Set on the Thu Bon River, just inland from Vietnam’s central coast, Hoi An was a thriving port between the 16th and 18th centuries, trading silk, spices and ceramics with China and Japan. With its well-preserved historic centre, it’s the most beautiful city in the country, said Daniel Stables in National Geographic Traveller – a lovely place to while away a few days.

Its cobbled streets are lined with Chinese shophouses “garlanded” with bougainvillea and painted a “lemon-curd yellow” that turns to “burnished gold” at sunset. When night comes, the “velvet darkness” is “pricked by a million orbs of light, like fireflies in a forest”: paper lanterns, which have been the city’s “signature” for 400 years, and are still handcrafted by artisans in “atmospheric” workshops in the old town.

The city is a lively place today, with a “thriving” modern art scene, stylish bars and great street food, including bánh mì – baguettes filled with pâté, grilled pork and pickled vegetables. But its charm lies centrally in its historic sites – most famously the Japanese Bridge, a covered foot-crossing over a small riverine canal. Dating back to the 16th century, it was built by Japanese merchants and has an “ornate” temple at its midpoint.

Also worth visiting is the Tan Ky Old House, one of several historic merchants’ mansions open to visitors. Built by a wealthy Vietnamese family in 1741, it has interiors of “rich, dark” ironwood, furnished with “priceless” antiques.

Hoi An has long been famed for its tailors, and today you can get “high-end” custom suits, coats and dresses from the likes of A Dong Silk, in the old town. There’s much to do outside the city, too, including snorkelling at An Bang, a “splendid” beach with “soft, pale sand”, and river trips through the surrounding coconut groves in traditional, round-bottomed basket boats.

A nine-night trip with Inside Asia costs from £1,265pp, excluding flights.

Cooking in paper is nothing new, but it makes for a super-simple way of serving delicate fillets of fish, said Nathan Outlaw. Marrying fish and shellfish with beer may sound a bit strange, but trust me – it works so well. I use a wheat beer because it is not too bitter, but has a touch of acidity and freshness that works beautifully with the fish.

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the leeks and bacon:

• 100g unsalted butter
• olive oil
• 8 slices smoked streaky bacon, finely sliced
• 2 leeks, washed and shredded
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 150ml wheat beer

• 4 x 150g skin-on hake portions
• 2 tsp coriander seeds, ground
• 20 live mussels, cleaned and beards removed
• 4 sprigs of thyme
• zest of 2 oranges
• 8 tbsp wheat beer
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

• To cook the leeks, heat a large pan over a medium heat and add the butter and a drizzle of oil. When the butter is bubbling, add the bacon and cook for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. When the bacon has started to brown, add the leeks and cook for another 5 mins. Season with salt and pepper. Now add the garlic and cook for 1 min, then pour in the beer. Cook for about 5 mins until the beer has reduced, then remove from the heat and leave to cool.
• Preheat the oven to 200C fan/220C/425F/gas mark 7. On a clean work surface, lay out four large sheets of baking parchment (roughly 30 x 30cm/12x 12 inches). Divide the leek and bacon mix into equal portions and arrange over one half of each sheet of parchment.
• Season the hake portions with salt, pepper and ground coriander seeds and place on top of the leeks together with five mussels in each parcel, a sprig of thyme and an equal share of the orange zest.
• Fold over the paper and crimp the edges so they are firmly sealed, leaving you with four parcels.
• Make a small opening to allow you to pour 2 tbsp of beer into each parcel. Seal the hole by folding it down tightly. If the quality of the paper isn’t great, you may need to use two sheets for each parcel or add a layer of foil on the outside. The aim is that the moisture inside doesn’t escape – this is crucial.
• Place the hake parcels onto a baking tray or two and bake in the oven for 15 minutes. Then remove the parcels and serve immediately. Allow whoever is eating to open their own parcel – that’s the magic and the drama.

Taken from “On Fish: a Seafood Handbook”, by Nathan Outlaw.

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“Maxed out on matcha lattes?” said the Financial Times. Try swapping the trendy, green-hued drink for its “toasty cousin”.

Hojicha has many of the same benefits as matcha but with much less caffeine. Made from green tea leaves roasted at a high temperature over charcoal, it has a distinctive “nutty” flavour. While it’s not traditionally paired with milk in Japan, in the UK hojicha lattes are starting to appear in cafes up and down the country.

At London matcha chain Jenki, for example, sales of hojicha lattes were 55% higher between January and April than the same period last year, said the BBC. The popularity of hojicha “feels like where matcha was two or three years ago”, Rashique Saddique, director of How Matcha, told the broadcaster. “It’s moving from niche to mainstream quite quickly.”

Less bitter and more earthy than matcha, hojicha also contains “significantly lower” levels of caffeine, with around 7.7mg per cup, compared to matcha’s 70mg, said Country & Town House. But it still boasts a range of health benefits; hojicha is “packed with antioxidants” like catechins and polyphenols which help to protect cells from damage, and the amino acid L-theanine which may help to calm the nervous system and improve sleep quality while enhancing focus.

The roasting process also breaks down the tannins and lowers the acidity, making it perfect for aiding digestion after a meal as it’s “gentler on the stomach than raw green tea”.

Traditional hojicha is “steeped like a loose-leaf tea” but it can also be mixed with milk and served hot or cold in a latte, said Vogue. “Look out for organic, shade-grown hojicha from Japan to avoid contaminants and ensure purity”, nutritionist Rhian Stephenson told the publication. And if you don’t fancy a latte, try adding the powder to smoothies or mix it into cakes, cookies or even ice cream.

“It almost feels like an accident waiting to happen,” said Caroline Dinenage, Tory chair of the Commons Culture Media and Sport Committee.

She was commenting on a string of allegations against “Married at First Sight”, the Channel 4 reality TV show where “people are expected to share a bed and a life straight after meeting”, said the BBC.

Two women told the BBC’s “Panorama” that they were raped during the filming of show and a third alleged she was subjected to a non-consensual sex act. According to “Panorama”, Channel 4 was aware of some allegations before the investigative programme was broadcast.

‘The experiment has failed’

“The name of the show says it all,” said Colin Robertson in The Sun – “could there be a more guaranteed recipe for disaster”? Reality TV is “engaged in a race to the bottom” because “times are hard in telly land” and the genre is “often cheap to make”, offering a “route” to the “lucrative Gen Z and millennial market”.

But “balancing ethics and explosive TV will always be an impossible feat”, said Serena Smith on Dazed. Producers “can’t just let unhappy contestants walk away” from “Married at First Sight”, because they need to “produce a show – and a show packed with high-octane conflict”.

The recent allegations “prove that there’s just no way of making a reality TV show centred around dating that is both ethical and entertaining. God knows bosses have tried”. So “finally, it’s time to accept that the experiment has failed”.

The show is only “watchable” because it “breaks with modern romantic norms”, said Ella Dorn in The New Statesman, “but those norms exist for safety’s sake”. Instead, the format “both pressures people into unsuitable relationships and presents sex as a matter of course”. There was “no real way to restrict its harm to women”.

‘Psychological torment as entertainment’

But what does all this say about society? “By focusing on the undeniable sins of reality television”, there’s “a risk of missing the wider point”, said Gaby Hinsliff in The Guardian. “The chilling thing about these allegations” is that “reality TV stands accused of being too real by half”.

Hinsliff cites research from 2013 that found one in 10 women in Britain said they’d been forced into sex against their will. Half of female respondents to another survey had “woken up to find a male partner attempting to have sex with them in their sleep – a scenario described by one of the “Married at First Sight” women”.

We think we are “far more virtuous” than the ancient Romans who “flocked to the Colosseum to watch slaves and prisoners killed by starving animals”, said Mary Harrington on UnHerd. But, “at a moral level”, is “staging domestic abuse as primetime entertainment” any “less grotesque”?

The “Panorama” allegations “ought to prompt a deeper reckoning about the national predilection for staging low-grade psychological torment as entertainment”.

Stirlingshire: Cauldhame, Sheriffmuir

A fine 17th century farmhouse with magnificent views to the peaks of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The property has three separate cottages run as short-term lets. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, gardens and grounds of approx. 19 acres, parking. OIEO £1.45 million; Savills.

Norfolk: Oxnead Mill, Oxnead

This fine Grade II water mill includes a self-contained annexe and space for concerts and large parties, all in a splendid setting on the River Bure. 4 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, indoor swimming pool, garden, parking. OIEO £1.25 million; Sowerbys.

Shropshire: Mardol, Shrewsbury

An eyecatching Grade II building in the centre of town. The property includes a 3-bed flat with a private rooftop courtyard, three additional self-contained flats and a ground-floor retail unit. OIRO £799,950; Samuel Wood.

Cumbria: Brantrake & Old Brantrake, Eskdale

Enchanting Grade II farmhouse with a 4-bed stone barn, set in approx. 10 acres within the Lake District National Park. Both buildings are currently holiday rentals. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/dining room, recep. £1.35m; Fine & Country.

Pembrokeshire: Rock Terrace, Tenby

A handsome Grade II* 19th century house in a spectacular oceanfront setting. The house boasts impressive views of South Beach, with its own private steps leading down to the water’s edge, and has a self-contained 2-bed annexe on the bottom floor with its own entrance. 7 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, pantry, 3 receps, terraced gardens. £1.6 million; Country Living.

Norfolk: Walnut Shade, Suton

A characterful Grade II former Hall House with medieval origins, set in beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds of approx. 2.5 acres. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, garden, parking, a 16-panel solar array which generated an income of £2,636 for the year to 1 December 2025. £995,000; Sowerbys.

Suffolk: Dove House, Semer

An impressive Grade II, 16th century farmhouse overlooking the Brett Valley. It includes 2 secluded self-contained 4-bed cottages, currently used as holiday lets. 5 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, parking. £1.695 million; Strutt & Parker.

Devon: Mount Sandford House, Barnstaple

A well-established holiday let in the Whiddon Valley, consisting of a 10-bed Grade II manor house and a selfcontained 4-bed annexe. Set in approx. 1.3 acres and close to many beautiful beaches, it can cater to large parties, with the dining room seating 24. OIEO £1.15 million; Carter Jonas.

“The Venice Biennale is the world’s most prestigious international art exhibition,” said Katrin Bennhold in The New York Times. Every other year, a colossal central show aspires to distil the current state of contemporary art, while the nations of the world stage individual exhibitions in designated pavilions, each competing for the coveted top prize. Elsewhere, a host of satellite exhibitions take over the city’s museums and public spaces.

In 2026, however, the art has been overshadowed by “everything else”. For one thing, the main event’s curator, Cameroon-born Koyo Kouoh, died unexpectedly last May. Then Russia – absent since 2022 – returned to the fold. In response, the biennale jury said it wouldn’t award prizes to countries accused of war crimes – there were protests against Israel too – and resigned in protest.

Yet some of the exhibits at this “massive mess” of a biennale still deserve a visit, said Eddy Frankel in The Guardian. The national pavilions are often interesting, and “some of them are even quite fun”. Denmark’s offering incorporates “a hi-tech sperm bank”; “a singing turd” is featured at Luxembourg’s; the Japanese show encourages visitors to carry around “fake babies”; and Malta’s features “a life-size chocolate Russell Crowe”.

Weirdest of all is Florentina Holzinger’s Austria pavilion, “a confrontational, stomach-turning” performance piece, in which naked female performers swim in urine and circle an artificial lake on jet skis. Ridiculous as it sounds, it’s “brilliantly obscene and vile” – and, beneath the wackiness, a scary portent of ecological catastrophe.

Russia’s display, on the other hand, is “wretched”, said Jackie Wullschläger in the Financial Times. I went in expecting a “whitewash” and was greeted with a “limp” display of flowers, some “embarrassed folk music performers” and insistent “offers of alcohol”. Nor is Lubaina Himid’s British pavilion up to much. Her paintings of “generic black figures characterised by profession (chef, tailor, gardener)” feel “lacklustre” and “predictable”.

The central exhibition, In Minor Keys, which foregrounds artists from the “global south”, aims to celebrate quiet pleasures and beauty in the face of tragedy, said Wullschläger. The idea is nice, but the overall quality is “poor”. Some exceptions aside – not least Theo Eshetu’s uprooted olive tree mounted on a revolving plinth, “superimposed with a film showing its earlier fullness” – it’s the same old melange of “identikit hanging textiles” and anti-colonial railing. I left feeling “alienated, hectored, patronised and bored”.

It’s not all bad, said Hettie Judah in Apollo. The Chilean artist Alfredo Jaar has his own room, “a vast lozenge of space flooded with disorienting red light”; at its end is a tiny metal cube forged from rare minerals necessary for modern technological gadgets. It’s “a temple to callous, extractive greed” and its “catastrophic human cost”. There are other highlights – but, true to its title, this is a show of “minor encounters” not “revelations”. And its very scale, alas, drowns out the “subtleties”. The show could have done with more “editorial rigour”.

Billed as “humanity’s fastest shoe”, Adidas’s Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3s represent “the cutting edge of trainer technology”, said The Guardian. “Lighter and bouncier” than any other “super shoe” on the market, they are designed to help runners “chase records”, and the shoes, which weigh under 100g – less than a bar of soap – did exactly that at the London Marathon last month.

Sabastian Sawe was wearing them when he became the first person to run a sub-two-hour marathon, and Tigst Assefa wore them as she beat the women-only record.

Adidas has pushed the limits of racing shoes once again in its mission to create “the lightest, fastest marathon racer possible”, said Women’s Running. With new, more responsive foam, a carbon-fibre infused rim around the edge of the sole, and “obsessive” weight savings, the Evo 3 is aimed at “elite runners chasing every possible advantage”, not for training or park runners, let alone everyday use.

Inspired by kitesurfing materials, the upper is so ultra-lightweight it “feels almost non-existent”; there’s just enough structure to keep the foot in place, but some runners might find the feel “minimal to the point of harsh”.

Support is focused on the forefoot where high-level runners need it most, said Harry Bullmore in The Independent, and the front offers a lot of bounce. My first few steps in the shoes felt awkward, like “driving a Formula 1 car through a city centre”. But when I started to run on a self-powered treadmill, they came into their own. My feet delivered decent energy and turnover was “snappy”– so snappy I thought I might get thrown off. “The shoe does not make the runner”, but at the elite level, when every millisecond counts, this £450 pair could make a vital, marginal difference.

Mother Nature shines at these seven protected areas, thanks to communities and coalitions that monitor and govern each spot so they remain pristine for generations. Travelers are asked to visit with this intent in mind and explore using official guides, treading lightly and leaving not a trace behind.

Banff National Park, Canada

Canada’s first national park is “brimming with natural beauty,” and its Rocky Mountain peaks and glacial lakes are only some of the “treasures” found in this “alpine wonderland,” said Condé Nast Traveler. The varied landscapes offer “geological drama,” filled with “spectacular” wildlife like moose, black bears and elk. There’s “no bad season to visit,” with canoeing popular in the summer, hiking and biking perfect for spring and fall, and skiing and snowshoeing made for winter.

Fiordland, New Zealand

Stretching across 5,000 square miles of southwestern New Zealand is Fiordland, the country’s largest national park. In a “land renowned for rugged beauty and heavenly wilderness,” Fiordland stands out with its “almost otherworldly splendor,” said Thrillist.

There is a lot to take in. The landscape includes forests, lakes, fjords, massive peaks and “craggy” coastlines, all home to “endangered wildlife found nowhere else on Earth,” said Thrillist. There are a few activities that every visitor should try to do, like take a cruise around Milford Sound. The sound is the park’s “most famous” fjord, and getting there involves a four-hour journey one of the “most scenic routes on the planet.”

Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

The Andes’ Salar de Uyuni, at 4,000 square miles, is the world’s largest salt flat, formed by dried prehistoric lakes. Your experience depends on the time of year you visit.

It’s dry from May to November, and the flats are hard and can handle the weight of 4x4 vehicles. But when it rains December through March, the flats “transform into a gargantuan reflective mirror,” said Vogue. Stargazers should head to Salar de Uyuni between June and August, when the skies are at their clearest.

