The Best Beaches in Croatia Are Blissfully Wild
One of the key distinguishing factors of Croatian beaches is that they are often pebbled or rocky. While this might require a pair of swim shoes, Adriatic Luxury Hotels' Barbara Krilanovic notes it helps maintain the famously clear turquoise water compared to sandy beaches. 'Croatia's beaches are known for their clarity, dramatic settings, and a sense of authenticity that's becoming harder to find in Europe,' she says.
The country stretches along the eastern edge of the Adriatic Sea, with a long, jagged coastline dotted with over a thousand islands. From the historic beaches of Dubrovnik to the hidden coves of Dugi Otok and Vis, there's much to be discovered. Ahead, 13 breathtaking beaches to plan your next Croatian getaway around.
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Croatia has over 1,200 islands and a long Adriatic coastline stretching over a thousand miles. There are hundreds of beaches in the country, offering a mix of sandy, pebble, and rocky shorelines.
Sveti Jakov, Dubrovnik, Dalmatia
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This Hotel Has Rome's First Three Michelin Star Restaurant and the City's Best Views—Here's What It's Like to Eat There
No matter where I turned inside Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, I could not escape the feeling of magnificence. It seeps through the fine art on the walls, like the rare triptych by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo that hangs in the lobby. It's palpable from the hotel's balconies that peer over Rome's iconic landmarks. The magnificence can even be experienced through taste, as it is home to Rome's first three Michelin star restaurant, La Pergola. La Pergola is more than just the jewel in the hotel's crown, it is that to the city as well. The restaurant recently underwent a full renovation and reopened its doors last year, revealing an interior that pays homage to the grand city it calls home. The new design, executed by Paris-based Studio Jouin Manku, cleverly tells the story of Rome—think terracotta hues that mirror the city's rooftops, crystal chandeliers that allude to Roman rainfall, and a bar carved from travertine, the stone used for the Coliseum and so many Ancient Roman icons. Upon further inspection, you can see the design is laced with unexpected moments that serve as an amuse-bouche to the dining experience. My personal favorite is the masterfully embroidered wall nook by Atelier Montex, which showcases designs of chef Heinz Beck's most treasured flowers and herbs. The vast library of wine at La Pergola includes more than 60,000 bottles, including ultra-rare vintages in the cellar. These wines can be explored through the full 10-course experience with five wines (1,200 euros per couple), the abbreviated seven-course menu with four wines (1,000 euros per couple), or you can choose to order a la carte and drink by the glass. The premium beverage offerings trickle into a global water menu, where both mineral and bottled waters from around the world can be found. While many flock to Rome to get lost in its maze of frenetic trattorias, chef Beck provides a radically different approach to Italian cuisine—save for his signature dish, the Faggotelli La Pergola, an inverted version of Rome's classic carbonara, where pouches of handmade pasta are filled with the cheesy, peppery sauce, creating a flavorful explosion with each bite. Beck's methods are often scientific, balancing flavor with chemical precision—so much so that his work is cited in Italian academia. Most important to the Bavarian-born chef is focusing on balance and health. His risotto, for instance, is made without any milk or solid cheese, its indulgent creaminess created rather through technique. The meal begins with a slew of artistic small plates prepared tableside, an intimate, tone-setting moment between chef and patron. The tasting menu is a tour of local ingredients such as Alba white truffles, Mediterranean red shrimp, and Italian veal. As the final espresso hits your lips and your hands find the drawers of a fantastic biscuit cabinet, you'll understand how La Pergola has kept a firm grip on its Three Michelin Stars. While La Pergola is a gastronome's most prized work of art at Rome Cavalieri, it certainly has its competition. The hotel's private art collection of over 1,000 original pieces adorn the walls of its grand hallways, lobby, and suites. The public galleries make for a perfect moment pre- or post-dinner. Expect to find 17th-century paintings, such as "Judith with the Head of Holofernes," marble statues like "The Kiss ," tapestries including "The Triumph of Mars," and the collection's true treasure, the aforementioned triptych by Tiepolo. A nightcap is best served at Rome Cavalieri's Tiepolo Bar, which is often brought to life with both a live piano and a front row seat to Tiepolo's masterpieces. The craft cocktail menu, called The Art Collection, draws upon the hotel's various art pieces for inspiration. "Each drink is a liquid interpretation of an iconic work of art, crafted to evoke emotions and inspiration—just as a great artist does with their brush," writes Angelo Severini, the chief mixologist. Drinks like " represent the hotel's private Andy Warhol "Dollar Signs" collection, which can be found in the penthouse suite. While it is easy to get lost in Rome Cavalieri's lavish amenities, some of its most memorable moments come from outside. Positioned atop Monte Mario, Rome's highest hill, the hotel's 15 acres provide sweeping views of the Eternal City, a reminder that it is both a spectator to Rome's magnificence and the keeper of some of its greatest stories.
