Grace Beard

We know that London is the best city in the world. But like any metropolis, it can also get a bit much sometimes.  Occasionally, what you want isn’t to drink cocktails in a trendy bar after seeing the hottest Gen Z bedroom popstar at the Islington Assembly Hall, but a little peace and quiet, actually. Enter: the weekend getaway, invented by the Victorians (probably), there’s a reason why Londoners have been taking sojourns to the seaside on sunny bank holidays since the 1800s.  In fact, for the sake of my own sanity and that of those I love, I try not to go longer than two months at a time without venturing outside of the M25, if only for a wee day trip to somewhere with some greenery and/or a bit of coastline. After more than a decade living in London, I’ve done my fair share of exploring its outskirts – as have the native and adopted Londoners that comprise my colleagues on Time Out London’s editorial team. Together, we’ve come up with a cracking list of our favourite day trip destinations near London. There’s something for everyone here, from historic cities and cute villages to sandy beaches and rolling countryside.  And we’ve included some recommendations for ace restaurants, quaint little pubs, and our favourite things to do at each destination on the list – all of which are close enough to the city that you can get there and back in one sweet day.  Feeling a little tense after being cooped up in the concrete jungle for too long? Here’s everything you need to start plan

Want a drink? You've come to the right place. This is Time Out’s list of best bars in London, our curated guide to London’s drinking scene, featuring the buzziest booze dens in the capital right now. If it’s on this list, it’s excellent. These are the 50 places we'd recommend to a friend, because we love drinking in them and have done many times over. From classy cocktail joints to delightful dives, hotel bars, speakeasys, bottle shops, rooftops and wine bars, London's got them all. But what makes a truly good bar? Well, our critieria for inclusion on this list is simple; a menu of genius drinks is important, but so is overall vibe – there’s no point having the perfect paloma if you have to drink it in a bar that smells of bins. To make the Top 50 a bar has to be fun, full of lovely folk, be inclusive and also look the part.  The latest additions to our list include whisky wonderland Dram Bar on Denmark Street, the hypnotic Bar Lotus in Dalston, Below Stone Nest in Chinatown, Rasputin’s by London Fields, and Bar Lina, an Italian aperitivo spot underneath a famous Soho deli. Now go forth and drink. RECOMMENDED: Like bars? Then you'll love London's best pubs.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor, and she'll have a dirty gin martini if you're buying. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.

Solo female travel has gone far beyond ‘having a moment’ as more women than ever before continue to jet off on their own adventures, and it doesn’t look like the trend is going anywhere. For many, far-flung destinations on the other side of the world are top of the agenda, but those among us who are starting out might be keen to opt for somewhere a little closer to home.  That’s where we come in – Time Out has already compiled a guide on how to maximise your safety and minimise your stress on your first, third, or thirtieth solo trip, but now we’re here with a comprehensive guide to the best destinations in Europe. So, from whole countries which are known for their safety to cities with some of the world’s most outstanding public transport, all complimented with a helping of brilliant culture, pretty streets and impeccable local food, here are our top picks for the best solo female travel destinations in Europe. RECOMMENDED:🌎 The best places in the world to travel alone🎫 The best solo female travel destinations in the world🌃 The best cities in the world🗺️ The best things to do in the world this year Liv Kelly is Time Out’s travel writer. 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.

January is (thankfully) nearing its end. You know what that means? It’s high time you book that trip you’ve been thinking about. The question is, where to go? Well, we at Time Out have some ideas. We asked our editors for the number one destination they think should be on travellers’ radar this year, whether for unmissable events or cool new hotels, unspoiled nature or a growing dining scene. Our sights are set on foodie trips in Spain, starry skies in Norway, surf breaks in Siargao – and much more where that came from. Here are 12 amazing places we think you should explore in 2025. RECOMMENDED:🌇 The best cities in the world in 2025🗺️ The 25 best things to do around the world in 2025🧳 Five countries that really need more travellers this year

Crying out for that taste of summer freedom, heat on your face and more festivals than you can shake a stick out? You’ve got to book a holiday in July. And it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to burn up either: we’ve included destinations on our list that are great for ‘coolcations’, sunbathing and more.  Our list of the best places to visit in July touches every corner of the globe (the globe doesn’t have corners, for the record), from Montreal and Madagascar to the Netherlands and New Zealand. So bring out your swimsuits or shorts and get ready for the summer of a lifetime. Just make sure to book ahead: it goes without saying that July is a very, very busy month indeed. Happy travels! RECOMMENDED: 📍 The best cities in the world for 2025🏘️ The world’s coolest neighbourhoods📸 The world’s best cities for culture  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. This guide includes affiliate links, which have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

