United Kingdom
Independent Premium Travel The Greek capital can be too hot to trot, even in shoulder season. Lucy Thackray breaks up its urban crush with sparkling Aegean beaches and coastal walks Thursday 22 October 2020 18:56 T he Acropolis might as well be a sauna.
Is flying long-haul worth the worry and faff? Lucy Thackray catches Virgin's first post-lockdown flight to find out
An argument for solo travel, and the way it changes you, in the final issue of The Sunday Times Travel Magazine
This is the Greece that time forgot: no blingy beach resorts, no pretentious restaurants, just sleepy beaches and family tavernas
Loveliest cabins booked up all summer? Try one of these cosy hideaways for autumn
Buzzy markets, designer digs, boutiques of cool buys and food to rival New York’s… Lucy Thackray has a real passion for India’s hippest city
Volcanic, palmy and immortalised on vintage travel posters, it's *the* holiday fantasy. But is it worth the journey - and the money?
If you love it, you'll love it forever. If you hate it, you'll never understand. Big Apple addict Lucy Thackray shares her secrets to tackling the city in style
Why the Croatian capital is the perfect bite-sized green city for a spring break
Need to really escape the British winter? It doesn't get much better than these jewelled isles in the Indian Ocean
Why the Big Apple is at its russet, nippy, atmospheric best in 'fall'
To celebrate our 200th issue, we round up our the most stylish, comfy and best-located city hotels under £200 a night
Not all food tours are necessary, but Buenos Aires's parrillas (steakhouses) require a bit of decoding...
This quaint outdoor food market is film-set picturesque
Planning your dream South American adventure? Here's how to approach the land of tango, parrillas and Patagonia
Thinking of escaping to this soulful tropical island? Here's how to tackle your trip
Is it still possible to find unspoilt, crowd-free perfection among Thailand's islands? Lucy Thackray boards a small-ship cruiser for luminous waters and secret shores
Don't need the beach? Go for the food, the art, the history, and that intangible whirl of bohemian colour that makes Mexico such a trendsetter
Where next after Mexico City? It has to be this southern state's earthy capital, home to all things delicious, handcrafted and mystical
You could eat your way through this greedy, arty, stylish metropolis in a week - though two or three days will give you a good taste
Wondering which storied hotel to stay at in the Big Apple? Here's how they compare
Cool cities, rugged coast, wine tours and top-value safaris - all in 10 days? South Africa's diverse south coast packs a lot of action, says Lucy Thackray
Palatial marble lobbies, mega-chandeliers and Champagne-fuelled brunches - this city is all about the high life. Here's where to sheikh things up
Six country house hotels that stand out from the pack - all an hour or two's drive outside of the UK's major cities
Put your best(-heeled) foot forward to shop, sip, graze and gallery-gaze
This riverside metropolis is as pretty as a street-artist's sketch, all elegant spires, leafy avenues and illuminated bridges. But with two distinct halves separated by the hefty Danube, you need a game plan. Don't pick a side - weave in and out.
India's go-go entertainment hub isn't a city of sights, it's a city of people. Beyond a few monuments and relics of the British Raj, you'll want to mingle with the stylish locals, in bars, galleries and restaurants as cool as Manhattan's
You've nailed the flights and hotel - don't fall at the first-dinner hurdle, says Lucy Thackray
You can dig into its quaint alleys and cellar pubs without shuffling behind the herd - just be sure to time those big sights right, and know your escape routes. Czech mate.
It's not all £10k-a-night resorts: and great-value guesthouses in the Maldives and Mauritius are just as blessed with paradise looks
The Glee and Scream Queens star lives between New York and LA - so she knows the best of both
Enormous sculptures you can climb, bargain design hotels, Spanish food halls, High Line buzz, vegan comfort food, and added value to the Statue of Liberty
From opulent hotels to OTT resorts, this West End star knows the island of Mallorca like the back of his (jazz) hands
British chef Nathan Outlaw reveals his favourite fishy feasts, from Dartmouth to Sydney
Hiking weather, glam hotels, swanky dinners and more
My pick of what to see, splash out on - and skip - in the UAE's holiday city
Foodie festivals, free opera, rooftop cocktails, and more
The footballer and dad of three chats beach therapy, seaside games, and sneaking off to the spa
Video, Canouan This beach-blessed island in the exclusive Grenadines is an alluring place to stay - but for anyone with an adventurous spirit, Canouan is also a great place from which to set sail.
