Reno, Nevada, has been named the happiest place to live in America, chosen as an reformative and affordable ‘modern boomtown’ with fair weather and creative outlets year round.

The city was chosen by Outside, based on factors including overall well-being, public land and affordability, and climate change and inclusivity. 

Millions of surveys were scoured to assess the best urban areas in the US for well-being, before the researchers looked at house and rental prices and general walkability.

Reno was ultimately judged the best in class, undertaking massive transformations to become more inclusive and accessible, attracting major companies like Amazon and Tesla without losing sight of its local arts and crafts culture.

Reno placed above Wilmington, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Charlottesville, Hood River, Minneapolis, Glenwood Springs, Harrisburg and Plano to clinch the top spot among regions with a population between 5,000 and 500,000.

Reno, Nevada

Population: 273,448

Median house price: $550,000

Percentage parkland: 5%

Outside described Reno as a ‘modern boomtown’, bustling with green, open spaces, climbing gyms and a summer arts festival as part of a local revival. 

The outlet noted ‘ample public land and mountain vibe’ in its decision to award the city the top spot in the rankings.

With a new bike trail attracting cyclists, and nearby Lake Tahoe welcoming in skiers, the city has enough adventure for locals and tourists year-round, making it a go-to destination inclusive of all.

Wilmington, Delaware

Population: 71,569

Median house price: $255,000

Percentage parkland: 6.8%

Well-connected Wilmington neighbors Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore and Washington D.C., offering walkability and community to residents.

Delaware’s largest city is built at the meeting point of the Christina River and Brandywine Creek, and has had its riverfront revitalized in recent years.

Wilmington boasts nearly 70 parks, including the 178-acre Brandywine Park and the Alapocas Run, a 415-acre space filled with hiking and biking trails.

Outside reports that the city has an inclusive local culture, with LGBTQ+ community leader Dinea Elliott Collins saying: ‘When I travel to other parts of the country, I realize how safe and comfortable I feel in Wilmington.’ 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

Population: 369,749

Median house price: $360,000

Percentage parkland: 23%

Some 80 per cent of residents in New Orleans live within a ten-minute walk of a park, making the city one of the most attractive for residents who enjoy outdoor spaces.

Culturally, the city has many attractions bringing visitors each year – from the colonial-era French Quarter to St Charles Avenue and Magazine Street’s rows of antique shops.

New Orleans remains one of the country’s most-visited cities for its deep and complex history, preserving its past in a number of significant museums.

In 2016, the city was also ranked the best in the US for live music, cocktail hour and cheap eats – but last for safety.

Outside references the city’s culture and cuisine, friendliness towards LQBTQ+ people and ‘underrated’ green spaces in awarding it third place. 

Cincinnati, Ohio   

Population: 309,513

Median house price: $272,750

Percentage parkland: 17 per cent

In the late 1800s, Cincy was dubbed the ‘Paris of America’, due to ambitious architectural projects that still line the streets of its urban center.

Developed as a river town for shipping, the city remains an industralized hub with a large economy attractive to large employers and a quaint market pavilion for merchants to sell local produce.

It also remains one of the greenest, with 88 per cent of residents living ten-minutes from a park – and a temperate climate ensuring beautiful year-round vistas to be found in the city’s 365 parks and recreation areas.

Benefitting from large-scale immigration from Germany in the 1840s, the city also benefits from a rich brewing tradition and has more than 80 organizations still making local beer – surely pushing it up the rankings for happiest places to live.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Population: 45,373

Median house price: $456,000

Percentage parkland: 10 per cent

The independent city of Charlottesville is much smaller than most of its competitors but boasts the same balance of work opportunities and scenic getaways shared by the country’s happiest.

Outside notes the city’s local University of Virginia has given Charlottesville a ‘vibrant startup culture’, with high rates of graduates and low unemployment. 

The city’s commercial district, The Corner, also provides Charlottesville with a number of college bars and restaurants, as well as a considerable nightlife scene.

Around the city, a 20-mile trail offers hikers and bikers a picturesque loop lined with places beautiful riverside spaces, and a number of breweries are ‘scattered throughout the surrounding countryside’, according to Outside.

Hood River, Oregon

Population: 8,352

Median house price: $656,750

Percentage parkland: 4

The small town of Hood River is noted for its rich outdoors activities, leading with a ‘vast network’ of trails and spaces to surf the Columbia River.

The town is only an hour east of Portland and remains connected to local hubs, but retains an independent presence and rich local food scene helped by its rural farms. 

While rents are a little higher than in other happy cities, Hood River has taken steps to build new developments for residents on lower incomes.

The city is also taking strides towards reflecting ambitions of racial and social equity in policymaking.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Population: 425,096

Median house price: $340,000

Percentage parkland: 15 per cent

Minneapolis scored 97 on Outside’s ranking for cyclists, and was this year voted number one in People for Bikes’ annual large-city ratings. 

With 180 parks, the city offers residents lush scenery joined together by an expansive network of cycle paths and trails.

The city is also noted for its investment into low-income neighborhoods and its ‘excellent’ hospitals.

Outside notes that the murder of George Floyd in 2020 ‘revealed serious problems with law enforcement’ in the city.

The police department has reportedly undergone a number of reforms in the years since.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Population: 10,264

Median house price: $726,720

Percentage parkland: 2

The resort city of Glenwood Springs placed eighth on Outside’s list of the top 15 happiest places to live in the US, credited for its hot springs and easy access to outdoor sports activities.

The town is situated in the Rocky Mountains at the meeting point of the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River, creating stunning vistas. 

Since the 1980s, coordinated investment has transformed the town’s geography to better accommodate hikers and cyclists, building modern trails and reducing congestion in the center.

The region’s newfound popularity has, however, pushed up housing costs – which officials are looking to tackle with new affordable housing projects. 

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Population: 50,183

Median house price: $176,000

Percentage parkland: 8

The Pennsylvania capital has long been a desirable destination for young families with affordable housing and vibrant cultural outlets.

In 2010, the city was ranked the second best place in the country to raise a family, after Des Moines, Iowa.

Since then, Harrisburg has attracted steady growth in the number of bars, concerts and events – in turn building a significant music and entertainment scene in recent years.

Again, the city benefits from local mountains, cycling trails and spaces to kayak for those keen on soaking up the local environment. 

Plano, Texas

Population: 289,547

Median house price: $540,000

Percentage parkland: 3

Plano, Texas, ranked tenth in Outside’s list of the happiest places to live in the US.

The city is one of the larger nominations, the 72nd most populous city in the country, and remains one of the fastest growing.

Steadily, Plano has attracted grown into a significant business hub and the headquarters of many major corporations.

Still, the city itself enjoys 85 parks and public pools – and preserves access to two nature preserves around the town, spanning some 1,000+ acres in total.

Plano now boasts a lively music and entertainment scene, a host of restaurants – and a farmers’ market. 

Anchorage, Alaska 

Population: 287,145

Median house price: $400,000

Percentage parkland: 80

Alaska’s largest city is 80 per cent parkland, despite hosting nearly 300,000 people, and spans 1,706 square miles – making it the fourth-largest by area in the United States.

Surprisingly, though, the city remains highly walkable and accessible to cyclists – relying on a trail network covering more than 500 miles. 

According to the Anchorage Park Foundation, 95 per cent of residents say the trails make the city a great place.

Others cite the wildlife and fantastic views, as well as the city’s investment in preserving and celebrating local history and languages.

Madison, Wisconsin

Population: 272,903

Median house price: $395,000

Percentage parkland: 14

Between two lakes, Madison enjoys vast landscapes and more than 280 parks, increasingly accessible as the city invests in new tracks and trails.

In winter, residents can also enjoy the city’s sports scene – including ice skating, hockey, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.

One of the most accessible cities by bike, residents can quickly zip between the city’s 18 conservation parks and a bustling city, known for its museums and galleries.

Madison is the fastest-growing city in the state, featuring a lively technology sector and exciting opportunities in health start ups.

Frederick, Maryland 

Population: 82,175

Median house price: $435,000

Percentage parkland: 7.8

Frederick is just an hour from Baltimore and Washington D.C., and is one of the more walkable cities on the list.

