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A small town has been crowned the world’s most welcoming city in the world, boasting Renaissance architecture and world-famous wine

The “most welcoming city” in the world has been unveiled – and it’s a mere three-hour journey from the UK. According to data from Booking.com, several British cities have made the cut for their hospitality towards holidaymakers, with Harrogate taking the crown as the UK’s most welcoming city.

However, the title of the “world’s most welcoming city” goes to the Italian town of Montepulciano. Nestled amongst the Tuscan hills, this town offers a wealth of heritage that belies its small size.

Montepulciano is a quaint town with a population of just 14,000 residents, perched on a hill overlooking lush countryside bathed in Italian sunshine.

Since World War 2, tourism has played a crucial role in the local economy, with the town’s history stretching back to the Renaissance era.

The town’s intriguing past is reflected in its architecture, which was shaped by the Renaissance period, earning it the esteemed title of the “Pearl of the Cinquecento”.

The buildings were meticulously designed by architects of the time, making a stroll through the narrow lanes feel like a journey back in time.

Among Montepulciano’s architectural gems is the grand Duomo, built between the 16th and 17th centuries.

The town’s celebrated city hall was also crafted by renowned Renaissance architects hailing from nearby Florence, reports the Express.

Montepulciano is a remarkably pedestrian-friendly destination, with most of its streets designated as car-free zones.

If you’re eager to immerse yourself in the town’s lively atmosphere, take a leisurely walk along the main street, which stretches for just under a mile and is lined with charming local independent shops and plenty of eateries.

In addition to the small-town charm that Montepulciano naturally exudes, its food and drink scene also draws visitors from all over the world.

The town is surrounded by a rich wine heritage, with its renowned noble wine being granted protected status within Italian gastronomy.

And if that wasn’t enough, the town holds some hidden gems and ancient traditions that have stood the test of time.

One such tradition is the ‘Bravio delle botti’, where participants roll a massive wine barrel through the town’s streets, a custom dating back to the 14th century.

To get to Montepulciano, Brits can fly to nearby Perugia, with Ryanair offering direct flights.

UK travellers can fly directly to Perugia from London Stansted Airport, with flights taking roughly three hours to reach the sun-soaked region, before continuing on to Montepulciano.

However, Ryanair isn’t the only airline connecting British tourists to Perugia, as British Airways also runs a service from London Heathrow Airport to Perugia.

It’s worth mentioning though, that the Heathrow service only operates seasonally, while the Stansted service runs throughout the year.

The complete list of Booking.com’s Most Welcoming Cities on Earth is as follows:

• Montepulciano, Italy
• Magong, Taiwan
• San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
• Harrogate, United Kingdom
• Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
• Pirenópolis, Brazil
• Swakopmund, Namibia
• Takayama, Japan
• Noosa Heads, Australia
• Klaipeda, Lithuania

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World News // 3 hours ago

Hong Kong sentences pro-democracy figure Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison

Feb. 8 (UPI) — A Hong Kong court on Monday sentenced Jimmy Lai, a prominent pro-democracy figure and the founder of the now-defunct progressive Apple Daily, to 20 years in prison.

Right before the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympic Games, relay participants passed the torch for the final few times in central Milan. The flame began its journey across Italy in December, starting in Rome and travelling through all 110 Italian provinces.

A MAJOR Lego attraction less than two hours from the UK is getting a new experience this month.

Lego House in Billund, Denmark, has launched a new Lego Master Academy Level 1 attraction, where visitors can build together with a number of animal-inspired challenges.

Called ‘Splash into the Bricks’, the new experience involves hands-on building in the Home of the Brick in a creative pond world, “where ducks fly, frogs spin, and buzzing bugs come to life through Lego play”.

The experience will be the most accessible level of Lego Masters Academy with a focus on curiosity, experimentation and play.

In total, the experience lasts one hour and the guided building session is led by Lego House Play Agents.

Guests can create their own ducks, frogs and little bugs as well as build catapults, spinners and slingshots.

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And there’s the chance to interact with other guests too, through group challenges.

At the end of the session, visitors even get to take home their builds.

For the launch of the new experience, there will be two sessions featuring well-known Lego designers and Lego Masters judges.

The first session on February 9 will include Lego Masters Denmark judge Soren Dyrhoj and the second session on February 16, will feature Lego Design Lead, and Lego Masters US judge Amy Corbett.

Lego House is a much-loved family attraction that is spread over 12,000 square metres and boasts 25million Lego bricks.

The Sun’s Head Of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire took her six-year-old son to the Billund attraction last summer, said: “I’m not sure that any attraction has wowed me quite as much as Lego house. 

