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Francis Hellyer, the founder and CEO of tickadoo, claims to have “been everywhere twice, and have some properly controversial opinions about Europe’s “best” cities”

A seasoned traveller and experienced jet setter has warned against travel to three places where “locals hate you” and food is “overpriced”.

Francis Hellyer, the founder and CEO of tickadoo, claims to have “been everywhere twice, and have some properly controversial opinions about Europe’s “best” cities.” When it comes to the “overrated” that he thinks are best to avoid, he highlighted three classic cities that receive millions of visitors each year.

Paris

“Unless you enjoy paying €15 for terrible coffee while dodging selfie sticks at the Eiffel Tower. The locals hate you, the metro smells like regret, and don’t get me started on Gare du Nord,” Francis told the Mirror.

If Francis isn’t alone in his dislike of the French capital, then the City of Love is responsible for a lot of very disappointed tourists. Paris received 48.7 million visitors in 2024, a post-pandemic high that surpassed the 2023 figure of 47.5 million.

Do you agree with Francis’s list? Let us know in the comments below or by emailing [email protected]

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One cohort that has a famously difficult relationship with the city is the Japanese. A phenomenon called Paris Syndrome refers to the severe form of culture shock that affects some Japanese tourists. Visitors with highly idealized expectations, often fueled by media portrayals, can experience extreme disappointment and psychological distress when confronted with the realities of Paris, such as less polite service and dirtier streets than they’re used to back home.

“Everyone loves Paris because of the Eiffel tower, the Mona Lisa, and the late 1800s architecture. In all honesty, most of the people I encountered there were the rudest, most miserable people I’ve ever had to deal with. The food in Paris was subpar, and there was nothing good about the food. London has a lot better cuisine than Paris,” one unhappy customer wrote on Reddit.

Venice

“Venice in summer is basically Disneyland with pigeons,” Francis said.

He is not alone in feeling like this. A popular protest Instagram page called ‘Venice is not Disneyland’ calls out the bad behaviour of tourists. “In the beginning, it was kind of a joke between friends. It started because we would see the wildest things happening around Venice! Like tourists taking a bath in the canal or eating and sleeping anywhere,” the anonymous person behind the page told Spotted by Locals.

“It is not just about tourists though! Many locals are also behaving inappropriately, like leaving old electrical appliances in the streets. So we decided that we need to talk about this on social media to show just how far that would go.”

When asked what common tourist issues occur in the city, they said: “A very common one is taking a bath in the canals! You might think it’s an innocent activity, especially on a hot summer day, but we should really avoid this. To begin with, the water is unsafe and dirty, so it’s not ideal for sanitary reasons especially if you’re going to a restaurant or hotel afterward! And also, canals are used for transportation, so taking a bath can be very dangerous for you and others. It’s really like chilling in the middle of the street – you wouldn’t do that in any other city.”

Amsterdam

According to Francis, “Amsterdam is just stag dos and overpriced chips.”

The Dutch capital is one of the most-visited cities in Europe. Its 800,000-person population welcomes up to 20 million tourists a year. It is clear to see why, given its world-class museums, beautiful green spaces and tranquil waterways.

However, in recent years, Dutch locals have grown increasingly tired of Amsterdam’s reputation as a destination for stag dos and bad behavior. To such an extent that authorities have taken steps to mitigate the effects of rowdy visitors. Smoking marijuana and drinking in public is illegal and considered poor etiquette by Amsterdam natives. Similarly, taking photos of sex workers in the Red Light District is strictly prohibited.

In 2023, the city council banned cruise ships from its city centre in July to prevent overtourism in its most popular areas. The same year it launched a “stay-away” digital campaign, targeting men aged 18 to 35 in the UK, attempting to curb visitors coming for drugs, alcohol and sex.

As for the cost of chips, a portion goes for between €3.50 and €6.50, according to Amsterdam Tips.

Some alternatives

As much as Francis isn’t a fan of the Dutch, French and Italian heavy hitters, there are some European cities he loves. They include:

• Prague – All the beauty of Paris, half the price, triple the beer quality. Try the fried cheese.
• Porto – Lisbon’s cooler older brother who doesn’t need to show off. Proper city. Great locals.
• Cardiff – Yes, Cardiff. Arcades, castle, rugby, brilliant nights out. Fight me.
• Ljubljana – Slovenia’s capital that nobody can pronounce but everyone falls in love with. Like a fairytale that serves excellent wine.
• Birmingham – Genuinely. More canals than Venice, curry better than Bradford, and they’ve finally sorted the Bullring out.
• Ghent – Bruges without the coach parties. Medieval as hell, students keep it lively.
• Split – Where Romans built a palace and Croatians turned it into the world’s best bar crawl.

Karl Bushby, who reportedly aims to be the first person to complete a continuous round-the-world walk, opened up about some of his scariest experiences, including being in the “middle of a war zone”

An explorer who has spent a staggering 27 years walking across the planet has named two of the scariest places he visited on his travels. Karl Bushby, an ex-paratrooper who reportedly aims to be the first person to complete a continuous round-the-world walk, started his mammoth journey in Chile in 1998 and will soon return to the UK after nearly three decades on the road.

The 56-year-old, from Kingston upon Hull, has seen his fair share of danger over the years. As part of his aptly named 36,000-mile Goliath Expedition, Karl has swum across the Caspian Sea and walked the American and Asian continents.

Two particular adventures stood out when it came to describing some of his scariest experiences. His first occurred when traversing the infamous Darién Gap, bridging Central and South America, and he found himself in the “middle of a war zone”, reports Unilad.

Karl told CBS News: “And then there’s a whole layer above that of cartels and drug plantations, and then really, really tough jungle.”

Spanning Panama and Colombia, and known as one of the most treacherous migration routes on the planet, the Darién Gap is a notorious 60-mile passage characterised by difficult terrain, including mountains and rainforests.

Its dangers include hot temperatures, heavy rainfall, rivers that people have to cross, mosquitoes, crocodiles, venomous snakes, and criminals, with human trafficking, extortion, robbery, rape and sexual assault reportedly commonplace.

Karl also highlighted a journey he took across the Bering Strait, which lies between the Pacific and Arctic oceans, where he had an encounter with a polar bear. He added: “You’re in a very serious world that will kill you in 20 minutes if you mess up.”

Located between Alaska and Russia, the strait is a wildlife haven home to such species as beluga, bowhead and gray whales and, of course, polar bears. Despite the peril, Karl succeeded in crossing alongside US companion Dimitri Kieffer.

The intrepid duo reportedly crossed from Alaska to Siberia, traversing ice flows and swimming areas of open water, only to be arrested by Russian authorities upon arrival for illegal entry and deported.

As of November 6, Karl was near Budapest as he bore down on his home city of Hull, which he previously admitted would be a “very strange place to be” after such a long time travelling, reports the BBC.

He also confessed that finally ending his journey was a “positively scary” prospect and was “going to be hard”. Karl said: “I’ve spoken with a number of long-distance walkers, some walking five years or more, and they have told me it’s very difficult returning to normal society.

“The key will be throwing myself into another mission, to have another goal.”

