Aarna Raj

Picture this: rugged peaks, serene coastlines, and everything in between. We’re talking about experiences that will not only take your breath away – literally, in fact – but leave you with stories to tell for years to come (and probably some pretty good snaps along the way too). Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just dipping your toes into the world of hiking to burn off that extra slice of pizza, there’s a trail on this list that’s calling your name. Grab your rucksack, lace up those hiking shoes, and get ready to hit the trail for an unforgettable journey across some of the world’s most jaw-dropping landscapes. Here are our picks of the best, by Time Out editors. 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 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.

The Middle English word ‘maze’ more or less translates as ‘delirium’ or ‘delusion’, and when you imagine clambering through labyrinthine pathways, surrounded by towering hedges it does sound like a rather confusing, but enticing, adventure. Back in the sixteenth century, hedge mazes were embraced by European royalty as a means of entertaining guests (and to provide sneaky spots for clandestine meetings) – hence why so many of them are nestled away in castle grounds. But that’s not the only place they’re found – there are some belter mazes dotted all over the UK, including at the likes of Longleat and Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, as well as at Leeds and Hever Castle, respectively. So, grab your map (or don’t, if you’re feeling bold) and get ready to lose yourself in some of the most a-maze-ing mazes the UK has to offer. RECOMMENDED: 🌤️The best day trips from London💕The most beautiful places in the UK🏊‍♀️The most spectacular outdoor swimming pools in the UK🏕️The best places to go camping in the UK

Get your iPhone cameras ready because we're embarking on a journey through the greenest botanical gardens on the planet. Plants are great. You know it, we know it, everybody knows it. And this is the best place to see them. So, for all the plant-moms and dads out there wondering what place would be the best to enjoy the wonder of flora, we got you! From cherry blossoms in Brooklyn to cacti in Colombia, these gardens are a feast for the senses and a haven for plant lovers everywhere. Make your Pinterest board a reality by visiting the most beautiful Botanical Gardens in the world.   RECOMMENDED: 🌲 The best national parks in the world ⛰️ The best destinations for solo female travellers🛣️ The coolest streets in the world🏝️ The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world

When the legendary poet of our time Vin Diesel, dropped the timeless quote ‘family,’ it hit home for us all. But what does family really mean? Sure, you can Google the textbook definition, but we all know it’s about more than just sharing DNA. It’s about those folks who stick with you when life gets rough, offering a shoulder to lean on. Sometimes, if you’re lucky, they help you save the world from Charlize Theron. So let’s celebrate it, eh? With this sentiment in mind, here are the best songs about family ever written, from Sister Sledge to Kanye. After all, we are family.   RECOMMENDED: 📻 The best '80s songs🎧 The best disney songs💸 The best songs about money❤️‍🔥 The best R&B love songs🏃‍♀️ The best running songs

As a wise man once said, ‘She’s a runner, she’s a track star.’ But are you? If the answer is a resounding yes, you’re in luck: we’ve found the very best running songs to keep you going mile after mile in the gym or on the hiking trail. These tracks are ideal for running, whether it’s for cardio or simply fleeing your responsibilities. Regardless of what’s driving you to pound the pavement, a propulsive playlist is a must. From thumping hip-hop beats to high-energy guitar jams (and even a little tough love from Britney), we got it all. So lace up your shoes, crank up the volume, and let these tunes be the soundtrack to your next run. Written by Sara Fay, Kate Wertheimer, Andy Kryza, Andrew Frisciano, Brent DiCrescenzo and Sophie Harris. Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED: 📻 The best '80s songs🎧 The best disney songs💸 The best songs about money❤️‍🔥 The best R&B love songs📼 The best ’90s songs

Love ’em or hate ’em, no one on earth can deny how many bangers Disney movies have churned out over the years. From singing cats to wicked witches, these tunes stay with us forever – and are now loved by the children of today.  Of course, picking the absolute best is no easy feat. On our list we’ve included the golden oldies alongside the newer Disney jingles, from 1970’s ‘Aristocats’ to 2023’s ‘Wish’. From dramatic ballads to tear-jerking soul tunes, here are the best Disney songs ever made.  Listen to these songs on Amazon Music RECOMMENDED:🍿 The best Disney movies🕺 The best pop songs of all time😊 The best happy songs👨‍👩‍👧 The best songs about family

