Liv Kelly

The group trip will never get old, but jetting off on your very own solo jaunt is an experience that might well change how you travel permanently. After all, there’s a good chance that once you’ve caught the bug, seeking out memorable experiences, enjoying complete cultural immersion and making new friends will be something you best enjoy at your own pace.  More women than ever before are solo travelling, and that’s why we’ve poured a load of time and care into compiling this tried-and-tested list of solo travel destinations. It includes countries with established traveller routes, friendly cities, good transport and plenty of chances to socialise (or prioritise quality alone time – that’s your call) so read on for our handpicked list of the planet’s best solo travel destinations for women in 2026. RECOMMENDED:🗺️ The best places in the world to travel alone🖼️ The best cities in the world for culture right now🌃 The best places in Europe for women to travel alone India-Jayne Trainor is a British-Australian travel writer 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

In 2026, the UK’s coastline is more in the spotlight than it has been in a long, long time. The opening of the long-awaited King Charles III Coastal Path means that the entire coasts of England, Wales and Scotland are now fully walkable – giving you even more of a reason to visit this nation’s extraordinary roster of seaside towns. Of course, being an island nation, the UK has no shortage of coastal spots. Prim, proper, picture-postcard-worthy idylls? Check. Remote, blustery retreats from stormy seas?  Yep, plenty of that. Thrill-packed resort spots with something for everyone? Britain has all of the above and much more. If you’re on the hunt for British seaside towns that are worth checking out right now – the ones that should be on your radar specifically in 2026 – that’s what we’re here for. Time Out assembled our UK travel experts to pick out the country’s most exciting seaside, port, harbour and resort towns to visit this year. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best beaches in the UK (and mapped).📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026.🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026. Time Out’s best seaside towns, mapped Image: Time Out

Make no mistake, the UK has some of the planet’s finest stretches of coastline. Sure, Britain isn’t always outlined by beaming vast stretches of white à la Caribbean, but there’s extraordinary variety in our coast. Dramatic dunes, towering chalk cliffs and secret coves. Beaches fashioned out of pebbles, shingle and rock pools. Some attached to busy seaside towns, others blissfully remote. That diversity is all part of Britain’s seaside charm. The UK’s coast stretches thousands of miles, within which are around 1,500 beaches. How do you choose which ones are most worth visiting? Well, that’s where Time Out’s recommendations come in. Our latest guide to Britain’s top beaches has something for every kind of beach fanatic: sun-lounging spots in legendary seaside towns, creamy sands on far-off islands, newly-revived destinations, old favourites and much more. Our 2026 guide to the greatest beaches in Britain features 40 coastlines, five of which are new entries. From Cornwall’s world-famous sandy destinations all the way up to Scotland’s West Isles, here’s where to lay down a towel and go for a dip. RECOMMENDED: 🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK to visit in 2026. 📍 The best places to visit in Britain in 2026. 🇬🇧 The best new things to do in the UK in 2026. The UK’s 20 best beaches, mapped Image: Time OutA map of the UK’s 20 best beaches, according to Time Out

Whether you’re at a pub-side shack in London or a swanky, white table-clothed restaurant in Hong Kong, there are brilliant places all over the world to get your gnashers around some properly lip-smacking sandwiches.  Some are full of bougie ingredients, others are cheap and cheerful, but the tradition of cramming cheese, meat, fish, vegetables (or all of the above) between two slices of bread is as universal a dish as you can get. So, without further ado, sink your teeth into our carby, crunchy roundup. Here are the world’s very best sandwiches (according to us). RECOMMENDED:🍝 The best cities in the world for food🎭 The best things to do in the world in 2025🌃 The best cities in the world🌤️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods This list was edited by Morgan Olsen, Time Out’s former Global Food and Drink editor. 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.

Is there a more satisfying bite than the salty, smoky hit of a really, really good burger? The answer is obviously: of course not. Restaurants all over the world are crafting and griddling their own take on the classic beef burger, with homemade sauces, whacky buns, and specialty meats elevating these patties to entirely new levels. We wanted to find out where, exactly, one can find the tastiest, juiciest, most decadent and inventive burgers out there right now. So we grilled Time Out’s global team of food and drink editors about the very best burgers they’ve sunk their teeth into – then ranked them all according to the venues with the strongest star ratings on Google. The result? Fourteen lip-smacking burgers, found across some of the world’s best cities. From smashed wagyu to a ‘kitschy’ surf and turf and everything in between, these are the greatest burgers on the planet right now, each tried and tested by us. Tuck in. RECOMMENDED:🍕 The best pizzas in the world🥪 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.

