Annie McNamee

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

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

On March 25, 1925, at London’s Selfridges department store in central London, Scottish inventor John Logie Baird made the first public demo of his latest creation: a way to broadcast visual information from a camera to a screen. A full century later, Baird’s discovery has led to perhaps the most vital, creative and popular mode of artistic expression in the entire world. But it’s only in the past 25 years that television has really fulfilled its artistic potential.  The result has been the so-called ‘Golden Age of Television’, a boom kickstarted roughly around the turn of the century with the rise of shows like The Sopranos and later Breaking Bad, and continuing with awards-winners from Succession to Shōgun to Slow Horses. So while our list of the 100 greatest TV shows may pay tribute to the unmissable programs of yesteryear, you’ll find that the majority hail from our own century – meaning there’s no excuse not to watch every single one. Paring the list down to only 100 was a painful process, so we decided to omit sketch shows, talk shows, news and non-fiction in order to focus on scripted drama and classic comedy. Time to go goggle-eyed. Recommended: 🔥 The best TV and streaming shows of 2025 (so far)🍎 The best shows to watch on Apple TV+ right now📺 The best Netflix original series to binge🎮 The best ‘90s TV shows

This bustling coastal city is absolutely steeped in history, maritime heritage, and of course, there's loads to see. It’s roots date back as far as the Stone Age, and its first ever museum (the Tudor House) remains a top attraction, with gorgeous gardens and guided tours on offer.  There’s plenty of modern-day action too, with a treasured football team, The Saints, and their fans bringing life to the city on match day. Southampton is also only a 20-minute drive away from the New Forest, or a ferry-ride away from the Isle of Wight, there's plenty going on that makes this city worth a visit. Check out our list of top picks for all the best things to do in Southampton.  RECOMMENDED:  🚆The best day trips from London⛰️ The best things to in the New Forest🏖️ The best seaside towns in the UK💕 The best things to do in the UK Annie McNamee is a writer at Time Out UK. 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. 

This is about the time when the January blues start to hit pretty hard. It’s dark at 4pm, you’ve got no money left after Christmas and winter feels like it’s dragging on forever. But we’re here to tell you that things are looking up, because 2025 is going to be a corker of a year for the UK.  It turns out that 2025 is going to be a bit of a big one, with a number of landmark occasions being celebrated across Britain. There’s Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in Southampton, as well as the art-packed Folkestone Triennial, a celebration of 200 years of the British railway in York and Bradford’s 2025 City of Culture festivities. Then, there are up-and-coming foodie towns in Cornwall, music scenes that are popping off in Cardiff and Belfast, and the reopening of grand cultural insitutions like the Tate Liverpool.  If there’s ever been a good time to book a trip, it’s now (it might even help keep some SAD at bay). There is so much fantastic stuff happening across the country this year, so read our list curated by local experts of the best places to visit in the UK in 2025, and get stuck in.  RECOMMENDED: 🇬🇧 The 25 best new things to do in the UK in 2025📍The 12 most underrated city breaks in the UK 🏨 The UK’s 13 best new hotels opening in 2025👨‍👩‍👧 6 amazing places to stay with Kids in the UK

If people make Glasgow, music is what fuels it. The city's music scene was thriving long before the rest of it had caught up, with places like the Barrowlands and the Old Fruit Market offering locals good, cheap live music when general attitudes of Glasgow were, let's just say, less than favourable.  But those days are behind us, and Scotland's biggest city is now known across the UK for its vibrant cultural heritage, nightlife, and, of course, its music scene. Whether you're looking for an arena of people to scream along your favourite songs with, or a small makeshift stage at the back of a bar to find your new favourite band, Glasgow's got you sorted. Fair warning though: crowds here are famously rowdy. They're a lot of fun, but don't be surprised if you end up beer-soaked. Oh, and brush up on our local chants. You don't want to be the only person not shouting along with 'here we, here we, here we f'ing go!'. 

