Grace Beard

Amsterdam is one of the world’s best cities, no doubt about it. And as a tourism capital, it’s no surpise that it’s stuffed full of beautiful hotels, from 18th century canal houses to converted bridge keepers’ houses and seriously high-grade hotels.  So if you’re looking for a tip-top place to bed down after a day out 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 June 2024: We’ve just added three hotels to this list, in time for summer, including the Hoxton’s second outpost in the city. See our brand-new reviews 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 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. 

Los que no viven en ciudades te dirán que son lugares ajetreados, solitarios y caros. Y puede que algo de eso sea cierto, pero hay una razón por la que tanta gente elige vivir en las urbes: cuentan con espacios dedicados al arte y cultura de clase mundial, gastronomía y vida nocturna inmejorables, barrios vibrantes y una impresionante cantidad de cosas que hacer y ver. Simplemente, no hay mejor lugar donde estar. Cada año preguntamos a miles de habitantes de todo el planeta sobre la vida en sus ciudades. Este año, más de 18.500 residentes han compartido sus opiniones sobre todo tipo de temas, desde la comida, la vida nocturna y la cultura hasta la asequibilidad, la felicidad y el ambiente general de la ciudad. Ya que la vida urbana puede resultar a veces alienante y costosa, este año queríamos saber qué es exactamente lo que hace que una ciudad te haga sentir como en casa. Claro que la vida nocturna es estupenda, pero ¿es la ciudad segura y transitable? ¿Hay comida y arte de calidad a un precio razonable? ¿Es fácil hacer amigos, encontrar el amor y disfrutar de la naturaleza? La habitabilidad ha sido un factor clave en nuestra clasificación de este año. Pero una buena ciudad para vivir es, naturalmente, una gran ciudad para visitar. Así que, junto con los miles de respuestas que nos han dado los habitantes de las metrópolis de todo el mundo, hemos pedido a los expertos en ciudades de Time Out que voten sobre las ciudades que, en su opinión, son lugares especialmente inter

Trouver la ville la plus cool du monde chaque année, c’est notre passion chez Time Out ! En 2025, on a tout passé à la moulinette pour mieux comprendre ce qui rend une ville vraiment vivable. Est-ce qu’on peut marcher dans la rue sans flipper ? Est-ce que l’art et la bouffe sont accessibles sans braquer une banque ? Est-ce qu’on peut facilement se faire des potes, tomber amoureux, ou juste respirer un peu d’air frais ? Parce qu’une ville où il fait bon vivre, c’est aussi une ville où il fait bon voyager. En plus des votes de notre réseau d’experts, cette année, on a demandé à 18 500 citadins de nous filer leur avis sur leur chez-soi. Gastronomie, vie nocturne, culture, coût de la vie, baromètre du bonheur… On a tout mixé, trituré et recoupé, et voici le verdict : le top ultime des meilleures villes du monde en 2025, by Time Out (dont deux Françaises, Paris, 19e, et Marseille, 38e).

Boasting the likes of Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan, it’s no surprise that Italy is one of the most visited places in Europe (and the world). And the magic of Italy is that you can travel there every year and never, ever have a similar holiday twice. From the Dolomites’ sweeping mountains to the gritty city life of Sicily’s Palermo, this country has every kind of holiday destination imaginable.  How should you decide where to go in Italy? Deciding where to go in Italy is a tough call, but it also really depends on what kind of holiday you want (and what time of year it is). For a packed few days seeing sights and eating lovely food, go for Florence, Rome or Venice. But for a laid-back, villa-style escape in nature, consider the Tuscan countryside. The best bit? You don’t even have to choose – Intercity trains mean you can jump from city to city easily and affordably, and tick a bunch off in one holiday. We’ve included recommendations for all the best spots in Italy on our list below – enjoy! Recommended:🏖️ The best beaches in Italy🏝️ The best islands in Italy🏫 The best small towns and villages in Italy☀️ The best things to do in Italy Ella Doyle and Grace Beard are Time Out’s travel 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 affi

