Europes

WE all love a city break, but heading to the main European capitals can give your bank balance a battering.

The Serbian capital of Belgrade offers all the history and grandeur for a fraction of the price.

With beers or coffees in local cafes from £1.50, meals with wine in a decent restaurant for £15 and hotels from £40 a night, it’s perfect for those tourists looking to expand their city-break horizons without spending a fortune.

WHY SHOULD I GO? One of Europe’s oldest cities, its architecture tells its history from Roman and Ottoman to Austro-Hungarian and Yugoslav.

Catch up on its recent history at the Museum of Yugoslavia, home to the tomb of Josip Broz Tito, founder of socialist Yugoslavia. The Belgrade Fortress is free to enter and offers panoramic views of the Danube and Sava rivers.

Elsewhere, the Sava Lake offers water sports, tennis and cycling, with restaurants and bars perched on the shore.

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STREETS MADE FOR WALKING? Public transport in Belgrade is free, making it easy to hop on and off the buses and trams. However, walking around the city means you can stop and rest at the traditional kafanas (coffee houses).

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s “bohemian quarter” and is a great spot to enjoy a drink.

A walking tour of the Red Star Belgrade football stadium is not to be missed, even for those not familiar with the club. Take a walk through the famous tunnel which at 787ft is the longest pre-match walk in Europe.

Fans can get a taste of what the players go through as they are transformed into gladiators with the thumping chants from the stands.

ANYTHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST? Tara National Park is a four-hour drive from the city for those wanting to escape the hustle.

Lake Perucac offers floating houses that allow guests to wake up on the water and look over to the border of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The national park has the largest population of brown bears in Serbia.

Also worth a hike is the path up to the viewpoint known as Banjska Stena, soaring above the Drina River.

Kayaking down the river also gives the best views of the worldfamous Drina River House.

The hut, first built by swimmers wanting to rest, is perched on a rock in the middle of the water and has been rebuilt multiple times. It’s definitely an Insta-worthy picture.

WHERE SHOULD I EAT? Belgrade is without doubt a city for meat eaters. For an authentic lunch, head to Drama Cevapi in the heart of Belgrade’s Dorcol district for grilled meat and fresh flatbreads.

The cevapi — minced sausages with a mix of beef, lamb or pork — come in generous portions of five from £3, and flatbreads just 45p. If you fancy a smarter dinner, Iva New Balkan Cuisine shows off traditional Balkan recipes with a stylish twist.

Beef ribs with a celery and apple cream, honey and mustard seed glaze or pork belly with kohlrabi salad, pickled beetroot and crackling will set you back just over £10.

The main cobbled street in the city — Skadarlija — is regarded as the city’s ‘bohemian quarter’ and is a great spot to enjoy a drink

Meanwhile, Restoran Uzelac is a short taxi ride from the city centre where spit-roasted lamb is served by the kilo.

WHERE SHOULD I STAY? There’s a bed for every budget.

The Stari Grad district is best for a central location and the five-star Square Nine is great for those with deep pockets.

The gold-fronted building gives a cool oasis from the busy streets and features a wellness spa with a 59ft swimming pool.

Expect luxury linen and cashmere throws, with rooms from £300 a night. But there are also some fantastic budget options.

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Boatel Charlie is set on the Danube. It is a chic barge with contemporary interiors that has rooms from £43 a night.

The neighbourhood of Dorcol is the place to stay to meet the locals, with multiple coffee shops and markets.

A EUROPEAN destination that is great for city breaks will soon be getting a sparkling new train station.

Gothenburg is Sweden‘s second city and sometimes nicknamed ‘Little London’ due to the influx of British and Scottish immigrants in the 1800s.

And it will soon be getting a new railway station building, called Gothenburg Grand Central.

Gothenburg Central Station is part of a larger project, called West Link – which is a major infrastructure development that will involve a new underground railway tunnel.

In total, the West Link Project will gain three new underground stations – Gothenburg Grand Central, Haga and Korsvagen.

As for the development of the £86million Gothenburg Grand Central specifically, the current central station will be converted from a terminus station to a transit station with underground areas.

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In total, the building will sprawl across 15,000sqm – making it the largest of the three new stations – and feature a modern but still classical, design.

It will also have an entrance to a new city district known as Centralstaden, which will be a hub with new offices, shops and potentially, homes.

A lot of the project is focused on sustainability, with the building’s frame and joists made mostly from wood.

The roof of the station will then provide habitats for insects and birds, with a number of shrubs and flowers planted and insect hotels and birdhouses also placed on the roof.

Construction is due to start with Gothenburg Grand Central, opening in December 2026 with the upper floors opening later in early 2027.

The West Link is then set to be completed by 2030, and aims to double the capacity of the railway in the city.

Stellan Haraldsson, regional manager for Peab – the firm that has been commissioned to build Gothenburg’s new station building, said: “The new station building will be used by passengers and visitors from the West Link and all of western Sweden.

“As a local community builder in Gothenburg we’re proud to continue to contribute to the development of the region.”

The decision to redevelop the station comes after the city expects economic and population growth.

Gothenburg is already home to Sweden‘s biggest port, with many manufacturers also based in the city such as Volvo and AstraZeneca.

The up-and-coming city break destination is full of amazing sites to explore, including Liseberg – Scandinavia’s largest amusement park and the 2023 winner of the Park World Excellence Awards.

In the Haga district, there are many charming streets to explore as this area forms the old part of the city.

Whilst in the area, make sure to visit Cafe Husaren, which sells giant cinnamon rolls called Hagabullen and started making them back in the 1980s.

It is also in Haga where visitors will find the Gothenburg Museum of Art, which is home to a wide variety of art.

A great spot for families is the Universeum Science Centre, which is Sweden’s National Science Centre and is home to a real rainforest, with an aquarium hall.

Flights to Gothenburg from London cost around £30 return for either November or December.

Or you could fly from Manchester for around £35 return.

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In other rail news, the iconic Orient Express train is set to return after 16 years with original 1920s carriages and double beds.

Plus, the UK’s ‘most scenic train line’ with waterfalls, rolling hillsides and spectacular views finally reopens after £1.4m revamp.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative to the UK’s overpriced Christmas markets, look no further than the ‘lesser known’ markets in Europe which offer a cosy day out without breaking the bank

Many believe there’s no better way to embrace the festive spirit than with a hot cup of mulled wine while perusing a European Christmas market. However, these events can often be quite pricey.

For instance, a cup of mulled wine at the Berlin Christmas market could set you back five euros, and an additional three if you fancy keeping the mug as a keepsake.

Staying closer to home doesn’t necessarily mean saving money either. It’s well known that UK Christmas markets are among the priciest in Europe.

For example, a visit to the Manchester Christmas markets this year could see you shelling out around £25 for a beer and a bratwurst.

If you’re eager to plan a festive trip but don’t want to break the bank, some of the ‘less popular’ European Christmas markets offer much more affordable prices. Plus, they’re usually less crowded than their UK counterparts, reports the Daily Record.

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In need of some ideas?

The team at Eurochange have done some digging into the best alternative Christmas markets across Europe, including the cheapest flights from the UK and average hotel costs. They’ve also investigated which cities offer the best exchange rates, so you know where your money will go furthest.

Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at Eurochange, said: “Our research shows the Christmas market in Wroclaw, Poland, is one of the best in Europe if you’re looking for excellent value for money and a truly authentic experience. Two nights of accommodation for two adults costs just £47, and food and drinks are very affordable. Sibiu in Romania is a close second when it comes to the cheapest Christmas markets in Europe. Here, you can get a mulled wine for just 86p.”

Sibiu, Romania

Laura describes Sibiu as Romania’s leading Christmas market destination, surpassing even Bucharest. The Transylvanian winter celebration, dubbed ‘The Fair In Sibiu’, attracts Romanians in crowds, running from November 14, 2025, through to January 4, 2026.