Nearly 90 per cent of residents live within ten minutes of a park – and sprawling public lands make the city ideal for hikers.

Frederick is home to a number of antique shops and themed events, preserving its unique culture – while continuing to invest in new arts and entertainment outlets.

Saint Petersburg, Florida

Population: 261,256

Median house price: $430,000

Percentage parkland: 14

With 244 miles of shoreline, St Petersburg is ideal for beachgoers and fishers.

As well as celebrating a number of professional sports teams, the city is also home to quieter activities, like the Salvador Dali Museum, a number of libraries and the Chihuly Collection.

Residents can enjoy the city’s breadth of historical districts, all with unique draws and cultural artefacts.

St Petersburg may not be the most walkable city on the list, but remains attractive to cyclists and rollerbladers. 

Tacoma, Washington

Population: 221,776

Median house price: $472,500

Percentage parkland: 7

Tacoma is a little smaller than St Petersburg but still enjoys 46 miles of coastline and beaches.

The city is home to 120 parks and remains fairly accessible by foot and by bike, connecting large forests and outdoor spaces with the cultural hubs in the city.

Nearby, Tacoma also has access to Mount Rainier – and is only 90 minutes from the slopes at Crystal Mountain.

Cleaning up Commencement Bay and the Dune Peninsula in recent years have opened up the city’s natural spaces for visitors to enjoy. 

The cities where Australians are switching jobs more often – and the surprising places where 10 years with the same boss is typical

By Stephen Johnson, Economics Reporter For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:36 EDT, 13 September 2023 | Updated: 02:24 EDT, 13 September 2023

The cheapest places for holidaymakers to buy petrol and diesel in Europe have been revealed – and it’s Andorra that’s the best value across the board.

Travellers renting a car in Andorra will pay £1.23 per litre for unleaded petrol – working out to £187 for 1,000 miles of driving – and £1.10 per litre for diesel (£167 per 1,000 miles).

That’s according to the latest Post Office Travel Money Motoring on the Continent report, which surveyed fuel prices in 17 European countries and created two cost-based rankings – one for unleaded petrol and one for diesel. As part of the research, the Post Office has also revealed some road rules overseas that Britons might not be aware of.

For unleaded petrol, Ireland is the second cheapest (£1.38 per litre/£209 per 1,000 miles), followed by Austria in third place (£1.39 per litre/£210 per 1,000 miles). Moving down the ranking, Spain (£1.40 per litre/£211 per 1,000 miles) is the fourth cheapest for unleaded petrol while Luxembourg (£1.41 per litre/£213 per 1,000 miles) slides into fifth place.

Looking at diesel, it’s Spain – where diesel is 21p less a litre than in the UK at £1.25 per litre (£190 per 1,000 miles) – that’s the second cheapest for drivers, followed by Luxembourg (£1.26 per litre/£191 per 1,000 miles) in third place. Fourth place in the diesel ranking goes to Ireland (£1.28 per litre/£194 per 1,000 miles) while in fifth place it’s Portugal (£1.29 per litre/£196 per 1,000 miles).

The UK sits at 6th in the unleaded petrol table at £1.44 per litre (£217 per 1,000 miles), and it’s 11th in the diesel table at £1.46 (£221 per 1,000 miles). 

Where is costly for motorists? Over one in five (21 per cent) holidaymakers surveyed say they will drive in France but high prices at the pumps make it one of the most expensive countries for fuel – it ranks 12th for unleaded petrol at £1.62 (£245 per 1,000 miles) and 13th for diesel at £1.47 (£223 per 1,000 miles).

The same is true of Italy, where unleaded petrol costs £1.62 a litre (£245 per 1,000 miles) and £1.49 for diesel (£223 per 1,000 miles). As a result, it ranks 13th for unleaded petrol and 14th for diesel in the tables.

Of all the countries surveyed, Switzerland is the priciest for diesel fuel at £1.76 a litre (£266 per 1,000 miles) and similarly expensive (15th overall) for unleaded petrol at £1.66 (£251 per 1,000 miles).

Denmark is the most expensive destination for unleaded petrol, meanwhile, priced at £1.76 per litre, or £266 for 1,000 miles. It ranks 10th in the diesel ranking, however, with diesel priced at £1.46 per litre (£218 per 1,000 miles).

Overall, in 14 of the countries surveyed, motorists driving a diesel car will pay considerably less than for unleaded petrol.

However, although fuel costs across Europe have fallen from the record levels they reached over the past year and sterling is at a 2023 high against the euro, pump prices are higher in almost 90 per cent of the countries surveyed than in 2019, when the Post Office Travel Money last conducted the pricing comparison.

Elsewhere, the report also found that over two-in-five of holiday motorists are unaware of new European road rules and risk big fines.

Post Office research found that 43 per cent of Britons planning trips are unaware of low emission zone restrictions in top destinations like France and Spain where they are most likely to drive.

Over half (52 per cent) were unaware of daily entry fees and permits required in many cities and 58 per cent did not know about the requirement to display windscreen stickers showing the emissions levels of their vehicle.

In France ‘Crit Air’ emission stickers must be displayed and if not could result in fines of £58 (€68) to £116 (€135).

Forty-two per cent of those planning to drive in Europe did not realise that speeding can carry spot fines. Yet almost one in five (19 per cent) admitted having incurred spot fines for speeding or violating other travel regulations on past trips to Europe, Post Office Travel Money reveals.

Similar numbers (18 per cent) said they had been given ‘Ultra Low Emission Zone’-style fines for contravening low-emission zone regulations and 47 per cent were unaware that those with a paper driving licence issued before March 31, 2000, will need an international driving permit.

The report found that a third of Britons visiting Europe this year plan to drive while on holiday – either in their own car or in a rental vehicle – with France, Spain and Italy the top choices for holiday motoring.

Commenting on the report, Laura Plunkett, Head of Travel Money at Post Office, said: ‘With flight costs reported to be soaring, it is understandable that so many Britons have decided to drive to Europe this summer. However, it is worrying that many people have not realised that driving laws have changed since their last trip and they could be risking big fines if they don’t learn the rules of the road. Popular destinations like France and Spain have long been operating spot fines so it is crucial for holiday motorists to carry foreign currency with them in case they are stopped for speeding or falling foul of new rules.

‘Our pump price research found that the cost of filling up in Europe can vary by as much as £100 so we advise planning driving routes carefully before setting out to keep costs down. Save money by diverting from the motorway and trunk roads into local towns. Supermarket prices will be cheaper than on the roadside, just as they are here in the UK. Remember to carry some foreign currency as not all petrol stations in rural locations accept plastic.’

Medical degrees are set to be slashed from five years to four in a drive to put tens of thousands of extra doctors on hospital wards.

Ministers plan to take advantage of Brexit to change rules on training, which were previously imposed by the EU.

The move forms part of a package of measures aimed at slashing waiting lists by boosting the NHS workforce, with 60,000 more doctors and an extra 170,000 nurses by 2036/37.

Bosses also expect to have an additional 71,000 allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, midwives and pharmacists.

The ambitious proposals are detailed in the first NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan, which is published today and supported by £2.4billion of Government funding.

The blueprint warns that staffing shortages within the health service could more than triple over the next 15 years – from 112,000 to 360,000 – as a result of a growing and ageing population, coupled with new treatments. 

The NHS says it will seek to embrace more homegrown talent and reduce its reliance on overseas employees as competition for healthcare workers is rising around the world.

A record recruitment drive will also allow it to become less dependent on expensive agency staff, cutting the bill for taxpayers by around £10billion between 2030 and 2037.

Amanda Pritchard, chief executive of NHS England, described it as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity to put staffing on a sustainable footing and improve patient care’.