Els qui no viuen en ciutats diran que són llocs atrafegats, solitaris i cars. I potser tenen part de raó, però hi ha altres raons per les quals tanta gent tria viure a les urbs: tenen espais dedicats a l’art i la cultura de classe mundial, gastronomia i vida nocturna immillorables, barris vibrants i una impressionant quantitat de coses a fer i veure. Simplement, no hi ha millor lloc on estar. Cada any preguntem a milers d’habitants de tot el planeta sobre la vida a les seves ciutats. Aquest any, més de 18.500 residents han compartit les seves opinions sobre tota mena de temes, des de menjar, vida nocturna i cultura fins a l'assequibilitat, la felicitat i l’ambient general de la ciutat. Ja que la vida urbana de vegades pot resultar a alienant i costosa, aquest any volíem saber què és exactament allò que fa que una ciutat et faci sentir com a casa. És clar que la vida nocturna és estupenda, però, la ciutat és segura i transitable? Hi ha menjar i art de qualitat a un preu raonable? És fàcil fer-hi amics, trobar-hi l’amor i gaudir-hi de la natura? L’habitabilitat ha estat un factor clau en la nostra classificació d’aquest any. Però una bona ciutat per viure és, naturalment, una gran ciutat per visitar. Així que, juntament amb els milers de respostes que ens han donat els habitants de les metròpolis de tot el món, hem demanat als experts en ciutats de Time Out que votessin sobre les ciutats que, a parer seu, són llocs especialment interessants per veure i estar el 2025. Què hem ob

People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world right now🌎 The best things to do in the

Landing in Tenerife on a packed February flight from London Gatwick, most Brits aboard will be making their way to the sunny south, where resorts and volcanic black-sand beaches skirt the coast. But we’re heading north, to the island’s capital Santa Cruz de Tenerife, a city in the throes of its annual carnival – after Rio, the second-biggest on the planet.  A major stop on the cruise trail, Santa Cruz is an artsy little city. Among its many public installations is the Islas, 1995 light installation in Garcia Sanabria Park, where the names of art greats from Pollock to Miro are illuminated in the treetops as the sun goes down. Then there's the striking Auditorio de Tenerife, a cultural centre beneath a sweeping white arc on the city’s waterfront, reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House. It’s a fitting place to host the island’s biggest cultural celebration, an event where being vibrant and expressive is pretty much a requisite. Auditorio de Tenerife | Photograph: Torben Knauer/Shutterstock We arrive a good few hours before the party really starts, but I’ve already spied a handful of groups in impressively detailed and coordinated costumes, including a half-dozen Jack Sparrows posing for a photo on a bar patio. In our hotel, the sleek Grand Mencey, a carnival rep in full costume and make-up works the lobby, and the hotel’s shop touts fluorescent feather boas and Venetian masks. These last-minute accessories are, of course, for visitors like me, who shoved a pink sparkly skirt

We live and breathe city life at Time Out, so to us, there’s no better way to spend a precious long weekend than by cramming in as much food, nightlife and culture as possible in one of Europe’s many great metropolises. This vast, diverse continent is home to hundreds of cities that tick all the boxes of the perfect break. You have the classics: Rome, Amsterdam, Paris. And then you have the second cities, the obscure cultural capitals, and those surprising little places that make for the ideal affordable city break.  But with so many options, where should you head in 2025? Well, we’ve narrowed it down for you: in our list of Europe’s best city breaks, everywhere from Ireland to Italy is covered. Why leave it at one? Take advantage of Europe’s amazing new train services and cram in a couple. RECOMMENDED: 📍 The absolute best things to do in Europe🗺 The most underrated travel destinations in Europe🛤 The ultimate Europe Interrailing itinerary

Of all the many things that have been upended since 2020, office life is one of the biggest. While some of us have settled into a half-office, half-home working hybrid set-up, others have taken the opportunity to untether themselves entirely from the workplace and copped themselves a visa that enables them to live and work remotely. While there are downsides to the digital nomad lifestyle, we’re still living in an era where digital nomadism is bigger than ever. Many destinations are selling themselves as idyllic remote-working spots, with visas that allow you to live and work there for up to a year – or sometimes even longer. Here’s a guide to the countries offering digital nomad visas right now, and how you can qualify. And here’s what it’s actually like to be a digital nomad – and how to become one yourself.

