Grace Beard is Time Out’s travel editor, based in north London. She joined Time Out as deputy travel editor in November 2022 after nearly a decade in travel media.

She covers shifting travel trends, underexplored places, overtourism and everything in between. Outside of work, she’s trying to write a book, which may or may not ever materialise. The rest of the time, you can almost always find her sitting on the hill in Ally Pally or doing the Parkland Walk for the hundredth time. 

Time Out has covered the world’s greatest cities through the eyes of local experts since 1968. For more about us, read our editorial guidelines.

Grace Beard

Grace Beard

Travel Editor

Articles (72)

The world’s 20 best cities for culture right now

The world’s 20 best cities for culture right now

Earlier this year, we published our annual hotlist of the world’s greatest cities. Some of them got top marks for food; others boast world-class public transport and walkable streets – but which are the best of the bunch when it comes to art and culture? To find out, we quizzed 18,500 locals in cities across the planet about the culture scene in their hometown. Based on their insights, each city was given a score for both the quality and affordability of its cultural offering, and only the highest-scoring cities for each country made the longlist. We then turned to Time Out’s culture experts – our global network of city editors and art and culture writers – to vote for their favourite destinations.  The result? The 20 most exciting, dynamic cultural hubs on the planet right now, where experiencing art in all its forms is affordable and accessible – both to those who live there and to those who visit. In each of these cities, culture isn’t only confined to museums, theatres and legacy art venues (though there are plenty of those). You’ll find pop-up festivals in unlikely locations, late-night museum parties, community gallery crawls, and a new cohort of creatives thinking up the next big thing. Ever been to a rave in a cave? Or a nature-inspired literary festival? You’ll find all that and more on this list. From Amsterdam to Abu Dhabi, these are today’s cultural capitals. See you out there! RECOMMENDED:🌃 The world’s best cities in 2025🍜 The world’s best cities for food righ
The 20 best hikes in the world

The 20 best hikes in the world

Whether you need to get away from it all, stretch your legs a bit, or remind yourself of how tiny and insignificant you are in the immensity of Mother Nature, there’s only one thing for it: it‘s time to take a hike. Be it a month-long spiritual pilgrimage, a coastal amble or a mountain scramble, there are magnificent trails the world over – and we’ve rounded up some of the very best on the planet to help you plan your next great hike. From red rock canyons in the American Southwest to the bonnie lochs of the West Highland Way, there’s a hike, trek or trail on this list that’s calling your name. With each hike tried and tested by our editors and writers, we’ve got all the info on where to go, when to go and how long to set aside, plus tips and tricks and the best sights to look for along the way. All you need to do is pack your bags. These are the world’s greatest hikes, according to Time Out. Updated April 2025: We’ve added four new trails to this list to help you plan for summer hikes – and moved a certain Spanish pilgrimage to the top spot. RECOMMENDED:đŸŒČ The best national parks in the world ⛰ The best destinations for solo female travellers🌊 The most spectacular places to swim in the worldđŸïž The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world
The best bars in London

The best bars in London

Want a drink? You've come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, featuring the buzziest booze dens in the capital right now. If it’s on this list, it’s excellent. These are the 50 places we'd recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail joints to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars, London's got them all. But what makes a truly good bar? Well, our critieria for inclusion on this list is simple; a menu of genius drinks is important, but so is overall vibe – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bins. To make the Top 50, a bar has to be fun, inclusive, and full of lovely folk as well as looking the part.  April 2025: A rash of great new bars have opened in London over the past year or so and many of them have made the immediate jump to our hallowed Top 50. The latest additions to our list include rowdy sports bar meets 80s horror movie set Bloodsports in Covent Garden, whisky wonderland Dram Bar on Denmark Street, the hypnotic Bar Lotus in Dalston, Below Stone Nest in Chinatown, Rasputin’s by London Fields, and Bar Lina, an Italian aperitivo spot underneath a famous Soho deli. Now go forth and drink. RECOMMENDED: Like bars? Then you'll love London's best pubs.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and she'll have a gibson marti
The 40 best summer songs of all time

The 40 best summer songs of all time

There’s no season more welcome than the start of summer. Brighter days, warmer temperatures and more time outdoors results in an uplifted mood and a general lust for life. It also helps when you have a stellar summer playlist – the kind that draws on golden classics and modern hits alike to really add a healthy dose of that feel-good feeling we all love. Here at Time Out, our team of writers and editors have you covered when it comes to the most essential summer anthems. From a Bill Withers staple to some Sabrina Carpenter sparkle, our playlist of the best summer songs captures all the fun, warmth and mood-lifting magic you want when it comes to soundtracking your summer months. RECOMMENDED: đŸŽ€ The best karaoke songs ❀ The best love songs🎉 The best party songsđŸ•ș The best albums of 2025 so far
The 20 most underrated European destinations you should visit in 2025

The 20 most underrated European destinations you should visit in 2025

You’ve done the classics: the capital cities, the TikTok viral spots, the cities with their own Netflix show. And don’t get us wrong, we love the classics for a reason. But there’s a downside to these big, bustling, bucket-list-worthy travel destinations. If you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know it as well as us: it’s the crowds.  And following a year of demonstrations and anti-tourism measures in European hotspots about overtourism, there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked. And hey, we’re not gatekeepers here, so we regularly update this list with places we think are being criminally overlooked, from culture-packed city breaks to under-the-radar national parks. So if you’re travelling on a budget, searching for quiet or just desperate to try somewhere new, these are the most underrated places to visit in Europe right now, according to Time Out experts.  RECOMMENDED:🏰 The best city breaks in Europe📍 The most beautiful places in Europe Ella Doyle and Grace Beard are Time Out’s travel editors. 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 aff
The 44 most beautiful places in the world, according to travellers who’ve seen them all

