Liv Kelly

Whether it’s your first or your one-hundredth time in New York, you could do a lot worse than booking a hotel right in the middle of the concrete jungle. Manhattan’s Midtown neighborhood is perfectly placed for sightseeing and exploring all of the shops, bars and world-class restaurants right at your fingertips. You’ll find everything from luxury landmarks  plus more affordable boutiques, and to keep you up to date with all the very best places to stay, we’ve added brand-new reviews of Andaz 5th Avenue and Sofitel New York. Enjoy. Which area is best to stay in New York? Well, we’re obviously gonna make a strong case for Midtown, which is home to a shedload of any first-time visitors’ bucket list attractions. It’s also well connected to both the Upper West and East, Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and pretty much anywhere else you’d want to go. Have a read of all our guides to all NYC’s neighborhoods, to help you decide.  New York’s best Midtown hotels at a glance: 🌃 Best view: The Shelburne Sonesta  👙 Best pool: The Peninsula New York 👛 Best budget: voco Times Square South New York 💎 Most luxurious: Ritz-Carlton Central Park 🤩 Most iconic: The Knickerbocker 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured

If there’s one thing—just one thing—you’re coming to New York City for, it’s got to be the views. There are few spectacles more iconic than the twinkly Manhattan skyline, after all, but housed inside many of those towering skyscrapers are hotels with magnificent views. With brand-new coverage from our local writers on Equinox Hotel, The Shelburne Sonesta and the Park Terrace Hotel, as well as many, many more.  Which area is best to stay in New York? Manhattan’s dense concentration of high-up, high-end hotels means you’re blessed with options for up close and personal views of The Big Apple, but heading over to Brooklyn is also a great option for more sweeping city vistas. Have a read of all our guides to all NYC’s neighborhoods, to help you decide.  New York’s best hotels with a view, at a glance: 🌃 Best view: Ritz-Carlton Central Park 👙 Best pool: Equinox Hotel 👛 Best budget: The Shelburne Sonesta 💎 Most luxurious: Mandarin Oriental 🤩 Most iconic: The Plaza 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes

February 2026: It's still cold, and it's still grey - which means we're still in peak Sunday roast season. Not simply just a decent hangover cure, Sunday lunch is one of the most winter-y things a Londoner can possibly do. Our latest update to this list has prioritised the cosiest pubs in town, with extra points for roaring open fires (check out French resto Bistro Sable for a great one), as well as nooks and crannies where you can hunker down until spring returns. Try also the Macbeth in Hoxton, which offers a great Portuguese-style Sunday sesh. There are a couple of posh restaurants in the mix too, with a Nordic roast at the plush Ekstedt at the Yard near Westminster, and a serious meat feast at Quality Chop House in Clerkenwell. Our worthy Number 1 is the simple, spectacular roast at London’s OG organic pub, The Duke of Cambridge in Islington.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: 🥩 Central: Duke of Cambridge, Angel 😇 North: The Angel, Highgate ⛪ South: Old Nun’s Head, Nunhead 🌈 East: The Nelson’s, Hackney 🍻 West: The Mall Tavern, Notting Hill Sunday lunch. There’s nothing quite like it. An elemental meal, one that Londoners take incredibly seriously. Debates about what constitutes the ‘perfect’ Sunday roast have been known to last for hours. There is no shortage of top roasts in London. We’ve rounded up the city’s best Sunday meals from a host of pubs, restaurants and breweries all around town. What makes a good roast? For us, it’s simple; a welcoming room is a

‘When a man (person) is tired of London,’ as Dr Samuel Johnson wrote in 1777, ‘he is (they are) tired of life.’ Well, it’s fair to say that Johnson wasn’t running for the tube before squeezing himself into a sweaty, crowded carriage and then spending the day being bombarded with short videos about apocalyptic geopolitics on TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter? London is the greatest city in the world, but should you find yourself a little tired and in need of some R&R what better way to recover than booking yourself into one of London’s world-class spas? And, better still, getting a massage or, even, a facial with a bespoke sound journey while you’re at it? Spa culture - from high-end luxury to community spaces - is really starting to take off in London. On our list, you’ll find standout spas and treatments, five-star hotels and community spots all offering you the chance to unplug and unwind, regardless of whether you’re on a champagne or lemonade budget. Here - in no particular order - are our absolute favourite places to relax in the capital. Best spas in London at a glance Best for affordable pampering: Ironmonger Row Baths Best for a serious splurge: Ushvani Best for men’s grooming: Thai Square Spa Best for couples’ visits: Aire Ancient Baths Best pool: Surrenne at The Berkeley Best facial: Salon C Stellar RECOMMENDED:The best saunas in LondonThe best facials in LondonThe best hotels in London

