Tourism

‘Exploring Finland with our baby was a delight’ Finland has topped the world happiness rankings for years, but when I landed in Helsinki on one of my first flights with our nine-month-old, global accolades were the last thing on my mind. I was rumpled, tired and dreaming of sleep. My husband, Jake, and I had finally emerged from the blur of early parenthood and dared to imagine a trip abroad. My hopes were modest: a cold beer at sunset, a wander among trees, a few uninterrupted pages of a

Legend has it that the 19th-century Parisian flâneur, determined not to hurry past the delights of the boulevard, would walk with a tortoise on a leash to slow his stride. That image came back to me as my donkey lowered his head for yet another thistle and I paused to take in the panorama while he chewed. In every direction, mountain ridges faded into layers of pale, misty blue. There was nothing to hear but the wind, the sharp whistles of marmots and the laughter of my two small children. I

A new giant suspension bridge in southwest China has quickly become a magnet for travelers eager to capture dramatic selfies and share them on social media. Yet for local residents, the structure represents far more than a scenic backdrop. It provides a direct connection to a major highway, cutting travel time from several hours to just minutes, and stands as a symbol of large-scale investment that has brought high-speed internet to this once-remote region. The Huajiang Bridge stretches across

Turin is often described as one of Italy’s most exacting food capitals, shaped first by the refined tastes of the House of Savoy and later by the philosophy of the slow food movement. That heritage lives on in its grand cafés and historic restaurants, where dining can feel elegant and ceremonial. Yet that is only one side of the city. As a local, I’m far more attached to a humbler institution: the piòla. Piòle were never true restaurants. They were modest places to drink a glass of barbera,

Summer 2026 was expected to mark a strong return to big vacations for many Americans. Instead, rising fuel prices, uncertainty around long-haul routes and a more cautious economic outlook are reshaping the kinds of trips people feel comfortable taking. We spoke with travellers across the US to learn how their plans are evolving. This year’s travel season is proving unusually complex. Flight paths across parts of the Middle East have been disrupted, gas and jet fuel prices have climbed and

From far-flung islands and untamed moorland to tranquil canals and vast, star-filled skies, these six destinations capture the very essence of England in summer. Summer in England has a gentle, heady charm. As daylight lingers late into the evening, London’s parks fill with picnickers and festival crowds, while the golden stone of Oxford, Bath and the Cotswolds radiates warmth beneath the afternoon sun. Each year, the summer solstice once again casts its ancient spell over Stonehenge. Yet

The island of Brijuni, once a secluded retreat for Yugoslav leader Josip Broz Tito, is now open to visitors and offers one of the most remarkable backstories among European holiday destinations. Located near the Croatian city of Pula, the island forms part of Brijuni National Park. Here, guests can see genuine dinosaur footprints, a car once used by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit, and exotic animals that were presented as diplomatic gifts by world leaders. For many years, the island was

Sorry. Sorry to interrupt. Sorry I’m late. Sorry about the rain. Sorry for everything just mentioned. In the UK, “sorry” is more than an apology; it is a cultural reflex – a compact, five-letter safety valve deployed to cushion requests, ease tension, plug conversational silences and prevent the ultimate social offence of appearing rude. It is hardly surprising that icons of exaggerated politeness like Paddington Bear and Mary Poppins come from Britain. On average, Britons say “sorry” around

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is continuing his campaign against intoxicated passengers who disrupt flights. As far back as two years ago, the head of Europe’s largest low-cost airline suggested that airports should limit alcohol sales to no more than two drinks per traveler before departure. He has now gone further, arguing that airport bars should completely stop selling alcohol during certain hours of the day, particularly in the early morning. The 65-year-old executive, who has led Ryanair

Why do so many TikToks about eating out feel so repetitive? Late last year, Dillon Davis and Nichols Neff found themselves asking that very question from the couch in their shared Manhattan apartment, scrolling through clip after clip of influencers visiting the same trendy, hard-to-book spots. Neither of them had ever created social media content before. Still, as they kept watching, an idea began to take shape. “Wouldn’t it be more interesting to focus on small, under-the-radar restaurants