Tainui Atea, French Polynesia

On arrival, visitors to the Tahitian islands immediately notice the clear, clean waters of Tainui Atea. It’s the world’s largest marine protected area, spanning nearly 2 million square miles.

Seabed exploitation and fish-aggregating devices are prohibited, and as a result, the area has healthier reefs and lagoons, and stronger marine ecosystems. Travelers are encouraged to respectfully dive right in and go swimming, or hire local guides for outrigger canoeing and surfing lessons, kayaking trips, and diving and snorkeling excursions.

Trang An Landscape Complex, Vietnam

This “sublime” area is dominated by “hulking” limestone karst peaks and sweeping valleys dotted with pagodas and temples, said Afar. It is situated on the Red River Delta, and no visit is complete without climbing into a boat or kayak and meandering past the steep cliffs.

There are also dozens of ancient caves to explore, with many accessible only from the water. Trang An was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 as a mixed cultural and natural property.

Vatnajokull National Park, Iceland

The “stunning” Vatnajokull ice cap may be the main draw of Vatnajokull National Park, but there’s “plenty else for visitors to see and delight in,” said Travel and Leisure. Jokulsarlon, a lagoon with “very photogenic” blue waters, is a popular spot, as is Diamond Beach, where “chunks of ice wash up on its black sand shores.”

Visit during the winter to see the Skaftafellsjokull glacier when it “extends to lower elevations,” said Travel and Leisure. Iceland is known for its dramatic landscapes, and Vatnajokull National Park offers the finest examples of “millennia of interplay between fire and ice.”

Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park is on countless bucket lists — for solid reason. The park is “one of the best places” to spot mountain gorillas, with expert rangers leading groups into the forests, said Travel and Leisure.

Once the animals are found, you can watch at “close range” as they “feed, interact with each other and appraise their human visitors,” said Travel and Leisure. There are “luxurious” accommodations inside the park, where you can unwind after the high of seeing gorillas in the wild.

In Steven Soderbergh’s dark comedy, Ian McKellen turns in one of his finest performances, said David Sexton in The New Statesman. He plays Julian Sklar, a once-brilliant painter who hasn’t produced anything for years. A “vain, irascible wreck of a man”, he lives in adjacent townhouses in Bloomsbury, and fills his time by appearing as a “sarcastic” judge on a brutal TV talent show and selling appearances on Cameo.

His artistic reputation relies on a series of portraits of his former male lover, “The Christophers”, that he produced 30 years ago, and which are now highly sought after. At home, he has some unfinished Christopher canvases: he hasn’t looked at them for years, yet they’re on the minds of his “grasping, despised children” (James Corden and Jessica Gunning). They bribe former art forger Lori (the “formidable” Michaela Coel) to become his assistant. The plan is that Lori – who turns out to have a painful backstory of her own with Julian – will finish the paintings, so that the children can sell them for millions after his death.

Soderbergh is “a big name”, said Deborah Ross in The Spectator, but with this “deliciously sly” take on the art world, he has “gone small”. In what is effectively a two-hander, we follow Lori and Julian around his cluttered house as they “joust and the power shifts. Who was Christopher? Why does Lori hate Julian? Can fake art be true? It all comes out.” It’s an intimate, talky film and, if the plot doesn’t quite stack up, it hardly matters when the acting is this good. The script isn’t as sharp as it should be, said Tara Brady in The Irish Times, and the film is surprisingly muted, visually. Still, the performances are good enough to keep you watching.

It is a little-known fact that although 800,000 British children were evacuated from British cities during the War, two million stayed put as the bombs fell, said James Walton in The Spectator. This “riveting” BBC2 documentary is about those children.

Made to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the end of the Blitz in 1941, it features interviews with the last survivors of that cohort, many of whom are in their 90s or older, and who tell their stories with “extraordinary vividness”. This is the type of programming that shows the BBC at its “still considerable, even nation-unifying best”.

A “huge story is told via dozens of tiny, shattering personal reflections”, said Phil Harrison in The Guardian. Liverpudlian Ernie Gaskell remembers his father’s reassurances that the slate tiles on their roof would be strong enough to protect them. They weren’t. Jean Whitfield recalls the day her mother was killed by a bomb as she hung out her washing in Sheffield. Afterwards, a neighbour plied her with freshly baked lemon tarts. It’s more than just a story about this war; it gives insights into the impact on children of any war, and it’s “priceless”.

The stories are so moving, “varied and vivid” that the 90 minutes “goes by in a flash”, said Ben Dowell in The Times. Many of the interviewees talk about the resilience of the age. Others worry about new wars coming. The final word, though, goes to Patsy from Belfast, who we learn died earlier this year, and who is seen dancing in her kitchen to the strains of “Oh, You Beautiful Doll”. “What a luminescent moment that was.”

Ava Pickett’s debut play, “1536”, became the hottest ticket in town when it premiered at the Almeida, said Isobel Lewis in Time Out. Film star Margot Robbie was so impressed, she came on board as co-producer for this West End transfer. As if that wasn’t enough of a flying start, Pickett is also adapting her play for the BBC, and has written a film about Joan of Arc with Baz Luhrmann. Indeed, her rise has been so stellar, I found myself wondering if “1536” – about the lives of three young women in rural Essex, in the month of Anne Boleyn’s arrest, trial and execution – could really live up to the hype.

The answer is that it absolutely does, and then some. A devastating mixture of comedy and chilling horror, superbly acted, directed and designed, it is a “once-in-a-blue-moon theatrical experience. I laughed. I cried. I probably could have screamed too.”

This “sharp-tongued” play is not about Anne Boleyn herself, said Alex Wood on WhatsOnStage. It is “about the trickle-down effect of misogyny and how political events can ripple through society – to impact everything from female friendship to economic survival”.

The three friends hang out in the countryside, gossiping about men, work, and the rumours they hear about goings-on in the distant court, said Dominic Maxwell in The Times. But the king’s brutality towards his wife is emboldening the local men in their own acts of violence, and as the women talk in a “very 21st-century way, they risk being cancelled in a very 16th-century way”. In particular, Pickett subtly and skilfully maps Boleyn onto the character of Anna (Siena Kelly), an attractive serving girl whose sexuality is first prized, then punished.

“The building momentum and deepening sophistication are perfectly judged,” said Dominic Cavendish in The Telegraph, “and the accusatory message about women’s constrained lives, then and now, emerges via consummate craft.” The last breathless line of the play is “Run!” And I recommend you do indeed run, to catch this superb production before it sells out.

Ambassadors Theatre, London WC2. Until 1 August

Europe’s biggest exhibition of James McNeill Whistler’s artworks has opened at London’s Tate Britain and it’s a “luscious, seductive blockbuster”, said Jonathan Jones in The Guardian.

The boundary-pushing American artist “delighted and scandalised late Victorian Britain” in his day. Like his Aesthetic Movement contemporary, Oscar Wilde, he “dared to say that art has no responsibility to depict real life or serve a moral purpose”.

At the heart of this show is Whistler’s famous painting of his mother, Anna, on loan from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. It’s an “odd, ungainly, unforgettable” portrait, which depicts her like a “carving from a medieval tomb” with a “rigid, lightless and cold” face. The “carefully composed pattern” and muted tones of black and grey transform his mother into a “symbol of art for art’s sake”.

His mother might be the “headline act” but it’s a “tiny sketch” of his niece that steals the show, said Laura Freeman in The Times. Whistler’s drawings and etchings are dazzling evidence of “how precise he could be when he wasn’t having one of his attacks of the vapours”.

Tate Britain “never misses an opportunity to remind you of the injustices of history”. But this is a show that “seeks to transport you to the past” instead of trying to re-examine it. “Let Whistler be Whistler and history be history”.

It’s an “alluring” retrospective that’s an “unapologetic display of pure peacockery”, said Alastair Sooke in The Telegraph. “Beauty” tends now to be “treated like a dirty word” in some parts of the art world but the Tate chooses to put Whistler’s “relentless pursuit of beauty” front and centre. “Kudos to curator Carol Jacobi for insisting on its importance.”

Alongside the paintings and sketches are “gorgeous pieces of furniture” that Whistler decorated, and Japanese prints he took inspiration from. Throughout the show, the “storytelling is crisp, the analysis smart”. But there are “too many” reproductions of works that couldn’t travel, and a “glut of minor pieces towards the end”.

Still, the exhibition “elucidates the alchemical nature of his art” and there’s something “beguiling” and “daring” about his “wraith-like experiments” that verges on 20th-century abstraction. “It doesn’t take long to succumb to his spell.”

Until 27 September, Tate Britain.

Cannes has recently become a “launchpad for Hollywood blockbusters” from “Top Gun: Maverick” to “Killers of the Flower Moon”, said The Times. But in its 79th year, a “strange thing has happened”: it’s once again all “about the art”.

Major studios wary of rocking the box-office boat with negative early reviews have shunned the French festival, and instead the 2026 line-up is filled with indie collabs, and what the Oscars call “foreign-language” films. Here are some of our top picks.

Fatherland

Polish director Paweł Pawlikowski’s film about “exile and betrayal” is “an impossibly elegant, poised historical vignette”, said Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian. Shot in “lustrous monochrome” by Lukasz Zal, it follows German novelist Thomas Mann as he returns home to Frankfurt in 1949, having fled the Nazis before the war “for California exile”. He is accompanied by his “long-suffering” daughter, Erika, played with the “usual bayonet of intelligence” by Sandra Hüller. But the Germany they find is “dead”, and “perhaps Mann himself, with his American passport, is now a ghost”.

When the Night Falls

Daniel Auteuil directs and stars in this “taut drama, set in occupied Lyons in 1942”, said Ed Potton in The Times. It’s based on a true story of efforts to save hundreds of Jewish people in an internment camp “from being sent somewhere much worse”. The Nazis never appear on camera; they remain ominously out of shot, adding to the “sense of dread”. Auteuil plays an “intrepid” Catholic priest, desperately searching for reasons to save prisoners. “Acted with restraint” and “atmospherically directed”, the film builds to a “perilous rain-lashed finale which reminds you that this war had plenty of French heroes”.

Hope

Na Hong-jin’s sci-fi horror is “crazy good” fun, said David Rooney in The Hollywood Reporter. Right from the opening scenes, it’s clear you’re “in the hands of an assured genre auteur”. Police are called to a remote village in South Korea where “vicious slaughter” has left a “bull dead in the middle of the road with massive claw marks gouged deep into its fur and flesh”. As officers try to hunt down the mysterious predator, viewers are treated to “set piece after kickass set piece” and “superbly choreographed clashes”. It’s a “wildly entertaining assault of turbo-charged thrills” with “virtuoso camerawork” and a “pulse-pounding score”.

Fjord

This “magnificently controlled yet blood-boiling drama” stars Sebastian Stan and Renata Reinsve as a devoutly religious Romanian couple who move with their children to a remote Norwegian village, said Robbie Collin in The Telegraph. But their “strict attitude to discipline raises their neighbours’ hackles” and they soon find themselves “sucked into a serpentine child protection nightmare”. Writer and director Cristian Mungiu has made a “slow-burn provocation that knows exactly which buttons it is pressing”; he isn’t afraid to “grapple” with the “thorny” issues he’s raising. And the lead performances are “superb”.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

It was always going to be tricky following up the “meta-oddness” of “I Saw the TV Glow” but director Jane Schoenbrun has pulled it off with this “unqualified triumph”, said Donald Clarke in The Irish Times. Hannah Einbinder stars as Kris, “a queer feminist director” tasked with rebooting a slasher movie franchise that began in the 1980s. She tracks down the “reclusive” original star (Gillian Anderson having “fabulous fun”), and the film descends into a “decadent reverie that is all Schoenbrun’s own”.

Clarissa

“Exquisite and moving, ‘Clarissa’ is Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs Dalloway’ transported to present day Lagos,” said Tim Robey in The Telegraph. The cast is led by the “luminous” Sophie Okonedo in the title role: a hostess getting ready for a party and “micromanaging every detail”. Directed by Nigerian twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, the themes of Woolf’s novel are made to “vibrate, resonate, and dance before us, 100 years later, in a time and place far beyond the author’s reach”. It’s an “elegant” film that beautifully brings to life a “bittersweet reunion in which the sobering passage of time is on everyone’s minds”.

A vicious war of words has broken out in Windsor over a cafe giving a “Lycra discount” to cyclists. The 10% concession on food and drink has led, say some angry residents, to the royal Berkshire town being swarmed by middle-aged men on bikes.

‘Overrun’ by Mamils

Cinnamon Cafe’s cyclist-friendly discount has made it “something of a place of pilgrimage for two-wheeled travellers”, said Metro. “Cyclists are arriving from near and far” and “packing out the shop”, said The Telegraph. There are now rows of special racks where customers can store their bicycles.

The “Lycra discount” has been such a success that the Berkshire town has become “the centre of a wildly popular endurance test” called the “Bun Run”: a 62-mile ride from London to Windsor and back, stopping off at the cafe midway for a restorative cinnamon bun.

But the town’s new-found status as a cyclists’ Mecca has “divided opinion” among locals. Some say the roads around Windsor have “become overrun with pelotons of middle-aged men in Lycra – known as Mamils – at weekends”.

“When there’s a whole bunch of them, you can’t get past in the car,” said 84-year-old resident Hugh Nixon. “It’s like trying to pass a caravan.” Another local, 79-year-old June Adnitt, said, “Why have they got 10% off just because they are cyclists?”

The cafe’s owner, Ian Jones, is baffled by the backlash. “We’ve been offering the discount for 15 years,” he told Cycling Weekly. “Fifteen years and it’s still controversial!”

‘Crying little babies’

The story is the “latest chapter in the bizarre culture war between cyclists and drivers”, said Cycling Weekly. And the online fans of two-wheeled travel haven’t held back. One called those who complained to The Telegraph “crying little babies”, while another commented on the Metro’s write-up that Windsor’s locals should “ditch the car, get on your bike and enjoy life a bit more”.

Best known for its association with the Royal Family, Windsor “has had a difficult relationship with cyclists in recent years”, said Road.cc. Windsor & Maidenhead Borough Council near-unanimously voted to ban cyclists from the town’s high street during the pandemic, and a Public Space Protection Order was imposed with a fine of £100 for cyclists who breached it. A move to partially ease the order last year drew criticism from the Windsor and Eton Business Partnership Board, which called it “a short-term tactical move by the council to appease cyclists who already have the whole of Windsor and all its roads to cycle on”.

People across Europe were enraptured when the potential bones of the soldier Count d’Artagnan — the inspiration for the legendary fourth musketeer from Alexandre Dumas’ iconic 1844 novel, “The Three Musketeers” — were unearthed in the Netherlands in March. But genetic testing to prove the bones belong to d’Artagnan has run into several problems that could make getting a definitive answer difficult.

Where were these bones found?

The completed skeleton was found under the chapel floor of St. Peter and Paul’s Church in the Dutch village of Wolder. Potentially locating d’Artagnan’s remains here wasn’t exactly unexpected, as the church for “centuries was rumored to be the final resting place” of the fourth musketeer, said The New York Times.

The bones were “buried with a 17th-century coin and a musket ball,” and the discovery has drawn a “deluge of unaccustomed attention” to the village, said the Times. The count was a “close aide to France’s Sun King Louis XIV” and later “killed during the Siege of Maastricht in 1673,” said the BBC. D’Artagnan’s life and legacy were “immortalized in the adventure stories” of Dumas as a “friend of the Three Musketeers.”

Why has confirming the identity been a problem?

Since the bones were found, there has been a push to confirm their identity using DNA testing. But “genetic verification to prove whether the skeleton is that of d’Artagnan has run into bureaucratic troubles,” including a potential illegal excavation and a slew of “scientific obstacles that cast doubt on whether the bones’ identity will ever be known,” said National Geographic.

Also, the “first samples collected from the skeleton were too degraded to be used,” according to several reports, which forced scientists to use different samples, said National Geographic. And the municipality of Maastricht, where the church is located, alleges that the “initial excavations were improper,” because “under Dutch law, the church is a heritage site.” The municipality “intervened to ensure that the situation was handled in accordance with applicable archaeological standards,” said a spokesperson for the local government to National Geographic.

