Travel news

HOLIDAYS tend to be rather selfish occasions. But this year, try giving something back by volunteering to help at the Homeless World Cup.

Held over a week in September, the tournament sees more than 500 homeless players from 56 nations compete. And the bonus for the hundreds of volunteers required is that 2010's event will take place in Rio de Janeiro. Return flights to the city start from 580 with British Airways (www.ba.com), while hostel beds in a shared dorm start from 8 a night (www.hostelbookers.com). On-site volunteers receive one meal during an eight-hour shift. To volunteer or to find out more, see homelessworldcup.org.

Sunny, I love you

THE Costa Blanca – and, indeed, our own Blackpool – has a contender in Bulgaria's Sunny Beach.

The Black Sea resort is undoubtedly brash and comes complete with pony rides, neon lights, kebab shops, beach bars and bungee jumps. But Sunny Beach is a lot cheaper than other European destinations, as it uses the Bulgarian lev as currency as opposed to the euro.

A Mecca for partygoers over the last few years thanks to its abundant sunshine and endless stretches of unspoiled beach, it is tipped to become the new Ibiza.

Visit www.bulgariatravel.org to find out more.

Wall of light

PLANS have been unveiled to create a spectacular line of light from coast to coast, along the entire length of Hadrian's Wall.

The event will take place on Saturday, 13 March and will follow the route of the 84-mile long national trail.

Around 500 individual points of light will be placed at 250-metre intervals, the first at Wallsend in the North East, with the line of light making its way along the wall to Bowness-on-Solway in Cumbria over the course of an hour.

The ambitious project forms part of a programme of festivals and events developed by culture10 in the North East of England and the Lakes Alive programme in Cumbria. For further information, visit www.illuminatinghadrianswall.com.

This article was first published in Scotland on Sunday, January 17, 2010