Multiple earthquakes are rattling Santorini, a volcanic island in Greece, prompting authorities to dispatch rescuers with tents, a sniffer dog and drones, and to shut schools on four islands.
30.01.2025 - 12:19 / lonelyplanet.com
Jan 29, 2025 • 13 min read
The gorgeous Andaman Islands are nearly 1370km (850 miles) from mainland India and one of the remotest corners of this vast nation. They are also well worth the journey! Astounding crystal-clear waters lap the coast of these tropical, forested islands, loved for their shimmering, pristine beaches, exceptional diving sites and glorious sunsets.
The island of North Andaman is known for its rugged landscapes, remote charm and attractions such as Diglipur township, sandbar-linked Ross Island and Smith Island, and Kalipur Beach, which is famous for nesting turtles.
In contrast, South Andaman is the archipelago’s administrative and cultural hub, home to the capital Port Blair, historic landmarks and popular tourist destinations such as Swaraj Dweep (Havelock Island) and Shaheed Dweep (Neil Island) – two of the Andamans’ top diving and relaxation havens.
Despite the hype, there’s still a deliciously undeveloped vibe to lie back and absorb – the longer you can stay, the better. Although doing nothing but enjoying the views is perfectly acceptable when visiting this slice of unspoiled paradise, if you’re going to travel all this way, here are the best things to do in the Andaman Islands.
A symbol of India’s long struggle for independence from the British Empire, the Cellular Jail in Port Blair is a national monument that draws visitors from across the country. It’s an important, moving place to visit. Three lengthy wings of this imposing panopticon prison remain intact, designed to allow warders to keep a constant eye on the prisoners held here.
Names of imprisoned Indian freedom fighters line the walls of the observation tower, listed by the state where they were arrested before being brought here and incarcerated – or in some cases, tortured and executed, as the gallows here will remind you. The popular Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show brings these tragic stories alive in the prison’s courtyard.
Planning tip: Grab tickets from the entrance booth for the English-language show at 6:50pm (only in peak season).
A 10-minute boat ride from Port Blair’s Aberdeen Jetty, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep (renamed from its colonial-era moniker, Ross Island) is as picturesque as it is eerie. The British officers in charge of the Cellular Jail and all the horrors that went on there lived on this island, which they left abruptly when the Japanese occupied the Andamans in 1942.
The settlement’s church, houses, ballroom, power station and swimming pool are today overgrown, choked by the twisting roots of ficus trees. The only residents here are hundreds of deer, first introduced by the hunt-loving British military.
Planning tip: Hire a guide to better understand the island’s deep historical
Multiple earthquakes are rattling Santorini, a volcanic island in Greece, prompting authorities to dispatch rescuers with tents, a sniffer dog and drones, and to shut schools on four islands.
Feb 6, 2025 • 6 min read
Multiple earthquakes are rattling Santorini, a volcanic island in Greece, prompting authorities to dispatch rescuers with tents, a sniffer dog and drones, and to shut schools on four islands.
So you've been to London, bumped fists with Big Ben, watched a Premier League game and witnessed the Changing of the Guard.
Schools were closed and emergency crews deployed on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini on Monday after a spike in seismic activity raised concerns about a potentially powerful earthquake.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stephen and Joanna Vargha, a married couple who moved from North Carolina to Cuenca, Ecuador, in 2020 after retiring early. Cuenca is located in the Andes mountains and has a population of about 600,000 people. Their interview has been edited for length and clarity.
The British Pullman, A Belmond Train, has long been hailed as one of the UK’s most sophisticated travel experiences. Since the ’80s, the steam locomotive has played host to elegant travelers hopping onboard for a day spent puffing through the English countryside. The pinnacle of British glamour, guests are treated like royalty as they are whisked past rolling fields, historic castles, and storybook villages.
The best time to visit Barbados is a worthy topic: From long sunny afternoons on idyllic beaches to aimless strolls around the UNESCO Heritage Site capital, Bridgetown, there are umpteen reasons to visit this dazzling Caribbean island of Barbados. However, timing is everything, and the best time to visit Barbados depends on what you seek from a tropical island escape. Whenever you visit Barbados, there are plenty of things to do in Barbados, as well as to experience: toes-in-the-sand bliss; cooling off in the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea; popping on a snorkel and mask to see a technicolor world in the ocean. While choosing the right places to stay is key, there’s plenty to do besides downtime in the best hotels in Barbados, from sampling authentic Barbadian food and meeting locals in beach shacks to exploring Mount Gay, the world's longest-running rum distillery. Excited? This is the best time to visit Barbados.
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