A city of many contradictions, Athens will leave you in raptures. As far as ancient history goes, it simply doesn’t get better than this. And though the maze-like streets and squares are laced with an inky, lived-in sort of grit, they feel deeply romantic. With a fresh crop of new openings having sprung up this past year – and more on the way – there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the Greek capital’s heady chaos.

Intimate. Individual. Homey. There’s a lot to like about small hotels, with only a handful of rooms to reserve. Exclusive by virtue of their size, these mini hotels are often family-run, adding a built-in layer of local personality and authenticity that’s sometimes hard to pin down in the big-name and big-sized hotels of Europe. From rustic rural retreats set far from the glare of the city lights to chic urban haunts that coolly fly under the radar, these extra-small hotels prove that good things come in small packages.

This year unofficially ushered in the Year of the Cowboy. It saw the release of Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s much-anticipated country album. And western wear took over the catwalks. Even Post Malone ditched his regular programming in favour of a new country sound. For your own experience of cowboy life, you could stay home and watch the final season of Yellowstone – in fact, we suggest you do this – but why not consider staying on a real ranch for your next vacation? Below, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite luxury ranch hotels where you can ride, wrangle and embrace the great outdoors (and put your western wardrobe to legitimate use).

We all know the classics (here’s looking at you, Paris, Rome, New York et al) but, beyond the capitals and the biggest names, which cities deserve a place on your bucket list? Discover five of the most brilliant alternative city breaks below, where history, design, culture, nature, food, and magnificent hotels meet. Your 2025 travel planning starts here.

A city of many contradictions, Athens will leave you in raptures. As far as ancient history goes, it simply doesn’t get better than this. And though the maze-like streets and squares are laced with an inky, lived-in sort of grit, they feel deeply romantic. With a fresh crop of new openings having sprung up this past year – and more on the way – there’s no better time to immerse yourself in the Greek capital’s heady chaos.

Intimate. Individual. Homey. There’s a lot to like about small hotels, with only a handful of rooms to reserve. Exclusive by virtue of their size, these mini hotels are often family-run, adding a built-in layer of local personality and authenticity that’s sometimes hard to pin down in the big-name and big-sized hotels of Europe. From rustic rural retreats set far from the glare of the city lights to chic urban haunts that coolly fly under the radar, these extra-small hotels prove that good things come in small packages.