Spring is finally here, and our FYPs are suddenly filled with people visiting fields of beautiful flowers. But where the hell do they find them all, I hear you cry? Don’t panic: we’ve got you covered. Turns out there places all over the UK for bluebells, cherry blossom, and all that good stuff: you just have to know where to look. To help guide you along, we’ve dug out the very best places in the UK for your cottagecore fantasy; here you’ll find wildflower meadows, lavender fields, sunflower farms and coastal hikes lined with bellflowers. Plus, we’ve included the most fruitful times of year to visit in 2024, so you don’t miss out on all the fun. Get ready for some serious spring action, folks. Here are the best places for wildflowers in the UK. RECOMMENDED:🌸 The best places to see cherry blossom in the UK🌺 Where to see wisteria in the UK 💙 The UK’s top spots for bluebells ✨ The underrated wonders of the UK📸 The most Instagrammed villages in the UK

Looking for a way to bond with your kids, without leaving the house and actually doing something? If there’s anything that unites children and parents, it’s cartoons. Not their cartoons, of course – those are loud and garish and obnoxious. But the ones you watched when you were a wee one? Now that’s the good stuff!  Jokes aside, the best cartoon shows really do cross generations, and can connect the smallest tots with the biggest, crankiest adults. We’re confident that if you throw on any of these classics – all of which are easily accessible on various streaming platforms – you’ll both end up LOL’ing together.  RECOMMENDED: ✍ The 100 best animated films of all time🧒 The best kids cartoons to stream right now📺 The best kids TV shows 🐭 The 50 best Disney movies for family night

Any parent will tell you: Kids need to keep active! That holds true even when you're staying indoors. These online fitness classes will get the kiddos moving, and they're so much fun you might just join in! After the heart rates drop, why not check out these virtual zoos and aquariums, or J.K. Rowling's new online Harry Potter experience? From virtual storyimes to online kids' museums, there's so much you can do with a couple of clicks of a mouse.

Guess who decided to make a splash in our very own River Thames this past Saturday (April 20)? That’s right – dolphins! The playful marine creatures were spotted bobbing near Twickenham Bridge. A bit more interesting that the capital’s usual nature sightings of foxes, squirrels and pigeons, eh?  Naturally, Londoners were pretty excited about seeing these mammals in our river – with plenty taking to Twitter/X with videos of ’em. Here are a few vids of what our finned friends looked like (credits @mattgraveling and @travelmeerkat). 🐬 Dolphin Alert! 🐬I was doing a report about the London Marathon from Tower bridge & spotted dolphins swimming in the Thames.My phone is on full zoom so apologies for the quality, but definitely two swimming together. pic.twitter.com/fq0Zc9ixng — Matt Graveling (@mattgraveling) April 19, 2024 Atlantic white sided dolphins spotted in the Thames at Teddington Lock yesterday. Amazing but so sad to see them such a long way from home. Kids are desperate for news on how they are doing. Any update today? @RNLI @BDMLR @TW11Harbour @MyRichmondLdn pic.twitter.com/KBmEEVMLmB — travelmeerkat (@travelmeerkat) April 21, 2024 Atlantic white sided dolphins spotted in the Thames at Teddington Lock yesterday. Amazing but so sad to see them such a long way from home. Kids are desperate for news on how they are doing. Any update today? @RNLI @BDMLR @TW11Harbour @MyRichmondLdn pic.twitter.com/KBmEEVMLmB — travelmeerkat (@travelmeerka

