Time Out contributors

June 2023: Miami's leaning into its more relaxed, warmer weather persona and we're not mad about it. The snowbird and spring break crowds have thinned which means now is one of the best times to explore all of this city's amazing food—especially those hard-to-book Miami Michelin-starred restaurants. Just be sure to check the weather forecast and plan accordingly: June 1 marks the beginning of storm season around here. Though there are still plenty of fun things to eat, see and do when it rains in Miami, too. The best restaurants in Miami are our local treasures. These are the places we turn to for a delicious meal and a great time, no matter the reason. Our top places to eat in the city are a true mix of flavors and feels, from white tablecloth fine dining—like some of Miami’s best steakhouses—and trendy spots leading the way in culinary innovation to tried-and-tested cheap eats in Miami that never, ever disappoint. Don’t be surprised to run into some of Miami’s best bars on this list either. Where there’s a solid cocktail there’s likely to be an epic dish that follows. Now, who’s ready to dig in? Check back often as we update our roundup of best Miami restaurants with new discoveries and old favorites. Just as we've always done, Time Out’s local experts scour the city every day for great eats, great value and insider info. We emphasize fun, flavor and freshness at every price point. While we normally update the list of best restaurants quarterly, plus whenever there’s a trul

Rome sells itself; we all know that. An unmissable attraction in Rome is about as unmissable as you are going to find, and this famous old city is packed with iconic spots that most cities would give their right arm for. Okay, cities don’t have arms, but you get the point. The Eternal City stands head and shoulders above most for historical and cultural might, and the best attractions in Rome are seriously impressive.You’d be forgiven for thinking Rome can’t possibly deliver on all its hype. Well, prepare yourself because it hits all the notes and then some. It has world-beating restaurants, fabulous bars, genre-defining galleries and all the history you could hope for. These are the most essential attractions in Rome, your ultimate Eternal City bucket list. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Malgré toute l’attention internationale que reçoit sa gastronomie, les restaurants de Montréal attendent toujours de recevoir des classements du guide Michelin. D’ici là, et il est fort à parier que cela arrivera dans un avenir rapproché, la liste qui suit consigne les restaurants que nous croyons être de calibre à gagner des étoiles Michelins. S’y retrouvent autant les institutions de premier ordre autant que les pionniers de la gastronomie, allant du restaurant des plus romantiques à la quintessence des meilleurs restaurants du centre-ville de Montréal, tous permettant à Montréal de se démarquer comme un grand joueur. RECOMMANDÉ: Le guide complet des meilleurs restaurants à MontréalLes 33 meilleurs restaurants du centre-ville de Montréal

“Cheap” has a unique meaning in NYC. There are people in other parts of the country (or at least on the internet) who will try to tell you that they can get a whole house, college education or town hall bribe for $10 where they’re from. This is, of course, untrue, but the five boroughs are certainly more expensive than most places. That’s why satisfying “cheap eats” for $10 and under are noteworthy in New York. In a city where it costs $5.50 just to get to work and back by subway, finding something to fill you up for a little less than twice that much can be a cheerless relief. If said item is also actually tasty, it reintroduces some levity back into the occasion. So the next time you’re choosing between a four-bedroom in Anytown, USA or excellent slices, sandwiches, or tacos, have a look below and know that you made the right choice.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

Ramen soup, a Chinese original turned Japanese delicacy, has exploded in popularity in the last few years leaving no room for escape from the trendy city of Tel Aviv. Apparently there is something about digging through fresh noodles submerged in a warm bowl of soup that is incredibly satisfying. Maybe it's the just sake speaking, the unique chance to eat duck, or the feeling of experiencing Japanese street food from the comfort of Tel Aviv, but one thing is for certain: we can never get enough ramen.

Does anything conjure up an image of beach bliss quite like the Med? Surrounded by 22 countries and bordered by three continents, the Mediterranean Sea boasts miles and miles of coastline – not to mention hundreds of islands. And while there are certain seaside spots where you’ll need to fight for space on the sand (we’re looking at you, Barceloneta), there are plenty of other secluded stretches of coastline across the Med. Our selection of alternative beach spots, chosen by Mediterranean-based travel writers, takes you beyond Europe to North Africa and the Middle East. From wild, flamingo-frequented beaches in Spain to a culture-packed port city in France, this is where to find the Mediterranean’s best alternative (and affordable) beach breaks. There’s plenty of room to lay out your towel here. Grace Beard is Time Out’s deputy travel editor, based in London. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts. RECOMMENDED:🗺 Europe’s most underrated destinations🌆 The best European city breaks🚫 The travel destinations that want tourists to stay away