Dreaming of sand between your toes, wind blowing in your hair and sun beating down on your skin? You might just be due a trip to the beach. Here in the UK, we can’t quite guarantee the sunshine, but we can guarantee some seriously stunning beaches which will rival those of Mediterranean (and might even be contenders for the best beaches in the world).  We have white sand beaches, we have pebbles, we have towering chalk cliffs and rock pools galore. We pretty much have a beach for every occassion. Not sure where to go? We’ve rounded up the best beaches in the UK right here, from Scotland to Cornwall, all chosen by Time Out travel writers who have been to visit them IRL. You’ll also find our expert reccs for where to stay, so you can make the most of your beachy getaway. Enjoy.  Where are the UK’s most beautiful beaches? Pretty beaches are dotted all over the UK, but you’ll find some absolute beauties in Scotland, Cornwall and Wales, where the water is often clear, beaches are surrounded by tall cliffs and greenery and you might even find sand between your toes. On our list of the UK’s best beaches, we’ve included the prettiest and most serene stretches of coast out there, but we’ve also included those better for vibes, families and big old picnics. They might not be lookers, but they’re perfect for a seaside day out.  RECOMMENDED:🏖️ The most amazing hidden beaches in the UK🌊 The best outdoor swimmming pools in the UK🏊 The best wild swimming spots in the UK🌤️ The best place

We’ve made it through the most depressing month of the year, the endless wait for that post-Christmas payday is finally over, and festival season 2026 is on our minds. By the time summer rolls around, Londoners will be absolutley spoilt for choice. With something taking place almost every weekend throughout the warmer months, you can forget trekking across the country to live in a field for five days; simply hop on the tube and before you know it you’re listening to your favourite artists, tinny to hand, knowing that there’s a hot shower and a cosy bed waiting for you once the day is over.  The future of events in Brockwell Park was thrown up in the air in 2025, but you’ll be glad to know that most of the south London park’s usual lineup of events will return in 2026, with Cross The Tracks, Field Day and Mighty Hoopla all in the diary for late May. And the line-up announcements for next year’s events are already coming in thick fast, with huge acts like Tyler, The Creator, Lewis Capaldi, Lorde, Lily Allen, Blood Orange and Deftones all set to take to London stages come the summer. Have a scroll through our comprehensive guide – which we keep meticulously updated with all the latest line-up announcements – and see what takes your fancy. RECOMMENDED: ⛺ The best UK music festivals🌍 The best festivals in Europe

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or somebody visiting New York for the first time, you deserve a place to stay which embodies everything that makes the Big Apple so effortlessly, timelessly cool. After all, a hotel is far from just a place to rest your weary, tired head: when you think about it, they’re basically your gateway into the city.  So, from towering concrete masses to boutique Brooklyn outposts, new additions for Time Out’s 2026 roundup include Nine Orchard, The William Vale, The Standard, High Line, and The Hoxton, Williamsburg. Scroll on for an expertly-curated list of the coolest hotels on the block when it comes to where to stay in NYC. Which area is best to stay in New York? If you’re after a neighborhood which is as cool as your hotel, below you’ll find stays in Tribeca, NoMad, the Lower East Side, the Meatpacking District, and Brooklyn. In fact, we have guides to all of NYC’s neighborhoods, so you can find a spot which is the best fit for you.  New York’s coolest hotels at a glance: 💎 Most luxurious: Crosby Street Hotel 👛 Best budget: Moxy NYC Downtown 🌃 Best view: The Standard, High Line 👙 Best pool: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge 🤩 Most iconic: The William Vale 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many

Whether you’re an avid sunbather, sandcastle builder, swimmer or stroller, there are plenty of things that go into making a truly great beach. But thankfully, you don’t need to venture all the way to the Caribbean for brilliantly white shores, or all the way up into the mountains for some seriously dramatic landscapes. From the black sand of Iceland and the rugged coasts of Norway to the white sand of Croatia and tiny coves of Italy, Europe’s got us covered for brilliant beaches. Grab your sunnies, your beach towel, your bucket and spade – here’s our roundup of the continent's very best beaches. ➡️ READ MORE: Europe’s most underrated beaches🔔 BOOK NOW: Our ultimate guide to hotels in Europe Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by locals and 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. 

Updated for 2026: Whatever you think of Netflix’s theatrical strategy, it continues to produce some of television’s most formally daring works, including Adolescence, a hard-to-watch but impossible to ignore limited series about an unimaginable crime. On the other end of the spectrum, there’s HBO’s hilariously profane The Righteous Gemstones, which stuck the landing in 2025 with its final season. In addition, we have moved Andor into the top 20 after its astounding second and final season.  Television used to be considered one of the lowest forms of entertainment. It was derided as ‘the idiot box’ and ‘the boob tube’. Edward R Murrow referred to it as ‘the opiate of the masses’, and the phrase ‘I don’t even own a TV’ was considered a major bragging right.  A lot has changed. Television is now the dominant medium in basically all of entertainment. The shift in perception is widely credited to the arrival of The Sopranos, which completely reinvented the notion of what a TV show could do. But that doesn’t mean everything that came before is primordial slurry. While this list of the greatest TV shows ever is dominated by 21st century programs, from The Wire to Succession to Adolescence, there are many shows that deserve credit for laying the groundwork for this current golden age.  Chiseling them down to a neat top 100 is difficult, so we elected to leave off talk shows, variety shows and sketch comedy, focusing on scripted, episodic dramas, comedies and miniseries. So don’t touc

