Sophie Swietochowski

1 month ago | thesun.co.uk | Sophie Swietochowski

WHEN I told friends I’d be spending a whole day in the airport, their responses were much the same: “Poor you” and “What a slog”. But after ten minutes in a bath-warm swimming pool hovering above the terminal at Hamad International Airport, in Qatari capital Doha, their sympathies somewhat faded. This wasn’t a “slog”, at all. I was at the “best airport in the world”, according to aviation review site Skytrax. And a visit here is a holiday in itself.

1 month ago | thesun.co.uk | Sophie Swietochowski

HOW many litres of water does it take to feed one banana plant? The answer is about 23. That’s a great fact — although I’m a little distracted munching my way through one of the sweetest, freshest bananas I’ve ever eaten to give the tour guide my full attention. The fruit may not be what first springs to mind when you think of the Canary Islands. Winter sun, affordable holidays and a glorious coastline are more likely to be your primary reasons for booking.

1 month ago | thesun.ie | Sophie Swietochowski |Kara Godfrey

ARTIST Residence Bristol is one of five to open in the UK, joining London, Brighton, Cornwall and Oxfordshire. Here's everything you need to know when booking a stay. Tucked down an unassuming side street among traditional terraced townhouses, the Grade-I listed, Bristol property is in Portland Square, closest to Montpelier station and Bristol Temple Meads. There’s no parking so you’ll have to get the train or park at the nearby Cabot Circus multi-storey car park.

1 month ago | thesun.co.uk | Sophie Swietochowski

HOLIDAY park getaways are a cracking choice for families wanting to keep things easy and simple. The main appeal is having everything you need in one place (convenient facilities and kid-friendly attractions). They tend to be in great locations, too, often overlooking sun-drenched beaches or immersed in nature – and, more often than not, they’re much more affordable than a hotel stay or villa. Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of the best holiday parks in Europe to visit this summer.

1 month ago | thesun.co.uk | Sophie Swietochowski

I OPEN my eyes and stare into total darkness. I can’t even see my hand when it’s inches from my face — and with the noise of dripping water muffling the breath of the people next to me, I begin to fear I’m suddenly alone. Will I ever make it out? When the lights finally flicker into action, illuminating the shiny, wet rocks of the cavernous tunnel once more, relief floods over me.