Olivia Simpson

While the gluttony of December and the high hopes of January are fading, February can be a pretty drab month, but it’s actually a brilliant time to travel – dismiss getting away at this time of year, and you’d really be missing out.  From mountain-top festivals in South America to scenes of beautiful rare wildlife on the coasts of South Africa, there are plenty of destinations which really shine in February, and we’re here to point you in the right direction – here’s our roundup of the very best places to travel at this time of year. RECOMMENDED:🌟The best places in the world for stargazing🏂The best affordable ski resorts in Europe🎨The best cities in the world 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.

You’re probably familiar with speakeasies, but here’s a quick history lesson to get you up to speed if not: from 1920-1933, it was illegal to produce, import, transport and sell alcohol in the USA. Predictably, this gave rise to all sorts of illegal activity, including the appearance of speakeasies, mysterious and glamorous drinking dens hidden behind weathered shop fronts or in dingy cellars. Fast forward to 2025, and speakeasies are going strong in cities around the world. Sure, boozing may not be prohibited, but it turns out people love the thrill of semi-secret watering holes. And Paris is no exception: here, you’ll find a retrofuturist bar hidden in a basement, a cocktail bar tucked under the eaves of brasseries, and a bar disguised as a laundrette. Here’s our local editor’s guide to the very best speakeasies in Paris.RECOMMENDED:🎷 The best jazz bars in Paris📍 Where to stay in Paris💕 The best romantic things to do in Paris🍴 The best restaurants in Paris🥐 The best things to do in ParisAntoine Besse is a journalist at Time Out Paris. 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. 

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again – Glasgow’s food scene is absolutely thriving. And it’s come a long way fast; the city now has ten Michelin-starred restaurants, but its first ever was only awarded in 2021. That’s three years of Glasgow finessing its food offerings, and we’re reaping the benefits. From old-school restaurants with cult status to small plates, seafood and a Hanoi canteen, there is quite literally something to suit every taste here. Go on, indulge. Here are the best restaurants in Glasgow right now.  Recommended:📍 The best things to do in Glasgow🏘️ The best Airbnbs in Glasgow🍳 The best breakfasts in Glasgow🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The best hotels in Glasgow This guide was recently updated by Glasgow-based writer Laura Menéndez. 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. 

Paris has a long history with jazz that stretches way back to the First World War. Josephine Baker, Cole Porter and Django Reinhardt – over the years, many of the genre’s biggest stars lived and performed in the city’s bars and venues. More than 100 years later, Paris’s love affair with jazz is still going strong. In the list below, our team of local editors have selected six of the best jazz bars in Paris. From the internationally renowned jazz bar Duc des Lombards, to the former train station La Gare, where students, emerging performers and established talents all get their chance on stage, there’s something to suit any jazz fan.  RECOMMENDED:🥐 The best things to do in Paris🍽️ The best restaurants in Paris🕯️The most romantic restaurants in Paris💕 The most romantic things to do in Paris📍 Where to stay in Paris This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris. 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. 

When it comes time to book a summer holiday, people can usually be divided into two groups: beach bums who are determined to flop on the sand and enjoy the sun, and city lovers looking to soak up the energy and excitement of a new place. But never fear: in Lisbon, everyone can get their way.  The beach areas below are around an hour from Lisbon, so they make for a perfect day trip if you're based in the city. That means you could enjoy one of Lisbon's best brunches before you hit the road, then make it back in time for dinner at one of the city's best restaurants. If that's not the perfect summer day, we don't know what is. RECOMMENDED:📍The best things to do in Alfama🍝 The best Italian restaurants in Lisbon🎷 The best places to listen to jazz in Lisbon🏛️ The best things to do in Lisbon  This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Lisbon. 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.  

Going to Paris en couple? Lucky you – it ain’t called the City of Love for nothing. At this point, it’s pretty much a rite of passage to escape to Paris with your significant other. So how do you avoid the tourist traps and find the date spots you can really fall in love with? That’s where this list comes in. It’s all well and good to walk hand-in-hand along the Seine, but what about a romantic (and crucially, less crowded) promenade along the leafy La Coulée Verte? And yes, you could snuggle up on a picnic blanket in the Luxembourg Gardens, but we reckon Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, with its meandering paths and waterfalls, is a whole lot more enchanting (and crucially, original). Here’s our list of the most romantic things to do in Paris. RECOMMENDED:🍴 The most romantic restaurants in Paris🍮 The best restaurants in Paris🎨 The best things to do in Paris📍 Where to stay in ParisAt 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.