Nowhere does Christmas quite like London. Come December, this city comes alive with dazzling festive lights, Christmas markets, theatre and endless shopping. Whether you’re venturing in from a nearby city or travelling from across the pond, there are endless reasons why a stay in the UK’s capital should be at the top of your list this festive season. Ready for some serious Christmas spirit? Look no further – we’ve handpicked the best hotels to stay in at Christmas in the Capital. And we’ve covered all the bases: hotels with Christmas markets on your doorstep, hotels that look out over ice skating rinks, and hotels that go all out for their very own festive offerings, with everything from bespoke Christmas packages to mega trees and blowout festive menus. And yes, you can stay on Christmas Day too. Ready to get festive? Us too. Read on for the best Christmas hotels in London this year.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London  The best hotels for Christmas in London at a glance 👪 Best for families: Claridges 🏢 Best views: Shangri-La The Shard ⛄ Best for snow lovers: The Berkeley 🎄 Best Christmas tree: Landmark London ☕ Best festive afternoon tea: The Dorchester Who makes the cut? Headed up by editor Joe Mackertich, our team at Time Out London spend their time reviewing hotels all over the Capital – new openings, old classics and everything in between – to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. Along with our pool

Whether it’s for a culture-packed city break or the approaching World Cup, saving a few cents on your next visit to Boston won’t hurt. Thankfully, there are plenty of stylish but affordable options when it comes to our favorite places to stay, and we’ve compiled them all below with brand-new reviews of The Dagny Boston, The Revolution, and Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville.  What are hotel prices like in Boston? We’ll be honest—while most cities still have a way to go before they compete with prices in cities like LA and NYC, visits to Boston fall at the higher end of the spectrum for how much an overnight stay will set you back. For the more affordable options which don’t compromise on style, every hotel in this list has a starting nightly rate of $250 or less.  Which area is best to stay in Boston? To have as many attractions on your doorstep as possible—such as the Freedom Trail and the Rose Kennedy Greenway—Downtown and Chinatown are two top neighborhoods to stay in. After some oceanfront views? Opt for hotels in Back Bay or Seaport. Oh, and on this list, you’ll also find hotels in more affordable neighborhoods like Fenway Park, Brighton, Mission Hill and Somerville.  Boston’s best budget hotels at a glance: 👙 Most underrated: The Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville 🗺️ Best location: The Dagny Boston 👛 Cheapest: The Farrington Inn 🤩 Coolest: The Revolution Hotel 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to hotels in Boston How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel

What makes a hotel ‘cool’? Well, a lot of it is entirely subjective, of course. But there are a few things we look out for in a cool hotel here at Time Out. Perhaps it’s design-led and perfectly aesthetic, or it’s situated in one of its city’s coolest neighbourhoods. It might have a hotel bar we actually want to spend time in, a proper sustainability focus, or a food and drink offering that’s second-to-none.  But sometimes, it’s just a vibe. A hotel that you love as soon as you walk in the door. A hotel where the staff feel like your best friends. A hotel that makes you feel like you’re ready to pack up and move to this brand-new city for good. Are you catching our drift? A hotel can be cool just because it was. So if you’re after a bit of inspo, these are some very cool hotels our writers and editors have stayed at recently, in some of our favourite cities ever. From Copenhagen to Berlin, here are the coolest hotels in Europe right now.  ➡️ Check out our ultimate guide to Europe’s best hotels Ella Doyle is Time Out’s Europe editor. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Have you noticed that everyone seems to be doing Pilates right now? Well, there’s good reason. Developed by German trainer Joseph Pilates in the 1920s, the exercise regime is low-impact but does absolute wonders for your muscles (including your core) – and it’ll sort out a load of other issues form bad posture to balance, too. Celebs, dancers and elite athletes swear by it and now all sorts of new studios are popping up over the city. If you wanna get a bit more bendy, toned and powerful, look no further than one of these expert pilates classes. What’s more, it doesn’t matter whether they’re mat-based, inspired by ballet or take place on a reformer machine (they’re not as scary as they look, we promise), these fun and fancy studios won’t leave you bent out of shape. Here are the best pilates classes in London. Fancy testing that new-found flexibility? Try one of these yoga classes in London next.  London’s best pilates classes at a glance Best for barre: Paola’s Body Barre Best for beginners: Frame Best for traditionalists: Kinetic Pilates Best for a budget: The Refinery RECOMMENDED: The best sport and fitness in London

