Liv Kelly

New York City is iconic (there’s no arguing with that) and while there’s an abundance of luxury spaces, stays with knockout views or spots with incredible pools which would really make your trip, you can’t beat finding a hotel which embodies everything that makes this city so effortlessly, timelessly cool.  After all, a hotel might just be a place you’re planning to rest your weary, tired head after a long day of shopping, eating and sightseeing, but when you think about it, they’re basically your gateway into the city. From oh-so-authentic downtown spots to swish FiDi skyrises and boutique Brooklyn outposts, there’s plenty to choose from. New additions to Time Out’s list for 2025 include The William Vale, The Hoxton, Williamsburg, and The Standard, High Line, but scroll on for an expertly-curated list of the coolest hotels on the block when it comes to where to stay in NYC. 📍 Discover our ultimate guide to the best hotels in New York City How we curate our hotel lists Our team of writers and travel experts review hotels all over the world—new openings, old classics and everything in between—to bring you fresh, honest recommendations, all year round. We have reviewed many of the hotels featured below, but we may not have stayed at every single one. Any we haven’t stayed in have been selected by experts based on their amenities, features, pricing and more. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more in

Some people start prepping for Christmas before the first autumn leaf has fluttered to the ground. But if you hang on a little, you'll be rewarded with a shopping experience to savour, as you shop for one-of-a-kind gifts in a festive market. In the winter months running up to Crimbo, the capital becomes home to tons of wintry fairs, stacked with stalls selling unique pressies from small businesses and independent designers that you’d never find in the big shops online or off. They’re perfect for browsing as the big day looms and a good excuse to treat yourself to Christmas snacks and mulled wine as you tick gifts off your list. You’ll find everything you need to make someone’s Christmas Day memorable at London’s pop-up markets, from ceramics and plants to pressies from around the world. While many markets will require you to think about gift-getting weeks in advance, there are still options for those who thrive on last-minute chaos, too. 2025 dates for most markets haven't yet been announced, but check back nearer the time for details. Recommended: Our complete guide to Christmas in London.

Is it ever too early to start planning for Christmas? Arguably, yes. But even though it's probably not time to begin untangling your fairy lights or baking mince pies, there's no harm in giving a little thought to your festive social plans. And there's no need to settle for a crowded pub. As winter arrives, Christmassy pop-ups spring up in central London, full of cosy atmosphere that makes them perfect for a festive little tete-a-tete. We’re talking riverside heated igloos, Alpine-themed lodges and kitschy nostalgia-themed bars that will keep you warm with atmosphere and, most importantly, yummy food and festive drinks. Most spots aren't yet confirmed for 2025, but check this page as winter nears for the best hideaways, markets and quirky festive experiences waiting to lure you in from the cheek-tingling cold and warm your socks off.  RECOMMENDED: Here are the best things do in London this Christmas

The humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age. Breakfast is too early to really get stuck into, while eating eggs and downing buckets of coffee at lunchtime seems odd. Brunch, then, is the one true morning-ish meal, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and those aforementioned eggs. Or you can enjoy a totally vegan take on proceedings at LD's at The Black Heart. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid – one of the latest additions to this list is FKA Black Axe Mangal in Highbury, (don’t forgot to order a pig cheek and prune donut). Let us guide you to the best restaurants for a fabulous brunch, from a traditional full English to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch or fried eggs on chilli-cheese crumpets.  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. July 2025: We've removed some of the staler options to give you only the finest brunches in London for this summer. Make the most of the warmer weather by bagging a table on the terrace at somewhere like The Laundry in Brixton, or enjoy the great outdoors at Pavilion Cafe in Victoria Park. Try Lolo in Bermondsey if you want a Spanish take on brunch. Hate the heat and would rather sulk in the dark like a massive goth? Then it's off to

August 2025: We're in peak summer, which means that visitors from all the world are thronging London's biggest museums. But that doesn't mean you should steer clear. There are loads of special exhibitions which are well worth catching before they close in autumn: like the flamboyant, iconoclastic Leigh Bowery! at Tate Modern, or the joyful celebration of swimwear Splash! at Design Museum. Escape the British Museum crowds at its intimate, gorgeous look at the world of Japanese printmaker Hiroshige. Or get even more exclusive by signing up for Open House London's ballot by August 18, to be in with a chance of getting a sneak peek round the new Museum of London, come September.  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 m

