Liv Kelly

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.

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.

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.

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.📍 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

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

April 2026: We've updated our roasts list to reflect the return of sunnier days. Try the Macbeth in Hoxton, which offers a great Portuguese-style Sunday sesh, and the ravishing Jamaican-inspired roast at Buster Mantis in Deptford. 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. We also have a new Number 1 to welcome spring in; the bright and breezy offering at the super fancy-feeling Sessions Arts Club in Clerkenwell.  London’s best Sunday roasts at a glance: 🥩 Central: Sessions Arts Club, Clerkenwell 😇 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 and Sunday lunch options 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 good start, maybe in a pub with an open fire during the winter months. Then it comes to the plate – we need perfect roast potatoes, well-cooked lamb, beef or pork and a decent plant-based option too. A Sunday roast is more than just lunch - it’s self-care. From s

Europe might be home to 44 countries, 34 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and seven Wonders of the World – but the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen here could be something totally unknown. That’s the thing about beauty: it’s personal. So rather than list 35 of the most famous sights on the continent, we instead every year ask our network of editors and travel writers to name us the most beautiful thing they’ve seen on their European travels.  The result? Beautiful places that come with a story. Like taking boats out on Germany’s hidden lakes, and tucking into picnics in the park in Portugal at sunset. Holidays spent exploring vast sand dunes in France, afternoons wandering through Art Nouveau streets in Latvia and childhood tales of clambering over jagged stones in Ireland. And that’s just a few of the memories you’ll find on this list, which stretches from Iceland all the way to Greece, from solitary islands to well-trodden walking routes. Here are the most beautiful places in Europe, according to us.  ➡️ READ MORE: The most underrated destinations in Europe Updated April 2026: We’ve just added North Macedonia’s most enchanting Lake, a frozen-in-time Bosnian village and Italy’s answer to Turkey’s Pamukkale hot springs to our list – plus many more beautiful tales.    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 guide includes affiliate links

Green space is as integral to the ebb and flow of city life as good transport and a welcoming culture – even the most urban of urbanites need to touch grass once in a while, after all.  That’s why, when Time Out conducts its annual survey – this year collecting data from a staggering 24,000 city-dwellers – we don’t just ask about the best places for eating, dancing, dating and exploring, we get the lowdown on how accessible nature is, too.  All of that data is combined to create Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel, our definitive ranking of the best cities on the planet to live in and to explore in 2026. And while Melbourne was crowned the overall best city this year, a quiet UK city took the crown as the world’s greenest, according to locals. That’s right – the lush, densely park-populated city of Bath received the highest score for green spaces and nature in our 2025-26 survey. Chicago in the US followed closely behind, and third place was copped by the effortlessly cool Canadian city of Montreal. To rank the world’s greenest cities, we asked thousands of locals across 150 hubs one question: how would you rate the green spaces and access to nature in your city? We then collated the places where the highest percentage of respondents answered ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, including only the highest-scoring city for each country to ensure the list reflects nature-packed cities globally. Fancy a gander? Check out the world’s best cities for green space and nature below, accordin

There’s no such thing as a perfect city, but you can bet hubs that boast brilliant spots to eat, admire art, dance and shop are all top-tier places to be. And if all those things fall within walking distance of each other? Well, that’s even better.  Time Out conducts an enormous annual city survey – which, for our tenth anniversary edition, quizzed no less than 24,000 urbanites – asking about everything from nightlife to street food, dating to transport, and vitally, how easy it is to discover the city on foot.  We used all that crucial insight from locals to produce Time Out’s Best Cities with Intrepid Travel, which crowned Melbourne as the overall best city for 2026. However, plenty of places were commended for being particularly pedestrian-friendly. We love a walkable city at Time Out – after all, low-traffic streets and the chance to get more steps in is a win-win for people and for the environment – so we’ve compiled a ranking of the planet’s most walkable metropolises. The ranking is based on the highest percentage of locals who rated their city’s walkability ‘good’ or ‘amazing’ in our annual survey. To ensure the list reflects the best pedestrian-friendly cities globally, we included the highest scoring city for each country. So, ready for a stroll? These are the most walkable cities in the world right now, all according to locals who live in them.  RECOMMENDED:🍃 The world’s best cities for green spaces and nature

