Lynn Stephenson is on a mission to tick off the whole world map. Here she tells MailOnline about her favourite, most underrated and suprising destinations and explains why she has no regrets...
EXCLUSIVE'I ran away to become a Bluecoat!' Pontins staff and guests recall happy memories of the once-loved holiday park now ranked the worst in the country - and teetering on the edge of extinction
It's been voted the worst holiday park in the country, coming at the very bottom of a survey of UK holiday parks by Which?. But Pontins, for millions of Brits, used to be a much-loved holiday staple, as underscored by the former guests and staff we spoke to as the chain teeters on the edge of extinction, with just two parks from the original spread of 33 left.
EXCLUSIVEInside The Dorchester, named by the AA as 'London's best hotel' and beloved by A-listers: The Mail checks in to a £4,500 suite at the legendary Mayfair property to find out if it lives up to the hype
MailOnline Travel Editor Ted Thornhill stays in one of the Mayfair hotel's top rooms - the Hyde Park Suite, which costs from around £4,500 a night. Ted writes of the hotel: 'Opulence drips from every nook, cranny, corner and crevice. Eclectic furniture and art dazzle the eyeballs. Staff glide around treating every lister - A, B, C, D and downwards to Z - as if they are a visiting dignitary.' Read on for more - and his full verdict.
Foodie tries the Eiffel Tower's two-Michelin-star restaurant to find out if it's a tourist trap. Here's his verdict on his £1,160 meal... which veers from 'delicious' to 'disturbing'
One Michelin inspector described Le Jules Verne as 'an exceptional experience'. But there are 230 reviews that rate the restaurant 'average' or worse. Foodie Alexander Varga, the co-owner of a Michelin-starred restaurant, pays it a visit. And left underwhelmed by some aspects of the experience...
The 36 best and worst value places to go skiing in Europe this winter - and it's ITALY that's cheapest once again
The Post Office Travel Money ranking, produced in partnership with Crystal Ski Holidays, was compiled by comparing the total cost across 36 resorts of a basket of essentials - a six-day ski pass and ski/boot hire for one person, plus ski school (five to six half days), and a range of drinks and lunch on the slopes.
EXCLUSIVECandid photos reveal what it's like on the extraordinary £129,000 safari where guests enjoy transfer flights on an Emirates PRIVATE JET with an ensuite shower
The trip is offered by ultra-luxe safari company Roar Africa. Guests enjoy a spectacular itinerary. And beyond-first-class treatment. Across 12 days guests experience Africa's four most iconic destinations - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the Great Migration in Kenya and the home of mountain gorillas in Rwanda.
EXCLUSIVEInside Val Thorens, the ski resort that's the highest in Europe (with a six-month season) and rated the best on the planet. Does it live up to the hype?
Val Thorens has been declared the world's best ski resort nine times, including for 2024/2025. Ted Thornhill ascended to the French resort to find out what all the fuss is about - and rates it out of five.
EXCLUSIVEI'm a foodie who's visited 166 countries - this is the surprise country with the most underrated food, the rarely visited place where meals cost ONE DOLLAR… and my verdict on Kenya's Goat Head Soup
TikTok traveller Chris Joondeph, from Denver, has travelled the world tasting its culinary delights. Find out which countries he thinks have the best cuisine and which gourmet treats you should sample...
BEST BUYS - The smartest way to shop online
The 18 cosiest Christmas cottages that could be straight out of Hollywood... and unlike the one in The Holiday (which Jude Law says is a fake), you CAN rent all these beauties
One of the reasons The Holiday has become such an enduring and beloved Christmas film is the charming cottage where much of the action takes place (pictured left). But this week, Jude Law revealed that it does not actually exist, leaving many fans including BBC Radio 2 host Zoe Ball, whom he told, distraught. In the movie, Law, playing book editor Graham, finds love with Amanda, a Hollywood movie trailer editor played by Cameron Diaz (pictured inset top: the pair together in the film). Decked in snow, the house sat somewhere in the Surrey Hills. But while the cottage was a fictional film set, there are plenty of festive alternatives still available this Christmas... although we can't guarantee any snow.
EXCLUSIVEI'm a Canadian and I love coming to England and visiting Christmas markets - here are my top five (and the 'overpriced and overcrowded' ones to avoid)
Is the constant wind and rain making you feel gloomy? A trip to a Christmas market for some festive cheer could be the answer. Find out which are England's best and which 'overpriced' markets to avoid...
