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'Fascinating' European city is 'too hot' to visit, experts warn

'Fascinating' European city is 'too hot' to visit, experts warn

Daily Mirror2 days ago
When it comes to holidays, most of us want sunshine - but it can sometimes be too much of a good thing. Which? has revealed the European city that's just too hot to visit
We all fancy a bit of sunshine, but when it's baking hot, it can get a tad uncomfortable. While this scorching weather is a rarity on our British shores, the sizzling temperatures are more common when you're off on your holidays in certain parts of Europe.
Sun-soaked spots like Spain, France, and the wider Mediterranean regions are feeling the burn of intense heatwaves that have become increasingly common these past few years.

However, there's one city that's often a lot warmer than the rest, with experts suggesting it might be 'too hot' for a comfortable visit.

The experts at consumer watchdog Which? have been scouring data to find the hottest holiday destinations we could face in 2025, and Nicosia in Cyprus has taken the top spot.
The pros delved into last summer's mercury readings across a list of over 50 beloved tourist spots, homing in on how often they sizzled higher than 36C, reports the Express.

They warned: "If it stays above 30C overnight, our bodies can't rest and recover from the day's heat."
And it turns out Nicosia is the real scorcher. Last July, the Cypriot capital was basking in temperatures exceeding 35C for an eye-watering 28 days.

If you're jetting off to Cyprus for your holiday, odds are Nicosia isn't your final stop – usually, it's just a day-trip detour from the coastal retreats.
Even Ayia Napa, the renowned party paradise, gets a bit of respite – experiencing half the number of blistering 35C-plus days within that same month.
However, further down the south-west coast is Paphos - a destination that experts have labelled as 'much cooler' and 'better for a summer break'. So if you're keen for a Greek holiday this year, this could be a more comfortable choice.
What are the hottest places to visit in Europe?
As well as Nicosia, the experts highlighted Alentejo in Portugal as another sweltering spot. This region between Lisbon and the Algarve had more days above 35C than the Costa del Sol in July and August 2024.
Other very hot cities to be wary of included:
Corfu, Greece
Bodrum, Turkey
Izmir, Turkey
Extremadura, Spain
Rome, Italy
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The six poshest pickleball courts to play on
The six poshest pickleball courts to play on