The 44 most beautiful places in the world, according to travellers who’ve seen them all

What is the most beautiful place in the world? Well, beauty is subjective – it’s in the eye of the beholder, so they say – so that’s really up to your own definition. To some, there’s nowhere more beautiful than Bolivia’s otherworldly mirrored salt flats; to others, California’s rugged coast takes the crown.  Luckily, the world isn’t held to the same rigid beauty standards as humans are. We asked our network of globetrotting travel writers to tell us the most beautiful place they’ve ever been to. The resulting list is a definitive, but by no means exhaustive, guide to the most stunning spots our planet has to offer. We update this list regularly, ensuring we’re including the big-hitters while considering the impact of overtourism and spotlighting lesser-known beauty spots. From gigantic glaciers and shape-shifting beaches to ancient woodland and lantern-lit cities, here’s what we reckon are the most beautiful places on Earth – chosen by travel writers who’ve seen them all IRL. Grace Beard is Time Out’s travel editor, based in London. 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 and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.RECOMMENDED:⛰ The most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage SitesđŸ—ș The most underrated travel destinations in the world🧭 The best places to travel solo🏝 The best beaches in the world
The 23 best hotels in Lisbon for beauty, relaxation and a whole lot of fun

The 23 best hotels in Lisbon for beauty, relaxation and a whole lot of fun

Lisbon is the city for aesthetes. Or rather, it’s the city for anyone who has ever accidentally walked into a lamppost, fallen down the curb or tripped over thin air trying to take the perfect shot of urban beauty. From massive monasteries to those gorgeous rambling streets and – oh! – the interiors of the churches, this city is a visual feast and then some. So where better to find somewhere equally lavish and artfully decked out to stay in than the Portuguese capital? When so many of a city’s hotels are, quite literally, named after palaces, you know you’re onto a winner when it comes to luxury accommodation options. We’ve rounded up a long-ish list of our favourites, including some longtime faves and a few characterful newbies. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Updated March 2025: We've updated our list with two five-star hotels: the well-named EPIC SANA Lisboa Hotel and the literary-loving Books & Wine boutique hotel.  RECOMMENDED:The best things to do in LisbonThe best Airbnbs in LisbonThe best boutique hotels in Lisbon Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities 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 world’s 20 best cities for food right now

The world’s 20 best cities for food right now

In January, we published our annual ranking of the world’s best cities. To create the list, we quizzed city-dwellers on everything from happiness and nightlife to walkability – and while all these factors are important in making a city great, let’s face it: a city is nothing without its food. From street eats to fine dining, family-run taverns to cutting-edge kitchens, eating and drinking is the backbone of local culture in our cities and the reason many of us choose to travel.  So, in order to figure out the great culinary metropolises of today, we surveyed thousands of people around the world about food in their city. We asked locals to rate their city’s food scene across 18 different criteria, including quality, affordability and attributes from ‘family-friendly’ to ‘experimental’.  Each city was ranked according to quality and affordability ratings, alongside a score from a panel of Time Out food experts – editors, food critics and Time Out Market chefs – who were asked to share their insights into the most exciting cities for food right now. To create the final ranking, we included only the highest-scoring city for each country to ensure the list reflects culinary cities globally. We then asked our global network of food writers to tell us exactly what makes their city such an exciting place to eat right now. The result? A very tasty list indeed. In each of these 20 cities, you’ll find the best of the old-school and the new. There are long-standing street food stalls and
The 50 best cities in the world in 2025

The 50 best cities in the world in 2025

People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared
 RECOMMENDED:đŸ›ïž The coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now🌎 The best things to do in the
The 9 best European destinations for female solo travel in 2025

The 9 best European destinations for female solo travel in 2025

Solo female travel has gone far beyond ‘having a moment’ as more women than ever before continue to jet off on their own adventures, and it doesn’t look like the trend is going anywhere. For many, far-flung destinations on the other side of the world are top of the agenda, but those among us who are starting out might be keen to opt for somewhere a little closer to home.  That’s where we come in – Time Out has already compiled a guide on how to maximise your safety and minimise your stress on your first, third, or thirtieth solo trip, but now we’re here with a comprehensive guide to the best destinations in Europe. So, from whole countries which are known for their safety to cities with some of the world’s most outstanding public transport, all complimented with a helping of brilliant culture, pretty streets and impeccable local food, here are our top picks for the best solo female travel destinations in Europe. RECOMMENDED:🌎 The best places in the world to travel aloneđŸŽ« The best solo female travel destinations in the world🌃 The best cities in the worldđŸ—ș The best things to do in the world this year Liv Kelly is Time Out’s travel writer. 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.
18 day trips from London to escape the city

18 day trips from London to escape the city

We know that London is the best city in the world. But like any metropolis, it can also get a bit much sometimes.  Occasionally, what you want isn’t to drink cocktails in a trendy bar after seeing the hottest Gen Z bedroom popstar at the Islington Assembly Hall, but a little peace and quiet, actually. Enter: the weekend getaway, invented by the Victorians (probably), there’s a reason why Londoners have been taking sojourns to the seaside on sunny bank holidays since the 1800s.  In fact, for the sake of my own sanity and that of those I love, I try not to go longer than two months at a time without venturing outside of the M25, if only for a wee day trip to somewhere with some greenery and/or a bit of coastline. After more than a decade living in London, I’ve done my fair share of exploring its outskirts – as have the native and adopted Londoners that comprise my colleagues on Time Out London’s editorial team. Together, we’ve come up with a cracking list of our favourite day trip destinations near London. There’s something for everyone here, from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside.  And we’ve included some recommendations for ace restaurants, quaint little pubs, and our favourite things to do at each destination on the list – all of which are close enough to the city that you can get there and back in one sweet day.  Feeling a little tense after being cooped up in the concrete jungle for too long? Here’s everything you need to start plan
Time Out editors on where you should travel this year