EXCLUSIVEI've visited 170 countries - these are five of the worst places I've been to… and why Canada and France make the list
The hall of shame comes courtesy of globetrotter Lauren Heavner (inset), from Arkansas. She prefaces her explanations of why France and Canada make the list with a plea: 'Please don't come for me.'
EXCLUSIVEMeet the 22-year-old who's become an Internet sensation from posting videos of her travels with a 40-year-old Land Rover called Blue Tit
Tati Reed, from West Sussex, has discovered a knack for making snappy, amusing videos featuring her classic 1985 petrol 'Landy' that hold viewers spellbound. At the time of writing, Tati has 426,000 followers, with individual clips garnering tens of thousands of views.
Emirates unveils its first Airbus A350, with business-class seats inspired by the Mercedes S Class and Wi-Fi that even works over the NORTH POLE
The A350-900 was inspected by VIP guests including Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, and His Excellency Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, at Dubai Airport. The cabins are divided into three classes accommodating 312 passengers in 32 'next-generation' business class lie-flat seats arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, 21 premium economy seats and 259 'generously pitched' economy-class seats.
TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL
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Revealed: The 10 countries Britons most want to relocate to (and Spain doesn't make the list)
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EXCLUSIVE'I ran away to be a Bluecoat!' Pontins staff and guests recall happy memories of the once-loved holiday park now ranked the worst in the country - and teetering on the edge of extinction
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How much can you drink at the airport? Is easyJet tacky? And is it OK to bring along an extra suitcase? Etiquette Queen LAURA WINDSOR reveals the travel dos and don'ts
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The surprising country Richard Branson can't stop visiting - and the Greek island Levison Wood worships... travel gurus reveal their bucket-list destinations
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EXCLUSIVEInside The Dorchester, named by the AA as 'London's best hotel' and beloved by A-listers: The Mail checks in to a £4,500 suite at the legendary Mayfair property to find out if it lives up to the hype
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The dark side of Dubai: All the strict rules tourists must follow - or risk jail
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EXCLUSIVEI sold my house to go travelling full time and I've visited 168 countries - here's why Iran and Iraq are two of my favourite places (and why I feel safer abroad than in the UK)
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Foodie tries the Eiffel Tower's two-Michelin-star restaurant to find out if it's a tourist trap. Here's his verdict on his £1,160 meal... which veers from 'delicious' to 'disturbing'
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Five affordable and popular theme parks across the UK that you have probably never heard of
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The 36 best and worst value places to go skiing in Europe this winter - and it's ITALY that's cheapest once again
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EXCLUSIVEI've been on 70 cruises - here are 7 myths busted, from 'the ship being rammed' to 'I'll get seasick'. Plus, my top tips (including the joys of a WINDOWLESS cabin)
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I'm on the Mail's travel team - here are 10 reasons Tokyo should be on your bucket list for 2025
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EXCLUSIVEYou've been holidaying in Spain all wrong! Spanish chefs reveal the dishes that aren't authentic and the mistake tourists make with paella
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Tourists reveal their dream retirement destinations (and it's not Florida or Greece)
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Forget overcrowded Paris and Rome - these ten underrated cities can be enjoyed without having to battle the hordes
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EXCLUSIVEInside Scotland's 'restaurant of the year', which serves VERY fresh seafood - staff use kayaks to collect lobsters from the adjacent sea loch. And the view isn't bad, either...
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The best budget safaris: Here's how you can bag a dream wildlife holiday for much less than you'd think it costs
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EXCLUSIVECandid photos reveal what it's like on the extraordinary £129,000 safari where guests enjoy transfer flights on an Emirates PRIVATE JET with an ensuite shower
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EXCLUSIVEInside Val Thorens, the ski resort that's the highest in Europe (with a six-month season) and rated the best on the planet. Does it live up to the hype?
