Saskia O'Donoghue
Destinations
11 European hotels make list of world's best new stays
From restored palaces in Rome and Bucharest to countryside retreats in Devon and Crete, travel magazine Afar has unveiled its annual ranking of the world's best new and revamped hotels - with 11 standout properties in Europe making the cut.
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Travel News
Ryanair investigated over family seating fees
Europe’s largest low-cost airline is under investigation over its policy requiring families with young children to pay for seat reservations. UK regulators will examine whether the fees are unfair and whether they breach rules designed to prevent hidden charges.
Destinations
Revealed: The world’s most underrated natural wonders
From Alaska’s glaciers to a remote Scottish island famed for its puffins and dramatic sea cave, new research based on 54,000 reviews reveals the hidden natural wonders travellers say deserve far more attention – and the famous sites that fail to live up to the hype.
Destinations
Australia’s tiniest town goes on sale for a bargain price
With just two residents, a four-bed roadhouse and an unofficial mayor’s job description that includes running the post office and pouring pints, the outback town of Cooladdi is searching for new owners willing to embrace an unconventional way of life.
Travel News
The world’s most disappointing tourist attractions
Bucket-list attractions don't always deliver. A study analysing almost 100,000 reviews of 200 major sights has revealed the destinations most likely to leave visitors underwhelmed, with complaints ranging from crowds and poor value for money to experiences that simply don't justify the hype.
Travel News
EES border chaos could take two years to ease, EU official warns
Two months after Europe’s new biometric border checks launched, long queues and inconsistent procedures continue to frustrate travellers. Now, a Frontex official has warned that the troubled Entry/Exit System could take up to two years to fully stabilise.
Residences
Africa’s hottest new safari lodges to book now
From helicopter arrivals in Zambia to design-led lodges in Tanzania and ultra-luxury retreats in Botswana, a new wave of safari openings across Africa is transforming the classic game drive holiday into something far more immersive, stylish and experience-led.
Travel News
The most beautiful restaurants in Europe for 2026
The Prix Versailles architecture and design awards have revealed the World’s Most Beautiful Restaurants for 2026. Five European venues made the prestigious list, celebrating restaurants where striking interiors are every bit as memorable as the food.
Residences
Could this giant floating city become the world's biggest cruise ship?
The proposed Freedom Ship would be unlike anything currently sailing the seas. Designed as a permanent floating city for up to 80,000 people, the mile-long vessel would feature homes, schools, hotels, parks, a hospital and even a sports stadium as it slowly circles the globe.
Destinations
This remote Scottish island with cabin could be yours for €405,000
The rugged private island, complete with a solar-powered cabin, is going under the hammer for less than the average UK house price. Tucked away in Scotland’s remote Summer Isles, it offers a rare chance to own an off-grid escape in one of the country's most spectacular natural settings.
Destinations
Europe's cheapest and most expensive countries for holiday rentals
New short-term rental data reveals a huge gap in accommodation costs across Europe, with nightly rates starting below €40 in parts of the Balkans and exceeding €200 in some of the continent’s most sought-after destinations.
Travel News
UK considers airline blacklist for disruptive passengers
The UK government is exploring proposals for a national airline blacklist that could prevent abusive, violent or persistently disruptive passengers from flying with any carrier. The move comes as airlines report rising levels of bad behaviour during peak holiday periods and push for tougher measures
Travel News
Iran conflict threatens Southeast Asia’s summer tourism season
Tourism across Southeast Asia was finally recovering from the pandemic. Now, soaring fuel prices, flight disruptions, and growing economic uncertainty linked to the Iran conflict are threatening to slow demand just as the region enters its crucial summer travel season.
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