*]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id="request-WEB:71d6b288-c88a-4520-89ca-7454fcda89e0-1" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> You’ve decided you’re heading to London. Transport? Sorted. Tube map? Downloaded. Now comes the tricky part: where to stay. And, let's be honest, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. London is a huge patchwork of neighbourhoods, each with its own personality and pace. From the leafy, laid-back corners of Chiswick to buzzing cultural hubs in Camden, where you base yourself can shape your whole trip. So, before you panic-book a pricey hotel in the West End, take a breath. There’s a whole city beyond the tourist core, with fantastic places to stay that might suit your style (and budget) even better. If you're after local living in 2026, hit up Leyton or Walthamstow, or Brixton has an endless array of cheap eats, bars and culture on every corner. Whether you’re after lively nightlife, easy access to gorgeous green spaces, culture on your doorstop, or serious dining, you’ll find it here. Ready to get booking? Read on for our guide to the best neighbourhoods and places to stay in London.  ➡️ READ MORE: The best Airbnbs in London – with expert local tips Where to stay in London at a glance 👶 Best for first-timers: Covent Garden, S

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. 

Whether you’re a fan of refined boutiques or flashy, in-your-face luxury resorts, there’s a hotel out there to suit everyone – and handily, Travel + Leisure have produced their meticulously curated list of the 100 most exciting which are opening their doors this year.  According to the official website, 250 hotels across 40 different countries were considered for inclusion in 2026’s list (all of which were new or newly reopened between February 2025 and 2026), but only the most impressive made the cut.  They’ve been organised into six categories – ‘city hotels’, ‘US resorts’, ‘splurge-worthy stays’, ‘affordable luxury’, ‘international flair’ and ‘on the water’ – so let’s take a closer look at some of them.  In the ‘international flair’ category is Gora Kadan Fuji, a stunning hotel in the shadow of Mount Fuji’s east side which pokes out from along the Subshiri trail. It makes the most of its location and leaves the mountain to steal the show, with floor to ceiling windows in the lobby as well as an observation deck offering glorious views.  After a cool city hotel? Look no further than The Florentin by Althoff Collection, a ‘wildly stylish’ boutique characterised by spacious bedrooms and joyful decor in Frankfurt. You’ll find a wellness area here with an indoor pool, but its central location (only a 25-minute walk from Museumsufer), is another selling point.  As for luxury – but on a budget – The Kenrick Hotel in Banff is a stunning place to stay that won’t necessarily break t

Naming one country as the absolute best in the world might sound like a bit of a sweeping statement, but this ranking, produced by US News, is based on some pretty thorough analysis.  The 100 countries assessed (which had to meet benchmark criteria such as a place in the top 125 of the Human Development Index and the same for its GDP) are put under the microscope for a shedload of factors, which broadly culminate in eight different categories.  They are: health, civic health, culture and tourism, economic development, governance, infrastructure, natural environment and opportunity.  Recommended: The best city breaks in Europe for 2026, according to Time Out.  Photograph: aiko3p / Shutterstock.comMontreux, Switzerland So, which country fared the best across this broad spectrum of analysis? Well, it was Switzerland, which had an overall score of 78.8. Governance was its strongest category, scoring a perfect 100 for regime turnover, political violence (or lack of) and inflation volatility, as well as a near perfect 99.8 for economic diversity.  It also ranked first overall in the ‘economic development’ category, plus second place for culture and tourism and opportunity.  Second place? That went to Denmark, which scored 77.2 overall and did particularly well in the civic health (ranking number one overall with 79.1) and infrastructure (scoring 86.2) categories. Third place went to Sweden, fourth to Germany, and fifth to the Netherlands. Noticing a pattern?  That’s right – the e

Opting for an airline with a solid reputation can make your travel plans run that little bit smoother, and Stytrax’s five-star Airline Rating is a pretty good indicator that you’ll be flying in safe hands.  Described as a ‘unique mark of Quality Achievement’, airlines in this list are awarded based on the quality of their airline product and front-line service standards. It’s been going since back in 1999 – but let’s dive into the list for 2026.  Photograph: ShutterstockJapan Airlines plane In no particular order, two Japanese airlines made the 10-strong ranking: ANA All Nippon Airways, and Japan Airlines. Two from South Korea (Asiana Airlines and Korean Air) have ranked too, as have two Taiwanese operators (EVA Air and STARLUX Airlines).  In fact, the only non-Asia based airline to make the list is Qatar Airways – all other entries are headquartered in the continent. Scroll on for a look at the very best.  These are the world’s 10 best airlines ANA All Nippon Airways Asiana Airlines Cathay Pacific Airways EVA Air Hainan Airlines Japan Airlines Korean Air Qatar Airways Singapore Airlines STARLUX Airlines ICYMI: How to finally go flight-free in 2026: A practical, actionable guide.   Plus: The world’s first-ever Pokémon-themed airport is opening in Japan this summer.  Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news and best stuff happening across the world. 