History has it that Pollokshaws Road was once home to a merry band of Flemish weavers – known as the ‘Queer Folk’ – who were brought over to work in the city during the 19th century by local landowners. These days it’s still a thriving creative hub, threading down Glasgow’s Southside and linking up the districts of Govanhill, Strathbungo and Shawlands. Rows of sandstone tenements loom over traffic separated by wide pavements, behind which stand ornate townhouses designed by Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson. There’s a juicy chunk of Pollokshaws Road where bars, cafés and boutiques jostle for space; pick it up from Allison Street and wander down past Queen’s Park. Since it’s a largely residential area, there’s a distinct feel of community – something that’s enhanced by the indie businesses that have popped up over the past few years. In particular it’s a brunch haven, with queues leaking out of living-room-sized cafés come rain or shine. You can also expect to find organic fruit and veg at Stalks & Stems, a fresh produce emporium with a florist next door, and (almost) a different coffee shop for every day of the week. It’s not all hipster territory, though. Punters tired of mustachioed baristas and bar staff will be cheered by the decent selection of old man pubs complete with smoked-glass windows. Recommended: Full guide to the best things to do in Glasgow

How easily could you be persuaded to shave off an eyebrow, or take a shot for every stair you climbed? Perhaps you’d feel more compelled if you were half a bottle of ‘Chicken Wine’ deep, 18, and surrounded by new friends that you were trying to impress? If you attended university in the UK you might have an uncomfortable feeling of deja-vu, perhaps being whisked back to the time you were ‘hazed’ as a first year student. If you didn’t, you’ve likely heard the rumours about former prime ministers getting it on with pigs, or rugby teams shoving carrots in places vegetables should never go. Hazing, or ‘initiation’ as it more commonly goes by this side of the Atlantic, is a practice which usually consists of ritualistically embarrassing rookie members of a given group in order for them to prove themselves. It’s also nothing new. There’s evidence of rowdy schoolboys dating as far back as 420 BCE when Plato recounted ‘practical jokes played by unruly young men’ which left both spectators and haze-ees injured. Somehow, this bizarre custom has survived the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the birth of Jesus Christ, several international plagues and found a home for itself in the modern age on university campuses. But for the past decade or so, hazing’s millenia-long reign has been threatened by a generation who supposedly care more about their physical and mental health than they do about banter and ritual humiliation. Today, hazing has met its match: Generation Z. So what do these

You might never want to leave Edinburgh, and we get it. The Scottish capital is loved the world over for its culture, restaurants and Fringe Festival (to name a few). But if you limit your time in Scotland to just Edinburgh, trust us, you’re missing out.  Scotland is full of gems, but the best part is a whole lot of them can be reached by train or car in just one day – with enough time left to get back in time for dinner. From hilly hikes to wide-open beaches and from pretty towns to full-blown city breaks, these day trips from Edinburgh are not to be missed. Here are our favourites.  RECOMMENDED:🌤️ The best things to do in Edinburgh 🎨 The best art galleries in Edinburgh🏰 The best attractions in Edinburgh🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Edinburgh This guide was updated by Edinburgh-based Arusa Quereshi, and Time Out editors. 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. 

What words come to mind when we mention the Olympics? Prestige? Excellence? Medals? Or is it: ‘Grom’?  The Olympic games have been around for nearly three millennia. As the entire planet tunes in to watch as the top sports people compete for those coveted gold medals, there’s some stuff you’ll probably want to get your head around to make the most of your viewing experience: jargon for you normies to weave into your vocab that will have you sounding like proper Olympic pros in no time.  RECOMMENDED:How to watch the Paris 2024 Olympics in the UK for freeHere’s the full schedule and timings for the Summer Games We’ve done some digging and unearthed some 100 percent real words and phrases that will almost certainly be used by professional Olympians and commentators across the next few weeks. What’s more, there’s something inherently funny about words which sound out of place to the average Joe. There’s nothing worth giggling about hearing the word ‘jaeger’ at a bar (especially as it’s usually followed by a friend trying to convince you to neck a shot of sweet battery acid and gone-off liquorice), but watching it earnestly come out of the mouth of a world-class gymnast? Now that’s entertainment. So what are you waiting for? Brush up on your sporty lingo and drop these into convo next time you’re watching the Games to impress your mates. Skateboarding  ‘Goofy stance’: Refers to when a skateboarder has their left foot on the back of the board. Also used in surfing and snowboarding

