● 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 · 33 articles

Saskia O'Donoghue

Saskia O'Donoghue is a journalist whose reporting on Culture appears on The Debate.

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33 articles
Is coach travel underrated? Here are five journeys in Europe to take
Culture

Is coach travel underrated? Here are five journeys in Europe to take

Once seen as an old-fashioned way to travel, coach holidays are enjoying a revival.

By Saskia O'Donoghue03 September 2026
Where is the best bar in Europe? It’s in Budapest according to a new ranking
Culture

Where is the best bar in Europe? It’s in Budapest according to a new ranking

From Budapest’s famous ruins to centuries-old Belgian boozers and wonderfully eccentric drinking dens, these are the European bars where atmosphere, character and local culture matter more than polish, according to a new ranking.

By Saskia O'Donoghue02 September 2026
Tenerife vs Lanzarote: How the two popular Canary Islands compare for a holiday
Culture

Tenerife vs Lanzarote: How the two popular Canary Islands compare for a holiday

Both islands offer year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches and volcanic landscapes, but Tenerife and Lanzarote have very different personalities.

By Saskia O'Donoghue02 September 2026
From off-season sun to snowy adventures: 10 of the best European destinations to visit this winter
Culture

From off-season sun to snowy adventures: 10 of the best European destinations to visit this winter

From the warm beaches of Fuerteventura and Madeira to snow-covered Cappadocia and the Bavarian Alps, these European destinations offer plenty of reasons for winter travel once the crowds have disappeared.

By Saskia O'Donoghue28 August 2026
Could high-speed trains run from London to Europe every 15 minutes?
Culture

Could high-speed trains run from London to Europe every 15 minutes?

Catching a train from London to mainland Europe could soon become a lot easier, with services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam potentially departing as often as every 15 minutes by the end of the decade as Eurostar faces a wave of new competition.

By Saskia O'Donoghue27 August 2026
Think Scandinavia is best for an active coolcation? The Alps are giving it a run for its money
Culture

Think Scandinavia is best for an active coolcation? The Alps are giving it a run for its money

Scandinavia may be an obvious choice for a cooler summer holiday, but a new ranking has found the Alps are just as tempting for travellers looking to hike, cycle and escape the heat.

By Saskia O'Donoghue27 August 2026
Thailand, Japan or Australia? The travel destinations dividing Gen Z and Millennials
Culture

Thailand, Japan or Australia? The travel destinations dividing Gen Z and Millennials

New research reveals a clear generational divide in travel, with Gen Z favouring affordable, trending destinations such as Thailand, Cambodia and Laos, while Millennials are opting for Australia, Japan and Greece.

By Saskia O'Donoghue27 August 2026
Revealed: Travellers’ worst travel mistakes – and their best hacks
Culture

Revealed: Travellers’ worst travel mistakes – and their best hacks

A new survey reveals the travel mistakes causing the most stress, from packing too much to tight connections, while frequent travellers share the hacks they swear by.

By Saskia O'Donoghue19 August 2026
How to save on your autumn holiday, from the best travel dates to most affordable destinations
Culture

How to save on your autumn holiday, from the best travel dates to most affordable destinations

KAYAK reveals the best-value destinations and travel dates for an autumn escape, plus where to go if you want to avoid border queues as the EES rolls out across Europe.

By Saskia O'Donoghue19 August 2026
Europe’s quietest island revealed – and it’s just an hour from one of the continent’s busiest
Culture

Europe’s quietest island revealed – and it’s just an hour from one of the continent’s busiest

As searches for “quiet destinations” soar, a new ranking has revealed the European islands where travellers can still escape the crowds – with a tiny Greek island coming out on top.

By Saskia O'Donoghue19 August 2026
New Expedia data shows autumn travel can still be more affordable than summer – if you know where to look
Culture

New Expedia data shows autumn travel can still be more affordable than summer – if you know where to look

Expedia data reveals where hotel prices are falling after summer, while interest in lesser-known destinations including Luxembourg, Albania and Montenegro is soaring.

