A Potentially Substantial Increase

With over 2 million tourists annually, tiny Iceland—home to just 384,000 residents—appears to be reaching its limits. At least when it comes to its main attractions like the capital Reykjavik, the Gullfoss and Godafoss waterfalls, the Blue Lagoon renowned for its geothermal waters, Geysir and its geyser, Lake Myvatn, and other sites that draw the vast majority of visitors to the country.

In short, massive crowds and, as often happens, authorities are considering raising the accommodation tax that visitors must pay to better manage tourism and cover the costs generated by this over-visitation phenomenon.

So be warned: your Icelandic nights may soon cost you significantly more. While no date or specific amount for this increase—which is expected to be substantial—has been finalized yet, there’s strong reason to believe the measure will take effect for the upcoming summer season. Though it’s worth noting that the country had eliminated this same tax during COVID, only reinstating it in 2024.

More broadly, we’re witnessing a policy choice that’s hardly surprising given Reykjavik’s new direction to curb the island’s tourism development and become less dependent on this sector, which accounts for an increasingly large share of national wealth. Though it must be said that tourism nevertheless saved the country during its 2008 banking crisis.

The goal is to preserve Icelanders’ quality of life and, in a way, that of visitors too by reducing their numbers. And of course, to protect an unparalleled natural environment. Consequently, less promotion planned for the destination, fewer hotel or purely tourism-related investments, and an invitation to financiers and businesses to focus instead on other sustainable growth sectors for the country, such as green energy production or activities that can benefit from Iceland’s abundant geothermal resources—another feature that makes the country unique. This substantial accommodation tax increase should be added to that mix. Fair enough perhaps, even if traditional local tourism operators don’t all view this favorably…

Info: www.visiticeland.com

The podium features three legendary resorts: Val d’Isère at the top, closely followed by Switzerland and Austria with Gstaad and Kitzbühel tied at 98.89%. This ranking places four French resorts in the global top 10. Les Trois Vallées takes fourth place, Châtel fifth, while Avoriaz rounds out this French sweep in eighth position. France establishes itself as the preferred destination for discerning skiers, ahead of traditionally celebrated Swiss and Austrian resorts.

A Ski Area That Defies the Seasons

The secret behind this recognition lies first in exceptional natural conditions. Rising to 11,339 feet (3,456 meters) with its glaciers, the Espace Killy domain guarantees reliable snow coverage for six months. For the 2025-2026 season, slopes will open November 29 and remain skiable until May 3. This longevity allows skiers to enjoy runs well beyond typical periods, when other resorts have already closed their facilities.

Infrastructure matches the same high standards. The resort recently inaugurated a new arrival station at the Vallon gondola, transformed into an immersive experience centered around the legend of Mont Iseran. The Fornet cable car now features a relaxation area with panoramic views of Pointe de la Galise, while “Ski Tranquille” signage extends to the Bellevarde sector to help beginners navigate. The 186 miles (300 kilometers) of connected slopes with Tignes offer legendary descents like the Face de Bellevarde, a technical World Cup run with an average 32% gradient.

A Tourist Experience in Full Transformation

On the dining front, three new venues mark winter 2025-2026. IMA brings Middle Eastern fusion cuisine crafted by chef Elie Fishmann, formerly of Four Seasons and Ducasse establishments, in a setting where tables transform into a dance floor as the evening progresses. Bottleneck opens at K2 Chogori with ember-grilled cuisine orchestrated by Valentin Biseul and signature fondues by Bernard Mure-Ravaud, France’s Best Craftsman in cheese. La Folie Douce reinvents its central space with La Petite Cuisine – Gare Centrale, a 7,000-square-foot hub combining dining, bar, shows, and creative workshops for kids.

The season promises intensity with the Critérium de la Première Neige on December 13-14, followed by the Classicaval festival in January and March, before the Adventure Film Festival in April.

Sure, it’s a bit clichéd — maybe even a lot — but whether we like it or not, these are things that have long been associated with the country’s image. So much so, in fact, that there’s a small village called Zaanse Schans that exists to showcase this very scene, and admission is now going to cost you.

A Stone’s Throw from Amsterdam and Millions of Visitors

Between the appeal of seeing this postcard-perfect scene and its proximity to Amsterdam, it didn’t take much for the hamlet of Zaanse Schans, with its hundred or so residents, to become one of the country’s most visited attractions, welcoming around 3 million visitors each year.

That’s a lot of people — too many, in fact. Like so many other destinations, the site has now fallen victim to overtourism. Hence this idea, as is increasingly common, for authorities to charge admission to better manage visitor flow while also collecting some much-needed funds for protecting and maintaining the site. Starting next year, it will cost $19 (€17.50) per person to visit Zaanse Schans.