In her new book, the TV presenter explores Southeast Asia, China and India. She tells us her highs and lows
Music pumping by the roadside; jewel-toned rainforest pools; raucous, come-on-in rum bars - this is beach lazing with a lot on the side
The UK's most visited museum is packed with treasures - and tourists. Lucy Thackray cuts through the madness
Where to find Hollywood history, movie moments, and legendary hangouts in the City of Stars
A scene in a Woody Allen movie, a passage from an F. Scott Fitzgerald novel; there are many moments of pop culture kept in perpetuity in the Big Apple. Find them and more with this CITY GUIDE.
The country singer and American Idol tells us how to nail her hometown, Nashville
Croatia's Istrian peninsula majors in ribbony pastas, fresh seafood - and fragrant truffles, finds Lucy Thackray
After all those away games, the ex-England player and star World Cup pundit knows the key to a great hotel
The Croatian capital is a pocket rocket: walkable, pretty, delicious and a bargain to boot
I rave about long-time favourites Hotel Icon, Tjampuhan Bali and Coco Bodu Hithi in our World's Best Hotels issue
I rave about long-time favourites Hoxton Amsterdam, Corral del Rey, Pikes Ibiza, The Merrion, and Ett Hem, in our World's Best Hotels issue
I rave about long-time favourites Waves, The Beverly Wilshire & The Mark in our all-time World's Best Hotels issue
I rave about long-time favourites Lime Wood, Dunstane House and The Cary Arms in our World's Best Hotels issue
New lodges with hot tubs, Poldark-ish cliffs and posh dinners - we're coveting some Cornish glamour
Argentina's a fortnight-long, anoraks-on mission of a destination, right? Wrong: you can dip into the north for a sexy, delicious, lightweight week, says Lucy Thackray - especially if you bag a bargain flight
This sprawling archipelago city specialises in quirky, personality-rich hotels. So you can bag charisma on any budget, says Lucy Thackray
The British model and luggage designer knows how to pack light and look slick on the road
How to spend two days eating the best of Nice's slow-cooked stews and grab-and-go market treats
Can you remember when you hit double figures? In countries you've visited, that is. The big 1-0 must be some sort of travel milestone, yet I've no idea whether I was 15 or 28 when I passed it. I'd never given it much thought - any, really - until I started using dating apps.
Beyond other islands' water parks and booming bars lies the peace and quiet that gave the Caribbean its relaxed reputation. Lucy Thackray sinks into the sleepiness of lush, hushed Nevis
The UK's Eurovision entry knows which of our neighbours do holidays that pop
Whenever I'm planning a trip, I ask pals, acquaintances and even relative strangers for their tips. It often beats stumbling upon things organically. But lately, I've noticed that - as with most city guides and online itineraries published this side of the millennium - my tipsters are steering me away from the main sights and the famous restaurants.
It may not be the obvious time to go, but NYC sizzles in spring and summer - and its parks, piers and boats make sightseeing a breeze
Done the first-timer's sightseeing trail, but still craving more of Rome? Try renting an apartment and exploring its laid-back neighbourhoods
The Black Panther and Avengers actor gives us the inside track on his home island, Tobago
Honeymoon hideaway, fly-and-flop haven or glam bolthole? Greece's poster-girl island has them all
Why Cali's sizzling for spring 2018
New hotel openings abound on the Aegean’s turquoise shores this year. Here are our favourites…
Why Porto makes a lovely port-soaked, riverside amble during the spring months
She's chancing it with a solo holiday in the most romantic destination on earth. Will Lucy Thackray fall for its embrace - or give it the heave-ho?
