Culture & ExperiencesBBC Travel's favourite stories of 2024From freediving in Mexico's cenotes to sketching in Bhutan's cafes, these 20 stories helped us see the world in a new way this year.The country where residents live longer than everWhen it comes to longevity, few places in the world have seen such a drastic jump in life expectancy as the island city-state in Southeast Asia.5 days agoTravelThe towns that inspired 100 Years of SolitudeAs a new Netflix series thrusts Gabriel García Márquez's masterpiece back into the spotlight, these are the real-life places that inspired the writer's magical realism.19 Dec 2024TravelEurope's borderless town that embraces two culturesIn 1947, Gorizia was abruptly split between Italy and Slovenia. In 2025, the two towns will reunite as the first transnational European Capital of Culture.17 Dec 2024TravelThe last Inca bridge masterNearly 500 years after the collapse of the largest empire in the Americas, a single bridge remains from the Inca's extraordinary road system – and it's rewoven every year from grass.10 Dec 2024TravelThe neighbourhood where Romans go to eatOnce an important port that supplied food to ancient Rome, off-the-beaten-path Testaccio remains the city's favourite culinary destination.9 Dec 2024TravelFour fascinating winter festivals in EuropeChristmas has become the dominant festival in the Western cultural calendar, but echoes of the pre-Christian past can still be found across the continent.6 Dec 2024TravelWatchThe little-known truth behind a Christmas taleScience says that Santa must have a crew of female reindeer. So why do we think Rudolph the reindeer is a boy?18 Dec 2024Culture & ExperiencesExploring Japan's ancient tradition of lacquerwareFind out how Japan's renowned Wajima-nuri lacquerware is crafted through more than 100 intricate steps.22 Nov 2024Culture & ExperiencesWhy nudity is a rule in Japan's traditional onsensJapan's popular hot spring baths come with a unique requirement, full nudity for anyone entering the onsen.19 Nov 2024Culture & ExperiencesHolocaust survivor shares story of journey to AuschwitzIn a disarmingly frank interview, Holocaust survivor Freddie Knoller recounts his story of survival.9 Nov 2024Culture & ExperiencesJantelagen: Why Swedes won't talk about wealthIn Sweden, a deep-rooted cultural code called Jantelagen stops many from talking about their wealth.5 Nov 2024Culture & ExperiencesThe Irish folk history of Jack-O'-LanternsLong before pumpkins became a sign of Halloween, people carved faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits.31 Oct 2024Culture & ExperiencesThis is not black magic: The real voodoo of New OrleansVoodoo, often portrayed as something to be feared, is having a renaissance in New Orleans.29 Oct 2024Culture & ExperiencesPhotos offer rare glimpse into Jewish shtetl lifeA treasure trove of photographs provides a window into early 20th century Jewish shtetl life.26 Oct 2024Culture & ExperiencesFriday the 13th: The psychology behind the superstitionToday is widely considered an unlucky day. But where did the superstition come from, and why do people still believe in it?13 Sep 2024Culture & ExperiencesA surprising Welsh enclave in PatagoniaIn 1865, 150 Welsh immigrants fled to Argentina, discovering a new world far from home.5 Aug 2024Culture & ExperiencesTurkey's answer to 'Burning Man'A music and art extravaganza takes place in an 'otherworldly' landscape amid unique volcanic rock formations.22 Jul 2024Culture & ExperiencesWhy is Finland the happiest country in the world?The Finns have been named the happiest people seven years running. How do they do it?28 Mar 2024Culture & ExperiencesPust: An ancient festival to chase away winterReady for spring? Here's how locals saved an almost forgotten ritual in Slovenia.27 Mar 2024Culture & ExperiencesFour Japanese principles to lead a good lifeWe are entering Cherry Blossoms Season in Japan and in many US cities. What does this tradition teach us today?20 Mar 2024Culture & ExperiencesBaggage fees and the rising costs of airline travelBaggage fees made airlines a record $33 billion in 2023 so we look at how we got here.29 Feb 2024Culture & ExperiencesHow the Amazon became a safe-haven for enslaved AfricansThe history of how the Maroons escaped slavery through an unknown route in the Amazon rainforest. 22 Feb 2024Culture & ExperiencesThe surprising origins of the Super BowlAmerican football is a US tradition unlike any other and yet it traces its roots to an ancient Roman game.9 Feb 2024Culture & ExperiencesThe country with earliest wake-up time in the worldEarly birds: Why do Colombians tend to get up earlier than all other countries around the world?11 Jan 2024Culture & ExperiencesTiwanaku: The civilisation that mysteriously disappearedThe ancient Tiwanaku civilisation is known as the 'mother culture' of South America.6 Dec 2023Culture & ExperiencesEl Dorado: The remarkable story behind a mythical cityThis is the story of how our collective lust for gold gave rise to the myth of El Dorado, a lost city of gold.5 Dec 2023Culture & ExperiencesWell WorldThe US state where 'America drinks its way to health'Once known as one of the