Latest news with #HelenWright
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
My ultimate budget travel checklist to save hundreds on flights: How to book low fares, skip seat fees & luggage charges
AS a travel writer and mum-of-two, I specialise in affordable travel for families, using the tips I pick up on my 12-plus trips abroad every year. It pays to be prepared, as a cheap Ryanair flight can easily run into the hundreds, if you don't know what you're doing. Advertisement 5 Travel writer Helen books trips abroad every month and knows how to get the best flight deals Credit: Helen Wright 5 Make sure you get the best deals when booking with a low-cost airline like Ryanair Credit: Getty I have managed to snap up some amazing deals, including flights to But budget airlines can sometimes sneak in hidden fees and costs or make check-in confusing, meaning you end up paying more than the advertised fee. I've picked up several smart Advertisement Plus, being clever when you travel can save you a lot of hassle, as well as money. So here's my cheap travel checklist to bag the best deals, find hidden budget airline fees, travel easier and not get ripped off on flights: Be flexible with your dates For some people, it's not always possible to be flexible with dates, especially if you need to travel around school holidays or over the weekend. But if you can have little bit of wiggle room on when you can travel, you can save hundreds, sometimes thousands on the same flight for a family of four. When looking for your flights, always search for the whole month and compare your chosen dates with others available around the same time, as sometimes the difference in price can be hundreds per person. Advertisement You can search for flights on a price-comparison website like Once, I was flying to the Flights on the days leading up to Thanksgiving, which is like Christmas in the USA, were almost £400 more per person. We shifted our trip by four days and saved £1,500 on the same trip. It's the same when there are festivals and big events in smaller cities like Milan and Advertisement The Sun's Travel Editor Lisa Minot's top picks for cheapest holiday destinations DON'T add a bag when you book a cheap flight This might be my favourite tip for anyone booking cheap flights with a budget airline. NEVER add a bag when you make your booking. When you book a flight with airlines like This is usually the size of a Before you complete the purchase, you'll be given the option to add bags. Advertisement On recent flights I booked to Made to look like the next cheapest option, it's advertised at £27.57, with the small print revealing this to be per person, each way. For a two day trip to By adding this option to add a bag, my 'cheap' flight to Italy would have gone from £170 for a family of four, to £390.56 - more than double the price! However, once the flights have been booked, you can go into your booking on the Advertisement One suitcase for a two night trip was more than enough for all of us and it cost me just £25.50 each way. We could still pack extra clothes and toiletries, but our family trip was only £221, saving almost £200. Bring the right bag 5 Make sure your bag is the correct size for your booking Credit: GETTY If you don't think you'll need a suitcase for your trip, booking the cheapest fare with an Just make sure you don't bring a bag that is bigger than the maximum size allowed, which on Ryanair is 40 x 20 x 25cm and on Advertisement Usually this is the size of an everyday backpack but get the tape out and make sure to include all wheels, handles or straps when you measure your bag. Every time I fly on a If your bag is too big when you get to the airport, you could be charged £48 each way on EasyJet and £70 each way on Ryanair - suddenly not such a cheap flight anymore. Be ready to book when flights go on sale If you can't be flexible with your flights or you want to travel at peak times, the cheapest way to book a flight on a budget airline is to be ready to book as soon as EasyJet Advertisement New flights are revealed between three and four times a year. Ryanair doesn't notify customers beforehand, but the airline does release seats around nine months in advance. So now is a great time to book February half term flights! If you are one of the first online to book seats when they are released, you can snap up the cheapest seats on the plane. But you need to be quick. Advertisement These seats can go up in price within two hours of being made available, so being online first thing in the morning is the best way to nab a deal. To be in the know, download the Ryanair app, join Print your boarding pass or use the airline app Always check-in before you arrive at the airport. On airlines like Ryanair and Always print out your boarding pass, download it to your phone or have it available on the app or you'll be slapped with a fine of £20 per person for them to be reissued when you get to the airport. 