 “We spent seven hours inside the building, seeing how the blocks are made, building our own characters, making our own short Lego movie and even having our food delivered by Lego robots.

“As a mum whose child is obsessed with Lego, I was expecting him to love it – but I wasn’t expecting to love it myself. 

“And yet, I thoroughly enjoyed every single activity. 

“I happily sat for half an hour building a bouquet of Lego flowers, I loved making my own lego robot that danced on a video screen and I still have myself and my child in Lego miniature on our mantelpiece at home. 

“For a place to inspire creativity and joy in so many adults AND children is really rare – usually it’s aimed at one or the other.”

Speaking on the new experience Soren Bering Andersen, head of experiences at Lego House said: “Lego Masters Academy Level 1 is about Lego play bringing people together.

“It’s a space where families and guests of all ages can build, laugh, and explore creativity together.

“Everyone meets the bricks on equal terms, and the fun comes from sharing the experience.”

For those who want to progress their skills further, there is the Level 2, in which there is a focus on specific Lego building techniques as well as more challenges.

In Level 3, visitors then progress to advanced designs and storytelling challenges.

Visitors can also explore an outdoor play area and there is a cafe on-site too for a bite to eat.

And, the attraction is just a nine minute drive from the airport, making it the ideal activity if you are on the way to the airport.

In other attraction news, UK’s strangest (and coolest) theme park launches new ‘crazy trikes’ attraction for 2026.

Plus, one of Europe’s most popular theme parks to open new pirate water coaster, adventure pool and jungle trail.

Cameron Mofid completed his quest to travel to all 195 UN-recognised countries and territories in 2025, and has now named three standout cities from his travels

A man who’s visited all 195 countries in the world has named a European city akin to a “living crossroads of history” as one of his favourites. San Diego’s Cameron Mofid set off on a quest to travel to all 195 UN-recognised countries and territories while struggling with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

On April 3, 2025, Cameron completed his journey by visiting his final destination, North Korea—often referred to as the “hermit kingdom.” With this, he achieved his goal of travelling to every country in the world, all by the young age of just 25.

Cameron, who previously discussed some of his favourite countries with The Mirror, has also recently shared a list of three cities around the world that he particularly loves, including one located in Europe.

In a first-person piece for Business Insider, Cameron revealed that he has a particular fondness for the vibrant city of Sydney, Australia, and the breathtaking Krabi in the sun-drenched Southeast Asian nation of Thailand.

For those who might feel discouraged by the long journeys required to reach these two far-flung destinations, Cameron has also suggested an alternative favourite, which is much more accessible for Brits: Valletta, Malta.

Cameron wrote in Business Insider: “Valletta felt like a living crossroads of history from the moment I arrived. Sitting at the centre of the Mediterranean, the city reflects centuries of Italian, Arab, British, and North African influence, all packed into a compact, walkable capital.

“I’d walk past waterfront cafés and, minutes later, find myself standing on the city’s fortified walls, looking out over waters once travelled by Phoenician traders, Ottoman fleets, and British warships.

“What surprised me most about Valletta was how under-visited it felt compared to much of southern Europe. Even during peak season, it never felt overrun. A short ferry ride away, I spent time on the island of Gozo, where life moved even slower.”

Cameron detailed how he visited temples older than the pyramids in Egypt and experienced villages where fishing and farming continue to “shape daily life”, but travelling to the island also served to make Valletta feel even “more special”.

In further remarks about the European city, he went on to describe how the “historic” capital offered simple access to what he termed the “quieter, older side of the Mediterranean”.

Located south of Sicily in the central Mediterranean, Malta is an archipelago boasting a rich history. Over the centuries, it has been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Phoenicians, and even France and Britain.

Some of the highlights in Valletta include St John’s Co-Cathedral, the National Museum of Archaeology, the stunning Upper Barrakka Gardens, and St Catherine’s Monastery.

The Met Office states that Malta enjoys “typically Mediterranean” weather, with hot and dry summers with temperatures hitting 32C in July and August and falling to 15 to 17C in December to February.

If you’d like to take a trip to Malta, you can expect an average flight time of 3 hours, 19 minutes (London Gatwick to Malta International Airport in Valletta), according to Booking.com.

Jan. 31 (Asia Today) — Harold Rogers, interim chief executive of Coupang Korea, was questioned for more than 12 hours by police over allegations that the company destroyed evidence during an internal probe into a massive personal data leak.

Rogers arrived at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at about 2 p.m. Thursday and left around 2:22 a.m. Friday. He declined to answer reporters’ questions, including whether he acknowledged the evidence destruction allegations, how the company determined that about 3,000 users were affected, and why he had not appeared for questioning earlier.