You’ve seen it in countless films, you’ve read about it in 100 books – even if you’re planning your first visit, you’ve probably got a clear idea of Paris. But here’s the thing: in real life, the City of Light exceeds all expectations. The attractions really are that beautiful, the restaurants really are that good, and the art really is that impressive. And our editors are out there all day every day, experiencing it all. That’s how we bring you this list of the best things to do in Paris – every spot you’ll find here is tried, tested and tried again. How long should I spend in Paris? Four days (or a long weekend) will give you an excellent taste of Paris. But you can just as well speed through a few top attractions in a fun-packed 24 hours, or slow down for a food-fuelled two-week break, and still leave feeling like there’s more to be discovered. However long you spend in the city, just make sure to balance the iconic sites with some of the lesser-known spots we’ve highlighted below – Paris wouldn’t be Paris without that blend of both that gives it a certain je ne sais quoi. RECOMMENDED:🥘 The best restaurants in Paris🏘️ Where to stay in Paris🏺 The best museums in Paris🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris🎢 The best rides at Disneyland Paris Rémi Morvan is a journalist at Time Out Paris. 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

We could spend hours discussing the perfect time of year to visit Paris, but a trip to the City of Lights during the festive season just might take the gâteau. As well as all the wonderful museums, restaurants and other unmissable things to do, you also have wonderful seasonal additions to the city's calendar, such as the world's largest indoor ice rink and, of course, the many Christmas markets.  Whether you want a traditional Christmas market, with mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, or something a bit different, Paris is delivering this festive season. For a classic Xmas offering, head to the Alsatian market at Gare de l’Est, or the jumbo-sized market in La Défense. Fancy something a bit different? Head to the Grrrande Marché de Noël, which spotlights queer creators, or Paris Loves Vinyl’s Christmas edition, the perfect place to pick up a gift for your muso pal. RECOMMENDED:📍 Where to stay in Paris🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris🏨 The best hotels in Paris for a winter getaway🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 The best things to do with kids in Paris This article was written by the editorial team at Time Out Paris. 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.   

If you’re heading to Paris over the Christmas season, you’re in luck. Not only do you have some of the world’s best museums, galleries, hotels, restaurants and bars to enjoy, but, come December, you’ve also got festive favourites like Christmas markets, and of course, ice rinks, to explore. From a luxury rink nestled in the courtyard of an exclusive hotel to the world’s largest rink (where you can skate under disco lights), Paris’s ice rinks cater to a variety of budgets and vibes. Just remember to wrap up in your chicest winter woollies – this is Paris, after all. RECOMMENDED:🎨 The best things to do in Paris🏡 The best Airbnbs in Paris🏩 The best hotels in Paris🎠 The best things to do with kids in Paris

Sure, Barcelona in the summer is wonderful. It's got beaches, it's got some of our favourite festivals in the world, and it's got rooftop bars that make the perfect spot to enjoy those long hot nights. But if you’ve never visited in the winter, you’re missing out: it’s quieter, the temperature is mild and it gets very little rain. Plus, if you visit over the festive period, you’ve got the Christmas markets to explore. Barcelona is brimming with traditional markets and fairs where small creators sell their wares. Here, you can find unique gifts, decorations, clothes, accessories, illustrations, and other treats to suit almost every taste and budget. Read on to discover the best Christmas markets in Barcelona, as chosen by our team of local editors. RECOMMENDED: 🏛️ The best things to do in Barcelona🍴The best restaurants in Barcelona🍸 The best bars in Barcelona💤 The best hotels in BarcelonaThis piece was written by the editorial team at Time Out Barcelona. 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.

Barcelona is known for its festivals, clubs and nightlife, so it’s no surprise that when New Year’s Eve comes around, this city really puts on a show. And the good thing is, you can combine your NYE celebrations with some sightseeing too. Some of the city’s best attractions are also the site of major celebrations, including the Font Mágica (Magic Fountain), the Poble Espanyol and the W Hotel, the iconic sail-like tower on the city’s waterfront. If you want to party like a local, remember to eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight – it’s a Spanish tradition that’s said to bring good luck. RECOMMENDED:🎄 The best Christmas markets in Barcelona🍴 The best restaurants in Barcelona🏨 The best hotels in Barcelona🏛️ The best things to do in Barcelona This guide was written by the editorial team at Time Out Barcelona. 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.