The town boasts a distinctive blend of Hungarian, Romanian and German influences, creating a cultural richness unmatched elsewhere in Transylvania, according to Laura. Set within the historic old town at Piața Mare, the markets are “beautifully decorated with thousands of fairy lights and festive trinkets”, she noted.

The affordability is particularly striking, she points out. Mulled wine typically ranges from five to 10 leu (merely £0.86).

Visitors should sample regional delicacies, including Kürtőskalács (spit cakes) and cozonac (sweet bread).

Wroclaw, Poland

According to Laura, Wroclaw is considered among Poland’s finest and most stunning Christmas markets. “It is an idyllic, real-life winter wonderland, scattered across the city,” she said.

Situated across Rynek Market Square, Place Solny, Świdnicka Street and Oławska Street, numerous stalls await visitors. Laura notes many vendors offer handcrafted items and delicacies, largely from independent traders.

Laura explains that prices remain highly accessible, with mulled wine available for merely 15 PLN (£3.08) plus a 15 PLN mug deposit. However, if you prefer not to keep the mug, surrounding restaurants and bars offer warming mulled wine for just 9 PLN (£1.85).

Innsbruck, Austria

Laura said: “Nothing will give you the ‘festive feels’ like roaming the streets of Innsbruck in the run-up to Christmas. The aroma of freshly made Kiachln (piping hot doughnuts laced with Sauerkraut) and the sound of Christmas carols are guaranteed to get you in the festive spirit.

“Fairy lights give the medieval alleys a magical glow, and in front of the city’s famous ‘Golden Roof’, you will find the Christmas markets. Visitors can also wander across to Innsbruck’s main shopping street, Maria-Theresien Straße, where there are even more chalets offering tasty snacks and handmade crafts.”

Tallinn, Estonia

“Tallinn Christmas market is a real-life fairytale in the heart of Estonia’s capital”, Laura says. Visitors can sample local delicacies, including black pudding, sour cabbage, gingerbread and warming festive tipples from 1-2 euros, making it amongst the cheapest and most authentic Christmas markets in Europe.

She said: “The real star of the show is the incredible market Christmas tree, which has been set up every year in the Town Hall Square since 1441, making it the first ever Christmas tree to be put on display in Europe.”

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Zagreb, Croatia

Croatia might not be the first destination that springs to mind when thinking of a ‘festive’ location, but Laura claims Zagreb’s Christmas market shouldn’t be overlooked. Also known as ‘Advent Zagreb,’ the city “truly comes to life” during the festive season with an epic Christmas market, a rich programme of music and art exhibitions, and an impressive ice-skating rink in King Tromislav Square.

If you’re thinking of visiting a European Christmas market, this one isn’t well-known, but is packed with festive activities. Thanks to a special themed train, even the journey there is fun

While there are loads of incredible Christmas markets in the UK, visiting one in Europe is a whole other experience. Many European Christmas markets are bigger, and they often have unique features that make for a memorable festive outing.

One market that’s bound to appeal to Christmas-enthusiasts is in Arezzo, Italy, a historic city that’s surrounded by Tuscan hills and can be found just over an hour’s train ride from Rome.

While this train ride is already a picturesque journey, in the run up to Christmas the train company La Ferroviaria Italiana (LFI) will run their Espresso Assisi service with trains decked out in festive decorations. There will also be Christmas music playing, and a “small gift” for each passenger, getting you into the spirit of the season.

Once you arrive, you can browse a vast Christmas market in the heart of this charming medieval city. Arezzo’s Piazza Grande will host the Tyrolean Village market from November 15 to December 28, which is based on the traditional markets of the northern region of Tyrol, as well as having German and Austrian influences. Browse the small wooden huts and find hand-crafted items from handblown baubles to nativity figurines.

Visit between November 15 and January 6 and there’s also an additional Art Market, which will be full of artisanal crafts, as well as offering local speciality food stalls. The market opens until 9pm on some dates, which means you can see the streets lit-up after dark.

Arezzo will also have an ice rink, again with late opening hours, so you can enjoy the festive atmosphere at night. After sunset, visit La Luna di Natale (Christmas moon), a giant model of the moon that lights up. You can also take a stroll through Il Bosco delle Emozioni (the forest of emotions), a Christmas light trail surrounded by pine trees with free entry. Or hop on the Ferris wheel for amazing views of the city.

The Arezzo Christmas Bus Tour is also a good way to explore the city. This small electric bus takes you through the narrow streets and squares, with the tour taking 40-minutes and costing 12 euros (approx. £10.57).

If you’re planning to stay in the picturesque spot for a little longer, you can also visit Arezzo Cathedral, which sits on a hilltop and has spectacular frescoes and stained glass. There’s also the Basilica di San Francesco, which is home of the famous Legends of the True Cross frescoes, which date back to early Renaissance times.

Casa Vasari is also a great place to see Renaissance artworks, sculptures, and more. Set in a historic home that once belonged to artist Giorgio Vasari, this collection includes his own works from the 16th-century, as well as artists he collaborated with.

Ryanair offer flights to Rome from London Stansted from just £18 one way, with flight times of two hours 45 minutes. You can also fly with airlines including Jet2, whose Manchester to Rome flights clock in at three hours and start at £35 each way.

Find out more about Arezzo’s Citta Del Natale (Christmas city) on their official website.

Europe’s cheapest city break is already a firm favourite with visitors thanks to its cheap food, drinks and attractions – so we went to see if it lives up to the hype

With prices on the rise in many European cities, as well as issues from overcrowding to anti-tourism protests in many city break hotspots, many travellers will be looking for cheaper locations for short breaks.

Search for cheap city breaks and Poland often tops the charts, and there’s one city that’s particularly popular among budget travellers; Krakow. Poland’s second city has all the elements of the perfect city break destination. Pretty cobbled streets, cheap food and drink, and plenty of historic and cultural spots to explore.

But is it the cheapest city break? I visited in September, just after the school holidays, and had a look at some of the prices during the shoulder season. With temperatures still at 26C early in the month, it seemed a great time to visit. The city was busy, but nowhere near as crowded as many destinations during this time of year, and there were still outdoor events in the town’s main square in the evening.

For a start, there are various budget-friendly flight options, with Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air all offering direct routes, with a flight time of just over two hours. When I took a look, I found fares with Ryanair from £19.99 each way, although this doesn’t include a second bag if you want to take more than a small handbag or backpack with you.

I stayed at the newly-opened TRIBE hotel in Krakow. It’s about a three minute walk from St. Florian’s Gate, the entrance to the historic old town. This four-star hotel has rooms from as little as £57 a night, and was modern and comfortable. I also liked that it was next to a tram stop, so it’s easy to get around. There are cheaper options available, but if you’re on a short break it has a great location, and it’s an excellent base to explore.

Travel and days out

Krakow’s public transport is cheap, clean, and reliable, so getting around isn’t going to cost you a lot. Getting from the airport to the city centre takes under half an hour by train and costs just 13PLN (around £2.67). The city is quite compact and walkable, and there’s also the option of getting a tram. Journeys of up to 20 minutes cost around £0.50, while a 48-hour ticket, perfect for weekend breaks, is just over £7.

In the old town, you’ll find the Czartoryski Museum, one of Poland’s oldest museums and a popular tourist spot. While it costs nearly £13 to get in, it’s a huge museum and you could wander round for hours. It’s worth getting a guided tour because there’s too much to take in by yourself. You can see an original Rembrandt, as well as the museum’s most famous piece, Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci.

The price of days out varies. There are plenty of inexpensive things to do in the city itself, or you can go further afield to visit sights such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine. This stunning underground series of mines includes chapels, sculptures, and intricately carved walls, all buried below the ground’s surface. Tickets cost from 143 PLN, nearly £30, but it’s well worth the visit.

