Travel in city Old

Escape the winter chill and whisk mothers and mother-figures to warmer climes. From spa treatments and gourmet delights, to bonding over a new skill, not only does a trip to Saudi promise much-welcomed boost of vitamin D to mark the end of winter, but an opportunity to enjoy some truly special experiences in the world’s newest and most exciting tourist destination.

The central train station in Edinburgh is Waverley. It’s in the city’s center, under the shadow of the Old Town’s narrow closes, wynds, courts, the Mound, and Edinburgh Castle. Arriving by train in my teenage years, this grand welcome would leave me speechless. And after living in Edinburgh for over six years, it still does today.

The luxury hotel brand Rocco Forte Hotels recently combined its world-class hospitality with sustainable slow travel to create a modern-day “Grand Tour” of European cities by rail. The scenic vacation train package connects two of the most romantic cities in Europe: Edinburgh, Scotland, and Palermo, Sicily. It’s designed to let travelers indulge in an inter-rail experience while taking a deep dive into local cultural experiences at each stop.

Udaipur is a surprise oasis in the southern reaches of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India’s landlocked (and largest) state. The city wraps around a sequence of artificial lakes with Lake Pichola being the most beautiful. Reflecting the Aravali Range in its shimmering waters, this lake and its floating palaces have established Udaipur as one of the most romantic destinations in Northern India. Add your name to the long list of travelers who lost their heart to Rajasthan’s City of Lakes at one of these Airbnbs in Udaipur near Lake Pichola.

Prague is arguably Europe’s prettiest capital.

Québec City has an up-close-and-personal vibe to it, giving it the feel of a big village more than a grand metropolis. The city’s small-scale transport options reflect this mentality.

The Omani city of Sur, nestled along the Arabian Sea, has been selected as the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024. Two hours away from the country’s capital, Muscat, Sur is a coastal gem known for its rich history and culture, traditional architecture and warm hospitality. As the Arab Tourism Capital for 2024, Sur stands as a testament to Oman’s commitment to preserving its heritage. The city was selected following several criteria such as the availability of infrastructure and tourism resources, the diversity of tourism activities and policies for preserving the environment.

Cunard Line has rolled out the new itineraries, including two simultaneous world cruises to depart in January 2026.

For a city that knows how to surprise, come to Prague.

With all the charm of a European city but a proud history that’s firmly French-Canadian, Québec City is a perfect place to travel with kids – and fortunately for North Americans, it’s much closer than Europe.

“Welcome to the oldest bratwurst kitchen in the world,” says Sofia Hilleprandt, as I duck beneath the wooden ceiling beams. “This wood was cut in 1379.” One of the beams has a cushion attached to it, no doubt because it’s concussed a patron or two. On the walls are weathered pots and pans, alongside knick-knacks and trinkets such as old beer mugs and faded portraits. 

A confluence of multicultural neighbourhoods, belle époque avenues and functional high-rises, Bucharest wears its past on its sleeve. While the Ceauşescu regime sought to erase all traces of the city’s history in the early 1980s, today, the Romanian capital overflows with character — its gritty exterior concealing a wealth of cosy bars, galleries and bookshops. 

San Diego stretches over nearly 350 square miles of beachfront and city, nature reserves and vibrant multicultural enclaves. The options for lodgings are nearly as varied as the terrain, from a pet-friendly, boutique-style high-rise to a historic grande dame in the heart of downtown. Here are the ones we love.

Seventy miles of sun-kissed coastline. The San Diego Museum of Art and the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park. Pop-culture fest Comic-Con. California’s first Catholic mission.

Warsaw had never been on my travel radar. But when my friend asked me to join him on a birthday trip, I thought why not?

The 20th century was unkind to Vienna. The capital of the Habsburg empire until 1918, it was, by early 1989, a bleak and battered outpost within touching distance of the iron curtain. Now that the city has undeniably recaptured its glory of old (symbolically, its population grew to two million last year, its pre-first world war imperial population), it might seem counterintuitive to visit it for its modernist architecture. But this is a highly rewarding endeavour, especially if one wishes to avoid an overdose of Sachertorte (chocolate cake), horse-drawn carriages, flamboyant churches and palaces, and imperial tat.

There's no wrong way to do Dubrovnik. But the best way to experience this centuries-old city is from just beyond the walls of Old Town. Close enough to soak up the cinematic views of the setting sun dipping into the sea behind the white-stone city but far enough away to be removed from the throngs of tourists, the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik is the perfect vantage point from which to experience the very best of Dubrovnik.

Set in the heart of Funchal’s atmospheric Old Town, the five historic houses that make up Castanheiro offer guests an immersion in more than 300 years of Madeiran history. Communal areas in each house are filled with antique furniture and period pieces from its earlier incarnations – one as a handcraft atelier, another the home of wealthy traders – while bedrooms are sleek and modern. The cherry on the cake is the rooftop pool, with fantastic views over Funchal and plenty of quiet outdoor spaces on the walled terraces for relaxing with a book or a cocktail. There’s no restaurant, but plenty of good options within a minute or two’s stroll.Doubles from £153 B&B; castanheiroboutiquehotel.com

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Los Angeles in collaboration with STARLUX Airlines, is excited to announce the launch of flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Chiang Mai, a captivating cultural destination in Thailand. Starting January 16th, STARLUX Airlines, renowned for their premium service will provide convenient access to the vibrant region of Northern Thailand. In celebration of this new venture, TAT Los Angeles and STARLUX Airlines hosted a cultural event on January 16th at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The event featured the unique traditions of Chiang Mai and highlight TAT’s dedication to fostering US-Thailand travel.

Bern has been rated the most liveable city in Europe again, according to one expert ranking.

A version of this article originally appeared in Condé Nast Traveller UK.