The best day trips from Rome for 2025
You can't miss a visit to Florence while in Italy, and this incredible city is only an hour and a half train ride from Rome. The capital of the Renaissance is filled to the brim with art and history: it is an outdoor museum that is best explored on foot, admiring its incredible architecture like the Loggia dei Lanzi and Florence Cathedral. Walk across the Ponte Vecchio, pop into the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David and wander over to the Oltrarno neighbourhood across the Arno River to experience a quieter, more local side of this bustling city.
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The Sun
10 hours ago
- The Sun
Victorian seaside town named WORST for a UK break is turning its fortunes around in '21st-century renaissance'
A VICTORIAN seaside town once described as the worst for a UK short break is undergoing a "21st-century renaissance". In a Which? survey of more than 3,500 people, the South East coastal resort ranked last in a list of the "best small UK cities for a short break". 3 But a recent article in National Geographic praised Hastings for turning round its fortunes – particularly in the past decade. It stated: "Mention Hastings and people still refer to the battle of 1066, which is a shame given the town has changed so much — since the 11th century, certainly, but over the past decade, too. "Like many British seaside resorts, Hastings and its neighbour, St Leonards-on-Sea, had their heyday in the Victorian era before falling into a period of decline. "Their revivals in recent years have been huge and heartening. These are places packed with independent shops, restaurants, pubs and boutique hotels, so many that a week-long visit would hardly even scratch the surface." 3 It added: "Hastings is popular in the spring and summer, when the sunlit sea is turquoise, the seafront rides are in full swing and the entire town heads out for Jack in the Green — a day of folk dancing, parades and merriment held on May Day. "But in the winter, too, it takes on an all-new Zen, when pubs feel even cosier and the sunsets even more sublime." National Geographic also suggests making time for a session at the Samphire Sauna on Hastings Pier for "great sunset views and direct access to the beach below for a dip." Here is why you should visit this underrated seaside town voted 'worst for a weekend stay' For those willing to venture further, the magazine recommends windswept Pett Level beach, which is six miles away and "ideal for a low-tide dog walk or rockpool splash." It added the surrounding hills, dotted with vineyards like Tillingham, Charles Palmer, and Oastbrook, are also worth exploring. The recommendation comes just three years after Hastings was voted worst in the UK for a short break. The ranking was based on scores taken from feedback from 3,500 people for each location based on a number of categories. This included food and drink, accommodation, and cultural sights. 3 These were then collated to provide an overall average score - which for Hastings came in at just 57 per cent. Hastings received a "food and drink" score of two out of five, an 'accommodation' score of three out of five, and a 'cultural sights' score of three out of five. The town was also rated two for "ease of getting around", two for "value for money", and three for "lack of crowds". Where to eat and drink in Hastings While the original Which? report was critical of the food and drink on offer in Hastings and nearby St Leonard's, the National Geographic heaped praise on the pubs and restaurants in the area, stating they remain one of the main reasons to visit the towns. It said: "The food scene here extends to some excellent options in St Leonards, so leave time for both towns. "In Hastings, you can grab fresh seafood by the fishing huts on The Stade. For a sit-down meal, try the fish and chips at Maggie's, a long-standing cafe with spindle-back chairs and swooping seagull views. "The Crown pub is the spot for a locally brewed pint, while further along the seafront, in St Leonards, you'll find Half Man Half Burger. "The pioneers behind the cool joint took a punt settling in this once rundown town in 2015, but dozens of restaurants have followed. "Bayte is a recent arrival, with velvet sofas and a seasonal menu of fish and pasta dishes. For breakfast? It'd have to be Sleeper Bagel — crammed with everything from salt beef to salmon."