Measures in the plan, which comes ahead of the NHS’s 75th anniversary on Wednesday, include:

• Doubling medical school training places to 15,000 by 2031, with new schools and more places in areas with the greatest shortages;

• Increasing GP training places by half to 6,000 by 2031;

• Almost doubling the number of adult nurse training places, with 24,000 more nurse and midwife training places a year by 2031;

• Allowing staff to ‘earn while they learn’, with apprenticeships that lead to a full degree but more-on-the-job training;

• Greater reliance on ‘associate’ roles that can help with less demanding tasks, freeing up senior colleagues for complex cases;

• Expanding training for clinical psychology and child and adolescent psychotherapy, with places rising by more than a quarter to 1,300 by 2031;

• A renewed focus on retention with better opportunities for career development, improved flexible working and pension reforms to keep 130,000 staff working in the NHS for longer.

The NHS and Government will consult with the medical regulator and universities on introducing four-year medical degrees. Graduates would still need to follow their degrees with a further two years of foundation training in a hospital, as is currently the case.

Prior to exiting the EU, UK training was governed by the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications directive (MRPQ), which stipulates 5,500 training hours and at least five years to become a doctor. 

The Department of Health and Social Care says that now the UK is no longer bound by the directive it can consider options on how to shorten training periods.

The General Medical Council would need to be assured of no risk to patient safety but last night appeared to back the move, saying there is ‘a strong case for innovation in medical education’.

Over the next five years alone, medical places may increase by almost a third, nursing degrees will increase by more than a third and GP training places will jump by a quarter. 

Meanwhile, 16 per cent of all training places for clinical staff will be offered through apprenticeships by 2028 – including more than 850 medical students. 

Mrs Pritchard said: ‘The publication of our first-ever NHS Long-Term Workforce Plan now gives us a once–in–a–generation opportunity to put staffing on sustainable footing for the years to come.

‘As we look to adapt to new and rising demand for health services globally, this long-term blueprint is the first step in a major and much-needed expansion of our workforce to ensure we have the staff we need to deliver for patients.’

Louise Ansari, chief executive of Healthwatch England, said patients will ‘really welcome the news’ that the NHS will train more doctors and nurses.

But Dr Latifa Patel, workforce lead at the British Medical Association, said: ‘Accelerated undergraduate degrees and apprenticeships are untested, and must not mean a two-tiered system of doctors.’

Rishi Sunak said: ‘On the 75th anniversary of our health service, this Government is making the largest single expansion in NHS education and training in its history. This is a plan for investment and a plan for reform.’

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said: ‘Our plan will end the reliance on expensive agency staff, while cutting waiting lists in the coming years and building an NHS which can match up to the scale of tomorrow’s challenges.’

Professor Sir Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, also backed the proposed reforms to training and staff retention, saying they will ‘create opportunities for more people to study and train in parts of the country that have historically struggled to recruit’.

The Health Secretary said the plan was about getting ‘care to patients quicker’ as he pledged to boost domestic training and improve job opportunities for staff already working in the service.

Steve Barclay told Sky News: ‘It is a hugely important day for the NHS. It is something that many in the NHS have been asking for, for a long time, to have a long-term workforce plan.

‘It is the biggest ever expansion in workforce training in the NHS’ history. It is backed up by £2.4billion of additional funding over the next five years.

‘And what it will do is train more staff, more doctors, more nurses, more midwives, but also give more opportunities to the staff within the NHS in terms of apprenticeships, developing more skills, their continual professional development.

‘And it will also look at how we reform some of our training, making that more efficient so that we can get care to patients quicker.

‘We recognise from the pandemic that there are big waiting lists, we’ve got a plan to clear those but in terms of the longer-term position of the NHS, we also need to boost our domestic training, and that is what the plan today sets out, that long-term vision for the NHS.’

Latest NHS performance data shows that the waiting list for routine operations soared to another record high.

More than 7.42million patients in England — or one in eight people — are now in the queue for ops like hip replacements. This includes 370,000 people stuck in limbo for at least a year, often in pain.

Experts have warned the backlog won’t start to shrink until the huge staffing crisis engulfing the ailing health service starts to ease. 

But strikes by up to 34,000 NHS consultants over two days next month, is likely to lead to the cancellation of more than 300,000 appointments, hampering efforts to clear record waiting lists.

It is estimated that more than 650,000 routine operations and appointments have been put off since December due to industrial action. 

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told Times Radio he had been calling on the Government to adopt Labour’s plan for the biggest expansion of of the NHS workforce in history.

He added: ‘To be fair to the Government, it looks like they’re about to adopt our plan, and that’s important because having had an understaffed NHS for more than a decade.

‘Knowing how long it takes to train new doctors, new nurses, new midwives, it’s really important that we get our skates on as a country. And if the Government have swallowed their pride and adopted our plan, why wouldn’t I welcome that?’

Asked if he would stick to the plan if Labour won the next general election, Mr Streeting said he would be speaking further to Steve Barclay, adding: ‘It is important that we do long term planning and I think one of the reasons the NHS is in the state that it’s in today is because for 13 years now, we have not had a consistent plan.’

He added that the ‘lesson from the last Labour Government is that it’s investment that matters but also reform and where we would go further than the biggest expansion of NHS staff in history, which we’d already committed to, is a reform agenda that seeks to modernise the NHS and make sure it’s fit to meet the challenges of 2048 rather than 1948 when it was created.

He said care needed to be shifted into the community and the NHS needed to switch ‘from an analogue NHS to a digital NHS’, adding: ‘We’ve also got to shift the focus so that we’re not just the national sickness service, but one that focuses on promoting good health – prevention is really crucial.’

He said the NHS ‘is a service not a shrine’ and ‘we’ve got to stop kind of just thinking of it as a national religion and make sure that it is an institution and a system that delivers the best outcomes and it’s got the potential to do that, but it does need reform.’

Whether it’s seeing the Northern Lights or a thundering waterfall, witnessing wonders of nature on your travels can make for the trip of a lifetime.

To make the experience all the more magical, spend the night somewhere that offers a spectacular front-row view of these spectacles of nature.

Here we present seven retreats for nature lovers that guarantee breathtaking vistas, from a Hawaiian cabin to a contemporary hotel in Iceland.

They’re all listed by the property rental site Coolstays. Scroll down to pick your favourite…  

NORTHERN LIGHTS – THE ARCTIC HIDEAWAY, NORWAY

If the idea of seeing the Northern Lights is a dream, then The Arctic Hideaway in Norway is the place to lay your head, an experience ‘like no other’, according to Coolstays.

The retreat, comprised of a series of eco-friendly cabins, lies on Sorvaeret island in the Fleinvaer archipelago and is ‘surrounded by rugged mountains’. 

The best time to see the Northern Lights, Coolstays reveals, is if you stay during the winter months, a time of year when guests can also enjoy ‘incredible views of the moon and stars’. 

One of the cabins at the retreat – which was created by the jazz musician and composer Havard Lund – houses a music studio, while another features a sauna, Coolstays says. Prices start at £173 ($222) per night for up to 10 guests.

METEOR SHOWERS – ROCK REACH HOUSE, CALIFORNIA

California’s Joshua Tree National Park is ‘considered one of the best stargazing spots in the U.S, being so high above sea level and with little light pollution’, according to Coolstays.

To witness these starry skies for yourself, the rental site recommends checking into Rock Reach House just outside the national park, where you can watch ‘meteor showers dance across the desert’ from the comfort of the property’s outdoor hot tub. 

Billed as the ‘ultimate chill-out pad’, the two-bedroom abode also boasts a yoga platform, an outdoor fireplace and a deck that’s ‘made for drinks beneath the stars and deep discussion long into the night’. 

The house sleeps up to four people and prices range from £189 ($242) to £692 ($887) per night.

BLACK LAVA FIELDS – LAVA HOME, HAWAII 

The appropriately named ‘Lava Home‘ is perched near the base of Kilauea Volcano on the Hawaiian island of Hawai’i. 

‘Anyone fascinated by [volcanic] activity should consider a stay at this cosy, off-grid cabin,’ Coolstays says.

Describing a stay at the property, the rental site continues: ‘Relax on your patio or in your outdoor bathtub, which offers views of the volcano, the [North Pacific Ocean], and black lava fields as far as the eye can see.’

The cabin comprises three bedrooms and prices range from £262 ($336) to £407 ($522) per night.