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

The humble brunch is perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the modern age. Breakfast is too early to really get stuck into, while eating eggs and downing buckets of coffee at lunchtime seems odd. Brunch, then, is the one true morning-ish meal, especially if it incorporates pancakes, bacon and those aforementioned eggs – or a totally vegan take on proceedings like at LD's at The Black Heart in Camden or WAVE in Hackney. London is particularly well stocked with places to indulge in the famous breakfast/lunch hybrid – the latest addition to this list is FKA Black Axe Mangal in Highbury, which has just started serving weekend brunch (don’t forgot to order a pig cheek and prune donut). Let us guide you to the best restaurants for a fabulous brunch in our city, from a traditional full English to innovative twists on the majestic meal, such as a bacon bao brunch. And it’s not just a weekend treat; some of these spots serve brunch every single day.  RECOMMENDED: Like unlimited fizz with your fry-up? Here are the best bottomless brunches in London.  Leonie Cooper is Time Out London’s Food and Drink Editor. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. Want to brunch for less? Check out the awesome selection at Time Out Offers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tener una cita en la ciudad siempre es un buen plan, pero no todo son ventajas. Por un lado, las ciudades están llenas de restaurantes, bares y cosas que hacer para que tu cita sea perfecta. Además, en las ciudades hay mucha gente, lo que significa que es mucho más fácil conocer a alguien nuevo sin tener que recurrir a alguien de tu grupo de amigos o reconectar con alguna persona de tu pasado. Pero aquí radica el problema: en muchas ciudades, tener muchos más peces en el mar ha hecho más complicado establecer una conexión profunda con alguien. Aunque el ghosting, los ligues y las situationships (en las que las personas no son pareja, pero tampoco son amigos) son pan de cada día, tener tantas opciones puede hacer que encontrar el amor sea realmente difícil. No todo son malas noticias, sin embargo. Con San Valentín a la vuelta de la esquina, hemos investigado las ciudades donde los habitantes tienen suerte en el amor. Cada año, realizamos encuestas a miles de personas sobre todos los aspectos de la vida en la ciudad, desde la comida y la cultura hasta la accesibilidad y la vida nocturna, para crear nuestro ránking definitivo de las mejores ciudades del mundo. Pero, ¿cuáles de estas ciudades son las mejores para el amor? Para saberlo, hicimos una pregunta sencilla a sus ciudadanos: ¿qué tan fácil crees que es encontrar el amor en tu ciudad? ¿Cuál es la mejor ciudad para encontrar amor? Pues, según nuestros encuestados, Bombay encabeza la lista. Un sorprendente 72% de los habitan

Namorar na cidade é uma faca de dois gumes. Por um lado, as cidades estão repletas de restaurantes, bares e actividades suficientes para preencher qualquer itinerário nocturno. E, claro, também estão cheias de pessoas, o que significa que é muito mais fácil lançar a sua rede de encontros e conhecer alguém novo (seja nas aplicações ou na vida real). Mas é aí que reside o problema: em muitas cidades, o facto de haver muito mais peixe no mar levou a uma cultura de encontros descartáveis. Embora o ghosting, os flings (encontros sexuais) e as situationships (as antigas amizades coloridas) façam parte integrante da vida amorosa em 2025, o facto de haver inúmeras opções para “passar ao próximo” na cidade torna muito mais difícil encontrar o amor. Mas nem tudo são más notícias. Antes do Dia dos Namorados, analisámos as cidades onde os habitantes locais estão a ter sorte no amor. Todos os anos, questionamos milhares de habitantes sobre todos os aspectos da vida nas suas cidades, desde a comida e da cultura à acessibilidade e à vida nocturna, para criar o nosso ranking definitivo das melhores cidades do mundo. Mas quais dessas cidades são as melhores para o romance? Para o descobrir, fizemos uma pergunta simples: é fácil encontrar o amor na sua cidade? A melhor cidade para encontrar o amor? Mumbai! Um número impressionante de 72% dos seus cidadãos considera que é fácil encontrar o amor na maior cidade da Índia. De facto, quatro cidades asiáticas ocuparam os primeiros lugares como as ma