Lisbon has become something of a tourist hotspot in recent years and with this comes the rise of big hotel chains. But as a Time Out reader, we know you'll be after somewhere with a little more je ne sais quoi. That's why, when we drew up this list, we took into account design, location, service, amenities, architecture and value for money, while also considering vibe and aesthetic. From low-key and tasteful boutiques to hotel spas bursting with luxury, the options are all here for you. Now, all you need to do is pick a fave… RECOMMENDED: The best things to do in LisbonThe best boutique hotels in LisbonThe best eateries at Time Out Market Lisboa Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Lisbon is the city for aesthetes. Or rather, it’s the city for anyone who has ever accidentally walked into a lamppost, fallen down the curb or tripped over thin air trying to take the perfect shot of urban beauty. From massive monasteries to those gorgeous rambling streets and – oh! – the interiors of the churches, this city is a visual feast and then some. So where better to find somewhere equally lavish and artfully decked out to stay in than the Portuguese capital? When so many of a city’s hotels are, quite literally, named after palaces, you know you’re onto a winner when it comes to luxury accommodation options. We’ve rounded up a long-ish list of our favourites, including some longtime faves and a few characterful newbies. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed. Updated December 2024: We've updated our list with two incredible hotels in the mix: The Lumiares Hotel & Spa and the As Janelas Verdes Inn. Enjoy! RECOMMENDED:The best things to do in LisbonThe best Airbnbs in LisbonThe best boutique hotels in Lisbon Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

2025 is set to be a momentous year when it comes to travel. Citywide celebrations and milestone anniversaries will be taking place in Amsterdam and Rome, sparkling new cultural centres are flinging open their doors in Rotterdam, New York and Abu Dhabi, and there are fresh chances to see some wonderful wildlife in Australia, Singapore and Greenland – but that’s just the beginning. Read on for our roundup of the 25 coolest, weirdest and most adventurous new things to do across the world in 2025, no matter your whereabouts or budget. RECOMMENDED:🇬🇧 The best things to do in the UK in 2025🛍️ The coolest neighbourhoods in the world🎪 The world’s best music festivals for 2025🌃 The best cities in the world right now  

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

Catching sight of My Arbor for the first time is an experience that can’t be overstated. First of all, you’ve already arrived in the impossibly beautiful, straight-from-a-fairytale town of Bressanone, and done the winding drive up green slopes where all you can hear is the faint tinkle of a cowbell. Now you’re in the trees, looking up at a wooden cuboid that seems precariously perched on the skinny trunks of the surrounding pines. My Arbor lives every bit upto its self-billed ‘tree hotel’ title. Inside, you’re hit with a tremendous view over the tree-blanketed South Tyrolean mountains from the hotel restaurant’s sweeping terrace. Above you, thick wooden branches hang like a chandelier. Even the reception desk is made up of two gigantic trunks. Our suite (we stayed in the ‘nest’) is appropriately wood-panelled, with a balcony and window nook overlooking the valley and hills. You could stay in your nook all day watching mountain peaks get swallowed by clouds, but you’re much better off donning your robe and taking the lift down to the spa, where you can drink in all those views from a hydrotherapy infinity pool.  By far the pièce de résistance, Spa Arboris is a maze of pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation zones spread across the hotel’s lower levels. After a morning hike (we went alone, but the hotel offers guided hikes, forest bathing and all sorts of other activities to guests), I spent an afternoon cocooned in calm here, swimming the length of the indoor-outdoor heated

It’s fair to expect any spa hotel in Leamington Spa, a Warwickshire town with a long history of harbouring bath houses built around its natural saline springs, to be worth its salt. Nineteenth-century Midlanders in need of some R&R would come to Leamington in search of ‘the cure’ to any number of ailments. Despite rapid development, today the town remains a go-to for weekenders in search of a reviving getaway – and they could do a lot worse than opting for Mallory Court, a palatial yet cosy country manor house and spa on the outskirts of town. Surrounded by endless countryside, we explored the vast grounds before dinner, strolling past manicured lawns, a rose garden bursting with blooms, a chef’s garden full of herbs and vegetables and an apiary. When the British summertime brought its inevitable drizzle, we were relaxing in the heated, bubbling outdoor vitality pool, so no complaints there. Completing the spa’s offerings is a Finnish-style sauna, small but ideal if you manage to get it to yourself or your group. The indoor pool with attached jacuzzi managed to be that perfect, just-right temperature, and felt like silk to swim in. The spa experience fell down for us slightly when we couldn’t get the indoor steam room to be as hot or steamy as we’d have liked, but that could’ve easily been our own oversight.  You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to treatment options. I opted for the full-body exfoliation (perfect) while my guest went for the drift away massage. She spoke a