Karl also shared his assessment of humanity, revealing that “99.99% of the world is good” and the world isn’t as scary “as you might think”, even in parts that we “might not expect”.

There are a staggering 193 countries in the world, and one travel expert has visited them all. But despite his extensive exploration, there’s a UK city he’s labelled one of the best

The world is full of incredible destinations offering breathtaking landscapes and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, so it’s no wonder that we can often overlook what’s right on our doorstep. But sometimes looking a little closer to home is the best thing to do. A UK city has beaten a whopping list of the top places to visit in the eyes of a very well-travelled explorer – and it’s not London.

Henrik Jeppesen has journeyed to every single country in the world – a staggering total of 193 – and has ticked off more than 2,000 destinations on his ever-expanding list. The globetrotter, who hails from Thy in northwest Jutland, Denmark, has been exploring the world since he was just 17, amassing a treasure trove of insider knowledge and a long list of advice.

Despite being well-versed in European travel and having experienced countless countries worldwide, there’s one destination that he can’t recommend highly enough – and it’s right here in the UK. “I absolutely loved Belfast when I visited. I still remember it as being one of the best and most surprising cities I’ve been to”, Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “The city is so charming, and it has a very rich history.”

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The capital of Northern Ireland is the birthplace of the RMS Titanic and home to the Crumlin Road Gaol, a former prison that has been converted into a museum.

Meanwhile, City Hall takes centre stage in the city, which earned the nickname ‘Linenopolis’ during the 19th century when Belfast was known as the world’s linen capital. In addition to its legacy, Henrik had nothing but praise for the people who call the city home.

“I really loved it there, and the people make the place special. They are really fantastic, and I met, I don’t know how many Northern Irish people – they’re just fantastic, talkative and lovely,” he said. “Then the feeling about walking the streets, beautiful buildings – it’s really a lovely city with the atmosphere, and the food was great.”

Despite visiting Belfast 15 years ago for just three days, Henrik still holds fond memories of the city and is eager to return. “I had plans to visit last month, but I couldn’t go, so I’ll go in the future. The city of Belfast is one of the great cities of Europe, and of all the cities I’ve visited, I haven’t felt that they’ve been that special like Belfast has.”

Noting why it could be seen as an overlooked city in the UK, Henrik said: “You hear so much negativity in the media from the conflict back in the day, so it doesn’t really stand out as a place you want to visit; people think about London, Dublin or Edinburgh. Edinburgh is a fantastic city, but I think Belfast is highly underrated. It’s so simple and easy to get to, so if you want a quick weekend break, it makes so much sense to explore the city.”

For anyone looking to book a getaway to Belfast, or anywhere in Europe, Henrik shared some vital advice when it comes to how long you should spend in one destination. “If you go to other parts of Europe, you might want to do five cities in two weeks, but that might be too fast. I would say you have two weeks. It’s better to spend one week in each location, rather than two places,” the expert advised.

“It’s not to feel rushed. Is it really a holiday if you’re rushed? It shouldn’t be that you rush and hurry to see alot of stuff. I’ve had moments in my travels when I’ve had to rush, but I don’t enjoy it as much; it’s better to take your own pace and explore a lot of things.”

You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website.

Mateusz Kowalewicz, 29, has visited all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ and has ticked off some incredible experiences – but it’s not always smooth sailing

A jet-setting flight attendant has shared the ups and downs of his high-flying career – from lightning strikes and severe sleep deprivation to ticking off the world’s most incredible sights.

Mateusz Kowalewicz first got bitten by the travel bug as a teenager after participating in a school exchange with Israel – marking his very first journey abroad.

He soon started exploring Europe on a shoestring budget, hitchhiking to save money, before finally deciding to become a flight attendant so he could earn while doing what he loved. Mateusz, 29, hails from Białystok, Poland, and now resides in Warsaw, globetrotting for work.

Speaking to Polish media, he said: “It’s very hard to describe a typical month, because every single one is different. My airline operates three types of aircraft, which means it never gets boring, and the roster looks different every month.

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“My biggest travel achievement is visiting all the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’. I owe a lot of that to my job – I visited four on layovers and flew to another using staff tickets.”

However, it’s not always plain sailing. Mateusz recounted an incident where one flight was struck by lightning, as reported by What’s The Jam. “It felt like someone flashed a camera straight in my eyes. A moment later, we heard from the cockpit that we had to turn back to Warsaw. The aircraft was fine, but logically it’s better to return and take another plane than risk finding out in Rome that the aircraft must be grounded.”

When asked about his biggest bugbear, he didn’t mince his words: “Not being able to fall asleep, especially in the East on long-haul layovers. “I’m a heavy sleeper, so any unexpected wake-up in the middle of the night because of time zones is awful.”

READ MORE: Underrated destination with 30C weather in January that rivals Thailand

What he relishes most is the unpredictability. “Sometimes you fly to Chicago on a layover and end up meeting a Polish priest who invites you to an American christening for nearly 200 people – and one of the guests is a passenger you met on a flight a few months earlier. Absolutely incredible!”.

His job has also afforded him the chance to indulge in bucket-list adventures like skydiving in Dubai and taking a seaplane ride in Mauritius.

As for travel dreams still on the list: “I’d like to climb Kilimanjaro, and I can see I’m being drawn towards Africa, which is the continent I’ve explored the least after Australia.”

For those hoping to follow in his footsteps, Mateusz’s advice is straightforward: “Language skills. It’s one of the key elements if you want to work in this profession.

“You must also be 18, have a high school diploma, be able to swim in case of a water landing, and you can’t have tattoos in visible places.”

Have you got a travel story to share? Email us at [email protected]

A writer who has been visiting France for half a century has shared his thoughts on the country, and there’s one thing that would make things “just about perfect” if it were scrapped

A writer who has been visiting France for an incredible five decades has pinpointed one thing that would make the country “just about perfect” if it were scrapped. Anthony Peregrine, a journalist with half a century of French adventures under his belt, recently shared his thoughts on how Britain’s nearest continental neighbour has evolved over the decades.

Looking back on his earliest French excursions, Anthony recalled living in a “haze of cheap wine, easy friendships and simmering dishes”—though he also suggested the country has “moved on” since those early days.

Among the areas he highlighted were drains, trains, hotels, motoring, and cafés. But once he touched on the subject of restaurants, he identified what seems to be a modern pet peeve of his.

Writing in The Telegraph, Anthony observed: “Traditional French restaurants, whether Parisian brasseries, family-run operations or village bistros, are still around. Fast food, chain restaurants, sushi bars and the rest are complementary, not replacements.”

Anthony said the choice on offer is now “greater than ever,” with waiters being “mainly professional” and world-class wine and cheese. He also noted the scallops, which he described as his “chosen meal the night before my execution.”

He added: “If only someone would get rid of QR codes masquerading as menus, things would be just about perfect.”

The recommendation comes on the back of another recent report in which writer Sydney Evans highlighted a beach they discovered on the French Riviera, only a 15-minute train ride from Nice.

Writing for the Express, Sydney praised the resort town of Villefranche-sur-Mer in the Alpes-Maritimes department, describing a beach “even more serene” than one in the Riviera’s capital.