Alright, hold onto your Oyster cards, because London’s transport scene might be gearing up for a potential arrival of Superloop 2. The original Superloop, an express bus route connecting the capital's suburban town centres, is already proving popular and was only launched this year.  So, what's the scoop? Well, it's all part of the plan from the mayor to give Londoners more options to get from A to B. We're talking about not just one or two new routes, but a whole bunch of them. And get this – the plans are to also introduce a 'Bakerloop' service as an alternative to the Bakerloo line. Check out the proposed routes: Harrow to Barnet, via Edgware Barnet to Stratford, via Enfield and Chingford Leytonstone to South Havering, via Gants Hill and Romford North Greenwich to Thamesmead, via Woolwich ‘Bakerloop line’: Elephant and Castle to Lewisham, via Old Kent Road and New Cross Streatham to Eltham, via Tulse Hill and Lee Richmond to Wimbledon, via Roehampton Ealing Broadway to Kingston, via Great West Road and Richmond Hounslow to Hammersmith, via Great West Road Hendon to Ealing Broadway, via Brent Cross and Hanger Lane NEW: The success of the Superloop is one of my proudest achievements, connecting Londoners in outer London & getting more people onto public transport. If I'm re-elected on 2 May, I'll deliver Superloop 2 - doubling the number of express bus routes. https://t.co/FboAXqc26S pic.twitter.com/oqPvFQRCaB — Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) April 19, 2024 So, Londoners, w

If you’re blessed enough to be able to work from anywhere, we’ve got exciting news: Türkiye just launched a digital nomad visa. That’s right – you could be sipping Turkish tea in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar while sealing a deal, or catching some rays on the stunning Aegean coast while smashing out those deadlines. Türkiye's your oyster, but like all visas, there are specific requirements to meet. Here’s all the essential info on Türkiye’s new visa for remote workers.  Who can apply for a Turkish digital nomad visa? If you're between the ages of 21 and 55 and hail from most EU countries, the UK, USA, or Canada, Türkiye wants you! How long will the visas last? The visa will allow remote workers to soak up Türkiye's charms for anywhere between six months to a year, with the possibility of renewal once or twice. What is the minimum income for a digital nomad visa in Türkiye? To qualify, you'll need to have a monthly income of $3,000 (€2,800) or an annual income of $36,000 (€33,800), along with proof of employment or a business contract. What are the other requirements? Got a university degree? Check. Remote work setup? Check. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, or employed by a company outside Türkiye, as long as you're working remotely, you're eligible to apply. How to apply to be a digital nomad in Türkiye The Turkish Culture and Tourism Ministry has streamlined the process with a user-friendly website, where you can check the criteria and fill out an application form. If yo

There’s a misconception that cities stink. All those people, all that rubbish, all that underground sewage. But it turns out some metropolises smell pretty good. A recent study by HAYPP has shed light on this overlooked aspect of urban life, analysing 30 major cities in Europe and beyond to figure out which one is the sweetest-smelling of them all. Researchers looked into factors including cleanliness and proportion of flower shops, bakeries and perfume shops to give each city a ‘smell score’. And the city that sniffed its way to the top of the charts was Athens, Greece. Yep, you heard that right: the Greek capital is the world’s best-smelling city! Picture this: bustling street markets, the aroma of fresh produce, herbs, and sizzling Greek delicacies wafting through the air. Athens is a feast for the senses, scoring 8.3 out of 10 on the smell-o-meter. From cheesy Tiropita to sticky-sweet Baklava, the city's bakeries are serving up some serious scent satisfaction. Athens is also a floral paradise, boasting 31 flower shops and 22 perfumeries per 10 square kilometers, which means delicate fragrance lingers around every corner of the city. The city's commitment to cleanliness is also reflected in its Environmental Performance Index (EPI), receiving a score of 56.2. So next time you're planning a trip, don’t follow your heart – follow your nose. While Athens may have claimed the top spot, it's worth mentioning the other cities that have made it to the list of the world's nicest s

Alright, coffee-holics, gather ’round because we've got some piping hot news for you. Food & Wine Magazine recently dropped its list of the top ten cities that are great for coffee, and guess who snagged the eighth spot? That's right, our beloved London! Cue the applause and celebratory sips of espresso. Copenhagen topped the list, with Tokyo and Sydney hot on its heels in the top three. Now, if you haven't yet embarked on a caffeinated journey through our fair city, let me paint you a picture of what you're missing out on. London's coffee scene isn't just good - it's downright spectacular. Posh cafes, aromatic brews, and vaguely aloof barristers. Intrigued? You should be. There’s some obvious favorites that get a mention in the list. Monmouth Coffee Company, which is practically a pilgrimage site for caffeine enthusiasts - would have been impossible to overlook. Next is Redemption Roasters, a coffee shop where ex-inmates are given a chance to learn the art of coffee roasting and barista skills. Talk about a brew-tiful initiative. Lastly, Climpson & Sons, this place isn't just about serving up top-notch coffee; it's about doing it with style and sustainability in mind. But hey, London's coffee scene isn't all about the big names. Nope, it's the little gems scattered across the city that really give it that extra kick. Whether you're cosying up in a neighborhood café or stumbling upon a trendy pop-up, there's always something new and exciting brewing in London. The best cafe's