Nos vies amoureuses ont toujours fait parler. Mais aujourd’hui, tout change : la manière dont on se rencontre, ce qu’on cherche vraiment, la fréquence à laquelle on couche, les lignes bougent, et ça se voit. Depuis quelques années, un mot revient partout : « récession sexuelle ». Les études se multiplient, montrant que la génération Z aurait moins de rapports que celles d’avant. Mais quand on regarde, ville par ville, comment on vit (vraiment) le sexe à travers le monde, qu’est-ce que ça raconte de nos habitudes ? *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:9b8275c9-6971-489c-a653-efd3b0c7ea65-10" data-testid="conversation-turn-16" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Pour la Saint-Valentin, Time Out s’est plongé dans les résultats de sa dernière enquête, menée auprès de 18 500 citadins vivant dans les grandes villes du monde, à qui l’on a demandé à quelle fréquence ils avaient des rapports sexuels. Le classement ci-dessous se base sur la part d’habitants ayant répondu « au moins une fois par semaine ». Voyons ce que ça donne. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:9b8275c9-6971-489c-a653-efd3b0c7ea65-11" data-testid="conversation-turn-18" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> En tête du classement, ex æquo avec 67 % des répondants déclarant

Whether you’re margherita-loving purist or an all-the-toppings enthusiast, a fan of New York-style, Detroit-style, Neapolitan-style or your own whacky style, everybody’s their definition of a dream pizza. But cities all over the world have put their own spin on the dish, too, and that’s why we called on our international network of editors and writers to share the weirdest, tastiest and most lip-smacking pizzas where they live. So, feast your eyes on Time Out’s freshly-baked roundup of the best pizzas on the planet.  RECOMMENDED:🍝The best cities in the world for food🥪The best sandwiches in the world🥩The best steaks in the world This list was edited by Liv Kelly, 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.

February 2026: As we start to slowly leave winter behind us, we've highlighted some of the more appropriate seasonal spots for brunch. Try Lolo in Bermondsey if you want a lively Spanish take on brunch; start your Saturday with some heat at Thai-inspired Chet's; and feast on prawn toast scotch eggs at Jikoni in Marylebone. We've also included a few places that prove brunch isn't just a weekend treat, with some recent openings that serve brunch every single day, such as Permit Room Portobello - Dishoom's all-day cafe in Notting Hill - and excellent Syrian cafe Aram, which you can find in the glamorous Somerset House.  The humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and eggs. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid. Let us guide you to the best restaurants for a fabulous brunch, from a traditional full English to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch or fried eggs on chilli-cheese crumpets. Booze optional.  Best brunches in London at a glance: 🍖 Best for Spanish-style brunch: Lolo, Bermondsey 🏰 Best for a spectacular setting: Aram, Somerset House 🌳 Best for an al fresco brunch: Pavilion Cafe, Victoria Park  🌮 Best for a Mexican feast: Corrochio’s, Stoke Newington  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink

If you’re after a refined and polished bar perfect for quiet conversation, Homeboy is not the place. What it is good for, however, is expertly-executed cocktails served in what feels more like a raucous Irish pub. Enter and you’ll be enveloped into a snug, pleasingly low-lit space and affably greeted like a regular, even if you’ve never been here before. It’s a welcome tonic to the monosyllabic, named-after-a-generic-white-bloke bars which have proliferated London of late: there’s ample room on plump Chesterfield banquettes and lots of dark wood. On Thursdays and Sundays your evening will be soundtracked not by vinyl, but by a live Irish band.  There are TVs which, when we visited, were blaring the Six Nations, and once the music actually gets going, this place gets properly noisy. However, the seamlessness of the table service and the lively atmosphere proves that this place is a well-oiled hospitality machine – as do the drinks. Homeboy Bar’s menu features a signature collection of cocktails which have been steadfast inclusions since it opened, but there’s also a list of drinks inspired by Irish idols. The Punk Poet is one of these: it blends Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon with orange zest-infused oil, dark chocolate liqueur and demerara sugar, and it’s moreish, sour and sharp. The emphasis is very much on mixing a bit of Irishness into classic cocktail recipes, and dirty martini drinkers will also enjoy an Irish Sea.  Oh, and arrive hungry. This place doesn’t just knock it out of

Head along to University of East London’s Docklands campus after dark and you'll find this spectacular free festival brightening up the skies. This year, the theme is the four elements, which means there'll be tons to see inspired by the wonders of wind, earth, fire and water. Its eclectic line-up includes glowing hula hooping, fire acrobatics, a giant roaming octopus and dragon, and illuminated performers walking high above the crowds. There'll also be refreshments from local street food stalls throughout the evening. Book your free place to be part of the fun. 