O nosso planeta está repleto de espectáculos naturais deslumbrantes: cascatas imponentes, cordilheiras intermináveis e praias reluzentes, só para citar alguns. Mas também podemos gabar-nos um pouco já que, ao longo da história, têm sido mãos humanas a desenhar e a construir edifícios verdadeiramente magníficos. RECOMENDADO:⛱️ As melhores praias secretas da Europa para visitar neste Verão🌍 Este é oficialmente o sítio mais bonito do mundo, segundo a Time Out Do projecto centenário para construir e embelezar a Sagrada Família até à impressionante engenharia contemporânea na Austrália e na Noruega, há beleza por todo o lado e sem esquecer as histórias comoventes que inspiraram estas estruturas. Eis uma lista abrangente (ainda que não exaustiva) dos edifícios mais bonitos, fascinantes e impressionantes do mundo.

Amsterdam is one of the world’s best cities, no doubt about it. Every wander down a cobbled street will take you somewhere exciting, whether you're a foodie, curious about the Red Light District, or in the mood to party for 24 hours straight. And as a tourism capital, it’s no surpise that it’s overrun with exceptional places to stay, from 18th-century canalside mansions to converted bridge keepers’ houses and seriously high-grade establishments.  So if you’re looking for a tip-top place to bed down after a day of exploring the city’s best museums, attractions and coffee shops, you’ve come to the right place. From the city centre through to De Negen Straatjes, here are the best hotels in Amsterdam right now. Updated January 2025: We re-reviewed Amsterdam’s five-star Conservatorium Hotel to see if it’s up-to-scratch (spoiler: it is). See where we ranked it below! RECOMMENDED:🏠 The best Airbnbs in Amsterdam🌳 Where to stay in Amsterdam 📍 The best things to do in Amsterdam🍴 The best restaurants in Amsterdam🎀 The best boutique hotels in Amsterdam Ella Doyle and Grace Beard are Time Out’s travel editors. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Whatever your vibe (and whatever your budget), London’s got it all – and anyone will find something they love here. Historic pubs, leafy parks and gardens and an unmatched restaurant scene make this city worth visiting year-round, but before you’ve booked anything in London, you kind of have to know where you’re going to be based. To get you started, we’ve rounded up the city’s best Airbnbs available to book right now, with expert tips from our local editors.  Should I choose an Airbnb or a hotel in London? London is not short on lovely hotels, ranging from budget to luxury and just about everything in between. But it’s fair to say that even the cheaper options cost a pretty penny – and you’ll often find them in more central, touristy areas in the city. If you want to live like a Londoner, an Airbnb can allow you to properly immerse yourself in a more residential area of London – and all the locally-loved bars, pubs and restaurants that come with it. You’ll find lots of our local tips below, but for a detailed breakdown of the best neighbourhoods to stay in London, check out our ultimate area guide. More of a hotels guy? No problem. Here’s our list of the best hotels in London.  📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to the best hotels and Airbnbs in London Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, our writers have based our list on expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, amenities and in-depth research to

Thirsty? Of course you are, but thankfully we’ve got just the tonic. Our cities are packed with brilliant, innovative and downright wacky bars, where crafty mixologists are shaking, mixing and stirring cocktails and bartenders are carefully pouring moreish wines. But the best ones? Only locals can tell us that, so that’s why we’ve called on Time Out’s international network of writers and editors to tell us all about their favourite spot for a drink in their city. Below is a varied menu of vibes and flavours, from a classy little wine place in Madrid to a speakeasy in Manila, a sultry cocktail joint in Edinburgh to a no-fuss institution in London. Read on for Time Out’s fresh roundup of the best bars in the world’s best cities. Recommended:🌇 The best rooftop bars in the world✨ The best cities in the world for nightlife🍕 The best pizzas in the world🍝 The best cities in the world for food Liv Kelly is the writer for Time Out Travel, 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.