By Saskia O'Donoghue18 August 2026
This new tool from Skyscanner helps pick your ideal beach based on vibes, distance and budget
Culture

This new tool from Skyscanner helps pick your ideal beach based on vibes, distance and budget

From quiet coves to lively Caribbean hotspots, Skyscanner’s new Paradise Guide reveals the best beaches for every kind of traveller.

By Saskia O'Donoghue18 August 2026
Y2K travel is the nostalgia-fuelled holiday trend taking millennials back to the 90s and 00s
Culture

Y2K travel is the nostalgia-fuelled holiday trend taking millennials back to the 90s and 00s

New research reveals that 65% of millennials travel in search of “simpler times”, with everything from Lizzie McGuire Vespa tours in Rome to Barbie dream houses and retro gaming adventures driving the rise of Y2K travel.

By Saskia O'Donoghue18 August 2026
Japan dominates the world’s best cities for digital nomads, while Spain makes an impact
Culture

Japan dominates the world’s best cities for digital nomads, while Spain makes an impact

Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya all make the global top ten, while Barcelona and Madrid are the only European cities to feature in the ranking.

By Saskia O'Donoghue17 August 2026
These are Europe’s twistiest – and most scenic – roads, according to a new ranking
Culture

These are Europe’s twistiest – and most scenic – roads, according to a new ranking

A new ranking from Avis has crunched everything from curves and elevation to Google searches and Instagram popularity to reveal Europe’s ultimate roads for a scenic, twisty road trip.

By Saskia O'Donoghue17 August 2026
From Paris to Lisbon: The best and worst European cities for a workcation
Culture

From Paris to Lisbon: The best and worst European cities for a workcation

A new ranking has revealed which European cities are best suited to working remotely, comparing everything from internet speeds and coworking spaces to accommodation, attractions, coffee and beer prices.

By Saskia O'Donoghue17 August 2026
These are Europe’s best-value cities for a weekend break - and Poland dominates the top five
Culture

These are Europe’s best-value cities for a weekend break - and Poland dominates the top five

A new study has revealed the best-value European cities for a weekend away, with Polish destinations sweeping the top five and some of the continent’s biggest tourist hotspots proving much pricier.

By Saskia O'Donoghue13 August 2026
Eurovision 2027: A guide to Burgas, Bulgaria’s sunny seaside host city
Culture

Eurovision 2027: A guide to Burgas, Bulgaria’s sunny seaside host city

Burgas has been announced as the unexpected host of next year’s Eurovision. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of a visit to the Bulgarian beach city.

By Saskia O'Donoghue13 August 2026
From Tuscany to Moldova: The best winery restaurants in Europe revealed
Culture

From Tuscany to Moldova: The best winery restaurants in Europe revealed

Wine tasting meets destination dining at these 22 European winery restaurants which offer up far more than just cheeseboards to pair with your tipples.

By Saskia O'Donoghue10 August 2026
Revealed: The best European countries for digital nomads in 2026
Culture

Revealed: The best European countries for digital nomads in 2026

From affordable Estonia to long-stay-friendly Montenegro, these are the European countries offering the best mix of low costs, fast internet, safety and visa options for remote workers.

By Saskia O'Donoghue10 August 2026
Porto Santo travel guide: Escape to one of Europe’s most underrated islands
Culture

Porto Santo travel guide: Escape to one of Europe’s most underrated islands

Just a short ferry ride from Madeira, Porto Santo has long lived in its bigger neighbour’s shadow.

By Saskia O'Donoghue08 August 2026
Star bathing, goat yoga and beer spas: Quirky wellness trends worth travelling for
Culture

Star bathing, goat yoga and beer spas: Quirky wellness trends worth travelling for

Forget spa weekends and standard yoga retreats. From being buried in volcanic sand and bathing in beer to cacao ceremonies and yoga with goats, these are the unusual wellness experiences travellers are booking now.