London is full of perfect pizza. The finest of fast foods, this delicious staple has been elevated far beyond its humble roots by great Italian restaurants in London, pop-ups, street food vendors and pub residencies, and we know just where to find these world-class wonders, because we’ve been eating our way across London in order to discover the best. Whether it’s delivered in a cardboard box or served in a swish restaurant, excellent pizza is hard to beat. Browse our list of the best pizza places in town and try not to drool on your screen. Recent additions to the list include some nifty kitchen residencies; Dough Hands at the Spurstowe Arms and All My Friends in Hackney Wick, Hot Saint at the Old Queen’s Head in Angel, Little Earthquakes at the Railway Tavern in Dalston, and Short Road Pizza at the William The Fourth in Leyton and Three Colts in Bethnal Green. You can find Ace Pizza at the Pembury Tavern in Hackney Downs, but they have a standalone parlour in Victoria Park. Try also; Spring Street Pizza in Borough for pie with a Michelin-starred touch, Carmela’s on Upper Street for a cosy slice, Vincenzo’s in Shoreditch for no-flop pizza and Bar Etna in Newington Green for a slap-up pizza feast. RECOMMENDED: The finest fish and chips in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Museums are one of the things that London does best. This city boasts grand institutions housing ancient treasures, modern monoliths packed with intriguing exhibits, and tiny rooms containing deeply niche collections – and lots of them are totally free to anyone who wants to come in and take a gander. And with more than 170 London museums to choose from, there's bound to be one to pique your interest, whatever you're in to.  Want to explore the history of TfL? We’ve got a museum for that. Rather learn about advertising? We’ve got a museum for that too. History? Check. Science? Check. 1940s cinema memorabilia, grotesque eighteenth-century surgical instruments, or perhaps a wall of 4,000 mouse skeletons? Check, check and check! Being the cultured metropolitans that we are, Time Out’s editors love nothing more than a wholesome afternoon spent gawping at Churchill’s baby rattle or some ancient Egyptian percussion instruments. In my case, the opportunity to live on the doorstep of some of the planet’s most iconic cultural institutions was a big reason why I moved here at the first chance I got, and I’ve racked up countless hours traipsing around display cases and deciphering needlessly verbose wall texts in the eleven years since. From iconic collections, brilliant curation and cutting-edge tech right down to nice loos, adequate signage and a decent place to grab a cuppa; my colleagues and I know exactly what we want from a museum, and we’ve put in a whole lot of time deliberating

Hiking is having a moment right now. Brand-new trails – including the world’s longest coastal path – are opening left, right and centre. Plus, more of us than ever are choosing active, mindful and sustainable experiences when we travel. To help you plan your next great hike, we’ve rounded up the best hiking holidays the world over, from Europe’s very own Jurassic Park to the bonnie lochs of the West Highland Way and desert landscapes in the Middle East. Each hike has been tried and tested by our globetrotting network of travel writers, so read on for 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 2026: We’ve added two Spanish hikes to the list to help you plan your summer treks. RECOMMENDED:🌲 The best national parks in the world ⛰️ The best destinations for solo female travellers🌊 The most spectacular places to swim in the world🏝️ The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world

