Grace Beard

Whether you’re a fully-fledged railfan or just a traveller who loves convenience, 2024 has been an unmatched year when it comes to new night services. Countries throughout Europe, in bids to make travelling more planet-friendly and affordable, have launched countless sleeper routes this year, meaning most of us now have plenty of motivation to swap flights for night trains on our next trip. In other words, sleeper trains are back, baby, and at Time Out, we’re here for it. With the option to hop on a train, journey thousands of miles and wake up in your destination (hopefully with enough energy to go out and explore), night services are kind of ideal scenarios, right? And luckily, you’ve got us train afficionados on hand to point you in the right direction. So, pack your bag, embark your cabin and settle in – here are the most exciting sleeper trains we can’t wait to ride in 2025.  RECOMMENDED:🌤️The most scenic railway journeys in Europe🗺️The ultimate Interrail itinerary for Europe🚂The most beautiful European train journeys from London🚞The best train journeys in the world 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. 

You’ve done the classics: the capital cities, the TikTok viral spots, the cities with their own Netflix show. And don’t get us wrong, we love the classics for a reason. But there’s a downside to these big, bustling, bucket-list-worthy travel destinations. If you’ve ever queued an hour for a pastry, spent your day’s budget on a coffee or had to book a museum three months in advance, you’ll know it as well as us: it’s the crowds.  And following years of anti-tourism measures, Airbnb restrictions and demonstrations in response to overtourism, there’s never been a better time to think outside the box for your travels – especially when so many incredible European spots are getting overlooked. This is our ultimate guide to Europe’s best hidden spots, from culture-packed city breaks to under-the-radar national parks. If you’re travelling on a budget, searching for quiet or just desperate to try somewhere new, these are the most underrated places to visit in Europe right now, according to Time Out experts.  Europe’s most underrated destinations at a glance ⛱️ Best for a beach holiday: Terracina, Italy 📸 Best weekend city break: Gothenburg, Sweden 💸 Best budget-friendly: Plovdiv, Bulgaria ❄️ Best winter escape: Machynlleth, Wales 🥾 Best outdoorsy adventure: Gerês, Portugal This guide was written by a number of Time Out contributors and experts. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editoria

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. 

For the past eight years, we’ve made it our mission to scope out the coolest pockets of the world’s greatest cities in order to create our definitive annual ranking. The places where stuff like nightlife, art, culture, and affordable food and drink can be found on every corner and down every backstreet. Where diversity is championed and independent businesses thrive, from old-school boltholes to the newest avant-garde art space. Put simply, the world’s coolest neighbourhoods are places that represent the soul of our cities, while maintaining their own unique local character that draws people in to live, work and play. So, what are the neighbourhoods that fit the bill this year? To find out, we asked our network of writers and editors across a breadth of cities to nominate the vibiest district in their hometown right now. We then ranked every neighbourhood against criteria including culture, community, liveability, nightlife, food and drink, street life and that hard-to-define sense of ‘nowness’.  On our list this year, you’ll find everything from homely, village-like enclaves with tight-knit communities to revitalised city-centre hubs and formerly dormant, industrial areas transformed into creative districts. Many are underrated spots that sit in the shadow of their commercialised counterparts; others have become unexpected culinary hotspots or magnets for the city’s artists, writers and activists. What they all have in common is a DIY spirit – and an unshakeable proclivity f

Sure, you can choose one of the many, many classic hotel chains on offer for your trip to Lisbon – but what about if you fancy something a little different? A boutique, perhaps, or a central hotel with the best rooftop bar in the city? In that case, it sounds like you’re looking for something a little more cool. And that’s where we come in: the hotels on this list don’t just have great service, good food and nice rooms, they’ve all got a little something that makes them unique, and a place where locals and tourists actually want to hang out for the weekend. These are the coolest hotels in Lisbon, right now.  Lisbon’s coolest hotels at a glance 📻 Best for retro charm: The Vintage 🏙️ Best for city views: Memmo Príncipe Real 🏛️ Best for a historic stay: AlmaLusa Alfama 🛋️ Best self-catering: The Lumiares 🏠 Best for homely vibes: Dear Lisbon 📍 RECOMMENDED: Ultimate guide to hotels in Lisbon 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. Along with our brilliant team over at Time Out Lisbon, every hotel on this list has been individually reviewed and selected for a reason: we’ve been there, we think it’s great and we’d genuinely recommend it. By the way, this article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. ?