Summer nightlife is all about outdoor festivals and laidback parties. So anyone with a penchant for gothic 'fits and dark raves will be eagerly looking forward to Halloween in London, when the vibes are less chilled, more chilling, and throbbing soundsystems go bump in the night. This year, the day of spooks and scares falls on Friday, October 31 2025. That's seriously good news for anyone planning a fright night to remember, without the terrifying prospect of making it into work the morning after. But while there’s plenty of options for Halloween night itself, there will also be opportunities to join in the fun all through the ‘Halloweekend’ that follows. That means scary club nights aplenty, but also gothic cabaret shows, frightful live music, spooky museum lates and scary movie screenings. What better excuse to assemble a sickening Halloween look and venture out into the night. And best of all, you've got all Sunday to sleep it off, and wipe off all that creepy make-up before the new week starts. RECOMMENDED: Our complete guide to Halloween in London.

September in London may be ‘back to school’ time, but it’s also when the city comes alive. A lot of London’s cultural scene goes into semi-hibernation mode over the summer, but come autumn it kicks back into gear with landmark museum exhibitions, new theatre and art shows and brand new food and drink openings.  There’s also a whole host of city-wide fests taking over the capital, including Open House London – giving us a chance to get a sneak peek inside usually private buildings – London Design Festival and Totally Thames – the brilliant celebration of London’s watery main artery. While autumn is still on the horizon, summer isn’t over yet. So make sure you grab your final chance to enjoy the spoils of the season by booking a seat at some of London’s best rooftop bars and alfresco restaurants and lolling about in the city’s best urban beaches, parks and lidos. Get your diary out and start filling it up now. Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.

El nostre planeta té un bon nombre d’espectacles naturals impressionants –cascades, muntanyes i platges dignes de postal, per exemple–, però també hauríem de reconèixer els mèrits de les mans humanes que han dissenyat i construït edificis realment magnífics al llarg de la història.Des del projecte centenari de construcció i embelliment de la Sagrada Família fins a sorprenents proeses d’enginyeria contemporània a Austràlia i Noruega, la bellesa es troba a tot arreu. Aquí teniu una llista dels 24 edificis més bonics, fascinants i impressionants del món. NO T'HO PERDIS: 25 joies arquitectòniques de Barcelona que has de conèixer Fes clic aquí si vols més informació sobre els nostres estàndards editorials i les nostres directrius ètiques per crear aquest contingut.

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

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

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

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

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

Despite being labelled by a cursive, neon pink signpost above its entrance, you could easily miss Viajante87 – it’s hidden in plain sight amidst the noise and fluorescence of Notting Hill Gate, and once you’re inside, feels miles away from all that too. The room is draped in moody layers and furnishings of rich teal with touches of gold, giving it a particularly luxe feel which is matched by the vibe of the service. Everything here is quite formal: we were met by a security guard who radioed a host to collect us at the bottom of the stairs, and, behind a heavy velvet curtain, were greeted with a cheery and unnervingly synchronised ‘hola!’ from the bartenders. That’s because, as is detailed on the cocktail menu, Viajante87 is based around the concept of ‘drinking like a local’, with your choices all inspired by flavours which hail from Central and South America. The three main sections on the menu are organised to mimic the stages of a journey: they’re branded as ‘comfortable’ (aperitif-like drinks), ‘curious’ (a little stronger) and ‘courageous’ (digestifs). If you’re feeling really courageous, you could even ignore the order in which they’ve designed the menu, though this lot clearly know what they’re doing.  Order this On the ‘be curious’ page of the menu, you’ll find the Pura Pache, a clean and fruity long drink which is a good light cocktail to kick things off. But if you’re a fan of bitter, negroni-esque flavours, don’t skip over the Blood Moon.  Time Out tip While this

Given it’s the second largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily), Sardinia brags quite a lot of coastline – 2,000 km, to be exact. Scenic beaches aren’t hard to come by here, but Delphina’s Valle dell’Erica occupies a particularly glorious spot on the island’s northern tip, on a plush green hillside where the coastal breeze ripples through the grass. Sounds lovely, right? On a clear day you can see across to Corsica, and when it’s hazy – as it was on my visit – you’re still surrounded by the ocean. Long story short, spectacular views are guaranteed.  Such vistas are best soaked in from the panoramic breakfast terrace in the main hotel building. Incidentally, the breakfast buffet is the only place where you’ll actually remember you’re in a resort. Valle Dell’Erica feels more like a small hilltop town: there are seven bars, seven restaurants, four pools, an enormous spa and a whopping 273 rooms. This sprawling complex houses two separate hotels: Hotel Erica (a slightly larger space with 148 rooms, catered to families) and Hotel La Licciola (a smaller, couple-oriented hotel, where 17 of the 125 rooms have access to an exclusive area and private pool). Rooms are cloistered in small blocks of three or four, each comfortably if plainly furnished, and are built with local granite and cork. From the resort’s beaches, the buildings appear to dissipate into the land – the brand calls this design ‘low visual impact’, a move to protect Sardinia’s coastline from the threat of towe

