Daniela Toporek

Whether it's with or without an egg, with sweet or spicy sauce or with steak cooked rare or well done, the francesinha is Porto’s most famous national dish. This monstrous sandwich was invented in the 1950s by Daniel Silva, a Portuguese man who was living in France, saw the croque monsieur and thought, ‘hey, let's go bigger’. Some stick to the traditional version (roast beef or steak, sausages, wet-cured ham and melted cheese between layers of toasty white bread), but more and more people are embracing variations – from veggie and vegan options to chicken, prawn and more. Whether you're a sandwich purist or an embracer of innovation, there’s a francesinha for you on this list. Here are the best francesinhas in Porto, ranked. Be brave and try one. You won’t regret it.  RECOMMENDED: Discover our ultimate guide to Porto Mariana Morais Pinheiro is the deputy editor at Time Out Porto. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

That Paris icon, the Eiffel Tower, has just unveiled the Vertigo of the Tower, a 40-metre suspension bridge between the monument’s east and west pillars. Come for a sense of recklessness or romance in a legendary district that defies neat labels. That holds true for the boutique beds beyond the Iron Lady.  For sure, the Eiffel Tower scene is less about cobblestones and cosy cafes than monumental views and museums. Its glossy hotels revel in glamour and grande-dame appeal. Yet here, as elsewhere in the capital, there’s a trend for less theatre, more thoughtfulness and a stronger sense of place. For our hotel selection purposes, the iconic Eiffel Tower area stretches from the monumental military architecture of the Left Bank to the bustling Champs Elysées entertainment and fashion hub on the Right Bank. It also embraces the Trocadero showpiece and the snob appeal of the uber-chic 16th arrondissement.  This seemingly aloof swathe of prime real estate smacks of preening Paris - but behind the grandiose facades expect the odd hidden gems that don’t always break the bank. For every retro palace hotel there’s a slow-burn boutique retreat ready to be your forever Parisian pied-a-terre. Paris's top hotels near the Eiffel Tower at a glance 🏋🏽 Best for health and fitness: Brach Paris ✨ Best for old-school charm: Hotel Dusquesne Eiffel 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Best for friends and family: La Trêve 👠 Best fashionistas: Hôtel Plaza Athénée 🌟 Best for a legendary stay: Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's

September 2025: Mexican food in London has never been better. What started in the 1990s as a Tex-Mex-leaning fascination with grainy cheese, hard taco shells, and oversalted tortilla chips, has got whole lot more authentic, blossoming into a bold community of cooks and chefs – Mexican, Brit and beyond – who seek outside the taco seasoning for more legitimate cuisine. Across London you can now find dishes from hyperlocal Mexican regions, as well as handmade tortillas, brilliant salsas and ceviches, fresh moles, fabulously mixed margaritas and even Michelin star rated spots. These are the finest 20 Mexican restaurants in London, where you can find all the above and more. Read more about the enviable current state of Mexican food in London here.  London's best Mexican restaurants at a glance: 🍹 Best for a blow-out brunch: Corrochio’s, Dalston 🌮 Best for traditional tacos: Proper Tacos, Holloway 🪙 Best on a budget: Sonora Taqueria, Stoke Newington 💅 Best for a fancy night out: Cavita, Marylebone  🌽 Best for vegans: Tacos Padre, Borough Market RECOMMENDED: London's best street food. Daniela Toporek is a London-based, Mexican-American food and travel journalist with a passion for discovering and sharing Latin-American culture and cuisine in the UK. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

You’ve decided you’re travelling to London. You’ve booked your transport and downloaded a tube map, but where to stay? You’ve probably clocked that London is one massive, sprawling city, made up of neighbourhoods that each have their own unique character. Resist the urge to panic-book a fancy hotel in London’s West End – there’s plenty more out there, we promise. So, if you're visiting in 2026, why not dive into the real London by branching out from the well-trodden tourist path? Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of somewhere totally new. If you're after local living, hit up Leyton or Walthamstow, or Brixton has an endless array of cheap eats, bars and culture on every corner. Whether you’re after lively nightlife, easy access to gorgeous green spaces, culture on your doorstop, or serious dining, you’ll find it here. Ready to get booking? Read on for our guide to the best neighbourhoods and places to stay in London.  Where to stay in London at a glance Hackney - best for living like a local Camberwell - best for hyped restaurants, bakeries and galleries Camden - best for punk living and vegan food Peckham - best for BYOBs, rooftop bars and hitting the club Shoreditch - best for vintage shopping and curry houses Chiswick - best for a tranquil getaway Dalston - best for eating, drinking and nightlife Marylebone - fine dining and luxury hotels Harringay - best for neighbourhood vibes and Turkish food Hampstead - wild swimming, cosy pubs and spotting Harry Styles