Originally, Zaanse Schans is an open-air museum and historic village located about nine miles north of Amsterdam. It’s a chance to step back in time and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a typical Dutch village from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Everything’s there, starting with those old windmills that remain the main attraction. Restored and mostly still functional, they line up along the Zaan River and can be toured to better understand their mechanisms and how they operated in days gone by. Then there’s the village itself, with its many traditional green wooden houses typical of the Zaan region. Most were relocated here and restored on-site several decades ago to preserve this heritage, and some have even been transformed into working clog-making workshops, cheese factories, or distilleries. Others serve as small museums dedicated to specific themes or activities, while places like the Zaans Museum trace the industrial history and daily life of the region in times past.

It’s a wonderful stroll to discover on foot or by bike along lanes and small canals offering a truly picturesque atmosphere and great photo opportunities, particularly those reflections of windmills in the water that photographers seek out. A way to capture the essence of the Netherlands, you might say…

Info: www.zaanseschans.com

Higher Prices Coming in January 2026 for Non-European Visitors

While differentiated pricing based on nationality isn’t exactly groundbreaking in the tourism world, it’s actually fairly uncommon in France. Usually, when nationality-based pricing exists, it works the opposite way—offering free or reduced admission to young people and students from the European Union.

But starting next January, access to one of France’s most visited sites—drawing 8 to 9 million visitors annually—will cost more for non-European nationals. The Palace of Versailles will become the first major French monument to implement price differentiation based on visitor nationality.

After all, why not? Many countries around the world already operate this way. Consider what Versailles represents: a staff of a thousand employees, continuous innovation including the regular opening of new rooms, the digitization of tens of thousands of artworks now viewable on their website, and AI-powered guided tours. Not to mention an annual budget approaching $210 million (€200 million).

While the Palace can rely on solid revenue that covers two-thirds of its operations through its own funds, nothing is ever guaranteed—even when you’re Versailles. Hence this idea to generate additional revenue through non-European visitors, which could well be adopted by other major French sites down the road…

Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania

Perched high in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle (our featured photo) hosts a spectacular celebration every October 31st. Visitors explore the fortress completely transformed for the occasion, far from its usual austere appearance. Expect encounters with Vlad the Impaler and his court, nighttime tours through illuminated corridors, then the party kicks into high gear in the gardens below the castle. Live music, DJs, and entertainment continue until dawn under a massive tent. While the historical Vlad never actually set foot in these walls, this is indeed where author Bram Stoker set his Gothic novel. The medieval atmosphere of surrounding villages like Sighisoara, birthplace of the historical figure, completes the immersion into this legendary Transylvania.

Europe’s Largest Halloween Festival in Derry

The walled city of Derry in Northern Ireland has hosted the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival for four decades, recognized as the continent’s largest Halloween festival. From October 28-31, 2025, the 400-year-old ramparts transform into a giant theater. The Awakening the Walled City Trail features three nights of illuminations, aerial performances, and pyrotechnics that bring Celtic Samhain legends back to life. The highlight remains the October 31st parade: 40,000 costumed participants march through the streets behind monumental floats, culminating in a finale fireworks display over the River Foyle. Street performers, acrobats, storytellers, and artists take over the old town in a festive atmosphere suitable for all ages.

Rome’s Catacombs in a Different Light

Beneath the Italian capital’s cobblestones lies a fascinating underground network. The Catacombs of San Sebastiano, ancient volcanic stone quarries, reveal their dark galleries and mausoleums decorated with stucco. The chambers that once housed martyrs’ tombs exude a solemn atmosphere, enhanced by the guide’s stories about medieval pilgrims. This secret Rome, far from the surface chaos, offers a dive into the depths of time where every corner seems still inhabited by echoes of the past. An experience that takes on particular significance as All Saints’ Day approaches.

Europa Park’s Halloween Festival

The German theme park in Rust deploys 180,000 pumpkins to transform its 17 themed areas into a terrifying autumn universe. From October 25 to November 9, 2025, modified attractions, professionally-acted haunted houses, and pyrotechnic shows on the lake fill the days. The Halloween village welcomes families with children, while the more daring tackle frightening mazes where creatures emerge from the shadows. The park has designed the event for all thrill levels: some zones remain accessible to younger visitors while others promise guaranteed cold sweats. The carefully crafted settings, mixing chrysanthemums, hay bales, and wandering ghosts, create an ambiance that oscillates between autumn enchantment and unapologetic terror.