Given it’s the second largest island in the Mediterranean (after Sicily), Sardinia brags quite a lot of coastline – 2,000 km, to be exact. Scenic beaches aren’t hard to come by here, but Delphina’s Valle dell’Erica occupies a particularly glorious spot on the island’s northern tip, on a plush green hillside where the coastal breeze ripples through the grass. Sounds lovely, right? On a clear day you can see across to Corsica, and when it’s hazy – as it was on my visit – you’re still surrounded by the ocean. Long story short, spectacular views are guaranteed.  Such vistas are best soaked in from the panoramic breakfast terrace in the main hotel building. Incidentally, the breakfast buffet is the only place where you’ll actually remember you’re in a resort. Valle Dell’Erica feels more like a small hilltop town: there are seven bars, seven restaurants, four pools, an enormous spa and a whopping 273 rooms. This sprawling complex houses two separate hotels: Hotel Erica (a slightly larger space with 148 rooms, catered to families) and Hotel La Licciola (a smaller, couple-oriented hotel, where 17 of the 125 rooms have access to an exclusive area and private pool). Rooms are cloistered in small blocks of three or four, each comfortably if plainly furnished, and are built with local granite and cork. From the resort’s beaches, the buildings appear to dissipate into the land – the brand calls this design ‘low visual impact’, a move to protect Sardinia’s coastline from the threat of towe

Landing in Keflavik on a frosty 2C afternoon is a bit of a shock to the system compared to the balmy October temperatures of the UK, but once we start winding through the snow-dusted, ash-coloured peaks that loom moodily over Iceland’s coast, the biting cold feels appropriate.  Thankfully, the nippy feeling doesn’t last long. ION’s collection of hotels includes four properties – ION City and Hotel Von (starting rates are €430 and €175 respectively) where we stay in Reykjavik, Hotel Budir (from €277), our first stop nestled cosily between the mountains and the lapping shore of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, and ION Adventure (€565) which is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024. Each embody the Nordic concept of ‘hygge’, that feeling of convivial cosiness that you can only really experience in such perishingly cold places.  All are intrinsically Icelandic, but ION Adventure is the true show-stopper. A sleek glass box emerging from the moss-laden Mount Hengill, the hotel is a bold contrast to the tumbling volcanic landscape around it. But that landscape is still incorporated into the design, with furniture made from locally-sheered wool and actual lava. Sustainability is at the heart of these designs – even the sinks are made from recycled tires – and much of the interior is crafted by Icelandic architects. The hallway leading to the brand-new wing of 23 rooms (where we stayed) features bare concrete walls which will not be painted – paint is bad for the environment, guys – an

You’d be forgiven for feeling a little intimidated upon approaching Eastwell Manor. Its stern, neo-Elizabethan stone façade is dotted with boxy windows which appear as if they allow little light, and reaching reception involves dragging your luggage through an eerily still, imposing courtyard. But the vibe’s pretty different inside.  Through the comically large, dark-wood doors, the formality of the building does match the tone of the service, but we were warmly greeted by wafts from the restaurant, the excited buzz of guests from a wedding party and formally dressed but amicable team members. And that’s what’s unexpected about this place – how homely a massive country estate (particularly one with a tennis court, a hawking centre and beehives) can feel as soon as you arrive.  Our room, in the cottage buildings in the west corner of the grounds, was one designated for people on a spa break (it’s only a two-minute walk from the spa building) and other guests were flitting between the two buildings in just their dressing gowns, despite the October chill. The spa itself, the facilities of which include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room on the ground floor, as well as a restaurant, plus treatment and ‘relaxation’ rooms upstairs, does all the things a good spa should do, but is perhaps not quite matched to the size of the hotel – we arrived mid-afternoon to cop a poolside seat but were left with only one available spot to plonk ourselves. But the hotel doesn’t just of