Porto does traditional food really well, but it’s not afraid to embrace the new. That’s right, we also excel in the art of making eggs, pancakes, toasties and latte art – and we take it very, very seriously. Brunch here is like no where else, often served with over 10 different components, from scrambled eggs to yoghurt pots, fresh pastries to smoked salmon. In fact, if you’re not getting proper brunch one morning, you’re not doing Porto properly. Here are our favourite spots for it in Porto.  ➡️ READ MORE: Ultimate guide to eating out in Porto Porto’s best brunches at a glance 🌄 Best breakfast with a view: Bello Rooftop 🥑 Best build-your-own: Do Norte 🍹 Best cocktails: Zenith Brunch & Cocktails This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Porto, and translated into English for our global audience. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

There’s a lot on show on the streets of Porto: great architecture, vibrant culture and people as brilliant as their cuisine. But if you really want to get under the skin of this city, head to the museums. Porto has a museum for pretty much any topic under the sun. Looking for art? It’s got it. How about a museum all about theatre and puppets for the kids? Check. Or are you a football fan on the move? There’s a museum for that, too. These are the best museums in Porto to get lost in this year.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Our ultimate guide for best things to do in Porto This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Porto. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Dazzling history. Haute coutour. Prestigious paintings and more. When it comes to art and culture, the City of Lights has it all. And while exploring the Louvre's sprawling collection is a must-do for first-timers, Paris's museum scene goes beyond the Mona Lisa and her cheeky smirk. There are over 100 museums that reflect the city’s passion for artistic preservation, and while you’ll see familiar names below like the Musée d’Orsay, and yes, still even The Louvre, we dare you to venture out of these classic institutions to dig deeper. Time to get cultured à la française with the best museums in Paris this year. When’s the best day to visit a museum in Paris? Some of the city’s biggest museums open their doors for free on the first Sunday of every month, including the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, as well as some of the less obvious options, such as the Musée National Gustave Moreau, the former home and museum of the Symbolist painter. RECOMMENDED: Check out our full guide of the best things to do in Paris This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

So, you’re in Paris, probably after watching a thousand Paris TikToks before you went. What’s the first thing you need? A croissant. Or maybe a chewy baguette. Or maybe a pain aux raisin, or a cookie, or perhaps a millefeuille (or three).  Essentially, you need to get yourself to a pâtisserie, or a boulangerie, stat (the former is for cakes, the latter primarily for bread, but both will do you a banging croissant). There’s nowhere better for baked goods than in Paris – you’ve just got to avoid the tourist traps. Luckily, the editorial team at Time Out Paris have sampled every spot worth its dough in the city, to bring you this list of the absolute best. Please, enjoy. It’s on us.  ➡️ READ MORE: Discover our ultimate Paris restaurant guide Why you should trust our editors Our team of expert editors at Time Out Paris spend their days exploring Paris’s many neighbourhoods, and it’s constantly evolving food and drink scene – basically, if it’s worth your time in Paris, these guys know all about it. . For more information, check out our editorial guidelines. Headed up by Food & Drink Editor Antoine Besse, every spot on this list is here for a reason: these guys have tried it (often multiple times), and they’d genuinely recommend it. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 🔔 BOOK NOW: Paris’s best Airbnbs and best hotels

Updated March 2026: To showcase all that Paris has to offer, we regularly update this list with unique and on-trend properties. This time, we've added the impeccable Cheval Blanc Paris, and the ever-chic Hôtel Madame Rêve.  Ah, the city of love. What a dreamy trip to take with your other half… Or, in this case, the kids, too. Don’t be fooled, though – Paris isn’t just for budding romances. Or the Eiffel Tower – as much as we j'adore it. There’s so much to see and do here as a family, along with some absolutely breathtaking places to stay at while you're here. So, with hundreds of glorious family-friendly hotels, aparthotels and guesthouses to choose from, you are truly spoiled for choice on your Parisian adventure. Ready to bon voyage to the best family-friendly hotels in Paris? Allons-y! NB: We’ve also hand-selected the best family room options to take the extra admin off your plate. Jouir! 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Paris Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every hotel featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