Times

time2 hours ago

  • Times

The six poshest pickleball courts to play on

Once dismissed as a mere child's pastime in northwest America during the Sixties, pickleball has become increasingly popular recently. Participation has soared since its post-pandemic boom circa 2022, with celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney among its fan base. Pickleball has been described as a hybrid of numerous racket sports, such as tennis, badminton, padel and ping pong. The director of spa and fitness at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Bermuda, Menique De La Rosa, explained: 'Pickleball is played on a badminton-sized court with a modified tennis net. It's played in single or doubles, with players using paddles similar to the bats in table tennis to hit a plastic ball over the net. While padel is played on an enclosed court with walls that players use to bounce the ball, pickleball is played on an open court without walls.' • Rollercoasters, arcade games and giant slides — I've found the most fun-packed cruise ship De La Rosa believes the main reason pickleball has grown in popularity is because it is a low-impact sport that is 'easy' to learn, which is appealing to all fitness abilities and ages. With this in mind, it's unsurprising that luxury resorts across the globe are capitalising on the boom, integrating pickleball courts, fitness retreats, coaching programmes and private clinics into their offerings. From the Maldives to the Mediterranean, here are the poshest places to play, and be seen playing, pickleball all year. Situated in the north Male Atoll, Kagi Maldives is home to the first dedicated pickleball court in the Maldives. Just take a 15-minute seaplane or 60-minute boat transfer from Velana International airport and you can set to work perfecting your pickleball skills. Kagi's all-weather court is available for guests to use all year for free. Arrange your own match with fellow guests or book lessons to sharpen your backhand. Afterwards guests can relax at the overwater Baani Spa, which is the largest in the archipelago, dine across four on-site restaurants or toast your triumph with a nightcap at the trio of bars. With roots in the 1920s, this heritage resort offers members exclusive access to the award-winning Sonoma Golf Club, its tennis and pickleball facilities, as well as the high-tech gym. Reserve a court to play one-on-one or friendly doubles using the complimentary rackets or book drop-in drills, a private lesson or group clinic with a resident professional. Relax post-match in the renovated 40,000 sq ft spa powered by natural thermal waters. As Fairmont Sonoma is located in the famous Sonoma wine region it is worth bookmarking a trip to a vineyard. Better yet, sample the finest vintages on the resort's Vintner Member Programme after a farm-to-table feast at the Clubhouse Grill Restaurant. • Outdoor courts and influencers — a whole new ballgame for squash Hamilton Princess renovated its facilities in 2023 to incorporate four pickleball courts into the tennis courts. These can be found at the Princess Beach Club on a private cove in Sinky Bay, located just a 20-minute Jitney drive from the main resort. The pink and blue courts are apt considering the resort's candy-coloured exterior, which has affectionately earned it the nickname the Pink Palace. The equipment and courts are available to use daily between 10am and 5pm, all free of charge. Guests can also book lessons with the on-site pickleball professional. Enjoy a post-pickleball aperitif at the Beach Club Kitchen or a lunchtime snack at the Duchess Café and Gelateria. Come dinner, choose between locally sourced surf and turf at Intrepid restaurant, the relaxed ambience at the Crown and Anchor or fine dining at 1609 Bar and Restaurant with sunset views of Hamilton Harbour. This exclusive luxury hideaway on Crete's northern coast opened its first pickleball court in May 2024 at its Racquet Club, which also has two tennis courts and a padel court. Guests of all ages and abilities can book the pickleball one for €40 per hour. If you wish to hone your forehand, guests can sign up to private sessions for €90 per hour or a complimentary 60-minute group clinic with the on-site coach, which is available from May to October. Off the court, Elounda Peninsula boasts an immense 420 sq ft pool overlooking a blue flag private sandy beach, a Six Senses Spa and four dining restaurants, including Elies Beach House, where the menu has been curated by the nutritionist and bestselling author Emily English. • Paris elite are hooked on sweet science of boxing This prestigious eco-friendly resort boasts eight courts — two of which are dedicated to pickleball. One-on-one pickleball lessons, as well as private family sessions, can be booked at a cost ($100 for a 30-minute tuition or $200 for 60 minutes). However, the professional coaching clinics are only available Tuesdays to Friday from 10 to 11am or 4 to 5pm. Off-court activities include sailing lessons, a two-night sea-scape on a luxury catamaran or snorkelling along the half-mile wilderness beach, which is one of the world's best beaches. Alternatively, book a soap-making masterclass, enjoy a spa visit or have a Caribbean feast at six on-site restaurants. Tucked beside an 18,000-acre nature reserve, Amanyara offers a private sanctuary to hone your pickleball technique. Its pickleball court — introduced in 2019 — joins the resort's four clay Har-Tru tennis courts, football pitch, comprehensive fitness centre, as well as Pilates, boxing and yoga studios. The Amanyara Legends Programme invites elite athletes, such as Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova, to lead exclusive retreats, while the pickleball professional Wes Burrows will helm an expert clinic in November. Although court access is complimentary for guests, coaching sessions start from $185 per hour — an investment if you're determined to win Amanyara's Pickleball Tournament. Elsewhere, explore the tropical landscape on a private eco-tour of the Northwest Point National Park, take to the waters on a paddleboard, kiteboard, kayak or Hobie Cat, or de-stress at one of the spa's four pavilions. Hungry pickleballers can enjoy the Asian-inspired menu at the Restaurant, a Mediterranean-centric menu at the Beach Club or the Bar's all-day dining. Private dining is also available.

Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner
Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner

North Wales Live

time2 hours ago

  • North Wales Live

Holiday park voted worst in UK as Center Parcs, Haven and Butlins all rank lower than winner