Sure, winter has its perks. Cosying up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate in hand is lovely. Big woolen jumpers are ever-chic. But there’s no warm, fuzzy feeling that comes close to feeling actual warmth. In our eyes, you just can’t beat the sunshine: sitting on a rooftop terrace, ice-cold cocktail in hand… bonus points if everyone back home is stuck with endless grey drizzle. There are plenty of places across the world still basking in glorious sunshine from October to February. Our list of the best winter sun destinations this year spans six continents and five months, giving you 20 recommendations for the very best places you can visit during the winter months. Whether it’s Thai beaches, African safaris or sunny city breaks in Europe, we’ve got you covered. The best winter sun destinations at a glance: 🏖️ Best for beaches: Thailand 🏙️ Best for a city break: Cape Town, South Africa 🌡️ Warmest in Europe: Tenerife, Spain 🐘 Best for wildlife: Namibia 🎭 Best for an arty break: Cartagena, Colombia 🍜 Best for food: Vietnam At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:☀️ Europe’s 10 best winter sun destinations

We know that London is the best city in the world. But like any metropolis, it can also get a bit much sometimes. Occasionally, what you want isn’t to drink cocktails in a trendy bar after seeing the hottest Gen Z bedroom popstar at the Islington Assembly Hall, but a little peace and quiet, actually. Enter: the weekend getaway, invented by the Victorians (probably), there’s a reason why Londoners have been taking sojourns to the seaside on sunny bank holidays since the 1800s.  Together, we’ve come up with a cracking list of our favourite day trip destinations near London. There’s something for everyone here, from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside. We've included some recommendations for ace restaurants, quaint little pubs, and our favourite things to do at each destination on the list – all of which are close enough to the city that you can get there and back in one sweet day.  Best day trips from London at a glance 🍔 Best for foodies: Margate 🎭 Best for culture lovers: Stratford-Upon-Avon ⛪ Best for history buffs: Canterbury 🛁 Best for families: Bath 🐴 Best for hikers: New Forest 🍺 Best for pub crawls: Lewes 🏖️ Best for seaside fun: Brighton RECOMMENDED:✨The best day trips an hour from London👪 The best family day trips from London☀️ The best weekend trips from London🏘️ The best Airbnbs near London🌳 The best quirky Airbnbs in the UK This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial conte

It won’t shock you to learn that we’re obsessed with the city, but even the biggest townies among us need to press pause on the endless bustle and noise occasionally – and that’s where the glorious British countryside comes in.  Up and down the UK, there are magnificent hideaways tucked next to our rivers, amongst our woodland and even up our trees, offering you panoramic greenery and the perfect excuse to actually, properly log off for a while. So whether you’re after a scenic hangout for a pals weekend or a romantic mini break, these log cabins, treehouses, shacks and eco-friendly huts have got you covered. RECOMMENDED:🍃The most beautiful national parks in the UK🌤️The best places to visit in the UK🏄The best extreme outdoor activity breaks in the UK🏰The most amazing UK castles that you can actually stay in At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Durante los últimos ocho años, nos hemos propuesto como misión descubrir los rincones más interesantes de las grandes ciudades del mundo para crear nuestro ranking anual definitivo. Lugares donde se pueden encontrar cosas como vida nocturna, arte, cultura y comida y bebida asequibles en cada esquina y en cada callejón. Espacios donde se defiende la diversidad y prosperan los negocios independientes, desde refugios de toda la vida hasta los espacios de arte más vanguardistas. Dicho de manera sencilla, los mejores barrios del mundo son aquellos que representan el alma de nuestras ciudades, a la vez que mantienen un carácter local único que atrae a la gente a vivir, trabajar y disfrutar en ellos. Entonces, ¿cuáles son los barrios que encajan con este perfil este año? Para averiguarlo, pedimos a nuestra red de redactores y editores de todo el mundo que nominaran el distrito con más vibra de su lugar de residencia en este momento. Después clasificamos cada barrio según criterios como la cultura, la comunidad, la habitabilidad, la vida nocturna, la gastronomía, la vida en la calle y ese difícil de definir sentido de la actualidad. En la lista de este año encontrarás de todo: desde lugares acogedores y con aire de pueblo, con comunidades muy unidas, hasta centros urbanos revitalizados y antiguas zonas industriales adormecidas que se han transformado en distritos creativos. Muchos son lugares infravalorados que viven a la sombra de sus versiones más comercializadas; otros se han conv