The food in Paris is out of this world, but it can weigh heavily on your wallet. The city has something like 120 Michelin-starred restaurants (putting it only second to having the highest number in the world), and if you grab a snack in the wrong spot you could be looking at accidentally spending €20 on a tiny sandwich and an even tinier drink.  But don’t panic – Time Out has put together a handy guide to help you fight back against the high cost of eating out. We’ve handpicked spots that are cutting prices, not corners – places where you can enjoy a proper sit-down meal, in an spot full of ambience, for €20 or less, from bibimpap to falafel and €10 lunch deals. So here it is: our ultimate guide to eating in Paris, on the cheap. Enjoy.  ➡️ READ MORE: Discover our ultimate Paris restaurant guide Why you should trust our editors Our team of expert editors at Time Out Paris spend their days exploring Paris’s many neighbourhoods, and it’s constantly evolving food and drink scene – basically, if it’s worth your time in Paris, these guys know all about it. . For more information, check out our editorial guidelines. Headed up by Food & Drink Editor Antoine Besse, every spot on this list is here for a reason: these guys have tried it (often multiple times), and they’d genuinely recommend it. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 🔔 BOOK NOW: Paris’s best Airbnbs and best hotels

Updated for 2026: Beloved ice queen, Elza, has finally arrived to the City of Lights via Disneyland Paris's new World of Frozen, fjords and all. Stroll through the charming town of Arendelle, and queue up for the 'Frozen Ever After' ride that brings the story to life in an enchanting, nostalgic (for the adults) setting.  Perhaps you’ve got a 10-year-old who’s exclusively interested in heart-thumping rollercoasters, or maybe a four-year-old who doesn’t have quite that appetite for adrenaline yet. Feeling daunted by the prospect of ushering them around Disney? Our run-down of the best Disneyland Paris rides ranges from the frightful to the easy-going to the just plain magical. With queues and the frankly overwhelming choice, it’s almost impossible to indulge in every single one in one visit. So if you need some help making those tough decisions, read on for our pick of the best rides in Disneyland Paris that are worth the queues. If these attractions got your adrenaline pumping like they did to us, book online here. What is the scariest ride at Disneyland Paris? If you're looking for more thrills than chills, the answer is easy: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It's the only one where adults come out with wobbly legs under the pretext of poor digestion of the Mickey hot dog. Head for an art deco hotel frozen in the 1930s, deserted by its customers and populated by phenomena that are not really reassuring. We get into an elevator that flashes strangely, the kind that doesn't r

Moonlight shimmering on the Seine; the sound of jazz drifting out from candlelit bars; strolling hand in hand through the winding streets of Montmartre: it’s hard to think of many cities that rival Paris for romance. You know what’s not romantic? Your date seeing you sweat as you feverishly scroll through Instagram looking for a last-minute restaurant recommendation. Never fear. With our guide of the most romantic restaurants in Paris, you can whisk your amour off for a meal that’s bound to win them over, at least in terms of the food. The rest? That’s up to you. 📍RECOMMENDED: 🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris🏨 The best hotels in Paris Antoine Besse is the food and drink editor Antoine Besse. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Ever wondered what it’s like to party like a rock star? Edinburgh’s House of Gods hotel might just give you a glimpse. This Orient-Express-inspired hotel along Cowgate comes with Hollywood-style perks, and an unlimited supply of cocktails. It’s a place where Guns’N’Roses would’ve gone wild. Where Madonna would pose on a four-post bed. Where romantic stays are racy, and where hen-dos and stag nights indulge into the night.  Why stay at The House of Gods? Think of this hotel as a cross between a vintage luxury train and a lavish, modern cocktail bar, just around the corner from the Royal Mile. The property is small, but alluring with dark corners and dim lights, and the decor toes the line between godly and gaudy with thick, patterned fabrics, gold accents and velvet-fringed lamp shades. It’s completely extra, over-the-top and and a hell of a lot of fun.  What are the rooms like at The House of Gods? Wooden panels and deep red fabric wrap around the walls of the property and its 22 rooms. They’re quite small compared to the average hotel, but they’re packed with personality and one of the most comfortable beds you’ll ever sleep (or not sleep) in. When you’re lounging, the mirror directly across the bed turns into a TV, and a light switch near the headrest illuminates the four-post bed to a light-district red.  The entire bathroom is made of faux-marble,  white and grey, bright and fabulous – with excellent water pressure, and while many rooms don’t have real windows, they do ha