Sydney wrote: “Stretching on for 10km, finding a spot to sunbathe was never a problem. But the beach at Villefranche-sur-Mer was even more serene, and it’s no surprise it’s known as one of the region’s most beautiful towns.

“Protected by plunging cliffs, complete with pastel-coloured houses overlooking the turquoise sea, walking out of the train station and taking in the beach felt like the very definition of a picture-perfect moment.”

The writer went on to highlight the destination’s “laid-back feel” and “incredibly calm” waters, noting that the promenade also features “pretty” cafés and restaurants.

Meanwhile, prior to October’s introduction of the EU entry-exit system, reports surfaced that French authorities would enforce certain requirements on British tourists.

In September, The Independent reported that Eurostar passengers at London St Pancras International would be asked whether they had somewhere to stay, enough money, medical insurance, and a ticket home.

The report added that passengers without these could be refused entry and noted that this would also apply to people travelling non-stop to Belgium via France.

Travel expert Henrik Jeppesen has visited every single country in the world, but there’s one European city that compares to ‘stepping into another world’ with €5 meals and ‘extremely friendly’ people

Away from the popular tourist hotspots of Barcelona, Venice or Dubrovnik is an unassuming European city that a travel expert has hailed as the best in the world.

Henrik Jeppesen has travelled to every single country in the world. That’s a whopping 193 nations according to the United Nations. The 37-year-old has also racked up more than 2,000 destinations on an ever-growing checklist. He has been exploring the globe since the age of 17, so it’s no wonder he has a wealth of inside knowledge and an extensive list of recommendations.

Hailing from Thy, in northwest Jutland, Denmark, the father of one is very familiar with Europe, but despite his time and experiences in countries across the world, there’s one destination that he couldn’t advocate for any more, and flights are less than three hours from London.

“The best city in Europe, in my opinion, is the capital of Estonia, Tallinn,” Henrik exclusively told the Mirror. “It’s very much overlooked for people coming to Europe, and many people who have travelled have never been there.

“Even if they’ve been to Europe two or three times, they usually go to London, Rome, Paris and Berlin, those kinds of places, so in that sense I think it’s highly underrated.”

Explaining what makes Tallinn so special, Henrik said: “First and foremost, it’s a lot cheaper than the cities I mentioned; in comparison, it’s fantastic value. Then you have the Old Town, which I think is the best old town in the entire world, and I’ve travelled a lot. You can step out the door, and it’s like you’re stepping into a new world with well-preserved old buildings and an atmosphere unlike anywhere else I’ve been.

“The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can easily spend a few days and with fantastic food for very little. I had lunch for €5 at Rataskaevu 16 about 40 times, and it’s an outstanding restaurant and experience. Many restaurants are similarly priced, so it’s great value to eat out and something I highly appreciate, coming from Denmark. “

On the topic of the delicacies of the city, which he called home for 10 months, Henrik added: “You have a mix of local cuisine, and many restaurants offer Italian food. I often eat cheap, local produce. I loved going to the local Balti Jaama Turg market to pick up the ingredients to make a meal at home. Many fantastic memories for my wife and me to look back upon. It’s not Michelin-starred, but you get a really nice meal in a charming old building, which creates such a lovely atmosphere. You can find many restaurants within beautiful architecture, that are each an experience in itself.”

Aside from the affordability and great food on offer, there’s plenty to see and explore during a getaway to Tallinn. The expert shared that in addition to the Old Town, there are “beautiful parks”, a market with “amazing food”, modern shopping malls, museums, attractions, and a waterfall not far from the city.

“It brings a nice atmosphere, you walk around the city, and it’s like stepping into another world,” he added. “I’ve been there during the summer, and I’m surprised that not more people visit, it really is outstanding in my opinion. It’s very laid-back and a mid-sized city, with around half a million people living there, and almost half of the entire population of Estonia.”

With pollution a growing concern worldwide, particularly in large urban areas, Henrik notes that the air quality in Tallinn is another distinctive appeal. “It probably has the best air quality of any city, at least capital cities, but maybe of any major city in Europe. The air is really good, and that is often a downside to visiting a major city in this world.”

Henrik is also a big fan of the Tallinn card, which offers tourists free public transport and free or discounted entry into a range of museums and attractions in the city. He said: “It’s a fantastic way to experience an already fantastically valued city.”

There are also several nearby islands that can be explored, such as Saaremaa and Hiiumaa, as well as Pärnu, which is known as Estonia’s ‘Summer Capital’ due to its extensive white sand beaches. “It’s a stunning place to visit, especially in the summer,” the expert added. “Pärnu, Viljandi and islands are well worth looking into, especially if visiting the country for more than a week.”

Another major strength of the city is how friendly the people are. “There are lovely people there. They are extremely friendly in Estonia.” Henrik reflected on a time when he got lost late at night while exploring the city in 2014, and strangers came to his aid, picking him up in the streets of Tallinn to help him reach his hotel.

“How many European capitals would you just get a ride from someone in the street and take you there? I don’t think that would happen in London. I have great memories daydreaming about this city.”

You can find more of Henrik’s world adventures on his website here.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

Kat Smith, an American who has spent years travelling the world, has highlighted the underrated place that she loves the most and which she keeps coming back to

A seasoned traveller who has visited almost every corner of Italy has chosen an often overlooked one to be her home.

Kat Smith has be travelling the world for the past 13 years, putting down roots for short periods before moving on. The one place that has captured the American globetrotter’s heart, and where she has been living for the past two and a half years, is one that rarely receives much attention from tourists. Although that does seem to be changing.

Trieste saw its overnight stays more than double from around 700,000 in 2021 to 1.5 million in 2024, a significant increase driven by a growing number of tourists visiting the city. That compares to 29 million overnight stays in Rome last year.

“I’ve traveled Italy extensively, going to at least one new place every month since moving here in August 2023. Some cities, like Naples, Rome, and Venice, I’ve found myself returning to again and again, but I always make time to explore a new corner of Italy. I’ve traveled from the southern tip of Puglia to the northern border with Austria, making plenty of stops throughout the country and even to Sardinia,” Kat, co-founder of Mamma Mia Indeed, told the Mirror.

“One of my favorite cities is Trieste. Although still relatively unknown outside of Italy, Trieste is slowly starting to come out of its shell and get the recognition it deserves.”

Here are some of the reasons why she loves the north-eastern coastal city so much.

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It’s unique

“From the architecture to the food and even the local dialect, Trieste is like nowhere else in Italy. Here, you’ll feel closer to Vienna than to Rome when wandering the streets, particularly in the center around Piazza Unità or down grandiose Via Carducci. Sacher cakes sit in bakeries side-by-side with your typical croissants (called “brioche” here), and goulash often accompanies pasta on menus. Given the proximity to the border, road signs tend to be in both Italian and Slovenian, especially true as you explore the hillside surrounding the city center.”

It has a strong sense of identity

“When speaking with locals, especially the older generation, they tend to stress that they’re Triestino first, Italian second, paying homage to those few years after WW2 that Trieste was actually independently recognized as the Free State of Trieste. While not all are itching for those days like some are, they’re proud of their unique culture. A short anecdote to emphasis this unique history comes from my neighbor, a man in his late 70s. All born in the same area we now know as Trieste, his parents were born under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, his parents-in-law in the Kingdom of Italy, him in the Free Territory of Trieste, and his wife in Italy. Although much of Italy shares a unique history and moments in time when it was independent, few have such drastic changes within the last 100 years.”

