A tiny, creepy species of spider known as the happy-face spider has recently been discovered in India. Known for its iconic array of color patterns, the happy-face spider gets its name from patterns that resemble a smiling face. The new species, Theridion Himalayana, which belongs to the spider family Theridiidae, is…

If you’re heading on a multi-generational trip, or are just travelling as a larger group, it might make more sense to book a villa over a traditional hotel stay. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Perennial favourites for this kind of holiday include Greece, Spain and Italy – but where do you get the…

Published on 11/08/2026 – 12:55 GMT+2 Hotel breakfasts are increasingly leaving cursory buffets behind – and not a moment too soon. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT A recent study from the University of Aveiro in Portugal found that 64% of hotel guests would return specifically because of an impressive breakfast, and hotels are…

Hotels put a lot of effort into ensuring guests have a good night’s sleep, with luxury brands investing in seriously pricey mattresses and sheets, and even offering pillow menus. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT But that can’t stop the impact of what sleep specialists call the “first-night effect”. Sufferers find themselves taking longer…

Ithaca, in the Ionian Sea off the western coast of mainland Greece, lies far from the country’s popular tourist destinations and, despite its crystal-clear waters and spectacular coves, has never been one of travellers’ established hotspots. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT That could soon be about to change thanks to the release of…

DEAR ABBY: My brother “Earl” and I always had a very bad relationship. When I was 6 and Earl was 13, he molested me. Actually, he took my virginity. My mother caught him but whipped both of us and told me I should have known better than to allow it…

More and more people are choosing to travel with their dog on holiday. However, not all Spanish beaches allow pets, especially in high season. To avoid fines or other problems, it is advisable to check in advance which beaches are dog-friendly and to find out about the specific rules in…

A YouTuber put Beverly Hills’ famously deep pockets to the test by spending a day delivering food around the ritzy California enclave — and walked away with a whopping $346 after scoring some jaw-dropping tips. YouTuber iamBrandon headed to the 90210 armed with a delivery bag, a $150 secondhand e-bike…

Brent Underwood has found a certain kind of gold in a ghost town. Eight years ago, the Austin-based entrepreneur used $1.4 million from his life’s savings to buy Cerro Gordo, an abandoned silver-mining town near Lone Pine, California in 2018. “I’ve always had a love of history and hospitality,” Underwood told…

Where you live in your neighborhood could significantly affect your sleep, according to experts and recent research on urban landscapes. Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based nutritionist and author of “The Sleepdemic Solution,” confirmed that household surroundings and ambient neighborhood conditions can directly interfere with restfulness. Factors such as cohabitating with family members,…