Time Out editors on where you should travel this year

January is (thankfully) nearing its end. You know what that means? It’s high time you book that trip you’ve been thinking about. The question is, where to go? Well, we at Time Out have some ideas. We asked our editors for the number one destination they think should be on travellers’ radar this year, whether for unmissable events or cool new hotels, unspoiled nature or a growing dining scene. Our sights are set on foodie trips in Spain, starry skies in Norway, surf breaks in Siargao – and much more where that came from. Here are 12 amazing places we think you should explore in 2025. RECOMMENDED:🌇 The best cities in the world in 2025đŸ—ș The 25 best things to do around the world in 2025🧳 Five countries that really need more travellers this year

Listings and reviews (10)

Saccharum Resort & Spa, Madeira

Saccharum Resort & Spa, Madeira

5 out of 5 stars
Other than an old sugar cane mill, a clifftop art museum and a beach with imported sand, there’s not much going on in Calheta. So you might wonder why this sleepy seaside town is home to two of Madeira’s seven Savoy hotels; the other five a forty-minute drive away in Funchal, the island’s capital. But after a long weekend spent at the newest offering, Savoy Signature’s glossy Saccharum Resort, I get why a hotel like this exists somewhere like Calheta. Saccharum makes the most of the area’s quiet, wild beauty, positioning the isolated town as a worthwhile spot to come for some real peace.  The resort is built between the hills and the ocean on the site of a former sugar cane mill; a heritage the hotel, like the town, flaunts with pride. There are chairs made from old barrels, railings modelled after sugarcanes, and random, massive pieces of old machinery sitting around. Even the restaurants are themed around the beloved regional product, with names like ‘Alambique’ and ‘Trapiche’ referencing sugarcane processes. (On that note, go to Trapiche for a poolside lunch and save the multi-course tasting menu at Alambique for that one blow-out dinner). An ocean-facing infinity pool is the hotel’s focal point; indeed, it feels like most of the hotel convenes here, some of them paying €35 (!) for the privilege of a poolside bed. ‘Premium’ guests get access to Bali beach beds and their own sundeck, but don’t worry, there are loads of vantage points to take in the island’s rugged splendour
Bar Kinky

Bar Kinky

Leave the latex at home – Bar Kinky is not a kinky bar, in the traditional sense. But that doesn’t mean it’s not sexy. Behind a curtain and down in the basement of Georgian restaurant Kinkally, this stripped-back cocktail den is all moody metals and concrete, livened up by sultry red lighting. And with only six or so seats at the bar, it’s as intimate as it gets. Allow the bartender to walk you through a menu of bold, playful cocktails with unlikely flavour combinations (vodka with beetroot, walnut and blue cheese, for example, or an elderflower spritz with a dash of soy sauce). If you’re not feeling too kinky, the team is happy to whip up any of the classics. A menu of ‘naughty nibbles’ is on hand for any hunger pangs, including delicious little beef tartare sandwiches and shrimp rolls.  Order this Guinness fans will enjoy the ‘Vision’ – sweet and creamy at the top, sour and slightly savoury at the bottom, made with whiskey, basil, coconut, horchata and milk tea. Time Out tip This place is walk-ins only, but if you’re worried about getting a seat, message the bar on Instagram and they’ll get back to you within minutes to let you know if they have any space. Big group? Ask about the private, bookable room.
Kolamba East

Kolamba East

4 out of 5 stars
Five years after opening in Soho, modern Sri Lankan restaurant Kolamba now has a second London venue. Unlike the first, which is next door to Dishoom on the perpetually thronging-with-crowds Kingly Street, Kolamba East sits on a quiet Shoreditch backstreet. Inside it’s equally calm: a large, warmly-lit warehouse space with sand-coloured furnishings, jazz playing through the speakers, and that pleasing low chatter that invites you to settle down and enjoy the vibe.  Even though mango achchuri makes my eyes water, I can’t stop going back for more Where the decor has understated nods to Sri Lanka, like palm tree print wallpaper in the loo, the menu is a dizzying showcase of the island nation’s brightest, boldest flavours. I love spice, but if you don’t, I wouldn’t bother booking: most dishes we try are seriously punchy. Take the mango achchuri, an option from the ‘snacks’ portion of the menu: cold slithers of mango soaked in a fiery chilli dressing. Even though it makes my eyes water – maybe because it makes my eyes water – I can’t stop going back for more. We move onto starters: hot butter soft shell crab (lovely and sweet, but more drowning than swimming in butter) and jackfruit roti (surprisingly plump, served with an energising little cucumber and coriander salad). Sri Lankan cooking uses a lot of dry spice, so you can expect a level of heat that chars the back of your throat – kind of like an illicit cigarette. Lamb shank is a buttery-tender hunk of meat, slow-cooked over
Ellenborough Park Hotel