Crossing south on London’s Wandsworth Bridge, Folk at Florence Dock stands high with panoramic views of the city. Offering short and long-term accommodation right along the Thames, this social, co-living property is quietly building a community and breathing life into unsung corners of Battersea. It’s perfect for a longer stay, or just to feel like you’re making it your own – it’s self-service and private kitchens over public dining rooms or breakfast buffets.   What is the service like at Folk? Whether you’ve booked for two years or a two nights, the staff at Folk make each aspect of the property feel like it's part of your home, with events almost every night of the week to get to know people staying. When I was checking in, for example, I was lucky to catch the tail-end of a piano concert in Folk’s cosy lobby. Residents young and old, kicked back with drinks and snacks while fawning over classic tunes and chatting quietly. What are the rooms like at Folk? Each room here is a studio set-up, and they’re sweet and simple, with all the quality necessities. Double beds are comfortable. Kitchen appliances are modern and clean, and the ensuite bathrooms are spotless, with ample room. A half-moon table has just enough room for a quick meal for two, and the wardrobe behind it holds a surprisingly good amount of storage space. There are also a decent amount of shelves, and a TV near the foot of the bed.  If you do end up needing extra space, ask management about Folk’s “bigger” and

  Right in the pulse of Italy’s fashion capital, the Park Hyatt Milano combines family-friendly luxury with bold, Milanese pride. With a prime location near the city’s landmarks and fresh room renovations, this is your swanky, haute couture holiday sorted. Why stay at Park Hyatt Milano? Staying at the PHM means staying in a little piece of Milan’s fashion history. It was originally built as a palazzo in the 1870s before it was converted into the city’s very first department store, Aux Villes de Paris, (later changing the name to Aux Villes d'Italie, then the iconic La Rinascente) in 1877. After its closure, the building was transformed into the Park Hyatt Milano in 2003, and recently celebrated its 20-year anniversary with a €20 million-euro glow-up that was completed in 2022. Now, PHM provides remarkable hospitality encased in opulent Italian marble, with the vibes to match.  What is the service like at Park Hyatt Milano? Outstanding. The management and concierges know the ins-and-outs of Milan and will move mountains for you (or at least give you plenty of Mirto and panettone recommendations). There’s also tip-top room service, snazzy bartenders and nurturing spa attendants who bring you back to life.  What are the rooms like at Park Hyatt Milano? Each of the hotel’s 108 rooms are decorated with light, elegant, neutral tones and artwork that you’d fawn over in a gallery, along with heaven-sent king beds, fine, Italian bedding and blackout curtains. This includes 26 stately

If you’ve travelled through Italy, you might have seen All’Antico Vinaio’s big, bold, red signage, alerting you to their sensational sandwiches. This autumn, All’Antico opened its first UK store in Soho, marking the 48th location to sling their Florentine sandwiches worldwide. Schiacciata is a Tuscan flat bread that’s as fluffy as focaccia on the inside, but satisfyingly crisp at the crust. At All’Antico, this heaven-baked bread is cut in half and stuffed with meats, creams and cheeses that take you to the land of the Renaissance. There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair All’Antica’s small shop has already caused a stir on Old Compton Street. At lunch, white and blue-collar workers united by hunger pour out of the entrance and down the road. Inside, staff are efficient as hell. You immediately order at the counter, then inch your way to the register while the artists are at work. By the time you pay, your sandwich is securely wrapped and ready to go.  Deciding which sandwich to order is an excruciating task. There are 18 options, but if you’re a first timer, order La Paradiso – Italian for ‘the paradise’ and absolutely living up to its name. Slices of mortadella generously blanket a thick spread of pistachio cream and stracciatella cheese, with chopped pistachios added for extra flavour and texture. There’s no way to look cute eating it. It’s a messy and greasy affair. Same goes for the Italiana, slathered in basil pesto that drips down to stacke

You’ll find Hera, named after the queen of the Olympians, on the backside of Stratford Cross – past Westfield, past the newly opened Everyman and just opposite the new V&A East Storehouse. As soon as you think you’ve gone too far, there it is; a corner restaurant with tall glass doors and windows that make anyone who’s wandered this far want to peer in.  Inside, there’s a bar with an illuminated liquor shelf as tall as the ceiling. If Beauty and the Beast’s Belle had a penchant for booze over books, she’d roll her ladder from one side of the bar to the next in search of her top-shelf favourites.  Even more impressive is Hera’s gloriously vast dining room with chandeliers, elaborate foliage and plush booths. In the kitchen, chef Mario Salimis whips up a classically Greek-inspired menu with modern twists. The melitzano salata, diced aubergine with honey and balsamic, is a savoury delight, more so when spread thickly across any of the assorted breads at the table. The fried calamari has a perfect squid-to-batter ratio, and slivers of seabass carpaccio are fresh and silky smooth, though quite oily. Better still is the seafood orzo, one hell of a dish, with plump prawns and vibrant-orange mussels. Cocktails are interesting, too. The Arriani is Greece in a glass, with feta gin, Greek yoghurt, fig cordial. Meanwhile, the Helen of Spice is basically a mango marg with a kick. But the finest moment – as basic as it sounds – is the Greek salad. Chopped cucumbers, onions, olives, peppers