You remember the days. Assuring your friend that she definitely looks like her older cousin’s co-worker, especially with a ponytail in. Hovering awkwardly around the corner from the off-license as your one 18-year-old pal does God’s work for the rest of you. The pit in your tummy as you recite a fake birthday to the bouncer of a sticky-floored nightclub – remembering your star sign, memorising your imaginary postcode – and the elated relief when he lets you in with a raised eyebrow and a reluctant nod. Finding increasingly inventive ways to get around age-restrictions was half the fun of being 17, but today’s teens seem to be going off going out altogether. ‘You definitely see fake IDs less than you used to,’ says one bouncer at a popular student nightclub in Bristol. When he started working at the venue a decade ago, he’d encounter a load of fakes on any given night – but not so much anymore. ‘The worst one I ever saw had the back on upside down,’ he says. ‘The ones we do see are getting a lot better and it can be harder to catch them. But they’re definitely rarer now.’ Something has certainly shifted. A few weeks ago, as I walked through the Triangle, Bristol’s premier hotspot for stumbling freshers and lovers of three for two Jägerbombs, I noticed that the local Sainsbury’s was busier than all of the clubs combined. Two years ago, dancefloors would’ve been filling up at 11pm on a Monday. This wasn’t a fluke: since that night, two of the clubs in question have closed their

For all of the stick we give the UK – the grey skies, the pigeons, the Greggs sausage roll packets littering the pavements – it’s actually a pretty gorgeous country. In London alone, you can be goggling over the Barbican’s brutalist beauty one moment, the next, you might be basking in the tranquility of Hampstead Ponds. Add the turquoise coasts of Cornwall, the rugged mountains of Snowdonia and the fairytale wonder of Scotland’s highlands and islands to the mix, and you’ve got a country which is as good looking as they come.  When we set about curating this list of the most beautiful places in the UK, we called on our network of expert travel writers. These guys have have personally experienced the pinch-me moment of seeing every place on this list IRL – so we can guarantee you there is no catfishing going on here. Of course, you’ll find the usual suspects – you can’t argue with the magic of the Isle of Skye, after all – but you’ll also find some more surprising beauty spots to add to your travel bucket list. RECOMMENDED:🚂 The UK’s most beautiful train stations🇬🇧 The best things to do in the UK🏝 The most beautiful places in the world🏠 The best Airbnbs in the UK Chiara Wilkinson is Time Out’s UK features editor, 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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content

You’ve been here before. Almost.  With a clientele which would be perfect for a Love Island spin-off featuring exclusively people with ‘entrepreneur’ in their bios and a healthy amount of exposed pipework, The Counter is what those in the know would probably call ‘trendy’. Its dim lights, small plate selection, and strategically chipped brick feature wall put it on the verge of parodically hip, but a glance at its menu and a quick chat with any member of its team reveal it to be much more down to Earth than some of its equally Instagrammable peers. If you close your eyes you can almost feel the Istanbuli breeze flowing through your hair The sense of deja-vu you feel may not be coming solely from its open-plan bar though. Chef Kemal Demirasal’s first UK venture, opened up two years ago in Notting Hill to much success. Originally from Turkey, he’s taken much of the charm of the original joint (as well as its most popular recipes and excellent cocktails) and transported it to Kingly Street – and combined it with a series of fresh ideas and a lot of seafood. Fresh is definitely the operative word. The cocktails are infused with real fruit. The tomatoes have been imported from Turkey. There’s sort-of-caviar sprinkled on avocado-topped fish. If you close your eyes and just bite, you can almost feel the Istanbuli breeze flowing through your hair. A series of enthusiastic staff members recommended a variety of dishes to us. Some, like the tomato salad or prawns, were familiar classi

What makes a great bar? Great drinks, nice decor, friendly bar staff and comfortable seats are all important, but to stand out, you need to do something exceptional. And that’s exactly what the team at Panda & Sons has done. This independent Edinburgh watering hole has just been named the best bar in the entire world by Top 500 Bars, an online ranking website that does exactly what it says on the tin. The 500-strong ranking is based on so much more than how much the team team enjoyed the cocktails. It was created ‘by the people, for the people’, and utilises a complex algorithm which feeds off of ‘thousands of [data points] – rankings, publications, platforms and others – in over 20 languages’ then calculates exactly how well each bar has been reviewed. Think Silicon Valley meets good old-fashioned guidebooks. After the number-crunching was done, Panda & Sons came out on top, jumping up a few places from 2024’s ranking where it came fourth. Just as much of a creative outlet for its founder Iain McPherson as it is a place to come and drink, this bar offers a range of cocktails you won’t get anywhere else. You can be absolutely certain that cocktails here are unique, because Panda & Sons literally distills its own kind of alcohol to put in them. Using a process called ‘switching’, McPherson and his colleagues have figured out how to remove the water from a spirit and replace it with a new, different alcohol, creating franken-spirits to put into cocktails. Photograph: AwAyeMedi