By Saskia O'Donoghue27 July 2026
Revealed: Italy’s most popular beaches for 2026 – and Sardinia dominates
Culture

Revealed: Italy’s most popular beaches for 2026 – and Sardinia dominates

Italy is home to thousands of kilometres of coastline, but Sardinia is stealing the show this summer.

By Saskia O'Donoghue26 July 2026
Revealed: The best 'trip-maxxing' routes for a four-city European break
Culture

Revealed: The best 'trip-maxxing' routes for a four-city European break

‘Trip-maxxing’ is the travel trend du jour, and new research has revealed the best multi-city routes across Europe, combining short journey times, affordable accommodation, vibrant nightlife and world-class attractions to help travellers make the most of a…

By Saskia O'Donoghue25 July 2026
Ranked: Which countries gained the most tourists from 2019 to 2025?
Culture

Ranked: Which countries gained the most tourists from 2019 to 2025?

New data reveals where international tourism has bounced back strongest since the pandemic, with Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Egypt among the biggest winners – while some popular destinations are still struggling to recover.

By Saskia O'Donoghue22 July 2026
Trek from Poland to Italy: New 3,500km hiking trail crosses six European countries
Culture

Trek from Poland to Italy: New 3,500km hiking trail crosses six European countries

From Poland’s Baltic coast to Italy’s Adriatic shores, the new Wolf Trail takes hikers on a mammoth journey through six European countries, crossing mountains, forests and historic cities along the way.

By Saskia O'Donoghue22 July 2026
Revealed: The underrated European islands set to be 2026's hottest holiday escapes
Culture

Revealed: The underrated European islands set to be 2026's hottest holiday escapes

New research has revealed the world’s up-and-coming islands seeing the biggest rise in popularity, with three European gems featuring in the ranking.

By Saskia O'Donoghue21 July 2026
Running holidays: Europe's best destinations for a 'runcation' as active travel booms
Culture

Running holidays: Europe's best destinations for a 'runcation' as active travel booms

Running holidays are becoming one of travel's fastest-growing trends, with new search data revealing a surge in demand for active getaways.

By Saskia O'Donoghue20 July 2026
Wildlife holiday bucket list: The new ‘big five’ animals that travellers want to see
Culture

Wildlife holiday bucket list: The new ‘big five’ animals that travellers want to see

Forget safaris, there’s a new 'big five' to see in the wild. From pandas and kangaroos to whales and koalas, research suggests today's travellers are looking beyond the traditional safari in search of a different set of bucket list wildlife encounters.

By Saskia O'Donoghue19 July 2026
Fairytale destinations across Europe that look too magical to be real
Culture

Fairytale destinations across Europe that look too magical to be real

A new ranking of Europe's most enchanting destinations includes storybook castles, medieval towns, dramatic islands and ancient forests.

By Saskia O'Donoghue16 July 2026
London vs Paris vs Rome: How these major capitals compare for a European city break
Culture

London vs Paris vs Rome: How these major capitals compare for a European city break

London, Paris and Rome have been captivating visitors for centuries, but each offers something different.

By Saskia O'Donoghue16 July 2026
Skip the crowds: Five of the best under-the-radar European islands to visit instead
Culture

Skip the crowds: Five of the best under-the-radar European islands to visit instead

Swap overcrowded hotspots for quieter shores with these lesser-known islands, where you'll find dramatic scenery, authentic local life and fewer tourists than their famous neighbours.

By Saskia O'Donoghue15 July 2026
Flying soon? Don't pack power banks in checked luggage, aviation authorities warn
Culture

Flying soon? Don't pack power banks in checked luggage, aviation authorities warn

A sharp rise in lithium battery-related incidents has prompted fresh warnings from aviation authorities, with passengers urged to keep power banks and other battery-powered devices out of checked luggage.

By Saskia O'Donoghue15 July 2026