Pass under the quintessential New York black awning, rotate through the revolving door and Sofitel New York greets you with a lengthy, imposing, Art Deco-esque lair of a lobby. It’s a lowly illuminated but pleasingly warm welcome from New York’s crispy late-fall streets, and while confusingly you’ll need to walk all the way towards the glitzy statement staircase at the far end to reach the actual reception, there are plenty of staff floating around to assist you.  This hotel is Sofitel’s new North American flagship property, which, after a substantial facelift, is a Midtown base that brims with potential. Despite a slightly bizarre entrance and shortcomings in the food offering, the hotel’s impressive location, immaculately designed beds and assured luxury service are where it gleams. Here’s what we thought of Sofitel New York.  Why stay at Sofitel New York? You probably haven’t traveled all the way to New York for a glimpse at the French way of life, but Sofitel is keen to deliver at least a flavor of it anyway. With the brand’s renewed emphasis on eating, drinking and sleeping well (which they refer to as the ‘French zest’), Sofitel New York has emerged from its site-wide renovation, striving and mostly succeeding to deliver on all those with polish.  The number one reason you should stay at this hotel is because of its prime—and we mean prime—location. Beyond having the Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building, Bryant Park, Central Park, Broadway and Times Square all with

Lisbon strikes an unmatched balance of spontaneous small town energy while ticking all the criteria a great city should – stellar restaurants and bars, cool museums, top-tier places to go shopping and plethora of unique and interesting neighbourhoods to explore. It’s that balance which is also somehow executed by ME Lisbon, a large luxury stay in Marquês do Pombal which, despite its glassy exterior, intimidatingly polished lobby and sheer size, is an unabashedly friendly and thoughtfully designed hotel that I would definitely return to.  Why stay at ME Lisbon? While this hotel is big, corporate, and ultra luxurious, the warmth of the service, the excellent restaurant and the tasteful design mean it still feels quintessentially Lisbon. Sure, it’s a far cry from the whimsical little boutique hotels you’ll find in Alfama or the city centre, but ME Lisbon, armed not only with a friendly team, good food and a marvellous scent (literally everything smells good – even the air in the lifts) but also a downright beautiful spa and rooftop pool mean you can properly kick back here.  What are the rooms like at ME Lisbon? There are 213 rooms at ME Lisbon, with a whopping 12 different types to choose from – we stayed in an expansive Beyond ME+ Suite Street View which overlooked Avenue António Augusto de Aguiar and bragged a walk-in dressing area with shedloads of storage, a bar and mini fridge, living space and Smart TV, plus a bedroom area and a vast and luxurious en suite.  The entire sp

It’s been four years since Mozart’s revered comedy was performed on a London stage, but the English National Opera’s upcoming production of Così fan tutte has had some whimsy injected thanks to a collaboration with Improbable, an improv-based theatre company. The opera follows the outcome the cynical placing of a bet by two soldiers, Ferrando and Guglielmo, that if tested their fiancées, Fiordiligi and Dorabella, would have affairs, and soprano Lucy Crowe OBE and mezzo-soprano Taylor Raven are starring as the two sisters.  With Olivier Award-winner Phelim McDermott at the helm and Critics’ Circle Young Talent Award winner Dinis Sousa conducting, this co-production (in partnership with New York’s Metropolitan Opera), written originally at the height of Mozart’s career in the 1790s, has now been transformed by set (by Tom Pye) and costume design (by Laura Hopkins) to unfurl on 1950s Coney Island.

Montreal is a cool city – and I don’t just mean literally. From its dazzling fine art museum whose architectural engineering is just as outstanding as its collections, to its hearty, diverse food, stylish bars, top-tier shopping and an actual underground network of streets (yes, really), it’s somewhere I recommend you move to the top of your bucket list for 2026. And when you do pay a visit, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is ready and waiting to greet you. Just like the city, this hotel has an effortless, stylish je ne sais quoi about it, largely thanks to the conclusion of a recent site-wide refurbishment. The result? A comfortable and exceptionally well-run hotel, perched on one of the coolest streets in the world. Why stay at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile? The Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile is, simply, an expertly run hotel. The service is attentive but not overbearing, the rooms and suites are spacious with considerate details, and you’re in a handy Downtown location, just minutes from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and Mount Royal.  On top of all that, the hotel has impressive environmental credentials – it was awarded 5 Green Keys in early 2025, the highest possible certification from eco-label programme Green Key Global, plus a local Montreal sustainability award – thanks to details such as its policy on using no paper or plastic bottles. It’s also platinum certified by SHe Travel Club, a certification platform for women travellers. What are the rooms like at Sofitel

Through the MacSmiths Repair Shop on Hackney Road is where you’ll find this cave-like, perfect-for-the-winter cocktail bar. We arrived drenched from the rain into the pleasantly toasty, warmly but lowly-lit space which sits at the bottom of a small staircase, and the vibe feels most like the den of a whacky old professor – think kooky portraits, cluttered old computer monitors and even something called a poem-o-graph. This is the place to come if you’re trying to ‘get into’ whisky. As of 2025, the bar is run by the same team behind the nearby Absinthe Parlour at The Last Tuesday Society, and not only does it have 24 different kinds on an evolving roster (when a bottle runs out, a new whisky replaces it), but they also have Whisky Wednesdays for tastings and specially curated cocktail menu. It’s no surprise they refer to themselves as a ‘whisky bunker’. For a crash course on whisky without committing to a full drink, there were three flight options on the menu: the ‘world wonderer’, the ‘smoke stack’ and the brilliant dessert trolley, which included notes of tropical vanilla, honeycomb and banana bread – it’s definitely one for those of us with a sweet tooth. Service is suitably laid-back, and if you’re overwhelmed by the lengthy list of options, you won’t feel too intimidated to seek out some recommendations from the bar staff about the drinks or well-paired snacks. Order this If, like me, you’re a fan of cocktails that’ll make your face scrunch up, order the Pickleback Sour.