Thailand is a place of great variety, and travellers have long flocked there to soak up everything from the majesty of its temples to the sun on its tropical beaches.  However, if you plan to visit the country soon, there’s an important update you should be aware of – an axing of the 60-day visa exemption, which affects more than 90 countries.  Back in 2024, Thailand relaxed its visa rules and extended the list of visa-exempt countries, in the hopes of boosting tourism growth in the post-pandemic era. Tourism is a crucial industry for the country, after all, amounting to between 10 and 20 percent of Thailand’s GDP.  However, earlier this week Government spokesperson Rachada Dhanadirek said that tourism brought ‘benefits, such as boosting the economy, but the current scheme has allowed some people to exploit it’, according to the Guardian.  Recommended: These are the countries where you can live and work remotely.  More specifically, it’s been reported that the change in visa rules is partly to reduce confusion among travellers, but is also an attempt to curb crime committed by foreign nationals.  From shoplifting and indecent exposure to running illegal businesses with no permit and working with transnational crime groups, Thai authorities are concerned about travellers who abuse the immigration laws.  The tightening of the rules, which involves scrapping the 60-day exemption for 93 countries (including the UK, US, Australia, and Europe’s 29-strong Schengen area), means that

You’ll probably know by now that Time Out just produced its 2026 edition of the Best Cities for Culture with Intrepid Travel, which named the brilliant UK capital as the top destination on the whole planet for culture this year.  Why? Well, while all the cities on our 20-strong list have something unique and genuinely cool to offer when it comes to their culture scenes, plenty of London’s top museums and galleries are free to enter for all visitors, and it don’t get much better than that.  Nine European and two Latin American hubs also claimed a spot in our ranking, as did four cities across Asia.  But, which ones? Well, the first of these was Taipei, which sits in 11th place on our ranking – 71 percent of locals here described Taipei’s culture scene as either ‘good’ or ‘amazing’, and a solid 82 percent rated its affordability. So, what should be on your radar? Local expert Joe Henley is here to tell us.  Photograph: Richie Chan / ShutterstockAerial view of Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan ‘One eye stays firmly focused on the past [in Taipei]. You can still catch a world-class Chinese or Taiwanese opera performance at the National Theater, or take in a traditional puppet play at the Dadaocheng Theater on historic Dihua Street. The National Palace Museum remains one of the world’s most extensive troves of Taiwan and neighbouring China’s cultural history,’ he says.  ‘The other eye looks at the present and future. On any given day or night, Guling Street Avant-G

  Pour beaucoup de voyageurs, l'hôtel est la destination. Et franchement, on les comprend. Les établissements d'exception ne manquent pas, des ouvertures qui font parler jusqu'aux adresses centenaires qu'on se transmet comme un secret de famille. Mais si vous voulez les plus impressionnants, il y a désormais une référence : le Prix Versailles vient de dévoiler sa liste de quinze hôtels flambant neufs ou soigneusement restaurés, tous récompensés pour leur architecture. Grand palace ou boutique-hôtel confidentiel, bout du monde ou centre-ville, la sélection couvre large, et elle n'est pas avare en coups de théâtre. Exemple avec The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace. Un ancien fort perché sur une colline dans le parc national de Panna, en Inde. Vieux de 350 ans, il accueille aujourd'hui villas, suites et chambres, plus un restaurant en bord de lac qui mérite à lui seul le déplacement. Et pour les amateurs de sensations fortes : des safaris pour voir des tigres organisés depuis l'hôtel. Desert Rock Resort joue une autre carte. Sa silhouette organique émerge directement des montagnes du Hedjaz, en Arabie saoudite, comme si l'architecture avait poussé là naturellement. Les détails intérieurs reprennent les mêmes plis rocheux et il y a une piscine avec vue sur les sommets, pour ceux qui ont besoin d'être convaincus. La liste complète, dont un hôtel parisien, est juste en dessous. Les plus beaux hôtels du monde selon le Prix Versailles The ArcadiaPlace, lac Lugu, Chine The Silk Lakehouse, Sha