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EXCLUSIVEI'm a foodie who's visited 166 countries - this is the surprise country with the most underrated food, the rarely visited place where meals cost ONE DOLLAR... and my verdict on Kenya's Goat Head Soup
- From flaming fireballs to 'ghost saunas': The top 20 quirky European Christmas traditions Brits would most like to experience
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Tourists share the dishes they fell in love with abroad and can't stop eating - from a French staple to a New York speciality
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EXCLUSIVEFlight attendant claims a simple mistake on a plane could get you a LIFETIME BAN
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The 53 cheapest and priciest countries to be an expat in 2024 (and it's not good news for foreigners living in the UK and 'crazy expensive' Canada)
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Green routes to the white stuff: Our guide to the train services from London that can take you to some of the world's best ski resorts... with a clear conscience
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The world's top 100 cities for 2024 RANKED: Paris is No.1 yet again, London drops out of the top 10, New York moves up the table - and Cairo is bottom
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Is this Britain's best bench view? Lapping up the sublime Lake District spot that inspired Turner and Constable
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Revealed: Nearly HALF of those from the North of England have never visited the USA
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'An underground museum': Inside Greece's astonishing new £2.5billion driverless metro system that unearthed more than 300,000 treasures, many of which are on display in the stations
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The best bargain holidays on offer this 'Travel Tuesday': It's the day of the year when they're at their most affordable, so if you're itching to book your next getaway, check out these top-notch deals
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How to save a fortune by stocking up on booze in Calais: JEFF MILLS reveals the astonishing bargains, where to shop and stay and how you can claim back VAT
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Revealed: Eight European routes where bus travel can be FASTER than flying (including London to Manchester)
- EXCLUSIVEI'm a Canadian and I love coming to England and visiting Christmas markets - here are my top five (and the 'overpriced and overcrowded' ones to avoid)
- The 18 cosiest Christmas cottages that could be straight out of Hollywood... and unlike the one in The Holiday (which Jude Law says is a fake), you CAN rent all these beauties
- EXCLUSIVEI've visited 170 countries - these are five of the worst places I've been to... and why Canada and France make the list
- EXCLUSIVEI'm a frequent flier and here are 10 hacks for making your 2025 holidays more luxurious - from SPEAKING to a travel agent to a loyalty scheme that cuts 50% off fancy hotel stays
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EXCLUSIVEHead chef at 'Britain's best restaurant' reveals why she listens to customer criticism, where SHE likes to eat out - and how to make Michelin-starred chips
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EXCLUSIVEMeet the 22-year-old who's become an Internet sensation from posting videos of her travels with a 40-year-old Land Rover called Blue Tit (even clips of her fixing the engine get thousands of views)
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Emirates unveils its first Airbus A350, with business-class seats inspired by the Mercedes S Class and Wi-Fi that even works over the NORTH POLE
- Inside divine Dominica: The Caribbean's captivating 'nature island' is undergoing changes - but it's still a tropical treat like no other
- Brits rate Singapore Airlines the No.1 carrier - with THREE UK airlines making the top 10
- You've been using your phone all wrong! Etiquette guru reveals the do's and don'ts of phone use - as the No.1 most annoying habit is revealed. Are YOU guilty of it?
- From a VERY determined honey badger to a sleepy seal: The amazing 25 shortlisted images for Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award - which will YOU vote for?
- British Airways unveils brand-new 'game-changing' first-class suite for the A380 - and the Mail gives it a try. Here's our first impression... what's YOURS?
- You CAN make stopovers exciting: We're travel experts and this is why you should break up transatlantic trips with a stay in Iceland, from thermal spas to snorkelling between tectonic plates
- EXCLUSIVEI went on holiday to Afghanistan and it was a 'great experience - the Taliban welcome tourists'
- It's one of the world's favourite honeymoon hotspots for good reason. But the Maldives is more affordable than you might think - here's how you can bag a bargain all-inclusive break
- I try 'horse therapy' in Portugal, where time in the saddle helps me reconnect with my childhood - and my mother
- It's safe, the wildlife is amazing and the locals LOVE tourists: My incredible holiday on Sri Lanka's bountiful south coast
- EXCLUSIVEMy mission to see if Capella Bangkok - the 'world's best hotel' - lives up to the hype
- Notre-Dame rises from the ashes after the devastating fire: Fascinating images reveal the amazing restoration work on the cathedral before it reopens to visitors - who will be 'awestruck'
- You've been shopping in supermarkets all wrong! Etiquette expert William Hanson reveals how to shop correctly and the big trolley no-no. Find out if YOU are guilty of it...
- I'm a frequent flier who travels more than 200,000 miles a year - here's my hack for getting through airport security faster (even if you haven't got fast-track status)
- EXCLUSIVEI moved from the UK to Seoul - it's safer and you can see a doctor in two minutes (without an appointment)
- King of the all-inclusive! This Jamaican resort has 1,000 rooms - and you can grab one for £50 a night FULL-BOARD
- The Kasbah rocks back! Sir Richard Branson has rebuilt his Moroccan hotel hideaway following last year's devastating earthquake - and it's a feast for the senses
- Is this the world's best safari destination? The Mail films a wildly amazing trip to Botswana, with breathtaking helicopter transfers and a camp so luxurious even the animals want to move in!
