TravelBBC 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.2 days agoTravelFour 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.3 days agoTravelIn the news'I grew up in a cave that my parents bought'15 hrs agoEnglandPassengers arrive at Belfast airport despite disruption1 day agoNorthern IrelandAirports open late to clear Christmas fog backlog1 day agoUKWeather and airport delays disrupt American Christmas travel1 day agoUS & CanadaAmerican Airlines resumes flights after technical issue1 day agoUS & CanadaAdventuresThe otherworldly mountains that inspired AvatarZhangjiajie, China's first national park, features glass-bottomed bridges, a mountain elevator and a food court complete with a McDonald's for those inclined to take it easy.13 Dec 2024TravelRiding the real Polar Express in LondonOur writer climbs aboard the steam train making Christmastime appearances in London to mark the 20th anniversary of the animated film.11 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 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 2024TravelThe island with 20 people and one million birdsSet some 40km off Iceland's northern coast, this windswept sliver is home to one of Europe's most remote settlements and a thriving seabird population.3 Dec 2024TravelThe UK's network of free hiking 'hotels'You can’t book them and you don't know who else will be there, but they're an excellent way to explore Britain's most remote corners – for free.29 Nov 2024TravelIn PicturesThe world's most extraordinary tiny hotel roomsFrom upcycled sewer pipes to spheres suspended in the sky, capsule hotels have been reinvented for a new generation of travellers.The SpeciaListSeven 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.5 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.8 days agoTravelHow 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 ski champion's guide to La Plagne, FranceTess Ledeux grew up on the slopes of La Plagne and now she's a world-class freestyle champion. Here are her picks for her home slopes, from après-ski to otherworldly Alpine views.7 Dec 2024TravelA 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 2024TravelA dancehall superstar's guide to JamaicaFrom hiking Dunn's River Falls to having bun and cheese, here are international pop artist Shenseea's picks for how to experience the best of her home nation.23 Nov 2024TravelFive of Montreal's best poutine spots - according to a local chefMontreal-born chef Michele Forgione makes one of the best poutines in the city.16 Nov 2024TravelA chef's guide to the best food in IstanbulIstanbul-born chef Fatih Tutak shares his favourite culinary experiences in his hometown, from Turkish barbecue at Ahmet Ustam Ocakbaşı to micro-seasonal menus at Nazende.13 Nov 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?8 days agoCulture & ExperiencesThe mysterious origins of Chimaera's 2,500-year-old flamesOn Mount Chimaera, fire has been spitting out from rocks for over 2,500 years. Our local SpeciaList explains why.25 Nov 2024The SpeciaListExploring 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 & ExperiencesHow Madeira is balancing natural beauty and tourism boomThe BBC's Rajan Datar explores the stunning landscapes and bustling streets of the Portuguese island of Madeira.18 Nov 2024AdventuresTurkey's island of 400 ancient shipwrecksA dive into 3,500 years of underwater archeology, sunken cities and Lycian tombs with Prof Hakan Öniz.18 Nov 2024The SpeciaListHolocaust 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 & ExperiencesPuglia's elders keeping a pasta tradition aliveWriter Carmen Roberts tours Puglia's coast, meeting local elders who are trying to preserve a pasta tradition.4 Nov 2024AdventuresThe 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 & ExperiencesA look at life as a traditional nomad in MongoliaBBC travel reporter Lucy Hedges leaves city life behind to embrace nomadic living in the Mongolian countryside.28 Oct 2024AdventuresPhotos offer rare glimpse into Jewish shtetl lifeA treasure trove of photographs provides a window into early 20th century Jewish shtetl life.26 Oct 2024Culture & ExperiencesQasr al-Farid: The Lonely Castle of the ancient NabateansThe castle located in the Nabatean civilisation's second city, Hegra, has only recently opened up to the public.24 Oct 2024AdventuresMongolia's fascinating Soviet historyBBC presenter Lucy Hedges explores Mongolia's Soviet history with a local historian.22 Oct 2024AdventuresSaving Vietnam's endangered langur monkeysVietnamese-American journalist W Lee Adams visits Vietnam, home to some of the world's rarest plants and animals.15 Oct 2024AdventuresVisiting Hanoi's oldest food marketVietnamese-American broadcaster William Lee Adams returns to Vietnam, where his father met his mother.8 Oct 2024AdventuresReviving Madeira's stunning walking pathsHow tourism is pushing locals to walk that delicate line between preserving and boosting economic growth.29 Sep 2024AdventuresSouth African Braai: What it is and why you should try itThe Braai tradition in South Africa is more than just a BBQ, it's a phenomenon that ties the nation together.24 Sep 2024World's TableFriday 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 & ExperiencesGreen GetawaysSweden's wooden city that was green before GretaNearly a decade before Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was even born, Växjö set itself on a path to a new vision of green urban living.15 Nov 2024TravelThe Danish city designed for an easy lifeCopenhagen's once-industrial port has been planned to make everything – from schools and play areas to businesses and recreational spaces – accessible within five minutes.5 Nov 2024TravelSix travel firms making the world a better placeThis year's Global Responsible Tourism Award winners demonstrate that travel can be inclusive, climate-friendly, nature-positive and a positive force for local communities.4 Nov 2024TravelThe town aiming to become the world's 'ecotourism capital'The fuel-guzzling town of Queenstown, New Zealand, has an audacious goal to become the first tourist destination to have a carbon-zero visitor economy by 2030.1 Nov 2024TravelWorld's TableA nostalgic French drink that evokes ChristmasAt this time every year, slow cookers are set up at Christmas market stands and on bistro bars throughout France, perfuming the air with warm, spiced wine.4 days agoTravelSweden's real-life candy cane villageSweden's capital of candy, Småland, is home to the original Swedish candy cane, where millions of the red-and-white sticks are handmade each year.6 days agoTravelThe addictive love cake only baked at ChristmasFruity, nutty and slightly tangy, this deliciously rich, spiced cake symbolises love and affection – and making it is a true labour of love.15 Dec 2024TravelPuerto Rico's favourite holiday drinkFor award-winning bartender Virgie Nieves and many others across her home island of Puerto Rico, nothing signals the start of the holiday season like this creamy coconut punch.15 Dec 2024TravelMore on Travel7 days agoThe 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.7 days agoTravel17 Dec 2024Europe'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 2024Travel16 Dec 2024The innovative, green future of skiingAs ski resorts around the world grapple with the effects of climate change, dry slope skiing may be the green answer to the sport's future.16 Dec 2024Travel12 Dec 2024The big change coming to UK travel in 2025Many international travellers will soon need to register for an online authorisation before touching down in the UK or many EU nations.12 Dec 2024Travel12 Dec 2024Is 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 2024Travel10 Dec 2024The 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 2024Travel9 Dec 2024The 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 2024Travel8 Dec 2024How to make a perfect martiniBritish-born gin connoisseur Simon Ford breaks down the components of a proper (and perfect) martini, a staple of any festive holiday gathering.8 Dec 2024Travel8 Dec 2024Chef Richard Corrigan's classic Christmas menuThe legendary chef explains how to make the perfect roastie, why turkey still triumphs over beef and the unusual ingredient in his Christmas pudding.8 Dec 2024Travel