Way back in 2009, during Derren Brown’s televised event ‘How to Control the Nation’, a friend of mine claimed she’d been subliminally controlled and that she was physically unable to stand up from her seat. Being teenagers, and apparently raging cynics, we all took the piss out of her relentlessly. After watching his latest live extravaganza ‘Showman’, I have to apologise to my mate. Perhaps it was a trick of the light; perhaps I’ve become much more receptive to subliminal suggestion as I’ve aged: however he did it, Brown got me. I can sincerely say that, despite my best efforts to remain a skeptic, a good five to ten seconds were completely erased from my memory.  Without stating the obvious, if you’ve only ever seen Derren Brown on the telly, only in person do you really experience how hypnotic he is. There’s an excitable, almost unruly audience at the Apollo on opening night, but it doesn’t take much for them to become puppets at the end of the illusionist’s string. Brown’s unwavering poise and trademark gallows humour carry a show that swings – often very suddenly – on the pendulum between playful and sobering, heartfelt and horrifying.  The show’s tricks lean on these polarities. One minute there’s a circus-like atmosphere, with balloon-popping games, giant teddy bears and clever card tricks; but before you know it, Brown can rapidly turn the mood on its head. Without giving too much away, it’s the moments of solemn hush that will stay with you after the show, rather tha

Every year, we survey thousands of city-dwellers across the planet about life in their hometown right now. Why? To create our annual ranking of the world’s best cities. The list celebrates cities where locals feel most at home and where visitors love to explore. This year, locals were quizzed on everything from food and nightlife to happiness and romance. We then asked Time Out’s network of city experts to vote on the hubs they think are the most exciting places to visit this year, and after crunching all that data, 2025’s list has landed. Not only did three African cities make the cut, but one South African hub scored the top prize. That’s right – this year, we crowned Cape Town the world’s best city! The ‘Mother City’, as it’s affectionately known, earned the accolade thanks to high praise from locals: 95 percent of Capetonians gave the city’s food scene a high rating, while a whopping 97 percent said their city makes them happy. As Andrew Hallett, content director for Time Out South Africa puts it: ‘Where else in the world can you hang out with a colony of African penguins, taste some of the world’s finest wines, stroll along Blue Flag beaches, enjoy stunning views from atop one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, and sample some of the most eclectic nightlife and vibes in the world… all in one day?’ We can’t argue with that. Elsewhere on the list, Marrakech came in 37th, with local expert Sally Kirby praising the city’s hospitality and burgeoning food scene. Lagos in Nigeria

Spain is one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations for good reason: it’s packed with fabulous city breaks, world-class beaches and enough food and culture to make any trip a memorable one. But its popularity comes at a price – in destinations like Barcelona and the Canary Islands, unregulated mass tourism is pushing up rental prices and generally making life a lot more difficult for locals. And now, authorities are finally doing something about it. Is Spain banning tourists? No, not quite – but certain new rules and restrictions might impact your next trip to the country. Here’s what’s going on. What is the Spain ‘tourism ban’? Spain isn’t banning tourists entirely, but following anti-tourism protests in places like Barcelona and Tenerife, authorities have begun to introduce bans and restrictions that will, hopefully, make life easier for residents. The biggest change for travellers will be the availability of accommodation, as some of the most in-demand areas across the country are clamping down on the number of holiday lets.  These restrictions come after new rules were introduced in places like Malaga and Majorca last year that aim to put a stop to disrespectful tourist behaviour. Seville also introduced rules to prohibit ‘obscene’ behaviour in 2023. Which areas are affected? This week, a new cap on holiday lets was introduced in 43 districts across Malaga, meaning no new licenses will be granted for tourist apartments in the city’s most crowded areas. The ban will

Iceland is a popular travel destination thanks to its unique natural landscapes, hot springs and the opportunity to witness the elusive Northern Lights. It’s typically regarded as a super safe place for travellers and expats – but that doesn’t mean it isn’t susceptible to natural disasters. A volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula has erupted for the seventh time since December, with a new fissure (which is about 3 km long) opening at 11.14pm local time on Wednesday November 20. Understandably, those with trips booked to Iceland might wonder whether visiting the country is safe. This is everything we know about travelling to Iceland right now. Is it safe to travel to Iceland?   Despite Wednesday’s eruption, neither the UK Foreign Office nor the US Department of State are recommending against travel – though the advice to avoid the affected area which was announced after the August eruption remains in place.  The latest eruption poses no threat to air travel, according to the Independent, however warnings from the Civil Protection Authority have been issued due to the gas being emitted into the peninsula near Grindavík.  Given the eruptions have been going on for months now, scientists say the geological system could be active for decades, maybe even centuries. However, it’s being constantly monitored, and in response to the eruptions local authorities have constructed barriers to redirect lava flows away from essential infrastructure, such as the Svartsengi power plant and the Bl