St Martin's Voices and St Martin's Brass will this year be bringing us some stunningly festive performances of glorious music, carol singing and festive readings. Conducted by Andrew Earis, expect to hear beloved classic songs such as ‘The Holly and the Ivy’ and ‘O Holy Night’ plus the audience carols of ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’. Set against the beautiful backdrop of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church, these concerts promise to be a magical start to Christmas. 

What’s the vibe?  This space is one of Brighton’s most refined restaurants. It sits on Upper Market Street unbeknownst to the majority of passers-by, which gives it an exclusive, elevated vibe. The restaurant is tastefully and simply furnished with lots of pale wood and natural light giving it a beachhouse feel, and that is reflected in the menu.  What should I order?  The menu here changes regularly, but there’ll be a three-course set lunch menu for £35 per person or a decadent six-course option at dinner time which costs £85 per person. Each will include simple but super elegant seafood dishes, and the restaurant’s signature dish, the egg and soldiers, will (hopefully) be available at dinner time.

What’s the vibe?  In a nutshell, the vibe here is casual, speedy and really, really tasty. It’s unlikely you’ll wait long for your food to arrive, nor will you be at the table for much more than an hour, but we guarantee every second will be worth it. Why? Well, Bincho’s isn’t just a favourite of Brighton’s locals, but also of its chefs. What should I order? The chef here describes himself as an Izayaka fanatic, and after spending three years in Japan finessing the cooking techniques, you can bet that this is the most authentic take on southeast Asian cuisine that Brighton has to offer. There aren’t any duds on this menu – the only mistake would be not arriving ravenous.  

You might expect a Grade I National Trust property to be a bit of a stuffy and impersonal place to stay for a weekend, but Bodysgallen Hall, a lovingly restored manor house on Pydew Mountain in north Wales, is quite the opposite.  The hotel provided us tired, post-hike guests with a stay so comforting that, despite its looming size, felt more like we were at the home of an impossibly wealthy relative than a high-end hotel. Swathed by crackling fires, good, tasty food and amiable staff, this place is primed for a properly restful weekend.  Why stay at Bodysgallen Hall?  If you don’t just want a break from your day-to-day life but some proper respite from the 21st century, this is the place to stay. Bodysgallen Hall’s Main House feels a bit imposing as you approach it, but there’s something undeniably old-timey and welcoming about the place once you’ve stepped inside.  It brags all the traditional quirks that a proper country estate should, with comically low ground-floor ceilings, dark wood-panelled walls, heartily-stoked fires and marshmallow-like armchairs throughout the reception area and jumbled hallways, and much of it was built around 600 years ago. Though modern elements (speedy wifi and high-pressure showers) have seeped through, a weekend here still feels like you’ve dipped back into a different era.  What are the rooms like at Bodysgallen Hall? The Main House bedrooms could well remind you of a grandparent’s house, and I mean that as a compliment. The furnishings are

What’s the vibe?  Picture crisp white tablecloths, immaculately manicured waiters and an elevated, classy atmosphere, and you’ve pretty much got the opposite of Halisco. This is not the place for a formal evening dinner, but it most definitely is the place to take someone you’re trying to impress. Lip-smacking cocktails, inexplicably tasty Mexican-inspired small plates and an efficient, friendly, knowledgeable team of locals are what make this place so damn brilliant – and I bet my margarita that you’ll be telling your friends about it.  What are the prices like? The menu here follows a small-plates format – you’ll have snacks sitting around or just below £4, small plates, which range roughly from £8-£12, and of course the tacos, which tend to start at £9.50 for two. Lucky enough to swing by in the summer months? There could well be a salad and ceviche section, which last year started at £6. Mix it up, and don’t expect things to arrive in order.  What should I order? Halisco’s menu changes seasonally, but be sure to start your dinner with corn chips and guac, order the tenderstem broccoli (if it’s available) in whatever form it comes, and – even if you’re a meat eater – the oyster mushroom birria tacos. To wash it down, my go-tos are either a hibiscus margarita or a modelo chelada.  What’s worth visiting nearby? The newly opened Bar Halisco! Perched just over the road is Halisco’s brand-new sister venue, which opened just in time for National Margarita Day 2025. It’s got all

