Strong demand from consumers willing to pay up for bookings pushed Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. shares to the

A few summers ago when lockdown lifted, there were countless reports of people bunching together on beaches and crowding coves as we all sought to flex our newfound freedom and make the most of the glorious weather. Even now, with all restrictions a distant memory, it seems many people got a real taste for staycations, and are now far more likely to book a break in the UK and Ireland than they were pre-Covid. And while that’s great for homegrown hospitality and tourist trades, it can make finding a peaceful spot a lot trickier – especially if you’re after a beachside break. But search a little harder and there are still many hidden spots to discover along our coastlines – places where it’s possible to sunbathe solo or take a dip soundtracked only by crashing waves. Below are a few secret shorelines that are still under the radar – from England and Wales to Scotland and Ireland – where solitude is (almost) guaranteed. The best bit is they come with some lovely beachside stays to come home to after a day by the sea. Best beach stays in the UK and Ireland are: Best for families: Levante Cottage Best for coastal walks: Beach Hut Suites Best peaceful retreat: Brackenbank Cottage Best for luxury: Links House Best for active pursuits: Ty Cwch Boat House Best for foodies: Cliff Beach House Best beach stays in England Best for families: Levante Cottage Location: Beadnell Bay, Northumberland An area of staggering beauty that’s vastly underrated, Northumberland benefits from fantastic scenery, both inland and at sea. Even though the coastline is well known, it’s still less popular than some of the UK’s honeypot destinations, and beaches are often refreshingly crowd-free. Close to Beadnell Bay and its sandy beach, dog-friendly Levante Cottage is a cosy coastal getaway with waterside views. Sleeping up to six, the property features an open fire for cold nights, but the idea is to spend as much time as possible outdoors. After paddling in the surf, visit one of the area’s A-list castles: Bamburgh starred in the Hollywood version of Roald Dahl’s BFG, while Alnwick has doubled for Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Price: A week’s stay costs from £659 (six sharing), plus £20 supplement per dog Book now Best for coastal walks: Beach Hut Suites Location: South Downs, West Sussex Nothing sums up a nostalgic summer by the sea better than a beach hut. Decorated in candy-box colours, the rows of shore-side properties have entertained British holidaymakers for decades. While you’ll struggle to snap up a coastal cabin of your own (they sell for eye-watering prices), it’s possible to book a temporary stay at these modern huts in West Sussex. Find them located on a seven-mile coastal footpath, in a lesser-visited part of the Sussex coast, near the South Downs. Built in 2019, the four self-contained huts belong to The Beachcroft Hotel, where guests can make use of facilities, including an indoor heated pool – useful if the English Channel is too chilly. Best peaceful retreat: Brackenbank Cottage Location: Rame Peninsula, Cornwall It’s hard to imagine there’s a stretch of Cornish coastline yet to be discovered, but the Rame Peninsula – often referred to as the county’s “forgotten corner” – is supposedly so under the radar, even locals are baffled by its whereabouts. To clarify, it’s in the south east, just across the border from Devon, and is surrounded by three bodies of water: River Lynher, River Tamar and the Plymouth Sound. Tidal creeks, sandy beaches and clifftop footpaths characterise the peaceful place, where nearby attractions include Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park: a Tudor property surrounded by landscaped gardens, temples and follies. Perched on a cliff at Whitsands Bay, Brackenbank Cottage is a Scandi-styled hideaway, where gulls swoop overhead and dolphins cruise out front. Price: A week’s stay costs from £830 per week (five sharing), plus a small charge for dogs Book now Best beach stays in Scotland Best for luxury: Links House Location: Dornoch, Highlands Undeniably beautiful, Scotland nevertheless divides opinion when it comes to the weather. But Dornoch is an exception – benefitting from its own microclimate, the seaside town is much warmer and evenings are lighter than elsewhere in the country. Madonna and Guy Ritchie got married here years ago, but despite several claims to fame, the sleepy site is still relatively unknown. Close to the beach and just a 45-minute drive from Inverness, Links House is a five-star, 