Features

The funniest travel stories of 2016

Every year millions of travellers embark on journeys throughout the world, most of which go off without a hitch. But sometimes, things do go wrong. While missed flights and lost luggage won’t make the headlines, some stories are a little more entertaining. From badly photoshopped holiday snaps to 47-year-long layovers, these are the silly travel…

5 of the world’s weirdest Christmas traditions

Do you ever take a step back during your family celebrations on Christmas day and think: “wow, if anyone saw us now, they’d think we were mad”? Perhaps you’re mid-Twister, with your arms through a distant relative’s legs, when you suddenly realise this all might look a bit odd to an outsider. Fear not, though,…

6 reasons travelling gets better as you get older

What a drag it is getting old. Or at least, that’s what Mick Jagger sang on the Rolling Stones track Mother’s Little Helper, way back in 1966. Fast-forward half a century and millions travellers of all ages are hitting the road every year – and even the Rolling Stones, who are all in their 60s…

10 ideas for your first backpacking trip

You’ve got a backpack and your passport is ready to receive some serious stamping. All that’s left for you to decide is where you’re headed, and what you’re going to do when you get there. Studying a few maps will help with the first problem, but won’t do much for the second – so allow…

The 8 golden rules of travel

Some of life’s usual rules go out of the window when you’re travelling. You don’t have to set your alarm clock and you don’t have to worry about ironing, washing the dishes or any of that other boring grown-up stuff. But there are some rules you should always follow when travelling, whether you’re train-hopping through…

6 essential tips for packing light

Travelling is all about new discoveries. But some forces are almost the same, no matter where you are on Earth. Take gravity: carry a heavy backpack around for long enough and you’ll notice its effect, whether you’re in Cusco or the Cotswolds. Market forces are also fairly constant. Check in for a flight with an…

9 tips for surviving that dreaded overnight bus

These days, cheap flights abound. But sometimes it makes a lot more sense to hit the road for a journey through the night. Opt for the night bus and you won’t have to worry about stressful airport queues or checking in online. You’ll also be able to save on accommodation by sleeping during the journey.…

8 essential budget travel tips

If you’re looking to travel far and wide but you’ve got a tight budget, these budget travel tips will see you through every kind of adventure. 1. Go it alone… Travel companies can certainly point you in the right direction when you’re planning a trip, but remember: few of them work for free. Whenever there’s…

5 travel trends we’re predicting for 2016

How will travel change over the next twelve months? Expect crowded planes, bots that can book things on your behalf and – if you’re really lucky – the chance to finally chill out. 1. Technology will continue to take over your travel Over the past decade, technology has completely re-shaped the travel experience, giving consumers the…

Scandinavia for first-timers: 7 ideas for short breaks

On the face of it, Scandinavia isn’t a very sensible place for a holiday. For one thing, it’s almost always going to be colder than the place you’re leaving behind. And when it comes to basics like food and accommodation, it’s probably more expensive too. But if you don’t mind throwing a few warm jumpers…

A disused railway line in Sweden is now the ultimate secret adventure

Home to wind farms, vineyards and wild meadows full of cornflowers and poppies, the countryside in the southernmost part of Sweden – known as Skåne – feels a world away from the dense pine forests of the north. You can get a taste for the good life down here by hiring a car and hopping…

The story of Beijing’s contemporary art hub

In a country where censorship rules, few people gave the idea much of a chance. In little more than a decade, however, the 798 Art District, which occupies a former military zone on the northeastern edge of Beijing, has grown to become a genuine creative hub for contemporary art. The story begins in the 1950s,…