It’s a city on the water

“Trieste is built around the water, which is something I truly love about living here. Regardless of the season, you’ll find people flocking to the sea or to the coast for the daily ritual of watching the sunset over the Adriatic. It feels as though everyone who lives here is drawn to the water one way or another. Many of our neighbors own sailboats, and friends often call to walk along Barcolana (Trieste’s “beach”) for an aperitivo. We’ve also started rowing most mornings in the sea with a group of locals. The public transportation even stretches past the shore with the ferry being the best way to get around the coastline and even across in the bay in the summer. There’s nothing quite like swapping the bus for a boat, especially once you’ve gotten your first glimpse of Trieste from the water.”

It’s cut off

“Situated on the border with Slovenia, it’s just about as far away from the rest of Italy as you can get, with most towns in Slovenia and even northern Croatia a closer trip. The architecture looks more Austrian than Venetian or Roman, paying homage to the centuries spent as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today it’s a coastal city bursting with a unique culture and plenty of places to catch the sunset over the Adriatic while you enjoy your aperitivo. In the summer, you can take the public ferry around the coast, visiting smaller towns and seeing the iconic Miramare Castle from the sea. The Osmiza culture comes alive in the summer and spring, with numerous farm-to-table “restaurants” opening their doors with fresh meats, cheeses, and wines. In the winter, the city’s main square, Piazza Unità, gets into the holiday spirit, filling itself with Christmas trees and lights.”

A festive fan who has visited more than 100 Christmas markets shared her top picks in a video

The Christmas market season has officially kicked off, with many festive fans planning European getaways. For those still undecided on where to go, travel blogger Helene Sula could know just the place. The festive enthusiast has shared a list of her top picks, from the markets with delicious food to those with the prettiest decorations.

Posting on her popular TikTok page @heleneinbetween, Helene revealed her favourite markets, as someone who has visited more than one hundred of them. She told viewers: “After going to over 100 Christmas markets, here are my awards.” Helene then shared videos from her favourite picks, sharing recommendations for fellow festive fans.

Kicking off her list, Helene said Strasbourg, in France, wins ‘best decor’. Often nicknamed the ‘Capital of Christmas’, Strasbourg is home to one of the oldest Christmas markets in Europe, with four centuries of tradition.

The website states: “Every winter, Strasbourg is transformed into a veritable showcase of light and magic. The heart of the city beats to the rhythm of Christmas, and the streets and squares immerse you in an enchanting world where lights, decorations and scents create an unforgettable experience.”

Next, Helene awarded Frankfurt, in Germany, the title of ‘most surprising’ market, and she thought Bratislava, in Slovakia, offered the ‘best vibes’. The travel blogger loved the drinks on offer at Heidelberg, in Germany, and thought the market had the ‘best glühwein.” For ‘least crowded’, she voted Linz, in Austria.

Helene loved Brussels, in Belgium, suggesting the market offers the ‘best food’. According to the market’s website, it boasts more than 200 chalets, showcasing the capital’s heritage and culture. The blogger also shared a ‘most unique’ award, which went to Ribeauvillé, in France.

For ‘most charming’, she voted Colmar, also in France. However, Gengenbach, in Germany, won ‘most affordable.’ According to the blogger, Aachen, in Germany, deserved the ‘best shopping’ title. As for ‘best themed markets’, Helene suggested Cologne, in Germany, was a worthy winner.

She also crowned Vienna, in Austria, as the winner of the ‘most beautiful’ award. The tourism board says that Austria is the place to pick for ‘romantic Christmas markets’ with ‘glistening lights and seasonal treats’.

Finally, Helene praised Budapest, in Hungary, as the ‘best city to explore outside of the market.’ Festive activities advertised by the tourism board include the Christmas tram, ice rinks, Christmas concerts, and, of course, the markets, reports the Express.

Helene’s video impressed social media users. Replying to the video, someone wrote: “Going next month!! Cannot wait. Thanks for this list.” Another fan said: “I need to see this.”

A commenter shared: “I loved the elf market in Cologne so much!” Someone else replied: “I’ve been to both Aachen and Cologne, this year I’ll be going to Duisburg! I am a big fan of Currywurst!”

They added: “I forgot Düsseldorf, I’ve been to that one too, but it wasn’t on your list.” A different viewer replied: “Yay. My town Cologne made it. Although I gotta visit Brussels and try that food.”

Christmas markets have been popping up across Europe, and one expert has shared the secrets to a perfect trip – including the best time to visit to avoid the crowds.

Christmas markets have been springing up throughout Britain and across Europe, and whilst there are numerous options domestically, many Brits are planning to jet off for a winter break.

Whilst visiting these markets is undoubtedly enjoyable, they can frequently become overcrowded, which might diminish the enchantment of the experience for some visitors.

Maren Schullerus, GetYourGuide‘s German Market Expert, has attended over 60 Christmas markets worldwide, and is now sharing insider tips for the perfect getaway – including optimal times to avoid the masses.

Regarding the best timing, she advises: “The best time to visit a Christmas Market and beat the crowds is on a weekday, mid-December at around 4pm. The kids are usually still in school, and it’s dark early, so it feels Christmassy.”

For those seeking a quieter alternative, or a market suited to a romantic escape, Maren suggested the Santa Pauli Christmas Market in Hamburg, which specifically caters to an “adults-only” audience with entertainment including a Bauble Burlesque show.

She also cautioned against succumbing to tourist traps whilst visiting these markets, such as learning to distinguish whether something is genuinely handmade or factory-produced.

Maren explains: “When it comes to souvenir buying, there’s a few indicators that the person has made it themselves, as opposed to it being shipped from a factory.”

“Three tips: Look for stalls that won’t let you photograph their crafts, look for tradespeople that can tell you how they made it and make sure you’re allowed to pick it up and have a look before you buy it.”

Whichever market you choose to visit, make certain you dress warmly, as temperatures at some destinations could plummet to -15C°. For particularly cold locations, Maren suggests buying pocket warmers to keep your hands toasty.

Remember to bring both your card and cash when attending, as certain market vendors only take cash payments, whilst ATMs at these markets typically charge withdrawal fees.

For those worried about the dreaded mulled-wine hangover, Maren recommends: “Look for the ‘Winzer-Glühwein.’ This is real wine from your local wineries. Stands usually state clearly that they are ‘Winzers’ (winemakers). You’ll get the tastier Glühwein options without the headache.”

Rees-Zammit suffered a toe injury in his fourth game for the Bears, but proved his fitness to earn selection on Wales’ bench for the autumn opener.

That led to plenty of pre-match focus being on a replacement and he got some of the biggest cheers of the afternoon.

Wales might have suffered a heavy loss, but the wing was still able to reflect on being in his “happy place” in a social media post.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “I did really miss being able to play at the Principality Stadium in front of our fans.

“It was incredible. You don’t really know you’ve left until you go back. When I came on and heard the crowd – all the support I had, it meant so much to me.”