For many travellers, the hotel is the destination. Lucky for them, there’s hardly a shortage of stunning hotels to choose from, from exciting new openings to historical stays.  But, if you’re striving for the most impressive hotels of all, look no further than the official ‘most beautiful’ list – fifteen brand-new or restored hotels, which have all been handed a prestigious architecture award firm Prix Versailles.  From big to boutique, remote to right in the heart of the city, there’s plenty of show-stopping variety on the list.  Photograph: Booking.comThe Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, India Take The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace. Perched atop a hill in India’s Panna National Park, the former fortress was described as ‘one of the most beautiful examples of Indian hospitality’, according to The Independent.  It’s around 350 years old, and today brags villas, suites and rooms, plus a stunning lakeside restaurant. Oh, and you can book onto a must-see tiger safari around the national park through the hotel.  After something even more remote? Desert Rock Resort could be the place for you. Its amorphous design emerges from the ancient folds of the Hijaz Mountains and has interior details inspired by them sprinkled throughout. Oh, and there are spa facilities and a stylish swimming pool with mountain views, too.  But that’s far from all – scroll on for all the inclusions on this year’s list of the most beautiful hotels, according to Prix Versailles.  Recommended: The best hotels in Europe, acco

A Finlândia pode não ser o primeiro destino que lhe vem à cabeça quando pensa em férias focadas em comida, mas o país foi considerado o mais feliz do mundo pelo nono ano consecutivo – e, afinal, costuma dizer-se que o caminho para o coração passa pelo estômago. O organismo de turismo Visit Finland quer chamar a atenção para a cultura gastronómica finlandesa, que descreve como “a última cozinha desconhecida do mundo”. Para isso, lançou a Finland’s Official Tasting Table e está a convidar 16 viajantes muito sortudos (e esperançosamente esfomeados) a sentarem-se à mesa. Na prática, isto significa que vão acontecer duas viagens exclusivas com tudo pago em Setembro – e qualquer pessoa pode candidatar-se a um lugar. A primeira é uma viagem concebida por Erik Mansikka, fundador do Kaskis, restaurante com uma estrela Michelin que percorre a costa e o arquipélago finlandês, mostrando a forma como os finlandeses tiram partido do mar, como este moldou as suas práticas culinárias e os vários produtos sazonais disponíveis. A outra segue até à Lapónia e foi organizada pela estrela emergente da gastronomia Joel Manninen, cuja cozinha se inspira no Árctico e nos ingredientes do extremo norte da Finlândia. Pense em tigelas de sopa de salmão e rena salteada. Ambos os itinerários incluem actividades e experiências culturais pensadas para “envolver todos os sentidos”, além de (claro) muita comida. Em baixo pode ver algumas imagens do que os seus dias poderão incluir. Fotografia: HaveSomeFinnish

Europe’s rail network is ever-expanding, and one of the most iconic brands associated with slow, luxury train travel on the continent is undoubtedly the Orient Express.  Fresh off the news that the operator is launching another La Dolce Vita service which loops from the Italian capital to Venice, Matera, Taormina and Palermo, it’s also been unveiled that – 143 years after the original journey to Istanbul was launched – a new service from Rome to Istanbul will be inaugurated later this year. Described in a press release as ‘the most legendary voyage of all time’, the five-day, four-night itinerary will officially launch on October 22 and journey through some of Europe’s most beautiful landscapes. It departs from Rome in the evening and heads towards Venice, where travellers will get to spend the day exploring the canals before re-embarking and trundling towards Budapest.  Following that, the train will meander through the Carpathian Mountains – stopping at Brașov and Sinaia, and passing a sprinkling of mediaeval towns – before heading towards Türkiye and concluding in Istanbul.  In classic Orient Express style, the food aboard includes a menu designed by three Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck, and the interiors are ridiculously decadent. Below are some snaps of the carriages and the scenery you’ll glimpse along the way.  Photograph: ©La Dolce Vita Orient ExpressLa Dolce Vita Orient Express from Rome to Istanbul Photograph: ©La Dolce Vita Orient ExpressLa Dolce Vita Orient E

