Breathtaking: 24 secret beaches in southern Europe

Post-pandemic travel has been plagued with problems of overtourism leading to a plethora of new entry fees, taxes and visitor number caps. In 2024, travellers are seeking Europe’s lesser trod attractions using tricks like destination dupes—quieter alternatives to well-known places.

It’s a controversial opinion, but Rome’s major sites are overrated. Crowded, costly and utterly devoid of charm, the city’s most visited landmarks have been cheapened in the age of mass tourism into little more than a box-ticking – or selfie-taking – exercise.

There’s good news for those hoping to spend their summer basking on white-sand beaches, visiting sun-bleached ruins, noshing on tangy tzatziki, and sipping Greek vintages: Travel to Greece just got a bit easier.

The European Commission has submitted a proposal to increase the basic fee for a Schengen visa in 2024.

A few years ago, visiting Devon in a wet and windy summer, chef Margie Nomura, host of theDesert Island Dishespodcast, stumbled across Beachhouse cafe on a soggy dog walk at South Milton Sands.

Hidden in the main hall of Varvakios Agora market in Athens is seafood so fresh that the air smells of saltwater. At Hasapika, you can choose your fish and specify how you’d like it cooked: seared octopus, salmon ceviche, gigantic fried prawns – the choice is endlessly delicious. But the highlight is the Hasapika pan – handmade pasta in a decadent tomato broth overloaded with crayfish, mussels and shrimp. It can serve three, but two of us fought for every last scrap, wiping the pan with warm, olive oil-soaked bread. My Italian friend declared it some of the best pasta he had ever tasted. Well worth €28 for two.Suriya Bala

United Airlines is dreaming of moussaka and ouzo as the airline prepares to launch a new seasonal flight from Chicago to Athens this spring.

High-speed rail company Brightline is starting its field investigation work in southern California to prepare for a rail corridor connecting the state with Las Vegas.

Palm Beach is hot and is making its mark on the art scene. With the constant trickle of millionaires and billionaires moving to the area, the desire to build a robust art community is greater than ever, and gallerist Sarah Gavlak is among those leading the charge.

Although we've made it past the most depressing day of the year, it's still grey and miserable across much of Europe.

The magnificent light shows, Aurora Australis and Aurora Borealis, are atmospheric phenomenon found near the north and south poles. Unlike the Northern Lights, the Southern Lights are a little more inaccessible and where you choose to view them might depend on how adventurous you're feeling—but the rewards might be far greater.

On an out-of-season trip to Zakynthos, a Greek island famed for intoxicated British teenagers that also happens to be beautiful, we stumbled upon Xigia Sulfur beach on the east coast. We were first greeted by the smell of rotten eggs, because of its sulphurous springs. Despite the smell, it’s brilliant: the glistening turquoise waters are framed by the towering cliffs, and the sulphur bubbles out of the seabed. A dip on this beach is said to be good for the skin and generally therapeutic. There are other little coves nearby, linked by paths.Lucas