Cada año, le preguntamos a miles de habitantes de ciudades de todo el mundo sobre la vida en su ciudad de origen. Indagamos acerca de la escena restaurantera y los mejores bares. Lo destacado en teatro y en las galerías de arte. También acerca de cómo son los vecinos y los barrios que consideran más cool. La idea es mostrar la vida global de cada ciudad y destacar los sitios que realmente entusiasman a los lugareños.   ¡Aquí están los resultados del Time Out Index 2022! Como siempre, hemos analizado todos esos datos y los hemos aprovechado para elaborar nuestra clasificación anual de las mejores ciudades del mundo. Durante los últimos dos años, la lista se ha enfocado en destacar cómo las ciudades se unieron durante la pandemia e hicieron de la vida (casi) tolerable durante los confinamientos. Pero ahora, después de dos años de restricciones para viajar, el mundo se está abriendo nuevamente y nosotros, como tú, estamos ansiosos por volver a salir. Nuestras principales ciudades este 2022 son las que cuentan con una vida nocturna próspera, comida y bebida increíbles, arte, cultura y museos en abundancia. También hemos aprovechado nuestra red global de editores y colaboradores expertos para obtener información privilegiada sobre lo que está de moda, lo que es nuevo y las tendencias. Si estás planeando una escapada por el mundo este año (especialmente si es la primera en mucho, mucho tiempo), estos son los lugares imperdibles.  

MISE À JOUR, l'été 2023 : Parmi toutes les meilleures activités gratuites à Montréal, se rendre dans un des espaces verts (ou les plages !) est une étape essentielle à l’appréciation de cette ville. C'est là où les Montréalais aiment aller, peu importe le moment de l'année, mais surtout durant les mois chauds de l'été lorsque les parcs deviennent d'énormes centres culturels. On ne peut parler des parcs sans mentionner les tonnes de festivals et d'événements qui s’y déroulent, et c'est aussi là qu'on se fait bronzer avant de boire dans les meilleurs bars et bars sur des toits ou faire une promenade pour prolonger notre date après un des meilleurs restaurants (ou un des meilleurs nouveaux endroits où manger à petit prix). Quelle que soit la raison, voici les meilleurs parcs de Montréal où passer un peu de temps. RECOMMANDÉ : Le guide complet des meilleures choses à faire à MontréalLes meilleures destinations pour la randonnée près de MontréalLes meilleures plages près de Montréal

Every year, we quiz thousands of city-dwellers worldwide about life in their hometown right now. We want to know about the restaurant scene and the bar circuit. The theatre and the art galleries. The nightlife and the dating apps. What the neighbours are like and which neighbourhoods are actually cool. The idea is to create a global snapshot of city living, and point people in the direction of the places locals are really raving about. And now... the results of the Time Out Index 2022 are in! As ever, we’ve crunched all that data and used it to come up with our annual ranking of the world’s greatest cities. For the past two years, the list has focused on how cities pulled together through the pandemic and made life (just about) tolerable during lockdowns. But now, after two years of travel curbs, the world is opening up again, and we – like you – are itching to get back out there. So while things like community spirit and resilience were two of the most important factors last year, in 2022 we’ve added extra weight to the things that make cities great places to visit as well as to live. Our top cities this year are the ones with thriving nightlife, amazing food and drink, and art, culture and museums galore. We’ve highlighted places that aren’t boring or overly expensive or overrated, and we’ve ensured that our top picks also score well for practical stuff like walkability, good public transport and safety, as well as sustainability. We’ve also tapped into our global network o

MISE À JOUR, printemps 2023 : Quand vient le temps de trouver des activités à faire au Mile End, il faut garder en tête qu’il s’est hissé au cours des dernières années comme un des quartiers les plus courus en ville, ce qui signifie que vous rencontrerez multiples nouveaux cafés et boutiques. Et même si toutes ces options sont garantes d’un bon moment, nous ne devons pas oublier les fondateurs, ceux qui ont pavé la voie de leur réussite rapide.  Certaines des spécialités culinaires de Montréal se trouvent ici, que ce soient les meilleurs bagels en ville ou les cafés italiens qui carbureront vos marches dans ces quartiers du passé. Cette rencontre de l’ancien et du nouveau contribue à rendre ce quartier attrayant, amusant et, surtout, incontournable pour une visite éclair ou pour y passer la nuit. On comprend pourquoi c’est un des endroits les plus recherchés pour un séjour à Montréal!  RECOMMANDÉ :Pourquoi le Mile End se classe 5e quartier le plus cool au mondeGuide complet des meilleures choses à faire à Montréal

Even when it’s not oyster season (that’d be any month that ends in R, FYI), New Yorkers are always down for an oyster happy hour. After all, what’s a better romantic date idea than sharing sensuous oysterswith your bae at one of the city’s best seafood restaurants? The next time you’re craving something indulgent that won’t break the bank, get out to one of the best oyster happy hours in NYC. After all, the city is your oyster. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in NYC

The Upper East Side is among New York City’s most famous neighborhoods. An iconic character in myriad movies and TV shows, rich with museums and adjacent to a lot of the city’s best good old-fashioned, brick-and-mortar shopping destinations, you might find yourself in the area even if you aren’t stopping by to borrow grandma’s pearls. The Upper East Side also has a smattering of NYC’s best restaurants, so here’s everywhere to grab a bite whenever you’re above midtown on Manhattan’s right-hand side. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the Upper East Side 