However, factors are working in the archaeologists’ favor. The skeleton, for example, does “match history,” said Nat Geo. D’Artagnan was killed when a “musket ball struck him in the throat,” and the grave “contained fragments of a musket ball near the skeleton’s chest,” said National Geographic.

And yet despite the history lining up, genetic testing could be difficult. D’Artagnan has living descendants, but “French nobility often had extramarital affairs,” so it’s “at least possible that they are not biologically related to the musketeer,” said the Times.

Scientists are striving for a definitive answer. At least one “sample taken from the skeleton’s jawbone is on its way to Germany for DNA sequencing,” and anthropologists will “examine the skeleton for clues about how old the person was when they died,” said Ars Technica.

Even with all the obstacles, most scientists believe there’s a “decent chance” it’s d’Artagnan buried under the church, said Ars Technica. “I have been researching d’Artagnan's grave for 28 years,” said Wim Dijkman, an archaeologist on the excavation, to the BBC. “This could be the highlight of my career.”

While the UK has some great music festivals taking place this year, there are several events outside the country that are worth going the extra mile for.

Combining the excitement of seeing your favourite artist perform with the joy of being in a new city is a great way to make the most of the summer. Here are some of the best shows in Europe you can still grab tickets for.

PhillGood: Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Bulgarian summers are underrated. The country boasts “balmy climes and ancient cities”, said Ella Doyle in Time Out, yet it is seldom spoken of when discussing go-to festival destinations. The country’s rise in popularity has been “comparatively slow” compared to some of its “fellow Balkan countries”. Plovdiv is a “stunning” city that is also “very buzzy”, which makes it the perfect location for the PhillGood festival. Performers include “heavyweight” artists like the Cure, Gorillaz and Moby. The festival takes place on “the scenic banks of the Rowing Canal” and allows tent camping on-site.
17-19 July, ticketstation.bg

North Sea Jazz: Rotterdam, Netherlands

While this festival spotlights “classy, populist” jazz acts, it is certainly “boundary-pushing” when it comes to genre, said Ben Beaumont-Thomas in The Guardian. This year is the 50th anniversary of the festival and Esperanza Spalding, Nils Petter Molvær and Joshua Redman are just a few of the names on the bill. There are also “soul, R&B, disco and African pop” performances and the Roots are bringing the “funk-fringed edges of hip-hop” to the stage. Many jazz lovers flock to the Montreux festival in Switzerland but this is a far more comfortable journey from the UK, with a direct train from London to Rotterdam.
10-12 July, northseajazz.com

Rock in Rio: Lisbon, Portugal

Don’t let the name mislead you. Rock in Rio has been bringing its show across the Atlantic to European fans for years. “Mountain ranges are traded for ocean views, but the song largely remains the same,” said Adam White in The Independent. The festival runs for two weekends and boasts an “enormously diverse line-up” that has something for everyone. Katy Perry is headlining the first Saturday followed by Linkin Park and Cypress Hill the next day. The second weekend’s programme boasts Cyndi Lauper and Rod Stewart as well as hip-hop artists Central Cee and 21 Savage on the final day of the fest. The hospitality packages are “actually decently affordable” and Lisbon is always a good travel choice.
20-21 and 27-28 June, rockinriolisboa.pt

Mad Cool: Madrid, Spain

This is “one of Europe’s most welcoming festivals”, said Roisin O’Connor in The Independent. The event has multi-generational appeal with an “impressive” list of musicians on the programme, from “viral” TikTok artists to many a “rock’n’roll veteran”. CMAT, Twenty One Pilots and Zara Larsson are just some of the artists performing this year. Spain has no shortage of fun summer festivals and, as the name suggests, this one is “delightfully chill”. The “scorching” Spanish sun might put you off but there’s always the “air-conditioned dance tents” to flock to when it gets too much.
8-11 July, madcoolfestival.es

Food markets are a gift for travelers. Many of the tastes and flavors of a region are conveniently in one spot, the produce is often as fresh as it gets and you can meet the farmers, butchers, cheesemakers, fishmongers and chefs. These 10 markets offer visitors a crash course in their region’s local cuisine, one delicious stall at a time.

Borough Market, London

The “sprawling” Borough Market was established in 1756, making it the “mother of all artisan foodie markets in London,” said Time Out. Slowly stroll by the stalls — there are more than 100, and you won’t want to miss bites of soft cheese, flaky pastries and fresh fruit. After perusing the goods, pick up more grab-and-go items, like a “hulking” sandwich from The Black Pig or crème brûlée donut from Bread Ahead, or “knock back freshly shucked oysters” and an “impromptu glass of wine.”

Chatuchak Market, Bangkok

Adventure awaits at the gigantic Chatuchak Market. There’s no way to see it all — there are a “whopping” 15,000 stalls across 35 acres — but what you do experience will be memorable, said Food & Wine. The weekend market sells just about everything, and is split into 26 sections.

In the food area, visitors can try well-known local delicacies, like mango sticky rice, boat noodles, fried crickets and bamboo worms. The best way to “wash it all down” is with a big glass of fresh watermelon juice or Thai iced tea. If you go with a group, try to stay together — the market is so big that “even locals get lost.”

Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco

Come to the Ferry Building Marketplace hungry. You can pull together an “amazing meal” by “grazing” through the dozens of gourmet restaurants and vendors, said National Geographic. Notable names include The Acme Bread Company, which uses organic flour for its artisan loaves; Gott’s Roadside, a local favorite for cheeseburgers and onion rings; and Hog Island Oyster Co., where fresh oysters are served with a side of water views. Three days a week, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market takes place outside the building.

Granville Island Public Market, Vancouver

Once an industrial area, Granville Island has transformed over the years into a “paradise” of “incredible” food with the Public Market the “star of the show,” said Vancouver Magazine. Its display cases are “bursting” with cheeses, pasta, pastries and “beautifully briny” olives, and you’ll find yourself reaching for the “crunchy, tangy-sweet” honey mustard pickles from Hobbs Pickles and “infinitely snackable” elk juniper salami at Oyama Sausage Co. For a more substantial meal, sit down at Sen Pad Thai, where chef Angus An takes Thailand’s most famous dishes and “absolutely knocks each familiar favorite out of the park.”

La Boqueria, Barcelona

This is the spot for traditional Catalan and Spanish cuisine, where visitors line up for samples of “hand-cut jamón Ibérico” and watch “fishmongers gut a sea bream,” said Food & Wine. Stock up on souvenirs to bring home, like tinned fish and bottles of extra-virgin olive oil, and carve out enough time to “brave the lines” at El Quim de la Boqueria for tapas. For a taste of fresh seafood “plucked from the Mediterranean,” swing by Ramblero and try the grilled prawns, calamari and clams.

Mercado Medellin, Mexico City

This market is small but mighty. It covers one square block in Colonia Roma but is known throughout Mexico City for its “quality” fruits, vegetables, spices and seeds, said Condé Nast Traveler. Vendors also offer “rare” veggies from other Latin American countries — just look for the “Colombian and Honduran flags flying from various stalls.”

Every visit to the market should include stopping at the Cuban heladería for its “incredible” ice cream. You can’t go wrong with cinnamon, chocolate or nata, “made from the cream that rises to the top of clabbered milk.”

Nishiki Market, Kyoto

Nishiki Market started in the early 1300s as a fish market and over time grew into Kyoto’s “best spot for seafood, produce and local street food,” said Atlas Obscura. More than 150 stalls offer “traditional delicacies” like “freshly pounded” mochi and Kyoto’s “famous” tofu, alongside more “adventurous” dishes like tako tamago, a candied baby octopus stuffed with a boiled quail egg. One of Japan’s “finest” knife-makers, Aritsugu, is here and has had a presence in the market since 1510.

Queens Night Market, New York City

You can get your fill at Queens Night Market without breaking the bank. No item costs more than $6, an affordable spot to try foods that “highlight the diverse cultures found around Queens,” said Mashed.

There are about 100 vendors and walking among them feels like taking a global journey, with “Pakistani paratha rolls, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, banh mis, pierogis and Peruvian ceviche” all found along the route. The outdoor market is open on Saturdays in Flushing Meadow Corona Park, from April through the end of October.

Reading Terminal Market, Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s “butchers, bakers and local makers” have been showcasing their goods at Reading Terminal Market since 1893, said USA Today. It’s a given that cheesesteaks are available, but you’ll want to branch out and enjoy the “sushi, crepes and Pennsylvania Dutch pretzels.”

Bassetts Ice Cream, established in 1861, is the oldest ice cream company in the United States, and was the first tenant to sign a lease with the market. They are still “going strong,” with visitors lining up for scoops of peanut butter swirl, matcha green tea and good old-fashioned vanilla.

Viktualienmarkt, Munich

Viktualienmarkt is one of Europe’s “best outdoor food markets,” its stalls and shops a great mix of fresh and prepared foods, said The New York Times. For a “heavenly” sandwich, head to Luiginos Bio Feinkost and order a pastrami and cheddar melt (or eggplant, chevre and spinach for vegetarians).

If you’re in the mood for comfort food, Caspar Plautz is known for its creative take on potato dishes, and the stuffed spuds are a favorite. Every visit should include stopping by Lea Zapf for a “decadent” cake and Kaffeerosterei Viktualienmarkt for a cup of house-roasted coffee, which “might be the best in town.”

Birdwatching is the fastest-growing outdoor hobby for Gen Z, according to a study commissioned by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.

The research found a 47% increase in birdwatching across all ages since 2018, but a 1,088% surge among those aged 18 to 24, suggesting around 750,000 Gen Zers are budding ornithologists.

Gen Z “really want to get out into nature” and “improve their physical and mental health”, Poppy Rummery, from RSPB Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire, told the BBC. Under a newly announced scheme, 16- to 24-year-olds will be allowed free admission to RSPB reserves to support this growing interest.

‘Daily rhythm of wildlife’

Gone are the days of the activity being classed as a “niche or old-fashioned pastime”, Molly Brown, an RSPB wildlife adviser, told The Guardian. Birdwatching is attracting a “diverse” crowd because it is easy and cheap to get started and has a low barrier to entry – it doesn’t matter “how much or little” you know to begin with. “It’ll inspire you to get outside and discover beautiful green spaces, exercise and generally slow down, which everyone can benefit from.”

Like a lot of other trends, social media has played a part. Birding apps like Merlin Bird ID and many online groups can help you “connect with fellow birders and share tips and sightings”, Kabir Kaul, a 20-year old wildlife campaigner, told The Times. Twitching is not without its “competitive side”, and young birdwatchers are getting into friendly battles to see “who can spot the most species”.

Another benefit for young adopters is that birdwatching could “protect against cognitive decline through later life”, said Science Alert. A Canadian study found that “brain regions linked to attention and perception” appeared denser in scans of “experienced” birdwatchers when compared to those of people who are new to the hobby.

‘Escaping technology’

Birdwatching isn’t the only real-world hobby surging among Gen Z. Younger people are creating a sort of “analogue movement”, said Fortune, although ironically usually with the help of social media.

They are choosing hobbies that can be used as a “means of escaping technology” and help bring out one’s “childlike creativity”. Often termed “grandma hobbies”, they include “pottery, origami and even blacksmithing”. Though lockdown in 2020 was a catalyst, the interest in them has “persisted beyond a pandemic fad”.

Having a hobby is “really important” and we “don’t prioritise them enough”, said Jaime Kurtz, a professor of psychology at James Madison University in Virginia. These activities help “reduce anxiety and stress” and build focus. They give you a “sense of accomplishment” especially when they involve finishing a “challenging” task. That is certainly the case for 22-year-old twitcher Isaiah Scott, who told Fortune that he has racked up sightings of around 800 species so far. “It feels like a video game, but in real life.”

The briefest spell of sunshine sends Brits rushing to the park or pub. But if you’re looking for somewhere a bit more special to soak up the rays, try a buzzy terrace with a view. From trendy, canal-side spots to swanky rooftop bars, these are some of the best places to catch up over a cocktail.

The Gun, Docklands, London

The waterfront terrace at the Gun “feels a little like one of many harbourside restaurants in Amsterdam”, said London’s The Standard. Open all year round thanks to the retractable roof and glass walls, the views are “superb”, looking out “where the river bends around the O2 on its way to the Thames Barrier”. Sip a glass of rosé and “feast on oysters” or, come summer, enjoy a pizza from a van in the riverside garden.

Lock 91, Manchester

This “charming canalside garden” is one of the city’s “best-kept secrets”, said Secret Manchester. The fashionable bar is set within a carefully restored 19th-century lock-keeper’s cottage, and you can usually “snag a spot” on the “intimate” outdoor terrace. Once you’ve settled with a drink and begun soaking up the “serene” views, it’s hard to “pull yourself away” from this “addictive little suntrap”.

Blackstock Roof Garden, Liverpool

Set atop the newly revamped Blackstock Market, this “Mediterranean-inspired rooftop brings a slice of coastal Europe to Liverpool”, said Condé Nast Traveller. “Sun-drenched” breaks can be spent here enjoying brunches, afternoon teas and cocktails, while in the evening the terrace transforms into “the perfect place to dance under the stars”. Inside, there’s a “chic” lounge, ensuring the party continues “rain or shine”.

The Raeburn, Edinburgh

This “smart boutique hotel” is “often unknowingly overlooked”, said Condé Nast Traveller. Its “secret rooftop terrace” becomes a “real suntrap” over summer, and there’s also a first-floor mezzanine looking out over the historic Raeburn Place sports grounds for an “out-of-the-city type view that you won’t find anywhere else”.

Rockwater, Hove

“A beach bar with a rooftop terrace, what more could you possibly ask for?” said The Telegraph. Rockwater offers a “huge wine collection, along with cocktails and spritzes”, all with a sea view. And if you’re feeling peckish there’s a great selection of “luxurious seafood dishes” and handmade pizzas. Down at the beach, you’ll find “extra food shacks”, too.

Marrakech is “warm and golden” in early October, its medina fragrant with cumin and charcoal even before the day has “properly begun”. It’s lovely to wander here, said Finn Beales in the Financial Times, letting the sights and sounds of the city “wash over” you – the souks, the hammams, the “rooftop mint teas”.

But it’s also very touristy these days, and anyone looking for a “less-rehearsed” version of Morocco will want to get out into the mountains nearby. That’s what I did last autumn with five friends and the help of Unicorn Trails, a British operator that offers some of the world’s finest riding holidays. We spent six days in the saddle, heading into the High Atlas from Terres D’Amanar, and crossing passes above 3,000 metres to discover the valleys on the other side.

Some of my friends had “minimal” riding experience – just four lessons before we arrived. But with riders carefully matched to horses to suit their skill level, everyone was fine. My own Arab-Berber stallion was “sure-footed” and “unhurried”, allowing me to take photographs from the saddle, and our two guides were superb local horsemen, always “watchful, measured” and“unfazed” by unexpected events.

We stayed in lodges on some nights, and camped (roll mats, sleeping bags) on others. Sometimes we carried picnic lunches in our saddlebags, but when the road allowed, our support vehicle was waiting for us at midday with hot tagines and “generous” salads laid out in the shade of thuya trees.

There were moments of sadness, such as when we passed through villages destroyed by the earthquake of September 2023. But there was a great deal that was heart-lifting too, such as the view across the High Atlas from the Tizi n’Addi pass, “ridge after ridge dissolving into haze”; and moments of deep peace, such as during our long lunches, and after setting up camp at dusk, when herds of goats spilled through the foothills below us, and the stars above burned brighter and brighter, until they made the surrounding peaks “glow”.

The trip costs from £1,025pp, excluding flights.

In Istanbul, beetroot is often served in salads, mixed with garlicky yoghurt, said Özlem Warren. This easy meze is inspired by such dishes. The pomegranate molasses in the dressing adds a natural sweet-and-sourness that goes well with the beetroot, complementing both the cooling yoghurt and the heat of the pul biber oil. You can replace the hazelnuts with any nut, if you wish.