Many visitors to the city will be looking to visit Auschwitz. There are lots of tour providers offering full day packages, which cost from £60-80. However, you can take the train and get in free without a tour guide, but it is worth booking the tour with an educator, which costs 130PLN (around £26.63), to learn more about the site’s history.

If you don’t have much time to explore Krakow, look out for the Melex tours. These electric golf carts zip around the old town, taking you to sights such as the Renaissance-era Cloth Hall and the Town Hall Tower, with short guided tours from as little as £10.

Food and drink

Most food and drink prices in Krakow are reasonable. Being in the Old Town, you’ll find things pricier, but they still compare well to other city breaks.

In the Old Town, you’ll find a wide variety of restaurants. If you want to try local dishes, you can enjoy a large plate of pierogi for less than £10. You can also grab a lunch to-go at one of the Zabka convenience stores. This Polish brand can be found on every corner, and have food like snacks and sandwiches for around £2.50. You can even get a cold beer with your lunch for less than £1.

And of course, it’s the beer prices lots of visitors will want to know about. Is the beer in Krakow cheap? Relatively, yes. A pint in the Old Town’s main square did set me back £4.50, but I was in a very touristy area. Most places I visited were more around the £3 a pint price mark, or cheaper once away from the Old Town.

So, was Krakow the cheapest city break? Some of the prices weren’t as low as I expected, but overall things like food, drink, and transport were very good value for money, especially when compared to other European breaks I’ve taken recently. If you’re a history buff or just like wandering around beautiful cities, it’s a great choice for a weekend away.

Book the holiday

Stay there: Prices at the TRIBE Krakow start from £96 per night based on two adults sharing a room. Members of ALL Accor can enjoy up to 10% off public rates as well as earning reward points which can be redeemed on stays and experiences across the world.

Get there: Ryanair offers fares from £14.99 each way to Krakow from London Luton.

One UK tourist attraction has been named the spookiest tourist attraction in Europe

For those keen to inject some spine-chilling thrills into their next holiday, Europe offers countless eerie destinations to explore. Yet the most bone-chilling spot of all might be right on our doorstep.

Norwegian Air has declared the Edinburgh Vaults in Scotland as Europe’s most terrifying tourist attraction. These underground chambers were carved out within the nineteen arches of Edinburgh’s South Bridge.

Initially serving as storage facilities for South Bridge businesses from 1788, this purpose proved short-lived. During the Industrial Revolution, they transformed into overcrowded slum dwellings, with cramped rooms sheltering families of up to ten people.

The vaults eventually earned notoriety as one of the city’s most perilous areas, becoming a breeding ground for criminal enterprises.

Underground spaces were converted into illicit gambling establishments and bootleg whisky operations. Sinister tales even suggested that body snatchers would temporarily store cadavers in certain vaults overnight.

Given this grim and shadowy past, it comes as little surprise that the Edinburgh Vaults are reportedly haunted. Spectral encounters include phantom children who grasp visitors’ hands during tours, and the infamous ‘Mr. Boots’, whose thunderous footsteps occasionally reverberate throughout the chambers.

One TripAdvisor reviewer shared their experience: “Had a wonderful time exploring. Worth booking in advance. Very interesting to learn new things. Unfortunately I can’t remember the young ladies name who lead us but she was amazing and very knowledgeable.”

Another added: “We had the most amazing tour thanks to our guide, Kieran. It was just myself and my partner on our tour, but that didn’t phase our guide! He struck the right balance between scary/paranormal stories and the dark historical past of the vaults. If you’re coming to Edinburgh, carve out an hour to go on this tour, it was my favourite thing we’d done on this holiday!”

Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Great tour with a fantastic tour guide Aimee who was very informative & comical. Really interesting to learn about the history of the underground vaults.”

Coming in second place amongst Europe’s most spine-chilling destinations was Portugal’s Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, whilst third place was claimed by Lithuania’s haunting Hill of Crosses.

The Edinburgh Vaults weren’t the sole UK location to feature on the list, with the Tower of London, another notoriously ghostly site, securing fifth position.

Europe’s 10 spookiest places

1. Edinburgh Vaults, Scotland
2. Capela dos Ossos, Portugal
3. The Hill of Crosses, Lithuania
4. Catacombs of Paris, France
5. The Tower of London, England
6. Dracula’s birthplace, Dublin
7. The Church of Ghosts, Prague
8. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim
9. Pfaueninsel, Berlin
10. Moosham Castle, Austria

The people queueing for the Eurostar at London St Pancras station, rushing in from the rain in hoodies, look noticeably less enthusiastic than the usual holiday crowds. But then, we aren’t heading to the usual hot, heady holiday destinations of Spain or the south of France, but boarding a train to north-east Europe. For me, it will be a journey of more than 1,000 miles – via Amsterdam, Berlin and Warsaw to Vilnius – visiting some of the coolest capitals in the north. At least in terms of temperature.

As England sweltered this summer, and Spain reached a hellish 46C, it made sense to head away from the heat on what is now fashionably being called a “coolcation”. I left in August, with a suitcase full of jumpers.

There is something irresistibly romantic about long train trips, watching the geography unfold outside the window. I leave London for Amsterdam on the Eurostar, eating a pain au chocolat as we speed through rural French flatlands and glide past red-roofed Belgian farmhouses, and then the distinctive, tall art nouveau buildings of the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, I switch trains to the Deutsche Bahn, grabbing a packet of Stroopwafel and jumping on board alongside cool Dutch kids with asymmetric hair. I know we have entered Germany when I spot a VW factory, and the graffiti becomes better – and more profuse.

As for my coolcation, it feels burning hot when I arrive in Berlin, emerging from the glass and steel Hauptbahnhof into a summer evening where hipsters on deckchairs are drinking cocktails at Capital Beach on the Spree River.

The next morning, I stroll through the lush Tiergarten past men in black leathers chugging in the Biergarten; through the shadowy blocks of the Holocaust memorial; under the intimidating Brandenburg Gate. I’m heading to Alexanderplatz – where teenagers congregate under the TV tower – and I’m ruminating on how eastern European cities have a harsher aesthetic than those in the soft south. The remnants of the Soviet era echo in the hardness of the culture, in the brutalist architecture I’m passing, and then suddenly as pounding techno surrounds me. Marching down Unter Den Linden, I find myself caught in a procession of floats surrounded by people wearing all black, looking like they’re heading to Berghain nightclub.

My next train, from Berlin to Warsaw, is the IC Intercity link. It’s a Polish train, on which the carriages are split into comfortable six-person compartments. In one of these I sit opposite a boy with a mohawk eating paprika crisps, and I watch the city turn to pine forests of pale thin trees.

Train journeys mimic cruises – you hop on and off in different cities (ideal for my ADHD) and, in between, lounge around eating too much. It’s a five-hour journey from Berlin to Warsaw, and when gazing at farmland becomes monotonous, the restaurant carriage offers distraction. I order Kotlet schabowy (€10.50), and a delicious plate of breaded pork chop, cucumber salad and floury boiled potatoes appears, which I eat surrounded by men with blond buzzcuts drinking Żywiec beers.

It’s startling to emerge from the bunker of Warsaw Central station to a horizon of glass skyscrapers reflecting the deep red sky.

The next day, I discover Warsaw – a captivating juxtaposition of history and modernity. In the Old Town, I eat pierogi beside Marie Curie’s house, then explore cobbled streets with bright rows of coloured medieval buildings, which were bombed during the second world war but have been so faithfully reconstructed they have earned Unesco status. Their Disneyland-esque quality is only lessened by the artillery pockmarks.

Elsewhere, austere Soviet buildings have morphed into hipster cafes with oak counters and earthenware cups. BarStudio, below the Stalin-era Palace of Culture and Science – now reclaimed as a tourist attraction with an observation deck – runs silent-disco nights and serves matcha crepes from a menu decorated ironically with communist-era cartoons.