Spain’s capital is a city made up of many distinct neighbourhoods, each with its own charm. From the regal Los Austrias to the arty Carabanchel; from the well-heeled Chamberí to the super-central Sol-Gran Vía; and from the multicultural Lavapies to the LGBTQ+ scene in Chueca, there’s a barrio to suit every kind of visitor. If you’re struggling to pick a base for your trip, our guide can help you choose the area that’s just right for your taste, needs, and preferences. Here's our selection of the best neighbourhoods in Madrid. Hasta luego! RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Madrid🏡 The best Airbnbs in Madrid🛏 The best hotels in Madrid🍴 The best restaurants in MadridThis article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.  

What’s the vibe? The latest opening from the Scoop restaurant group (the team behind Glasgow favourites Ox and Finch and Ka Pao), Sebb’s is set to be the Glasgow date spot – think low lighting, comfy booths and great tunes played by a rotating selection of DJs (including some impressive names, like local favourite Hayley Zalassi). If Carrie Bradshaw ever found herself in Glasgow, she’d make a beeline for Sebb’s. What should I order? Cocktails here are a must. There’s a dedicated cocktail kitchen and even if you’re not stopping in for dinner, you can book a table for drinks. There’s a long list of house specials, but make sure to try the white linen (made with rum, yuzushu, elderflower, jasmine, absinthe, and a couple of sliced grapes as a garnish) and the miso and malt old fashioned (featuring miso and brown butter whisky, passionfruit, and a Guinness reduction). For the food, we started with raw oysters with peri peri, but you could also have them grilled with spiced lamb fat. Then, it’s on to the sharing plates – all tasty, and with a focus on food cooked over flames. The tequila verdita cod ceviche was a bright and zingy standout, as was the jerk spiced pork neck, but the vegetarian options (for us, a tandoori celeriac and grilled cauliflower) lacked some of the impact of the other dishes, so I’m not sure this is the place to bring a fully vegetarian love interest. Do order dessert – the delicious barbecued plums, coconut yoghurt and pistachios are neither too sweet nor to

In March 2023, the world (or at least, my corner of the internet) was gooped and gagged as we watched the trial brought by retired optometrist Dr Terry Sanderson against actor and wellness tycoon Gwyneth Paltrow following a ski accident in Utah’s Deer Valley. Sanderson alleged that the collision was caused by the Goop founder’s ‘out of control’ skiing, leaving him with a brain injury, four broken ribs and other serious injuries. In the two weeks it took for Paltrow to prove her Gwyn-occence, we were treated to quite the spectacle, from the actor’s quiet luxury courtroom looks (many of which were shoppable on Goop.com, naturally) to the bizarrely fawning questions posed to Paltrow by Sanderson’s lawyer (a role played by a puppet in this eccentric dramatisation, to great comic effect). Unsurprisingly, Paltrow got the last word: as she breezed out of the courtroom, she paused just long enough to whisper a now iconic line to the defeated Sanderson: ‘I wish you well.’ Well, the purveyor of jade yoni eggs could hardly tell him to do one, could she? Gwyneth Goes Skiing, from Awkward Productions, is written and directed by Linus Karp and Joseph Martin who previously had a fringe hit with Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. The show tells the story of both the crash and the trial, with Karp playing Paltrow and Martin playing Sanderson. Karp is excellent as Gwyneth, capturing her otherworldly poise even while firing a barrage of jokes and pop culture references at the audience, in a p

Since 1985, La Géode has lit up the Parc de la Villette with its 36-metre shimmering sphere and giant hemispherical screen. Now, after six years spent upgrading the cinematic experience, this architectural marvel has just reopened its doors. Adrien Fainsilber’s mirrored globe (which is 36m in diameter, the equivalent of a 12-storey building, and made up of 6,433 polished stainless steel triangles) looks unchanged from the outside. Inside, however, its hemispherical screen (which spans 1,000 m² and was once among the world’s largest) now boasts a brand-new IMAX Laser 4K projector, offering significantly better image quality than its predecessor. The sound quality has also been upgraded to IMAX 6.0. It took the Pathé team (the cinema’s new owner) six years to complete the project. While it might not rival Las Vegas in extravagance, it was worth the wait, as the experience is unique in France. This has earned it a spot in the premium category of Pathé’s theatres, with tickets priced at €25 for feature films and €13 for documentaries at standard rates. Best of all? To mark the reopening, Pathé is running a buy one get one free deal on tickets. What’s on? So, what can you watch in 4K? There are three nature documentaries currently playing (Blue Whales, T.REX, Super Human Body) – which makes sense, considering the geode is part of the City of Science and Industry. Also showing is the highly-anticipated animated film Mufasa: The Lion King, a prequel to Disney’s iconic animated class