Wales won just one of 19 Tests while Rees-Zammit was out of the picture in America, but the wing is confident of brighter times under Tandy.

“You could see glimpses last weekend of what’s to come. That was building a foundation of where we want to be and what team we want to be,” he said.

“We can do as much as we can in training, but we’ve got to show it on the weekend when all the fans have paid good money to come watch us play. It’s what they deserve.”

Rees-Zammit’s last international victory was against Georgia at the 2023 World Cup and he intends to help Wales repeat their summer success against Japan in a vital game ahead of December’s World Cup draw.

Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms would leapfrog Tandy’s side into 12th in the world rankings if they upset the odds in Cardiff.

Rees-Zammit said: “Everyone’s locked in on what’s next. Japan will be a tough game, but everyone is raring to go and is buying in 100%. We’re all ready.”

This is what arousal looks like.

About 20 women are lying blindfolded on yoga mats in an airy structure in the Joshua Tree desert. Some are partially dressed in loungewear or lingerie; others are fully nude. Sexy indie folk music blasts from the sound system and outside, through the open double doors, the wind kicks up, rustling the fragrant desert scrub brush, pomegranate trees and ponderosa pines.

Their bodies are layered with a collage of fresh fruit, feathers, cucumber slices, smooth stones and velvety flower petals, among other things. Facilitators quietly tiptoe around the room, gently placing more and more items onto their chests, arms and legs until their skin is barely visible. One woman lies with lemon slices on her nipples, a large strawberry in her open mouth and a bouquet of long-stem pink roses, in full bloom, on her pelvis.

Facilitators adorn women’s bodies with colorful objects during an exercise about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

The exercise is meant to help the women connect with their bodies by stimulating them with a spectrum of sensations: the cool slickness of a polished river stone or the prick of a pineapple rind. It’s about receiving pleasure and feeling beautiful — no matter your age, body shape or perceived limitations.

“The biological clock may be finite, but your sexuality — arousal — is infinite,” says the event’s host, Pamela Madsen, scattering rose petals on one attendee’s thighs.

Pamela Madsen, Back to the Body’s founder.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Welcome to Back to the Body, a sexual wellness retreat helping participants — all women — access their erotic selves. In this group, attendees are straight or bisexual and range in age from mid-30s to mid-70s. They’re mostly from around California, but some have traveled from North Carolina, Florida and Connecticut. They’ve come to overcome intimacy issues or body shame, to process trauma, to learn how to better orgasm or otherwise improve their sex lives. Some are therapists themselves looking to expand their knowledge of “sexological bodywork,” a form of body-based sex therapy that Madsen practices. Others simply want to be in community with like-minded women who are also exploring their sexual selves.

The two-night retreat, which costs $550 to $2,000 depending on accommodations on the sprawling multi-villa property, includes mindfulness exercises, journaling, expert-led seminars, group discussions and meals by a private chef. It also features a preview of a “bodywork session” that one might experience at Back to the Body’s longer, weeklong retreat: a live “pleasure demonstration” at the event’s, um, climax — but more on that later.

Madsen guides participants in a “Lotus Lift Meditation,” meant to help them clarify their intentions for their lives.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

An unlikely high desert sex educator, Madsen, “60-something,” is a brash, outspoken New York transplant who oscillates between frank asides (“I like to say ‘f—’ — get used to it”) and welling up with tears (“I’m sorry, I’m just getting emotional, this is important stuff”) as she proselytizes about the power of erotic energy. She believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.” Put another way: Pleasure isn’t just a component of your life — it’s a tool for transformation.

“I’ve seen women changing, improving their lives,” Madsen says of past participants, her voice cracking with emotion. “They start taking control of their finances, they start to care about how they’re spending their time.”

Sitting on the porch of the “big house,” a midcentury modern ranch home where the retreat meals are served, attendee Mandy Manuel, 39, a sex therapist from Connecticut, says that she found love — for herself and with a partner — after attending several Back to the Body retreats.

Back to the Body’s midcentury modern ranch home.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“I’ve been in a large body my whole life. And the world will tell you ‘you’re not good enough, you’re not pretty enough, you’re not deserving of sex and romance,’” she says. “I totally bought into that story. And I wanted to challenge that. So I came and it was life-changing. Just recognizing ‘Oh, wow, I can receive.’”

Manuel eventually started dating online and met her current partner a year and a half ago (and is now facilitating a Back to the Body retreat in 2026). “My standard for dating shot way up. Previously it was: ‘I’m just going to accept whoever wants me’ and now it’s ‘who do I want?’”

Sexual wellness is a long-established sector of the medical establishment that, today, encompasses everything from contraception and safe sex practices to organic lube, tantric breathwork, couples counseling and the latest Magic Wand Rechargeable vibrator. It adds up to big business: the global sexual wellness market is projected to reach $48.2 billion by 2030, according to Global Industry Analysts Inc.

A participant in the “art of adoration” exercise.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Somatic (or body-based) sex therapy, a subset of sexual wellness, is also not new in the medical field. Individuals struggling with sexual issues have for decades turned to sexual surrogates, or trained professionals who specialize in “experiential learning” and who work in tandem with a client’s sex therapist when talk therapy isn’t enough.

Whereas sexual surrogacy is interactive, mimicking partnership, sexological bodywork employs “one-way touch.” In Back to the Body’s private, one-on-one bodywork sessions that means certified sexological bodyworkers, trained in Madsen’s approach, are always clothed and focus attention on the consenting client without reciprocity. A session may involve breathwork, intimacy coaching, sensual touch, sound and movement, including dance. It’s a “body first” approach to healing, in which physical sensations inform thoughts, as opposed to talk therapy.

But hands-on sex education is controversial.

“I don’t endorse it with my clients,” says UCLA emeritus professor Dr. Gail E. Wyatt, a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified sex therapist, “because I don’t trust [that] the individuals who are assigned [to touch clients] have the boundaries to see this as a professional act and not as an opportunity. Vulnerable individuals may end up in a situation where they’re being taken advantage of.”

Madsen acknowledges that sexological bodywork is edgy but stands by the modality.

“We cannot heal, expand or awaken our sexuality through words alone,” she says. “We must touch the body to hear it speak — and that terrifies people.”

The retreat includes journaling exercises as well as mindfullness activities and group discussions.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Sexological bodyworkers are not doctors and there’s no national certification for the profession. Practitioners do, however, adhere to a code of ethics upheld by the Los Angeles-based Assn. of Certified Sexological Bodyworkers. While sexological bodywork falls into a legal gray area, the state of California first recognized it as a profession involving sex education in 2003 when it approved training at San Francisco’s the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality (the school closed in 2018 and no additional state-approved schools have emerged). Nonetheless, somatic sex education appears to be growing: two Back to the Body practitioners offer sexual wellness retreats through their own companies: Court Vox leads one for queer men through his the BodyVox and Cosmo Meens leads one for straight men through his Himeros Project.

“There’s a great need for education about sensuality and the body that we don’t get in school or at home, typically speaking,” says Regena Thomashauer, author of “Pussy: A Reclamation,” which explains that we live in a culture that teaches women to turn off their power.