Taking a train is far easier than flying – there’s no negotiating airport security or check-in – and soon I become dangerously casual, running and hopping onboard with a picnic of local foods.

We roll out of Warsaw and I sit munching Kopernik iced gingerbread biscuits as we pass endless farmland, the occasional dilapidated dacha, factories and small towns of Identikit modern houses in grids. Today’s journey to Vilnius will take nine hours, so it’s a relief when at Mockava, on the Lithuanian border, we are ejected on to a remote platform in a sunny forest. I stand sweltering in 26C heat, wondering why I packed so many jumpers.

The black, double-height Lithuanian train is open-plan, modern, slick and packed full of heaving bike racks, but the dining options are disappointingly limited. I eat a sad toasted-cheese sandwich as we glide through more farmland and forests.

Vilnius, although the most eastern city I’m travelling to, feels the most western in style. Its baroque buildings – including cathedrals that survived the Soviets and have earned it Unesco status – blend into art nouveau architecture. Even former communist blocks here are painted in soft pastels, and wide boulevards (a USSR endeavour) open up a lush city. Elsewhere, meandering cobbled streets offer up cafes and pretty boutiques.

The further east you go, the cheaper things get: coffees that cost €5 in Berlin and €3 in Warsaw are €2 here. But the enthusiasm for capitalism is evident in the number of luxury Lithuanian boutiques and western brands such as H&M and Mango, and a growing tech industry: Vinted is based here. Užupis, the bohemian quarter – where art exhibitions and Banksy-style graffiti adorn the streets – has its own logo: a blue hand with a hole in the middle. My guide says it shows that money falls through in an enticement to spend, spend, spend, but Užupis’s own tourism minister, Kestas Lukoskinas, has said: “The main thing is we have nothing to hide in our hands.”

Still, the heart and backbone of Vilnius is creative, a scene both historic and constantly reinvented. On Literatų gatvė (Literature Street) in Vilnius Old Town, individual wall plaques celebrate writers associated with the city, including Adam Mickiewicz, who lived on the street, Joseph Brodsky and Romain Gary.

The Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre, where tickets start at a very reasonable £15, is matched as a cultural attraction by Lukiškės Prison 2.0 – a Soviet jail shut in 2019 and now reinvented as a creative space, with cells turned into studios and stages hosting trendy bands such as Aurora and Fontaines DC. At Mo Museum, a modern Lithuanian art gallery established by scientists and philanthropists Danguolė and Viktoras Butkus – and one of the first large-scale private collections of its kind since independence – the current exhibition, GamePlay, explores the creative impact of video games.

Although I try classic Lithuanian cuisine – cepelinai (stodgy potato dumplings filled with ground meat), and pink soup (borscht with kefir) – I’m excited to find a burgeoning Michelin restaurant scene. At Ertlio Namas, a nine-course tasting menu is an affordable €70, with traditional dishes reinterpreted with modern spin: salted ide fish with jelly, bread soup with beer-braised beef, and buckwheat babka come as delicious exquisite morsels.

Vilnius repeats Soviet motifs now familiar on my journey: brutalist architecture; cool young people in all black and boots; and the compulsory revamped TV tower, where you can climb to the 67th floor and take a horrifyingly scary walk on a handrail-free ledge, attached only by a rope.

The journey home feels faster; the west softer, even though the train is delayed by five hours (so much for German efficiency). I wander Amsterdam hazily, the harsh and uniform brutalism replaced by the uniquely elegant canal houses and oily Van Goghs – yet I’m surprised, among the clatter and chaos, to miss the calm, clean order of the eastern European cities. I arrive back from my hot coolcation, in England – where it is raining.

The trip was provided by Go Vilnius and the Polish National Tourist . In Berlin, Hotel Zoo has doubles from £110 a nigh. . Rail journey: London-Amsterdam-London on Eurostar €339; Amsterdam-Berlin on NS International €108.99; Berlin-Warsaw on Deutsche Bahn €53.99; Warsaw-Vilnius-Warsaw LTG Link Train €50; Warsaw- Amsterdam Deutsche Bahn €165.49

For a “picture-perfect” festive season, this market is a must-visit and has been voted the top destination for a Christmas market

It may only be October, but many of us are already fantasising about a magical Christmas – and perhaps one final quick break before 2025 draws to a close.

And a European Christmas market that’s just over 2 hours from the UK has been declared the number one destination to visit this year for a “picture-perfect” escape.

Europe is celebrated for hosting some of the globe’s most enchanting Christmas markets that have delightful medieval backdrops, snow-covered pavements, sparkling illuminations, and fun festivities.

It’s essential viewing for both wanderlust seekers and anyone who adores the holiday period. Ranking the top 15 across the continent, The Travel Expert declared Krakow, Poland, as the finest to experience, reports Edinburgh Live.

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The expert revealed: “Home to Europe’s largest market square, Krakow is an excellent choice for a Christmas market break. The massive main square in the centre of the old town comes alive with hundreds of market stalls selling handmade gifts and souvenirs as well as traditional local food and mulled wine to enjoy.”

What’s even more appealing, direct flights from UK airports cost as little as £36 via easyJet. If a Christmas escape is on your 2025 wish list, here’s what you can expect on a visit to Krakow.

What does Krakow have to offer?

According to Visit Krakow, the festive market has been staged in the Main Square since the early 14th century. Krakow boasts three principal Christmas markets. The biggest can be found on Rynek Główny, the Main Square, while smaller festive gatherings operate at Plac Wolnica in Kazimierz and outside the Galeria Krakowska shopping centre.

Each market showcases a magnificent selection of seasonal presents and handicrafts, alongside substantial food offerings and warming mulled beverages. “In addition to pierogi dumplings and traditional Polish soups, there are kiosks selling skewers of meat and delicious grilled sheep cheese,” the website said. “Vodkas, liqueurs, and spirits really take the edge off a winter’s night. For pudding, there are waffles, gingerbread biscuits, and Eastern European pastries.”

Beyond food and drink, Krakow provides numerous seasonal activities. The Old Town and Kazimierz markets showcase stages hosting holiday performances throughout December, while the Galeria Krakowska market includes a small ice rink.

A standout feature of the city’s festive customs is the szopki krakowskie nativity scenes. Rather than conventional nativity displays, these vibrantly coloured models draw inspiration from the city’s churches and cathedrals.

A representative from Krakow Christmas’ official website also declared: “Krakow Christmas market is one of the most picture-perfect settings for a Christmas market that you can imagine. Krakow’s Main Square is huge.

“It is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, and amongst all the Christmas market stalls is the beautiful twin-towered basilica of St Mary’s. In the centre of the square is the Cloth Hall. In Polish, the Cloth Hall is called Sukiennice (pronounced Sukyenitse). Krakow’s Cloth Hall is THE place to go for souvenirs throughout the whole year, and Christmas-time is no exception.”

The blog page also suggests there may be a chance of a white Christmas for those seeking the perfect winter wonderland. Experts say snow is most likely to fall in southern Poland, and Krakow sits close to the Tatra mountain, offering the city a much stronger prospect of a snowy backdrop – though, as ever, the weather remains unpredictable.

Is Krakow worth a visit?

A travel blogger called The Sunshine Seeker, who lived in Krakow and visited it at least 10 times, shared her view on whether the market is genuinely excellent. She said: “So is Krakow Christmas Market worth visiting? My answer is YES, but… It is worth it because Krakow is worth it.

“Krakow is one of the most beautiful yet affordable weekend getaways in Europe. However, I wouldn’t plan a visit to Krakow just for the Christmas Market, there are better destinations such as Dresden and Strasbourg for that. Or Wroclaw Christmas Market which is the largest in Poland.”