Ingredients (serves 6)

For the garlic yoghurt:

• 170g full-fat Turkish or Greek yoghurt (use a plant-based version, if preferred)
• 1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
• salt

• 650g beetroot, raw or pre-cooked
• 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
• 85g stoned green olives, halved
• 55g shelled hazelnuts, coarsely chopped
• small handful parsley, finely chopped, to garnish

For the dressing:

• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• salt

For the pul biber oil:

• ½ tsp pul biber
• salt and freshly ground black pepper 

Method

• For the garlic yoghurt: take the yoghurt out of the refrigerator about 45 mins before serving, to bring it to room temperature. Stir in the garlic, season with salt and set aside.
• If you are cooking the beetroot, preheat the oven to 200C fan/220C/425F/gas mark 7. Wash the beetroot, trim and pat dry. Wrap each beetroot in foil (first cutting small ones in half lengthways and large ones into quarters), place on a baking tray and bake for about an hour. Allow to cool before peeling and cutting into 5mm-thick slices. If using pre-cooked beetroot, drain the excess liquid from the package, halve any large ones, then cut into 5mm-thick slices.
• Place the beetroot in a bowl, add the spring onions and olives and combine well.
• Toast the hazelnuts in a small, dry pan over a medium heat for 2½-3 mins, until they start to turn golden, stirring often. Remove, and set aside.
• For the dressing: pour the olive oil, pomegranate molasses and lemon juice into a small bowl, season with salt and pepper and give everything a good mix.
• For the pul biber oil: pour the olive oil into a small pan, stir in the pul biber and allow to infuse over a low heat for about 45 seconds.
• Stir most of the hazelnuts into the beetroot mixture, reserving some for garnish. Pour on the dressing, stir to combine, then spoon onto a wide serving dish and top with dollops of the yoghurt, swirling it to reveal the shades of red. Sprinkle with the reserved hazelnuts and the parsley, and drizzle with the pul biber oil.

Taken from “İstanbul: Delicious Recipes from the Heart of the City” by Özlem Warren

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County Durham: Bridge House, Lintzford

A handsome Georgian stone house set on the banks of the River Derwent with fishing rights on the house side to the midline. The river holds salmon, grayling, trout and eel, and the nearby salmon ladder on the weir is a striking feature, as is the listed Lintzford Bridge. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, recep, garden, parking. £800,000; Finest Properties.

Dumfries and Galloway: Cumnock Knowes, Carsphairn

An impressive modern house offering flexible accommodation with far-reaching views. Set in approx. 2.5 acres, the property backs onto the Water of Deugh, which is known for its salmon and trout fishing. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, garden, garage. OIEO £550,000; Galbraith.

Gwynedd: Meillionen, Cwm-y-Glo

Charming 18th century house overlooking Lake Padarn and Mount Snowdon. 4 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, 2 receps, garden, workshop, parking. OIEO £500,000; Beresford Adams.

Cornwall: Danescombe Valley House, Calstock

An eye-catching Grade II Victorian villa with direct access to the River Tamar. Originally built in the 1850s as a private fishing lodge. 5 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, garden, mooring and landing stage, parking. £1.5 million; The Coastal House.

Somerset: Longaller Mill, Bishops Hull

Elegant Grade II former mill on the River Tone, known for its diverse coarse fishing, especially for chub, dace and roach. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen/breakfast room, 5 receps, 1-bed self-contained cottage, outbuildings, garden, parking. £1.2 million; Savills.

Oxfordshire: Greenhaye, Preston Crowmarsh

An exceptional Edwardian home on the banks of the River Thames, boasting grand entertaining spaces. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 5 receps, stables, tennis court, garden, parking. £2.495 million; Savills.

Surrey: Abbots Cottage, Tilford

A delightful country cottage, set in approx. 2.4 acres of pastureland and woodland, bordered by a stream. Close to Rushmore Lake fisheries, which offer carp and coarse angling. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 3 receps, shepherd’s hut, stables, outbuilding, garden, parking. £1.55 million; Strutt & Parker.

Cumbria: Thrushbank, Loweswater

A charming 17th century farmhouse with extensive frontage onto Loweswater. 7 beds, 4 baths, kitchen/dining room, 4 receps, self-contained 2-bed barn, outbuildings, garden, parking. £2.95 million; Savills.

The journalist and host of BBC Radio 2’s lunchtime slot picks books ranging from murder mysteries to poetry anthologies. His second crime novel, “Turn the Dial for Death”, has just been published.

A Murder Is Announced

Agatha Christie, 1950

Don’t start with Christie’s best (“And Then There Were None”) or the most genre-bending (“The Murder of Roger Ackroyd”) or the ones that became multiple movies (“Death on the Nile”, “Murder on the Orient Express”). Start with a regular whodunnit that has a fabulous set-up: the murder is announced in a small ad before it happens.

The Last Enemy

Richard Hillary, 1942

I think this is the greatest book I have ever read. Written by a Spitfire pilot who flew and died heroically, it even contains instructions on how to bring down a Messerschmitt in a dogfight. I begged Penguin to let me read it on Audible, and they said yes.

The Good Daughter

Kumi Taguchi, 2025

Kumi Taguchi is an Australian TV reporter with whom I exchanged some messages on Twitter before it descended into the sewer that is X. Then, by happy coincidence, we met and she helped me with a Tokyo holiday. Now she has brought out an incredibly moving book about embracing her heritage, despite a painful relationship with her late Japanese father.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold

John le Carré, 1963

When I was a little boy, I saw this book cover everywhere and the title hypnotised me. Children take everything literally: “From the cold? Why would a spy not be able to wear a coat, Mummy?” Now I see it for what it is – one of the greatest debuts in history, and the gateway to 25 million books sold by the remarkable le Carré.

The Rattle Bag

Edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes, 1982

If you have only one poetry book, make it this one. If you read only one poem in it, make it “The Dream About Our Master, William Shakespeare” by Hyam Plutzik. Haunting.

Francisco de Zurbarán was a “genius” of the Spanish baroque, said Laura Cumming in The Observer. Zurbarán (1598-1664) “comes between El Greco and Velázquez”; he is “as wild as the former, as profound as the latter”.

Based mainly in Seville at the moment of the city’s greatest prosperity, he was lauded for his “electrifying” paintings of religious subjects, “hyper-real” down to the last fold of cloth and “pinprick of congealing blood”, and for his “radiant still lifes”.

There has never before been an exhibition devoted to Zurbarán in Britain, partly because the museums that own his greatest paintings are seldom prepared to loan them. This show at the National Gallery thus represents a coup: drawing on collections from Seville to San Diego, it brings together 40 works for a “magnificently choreographed” trawl through Zurbarán’s oeuvre. The paintings here are spotlit “in galleries dark as pitch”, just like the figures depicted in them. It’s a “stupendous” show that “astonishes from first to last”.

Zurbarán is “a mesmerising paradox, a mystical Catholic artist who paints with scientific accuracy”, said Jonathan Jones in The Guardian. The first painting shows Saint Peter Nolasco kneeling before a vision of Saint Peter hanging upside-down, his hands and feet nailed to an inverted cross. “You can see why Salvador Dalí loved this artist”: Zurbarán is “a primitive surrealist”.

It’s “an exhibition of intense religiosity”, said Alastair Sooke in The Telegraph, and often quite gruesome. The opening room contains three large pictures of suffering, lending it the “foetid air” of a torture chamber. An early, “strikingly realistic” crucifixion scene leads us to “Saint Serapion”, in which the subject – “wrists bound, head slumped” – “appears unable to take much more punishment”. Elsewhere, there’s a “bearded elder” pictured in the act of Christ’s circumcision; Saint Apollonia brandishing a pair of pliers, the instrument of her torture; and the famous “Agnus Dei”, depicting a lamb on a slab, “ready for slaughter”. Not all of Zurbarán’s compositional innovations have stood the test of time: his paintings often seem “theatrical”, their subjects like “actors whose performances don’t quite convince”.

Unlike Velázquez, Zurbarán never left Spain, and cannot match his “sophistication”, said Jackie Wullschläger in the Financial Times. The quality of his art was “uneven”, and in later years could be “vapidly saccharine”. But his work from the 1620s and 1630s, redolent of the vast colonial wealth and “harsh Counter-Reformation zeal” of Seville, was “superbly original and captivating”. On a smaller scale, his still lifes are stunning: in “Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose”, “cool silver and pale ceramic” contrast with the organic forms, reflecting on the mystery and fragility of the material world. This is a show that “significantly enlarges our understanding” of a fascinating artist.

National Gallery, London WC2. Until 23 August

It used to be the case that to “win Eurovision you had to ‘fly on the wings of love’, ‘take me to your heaven’ or ‘sail into infinity’”, said The Guardian. But now other languages have got their musical acts together.

This year, a total of 24 languages will be sung at Eurovision as many entrants return to their native tongues.

‘Patronising Brits’

Competing nations were required to sing in their national language until 1999, but when this rule was abolished there was a “flood of entries” performed in English, said Aussievision. Delegations assumed that the “global language” would “win more appeal with audiences”.

A study published in the Royal Society Open Science looked at the songs from every contest from 1956 until 2024, a total of 1,763 entries. It found that, from 1999, over 70% of songs were entirely in English or a mix of English and a native language. By 2014, more than three-quarters of entries were sung entirely in English, surging above 80% in the three years that followed.

But more recently there’s been a “return to songs performed in national languages”, a development that’s become “very popular with fans”. Some songs are performed in a mix of languages. For instance, this year’s entry from Moldova, “Viva, Moldova!”, performed by Satoshi, includes six languages. France, Italy, Portugal and Spain have “resisted the temptation” to use songs with English lyrics, said New Scientist.

Irving Wolther, a Eurovision historian, told The Guardian that “after Brexit, there was a sense of ‘now we are no longer being patronised by the Brits, we Europeans can express our own voice’”.

‘Smidge of German’

This year, the UK entry, called “Eins, Zwei, Drei”, includes “a smidge of German”, said Aussievision – the first time a language other than English has featured as part of a UK Eurovision song. The artist, Look Mum No Computer, told Radio Times that he’s “probably spent more time in Germany than any other country except for the UK, be it working on music, meeting people or playing shows”, so the German sections were “certainly inspired by spending a lot of time there”.

As he struggled to merge the verses and chorus, he searched for “a language I could count in that would make me feel better on a Eurovision stage” and using German “just made sense”.

Denmark’s Eurovision 2026 representative, Søren Torpegaard Lund, will perform his entry in Danish, despite an “intense public debate” about whether the song should be translated into English, said That Eurovision Site.

Erik Struve Hansen, the Eurovision producer in Denmark, said he was “extremely proud” that the song would be performed “exactly as it was written: in Danish”. Lund “writes and sings from the heart – and his feelings, dreams and stories live strongest in his own language”.

The seemingly limitless budgets and bottomless demand for content of the streaming television era have allowed studios to dramatize both long-ago and recent disasters. These might never have gotten the Hollywood treatment a generation ago, ushering in a little-noticed golden age of disaster television headlined by the following eight series.

‘Tsunami: The Aftermath’ (2006)

The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was by far the deadliest natural disaster of the 21st century, and one of the worst in recorded history, killing more than 227,000 people. Much less well-known than the 2012 film “The Impossible,” HBO Max’s “Tsunami: The Aftermath” is gripping viewing.

Ian Carter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a tourist in Thailand who searches for his missing wife and daughter after the wave strikes, while Tim Roth plays Nick Fraser, a journalist reporting on the almost unfathomable human loss who begins to wonder why his bosses want information about Westerners but not about the much more widespread local casualties and devastation. The “first-rate cast” also includes Toni Collette and a pre-Downton Abbey Hugh Bonneville. The series depicts the aftermath of the disaster, showing that “in death, human lives develop very different values to different communities,” said Virginian Heffernan at The New York Times. (HBO Max)

‘Chernobyl’ (2019)

HBO’s riveting, five-part dramatization of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster richly deserved its 10 Emmy Awards. Jared Harris is superb as Soviet nuclear scientist Valery Legasov, who helps convince apparatchik Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgard) that the situation is sufficiently grave that it can’t be covered up.

The series recreates ordinary Soviet life from the period with painstaking detail and spares no one and nothing in its criticisms of what led to the disaster and how it was handled. The superb ensemble includes Lyudmilla Ignatenko (Jessie Buckley) as the wife of a firefighter mortally wounded in the initial hours of the disaster and the fictional Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) as a scientist who warns political leaders about the consequences of inaction. Chernobyl remains, thankfully, history’s worst nuclear disaster. Though the series takes many creative liberties with history, it “gets a basic truth right — that the Chernobyl disaster was more about lies, deceit and a rotting political system than it was about bad engineering or abysmal management and training,” said Henry Fountain at The New York Times. (HBO Max)

‘Five Days at Memorial’ (2022)

Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,833 people in August 2005, remains one of the most under-dramatized disasters in memory. Perhaps audiences aren’t ready to confront it yet, much like the Covid-19 pandemic that remains without a significant dramatization.

One exception is the Apple TV+ drama “Five Days at Memorial,” which recreates the events at Memorial Medical Center in New Orleans. Dr. Anna Pou (Vera Farmiga), Karen Wynn (Adepero Oduye), and Susan Mulderick (Cherry Jones) give viewers the perspective of a doctor, a nurse and an administrator at the hospital, which quickly loses power and access to clean water as the disaster gathers momentum. Framed by a post-hurricane investigation into the deaths of 45 patients at the hospital, the eight-part series is a “gripping affair, an engrossing medical thriller that doubles as a powerful indictment of government and corporate inaction and outright neglect,” said Manuel Betancourt at A.V. Club. (Apple TV+)

‘High Water’ (2023)

Disasters: They happen everywhere! In July 1997, parts of Poland, Germany and the Czech Republic were struck by catastrophic river flooding that left more than 100 people dead. “High Water” tells the story of the Polish city of Wrocław, the country’s third largest city, which was completely inundated by floodwaters.

Fictional hydrologist Jasmina Tremer (Agnieszka Zulewska) is stuck with the unenviable task of convincing the provincial bureaucrat Jakub (Tomasz Schuchardt) and other officials that disaster is imminent, especially given that they all seem more focused on ensuring a successful visit from the Pope than on preventing tragedy. The series takes its time getting to the main event, building tension and sympathy for its characters before plunging them into ruin. A “character-driven ensemble” carries the show that despite the heavy subject matter, “doesn’t slip into the realm of soapy drama,” said Greg Wheeler at The Review Geek. (Netflix)

‘The Days’ (2023)

No less harrowing than “Chernobyl” is “The Days,” an eight-part dramatization of the Fukushima-Daichi nuclear disaster following the catastrophic 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Unlike its better-known counterpart, “The Days” is a much more faithful rendition of events, beginning with the earthquake-driven tsunami that inundated the plant and knocked its power offline.

The series is told from three perspectives, including the fictional Prime Minister Shinji Azuma (Fumiyo Kohinata), the power plant’s courageous manager, Yoshida (Koji Yakusho), and several workers who risked their lives to prevent the worst-case scenario from taking shape. The series takes “great pains to include every relevant number, fluctuating dial and horrifying factoid,” said Jonathon Wilson at Ready Steady Cut, and its “ability to ratchet up tension through its rapidly worsening disasters and complexifying circumstances is often profound.” (Netflix)

‘La Palma’ (2024)

The only show on our list that isn’t based on a true story is the Norwegian series “La Palma,” which depicts a mega-tsunami triggered by the eruption and collapse of a volcano in the Canary Islands. Loosely based on a controversial hypothesis, the show is built on familiar but very well-executed beats.

Fredrik (Anders Baasmo Christiansen), his wife, Jennifer (Ingrid Bolso Berdal), and their children, Tobias (Bernard Storm Lager) and Sara (Alma Gunther), are tourists caught up in the disaster, while Marie (Thea Sofie Loch Naess) and Haukur (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) are scientists who try and fail to warn the authorities that disaster is about to strike. Norway has quietly produced some of the best disaster films of the century, including 2015’s “The Wave,” and “La Palma” fits squarely in that tradition. The “relatively small main cast and a lack of melodrama make the show worth a watch,” said Joel Keller at Decider. (Netflix)

‘Every Minute Counts’ (2024-2025)

On the morning of September 19, 1985, a massive earthquake struck the megalopolis of Mexico City, killing about 10,000 people and leveling large swathes of the city. We see the tragedy through the eyes of several ordinary people, including Ángel Zambrano (Osvaldo Benavides), an obstetrician who helped evacuate dozens of newborn babies from a collapsing hospital, a TV reporter, Camila (Maya Zapata), and Chuy (Olaff Herrera) her cameraman.