Ellenborough Park Hotel

4 out of 5 stars
The first thing you should know about Ellenborough Park is that it’s posh – thoroughly posh, in all the ways you’d expect a stately country home bordering the Cheltenham Racecourse to be. There’s a boot room for renting Dubarry boots and wax jackets. Bookable activities include archery, polo, horseback riding and shooting. When the races are on, guests decked out in their finest tweeds and furs are chauffeured to the heart of the action in private luxury cars (it’s worth noting you can walk there in less than 20 minutes, but heels won’t do well with the mud).  A little hoity-toity maybe, but it’s all part of the fun of being here. When you stay in a fifteenth-century manor house, walking to your room means ducking under archways and tip-toeing along creaky floorboards in slightly wonky hallways. Gothic windows frame ridiculously idyllic views across manicured grounds and the Cotswolds hills (keep an eye out for deer). The floor and tables shake when someone walks across the restaurant. Ellenborough Park simply has character, even if that character wouldn’t be out of place in Saltburn. The 61 rooms, unique in size and shape – some regal, others cosy and cottage-like – have been crafted with class by luxury interior designer Nina Campbell. Ours is one of the three Manor Suites, tastefully decorated with navy walls, mahogany Chippendale furniture and plump floral armchairs. Everything has the exceptional attention to detail you only get in really nice hotels: perfectly chopped c
Alexandra Park

Alexandra Park

For most Londoners, Alexandra Park is synonymous with Alexandra Palace or ‘Ally Pally’, the Grade II-listed music venue that sits atop the park’s hill and hosts the annual unruly World Darts Championship. But the surrounding parkland is vast – 196 acres, no less – and drop-dead beautiful no matter the season. I’ve spent many summer days steering a giant unicorn around the boating lake, crunching through carpets of yellow leaves on the tree-lined avenues in autumn, and sledding down the hill (when we get enough snow) in winter. And, of course, that panoramic city view is there to admire year-round.
Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam

Tivoli Doelen Amsterdam

4 out of 5 stars
Amsterdam has its share of historic hotels, but none can boast the legacy of the Doelen. The oldest hotel in the Dutch capital and a designated national heritage site, it’s here in the old banquet hall that Rembrandt’s The Night Watch – one of the world’s most famous paintings – was first displayed, way back in the seventeenth century. While you’ll now find it hanging a ten-minute tram ride away in the Rijksmuseum, a copy of the original is still proudly displayed in the hotel’s Rembrandt Suite.  The entire hotel is modelled after the Dutch master, notably so in the on-site restaurant Omber, where the crockery, menus and even the flowers are all the same shade of deep orangey-brown (apparently Rembrandt’s favourite colour to paint with). The food, we’re told, is influenced by seventeenth-century Dutch flavours, which mostly translates to a lot of pickling and smoking (in other words, delicious).   The lobby could do with a hint of the restaurant’s dark-toned moodiness. It’s almost garishly opulent, coldly lit by a huge crystal chandelier, with ornate gold swirls bordering the walls and enormous vases of flowers, which look somehow a bit stiff and staged. But the rooms and suites are much less stuffy. Our canal-facing suite was the perfect mix of understated and sophisticated, simply decorated with quality furniture, complete with a plush king-sized bed. The best bit? The huge marble-floored bathroom with his-and-hers sinks and a free-standing tub. The Doelen was taken over by
Mama Shelter Lisbon

Mama Shelter Lisbon

4 out of 5 stars
I arrived at Mama Shelter from the beach – sand in my shoes, covered in sun lotion, hair stringy with seawater – and found myself sharing the lift with an impeccably dressed group ascending to the rooftop for sundowners. Not that anyone gave a damn, because anything goes here, the only Portuguese outpost of Mama Shelter’s brand of playful boutique hotels strung across the continent.  It’s as cheeky as its sister venues (sex toys for sale in the lobby, superhero masks on the lampshades, a pretty extensive adult film menu on the telly), but with little Portuguese flourishes to remind you where you are – the forest green tile-clad exterior, a Remodelado tram mural in the lift, ocean-wave carpets in the bedrooms, marine-themed decor in the restaurant and locally-made arts and crafts dotted all over the place.  But, let’s be real, you’re not about to forget you’re slap-bang in the heart of Lisbon. Mama Shelter is just off the lively central thoroughfare of Avenida da Liberdade, and in the other direction you have the boutiques and bars of Príncipe Real – honestly, take any route from the hotel’s corner doors and you’re in for a great walk. Before (or after) you go, though, stick around for a cocktail on Mama’s rooftop or a meal at Mama’s restaurant. Much like its outposts in London, Bordeaux and elsewhere, Mama Shelter is a neighbourhood attraction in its own right.  If the queue’s anything to go by, the rooftop is the place to be at sunset, with an unbeatable view over the city’s
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve

Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve

4 out of 5 stars
Did you know you can go on safari in Kent? It turns out you can, and it’s actually really, really good. Hundreds of creatures roam the grounds of this 600-acre resort, from Big Five beasts to howler monkeys and bush dogs. Outside of the main wildlife park, safaris trundle guests up the slopes of the reserve to meet giraffes, zebras, rhinos and more. And the whole thing looks out over charming countryside right down to the Kent coast.  While Port Lympne makes for a perfect day trip, an overnight stay is where the magic happens. We camped out in the brand-new Lookout Bubble – and when I say ‘camped’, I mean we slept under the stars in the most luxurious transparent dome you’ve ever seen, complete with a freestanding tub, walk-in shower, seating area, surround sound speakers and a massive, comfy bed. It’s an experience hard to top, waking up to the sounds of animals and getting to explore the reserve before it officially opens for the day (in your very own golf buggy, no less). The Lookout Bubble is right next to the lion’s den, and we were lucky enough to spend an uninterrupted half hour watching the big cats pacing the grounds before anybody else came along.  The bubble’s only downfall? Our stay took place over a warm weekend, and the trapped heat in the dome made spending time inside of it almost unbearable during the day (thank God for the spacious terrace). Conversely, temperatures dropped drastically in the dome when the sun went down, but nothing jumping into bed (or the
My Arbor