If you’re planning a visit, the 2025 market is set to open on November 28 and will run until December 26, with some stalls remaining open through the New Year. Direct flights from Edinburgh Airport to Krakow cost as little as £35.99 via easyJet. According to the Sunshine Seeker, the Christmas Market is open from around 10:00 until 8:00 pm, and the food stalls are open even later.

The optimal time to experience Krakow Christmas Market is during the week when it’s dark as it will allow you to soak up the atmosphere. Sundays are extremely busy. Krakow is a walkable city, meaning tourists can stroll to the Christmas Market from most hotels.

“I always recommend you stay in Kazmierz, my favourite neighbourhood in Krakow, or somewhere along the park that encircles the Old Town,” said the blogger. She continued: “I find Krakow Christmas Market one of Europe’s most affordable.

“The market has some more expensive items; however, Krakow, and Poland in general, is still quite affordable. You can expect to pay €3 – €10 for food, €4.5 for a draft beer and $5.5 for mulled wine.”

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Europe’s victory at Bethpage Black was McIlroy’s sixth in eight Ryder Cups and second in America after 2012’s memorable triumph at Medinah.

Speaking on Tuesday, Donald – who also led Europe to their 2023 win in Rome – said McIlroy would make a “good captain”, but the world number two does not expect to take the reins until the “mid-2030s”.

“Certainly not 2027 [at Adare Manor in Ireland],” he said.

“I hope I’m still playing at that point. But yeah, I would love to be the European team captain at some point.

“But that will be beyond my playing days, or at least when my playing days are coming to an end and I’m not good enough to make the team, or I make way for the new generation to come along.

“Hopefully that’s not in 2027. Hopefully, I’m still good enough to play and put points on the board for Europe.”

McIlroy is returning to action at the DP World Tour’s India Championship – a new tournament – alongside Ryder Cup team-mates Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland.

Grouped with Hovland and US Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin, McIlroy begins Thursday’s first round at Delhi Golf Club at 02:55 BST

Sedlec Ossuary, or as it’s more commonly known, the Church of Bones, is an hour away from the capital of Czechia, Prague, and contains eight million individual bones

One of the most disturbing and dark tourist attractions is just three hours from the UK.

While Transylvania and Edinburgh may be go to’s for a gothic aesthetic among travellers looking for a spooky break, the travel experts at First Choice have found something a little darker and more grisly. Nestled in a rural Czech town just an hour from Prague, you’ll find the Sedlec Ossuary, or as it’s more commonly known, the Church of Bones.

The Roman Catholic chapel is decorated with the skeletal remains of between 40,000 – 70,000 individuals. In total, there are more than eight million individual bones in the cathedral of death.

The first Cistercian monastery in Bohemia, founded in 1142, is rich in history. In the 13th century, the spot became a popular burial ground after a monastery abbot consecrated the land with soil from the spot of Jesus’ crucifixion.

OPINION

Milo Boyd

By the 15th century, a new Gothic church had been built at the location, with the lower chapel re-assigned to house the tens of thousands of victims of the Black Plague and Hussite wars. But it was in the 19th century that the ossuary transformed into the creepy hotspot it is today.

Up until this point, the bones had been haphazardly stored in the various crypts, but in 1870 the monastery’s owners hired a local woodcarver named František Rint to artistically arrange the bones and give them a new sense of purpose.

Rint bleached the bones and used them to create the unique decorations visitors can see today, including:

The Chandelier of bones. This is a massive chandelier that hangs from the centre of the nave and is said to contain at least one of every bone in the human body.

Schwarzenberg coat of arms: A coat of arms made entirely of human bones, including a raven pecking the eye of a Turkish soldier’s skull.

Garlands of skulls that are strung from the ceiling.

Bone pyramids, which are four large, bell-shaped pyramids of stacked bones that occupy the corners of the chapel.

While Sedlec Ossuary makes for a perfect spooky Halloween day out, visitors are welcome all year round. In fact, the summer months make for a great time to visit as the chapel offers late-night, candle-lit tours hosted by monks and an organ performance.

Fans of Danny Boyle’s 2025 apocalyptic horror film 28 Years Later might find the spot particularly appealing – with various visual similarities to the film. And with part 2: The Bone Temple set to release in cinemas in Jan 2026, the spot is set to increase in popularity.

Situated in the town of Kutná Hora, a UNESCO World Heritage spot with a tonne of other historical sites to explore, the Ossuary is just over an hour from the capital of Prague making it a great option for a day trip out of the city.

Tours from Prague centre can be organised with travel companies like First Choice, which offers a day-long guided experience of Kutná Hora and the Sedlec Ossuary from just £63 per person, including transfers.

In Prague itself, dark tourists can try everything from ghost walks to concentration camp and abandoned psychiatric hospital tours. Visiting the capital can be very affordable, with stays including flights and accommodation starting at £188pp with First Choice, and food and drink famously on the lower end compared to similar historical capitals like Berlin and Paris.

Pick a stay at the Royal Court Hotel a 19th century royal residence building, now a modern day 4-star in the heart of the city. Prices start from £188pp, based on two adults sharing a double standard room, on a room-only basis for 2 nights, flights departing from London Stansted on 22 January 2026. Hand luggage only and transfers not included.

Vienna, the capital of Austria, and Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, are just 31 miles apart and both have a lot to offer tourists

Europe’s two nearest capital cities are both stunning and merely 31 miles apart.

Vienna, Austria’s capital, and Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital are practically neighbours. Must-see spots in the Austrian capital feature Schönbrunn Palace, the former summer retreat of the Hapsburg dynasty; the gothic St Stephen’s Cathedral – and the Hofburg, which served as the Hapsburg’s main imperial residence and now houses the Spanish Riding School.

Additional draws include the magnificent St Stephen’s Cathedral, the Sigmund Freud Museum and the Staatsoper opera and ballet venue. Vienna boasts its own gastronomic treasures such as scrumptious chocolate and mouth-watering Wiener Schnitzels to satisfy food lovers. It’s also regularly listed amongst Europe’s most liveable destinations.

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One study conducted by the Economist found that Vienna possessed “an unsurpassed combination of stability, good infrastructure, strong education, and healthcare services, and plenty of culture and entertainment”.

The metropolis is also considered amongst the world’s cleanest and most environmentally-friendly, featuring numerous public gardens situated along the River Danube’s shores.

Just over an hour’s journey downstream lies Bratislava, which rivals Prague or Budapest whilst offering fewer tourists and lower costs, reports the Express.

The destination showcases aspects of medieval, Rococo, Baroque and 20th-century modernism, typical of most former communist capitals. The Old Town is a picture-perfect spot, with its pastel-coloured buildings and cobbled streets lined with cafes and restaurants.

OPINION

This is where you’ll find the majority of the city’s historic architecture. Bratislava Castle, perched on an isolated hill of the Little Carpathians, is arguably the city’s most significant landmark. Its size and location have made it a dominant feature of the landscape since it was first built in the 9th century.

The Town Hall, constructed in the 14th century, is another notable building. Michael’s Gate, the only remaining gate from the medieval fortifications, is one of the city’s oldest structures.

A more unusual landmark is Bratislava’s UFO Tower, which sits on the riverbank offering panoramic views of the city. It also houses a restaurant at the top.

Other capital cities that are close to each other include Rome and Vatican City in Italy, Pyong in North Korea and Seoul in South Korea, and Buenos Aires in Argentina and Montevideo in Uruguay.

Last week the European Commission said it was preparing to introduce tariffs on Russian oil imports entering the EU through Hungary and Slovakia.

It comes as US President Donald Trump has piled pressure on NATO members to stop buying Russian energy, in a bid to end the Russia-Ukraine war. At the UN last week he said, “They’re funding the war against themselves. Who the hell ever heard of that one?” Trump was referring to the more-than one billion euros ($1.35bn) EU countries are still paying to Russia each month for fossil fuels.