As sister venue to Hackney’s tiny wine bar Binch, Godet can easily be spotted by its peachy-pink exterior and checkered curtains. Not only are the vibes ridiculously cool, with a weekend DJ (at a reasonable volume), Godet have collabed with Ling Ling’s to serve up their epic Chinese and pan-Asian menu for the next year (think; hot and spicy tartare, Sichuan hibiscus octopus and turnip cakes, mala beef ragu with udon noodles, and steamed prawn, chicken and Thai basil wontons) to complement a small, but mighty selection of reds, whites and oranges.  

What is it? A historic theatre company and venue within Glasgow’s Gorbals neighbourhood that’s just been restored in 2025.   Why is it worth visiting? The Citizens Theatre holds some of the UK’s oldest theatrical equipment within its incredibly well-preserved Victorian auditorium, and has undergone a huge glow-up that’s been in the works since 2018. It was only supposed to take three years, but COVID and rising costs pushed its opening to August 2025. Inside the three-storey theatre, there's a spankin' brand new and more accessible foyer, a new bar, new social spaces and enhanced backstage facilities for performers. The six cherries on top are the fully restored statues of Robert Burns, Williams Shakespeare and the four Greek muses, Melpomene (tragedy), Thalia (comedy), Euterpe (song and poetry) and Terpsichore (dance) – all which were part of the original building in 1878.  How much does it cost?  Prices vary depending on production, which you can find here.  📍 Discover the best things to do in Glasgow

When you look at photos of the Generator London hostel online, I get why you might be skeptical. Google’s feature photo of the entrance isn’t the most warm and welcoming, and the rest of the images, though professionally shot, still radiate a tint of sadness from the lack of life in those colourful, yet empty rooms. But I want you to take those images and presumptions about this Bloomsbury stay and throw them in the bin as Generator is the perfect example of why one should never judge a book by its cover – or Google search.  Why stay at Generator London? Generator London opened in 1995 within what was once a secluded police station on Tavistock Place. The once family-run hostel turned into a successful European brand with quirky, urban decor and locations across the continent, including Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris and Barcelona – and three in North America too. In 2014, the London location got an impressive glow-up, leaving the stereotype of grungy, risky hostels in the past, and it’s definitely kept its reputation up since.  The lobby is a large, contemporary, eclectic space with neon welcome signs, a street art-style photo of Queen Elizabeth blowing a pink bubblegum bubble, and the front desk to the left with self-check in tablets. However, for a more personal connection (and to avoid the tablet that kept freezing) check in with the kind receptionist instead. Once you’re checked in and free to roam the property, you finally see life, and all walks of it. People of all ages hun

Parents of preschoolers, consider this your official warning: Adventure Bay is coming, and with it will surely be incessant pleading of ‘can we go’ from countless young ’uns. The world of the Canadian animated children series PAW Patrol is leaping off-screen and set to open Chessington World of Adventures next month. Yep, that’s right: it’ll be open in time for the early May Bank Holiday.  The 1.4-acre ‘World of PAW Patrol’ was announced back in spring 2025. It will bring Adventure Bay to life, complete with a full-scale replica of the show’s iconic Lookout Tower that will dominate the skyline of the Surrey theme park.  The £15 million World of PAW Patrol will feature four rides, each themed around a member of the pup pack. Chase’s Mountain Mission, an entry-level rollercoaster designed for brave little thrill-seekers (and their grown-ups), uses the Lookout Tower as the centrepiece of the ride.  There’s also Skye’s Helicopter Heroes, a spinning aerial ride with panoramic views; Marshall’s Firetruck Rescue, a rocking, rolling adventure through Adventure Bay; and Zuma’s Hovercraft Adventure, which marks the UK’s first-ever ‘drifter’ ride where vehicles will mimic the sensations of real-life sliding and skidding.  The official opening date of World of PAW Patrol has been confirmed for Sunday May 3 2026, the day before the May Bank Holiday (May 4). Chessington is a direct 35-minute train from London Waterloo. According to Chessington, the land’s storytelling focuses on teamwork,