The Amsterdam Dungeon and Its 500 Years of Macabre History

Beneath Amsterdam’s peaceful canals, the Amsterdam Dungeon plunges visitors into the Netherlands’ darkest hours. Interactive performances with professional actors, recreations of witch trials, torture chambers, and haunted houses follow one another in a journey where each visit becomes unique. The actors portray torturers, judges, and the accused in a production that alternates chilling moments with nervous laughter. The experience plays on total immersion into an era when swift justice and superstitions reigned supreme. A must-see for anyone wanting to discover the most unsettling face of the canal city.

So, what will you dare to experience?

Autonomous Taxis Coming to London in 2026

It will be a historic first for Europe. London is set to welcome its first autonomous taxis next year, operated by Waymo, a subsidiary of Google. Accessible through the Waymo app, the service will launch once the operator completes mapping the British capital’s streets and secures the final necessary permits.

But Waymo may not be alone on London’s roads for long. Other companies, including Uber and Chinese tech giant Baidu, are reportedly eyeing the market in the near term as well. It’s shaping up to be a crowded field in what promises to be a lucrative sector. If the London experiment proves successful, the technology could quickly cross the Channel to continental Europe—provided the EU shifts from its typically cautious, if not overly conservative, regulatory approach to a more permissive and pragmatic stance on autonomous vehicles.

Key Milestones in Autonomous Taxi History

1980s-90s: From Science Fiction to Reality
In the United States, various research projects and universities developed the first prototypes and conducted initial experiments with short trips in driverless vehicles.

2000s-2010s: Growing Sophistication
Still driven largely by American universities, autonomous vehicles became more advanced, with improved capabilities and the ability to navigate all types of terrain. This progress attracted new investors and tech giants.

2009-2015: The Google Era Begins
Google and its subsidiary Waymo launched and developed their autonomous car program during this period, resulting in the first prototypes being tested on California roads—though still with a human safety driver on board.

2020: The Commercial Breakthrough
This marked the key date for offering driverless rides to the general public. Waymo received authorization to operate its autonomous taxis in a small area of Phoenix, Arizona, followed two years later by San Francisco.

2023: Accelerated Expansion
The pace quickened with expanded operations in California and, significantly, China launching its first driverless taxis in multiple cities.

2025-2030: The Growth Years Ahead
These five years should see autonomous taxis truly expand across the US with new operators like Tesla entering the market, in China (where 300,000 robotaxis are expected), and possibly even in Europe—at least within the EU, assuming overly strict regulations don’t stifle the technology’s growth.

2026: London Breaks New Ground
London becomes the first European city to offer driverless taxis to the public.

Today, we’re heading to the Atlantic island of Madeira to discover its summit, Pico Ruivo.

A Paradise for Hiking Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers

With its pleasant subtropical climate, laurel forests, and spectacular volcanic landscapes and terrain, the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, located off the coast of Morocco, has long been a draw. First and foremost for nature lovers, but also for trekking enthusiasts who come to hike along its famous “levadas” – irrigation channels carved into the island over centuries.

But what many don’t realize is that Madeira also offers another unforgettable experience beyond the levadas: Pico Ruivo and its ascent. As the island’s highest point, this iconic 6,109-foot (1,862-meter) summit delivers breathtaking panoramas, picturesque trails, and an unforgettable experience of connection with nature.

A Remarkable Environment

Even though you’re not climbing to extreme altitude, Pico Ruivo still offers a dramatic high-mountain landscape with somewhat barren vegetation and terrain characterized by spectacular volcanic rock formations featuring steep cliffs and jagged ridges. Additionally, the rock displays ochre and reddish hues throughout, which actually gives the peak its name – Pico Ruivo means “Red Peak” in Portuguese.

Then there’s the sea of clouds, which remains the most sought-after spectacle of the hike for many. A layer of clouds often sits below the summit, creating the impression that the island’s other peaks emerge like islands in the middle of a white, billowing sea. Magical at sunrise or sunset…

A Physical Challenge Worth Taking

There are two routes to reach the summit of Pico Ruivo.

The first, not too difficult, starts from Achada do Teixeira and takes about an hour to cover the roughly 2 miles (3 kilometers) to the top. It’s the shortest, fastest route and suitable for almost everyone.

Then there’s the other option starting from Pico do Areeiro. A solid 7.5-mile (12-kilometer) round trip requiring 6 to 7 hours of hiking with significant elevation gain exceeding 3,280 feet (1,000 meters). This is the most famous and spectacular trail as it connects Madeira’s two highest peaks.