In this explainer, Al Jazeera outlines the latest figures on Europe’s oil and gas imports from Russia, why some countries remain dependent on Russian energy and which other nations are now purchasing Russian fuel.

Which European states are still buying Russian energy?

According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), which tracks physical flows of fossil fuels, the EU spent 1.15bn euros ($1.35bn) on Russian fossil fuels in August.

The five largest importers accounted for 85 percent of that total, buying 979 million euros ($1.15 billion) worth of Russian oil and gas. The remaining 15 percent came from countries including Spain, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Slovenia, Austria and Poland.

The top buyers of Russian energy include:

• Hungary: 416 million euros ($488m)
• Slovakia: 275 million euros ($323m)
• France: 157 million euros ($184m)
• Netherlands: 65 million euros ($76m)
• Belgium: 64 million euros ($75m)

Hungary and Slovakia both purchased Russian crude oil and pipeline gas, while France, the Netherlands and Belgium imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which is natural gas cooled into a liquid so it can be transported by ship instead of through pipelines.

Europe’s heavy reliance on oil and gas

Together, oil (33 percent) and natural gas (24 percent) account for more than half of Europe’s energy supply. Coal contributes 11.7 percent, followed by nuclear at 11.2 percent, biofuels at 10.9 percent, solar and wind at 6.1 percent, and hydropower at 3.1 percent.

To transport these large volumes of oil and gas, Europe relies on an extensive network of 202,685 km of active pipelines as of 2023, according to GlobalData.

A key part of this network is the 4,000 km (2,500 miles) Druzhba pipeline, one of the world’s longest oil pipelines, with a capacity of 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels per day, carrying oil from eastern Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia.

Hungary and Slovakia continue to receive oil through the pipeline under a temporary EU exemption, granted to prevent severe energy shortages, as these landlocked countries rely heavily on the Druzhba pipeline and have few alternative import routes or ports.

How has Europe’s reliance on Russian gas changed?

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the EU sourced more than 45 percent of its total gas imports and 27 percent of its oil from Russia. By 2024, these shares had fallen to 19 percent for gas and three percent for oil.

Many European leaders have faced pressure to impose heavier sanctions on Russia as the EU seeks to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. However, this remains challenging for countries heavily reliant on a single energy source, for example, in Hungary, more than 60 percent of energy comes from oil and gas.

Imports of Russian gas fell from over 150 billion cubic meters (bcm) in 2021 to less than 52 bcm in 2024. This shortfall was largely offset by increased imports from other partners: US imports rose from 18.9 bcm in 2021 to 45.1 bcm in 2024, Norway from 79.5 bcm to 91.1 bcm, and other partners from 41.6 bcm to 45 bcm.

What other commodities is Europe buying from Russia?

In addition to lower energy imports, the EU is now importing less nickel, iron and steel from Russia.

However, fertiliser essential for farming, for which Russia is a major producer and exporter, has increased by almost 20 percent from 2021 to 2025.

Earlier this year, the European Commission’s proposal to introduce a 6.5 percent tariff on fertiliser imports from Russia and Belarus was endorsed by the European Commission with the aim to phase out reliance on inorganic fertiliser from Moscow.

Outside the EU, who is buying Russian energy?

In August, China was the largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels, accounting for 5.7 bn euros ($6.7 bn) worth of Russian energy export revenues, with 58 percent (3.1 bn euros) of these imports being crude oil.

India was the second-largest buyer, with 3.6 bn euros ($4.2bn) in imports, of which 78 percent (2.9 bn euros) was crude oil.

Turkiye ranked third, importing 3 bn euros ($3.5bn) worth of energy, including a mix of pipeline gas, oil products, crude oil and coal.

The EU was the fourth-largest purchaser, accounting for 1.2 bn euros ($1.4bn)  in imports. Two-thirds of these were Russian LNG and pipeline gas, valued at 773 million euros ($907m).

South Korea was the fifth-largest buyer at 564 million euros ($662m), with three-quarters of its imports consisting of coal.

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The steel sector raised the alarm on Wednesday over the fate of Europe’s steel jobs due to the dual impact of Chinese surplus entering the EU market and punitive US tariffs targeting European steel production.

“Europeans have to do something. They have to find strong answers against these overcapacities because if they don’t we will lose all our jobs and all our confidence,” Manuel Bloemers, from the powerful German union IG Metall, told Euronews.

“In Germany, the steel industry is heavily impacted from these imports. Thyssenkrupp has a lot of layoffs planned,” he added.

European Commission Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné convened an emergency summit in Brussels with both steel industry leaders and unions to explore urgent solutions.

The European steel industry currently supports around 2.5 million direct and indirect jobs across the EU, with Germany, Italy and France being the main producers in 2024, according to data by EUROFER, a lobby that represents Europe’s leading steel producers.

Thyssenkrupp Steel alone has announced plans to cut up to 11,000 jobs — around 40% of its German workforce — by 2030. Across Europe, thousands of jobs are also under threat at ArcelorMittal, the world’s second-largest steel producer.

The past year was a challenging one for the sector, which saw a loss of 18,000 jobs in the EU, according to IndustriAll, the European steel union.

The situation may worsen with the new trade policy implemented by US President Donald Trump, industry representatives believe.

Since June, the US has imposed 50% tariffs on steel imports and an influx of heavily subsidised Chinese steel is diverted from the US to the EU market, lowering prices and revenues of the EU industry.

EUROFER has called for measures to slash foreign steel imports by half.

“The big risks we have as Europeans is that not only our exports into the US are being limited, but also the imports which are directed to the US usually are landing in an unprotected Europe,” Henrik Adam, president of EUROFER said.

After weeks of transatlantic trade tensions, the EU and the US reached a trade deal in July, which includes a 15% US tariff on all EU imports, while maintaining 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium — a bitter setback for the sector.

The Commission has told Euronews it will unveil new measures of protection for the market at next week’s European Parliament plenary session in Strasbourg.

‘Time is running out’

“Time is running out,” warned German MEP Jens Geier (S&D), describing the outlook as “anxious” for workers across the continent.

“This is a worthwhile timely initiative by the commission to propose this defence instruments since we all are eager to see action from the Commission,” the MEP said.

To respond to the crisis, the steel industry is proposing a tariff rate quota system: imports above a certain threshold would be subject to a 50% tariff. The threshold remains to be determined.

The quota aligns with a proposal launched in July by France, backed by 10 other EU member states, which notes that the new system “must apply to all third countries without exception.”

Since 2019, the European Commission has implemented safeguard measures to limit imports of foreign steel. However, those are set to expire in 2026, and EUROFER argues the current rules have already proven insufficient, with foreign steel imports doubling over that period.

The OECD published data in April showing that global steel overcapacities stood at 600 million tonnes in 2023 and are expected to rise to 720 million tonnes next year.

To stand its ground, the EU hopes the US will agree to lower its tariffs.

Negotiations between Brussels and Washington are expected to resume once the Commission has finalised its approach to protecting the sector.

The White House will then assess what it is willing to grant the Europeans. But talks are expected to be difficult, as Trump is pushing to bring production capacity back to US soil.

“Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another big jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers. Make America great again,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in May.

McDowell competed in four Ryder Cups between 2008 and 2014, picking up nine points from 15 matches, and his success over Hunter Mahan in the final singles match at Celtic Manor in Wales in 2010 closed out victory for the Europeans.

He went on to serve twice as a vice-captain – under Thomas Bjorn in 2018 and under Padraig Harrington for the 2020 Ryder Cup in 2021.

His experiences from those encounters and his observations of events since give him an insight into the spirit among European teams and the recipe for success in the febrile atmosphere generated by the competition.