- 'Photos that capture the wonders of our world': National Geographic reveals the best pictures its photographers took in 2024, from a rare tiger to a penguin leaping off a cliff
- Move over Munich: Europe's cheapest Christmas market breaks revealed - and it's the Baltic states leading the way
- EXCLUSIVEMy ride on the incredible Australian train that snakes through lush rainforest to a station where PYTHONS slither along the platform... here's my footage
- Revealed: The holiday destinations around the world where your pound will stretch the most - and the least
- Pictured: Beaches 'that look like paradise' in a surprise European country
- EXCLUSIVEMeet the people who make Singapore Changi Airport one of the world's best, from gardeners who nurture 700,000 plants and 800 BUTTERFLIES to the team that creates 'wow' moments
- What cost of living crisis? Over a third of Britons are planning to take MORE holidays in 2025 than this year
- EXCLUSIVEBoris Johnson visits Easter Island - 'the place to be to avoid nuclear fall-out from WWIII'. While he's there the former PM sets about solving the mystery of its enigmatic statues...
- EXCLUSIVEI moved from London to Greece - here's why you should follow in my footsteps (though you'll have to get used to the bureaucracy and the 'adventurous' Greek driving)
- EXCLUSIVEI'm a travel expert... and these are the seven most underrated cities in Europe
- Hate the long queues and those scary border agents at U.S airports? I'm a travel expert and here's the secret to avoiding them altogether and clearing customs in less than SIXTY SECONDS
- Dubbed Cinderella by locals because 'she's prettier than her big sister', Orta is the Italian lake that's more magnificent than Maggiore
- EXCLUSIVEMy ride in the CAB of a 200mph Eurostar from London to Paris and back - here's my incredible footage of a driver's-eye view...
- From a 'plastic apocalypse' in Asia to a driving route in SCOTLAND - Fodor's travel guide reveals where NOT to go in 2025 (along with 25 top destinations to try instead)
- The world's best ski resorts, chalets and hotels for 2024 named... including one in DUBAI. Are YOUR favourites on the winners list?
- UK's best Christmas markets revealed by Which? From chalets lining Georgian streets to dazzling funfairs - is YOUR local on the list?
- EXCLUSIVEI'm a travel firm CEO who arranges African private jet safaris costing £145,000 - this is the best luxury lodge, the safest country in Africa for solo female travellers... and how a safari can change your LIFE
- Golden age of cruising a step closer to returning: 'Dreamlike' interior of Orient Express yacht revealed, with the vessel launching in 2026 with 54 suites, a cinema and a swimming pool
- How to do the Eurostar's five big stars: It's 30 years since the first train left London for Paris. Now you can travel direct to four other great cities for a thrilling short break
- Great British getaways: Inside charming Carmarthenshire - with a visit to one of the most haunted places in Wales
- First-ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales to launch in 2025: The 'Britannic Explorer' has a spa, food by super-chef Simon Rogan - and plush ensuite cabins start at £5,800
- EXCLUSIVEInside the surprise English region named by Lonely Planet as one of the best in the world - and discovering just why it deserves the praise
- Tourists reveal the most underrated holiday destinations - including a region of the U.S with 'world-class museums you get to yourself'
- My stay at the South Carolina hotel where Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin got married - and discovering why it's the go-to place to tie the knot for the rich and famous
- Inside the mysterious production of French liqueur Chartreuse - there's a global shortage and only two silent monks know the drink's secret recipe
- Fascinating historic photos show one of the UK's 'worst' seaside towns in its heyday - packed with daytrippers
- Miles of joy on Mexico's coast with the most: The discovery of another lost Mayan city makes the Yucatan Peninsula even more enticing
- EXCLUSIVEMy stay at the 'best hotel in Wales' for 2024 to see if it lives up to the hype. It's VERY good (but here's why it doesn't quite get full marks)
- EXCLUSIVEI'm a traveller and these are the things I wish I'd known before going to Paris - I HATED my first visit, but now I've fallen in love with the city...
- I live on top of the world - in the most northern urban community on the planet: Here's why I'm staying put, despite -30C temperatures, no trees and months of darkness every year
- EXCLUSIVETale of tomato-stealing 'super tusker' elephant called Tolstoy who gets speared in the leg by a farmer told in heart-wrenching new documentary - we speak to the creator
- I stayed at a lakeside lodge at Leeds Castle, a spectacular former Henry VIII love nest - this is what it's like...
- EXCLUSIVEMy stay in a new Maldives resort that's even BETTER in real life than it looks in photos