As one of the world’s major art capitals, Paris always attracts a cultured crowd. Its many outstanding museums are home to some of the world’s most revered pieces of art, and you could spend trip after trip exploring the permanent collections alone – but that would mean missing out on the blockbuster temporary exhibitions that roll through Paris every year. 2025 is no exception. On the agenda for this year? The Louvre’s first-ever exhibition on fashion, a dazzling disco retrospective at the Philharmonie, and an exploration of the work of Black artists in Paris in the latter half of the twentieth century at the Centre Pompidou, to name just a few. Below, our Paris editors have rounded up the most highly-anticipated exhibitions to hit the city this year. David Hockney According to Beaux-Arts Magazine, the retrospective is expected to focus on the past 25 years of the English artist’s creations, with both paintings and digital works on display. Fans of Hockney’s iconic works will be pleased to know that the paintings A Bigger Splash (1967) and Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures) (1972), will both be on display. When? April 9-September 1Where? Fondation Louis Vuitton, 8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi, Paris 16th arrondissement Paris Noir Of all the exhibitions scheduled before the Centre Pompidou closes its doors for renovations (it’s expected to be shut from the end of summer 2025 until 2030), Paris Noir is the one that’s really caught our eye. Celebrating the works of 150 B

With the Olympics and Paralympics taking over Paris last summer, you might have missed the news of an extension to Paris’s metro network. The expansion of Line 14 was hardly the summer’s most glamorous story, but it did improve north-south connections in the city and helped locals and visitors reach Olympic venues. The extension added approximately 15 kilometres of track as well as one station on the northern end and seven new stations on the southern end, with the line terminating at Orly Airport, making it the longest metro route in the city. However, the new Villejuif-Gustave-Roussy station has remained closed due to additional construction work – until now. The Grand Paris Express authority has announced the huge new station will open to the public on January 18. Here’s everything we know so far. © Dominique Perrault Architecture - ADAGP / Bastien André / Société des grands projets What’s the new station like? Passengers will soon discover a maze-like station that, in addition to Line 14, will also serve as a stop for the future Line 15, which is slated to open in summer 2026. Designed by the Dominique Perrault architecture firm – known for projects like the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in the 13th arrondissement – the station features an accessible design for individuals with reduced mobility and is topped with a large, rounded, striated glass roof. Inside, passengers will find a whopping 32 escalators and 16 lifts which connect the station’s nine levels. The deepe

Paris has croissants, the Eiffel Tower and the Seine, while Barcelona has tapas, the Sagrada Familia and the Mediterranean – two excellent cities, with two very different vibes. How are you supposed to pick which to visit first? Well luckily for us all, we can do both – and on the cheap, too. SNCF Voyageurs, a subsidiary of the French National Railway Company, has released 8,000 tickets for the Barcelona-Paris route, and they’re on sale for just €39. The initiative was launched to celebrate the fact that two million passengers have travelled on the TGV INOUI high-speed line between Barcelona and Paris since it began operation two years ago. Tickets are available now on the company’s website and will be valid for travel between January 13 and March 21 2025. But you’ll need to move fast – the sale ends at midnight tonight, Wednesday December 4. The promotion also aims to encourage more sustainable travel, since the journey from Barcelona to Paris emits 98% less CO₂ than flying and 93% less than driving. Plus, who wants to spend hours in a car, or have the hassle of squeezing all your things into tiny carry-on bags? And it’s not just the Barcelona-Paris route (which also stops in the Catalan cities of Girona and Figueres) that’s going for cheap: you can also travel from Barcelona to other French cities, such as Perpignan, Narbonne, Béziers, Montpellier, and Nîmes for just €29. To purchase tickets for these cities, head to the SNCF Voyageurs website.  If you do miss out on the de

