By Sophie Vermeulen
Amsterdam-based travel writer. Writes about European cities, trains, design and the small places worth the detour.
Europe's travel sector set to outpace global growth in 2026, WTTC says
Europe's travel and tourism is forecast to expand 3.1% in 2026, beating global growth of 2.5%. International visitor spending is set to rise
Kazakhstan's rock-hewn Sufi mosques gain UNESCO World Heritage status
Five rock-hewn mosques in western Kazakhstan have been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List. The sites, dating from the 12th to 18th ce
Interlaken vs Innsbruck: A Winter Adventure Comparison
Interlaken and Innsbruck both offer superb Alpine winter adventures, but with distinct characters. Interlaken excels in lakeside activities
Emirates launches Helsinki route as capacity nears pre-crisis levels
Emirates has launched daily flights to Helsinki, marking its first service to Finland. The airline reports operating at 93% of pre-disruptio
Afyonkarahisar: balloons, thermal baths, and a poppy-seed food heritage
Hot-air balloons drift over 3,000-year-old Phrygian carvings in Afyonkarahisar. Mineral-rich thermal springs have drawn visitors since 1200
Slovenia's Štajerska tops European wine region ranking
Štajerska in Slovenia has been crowned Europe's top wine region by European Best Destinations, surpassing more than 90 rivals. The region wa
Europe's quirkiest stays: France leads in caves, castles, and domes
France has the most unusual Airbnb listings worldwide, with nearly 3,000 options. Italy, the UK, and Greece also rank high for quirky stays
New Alpine ski lodges and hotels for winter 2026-2027
Europe's ski season brings a wave of new hotels and lodges, from the Dolomites to the Alps. Highlights include The First Cortina in Italy an
Anti-optimised holidays: why travellers are choosing to do less in 2027
Travellers are moving away from bucket lists and AI-generated itineraries, opting for simpler, longer stays. Lemongrass's 2027 report highli
Baku's Grand Prix turns ten, reshaping Azerbaijan's tourism and economy
The 10th Azerbaijan Grand Prix brought more than 92,000 visits to Baku, including 17,000 international fans. The event underscores Formula 1
Japan's longest loop trail now links six cities across 320 km
Japan's longest loop trail, the Hitachinokuni Long Trail, is now fully open after seven years of development. The 320-km route links six cit
How Kazakhstan's wild apples conquered the world
The wild Sievers apple, native to Kazakhstan's Tian Shan mountains, is the ancestor of all cultivated apples. Genetic studies show nearly ha