By Sophie Vermeulen
Amsterdam-based travel writer. Writes about European cities, trains, design and the small places worth the detour.
Eurovision 2027 Host City Race: Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas Vie for Spotlight
Bulgaria's Eurovision 2026 victory has triggered a host city competition among Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Burgas. Each city offers unique at
EU Cross-Border Rail Plan: Which Countries Lead in Passenger Travel?
EU rail travel hit a record 8.7 billion trips in 2024. Germany and France lead in passenger-kilometres. The European Commission's new passen
Europe's Top Tourist Destinations: Spain Leads Overnight Stays in 2025
Spain remains Europe's most visited country with 330 million overnight stays in 2025. Italy, Türkiye, and France follow, while the UK ranks
Suez Canal Summit Tackles Fuel Crisis Threat to European Summer Travel
Over 300 tourism leaders gathered on a Suez Canal cruise to address the Iran war's impact on air connectivity. Fuel shortages and rising oil
Grief Travel Booms as Europeans Seek Healing Retreats and Wellness Escapes
Grief tourism is rapidly growing, with retreats across Europe and beyond offering structured support for loss and heartbreak. The global gri
Italy's Ancient Walking Routes: Europe's Slow Travel Revolution
Italy hosts five Council of Europe-certified ancient walking routes, including the Via Francigena and Via di Francesco. These paths offer a
Greek Island Makri Up for Auction at €247,000, but Development Strictly Limited
Makri, part of the Echinades group in the Ionian Sea, will be auctioned in November starting at €247,000. The island is classified as forest
Short-Haul Summer Travel Surges Across Europe as Fuel Costs Bite
Airbnb reports a 25% increase in staycations across France, Germany, Sweden, Portugal, and the Netherlands for summer 2026. Median booking d
Global Dusking Index Ranks Top Sunset Destinations from Santorini to Tenerife
The 'dusking' trend promotes slowing down to watch the sunset, rooted in Dutch and African practices. Holafly's index ranks top spots like S
Cruise Bookings Remain Robust Despite Recent Onboard Health Incidents
Recent health scares on cruise ships, including a deadly hantavirus outbreak, have not dampened booking demand. Industry data shows a 4% inc
New App Maps Over 130 River Beaches Across Portugal's Interior
The free River Beaches app maps over 130 inland swimming spots across Portugal. It helps travelers discover quieter freshwater escapes in fo
Slovenia's Lake Bled Tops Global Ranking for Cold-Water Swimming
Lake Bled in Slovenia has been named the world's top destination for cold-water swimming, according to a new index. The ranking, based on ov