If you see vibrant orange wings fluttering around your nearby elm or willow tree, you might be witnessing a beautiful butterfly revival. According to the Butterfly Conservation, the once-instinct large tortoiseshell butterfly is back, baby!  The creature’s extinction in the UK, first declared in the 1960s, was partially blamed on Dutch elm disease. But now, lepidopterists (the people who study moths and butterflies) think that the UK may just be the northern border of the species’ range, and that global heating and climate change have helped trigger their return.  Early sightings of the insect have been recorded across woodlands in Dorset, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and the Isle of Wight, enabling the Butterfly Conservation to formally recognise it as a native UK species for the first time in the charity’s 58 year history. The addition brings the total number of native butterflies in Britain to 60.   How do you know if you’ve spotted one of these bright-coloured beauts? Unlike its smaller sibling, large tortoiseshell butterflies don’t have white markings on their wings, and reside in trees like elm, willow, aspen or poplar, as opposed to lower shrubs and flowers.  Professor Richard Fox, head of science at Butterfly Conservation, said: ‘This is great news about a beautiful and charismatic butterfly: if the individuals that are being seen can survive and reproduce then there's no downside to the large tortoiseshell coming back, and we can look at what we might be able to do to h

If you’ve ever fantasised about quitting your job, throwing your phone into the sea and going through a total lifestyle change, this might be your moment. A rare opportunity has opened up on Scotland’s Fair Isle, the UK’s most remote inhabited island perched between Orkney and Shetland, where a new tenant is being sought for a crofting tenancy. Crofting is basically a small-form land tenancy in Scotland where the tenant (aka crofter) contributes to the area’s common grazing pasture land for raising livestock.   For this particular role, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) hopes to find someone experienced in crofting, and who has their own trade (preferably electrician or joiner) or could contribute to the isle's knitwear industry. The role is aimed at someone resourceful and self-sufficient who can embrace the challenges of isolated island living. Fair Isle has a population of about 60 people, and you’ll be number 61, so it’s a chance to step into a slower, communal, more hands-on existence. In return, the new islander gets a four-bedroom house and about 15 acres (6ha) of land.  ‘Ideally, we're looking for younger people, people of working age,’ said the director of Fair Isle Development Company, Eileen Thomson to the BBC. ‘Most of us have a croft but also work in the school, on the ferry and in various community organisations’.  But let’s be clear. This is no charming countryside getaway. Taking on the croft means committing to a new way of life with significantly more ma

The golden age of working from home has faded. With jobs forcing employees back into the office, workers that fled London during the pandemic are being forced back into their metropolitan routines – the crack-of-dawn morning alarms, the furious traffic jams, the late-running trains that pack people in like sardines and ship us to our nine-to-fives. And to top it all off, finding a decent, affordable home is a competitive, gut wrenching nightmare.  And here comes the other problem: commuter towns that were once affordable pre-pandemic, like Reading, St. Albans and Woking, are filling up fast and catching up with London’s inflated pricing, so where can commuters go now?  ‘Britain’s traditional commuter belts have shrunk back down after the pandemic, but they are not as compact as they were before,’ Savills employee Frances McDonald told The Guardian this month. He also added that new infrastructure like the Lizzy Line has helped better connect western counties to central and east London offices.  So where are these new spaces? Savills researched rail station use and 2025 housing prices to find new, nearby havens for commuters to London.  First up, Iver in Buckinghamshire has a 24-minute travel time into London Paddington with a £2,868 season ticket cost and average housing price of £539,575. The Lizzy line can stop at Iver and take workers all the way to Canary Wharf in under an hour.  Shenfield in Essex comes second with a 23-minute commute to Liverpool Street, an annual seaso

England’s second city is steaming ahead with plans for a new HS2 high-speed railway station. Curzon Street station will serve as Birmingham’s terminus, linking the city with the capital. The new Curzon Street Station will be located east of Birmingham city centre, near Digbeth, and right by the old Curzon Street Station building, which was built in 1839 and has its own plans to be restored as a historic landmark. The site is already undergoing major construction work and is expected to integrate existing local transport.  Excitingly, visuals of the new station have been released, showing a huge, modern station with an impressive curved roof structure. There's a newly paved square at the entrance, and a terrace and gardens at the rear, complementing the station's more contemporary design. If all goes to plan, the new CSS will not only function as a reliable transport hub and waiting area for travellers, but also promise a new, epic third space and public destination within the city. Photograph: HS2   While Curzon Street’s HS2 station is still a few years from completion (it’s expected to open in the late 2020s or early 2030s), the rail hub is already expected to play a pivotal role in Birmingham’s next era, improving connections, supporting city growth and showing that England's second city is just as worthy of the spotlight as its first. Here are some more previews of the place. Image: HS2 Ltd Image: HS2 Ltd Image: HS2 Ltd Did you see that a huge new £1.5 billion pu