HOT SPRINGS – THE RETREAT, ICELAND

Coolstays notes that Iceland is famed for its thermal landscape, with visitors bathing in mineral-rich hot springs that have been ‘warmed by centuries-old lava canyons below’.

The Retreat hotel sits ‘right on the edge’ of the country’s most famous geothermal spa, the iconic Blue Lagoon, giving guests the chance ‘to wake up and enjoy an early morning dip in its warming waters’.

The rental company adds: ‘Alternatively, sit out on your private balcony as you gaze down at the steam rising from the spring or visit the sauna or massage therapy room.’ 

Prices begin at £1,200 ($1,538) per night for a two-person room at the contemporary hotel.

WATERFALLS – GRAN MELIA IGUAZU, ARGENTINA

Those keen to see the largest waterfall system in the world, the Iguazu Falls, should consider a stay at the Gran Melia Iguazu, Coolstays reveals.

Set in the Iguazu National Park in Argentina, the ‘beautiful’ hotel offer views of the falls – which lie along the border of Argentina and Brazil – from multiple vantage points.

Listing them out, Coolstays says: ‘Guests can enjoy the amazing views of the waterfall from their luxurious room or suite, the infinity pool or the fantastic on-site restaurants.’

It adds: ‘You can guarantee that staying in this beautiful location will be an experience that you will never forget.’ Prices range from £613 ($785) to £1,500 ($1,923) per night.

STARGAZE IN THE DESERT – WADI RUM BUBBLE LUXOTEL, JORDAN

Jordan’s Wadi Rum valley offers ‘one of the best stargazing experiences you can have’, according to Coolstays.

To experience it for yourself, the rental site suggests spending ‘a night under the stars’ at the Wadi Rum Bubble Luxotel, which lies ‘in the heart’ of the desert wilderness.

Guests stay in ‘bubble’ pods that ‘offer comfy beds, private terraces and huge windows so you can enjoy the spectacular sunsets from the comfort of your own bed’. 

Coolstays adds: ‘As well as some outdoor seating, you’ll also have your own sunken hot tub where you can relax and unwind under the stars in pure luxury.’ Prices start at £280 ($359) per night for a two-person ‘bubble’.

LIGHTNING STORMS – MIRROR HOUSES, ITALY

‘Northern Italy sees some of the most frequent lightning in Europe so anyone looking to catch a glimpse of the giant sparks of electricity should consider a stay in Mirror Houses in Bolzano,’ Coolstays says.

This pair of holiday houses, which look out across the Dolomites mountains, each have a ‘quirky reflective exterior’ that offers ‘quite the spectacle when lightning strikes’.

The properties, designed by the architect Peter Pichler, share a garden that’s filled with apple trees and features a saltwater swimming pool. Prices begin at £1,175 ($1,506) per week.

Other homestay rental sites are available. 

England’s best places to stay, its standout restaurants and its most unbeatable tourist attractions have been named in the 2023 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.

The finalists were selected from hundreds of tourism businesses across England including hotels, self-catering accommodation, B&Bs, glamping operators, pubs and museums. Judges narrowed it down to 16 overall winners, which were announced during an awards ceremony at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter on June 8, hosted by hotel inspector Alex Polizzi.

The awards, which have been running for more than 30 years, are said to ‘celebrate and champion innovation, quality and best practice across the industry recognising businesses and individuals who raise the bar of England’s tourism offer’.

Scroll down to see the retreats, restaurants and more that have scooped prizes…

Large Hotel of the Year Award – Titanic Hotel Liverpool, Merseyside 

This ‘elegant’ four-star hotel is set within one of Liverpool’s ‘most iconic’ areas – Stanley Dock.

VisitEngland says: ‘Offering 153 spacious rooms, the Titanic keeps true to the architecture of the original Victorian warehouse [it occupies], with exposed brickwork, steel columns and original windows.’ 

A highlight is the spa offering, the tourist board notes, saying: ‘Underground, guests can find the serene Maya Blue Wellness sanctuary, which contains a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, foot bath, experience showers and a relaxation area.’ Visit titanichotelliverpool.com.

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award – Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, The Making of Harry Potter, Hertfordshire

VisitEngland says that this fantastical attraction ‘preserves the legacy of Harry Potter for the public, allowing fans to discover the magic behind the making of the movies’. 

It reveals: ‘Guests can discover the iconic Hogwarts Great Hall, explore the Forbidden Forest, board the original Hogwarts Express at Platform 9 and three quarters and set foot in Gringotts Wizarding Bank, all before wandering down Diagon Alley.’

According to the tourist board, miniature film sets, ‘wand magic classes’ and special exhibitions ‘make it a must-see experience for Potterheads of all ages’. Visit wbstudiotour.co.uk. 

Pub of the Year – The Blind Bull, Little Hucklowm, Derbyshire 

‘Situated in the heart of the Peak District, The Blind Bull inhabits the site of Britain’s fifth-oldest public house,’ VisitEngland reveals.

It says that the 12th-century inn ‘has been restored to its former glory with a dining space and tap room, along with five bedrooms and a standalone cottage for overnight stays’.

The tourist board notes: ‘The Blind Bull serves a range of traditional real ales, classic wines and modern cocktails, as well as dishes using locally sourced ingredients cooked over an open fire.’ Visit theblindbull.co.uk.

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year – The Quiet Site, Cumbria 

The Quiet Site is a family-run, carbon-neutral holiday park overlooking Ullswater in the Lake District, VisitEngland reveals.

It says: ‘The site has been operating for 60 years, and offers a range of accommodation options, from tent and caravan pitches to camping and glamping pods, all with sustainability at the heart.’

The tourist board says that the newest addition to the site is a series of ‘gingerbread houses’ that come complete with their own underground heat source. It adds that the site’s Glamping Burrows, also known as ‘Hobbit Holes’, ‘make for a memorable, film-inspired stay’. Visit thequietsite.co.uk. 

Taste of England Award – Pensons Restaurant at the Netherwood Estate, Worcestershire

This Michelin-starred restaurant is ‘completely committed to finding sustainable and environmentally friendly ways to serve delicious food’.

VistEngland notes that ‘the flavour-led menus change weekly and sometimes even daily, depending on the fresh ingredients available’.

Leave room in your diary – this autumn, well-known Herefordshire forager Liz Knight will be leading a half-day Autumn Woodland Forage session to ‘discover the delights of wild food, ending with a three-course vegetarian lunch at Pensons restaurant’, the tourist board reveals. Visit pensons.co.uk. 

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year Award – Kidlandlee Holiday Cottages, Northumberland

This holiday rental site in the Northumberland National Park is said to ‘offer an off-grid break with home comforts’.

VisitEngland says: ‘The holiday cottages’ remote location offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors, including taking in the area’s famous dark skies. The business is committed to sustainable practices with initiatives including generating enough renewable energy to power the whole estate, protecting wildlife habitats and supporting local businesses.’

As well as the bespoke holiday cottages, guests can stay in a converted barn or in a historic Georgian townhouse. Visit kidlandlee.co.uk.

B&B and Guest House of the Year – Piglets Boutique B&B, Essex

Piglets Boutique B&B is an ‘upmarket adults-only Essex hideaway offering a bar and gin library, al fresco dining in summer and a cold-water swimming pool and sauna’.

VisitEngland says that the bed and breakfast’s five guest rooms ‘each offer a super-king bed, large smart flat-screen TV and complimentary refreshments including tea, coffee and homemade cookies’.

It adds: ‘Guests can take a hike through the rural countryside or drive down the lanes to visit nearby castles and historic houses.’ Visit piglets.co.uk. 

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – Pure Outdoor, Derbyshire

‘To educate and inspire through adventure’ is the mantra for Pure Outdoor, the outdoor activity centre in the heart of the Peak District National Park’s Hope Valley, VisitEngland reveals.

It says: ‘Benefitting from the unrivalled natural facilities of the surrounding hills and mountains, hillwalking, climbing, caving, and mountain biking are all on the agenda and guided by experienced instructors.’

The tourist board notes that the team is devoted to being eco-conscious and is donating the equivalent of five per cent of annual revenues to social and environmental causes. Visit pureoutdoor.co.uk. 

