Travel
fromCN Traveller
10 hours agoThis sunny European city has just been voted the world's most colourful
Lisbon is the world's most vibrant city, scoring 100/100 with 2,633,070 unique colors.
The initial challenge was to create a club that valued the view of the lagoon without obstructing that landscape with the building. The solution was an architectural design in two levels.
Sperlonga, Italy, is home to fewer than 4,000 full-time residents, making it a prime place to go for some peace and solitude. Its shoreline is also a Blue Flag certified beach, meaning its water quality, sustainability, and environmental management practices are among the best in the world.
The bike I'm borrowing is much lighter than my own, with tyres twice the width, and drop handlebars splayed out to the sides for extra control. The gearing goes much lower than I am used to, meaning even the steepest slopes should be eventually surmountable.
International Living published its list of the best places to retire for as little as $1,200 a month. The publication considered both quantitative data, such as rent prices, utility costs, and grocery bills, and insights from its global network of contributors to compile a list of 14 places spanning Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
"I think Marbella is a little misunderstood and is often viewed as simply an ostentatious resort destination. It is still an authentic coastal town, and it's one of few places on the Spanish peninsula where you can experience so much diversity and vibrancy year-round."
The best all-inclusive hotels here are far removed from the buffet lines and wristband clichés that once defined the format. Instead, they offer thoughtfully designed spaces, ambitious dining programmes, excellent spas and an easy sense of Mediterranean leisure that suits the rhythm of island life.
Athens is a city of beautiful contradictions. Michelin-starred dining rooms share sidewalk space with decades-old taverns. Modern rooftop bars overlook 2,000-year-old monuments. Everywhere you look, the past and present converge to create an unparalleled multilayered metropolis.
Africa is home to 39 countries that claim a coastline, giving travelers plenty of beaches to choose from. You'll find everything from palm-studded postcard perfection in Mozambique to rugged cliffs that sank many a ship attempting to cross South African seas during early colonization expeditions.
Mercado Bom Sucesso has been serving a wide range of traditional Portuguese food since 1949. Its modern design is unmissable when walking around the heart of Porto, and it's absolutely worth a stop. While farmers' markets are usually held outdoors, food halls are primarily indoors, and Bom Sucesso is no different. This means that no matter when you're visiting - whether it be the dead of winter or the height of summer - you'll be able to enjoy local delicacies in a climate-controlled environment.
Although initially developed by the Portuguese, who first set foot here in 1500, the Brazilian fishing town of Trancoso remained virtually undiscovered until a small group of Paulistano hippies came upon it in the 1970s and happily settled in. Although the installation of new roads and the arrival of electricity a decade later increased accessibility, the vibe was set: Trancoso remains a sleepy, bohemian beach destination.
The most beautiful places in Oman are diverse, stark, and staggering. With ancient ruins, fragrant souks, and picturesque mountain villages, there is no shortage of man-made wonders. But it is the country's geology that delights best. In this desert nation, beauty is defined by water: the white sands of surf-battered beaches, gurgling wadi streams, and cloud-shrouded massifs where pomegranates hang heavy.
For a true sense of freedom and escape, nothing quite compares with an island getaway. Whether it's island hopping in Greece, exploring a Scandinavian archipelago by kayak or simply getting on a ferry to the Isle of Wight, we'd love to hear about your favourite European islands. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a 200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property the company has more than 3,000 worldwide.
Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky promontory connected by a footbridge to the beach, that offers one of the most photographed panoramas in Biarritz. Access to the site is free, and it is best visited during daylight hours to fully enjoy the views.
"Ronda is considered one of Spain's most beautiful cities due to its spectacular location, the deep ravine (Tajo), and the surrounding mountains, called Serranía de Ronda," says Maike Ange, a tour guide specializing in Andalusia. Puente Nuevo, or the "New Bridge," is one of the town's three bridges traversing the 400-foot gorge, which splits Ronda into El Mercadillo ("New Town") and La Ciudad ("Old Town"). The dramatic views, however, are still just a sliver of the destination's appeal.
Hotels in North GoaStay in Goa's vibrant north to be close to the party spots, new cafés and happening events. This area is home to the most popular beaches in Goa-Baga, Vagator, Candolim, Calangute, and Morjim-dotted with shacks, and offering water sports and adventure activities. Stay here for the flea markets, historic forts, nightlife and happenings bars, the live gigs and a variety of food.
In reality, most French people do not spend their summers chasing iconic landmarks or ticking destinations off a bucket list. Their idea of a successful vacation is quieter, slower, and often much closer to home. Rather than Paris or Saint-Tropez, they favor rural regions, discreet coastlines, forested hills, and mid-sized towns where life moves at a gentler pace, often staying in family homes, rented gîtes, camping sites, or small guesthouses.