To be clear, Madsen stresses, arousal is not just about orgasming, or even physical pleasure, but about agency. Erotic energy — desire — is a powerful, “life-changing tool” every woman has access to, she says — it connects you to your passion and creativity, to your intuition and voice.

“When women are in touch with their arousal, they start being able to see themselves, they start being able to express themselves, Madsen says. “They find their voice, they’re able to speak their desires.”

Addressing the group in the living room, Madesn elaborates on the empowering, if political, nature of Back to the Body’s work.

Madsen believes that “when a woman reclaims her arousal, she reclaims her aliveness.”

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“Women have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years,” she says. “You [often] couldn’t have a checking account or credit card until 1974 without a man. Why is this work important? Because we’ve been taught not to trust ourselves, not to trust our bodies. That we are vehicles for birth, that we are vehicles for sex, vehicles for entertainment, vehicles for service — we are not sovereign. What does this work do? It creates sovereign women.”

What’s more, Madsen says, it takes time for women to reach a state of arousal — and many women experience premature penetration during sex.

She breaks into song: “I want a man with a slow hand …” she croons, belting out the Pointer Sisters’ early ‘80s pop hit. Laughter erupts around the room.

A private chef, pictured in the background, prepares farm-to-table meals for participants.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

Madsen is a former kindergarten teacher turned fertility activist who grew up in Great Neck, Long Island, married at 19 and spent 45 years living in the Bronx where she raised two sons with her husband of more than four decades. She’s appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” “60 Minutes,” CNN and other media talking about sex or fertility issues before authoring the 2011 memoir “Shameless: How I Ditched the Diet, Got Naked, Found True Pleasure … and Somehow Got Home in Time To Cook Dinner.”

In the book, Madsen documents her search for “sexual, personal and spiritual wholeness.” As part of that journey, she became certified as a sexological bodyworker in 2007 through the Institute for Advanced Study of Human Sexuality. She founded Back to the Body in 2011, adding her own spin on sexological bodywork. While most practitioners offered one-off sessions, she says, she launched multi-day immersive retreats, stressing the importance of being “away from the noise of the world.”

Back to the Body had no physical home initially and held retreats virtually or around the U.S. and internationally.

Several Back to the Body participants have gifted the retreat with artworks, now scattered around the property.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“But then we found this place,” Madsen says while touring the Joshua Tree property, onto which she moved in July 2024. She strides across the land, more of a swagger, wearing a white flowy dress, white cowboy hat and cowboy boots, her long black hair cascading down her back and her curvaceous bosom occasionally spilling out of her dress.

“This is the house that women built,” she says, sweeping one hand across the horizon and tucking a runaway boob back into her dress with her other. “I couldn’t have afforded this place without help — investments and donations — from participants. This work changed their lives, and they wanted to give back.”

Previous attendees also gifted artworks or ephemera now scattered around the property: large crystals around the pool or a granite statue, outside the main house, of a woman bracing against the wind.

Late in the afternoon, the women settle into the community room for a 45-minute demonstration of what a bodywork session might look like. Madsen, dressed in aqua lingerie, is the client in this scenario; practitioner Cosmo Meens, a buff and barefoot 45-year-old with thigh tattoos and a salt-and-pepper beard, is her certified sexological bodyworker. There is sexy music; there is playful slow dancing; there is laughter. “Louder!” Madsen says of the music, laying down on what looks like a massage table. There is also a shelf of accouterments nearby — coconut oil, a vibrator, a feather — to stimulate pleasure or bring her to orgasm.

The women sit in a circle around the demonstration table, rapt.

Afterward, Madsen sits up, hair mussed and cheeks flushed. There’s a short question-and-answer session. Then Madsen hard-sells the weeklong retreat, which runs from $8,000 to $18,000, depending on programming, accommodations and location (some retreats are international). There are just 30 spots left for 2026, she tells the crowd; and for those who register today, there’s a $1,000 discount.

15 of the 20 women sign up.

Participants during the “Lotus Lift Meditation.”

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

To some, the marketing pitch might have a transactional feel: Is this cutting-edge somatic sex education or the commodification of the orgasm, of pleasure?

“It’s inaccessible,” says Betsy Crane, a retired professor of human sexuality at Widener University, who sees value in the retreat’s work but balks at the pricetag. “I understand why they have to charge as much as they do — it’s staff intensive, they include food, nice venues — but it’s not affordable for most women, that’s the inequality of the world that we live in. If it were more accepted, it could become less expensive because it could be available locally.”

Madsen says the price is in line with today’s economy.

“Travel is expensive, experiences are expensive,” she says. “What I know is: that I’m not getting wealthy, that it’s hard to keep the ship running. That women get done in a week here what costs them 15 years in talk therapy.”

The end goal? Madsen hopes her retreat will change the world “one vulva at a time.”

Sitting on the porch, Deb Morris, 63, a retired business owner who lives outside of Denver, says she’s been on more than a dozen Back to the Body retreats over the past decade. (Do the math.) But the investment of time and money has been “life changing.”

Attendees enjoy downtime between retreat activities.

(Joyce Lee / For The Times)

“How I show up at 63 is so much more vibrant and committed to life,” she says. “I stay in, sexually — my beingness, how I dress, staying healthy in the gym, having a more vibrant friend group. All of those things definitely have been affected by doing this work from my mid-50s to my mid-60s.”

She looks out at the view, a vast desert landscape. Then adds: “I feel alive.”

There’s a never-ending list of places across the UK where you can get your hands on a hearty dish of fish and chips. But there’s one particular chippy that has long been hailed as ‘the best’

Fish and chips are a staple in British cuisine, and have been famously classed as the national dish for centuries. Whether that’s eating them at the seaside, indulging in a fish supper at your local pub, or making your own variation at home, there’s nothing quite like it.

But there’s one UK village thought to offer one of the best places to enjoy the delicacy. Nestled in the village of Beamish in County Durham, which “hasn’t changed over 100 years”, is Davys Fish & Chips.

Content creator and avid foodie, Callum (@streetfoodanalysis), took to TikTok to share a video of the hearty eatery, labelling it the “best” in the country. In a video showing a glimpse inside Davys Fish & Chips, Callum said: “This is the fish and chip shop trapped in time.

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“One of the last in the world that uses coal to heat the original 1950s fryers with fish and chips cooked in beef dripping.”Proving just how delicious Davys Fish & Chips is, Callum shared a clip of himself indulging in the dish as he exclaimed, “Wow”.

With a perfect crisp on both the fish and chips, it’s not just Callum who has given rave reviews of this frozen-in-time fish and chip shop. His video was flooded with comments from others who have sampled the famed meal from this charming eatery, with its blue counter and original features. One affirmed: “Beamish fish and chips were the best fish and chips I have ever had.”

A second penned: “Beamish is one of our favourite places to go, as for the chip shop, it’s amazing, you can’t get better. It’s the one on the mining village, beware, the portions are huge. Can’t wait to go back.”

“Love going to Beamish, those fish n chips are absolutely worth the 2 hour wait”, a third noted. Another added: “Love Beamish the chips are a must.”