Experience of the Year – Grey Seal and Seabird Cruise, Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, Northumberland

This cruise takes travellers off the coast of the Farne Islands, which are ‘home to many different sea birds including puffin eider, razorbill, along with common grey seals for their mating season in the autumn and winter’.

It’s not the only noteworthy cruise offered by Serenity Farne Island Boat Tours, VisitEngland reveals – it also offers sunset cruises and visits to the nearby Holy Island. Visit farneislandstours.co.uk. 

New Tourism Business of the Year – Thorington Theatre, Suffolk

Detailing this prize-winning attraction, VisitEngland says: ‘From bomb crater to theatre, Thorington Theatre is a new open-air venue which has been built in a WWII bomb crater in Suffolk woodland.’

It continues: ‘The 350-seat entirely wooden amphitheatre was constructed with sustainably coppiced chestnut trees from the immediate woodland. It has been constructed with the smallest possible carbon footprint, and Thorington Theatre’s ethos is to be as sustainable as possible in every aspect of the running of the theatre from the local suppliers to the composting loos.’

The theatre is said to welcome a variety of theatre troupes, actors, comedians, and musicians throughout the summer months. Visit thoringtontheatre.co.uk. 

Lexie Alford holds the Guinness World Record for being the youngest person to travel to every country on the globe. All 196 of them. During her globetrotting she discovered some places so dangerous that she recommends only intrepid travellers should attempt to visit them – and the average tourist should stay away.

The 25-year-old Californian, who has nearly half a million subscribers on her YouTube channel Lexie Limitless, created a video in which she lists the 10 countries she has found to be the most perilous for inexperienced tourists, places where there’s a risk of kidnapping, where violent crime is rife, and where armed guards are mandatory. One of the countries, she reveals, should not be visited by travellers ‘unless they have a death wish’. 

Lexie has visited each of these destinations in recent years and has no regrets, telling MailOnline Travel: ‘Each place has taught me something new about the world and has challenged me to become a more seasoned traveller.’ Her top 10 list can be found below, ranked in reverse order from the least to the most risky… 

10. NORTH KOREA

Lexie says that travellers can visit North Korea – a country that has been ruled by the Kim family’s dynastic dictatorship since the 1940s – via a ‘highly-supervised’ government-organised tour, though she notes that these tours offer no opportunities ‘to explore by yourself to find out what’s really going on’.

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She says: ‘If you go on this tour expect to be inundated with pro-government propaganda and only see the parts of the country that the regime wants you to see. Your tour money will go directly to the Kim regime and its cronies, not the North Korean people.’

Listing the dangers of visiting North Korea on such a tour, she says: ‘If you step out of line in the eyes of the government minders, the consequences are extreme. You must be always hyper-aware of the rules and your actions if you go on this tour. For instance, when it’s time to go to your hotel in the evening, you’d better stay there until it’s your time to leave in the morning.’

There is an alternative way to see the country, Lexie notes. She recommends visiting the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the border between North and South Korea, where you can set foot in North Korean territory inside the blue buildings at the demarcation line between the two countries. 

9. BANGLADESH

Explaining why she doesn’t recommend Bangladesh to inexperienced tourists, Lexie says: ‘Unfortunately there’s a very high rate of petty crimes and violent crimes like pickpocketing and robbery. This happens in every country, but keep in mind that since there are hardly any other tourists here you’re going to attract a lot of attention every time you’re on the street, making you an obvious target.’

The YouTuber adds that ‘Bangladesh is often an uncomfortable and difficult place for women to travel… especially solo female travellers because sexual harassment tends to be more common than average here.’

These issues can be exacerbated by how densely populated the country is, she says. Lexie notes: ‘Bangladesh is just so crowded… if you get claustrophobic or intimidated by crowds then this is definitely not the place for you.’

Lexie continues: ‘To make matters worse, there’s been a lot of political instability due to unrest in neighbouring countries with ongoing terrorist attacks, including attacks that targeted foreigners in the past five years or so. [Bangladesh is] also, unfortunately, hit quite commonly by several different types of natural disasters, the most frequent being extreme monsoon flooding.’

Generally, she notes that there’s a ‘lack of a solid tourist infrastructure, which makes travel that much harder’.

However, there are lots of wonderful reasons for experienced travellers to visit too. ‘There is beautiful nature to see in Bangladesh, from its rivers to its jungles to the largest mangrove forest in the world,’ Lexie says, adding: ‘This country is cool and there are so many kind people in Bangladesh.’

8. LIBYA

Lexie tells MailOnline Travel that Libya is ‘one of the only countries in the world that you cannot visit without hiring a tour company… you aren’t technically allowed to visit as a tourist because Libya doesn’t currently issue tourist visas.’

She managed to visit the country in 2019 by securing a ‘business visa’, explaining: ‘When you arrive you have to tell the immigration officers that you are visiting Libya for work in the oil and gas industry, which is really uncomfortable.’

The country is in the grips of political-military instability that’s been ongoing since the ousting of its former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Listing out the dangers that travellers face, Lexie says: ‘On the low end the risk would be not being able to move about freely due to battles that might pop up at any time. On the high end, the risks would be getting kidnapped for ransom or political leverage or simply just getting killed in a conflict.’ 

The YouTuber notes: ‘Regardless of the stressful situations that can come with simply getting into some of the more off-the-beaten-path countries like Libya, it’s always worth it. You’re rewarded with unique, colourful culture and beautiful landscapes which you often have all to yourself.’

A high point for Lexie was seeing the ‘well-preserved’ ruins of Leptis Magna, an ancient Roman city on the Mediterranean coast. Lexie says: ‘Not only were they spectacular to witness with my own eyes but it was also surreal to walk around this place completely alone – that’s definitely not an experience you can have at the Colosseum in Rome or the Acropolis in Athens.’ However, she notes that currently, she doesn’t recommend that either experienced or rookie travellers try to visit.  

7. SOUTH SUDAN

Lexie says: ‘There are many reasons why South Sudan isn’t a safe place to travel, but the main concern is that foreigners are often targets for kidnapping and violence by militia groups.’

The video blogger says that ‘there is a huge lack of the infrastructure necessary for tourism’ in the country, which makes it ‘extremely expensive to travel there’.

While Lexie says that ‘most foreigners in the country are there as aid or military workers’, she does note, however, that ‘some of the reasons to travel there as a tourist would be to see its unique tribal cultures and a few national parks scattered throughout the country’.

6. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Lexie says: ‘The Central African Republic (CAR) is the only place I’ve ever travelled where my commercial aeroplane had to land in a corkscrew formation to avoid missile strikes… that really set the tone for what it is like to travel here.’

The YouTuber notes that while ‘there are some national parks and small cultural villages that tourists might want to see’, large parts of the country are ‘basically inaccessible due to armed conflicts over control for the roads throughout the country’.

She continues: ‘Once you get outside of the capital [Bangui] there’s not a lot of basic infrastructure so enforcing any laws is very difficult for the government. Armed militia groups basically set up illegal roadblocks to exert their control on a region and have targeted foreign travellers and aid workers this way.’

Lexie also notes that ‘basic transportation and communication lines in the country are so limited’ that embassy staff might not be able to reach travellers that require support in the time that is needed.

5. SOMALIA

During her time in Somalia, Lexie stayed in a hotel with armed guards and security checkpoints at the entrances. She says: ‘Kidnapping and terrorist attacks are by far the biggest concerns here, so you are not allowed to go anywhere here without an armed escort that you have to hire.’

She notes that the Somaliland state within the country is marginally safer for travellers, but whilst there she was still ‘required by law to have an armoured vehicle and security guard with [her] the entire time’.

A highlight of her trip was a visit to Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland. She visited the Laas Geel caves on the outskirts of the city, which contain ‘some of the oldest and most well-preserved cave drawings in the world’. Lexie says: ‘That was pretty amazing to see.’

4. SYRIA

Lexie says that it has become ‘nearly impossible’ to travel in Syria as the country’s political tensions have worsened in recent years, due to the ongoing Syrian civil war.

She says: ‘Before the war, there was a good infrastructure for tourism but most of it has been lost now as large amounts of the country [have] been reduced to rubble.