5 CHEAP airline tips Credit: Helen Wright Advertisement I don't pay extra for seats but I've never been sat separately from my kids on the plane. When you are travelling with young children, it's rare for them to be given seats that are not with at least one parent. Most airlines have a policy that states that children will be sat 'close' to their parents or carers, but be aware that this could be in front or behind you, or across the aisle. Ryanair has a family seating policy, which means that you are forced to pay a compulsory fee of between £4 and £6 to reserve seats with your children, which saves a lot of stress and anxiety at the airport. I always try to keep costs down, so I rarely pay extra to reserve seats. In all the times I have travelled with my children, which is three or four flights a year, I have never been separated from them on any airline, low-cost or otherwise. Advertisement U pgrading long-haul flights at the last minute When flying long-haul, like recently when I flew Virgin Atlantic to No matter what the 'experts' tell you, being upgraded because you dressed smart for the airport or gave staff a gift is highly unlikely. However, you can sometimes get a brilliant deal on upgrades by checking if any are available as your flight approaches. 5 Helen and her friend Carly got a bargain upgrade on Virgin Atlantic Credit: Helen Wright Everything you need to know before boarding a plane Is it Top trick to help you How do I How to know if you How I was flying in Economy on Advertisement However, with only a day or two before the flight, I was able to upgrade for £400, a fraction of the cost. If you have a bit extra cash and want a bit more space or a fancier experience, it's worth asking. On their website, Virgin Atlantic also offers you the chance to This means you can decide how much you want to pay - it can be as low or as high as you want - and if your deal is best, you'll get the upgrade for that price. It's quite a fun way to be in with a chance to move up a cabin though! Advertisement
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hamilton College shortlisted for prestigious honour at Independent Schools of the Year Awards
The school has been nominated in the Performing Arts category, the first time it has achieved that recognition, having been shortlisted for Student Wellbeing three years ago. Hamilton College has been shortlisted for a prestigious honour at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards (ISOTY) 2025. The school has been nominated in the Performing Arts category, the first time it has achieved that recognition, having been shortlisted for Student Wellbeing three years ago. The awards are open to independent schools throughout the UK, with 25 categories in total and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in October. The focus of this year's awards is to celebrate the demonstrable benefits of an independent school education and showcase the innovative, caring and life-enhancing student experience which pupils in receive in independent schools. Performing Arts is an important element of the curriculum at Hamilton College and this year saw the introduction of the House Showcase, a collaboration across Junior and Senior School, entirely led by pupils, including choreography, scriptwriting, costumes and staging. Older pupils mentored younger ones, creating a spectacular event and reinforcing the school's culture of creative leadership and peer encouragement. Headteacher Richard Charman said: 'This is recognition for the commitment of the performers and staff to deliver a wonderful journey of Performing Arts through the school, including Nursery, Junior and Senior School productions on our big stage. 'Performing Arts plays a vital role in shaping confident, well-rounded individuals, not just through grand productions but through meaningful, inclusive experiences that reach every pupil from age two to 18. 'What makes our provision distinctive is its scale and its heart: every child is given meaningful space to develop creatively, perform, and be seen. Huge participation has contributed to excellence in so many areas, from stage, TV and film contracts to young people leaving to release their first albums. 'The impact lasts beyond school. Pupils leave with the ability to speak publicly, listen actively, and contribute creatively in any setting. They understand the arts as a means of connection, not just performance, and take that with them into adulthood.' Dr Helen Wright, chair of the judging panel, added: 'Reading through this year's entries, the judges have been particularly struck by the resilience and determination shown by the UK independent schools' sector in the face of unprecedented challenge to their existence. 'Meantime, globally, independent schools are facing up to political uncertainty with equal levels of fortitude. 'Independent schools across the world, it is clear, are working harder than ever to ensure their students, and the whole community, will develop into well-rounded human global citizens who are able to make the most of their own skills, in order to contribute positively to humanity.' *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Hamilton College nominated for performing arts award