Entering our park-view room on the ninth floor of the Athenaeum, our jaws dropped not because of the suite itself, but because it immediately lived up to its name: the south-facing hotel rooms offer tremendous views of the lush treetops of Green Park, and if you’re lucky enough to stay in on one of the top floors (nine is the highest), it’s pretty splendid. What’s more, the hotel has been designed to incorporate the park’s proximity: the compact, comfortable rooms and ground-floor reception feature floor-to-ceiling windows and plenty of mirrors to complement and exaggerate the nearby greenery. Entering the hotel feels almost like you’re stepping inside an opulent conservatory.  Throughout the hotel there are nods to grand decor, but it’s not overdone. Twinkly light fixtures, velvet Chesterfield headboards and touches of gold are not going to be to everyone’s taste, but they feature in the light-flooded rooms and add glamour to mostly white walls and bedding – this hotel is in Mayfair, after all.  That emphasis on elegance is also reflected in the kind of service you get at the Athenaeum. Front of house members, at the reception during check-in and in the restaurant, were congenial, warm, but the atmosphere here is formal: there’s no small talk, no chit-chat during breakfast service – everything feels very proper.  While the surrounding neighbourhood boasts plenty of bougie places to eat, the hotel’s ground-floor restaurant is a worthy alternative, particularly for afternoon t

With interiors that look like they probably haven’t been updated since the place opened in 1997, and prices that also feel like they’re stuck in the past, a trip to locally loved Bayswater restaurant The Bengal feels like stepping back in time. The dated decor serves to create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy generous portions of classic curry house fare. The chef’s special bhunas and jalfrezis – both traditional Bengali dishes – stand out on a large menu of traditional Indian and Bangladeshi curries. Whether you’re sitting in or ordering a takeaway, this is a reliable option for inexpensive, flavoursome dinner. 

Wildfires are, tragically, the new norm in southern Europe in the summer months, but it’s no longer just Greece, Spain and Türkiye suffering the consequences of extreme temperatures and prolonged dry conditions.  A wildfire broke out in the Aude department of southern France and, in just 24 hours, has scorched an area one and a half times the size of Paris.  Authorities are working tirelessly to control the blaze, but this is obviously worrying news if you’re headed to the region on holiday, so we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about travelling to the south of France right now.  Recommended: Full list of holiday destinations with ‘red heat’ warnings due to Europe’s heatwave.  Where is the wildfire in France?  This blaze began in the village of Ribaute, near the Spanish border in the Aude department, but has since spread across the rural area of Corbières, which is famous for its mediaeval villages and vineyards. Overnight, an area the size of Paris has been scorched.  Is it safe to travel?  The wildfire has been described by French Prime Minister François Bayrou as ‘a catastrophe of unprecedented scale,’ and is the largest fire to burn in France in the last 70 years. The same amount of land burned in 24 hours typically gets destroyed over a whole year in France, according to the Guardian.  It’s been a fast-moving event, as dry conditions, continually high temperatures and strong winds have meant a quick spread of flames and difficulty getting them under control. Wa

Can you even remember life before hybrid working? Well, it wasn’t actually that long ago, but many of us have become so accustomed to the option of working remotely that we can’t imagine life any other way.  And what remote working has enabled is an increase in people jetting off on ‘workations’ – aka working vacations. But if you’re planning to jump on calls abroad, you’d better make sure you’ve got good wi-fi and a decent place to stay. So, where are the world’s best places to work-from-vacay? The third annual  ‘work from anywhere barometer’ from International Workplace Group evaluates cities based on 12 different criteria (such as broadband speed, transport costs, climate, flexible workspace availability, and access to nature) and it was Tokyo that claimed the crown!  Recommended: The European country named the world’s best place for a ‘workation’.  Scoring 91 out of a possible 120, the Japanese capital did well thanks to speedy broadband, top-tier transport infrastructure, safety, and a new digital nomad visa, which launched in spring last year. Oh, that’s on top of its proximity to mountains and national parks, as well as Tokyo’s brilliant skyline and packed offering of museums and street food.  Rio de Janeiro claimed second place with a score of 90 (affordable living costs and citywide 5G rollout are to thank) and Budapest claimed a close third with 89.5 (props to its strong transport links and heaps of cultural spaces).  These are the 10 best cities for a workation T