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Instead of figuring out the regulations, pricing dynamics, and competitive threats in every region of the world, Lyft can concentrate resources on improving service, increasing driver supply, and fine-tuning pricing where it already operates. Second, this singular focus allows management to dedicate attention and capital to its primary product -- ride-hailing. That's showing up in the numbers. In Q2 2025, Lyft reported a record 26.1 million active riders, a 10% year-over-year increase, and facilitated nearly 235 million rides, up 14% from the prior year. These gains suggest Lyft is successfully attracting and retaining customers and drivers alike, crucial ingredients for long-term viability. This strategy contrasts with Uber's expansive portfolio, which includes food delivery, freight, and fintech businesses across more than 70 countries. While Uber benefits from diversification, its leadership has to balance competing priorities and capital allocation. Lyft's leaner model is simpler but also potentially more efficient. Focus reflected in the bottom line That focus isn't just a talking point -- it's showing up in Lyft's financials. The company reported $4.5 billion in gross bookings for the second quarter of 2025, representing a 12% year-over-year increase. Net income expanded to $40 million, up from $5 million the previous year. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) grew 26% to $129 million, reflecting steadily improving margins, up from 1.2% in the second quarter of 2023 to 2.9% in the current period. Importantly, Lyft has turned positive on free cash flow -- a milestone in an industry notorious for cash burn. It first delivered positive trailing-12-month free cash flow (FCF) of $368 million in the second quarter of 2024. Since then, the FCF has increased to $993 million in the second quarter of 2025, representing a nearly threefold increase over the past year. With a growing free cash flow, Lyft can redirect it into further refining its operations, as well as its targeted expansion strategy -- starting with Europe. Europe enters the picture with the FreeNow acquisition Lyft's recent €175 million acquisition of FreeNow, a leading European mobility platform serving 180 cities in nine countries, marks a meaningful step beyond North America. FreeNow's established presence offers Lyft a ready-made platform to test its focused ride-hailing model internationally, expanding its addressable market while maintaining operational discipline. This move signals Lyft's intention to grow -- but on its terms. Instead of chasing global dominance, Lyft is opting for targeted, capital-efficient expansion that complements its core strengths. And the benefits could be massive. One thing to note is that Lyft's U.S. riders can now use the Freenow service when traveling to Europe, and vice versa for Freenow riders. Similarly, drivers can now expect more rides, which should improve driver income and enhance loyalty. What investors should watch in the coming quarters Of course, focus cuts both ways. The challenge for Lyft will be to grow meaningfully without diluting its focus. That could mean expanding into adjacent mobility services, such as rentals, bikes, or partnerships with autonomous vehicle providers, while still keeping its operations concentrated in North America and now in Europe. As Lyft executes this strategy, investors should track several key indicators: Active riders and ride volume: Sustained growth in this area indicates continued demand and engagement in core markets. Adjusted EBITDA margin: Indicates whether Lyft can sustain and improve profitability as it scales. Free cash flow: Essential for assessing Lyft's financial health and its ability to invest internally. Driver supply and retention metrics: Drivers are the backbone of ride-hailing economics. 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The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Can Lyft Win by Staying Small? was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
8 hours ago
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How to find the cheapest train tickets as passengers face 5.5% rise in rail fares
Campaigners have said a potential 5.5% rise in regulated fares is 'outrageous' - but there are some ways you can save money when buying tickets. Train fares in England could jump by 5.5% next year following an uptick in UK inflation, financial analysts have warned. July's Retail Prices Index (RPI) measure of inflation - which is often used to determine increases in the cost of train tickets - will be announced on Wednesday. While the government has not confirmed how it will determine the cap in regulated fare rises for 2026, this year's hike of 4.6% was one percentage point above the RPI rate in July last year. With this July's RPI figure expected to be 4.5%, according to banking group Investec, train fares in England could jump by 5.5%. Bruce Williamson, spokesman for transport pressure group Railfuture said "it would be outrageous" if fares rose by that much, adding that there is no justification in "jacking up fares above inflation". "It's ripping off the customer, driving people off the trains and onto our congested road network, which is in no-one's interest." Chief executive of lobby group Campaign for Better Transport, Ben Plowden, warned that rising fares are "putting people off rail travel", pointing to a survey that found 71% of people would be more likely to take the train if prices were lower. With passengers facing yet another rise in fares, here is a guide on how to save as much money as possible on your train tickets. Get a Railcard There are currently nine available Railcards, depending on your situation and needs, which can knock off 1/3 of your train fare. Most Railcards can be purchased online with the option to download as a digital Railcard to your smartphone or device with our Railcard App. Some one-year Railcards can also be purchased at any staffed National Rail ticket office. You can book your discounted train tickets online or in person, but you must be able to present your Railcard to inspectors during your journey for your ticket to be valid. 