15-room hotel, divided into three cottages. Built in 1843, it enjoys superb views of the Dornoch Firth, and sits on the famous 516-mile NC500 driving route (a favourite of Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, who stayed whilst filming Top Gear). Four of the leading single malt whisky distilleries are also within a 30-minute drive. Best beach stays in Wales Best for active pursuits: Ty Cwch Boat House Location: Cwmtydu Further north of Pembrokeshire, and far less busy, the stretch of Cardigan coast between Llangrannog and New Quay is a playground for active pursuits: go hiking, cycling, coasteering, kayaking or surfing. Alternatively, stroll along the shoreline and explore hidden coves. The coastline is dotted with pretty beaches, National Trust sites and sleepy towns. Cwmtydu, in Ceredigion, is a small hamlet, where a winding lane connects to a narrow valley dropping into the sea. Very close to the pebble beach, Ty Cwch Boat House is a collection of three cabins constructed from stacked shipping containers – available to rent either individually or exclusively for a group of 12. Tables and chairs have been upscaled from wooden crates, and large doors can be rolled right back for a glimpse of sea views. There’s ample space to store kit, such as kayaks and bikes, which can be rented locally. The owners can also put guests in touch with qualified instructors, who can design bespoke itineraries. How: From £136 per night (four sharing one cabin) Book now Best beach stays in Ireland Best for foodies: Cliff Beach House Location: Ardmore Bay, Co Waterford Set below a medieval cathedral tower dating back to the 12th century, Ardmore in County Waterford has a superb sandy beach. When the sun shines brightly, swirls of turquoise appear, making it look like an exotic escape. Constructed by the team behind the award-winning Cliff House Hotel, the ultra-modern Cliff Beach House is an exclusive-use luxury rental property a two-minute walk away, which benefits from access to the hotel’s Michelin-starred chefs. Making the most of its waterside location, all six en-suite bedrooms have vast glass windows framing Atlantic waves. A patio area is available for al fresco dining or a dip in the hot tub. On stormy days, stay indoors and tinkle on the baby grand piano, if you please. Read more of our hotel reviews: The best dog-friendly Cornwall hotels Where to stay in the Scottish Highlands The best family-friendly UK hotels Read more about UK and Ireland travel: The best wild swimming stays in the UK Where to stay in Dublin Best UK holiday destinations for families Read More Best UK beaches that look like they’re abroad Best hotels in Pembrokeshire 2023: Where to stay for Welsh coastal charm The best and prettiest UK seaside towns to visit in 2023 Ireland travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go The best British beaches, chosen by the travel desk 10 most beautiful places you’ll be surprised are in the UK, from waterfalls to secluded beaches

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TikTok is overflowing with beauty crazes that spread like wildfire, from celebrity-inspired make-up to time-saving hair hacks. Sometimes these trends aren’t exactly practical (applying contour with the end of a plastic straw, for example) or appealing (fake eye bags, anyone?) but this summer there have been some gorgeous make-up looks circulating on the video platform. Subtle, flattering and easy to achieve at home, here are four popular TikTok make-up trends that look good on everyone… 1. Strawberry girl Hailey Bieber has declared it’s ‘strawberry girl summer’, sharing several snaps showing the fresh-faced make-up look on Instagram and posting a video tutorial on TikTok. Strawberry girl make-up involves a dewy, bronzed base with flushed cheeks and lips the colour of ripe strawberries. Bieber explained how she started by prepping her skin with serum and moisturiser, then used a brush to apply cream bronzer on her cheekbones and temples, followed by a few dots of concealer blended out to create a natural-looking base. The key product you need for this look is a pinky-red toned cream blush. Dab on the apples of your cheeks and blend outwards, adding a touch to your nose (if it looks like you’ve caught the sun, you’ve nailed it). If you want to you can add fake freckles with a brown liquid eyeliner or freckle pen, then finish with a hint of mascara (not too much) and the same cream blush dabbed onto your lips for a juicy pout. Mii Cosmetics Colour Wonder Lip and Cheek Balm Rebel Red, £23.50 2. Honey lips Layering up lip gloss and glittering gold powder is how you get the ‘honey lips’ look – the kind of high-shine plumped pout we often see Jennifer Lopez rocking on the red carpet. “A glitter-pigmented eyeshadow works so well for achieving this look,” says Elanna Pecherle, make-up artist and founder of Pearl Beauty. “But first ensure your lips are exfoliated – buff away any flakes and dryness, which will ensure smoother application.” Start with your eyeshadow or powder highlighter: “Apply it directly from your finger onto the centre of your lips, focusing on the Cupid’s bow and the centre of your lower lip.” A warm brown or peachy lip gloss on top will create the perfect honey tone. “You can define your lip with a nude shade liner that matches your lip colour, or go straight in with a gorgeous gloss,” Pecherle says. “You can also use a lip oil for this last step too.” Pearl Beauty Spotlight Gold, £12 Revolution Beauty I Heart Revolution Soft Swirl Gloss Chocolate Lip in Toffee Crunch, £3.20 (was £4), LookFantastic 3. Espresso shades As seen on TikTok beauty stars such as Meredith Duxbury and Millie Leer, the espresso make-up trend is inspired by the deep, chocolatey shade of freshly brewed coffee. After applying your usual foundation, use a cool-toned dark brown eyeshadow (either powder or cream) to create a smoky-eye look, blending up into the crease and using a smaller brush on the lower lash line, then finishing with black mascara. To achieve a monochromatic look, apply a matte bronzer on the cheekbones and temples, then finish with a nudey-brown lip colour – a satin or gloss finish keeps the look dewy and fresh. Trinny London Eye2Eye in Emperor, £18 Glossier Ultralip in Pony, £18 4. Clean girl aesthetic The latest incarnation of the ‘no make-up make-up’ look, the clean girl aesthetic is about flawless, dewy skin and nearly-nude lips, and the summer edition comes with a beautifully bronzed glow. The key to achieving this look is to use all cream products and, if you’re really committed, start the night before with tanning drops. Beauty fans on TikTok are loving self-tan serums and drops that you mix with your moisturiser and leave to develop overnight, so you wake up with a warm sunkissed glow. Indeed Labs Nanobronze Bronzing Drops, £13.33 (was £19.99), Boots Opt for a lightweight skin tint or BB cream (combined with concealer if you want a little more coverage), then dab a peachy-toned cream highlighter on the apples of your cheeks, nose, temples and under your brow bones. Brush up your brows with a clear brow gel and leave your lids bare (add a coat of mascara if you want definition) then finish with a slick of clear lip balm or oil. Jones Road Miracle Balm Au Naturel, £36 Jones Road The Brow Gel Clear, £23 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: What are the warning signs that your child might have cancer? Daily aspirin dose could help prevent diabetes in older people – researchers Secondhand September: The best places to buy pre-loved fashion online

Lance Stroll survived a staggering 110mph crash in qualifying for the Singapore Grand Prix. The Canadian driver lost control of his Aston Martin through the final left-hander at the Marina Bay Circuit before he slammed into the barrier. The force of the high-speed impact sent Stroll’s head rocking from side-to-side. He catapulted back across the track with British driver Lando Norris forced to take evasive action – dodging a flying wheel and Stroll’s out-of-control machine. “Is the driver alright?” asked Norris on the radio. “That must have been quite a big one.” Stroll pirouetted to a standstill in the middle of the track before his race engineer Ben Michell came on the radio. “Lance, car is safe,” said Michell. “Are you okay?” Stroll, 24, replied: “Yeah, I am OK.” The Aston Martin driver emerged from his wrecked car unaided before being taken off to the medical centre. Stroll’s accident brought a premature end to a frenetic conclusion to Q1 with drivers improving as the city-state track evolved. AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda led the way, with Lewis Hamilton 14th of the 20 runners with the bottom five set to be eliminated. Stroll’s impact left the marshals with a significant barrier repair job at the final corner, with fluid from his car also on the track. The session was delayed for 34 minutes before Q2 started at 9:53pm local time. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Max Verstappen struggles in Singapore practice under the lights On this day in 2021: George Russell joins Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz gets goosebumps after landing pole for Italian Grand Prix

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