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The town sits on the western banks of Lough Derg and offers stunning lake views, historic buildings including St Flannan’s Cathedral, and a top-rated inflatable water park

Whether it’s the stunning lake vistas that captivate you or the historic structures nestled on its shores, this charming town provides the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Lough Derg, a freshwater lake in the River Shannon, cradles the town of Killaloe on its western banks, located in County Clare. Its position offers an idyllic backdrop for peace and serenity, with many opting to use the lake for swimming, sports, boat trips or even a leisurely stroll along the water’s edge.

One visitor, clearly taken by the lake, shared on TripAdvisor: “I guarantee you will not be disappointed with your visit to Lough Derg, even if you just sit in the car at the viewpoint it will have been worth the drive. The views and the scenery are so spectacular it will take your breath away.”

For those eager to dive right into the water, Killaloe boasts the country’s largest inflatable water park, situated along the picturesque lake. It happens to be the top-rated attraction in the area, perfect for families looking to enjoy the outdoors in a more exhilarating way.

Come rain or shine, families can put on a wetsuit and buoyancy aid and exhaust themselves for up to 50 minutes as they slip and slide into the beautiful lake. Many visitors who’ve participated can’t resist singing its praises on TripAdvisor.

One person shared: “We brought our 9 and 7-year-olds, and they absolutely loved it. Great fun had by all. Will definitely be returning next summer.”

Another visitor wrote: “Great fun for all ages! Everybody had a blast, and it was a really good way to have some good fun with the family. Would definitely go again.”

Beyond the entertainment, the region boasts a rich historical heritage, with fascinating stories told through its striking architecture.

This was once the stronghold of Brian Ború, Ireland’s last high king, whose mighty fortress dominated the town that served as the nation’s capital millennia ago.

Visitors can explore the site of Brian Boru’s Fort, where his palace once commanded the landscape, and discover more about his legacy at the purpose-built Brian Boru Heritage Centre.

Sharing this historic landscape is the magnificent St Flannan’s Cathedral, which stretches back to the 12th century and continues to draw tourists to the region.

The cathedral blends Romanesque and Gothic design features with distinctive carvings and Ogham stones, whilst also containing the final resting place of Muircheartaigh, the last O’Brien High King.

The building has benefited from substantial funding for conservation work, which has helped preserve and protect its splendour and significance as a Church of Ireland monument.

Stretching over the water, linking Killaloe with Ballina in County Tipperary, stands the Killaloe Bridge. This impressive 13-arch stone structure is thought to have been built around 1650, crafted from rubble limestone.

The structure remains protected, but it has undergone various modifications over the years, including an added memorial for four Irish Republican Army members who were sadly gunned down on the bridge in 1920.

Tourists will also notice a commemorative plaque marking the partial reconstruction of the bridge in the 1800s.

The forum, which comes after government forces retook two governorates, could help end the conflict with separatists.

Yemeni government troops backed by Saudi Arabia have completed the handover of all military sites in Hadramout and al-Mahra governorates, which they successfully reclaimed from the United Arab Emirates-backed secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) in recent days, according to Yemeni media.

A delegation led by STC leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, was meanwhile expected to travel to Saudi Arabia for a peace forum, the Reuters news agency reported – a potential sign of progress towards ending the conflict that has rocked war-torn Yemen and spiked tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.

Over the last two days, STC troops have withdrawn from the city of Mukalla, the key eastern port and capital of Hadramout, which Saudi Arabia bombed last week in a limited coalition operation targeting cargo and weapons.

Civilian life has started to return to normal, local sources told Al Jazeera Arabic. Shops have opened their doors, while traffic has gradually picked up again in city streets.

The fractured country has seen soaring tensions since early December, when STC forces took over Hadramout and al-Mahra. The two provinces make up nearly half of Yemen’s territory and share a border with Saudi Arabia.

Last week’s new round of fighting saw Yemen’s Saudi-backed Homeland Shield forces achieve “record success” in clawing back “all military and security positions”, said Rashad al-Alimi, head of the internationally recognised government’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC).

By Friday, the Yemeni government said it had asked Saudi Arabia to host talks with separatists. The STC welcomed the offer, though the timing and details of the talks remain unclear.

Renewed tensions

At least 80 STC fighters had been killed as of Sunday, according to an STC official, while another 152 were wounded and 130 were taken captive.

Skirmishes broke out two days earlier in Hadramout after the STC accused Saudi Arabia of bombing its forces near the border, killing seven people and wounding 20.

An STC military official separately told the AFP news agency that Saudi warplanes had carried out “intense” air raids on one of the group’s camps at Barshid, west of Mukalla.

As fighting was under way, the STC announced the start of a two-year transitional period towards declaring an independent state, warning it would declare independence “immediately” if there was no dialogue or if southern Yemen again came under attack.

The Yemeni government defended the military actions, with Hadramout Governor Salem al-Khanbashi saying efforts to take back bases from the STC were “not a declaration of war” but meant to “peacefully and systematically” reclaim the sites.

The government also accused the separatists of preventing civilian travellers from entering Aden and called the STC’s restrictions on movement “a grave violation of the constitution and a breach of the Riyadh Agreement”, which was intended as a peace deal between separatists and the government.