Hamilton College has been shortlisted for a prestigious honour at the Independent Schools of the Year Awards (ISOTY) 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The school has been nominated in the Performing Arts category, the first time it has achieved that recognition, having been shortlisted for Student Wellbeing three years ago. The awards are open to independent schools throughout the UK, with 25 categories in total and the winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in October. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The focus of this year's awards is to celebrate the demonstrable benefits of an independent school education and showcase the innovative, caring and life-enhancing student experience which pupils in receive in independent schools. Top performers: Hamilton College. Performing Arts is an important element of the curriculum at Hamilton College and this year saw the introduction of the House Showcase, a collaboration across Junior and Senior School, entirely led by pupils, including choreography, scriptwriting, costumes and staging. Older pupils mentored younger ones, creating a spectacular event and reinforcing the school's culture of creative leadership and peer encouragement. Headteacher Richard Charman said: 'This is recognition for the commitment of the performers and staff to deliver a wonderful journey of Performing Arts through the school, including Nursery, Junior and Senior School productions on our big stage. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Performing Arts plays a vital role in shaping confident, well-rounded individuals, not just through grand productions but through meaningful, inclusive experiences that reach every pupil from age 2 to 18. Recognition for Hamilton College. 'What makes our provision distinctive is its scale and its heart: every child is given meaningful space to develop creatively, perform, and be seen. Huge participation has contributed to excellence in so many areas, from stage, TV and film contracts to young people leaving to release their first albums. 'The impact lasts beyond school. Pupils leave with the ability to speak publicly, listen actively, and contribute creatively in any setting. They understand the arts as a means of connection, not just performance, and take that with them into adulthood.' Dr Helen Wright, chair of the ISOTY judging panel, said: 'Reading through this year's entries, the judges have been particularly struck by the resilience and determination shown by the UK independent schools' sector in the face of unprecedented challenge to their existence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
I've visited Florida 50 times – here's how I get a US family holiday for LESS than an all-inclusive in Europe
From flights to car hire - there are some outstanding deals for holidaying in Florida if you know where to look SUN SWAP I've visited Florida 50 times – here's how I get a US family holiday for LESS than an all-inclusive in Europe FLORIDA is a big destination for Brits - but family adventures stateside don't always come cheap. As return visitors to Florida, we save thousands on our family trip every year with these clever holiday hacks. It's so easy, you could do the same. Advertisement 7 Helen (pictured in Melbourne, Florida) goes to the USA multiple times a year and knows how to get there for a bargain price Credit: Helen Wright 7 Helen's children (pictured with their rental car in Cocoa Beach, Florida) loved going on a mini road trip and said they preferred it to a resort holiday in Spain Credit: Helen Wright 7 Cocoa Beach is less than an hour from Orlando and doesn't get overcrowded Credit: Getty It often easier to keep it simple and book a package holiday to Spain, but this doesn't mean it's the better - or even the cheapest option. As a travel blogger and USA expert, I have been to the SUNSHINE STATE over 50 times and you may be surprised how frugal Florida can be if you know a few tips and tricks. Advertisement People don't believe our last trip to Florida cost me £268 per person for return flights and car rental for seven days. And no, we didn't have to stuff everything in small backpacks for the journey - the price also included a suitcase each. Over the same dates, the average cost for an all-inclusive holiday in Costa Brava, Spain with a splash park and water slides was over double this price, at £850 per person. There were cheaper options in Spain, but they didn't offer much for kids to do during the day, so I knew we would end up spending extra money leaving the resort and paying for extra attractions. We saved £400 before we left the UK I got this great price by booking the basic Florida Fly Drive package with TUI. Advertisement Included in the fare, you get unlimited mileage, an intermediate-size hire car and fully inclusive