Paris’s streets are full of ornate, delicate-looking 16th century buildings, and if you’re after somewhere to stay that’ll give you all that quintessential charm – paired, of course, with the comforts of a slick hotel brand – then consider Maison Colbert Meliá Collection.  Acclaimed philosopher, activist and feminist Simone de Beauviour used to live in this place, but the plaque immortalising her presence on the exterior wall is far from the only historical nod that you’ll find. Inside, the decor is inspired by the dreamy works of Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla, and some of the rooms even come with a view of the newly reopened Notre Dame, which is just a five minute stroll away.  What are the rooms like at Maison Colbert? A lot of enjoying Paris’s charm involves turning a blind eye to how cramped it can be, but that isn’t a problem at Maison Colbert. Our Superior Room Partial Notre Dame View had ample space for storing a city break’s worth of luggage, and the en suite – with a large walk-in shower (and insanely good water pressure) – was separated from the bedroom area by curtain rather than wall, making it feel all the more spacious throughout. Oh, and you could just about peak the cathedral’s towers from the window.  A replica of one of Joaquín Sorolla’s pleasing luminist paintings was the focal point of the room, filling the wall above the bed, but nods to its vibrant summery tones continued throughout the rest of the space. Bright turquoise velvet covered the chairs, hea

Margate’s Old Town is a quaint network of historic yet polished-looking lanes which are peppered with plenty of bookshops, vintage stores, cafés and pubs. It actually feels more like a countryside village than the whimsical core of the UK’s go-to seaside town – until the wind hits you, that is.  Right in the middle is the Old Town House, a restored property comprising of just eight rooms, which is barely a five-minute walk from the beach, Margate’s Harbour Arm, as well as Turner Contemporary and plenty of top places to eat and drink. Here’s why, if you’re headed to Margate for the weekend, it’s one of our favourite places to stay. What are the rooms like at the Old Town House Margate? Despite its classy Georgian facade, this hotel feels surprisingly modern – firstly because there’s no lobby. Instead, before arriving you’ll be sent instructions on downloading an app that’ll give you a digital code, so you can tap in and out of both the entrance and your room as you please.  The rooms all branch off from a freshly painted winding staircase, and we stayed right at the very top in a premium suite (where rates start from £190-350). Inside, the floors were lined with delightfully plump carpet, the walls with pretty, shimmery wallpaper and the room was furnished with ornamental antiques as well as handy amenities like a hairdryer and a tea, coffee and hot chocolate set up. There was a small wardrobe as well as storage under the stairs (we’ll get to that), plus ample surface space to

When it comes to ultra-luxurious stays, the scene is largely dominated by monolithic five-star chains which have properties in every major city. That isn’t the case with Firmdale Hotels. Instead, owners and designers Tim and Kit Kemp have kept their portfolio – which comprises nine London and three New York stays – modest, and what it’s resulted in are efficiently run, tastefully-designed hotels.  This particular building functioned as a hospital for French soldiers during the Second World War before becoming the Shaftesbury Hotel and operating as such until 1992. It was in 1996 that it became the Covent Garden Hotel, and 30 years on, it’s still a worthy member of London’s hotel crème de la crème.  What are the rooms like at the Covent Garden Hotel? Full of texture, colour, and lavish touches. There are 58 rooms on offer at the Covent Garden Hotel, and if you’re lucky enough to afford something at the upper end of the price range, opt for the palatial Loft Suite. Spread over a first and mezzanine floor (with an entrance at each level), this place had a downstairs bathroom, dining and living space, plus an airy and bright master bedroom, a walk-in wardrobe and en suite upstairs. As is typical at Firmdale Hotels, there was a well-executed balance of country-house cosiness and modern amenities. The chain of boutiques are pleasingly uniform in their flamboyant yet quintessentially English interior aesthetic (courtesy of Kit Kemp), and from the wallpaper and the curtains to the th

Cato is a tale of two bars. You’ll arrive at what they’re calling The House of Julep, a lively, chatter-filled space on the ground floor with dark wood, garnet-painted walls, and the pleasant rattle of cocktail shakers. Here, the vibe is relaxed, jovial, and on a Thursday evening it feels like the merry hum of a pub has been transplanted into the swankier body of a sultry bar.  In the basement, you leave the hubbub behind to find a much more intimate space, draped in scarlet velvet. This is Cato, a name inspired by freedman and pioneer of American cocktail culture Cato Alexander. Classic disco plays as we snack on pretzels, olives, and airy focaccia while browsing the menu, which is organised by colour. Inspired by the colour-coded brain phenomenon of synesthesia, it includes 14 different cocktails which contain ingredients sourced exclusively from UK suppliers. The standouts? If you fancy something ‘Brown’, then Chestnut + Brown Butter is an exquisite, earthy, very savoury combination of aged rum, Balvenie 14 Year Old Caribbean Cask, brown butter, caramelised chicken broth ‘brown’ rum, and chestnut praline. The most impressive was undoubtedly Wasabi + Mustard Greens, where ginger and honey shrub, foraged mustard greens and mustard leaf tincture mixed with gin and English wasabi distillate make for a refreshing, slightly fiery zinger of a cocktail. Order this Don’t sleep on The House of Julep’s menu. Go for The Oyster House Martini – it’s a pellucid blend of Ford’s London Dry

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. 