Before entering police headquarters, Rogers said Coupang had “fully cooperated with all government investigations and will continue to do so,” adding that the company would also cooperate with the police probe.

Police are investigating whether Coupang conducted an unauthorized “self-investigation” after the data breach and destroyed evidence in the process. The company allegedly analyzed a suspect’s laptop without prior consultation with authorities and publicly announced its own findings, including the estimated scope of the leak.

Investigators reportedly questioned Rogers about Coupang’s actions, including allegedly contacting the data leak suspect in China without police knowledge, retrieving the laptop, and conducting forensic analysis independently.

Attention has also focused on whether Rogers will leave South Korea. Police applied for a travel ban against him after his entry on Jan. 21, but prosecutors rejected the request. Rogers previously left the country earlier this month after completing a two-day schedule of National Assembly hearings.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

© Asia Today. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution prohibited.

Original Korean report: https://www.asiatoday.co.kr/kn/view.php?key=20260131010014003

LIVING in rainy Britain, I’m not usually keen on cold- weather holiday destinations – but Copenhagen is an exception.

The autumn and winter months are where the Danish capital thrives.

Locals and tourists embrace the season, snuggling up by outdoor fires and sipping on hot chocolate or spiced Gløgg — the Scandinavian version of mulled wine.

Even in the bitter winter, Danes continue dining al fresco and sipping pints of Carlsberg, which was first brewed here in 1847.

In fact, making the most of the winter sunshine, crisp air and creating a comfy atmosphere has been factored into the way the Danish like to live, the concept of “hygge”.

Pronounced “hoo-gah”, it doesn’t have a direct translation but loosely, it is a quality of cosiness that leads to contentment and wellbeing.

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It undoubtedly forms part of the reason why Copenhagen was voted the World’s Happiest City for 2025 in the World Happy Index.

I certainly saw a lot of smiling faces as I wandered the streets.

There is even a Happiness Museum where you can learn how Copenhagen is leading the charge when it comes to cheerful citizens.

My favourite bit was the hallway of sticky notes where visitors are encouraged to write down what makes them happy, listing everything from meaningful anecdotes about friends and family to simple pleasures like cinnamon rolls and coffee.

Shopping counts as one of those simple pleasures for me and luckily, there is plenty of that here.

I suggest the Stroget district, which has all sorts of stores from luxury brands like Ganni and Gucci to ­budget-friendly alternatives.

Food is big on the happiness scale, too, and when it comes to eating in Copenhagen, you’re spoilt for choice – especially with Danish pastries.

There are around 140 bakeries on the corners of the main shopping streets and tucked away in alleyways.

Holms Bager is a great spot to try a sticky and sweet cinnamon bun with crunchy sugar pieces.

But Buka, a bakery that opened in 2019, immediately tempted me inside with its window display of pistachio-filled croissants and cream tarts.

I opted for Danish specialty Tebirkes – a brioche bun filled with rich remonce (spiced sugar paste), brushed with almond glaze and topped with poppy seeds. Delicious.

As for savoury dishes, Smorrebrod (essentially an open sandwich on rye bread) is served almost everywhere with toppings varying from prawns to pate and pickled herring.

Famous landmarks

With little time left and much of the city still to see, I headed out on a canal tour, booked through Tui as an added extra to my package break.

The tour started in the city centre and took me around the waterways to the likes of Paper Island – a new urban quarter, which is home to the most ex­pen­­sive penthouse ever sold in the city.

I saw CopenHill, the huge Opera House and went through Christianshavn before stopping by The Little Mermaid statue — although sadly, you only see the back of her from the boat.

If you want the best view, sit on the left-hand side as you board.

Not only did the tour offer me a chance to get out on the water, but I saw almost all of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks in just one hour.

That’s the other beauty of a package getaway like my Tui one – the organisational faff is kept to a minimum with all the essentials sorted for you.

That meant less time planning and more time exploring.

I had booked a room at the well- located Admiral Hotel Copenhagen, a former grain warehouse across the water from the Opera House.

The homely, loft-style set-up featured a little living area, plus a bathroom and a mezzanine level where my double bed sat below a skylight.

The hotel is just minutes from the postcard-perfect Nyhavn – a bright district with tall colourful houses sat right on the waterfront where boat bars bob on the water.

In the evenings, fairy lights zigzag above the cobbled streets and it’s a great spot to stop for a cocktail or warming Glogg if you prefer.

The art of hygge isn’t so hard to practise when you’re in Copenhagen.

KATIE Price has mysteriously deleted an online tribute to her new husband Lee Andrews – just two days after their surprise nuptials.