The CBeebies and This Morning doc gives us his prescription for a feelgood family holiday
Why South America's huge, diverse, natural-wonder-packed nation is bang on trend
I count down the five so-2018 things to tick off in the Big Apple this year (and daydream about the Seychelles for spring)
Burnt out and stuck in an emotional rut, I fly to jungly Chiang Mai for a week of therapy - with a side of elephants and pad Thai
Is your New Year's resolution to finally start that novel? Skyros's weekend with an author will light a fire under you
This heavenly bakery has romantic European architecture, Hollywood history and bread to die for
Reviews of Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, The Hollywood Roosevelt, Ace Hotel Downtown and The Garland, Los Angeles
As the chill of winter envelops London, Britain's capital is at its twinkly, moonlight-speckled best. Here are six neighbourhoods that glow with festive spirit
From Wurlitzer organs to stained glass windows, the UK does tiny, curious museums like nowhere else
Want a piece of this quainter-than-quaint, russet-leaved Welsh countryside? Here's where and when to go
Doing a group hol to a UK hideaway? Here are some tips and tricks for getting it right
Everything you need to know about this petite twin-island nation, a hop onward from Antigua
How to have a big adventure: from Serengeti camp-outs to Sri Lanka with the kids
From golden elephant sculptures to kaleidoscopic mosaics, these worldwide hotels bring the gallery to your bedside
How to nibble your way through Porto's quaint alleys and flavour-packed restaurants
A classic itinerary for first-timers and romantics who've always dreamt of a weekend in Paris
The master sushi chef and founder of Nobu restaurants gives his tips on authentic dining in Japan
First to dive in and last to dry off? Get these beaches, pools and wild swims on your bikini bucket list
First to dive in and last to dry off? Get these beaches, pools and wild swims on your bikini bucket list
Santorini doesn't have to be honeymoon-sexy - it's just as dazzling with a best mate, daily clifftop wanders and many carafes of wine
Have you heard? There’s a hotel concierge for everything now – they've got you covered on matters from romance to Lego
How to do NYC like a pro - from lavish, special-occasion itineraries to stylish boutique hotels and bargain theatre tickets - it's all here
How to do NYC like a pro - from lavish, special-occasion itineraries to stylish boutique hotels and bargain theatre tickets - it's all here
How to do NYC like a pro - from lavish, special-occasion itineraries to stylish boutique hotels and bargain theatre tickets - it's all here
How to do NYC like a pro - from lavish, special-occasion itineraries to stylish boutique hotels and bargain theatre tickets - it's all here
Traditionally, London’s must-visit hotels were its grande dames: The Ritz, The Savoy, and Claridge’s. Now, a new generation of stylish stays are joining the travel bucket list
Why fight it? Dubai's going to bring the bling, so embrace the glamour at these brunches, beaches and skyscrapers
Comedy agent Stephanie Moore shares her after-dark dive bars, dancefloors and street snacks
When your friend is getting married 7,000 miles away, there's nothing else for it - you'll have to make an adventure of it. Luckily Hawaii does adventure with a big side of chill
Count down to midnight with the city’s most glamorous set at these stylish hotels – then tumble into bed down the hall…
Why are Brits so devoted to this languid isle? I went to find out, and drink a lot of rum punch along the way
Fancy this neon-aqua, Hawaiian paddler's bay? Here's where and when to go
Embrace the Emirates' blingiest city - biz class, chauffeurs, posh pools - on a real-person budget
How to spend a whirlwind weekend in this classic city of Vespas, ruins and peerless gelato
We first discovered Stoupa as a family in 1993. Now we're returning two decades later - but will it still have its sleepy, golden charm?
A syndicated version of my feature 'My Family and Other Anecdotes' which ran in The Sunday Times
You don't need to go everywhere on your first visit to Japan. Make Tokyo the main event, with jaunts out to mountain, seaside and geisha country
How to best test out the new Tribute II GTX trekking boots, £139.95 from Aku? Give them to your awesome travel writer bestie before she heads off to Japan on a winter adventure. Lucy Thackray tries the Tributes out whilst temple-hopping in Tokyo.
Dubai is easy to get wrong - dense shopping complexes, concrete business centres and ugly cranes. Here are some tips for indulging in its easy, breezy eternal summer
A dip into St Lucia, the Caribbean's most untamed, untouched speck
Interior designer Michael Chandler shares his top tips for the Mother City - from tastiest pizza to secret sunset beaches
The soulful singer talks nurturing, creativity-sparking escapes from Skopelos to Hakone
Musicals are my favourite history lesson. When they're done well, they resurrect fascinating people and moments in time, and make them relevant to now. After watching Parade, I read everything I could find on the trial of Leo Frank, and post-Civil War unrest in the American South; the little-known musical Nevermore made me go in...