“The European system that has been developed is obviously turning into something very robust. Take the chemistry of partnerships and developing great relationships.

“Eleven of the 12 players who competed in Rome [in 2023] competing again for Europe in this Ryder Cup, something that has never been done before, and look at the results.

“It was an incredible first four sessions, the domination. Clearly that’s not something a team can do every year so you’re always having to cycle new players in and out, figure out the chemistry between them, put great pairings together, continue to be a dominant force in the foursomes.”

Traditionally Europe have been more successful in the pairs formats of the event, with the United States often enjoying the upper hand in the singles, as was the case in the 2025 edition.

“Friday and Saturday are huge days because you lay the foundation down for what Sunday’s singles can be,” reflected the 2010 US Open champion.

“America are historically a little stronger in singles over the years but Europe laid the foundations down in those pairings. It comes down to understanding what makes a great pair, and that comes from all the analytics.

“But there’s so much more to that. It comes from the great friendships that are struck up in the team rooms, the camaraderie.

“The players come from all over Europe – different countries, different cultures and different backgrounds. They all come together.”

US captain Keegan Bradley put English’s name in the envelope in case of injury to a European player.

When the draw for the singles came out following play on Saturday, English and Hovland were paired in the 12th match.

Hovland’s issue flared up following his Saturday morning foursomes victory alongside Robert MacIntyre against Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley.

Scheduled to play with Matt Fitzpatrick in the afternoon fourballs, Hovland was replaced by Tyrrell Hatton.

Hovland, who said he has “had some issues with a neck injury on and off for the last two months”, had an MRI scan on Saturday evening.

This is the third time the envelope rule has been used since it was introduced in 1979.

In 1991 American Steve Pate was injured in a car crash before the Ryder Cup started, and in 1993 Europe’s Sam Torrance could not play on the Sunday because of an infected toe.

Budapest in Hungary is home to hearty dishes such as goulash, blood sausage, pörkölt, somló trifle and lángos. It has been named the authentic food capital of Europe

Budapest has been named as Europe’s best city for authentic food experiences.

The Hungarian capital is the place to go if you’re after delicious food served up in independent restaurants. It is also a relatively short three-hours away from the UK on flights that cost from £14.

To help tourists expand their palettes, Saga Holidays conducted a study to uncover Europe’s most authentic food destinations by analysing 5,000 restaurants across 125 European cities. Researchers picked through Google review data to track how often diners praised restaurants and dishes as ‘authentic’, alongside an overall sentiment score, to create a final ranking of authentic food cities.

Food can be a celebration of culture and for many, it can be what holiday itineraries revolve around. Yet, while nearly 8 in 10 Brits (79%) say finding authentic food is important when abroad, three-quarters admit that they struggle to know where to go beyond the tourist hotspots.

Budapest (98/100) tops Saga Holidays’ authentic food ranking. There is a good reason why Budapest is known as ‘The Paris of the East’. In addition to its grand, towering town houses and city blocks that bear more than a passing resemblance to the French capital, it also shares a love of fine, artery-clogging dining.

Hungarian cuisine is hearty and filling, with a heavy use of meats. Among the must-try foods are:

• Goulash: A hearty beef soup with potatoes and carrots.
• Hortobágy crêpes: Hungary’s more refined take on enchiladas—these savory crepes are stuffed with stew or minced meat and topped with a creamy paprika sauce. They make excellent starters or even a main course.
• Pörkölt/Paprikás: A thick stew, either plain or mixed with sour cream, often mistaken internationally for goulash. Catfish served with curd cheese and dill noodles are a particularly fine version.
• Roast sausage and blood sausage (hurka-kolbász): Best enjoyed at authentic butcher shops like Pinczi, accompanied by pickled vegetables, mustard (or horseradish), fresh white bread, and a cold beer.
• Lángos: Hungarians traditionally eat it with salt, garlic, sour cream, and/or cheese. The wild versions topped with sausage or kebab are mostly designed to appeal to tourists.
• Somló trifle: A delicious walnut sponge cake dessert layered with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
• Chimney cake: A sweet, spiral-shaped pull-apart bread roasted over charcoal and coated in your choice of toppings—usually nuts, cinnamon, vanilla sugar, cocoa, or coconut flakes.

Budapest local Vernazza has put together a fantastic guide for first-time visitors to the Hungarian capital. The guide offers many great suggestions for places to eat, drink, party, and much else. It also includes some advice about cultural customs that may come as a shock.

“Brusque service by waiters is one of the most common complaints of tourists about their visit to Hungary. Prepare for that, but also remember that the lack of US-style overly friendliness is not necessarily rudeness in itself, just formality,” Vernazza writes.

For the more authentic experience, stay away from the tourist traps around Váci utca, along the Danube and on Andrássy út. Menus displayed in English outside a restaurant are typically a sign that an eatery is not frequented by locals, as is a host tempting you in.

“Waiters in folk dresses, excessive decoration, or live gypsy music are sure signs of a place you don’t want to eat at. In case you prefer the folksy experience, one exception to this rule is Paprika Vendéglő next to Heroes’ Square,” Vernazza continues.

The Sunday farmers’ at Szimpla ruin pub serves up artisanal, vegan and otherwise niche products, while more traditional fare is often on offer from the outdoor stalls of Hunyadi tér, Fény utca or the Lehel tér hall.

In terms of restaurants, Budapest is a big city of nearly two million that stretches about 35km from east to west, so where you decide to eat will likely depend on where you’re staying. Here are some of the more hotly tipped options:

• Rosenstein (a traditional Hungarian restaurant)
• Két Szerecsen (cozy Hungarian)
• Olimpia (casual fine dining)
• Borkonyha (business casual fine dining, Michelin-star)
• Kispiac (modern Hungarian)
• Tüköry (traditional Hungarian on a budget)
• Ruben (traditional Hungarian on a budget)

Saga’s authentic food cities

1. Budapest, Hungary
2. Piraeus, Greece
3. Athens, Greece
4. Vienna, Austria
5. Krakow, Poland
6. Prague, Czech Republic
7. Valletta, Malta
8. Warsaw, Poland
9. Munich, Germany
10. Milan, Italy

A study found the cheapest city in the world for a beer – and unsurprisingly it’s not the UK. According to experts at Magnet Kitchens, it’s somewhere in Europe

Beer enthusiasts, rejoice! A study has revealed the location of the cheapest pint on the planet.

Unfortunately for Brits, the most affordable city in the UK for a brew was Nottingham, coming in at 99th place – where a pint could cost you a reasonable £1.63. But across the Channel, it’s a whole different ball game.

Italy, Germany and Spain were identified as having the lowest prices for a bottle of beer, according to the boffins at Magnet Kitchens. The study examined 190 cities using crowdsourced data from Numbeo on the price of a bottle of beer in cities worldwide in 2024.

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The top 10 was dominated by Germany, with Wandsbek in the north of the country being the tenth best-value – with a bottle costing party-goers a remarkably low 74p. Nuremberg, Bielefeld and Bremen were tied at a penny less, while Zaragoza, in the northeast of Spain and known as the ‘city of beer’, offered an enticing 72p pint, reports the Express.

Four more German cities came in joint-second, with 71p bottles in Wuppertal, Bochum, Bochum-Hordel and Dresden. However, it was a seaside city in the south of Italy that took the top spot – where drinkers can enjoy a beer for as little as 65p.

According to Numbeo, beer in Taranto is a staggering 11.5 times cheaper than the world’s priciest – found in Darwin, Australia (£7.48). It was the only Italian city to make the top 10, while the next highest-ranking Italian town was Messina, a port city in the northeast of Sicily, which came in 51st.

OPINION

Taranto also secured a spot in the top 10 for the world’s cheapest bottle of wine, ranking seventh with a price tag of just £3.87 – outdone only by Rome, where you can nab a bottle for a mere £2.80.

