7 Perfect Portuguese Towns That’ll Make You Forget All About Lisbon
If you haven’t been to Portugal yet, I would bet it’s on your shortlist. And while Lisbon and Porto deserve every bit of the hype, they're far from the only reason Portugal has become Europe's "it" destination. Venture beyond the two big cities and you'll find a whole world of smaller towns and villages that may end up being the best part of your trip entirely.
T R A V E L
The 10 Best Hotels for Stargazing, From Namibia to Sweden
Photo: Expedia
More than a third of humanity can no longer see the Milky Way at night. In North America, that figure is closer to 80 percent.
Some hotels have gone looking for the places where that darkness survives — with observatories, resident astronomers, and rooms with retractable ceilings facing the night sky. These are the best stargazing hotels in the world.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Photo: Boris Stroujko/Shutterstock
40 Small European Towns You’ll Want to Move To
Some places have resisted modernization entirely. From England to Romania, these 40 European small towns have held onto their old-world identity: centuries-old architecture, cobblestone streets, and a pace of life that makes you forget what year it is.
G U I D E
10 UK Train Journeys Through Seaside Towns, National Parks, and Mountain Peaks
Photo: Creative Screen/Shutterstock
No security lines, no checked bags, no expensive airport transfers. Traveling by train in the UK frees up your time and your budget, leaving more room for cream teas and fish and chips.
These 10 routes are worth planning a trip around.
G U I D E
A Visit to Normandy Brings D-Day to Life Beyond the Beaches
Photo: JeniFoto/Shutterstock
On June 6, 1944, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in one of history's most decisive military operations. To this day, shrapnel remains in the sand. These are not leisure spots but living memorials.
As the sites move closer to UNESCO World Heritage status, a visit is becoming an increasingly popular and deeply moving trip for anyone drawn to history.
S T A Y S
The St. Regis Venice Is Not Your Standard Palazzo Hotel
Photo: EQRoy/Shutterstock
Built into five connected palazzi on the Grand Canal, the oldest dating to the 17th century, the St. Regis Venice opened in 2019 in the bones of the former Grand Hotel Britannia, which first welcomed guests in 1895 and was the first hotel in Venice with electricity in every room. It is unlike any other palazzo in the city.
S U R V E Y
Next Big Destination for 2027
We're collecting nominations for the next big destination of 2027. Think places on the verge of a moment: emerging cities, underrated regions, and destinations that travelers haven't fully discovered yet but are about to.
Where should the world be looking next?
Travel Well
The Matador Editorial Team
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