A survey has unveiled the top and bottom UK holiday parks for 2025, with household names like Haven and Center Parcs being outshone by smaller operators. The survey gathered insights from 1,700 Which? members who rated their stays at various UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants evaluated aspects such as park cleanliness, accommodation quality, the range of free activities available, and the overall value for money of their trip. Leading the pack with the highest "customer score" was Potters Resorts, known for its all-inclusive holidays at two locations in Essex and Norfolk. Although predominantly an adults-only destination, Potters welcomes children during the summer holidays in Norfolk. It achieved a stellar 87% customer score, earning five stars for both facility and accommodation quality, and a perfect score for the diversity of complimentary activities. Despite being the priciest option in the Which? survey, Potters' cost includes all meals and beverages, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and 'West End' standard evening entertainment, which earned the resort a four-star rating for value for money. Forest Holidays secured the second spot, with an overall customer score of 80%. The brand boasts eight parks in England, three in Scotland, and two in Wales, offering rural locations and unique accommodation such as log cabins and treehouses. Customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although they only awarded three-stars for value for money. Another top performer was Bluestone Wales, nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone provides luxury lodges and cottages, also earning high marks for the quality of accommodation on offer — go here to read what one visitor who drove 2.5 hours to stay there thought. While they scored well for the variety of children's activities available and the entertainment, they also received a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. Pontins found themselves at the bottom of the chart once again, having also come last in 2024. The brand currently has just one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to accommodate construction workers. It closed its site in Prestatyn in 2023. With 56% for customer satisfaction, Pontins earned just two-stars in most areas and, despite being the cheapest option, customers still felt they received poor value for money. In a scathing Tripadvisor review, one customer didn't hold back about their Pakefield park experience, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible mattress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor." Another visitor expressed dissatisfaction, noting: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." Not all feedback was negative, as some holidaymakers enjoyed their stay, with one reviewer commenting: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!" Entertainment at Pontins also received commendations, with a guest remarking: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." Largo Leisure Parks, which operates six parks in Scotland, found itself at the lower end of the satisfaction scale with a score of 64%. It should be noted, however, that this rating was based on a relatively small sample size of just 30 respondents who had visited their parks. A spokesperson for Largo Leisure commented: "Whilst this is of course disappointing, this relates to only 30 people who were surveyed about Largo Leisure over 12 months ago. On both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, where we have thousands of reviews for each of our six Scotland holiday parks, all of them are rated 4.3 or above out of 5. "We regularly get 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews and we would encourage people to take a look on both to see a true reflection of the guest experiences at our parks. We are very proud of our track record for providing exceptional holidays for our guests but we never stop trying to improve. We are enjoying a busy year across all our parks and if people read the online reviews they will see why." Meanwhile, Away Resorts scored similarly. It operates 25 parks in locations such as the popular south-west of England and the Isle of Wight. Away Resorts received just two stars for value for money, in spite of offering a broad selection of accommodation including caravans, glamping options, and luxury lodges. The company also had unsatisfactory ratings in customer service but earned three stars for cleanliness and accommodation quality. Center Parcs, the most popular holiday park provider in the survey, scored 69%, putting it on par with Haven. Despite high scores for its facilities and accommodation quality, it received lower marks for the range of complimentary activities and overall value for money. It was the third priciest on the list, following Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, who cater to adults-only breaks. A Which? member commented: "Very expensive for what it is. Accommodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, with 38 parks across the UK, matched Center Parcs' score, although they did receive three stars for value for money. Which? readers awarded them two-star ratings for food and drink and the variety of free activities available. You can read what one mum thought of Haven here. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked Provider Customer Score Potters Resorts 87% Forest Holidays 80% Bluestone Wales 77% John Fowler Holiday Parks 77% Hoburne Holidays 75% Hoseasons 74% Waterside Holiday Group 74% Warner Leisure Villages 71% Centerparcs 69% Haven Holiday Parks 69% Parkdean Resorts 68% Butlins 67% Park Holidays UK 66% Away Resorts 64% Largo Leisure Parks 64% Pontins 56%

Best and worst holiday parks in the UK revealed with Scottish locations at top and bottom of list
Best and worst holiday parks in the UK revealed with Scottish locations at top and bottom of list

Daily Record

time2 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Best and worst holiday parks in the UK revealed with Scottish locations at top and bottom of list