A semana de trabalho de quatro dias está a deixar de ser um sonho impossível? Quase todas as empresas de todos os países que até agora experimentaram a semana de trabalho mais curta consideraram-na um êxito, com maior produtividade, maior satisfação no trabalho e menos stress. De acordo com os resultados de um novo estudo, a Islândia é a prova dos méritos de dar aos trabalhadores um dia extra de folga. Após o sucesso de projectos-piloto em 2015 e 2019, o país nórdico implementou oficialmente uma semana de trabalho mais curta, reduzindo o horário normal de 40 para 36 horas. Entre 2020 e 2022, 51% dos trabalhadores aceitaram a oferta de horários reduzidos sem perda de remuneração. O resultado? Uma economia em expansão, baixas taxas de desemprego e trabalhadores muito felizes. Chocante, não é? O estudo, divulgado pelo The Autonomy Institute e pela Alda, concluiu que 62% dos trabalhadores que aceitaram uma semana de trabalho mais curta se sentiam mais satisfeitos com o seu tempo de trabalho, enquanto 97% sentiam que tinham um melhor equilíbrio entre a vida profissional e pessoal. 42% acreditavam que trabalhar menos horas também tinha diminuído o stress na sua vida pessoal. Mas não são apenas os trabalhadores que estão a colher os frutos. Em 2023, a economia da Islândia cresceu 5% (a segunda maior taxa de crescimento em toda a Europa), enquanto sua taxa de desemprego era de pouco mais de 3% (uma das mais baixas da Europa). Em suma, a semana de quatro dias foi um grande sucesso na

もはや「週休3日」は夢物語ではないのかもしれない。これまで、週4日勤務をトライアル導入した多くの国とその企業で、生産性が向上。仕事への満足度が高まり、ストレスも軽減されたという報告がされているのだ。 労働者の休日を増やすメリットを実証している国の一つにアイスランドがある。2015年と2019年のトライアル導入に成功した後、同国は週の標準労働時間を40時間から36時間に減らす「時短勤務」を正式に採用。 2020年から2022年にかけて、51％の労働者が給与を落とさずに労働時間を短縮するという働き方を受け入れている。その結果、アイスランドでは景気が良くなり、失業率が低下。労働者の幸福度が大きく向上したという。 イギリスのシンクタンクのAutonomy Instituteと、民主主義や可能性、労働などの分野に特化したアイスランドの団体Aldaが発表した調査によると、アイスランドで短時間勤務に切り替えた労働者の62％が自分の労働時間に満足している、97％がワークライフバランスが取れていると感じているそうだ。また、42％が時短勤務によって私生活でのストレスが減ったと考えていることも明らかになった。週休3日の恩恵は労働者だけではなく、国自体も受けている。アイスランドの2023年の経済成長率は5％（ヨーロッパで2番目に高い）で、失業率は3％強（ヨーロッパで最も低い値の一つ）だったのだ。総じて、週休3日制はアイスランドで大成功を収めたといえる。 では、ほかのヨーロッパ諸国もこれに追随するのかというと、本格的な取り組みはまだ先の話になりそうである。 2022年に大規模なトライアルを実施したイギリスでは、参加した多くの企業が週4日勤務を恒久的に採用している。アイルランド、スペイン、ドイツなどでも同様の試みは行われているが、ヨーロッパにおいてアイスランド以外で週休3日制を正式に法制化した国は、ベルギーのみとなっているのが現状だ。今後、各国の労働環境の変化を見極めて、住む場所を選ぶのもいいかもしれない。 関連記事 『It’s official: Iceland’s four-day work week is a huge success（原文）』 『ドイツが外国人の就労機会を拡大、「チャンスカード」制度がスタート』 『週の労働時間が最も短い国はオランダ』 『2024年、世界で最も安全で平和な国は？』 『世界で最もLGBTQ+の人々に友好的な都市はレイキャビック』 『世界で最もワークライフバランスが取れている国は？』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