Ah, the Great British campsite. Many Brits have fond childhood memories made by parents on the hunt for a summer holiday that doesn’t cost a fortune, and camping trips make for great fun as adults, too. One of the main differences between camping as a kid and as a grown-up is that, as the latter, you care quite a lot more about the quality of your campsite.  Planning your next weekend at a UK campsite? The AA is here to advise. Every year, insurance-broker-turned-travel-experts AA celebrate the very best campsites in the UK with the appropriately named Caravan and Camping Awards’. There are several categories, covering everything in the industry from ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ to ‘Most Improved’, but the big one is the overall ‘Campsite of the Year’. This year, the top prize went to St Helens in the Park, a large 36-acre plot in Wykeham near the stunning North York Moors National Park. It’s right on the doorstep of some of the best scenery England has to offer. Judges were impressed with the landscaping at St Helens, noting that it was ‘thoughtfully laid out over terraces, with tree screening creating smaller, more intimate areas’ and ‘featuring an abundance of colourful, seasonal flowers’ in its well maintained gardens. For the glampers, there are a number of ‘pods’ with all your basic amenities and a larger lodge if you want ultimate comfort. Photograph: St Helens in the Park Once you’ve had a great night’s sleep at St Helens in your pod/tend/caravan/lodge, you can head t

Booking a holiday involves a lot of decision-making. Beach or city break? Restful retreat or immersive cultural experience? Is good nightlife a non-negotiable for you, but your travel buddy won’t consider anywhere without a thriving foodie scene? Compromises always have to be made – or do they? According to Travel + Leisure, you don’t need to be picky about what sort of trip you plan. You just need to go to Brazil. The South American nation has just been named T+L’s Destination of the Year for the diversity of experiences it offers to travellers, its ever-evolving food scene, and its out-and-proud celebrations of local culture. Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford describes it as ‘a destination that embraces roar and spectacle’, and encourages readers to ‘explore every corner and experience every texture, sight, smell, and vibe’. Photograph: Shutterstock In the special Brazil-themed issue, which includes an interview with Brazilian pop star Anitta, T+L goes into detail about all the things that make Brazil so special. In Rio there’s the world-famous carnival, iconic beaches, and a ‘thriving music scene’; travel just a few hundred kilometres down the coast and you’ll find São Paulo, the nation’s ‘cosmopolitan hub for contemporary art and dining’. Inland, there are literally millions of square kilometres of the Amazon to explore (make sure to venture in under the guidance of an expert, or there is a fair likelihood that you’ll never come back out). T+L isn’t the first to celebrate 

Editor's note: Since this post was published, the Thai goverment has scrapped its afternoon drinking ban in a major U-turn. Read more about the decision here. Thailand has long been a popular spot for young gap year travellers who – let’s face it – aren’t usually ones to turn down a drink. Despite its reputation, Thailand is actually pretty strict when it comes to alcohol, drugs, and general debauchery, and things are only getting stricter as a new law means that daytime drinking could become a thing of the past. Until very recently, most Thai businesses were prohibited from selling alcohol during restricted hours. However, there was nothing to stop you buying a pack of beers at 1.30pm and slowly sipping until the clock strikes five, then heading back for more – but all of that changed this week. Since Saturday (November 8), anyone selling, buying or drinking alcohol in an unlicensed premises is breaking the law. This is a pretty significant shift, sharing responsibility that was previously only held by businesses with consumers for the first time. The government hopes that the law will improve public safety. It comes with tightening of rules surrounding advertising – influencers and celebrities can’t endorse or appear in ads for alcohol anymore. It also comes after news that the country is cracking down on weed tourism. Here’s everything you need to know about Thailand’s strict new daytime drinking laws to ensure you stay out of trouble. When can I drink in Thailand? You’re

Ready to get into the festive spirit this weekend? There’s plenty in London to help you do just that. You could go and see Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland on its opening night, see a T-rex in a Christmas jumper at the Natural History Museum, or head to the Southbank Centre winter market to browse handmade goodies with a hot chocolate in hand. If it’s still a bit early for festive stuff, what about a trip to the theatre (Othello is currently on if you’re a Shakespeare nut, otherwise we recommend indie musical ‘Gwenda’s Garage’)? Whatever you’re up to in the capital this weekend, the likelihood is you’ll need to use public transport to get there.  However, the coming days will also see London’s transport network hit by a lot of planned closures. If you’re due to take off from Heathrow, make sure to plan your route ahead of time, as both the Elizabeth line and Heathrow Express are facing major disruption this weekend. Here’s a handy separate guide to getting to LHR this weekend. Here’s everything you need to know about travel disruption in London over the next few days, November 14-16. RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in London this weekend. London travel disruption and tube closures, November 14-16 Heathrow Express The Heathrow Express will not run on Saturday November 15 or Sunday November 16. To get to Heathrow, you can instead use the Piccadilly line, or London bus connections, although be aware that these will likely be very busy. Don’t use the Elizabeth line – more on t

