In the Netherlands, winter arrives softly: first, Sinterklaas, the smell of cinnamon and fresh waffles, then candles in the windows, outdoor skating rinks, and those same lights that make you want to slow down. This is December, which has room for both childish delight and the quiet happiness of an adult with a cup of mulled wine. I've compiled a list of the most beautiful Christmas markets of 2025 for you – with short routes, cozy stops, and addresses where you can sleep com

(and it’s worth staying right here – at NYX Esperia Palace Athens) Athens is a city where the sun illuminates the marble of the Acropolis just as it did two thousand years ago, and the air still carries the scent of jasmine, coffee and the morning sea. Every time I return here, I feel: Athens is more than just a capital. It's a state of mind. A city where history lives at every step, but life flows easily, beautifully, almost Italian-style, with a Greek accent. ✦ Where to sta