Travel Review: The wonder of space shows there's more to Florida than Disney
It's no secret that the Sunshine State is renowned for kids' activities galore, but after a few days living out dreams of chats with astronauts, all-American mansions and rocket launches, a completely new Floridian world opened up for me.
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Disney and Universal dethroned as top theme parks
In a big win for a small-town Tennessee treasure, Dollywood has been crowned the best amusement park in the US for the second year in a row. TripAdvisor's annual list , based on thousands of traveler reviews, ranks Dollywood above giants like Disney's Magic Kingdom and Universal's Islands of Adventure. But despite Disney's enormous crowds — the Orlando parks draw up to 58 million guests a year, compared to Dollywood's 3 million — it was the Smoky Mountains park that won visitors' hearts. Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania jumped from eighth to third place, followed by Universal's Islands of Adventure, Fun Spot America, and Silver Dollar City. Whale's Tale Waterpark in New Hampshire cracked the top 10, nudging out Busch Gardens. TripAdvisor reviewers praised Dollywood not only for its rides but for its warmth, affordability, and charm. One visitor described it as 'a place to celebrate Dolly Parton's life,' blending Southern hospitality with thrill rides and family fun. Tickets to Dollywood range from $92 to $132, with water park access available for an additional $10. Meanwhile, some Disney fans are pushing back against the rankings — and recent park changes. Gavin Doyle, founder of Disney news site called Disneyland 'the most charming and impressive theme park resort in the US,' and questioned why it didn't make the top list. 'Dollywood is a great small theme park... but Walt Disney World delivers a great vacation experience at impressive scale,' he told Daily Mail. Meanwhile, Forbes also named Dollywood the top US employer for women, based on surveys of more than 140,000 women across large companies. 'We are proud of the ways we've empowered women across our organization — from leadership development to flexible scheduling and mentorship programs,' said Dollywood vice president of human resources Susan Loveday. Disney has faced criticism for high prices and the axing of rides. One guest was furious after paying $1,394.91 for a 'bargain' day out at Disney with his family of four. Fans also criticised the park for its decision to replace Star Wars: Launch Bay with a new experience called The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios. Fans have also been grieving the loss of the Muppet Vision 3D show and the removal of Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland .
Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited every country in world and one surprise nation was hardest to get visa for'
A YouTuber who says he has travelled to every country has revealed how he had to spend thousands going to one place after the task of getting a Visa proved exceptionally difficult A YouTuber who claims to have travelled to "all 197 countries in the world" has revealed which nation was the toughest to obtain a visa for. In recent years, American travel vlogger Drew Binsky has built up a following of over five millions subscribers and millions of views as he documents his travels across all corners of the globe. In one of his latest videos, he shared the five countries he has found hardest to be granted a visa for. As he reflected on some of his earlier trips, he revealed that four of the five most difficult countries to gain access too were Iran, Eritrea, Syria and Venezuela. He went on to disclose that it was Libya in North Africa that was the hardest to enter, he said that the "whole process was so confusing" and that it gave him "so much anxiety". Saying that they don't grant tourist visas, he said that if you do want to visit for a holiday then you will have to opt for a business visa. In order to get the business visa, he said that he had two options, either to go to the Libyan embassy in Washington, DC, USA or take a trip to Rome, Italy. Having opted for the latter, he chose to pay $500 (£375.72) to shorten his wait for the visa from a maximum of 14 days to a shorter period that ended up being five business days. After finally making it to Libya for a three-day break, he said that the entire expedition, with the visa and his flights to Rome included, set him back by nearly $5,000 (£3,756.97). While forking out the huge amount for the trip, he said: "That's just part of the process, if you want to visit every country that's what you have to do for Libya, all the land borders are closed you have to fly in and have to get it that way and it takes forever, and it's annoying." Despite the eye-watering cost for such a short visit, he said that he was "super happy" to have made the "awesome" trip. While there are four different types of visa available, the two that Drew referenced were a tourist/visitor and a business visa. Although the rules differ depending on which country you're travelling too, a visitor visa grants people to temporarily visit a country for tourism, visiting family and friends, and some other activities that are also allowed. However, a business visa differs somewhat in that foreign nationals must be visiting in order to carry out business activities including going to meetings or conferences. The exact rules on what constitutes as business activities can vary from country to country.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
'Enchanting' French beach town with 'fairytale' castle tourists don't know about
'Enchanting' French beach town with 'fairytale' castle tourists don't know about This charming town in southern France boasts beautiful scenery, plenty of history, a quaint town centre and a fantastic beach front - but not many people know about it There is beautiful hidden gem in the south of France that isn't well-known by tourists (stock image) (Image: Getty Images) Holidays provide a fantastic chance to escape the daily grind and indulge in some fun. While we all have our favourite destinations, it's always exciting to discover new places and immerse ourselves in different cultures when travelling abroad. Tourist hotspots are often on many people's wish lists, but sometimes stunning hidden treasures can be overlooked. This remarkable European coastal town is said to be well worth a visit - and it's not widely known. The delightful town of Collioure in southern France offers breathtaking scenery, a rich history, a charming town centre, and an impressive beach front. It provides ample opportunity for relaxation while offering plenty to see and do. Visitors frequently explore the Château Royal de Collioure, Fort Saint-Elme, and the bell tower of the Notre-Dame-des-Anges Church, while others gather near the marina. Enjoy the vibrant fishing boats and colourful houses as you wander along the harbour. Absorb the scenic sea views, pause for lunch with some fresh fish, and round off your day with a visit to a hidden vineyard. The enchanting town showcases a blend of French and Spanish architectural influences, which is hardly surprising. Situated on the Spanish border with strong cultural links to Catalonia, it's just two hours from Barcelona and three hours from Nice. An American woman called Maddie has relocated to France and has been documenting her experiences of various regions she's visited. The travel enthusiast, who resides in Paris, cannot praise Collioure highly enough. Following a TikTok video highlighting the town's splendour, Maddie remarked: "This south of France hidden gem feels like being transported into a fairytale. Just a two-hour drive from Barcelona and about three hours from Nice, this seaside town of Collioure is one of the most enchanting places I've ever been." She continued: "It's a vibrant mix of French and Spanish culture. You can really see its Catalan routes in the architecture and the food and the colours. You can spend your days here strolling the beautiful cobblestone streets, swimming in crystal clear blue water, enjoying some fresh seafood overlooking the medieval castle, visiting local art galleries, and shopping at locally owned boutiques." Content cannot be displayed without consent She described the destination as "so quiet, romantic and under the radar". Responding to Maddie's clip, one person wrote: "Such an underrated spot! "Omg just put it on my list," remarked another delighted viewer. "Adding to my list for next summer," declared yet another. A further comment read: "Excellent video. I enjoyed visiting there last year." How to get there You can reach Collioure by travelling to London and then taking the Eurostar from St Pancras to Paris before connecting to a domestic train service. Article continues below If you prefer to fly - and wish to arrive faster - you can take a flight to Perpignan-Rivesaltes or Girona-Costa Brava Airports, before getting a train or hiring a car for your onward travel. Usually this will involve a stopover in Paris. To avoid a stopover, consider flying to Nice or Barcelona and hiring a car or catching local trains.