Airports can be pretty stressful places, so knowing you’re heading to a hub where good customer service is a guarantee can ease a bit of that travel anxiety, and handily, the Airports Council International is here to share some insight.  The body has just unveiled all the best airports from around the world, based on surveys of more than 700,000 passengers and over 100 hubs. Categories such as the most dedicated staff, the most enjoyable and cleanest airports and the simplest airport journey were assessed, based on responses from randomly selected travellers at the gates.  Recommended: How to finally go flight-free in 2026: A practical, actionable guide.  So let’s have a look at which fared particularly well. Below are the European winners in each size category, based on the ACI’s surveys.  The best airports for customer service with fewer than 2 million annual passengers El Hierro Airport (Valverde, Spain) Girona-Costa Brava Airport (Costa Brava, Spain) Pamplona Airport (Pamplona, Spain) Región de Murcia International Airport (Murcia, Spain) Reus Airport (Reus, Spain) Vigo Airport (Vigo, Spain) The best airports for customer service with between 2 and 5 million annual passengers Menorca Airport (Menorca, Spain) Rome Ciampino Airport (Rome, Italy) Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (Tallinn, Estonia) Tbilisi Shota Rustaveli International Airport (Tbilisi, Georgia) The best airports for customer service with between 5 and 15 million annual passengers Ankara Esenboğa Airport (An

Fish and chips is considered by many to be the UK’s national dish – you can find it everywhere from swanky gastropub kitchens to good old-fashioned chippies on pretty much every high street – but did you know there’s somewhere else in Europe that does a pretty excellent take on the British classic? The National Fish and Chip Awards 2026 have just announced winners for a whole host of categories, including the most sustainably run business, the best takeaway of the year, and even the young fish dryer of the year. You can read about the British chippy winners here. While the awards primarily celebrate British institutions, there was also a category for the best fish and chips business outside of the UK. The ‘International Fish and Chip Operator’ was awarded to (drum roll on the greasy chip shop table, please!) Fish & Chips Lake Mývatn, in none other than Iceland.  Recommended: This little-known Icelandic island gives Reykjavík’s food scene a run for its money.  That’s right – this little family-owned business, which is next to one of the country’s largest lakes, has officially claimed the title as the best place outside of the UK for fish and chips.  Lake Mývatn is in northern Iceland, home to volcanic craters, thermal springs and vivid blue waters. The region is known as the Northern Lights capital of Iceland, and it’s only an hour’s drive from Akureyri, which is the second-largest municipal area after Reykjavik.  ICYMI: I went to the wild north of Iceland – and discovered a s

Power banks have become an essential travel accessory, particularly for those travelling long journeys, but some new rules in Japan will likely see their use completely banned on flights from April.  Why? Well, fire safety reasons, that’s why. In January 2025, South Korean airline Air Busan banned power banks in overhead cabin luggage after a fire destroyed an entire plane, and Japan’s National Institute of Technology reported that accidents related to mobile batteries leapt up by 160 percent between 2020 and 2024.  Recommended: These are the 16 most underrated destinations in Japan. So now, according to NHK Japan, passengers travelling on domestic Japanese flights will have to abide by strict new rules on the usage of power banks, which is part of a wider change to guidelines under the Civil Aeronautics Act.   You’ll no longer be able to use them on the flight, nor carry more than two (which must not exceed 160Wh). Using onboard power outlets to charge any lithium-ion powered devices will also be banned, as will storing them in overhead cabins.  The Independent reports that the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation is also considering a potential rule change regarding power banks on flights, so stay tuned for more updates.  ✈️ While you’re here, check out our guide on how to finally go flight-free in 2026.  Did you see that a brand new luxury tourist train will connect this Japanese city to a Unesco World Heritage Site? Plus: ‘If Mars had a beach, it would look lik

We’re always excited about new trains, not just because they make travelling flight-free a whole lot easier, but because they also facilitate much more pleasant transitions on multi-destination holidays.  Scandinavia is a brilliant region to head if you’re craving more of a ‘coolcation’ getaway this summer, and handily, a brand-new direct train set to connect Sweden and Norway is launching just in time for the season.  Courtesy of Swedish operator Snälltåget, the train will run daily – and in both directions – between Malmö to Oslo via Gothenburg. Krogen, the operator’s restaurant, will feature on all departing trains from Malmö, and the service will be inaugurated on June 15.  Recommended: You could own a private island in Sweden for a year – here’s how to apply.  The northbound service will depart Malmö Centralstation at 6.38am and arrive in the Norwegian capital at 1.13pm, with southbound services departing at 2.48pm and arriving back in Malmö at 9.25pm.  It’ll venture along Sweden’s beautiful, low-lying west coast, calling at Lund, Helsingborg, Halmstad and Varberg, Trollhättan and then to Sarpsborg and Fredrikstad in Norway. Oh, and it’s worth noting that while not stopping at Gothenburg’s central station, travellers can easily board Västtrafik commuter trains from either Mölndal and Gamlestaden, which this service also passes through.  Keen to explore further? You’ll be able to change in Malmö for connections to Copenhagen, Hamburg, and Berlin. According to euronews, ti

