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Euronews
24-05-2025
- Euronews
Explore Rome's religious treasures on a 16th-century pilgrimage route
Rome is a splendour of religious riches that attracts over 30 million visitors annually, and 2025 is a particularly significant year for this cradle of Catholicism. The Vatican is celebrating a Jubilee Year with dozens of events. The funeral of Pope Francis and the election of a new pontiff have also shone a spotlight on the Italian capital. If you are heading to Rome to marvel at its myriad religious monuments, it can be hard to know where to start. For a particularly meaningful way to visit Rome's major churches - and to sidestep the crowds - try following in the footsteps of a 16th-century saint. Though you may not expect it, the Eternal City is a delight to explore on foot. In fact, a recent ranking by GuruWalk placed Rome first as the most walkable city in the world, describing it as 'an open-air museum that deserves to be explored thoroughly, step by step'. St Philip Neri conceived the Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches around the year 1553, and tracing the route has become one of Rome's oldest religious traditions. There are slight variations you can take, but it is roughly 25 kilometres and snakes around the whole city between the seven major basilicas. If you start early in the morning, it can make for an impressive full-day challenge. Otherwise, you can split it over days and easily take public transport to return to the place you left off. It is a good idea to begin the route at St Peter's Basilica. Given that the church is very busy at the moment, it makes sense to join the queue as early as possible for the shortest waiting time. It will make it easier to see the artistic treasures inside the cavernous church, from Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture to Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Baldacchino - a richly carved bronze canopy surmounting the high altar. To see sights en route during daylight and opening hours, it's best to make the next stop the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, around an hour's walk away. The route takes you past the hulking Sant'Angelo castle and over the homonymous bridge lined with drapery-clad stone angels with views down the Tiber River. The cobbled, atmospheric Via dei Coronari leads you to Piazza Navona, home to the aquatic theatrics of Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain. The road continues on, passing directly in front of the majestic Trevi Fountain. Another 20 minutes walking takes you to the second of Rome's major churches, where Pope Francis chose to be buried. Santa Maria Maggiore is a key place of worship for Marian devotion, containing a sacred Byzantine icon featuring the Virgin known as the Salus Populi Romani, or Protectress of the Roman people. A half hour's walk, passing in front of the Termini railway station and along the wide boulevard Via dei Ramni, takes you to the church of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura. The building was reconstructed after bombing during the Second World War, but it lies on the ancient site of the martyrdom of St Lawrence, who was roasted alive on a grill in 258. The saint's relics are housed inside. Another half-hour stretch leads to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, passing the ancient Roman Porta Maggiore gateway and aqueducts en route. The pale stone Baroque structure was envisaged as a giant reliquary and houses some of the most famous relics in Christianity recovered by St Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 325. Among them are the Holy Nail, some fragments of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Christ and a bone from the finger of St Thomas the Apostle. From here, follow the ancient Aurelian walls along Via Carlo Felice for 15 minutes to the monumental Papal Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. This is the Cathedral of Rome, as well as the oldest and most important basilica in the West. Consecrated in the 4th century, it houses the relics of the heads of the Apostles of Rome, Peter and Paul, kept in an exquisite gilded Gothic canopy over the papal altar. The next stretch to the sixth church takes just over an hour, passing along the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls and down the Via Appia Antica, an ancient road where you lose the city for a moment and seem transported to bucolic countryside. The Basilica of San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura is simpler, at least compared to the majesty of the previous churches. It contains an arrow and part of the column from St Sebastian's martyrdom and the Bust of the Saviour, the last sculptural masterpiece by Bernini, rediscovered in 2001 in the adjacent convent. The final church is reached along the Via delle Sette Chiese, named for the seven churches pilgrimage. The peaceful road through Rome's outskirts leads to the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura, the second-largest church in Rome. Founded in the 4th century, it was rebuilt in neo-classical style following a fire in the 19th century. Make sure you visit the cloister, a vestige from the 13th century, and its graceful, mosaic inlaid columns. If you time your day right, you can then meander for a sunset-tinged hour back along the banks of the Tiber, with a little detour through the characterful, labyrinthine Trastevere neighbourhood, to return to St Peter's. Planning a summer blowout? Don't count on booking an Airbnb to host it. The popular short-term rental platform says it is once again deploying anti-party technology to block 'high-risk' bookings. The system uses machine learning to screen guests based on warning signs, such as short stays, last-minute reservations and how far they live from the listing. If a booking is flagged, users are blocked from renting entire homes – though alternative accommodation options are suggested. The move is part of the company's push to 'promote responsible travel and help hosts safeguard their spaces' during peak demand. Since launching a global 'party ban' in 2020, Airbnb says reports of disruptive events have dropped by half. This is the fourth year Airbnb has used the system. In 2024, the company claims it stopped over 51,000 would-be partiers during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends in the US – two of the most popular travel weekends in the country. While Airbnb cracks down on parties, the wider impacts of short-term rentals remain under scrutiny. That is especially true in European cities where the platform is blamed for rising rents, housing shortages and neighbourhood disruption. Czechia, for example, has introduced limits on short-term rentals like Airbnb in its city centres to cut down on noise disturbances – a move welcomed by district councillors. Amsterdam limits property owners to 60 rental days per year, one of many efforts to address overtourism, noise pollution and housing issues before they worsen. The city also introduced a 'Stay Away' campaign and interactive quiz to test visitors on behavioural etiquette to clamp down on rowdy parties and noise. But few places have made Airbnb as big of a flashpoint as Spain – especially Barcelona. The Catalonian capital already required permits for tourist rentals and imposed taxes and rental limits before it set out to ban the platform entirely. Barcelona later announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028. The move was made to prioritise housing for permanent residents and reduce the kinds of disturbances that have plagued its downtown, as well as cities such as Seville and Valencia. Spain's central government recently upped the pressure on Airbnb, ordering 65,000 holiday listings removed nationwide for failure to follow rules and regulations. Founded in 2007 as a peer-to-peer platform, Airbnb has grown into a globe-spanning ecosystem that rivals the hotel industry. But as the platform has boomed, it has faced pressure from cities struggling to balance tourism growth with quality of life. Airbnb says its anti-party screening is just one element of a broader strategy to ensure responsible stays and support hosts. The platform also uses machine learning to screen global reservations for risky bookings and offers free noise sensors, a round-the-clock safety line and a support channel for law enforcement to report concerns. Questions remain about the efficacy of these tools, but the message is clear: if you're planning to party, don't expect Airbnb to roll out the welcome mat.