insurance all in a package with your flight. The deals are always really good, with packages around £400 per person. But when I booked last minute, around two weeks before the trip, I got this even better, bargain price. I was one of the first people in the world to visit Universal's new mega theme park – one attraction took my breath away It was over £100 cheaper per person than if we flew the week after, saving £400 before we'd even left home! Flying from London Gatwick to Melbourne Airport on Florida's east coast, it's an easy nine-hour flight. Advertisement Economy prices include a 20kg suitcase in hold luggage and 10kg hand luggage to carry on board. You also get two meals on board. One is served a few hours into the flight and then you get a light lunch before landing in Melbourne. Melbourne airport is on the Atlantic coast of Florida, just below Daytona Beach and Cocoa Beach, where you can find the NASA Space Facility and Kennedy Space Center. If you plan to go to Orlando, where Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are located, the airport is an hour away. However, the terminal is so small, we cleared customs in less than 20 minutes, which is much speedier than immigration at Orlando International Airport. 7 Helen's daughter, Isobel, playing on Cocoa beach, five minutes from their budget hotel Credit: Helen Wright Advertisement 7 Finn and Isobel loved going to Kennedy Space Centre. It was much cheaper than Disney and they got to meet a real life astronaut Credit: Helen Wright Accommodation is not included with the TUI package but since we had a car with the deal, our plan was to do a mini road trip and explore the coast. Knowing we wouldn't be spending a lot of time at the hotel, we opted for the basic Best Western chain, which is similar to our Travelodge hotels, and has different locations across the USA. This budget chain was only £85 per night. The Melbourne Florida outpost was a five minute walk to the beach and even had its own pool, gym and 24-hour reception. Plus, breakfast was included. Advertisement Even better, our room had a fridge and a microwave, so after a quick trip to the supermarket, I was able to make an easy mac and cheese or tomato pasta for lunch before a dip in the pool. My kids loved it and it saves loads of money! One evening, we had pizza at a restaurant for dinner and it was so big, there was loads left. I heated it up in the microwave the next day and it fed us all for lunch too. Swap theme parks to save money Since this was a budget holiday, we didn't plan to visit Walt Disney World on this trip. With tickets for the week over £500 per person, a trip to Orlando would have totally blown the budget. However, the brilliant Kennedy Space Center was a 20-minute drive from our hotel. This museum-theme park was only £49 per person for the day. Advertisement As well as real-life rockets, informative galleries and the opportunity to meet a real-life astronaut, there are also a few immersive attractions too. The best bit was the massive planet-themed soft play, which kept the kids entertained for hours while we enjoyed some much needed aircon. The rest of the week was spent exploring the coast, playing on the beach and watching surfers ride the waves at Cocoa Beach. It was easy to keep the kids entertained along the busy beach path and we hardly spent any money. The £7 body board from Walmart was a hit. I even got time to sunbathe and read my book. Advertisement Better still, both kids said it was their favourite holiday yet. For dinner most days, we grabbed a quick bite at one of the many beach bars. 7 Cocoa Beach has lively beach bars and cafes along the sea front Credit: Alamy 7 Melbourne Florida, where TUI flies to, is not overcrowded and has a beautiful beach Credit: Getty Kids' meals were massive and only £7 each. My children, who are eight and five, were easily able to share. Advertisement Adult meals, such as freshly-caught snapper and rice, or a burger and chips at Grills Seafood that has views of the rocket launches, were around £15 each. There is no shortage of Happy Hour cocktails at bars like Coconuts on the Beach, where a Margarita is only £8. Since our hotel had a fridge, we were fully stocked with cold drinks and fresh fruit and we bought a cheap cooler for the car to take along to the beach. We even went bowling one night and that was only £26 for the whole family to play. Overall, our week's holiday to Florida was a brilliant budget trip. We spent around £3000, around £750 per person. Advertisement The all-inclusive to Spain was more expensive, at £858 per person - and that was before extra activities, such as amusement arcades and water parks. Plus, our Florida trip felt like a little adventure. The kids loved having a car and getting to experience a mini road trip along the coast. We also got to spend quality together as a family, instead of the kids disappearing into the kids club every day. It was so good, I'm already searching for another irresistible deal so I can go back.
