● 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 · 19 articles

Rebecca Ann Hughes

Rebecca Ann Hughes is a journalist whose reporting on Culture appears on The Debate.

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19 articles
Inside the quiet luxury revival of the Venice Lido – home to the glittering film festival
Culture

Inside the quiet luxury revival of the Venice Lido – home to the glittering film festival

The island of beaches and pine forests is seeing its historic hotels revamped and a new property open.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes04 September 2026
Travelling to Europe? EES border checks are changing from 6 September
Culture

Travelling to Europe? EES border checks are changing from 6 September

Industry experts are concerned the removal of the Entry/Exit System’s temporary flexibilities will see border chaos return.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes04 September 2026
Kids' discounts and play areas: The European countries where train travel is a dream for families
Culture

Kids' discounts and play areas: The European countries where train travel is a dream for families

Rail companies in Europe are increasingly offering family-friendly services on board and reduced fares for children and young people.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes28 August 2026
Spain will overtake France as the world’s most visited country by 2040, new study predicts
Culture

Spain will overtake France as the world’s most visited country by 2040, new study predicts

Worldwide, the number of tourist trips is expected to continue to increase, reaching 2.4 billion by 2040.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes20 August 2026
Temples to Minoan palaces: Greece is opening 126 ancient sites for free under the August full moon
Culture

Temples to Minoan palaces: Greece is opening 126 ancient sites for free under the August full moon

Sites will be open until around midnight, and several will have live concerts, choirs or guided tours built into the programme.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes14 August 2026
This boutique hotel in Lisbon has an in-house library, rooftop sunset sessions and a pillow menu
Culture

This boutique hotel in Lisbon has an in-house library, rooftop sunset sessions and a pillow menu

Villa Dorothéa is designed as a private micro-neighbourhood within Lapa, threaded through with passageways that give it the feel of a village.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes13 August 2026
Forget Venice and Amsterdam: Beat the crowds in Europe’s best alternative canal cities
Culture

Forget Venice and Amsterdam: Beat the crowds in Europe’s best alternative canal cities

As Venice and Amsterdam suffer mass tourism, here’s our guide to the lesser-visited cities in Europe which pride themselves on their waterways.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes07 August 2026
Copenhagen, Normandy, Exmoor: European destinations where tourists are rewarded for good behaviour
Culture

Copenhagen, Normandy, Exmoor: European destinations where tourists are rewarded for good behaviour

Destinations in Europe have been inspired by Copenhagen’s good behaviour rewards with Exmoor the latest to announce the launch of a new scheme.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes07 August 2026
Scenic, secluded and stress-free: These are Europe’s best islands for a road trip
Culture

Scenic, secluded and stress-free: These are Europe’s best islands for a road trip

Whether you're chasing dramatic scenery, searching for solitude or looking for a calming adventure, here are the top recommendations.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes01 August 2026
Lagoon views and a design refresh: Venice’s Danieli Four Seasons Hotel is now open
Culture

Lagoon views and a design refresh: Venice’s Danieli Four Seasons Hotel is now open

The hotel reopens with 120 rooms and suites, with total accommodations set to grow to 168 once the restoration of Palazzo Danieli Excelsior is complete in 2027.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes31 July 2026
Solar eclipse accommodation demand surges in Spain and Iceland. Is it too late to book?
Culture

Solar eclipse accommodation demand surges in Spain and Iceland. Is it too late to book?

Unlike most travel trends, eclipse demand is remarkably concentrated in a brief period and geographic zone.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes31 July 2026
Lake Como vs Lake Garda: How Italy’s most popular lakes compare
Culture

Lake Como vs Lake Garda: How Italy’s most popular lakes compare

The two Italian lakes have attracted holidaymakers since Roman times, with organised tourism becoming a key business around both shorelines by the 19th century.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes31 July 2026
‘Like a bird flying’: You can now soar on a giant swing over the Swiss Alps
Culture

‘Like a bird flying’: You can now soar on a giant swing over the Swiss Alps

The 12m-high swing opened earlier this month and hopes to attract off-season visitors as snow becomes less reliable due to climate change.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes24 July 2026
UK airports hiked drop-off fees by a third since last summer, while continental Europe stays free
Culture

UK airports hiked drop-off fees by a third since last summer, while continental Europe stays free

Earlier in the year, London Gatwick raised its 'kiss and fly' fee to become the most expensive in the UK and now Stansted has increased its drop-off charge.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes23 July 2026
Flying while pregnant? Here are your airport and airline rights you might not know about
Culture

Flying while pregnant? Here are your airport and airline rights you might not know about

Skipping a queue or getting assistance can make the process of flying while you’re expecting much less stressful.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes18 July 2026
Sunbed wars and music bans: Europe’s surprising beach rules travellers should know this summer
Culture

Sunbed wars and music bans: Europe’s surprising beach rules travellers should know this summer

To avoid having possessions confiscated or paying fines, here are all the rules you might not know about when spending time on Europe’s beaches this summer.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes17 July 2026
Cruises worsen overtourism and pump out emissions, so why are they taxed less than hotels?
Culture

Cruises worsen overtourism and pump out emissions, so why are they taxed less than hotels?

A €15 tax per passenger per port call would raise €335 million a year in Italy, France, and Spain combined, according to Transport & Environment’s modelling.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes13 July 2026
‘Serious concern’: Nine European countries urge EU to ease Entry/Exit System border checks
Culture

‘Serious concern’: Nine European countries urge EU to ease Entry/Exit System border checks

Airports and airlines have also joined the chorus of criticism, once again warning of the disruption caused by the Entry/Exit System (EES).

By Rebecca Ann Hughes10 July 2026
Extreme weather, conflicts and responsible tourism: How travel is changing in 2026
Culture

Extreme weather, conflicts and responsible tourism: How travel is changing in 2026

Destinations will need to strengthen their ability to anticipate and adapt to uncertainty, according to a new report.

By Rebecca Ann Hughes03 July 2026