It was only when she arrived in San Diego that Elizabeth Gilbert understood how dramatically her life had shifted. She had left home as the author of a modestly successful memoir published the year before, “Eat, Pray, Love,” a deeply personal blend of travel writing, confession, and self-reflection chronicling her post-divorce journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia. While touring to promote the paperback edition, Gilbert remembers speaking to intimate crowds of “10, 15, 20 people.” This

Airfares to Asia from both Europe and Australia have surged sharply following the closure of key Middle Eastern airports amid the war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to media reports, airline websites show that tickets on many popular routes are sold out several days in advance. Airfares to Asia reach record highs The temporary shutdown of major Gulf airports, including Dubai — the world’s busiest international hub handling more than 1,000 flights daily — has

It’s lunchtime on a frigid Wednesday in Toronto’s Financial District, and the streets feel strangely deserted. Snow sweeps sideways through the corridors of glass and steel, the sky hangs heavy and grey, and visibility is limited. A small number of pedestrians, bundled tightly in oversized parkas, shuffle along the slushy sidewalks of Adelaide Street West, enduring a biting 7F (-14C) windchill beneath looming office towers. Beyond them, there is little movement. A first-time visitor might

Across the UK, there is a long-standing habit of christening walking routes after some of history’s most colourful troublemakers. Poets with questionable habits, ambitious plotters and controversial monarchs all seem to earn a place on signposts. In that spirit, a 30-mile weekend hike honouring the Mortimer family — and especially their most infamous member, Sir Roger — feels entirely fitting. Sir Roger Mortimer was not a man of modest reputation. He allegedly conducted an affair with Queen

Chic lakeside cabins in Somerset Tucked around a serene lake in south Somerset are six vintage-inspired luxury huts forming The Shepherds Hut Retreat. Each comes equipped with a sleek kitchen and bathroom, a private hot tub area, and delightful extras like telescopes, gin stations, pizza ovens, fire pits, and hammocks. A sauna hidden among the trees adds to the charm. The most opulent of them, named 1898, draws design influence from the Pig hotels. A scenic mile-long walk leads to the Lord

Ронда — ідеальне зимове місце для тих, хто шукає романтичну атмосферу. Це старовинне місто на півдні Іспанії розташувалося обабіч стрімкої ущелини, а його вулиці ведуть через парки до оглядових майданчиків з захоплюючими краєвидами. Щодня до Ронди прибувають туристичні автобуси, які привозять гостей для того, щоб ті могли не лише зробити фото каньйону, але й насолодитися неквапливою прогулянкою. «Найкращий спосіб пізнати це місто — пройтися вздовж ущелини, тримаючи кохану людину за руку,

Subscribe to CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter, Unlocking the World, to receive top updates on travel hotspots, the aviation industry, culinary highlights, and lodging trends. This week’s travel highlights include the surprising reason behind different fork techniques in Europe and the U.S., a Mediterranean island where cats outnumber humans, and a dramatic rescue on the tallest Alpine peak. Destination Highlights The island of Palmarola, not far from Rome, offers a remarkable escape. Though it’s

Open-faced sandwiches (smørrebrød), seasoned meatballs (frikadeller), and crisp pieces of pork belly (stegt flæsk) are just a few of the classic dishes that food lovers seek when visiting Denmark. Yet perhaps no treat represents Danish culinary pride more than the famous Danish pastry. With so many bakeries in Copenhagen alone, how does one choose the best? As a longtime Copenhagen resident and pastry enthusiast, I took on the challenge of finding the city’s finest Danish pastry. Let’s begin

Subscribe to CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter, “Unlocking the World,” to stay updated on travel insights, aviation developments, culinary discoveries, and top accommodation tips. This week’s travel roundup features how airlines ensure pilots are alcohol-free, the experience inside a traditional Turkish bath, and the global surge in pursuit of dual citizenship. New Beginnings in Germany and Sweden The dream of holding dual citizenship continues to attract travelers and expatriates across the

Why Visit Now Leith, Edinburgh’s historic port district, has long been a gateway for people, trade, and innovation entering the city. It’s where the Water of Leith river meets the sea, and when the sun shines and the bars and restaurants along the Shore come alive, it feels magical. After moving here 13 years ago, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing its evolution. Today, Leith is a creative powerhouse, bustling with artists, musicians, designers, and startups, not to mention a thriving culinary