Finland might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a food-focused holiday, but the country has been named the happiest place in the world for no less than the ninth consecutive year – and they do say the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, after all.  Tourism board Visit Finland is keen to shed some light on Finland’s foodie culture, which they claim is ‘the world’s last undiscovered cuisine’. To do so, they’ve launched Finland’s Official Tasting Table, and they’re inviting 16 very lucky (and hopefully hungry) travellers to pull up a seat.  Recommended: Geysir-baked bread and ‘seriously great tomato soup’: I got a taste of Iceland’s alternative food scene.  What that actually means is two exclusive, all-expenses-paid trips are being run in September, and everyone is invited to apply for a spot.  The first is a journey curated by founder of Michelin-starred Restaurant Kaskis Erik Mansikka, which meanders along the coast and across the archipelago, showcasing how Finns have harnessed the sea, how it’s shaped their cooking practices, and all the kinds of seasonal produce on offer.  The other ventures to Lapland and has been organised by rising culinary star Joel Manninen, whose cuisine is inspired by the Arctic and ingredients from Finland’s far north. Think bowls of salmon soup and sauteed reindeer.  Both itineraries will feature activities and cultural experiences to ‘engage all the senses’, along with (of course) plenty of food. Below

Residir en una ciutat té un munt d'avantatges: opcions gastronòmiques heterogènies, una vida nocturna emocionant i, sovint, la comoditat de tenir les teves necessitats diàries cobertes a poca distància de on vius. Però, què és el millor de viure en una ciutat? Bé, possiblement sigui tenir a l'abast de la mà una oferta cultural de primer nivell, ja siguin museus de renom, teatre o música. Per això, cada any Time Out recorre el planeta para elaborar una llista de les capitals culturals del moment. Per al 2026, 24.000 locals de més de 150 ciutats van donar la seva opinió sobre la qualitat i l'assequibilitat de la escena cultural del lloc on viuen, i el resultat ha estat la nostra llista de les 20 millors ciutats per a la cultura de Time Out, en col·laboració amb Intrepid Travel. Qui lidera la llista? Ha estat Londres, que va obtenir una puntuació monumental i impressionant del 99 per cent per la qualitat de la seva escena artística. FOTO: ShutterstockLondres "No hi ha cap lloc al món amb tantes galeries i museus d'èlit que es puguin visitar de manera totalment gratuïta", afirma l'editor cap de Time Out Regne Unit, Joe Mackertich. "És probable que South Kensington aculli més exposicions increïbles a les seves moltes i llegendàries institucions de les que es poden trobar a tots els estats d'Amèrica junts (això és una estimació, si us plau no ho investigueu). El que és boig és que encara continuen apareixent nous museus constantment, tots gratuïts i tots de nivell mundial".  No o

Residir en una ciudad tiene un montón de ventajas: opciones gastronómicas heterogéneas, una vida nocturna emocionante y, a menudo, la comodidad de tener tus necesidades diarias cubiertas a poca distancia de donde vives. Pero, ¿lo mejor de vivir en una ciudad? Bueno, posiblemente sea tener al alcance de la mano una oferta cultural de primer nivel, ya sean museos de renombre, teatro o música. Por eso, cada año Time Out recorre el planeta para elaborar una lista de las capitales culturales del momento. Para 2026, 24.000 locales de más de 150 ciudades dieron su opinión sobre la calidad y la asequibilidad de la escena cultural del lugar donde viven, y el resultado ha sido nuestra lista de las 20 mejores ciudades para la cultura de Time Out, en colaboración con Intrepid Travel. ¿Quién lidera la lista? Ha sido Londres, que obtuvo una puntuación monumental e impresionante del 99 por ciento por la calidad de su escena artística. FOTO: ShutterstockLondres "No hay ningún lugar en el mundo con tantas galerías y museos de élite que se puedan visitar de forma totalmente gratuita", afirma el editor jefe de Time Out Reino Unido, Joe Mackertich. "Es probable que South Kensington albergue más exposiciones increíbles en sus muchas y legendarias instituciones de las que se pueden encontrar en todos los estados de América juntos (esto es una estimación, por favor no lo investiguéis). Lo que es de locos es que todavía siguen apareciendo nuevos museos constantemente, todos gratuitos y todos de ni