If you’re a sucker for peeking into the private lives of the Royals, we have right royal treat for you. As part of the celebration of her late Majesty's 100th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II’s private rooms in Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse are opening to the public for the first time. The private quarters will open as part of a new tour – and this will be no quick run-through of palace corridors and roped-off rooms. The new tours will an in-depth look at the Queen and Prince Philip’s private Scottish suite, where they stayed during ‘Holyrood Week’ each summer.  This is where the Queen and Prince enjoyed their downtime, carried out engagements and hosted their annual Garden Party for about 8,000 guests. Tours will also reveal the Queen’s dressing room, sitting room (where she caught up on racing) and her Royal breakfast room.  You’ll also get a chance to see a variety of Royal Collection pieces and personal items, like some of the Queen’s iconic outfits from over the years, and a hefty art collection compiled by Prince Philip. The tours will run for 100 days only, from May 21 to September 10. Tickets go for £71-£75, depending on whether you book ahead or the day of the tour. Get tickets on the palace website here.  Did you see that a new train service will connect London and Scotland for £30? Plus: this countryside county has been crowned the best region of the UK for pubs. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stu

If you’re looking for a new reason to take a quick trip (and dip) to the shimmering seaside of Brighton and Hove, here’s one: the local council has announced plans to replace the city’s King Alfred Leisure Centre with a shiny new building.  The new seaside leisure centre would replace the current 1939 structure on Kingsway to make room for a bigger, better gym, leisure pools, family-friendly zones and an indoor café with coastal views (for when hunger strikes after a day of swimming). Plans were originally announced by the council in 2024, but with a planning application officially submitted, plant and landscaping prep underway and new imagery making waves online, it’s looking like the vision is finally becoming a reality. If everything gets approved, this £65 million centre and its bright and shining piscines could be ready to dive into by 2028. Photograph: Brighton & Hove City Council   However, some residents are a bit skeptical about the plans and would prefer the old leisure centre to be retrofitted. Heritage campaigner Laura King told BBC News: ‘[The current centre] was built as a flagship facility with a rooftop restaurant and 480 spaces underground. So if we retrofit it, it will be a flagship leisure centre again. But actually, we’re exchanging it for a shoebox in order to build tower blocks around it.’ Did you see that one of the UK’s greatest cities is getting a £54 million new museum? Plus: the prettiest seaside towns in the UK for coastal getaways. Stay in the

Mark your travel calendars, and put in that annual leave. Trips from London to Australia’s culture capital are about to get a heck of a lot easier.  In January 2027, British Airways is launching brand-new flights from London Heathrow Airport straight to Melbourne — aka the city that Time Out just crowned best on the planet right now. In our 2026 ranking of the world’s greatest cities (sponsored by Intrepid) Time Out Melbourne editor Leah Glynn said about the place:  ‘Melbourne’s coolest streets and neighbourhoods are filled with gems, from indie cinemas and rooftop bars to vinyl shops and quirky galleries. ‘And don’t let anyone tell you Melbourne is all personality over looks – we’ve got grand, heritage-listed buildings, laneways lined with colourful murals, world-class gardens and a river (the Yarra) that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for local Indigenous communities.’ So, all the more reason to visit! BA’s new route starts on January 9 2027, so there’s still plenty of time to save up.  Now, while British Airways’ new LHR-MEL route is direct, it isn’t non-stop. Planes will make a pit-stop in Kuala Lumpur to refuel before taking off again for Down Under. It’s less time-consuming than getting a connecting flight.    Why Melbourne, why 2027? Besides Melbourne being Time Out’s top city for food, arts and nightlife this year, it’s also hosting a sport-packed summer in 2027. Flights are perfectly timed for the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Australian