‘Syria is the only country where I personally know someone who was kidnapped there and held by the government. Thankfully my friend was dramatically saved after several months of being held in a Syrian prison… many other travellers have not been as fortunate.’

Summing up her advice, she says: ‘Even if you are an experienced traveller as my friend was, don’t go to Syria in the foreseeable future.’ The YouTuber adds that she hopes the situation changes in the future, as ‘Syria has such an amazingly rich culture and history’.

3. MALI

Lexie says of Mali: ‘This is not the place for your average tourist vacation because the risk versus the reward isn’t worth it.’

She continues: ‘Large areas of Mali are under the control of Islamist rebels who practice extremely strict sharia law. This… makes it particularly unsafe for solo female travellers. Let’s just also say that these groups politically don’t take too kindly to American or European tourists.

‘I have heard first-hand from European military officers that Mali is one of the worst places on the planet that you could possibly get kidnapped because it is nearly impossible to rescue someone there.’

The YouTuber notes, however, that extreme travellers will be tempted to explore sites in the country such as the ‘mysterious’ Unesco-listed city of Timbuktu and the Great Mud Mosque in Djenné. 

2. YEMEN

Lexie spent a week in Yemen when she was granted a visa to access the country as a working photographer. She explains: ‘There is no infrastructure for tourists in mainland Yemen, and it isn’t even possible to get a tourist visa for here.’

Reflecting on her time in the country, which has been seized by civil war since 2014, Lexie says: ‘Yemen was one of the most interesting countries I have ever travelled to. I met some of the kindest people here, but it by far felt the most dangerous.’

She says: ‘Not only does the U.S not have an embassy here, very few countries have embassies here, and there’s basically no form of law enforcement beyond the Yemeni military. It feels like you’re in the most lawless version of the old Wild West movies.’

The YouTuber does note that a safer way to ‘get a taste of Yemeni culture’ is to visit the island of Socotra, which lies off the coast of the mainland in the Indian Ocean. Describing the Yemeni isle as an ‘amazing place filled with so much incredible diversity in its landscape’, she notes: ‘This island is somewhat autonomous from mainland Yemen and they do welcome tourists.’ 

However, Lexie does note that ‘there are still many risks involved with travelling [to Socotra], so I would consider it something only an experienced traveller should undertake’.

1. AFGHANISTAN 

Afghanistan was another country in which Lexie stayed in a hotel with armed guards and security checkpoints to secure her safety. She says: ‘I loved my time in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has all the makings for a world-class tourism destination – there are colourful traditions, amazing local foods, historic monuments dating back thousands of years and more importantly, kind people at every turn who had so much hope for their country.’

However, she notes that since the hardline Islamist group the Taliban returned to power in the country in 2021, the ‘situation has changed completely’.

She says: ‘This country is now totally inaccessible for the foreseeable future, even for the most extreme traveller. Unless they literally have a death wish.’

The YouTuber adds: ‘I wish everyone could see the beauty of this country but it has become too great of a risk for the time being.’

When it comes to remote places, this scientist has ventured to some of the most off-grid places on the planet in the hope of learning more about climate change.

And now Ulyana Horodyskyj Pena, 37, has revealed to DailyMail.com some of the wildest places she has visited, from the icy coast of Antarctica to a far-flung peninsula in the Russian Far East.

The Colorado-based adventurer, who has worked with NASA in the past and currently teaches climate change at the University of Colorado Boulder, says traveling to non-tourist spots requires lots of preparation and having a satellite communication device is another key way of keeping safe. 

Some of her more terrifying travel encounters include spotting polar bear prints in Greenland and falling into a glacial river in Nepal which ‘took my breath away.’ 

Trek down to learn more fascinating insights around Ulyana’s intrepid travels…

A giant iceberg caused a tsunami wave in Antarctica

 

When she was 21 years old at her final year at Rice University in in Houston, Texas, Ulyana had the opportunity to work on the back deck of an icebreaker ship – a toughened ship designed to move and navigate through ice-covered waters – in Antarctica. 

‘I took part on a trip on the icebreaker Nathaniel B. Palmer as part of the US Antarctic Program, under the supervision of Dr. John Anderson (Rice University) and Dr. Bernard Hallet (University of Washington). 

‘I would say that this research expedition really launched my career – where I took an interest in the extreme and remote environments on the planet. 

‘At the time, it was still quite hard to get down to the Antarctic Peninsula if you weren’t doing research and tourism wasn’t as rife there. 

‘As an undergraduate student, I worked 12-hour day shifts for a month aboard the ship, helping where I was needed. 

‘This particular project was focused on tidewater glaciers from Patagonia to Antarctica. The ship was outfitted with a jumbo piston corer that collected samples of sediment from the ocean floor. Much like tubes of ice, called ice cores, tell us about past climate, tubes of mud, or, sediment cores, do the same, but through the presence of shells and single-celled algae called diatoms. 

‘Together, the information reveals our past climate and how it’s changed due to natural cycles, and how that compares with the unprecedented amount of fossil fuels we’re pumping into the air currently.

‘Some of my other tasks included listening on headphones for whales singing in the depths, through use of an underwater hydrophone. If they were, we would cease all research operations so we wouldn’t disturb them. 

‘The reason for the surveys was to find the best locations to collect sediment cores: you need soft mud near the glacier faces – not too close, for safety reasons, but also not where you can hit hard rock and break the piston corer. 

‘When running night operations, with the lights on, sometimes birds would land on the slippery deck and then not be able to easily take off. So, one of my jobs was chasing down the birds and storing them in boxes for the night, then letting them go the next morning, when it was light again.

‘During one operation, we witnessed to a massive ice calving event. Calving is when glaciers give birth to icebergs. Any land-based ice that ends up in the ocean directly contributes to sea level rise. 

‘When we saw the magnitude of what was happening, the big tsunami wave headed our way, we made a run for it, getting to safety inside the ship. I remember when the first wave hit and I got thrown across the lab. Samples went flying off the tables. 

‘Someone who was showering later said she got flung out of the shower and wondered what had happened.

‘Once we were out of there and the seas had calmed, we assessed the damage: large storage containers had been hit and deformed by large chunks of ice. We had to take sledgehammers to some pieces of ice that still populated the back deck.’

I almost got swept away by a glacial river in Iceland

The year after her trip to Antarctica, Ulyana received a small grant to do research in Iceland as part of her masters. Her field project looked at using the landscape as a testbed for Mars terrain, looking at how water erodes rock and alters its chemistry.

‘The work I conducted during my first scientific trip to Iceland took place in the interior ‘wasteland’ north of the Vatnajokull icecap. 

‘This is also one of the regions where Apollo astronauts have trained for the lunar missions. This part of Iceland, with its vast volcanic terrain, can be used as a simulation for the environments found on both the Moon and Mars. 

‘Still today, this wild area is still not visited as often as other parts of Iceland, but it is becoming more well-known. 

‘The travel can be tricky, requiring careful and well-calculated river crossings and glacier trucks kitted out with monster tires and snorkels. 

‘Given melt from the icecap, sometimes these rivers can be quite high in the summer (when the research took place), so the snorkels come in handy!

‘At one point, we almost got stuck while trying to cross a glacial river with a strong current. There were numerous crossings of this nature. 

‘I quickly realized there was a real danger of getting swept away but we managed to make it out in one piece.’

Polar bear prints prevented us from sleeping in Greenland 

During her trip to Iceland, Ulyana also had the opportunity to explore an area on the east coast of Greenland called Ittoqqortoormiit. The settlement has a population of around 345 and it has been described as one of the world’s most remote settlements.

‘I explored the area of Ittoqqortoormiit scientifically (in terms of geological history) through sampling of soils. 

‘This work was carried out primarily on the ground, through hiking, while flights (by plane and helicopter) gave perspective from the air. I found the specific area to be highly metamorphosed (subject to great pressures and temperatures), indicating a violent history, as is to be expected with the initial opening of the Atlantic Ocean. 