Time Out
21-05-2025
- Time Out
London is officially one of the world's best cities to explore on foot
We know that Londoners love a bit of hiking gear, but did you know that London has now been voted as one of the world's most walkable cities? Time to put those Salomons to good use. The experts at the walking tour platform GuruWalk have ranked the 100 best walking cities in the world for 2025. The platform created the ranking based on its data from March 2024 to April 2025. It looked at the number of page views each city had received on the platform and cross-referenced with booking trends. The Big Smoke may be sprawling, but it made its way into the top 10. In the global list, London came in seventh place, being beaten by Rome, Budapest and Madrid which came in first, second and third respectively. The UK capital climbed two places from last year when it came in ninth. According to the report, tourist hotspots like Buckingham Palace, Camden Town and Soho, are all 'ideal for exploring at a leisurely pace on foot'. As seasoned walkers, we also recommend taking a stroll through one of London's eclectic markets, or some of our glorious parks. London was the only British city to make the top 10, however Scotland's Edinburgh did make it into the top 20, coming in 19th thanks to its stunning Gothic architecture, cobbled streets and views well worth hiking for. You can read more about that here. At Time Out we surveyed more thank 18,500 people to come up with our own ranking of the UK's most walkable cities. Read about that here to see how it compares. Top 10 best walking cities for 2025, according to GuruWalk Rome, Italy Budapest, Hungary Madrid, Spain Prague, Czech Republic Barcelona, Spain Lisbon, Portugal London, United Kingdom Florence, Italy Amsterdam, Netherlands Berlin, Germany
Daily Record
20-05-2025
- Daily Record
Two Scottish cities named among world's top spots for exploring on foot
If you're after a city best explored step by step, two destinations in Scotland have made their mark on the global stage. Our two biggest settlements have been named among the best in the world when it comes to walkability. Edinburgh and Glasgow have been included in a top 100 global list by travel platform GuruWalk, thanks to their architecture, culture, and interesting and historical routes. When it comes to exploring a city, nothing beats discovering it on foot. While open-top bus tours have their charm, the real magic lies in wandering down side streets, past hidden gems and through centuries of history that vehicles can't reach. Walking not only gives you a closer look but keeps your step count high and your wallet happy. Travel platform GuruWalk, which connects tourists with local guides offering free walking tours, compiled the list from March 2024 to April 2025, based on page views and booking trends across its global platform. Edinburgh maintained its impressive 19th-place finish from last year, thanks to its captivating mix of history, architecture and atmosphere. GuruWalk said: 'Edinburgh enchants with its blend of medieval architecture and contemporary atmosphere. From the Castle to the Royal Mile, the city invites you to explore it at a leisurely pace. Every corner here feels magical!' Visitors to the capital can take part in free themed walks, including ghosts and mysteries of the Royal Mile, a Mary Queen of Scots tour, a Harry Potter-themed route and even a Trainspotting-inspired walk through Leith. Further down the list, Glasgow secured 91st place, continuing to charm with its cultural buzz and striking architecture. GuruWalk said: 'Glasgow is renowned for its lively arts, music and cultural scene. "Strolling through its streets means discovering impressive Victorian buildings, contemporary galleries and an ever-changing culinary scene that reflects its young and dynamic spirit.' Guided walks in the city include tours along the River Clyde, the old Tollbooth, Buchanan Street, Glasgow Cathedral, and routes exploring the city's darker secrets. London also made the cut, with GuruWalk praising its mix of past and present. They said: 'With an unrivalled combination of history and modernity, London fascinates travellers from all over the world with places such as Buckingham Palace, Camden Town and Soho, which are ideal for exploring at a leisurely pace on foot.' Topping the list this year was Rome, followed closely by Budapest and Madrid. GuruWalk said: 'Rome tops this ranking once again. The Eternal City remains a key destination for travellers fascinated by ancient history. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "The Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Baroque squares make Rome an open-air museum that deserves to be explored thoroughly, step by step.' On Budapest, they added: 'Known as the 'Pearl of the Danube', Budapest blends imperial architecture with a vibrant cultural scene. The Parliament, the Fisherman's Bastion and the thermal baths are some of the best places to discover on foot.' And about Madrid, they wrote: 'The Spanish capital offers the perfect combination of art, urban life and iconic parks. Strolling through its streets from the Plaza Mayor to the Retiro is like diving into a lively city full of surprises.'