16-17 Saver: £35 for one year 16-25 Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years 26-30 Railcard: £35 for one year Disabled Persons Railcard: £20 for one year, £54 for three years Family & Friends Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Network Railcard: £35 for one year Senior Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Two Together Railcard: £35 for one year Veterans Railcard: £35 for one year, £80 for three years Book in advance Train companies sell around a million advance tickets every week, according to National Rail. Tickets are usually released 12 weeks in advance, although this can vary, the rail industry body says, adding that the "earlier you book, the better the chance you have of getting the best price". Advance tickets are still available until the day of travel on many routes - sometimes up to 10 minutes before departure. While advance fares are single tickets valid only on the date and train shown on the ticket, they can be combined with other tickets to create an entire journey. Changes can be made before departure, but may be subject to a £10 admin fee and other terms and conditions. Buy a season ticket If you make the same journey more than once a week, it might be worth investing in a season ticket rather than buying tickets daily. An annual season ticket offers a full year's worth of travel for the price of 10 months and 12 days, Network Rail says. Part-time commuters may also want to consider Flexi season tickets, which give passengers day return travel for eight days within a 28-day period. Passengers don't need to choose their travel days in advance, providing plenty of flexibility for hybrid workers who only occasionally come into the office. Depending on your circumstances, you might save more money with either a weekly, monthly or annual season ticket. You can use National Rail's season ticket calculator here to see which ticket is right for you. Travel in a group If you're a small group travelling together, you can also use GroupSave on a variety of Off-Peak tickets across the rail network. GroupSave tickets save up to 1/3 on rail fares for adults travelling in a group of three to nine people. They can be bought for single or return journeys at off-peak or super-off peak times. Make sure you stick with the whole group you booked for to ensure your tickets remain valid during your journey. Travel during quieter times Off-Peak fares are cheaper tickets for travelling at less busy times during weekdays, and all day on weekends, National Rail says. You may have to travel at specified times, or on specified days or routes. On longer distance journeys, if you travel in a peak period one way but want to return when it is less busy, consider booking a combination of advance, off-peak and anytime fares to get the best deal. Rover and Ranger tickets Most train companies offer a selection of Rover tickets and Ranger tickets, which offer unlimited travel within a specified area and time period. Ranger tickets are valid for one day only, while Rover tickets are valid for longer (although still within a limited time period). For example, you could buy a Rover ticket that allows travel within a specific geographical area for three consecutive days, or within a 15-day period. These tickets may also include local bus travel, and there are often other offers and discounts available, including 50% off for children aged five to 15, 50% off for people with a 16-17 Saver Railcard and 1/3 off fares with other Railcards. How are train fares decided? About 45% of fares on Britain's railways are regulated by the Westminster, Scottish and Welsh governments, while the rest are set by train operators themselves. Regulated fares include season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long-distance routes, and flexible tickets for travel around major cities. The Department for Transport (DfT) said there will be an update on changes to regulated fares later this year. Operators set rises in unregulated fares, although these are likely to be very close to regulated ticket increases because their decisions are heavily influenced by governments. A DfT spokesperson said: "The Transport Secretary has made clear her number one priority is getting the railways back to a place where people can rely on them. "The government is putting passengers at the heart of its plans for public ownership and Great British Railways, delivering the services they deserve and driving growth. "No decisions have been made on next year's rail fares but our aim is that prices balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers." Read more Everything you need to know as ScotRail prepares to scrap peak train fares (The National) Voices: 'We're falling behind': Heathrow expansion sparks backlash over UK's 'outdated' travel infrastructure (The Independent) Train firms accused of 'vexatious' plot to derail Labour nationalisation (The Telegraph)