Metro
19 hours ago
- Metro
Spanish town begs tourists ‘please come Monday to Thursday' after crowds cause ‘collapse'
As Spain continues its battle against overtourism, one town has a specific request: it wants visitors to stay away at weekends. Brihuega, in central Spain, is famous for its lavender fields that cover more than 1,000 hectares. Visitors flock to the Insta-perfect location to pose among the purple flowers and buy essential oils — and even beer and cheese — made from the blooms. But Brihuega has become so popular that Mayor Luis Vuego has asked tourists to plan their trips on weekdays, to help ease pressure on local services. 'I recommend visiting us from Monday to Thursday, please,' he said. 'It's more difficult on weekends due to the large number of people who come. 'Last Saturday, for example, the town collapsed. I had a bad time.' Speaking to the ABC Newspaper, Mayor Luis said the town receives 8 million euros in just a few weeks when the lavender is in bloom. But it also means a huge influx of visitors – around 140,000 – in a short period, which is getting increasingly difficult to manage. In particular, the narrow historic streets are not designed for so many people. 'We work hard, we have a security committee, but it's still a large turnout,' said the mayor. That's why I insist: please come from Monday to Thursday.' Mayor Luis doesn't want tourists to stay away entirely, though. The region recently opened its first five-star hotel, and there are plans for a park-and-ride and shuttle buses, scheduled to be up and running by next year. But what is there to see in Brihuega aside from its famous lavender fields? Things to do in Brihuega While lavender season runs from late June to the end of July, Brihuega is a year-round destination. Situated in the Tajuna Valley, it has 'amazing heritage and scenic landscapes, according to Spain's tourism board. One of its top attractions are the Arab Caves of Brihuega. This 'hidden world', which dates back to the 10th-Century, was used for escape routes during sieges, and as a storage space for food and other supplies, due to its consistent temperature of 12C. The caves are located in the town centre near the main square, Plaza del Coso. The underground network is estimated to be around five miles long, but only around 500 metres of the caves are accessible to the public. Aside from its impressive caves, Brihuega is steeped in history. Its medieval streets boast porticoed squares including the Calle Mayor, Plaza del Coso and the Calle de Armas, and monuments including a prison built during the reign of King Charles III and Renaissance-era mansions. @luan_quishpe Brihuega es uno de los pueblos más bonitos de Guadalajara para pasar el día, cada vez más conocido entre los turistas por la floración de la lavanda, que llega a su esplendor a mediados de julio. Los oriundos de Brihuega siempre la llamaron espliego, que es el verdadero nombre de la lavanda, y esa preciosa planta es la que ha acabado por dar fama a la villa briocense. Pero el color morado también tiñe la ciudad: paseando por Brihuega descubrirás cómo la villa se ha entregado a la lavanda, con balcones, puertas, ventanas en color malva. ♬ Love Story – Indila – Penguin Piano Brihuega is also home to one of the oldest bull-running events in Spain, held each year on August 16. Declared a 'Festival of Regional Tourist Interest', it involves a herd of bulls being released from the bullring to run through the streets of the town. If that's not your cup of tea, Brihuega is a great horse riding destination. Visitors can trek the surroundings of the town as well as the lavender fields on horseback. The experience is suited for all levels with one-hour tours starting from €40 per person during the summer. Hot air balloon rides are also available to book over the stunning fields with various local tour groups. How to get to Brihuega Just an hour's drive from Madrid, Brihuega is perfect for a day trip from Spain's cosmopolitan capital. The closest airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, which is around 52 minutes by car. There are plenty of rental car options, and you can expect prices of anything from €20-€70 per day. If you're visiting on public transport, expect a longer journey. Overall, the trip takes around three and a half hours. You'll have to catch a train from Atocha to Guadalajara, then hop on a bus there to Brihuega. There is a service called the Lavender Train that connects Madrid to Brihuega during the month of July, when the lavender fields are in full bloom. It includes a train and coach transfer to Brihuega, a guided tour of the historic centre, and transport to the lavender fields. Tickets are sold on Renfe's official website and usually sell out quickly. This year, tickets were priced at €50 for adults €20 for children. If you're dying to visit — make sure to go between Monday and Thursday. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Comments
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
Three NYC icons were just named the top attractions in America
New York City doesn't need a PR team—but if it did, Tripadvisor just handed the Big Apple a glowing three-page resume. The global travel site unveiled its 2025 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do, and three iconic NYC landmarks made the cut as top-rated attractions in the U.S., based entirely on glowing visitor reviews. Clocking in as one of the most beloved attractions in the country? The Empire State Building. Yes, she's still got it. Nearly a century after opening her doors, the Art Deco queen of Midtown continues to reign supreme with her dizzying views and cinematic glow. Tripadvisor users praised the smooth ticketing process, revamped observatory and overall 'wow' factor, especially for first-time visitors. But she's not alone. Central Park also scored a coveted spot, proving once again that New Yorkers don't just tolerate green space—they live for it. Spanning 843 acres of ponds, meadows, secret gardens and selfie-studded bridges, the park ranked high for its sheer variety of things to do (picnics, boat rides, squirrel watching) and its status as a year-round escape from the city's concrete hustle. And last but not least: the Brooklyn Bridge. Whether you're dodging e-bike tourists or catching sunrise over the East River, this 140-year-old span is as beloved by locals as it is by travelers. Reviewers raved about the epic skyline views, photo ops and the sheer romance of walking from borough to borough on foot. These three New York landmarks were in good company on Tripadvisor's top 10 U.S. attractions list, which also included Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, Sun Studio in Memphis, and the chart-topping NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which claimed the No. 1 spot. Globally, Spain's Sagrada Familia claimed top honors, and the most popular experience in the world was a Renaissance and Medici-themed tour in Florence, Italy. But when it comes to American must-sees, New York continues to prove it's not just a one-hit wonder—it's the whole show.