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The world's most walkable city revealed as European gem tops the list
Stroll into summer with a holiday in one of these incredible walkable destinations. A new ranking by the walking experts at GuruWalk, a booking platform for free walking tours, has revealed the globe's easiest cities to explore on foot. So, where is the world's most walkable city? Rome tops the list of this year's ranking. GuruWalk explains: 'The Eternal City remains a key destination for travellers fascinated by ancient history. 'The Colosseum, the Pantheon and the Baroque squares make Rome an open-air museum that deserves to be explored thoroughly, step by step.' Many of Rome's key attractions are located within walking distance of each other. The Italian capital's centre is also fairly flat making it easy to navigate. Second on the walkable list is Budapest, the capital city of Hungary. GuruWalk says: 'Known as the "Pearl of the Danube", Budapest blends imperial architecture with a vibrant cultural scene.' Tourists can stroll from St Stephen's Basilica to Budapest's Houses of Parliament in just 15 minutes. After exploring on foot, visitors can relax in one of Budapest's iconic thermal bath houses. Madrid, Spain's capital, rounds off the top three. GuruWalk says the Spanish metropolis 'offers the perfect combination of art, urban life and iconic parks'. The city's Museo Nacional del Prado, home to works by Goya and Velaquez, is just five minutes walk from Retiro Park, one of Madrid's best places to unwind. When it comes to the UK, London ranks highest for walkability. GuruWalk celebrates the Big Smoke's 'unrivalled combination of history and modernity'. Despite the UK capital's size, pedestrianised areas such as Covent Garden and the South Bank make it one of the country's most walkable cities. Edinburgh also earns a place in the top 20, ranking in 19th position worldwide. GuruWalk explains: 'Edinburgh enchants with its blend of medieval architecture and contemporary atmosphere.' Many of the Scottish capital's top attractions are centred around the city's Royal Mile, making it easy for tourists to explore the city on foot. Glasgow lands a place in the top 100 ranking, squeezing onto the scoreboard in 91st position. GuruWalk reveals: 'Strolling through its streets means discovering impressive Victorian buildings, contemporary galleries and an ever-changing culinary scene that reflects its young and dynamic spirit.' New York is the only U.S city to make the top 100, coming in 33rd position in the ranking. Guru Walk says: 'Walking through Central Park, along Fifth Avenue or exploring iconic neighbourhoods like Soho and Brooklyn offers a unique experience full of contrasts.' THE WORLD'S MOST WALKABLE CITIES 1. Rome, Italy 2. Budapest, Hungary 3. Madrid, Spain 4. Prague, Czechia 5. Barcelona, Spain 6. Lisbon, Portugal 7. London, UK 8. Florence, Italy 9. Amsterdam, Netherlands 10. Berlin, Germany 11. Paris, France 12. Porto, Portugal 13. Vienna, Austria 14. Seville, Spain 15. Venice, Italy 16. Toledo, Spain 17. Istanbul, Turkey 18. Milan, Italy 19. Edinburgh, Scotland 20. Krakow, Poland 21. Brussels, Belgium 22. Dubrovnik, Croatia 23. Copenhagen, Denmark 24. Marrakesh, Morocco 25. Split, Croatia 26. Malaga, Spain 27. Naples, Italy 28. Valencia, Spain 29. Bruges, Belgium 30. Dublin, Ireland 31. Santiago de Compostela, Spain 32. Munich, Germany 33. New York, USA 34. Granada, Spain 35. Mexico City, Mexico 36. Tokyo, Japan 37. Medellin, Colombia 38. Stockholm, Sweden 39. Hanoi, Vietnam 40. Cartagena, Colombia 41. Bilbao, Spain 42. Kyoto, Japan 43. Cordoba, Spain 44. Bratislava, Slovakia 45. Buenos Aires, Argentina 46. Tirana, Albania 47. Cusco, Peru 48. Santiago, Chile 49. Bucharest, Romania 50. Ljubljana, Slovenia Source: Guruwalk Prague, Barcelona, Lisbon, Florence, Amsterdam and Berlin also make the global top 10. Prague is described as a 'magical European capital' to discover on foot while Barcelona is the 'ideal city' to get a little lost in, says GuruWalk. Lisbon might be hilly but its compact city centre means it's suitable for walkers who don't mind tackling an incline. Looking for an under the radar getaway? A gorgeous city in Germany has been revealed as the cheapest place to fly to this summer and a beer there is only £2.50.