A show that “can be exhausting to watch,” it is also an indictment of the authoritarian regime that governed Mexico at the time, depicting the consequences of “decades of government corruption that led to unenforced building codes,” said Melissa Camacho at Common Sense Media. “Every Minute Counts” is also the only listed series that was granted a second season, which was released in September 2025 and follows the surviving protagonists as the post-earthquake hours take shape. (Prime Video)

The Chinese giant BYD’s premium Denza brand is launching in the UK with its flagship Z9 GT. A shooting brake designed to compete with the likes of Mercedes and Audi, it offers “a handful of party tricks” and “punchy performance”, said Car magazine. Initially available as an EV, with a hybrid to come, it has three motors for a combined 1140bhp, and can do 0-62mph in just 2.7 seconds, with a top speed of 168mph. Its “massive” 122.5kWh battery has a quoted range of 373 miles.

However, its “party piece” is the 1500kW “Flash” charging system: it can charge from 10%-97% in just nine minutes. BYD plans to open 300 Flash locations in the UK by the end of the year, but time will tell if that happens.

With fully independent rear wheels, the Z9 GT can move sideways and diagonally as well as forwards and backwards, and you can ask it to “crab-walk” itself into a tight parking space autonomously, said Autocar. It is also “bloody quick”, though its 2.9-tonne weight affects everything, and if you accelerate hard the nose lifts significantly. Handling is “pretty good” and it’s comfortable at motorway speeds, but below 40mph it’s “too fidgety”, and the air suspension could do with a “touch more damping”.

With no fewer than four screens, including an “overbearing” 17.3-inch central display, the controls take a bit of getting used to, said the Financial Times. But the interior is “well-appointed”, with loads of space and four leather seats, all with heating, cooling and massage functions. And while the driving dynamics aren’t great, it is a comfortable ride on long distances. Overall, the Europeans still have the upper hand, but with more models to come from the Chinese newbie, “the competition is just getting started”.

Victoria Wood’s death 10 years ago, aged just 62, left “a hole where her wit and wisdom, her humanity and her sharp satirical eye used to be”, said Sarah Crompton on WhatsOnStage. Now, at a theatre in the Lake District newly renamed in her honour, comes this chamber musical showcasing 12 of her best songs. It is an “enterprise built on love and friendship”: the show’s “magnificent stars” (Sally Ann Triplett and Ria Jones) and key members of its creative team had long associations with Wood. But it is not just a tribute to an inimitable talent: “Fourteen Again” is a “smartly funny evocation of female friendship and endurance that is heart-raisingly hard to resist”.

In this “time-slip” show, Triplett and Jones play Peggy and Lou, said Arifa Akbar in The Guardian – best friends at school who meet again at a diet club decades later. The two reminisce, and share the disappointments of their lives. Then Peggy wakes up 14 again, and vows to do better this time. With references to Bejam and Basil Brush, the show initially comes across as a slightly ersatz “nostalgia fest”, but by the end “you are crying for these women, as well as for the genius who died too early” but left us her “glorious” songs. Some are “giddy with domestic delights”, others Larkinesque in their melancholy, pathos and bathos.

Strongly sung, and pacily directed by Jonathan O’Boyle, the show has two problems, said Susannah Clapp in The Observer. One is that “while evoking Wood, it also makes you miss her singular melt-an-audience-with-one-look quality”. Another is that her songs were not written to “advance a plot”: they are “compressed dramas”. Still, it does prove an essential truth about her: she is rarely one thing. In her work, sadness and joy, exuberance and despair, all dissolve into each other. At their sharpest, her songs are “the musical equivalent of Alan Bennett’s ‘Talking Heads’ monologues”, said Clive Davis in The Times – and it is a pleasure to hear them again, in this poignant, effervescent, superbly acted show. It “would need bulking up if it transferred to a larger venue”, but it surely deserves another life.

The Victoria Wood Theatre, Bowness-on-Windermere. Until 6 June

“A three-hour Japanese epic about a classical performance art (kabuki) isn’t the easiest sell,” said Deborah Ross in The Spectator, but it may be that you come away from this “masterfully sweeping” drama thinking – was three hours enough?

Spanning 50 years, it opens in 1964, in Nagasaki, with the brutal killing of a crime boss in front of his 14-year-old son Kikuo (Soya Kurokawa). A year later, Kikuo, who has already shown promise as an amateur kabuki artist, is sent to Osaka to sit at the feet of Hanjiro, a highly revered kabuki actor (played by the great Ken Watanabe). Hanjiro has a son who is the same age as Kikuo, and the two train together as onnagata – men who play the female roles. Over the years we follow their fortunes – their “deep friendship” and “blistering rivalry”. And of course there is a lot of kabuki, a form of theatre similar to ballet, which is “highly stylised” and involves “fantastically precise movements”. It makes for a “true spectacle”.

This “lavish picture” has become Japan’s highest-grossing live-action film of all time, said Wendy Ide in The Observer. Kabuki’s cultural specificity (including a mannered vocal delivery) means it is unlikely to replicate that success here. But even those not attuned to the art form will be moved by the “sumptuous period production design”, stunning costumes, and the “depiction of the savagery and suffering inherent in creative excellence”.

At times, the film “overindulges into soapier territory” and starts to flag, said Brandon Yu in The New York Times. But it comes back around with “moving flourishes”, to assert its ideas about the “beauty, bloodshed and loneliness of true artistic greatness”.

This “tame-by-design, family-friendly comic thriller”, set in England, is about a flock of sheep whose kindly shepherd, George (Hugh Jackman), is found dead in a field one morning, said Robbie Collin in The Telegraph. So the sheep do what any sheep would do and “trot off to the nearby village to work out who killed him”.

‘Eccentric characters’

It’s an “odd viewing experience”: the film is “pleasant” and “easily absorbed”; but “every so often you find yourself thinking, hang on a minute, I am watching a flock of sheep investigate a murder, and feel like you are having a stroke”.

Yes, the premise does sound “ludicrous”, said Alissa Wilkinson in The New York Times. But “The Sheep Detectives” manages to be both funny and “emotionally complex”, with its themes of grief and memory. The flock is full of “eccentric characters”, ably voiced by stars including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris O’Dowd, Bella Ramsey and Bryan Cranston, while the village hosts all the usual suspects from a traditional whodunnit, among them a hapless cop (Nicholas Braun) and a waspish lawyer (Emma Thompson).

‘Machine-tooled’ entertainment

“On the surface it’s all delightful Little England wackiness a-go-go,” said Kevin Maher in The Times. But George lives in an Airstream caravan, the farmers drive US-style pickup trucks, and the CGI sheep have US accents. In short, this isn’t the shires at all, but an “Americanised nowheresville”.

It’s an Amazon co-production, so it has a “horrible ‘globalist’ sheen and the depressing sense” that it’s not a film so much as “filmed content”, made to “unfold” on “laptops in Beijing, Boston and Bradford”. Not every British film has to be an “analysis of national identity”, but it’s a pity to see the once venerable Working Title stoop to this “machine-tooled” entertainment.

For those who lived through it, the era of the Black Death must have been a “living nightmare”, said Katherine Harvey in The Times. During its first wave, between 1347 and 1353, the disease typically halved the populations of the areas it affected – killing at least 100 million people in Europe, Asia and North Africa. “Subsequent outbreaks, which occurred every few years until the 18th century, took millions more lives.”

In this “learned but horribly compelling” study, the British historian Thomas Asbridge offers a “global narrative” of the plague, from rural Ireland to the cities of Italy and Egypt. Punctuating Asbridge’s account are many “examples of horrendous personal tragedy”: a Sienese shoemaker who wrote of burying his five children “with my own hands”; a Carthusian monk who “watched 34 of his brethren die”, burying each in turn, “until he was alone with his dog”.

Written with great sensitivity to the “considerable psychological burden that unimaginable loss and the constant threat of new outbreaks placed on survivors”, “The Black Death” is a “powerful portrait of a world that stared death in the face”.

Most English-language histories of the medieval plague – a bacterial disease usually transmitted by fleas that had bitten infected rats – have been focused on western Europe, said Tony Barber in the Financial Times. Asbridge is “more ambitious”: he shows that the “Black Death was probably more devastating in cities such as Cairo and Damascus” – largely because orthodox Islam, which ruled that the plague was not contagious, prohibited flight from infected areas.

The most enjoyable sections of this book focus on those who “did well out of the pandemic”, said The Economist. “In Cairo, gravediggers raised their fees. There was a boom in religious art in Italy, because so many plague victims left money for paintings in their wills.” And in England, because so many clergymen died, laypeople – including, on occasions, “even” women – were allowed to hear final confessions.

The Black Death had a “long tail of consequences”, said Steven Poole in The Guardian. It probably encouraged Jewish migration eastwards – because Jews in western Europe, blamed for its spread, were massacred in their thousands. It produced labour shortages that “contributed to the end of serfdom”, and Asbridge claims it may “even have inspired the Protestant revolution”, by focusing minds on the “imminency of death”.

A work of impressive scholarship that evokes the “terror and pity” of this bleak period, “The Black Death” is a “magisterial survey”.

“Britain’s islands are among the most geologically varied in the world”, and our National Nature Reserves play a “crucial role” in preserving this “remarkable biodiversity”, said Richard Madden in The Telegraph.

There are currently 390s NNRs in the UK and King Charles has an initiative to establish 25 new ones in England by 2027. Here are some of the best of them, including one that’s just weeks old.

Seven Sisters National Nature Reserve, East Sussex, England

Seven Sisters has “long been a day-trip favourite” from London, but was only officially declared a National Nature Reserve in March, said Anna Mahtani in Time Out. With “stunning white chalk cliffs and waving green hills”, the reserve spans around 1,500 hectares.

In its landscape of chalk grasslands and “thriving wildlife”, bird lovers can catch glimpses of skylarks and yellowhammers “flitting between the skyline”, while “those with a keen eye might catch a chalkhill blue butterfly”. Film buffs may recognise the scenery from films such as "Atonement”, “Wicked” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”.

Northumberland National Park, Northumberland, England

The Simonside Hills in this park “come alive” in spring, said Emily Sargent in The Times. It’s a treat for the senses – from the sound of birds overhead to the sight of red squirrels that “scamper after each other” through the pine, larch and spruce trees. These “heather-clad hills” are also home to some of the “northeast’s rarest wildlife”, including the curlew, the red grouse and the mountain bumblebee.

You can see signs here of “our ancient ancestors”: prehistoric cup and ring marks, carved into the rocks, dating from the Neolithic and early Bronze Ages. The park is a “fabulous” starting point for a long hike, with “well-established trails across the hills”, including the 97-mile St Oswald’s Way from Lindisfarne to Heavenfield.

Gilfach Nature Reserve, Rhayader, Wales

Nestled in the Cambrian mountains, Gilfach Nature Reserve is “spectacular” and “as rich in history as it is in wildlife”, said BBC Countryfile. Walkers can follow the winding path that “threads through oak woodland and over moorland”, which turn “blushing pink with heather” towards the end of summer.

On the riverbanks, keep your eyes peeled for the “gleaming” white throat of the dipper songbirds, “bobbing energetically” before “plunging into the torrent to feed”. The rocks are also “worthy of closer inspection”, teeming with “miniature forests of lichen”. You can climb a wooden platform to get a bird’s-eye view of the wonderful waterfalls, and “if you’re lucky, the acrobatic finale of one of nature’s greatest migrations: Atlantic salmon”.

St Abb’s Head National Nature Reserve, Berwickshire, Scotland

Just north of the border with England, Scotland’s St Abb’s is a great spot for twitchers, said Madden in The Telegraph. Guillemots and razorbills “crowd together on the offshore stacks”, while puffins use crevices in the cliff face to lay their single egg. You can also see “large numbers of kittiwakes, fulmars, shags and herring gulls”, as well as an abundance of pretty wild flowers.

The cliff-top path is a “walker’s paradise”, and beneath the waves below is the “swimmer and scuba diver’s equivalent, with clear waters, kelp forests, soft corals, tunnels, gullies and diverse marine life”. Out at sea, there have been sightings of dolphins, minke whales and seals.

Bradford Pennine Gateway National Nature Reserve, West Yorkshire, England

There is something “stoic and un-showy about this 1,272-hectare region”, said Rob Crossan in Condé Nast Traveller, naming it one of his Seven Wonders of the World for 2026. The reserve has many well-known historical routes, having been lived in – and “beloved by” – the Brontë sisters, and encompassing Ilkley Moor, Penistone Hill Country Park, Harden Moor and Bingley North Bog.

The scenery provides “heathery oblivion”, with “undulating moors, wind-polished gritstone tors and views that collapse into long, moody distances broken only by the slow, stately flap of a marsh harrier”. New trails that connect the picturesque villages of Haworth, Stanbury and Thornton knit together a “tapestry of slow travel”. “If Britain ever needed proof that the everyday could still surprise, the Bradford Pennines Gateway delivers with quiet aplomb.”

Of the many new products announced by Dyson last year, the PencilVac Fluffycones is the “most innovative”, said Ideal Home. Dubbed the “world’s slimmest vacuum”, it is ultra-light (1.8kg) and “compact”, and “very sleek” – thanks to a 38mm stick handle that houses the dust canister and Dyson’s fastest vacuum motor. It’s simple to use, with a swivelling floorhead that is “extremely manoeuvrable”. Its 55 air watts of suction is far less than most cordless models, but is more than enough for hard floors. And there’s the catch: the PencilVac is designed for hard floors only, so you’ll need another vacuum for carpets.

It might seem like “an unnecessary luxury”, but if you have hard floors, “you’ll actually enjoy using” this “flexible and friendly little cleaner”, said The Guardian. It comes with a free-standing charging dock which acts as a stand, and holds the combi-crevice tool. There are green lights, front and back, which really work to illuminate dust. The “odd name” is fairly self-explanatory: the whole device is squeezed into a 940mm-long pole and the fluffycones in the floorhead rotate in opposite directions to sweep dirt into the path of the central suction wand.

The collection bin is “a really clever piece of engineering”, said T3. The 0.8-litre dust compartment looks “tiny”, but it uses suction to compact dust at the top, which also stops blockages. The “syringe-style emptying system” reduces mess by pushing debris deep into your bin. Battery life is fairly short (up to 30 mins in Eco mode), but you can always fork out for a spare. The PencilVac is “really powerful”, it’s just a shame it can’t be used on carpets, or as a handheld (you can’t shorten the wand). But if you’ve got hard floors, it is “a fantastic option”.

Avoiding crowds while still experiencing the best of a culturally dynamic city is a win-win. At these seven spots, you will have more elbow room to see the sights and more chances to connect with locals and dive into their way of life.

Bisbee, Arizona

This former mining town changed its fortune, reinventing itself to become an artists’ haven. During the early 1900s, when copper, gold, zinc and silver production was booming, Bisbee prospered. By the 1970s, the mines dried up and shuttered.

Artists soon started to arrive and turned Bisbee into a creative community. Its downtown looks “straight out of a storybook,” and is a “wonderfully walkable” area, said Travel and Leisure. There are “alfresco art galleries” throughout Bisbee, and the sounds of “near-constant live music” fill the air.

Chachapoyas, Peru

In the mountains of northern Peru sits Chachapoyas, a city named in honor of the civilization that lived here from 800 BCE to 1470. The Chachapoyas, or “Warriors of the Clouds,” built several important sites in the area, including Kuélap.

This ancient fortress, built around 500 AD, comprises “towering defensive walls, over 420 circular dwellings and panoramic views,” said Time Out. A cable car sweeps visitors to Kuélap in about 20 minutes. After exploring the ruins, head back to Chachapoyas for a relaxing stroll through the historic city center, dating back to the 1500s.

Hue, Vietnam

Ornate palaces, pavilions, statues and royal tombs are waiting to be explored in Hue. This is where Vietnam’s last imperial dynasty lived in “extravagant regal splendor” and built a “citadel, gilded in bronze, enamel and lacquer,” said The Times of London.