No mês passado, a Time Out publicou a sua lista anual das melhores cidades do mundo para a cultura, com base nas respostas de mais de 24 mil pessoas, e Londres foi coroada campeã. Mas “cultura” é um termo amplo e, como parte da nossa investigação, focámo-nos em aspectos específicos da oferta para determinar onde se saíram particularmente bem, desde a música ao vivo e clássica até ao teatro e à comédia. Ah, e aos museus e galerias, obviamente – por isso, vamos espreitar quais as cidades que melhor se saem em cada um desses espaços. Começando pelos museus, a actual campeã Londres – sem surpresa – saiu-se lindamente, conquistando o terceiro lugar e a aprovação de 88% dos habitantes locais com quem falámos. A entrada em vários museus da capital britânica é gratuita, e a acessibilidade da cena cultural em geral é, em grande parte, a razão pela qual se saiu tão bem na nossa classificação global. Mas que cidades bateram Londres? Bem, com uma taxa de aprovação de 90%, a capital espanhola, Madrid, conquistou o segundo lugar. O primeiro foi arrecadado por um peso-pesado de renome no que toca a museus e a melhor cidade para a cultura em 2025: Paris. Lisboa conquistou a 10.ª posição do ranking dos museus. Photograph: Olha Solodenko / ShutterstockLouvre, Paris Surpreendido? Não, nós também não. No entanto, na categoria de galerias, o jogo virou. Paris obteve uma taxa de aprovação de 68% por parte dos habitantes locais com quem falámos (empatada com Nova Iorque), enquanto Londres avançou

Com o seu tamanho colossal, as suas vastas instalações e a impressionante capacidade de se manterem à tona, os navios de cruzeiro são verdadeiras proezas da engenharia. Actualmente, o título de maior navio de cruzeiro do mundo é partilhado por dois navios da classe Icon da Royal Caribbean International: o Star of the Seas e o Icon of the Seas, cada um com capacidade para transportar até 7600 passageiros. Mas, e se lhe disséssemos que existem planos para uma embarcação oito vezes maior do que estas, e que esses planos não só existem como poderão estar cada vez mais perto de se tornarem realidade? Pois é. Chama-se Freedom Ship e, com um custo estimado de 12 mil milhões de libras para a sua construção – cerca de 14 mil milhões de euros –, os planos preveem um gigante com cerca de 1,6 quilómetros de comprimento e 30 conveses de altura, capaz de transportar nada menos do que 80 mil pessoas. Mais concretamente, terá capacidade para albergar 50 mil residentes permanentes e até 10 mil passageiros de cruzeiro e visitantes de um dia, bem como uma tripulação de 20 mil pessoas. O Freedom Ship deverá muito provavelmente ser alimentado por energia nuclear (para reduzir a sua pegada de carbono – ao mesmo tempo que, alegadamente, ajudará a limpar os oceanos enquanto navega) e existirá exclusivamente em águas internacionais. Afinal, é demasiado grande para atracar em qualquer porto. Já a forma como irá acomodar residentes permanentes que, tecnicamente, viverão em águas internacionais levanta

Last month, Time Out published its annual list of the best cities in the world for culture, which was based on input from the more than 24,000 urbanites that we spoke to in our survey, and London was named champion.  But ‘culture’ is a broad term, and as part of our research, we honed in on specific aspects of each hub’s offering to determine where they performed particularly well, from their live and classical music scenes to their theatre and comedy.  Oh, and their museums and galleries, obviously – so let’s take a look at which cities do each of those venues the best.  Kicking off with museums, reigning champion London – unsurprisingly – fared pretty darn well, claiming a third-place spot and the approval of 88 percent of the locals we spoke to. Entry to so many museums in the UK capital is free, and the wider cultural scenes accessibility is largely why it did so well in our overall ranking.  But, where beat out London? Well, with a 90 percent approval rating, the Spanish capital of Madrid claimed second place, but first was stolen by renowned museum heavyweight and best city for culture in 2025, Paris.  Recommended: Check out our guides to free galleries and museums in London, and the best museums and art galleries in Paris.  Photograph: Olha Solodenko / ShutterstockLouvre, Paris Surprised? No, neither are we. However, in the galleries category, the tables have turned. Paris gained a 68 percent approval rating from the locals we spoke to (tied with New York City), wher

