The stunning Greek island of Antikythera is welcoming new inhabitants and will pay them €500 a month to live there.

This idyllic 20 sq km paradise has plenty of beautiful empty beaches where you’re sure to find a peaceful spot all to yourself.

There is something a little disconcerting about taking a lone ferry ride to a remote island and stepping foot onto eerily quiet shores as the boat heads back to civilisation, leaving you among just a few dozen residents already living there.

In stark contrast to the bustling and noisy holiday resorts in Greece and its popular islands that fill up especially during the summer holidays, this island is so quiet there’s no continuous droning of traffic and you may even be able hear your own pulse.

If you’re not much of a people person and you’re very happy spending time in your own company, this offer could be the one to entice you.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to get away from the hustle and bustle and live life a little slower, in a serene and simple paradise?

Well, you’re in luck because the small remote island of Antikythera is ready to move new families to its gorgeous land and make it their home.

Not only that, you will be paid to make the move. Antikythera will pay families an allowance of €500 a month to live there for three years, as well as receiving housing and land. 

While moving your family to a remote Greek island isn’t to everybody’s taste, the cash incentive might help those with a bit of an adventurous streak to take the leap of faith and give it a try.

While it doesn’t have any supermarkets, petrol stations, banks, ATMs or even taxis, the island is currently under development. It does have its own source of water, an autonomous power station and internet connection for those wondering. 

Antikythera, a two-hour ferry ride from Crete, only has one coffee shop – a kafeneion – which also serves as a grocery store and meeting place for its current islanders. 

The boat which supplies the island with food and gas cannot dock in especially stormy seas – which is, apparently, a fairly common occurrence in winter.

One interesting fact about this island is the discovery site of one of the oldest analogic computers ever found, the Antikythera Mechanism. 

Built sometime around 150 and 100 BC, its gear wheels and clockwork mechanism were used to predict astronomical positions, eclipses, orbits, and even mark the four-year period between each Olympic Games.

The selection process for families could take a good while to complete, so you can sit back and relax – once you’ve packed your life up – in the meantime.

Be sure to do your homework and make sure this is the right move for you and your family if you’re thinking about it.

Legoland in Windsor has revealed a first look into its brand-new holiday park, opening in 2024.

The newly built Woodland Village with over 130 lodges and 20 camping barrels will open to the public next May, with overnight stays on sale now. Prices to stay on the 10-acre site start at £295 or a family of four.

While most lodges sleep up to five guests, with 10 premium lodges able to sleep up to seven people.

Features at the Woodland Village include The Clubhouse Restaurant & Bar, which will serve up campfire-inspired grub in a woodland-themed setting.

Youngsters can explore the several woodland-themed play areas equipped with climbing frames and rope bridges based on spider’s webs and treehouses.

The family attraction will also have brick-building activities, nature trails, an entertainment hub, and colourful new Lego characters.

Helen Bull, Division Director at Legoland Windsor Resort, said: “The LEGOLAND Woodland Village has been a long time coming and we’re incredibly excited to now be taking bookings ahead of the official opening in May 2024.

“This moment marks years of planning and unwavering dedication to providing a magical experience for all our guests.

“The LEGOLAND Woodland Village is part of a significant transformation for the LEGOLAND Windsor Resort and we look forward to welcoming families to this new way to stay next year!”

But this isn’t the only exciting new addition to a Legoland-themed attraction, as an adventure golf attraction will be opening this October.

Also next month, the Legoland Discovery Centres in Birmingham and Manchester will be hosting their own Monster Parties, with a series of spooky attractions for Halloween.

Meanwhile, the Legoland theme park is set to close the Viking River Splash – one of its most popular rides – by the end of the month. The park haven’t given a reason as to why, but the ride will become part of Viking history.

UK holidaymakers will have to pay a fee when they enter Europe on their travels next year, as post-Brexit rules come into force.

From next year, Brits will need to obtain a European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) visa waiver to visit popular holiday destinations, including Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes.

Brits will have to complete an application form and pay a fee of seven euros – which works out at around six pounds. 

So far, 30 European countries have been confirmed as requiring ETIAS travel authorisation next year.

Although the EU has not confirmed an exact date for when the ETIAS comes into force, guidance does say it will be ‘operational in 2024’ – pushed back from the original 2020.

The ETIAS travel authorisation is then valid for three years, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. 

Travellers will be able to travel to and from the countries whenever they wish, providing the overall limit of the authorised stay is complied with.

According to EU guidance, most applications will be processed within minutes, but could take  up to 96 hours. 

However, some applications may take longer if additional documents are required, and travellers are advised to not purchase any tickets or book accommodation until they have the ETIAS.

It’s best to apply for one as soon as you start planning your holiday (although applications aren’t open just yet).

To apply for the ETIAS you’ll need to provide your personal details, as well as travel document information and details of any past criminal convictions.

 You will also need to state the first country you intend to visit. However, once you’ve received the ETIAS you’ll be able to visit any of the 30 countries it covers, whenever you like.

The 30 European countries where visa-exempt travellers require an ETIAS travel authorisation are:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Romania
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

The exact date of when ETIAS will come into force is yet to be announced. Visit the ETIAS website for more information by clicking HERE.