They say good things take time, and no undertaking is better proof of that than the Sagrada Família. Construction began on the Cathedral 144 years ago, but on February 20, a huge step towards its eventual completion was taken.  Workers finally installed the upper arm (which measures 4.5 by 4.5 by 4.9 metres) on the building’s largest tower, completing a 17m by 13.5m cross of stone, glass, and enamelled ceramic tiles.  The first piece of the cross, which was attached on October 27, made it the world’s tallest church at 162.91m, but now the building has officially reached its full height, standing 172.5m tall.  Photograph: Shutterstock The Sagrada Familia features 18 towers in total, each dedicated to important biblical figures. Many of these have been built externally, but the cross now sits atop the focal tower of Jesus Christ, at the centre of the largest group of six spires.  ‘Completion of the cross on the tower of Jesus Christ represents much more than the culmination of a phase of construction: it is the result of years of work and studying the legacy Antoni Gaudí left us,’ said head architect Jordi Faulí, according to the Architects Journal, ‘It is also a firm commitment to the future, to continue working to complete the Sagrada Família.’ Photograph: Shutterstock Barcelona is spending 2026 celebrating the centenary of Antoni Gaudí’s passing, and plenty of events including concerts by the Catalan Choral Society and a huge mass on June 10 to mark the anniversary are t

Retreating to your own private patch of land which is dreamily isolated from the rest of the world by the sea is a dream many of us share, but enter this competition which has just launched courtesy of Visit Sweden, and it could be a reality.  That’s right – the company is offering five lucky international winners the chance to act as custodians for their own Swedish island for one year, meaning you can enjoy some serious tranquility in Sweden’s gorgeous environment.  The islands in question? We’re so glad you asked. Sweden has a total of more than 267,000, but the first one that could be yours is Medbådan, which was sculpted by the last Ice Age and is around 35km southwest of the town of Umeȧ. Flisan is a tiny stretch of pale bedrock, which is also up for grabs, and is not too far from Aholma Nord, where you should definitely head for home-smoked fish.  Recommended: These are the most underrated places in Europe, according to Time Out.  Storberget is a small granite island ironically nicknamed ‘the big mountain’, Tjuvholmen is a pine-lined spot around 25km north of Lidköping, and lastly, Marsten is one for the fishing enthusiasts among us.  So, how do you enter this competition? Well, you’ll need to be over 18 and record a video explaining why you deserve your own Swedish island – it’s gotta be filmed in portrait, and be no longer than a minute long, and upload it via this form by 11.59pm CEST on April 17.  To maximise your chances, make sure you share your video on social m

If you’ve walked the streets of Rome, you’ll know that it’s not only the view of the Colosseum that makes Via dei Fori Imperiali worth exploring on foot – it’s the verdant, umbrella-like canopy of leaves which line the avenue, courtesy of the city’s iconic Stone pine trees.  However, work crews were seen chopping down several of the street’s trees last week, which connects the amphitheatre with Piazza Venezia, after a decision by city authorities.  Recommended: When is the best time to visit Rome? But, why? Well, in January and February three of the pines were toppled which subsequently injured three pedestrians. As a result, city authorities conducted stability tests on the pines and found that 12 of the 36 along the street were at risk of falling, while 24 were rendered safe or in need of more thorough assessments.  Photograph: Shutterstock There are around 54 in the area, and lots are thought to be roughly 120 years old. However, their fragility can be attributed to their age, as well as the combination of extreme heat and heavy rainfall, long-term urban stress and an invasive pest known as Pine Tortoise Scale.  While those remaining safety checks are carried on on the last few trees, Rome officials reopened part of the avenue on Monday February 23, and it’s not all bad news for the Pine tree population, as ‘the removed [ones] will be replaced with specimens of the same species, of suitable size and age,’ according to Travel Tomorrow.  More about Rome’s pine trees Offici

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:563cffdf-31d9-48b2-a721-29dfa34418a6-9" data-testid="conversation-turn-20" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Des vagues violettes de lavande en Provence aux plages battues par le vent en Normandie, des cimes alpines striées de pistes aux boulevards parisiens, la France déroule un décor calibré pour l’appel du large. Résultat : le pays reste en tête du classement mondial du tourisme, franchissant un nouveau cap après les 100 millions de visiteurs de 2024, pour culminer à 102 millions de voyageurs en 2025. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="request-WEB:563cffdf-31d9-48b2-a721-29dfa34418a6-10" data-testid="conversation-turn-22" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Dans le détail, la machine tourne à plein régime : 743 millions de nuitées enregistrées, soit +7,5 % en un an. Côté caisse, le tourisme grimpe de 9 % par rapport à 2024 et bondit de 37 % comparé à 2019, pour atteindre 77,5 milliards d’euros. Des chiffres qui confirment que la France ne se contente pas d’attirer. Mais comment la France conserve-t-elle sa couronne ? D’après Euronews, le pays mise sur une stratégie touristique tournée vers l’avenir, pensée pour accompagner la croissance sans laisser le surtourisme déborder. Autre atout : une d