Following the catastrophic flooding in the Valencian Community last week, people across Spain have rallied to support those worse affected. In Barcelona (which was also put on red alert on Monday due to the high risk of flooding) and Madrid, local councils, organisations and charities have set up collection points, with volunteers helping to manage the donations.  How are people in Madrid helping flood victims? The capital has rallied to support those affected by the extreme flooding in the Valencian Community. On Friday, Madrid City Council set up several collection points to gather all kinds of donations. In total, the Council has made 44 municipal spaces available for people to donate non-perishable items, including canned goods, nappies, milk, water, baby formula, and specific products for lactose-intolerant or coeliac individuals, from 9am-9pm. In addition to the 21 points spread across the city, the Palacio de Cibeles and the 22 district police stations of the Municipal Police are also accepting essential goods. Around 700 volunteers are responsible for receiving, sorting, and processing the donations at the central warehouse which has been set up in the Palacio de Cristal at Casa de Campo. Below are the addresses for the collection points across the city, organised by district: Arganzuela: 37 Calle Áncora; 2 Paseo de la Chopera (police station)Barajas: 7 Calle Alhaurín; 16 Calle Trespaderne (police station)Carabanchel: 39 Calle Treseta; 61 Avenida Carabanchel Alto (pol

This week, parts of Spain experienced the worst flooding in decades, causing devastation in dozens of towns across the Valencian Community, with hundreds dead and thousands still missing. While the impact is not expected to be as severe, heavy rains also arrived in Catalonia a few days ago. Today, Barcelona and surrounding areas have been hit with fresh floods, causing the Civil Protection to send an ’extreme danger’ red alert to all residents in the Baix Llobregat and Barcelonès areas warning of torrential rains. Those with a trip booked to Barcelona might be worried about whether it's safe to travel. Here's everything we know so far.   How has Barcelona been affected by flooding? Residents in the parts of Catalonia under red alert were warned this morning by Catalunya Ràdio ‘not to leave home or go to work’ until the warning was lifted. Videos were shared on social media showing streets where cars are partially submerged in the water. Barcelona-El Prat airport experienced flooding, causing flights to be cancelled, delayed and diverted. The storm is currently losing strength, though the risk of flooding alert remains in place in the Llobregat basin and the Aemet's red warning for extreme danger due to torrential rains remains active along the Barcelona coast. Public transport disruptions Renfe Cercanías (the local train service in Barcelona and the surrounding area) announced the suspension of all its lines until further notice, but it is gradually resuming service, starting

What could be more picture-perfect than Paris at Christmas? Strolling gloved hand in gloved hand around the city's Christmas markets, sipping chocolats chauds in a beautiful café, and stopping by the Galeries Lafayette to see the Christmas displays. Are we romanticising this a tad too much? Perhaps, but if you can’t get misty-eyed about Paris at Christmas, when can you, eh? And this year, an old favourite is returning to the Parisian festive calendar. After hosting the Olympic fencing events and the major Art Basel fair in October, the Grand Palais has announced the return of its flagship winter event: the Grand Palais des Glaces (or Grand Ice Palace), also known as the largest indoor ice rink in the world. To claim this title, the organisers are setting up a 3,000-square-metre ice rink under the restored atrium, or nave, which will be open every day until 2am. Tickets are on the expensive side, at €15 to €35 depending on the session. While details about the décor and programme are still to come, we can take a guess at how it might go by looking back at the last edition, which was way back in 2019. The last instalment of the Grand Palais des Glaces saw visitors skating around a giant strobed disco ball while DJs played – and as for food, expect a festive Christmas market vibe with waffles, crêpes, mulled wine and hot chocolate. We’re feeling festive already. The Grand Palais des Glaces will be open from 14 December 2024 to 8 January 2025. Ready to get into the Christmas spiri

It’s no secret that we’re big fans of train travel at Time Out. More relaxing than driving and without the annoying limits on luggage that come with flying, it’s also the greenest option. Across Europe, countries are expanding their high-speed rail networks, helping travellers go further, faster (and, in many cases, cheaper). That’s certainly the case in Spain, where Ouigo, the French train company which specialises in low-cost travel, has just announced a €9 deal for tickets between Madrid and Barcelona, with the journey taking just two and a half hours.As doubleheaders go, it doesn’t get much better than a trip that takes in both Madrid and Barcelona, but the deal also applies to other stops on the line, namely Tarragona (a seaside city with impressive Roman ruins) and Zaragoza (Spain’s fifth biggest city, famed for its baroque basilica overlooking the River Ebro). Whether you fancy making a break for warmer climes this winter or would prefer to wait until next spring, you’re in luck: you can use this deal for tickets until June 2025. The catch? This deal is available for one day only. So, how and when can you get your hands on the €9 tickets? Mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26 at 11am, when tickets go on sale via the Ouigo website.  See more of Spain by train Want to explore more of Spain? The country is well connected by high-speed rail, meaning you could enjoy your morning churros con chocolate in San Gines, a Madrid institution, before hopping on a train to