La plage parfaite, ça dépend surtout de votre programme. Plutôt lézard professionnel, explorateur sous-marin avec tuba vissé au bec ou randonneur du dimanche prêt à crapahuter pour deux falaises et un panorama qui décoiffe ? Bonne nouvelle : quelque part en Europe, il y a forcément un bout de sable qui vous attend. Mais le continent sait aussi faire dans la plage consensuelle, celle qui coche assez de cases pour éviter les débats de groupe interminables. European Best Destinations s’est donc chargé de compiler tout ça dans un classement des meilleures plages d’Europe. Qualité de l’eau, accessibilité, activités, beauté du décor, accueil des familles, préservation de l’environnement : tout a été passé au tamis, à partir des retours de voyageurs et de l’œil de la rédaction. Et le top 10 officiel vient de sortir de l’écume. Sur la plus haute marche : Praia de Monte Clérigo, grande langue de sable posée dans l’Algarve, au Portugal. Installée dans le parc naturel du Sud-Ouest Alentejano et Costa Vicentina, elle a de quoi séduire les vacanciers qui n’aiment pas trop rester collés à leur serviette : sentiers de rando, vagues à choper, décor sauvage… le package a de l’allure. Notre conseil si vous passez dans le coin : réservez une table chez O Sargo, un restaurant de fruits de mer plutôt chic, perché au sud de la plage avec vue plongeante sur cette grande étendue de sable qui donne envie de tout plaquer. Visez le crépuscule, histoire de comprendre pourquoi l’endroit a hérité de son

It’s a big year for hiking in Europe – from the planet’s longest coastal path to new nature parks and sweeping Mediterranean trails, there are a whole load of new routes just crying out for us to gander.  Oh, and there’s a new one to add to the list – the Grande Randonnée de Pays, a vast, 350km loop that will straddle the French and Belgian Ardennes, which is set to open later in 2026.  Given its length and the fact its name translates from French as ‘long country hike’, traversing the entirety of this route is set to be one hell of a trek. However, it’s been broken down into more manageable chunks that range in difficulty from beginner-friendly to exhilaratingly challenging, with accommodation situated along the route. The route is designed to be completed in 15 stages of around 23km a day. Recommended: I hiked Europe’s very own Jurassic Park on a little-known Canary Island – it was magical, even in the rain. Photograph: Imladris / ShutterstockSedan, France So, what can we expect? Well, a press release says the route will allow walkers to discover ‘a territory of magnificent nature, fascinating stories and unforgettable encounters’, and they’re not wrong.  En route, the path weaves through verdant Ardennes forest, past glinting lakes and with some lovely wildlife en route, including deer. Trekkers will see the French Ardennes town of Sedan and its historic fort, and visit idyllic hamlets like Signy-l’Abbaye and Rocroi, all of which nod to the region’s mythology. Arduinna

Travelling is one of life’s great joys, but to ensure each leg of your journey and stage in your plans runs as smoothly as possible, it’s always advised to brush up on a country’s rules and restrictions. Recently, Thailand has significantly revoked visa freedoms for tourists – while Sri Lanka has done the opposite, and waived visa fees for loads of nations, meaning more travellers can enter the country for free.  Headed to Japan? Well, there’s a couple of new rules that anyone travelling there imminently should be aware of, too, so read on for all the latest information.  ‘If you throw trash, you lose cash’  That catchy little motto is part of a new Tokyo campaign to mitigate the impact of swarms of visitors overcrowding the streets and leaving a mess in their wake. Japan welcomed a staggering 42.7 million international visitors in 2025, according to euronews, and a whole lot of them are packing into Tokyo’s busiest tourist districts. In Shibuya, people caught dropping litter will now face on-the-spot fines of ¥2,000 (around €10.75), and the local authorities are reportedly dispatching 50 officials to enforce the fines (which will be payable with cash, card, or via a QR code).  Photograph: NorthSky Films / ShutterstockCrowds wait at a Shibuya, Tokyo crosswalk Something to be aware of is that Japan is famously lacking when it comes to rubbish bins. Due to their potential use in terror attacks, they’re few and far between on the cities’ streets – in fact, 20 percent of people