A new survey by Which? has revealed the best and worst holiday parks in the UK, and Scottish parks were among the winners A Which? survey has uncovered the top and bottom holiday parks in the UK for 2025, and some Scottish locations have topped the list. The research involved 1,700 Which? members who shared their feedback on various UK holiday parks and resorts. Participants rated aspects such as park cleanliness, accommodation quality, the range of free activities available, and the overall value for money of their stay. ‌ Taking second place in the rankings was Forest Holidays, with an 80% positive score. Forest Holidays have three locations in Scotland: Ardgartan Argyll on Loch Long, Glentress Forest near Edinburgh, and Strathyre, Ben Ledi. ‌ The company also have eight parks in England and two in Wales, offering rural settings and unique accommodation options like log cabins and treehouses. Forest Holidays customers praised the quality of the accommodation and cleanliness, although it only received a three-star rating for value for money. They were beaten to first place by Potters Resorts, known for its all-inclusive breaks at two locations in Essex and Norfolk. Predominantly an adults-only destination, Potters does welcome children during the summer holidays in Norfolk. It achieved a stellar 87% customer score, earning five stars for both facility and accommodation quality, and a flawless rating for the wide range of free activities. Despite being the priciest option in the Which? survey, Potters' cost covers all meals and beverages, a variety of activities from pickleball to archery, and 'West End' standard evening shows, securing the resort a four-star evaluation for value for money. ‌ Bluestone Wales also emerged as a top choice, nestled in the scenic Pembrokeshire. Bluestone provides luxury lodges and cottages, earning high marks for the quality of accommodation available. While they scored well for the range of children's activities and entertainment provided, they also received a three-star rating for value for money, resulting in an overall score of 77%. ‌ At the bottom end of the rankings was Largo Leisure Parks, with six parks in Scotland, scoring 64%. However, they had one of the lowest sample sizes in the survey of just 30 people. A spokesperson for Largo Leisure said: "Whilst this is of course disappointing, this relates to only 30 people who were surveyed about Largo Leisure over 12 months ago. On both TripAdvisor and Google Reviews, where we have thousands of reviews for each of our six Scotland holiday parks, all of them are rated 4.3 or above out of 5. "We regularly get 5 star reviews on both TripAdvisor and Google reviews and we would encourage people to take a look on both to see a true reflection of the guest experiences at our parks. ‌ "We are very proud of our track record for providing exceptional holidays for our guests but we never stop trying to improve. We are enjoying a busy year across all our parks and if people read the online reviews they will see why.", they added. Pontins found itself at the bottom of the list once again, having also ranked last in 2024. The brand currently has just one holiday park open to guests, the adults-only Sand Bay Holiday Village in Weston-Super-Mare. ‌ Their other two parks in Burnham on Sea, Somerset and Pakefield, Suffolk are temporarily closed to accommodate construction workers. With a mere 56% customer satisfaction score, Pontins earned just two stars in most categories and, despite being the most affordable option, customers still felt they were not getting good value for their money. In a scathing Tripadvisor critique of Pakefield, one visitor did not mince words, stating: "Worst place I have ever visited, chalet was old unkempt and dirty, holes in sheets, beds pushed together with terrible matress and pillows, to shower you had to keep pushing a button in, it leaked all over the floor". ‌ Another disgruntled guest complained about the state of their accommodation: "Rooms are shabby and quite dirty. Dirt on the baseboards, cobwebs in the corners and behind doors, our shower curtain had pink mold growing along the bottom seam, clearly not laundered between guests." On the flip side, some holidaymakers enjoyed their Pontins experience, evidenced by one review which read: "We went beginning of October had a brilliant week! Food was great, swimming pool was really good and for the price you really can't get any better!". Entertainment at the parks also received applause, as another reviewer shared: "The Bluecoats show Vegas was amazing! They are all so talented and are always doing some activity or joining in on the dance floor and having a laugh or chatting with people." ‌ Away Resorts, sharing the same percentage, runs 25 parks across the UK, including two in Scotland. Away Resorts received a modest two-star rating for value for money, despite its broad selection of lodgings ranging from caravans and glamping to high-end lodges. The company also fared poorly in customer service but managed to secure three stars for both cleanliness and the quality of their accommodation. ‌ Center Parcs emerged as the survey's most popular holiday park provider, garnering a 69% satisfaction rate, placing it on par with Haven. It was praised for the quality of its facilities and lodgings, yet it didn't fare as well when it came to the range of complimentary activities and overall value for money. Ranking as the third priciest option, the only other parks that were more expensive where Potters and Warner Leisure Villages, which caters exclusively to adults. A Which? member said: "Very expensive for what it is. Accomodation excellent, apart from the oasis pool, everything was extra. Staff were very helpful and the children enjoyed their stay. I will not be going back." Haven, boasting 38 parks throughout the UK, matched Center Parcs with a 69% score, earning three stars for value for money. However, Which? subscribers awarded them a mere two stars for both food and drink and the assortment of free activities available. Best and worst holiday parks in the UK - ranked

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