‘Foggy weather rolled in from the south every day, requiring me to stay close to town, as getting lost in the surrounding mountains, especially after observing fresh polar bear tracks and bloody snow, was not desirable! It was impossible to sleep the day I spotted those paw prints and all I had was my gun to protect me.

‘While camping on a sandy beach in Walrus Bay, I observed (and listened to) the melting ice pack. In fact, one night was filled with the sounds of ice breaking apart, sometimes sounding like thunder.

‘On my way back into town from camp, I had an encounter with the local wildlife. A musk ox had wandered from the mountains into town and was shot by the local police. 

‘Through this jolting experience I learned first-hand about the hunting society in northern Greenland; how life operates here above the Arctic Circle. It was interesting to learn how the Inuit people of the Arctic have adapted to particularly harsh conditions yet have somehow made themselves comfortable with their surroundings. 

‘The small hunting town of Ittoqqortoormiit made me, an American, feel welcome, despite their limited contact with the outside world. The local people told me stories of dog sledding across the ice to hunt for seals and of kayaking in the fjords in search of whale meat. 

‘I learned narwhals are very intelligent creatures. They only come into the fjords and bays at certain times of day, when they can see the shadows of kayaks approaching, so as to avoid them!

‘There were no polar bear encounters during this trip – though prints were seen in the snow.’

Battling poisonous gases, bears and mosquitos on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

On one occasion, Ulyana signed up for the International Volcanology Field School and took part in a two-week course on the remote Kamchatka Peninsula in the Russian Far East. Her course took place mainly on the Mutnovsky volcano, which is one of the most active peaks in the area with the last eruption taking place in 2000.

‘From 6500 ft on Mutnovsky volcano in the Kamchatka Peninsula, the world below looks small. You can almost reach up and touch the clouds. 

‘Being a part of the International Volcanological Field School was informative as much as it was adventurous! I got to learn that the land of Kamchatka is beautiful but deadly. 

‘On most days, we (a team of students and scientists from the US, Russia, England, Denmark and Iceland) woke up to cold, cloudy and rainy weather. 

‘One morning we were forced to stay in camp due to 45 mph winds that nearly lifted our tents off the ground. The mosquitos in this region were relentless – taking a bowl of soup from a nearby small cabin (where the cook was making food) to my tent often resulted in a dozen mosquitos landing in the bowl, thus becoming part of the protein intake. 

‘One night, my tent mate slept with her arm against the side of the tent and, the next morning, her arm was swollen with dozens of bites!

‘On most hikes, we encountered steep, uneven, and unstable terrain. To get into the active crater of Mutnovsky volcano, we needed to climb up using a tattered rope. 

‘Once over the rim, we discovered that it was not only narrow but one wrong step could send us down the slope and into the poisonous gases pouring out of the crater floor.

‘We came across one bubbling hole which was the sight of an accident, years prior, where a scientist had died while sampling. We made sure to stick together as a group and follow our instructors closely.

‘At times, it was difficult to breathe because the gases, interacting with the water vapor in our lungs, created acid. Other times, it was difficult to hike when the wind intensified, and fine ash particles assaulted our senses. 

‘Equipment malfunctioned in the extreme environment and sometimes weather conditions worsened as we ascended, making the hikes back more daunting. In those moments, you begin to understand why it is so difficult to get good scientific data in remote and hazardous locations.

‘In addition to the volcanic hazards, there were other dangers one needed to be aware of at all times: bears (we saw fresh tracks), changing weather, and crevasses that were opening up due to the melting of overlying snow. 

‘Hiking across snowy terrain was not always the easiest, especially if it was at an angle. Occasionally we resorted to sliding down the snow and ice, especially near the end of long hikes when our knees and ankles could not take the punishment of the uneven terrain anymore.’

Deadly avalanches and ice cold rivers in Nepal

Ulyana spent her PhD year in Nepal, where she got explore various mountainous and glacial areas, and she returned for 10 months on a Fulbright fellowship in 2013/2014. One of her highlights was visiting Ngozumpa, which is the longest glacier in Nepal, located under the sixth highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu.

‘While I was backpacking around Nepal, I remember seeing the evolution of internet and Wi-Fi arriving to the village where I visited for many years.

‘In 2011 I could barely send a 100 kb photo. However, these days smartphones can connect and upload high resolution photographs pretty quickly. It’s stunning to see that change in just over a decade. 

‘Aside from my 2011 PhD expedition, I had the opportunity to live abroad in Nepal for 10 months, on a Fulbright fellowship a couple of years later. This gave me a lot of time getting to know the ‘habits’ of the Ngozumpa glacier, through the various seasons. 

‘I ventured close to the Tibetan border, to explore the Nepalese base camp for Cho Oyu, the sixth highest peak in the world, and the source of the glacier I was studying, 18 kilometers down the valley.

‘One of my most terrifying moments during that time was falling into the glacial river at the outlet of Ngozumpa glacier while I was taking measurements.

‘I underestimated the strength of the current and capsized. Two of my colleagues were with me and we had a safety rope, so it ended up okay in the end. But the shock of that cold water was unbelievable and it took my breath away – literally!’ 

‘During my year abroad, I also tried to climb Himlung, a 22,965ft peak in the Nar Phu valley of the Himalaya, with a small team. That was cut short when our team leader fell in a crevasse, unroped. Fortunately he survived but he sustained many broken bones. 

‘But the valley and the peak sticks out in my mind for a few reasons – there weren’t tea houses nearby. Rather, we had a ‘homestay’ with a family. It was a neat experience to gather by the kitchen fire and take our meals in that traditional way. 

‘There was no one else on the mountain we were climbing, either – a rarity these days. So, the beautiful and pristine nature of the peak stands out. My work in Nepal was two-fold: understanding how glacial lakes are changing due to climate change and impacts of pollutants, like soot, on the snows of the high peaks. 

‘Himlung was not the first choice as far as big mountains go. We were attempting Lhotse, nearby to Everest, but an ice avalanche in 2014 killed 16 people, including one of our local team members (Asman Tamang), so we cancelled our climb.’

Baffin Island, Canadian Arctic

In 2016, Ulyana set out to the Penny Ice Cap on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic thanks to a grant from /National Geographic. She visited the remote area with two other scholars to collect snow samples to observe the impact of climate change. 

‘The Penny Ice Cap is one of the last remaining ice caps from the last Ice Age and our goal was to cross it, collect snow samples for pollutants along the way, and also make ground measurements to compare with what satellites were measuring at the same time. 

‘In order to lessen our carbon footprint and transport over all the equipment for the expedition, Jorge Rufat-Latre and I flew in a Cessna 210 plane from Boulder, Colorado, to Baffin Island. It was an arduous journey and took us five days in total. 

‘Despite coming in April, some of the sea ice was melting out quickly, preventing easy access to the ice cap. 

‘Instead, we had to find an alternate route. We decided to head to a place called Coronation Glacier, where we had very little information on the terrain, let alone how to navigate it safely. 

‘All of this had to be done on the fly, entrusting our mountaineering and navigation by instrument skills (especially in white-out conditions, which happened pretty often). 

‘The length of the glacier (35 km) and the tricky access due to moraine rocks not being covered up completely by snow, made for very slow-going, especially with loaded-down sleds. Several times we punched through the glacier into crevasses. It’s a really unsettling to feel your leg dangling in air below you!

‘However, we still managed to collect samples on the ice cap and along the length of the Coronation Glacier despite not crossing it. This was an example of adapting quickly, on-the-ground, to a new plan and still getting some science done.’

Not all items in a hotel, VRBO or hotel are as they seem – some might be hidden cameras set to capture your every move. 

Hidden camera experts have shared how spies can use canned food, lamps and garage door openers to access people’s lives.

A company even offers what looks like a traditional plastic water bottle fitted with a tiny camera that is wildly popular among private investigators.

These days, cameras are small and light enough to hide in almost anything, from wall outlets to teddy bears. 

That’s just the tip of the iceberg: There are all sorts of strange hidden recording devices, like cameras disguised as a humidifier r even functional streaming devices.

Check out these shocking cameras that actually exist. 

They come from SpyAssociates.com, which calls itself the ‘#1 Trusted Spy Store Since 1999.’ Don’t blame us if you’re a little more paranoid after seeing these.