Visitors can also receive the royal treatment once it’s dinner time. Restaurants in Hue serve the “1,000-plus dishes of the imperial household,” like banh beo (steamed rice cakes), com hen (clam rice), bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) and nem lui (lemongrass pork skewers).

Matera, Italy

Known as the City of Stone, Matera offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like in this region 10,000 years ago. Sassi di Matera, a network of cave dwellings carved into limestone, is its centerpiece.

The extraordinary settlement is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features more than 100 rupestrian churches. The Crypt of Original Sin underwent “painstaking” restoration work and is “sure to take your breath away,” said National Geographic Traveler. Considered the “Sistine Chapel of cave art,” its frescoes are the “best in the region.” Artifacts dating to the Paleolithic era fill the Domenico Ridola Archeological Museum, while the Museum-Workshop of the Peasant Culture reconstructs a cave house, public wine cellar, and blacksmith, cobbler and cabinetmaker studios.

Meknes, Morocco

For a “relaxed slice of authentic Moroccan life,” head to Meknes, said Lonely Planet. It may be calmer here, but there’s plenty to do, starting with a trek to the “buzzy” Place El Hedim to see the Bab Mansour gate and wander the Dar Jamai Museum housed in a 19th century palace.

The Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Morocco’s longest-ruling sultan, is a “dazzling” display of mosaic tiles and “ornate” cedarwood, and though non-Muslims can’t enter the tomb, they can “peer through the doorway” and observe two clocks given to the sultan by King Louis XIV. Inside the medina are several souks dedicated to specific wares, like leather goods, carpets and spices.

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

More than 800 years ago, when Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka’s capital, it was a “thriving” religious and commercial center, said Lonely Planet. After a series of invasions and natural disasters, the capital was abandoned, but the “glories of that age” remain.

Polonnaruwa’s archeological “treasures” include hundreds of temples, statues, tombs and stupas in a “compact core.” The sacred Quadrangle, home to many important Buddhist structures, is alone “worth the trip” to Polonnaruwa.

Wroclaw, Poland

The historic city of Wroclaw, spread across 12 islands connected by over 100 bridges, shows off its “cultural credentials” through beautiful design and ample opportunities to attend live performances, said The Times of London. “Gorgeous” Market Square offers examples of colorful gothic, baroque, art nouveau and contemporary architecture, and sharp-eyed visitors will have fun spotting hundreds of small bronze gnomes scattered around the city. Music lovers will appreciate spending an evening at the National Forum of Music, with its renowned acoustics, or attending free, open-air JazzOVO concerts in the courtyard of OVO Wroclaw during summer Fridays.

From Meghan Trainor and Zayn to the Pussycat Dolls, artists are canceling their concert tours because of unsold tickets. This so-called blue dot fever — taking its name from the blue dots that represent available seats in a performance venue’s seating chart — reflects a lack of affordability and the reduced power of nostalgia.

Why are seats not selling?

There are “signs that consumer tolerance for high prices is breaking and a correction is taking place,” said The Times. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the average ticket price “increased from $96.17 in 2019 to $106.07 in 2022, marking the first time it had crossed the $100 threshold,” said Pollstar. The price of concert tickets peaked in 2024 at $135.92. In 2025, the price “dropped 2.4% to $132.62, but it’s still more than either 2022 or 2023.”

Directly after the pandemic, there was “such pent-up demand that it was really easy to tour and everybody was making a lot of money,” said J.R. Lind, a senior writer at Pollstar, to The Times. Now, there’s a “little bit of coming back to earth.” With “inflation and rising fuel costs,” affordability is “going to start affecting concerts.”

“Sky-high ticket prices” are happening because of “three key factors,” said Rolling Stone. “Supply and demand, as reflected in the controversial practice of dynamic pricing, rampant scalping, and one dominant company, Live Nation, controlling every source of revenue, including beer, food, parking and Ticketmaster service fees.”

In addition, touring costs have become high. The national average for regular gas is at $4.56 a gallon, with California at $6.17. Diesel fuel averages $7.49 a gallon in California, which is “critical for the trucks that move staging, lighting and equipment between cities,” said the San Francisco Chronicle. “Those costs can quickly change the math for tours that depend on long-haul logistics.”

Are there cultural implications?

Along with the ticket prices, the cultural capital for many artists is dwindling. Artists are “getting booked into rooms too big for where they sit today,” Nathan Green, the CEO and co-founder of New Level Radio, said to Newsweek. Older artists banking on nostalgia are struggling most: Zayn, formerly a member of boy band One Direction, and the Pussycat Dolls, a girl group that was big in the early aughts, both recently canceled their U.S. tours.

In 2024, the “British band Oasis sold out its first North American tour since 2008 within an hour,” and “Coldplay, Hilary Duff and My Chemical Romance are among artists who have seen huge demand for live concerts despite the height of their popularity being two decades ago,” said Newsweek. Still, banking on old glory no longer works for everyone.

“Blue dot fever” disproportionately affects smaller or older artists. “Mega-stars and must-see tours continue to sell, while some arena and stadium runs find that streaming popularity, nostalgia or social media buzz does not always translate into thousands of $100-plus seats,” said the San Francisco Chronicle.

The problem could be helped by downsizing. “If the business goes back to booking artists into rooms they can fill, even if it means smaller venues and more nights, the show looks like a show again,” said Green. “The empty seats are a sign to every fan that the hype was bigger than the act.”

If you thought the new series of Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster would be “dialling down the raunch, think again”, said Carol Midgley in The Times.

“Buckle up again for a brazen OTT romp through the 1980s posho set of Rutshire, where everyone seems to be rutting everyone else’s spouse before readjusting their bouffant hairdo and having another glass of champagne.”

Corinium boss Lord Tony Baddingham (David Tennant) was “whacked over the head with a gold statuette” at the end of last season, but he’s back to plan “messy revenge” on his former lover Cameron (Nafessa Williams) and his nemesis, Conservative MP Rupert Campbell-Black (Alex Hassell). On the surface, the “daft plot” revolves around a “TV franchise war”. Really, though, “Rivals” is about “love and power”. This is a show with “huge heart” that, “despite its deliberate corniness”, is “gloriously uplifting television”.

Series two also sees the “shaggers” preparing for the 1987 general election, said Sarah Dempster in The Guardian. Can Rupert keep his seat or will the “monstrous tabloid hack” Beattie team up with Lord Tony to “stitch him up like a kipper”? And who will win the battle for the “coveted” Central South West television franchise?

The acting is “superb” – everyone seems to be having the “time of their life” – and the dialogue is “fabulous”, peppered with “twinkling” jokes. “How best to reward such exquisitely knowing escapism? Ten stars? Ten thousand stars? ‘Rivals’ is beyond earthly praise.”

Little change has been made to the “basic formula”, said Rebecca Nicholson in the Financial Times. The “set-piece capers are as lively as ever” and there is even space for “tenderness” in the “simmering” relationship between romance novelist Lizzie (Katherine Parkinson) and Freddie (Danny Dyer). But this series feels “a bit more serious”, and some of the storylines about the TV industry “drag a little”. The show is at its best when it “embraces its silly side, and accepts its lot as a jolly old romp”.

I found it enormous “fun”, said Nick Hilton in The Independent. “Well written” and “well acted”, with “bucolic horniness” in spades, it’s a “rare treat in today’s television landscape”.

Brazil is our “destination of the year”, said Jacqui Gifford in Travel + Leisure. With a restaurant scene that’s “on fire”, beautiful “untamed” landscapes, “spectacular” beaches and, of course, unbeatable carnivals, this is the hottest place to visit in 2026.

Brazil has seen a 37% year-on-year rise in visitors, thanks in part to the launch of its International Tourism Acceleration Program, said The Telegraph. The “goal was simple: to improve the country’s international air connectivity”. It’s now easier to reach Brazil than ever, with new flights from Europe to cities such as Manaus and Recife. And, this year, flights are due to begin between Lisbon and São Luís – “the gateway to the swirling dunes of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park”.

December to March is “peak season” in Brazil, bringing the “heat, summer rains and parties to the streets of Rio de Janeiro for Carnaval” in February or early March, said National Geographic.

If you decide to visit during the southern hemisphere’s spring (September to December), consider a wildlife-focused trip with a visit to the Pantanal – the world’s biggest tropical wetland that’s home to an array of creatures including capybaras, giant river otters and hyacinth macaws. August and September is “peak wild jaguar sighting season” when the big cats gather along the river banks to hunt for caimans.

And if you plan your trip for June (winter in Brazil), the seasonal rainwater lagoons at Lençóis Maranhenses reach their highest levels, ideal for swimming, and the weather is dry and sunny. This is also when humpback whales begin migrating from icy Antarctica to breed in the warmer waters off the coast of Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. It’s well worth booking a tour with Projeto Baleia Jubarte.

June to November (dry season) is also the best time of year to visit the Amazon. Consider exploring the dense, tropical rainforest on a river cruise, said Chris Moss in The Telegraph. “As a nature-lover and twitcher, I have marvelled at macaws, kingfishers, hummingbirds and giant otters.” Starting from Belém at the mouth of the Amazon, you can sail as far as Iquitos in Peru.

And if a city break is more your thing, spend a few days in São Paulo visiting the bustling city’s stand-out restaurants, bars and galleries. A trip to the “huge indoor market”, Mercado Municipal, is a “must”, said Time Out. The multi-storey “food heaven” is packed with “colourful and lively” stalls selling everything from delicious baked goods to exotic fruits and vegetables. “Be prepared to loosen your belt by a few notches to eat the market’s most famous sandwich: a small baguette packed with a brick-size wedge of mortadella.” Night owls can stay up late at Fabriketa – an “all-night electronic music party in an abandoned factory”.

Fresh off an early morning Eurostar service from London’s St Pancras, I feel excited when my taxi pulls up outside Maison Proust, and I discover its serene location on a tree-lined Parisian backstreet. Getting out of the car I wonder for a moment if I’m at the right place; I can’t see an obvious sign and its plain grey façade looks more like a private mansion than a hotel. As I contemplate getting back in the cab, a young man in an elegant navy suit appears from behind a grand door and welcomes me with a smile.

Inside, it’s a fun surprise to discover the decadent Belle Époque décor that evokes the style of the salons Marcel Proust would once have frequented. Standing in a darkened wood-panelled entry way lined with glass cabinets filled with curiosities, I am instantly transported back in time – and inspired to read some Proust, a great French author I am loath to admit I know very little about.

Sipping a welcome glass of chilled black tea infused with hibiscus and pepper in the cosy guest lounge and bar, I take in my new surroundings. It’s a theatrical mix of dusky blue velvet, distressed mirrors, wood panelling and tasselled lampshades that sets the tone for the rest of the hotel.

Waiting for my keys, I explore the thickly carpeted space and find a circular library, with a celestial ceiling inspired by “The Rotonde du Soleil” at Opéra Garnier, and a secret alcove. It’s the perfect spot for delving into Proust’s epic seven-volume novel, “In Search of Lost Time” (“À la Recherche du Temps Perdu”, I later learn he’s best known for.

Why stay here?

Set on a quiet street in heart of the Marais with its lively village atmosphere, luxurious Maison Proust is the ideal refuge for those who appreciate hotels with character, art, literature and history, and who seek a tranquil weekend escape in the heart of Paris. With its small, cosy spaces, it appeals to couples and solo travellers looking for a discreet base.

The hotel’s 23 compact, individually designed, street-facing rooms are split across six floors, set off curved darkened corridors. Ranging in size from doubles to junior suites, they’re named after Proust’s friends, including writers such as Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette and Emile Zola and painters such as Edouard Manet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

A peaceful night is guaranteed at Maison Proust, thanks to a combination of triple-glazed windows, blackout curtains, luxurious beds and high-quality linens. Rich colour palettes, sumptuous carpets and opulent fabrics like silk drapes and velvet sofas are décor hallmarks. Lampshades are decorated with pages from Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time”, while bathrooms clad in marble have deep tubs, showers – or both – and luxurious Italian body products made with almond milk and orange blossom.

Before you arrive, it’s worth reserving an hour-long session at the Salon d’Eau, an exclusive Moorish-style relaxation space, with a steam room and a warm 33ft lap pool. Book into Spa La Mer, which offers indulgent treatments like lifting facials and revitalising massages, by appointment only.

Eating and drinking

Although there’s no restaurant at the hotel, breakfast – continental, American or à la carte – is served in the light-flooded glassed-in winter garden decorated with huge portraits of women in Proust’s life.

Come early evening, snacks like truffle tarama, burrata with olives, artichoke hearts, smoked salmon, and French cheeses, to name a few, are served when the bar opens. Drinks-wise, a comprehensive menu features several absinthes, 16 gins and 40 whiskys. Cocktails are as rich as the surroundings, like the Albertine, a sweet and punchy concoction laced with cognac and apricot syrup and topped with champagne.

Things to do

If you can drag yourself out of your artfully decorated salon-style room, the excitement of the Marais awaits. Start with a browse around the cluster of upscale boutiques along the Rue Vieille du Temple, before exploring the dizzying choice of restaurants and bars on surrounding streets. Great options include Candelaria, Mesures, and the Marché des Enfants Rouges, the city’s oldest food market.

And it’s a 15-minute stroll to the Musée Carnavalet, whose temporary collection includes the reconstituted bedroom of Marcel Proust, featuring his polished-wood bed draped with a deep blue coverlet, his cane and coat, and the writer’s precious pen.

The verdict

The quiet yet central location in the Marais is a unique combination that promises a fun-filled but relaxing trip to Paris. With its darkened corridors and small decadent spaces, it’s the perfect romantic refuge from the nearby hustle and bustle, that inspires you to want to be creative, and to read more.

Ellie was a guest of Eurostar and Maison Proust.

Most standard-size cookbooks showcase between 100 and 150 recipes. In 2008, the author and cooking teacher Raghavan Iyer said “pshaw” and published his magnum opus, “660 Curries.”

“To us Indians, a curry is a sauce-based dish,” said Iyer, meaning “curry” as employed in Western instances like all-purpose “curry powder” is a term so general as to lose all significance. Curry instead is both the alpha and the omega. It’s both a saucy dish across the subcontinent and a hyper-regional way of preparing said saucy dishes.

Name your cooking weapon

Pick a base, and you are nearly guaranteed at least one recipe for it in “660 Curries.” More often, you will be bombarded with an array of options.

Consider the legume. Yellow split peas, horse gram, chickpeas, brown lentils and moth beans — Iyer assembles an armada of more than 15 different types of legumes for the Legume Curries chapter. The hits are present, including a faultless recipe for the restaurant icon, dal makhani, with its whole black lentils opulent with Punjabi garam masala, yogurt and heavy cream.

A behemoth is forever going to do the absolute most, so lesser-known regional specialties are everywhere across the book. Toovar dal (split yellow pigeon peas) is softened in a bath of unripe green mango, green bell pepper and coconut milk in a dish from the southwestern state of Kerala. Stressing the omnipresent influence of the Portuguese colonizers, chorizo cooks with red kidney beans and black-eyed peas in a spunky chile-vinegar tomato sauce in a Goan adaptation of Brazilian feijoada. Here and in the book’s other chapters on vegetables, seafood, poultry and eggs, meat, and paneer, curry is no catch-all. It slips, shifts and adapts.

To the curry-sphere and beyond

Iyer cheated a touch with the book’s title because some chapters exist outside of the sauce world. The opening chapter, Spice Blends and Paste, provides a constellation of building blocks and endless masalas with seven types of garam masala alone.

The final chapter, Curry Cohorts, dabbles in a touch of everything: rice preparations, including a Maharashtrian-style fried rice with peanuts and curry leaves; all manner of breads, such as poori, roti and naan; and even a mango cheesecake and saffron-licked green tea. “660 Curries” is an imposing endeavor. And, oh, how the book’s recipes work.

Iyer died, too young, at 61 in 2023. He was an admired teacher and an indefatigable researcher. And almost 20 years later, “660 Curries” remains as essential as it was when it first appeared. Scratch that. “660 Curries” is all the more pertinent now. The world needed time to embrace its sweeping, detailed grandeur.

