired dishes. Central Market, St Peter's Church and the city's best museums are all less than 15 minutes' walk away. Details Three nights' B&B from £746pp, including flights and private car transfers ( • Great European getaways for 2025 There's plenty of space to spread out at the boutique Neiburgs, which has 55 apartment-rooms in an ornate art nouveau-era property on a street next to the Dome Cathedral. Two-storey apartments have a Scandi-chic feel, with exposed wooden beams and white brick walls, parquet flooring, a tasteful palette of pale blues, charcoal greys and cream, and original graphic art by Katrina Neiburga. There's a living room and small kitchenette on one floor and a bedroom and bathroom on the other. All have either cathedral or old-town views. Downstairs there's a light-flooded library, a spa with a sauna, and a Michelin-recommended restaurant serving Latvian Three nights' B&B from £1,430pp, including flights ( • Best Baltic cruises
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Santa Claus village is melting in heatwave
The official home town of Father Christmas has been hit with a record-breaking heatwave, stoking fears that wildfires that have swept across Lapland will become more frequent. The Arctic city of Rovaniemi in northern Finland – usually associated with snow and the winter holidays – has been melting in the hot weather. Temperatures in Lapland, a region that crowns the tip of Norway and where it snows for seven months a year, have been hitting highs of 31C, more than 10C higher than the seasonal average. Ville Siiskonen, of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, said that while temperatures above 30C were unusual – 'a once in 10-year event' – the length of the heatwave was exceptional. 'For 15 consecutive days, the daily maximum temperature has exceeded 25C. This is the longest since records began in the early 1960s,' he told The Telegraph. The previous record was set in 1972 when a heatwave lasted 14 days. The extreme heat is expected to last till early next week. The highest temperature of the heatwave, 31.7C, was recorded at two locations, Ylitornio and Sodankylä, earlier this week. However, the hot weather has led to renewed concern over the fast pace of climate change in the Arctic, which is warming up to five times faster than the global average, according to the UN's intergovernmental panel on climate change. 'Due to climate change, these sorts of heatwaves in Lapland are expected to become longer and more intensive over this century,' Mr Siiskonen said. Emergency services have also been dealing with several dozen fast-spreading wildfires in the wilderness further north of Rovaniemi this week. Due to the size and remoteness of Lapland, fires often burn for long stretches before firefighters can arrive on the scene. Finnish authorities have warned the population that the risk of wildfires remains high. In Rovaniemi, schools and nurseries have cancelled some outdoor activities, authorities have told residents to check on their elderly neighbours and health officials are warning people of the need to stay hydrated. Despite the limited chaos, Sanna Kärkkäinen, managing director of Visit Rovaniemi, said that the heat has not affected the city's most popular tourist destination. 'The weather has certainly surprised locals and tourists,' she told The Telegraph, but the Santa Claus Village, where visitors can meet the man himself, 'remains open seven days a week'. Lapland's reindeer, with their thick coats, are suffering in the heat and are also being attacked by mosquitoes. The animals, which mostly roam freely, have been trying to move to higher ground or travel into villages or to the beach in search of relief. Toivo Koivu, a resident of Rovaniemi who has just finished travelling through southern Europe, said he was shocked to return to such heat. 'We thought that when we would come back to Finland it would be cooler, like normally, but no, it was the same weather as down south,' Mr Koivu told Reuters. It comes as other parts of Europe this summer have been gripped with heatwaves and wildfires. In June – which was the hottest June on record globally – authorities in Spain, Portugal, Greece and France were forced to issue extreme heat warnings as temperatures went above 42C.