¿Preparando una escapada para 2026? Ya sabemos cuáles serán los lugares de moda para viajar el año que viene. Y no, no es porque tengamos una bola de cristal (ojalá), sino porque la compañía de viajes online eDreams ODIGEO ha analizado los datos de búsqueda y reservas para averiguar exactamente hacia dónde se dirigirán los viajeros el año que viene. Escapada con la cultura como excusa Para elaborar su lista de destinos en tendencia, eDreams ODIGEO identificó los lugares más reservados hasta ahora para viajar en 2026, incluyendo a cualquiera que haya comprado un billete con fecha de salida posterior al 1 de enero de 2026. Este fue el mismo método que usaron para determinar los destinos más populares en 2025. Bangkok. Shutterstock *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id="03b2c5ac-8acf-4507-8b44-f6a29fc0495e" data-testid="conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn="assistant"> Según las cifras, Bangkok estará bastante concurrida en 2026. Fue tanto la ciudad más buscada como la más reservada por viajeros de todo el mundo. Aunque quienes vayan buscando fiesta quizá deban pensárselo dos veces, ya que Tailandia acaba de imponer nuevas normas estrictas que restringen el consumo de alcohol durante el día. eDreams prevé que el turismo internacional "volverá a estar significativ

We already know where 2026’s travel hotspots are going to be. No, it’s not because we have a crystal ball (sadly), it’s because online travel company eDreams ODIGEO has looked into booking and search data to figure out exactly where travellers are headed next year. To create its list of trending destinations, the company dug out the most-booked places for 2026 travel so far – anyone who bought a ticket with a departure date after January 1, 2026 was included. They used the same method to figure out the most popular destinations in 2025. According to the numbers, Bangkok is going to be pretty busy in 2026. It was both the most searched for and the most booked city for travellers across the globe, although anyone hoping for a party might want to think twice, as Thailand just brought in strict new rules restricting daytime drinking. eDreams forecasts that next year, international tourism ‘will again be significantly shaped by major global trends and events’, meaning that people will base trips around sports, music, and huge cultural celebrations. Rio de Janeiro, which has the third-highest number of bookings for the next 12 months, is a great example of this, with visits spiking during its iconic Carnival. Paris was sandwiched between Rio and Bangkok as the second-highest trending destination. Although it’s not hosting any big events next year, it’s been a tourist magnet for decades (maybe even centuries), and it’s the third best city on earth for museums according to this prest

Twice a year, train timetables update – and not just for one or two providers. Everyone on the National Rail network gets involved. Usually any changes are insignificant and fly under the radar unless you’re an avid trainspotter, but not this time: this December, we’re about to see ‘the biggest timetable change on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) in more than a decade’. Amongst the many ECML updates is increased connectivity between Newcastle and Edinburgh, the two biggest cities on the east coast. Right now, TransPennine Express (TPE) runs five trains between the towns per day, but on December 14 this will increase to eight. With this addition, there will be one TPE train roughly every two hours, and 2,000 more tickets available each day. On top of giving passengers more choice about when they travel, and increasing capacity by more than 50 percent, the new timetable will include an early morning commuter service, leaving Newcastle at 5.26am and arriving in Edinburgh at 7.20am. The journey between Edinburgh to Newcastle is gorgeous, with stunning views of the North Sea and the Northumberland coast. Although catching that 5am train will require a very early morning, you’ll be rewarded with a world-class sunrise. Photograph: Shutterstock Tickets start as low as £8 one way, and that’s without a railcard, which is part of the reason that Newcastle is one of favourite day trips from Edinburgh. Now, that trip will be easier than ever. Although most services will remain the same w