Outside Yemen, the crisis has continued to upset relations between the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and the STC are part of a decade-old military coalition that Riyadh convened to confront the Houthis, who continue to control parts of northern Yemen and Sanaa, the capital.

But the STC’s increasingly separatist approach – along with tit-for-tat accusations of Riyadh and Abu Dhabi-backed escalations – have stoked tensions among the trio.

Late on Friday, Abu Dhabi said all Emirati forces would withdraw from Yemen. Riyadh officially called for a peace forum early Saturday.

The city, just 65km from Porto, combines UNESCO World Heritage sites with Michelin-starred dining and budget-friendly meals from £4

A beautiful medieval city packed with great things to do has been tipped as a must-visit destination for 2026.

Guimarães is, according to a ranking of the top 20 travel spots this year, “astonishingly under the radar”, given its long history and the relative ease of getting there from the UK.

Sat just 65km inland from Porto, the Portugese city is considered the 12th-century birthplace of Portugal and its first capital. Norman Miller, who wrote about Guimarães for the BBC ranking, praised its “beautifully preserved medieval core is a tangle of cobbled squares and lanes dotted with grand palaces and terraced restaurants”. Among the warren you will find all sorts of excellent places to eat, including Michelin-starred spots, laid-back eateries and craft beer bars.

If you’re after a great but affordable place for a bite to eat, O Petisko is one of the cheapest lunch options in town, with meals starting from £4, it is known for its daily set lunch of soup, main and a drink.

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The Taberna Trovador is a touch more expensive but delivers classic taverna vibes, tapas and small plates right in the city centre.

In terms of significant monuments, history enthusiasts will love the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, is a magnificent example of seventeenth-century seigneurial architecture and the birthplace of the House of Bragança. It has been classified a National Monument since 1910.

Whether or not the attraction’s claim that “Portugal was born” in the Palace is true, it’s fair to say that Guimarães is not a city that is stuck in the past.

As one of Portugal’s oldest university towns it has a vibrant energy. Almost half of its population is younger than 30. Large stretches of the city were freshened up for its 2012 European Capital of Culture title. Most bars are clustered around Praça de São Tiago and Largo da Oliveira, the heart of the old town. There’s plenty to choose from when it comes to bars and clubs, including the Púrpura – vibrant university bar and the Madeira-themed Poncha cocktail bar.

The coming year is a big one for the city. It is celebrating both 25 years of UNESCO World Heritage status and its new title as Europe’s Green Capital – recognition of two decades of sustainability work embedded across the city.

If you walk through the city today you will find creatively repurposed heritage buildings or restored riverbanks. A fleet of electric buses are on hand to whisk you from location to location.

“It’s a forward-thinking, quietly confident city – and one of Europe’s most compelling surprises for 2026,” the BBC writes.

If you’re keen to swap the chilly UK for a spot of sunshine, then Guimarães delivers that and plenty of fresh air. According to the European Commission, 97% of its residents enjoy ‘good’ or ‘very good’ air.

“Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001 for its well-preserved historic centre, Guimarães has since earned several prestigious titles: European Capital of Culture in 2012, European City of Sport in 2013 and the most sustainable municipality in Portugal for three consecutive years. These remarkable achievements underscore the city’s innovative spirit and dedication to progress, despite its relatively modest population of 156,830 residents. Guimarães has embraced sustainability as a cornerstone of its local culture. Innovative businesses are increasingly aligning with the city’s environmentally conscious policies, fostering a new industrial culture and enhancing its ecosystem of innovation,” the Commission reported.

While there are no direct flights from UK airports to Guimarães, travel hubs including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol offer budget fares to nearby Porto.

Direct coaches run from Porto Airport to Guimarães, taking about 40–50 minutes. Operators such as FlixBus and local services offer regular departures and tickets from around €5 (about £4–£6). If you prefer rail, you can take a bus or taxi into Porto city centre and then catch a train to Guimarães from Porto’s São Bento or Campanhã stations. The train journey from Porto to Guimarães takes about 60 minutes.

Dec. 30 (Asia Today) — South Korea’s Unification Ministry said Tuesday that the public can now read North Korea’s state newspaper Rodong Sinmun at 181 designated outlets without special procedures such as separate identity checks or prior applications.

Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-joong said at a briefing that visitors to institutions authorized to handle North Korean materials may view Rodong Sinmun “like any other general publication.” He said the ministry plans to broaden access to North Korea-related information so the public can independently compare and assess it.

The ministry said 181 institutions hold copies of Rodong Sinmun, with about 20 purchasing it regularly. It said anyone visiting those outlets may view the copies held there and that some procedures, including requirements tied to copying materials, have been simplified.

Rules governing the import of Rodong Sinmun into South Korea remain unchanged under customs regulations, the ministry said. Institutions not authorized to handle special materials still cannot import the paper, it said, adding it plans to discuss easing related restrictions with other agencies.

The ministry said it also plans to seek legal changes aimed at opening access to Rodong Sinmun and other North Korea-related sites online. About 60 North Korea-linked websites are currently blocked in South Korea, including Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central News Agency, it said.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young previously said the government would pursue a legal framework to expand access to North Korean materials, including broadcasts and publications. The ministry said an interagency consultative body met Dec. 26 and notified relevant agencies that Rodong Sinmun had been reclassified as general material, allowing broader public access.

— Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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