From galaxies far, far away to apocalypse-ravaged wastelands and underground bunkers, these chilling dystopian TV shows transport us to another world – while amplifying our darkest, real-life fears. These are some of the best.

Paradise

Series two of “Paradise” is “better than ever”, said Tim Glanfield in The Times. With its “smart interwoven plotting” and “standout lead performances”, this dystopian political thriller might just be your “new favourite show”. Set in what appears to be an idyllic American town, the first instalment introduces Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown). “Cracks in the seemingly perfect community” begin to show when the president is murdered and Collins is framed. The first episode of series two “answers long-held questions while raising even more”, introducing interesting new characters while weaving in flashbacks to deepen backstories. As the new series “unfolds, the secrets deep below the surface grow darker” and the “tension ratchets to new levels at each revelation”. It’s a must watch.
Disney+

The Testaments

“Brace yourselves,” said Lucy Mangan in The Guardian: Margaret Atwood’s sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale”, published in 2019, “has come for us”. Set in the totalitarian regime of Gilead a few years after the TV series ended, “The Testaments” is focused not on the “handmaids” – who provide children to powerful men – but on the daughters of the elite, who are groomed from birth to become wives. The structure of the series departs radically from that of the book, but the show is so “consumingly brilliant” that I reckon even purists will forgive this, said Charlotte Ivers in The Sunday Times. Chase Infiniti plays Agnes MacKenzie, the adopted daughter of a high-ranking commander, who attends an elite school run by the fearsome Aunt Lydia (a returning Ann Dowd). There, she meets Daisy (Lucy Halliday), a Canadian who has come to Gilead voluntarily. At the school, “lucky” girls who get their period are paired off with much older men in a social process in which the “tea parties, balls and fripperies of Jane Austen” are mixed with Orwellian totalitarianism. It’s a “deeply uneasy combination”, but it makes for “spectacular television”.
Disney +

Westworld

The fourth season of Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan’s “knotty sci-fi thriller” proved “far more gripping” than the third instalment, said Richard Lawson in GQ. Set in Westworld, a futuristic Wild West-themed amusement park where sophisticated robots cater to the demands of wealthy guests, the final season feels like a cross between an “elegant” “Terminator” movie and “Bladerunner”. As ever it looks “mind-bogglingly expensive” (“all gleaming buildings and haunted desert”), and the excellent cast are back in “peak snarling, purring, quipping form”.
Amazon Prime

Andor

The second season of this “Star Wars” spin-off is “as thrilling as ever”, said Jack Seale in The Guardian. Exploring the events that lead up to the 2016 film, “Rogue One”, the action follows thief-turned-rebel-spy Cassian Andor (Diego Luna). Like everything in the franchise, the series is about an “underdog rebel movement fighting against a totalitarian empire in space”. But writer Tony Gilroy swaps the “magic and myth” for the realities of the “anti-fascist struggle”. This is “Star Wars” for grown-ups.
Disney+

The Walking Dead

One of the most “successful” dystopian TV series ever made, “The Walking Dead” follows a group of survivors during a zombie apocalypse, said Tim Glanfield in The Times. It’s an “epic, sprawling” show that takes you on a “rollercoaster ride through a dystopian America”, where staying alive hinges on the relationships forged, and even the smallest mistake can have fatal consequences.
Now

The Last of Us

Based on the 2013 video game, this “superb” post-apocalyptic drama combines “epic” action with “breathtaking emotional swerves”, said Ed Power in The Telegraph. Season one saw hardened survivor Joel (Pedro Pascal) and teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) trek through a desolate America overrun by “fungus-ridden” infected creatures to deliver the uniquely immune Ellie to a group of rebels who believed she may hold the key to a cure that could “save all of humanity”. Things didn’t go to plan and the second instalment picks up five years later when the pair are “uneasily getting on with life” in Jackson, Wyoming. Expect “gobsmacking set pieces” including a battle scene to “rival ‘Game of Thrones’”, and “reliably forceful” performances from Pascal and Ramsey. In all, season two takes everything that was good about the first series and “cranks it up to the absolute maximum”.
Apple TV+

Silo

The first season of “Silo” laid out some “captivating foundations”, said Nicola Austin in Empire. Based on the best-selling trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey, it “charted the aftermath of an apocalyptic event” that saw thousands of people forced underground to live in a giant bunker known as the silo. No one knows who built it or why, but they do know one thing: the outside world is toxic and leaving will result in almost certain death. Season two picks up after the “doozy of a cliffhanger” at the end of the first instalment, and “turns the temperature up on this pressure-cooker of a dystopia”.
Apple TV+

Severance

Following a “fantastically stylish, clever, trippy and compelling” first series, “Severance” is back on the small screen, and somehow it’s even better than before, said Lucy Mangan in The Guardian. The first instalment follows Mark Scout (Adam Scott), an employee at the sinister Lumon Industries corporation, who has opted into the severance procedure to have his non-work memories separated from his work memories, giving him an “innie” and “outie” life. In the second season, “mysteries and revelations, clues and new enigmas are rolled out in perfect syncopation, getting wilder and weirder” as the show goes on.
Apple TV+

Fallout

The “bouncy, eye-popping energy” of this “post-apocalyptic action-comedy” makes for “perfect bingeing”, said Ed Power in The Telegraph. Based on the video game of the same name, “Fallout” is set in the year 2296, two centuries after the “downfall of humanity”, in a postwar America “devastated by a nuclear conflagration”. Wealthy survivors have taken refuge in subterranean Vaults but they are eventually forced to emerge into the “Californian wasteland”: a “hellscape, teeming with zombie-like mutants”. Delivering the “perfect payload of OTT action and childish humour”, it makes for a surprisingly “fun” watch.
Amazon Prime

“Is it a red wine, or a white?” said The Economist. “It is both.”

Trendy “blouge” wines have started popping up in bars around the world. A mix of white (blanc) and red (rouge) grapes, the resulting tipple is “light and refreshing, like a white, but with the structure and depth of a red”.

Mixing red and white like this is “not a new idea”. Winemakers have long been making champagnes from different coloured grapes. But recently producers have been “breaking new ground” with a growing number of “fresher” blouge wines often with “playful names to emphasise their novelty and expand their appeal”.

While rosé is made from red grapes alone with limited skin contact, and orange wines are made from white grapes in the style of a red with extended contact with the skins, blouge wines are a hybrid made by co-fermenting both red and white grapes. They are targeted at “younger, more adventurous” consumers keen to try something new.

Combining grape varieties gives producers more “flexibility” in the face of climate change. Hotter weather can lead to red grapes accumulating sugar faster, while the “ripening of skins and seeds can lag behind, causing a mismatch”. By adding white grapes to the mix, acidity is boosted while the high alcohol level found in ripe red grapes is diluted.

The pretty colours “tempt the Instagram lens”, said The Telegraph, luring “aperitivo-hour drinkers” on the lookout for wines with the “appeal of a light cocktail; often fruity and chilled, perhaps with a vestige of florality and a tinge of either astringency or sweetness”.

BoogieWoogie from Aubert et Mathieu is due to arrive in the UK this month, said The Guardian. A “light and juicy blend of red and white grenache grapes”, this is the “perfect match for tapas, pizza and picnics”.

Or try Domaine Lucas Madonia: The Blouge 2024, a “high-quality, natural” wine that uses grapes grown at a vineyard nestled on a “steep mountainside in the Swiss Alps of Valais”. Best enjoyed “cold on a sunny day after work”, the “fruity, aromatic blend” of chasselas white and gamay red grapes has a “clean, lively finish” with hints of “juicy strawberries and raspberries”.

When it comes to hotel room views, it doesn’t get much better than having your own private wildlife show. That’s exactly what you get at Chester Zoo, where the new safari-style Giraffe View lodges let you stay overnight overlooking the sandy enclosure where the male giraffes live.

“That’s Meru,” our friendly concierge tells us as we drop off our bags in our room. Beyond the glass, across a small rocky strip of water, the zoo’s eldest giraffe is craning his impossibly long, elegant neck up to a hanging basket of foliage and methodically stripping the branches of their bark. Below him, a smaller, paler giraffe – (Stanley, we soon find out) – prods his shoulder, demanding attention. It’s a mesmerising sight.

Cosy lodges with stellar views

The Reserve only opened last year, but the entire experience already feels like a well-oiled machine. We didn’t arrive until check-in, but wished we had got there earlier when we realised just how much there was to see. As well as an overnight stay in a luxury lodge, the After Hours package includes a two-day zoo pass. Guests get early access on both days from 9am (an hour earlier than the general public) to the Heart of Africa zone – a sprawling 22-acre habitat designed to mimic African grasslands. It’s home to more than 50 animal species, including zebras, rhinos, vultures, antelopes, and, of course, giraffes.

On arrival, we were given wristbands giving us exclusive access to The Reserve, and were whisked straight out on to the terrace overlooking the lakeside lodges for our welcome drinks. We opted for the Kenyan-inspired dawa cocktail: a refreshing – and surprisingly strong! – blend of vodka, lime, honey and sugar syrup. Despite being April in Cheshire, sitting out on the bright, sunny terrace, it really did feel like we were on safari (or what I would imagine it’s like, as a safari novice).

The lodges themselves are comfortable and modern, decorated in calming shades of oatmeal with plenty of natural wood and pretty rattan wall hangings. But the real draw is the views: floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open out on to your own private balcony where you can watch the giraffes amble around the paddock. Perfect for families, a cute stuffed toy giraffe is also waiting on the bed.

An after-hours tour to remember

It’s easy for hours to slip by while you sit and watch the giraffes but we managed to tear ourselves away from our lodge for the after-hours tour. Every member of staff we met at Chester Zoo was warm, friendly and, above all, passionate about what they do. Ranger Ben was no exception. Together with another couple staying at The Reserve, we set off to explore the Heart of Africa zone – stopping off at the various enclosures to learn about the animals and their quirks.

We pass the female giraffes (Tula, we learn, is a “diva”, while Kanzee is the “adventurous” one), and stop to look at the inquisitive yellow mongooses, Cinnamon and Saffron. Perhaps most memorable of all are the aardvarks; they’re nocturnal so they’re still sleeping when we visit at dusk but peering into their cave we manage to catch a glimpse of their strange pink feet with shovel-like claws dangling in the air.

Next, we head into the Hidden Savannah – an indoor space where a colony of naked mole-rats are huddled together sleeping. We can’t spot the African bullfrog at first but soon find he’s blending in beneath a log, staying completely still as he lays in wait for his prey. There’s just time to stop off for a talk with another ranger, Ewan, who shows us the “enrichment” puzzles and feeders used to engage the lions and monkeys, and tells us about Chester Zoo’s biggest conservation projects, including work supporting the monitoring of giant anteaters in Brazil.

Back at The Reserve that evening, there’s a range of activities for guests. We opted for the Pangolin Talk, where Ben told us about the zoo’s research tracking critically endangered giant pangolins in southwest Uganda. (Ewan reappeared too, with a slightly unnerving giant pangolin puppet.) The only snag was our evening meal, which, after the incredible day we’d had, was disappointing and didn’t live up to the quality of the rest of our stay.

Skipping the crowds with early access

Thankfully, breakfast was much better, with a selection of pastries, fresh fruit and cooked traditional classics. Determined to make the most of the early access this time, we set out at 9am to explore the rest of the zoo. This felt really special: many of the animals we hadn’t been able to see the night before were just waking up and we could get to the best viewing spots before the crowds arrived.

Chester Zoo was recently voted the best zoo in the UK and it’s easy to see why. Spanning 130 acres, the sprawling site is home to some of the biggest habitats in Europe and with so much more space the animals looked happier and more relaxed than those in the old Victorian cages in London. It’s also a non-profit carrying out some incredible conservation work around the world, teaming up with local partners to support crucial research projects everywhere from Mexico to Madagascar.

There is so much to see and you really will need to get there early to have any hope of getting around the entire zoo. But the memory that will stay with me the longest is waking up, drawing back the curtains, and seeing two majestic giraffes amble right past the window. It’s an experience that will be difficult to top without getting on a plane to explore the countries and wildlife in Africa.

Irenie was a guest at The Reserve at Chester Zoo, chesterzoo.org

Framed by fjords and mountains on Norway’s southwest coast, Bergen is a beautiful city with a lively cultural scene, including some excellent New Nordic (“Neo-Fjordic”) restaurants. And the islands around it also offer a “very Scandinavian interplay of big, contemplative nature and fresh thinking”, says Toby Skinner in Condé Nast Traveller.

Compared with, say, the Lofoten or Stockholm islands, this archipelago remains “relatively under the radar”, but it is magical even so, and a delight to explore by road and on “peaceful” ferries. It’s a world of rocks and forests, “picture-postcard” seascapes, and villages of white weatherboard houses. Here and there, “immaculate” red boathouses sit by the shore, and there are some great bakeries and artisanal distilleries, as well as stylish boutique hotels.

Among the more recent openings is Lilløy Lindenberg, a private island retreat that sleeps 12 people in a “traditional” house and a “whimsically converted” boathouse. Both have “coolly Scandinavian” yet “playful” interiors featuring locally made objects such as “wobbly, organic-seeming” lamps by the glass-blower Sigrid Rostad. Summer days here are “slow, soft-lit reveries of saunas, boat trips and vegan feasts”, but it’s also worth visiting other islands. On “rocky, windswept” Fedje, you can taste “subtly complex” organic whiskies and spirits at the Feddie Ocean Distillery, and stay at Fab 8 (“crisply designed” apartments in a former sardine factory).

And there are two good hotels in the little fishing community of Bekkjarvik, on Selbjørn – the “traditional” Bekkjarvik Gjestgiveri and the “angular” Beckerwyc House, where the Bocuse d’Or winner Ørjan Johannessen serves “sublime” 16-course dinners made at the restaurant, Mirabelle. Before heading back to Bergen, Bekkjarvik Experience offers kayaking trips, fishing expeditions and more. I loved its sleek, black “Bond-worthy RIB”, which reached speeds of 70mph on a “roller-coaster-like tour of tiny islands”.

Everyone in my family is a fan of bread studded with salty briny olives, and this recipe takes that craving a step further, said Joe Woodhouse. Feel free to add a block of grated halloumi to the mix. You can also cut the flatbreads in half and freeze them. Just put them in the toaster to defrost and crisp from frozen.

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 400g self-raising flour, or plain flour with 1 tbsp baking powder
• 200g wholemeal flour, plus more to dust
• 250g yoghurt, or kefir
• 3 tbsp olive oil, or oil from the sundried tomatoes, plus more (optional) for cooking
• 200g jar of sundried tomatoes in olive oil, drained and sliced
• 50g black olives, pitted and sliced
• 25g basil, stalks finely chopped, leaves chopped
• 3 tbsp drained capers
• 1 tbsp dried oregano

Method

• Put the flours in a mixing bowl. Mix the yoghurt or kefir in a jug with the oil and 200ml water. Add to the flour and knead to combine. Knead in the sundried tomatoes, olives, basil, capers and oregano.
• Divide the dough into 4 and roll out each piece on a floured surface to a diameter of about 20cm.
• Heat a griddle pan over a med-low heat. Add the flatbreads one at a time, brushing with olive oil first to get them extra crispy. Cook for 4-6 mins on each side until puffed and cooked through. To check if they’re ready, break a chunk off one, pull it apart and see if it is fluffy in the middle.
• Serve as is or spread with pesto, harissa or tapenade, or with a bowl of pickled chillies.

Taken from Weeknight Vegetarian by Joe Woodhouse

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Integrating art and creativity into your life, even for a few minutes a day, can have positive effects on your mental and physical health, according to scientific studies. Incorporating them can slow cognitive decline, reduce heart disease risk and improve well-being as you age.

Engaging in the arts is the “forgotten fifth pillar of health,” alongside diet, sleep, exercise and nature, said Daisy Fancourt, a professor studying the effect of the arts on people’s health, in her new book, “Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Save Lives.” There are plenty of ways to integrate creativity into your life, even if you aren’t a particularly artistic person.

Check out local resources

Spending time indulging in creative pastimes can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be to reap health benefits. Look for inexpensive opportunities in your community. If you have museums or other cultural institutions nearby, “see if they offer any hours free of charge,” said The New York Times.