Tenir una cita a la ciutat sempre és un bon pla, però no tot són avantatges. D'una banda, les ciutats estan plenes de restaurants, bars i coses a fer perquè la vostra cita sigui perfecta. A més, a les ciutats hi ha molta gent, el que significa que és molt més fàcil conèixer a algú nou sense haver de recórrer a algú del teu grup d’amics o tornar a connectar amb alguna persona del teu passat. Però aquí rau el problema: en moltes ciutats tenir molts més peixos al mar ha pogut fer més complicat establir una connexió profunda amb algú. Tot i que el ghosting, les aventures i les situationships (en què les persones no són parella, però tampoc són amics) són el pa nostre de cada dia, tenir tantes opcions pot fer que trobar l'amor sigui realment difícil.  No tot són males notícies, però. Amb Sant Valentí a tocar, hem investigat les ciutats on els habitants tenen sort en l'amor. Cada any, fem enquestes a milers de persones sobre tots els aspectes de la vida a la ciutat, des del menjar i la cultura fins a l'accessibilitat i la vida nocturna, per crear el nostre rànquing definitiu de les millors ciutats del món. Però quines d'aquestes ciutats són les millors per a l'amor? Per saber-ho, vam fer una pregunta senzilla als seus ciutadans: com de fàcil creieu que és trobar l’amor a la vostra ciutat? Quina és la millor ciutat per trobar-hi amor? Doncs, segons els nostres enquestats, Bombai encapçala la llista. Un sorprenent 72% dels habitants creuen que és fàcil trobar l’amor a la ciutat més g

Dating in the city is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, cities are packed with enough restaurants, bars and things to do to fill any date night itinerary. And, of course, they’re also packed with people, meaning it’s much easier to cast your dating pool net far and wide and meet someone new (whether on the apps or IRL).  But therein lies the problem: in many cities, having plenty more fish in the sea has led to a culture of disposability. While ghosting, flings and situationships are all part and parcel of dating life in 2025, having endless options to ‘move on to the next’ in the city makes actually finding love that much harder. It’s not all bad news, though. Ahead of Valentine’s Day, we’ve looked into the cities where locals are finding luck in love. Every year, we quiz thousands of locals about every aspect of city life, from food and culture to affordability and nightlife, to create our definitive ranking of the world’s best cities. But which of those cities are the best for romance? To find out, we asked city-dwellers one simple question: how easy is it to find love in your city? RECOMMENDED: The 10 most beautiful cities in the world, according to locals The best city for finding love? Mumbai! A whopping 72 percent of locals reckon it’s easy to find love in India’s largest city. In fact, four Asian cities took the top spots as the most romantic of the bunch, with Beijing, Jakarta and Shanghai following behind Mumbai. New Orleans took the crown as the only US city o

Na semana passada, publicámos o nosso ranking anual das melhores cidades do mundo para 2025. Para o criar, inquirimos 18.500 habitantes de 118 cidades sobre a vida nas suas localidades, recolhendo opiniões sobre tudo, desde a comida à vida nocturna, da cultura à acessibilidade, aos níveis de felicidade e aos transportes públicos. Depois de combinarmos as percepções locais com os votos da nossa rede global de especialistas locais, 50 magníficas cidades chegaram à lista final das melhores do mundo neste momento. A Cidade do Cabo conquistou o cobiçado primeiro lugar, obtendo classificações elevadas em várias categorias, incluindo a felicidade geral dos habitantes e a sua próspera cena gastronómica. No entanto, quando se analisa critérios específicos, as classificações são ligeiramente diferentes. Desta vez, quisemos descobrir quais as cidades que os habitantes locais consideram ser as mais bonitas de todas. Para o fazer, analisámos a percentagem de habitantes que descreveriam a sua cidade como “bonita” – e, nesta categoria, a Cidade do Cabo foi ultrapassada por nada mais nada menos do que Chicago. Uma percentagem impressionante de 83% dos inquiridos na Cidade dos Ventos acha que a sua cidade é muito bonita. Com todos aqueles parques e jardins, vistas deslumbrantes do Lago Michigan e os cursos de água serpenteantes do Rio Chicago, não podemos dizer que estamos surpreendidos. Mas não é só: Portugal entra no top 10 e logo com duas cidades, primeiro o Porto, na quarta posição, e dep

Last week, we published our definitive annual ranking of the world’s best cities for 2025. To create the ranking, we surveyed a whopping 18,500 locals in 118 cities about life in their city, getting their thoughts on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and public transport. After combining local insights with the votes of our global network of city experts, 50 brilliant cities made the final cut as the best in the world right now. Cape Town landed the coveted number one spot this year, earning high ratings across multiple categories, including locals’ overall happiness and its thriving restaurant scene. However, when zoning on specific criteria, the rankings look slightly different. This time, we wanted to find out which cities locals reckon are the best-looking of the bunch. To do so, we’ve taken a look at the percentage of locals who would describe their city as ‘beautiful’ – and in this category, Cape Town was pipped to the post by none other than Chicago.  A whopping 83 percent of survey respondents in the Windy City think their city is a looker. With all those pretty parks and gardens, sweeping Lake Michigan views and the snaking waterways of the Chicago River, we can’t say we’re surprised. Here’s where else made the list – does your city deserve a spot? The world’s most beautiful cities, according to locals 1. Chicago, USA: 83 percent2. Cape Town, South Africa: 82 percent3. Sydney, Australia: 79 percent4. Porto, Portugal: 78 percent5.

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