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
I've visited Florida 50 times – here's how I get a US family holiday for LESS than an all-inclusive in Europe
FLORIDA is a big destination for Brits - but family adventures stateside don't always come cheap. As return visitors to Florida, we save thousands on our family trip every year with these clever holiday hacks. It's so easy, you could do the same. 7 Helen (pictured in Melbourne, Florida) goes to the USA multiple times a year and knows how to get there for a bargain price Credit: Helen Wright 7 Helen's children (pictured with their rental car in Cocoa Beach, Florida) loved going on a mini road trip and said they preferred it to a resort holiday in Spain Credit: Helen Wright 7 Cocoa Beach is less than an hour from Orlando and doesn't get overcrowded Credit: Getty It often easier to keep it simple and book a As a travel blogger and People don't believe our last trip to Florida cost me £268 per person for return flights and car rental for seven days. And no, we didn't have to stuff everything in Over the same dates, the average cost for an There were cheaper options in Spain, but they didn't offer much for kids to do during the day, so I knew we would end up spending extra money leaving the resort and paying for extra attractions. We saved £400 before we left the UK I got this great price by booking the basic Included in the fare, you get unlimited mileage, an intermediate-size hire car and fully inclusive insurance The deals are always really good, with packages around £400 per person. But when I booked last minute, around I was one of the first people in the world to visit Universal's new mega theme park – one attraction took my breath away It was over £100 cheaper per person than if we Flying from London Gatwick to Economy prices include a 20kg suitcase in hold luggage and 10kg hand luggage to carry on board. You also get two meals on board. One is served a few hours into the flight and then you get a light lunch before Melbourne airport is on the Atlantic coast of Florida, just below If you plan to go to Orlando, where Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are located, the airport is an hour away. However, the terminal is so small, we cleared customs in less than 20 minutes, which is much speedier than immigration at 7 Helen's daughter, Isobel, playing on Cocoa beach, five minutes from their budget hotel Credit: Helen Wright 7 Finn and Isobel loved going to Kennedy Space Centre. It was much cheaper than Disney and they got to meet a real life astronaut Credit: Helen Wright Accommodation is not included with the TUI package but since we had a car with the deal, our plan was to do a Knowing we wouldn't be spending a lot of This budget chain was only £85 per night. The Melbourne Florida outpost was a five minute Plus, breakfast was included. Even better, our room had a fridge and a microwave, so after a quick trip to the supermarket, I was able to make an easy mac and cheese or tomato pasta for lunch before a dip in the pool. My kids loved it and One evening, we had pizza at a restaurant for dinner and it was so big, there was loads left. I heated it up in the microwave the next day and it fed us all for lunch too. Swap theme parks to save money Since this was a budget holiday, we didn't plan to visit However, the brilliant Kennedy Space Center was a 20-minute drive from our hotel. This museum-theme park was only £49 per person for the day. As well as real-life rockets, informative galleries and the opportunity to The best bit was the massive The rest of the week was spent exploring the coast, playing on the beach and watching surfers ride the waves at It was easy to keep the kids entertained along the The £7 body board from Walmart was a hit. I even got time to sunbathe and read my book. Better still, both kids said it was their For dinner most days, we grabbed a quick bite at one of the many 7 Cocoa Beach has lively beach bars and cafes along the sea front Credit: Alamy 7 Melbourne Florida, where TUI flies to, is not overcrowded and has a beautiful beach Credit: Getty Kids' meals were massive and only £7 each. My children, who are eight and five, were easily able to share. Adult meals, such as freshly-caught snapper and rice, or a burger and chips at Grills Seafood that has There is no shortage of Since our hotel had a fridge, we were fully stocked with cold drinks and fresh fruit and we bought a cheap cooler for the car to take along to the beach. We even went bowling one night and that was only £26 for the whole family to play. Overall, our week's holiday to Florida was a The Plus, our Florida trip felt like a little adventure. The kids loved having a car and getting to experience a We also got to spend quality together as a family, instead of the kids disappearing into the kids club every day. It was so good, I'm already searching for another irresistible deal so I can go back. The five cheapest places to go in Florida The small towns and cheap cities that you can visit on the cheap Cocoa Beach : This laid-back strip is lined with beach bars that lead out onto the sand, surf shops and food trucks serving delicious grub that you can take away and eat on the boardwalk. Crystal River: Home to the largest manatee population in the world, this beauty spot is spoiled with winding waterways, green forests and an abundance of warm swimming spots with clear water from the Gulf of Mexico. Essentially a small, local town, Crystal River has lots of locally-owned restaurants and bars, serving reasonably-priced meals without the glossy price tag. Key Largo: When people think of the Florida Keys, they imagine the party town of Key West at the end of the archipelago. However, Key Largo in the Upper Keys, closest to the mainland, is a far more laid back affair. Lunch can be fresh fish caught that morning off the Gulf and sold at market price and the vibe here is snorkelling or beach and not much else in between. Orlando: You may be surprised to see Orlando as a budget destination, but the sheer amount of hotel rooms and restaurants in the city mean competitive prices and lots of deals. There are also lots of local attractions in Orlando, such as Gatorland and Old Town Kissimmee which make for a great day out and for a fraction of the cost of Disney World. New Smyrna Beach: This charming beach town is only an hour from Orlando, but has managed to retain its small town charm and community spirit. As well as a truly stunning beach, there is a colourful seaside village and a sprawling nature reserve that stretches right down to the beach. Think body boards on the waves and spotting dolphins and turtles swimming along the shore.