My Arbor

5 out of 5 stars
Catching sight of My Arbor for the first time is an experience that can’t be overstated. First of all, you’ve already arrived in the impossibly beautiful, straight-from-a-fairytale town of Bressanone, and done the winding drive up green slopes where all you can hear is the faint tinkle of a cowbell. Now you’re in the trees, looking up at a wooden cuboid that seems precariously perched on the skinny trunks of the surrounding pines. My Arbor lives every bit upto its self-billed ‘tree hotel’ title. Inside, you’re hit with a tremendous view over the tree-blanketed South Tyrolean mountains from the hotel restaurant’s sweeping terrace. Above you, thick wooden branches hang like a chandelier. Even the reception desk is made up of two gigantic trunks. Our suite (we stayed in the ‘nest’) is appropriately wood-panelled, with a balcony and window nook overlooking the valley and hills. You could stay in your nook all day watching mountain peaks get swallowed by clouds, but you’re much better off donning your robe and taking the lift down to the spa, where you can drink in all those views from a hydrotherapy infinity pool.  By far the piĂšce de rĂ©sistance, Spa Arboris is a maze of pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation zones spread across the hotel’s lower levels. After a morning hike (we went alone, but the hotel offers guided hikes, forest bathing and all sorts of other activities to guests), I spent an afternoon cocooned in calm here, swimming the length of the indoor-outdoor heated
Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa

Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa

It’s fair to expect any spa hotel in Leamington Spa, a Warwickshire town with a long history of harbouring bath houses built around its natural saline springs, to be worth its salt. Nineteenth-century Midlanders in need of some R&R would come to Leamington in search of ‘the cure’ to any number of ailments. Despite rapid development, today the town remains a go-to for weekenders in search of a reviving getaway – and they could do a lot worse than opting for Mallory Court, a palatial yet cosy country manor house and spa on the outskirts of town. Surrounded by endless countryside, we explored the vast grounds before dinner, strolling past manicured lawns, a rose garden bursting with blooms, a chef’s garden full of herbs and vegetables and an apiary. When the British summertime brought its inevitable drizzle, we were relaxing in the heated, bubbling outdoor vitality pool, so no complaints there. Completing the spa’s offerings is a Finnish-style sauna, small but ideal if you manage to get it to yourself or your group. The indoor pool with attached jacuzzi managed to be that perfect, just-right temperature, and felt like silk to swim in. The spa experience fell down for us slightly when we couldn’t get the indoor steam room to be as hot or steamy as we’d have liked, but that could’ve easily been our own oversight.  You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to treatment options. I opted for the full-body exfoliation (perfect) while my guest went for the drift away massage. She spoke a

News (101)

The most underrated museum in the world’s best cities, according to Time Out editors

The most underrated museum in the world’s best cities, according to Time Out editors

This Sunday (May 18) is International Museum Day – and what better way to mark the occasion than stopping by one of your city’s unsung institutions? Sure, that tourist-choked arts district in the city centre has all the Big Ones, but we’ve lost count of the number of times we’ve shuffled through those lofty halls.  To help you expand your cultural horizons, we asked Time Out editors in 11 of the world’s biggest and best cities to share their favourite underrated museum. Some are small and incredibly niche, others simply sit in the shadow of bigger institutions – and they’re all well worth adding to your next city break itinerary.  So, for when you’ve ticked off your Louvres, your Vaticans and your MoMAs, here are our picks for 11 of the world’s most underrated museums in our favourite major cities. Miniature Museum Small Worlds, Tokyo Photo: Small Worlds ‘Tucked away on Odaiba, a large artificial island in Tokyo Bay, Small Worlds is home to one of the largest collections of miniatures and dioramas in the world. There are small-scale reproductions of real-life locations such as Kansai International Airport and NASA’s space centre in the 1960s, alongside fictional scenes from animes including Sailor Moon. Best of all, an in-house 3D scanner means you too can get the titchy treatment, either taking your miniature home with you or paying to have it placed in one of the museum's exhibits for a year.’—Marcus Webb, Time Out Tokyo editor Design Museum, London Photograph: skovalsk
Race Across The World Series 5: All the locations from the show so far

Race Across The World Series 5: All the locations from the show so far

How do you fancy your chances of navigating your way across a huge patch of the planet with no flights, no phones and only around £2,000 between you and your travel companion? While most of us probably fancy our chances when we’re curled up on the sofa, it’s a reality for the five duos competing in the BBC’s fifth series of Race Across The World.  Series one saw participants race from London to Singapore, and series two kicked off in Mexico City and culminated in Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city. Series three was a race across Canada from Vancouver to Newfoundland and Labrador, and series four launched in Japan with the finish line in Indonesia.  So, what about series five? This time the teams will be racing 14,000km across Asia, beginning in China and travelling through Nepal before reaching the finish line in Kanniyakumari, the southernmost point of India, all with the lowest budget in the show’s history – just £1,000 per person.  These are all the locations on Race Across The World series 5 so far Episode one The Great Wall of China  In the first episode of series 5, the race begins at the Great Wall of China, overlooking Huanghuacheng, a village 80km north of Beijing.  Photograph: Shutterstock Beijing China’s sprawling capital city is the first challenge for the racers (no spoilers, but this is where some contestants find themselves stuck). Photograph: Shutterstock Huangling  This village, made up of Hui-style buildings hanging off a hillside, is th
Quais são as novas restriçÔes ao turismo em Espanha? As zonas afectadas e o que precisa de saber