But be warned: this route includes numerous steep ascents and descents, stairs carved into the rock, and tunnels. It’s only recommended for hikers in good physical condition with the determination to see it through. Some say that every step is a personal conquest and each climb a victory over the challenges that present themselves – a demanding hike that strengthens both body and mind, building self-confidence and resilience.

So reaching the summit of Pico Ruivo via this route remains an “exhilarating” experience, rewarded by a 360-degree view embracing all of Madeira, from its lush valleys to picturesque coastlines, with Atlantic waves merging with the blue sky, creating a magnificent backdrop for memorable photos.

Hiking in Madeira Now Costs a Bit More

Since the beginning of the year, a new fee has come into effect – or more precisely, has been extended, as it already existed on certain island hiking trails.

Specific to hikers and fairly modest, it applies to everyone over 12 years old who must now pay €3 (approximately $3.25) to use Madeira’s main hiking trails. Not a huge amount, especially considering that forgetting to pay results in a €50 ($55) fine.

To pay this fee, hikers can either settle online through a dedicated website or at various locations throughout the archipelago and certain trailheads where payment solutions are also available.

Info: www.visitmadeira.com

Gatwick Airport

This is London’s second-largest airport, and the second busiest in the UK, handling around 45 million passengers annually. With its two terminals, it hosts numerous major airlines, primarily British Airways, along with budget carriers like EasyJet and Vueling, as well as some vacation charter operators. While it offers some long-haul flights, particularly with British Airways, its schedule focuses mainly on medium-haul routes.

Code: LGW
Distance: 30 miles south of London (between the capital and Brighton)
Key features: Quite far from the capital with correspondingly high transport costs. Primarily specializes in medium-haul flights. Limited availability from US cities, though some seasonal routes exist with carriers like British Airways and easyJet.
More information: www.gatwickairport.com

Heathrow Airport

Heathrow is the UK’s largest airport and London’s primary gateway, ranking among the world’s busiest for international long-haul traffic. British Airways has its main base here and uses it as a major hub for connecting flights. Approximately 75 million passengers pass through annually.

Code: LHR
Distance: 15 miles west of London
Key features: Not too far from the capital. Specializes in long-haul flights, particularly with British Airways, making it the most common connection point for transatlantic travelers.
Generally speaking, Heathrow often remains the best value entry point to London for international travelers. While you might find cheaper flights to other London airports (especially with budget carriers), remember that onward transport costs can easily eliminate any savings from landing at a more distant airport.
More information: www.heathrow.com

London City Airport

This is the closest airport to central London, just 7 miles from the city center. City Airport primarily serves business travelers with intra-European flights (plus some vacation destinations in summer when business traffic decreases). Its single runway accommodates smaller aircraft only. It handles around 5 million passengers annually.

Code: LCY
Distance: 7 miles east of London
Key features: Excellently located geographically. Specialized in business travel with prices to match. Rarely offered to leisure travelers from North America.
More information: www.londoncityairport.com

London Stansted Airport

London’s third-busiest airport by passenger numbers, handling 25-30 million travelers annually. It specializes in charter, seasonal, and budget flights, with Ryanair establishing a major base here. While the airport is dynamic and has found its market, it’s quite far from the capital, with transport costs that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Code: STN
Distance: 42 miles northeast of London
Key features: Geographically very far from London. Specializes in seasonal and budget flights (particularly Ryanair), which means it may appear as an option for US travelers… though it’s not always the best deal (especially compared to Heathrow or Luton) once you factor in the cost and time of reaching central London.
More information: www.stanstedairport.com

Luton Airport

The fourth-busiest airport serving London and fifth in the country, with around 18 million annual passengers. Like Stansted (but closer to the capital), it specializes in vacation and budget flights, particularly with industry leaders easyJet and Ryanair. It’s in this context that it serves several transatlantic routes.

Code: LTN
Distance: 28 miles north of London
Key features: Geographically closer to the capital than competitor Stansted (though farther than Heathrow). Specializes in seasonal and budget flights (including Ryanair and easyJet), making it an option for budget-conscious travelers from various US cities.
More information: www.london-luton.co.uk

London Southend Airport

This airport, located in Southend-on-Sea about 40 miles east of London, has been “revived” in recent years to ease congestion at the capital’s other airports, particularly for vacation and budget traffic. However, the number of carriers and passenger volume (under 2 million annually) remain modest, even though Ryanair and formerly easyJet have operated routes here.

Code: SEN
Distance: 40 miles east of London
Key features: Geographically far from the capital (though accessible by train). Focused on seasonal and budget flights to relieve traffic at other specialized local airports. While theoretically an option for budget travelers… traffic has always been light, with very few carriers present, and the Covid crisis hasn’t helped matters.
More information: southendairport.com

Don’t forget that London and England are also quickly and conveniently accessible from Paris and other European cities via the Eurostar high-speed train—an option worth considering and comparing with air travel in terms of value, duration, and price.

