After Brexit, EU countries stopped accepting UK passports issued over 10 years ago. Around 32 million people were thought to be affected by the changes, as UK travellers could previously carry up to nine months’ validity from an old passport to their new one. So how do you make sure you don’t find yourself turned away at the airport check-in or, even worse, at the departure gate?

For your EU travels, remember:

• Your passport should have been issued less than 10 years before your EU entry date (“date of issue”).
• It must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date (“date of expiry”).

If your passport doesn’t meet the requirements, you may not be able to travel. Travel insurance won’t cover this, so check your passport as soon as you confirm your trip.

And, once you’ve made sure you can smoothly arrive in Europe, here are some great beach options that you might want to try.

Portugal’s Praia da Falésia tops Tripadvisor’s ‘Best Beaches’ 2024 list. Known for eco-friendly charm and stunning natural beauty, this white sandy paradise with vibrant cliffs is ideal for leisurely strolls and sun-soaking. An absolute must-visit destination!

Italy’s Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) takes the second spot, celebrated for its sea turtle encounters and exceptional diving. The beach and its nature reserve are often compared to the Caribbean!

Securing the bronze medal is La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain. It shines as one of Europe’s most iconic and photographed urban beaches, renowned for its natural charm and vibrant vibe

After more than 140 years of work, Barcelona’s iconic Sagrada Familia church is on course to finally be finished by 2026. An annual report has revealed that completing the final six towers out of the 18 will mark the end of construction on this UNESCO World Heritage site.The famous unfinished basilica by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí was thought to be just 15% complete when he died in 1926. The new target date for completion coincides with the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí’s death.

In a similar vein, Paris’ Notre Dame Cathedral is expected to reopen by the end of the year. It’s been undergoing five years of restoration work following the fire in 2019.