More than a month’s worth of rain fell in just one day in some parts of Spain on Tuesday, triggering flash floods to sweep through the country’s southeastern region. At least 62 people have been killed in the floods so far, while roads have been closed and train services cancelled.  Understandably, those with a trip booked to the region might be concerned about whether it’s safe to travel right now. Here’s what we know so far.  Where are the floods in Spain? The floods have largely impacted southeastern Spain, including the popular holiday hotspot of Costa del Sol. The area surrounding Valencia has seen catastrophic damage, with president of the region Carlos Mazón stating at a press conference on Wednesday morning that it’s ‘impossible to offer a precise figure’ of the number of people killed.  Towns near Malaga have also been severely affected, with residents stranded and homes damaged.  This map shows the area worst affected by the floods. Image: Time Out Is it safe to travel? Flights in and out of Valencia were diverted or cancelled yesterday, though there is no news of further cancellations today. If you’re in the region, you should follow advice from local authorities to stay inside until the rain ceases.  The UK government has not officially advised against travelling to Spain, though it has added a warning to its travel advice page: ‘Severe weather and flooding is affecting many areas of Southern and Eastern Spain, particularly the Valencia region and Castilla La M

Is the four-day working week becoming less of a pipe dream? Almost every company in every country that has so far trialled the shorter working week has deemed it successful, with higher productivity, greater job satisfaction and less stress reported across the board. And Iceland is testament to the merits of giving workers an extra day off, according to the results of a new study. After successful pilot schemes in 2015 and 2019, the Nordic country officially implemented a shorter working week, reducing standard hours from 40 to 36. Between 2020 and 2022, 51 percent of workers accepted the offer of reduced hours with no loss of pay. The result? A booming economy, low unemployment rates and very happy workers. Shocking, right? The study, released by The Autonomy Institute and Alda, found that 62 percent of workers who’d taken on a shorter working week felt more satisfied with their working time, while a whopping 97 percent felt they had a better work-life balance. 42 percent believed that working shorter hours had decreased stress in their personal lives, too. But it’s not just workers who are reaping the rewards. In 2023, Iceland’s economy grew by 5 percent (the second-highest growth rate across Europe) while its unemployment rate was just over 3 percent (one of the lowest in Europe).  RECOMMENDED: Is the work-from-anywhere dream already over? All in all, the four-day week has been a major success in Iceland. But will other European countries follow suit? Well, that’s tbd. Var

After trialling a €5 entry fee for day-trippers last summer, the city of Venice has now confirmed that its tourist tax will be rolled out again next year – and this time, certain visitors will have to pay double the amount to enter the Floating City.  While tourists who book to visit the city over four days in advance will be charged a standard fee of €5, those with last-minute reservations will be charged €10. The tax will also be extended to cover a longer period next year, running over 54 days from April 18 to July 27. The silver lining? The fee will only be applied at peak times, meaning weekends and holidays from 8.30am to 4pm. Plus, it looks like the trial run proved successful.  Despite being delayed several times and facing huge protests on the day of its launch, Venice pursued the tax on day-trippers in a bid to curb tourist numbers. Over 29 days between April 25 and July 14 this year, the QR code was downloaded and the tax paid no less than 485,062 times.  Those who failed random checks within that time faced fines of between €50 and €300 (£53 to £257) – you’re better off just paying the €5, eh?  Overall, the scheme generated a hefty €2.4 million, which officials say was put toward restoration and maintenance of areas popular with tourists. It’s been lauded as a success by the city, and even a ‘cultural revolution’ by Venice’s top tourist official Simone Venturini, according to Sky News. But the entry fee still has its naysayers. Opposition councillor Giovanni An