Today, we’re looking at a major city that everyone knows by name at least, but which, oddly enough, isn’t its country’s capital. We’re talking about Istanbul and Turkey.

Historical, Political and Geographic Reasons

Just as New York isn’t the capital of the United States (it’s Washington DC), Sydney isn’t Australia’s (Canberra), or Rio de Janeiro for Brazil (it’s Brasília), Istanbul isn’t Turkey’s capital. Yet this city, once called Byzantium or Constantinople, would certainly deserve to be, if only because it remains by far the most well-known and dynamic city in its country, on every level. But nevertheless, it isn’t…

And as is often the case, the reasons are primarily historical and political. To understand them, we need to go back in time a bit, to 1923, which saw the birth of “modern Turkey,” championed by its founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, now a true national hero in his country.

We’re at the end of World War I, with an Ottoman Empire that made the wrong choice by allying itself with Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This would result in a large part of its territory being dismantled by the victors and transformed into new provinces under French or British mandate, while others like Armenia would enjoy (brief) independence, or even be annexed to Greece in the case of regions bordering that country. As for the rest, it effectively came under English, Italian and French influence while officially remaining independent.

Not independent enough, however, to avoid awakening the fears of nationalist movements, led primarily by Atatürk, who after many twists and turns would succeed in creating and leading what would become today’s Turkey following the Treaty of Lausanne on July 24, 1923. A new country had just been born and it needed a capital for its republic.

Of course, the new government could have kept Istanbul as the capital. Except that the founder of this 20th-century Turkey didn’t see things that way. For Kemal Atatürk, a different city was needed for this role. If only to break the link with that defeated Ottoman Empire of which Constantinople had been the capital for centuries. That’s why the choice fell on Ankara, a small town in the heart of Anatolia that was already geographically less vulnerable to foreign attacks than Istanbul, located on the coast. A strategic choice as well, even though the city had barely 20,000 inhabitants at the time, far from Istanbul’s 800,000.

Few people, then, but the freedom to create a capital in its founder’s image, without space constraints and even less tied to the past or Ottoman history. Quite the opposite, in fact, since in this regard, little Ankara had always been an important stronghold of the nationalist movement—enough to create connections and allow development so that Atatürk’s Turkey could become a modern, secular and republican state. The complete opposite of the image then carried by the old Constantinople…

Medieval Castles: A Late Blooming Phenomenon

First, it’s worth clarifying that while we associate castles with the Middle Ages, they actually only appeared toward the end of this period. Historians date the medieval era from the fall of the Roman Empire (around the 5th century) to Christopher Columbus’s arrival in the Americas in 1492—roughly a thousand years.

It wasn’t until after the year 1000 that these fortified structures, at least as we picture them today, began spreading across France and the rest of Europe. With the decentralization of royal power under feudalism, rivalries between local lords, invasions of all kinds, and advances in construction knowledge and techniques, the fortified castle—serving both as a defensive stronghold and the seat of local power—was bound to flourish.

France alone may have had between 40,000 and 50,000 castles during the medieval period. While many have vanished, an estimated 13,000 remain standing today in various states of preservation. Among them stands the one that experts agree was the last built on French soil: Château de Bonaguil in the Lot-et-Garonne department.

Though Bonaguil holds the distinction of being France’s last medieval fortress (excluding the special case of Guédelon, which we’ve covered before), it’s not located in a town of the same name. You’ll need to head to Saint-Front-sur-Lémance, a small village of 500 residents in Lot-et-Garonne between the Périgord and Quercy regions.

While construction actually began in the late 13th century, the bulk of the work took place two centuries later, with the castle finally completed around 1510. This lengthy building process meant the imposing fortress was finished—and never attacked—at a time when such fortifications had become obsolete. The medieval era was ending, and more importantly, new gunpowder artillery had emerged that could easily outperform the old stone projectiles. Medieval castles simply weren’t designed to withstand this new weaponry. It marked the end of an era—after Bonaguil, no more fortified castles would ever be built. A century and a half later, a certain Vauban, military engineer and architect, would revolutionize defensive design entirely.

Today, while not the most visited castle in the region, Bonaguil remains remarkably well-preserved and attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually. The fortress has gained recognition through films shot on location and hosts several summer festivals, including a theater festival (launched in 1962), a comic book festival (“Bonabulles”), and a historical reenactment event (“Les Médiévales”). All excellent reasons to pay it a visit…