From Pride bans in the European Union to prosecutions under ‘propaganda’ and ‘extremism’ laws, a new report from ILGA-Europe shows that attacks on LGBTQIA+ communities have evolved into systemic suppression of dissent and individual freedoms.
Tag: Russia
FINLAND | Enjoying the white nights of Helsinki
In the summer of 2025 I went to Helsinki in Finland when Midsummer was celebrated. On this longest day of the year Finnish people head into nature and celebrate what it means to be a Finn. I decided to stay in the capital for one and a half week to get a real first impression…
PARIS | Boulevard de Sébastopol – Tour Saint-Jacques – Institut du monde arabe – Le Remontalou – Coulée verte René-Dumont & Viaduc des Arts – Place de la Bastille – Rue Pierre Seel – Hôtel de Ville – Rue des Mauvais-Garçons – Place des Vosges
On Thursday 11 December 2025, six months after opening and one month after closing on 11 January 2026, I travelled to Paris in France for the ‘Le mystère Cléopâtre‘ or ‘The Cleopatra Mystery‘ exhibition at the Institut du monde arabe (Institute of the Arab World). An excuse to visit the Light City, even if it…
Belgium 16th safest country in 2025
Belgium has been ranked among the world’s 20 safest countries for 2025, according to the latest edition of the Global Peace Index (GPI). The country placed 16th overall, achieving a score of 1.492 out of 5, where lower scores indicate higher levels of peace.
Is Greece too popular? 2024 tourism statistics raise overtourism concerns
Greece’s tourism sector continued its remarkable post-pandemic rebound in 2024, welcoming a record-breaking 40.7 million international visitors and generating €21.6 billion in travel receipts, according to final figures from the Bank of Greece (Τράπεζα της Ελλάδος).
Iron Rhine gets renewed political attention in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany
Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany are accelerating talks to revive the Iron Rhine railway, a 19th-century line linking the Port of Antwerp with Germany’s Ruhr industrial region, amid mounting concerns over security in Europe and the need to strengthen military mobility in response to Russia.
2025 Antwerp Pride Parade Route
The 18th edition (since 2008) of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp. This year’s theme is “Do not just march! Listen. Understand. Commit”. Prides are a mix of celebration – parties – and activism and advocacy. For the 2025 edition, the organising committee focuses on belonging. Belonging…
RAIL TOUR OF GERMANY | Avoiding delay-plagued ICEs in favour of regional trains
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…
Belgians choose safety, sustainability and convenience for summer travel: climate change, geopolitical instability and flight convenience shape 2025 holiday trends
The 2025 Europ Assistance Holiday Barometer reveals changing travel habits shaped by climate, politics and practicality.
COBURG | Ehrenburg Palace
October 2024. During a week-long whistle-stop tour of Germany, we visit Dessau-Roßlau in Saxony-Anhalt, Weimar in Thuringia, Coburg in Upper Franconia (Bavaria) and Kassel in Hesse. Smaller cities, yes. But each with their own significance. Untouched by overtourism. We’re avoiding using the white trains of DB Fernverkehr, Deutsche Bahn‘s long-distance section and opt to use…