Steel and Stone: Yorkshire’s Great Railway Journey

John Newton returned to his roots in northern England to board the Settle to Carlisle railway, a journey that traverses a spectacular viaduct and takes in the unforgettable landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and neighbouring Cumbria.

From the soaring arches of Ribblehead to the windswept heights of Dent, the Settle–Carlisle line remains one of Britain’s most compelling rail journeys—saved from closure and now firmly back on track.

Grand Hotel and Casino in Port Vila: A Warm Island Welcome

A landmark return to Port Vila’s waterfront, the Grand Hotel and Casino reopens after extensive restoration, pairing sweeping Pacific views with refreshed interiors, renewed dining and a steady sense of local continuity. Sandip Hor investigates.

“Wow” is exactly the word that sprinted out of my mouth the moment I entered my room at the recently reopened Grand Hotel and Casino in Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu. The 270-degree scenic views of the Pacific Ocean through the floor-to-ceiling high glass windows surrounding the round-shaped floor space, simply mesmerised me.

Libya Uncovered: Ruins, Realities and a Return to the Map

After decades of isolation, Libya is cautiously reopening to travellers and revealing extraordinary Roman ruins, layered history and a complex modern identity. World traveller, Ros Freeman, fulfils a promise to herself.

There can be no better place in Libya than sitting atop a Roman amphitheatre, gazing out over the clear blue Mediterranean. In the distance, ancient galleons once traversed these waters, sails billowing. In the foreground, orchestras played as masked mime artists danced across the stage before enthralled audiences.