WTM London 2023: Morocco creates a sensation

The holidays are upon us and so is the chance to stock up on thoughtful gifts for others or, just maybe, treat yourself to something nice on Cyber Monday. One thing is for sure: Our Traveler editors won't be sleeping on this year's deals. Thousands of Cyber Monday deals have landed, including sales from travel-friendly brands we love like Away, Calpak, Nordstrom, New Balance, Girlfriend Collective, and more. We asked our editors what goods are on their wishlists this year, and luckily, many of them are on sale. Read on for what our editors are shopping this Cyber Monday, from in-flight tech essentials and kitchen appliances to new bed sheets as comfortable as the ones in your favorite hotel.

When is walking in circles a good thing? When following a trail through villages, forests and fields using open-access paths that begin and end at the same train station.

Ryanair operates over 440 routes and carrying over 52m passengers p.a. to/from the UK on its fleet of 107 UK-based aircraft ($10.7bn investment), driving year-round connectivity and inbound tourism which supports over 37,000 UK jobs.

Ah, Christmas in London… the John Lewis Christmas advert, Tesco’s stuffing sandwich meal deals and—more importantly—the sweet sounds of Mariah Carey are some telltale signs the festive season has officially begun. And just like how Cinderella’s carriage turns into a pumpkin at midnight, come November 1, London transforms into a magical hub of yuletide joy. Streets twinkle under the Christmas lights, hotels, and shops are in full-on festive mode and carols ring out in the capital.

Described by BBC Radio as “the best jazz festival on the planet,” the annual EFG London Jazz Festival, created by international music producer Serious, provides the ideal antidote to November’s dreary weather and shorter days. With over 300 shows across more than 70 venues, including some stellar free gigs, this month’s festival attracted a live audience of over 100,000. The ten day, citywide event featured big names and major concert halls like Sergio Mendez at the Barbican and The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter at the Royal Festival Hall but perhaps the pure joy for jazz fans was the discovery of rising stars and lesser known musicians at more intimate locations. Here are few of the many highlights from this month’s festival and musicians to seek out at future gigs.

Sphere Entertainment Company, sister company to Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corporation MSG, is looking for a new location for its second Sphere venue after its London-based plans were blocked by the city’s mayor, Sadiq Khan. 

“Be careful, make sure you’re watching your step!” shouts our tour guide, Fadou Atif, just as the streets of the medina get narrower. Were the road any tighter, I’m certain my calves would be burnt on the exhaust pipes of scooters screeching past.

From January up until the end of September 2023, Spain received 66.5 million international arrivals, up 18.8% year-on-year, and 0.6% below pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The main inbound tourism markets were the United Kingdom, representing around 13.8 million arrivals, France with almost 9.4 million arrivals and Germany, with almost 8.5 million arrivals.

History feels very much alive in the art, architecture and crackling atmosphere of the UK’s capital. From the Tower of London and contemporary Sky Garden to tales of the Houses of Parliament’s Gunpowder Plot and Harry Potter filming locations — there are enough famous, infamous and fantastical attractions in London to keep kids entertained for weeks. And many of the city’s most celebrated names can be explored through a raft of innovative tours and experiences aimed squarely at families.

Travel-inspired jewelry for the holidays is like giving a gift of wanderlust. A necklace strung with beads the color of the Amalfi Coast or a dazzling ring reminiscent of the night skies over Morocco is more than a cherished accessory—it’s an instant connection to a destination. Keepsakes like these make the ultimate gift for a traveler with an eye for style.

A collaboration between three great names in hotels, At Sloane brings the finest in hospitality and design to a prominent address in London.

When it comes to food, London's West End district in the city center doesn’t have the best rap. Many locals will say that you need to venture out of zone one to eat some authentic cuisine. I disagree.