● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°261·● LIVEECB RATE 2.4%·EUR/USD 1.1622·EUR/GBP 0.8590·BRUSSELS 15°C — OVERCAST·BOND YIELDS ARE SURGING GLOBALLY BUT WHY AREN’T EQUITIES FALLING?·FROM GIANT TVS TO 'JAMES BOND GLASSES': TCL'S VISION FOR THE FUTURE·BARDELLA SIGNS PACT WITH FARAGE TO STOP SMALL BOAT CROSSINGS 'FOREVER'·SENIOR EU OFFICIALS RETIERATE NEED FOR NEW EUROPE-WIDE TAXES IN NEXT BUDGET·PASSPORT FOR A NEWBORN: BIRTH TOURISM AS PART OF RUSSIA'S NEW EMIGRATION·INSIDE THE QUIET LUXURY REVIVAL OF THE VENICE LIDO – HOME TO THE GLITTERING FILM FESTIVAL·WEEK 38 · N°261·
Independent European journalism — politics, power, technology and public life
Brussels · Europe
N°261 · Week 38

The Debate.eu

Friday, 18 September 2026
Read across Europe
CONTRIBUTOR · 17 articles

Mike Starling

Mike Starling is a journalist whose reporting on Culture and Europe appears on The Debate.

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Culture · Europe

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17 articles
Major US airlines to launch new European routes for 2027 – here’s where they are flying to
Culture

Major US airlines to launch new European routes for 2027 – here’s where they are flying to

Alaska, American, Delta and United are among the US airlines to announce new direct flights to destinations in Europe next year.

By Mike Starling28 August 2026
Northern Lights travel bucket list: Unique trips and experiences to book in 2026-2027
Culture

Northern Lights travel bucket list: Unique trips and experiences to book in 2026-2027

Witnessing the Aurora Borealis is top of the bucket list for many travellers. In this guide, we pick out some of the best Northern Lights trips and experiences to book in 2026 and 2027.

By Mike Starling14 August 2026
Winding trails and coastal treks: Three of Europe’s best autumn hikes, according to Lonely Planet
Culture

Winding trails and coastal treks: Three of Europe’s best autumn hikes, according to Lonely Planet

In its new guide book, Lonely Planet has picked out some of the best hikes around the world.

By Mike Starling12 August 2026
New ships, true crime voyages and chocolate: Cruise travel trends to know in 2026 and 2027
Culture

New ships, true crime voyages and chocolate: Cruise travel trends to know in 2026 and 2027

Cruise travel continues to evolve with a host of new ships joining the fleets as well as themed voyages and unique experiences at sea and on the rivers.

By Mike Starling03 August 2026
How Greece’s ‘door visa’ gives Turkish visitors easier entry to islands in the EU
Culture

How Greece’s ‘door visa’ gives Turkish visitors easier entry to islands in the EU

Launched in 2024, the visa-on-arrival scheme covers 12 Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.

By Mike Starling31 July 2026
Middle East flights: Air France suspends routes to Riyadh, Dubai and Beirut
Culture

Middle East flights: Air France suspends routes to Riyadh, Dubai and Beirut

Air France said it is ‘monitoring the situation’ in ‘real time’ while other carriers including KLM, British Airways, Aegean and Singapore Airlines have also issued recent updates on their Middle East flights.

By Mike Starling21 July 2026
Welcome to ‘The Odyssey summer’: Visit these locations for a blockbuster set-jetting trip
Culture

Welcome to ‘The Odyssey summer’: Visit these locations for a blockbuster set-jetting trip

Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer's epic poem is one of the year’s most anticipated new movies.

By Mike Starling17 July 2026
Aqua adventures: Europe’s best islands for water sports, diving, surfing and more
Culture

Aqua adventures: Europe’s best islands for water sports, diving, surfing and more

A new study has ranked the best islands in Europe for water sports based on search interest for activities such as surfing, diving, kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

By Mike Starling17 July 2026
The empty middle seat: A perk that every economy passenger hopes for when flying
Culture

The empty middle seat: A perk that every economy passenger hopes for when flying

Following the unveiling of its ‘Relax Row’, US airline United has now announced plans to roll out its new offering in Economy Plus – a special row that has no middle seat and instead uses the extra space for a shared table and more elbow room.

By Mike Starling17 July 2026
Travelling to Ireland? These are the highest-rated tourist attractions to visit
Culture

Travelling to Ireland? These are the highest-rated tourist attractions to visit

A new study has revealed Ireland’s highest-rated tourist attractions, with the ranking dominated by museums, distilleries and stunning natural wonders.

By Mike Starling15 July 2026
From ocean to fairway: Luxury cruise line tees off with golf itineraries
Culture

From ocean to fairway: Luxury cruise line tees off with golf itineraries

Silversea has teamed up with PerryGolf to launch a new collection of golf-focused cruises which combine onboard luxury with playing some of the world’s most iconic courses.

By Mike Starling15 July 2026
Bitter rivalries and golden boots: A ‘line-up for the ages’ in the World Cup semifinals
Europe

Bitter rivalries and golden boots: A ‘line-up for the ages’ in the World Cup semifinals

With four previous champions, Mbappé vs. Yamal, Messi vs. Kane plus an all-star race for the golden boot, the France vs.

By Mike Starling13 July 2026
Travel to Europe continues to grow in 2026 with Greece, Italy and Malta leading the way
Culture

Travel to Europe continues to grow in 2026 with Greece, Italy and Malta leading the way

Amid turbulence across the tourism sector, international visitor numbers to Europe increased by 5% year-to-date, according to European Travel Commission data, with Greece, Italy and Malta recording the largest increases in arrivals.

By Mike Starling10 July 2026
ETIAS: After EES chaos, will Europe’s new €20 travel authorisation system be delayed?
Culture

ETIAS: After EES chaos, will Europe’s new €20 travel authorisation system be delayed?

According to a report in the Financial Times, the EU is set to delay the launch of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) until 2027.

By Mike Starling08 July 2026
Got €200,000 to spare? This ultra-exclusive trip for the 2026 solar eclipse could be yours
Culture

Got €200,000 to spare? This ultra-exclusive trip for the 2026 solar eclipse could be yours

Meliá Hotels International’s travel package to the Balearic Islands for August’s total solar eclipse is so exclusive that it's only available for one booking at each of its two hotels.

By Mike Starling08 July 2026
Europe’s best islands for holidays in 2026, ranked by weather, food and greenery
Culture

Europe’s best islands for holidays in 2026, ranked by weather, food and greenery

In a new study of Europe’s best island escapes for 2026, Spain and Croatia dominate the overall top 10 ranking.

By Mike Starling06 July 2026
Stockholm travel guide: Sunsets, fika and island swimming in the stunning archipelago
Culture

Stockholm travel guide: Sunsets, fika and island swimming in the stunning archipelago

If you’re looking for the coolest of coolcations, then a visit to Sweden’s capital city should be on your travel bucket list.

By Mike Starling05 July 2026