While another commented: “The fish n chips looked amazing! Absolutely beautiful place! And visitors still keep on visiting Beamish!” “Love Beamish, the chippy is unreal!” one more declared.

In the video, which has accumulated more than 500K likes, Callum said the chippy is found in Beamish, where “the sweet shop makes candy by hand and the bakery makes the same cakes as a century ago.” He also noted that it’s a place which rarely has phone signal, adding to its quaint and historic appeal.

Eurostar can be a really easy way to get across to France and Belgium but there’s one mistake passengers always make – and it can leave you waiting longer

With family in Belgium, Eurostar has always been one of the easiest ways for me to visit thanks to the direct trains between London and Brussels.

On a recent trip, I realised that over the years I’ve racked up over 50 Eurostar journeys. It often works out cheaper than flying for me; there are regular sales where you can snap up £39 tickets if you’re willing to get the early morning/late night trains, and sometimes there are even tempting deals to upgrade to the Eurostar Plus seats with perks including more legroom and a light meal.

I like to think that I’ve nearly perfected the art of a seamless Eurostar arrival for check-in (have your documents ready, gadgets out before you reach security screening, coffee and snacks bought to avoid the rush at the only Pret that’s available once you go through border control).

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However, there’s one mistake that I always see people making – and it can actually mean that they end up having to wait around longer for their train. While airlines often require you to arrive around two to three hours before a flight, that window is a lot smaller for Eurostar; and they won’t let you join the queue if you arrive too early.

Usually when you arrive at the Eurostar departures queues, there are staff members holding signs with the train numbers and departure times; if yours isn’t on that list, then it’s unlikely they will let you through. There are typically about two to three trains’ worth of passengers being allowed into the hall, and even that can leave it feeling crowded if there’s any sort of delay.

It means that often overly-eager passengers end up having to awkwardly hang around outside the queues to enter the Eurostar terminal, and I’ve seen people get frustrated that they’re basically just sat waiting to go and queue.

It’s not just in London; Brussels also operates a similar system meaning that if you arrive early, you won’t be allowed to enter the terminal until the check-in window opens for your train.

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Eurostar has some rough guidelines on its website here although always check your booking details as sometimes these can change depending on the months you’re travelling, or if there are any delays that affect your travel.

Typically, Eurostar recommends that you arrive 75 minutes before your departure time in London. For Paris, there’s a wider window of up to 90 minutes, while in Brussels it’s a lot shorter with arrival times of up to an hour before departure.

Of course there’s the flip side; the gates usually close about 30 minutes before departure so don’t leave it so late thinking you can just rock up 10 minutes beforehand and that they’ll let you fly past the security queues and border control etc. (I’ve seen people looking very stressed as they try to rush through security and leg it for their train).

I still find it an overall smoother and easier process than navigating through the airport – especially with the lack of 100ml liquid rules at Eurostar, and a much more relaxed approach to the luggage you bring with you!

I’ve visited 26 places in ten countries over the past 12 months. A number I’d argue is a few more than ideal, at least if you want to avoid the sensation of constantly rushing around, and being stuck in a loop of packing and unpacking a toiletries bag.

Over the past year, I’ve managed to tick off 10 countries and 26 destinations from my travel list. A number that’s a tad more than ideal if you’re not keen on the constant hustle and bustle, and the never-ending cycle of packing and unpacking toiletries.

Among these destinations are some that still leave me in awe. The alien-like landscape of Deception Island in Antarctica, a whale graveyard, is undoubtedly the highlight.

Likewise, the sight of condors soaring above as I trekked up an Andes mountain following a gaucho’s trail is something I won’t forget anytime soon.

Closer to home, this was the year I finally set foot on Lindisfarne in Northumberland. This tidal island, which recently featured in Danny Boyle’s zombie film, 28 Years Later, is truly magical.

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My visit last midsummer was particularly memorable with the sun shining, beetles scurrying in the grass, and seals serenading across the bay. However, it’s not any of these places that I’m eager to revisit next year, fingers crossed. That honour goes to Catania.

I had a fleeting, 12-hour visit to this Sicilian city in August and now, I’m resolved to go back.

If you’ve been to this Italian island, chances are you landed in the much larger and more famous Palermo. It’s a captivating city, brimming with attractions like a sprawling botanical garden, the beautifully restored Palazzo Butera, and a top-notch puppet museum.

Despite its charm, there’s a sense that Palermo has perhaps overindulged the tourist trade. Its renowned Capo Market has shifted from selling fresh produce to street food, and the daily queue for a baked goodie at the former monastery, Santa Caterina, often stretches to 100 people.

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In contrast, Catania, located roughly 200 km east of Palermo on Sicily’s coast, exudes an authenticity and tranquillity that sets it apart from its older sibling.

While Palermo is large, audacious and rough around the edges, Catania is neater, more stylish and refined. The city, home to 300,000 residents, was established by the Greeks in the 8th century BC and has been shaped by centuries of conquest and natural disasters, most notably the catastrophic earthquake of 1693.

This rebuilding led to the creation of its stunning Baroque architecture, now recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stroll through the historic centre leads you to Piazza del Duomo, where the grand Catania Cathedral and the famous Fontana dell’Elefante, a lava-stone elephant statue that has become the city’s emblem, reside.

The Via dei Crociferi, adorned with ornate churches and monasteries, is frequently hailed as one of Sicily’s most beautiful streets.

One of the most captivating reasons to visit Catania, and why I’m so eager to go back, is its breathtaking location. The city is nestled between the Ionian Sea and Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano. After an evening spent sipping spritz and carafes of light table wine, our group climbed onto the roof of our apartment block and looked north.

Illuminating the dark sky above us was a burst of orange. Lava was erupting from the top of Etna.

Vibrant buses bound for the volcano regularly set off from Catania, transporting daring tourists up the volcano and through lava fields, craters, and even vineyards that flourish in the fertile volcanic soil.

For those not captivated by volcanoes and stunning architecture, spending a week just eating and drinking is arguably just as satisfying. Street food plays a significant role in daily life there and has a rich history.

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If arancini balls, cannoli, and granita (a refreshing Sicilian sorbet sometimes served in a warm brioche) didn’t originate here, they’ve certainly been perfected.

The fun carries on at the La Pescheria market, situated near Piazza del Duomo, where Sicilian-speaking stallholders will sell you a cone of deep-fried seafood.

The great news for those, like me, planning a trip to Catania is that there are direct flights from London Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, and Manchester airports, with airlines such as British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, and Ryanair providing services. One-way tickets this month start from just £19.

Perhaps a bargain too tempting to pass up….

I’ve visited 12 new countries this year, and even though each one has its own charm, I’d say there’s one that didn’t quite cut it

This year has been a rollercoaster of adventures for me. I’ve had the good fortune to discover new cities, sample local cuisines, and meet individuals whose tales have lingered with me long after my journey’s end. From savouring Italian dishes in Sardinia to exploring Poland, I’ve ticked off 12 new countries on my travel list in 2025.

Each nation has offered something unique, but not every destination leaves you yearning for more. Among all the places I’ve visited, there’s one country I wouldn’t be in a hurry to return to.

That’s not because it wasn’t stunning, but because sometimes travelling teaches you what you do and don’t want from a trip.