Madrid is one of the world’s best cities for culture for good reason: it’s absolutely stacked with museums. But from October 1, the iconic Sorolla Museum – the former home and workshop of the Spanish painter Joaquín Sorolla – will be closed for renovations. The work is expected to last until 2026, but those in the city over the next week are in luck. Ahead of the closure, the Sorolla will extend its Friday and Saturday opening hours for the final two weekends of September. On September 20, 21, 27 and 28 the museum will stay open until 10.30pm, rather than the normal closing hour of 8pm. Entrance to the museum is always free from 2pm onward on Saturdays and all day on Sundays (10am-3pm), and this will continue until the closure. Work to build new exhibition rooms and other facilities on land adjacent to the museum remains ongoing, and, when completed, will add over 2,000 square metres to the museum. From the start of October, work will begin on the second phase, which will be focused on renovating the house and gardens to ensure they meet accessibility standards and improve the environmental monitoring systems in the exhibition rooms. Where else can I see Sorolla’s works? During the renovation, the museum’s collection of nearly 9,000 items will be moved to new storage facilities, but visitors and locals will be able to enjoy the Valencian artist’s work at different exhibitions in Madrid. One of these exhibitions, to be held at the Galería de Colecciones Reales under the title

In Lisbon, September wouldn’t be September without the annual competition to find the city’s best pastel de nata. The contest is back and, after the initial elimination rounds, we now know which 12 spots will be competing for the title. The winner will be announced on September 30 as part of the Cookery Congress, an annual gathering of Portugal’s gastronomic community. Competitors must apply to participate in the final round, except for those who came first, second and third in last year’s competition – they get automatically included in this year’s final. This time around, that’s Confeitaria Glória (last year’s winner), Padaria da Né in Damaia (second place), and O Pãozinho das Marias in Mafra (third place).  Joining them are nine others: Altis Belém & Spa, Bread & Friends, Casa do Padeiro, Castro – Atelier de Pastéis de Nata (which just opened a branch inside the new Zara in the city’s Rossio Square), Nat’elier, Pão da Ribeira, Pastelaria Aloma (which won the prize in 2012, 2013, and 2015), Pastelaria Batalha, and Pastelaria País dos Doces. The competition’s jury will determine the winner after a blind tasting at the Cookery Congress. The judging panel will be made up of Diogo Lopes and Lara Figueiredo, pastry chefs at the Ritz Four Seasons and Penha Longa Resort, respectively; Joana Barrios, presenter and cookbook author; Virgílio Gomes, gastronome and jury president; João Pedro Gomes, researcher and professor in gastronomy; Catarina Amado from Edições do Gosto, a company

If you went to Spain this summer, you probably sampled a lot of great food. But it’s unlikely you got to visit El Celler de Can Roca, one of Spain’s most famous restaurants by the world-renowned Roca brothers, where wait lists are often longer than a year.  But we’ve got some good news. The brothers have just opened a brand-new affordable spot in Girona where you can get a next day booking – and it’s all about tapas. Vii, which pays homage to Bar Roca, the restaurant and tapas bar owned by Joan, Josep and Jordi’s parents, is the latest venture by the three bros, and it promises to be cheaper and more accessible than their flagship restaurant, but just as delicious.  The kitchen draws inspiration from Bar Roca as it was in the 1970s, as well as traditional Catalan classics, and focuses on natural wine. Audrey Doré, head sommelier at El Celler de Can Roca, is the restaurant’s director, and the head chef is David Freijomil, who also headed the kitchen during the previous incarnation of the bar. The menu has been designed with wine in mind, and ranges from confits and pickles to hearty Catalan stews, as well as flatbreads and sandwiches. Most of the dishes have a signature touch that elevates them above a standard tapas bar’s offering: this is a Roca brothers venture, after all. Vegetables are sourced from the gardens of Mas Marroch, El Celler de Can Roca’s event venue, and amongst the impressive selection of sandwiches and flatbreads, the mollette (an Andalusian roll) with sherr