From the rolling fields of lavender in Provence to the sandy expanses of Normandy, and the ski resorts which pepper the Alps to the sprawling streets of Paris, France is a glorious travel destination.  It’s so glorious, in fact, that the country has once again claimed the title of the world’s most visited country, after beating its own 2024 record of 100 million visitors and welcoming a staggering 102 million travellers in 2025.  Photograph: Shutterstock If we look at the nitty gritty, all those visitors amounted to 743 million overnight stays in total, which is a 7.5 percent increase on the previous year. It meant tourism revenue was up 9 percent on 2024 and 37 percent on 2019, reaching a whopping €77.5 billion.  But, what is it about France that means it continually claims this title? Well, according to euronews, the country’s ‘forward-thinking strategy’ when it comes to tourism has enabled the industry to expand while keeping overtourism at bay, and it also benefits from regional and seasonal diversity, meaning destinations enjoy time in the spotlight at different points in the year.  Recommended: Paris’s oldest bridge will soon be transformed by a monumental installation – and it’s free to visit.  What’s more, France is aiming to reach an annual revenue from tourism of €100 million by 2030, but more visitors aren’t necessarily welcome everywhere.  In the summer of 2025, residents of Montmartre, one of the French capital’s most iconic and visited neighbourhoods, took to

January 2025 marked the start of an exciting project for French photographer and street artist JR. In an old Orly airport hangar, he and his crew unveiled a 15-metre prototype to test how well it technically and artistically functioned.  Of what, you ask? Well, with the 100-day countdown officially on and Paris preparing to temporarily wave goodbye to its iconic Pont-Neuf, we can take a closer look.  On June 6, 2026, the city’s oldest bridge will no longer be a mere crossing: instead, it’ll be transformed into La Caverne du Pont Neuf (‘The Cave’), the first installation of its kind in the planet on this scale, and a nod to Christo and Jeanne-Claude, who famously wrapped the bridge in 40,000 square metres of golden fabric back in 1985.  Photograph: Aristide Barraud While JR isn’t wrapping it, he is ‘hollowing’ it out, and for three weeks, the monument will become an impressive feat of inflatable architecture and a Snap-powered AR experience with audio crafted by French musician and producer Thomas Bangalter.  Oh, and we placed it top of our list of the best new things to do in the world in 2026. So, when should you visit, and how does an ‘air mountain’ actually stay inflated? Time Out Paris is here to tell you – read on for everything you need to know about The Pont Neuf  What exactly is ‘La Caverne du Pont Neuf’? Built in 1607, the Pont-Neuf is Paris’s oldest bridge and the first to be built in Lutetian limestone (now better known as ‘Paris stone’). It was the first to offe

Japan’s railways are already impressive, but an exciting new route which will launch in April between the country’s third-largest city and one of its most historic Unesco World Heritage Sites should definitely be on your radar.  The GRAN Tenku, a brand-new luxury tourist train which will be operated by the Nankai Electric Railway Company, will make its inaugural journey on April 24 between Osaka’s Namba Station and Gokurakubashi Station.  The journey will take just 90 minutes, and there’ll be two round trips per day: departing from Namba at both 9am or 12.45pm and returning from Gokurakubashi at 10.46am or 2.58pm.  Onboard, guests can tuck into seasonal breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea menus while enjoying the views, which will include stops at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Sakaihigashi, Kongō, Kawachinagano, Rinkanden-entoshi, Hashimoto and Kudoyama.  Recommended: These are the 16 most underrated destinations in Japan.  Oh, and upon arrival at Gokurakubashi Station, it’s just a cable car ride up to the magnificent Mount Kōya, which comprises one part of the Kii mountain range’s Unesco-listed sacred sites and pilgrimage routes.  These include the Fudozaka Trail which starts at the train station and winds all the way towards Fudozaka-guchi Nyonindo temple, from which you can follow the Women Pilgrims Course to the entrance Okunoin.  Shingon Buddhism was brought to Japan by monk Kobo Daishi way back in the 9th century, and this region is the centre of it. Lots of the temples aroun

After the leader of Jalisco New Generation Cartel Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes – known as ‘El Mencho’ – was killed during a Mexican military operation, a series of security incidents across the state of Jalisco have been reported.  The violence is widely understood to have erupted in retaliation to his death, and travellers who are visiting the state have been issued with a public advisory to stay indoors and take shelter. It’s worrying news if you have upcoming plans to travel to this part of Mexico, so we’ve compiled everything you need to know about the latest warnings and how the events might affect your holiday.  Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The most serious security incidents have been reported in the state of Jalisco, including in Guadalajara and popular tourist resort Puerto Vallarta. However, the US Embassy in Mexico City has urged American travellers in the state as well as other parts of the country to ‘shelter in place until further notice’.  As the Independent reports, popular tourist destinations on the Caribbean coast such as Cancun, Tulum and the Yucatan Peninsula are not affected by the security warnings, but all travellers should keep an eye on the latest updates for travel across Mexico.  What is the UK Foreign Office saying?  The FCDO has updated its travel advice page for Mexico, with specific recommendations for Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, and Chiapas. Furthermore, it says