Durant els darrers vuit anys, ens hem proposat com a missió descobrir els racons més interessants de les grans ciutats del món per crear el nostre rànquing anual definitiu. Els llocs on es poden trobar coses com la vida nocturna, l’art, la cultura i menjar i beure assequibles a cada cantonada i a cada carreró. Els espais on es defensa la diversitat i els negocis independents prosperen, des dels refugis de tota la vida fins als espais d’art més avantguardistes. Dit d’una manera senzilla, els millors barris del món són aquells que representen l’ànima de les nostres ciutats, alhora que mantenen un caràcter local únic que atrau la gent a viure-hi, treballar-hi i gaudir-hi. Així doncs, quins són els barris que encaixen amb aquest perfil enguany? Per esbrinar-ho, vam demanar a la nostra xarxa de redactors i editors d’arreu del món que nominessin el districte amb més vibra del seu lloc de residència en aquest moment. Després vam classificar cada barri segons criteris com la cultura, la comunitat, l’habitabilitat, la vida nocturna, la gastronomia, la vida al carrer i aquell difícil de definir sentit de l'actualitat. A la llista d’enguany trobaràs de tot: des de llocs acollidors i amb aire de poble, amb comunitats molt unides, fins a centres urbans revitalitzats i antigues zones industrials adormides que s’han transformat en districtes creatius. Molts són llocs infravalorats que viuen a l’ombra de les seves versions més comercialitzades; d’altres s’han convertit en inesperats pols gas

タイムアウト東京 > トラベル >世界で最もクールな20の街 過去8年間、私たちは世界の主要都市の中から最もクールなエリアを見つけ出し、毎年恒例のランキングを作ってきた。ナイトライフやアート、カルチャー、手頃な飲食が楽しめる場所。多様性が尊重され、老舗の隠れ家的スポットから最先端のアートスペースまで、独自の個性を持つ店が息づく場所だ。端的に言えば「世界で最もクールな街」は、その都市の魂を体現しつつ、独自の魅力で人々をひきつけ、暮らし・仕事・遊びが自然に交わるエリアのことだ。 今年の注目すべき街はどこなのか？　その答えを探すために、私たちは世界各地のライターや編集者に、今まさに自分の街で最も「雰囲気がある」地区を推薦してもらった。そして、カルチャー、コミュニティ、住みやすさ、ナイトライフ、飲食、ストリートライフ、そして言葉にしにくい「今っぽさ」を基準にランキングを作った。 リストには、温かみのある村のようなコミュニティが息づくエリアや、再開発で活気を取り戻した都心のハブ、かつて眠っていた工業地帯がクリエーティブに変貌した場所など、様々な街が登場する。商業化された有名スポットの陰に隠れて見過ごされがちな場所もあれば、意外なグルメの名所、アーティストや作家、アクティビストをひきつけるカルチャーの拠点になった街もある。共通しているのは、DIY精神と、独創性や遊び心にあふれることだ。 さあ、議論の準備はできた？　これが、今「世界で最もクールな街」だ。 原文はこちら