Night trains are all the rage, and while it feels like a new operator announces a new route every week right now, Spanish operator RENFE has done a whole lot more than that.  The company is reportedly exploring the potential of launching a gargantuan night train network which connects Madrid and Barcelona to more than 50 hubs (yes, 50) across Europe, to provide travellers with an environmentally conscious alternative to short-haul flights. Did someone say ambitious?  It’s just a proposal right now, but with countries like Austria, France, and Germany all investing a load of cash into their night train networks, and the European Commission highlighting night trains as a key component of its sustainable transport strategy, a proposal of this scale is not unwarranted.  Recommended: This European capital just got a major new train station.  According to Travel and Tour World, the network would have connections to France (Paris, Lyon and Marseille), Germany (Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt), Italy (Milan, Rome, Venice), Belgium (Brussels and Antwerp) and the Netherlands (Amsterdam and Rotterdam), with passengers dozing off in their departure destination and waking up in a new city the following morning.  More specifically, night train routes could include those between Barcelona to Marseille and Madrid to Berlin, and RENFE’s modern Taglo AVRIL fleet will be used. These trains are not only designed for high speed, but have also been adapted for different tracks and power systems.  So, wh

New Zealand was recently named as the very best country in the world, and its cinematic landscapes of mountains, lakes, fjords and beaches play a major role in why it’s such a popular travel destination.  But soon, tourists to four of the country’s most visited natural attractions could be required to pay up to €20 for entry (which is around NZ$40). Why? Well, the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and conservation minister Tama Potaka are planning a new measure to raise funds for conservation projects, and have said that ‘it’s only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution,’ according to euronews.  The four spaces to introduce the fees are Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cook. The charge won’t be applied until 2027, and New Zealanders will still be able to enter and enjoy the spaces for free. Once the entry fees have been introduced, they could raise around €32 million in revenue.  It’s reportedly part of a wider economic project to boost employment opportunities and increase wages. But there’s also serious reform of conservation laws planned, which will make selling or exchanging conservation land easier, and allow more businesses to operate on that soil without requiring a permit.  Recommended: You’ll now have to pay a €5 fee to hike this popular Italian mountain trail.  ‘Many New Zealanders already run outstanding businesses on the conservation estate – from guided walks and s

Europe’s rail travel renaissance means most of the spotlight is shed on new routes and services – but new train stations are opening, too, and the latest of these has just begun operations.  Prague has just opened a brand-new major train station – its first in the last 40 years. Officially the Praha-Bubny railway station, operations kicked off on Friday August 1, and it features an enclosed arrival hall, elevated platforms with glass shelters and even planted trees (which are supported by a swish automated irrigation system).  The new station has had 85 percent of its costs covered by the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – around CZK 2.5 billion. The first services were to Výstaviště, with more added to the towns of Kladno and Kralupy nad Vltavou on Monday August 4.  By 2030, the aim is to have a city-centre link with Václav Havel Airport, and Expats CZ reports that the Czech Railway Infrastructure Administration have confirmed that the permit for this has been secured. As part of the project is a new Prague-Výstaviště stop, just a little west of Bubny, which will facilitate new pedestrian links between Letná and Stromovka parks. But the historic parts of this area in Prague have not been forgotten about.  An estimated 50,000 Czech Jews were deported from the original Bubny station during the Holocaust, so the original station building will be transformed into the Bubny Memorial and Dialogue centre to commemorate them. This should hopefully be open by 2027.  It’s not onl