A clever way in

What’s something mundane you’d find in just about any car? A garage door opener. 

The spy cam version includes a 2K camera that captures 1080p video or 14.2-megapixel photos. 

It lasts up to 30 hours, can be remote-controlled, and displays time and date stamps to boot. (For the record, no, it can’t open a garage door.)

Drink up

Spy Associates calls this its ‘most popular portable spy cam with private investigators and undercover police.’ 

No wonder! Who would suspect this water bottle can record video in 4K?

The rechargeable battery lasts 12 hours and stores up to 128 GB of data.

It’s not just disposable plastic water bottles. 

This reusable bottle has an HD cam built in that records at 720p quality for up to 20 hours. It sends instant motion alerts to email and the free app. 

Oh, and it even holds some liquid to make it look as realistic as possible.

At home in any home

Some of the trickiest hidden cameras are the ones that function as something else entirely, like this Holmes Humidifier. 

While it freshens the air, it also records 1080p HD video and saves to the built-in 128 GB memory. 

You can also watch recorded footage live over Wi-Fi and connect up to 32 cameras.

Like a spy movie

This pinhole camera looks like just a regular black button. It records HD video directly to an SD card and stays powered on for up to 30 hours. 

Four styles of buttons are included, and there’s even a remote control.

Most homes or offices have one of these

Outlet extenders are tremendously handy, and this one doubles as a 4K camera with a whopping 256 hours of recording. 

The power outlets and UBS ports are totally functional, a tricky touch that makes it much harder to spot. It can record for weeks in motion-detection mode and has a 90-degree wide-angle lens.

Hungry? Not anymore

This might be the funniest on the list since it’s so unexpected: A can of spaghetti and meatballs with a hidden camera tucked inside. 

It’s enabled with Wi-Fi remote viewing, motion-activated recording, 20 hours of battery life and low-light capturing. It even includes time and date stamps, along with e-mail alerts.

Let there be light

Table lamp? Check. Working AC outlets and USB ports? Check. High-definition video recording with a built-in DVR? Check. 

This lamp captures unlimited video and records continuously. 

Tune in any time to see what’s happening with 24/7 live viewing. It comes with time and date stamps, email alerts, and motion detection.

So basic you’d never expect it

This functional Roku Ultra player hides, you guessed it, a camera. 

It records in 1080p and streams in 4K. You can remotely view it over Wi-Fi, record to a PC or the built-in SD card, and capture unlimited video. 

Who would suspect it’s streaming a lot more than your favorite shows?

So sneaky

This one isn’t a camera, but it’s worth including because it’s so tricky to spot. 

This hair tie can record up to 250 hours of audio. It’s triggered to record based on sound and can remain on standby for up to 25 days.

What time is it?

This wall clock looks about as low-tech as it gets, and it records in 1080p for up to 32 hours. 

Watch remotely from anywhere with the free app and get mobile alerts when something happens. Oh, and the clock works.

Who buys this stuff?

SpyAssociates.com calls itself the leading security and surveillance supplier for consumers and businesses.

The Boca Raton, Florida, company supplies GPS tracking and surveillance equipment to

local and national government agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, NSA, NYPD, LAPD, MDPD and sheriff’s departments across the United States.

There’s even a special page for bulk government orders.

It’s not just police and government agencies. Spy Associates says it provides ‘global security and consulting services’ to Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies.

The ‘best places to stay in the world for 2023’ have been revealed by Tripadvisor after an analysis of reviews of 1.5million properties.

For the third year running in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards, The Toulson Court in Scarborough (aka ‘Scarbados’), North Yorkshire, has been named World’s Best B&B, with over 2,000 ‘excellent’ reviews on the site.

In the global Top Hotels list, it’s Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India, that comes top, followed by Ozen Reserve Bolifushi in the Maldives (second); Hotel Colline de France in Gramado, Brazil (third); and Shangri-La The Shard, London, in fourth.

Shangri-La The Shard, which occupies floors 34 to 52 of The Shard skyscraper, is also No.1 in Europe, followed in second place by Romance Istanbul Hotel in Turkey – and sixth in the global ‘Luxury Hotel’ category.

The top hotel in the USA is Perry Lane Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, in the city of Savannah, Georgia, followed by Hotel Emma at Pearl in San Antonio, Texas. In third in the States is Hotel Madera in Washington DC, with The Lancaster in Houston in fourth and Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach in Florida fifth.

The top five list in the South Pacific comprises Pinetrees Lodge, Lord Howe Island, Australia (first); The Reef House Adults Only Tropical Escapes, Palm Cove, Australia (second); Tokoriki Island Resort, Tokoriki Island, Fiji (third); The Remington, Muswellbrook, Australia (fourth), and RACV Torquay Resort, Australia (fifth).

James and Angela Rusden, owners of The Toulson Court Bed and Breakfast, said: ‘We really were not expecting the amazing news to be crowned World’s Best B&B for the third year running! We are truly amazed and delighted to win this award again. It’s fantastic not only for us, but for the town of Scarborough and all its attractions.’

Guests have praised their B&B for offering a warm welcome, excellent service and little extras – including the ‘singing chef’.

One recent Tripadvisor reviewer claimed they would have given 10 stars if they could, and it still wouldn’t have been enough.

British B&Bs make up four out of the top 10 B&Bs in the world.

Making their debut on the global list, Highcliffe House, Lynton, on the Exmoor coast, comes in at No 4, Gloucester House, Weymouth, at No. 6 and Glencoe Guest House, Keswick, in the Lake District, at No. 10.

Shangri-La The Shard tops the UK ‘Top Hotels’ list thanks to an astonishing haul of ‘excellent’ reviews – 5,796 at the time of writing from a total of 6,609.

And the hotel isn’t just endorsed by TripAdvisor users.

MailOnline Travel reviewed the property in March this year, awarding it five stars out of five and describing it as having ‘stunning views, impressive dining, a breathtaking swimming pool, slick friendly service and luxurious bedrooms’. 

Shangri-La The Shard General Manager, Kurt Macher, said: ‘We’re incredibly honoured and thrilled to be recognised as the best hotel in the UK and No.1 hotel in Europe by Tripadvisor, and even more proud to have also achieved the remarkable position of being named the No.4 hotel in the world.

‘This accolade is a testament to the passion and dedication of our team at Shangri-La The Shard, London, and we are so grateful to our guests who have shared their positive feedback of their stay in the clouds on Tripadvisor.

‘We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the entire Shangri-La The Shard, London family and our valued guests for their continued support. We will continue to strive for excellence and aim to surpass every guest’s expectations with personalised service and we look forward to welcoming each and every one for a truly magical stay soon.’

The rest of the Top Hotels UK list comprises The Resident Covent Garden, London (second); Hotel 41, London (third); The Montcalm Royal London House, London (fourth); The Milestone Hotel and Residences, London (fifth); Dakota Manchester, Manchester (sixth); Aviator Hampshire, Farnborough (seventh); Claridge’s, London (eighth); The Chesterfield Mayfair, London (ninth); and Tynedale Hotel, Llandudno (10th).

Haven Hall Hotel on the Isle of Wight is named No.2 Best Luxury Hotel in the UK (No. 15 in Europe) and the Grove of Narberth in Wales, No. 3 in the UK and No. 19 Europe.

Boutique hotel No. 1 By GuestHouse, York, is named ninth Hottest New Hotel in the World and The Coal Exchange Hotel, situated in the old coal and shipping exchange building in Cardiff Bay, comes 19th in the world in the Out of the Ordinary category.

Meanwhile, the Best Hotels for Sleep category ranking is topped by Dromoland Castle Hotel in Ireland, and Ikos Andalusia is No.1 in the Best Family-Friendly Hotels list.

And the world’s hottest new hotel? That’s Oblu Select Lobigili in the Maldives. 

Sarah Firshein, Head of Editorial at Tripadvisor, said: ‘As our savvy reviewers know, hotels can sometimes be the entire reason for the trip. I’m personally very excited to consult this list as I plot out the next year of holidays with my own family.’ 

For more visit www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.