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is

Just north of the throngs of beach-goers and sun-seekers on Tenerife’s southwestern coast, this striking clifftop hotel has been a go-to for blissed-out poolside luxury with a side of golf and high-end dining since 2005. Its signature salmon-coloured buildings and palatial Moroccan-style architecture make it one of the most recognisable properties in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio – and rightly so, as this place is stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous. Upping the ante is brand-new high-end accommodation option The Retreat, an exclusive ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ where guests are granted total privacy, ultra-personalised service and no-holds-barred access to the hotel’s best bits. Why stay at Ritz-Carlton Abama? This is a Ritz hotel, so you can expect unadulterated luxury. You’ll see kids doggy-paddling under bridges in the Lagoon Pool and parents ordering their third glass of champers. In the lobby, you’ll see golfers gearing up for a day at the on-site 18-hole championship course. Who knows, you might even see a celebrity. I’ll admit, being none of the above, I was expecting to feel a little out of place – but there’s more than enough room here to be in your own bubble, and the staff really do go out of their way to make you feel welcome.  I’ve mentioned how good-looking it is, but it bears repeating. The hotel is whimsical in its beauty, with bridges looping over a koi-filled central lake, pink staircases twisting out of buildings, and gangly palm trees shooting high into the sky. Fami

Just north of the throngs of beach-goers and sun-seekers on Tenerife’s southwestern coast, this striking clifftop hotel has been a go-to for blissed-out poolside luxury with a side of golf and high-end dining since 2005. Its signature salmon-coloured buildings and palatial Moroccan-style architecture make it one of the most recognisable properties in the Ritz-Carlton portfolio – and rightly so, as this place is stop-you-in-your-tracks gorgeous. Upping the ante is brand-new high-end accommodation option The Retreat, an exclusive ‘hotel-within-a-hotel’ where guests are granted total privacy, ultra-personalised service and no-holds-barred access to the hotel’s best bits. Why stay at Ritz-Carlton Abama? This is a Ritz hotel, so you can expect unadulterated luxury. You’ll see kids doggy-paddling under bridges in the Lagoon Pool and parents ordering their third glass of champers. In the lobby, you’ll see golfers gearing up for a day at the on-site 18-hole championship course. Who knows, you might even see a celebrity. I’ll admit, being none of the above, I was expecting to feel a little out of place – but there’s more than enough room here to be in your own bubble, and the staff really do go out of their way to make you feel welcome.  I’ve mentioned how good-looking it is, but it bears repeating. The hotel is whimsical in its beauty, with bridges looping over a koi-filled central lake, pink staircases twisting out of buildings, and gangly palm trees shooting high into the sky. Fami

If you’ve got a window seat on the right side of the plane landing at Tenerife South airport, it’s impossible to miss the terracotta labyrinth of Barceló Tenerife. This massive, 272-room hotel feels like a small town, with low buildings clustered around plant-filled courtyards and a river-like pool snaking through its centre. Once checked in, you’re given a map of the place, like you would at a zoo or a theme park. There are restaurants and bars, hairdressers and shops, a nightclub, a volleyball court, a climbing wall, a lake, even an on-site environmental reserve. In other words, there’s everything you could possibly need here from an all-inclusive – and then some.  Why stay at Barceló Tenerife? Barceló Tenerife is on the island’s sun-soaked southern coast, and like many of the chain’s properties, it’s beautiful in a way that makes every effort to preserve its natural environment, rather than impose on it. Between clay-coloured buildings (all of them low-lying – you won’t find towerblock hotels in this corner of the island), there are cacti-studded patios and palm tree-filled courtyards. Interiors are shady and calm, full of rattan furnishings, wood and ceramics. But Barceló Tenerife is as fun as it is relaxing – this is an all-inclusive, after all, with families and couples catered to with a huge breadth of entertainment, adventure and food and drink offerings.  What are the rooms like at Barceló Tenerife? The 272 rooms here range from poolside doubles and spacious family s