It’s been a good year for Jet2. This summer that advert enjoyed the sort of online virality that marketing teams pray for, and the other week the carrier was named the most reliable provider in the UK. That streak of great news isn’t over – Jet2 has just announced that it will soon start flying from London Gatwick Airport, in what bosses say is a ‘game-changer’ for customers. According to Jet2 CEO Steve Heapy, it’s been a long-held ambition for the airline to join its competitors in the Sussex hub. Gatwick is the UK’s (and London’s) second largest airport, and already home to several low-cost operators like Wizz Air, Ryanair, and easyJet. Heapy described the move as a ‘once in a generation opportunity to accelerate our growth’, adding that it will give consumers more choice about where they go and when, particularly in the summer months. An aviation expert told the Independent that extra competition at Gatwick will ‘benefit the consumer with lower prices and better flight times’. The airline also says that adding Gatwick to its roster will create nearly 300 jobs, ranging from cabin crew and pilots to engineers and ground staff. Several London airports are about to receive billion-pound upgrades Six Jet2 planes will be based at Gatwick, made possible by the ‘release of additional capacity by the airport’. This is only part of broader expansion plans, which include the controversial decision to add an extra runway before 2030. And it’s not alone – all of the capital’s largest a

One thing we do exceptionally well in the UK is big old houses. Castles, palaces, manors; we’ve got them all, and in the year 2025 very few of them are home to dukes or ladies anymore. Even for stately homes, Chatsworth is on the ‘wow’ side. The Derbyshire estate consists of hundreds of acres of pruned gardens, farmland and Derbyshire countryside right next to the Peak District National Park, with a huge (and we mean huge) limestone house right in the middle. It’s also a movie star, playing Mr Darcy’s home in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice adaptation – a bust of Matthew Macfadyen as Darcy remains on display to this day. Have we sold it to you yet? If so, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank to visit, because the estate has opened up a brand new low-cost hotel just down the road. The Hide hotel is a much more modest affair than some of Chatsworth’s other overnight stays which range from fancy hotels to a historic hunting-tower, but that’s why a double room starts at £90 per night instead of £400. RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnbs in the Peak District for a countryside escape Once a Premier Inn, this roadside property has been given a makeover since it was acquired by Chatsworth. Some new decor, refurbished rooms, and a brand new restaurant are just some of the upgrades made by the team, and everything has been planned with families in mind, from the bunk beds built into family rooms to the small play area in the breakfast lounge. Right on your doorstep is miles of gorgeo

Is there anything we spend more time thinking about than food? Three times a day you’ve got to pick something to eat, then gobble it down, then start planning the next meal. Since nosh is such a fundamental part of life, you may as well make it something that you look forward to. Often, the best and easiest way to spice up your diet (literally) is just to head outside and try a new restaurant, but that works better in places with thriving culinary scenes. If you aren’t lucky enough to live somewhere with a diverse range of restaurants, don’t worry; newspaper The i has just revealed a list of what it reckons are the best city breaks for foodies in Europe, and one of them is here in Britain. Edinburgh was the only UK city to make the i’s list. It described the Scottish capital as ‘one of the UK’s most exciting food destinations’, citing ‘a new generation of passionate chefs’ as the main cause. The newspaper highlighted the increasing number of new ‘indie’ restaurants, often ‘specialising in ingredient-led menus, innovative concepts and a more laid-back approach to dining’ than the more austere spots that historically dominated Edinburgh’s high-end food scene. Basically you can still get all of the same quality, just without the pretentiousness or concern that you’ll end up using the wrong spoon. Photograph: Shutterstock If all of this talk has got you hungry and you now want to plan a foodie break, the i recommends heading to Cardinal, the Palmerston, or Noto; all of which fe

Winter has arrived, and with it the sort of weather that makes you want to stay in bed with a heated blanket until the daffodils start to make their return. However, if you’re willing to venture outside, you might find that a little winter break is all it takes to make you excited about the icy season. Although escaping the Christmas chaos and giving yourself something to look forward to are great reasons for planning a trip, there’s another, less talked about perk – seeing all of Europe’s most iconic cities without quite so many tourists to get in your way.  Time Out has just published a dazzling list of Europe’s best winter city breaks. Our top choice? Athens. The Greek capital may be known as a summer destination, but with temperatures reaching unmanageable highs of 40C in the summer, we’re here to tell you it’s even more enjoyable around this time of year. Time Out writer John Ovans loved Athens in the winter so much that he decided to bed in for the whole season last year. According to Ovans, ‘the city never goes into full hibernation mode’, so there’s plenty to do September-March. Ovans reckons that Athens could be [coming] for Lisbon’s crown’ as the premier European city for digital nomads thanks to ‘cheap living, a warm lifestyle, and a gritty-glamorous vibe’. Still not enough to entice you? Despite any concerns you may have, the weather remains pretty pleasant, as Ovans explains: ‘on a good winter day you might get up to the high teens, or even low‑20s on rare extra