Dining in a gorgeous setting is only going to make your meal taste better, and in some instances, a restaurant’s aesthetic is almost as important as the ingredients used in its menu – it all adds to the experience, after all.  To shine a light on the restaurants that have really nailed their design as well as their food, Prix Versailles has produced a list of the planet’s most impressive spaces to go for a meal.  What is Prix Versailles? It’s a prestigious architecture and design award that annually highlights outstanding buildings, from stadiums to hotels, airports and museums. In this year’s list of impressive restaurants, locations in China, Egypt, South Africa and Switzerland, among many others, have been named.  Which restaurants were recognised at this year’s awards? Among the 16 spaces which were named as the world’s most beautiful restaurants by Prix Versailles this year was Peridot, a sky-high plant-based restaurant in Central Hong Kong.  With virtually every inch of available surface space painted or draped in rich peridot green, this restaurant certainly lives up to its name. The chairs are encased in vibrant velvet, while the matching walls and ceilings have been punctured with lots of tiny lightbulbs giving it a markedly glitzy vibe. In fact, three Hong Kong restaurants were recognised this year – Akira Back and Hana No Kumo each also featured.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ESCĀ PLAYA (@esca.playa) Elsewhere on the list is Escā

With their enormous size, vast facilities and mind-bending ability to stay afloat, cruise ships are pretty impressive feats of engineering, whether you’re a frequent passenger or a reluctant novice.  The title of the largest one in the world right now is shared by two Royal Caribbean International Icon class ships: the Star of the Seas and the Icon of the Seas, which respectively can carry 7,600 passengers.  But, what if we told you that plans for a vessel eight times this size were not only floating around, but drifting much closer to actually becoming a reality? Well, you better believe it. It’s called the Freedom Ship, and set to cost £12 billion to build, plans outline that it will be a mile-long, 30-deck-high monster, able to carry no less than 80,000 people.  Specifically, it will house 50,000 permanent residents, as well as have capacity for 10,000 cruise guests and day visitors, along with the 20,000 crew.  Freedom Ship will most likely run on nuclear fuel (to limit its carbon footprint – while apparently cleaning the ocean as it trundles along) and exist solely in international waters. She’s too big to dock in any port, anyway.  How the ship will house permanent residents who technically live in international waters is an interesting citizenship conundrum, but hey, let’s dive into what else will feature on board.  Image: Visual Media by DCC-X LLC / Tangram 3DSFreedom Ship What will the Freedom Ship facilities be like? According to The Telegraph, who interviewed chi

Pretty much the whole world was put on pause during the pandemic, and while most things have since returned to normal, it’s taken until now for an iconic rail route to return. The journey in question is the 580km stretch between Baku in Azerbaijan and Tbilisi in Georgia which, in the pre-pandemic era, was traversed using, shall we say, dated Soviet-era carriages.  It stopped operations when Azerbaijan closed its land borders, but on May 25, the train began trundling along the tracks for the first time since 2020.  According to Wanderlust, new rolling stock from Swiss manufacturer Stadler has replaced the retro models, and now 200 beds over three ticket classes are on offer, as well as a dining car and VIP lounge.  Recommended: The best cheap train trips in Europe for epic views – starting at just €3. Reaching a maximum speed of 90km per hour, the entire journey takes around nine and a half hours. Departing from Baku, the service departs at 11.10pm and arrives the following morning at 8.41am, and in the opposite direction, the train leaves earlier at 9pm and arrives promptly at 6.24am.  Tickets range from £37-83, and you can either book at Baku Railway Station or online via the Azerbaijan Railways website.  There is just one slight catch. While we love to hear that the service has relaunched, Azerbaijan is yet to completely reopen its land borders, meaning that only people with visa-free access to the country or who are citizens can utilise the relaunch. Below is a list of cou