Check with your library to see whether it offers free passes to some of these places, too, Fancourt said to the outlet. Local churches might hold musical performances that cost nothing. You can also check out plays put on by local schools or community theaters. They are not as expensive as a professional production, and it’s a “lovely way of supporting local artists.”

Introduce creativity into your social life

Try swapping drinks or dinner with your friends and family for more creative activities. When Fancourt meets up with her sister, “we often do mindful coloring,” she said. It doesn’t have to be a formal endeavor; you can just get together with people and discuss your latest creative endeavors. Making it a group activity may motivate you to continue injecting creativity into your daily life.

Find an activity that meets your current needs

With so many facets to the creative life, there is bound to be an endeavor that scratches an itch. Think about “which psychological needs aren’t being met in your life,” said The Guardian. If you’re feeling out of control in your everyday life, “pick a hobby that lets you take the lead without needing instruction,” such as “drawing, creative writing or clay modeling.”

If you want to acquire a new proficiency, try tasks that will “allow you to develop a new skill.” Giving yourself a goal to work toward, like a “performance or a gift to give to friends,” can be a “good motivator.” Remember that failure is “essential to building a sense of accomplishment,” so if those scarves you knitted unravel, “practicing dealing with such failures can build your sense of resilience.”

Spend time in nature

Immersing yourself in nature can help you link to your brain’s creative side. In a study titled “Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning Through Immersion in Natural Settings,” a group of hikers who spent four days in nature without devices increased performance on a creativity/problem solving task by 50%.

Nature, in this study, provided “emotionally positive stimuli,” said VeryWell Mind. By reducing phone and computer use, the participants weren’t “switching tasks or multitasking, attending to sudden events, maintaining task goals or inhibiting irrelevant actions.” Spending quality time outdoors improved the group’s creativity test scores because stepping away from technology and into nature helps you “think creatively about solutions and alternative options.”

Embrace the new

Diversity of arts experiences is “just as important as frequency of engagement,” said New Scientist. Every creative encounter offers “different sensory treats for our brains and bodies,” each with its own health benefits. Experiment with different versions of creative experience, heading for “moderate novelty” that is “outside your comfort zone, but still something you think you will enjoy.” Also, focus your engagement on real-life interactions over virtual, as “screen-based arts activities tend to be the ultra-processed foods of the arts world.”

While the “Avatar” movie series remains one of director James Cameron’s most celebrated works, a new lawsuit revolving around the first film could have widespread implications. The lawsuit, which accuses Cameron of using a performer’s image without permission, comes amid concerns about the legal ownership of actors’ faces.

‘Without credit or compensation’

The actor Q’orianka Kilcher filed a lawsuit alleging that in 2005, when she was 14, Cameron “extracted her facial features” from a movie about Pocahontas called “The New World” then “directed his design team to use it as the foundation for the character of Neytiri” in 2009’s “Avatar,” said a release about the suit, per NBC News. Kilcher’s face was supposedly “captured in production sketches, sculpted into maquettes and laser-scanned into high-resolution digital models, then distributed across multiple visual effects vendors to render Neytiri’s final appearance.”

Kilcher’s face as Neytiri “went on to appear in the films, on movie posters and on merchandise, without her knowledge or consent,” the release said. Kilcher is of Native Peruvian heritage, and the case “exposes how one of Hollywood’s most powerful filmmakers” used Kilcher’s “cultural heritage to create a record-breaking film franchise — without credit or compensation to her — through a series of deliberate, non-expressive commercial acts,” the lawsuit said.

‘In the age of AI, our likeness is no longer safe’

The lawsuit raises broad concerns about who truly owns actors’ likenesses: the actors themselves or the studios they work for. It is possible that lawyers for Cameron and Disney “will be able to make some kind of fair use argument here, claiming that Neytiri is enough of a transformation of Kilcher’s original appearance as to be cleared of any of her claims,” said the AV Club.

This case revolves around a “complex area of the law that has taken on a new immediacy in the age of generative AI, an emerging technology that allows anyone with an internet connection to easily create images that replicate existing art, photographs and human likenesses,” said The New York Times. Laws attempt to balance First Amendment rights by “distinguishing between commercial exploitation” and artistic works. But “there is not always a bright line,” Jennifer E. Rothman, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said to the Times.

The lawsuit “reflects a core fear among Hollywood performers in the artificial intelligence age: losing control of their own faces,” said the Times. And such a problem could seep into the general public as well. New pushes against AI are “less about the technology than who owns your image, voice and likeness,” said Forbes. The “fight over AI has entered a harder phase, one measured in licensing fees, fraud claims, takedown demands and liability.” Celebrities are simply an “early test case,” as the law must now reckon with a question “it did not have to answer at this scale before: When does a digital version of a person become something that person can control?”

As the debate over likeness usage rages, actors like Kilcher are standing up for themselves. “In the age of AI, our likeness is no longer safe,” Kilcher told the Times. “While what happened to me is personal, it’s also a big warning that, if we don’t act now, this type of thing will become standard. This case is about the future of identity.”

When it comes to grand European cities, you would be hard pushed to find one more majestic than Vienna.

As the centre of the Austrian and Austro-Hungarian empires centuries ago, it was a hub of culture, art and, above all, architectural beauty – a legacy that endures today.

Modern Vienna is a thriving metropolis with a stylish centre. Locals and guests can indulge in treats from world-class art to Michelin-standard gastronomy, plus this year it is home to the festival of fun that is the Eurovision Song Contest. There are few more satisfying destinations in which to lose yourself for a weekend.

Things to do

First things first, if you plan to see a lot of sights (and you should!) grab a Vienna City Card and load it onto the ivie digital city guide app. It acts as a public transport ticket and offers discounts on major sights, while the app has suggested routes for self-guided walking tours.

For the best introduction to the city, get wandering! Check out the famous Ringstrasse, a 3.3-mile boulevard that circles the city centre, before heading inside the loop towards St Stephen’s Cathedral. This is the epicentre for high-end shopping, literally or window, among some of the most exclusive postcodes in the world.

You can’t miss the glorious Imperial Palace, seat of the Hofburg Dynasty, and one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It houses the Sisi Museum, which celebrates one of their most famous monarchs Empress Elisabeth, and the National Library, which gives the one in “Beauty and the Beast” a run for its money. You'll find the crown jewels on show at the Imperial Treasury.

You could spend a day at the stunning Schloss Schöenbrunn and gardens that celebrate 30 years as a Unesco World Heritage Site this year, and if you’re a war buff, make your way to the Museum of Military History, home to the car in which Archduke Franz Ferdinand was shot, sparking the outbreak of the First World War.

Music fans really should try to pre-book for a show at the State Opera House, but if you don't have the time, then a behind-the-scenes tour is a great way to get a feel for the world-famous venue. Art lovers can’t go wrong with an afternoon at the Belvedere Palace, where Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” hangs, but don’t miss out on the gallery’s huge collection of modernist, Renaissance and Medieval art too.

To delve deeper into Vienna’s cultural heritage, seek out the Museum of Applied Arts, the Foto Arsenal Wien photography museum, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and, my personal favourite, the Leopold Museum, which boasts an astonishing collection of Austrian art. In fact, the entire museum quarter has 61 cultural institutions, alongside bars, restaurants and outside spaces.

To experience what it might be like to live in Vienna, get out of the centre, too, and discover the city’s Grätzels (neighbourhoods). Each has its own unique vibe, from trendy Karmeliterviertel to the cobblestones of Neubau and Spittelberg.

Eating and drinking

Vienna is the only city in the world with a type of cuisine named after it, and its most iconic dish is the Wiener schnitzel (breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet). Try one at Salonplafond, where modern interpretations of Austrian classics are served in a grand dining room.

Michelin-starred Z’SOM takes its name from the Tyrolean dialect word for “together”, but its food is rooted in Latin America and is both exciting and unpretentious. Head chef and owner Diego Briones has created an accomplished, light-hearted menu with hero European ingredients such as white asparagus, accompanied by more unusual combinations like coconut and green papaya. Try it out for a night to remember.

Butcher and restaurant Praterwirt is a locals’ favourite, serving high-quality meats alongside authentic Budweiser lager straight from their own tanks. Perfect for a hearty plate on a cold night. If you’re looking to try an Austrian hot dog, then head to Alles Wurst, where they serve classic sausages alongside steak tartare. Expect to queue as this one’s popular.

Stepping away from the meat counter, Tian Bistro, under the guidance of Michelin-starred chef Paul Ivić, serves a five-star vegetarian menu with combinations such as lion’s mane mushrooms and chimichurri to satisfy the taste buds.

Grabbing a seat at one of Vienna’s coffee houses is a must. Take in the late 19th-century interiors at Café Sperl, or try a kaiserschmarrn, a sort of deconstructed pancake, at Cafe Landtmann, which also has a great outside space to enjoy the sun.

Where to stay

The plant-covered facade of Hotel Gilbert has made it one of the most identifiable and forward-thinking boutique hotels in the city. It has been awarded the Austrian Ecolabel for high sustainability standards, with bathroom products from organic local company Lederhaas and innovative heating solutions. There are 57 rooms, each decorated in a contemporary palette of blues and yellows, with even the smallest rooms well presented with modern bathrooms and plenty of space. A generous buffet breakfast is served in &Flora, the vegetable-focussed restaurant that is also popular in the evenings.

Jaymi McCann was a guest of Wien.info

The deadly outbreak of the rare hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has highlighted the growing trend of tourism in Antarctica.

No tourists visited the icy southern continent until the 1960s and only 8,000 a year set foot there three decades ago. By last year, this had risen to 80,000, with a further 36,000 seeing it for themselves from ships docked in Antarctica’s spectacular bays.

This “unchecked tourism growth” risks “undermining the very environment that draws visitors”, said two academics from the University of Tasmania on The Conversation.

Irreversible melting

Those first tourists set foot on Antarctica on 23 January 1966. The mission, with 57 guests, was intended to “inspire people to become stewards for the planet, by exposing them to one of its most awe-inspiring places”, said The Independent. But some now think the trip was a “mistake” because it began a process that is endangering the “fragile” environment.

Sixty years on, “tourism to the bottom of the world is soaring”, said The Associated Press. This is “driven in part by fears that the frozen landscapes of Antarctica may be irreversibly melting away because of climate change”.

“High costs” and the “time it can take” to travel there mean visitor numbers are “still small”, but they’re “growing so fast that scientists and environmentalists are sounding alarms”. The University of Tasmania academics estimated that the number of tourists could triple or quadruple to more than 400,000 a year by 2033-34.

The draw is clear: the experience of visiting Antarctica, with its whales, seals, penguins and icebergs, is “unique and not replicable anywhere else on the planet”, Claire Christian, from the environmental group Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, told AP. “It’s all really stunning and it makes a huge impression on people.”

‘Loved to death’

Between 2002 and 2020, nearly 150 billion tonnes of Antarctic ice melted each year, according to Nasa. Experts warn that more visitors will bring an increased risk of contamination, illness and other damage to the continent.

Tourists can threaten ecosystems by compacting soils, squashing fragile vegetation and bringing in non-native microbes and plant species. They can also disturb breeding colonies of birds and seals.

Each cruise ship visitor to Antarctica produces between 3.2 and 4.1 tonnes of carbon, and that doesn’t include their travel to the port of departure. This is comparable to the carbon emissions an average person produces in a year.

So the answer to Antarctica avoiding being “loved to death” may “lie in economics”. Some suggest a rule requiring visitors to pay a tourism tax, or a “cap-and-trade system” to limit the number of visitor permits for a fixed period.

The guidelines of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators stipulate that only 100 people can set foot on the ice at any given time, and ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not allowed to dock.

Visitors are told to avoid touching the ground with anything but their feet. Some crews and passengers use vacuums, disinfectants and brushes to keep shoes and equipment free of bugs, feathers, seeds and microbe-carrying dirt, said AP.

Airlines cut 13,000 flights globally in May as jet fuel prices soared due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In the future, these “spiralling” fuel costs could “spell the end of budget flights”, wrote Cathy Adams, news features editor, travel, in The Times.

Why are prices up?

Airfares have risen 24% year on year, according to the consultancy group Teneo. The price of jet fuel, usually the second-largest element of airlines’ costs after crew, is rising. In the week ending 1 May, the price of a barrel of jet fuel had risen 101% year on year to $181 (£133), according to the International Air Transport Association’s Jet Fuel Monitor.

These hikes are then passed on to travellers. Prices on some routes, such as London to Hong Kong and Singapore, have tripled since the start of 2026. Carriers including Air France-KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates are adding fuel surcharges.

Other airlines are warning of price rises once their current hedge arrangement – which allows them to buy fuel at a fixed price – expires.

Are higher prices here to stay?

For the time being, yes. Even once the Strait of Hormuz is reopened to allow the free flow of crude oil and refined jet fuel, it will take a “minimum of three months for lower fuel costs to work their way through the supply chain”, Bryan Terry, the managing director at Alton Aviation Consultancy and former director of industry fuel services at the IATA, told Adams.

“Even then, airlines will try to hold higher fares in place as long as they can to recoup the costs and losses they’ve absorbed since the conflict began”, so passengers should “start thinking of elevated airfares as the new normal for the foreseeable future”.

There are other factors expected to push prices up in the longer term. Aircraft manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus are struggling with production delays and engine shortages, which means fewer available seats overall.

Major carriers have signed “historic contracts” with pilot unions and ground crews over the past two years, and some of the cost of the wage increases is passed on to passengers, said Fly Fairly.

Finally, EU climate laws mean prices will be 13 to 14 times higher in 2030 than in 2019, claimed Airlines for Europe.

How can I find cheaper flights?

In the “near term” there are “bargains to be had” as airlines “battle to fill their planes” for a summer season during which travellers are “nervous to commit to overseas holidays”, said Adams.

The “very thin silver lining” is that as airfares go up, the cost of extras such as baggage and seat selection “typically goes down”.

As usual, airlines and agents continue to advise passengers to “book sooner rather than later” to “lock in a good deal”. Meanwhile, “whether we’ve seen the last of the £9.99 flight to Spain remains to be seen”.

London: Lothbury, City of London EC2

A flat in this spectacular Grade II* Venetian gothic revival former bank, designed by George Somers Clarke in the 1860s. Located opposite the Bank of England, it features the original wooden panelling in the living room. 1 bed, family bath, kitchen, recep. £835,000; Frank Harris

Isle of Wight: Golden Hill Fort, Freshwater

An impressive terraced house set within a distinctive hexagonal Grade I former Victorian fortress. 3 beds, 2 baths, kitchen/ dining room, recep, roof garden, parking. £275,000; Spence Willard

Gwynedd: Bryn Canaid, Uwchmynydd

A charming longhouse, with a croglofft, beautifully renovated and extended. Located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty close to Mynydd Mawr. 2 beds, family bath, kitchen/dining room, recep, garden, parking. £475,000; Inigo

Glasgow: Beresford Building, Charing Cross

A fifth-floor flat in this landmark art deco building, designed and built in 1938 as a hotel. 1 bed, family bath, open-plan kitchen/ living/dining room, lift. OIEO £139,000; Rettie

London: Morrish Road, Clapham SW2

This striking property occupies the upper floor of a former bakery, with more than 3,600sq ft of adaptive living and entertaining space. 4 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, open-plan living/dining room. £1.85m; Dexters

Devon: Vespers, Woodleigh

A ground-floor, three-level flat in a former Trappist monastery set in approx. 80 acres. The flat boasts a Grade II granite staircase leading to the upper level. 3 beds (2 en suite), 2 showers, kitchen, recep, offices, communal swimming pool, tennis court, gym and garden, parking. £875,000; Savills

Suffolk: Wiston Mill, Nayland

A fine converted 18th-19th century water mill on the River Stour, with many original workings still present. 6 beds, 3 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, 2-bed cottage, outbuildings, garden, parking; 24 acres. £1.95m; David Burr

Derbyshire: The Cheese Factory, Longford

Handsome 19th century former cheese factory built in 1870. The house was featured on "Phil Spencer’s History of Britain in 100 Homes". 6 beds, 4 baths, kitchen, 4 receps, offices, garden, parking. £1.75m; Savills