Quais são as novas restriçÔes ao turismo em Espanha? As zonas afectadas e o que precisa de saber

Espanha Ă©, com razĂŁo, um dos destinos de fĂ©rias mais populares da Europa: tem escapadinhas urbanas incrĂ­veis, praias de sonho e uma oferta de comida e cultura que transforma qualquer viagem numa experiĂȘncia memorĂĄvel. Mas essa popularidade tem um custo e, em cidades como Barcelona ou nas ilhas CanĂĄrias, o turismo em massa e pouco regulado estĂĄ a inflacionar os preços do arrendamento e a dificultar bastante a vida dos residentes. Agora, as autoridades estĂŁo finalmente a agir. EstarĂĄ Espanha a proibir turistas? NĂŁo exactamente. Mas hĂĄ novas regras e restriçÔes ao turismo que podem ter impacto nas suas prĂłximas fĂ©rias. Eis o que estĂĄ a acontecer. O que estĂĄ a mudar? Espanha nĂŁo estĂĄ a fechar as portas ao turismo, mas, apĂłs protestos em locais como Barcelona e Tenerife, começaram a surgir medidas para aliviar a pressĂŁo nas zonas mais afectadas. A maior mudança para os viajantes serĂĄ a limitação de alojamentos turĂ­sticos, com vĂĄrias regiĂ”es a restringir a oferta de arrendamentos de curta duração. Estas medidas juntam-se a regras jĂĄ aplicadas em cidades como MĂĄlaga e Maiorca, que visam travar comportamentos desrespeitosos por parte dos visitantes. TambĂ©m Sevilha, em 2023, aprovou regras contra comportamentos considerados “obscenos”. Quais sĂŁo as zonas afectadas? Mais recentemente, foi anunciada uma alteração Ă  Lei da Propriedade Horizontal, com aplicação Ă s Ilhas CanĂĄrias, para travar o crescimento dos alojamentos locais. A nova norma exige que 60% dos condĂłminos aprovem a exploraç
We checked in to Punjab’s first luxury palace hotel – here’s what we thought

We checked in to Punjab’s first luxury palace hotel – here’s what we thought

Around two hundred years ago, Ran Baas Patiala was the ladies’ guest house of the Maharaja, occupying a wing of what was once Asia’s largest royal residence, the Qila Mubarak. And only four years ago, it was in ruins, infested with rats and snakes and uninhabited for the past six decades.  Enter ‘hotel revolutionary’ Priya Paul, who, along with conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, has dragged the once-endangered building out of disrepair with a gargantuan, visionary restoration project. Only open since January, the heritage hotel is already one of India’s most sought-after stays, hosting Bollywood actors and prominent Indian designers. Now, Ran Baas The Palace is primed to welcome international travellers through its gates. I checked in and experienced a masterclass in heritage restoration – and a joyful celebration of Punjabi culture and heritage. These are my highlights. Photograph: Courtesy of Ran Baas The Palace First impressions: A very royal welcome A labyrinthine street bazaar makes up the immediate surroundings of the Qila Mubarak fortress. The palace’s walls loom above jewellery shops and hardware stores; some hotel terraces protrude over the shopfronts. Yet once you’re through the huge wooden gates and have crossed the threshold into the central courtyard, all that external clamour is extinguished, replaced by soothing sitar music that plays in an everlasting loop in all outdoor areas (consider it the soundtrack to your stay). I’m told, later on, that the pa
What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? The areas affected and what you need to know

What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? The areas affected and what you need to know

Spain is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations for good reason: it’s packed with fabulous city breaks, world-class beaches and enough food and culture to make any trip a memorable one. But its popularity comes at a price – in destinations like Barcelona and the Canary Islands, unregulated mass tourism is pushing up rental prices and generally making life a lot more difficult for locals. And now, authorities are finally doing something about it. Is Spain banning tourists? No, not quite – but certain new rules and restrictions might impact your next trip to the country. Here’s what’s going on. What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? Spain isn’t banning tourists entirely, but following anti-tourism protests in places like Barcelona and Tenerife, authorities have begun to introduce bans and restrictions that will, hopefully, make life easier for residents. The biggest change for travellers will be the availability of accommodation, as some of the most in-demand areas across the country are clamping down on the number of holiday lets.  These restrictions come after new rules were introduced in places like Malaga and Majorca last year that aim to put a stop to disrespectful tourist behaviour. Seville also introduced rules to prohibit ‘obscene’ behaviour in 2023. Which areas are affected? Most recently, an amendment to Spain’s Horizontal Property Act, which extends to the Canary Islands, has been announced to clamp down on holiday lets. It states that for any property owners ho
Eis onde poderĂĄ ser filmada a prĂłxima temporada de 'The White Lotus'

Eis onde poderĂĄ ser filmada a prĂłxima temporada de 'The White Lotus'