country’s greatest health resorts, the small Texas town of Mineral Wells was recently designated the state's official Wellness Capital.See moreThe 2024 wellness trend to help you switch off8 Aug 2024TravelAsia's tattoo-friendly hot springs18 Jul 2024TravelVisiting a beer spa in the Czech Republic10 Jun 2024TravelEstonia's naked wellness tradition thought to cure all ills16 May 2024TravelAn ancient activity that could help ease anxiety8 May 2024TravelRediscovering AmericaThe US city reclaiming its Native rootsAfter spearheading the modern fight for Native American rights, Minneapolis and nearby Saint Paul are experiencing an Indigenous cultural renaissance.14 Oct 2024TravelThe US town built by and for Chinese peopleChinese labourers turned central California into an agricultural powerhouse – and built a bustling Chinese-run town once called the "Monte Carlo of California" in the process.30 May 2024TravelThoughtful travelFour holiday spots where tourists are welcomeAs overcrowded European destinations struggle to deal with hordes of travellers, some places not only offer an alternative to mass tourism but actively want you to visit.Is this the answer to sustainable flying?Amid talk of sustainable aviation fuel and electric flights, there's another form of air travel currently being mooted as a green alternative to flying: the airship.12 Dec 2024TravelThe growing travel trend of clean, fresh airAs smog in New Delhi makes headlines yet again, experts and holidaymakers alike are pondering how worsening air quality will change travel in the long term.10 Dec 2024TravelWill you be going on holiday to… Greenland?Greenland is about to open up to adventure-seeking visitors. How many tourists will come is yet to be seen, but the three new airports will bring profound change.27 Nov 2024TravelEurope wants you to travel by train - but why is it so expensive?Across the continent, flights are priced at a fraction of the cost of train tickets, hampering the growing number of people who want to travel sustainably.11 Nov 2024TravelThe SpeciaList : Global guides from local expertsSeven of New England's best ski experiencesChris Davenport is a born New Englander who learned his craft on the region's best slopes. Here are his favourite places to ski in the north-east, from Jay Peak to Stowe.7 days agoTravelA freeski champion's guide to WhistlerCanada's Mike Douglas stands at the vanguard of his hometown's ski culture. Here are his local favourites, from schussing down Peak to Creek to ahi poke at Sushi Village.18 Dec 2024TravelHow to spend a ski break in Cortina d'AmpezzoAs the world turns its gaze to Italy's Cortina d'Ampezzo - one of the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics - ski champion Kristian Ghedina shares his hometown picks.14 Dec 2024TravelA stylist's guide to New York shoppingJust in time for the holidays, stylist to the stars Erin Walsh shares her insider recommendations for getting to the heart of New York City's vast shopping scene.11 Dec 2024TravelMore culture and experiences5 Dec 2024Five of the world's most innovative countriesThe BBC speaks to residents and travellers in some of the top-ranked countries on the 2024 Global Innovation Index to find out how cutting-edge technology benefits day-to-day life.5 Dec 2024Travel4 Dec 2024A Turkish film star's guide to AntalyaActor Ekin Koç called seaside Antalya home before conquering the world of Turkish film. Here are his picks, from hiking the Lycian Road to catching a concert at the Aspendos Theatre.4 Dec 2024Travel22 Nov 2024How New York City is reclaiming its Native rootsFour hundred years after Europeans arrived, New York City's Native community isn't just thriving – it's growing.22 Nov 2024Travel21 Nov 2024Why urban sketching retreats are taking offMany travellers snap pictures during their trips, but others find that slowing down to illustrate a place helps them appreciate it in a more meaningful way.21 Nov 2024Travel20 Nov 2024How a 'politely radical' UK town shaped the USThe English town where one of America's Founding Fathers, and the world's first international revolutionaries, sparked a spirit of rebellion that continues to this very day.20 Nov 2024Travel19 Nov 2024Five countries helping travellers find their rootsAs DNA ancestry testing kits have become more accessible and affordable, "heritage tourism", where travellers reconnect with their places of origin, has become more popular than ever.19 Nov 2024Travel16 Nov 2024Australia's new experience brings Bluey to lifeUnlike typical theme parks, this experience is less about flashy rides and more about encouraging kids to engage in imaginative play and teamwork – just like Bluey and Bingo do.16 Nov 2024Travel12 Nov 2024The US's spectacular 'Olympics of hoop dancing'There's no better place to see hoop dancers at the top of their game than at the World Championship Hoop Dance Contest in Phoenix, Arizona.12 Nov 2024Travel10 Nov 2024A croissant that's the star of a Polish paradeThe St Martin's croissant has a long history in Poznań, with its legacy celebrated every 11 November in a vibrant parade where more than a million of the sweet treats are gobbled up.10 Nov 2024Travel
