Countries.


Martin Banks has been a journalist for over 40 years, working in Brussels since 2001 where he has covered EU politics, initially for European Voice and more recently for The Parliament Magazine plus a raft of other titles. He also writes about other topics including culture and travel. Prior to coming to Belgium he had worked in regional (including a 6 year stint as Chief Reporter for the 2nd biggest selling regional in the UK) and national journalism in the UK since 1980.

16 August 2023

Why you should consider visiting Cotswolds

Looking for last minute ideas for a great vacation? If so, you’d do well to consider one area of the United Kingdom that is often overlooked […]
16 August 2023

Ryanair just being Ryanair?

A viral social media post complaining about Ryanair has demonstrated just how frustrated the public is with the budget Irish carrier.  1. Elderly and disabled  Posted […]
16 August 2023

Be moved by the moving image this autumn at Mechelen’s Contour Biennial

Film, art lovers, and audiophiles take note: this fall Mechelen will be celebrating 10 years of the Contour Biennial of Moving Images, with a programme lasting […]
15 August 2023

Portugal launches €49 train pass

Portugal has launched a new train pass that offers passengers unlimited travel on all regional trains for a monthly fee of 49€. The ‘passe ferroviário nacional’ […]
15 August 2023

Australian surfers rescued after 38 hours missing at sea

Four young Australian surfers have been found alive after 38 hours of desperate search in Indonesian seas. The Australians were among seven people missing from a […]
15 August 2023

AI reimagines famous destinations in the style of iconic artists

A new AI image gallery from adventure travel company Explore Worldwide reveals how popular travel destinations would look in the style of some of the most famous artists […]
15 August 2023

The best city to learn French is surprisingly not in France, new study finds

Taking a language bath is a learning method many of those who want to learn a new language are keen on. You stay in a city, […]
15 August 2023

Australia’s refusal of extra Qatari flights could cost economy millions

Australia’s ongoing refusal to allow Qatar Airways to operate more flights is costing millions of dollars, according to Travel Weekly reports and the Australian Financial Review.  […]
15 August 2023

Driverless cars set to soon operate in San Francisco

On Thursday August 10th, the state of California approved paid robotaxi services in San Francisco with unlimited fleets of self-driving cars. In particular, the California Public […]
15 August 2023

Woman told not to breastfeed on a TUI flight because passengers may feel ‘uncomfortable’

A woman on a TUI flight from the UK to Spain wanted to breastfeed her six-week-old baby but the cabin crew told her it was not […]
15 August 2023

2.3 million passengers travelled through Brussels Airport in July

Brussels Airport recorded 2.3 million passengers in July 2023, a 5% increase on the first month of the peak summer season in the previous year, according […]
14 August 2023

Mount Etna’s eruption forces closure of Sicily’s main airport

Thousands of travelers expected to fly to or from Sicily’s main airport in Catania have had their flights diverted or cancelled due to the eruption of […]
14 August 2023

Reborn Mexicana airline will be administered by Mexico’s military

Mexico is set to launch a military-led commercial airline in September 2023, reports the Associated Press.  The new Mexicana airline will be run by the army […]
14 August 2023

Italy’s most famous hiking trail reopens after more than 10 years

The Italian Cinque Terre region will soon be getting back one of its most famous hiking trails after a very lengthy renovation that started in 2012. […]
14 August 2023

Venus Williams slams American Airlines over luggage loss ahead of tennis match

In a recent incident, tennis star Venus Williams expressed her frustration with American Airlines after her luggage went missing before a crucial tennis match. Williams took […]
14 August 2023

Netherlands set to liberalise rail market and open international routes to competition

The Dutch government is set to introduce further privatisation to its rail market, bringing in new charges and opening international routes to competition from 2025.  1. […]