The former glamour model shocked fans after tying the knot with her businessman beau in a romantic Dubai ceremony over the weekend.

Following the nuptials, the loved-up newlywed took to her social media to update her new relationship status, proudly writing in her Instagram bio: “married @wesleeeandrews”.

However, 48 hours on, Katie has now ditched the tribute to her new hubby, reverting back to her former bio and deleting any mention of Lee.

While Lee no longer features in her bio, Katie has continued to repost photos of her with her new groom online.

Katie reposted a selfie on her Instagram stories of her and Lee posing in front of a mirror during their stay at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai – the same place they married.

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“The happiest Mr and Mrs” read the caption, while a follow-up photo showed the pair cuddled up together in white dressing gowns.

It is the fourth time Katie, 47, has been a bride after her marriages to Peter Andre, Alex Reid and Kieran Hayler.

The Sun understands Katie’s family, including her children, Princess and Junior Andre, had no idea she was getting married for a fourth time.

A source said: “Kate married Lee without telling anyone – the whole family are completely horrified.

“It is moving very fast and they are concerned about Kate’s frame of mind.

“No one knows who Lee really is and whether he is any good for her.

“It’s all total chaos at the moment and no one has a clue what is happening.”

Vienna has topped the Global Liveability Charts for three years in a row – and with return flights from the UK costing as little as £35, Austria’s capital makes the perfect affordable weekend break

A breathtaking European capital has been crowned the continent’s “best” city, and it’s just a short three-hour flight from Britain. Even better news for budget-conscious travellers – you can jet off to this stunning destination for as little as £35 return.

Vienna, the Austrian capital, has claimed the top spot in the Global Liveability Charts for three consecutive years. The city of approximately two million residents outranked popular destinations including Copenhagen, Zurich, and Geneva, earning top marks for its stability, cultural offerings, and excellent local infrastructure.

The city is also a cultural treasure trove, celebrated for its musical heritage, exquisite art scene, and charming coffee houses.

YouTuber Ed Chapman made the journey to discover whether it truly deserved its reputation as “the greatest city in the world”. His itinerary included the Danube Tower, which boasts Europe’s tallest slide, a round-the-clock amusement park, and the internationally renowned Cafe Central.

Situated in Vienna’s Innere Stadt district, this historic establishment once welcomed legendary figures including Sigmund Freud, Leon Trotsky, and Josef Stalin. The venue earned the nickname “Chess school” due to its popularity amongst elite chess players who used it as their gaming headquarters, reports the Express.

Ed sampled beef goulash, hot chocolate, and cake during his visit. Reflecting on his meal, he remarked: “That is beautiful, what a delight, lovely and warm, great flavours. Proper hearty food.”

When asked whether Vienna deserves its crown as the world’s finest city, Ed remarked: “It’s a beautiful place. It’s lovely. Buildings are amazing, astonishing. It’s got some history knocking about. Mozart is, you know, his place is out here somewhere. There’s something to walk past. All sorts of museums.”

He continued: “I’m very impressed by this place. But is it the greatest city in the world that I’m not sure about. It’s a very, very good city. I can absolutely see why it’s been given the most livable tag in both Europe and the world. And I could absolutely imagine living here myself.”

Beyond the celebrated coffee house scene that Ed experienced in Vienna, visitors will find no shortage of attractions throughout the city. Austria’s capital boasts an array of stunning Baroque churches alongside architectural gems such as the vibrant Hundertwasserhaus and the Wiener Riesenrad, an impressive 64-metre-high Ferris wheel.

Travel expert Mark Wolter, from Wolter’s World, was full of praise for Vienna’s culinary offerings. He explained: “The cakes, the food, yeah you have your Wiener Schnitzel and your hot dogs but there’s so many great foods, pork, duck, all this food from all over the holy Roman empire, because you have Hungarian goulash or pasta from those times.”

Mark describes Austria as a “really cool” tourist destination, particularly highlighting the quality of accommodation and transport links. He noted: “Whether it’s trains, buses or trams they have this all out there, which is really cool to use as a tourist.

“The museums will have things usually in German but they’ll have cards in English to help you.”

Beyond Austria’s charming historic towns, Mark urges visitors to explore the country’s rich cultural offerings and stunning natural landscapes. “I like to tell people, if you want to get cultured come to Austria, because there’s so much of the museums, architecture and history,” Mark added.

Flight comparison site Skyscanner reveals that travelling to Vienna can be remarkably affordable, with one-way tickets from Manchester Airport starting at just £19, whilst return flights from Bristol can be snapped up for around £35.