Nearly a month after wildfires blazed on the Portuguese island of Madeira, more fires have broken out in mainland Portugal. Seven people have reportedly died in the fires, which were spreading between the northern district of Aveiro and Porto last week.  Understandably, those with a trip booked might be worried about whether visiting Portugal right now is safe. Here’s everything we know so far about the fires and the latest advice for UK and US travellers. Where are the fires in Portugal? The fires began to spread in the northern and central regions of Portugal on Monday September 16, leading to several towns being evacuated. The north-western Aveiro district saw the worst of the blaze, with fires reaching the outskirts of the town of Albergaria-a-Velha.  A portion of the highway connecting Porto and Lisbon was been closed off, and several train lines in the north of the country were suspended. Around 5,300 firefighters were tackling the blaze at one point.  Has Porto or the Algarve been impacted by the fires? The fires are not impacting southern Portugal, so the Algarve has not been affected. However, Porto is much closer to the affected region, and the main highway between the city and Lisbon was been closed. Also, according to the Guardian, wildfires in the Aveiro district and in Porto have led to dozens of houses being destroyed and more local road closures. What started the fires? Despite a wet and rainy start to the summer season, meaning fewer recorded wildfires acros

This summer in Europe has been characterised by extreme weather, with blistering heatwaves in Greece and storms in Switzerland, Italy and France in July alone. Now, parts of central Europe including Poland, Czechia and Slovakia have been engulfed by extreme floods after a month’s worth of rain fell in just 24 hours over the weekend. Storm Boris has led to road closures, power outages and up to 24 deaths so far. The storm is now impacting northern Italy, with the country’s meteorological service issuing alerts.  So, here’s everything you need to know about travelling to the affected regions and how to help. Where’s the flooding in Europe? Storm Boris has caused catastrophic damage across countries in Eastern and Central Europe, including Poland, Romania, Austria, Czechia, Hungary and Slovakia. The worst-affected areas include the border between Poland and Czechia, as well as Austria and Romania.  In Austria, the region surrounding Vienna has been declared a disaster zone, while people have drowned in Poland and Romania. An entire Polish city of 44,000 was evacuated, and several people have been reported missing in Czechia. Hundreds of houses have been destroyed. As of Thursday September 19, the storm has now reached Italy, with the meteorological service issuing warnings for the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Lazio.  Storm Boris map Where is Storm Boris? Here are the countries worst affected by the flooding. Image: Time Out Is it safe to travel? The UK government has issued w

Train aficionados, listen up. Austrian rail operator ÖBB has launched not one, but two brand new sleeper routes to the Italian capital this week. The new routes, which will shuttle passengers from Vienna and Munich to Rome, kicked off this week to coincide with the launch of ÖBB’s brand-new (and very swish) Nightjet trains. These new trains represent a huge upgrade to ÖBB’s overnight fleet, with enhanced comfort and privacy for rail travellers. So what can you expect? The new trains feature seven cars, including two seating cars, three couchette cars and two sleeping cars. Among the upgraded features is free wifi, more space for luggage, more charging sockets and ‘mobile phone-permeable windows’. Sounds pretty fancy, right? You can read more about the new trains and the other routes they’ll be running on here. At the launch of the Vienna-Rome service on September 10, ÖBB CEO Andreas Matthä called the new-generation trains ‘a game-changer for night train travel in Europe’, according to Railtech. ‘It brings a huge leap in comfort and also offers significantly more privacy for our travellers,’ Matthä continued.  Vienna is fast becoming Europe’s night train capital, with more sleeper train connections than any other EU capital. Prices for the Vienna-Rome service on the new-generation Nightjet trains start at €34.90 for a seated carriage, €54.90 per person for a bed in a four-person couchette (solo travellers can pay the same price for a mini cabin with the advance Sparschiene tic

Non-EU citizens travelling to or through the bloc: your trips are soon going to get just that little bit more expensive. From mid-2025, anyone travelling on passports from several countries around the world between the ages of 18 and 70 will have to pay €7 (£6, $7.50) to enter or transit through any EU country. A new visa system for visiting EU countries called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is set to come into force. When it’s launched next year, visitors will need an official ETIAS visa waiver in order to keep visiting European countries. It will be required for trips of up to 90 days (if you want to stay longer, you’ll need another visa entirely) for both tourists and business travellers, and will need to be obtained at least 96 hours before departure. And while this might all sound quite complicated (and spenny), it isn’t as bad as it sounds. The fee doesn’t have to be paid every time you enter an EU country. The waiver lasts for three years, so you only have to get a new one either once it runs out or if you get a new passport. While the requirement for Brits to use the ETIAS visa waiver system is a consequence of Brexit, it also applies to passport-holders of plenty of other countries around the world. From the USA and Canada to Brazil, Japan and Australia, a grand total of 60 countries are eligible. You can see a full list of ETIAS countries here. So when exactly will the ETIAS system come into effect? Initially, it was supposed to be