The hotels to beat on the beats-pumping, poolside-lounging White Isle
The Radio 2 DJ on how to do Glasto, family fests and her dream line-up
The radio DJ and presenter picks her best of Britain, from sleeper trains to Lake District hideaways
Petra Barran, founder of street-food market KERB, shares her top bites, sights and stays in the capital
Think Bali's overrun with Aussie tourists? You've probably just navigated wrong. With the right loop, you'll meet locals, healers and be rejuvenated by authentic spa culture
It seems incredible, but we have to wait an entire year to see London's most-hyped forthcoming musical, the Tony-, Grammy- and Pulitzer-winning Hamilton. But this season both London and New York's theatre scenes have jazz hands in spades, starting with guitar-smashing Broadway hit School of Rock coming to the West End on 24 October (New London Theatre; schoolofrockthemusical.com).
From The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, February 2016 You haven't seen Dubai until you've seen it from above. Not on the flight in, mind, where you're greeted by miles of dusty, low-rise towns and grey motorways looping like liquorice.
The soul singer and West End star talks jazz clubs, city beats and London's best venue
Everything you need to know about TripAdvisor and co
1. The Waldorf Astoria hotel 301 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 Lunch at the Waldorf on exclusive Park Avenue takes place in the high-ceilinged, gold and marble Peacock Alley dining room just past the glittering lobby. Once you've made the first tricky decision - Champagne or Mimosa?
1. I grew up in Dorset, on a dairy farm. I remember holding hands with my brother and walking the long way round so we didn't have to walk through the inquisitive cows.
Rekindle your love affair with the big screen - but forget sticky floors and overpriced noisy snacks, these super cinemas offer great food, comfy seats and impeccable service. By Lucy Thackray
One of the few remaining 1950s coffee shops in London, the Troubadour does breakfast and brunch, as well as all-day café fare, using locally and ethically sourced ingredients (cheeses from Pimlico, bread from Notting Hill and so on). Brightly coloured decorative teapots and vintage signs give a bohemian pub vibe.
The lowdown: Few restaurants in London have opened to as much fanfare in recent years as the three in The Shard. Aqua Shard, Oblix and Hutong each have a completely different atmosphere and area of expertise, but they all share one pretty huge selling point - a view that makes you pause, slack-jawed over your starters (especially if your visit coincides with a good sunset).
We asked 45 first-year students from Arts University Bournemouth - which has produced some top photographers, including Nick Knight and Wolfgang Tillmans - to snap their highlights on a recent group trip to NYC, flying with British Airways. Here is a selection of the High Life team's favourite pictures
1. The Waldorf Astoria hotel 301 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 Lunch at the Waldorf on exclusive Park Avenue takes place in the high-ceilinged, gold and marble Peacock Alley dining room just past the glittering lobby. Once you've made the first tricky decision - Champagne or Mimosa?
Peckham is the new Dalston, praise indeed when it comes to the arts. The burgeoning art, music and theatre scene is based around the Bussey Building (aka The CLF Art Café) situated among hair salons and imported food stores on Rye Lane.
A picnic at Parc des Buttes Chaumont Not quite the heights of la Tour Eiffel, but this is the locals' favourite park to relax in at weekends. Take a fabulously low-maintenance picnic of baguettes, cheese (the much-praised Fromagerie Secrétan is nearby) and wine and check out the views of the city from the viewing post at the top.
45 years ago, a riot at New York's Stonewall Inn prompted a parade later that year to raise awareness of LGBT rights. Since then, dozens of cities worldwide have adopted their own Pride date to celebrate love and lobby for equality. Lucy Thackray picks six of the finest
1. Asia de Cuba The St Martin's Lane Hotel's sign-less, glassy exterior hints at the quirky ground floor restaurant inside. You'll find huge columns covered in bookshelves, black and white portraits and even pot plants in this luminous gallery-like space - but more importantly, a menu that fuses Asian and Central American cuisines to great effect.
The under-the-radar short-haul hops that'll give you knock-out scenery and delicious food - for less
Getty Images Getty Images 2. Amelia Earhart The first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, Earhart first flew across the pond in 1928 with a team of two men - she was keeping the flight log.