By Sophie Vermeulen
Amsterdam-based travel writer. Writes about European cities, trains, design and the small places worth the detour.
Japanese travellers named world's most polite tourists in new survey
Japanese tourists top a new survey for politeness, followed by Norwegians and Swiss. Americans are the best tippers and biggest spenders, wh
Bikers gather at Castel Gandolfo for annual motorcycle blessing
Around 200 bikers gathered at Lake Castel Gandolfo for a motorcycle blessing. Father Tadeusz Rozmus called for brotherhood, respect, and saf
Passport rule change reshapes Britain-Ireland ferry travel from September
Ferry operators Stena Line and Irish Ferries will require valid passports on Britain-Ireland routes from 28 September. The move aligns sea t
Europe's top wildlife encounters: a new ranking for nature lovers
A new ranking reveals the top 10 wildlife encounters worth travelling for, with several European destinations making the cut. From Iberian l
Spain's autumn inland escapes: from Salamanca to Asturias
Spain leads September travel bookings with 43% of the total. Beyond the coast, historic cities, mountain villages and wine regions offer ric
Nearly a thousand swimmers cross the Danube in Budapest for first time since 2018
Nearly a thousand swimmers crossed the Danube in Budapest on Saturday, the first time the event has been held in six years. The river was cl
Qatar's winter 2026-27 lineup: concerts, motorsport, and culture
Qatar's autumn-winter 2026-27 season features concerts by John Legend and Hans Zimmer, MotoGP and F1 races, the FIFA U-17 World Cup, and cul
Walking holidays: Europe's answer to overtourism in popular spots
Walking holidays are emerging as a practical solution to overtourism in Europe's most visited destinations. By dispersing visitors along tra
EU air traffic rebounds to pre-pandemic levels in 2025
The EU recorded 6.9 million commercial flights in 2025, up 3.8% from 2024 and close to the 2019 pre-pandemic figure. Amsterdam Schiphol was
Skillcations gain ground: 68% of travellers say learning holidays could transform their lives
Nearly half of US travellers are interested in skillcations, and 68% think such trips could be life-changing. Gen Z and Millennials are driv
US carriers unveil expanded transatlantic schedules for 2027
Alaska Airlines will fly Seattle to Athens and Paris next spring. American adds Porto, Vienna and Reykjavik from Philadelphia, while Delta l
Family-friendly rail: where Europe's trains shine for parents
European rail operators increasingly cater to families with free or discounted child tickets and dedicated onboard spaces. From Germany's fa