Across Turkey by train: riding the Mesopotamia Express
With lengthy stops for side trips, this long-distance journey is a joyful, social experience accompanied by great food and music
May 2024
Why clubbers are raving about Germany’s cross-country Techno Train
With DJs, bouncers and bars, the Nuremberg train offers a complete clubbing experience for hundreds of ‘clubbers’– and some lovely views of the Bavarian countryside …
March 2024
Not just cheap beer and old buildings: an arty weekend in Prague
A new sleeper train from Brussels is bringing the Czech capital’s contemporary art scene within easy reach of rail travellers
December 2023
Dresden – the city that saved my Christmas
The city’s Christmas markets and baroque architecture will revive even a flagging festive spirit, while its steampunk street art is an edgy pick-me-up
September 2023
On the midnight express train across Turkey
On the final journey in our long-distance rail series we take the Doğu Express, which runs east from the Turkish capital, Ankara, towards Kars and the border with Georgia
From sulphur baths to Stalin’s home: five great trips in Georgia
Spectacular mountains and valleys, natural hot baths and a Soviet-era ghost town are all just a day trip away from the Georgian capital, Tbilisi
Witches, DJs and dancing in the aisles: on board the Culture Train from Berlin to Poland
Musicians, dancers and a tarot-card reading artist animate the nearly five-hour journey to Wrocław from the German capital
May 2023
From Berlin to Brussels, the night train renaissance gathers speed with the new European Sleeper
Music and mountains: a green city break in Slovenia
April 2023
The real Nevermore Academy: my gothic pilgrimage to the set of Netflix’s Wednesday in Romania
Tourism in Romania was once all about Dracula, but the Netflix show is drawing young visitors keen to see sets where the gothy teen unleashed mystery, mayhem and murder
October 2022
‘I’m hoping there will be more queer imams’
Muhsin Hendricks, the ‘world’s first gay imam’ wants to help LGBTQ+ Muslims in South Africa reconcile their sexuality with their faith
August 2022
Beaches, mountains, ancient towns and low prices? Albania has it all
Despite its dark 20th-century past, the country is now a traveller’s paradise of amazing landscapes, coast and historic cities
March 2020
‘No school, no skating’: the Indian skate park bringing children together
Bringing skateboards to children in Madhya Pradesh gives them enthusiasm to go to school and gives girls a confidence in themselves
November 2019
Thai opposition leader disqualified as MP over election law breach
Thai cave rescue film opens in Bangkok
Crackdown in Cambodia as opposition leader vows to return from self-imposed exile
‘Losing my mind’: former beauty queen pursued by Iran fears for her health
Thai woman duped investors out of millions in Ponzi scheme, say police
'It's brought a lot of hope': Thai cave reopens after football team rescue
October 2019
Amelia Bambridge: search focuses on Koh Rong fishing boats
Cambodian officials say six men have been interviewed about Briton’s disappearance