Rome is a city of grandeur, and if you’ve got the cash to do so, it feels only right to spend your trip at a hotel as fabulous as its surroundings. So, where should you be looking? Well, Time Out’s roundup of the best hotels in the city is a pretty darn good place to start.  Our definitive guide of Rome’s greatest places to stay has been given a major update. The number one spot, claiming the title as Rome’s very best hotel, has a new resident: Portrait Roma.  Now, while this place brags tastefully decorated rooms and a show-stopper location – it’s just around the corner from the Spanish Steps – the biggest draw here is its remarkable service (that’s what proper luxury is, after all).  ‘With just 14 rooms, this Ferragamo family-owned spot has an intimate vibe with razor-sharp attention to detail,’ writes Time Out contributor Saskia O’Donoghue. ‘There’s no spa or gym, but staff will whisk away your bags, hand you sparkling water and macarons, and leave hangover tea on your pillow for turndown service. With service like this, who needs a spa? (Don’t worry: if the answer is ‘me’, you can actually order massages and the likes to your room).’ ‘For culture vultures, Villa Borghese’s park and museums are a short walk, while the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon – must-sees while in Rome – are within easy reach on foot,’ says Saskia. ‘For spots across the wider city, both Spagna and Barberini metro stations are close by, and make exploring famous sights like the Colosseum and Forum a breez

Overtourism isn’t just something which hampers daily life for local people in Europe’s cities – its mountains are affected, too.  As the Mediterranean continues to be scorched in the peak summer months, travellers are turning to higher ground for their summer vacations, and the Dolomites, a magnificent mountain range in northern Italy, has soared in popularity.  But thanks to some independent action taken by local landowners, there’s one hiking trail where you’ll now be subject to a €5 fee – well, sort of.  The Seceda mountain is a go-to for visitors to photograph those famous, spiky Odle Peaks, but the spot’s social media fame has meant that life for residents in the nearby area of South Tyrol has become trickier.  According to euronews, 8,000 people walked the path on a single day last week, and those numbers can lead not only to severe crowding, but also damage to the natural environment and farmers’ crops. In fact, South Tyrol is reportedly up there with Venice when it comes to exposure to overcrowding, according to research by the Demoskopika Institute.  Recommended: A brand-new 7-day hiking trail is now open in Italy.  So, that’s why landowners took it upon themselves to install a turnstile at the beginning of the trail in early July, with a €5 fee for entry, which they say is to compensate for the damage to their land and help fund the maintenance of the slopes.  Puez-Odle Nature Park authorities quickly deactivated the turnstile, but the system has since been reinstat

There’s an abundance of lists on the planet’s best places to stay, but if what you’re looking for is show-stopping, knockout, over-the-top grandeur, look no further than the Robb Report’s top-50 roundup of the world’s most luxurious hotels.  It was first published in 2023, curated thanks to insight from the publication’s 26 ‘travel masters’ (elite figures from the hotel industry), and it gets refreshed every year. For 2025, there’s a new crowning champion – it’s (drum roll, please) the Rosewood Amsterdam! Recommended: These are the best hotels in Amsterdam, according to Time Out.  So, what’s so special about this place? Well, the Robb Report reads: ‘Start with its privileged status as one of the last hotels to have permission to open in the UNESCO-listed Canal District. Add choice: 134 ultra-luxe rooms and suites, done by Dutch designer Piet Boon, with canal, city, or courtyard views; or opt for one of five houses beneath traditional sloping beams, each with butler service.’ But apparently, the hotel’s concierge service is where it really stands out. ‘They can pull strings for everything: private Anne Frank tour, helicopter over the tulip fields before the crowds turn up, private entrance to the Rijksmuseum.’  Now that is luxury. However, plenty of other iconic hotels claimed a spot on this roundup, including Claridge’s, Gleneagles and The Ritz Paris, so read on for the full top 20.  These are the top 20 luxury hotels in the world, according to the Robb Report Rosewood Amste

Everyone’s got their own ideas about what makes a brilliant hotel, but booking one with outstanding reviews from people who have stayed there before is a pretty solid place to start.  That’s why so many of us check TripAdvisor before booking our break. To help you separate the wheat from the chaff, the platform’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2025 has just landed, which ranks the hotels with the highest volume of ‘above-and-beyond reviews’. Less than one percent of the platform’s 8 million listings make it into this ‘top’ status, so it’s a pretty big deal. Leading the way for hotels is Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya, a stay in Mexico which has an impressive average of 4.8 out of 5 from more than 13,000 reviews.  ‘The hotel features spacious rooms as well as inviting gardens and direct beach access. Wellness lovers will head for the fitness centre, steam room, and spa, while adventurers gear up for diving and bicycle tours,’ writes TripAdvisor, ‘Plus, the resort's ideal location for snorkeling adds a bucket-list activity to your vacay. You'll love the poolside buffets, tequila tastings, and a variety of dining options.’ In second place is Grandvrio Ocean Resort Danang, a beautiful beachside hotel in Vietnam, and in third place is Gokulam Grand Turtle on the Beach, nestled in a glorious stretch of India’s southern coast on the Arabian Sea. Read on for the full top 10, and have a look at the other hotel categories ranked on TripAdvisor’s webpage.  These are the 10 best hotels in th