One of my stops this year was Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean that many people describe as a true paradise, reports the Express.

It was exactly that, turquoise waters, palm tree-fringed beaches and sunsets that look like they’re straight out of a film. It’s the kind of place that many people dream of visiting, but for me, it just didn’t live up to the hype.

For starters, it’s a very, very long way from the UK. It’s around 12 hours of flying, not including the connections and airport hours that make the journey feel even longer.

By the time I finally landed, I was expecting something truly unforgettable, but I found myself wondering whether the distance was really worth it.

The island itself is undeniably beautiful, but after a few days, I felt like I had seen most of what there was to see. Aside from the beaches and a few nature spots, there isn’t a lot to do.

Now, I understand that Mauritius isn’t typically a destination for exploration, but more of a tranquil retreat. However, during my visit, I realised that I’m more of an adventurer when it comes to holidays.

Mauritius is undoubtedly appealing to newlyweds or those seeking a serene getaway. It’s calm, and the locals are friendly and hospitable.

Yet, for me, it lacked the magic that makes me fall head over heels for a location. It’s one of those places I’m pleased to have visited once, but I don’t feel compelled to return.

On the other hand, out of the other 11 countries I’ve travelled to this year, some have left me eager to go back. From the late-night street food in South Korea to the relaxed allure of Belgium, each place has made a lasting impression.

Even closer to home, Jersey took me by surprise with its blend of British familiarity and tranquil island life, while Croatia won me over with its historic towns.

Mauritius might not have been the ideal holiday spot for me, but even that experience played a part in my year of globetrotting.

British blogger Kieren Adam Owen, better known as JimmyTheGiant, has become a passionate defender of Ukraine since marrying Vlada after meeting her on a holiday in Thailand

“The first thing you notice about Ukraine is how spotless the toilets are.”

British blogger Kieren Adam Owen, better known as JimmyTheGiant, was taken aback by the sparkling state of the bathrooms in Lviv when he visited the Ukrainian city for the first time after meeting his now-wife, Vlada, whom he had fallen head over heels for during a holiday in Thailand.

But it’s not just the immaculate nature of the WCs that caught Keiren’s eye. He is now a great enthusiast for the food, the coffee, the community life in the countryside and much else in Ukraine.

He is not the only one to have fallen for a nation that has been devastated by the war, or who is willing to go to great lengths to get there. According to data compiled by the State Border Service of Ukraine and VisitKyiv.com for the first half of 2025, foreigners crossed the Ukrainian border 1,194,983 times – 6,000 more than in the same period last year. That is, of course, a much smaller number than before the war and the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, 13.4million tourists visited Ukraine.

All those who do go are risking their lives to varying degrees. As of 30 September 2025, 14,383 civilians had been killed in the war, according to the OHCHR. The UK Foreign Office states bluntly that it “advises against all travel to parts of Ukraine.”

Kieren is clearly aware of these dangers and not immune to fear. When in the country, whenever the air raid sirens begin to ring out, he immediately rushes down to the shelter: unlike some war-weary Ukrainians. “I can imagine that when you live there, you don’t always want to go to a shelter — probably because it’s a headache, and you know that the actual attacks that hit are fewer than the ones you hear the sirens for. But when you’re traveling, you can kind of do it, so I always just go to the shelter whenever,” he told the Mirror.

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While most today are travelling for work or family events, some head to the war-torn country simply to explore. Others are on pilgrimage to Uman – an annual trip when thousands of Hasidim visit the tomb of Rabbi Nachman, founder of Bratslav Hasidism. Humanitarian trips are common, with large numbers travelling to participate in dozens of reconstruction projects crucial for a country that has been battered by missiles and drone strikes since February 2022.

Surprisingly, it is not in the cities that Keiren has felt most scared. Rather, it is in the rural areas without bomb shelters where he’s most feared for his life. There, he has watched rockets falling right above his head, with nowhere to hide except the house he was living in. “You feel more vulnerable there — there’s only ‘God’s protection’,” he said.

Kieren was once best known for his analytical takes on economics and politics, before he began producing documentary reports from Ukraine. The change in direction came after he married Vlada.

Now he spends a significant portion of his time promoting the lesser-known aspects of one of Europe’s poorest countries.

In a 52-minute YouTube video titled ‘How Ukraine changed my life‘, which he published earlier this year, the Milton Keynes lad explained how the country stole his heart.

“Your image of Ukraine is of this very brutalist, post-Soviet, kind of depressing, poor place, and Lviv just shattered this mental image. You’re walking on these cobbled streets, and you see all these beautiful, stunning, classical buildings. Everyone around you is cooler than you, dressed cooler than you, they’re just stylish, chill bras. Every single restaurant or cafe is on the level of the coolest of cool places in London, even better in some cases. The coffee… I literally became a coffee snob because of that trip.”

Keiren’s adulation for Ukraine stretches to the rural areas, where his in-laws live. There, wages are much lower than in Lviv and the capital Kyiv, yet access to great stretches of arable countryside abounds. Many work the land alongside their day jobs, building up larders with conserves and wines, as small-holding, subsistence farmers.

“I would argue in some regards, they live a much more fulfilling life than many poor people in the UK,” Kieren says in his video, noting the level of community cohesion, access to nature and fresh food many rural Ukrainians enjoy.

Kieren makes clear that he “isn’t saying that their lives are heaven” or that serious poverty, access issues for disabled people, and low life expectancy aren’t serious issues in the country.

Kieren has never been close to the front line, where the level of danger is much higher. Despite the risks he runs by being in Ukraine, he is keen to keep returning to a country he has fallen in love with.

“This is how high-quality everything is. I miss how everywhere you go, everything just feels perfect. That’s super nice. And the vibe. It’s just nice to be in Ukraine — the trees, the streets of Kyiv, the people who, despite the war, remain friendly and create an incredible atmosphere,” he continued.

For many Brits who find a second home abroad, the financial clout of the pound is a significant benefit. As he earns money in Britain, Kieren can afford more than he would back in the UK.

“When you come here, you feel like a millionaire,” he joked. “So you can have a really enjoyable week, constantly visiting various establishments.”

Kieren’s top recommendation is the restaurant 100 rokiv tomu vpered (100 Years Ahead), run by renowned Ukrainian chef Yevgen Klopotenko, who serves up traditional dishes, such as borscht, and the less typical fried bees. Another favourite place is Musafir, a Crimean Tatar restaurant known for its fried, doughy chibereks.

When not indulging in the local fare, Keiren enjoys spending time on Reitarska Street, an artistic hub in Kyiv, and Andriivskyi Uzviz. Kieren also recommends visiting the Golden Gate in the city center, a historic structure that was once the entrance to Kyiv, as well as having a picnic in one of Kyiv’s parks, such as Taras Shevchenko Park.

The top 10 countries by number of entries into Ukraine in the first half of 2025

1. Moldova — 509,219
2. Romania — 197,012
3. Poland — 116,589
4. Hungary — 60,400
5. Slovakia — 35,279
6. Israel — 26,869
7. Germany — 23,687
8. Turkey — 22,858
9. United States — 22,840
10. United Kingdom — 17,210