E pronto, The White Lotus chegou ao fim de mais uma temporada, com as personagens (as sobreviventes) a zarparem de Koh Samui, na TailĂąndia, nĂŁo propriamente ilesas. JĂĄ foi confirmado que a aclamada sĂ©rie vai ter uma quarta temporada – mas a grande questĂŁo Ă©: onde serĂĄ filmada? Por agora, tudo nĂŁo passa de especulação, mas o criador da sĂ©rie, Mike White, jĂĄ deixou algumas pistas. Por exemplo, disse anteriormente que a prĂłxima temporada nĂŁo serĂĄ filmada num destino de praia. E embora muitos sugiram que possa passar-se numa estĂąncia de ski, White detesta filmar no frio – por isso, os fatos de neve e os dramas aprĂšs-ski parecem pouco provĂĄveis para o quarto capĂ­tulo da saga. Tal como nas temporadas anteriores, sabe-se que as filmagens decorrerĂŁo num hotel Four Seasons. White tambĂ©m afirmou que gostava de filmar em todos os continentes (podemos assumir que a AntĂĄrtida estĂĄ fora da lista
 mas nunca se sabe). Com base nestas pistas, eis os destinos que acreditamos que podem ser as prĂłximas vĂ­timas. TanzĂąnia Four Seaons Safari Lodge Serengeti | Photograph: Booking.com Remoto e exclusivo, um safari no Serengeti parece o cenĂĄrio perfeito para a quarta temporada de The White Lotus. O Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti fica no coração do parque nacional, onde os hĂłspedes podem observar elefantes a partir de uma piscina infinita privada, enquanto membros da tribo Maasai fazem a vigilĂąncia. Predadores e presas, instintos primitivos, perigo ao virar de cada esquina – o argumento praticam
Voici oĂč pourrait ĂȘtre tournĂ©e la prochaine saison de "The White Lotus"

Voici oĂč pourrait ĂȘtre tournĂ©e la prochaine saison de "The White Lotus"

VoilĂ , c’est terminĂ© : The White Lotus a bouclĂ© une nouvelle saison, avec ses personnages (encore en vie) s’éloignant en bateau, pas tout Ă  fait indemnes, de Koh Samui, en ThaĂŻlande. On sait dĂ©jĂ  que la sĂ©rie Ă  succĂšs sera renouvelĂ©e pour une quatriĂšme saison – mais la vraie question, c’est : oĂč se dĂ©roulera-t-elle ? Pour l’instant, tout n’est que supposition. Cela dit, le crĂ©ateur de la sĂ©rie, Mike White, a lĂąchĂ© quelques indices. Il a notamment indiquĂ© que la prochaine saison ne se dĂ©roulerait pas dans un dĂ©cor balnĂ©aire. Et mĂȘme si beaucoup parient sur une station de ski comme prochain lieu de tournage, White dĂ©teste apparemment tourner dans le froid – autant dire que les combis fluo et les disputes aprĂšs-ski semblent peu probables pour cette saison 4. Comme pour les prĂ©cĂ©dentes, on sait en revanche que la sĂ©rie sera tournĂ©e dans un hĂŽtel Four Seasons. White a aussi dĂ©clarĂ© vouloir filmer sur chaque continent (on peut supposer qu’il fera l’impasse sur l’Antarctique
 enfin, normalement). À partir de ces quelques miettes d’infos, voilĂ  oĂč l’on imagine que The White Lotus pourrait poser ses valises pour sa quatriĂšme saison. Tanzanie IsolĂ© et ultra-exclusif, un safari dans le Serengeti semble ĂȘtre la suite logique parfaite pour cette quatriĂšme saison. Le Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti est nichĂ© au cƓur du parc national, oĂč des clients chouchoutĂ©s peuvent mater un troupeau d’élĂ©phants depuis leur piscine Ă  dĂ©bordement privĂ©e pendant que des membres de la tribu masaĂŻ monte
This is where the next season of ‘The White Lotus’ could be filmed

This is where the next season of ‘The White Lotus’ could be filmed

So that’s it: The White Lotus has wrapped up for another season, its (surviving) characters sailing away, not altogether unscathed, from Koh Samui, Thailand. It’s already been confirmed that the hit dramedy will be renewed for a fourth season – but the question is, where? It’s all speculation at this point, but the show’s creator Mike White has dropped a couple of hints. He’s previously said that the next season won’t be filmed in a beach location, for one. And while many people have suggested the next season might take place at a ski resort, White apparently hates filming in the cold, so those flashy snowsuits and aprĂ©s-ski arguments aren’t looking likely for season four. As with previous seasons, we do know that the show will be filmed in a Four Seasons hotel. White has also stated he plans to film on every continent (we can assume he’s not planning on including Antarctica, but you never know). Based on these crumbs of info, here’s where we think the show could be headed for its fourth season.   RECOMMENDED: I lived on Thailand’s ‘White Lotus’ island – here’s what the show gets right (and wrong) Tanzania Remote and exclusive, a safari in the Serengeti feels like the perfect segue for season four. Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti is deep in the heart of the national park, where pampered guests can watch a herd of elephants from a private infinity pool and local Maasai tribespeople keep watch. Predator and prey, primal instincts, danger around every corner – it writes it
Paris sacrĂ©e parmi les 10 villes oĂč l'on mange le mieux au monde par Time Out