The UK’s devotion to pub culture borders on spiritual. Boozers aren’t just places to drink, they’re community hubs, documents of local history – naming a ‘best’ region in Britains for pubs, therefore, is very controversial business.  But that hasn’t stopped consumer organisation Which?, which recently revealed the UK county that it reckons has the greatest pubs in the UK.  According to Which?, Derbyshire is the country’s top place for boozers. The county – which contains much of the Peak District – received such high praise due to the surprisingly high density of watering holes that are scattered across its picture-perfect villages and awe-inspiring hiking routes.  Photograph: jimmonkphotography / Shutterstock.com   Regular trekkers in the Peaks won’t be too surprised by Which?’s revelation. Stumbling upon a centuries-old inn after a day traversing peaks and moors is part of the experience of the national park; the promise of a proper pub at the end of a trail makes the Peaks all the more enticing. Writing for Which? Travel Magazine’s March/April issue, Oliver Smith said: ‘Here, you can find every species of public house, from village pubs to gastro pubs to ancient coaching inns.’ He shouted out the Chatsworth Estate for its variety of pubs like the Beeley Inn, which has hosted the likes of Charles Dickens and King Edward VII, and the sky-high Barrel Inn in Bretton for its ‘panoramic views of the Dales’ and ‘resolutely old school’ interior. Photograph: TravellingFatman / S

E-bikes are among the easiest, most environmentally-friendly ways to get around London, but a turf war between operators could potentially soon leave fewer ride choices for west London cyclists. Richmond Council has announced that it is considering a proposal that may swap the neon-green Lime bikes – one of London’s biggest e-bike operators – for its darker green competitor, Forest.  In the proposal, Forest would become Richmond's only e-bike provider for the next three years after outbidding Lime in a council tender. Forest’s bid apparently scored highest overall in the procurement process due to financial criteria like pricing and value for taxpayers. If councillors approve the recommendation, Lime bikes could be banned in the borough. Lime currently operates in Richmond, where, according to the Standard, riders racked up more than 1.5 million trips in 2025 alone. Naturally, Lime isn’t thrilled about the prospect of leaving Richmond. The company warned that forcing it out of the borough could lead to ‘unintended consequences’ for riders, like the possibility of people cycling in from nearby areas only to discover they can’t legally park their bikes without getting hit with a penalty. Forest says it won the Richmond tender in a ‘fair and square’, while hinting at potential perks or offers for riders once bikes roll into the borough. If this all sounds a bit chaotic, that’s because, well... it is a bit. E-bike rules are inconsistent across London boroughs. Each borough decide

Organic American grocery chain Whole Foods Market just announced plans to open six new locations across London this spring, doubling its UK footprint to 12 stores total. The expansion comes just over a year after the retailer reopened its King’s Road location in March 2025 — the first new UK Whole Foods store to open in more than a decade. Now, the brand will spread across the capital with new branches arriving from April through June. Five of the six new stores will be in old Amazon Fresh stores, which shut last year. First up is the Angel location, which opens on April 2 on Upper Street, followed by Liverpool Street on April 23. Two openings will take place in May, with Notting Hill Gate on May 14 and Woof Wharf on May 28, followed by two more in June (Monument on June 4 and St James on June 11).  The new outposts range in size from 3,300 to 10,000 square feet, and are part of a ‘Daily Shop’ concept that aims to provide smaller-designed stores for busier neighbourhoods. Think: quick lunch stops on your break, after-work dinner pick-ups and the occasional impulse kombucha splurge.  Despite the more compact design, shoppers can still expect to find a variety of the brand’s organic produce, ready-to-eat meals and specialty items. Prepared food counters will feature salads, sandwiches and hot dishes like teriyaki salmon and Spanish-style free-range chicken, while the bakery will turn out fresh bread and the chain’s cult-favourite brown butter cookies. There’ll also be a select

Picture the summer holidays, and it’s likely gold, sandy beaches and calm blue waters spring to mind. However, it seems that as temperatures soar, city breaks are becoming a summer go-to, for adventure and, dare we say it, air-con. According to data collected by online booking agent Thomas Cook, these are the destinations getting the most city bookings, and the top contenders are a little surprising.  Coming in first? That’d be Poland, where 17 percent of bookings were made. Its second largest city, Krakow, with varieties of Romanesque, Modernist and Gothic architecture, its UNESCO-listed Old Town and historical significance during WWII, offers all the things a good city should, while remaining charmingly down-to-earth. To get your summertime waterside fix, wander along the Vistula River where you’ll find Wawel Castle (which once housed Polish royals) and has now been transformed into one of Poland’s top art museums. After the riverwalk, stay cool indoors with a visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, Krakow (MOCAK), which is home to work by talented Polish and international artists. For a lesson on Krakow’s history,  History buffs can visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, as well as the Rynek Underground museum beneath the Main Market Square (Europe's largest medieval square), for a lesson on Krakow’s history.  Hungary comes at a close second with 13 percent, with cities like Budapest blooming with contemporary hotels, rooftop bars and thermal baths that make the perfect alte