If you’ve got a window seat on the right side of the plane landing at Tenerife South airport, it’s impossible to miss the terracotta labyrinth of Barceló Tenerife. This massive, 272-room hotel feels like a small town, with low buildings clustered around plant-filled courtyards and a river-like pool snaking through its centre. Once checked in, you’re given a map of the place, like you would at a zoo or a theme park. There are restaurants and bars, hairdressers and shops, a nightclub, a volleyball court, a climbing wall, a lake, even an on-site environmental reserve. In other words, there’s everything you could possibly need here from an all-inclusive – and then some.  Why stay at Barceló Tenerife? Barceló Tenerife is on the island’s sun-soaked southern coast, and like many of the chain’s properties, it’s beautiful in a way that makes every effort to preserve its natural environment, rather than impose on it. Between clay-coloured buildings (all of them low-lying – you won’t find towerblock hotels in this corner of the island), there are cacti-studded patios and palm tree-filled courtyards. Interiors are shady and calm, full of rattan furnishings, wood and ceramics. But Barceló Tenerife is as fun as it is relaxing – this is an all-inclusive, after all, with families and couples catered to with a huge breadth of entertainment, adventure and food and drink offerings.  What are the rooms like at Barceló Tenerife? The 272 rooms here range from poolside doubles and spacious family s

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

O que faz uma cidade feliz? Alguns rankings olham para coisas como ambiente, economia ou saúde – tudo muito importante, claro. Mas depois há os pormenores: o sentido de comunidade do bairro, os espaços verdes, a arte, a cultura e até a beleza da cidade em si. Na Time Out tomamos o pulso à vida urbana falando com quem mais percebe do assunto: os locais. Este ano, mais de 18 mil cidadãos participaram no nosso inquérito anual, que dá origem ao ranking definitivo das melhores cidades do mundo. Perguntámos sobre cultura, vida nocturna, comida, mobilidade e custo de vida, entre outras coisas. Mas perguntámos também, em especial, sobre o seu grau de felicidade. O nosso “índice da felicidade” baseia-se na percentagem de respostas positivas a cinco afirmações: a minha cidade faz-me feliz; sinto-me mais feliz aqui do que noutros sítios onde já vivi ou visitei; as pessoas na minha cidade parecem felizes; encontro alegria nas pequenas experiências do dia-a-dia; e os níveis de felicidade na minha cidade têm crescido muito ultimamente. E, segundo os locais, a cidade mais feliz do mundo em 2025 é (tambores, por favor)... Abu Dhabi! 🎉 UnsplashAbu Dhabi A capital dos Emirados Árabes Unidos conquistou pontuações quase perfeitas: 99% dos habitantes dizem que a cidade os faz felizes, 96% acham que as pessoas à sua volta são positivas e 93% sentem-se mais felizes ali do que em qualquer outro lugar. Abu Dhabi também brilhou em categorias como mobilidade, cultura e espaços verdes. Em segundo lug

It’s a tough time to be working in the aviation industry. Faced with staff shortages and huge levels of disruption, many workers at airlines and airports are facing long, stressful hours and poor working conditions. And, thanks to the cost of living crisis, loads of them are doing it all for lower wages, too. Needless to say, it’s no wonder that so many staff at airports and airlines have been going on strike. From Italy and Belgium to Greece and France, airports across Europe have seen thousands of flights delayed and cancelled by industrial action. Strikes can, of course, have a serious impact on your holiday, so it’s best to be as informed about them as possible. Read on for our guide to who’s going on strike in Europe right now, where and when those strikes will happen – and whether you need to worry about them.   Airport strikes in Belgium A Belgian national strike is scheduled for Tuesday October 14, causing huge disruption to public services in the country. Workers across the board will down tools in protest of new labour laws which alter pensions and salaries. Brussels airport has announced that no flights will depart from its runway on Tuesday, and that several arriving flights could also be cancelled. The hub has cautioned that October 15 will also be a very busy day, and urged passengers to ‘be sure to come to the airport on time’. Brussels Charleroi, a smaller airport popular with budget airlines, has cancelled all inbound and outbound flights for Tuesday, explain