An impressive 20 German cities made it into the top 50 for beer, while eight locations in the country also featured in the top 30 for wine lovers – including Bochum, where a bottle will cost you a modest £4.29.

Zaragoza turned out to be more than twice as cheap as the priciest Spanish city, Cordoba, which charges £1.57 for a bottle of beer.

In total, 18 Spanish cities made the cut in the top 50, with Las Palmas on the island of Gran Canaria coming in second at 77p – narrowly missing out on a spot in the global top 10.

It is not too difficult to work out why the aviation routes between the UK and Dublin are so well used, given the large number of people born in Ireland who now live in the UK

Dublin has been unveiled as the most popular international destination for UK air travellers in the first six months of 2025.

According to new analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by air passenger rights experts, AirAdvisor, over 4.8 million passengers flew between the UK and the Emerald Isle’s major airport, Dublin Airport, between January and June 2025.

In previous years, Palma De Mallorca in Spain and the Dutch capital Amsterdam claimed the top spot in the frequent flights ranking.

Other destinations that frequently welcome large numbers of UK travellers include Alicante, Malaga, Faro, and Dubai. European capital cities, including Madrid, Paris, and Lisbon, also experience significant traffic to and from the UK.

AirAdvisor CEO Anton Radchenko said: “Ireland is an extremely popular destination for UK travellers due to the two countries’ historic connections. It’s a busy route for holidaymakers between the nations’ major cities and also people visiting family members based either side of the Irish Sea.

“Amsterdam remains a popular city break spot for UK travellers while those looking for year-round sun often opt for destinations like Dubai and Tenerife.”

It is not too difficult to work out why the aviation routes between the UK and Dublin are so well used.

According to the Office for National Statistic’s anual population survey, there were approximately 412,000 people who were born in the Republic of Ireland living in the UK as of June 2021. The number of people of Irish ancestry in the UK is significantly higher, with estimates suggesting around six million people have at least one Irish grandparent.

Many of those people still have connections to the Irish capital, giving them a very good reason to hop on a Ryanair or Aer Lingus flight and head back. It is often cheap. A flight from the UK to Dublin can be booked for as little as £16 next week. Kayak also has rooms for from £37 a night.

For those who don’t have such a connection, there are plenty of reasons to hop on the hour long flight from the UK and visit Dublin.

A trip to the Guinness Storehouse is a must for most visitors — and it absolutely lives up to the hype. Whether you join a guided tour or take your time exploring solo, you’ll get a fascinating look at how the iconic Irish stout is brewed — and of course, there’s a tasting involved.

History enthusiasts will feel right at home at Malahide Castle. Set in picturesque surroundings, the castle invites you to step back in time with guided tours and stories from centuries past. Afterwards, wander through the serene gardens for a relaxing stroll.

Another historic highlight comes in the Book of Kells Exhibition, where you can view one of the most famous illuminated manuscripts in existence.

There are plenty of museums in the city, including:

• Kilmainham Gaol: This former prison offers powerful insights into Ireland’s complex past.
• Dublin Writers Museum: A literary pilgrimage for fans of James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, and other Irish greats.

• The Irish Rock ‘n’ Roll Museum is a treasure trove of memorabilia and a hit with music lovers.
• The Little Museum of Dublin showcases the city’s modern history, with an entire room dedicated to U2.
• The Irish Whiskey Museum, where you can learn all about one of Ireland’s most beloved exports.

If you’re keen to indulge in a little retail therapy, Dublin has you covered. Grafton Street and Henry Street are the main shopping thoroughfares, packed with everything from designer brands to high-street favourites.

For something more unique, Dublin’s street markets are full of character. One standout is the Dublin Flea Market, offering everything from vintage clothes to quirky collectables and furniture. Just note: it only runs on the last Sunday of each month.

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Heathrow, Brussels and Berlin airports among major European hubs confirming disruptions as a result of the attack.

A cyberattack targeting check-in and boarding systems has disrupted air traffic and caused delays at major airports across Europe.

Some operations at a number of airports, including London’s Heathrow, were taken offline on Saturday after a service provider’s software was hit in the attack.

Heathrow airport, the United Kingdom’s largest and one of the busiest internationally, said Collins Aerospace, which provides check-in and boarding systems for several airlines across multiple airports globally, “is experiencing a technical issue that may cause delays for departing passengers”.

“While the provider works to resolve the problem quickly, we advise passengers to check their flight status with their airline before travelling,” it said.

Collins Aerospace is a major aerospace and military company based in the United States, and a subsidiary of weaponsmaker RTX Corporation – formerly Raytheon Technologies. RTX said it was aware of a “cyber-related disruption” to its software in select airports, without naming them.

“The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations,” the company said in a statement, adding that it was working to fix the issue as quickly as possible.

Brussels and Berlin airports separately confirmed they were also affected by the attack, which rendered automated systems inoperable, allowing only manual check-in and boarding procedures.

“This has a large impact on the flight schedule and will unfortunately cause delays and cancellations of flights,” Brussels airport said, adding that the cyberattack occurred on Friday night.

“Due to a technical issue at a system provider … there are longer waiting times at check-in. We are working on a quick solution,” Berlin airport said in a banner on its website.

Frankfurt airport, Germany’s largest, was not affected, a spokesperson said. An official from the operations control centre at Zurich airport also said it had not been affected.

The Paris Charles de Gaulle airport, also known as Roissy, along with Orly and Le Bourget airports in the Paris area, reported no disruptions.

No group, individual, or state actor has claimed responsibility for the cyberattack, and a motive is yet to be confirmed. There has been no confirmed instance of data theft related to the attack.

Autumn can be an ideal season for a European city break but there’s one destination that often gets overlooked despite October being one of the best times to visit

Brits looking for city break inspiration this autumn may want to consider a trip to an often-overlooked city in France.

Despite being just an hour’s flight from the UK and boasting beautiful medieval buildings and a grand cathedral, Rennes is a city that tourists will often miss because they’re flocking to hotspots such as Paris or Marseille. However, because it’s as popular, Rennes actually offers up plenty of budget-friendly accommodations, not to mention you can get cheap flights if you do want to visit.

(If you have Paris on the bucket list, Rennes sits just a 90-minute journey away if you did want to extend the itinerary to check it out!).

The city is packed with a plethora of shops, cafés and bars, not to mention it’s got a buzzing art scene from the street art to the Fine Arts Museum. For music fans there are plenty of live music venues and festivals throughout the year where you can check out some lesser-known artists as well as bigger names.

Oh, and if you’re a foodie then you will want to time your break over a weekend, as Rennes hosts France’s second largest market every Saturday, serving up heaps of that world-famous French cuisine including local hits such as sausage wrapped in buckwheat pancakes.

One of the biggest draws for Rennes is the ease with which it can be visited from the UK. Flights take approximately an hour from London, and the journey from the airport to the city centre can be done in under 15 minutes.

These were big factors in a recent study from travel insiders at Holidu who ranked Europe’s best cities for an overnight break, with Rennes taking the crown. Researchers looked at a host of attributes including flight time from the UK, time between the airport and city centre, time spent walking between the top three biggest attractions, and the average cost of a hotel stay per night (in the case of the French city, this averaged out at about £69.39).

Autumn can be one of the best times to visit too, with temperatures remaining around 22C in September, and 17C in October. The latter may be more appealing to those on a budget; October is one of the best times to book flights as you can find fares from £49 with Skyscanner. Currently easyJet is the only airline offering direct flights from the UK, with routes departing from either London Gatwick or Manchester. As for your accommodation, Kayak has Rennes hotels from £42 a night outside of the peak holiday seasons.

Rennes wasn’t the only French city to impress in the Holidu rankings. It was closely followed by Nantes, which also boasted a flight time of around an hour, not to mention all of its major attractions sit within a 39-minute walk.

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