Paris sacrĂ©e parmi les 10 villes oĂč l'on mange le mieux au monde par Time Out

En janvier, on a balancĂ© notre classement annuel des meilleures villes du monde. Pour le pondre, on a demandĂ© aux locaux de noter leur ville sur tout un tas de critĂšres : qualitĂ© de vie, vie nocturne, facilitĂ© pour se balader
 Mais soyons sĂ©rieux deux secondes : une ville sans bonne scĂšne gastronomique, c’est juste un tas de bĂątiments. Du boui-boui de rue aux tables gastronomiques, des troquets de quartier aux cuisines qui jouent Ă  la chimie, manger, c’est le cƓur battant d’une ville – et la meilleure raison de prendre un billet d’avion. Du coup, on a voulu savoir oĂč ça se passait en 2025, et on a sondĂ© des milliers de gens sur la scĂšne food de leur ville. QualitĂ©, prix, ambiance, accessibilitĂ©, audace culinaire
 on a tout Ă©pluchĂ©, de l’adresse parfaite pour un date au QG oĂč se coller une raclette Ă  3h du mat’. Et comme on ne fait pas les choses Ă  moitiĂ©, on a aussi demandĂ© l’avis de notre commando food : rĂ©dacteurs, critiques gastronomiques et chefs du Time Out Market, histoire d’ĂȘtre bien sĂ»rs qu’on parlait de villes oĂč ça envoie vraiment. Pour garder une sĂ©lection qui tient la route, on a mis une seule ville par pays et laissĂ© nos plumes locales raconter pourquoi leur spot mĂ©rite sa place dans ce festin mondial. Le verdict ? Une liste qui donne faim. Des adresses de street-food qui tiennent depuis des dĂ©cennies, des bistrots qui bossent le terroir sans chichis, des restos vĂ©gĂ©s qui montent en puissance et des bars Ă  cocktails qui affinent leurs mixtures. Un mĂ©lange de clas
The gritty German city named Europe’s live music capital for 2025

The gritty German city named Europe’s live music capital for 2025

Europe isn’t only home to some of the world’s best cities for culture – the continent also boasts a calendar of incredible festivals, from the gargantuan Glastonbury to Tremor Azores, an island-wide celebration one of our writers called the best festival on the planet.  Then there’s its impressive lineup of massive international tours – this year alone the likes of Beyonce, AC/DC and the almighty Pitbull are taking to the stage.  So, it’s safe to say there’s a gig for every kind of fan and a stage for every kind of artist across this vast continent. But which city can claim the crown as Europe’s official live music capital? A new study from Accor has set out to answer that question. The accommodation booking website analysed European cities based on venue ratings, the number of scheduled gigs and monthly search trends.  Claiming the top spot? It’s (drum roll, please) Berlin! Shocked? No, neither are we. According to Accor’s study, the German capital has 1161 gigs scheduled, 365,630 monthly searches online for gigs, and an average venue rating across the city of 4.56. Overall, Berlin’s ‘gig city’ score was a solid 88.2.  RECOMMENDED: A €10 train will soon connect two of Europe’s coolest cities.  Berlin is renowned for its nightlife, given that the city is home to a legendary techno and dance scene (which is now protected by UNESCO) and mega-famous clubs such as Berghain. And Berlin doesn’t fall short for live music – check out our local’s roundup of the best live music venues
We tried a genius new tool that auto-generates your perfect European rail journey

We tried a genius new tool that auto-generates your perfect European rail journey

There are travellers among us who thrive when it comes to planning, but not everyone is so ‘type A’ about their holiday plans. For some, the prospect of sitting down to organise your trip makes you wonder if it’s even worth it.  Those of us firmly in the second bucket will appreciate this new bit of tech from flight-free travel specialists Byway, designed to help you plan the perfect, seamless rail trip around Europe.  So, how does it work? Well, the route planner has been designed to utilise Byway’s knowledge of transport legs, routes, and accommodation to optimise each traveller’s experience.  Head to the Byway map, enter your starting location, and the map will pull up every destination across the continent that can be reached in your selected timeframe. Below is an example of what you’ll be presented with – we selected travelling from London for two weeks in May, and it gave us 147 options! Image: Byway.travel/map From there, you can choose the destinations you’d like to visit, and the tool will auto-generate your trip itinerary. We selected (quite randomly) Nice, Bologna and Sorrento, and were given a full 15-day itinerary that didn’t only factor in train routes but also accommodation and recommendations of things to do in each destination. Image: Byway.travel/map   You can personalise your trip at any point too, including adjusting the number of nights in each city and picking alternative accommodation. Pretty nifty, right? ‘My goal when I started Byway in lockdown
La peor ciudad del mundo para ligar estĂĄ en España (segĂșn sus habitantes)

La peor ciudad del mundo para ligar estĂĄ en España (segĂșn sus habitantes)

Tener una cita en la ciudad siempre es un buen plan, pero no todo son ventajas. Por un lado, las ciudades estĂĄn llenas de restaurantes, bares y cosas que hacer para que tu cita sea perfecta. AdemĂĄs, en las ciudades hay mucha gente, lo que significa que es mucho mĂĄs fĂĄcil conocer a alguien nuevo sin tener que recurrir a alguien de tu grupo de amigos o reconectar con alguna persona de tu pasado. Pero aquĂ­ radica el problema: en muchas ciudades, tener muchos mĂĄs peces en el mar ha hecho mĂĄs complicado establecer una conexiĂłn profunda con alguien. Aunque el ghosting, los ligues y las situationships (en las que las personas no son pareja, pero tampoco son amigos) son pan de cada dĂ­a, tener tantas opciones puede hacer que encontrar el amor sea realmente difĂ­cil. No todo son malas noticias, sin embargo. Con San ValentĂ­n a la vuelta de la esquina, hemos investigado las ciudades donde los habitantes tienen suerte en el amor. Cada año, realizamos encuestas a miles de personas sobre todos los aspectos de la vida en la ciudad, desde la comida y la cultura hasta la accesibilidad y la vida nocturna, para crear nuestro rĂĄnking definitivo de las mejores ciudades del mundo. Pero, ÂżcuĂĄles de estas ciudades son las mejores para el amor? Para saberlo, hicimos una pregunta sencilla a sus ciudadanos: ÂżquĂ© tan fĂĄcil crees que es encontrar el amor en tu ciudad? ÂżCuĂĄl es la mejor ciudad para encontrar amor? Pues, segĂșn nuestros encuestados, Bombay encabeza la lista. Un sorprendente 72% de los habitan