Alright folks, hold onto your top hats and designer handbags because we're about to dive into the glamourous world of London's most prestigious streets. You know, the kind of places where even the air you breathe seems to have a price tag attached? Yep, those ones. According to the latest data from Rightmove, it's none other than Buckingham Gate in Westminster taking the crown as the UK's priciest street. With an eye-watering average asking price of £9.6m, it's not just a street, it's practically a postcode of its own. The area offers unrivalled access to some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace and St. James’s Park - talk about rubbing shoulders with royalty. Not far behind is Vicarage Gate in Holland Park, securing the second spot on the list with an average bank-busting price tag of £6.3m. Picture this: lush greenery, elegant period homes, and the kind of neighbours who casually name-drop about weekends in the Cotswolds. It's the epitome of sophistication, darling. Claiming the third spot is Park Road in St John’s Wood, a neighbourhood synonymous with prestige and exclusivity. With an average asking price of £5.8m, it's the kind of street where you might spot a celebrity walking their designer pooch or sipping a latte at a quaint café. Who needs Hollywood when you've got St John’s Wood. Onto the next spot, St John’s Wood Road in Maida Vale, clinching the fourth place with an average asking price of £5.3m. This area is the perfect blend of urban c

Ever looked at a blob of clay and thought: ‘Ah, yes, I can get a masterpiece out of that’? No? Well, get ready to get your perception of art reshaped (literally) as Ceramic Art London (CAL) is planning to hold the largest ceramic art fair ever seen in London.  This year’s CAL will mark the fair’s 20th anniversary and it’ll take place at the Olympia’s West Hall. Beginning on April 19, it’ll run for three days until April 21. CAL has over two decades’ worth of experience bringing together Europe’s finest bits of contemporary ceramic art, so, naturally, this year’s fair will offer enthusiasts the chance to explore and buy plenty of excellent pieces. CAL 2024 will feature over 90 exhibitors and creators from around the globe. But that isn’t all. With everything from installations and live workshops to masterclasses from professionals, CAL is an opportunity to get your hands dirty quite literally. The event also has a stimulating talk programme that is set to discuss topics ranging from ceramics in the ancient world (a crash course in pottery history without dusty textbooks) to the latest VR and 3D printing technology. Ceramic Art London’s Toby Bruden said: 'This will be our largest ever fair, with moving to the West Hall at Olympia allowing us to increase the content and visitor experience.’  Tickets to the show can be booked through both Olympia London and Ceramic Art London’s websites. Did you see that the UK’s biggest hot sauce festival returns to London this spring – and it’l

London’s very own Diagon Alley has lost one of its oldest psychic stores. Mysteries, which has been operating since 1982, has shuttered the doors of its physical outlet after 41 years of operation.  Mysteries was in Covent Garden, an area with a rich history of weird, wonderful, spiritual shops. The store was primarily a bookshop specialising in mysticism and the paranormal but it was also a top stop for all things spiritual. Sage smudge sticks, charcoal incense, individual crystals and self-help books... Mysteries had it all.   A couple of weeks ago, Mysteries put out a notice on its website and store informing that the shop had shifted all operations online. The decision to move online is apparently due to the ongoing challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s high street collapse.  Photograph: Aarna Raj for Time Out In an Instagram post last year, the business stated: ‘During the last three years, despite all of our best efforts, we have been trading at a loss, and the owners of the business, Matthew and Branca Geffin, have ploughed all of their life savings into the business in order to keep it going. But there are no more reserves.’  Over the years, Mysteries cultivated a small community of psychics, tarot readers, astrologers and customers. While the physical store might be closed, Mysteries continues to cater to the needs of its patrons. Welcome to the 21st century, where even fate comes with a Wi-Fi connection. If you’re in desperate need of getting you