‘People dance on tables’: welcome to Belgrade’s kafana pub culture

For travellers planning a culture-focused adventure, as hubs of human creativity, cities are the best place to start. From Milan to Riyadh, Budapest to Shanghai, the world abounds with buzzing metropolises, each offering something unique in the cultural sphere. Some cities function as living galleries in themselves through city-wide street art or award-winning architecture. Others offer artistic ways to explore history and culture, from immersive exhibitions to forward-thinking initiatives. But whichever you choose, you'll find inspiration on every corner. Here are five of the best.

If you’re looking for culture, activities, wildlife or sheer adventure, Indonesia is one of the richest countries in the world. With an estimated 13,466 islands, it's a whopper too. But Indonesia beyond Bali and Lombok (and the Gili Islands) remains largely unknown to many travelers. To pick just one example, Sumatra (80 times the size of Bali) is almost a world in itself. And yet people ask the question: “Is Indonesia worth visiting?”

Hotelplan UK – the parent company of Explore Worldwide, Inghams, Esprit, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland - has released its first Planet and People report, to follow on from its Climate and Biodiversity papers published early in 2023. The report, Protecting our Futures, tracks Hotelplan UK’s progress towards sustainability goals and incorporates elements of the group’s People strategy for the first time. It highlights where the group has surpassed targets – increasing investments in the planet and charity donations by more than 16% to £1.25 million, for instance - as well as addressing areas such as carbon reduction where efforts need further acceleration to meet Glasgow Declaration targets.

Flight tickets to Athens are available on Smartwings and Czech Airlines websites and at flight ticket vendors.

Moving to a new country can be daunting, especially if you don’t speak the language.

The culture of the Highlands and islands dates back millennia, and what better time to embrace it than autumn. Kick off your trip by taking a deep dive into the artistic culture of Arran. Its Arts Heritage Trail encompasses 20 hand-carved sandstones that mark significant artistic locations on the island, culminating in a stop at the Viewpoint, where you’ll be rewarded with the breathtaking vistas that have inspired many major artists.

Jamaica shared company with New Zealand, Costa Rica and Cyprus as it middled the 2023 Global Law and Order Report by respected Washington DC, United States based international analytics firm, Gallup, Inc.

France has announced it is banning smoking on beaches as part of a wider campaign to help people quit. 

The Connaught is a beloved five-star oasis of indulgence conveniently located in Mayfair. Guests return year after year for exceptional service, stunning rooms and consistently fabulous meals. The property becomes even more special as the holidays approach and guests are welcomed with special Christmas trees and festive holiday menus. This year’s tree was designed by influential British artist and sculptor Dame Rachel Whiteread. It sits outside the hotel and is decorated with over 100 circular neon white hoops, encouraging everyone to celebrate a feeling of togetherness.

Earlier this year, Germany introduced a new €49 public transport ticket that is valid on trains, buses and metro systems across the country.

Fireside lunches in cheerful pubs are one of the great pleasures of the UK winter, and this score of snug venues all come with somewhere to stay as well as cobweb-clearing walks from the door.

Last November, a group of us took a trip to the Peak District for my dad’s 60th. We booked the Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone for the celebratory dinner, just off the famous Monsal Trail. The pub sources all its produce locally and changes its menu monthly. When we arrived, we were welcomed with roaring fires and delights on the menu such as pork belly with black pudding and mustard mash, game pie, and a top tier sticky toffee pudding. It was worth it, although we ended up having to navigate a muddy walk home afterwards through cow fields in complete darkness.Eloise