At Time Out, we love travelling – who knew, right? – but with ever-increasing ticket prices, accommodation costs, tourist taxes and visa fees, the whole shabang can be so damn pricey.  Well, not if you’re a UK citizen, or one of the other 39 lucky countries which Sri Lanka has just granted visa-free access to. In a bid to boost tourism, 33 new countries have been added to the list of places from which travellers can enter, paying no fee to do so.  As it stands, UK travellers pay $50 entry for a 30-day visa, which is around £37.50. It’s not loads, but it’s also not an insignificant amount to have back in your pocket for sightseeing.  Isn’t Sri Lanka already a wildly popular tourist destination? Well, yes. In fact, 2,053,465 people travelled to Sri Lanka in 2024, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Department Authority.  And it’s not hard to see why. Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean means it’s blessed with a tropical climate, lush forests and jaw-droppingly beautiful tea plantations, plus all the sites of ancient history, and, of course, some seriously incredible beaches.  Arguambay is the place to head for surfing, but make sure you book onto some dolphin or whale-watching, too. Hungry? Pettah and Galle Face Green are the best places to head for street food. There’s more information in our travel guide here. Recommended: Mexico City is cracking down on digital nomads – here’s how. Tourism took a hit back in 2019 after six terror attacks took place on Easter Sunday, and

Are you a quick wit or a master of irony? Have you got good craic or enough comedic timing to get a laugh even out of the cringiest dad jokes? Chances are that you’re a funny person.  Humour is both universal and incredibly local. It varies enormously between generations, communities and across cultures, but you can bet every nation has its own comedic identity – even if that means not really having one at all.  But, which nation is the funniest? Well, Remitly asked more than 6,000 people from 30 different countries to fill out the Humour Styles Questionnaire, which is a study developed back in 2003 by a guy called Rod Martin. It essentially helps researchers and psychologists understand how humour is used by different people in their day-to-day, not just if they’re funny but also how they’re funny.  Recommended: The best comedy movies of all time, according to Time Out.  So, was it the Brits, with their dry use of irony, or the Irish, famous for their good craic, who claimed the crown? The answer is neither – the title of the funniest country in the world was actually awarded to (slapstick drum roll, please) ...Czechia (aka the Czech Republic).  Scoring 72.33 out of 100, Czechs apparently excel at self-defeating humour and also, according to the study, rank well for aggressive humour (this includes jokes that come at another person’s expense, such as sarcasm or ridicule).  Portugal came second with a score of 71.42. The Portuguese are characterised by affiliative humour – th

Amsterdam’s canals are an iconic part of the city’s identity – they’re a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all – but paired with the combo of narrow streets, they pose a bit of a hazard to the city’s furry creatures.  That’s why Amsterdam has decided to take a leaf out of Amersfoort’s book. The neighbouring Netherlands city has, since June, installed hundreds of little wooden staircases along the banks of its canals to ensure that cats (or any small animals) have an escape route should they fall in, and now it looks like the capital could do the same.  While cats can swim, many of them fall into canals when they get startled – in Amsterdam, that’s easily done – and tragically, 19 have drowned in Amsterdam over the last 6 months. We can’t have that.  Recommended: This is officially Europe’s most cat-loving country.  So, thanks to a proposal by pro-animal party PvdD, city councillors have reportedly voted to earmark €100,000 to make the canals safer for wildlife. But, a staircase is no good if it’s too far away. That’s why Amsterdam will consult animal welfare organisation Dierenambulance to identify where cats and other animals find it hardest to escape. The council will then use this information to work out where to place them.  ‘A ladder can really save their life, as long as there are enough of them,’ said Maggie Ruitenberg from Katten Kenniscentrum, a feline information centre, to euronews.  No timeline for these important (and adorable) installations has been announced ye