Whether it’s a multi-volume fantasy series or a revelatory memoir, books exist to transport us to different worlds, but occasionally the bookshops that house them are so striking and possess such mysterious energy that they themselves feel like transcendental spaces.  With just as much variety as the titles which fill their shelves, there are some pretty magical bookshops dotted all over the planet, and Time Out’s brand-new list contains 12 of the most stunning of all.  Word on the Water in London’s Little Venice is a repurposed 1920s barge which sits on the canal, and Boakhandel Dominicanen is a majestic former church in Maastricht that has lived many lives before becoming a book retailer.  However, none can quite compare with El Ateneo Grand Splendid, a palatial former theatre in Buenos Aires which is now a three-level bookshop.  El Ateneo Grand Splendid.El Ateneo Grand Splendid El Ateneo Grand SplendidEl Ateneo Grand Splendid ‘This jaw-dropping bookshop is built within a 1919 theatre that once hosted the country’s most talented tango dancers, before it evolved into a cinema a decade later. As of 2000, El Ateneo’s only running show is a glorious, three-level bookshop – though it’s still worthy of a standing ovation,’ writes Time Out contributor Daniela Toporek. ‘There are wonderfully preserved details along each of the balconies and seats have been transformed into reading spaces for visitors – but the domed ceiling, with its enormous early twentieth-century fresco, is

After his 2015 breakout hit ‘Don’t’, Bryson Tiller became a global R&B star and remains best known for his multi-Platinum debut studio album T R A P S O U L, and the popularisation of the trap-R&B sound.  Now, after the release of his 2025 album Solace & The Vices and a brand-new single ‘IT’S OK’, he’s announced a massive, 61-date tour through North America, Oceania, the UK and Europe. Below is a comprehensive guide to the general and presales, tour support, dates and ticket prices.  Recommended: The 8 best concerts worth travelling for in 2026.  When is Bryson Tiller going on his Neo Trapsoul Tour in Europe? The R&B star lands in Europe in autumn 2026, and all the dates across the mainland and the UK are as follows:  Nov 17 – Hallenstadion, Zürich, Switzerland Nov 18 – Adidas Arena, Paris, France Nov 20 – Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark Nov 22 – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden Nov 24 – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands Nov 25 – Velodrom, Berlin, Germany Nov 26 – Mitsubishi Electric HALLE, Dusseldorf, Germany Nov 28 – Forest National, Bruxelles, Belgium Dec 01 – 3Arena, Dublin, Ireland Dec 03 – Co-op Live, Manchester, UK Dec 04 – First Direct Arena, Leeds, UK Dec 05 – Cardiff Utilita Arena, Cardiff, UK Dec 07 – The O2, London, UK Dec 09 – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham, UK Who will be supporting Bryson Tiller on his Neo Trapsoul Tour in Europe? According to Seat Unique, Canadian-Bahraini R&B duo Majid Jordan will join Bryson Tiller on the Europe leg of his tour, also joining o

Every year, Time Out scours the globe for all the coolest, weirdest and most exciting new attractions, openings, events and installations, and ranking higher than a solar eclipse festival, a brand-new hiking trail and even a ‘living, breathing magic house’ was a striking art installation in Paris.  It’s called La Caverne du Pont Neuf, it’s been designed by acclaimed street artist JR, and it’s completely free to visit for the momnth of June. To honour the 40-year anniversary of Pont Neuf Wrapped, an installation by Jean Claude and Christo which saw the bridge draped in rippling fabric back in 1985, La Caverne will use 2,400sqm of canvas inflated to create something of a cave-like optical illusion.  Photograph: Wolfgang VolzPont Neuf Wrapped, 1985 Its trippy, rock-like appearance is a nod to the quarries from which the stone used to build Pont Neuf was sourced. A whopping 20,000 cubic metres of air will be used to keep it up, and while the fabric itself only weighs five tonnes, 130 tonnes of weights will be used to keep it down.  Photograph: Éléa Jeanne Schmitter © 2026 Atelier JRLa Caverne du Pont Neuf View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cheval Blanc Paris (@chevalblancparis) There is, however, just one problem. Ahead of its official opening on June 6, La Caverne has already suffered an injury, and the inauguration has been indefinitely delayed.  It’s thought a storm is responsible for the damage, which saw the rock-covered skin slit on th