Free from the robot clutches of the Transformers franchise and his last, direct-to-Netflix thriller 6 Underground, Michael Bay returns where he belongs: a car chase in Los Angeles surrounded by muscled, sweaty men.  War veteran Will Sharp (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), in dire need of cash to pay for his wife’s unspecified surgery, asks his career criminal adoptive brother Danny (Jake Gyllenhaal) for help as a last recourse. Abdul-Mateen II is the more grounded of the two while Gyllenhaal is giving us crazy-eyes. What’s supposed to be an easy job gets really messy, really quickly, and the two brothers find themselves in a LA-wide police chase with an injured cop in the back of the ambulance they’ve hijacked. If he dies, their sentences will be much more severe. The steely EMT Cam (Eliza Gonzalez) rounds off this unhinged scenario, a relatively sane counterweight to the odd-couple brothers as she tries to keep the cop alive.  Ambulance is a remake of a 2005 Danish film of the same name, but pimped up à la Bay. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with looking very cool while it happens. Most of the action happens inside the titular ambulance, and credit to Bay for making it feel as cramped and frenetic as the story demands through sweaty close-ups and lunatic banter. His camera goes from trembling close-ups to swooping helicopter shots of his beloved LA at dizzying speed. Something is always happening, very loudly, and everyone is concerned with loo

The Who—that is, Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, some other musicians and two very prominent ghosts—come to town on their “The Who Hits Back!” tour. See them in Anaheim at the Honda Center or at the Hollywood Bowl.

After enduring the long and lonely lockdown, most of us are bursting for things to do over the approaching summer, and here’s a brilliant idea: the picnics-on-the-lawn summer series at Chiswick.   A mainstay of the flashy Eastern suburb of Woollahra, Chiswick has long been one of Sydney’s top dining destinations, whether it be for business lunches, birthdays, weddings or hens-parties. No matter the occasion, it’s hard to think of many venues that so comfortably caters for, and excels at accommodating larger groups. And in a stunning setting to boot. Picnics on the Lawn takes the experience one step further by moving the party out the side door and straight into the garden. Picnics became an unlikely beacon of hope a few months back, signalling our impending release from this latest lockdown. Suddenly Sydney couldn’t get enough of them; we could actually socialise again, outside, with friends, at a picnic! And let’s face it, when the sun is shining there are few places you’d rather be than Sydney. Therein lies the beauty of Picnics on the Lawn. Chiswick has teamed up with Bombay Gin and local luxury picnic purveyors To Dine For to create a carefree, relaxed and totally bougie afternoon in the sun, on the lovely lawns of the Chiswick Gardens. Next time you’re craving a picnic, grab a bunch of your besties and book yourselves in for this truly dreamy experience, all you have to do is turn up. A neatly arranged row of low-lying tables sit atop earthy-toned picnic rugs, plush cush

If you’re making a list and checking it twice, consider this annual shopping event for unique kitchen, pantry and tabletop finds, plus all sorts of foodie goodies. Though GCM has yet to announce a formal holiday market this year, it has started hosting a bazaar every Friday through Sunday in the downstairs basement event space. 

KIIS FM’s annual holiday behemoth’s lineup reads like a roll call of the station’s playlist: Dua Lipa, Jack Harlow, Pitbull, Khalid, Bebe Rexha, Lewis Capaldi, Ava Max, Dove Cameron, Jax and Nicky Youre will all take over the Forum this holiday season. The best seats will cost you a boatload, so look out for news of a free pre-show that usually precedes the main event.

You know it’s summer in L.A. when the live outdoor music starts swelling all over the city, including at MacArthur Park’s Levitt Pavilion. The Westlake concert series returns this summer with free shows every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Expect a genre-spanning mix of local acts that range from cumbia to ska to EDM. Check out the full season lineup below. Courtesy Levitt Pavilion

Throughout the summer, Lower East Side hidden gem Sesh Comedy is hosting a BYOB summer pop-up. Each ticket comes with an alcoholic drink of choice, while BYOB is still encouraged. Each night hosts two shows that run for 75 minutes each, and features comedians from Comedy Central, HBO, Colbert, Netflix, Amazon, and more. Lineups change weekly, so be sure to check out @seshcomedy on Instagram for weekly show details!

Looking for some hilarious free fun this summer? Every Tuesday night at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg, the “The Biggest Little Venue in NYC”, comedy fans can gather for a free show at 7pm! The lineups change weekly and can be found on the show’s Instagram and Facebook pages. For the safety of both the performers and the audience, proof of full vaccination is required for attendance. A full-service bar will be available with drinks and snacks for purchase throughout the show. 

Hudson River Park is currently displaying a new public art exhibition, displaying works by graduates from NYC SALT, an arts nonprofit photography program that gives students the opportunity to develop both their artistic and career skills in the field. The exhibition focuses on the diverse and dynamic communities throughout the city that the SALT alumni call home, and features 22 works displayed on 7-by-9 foot panels along the park.

Immersive art exhibit Arcadia Earth has reopened after being closed due to the pandemic, and it looks better than ever! The exhibit aims to inspire visitors artistically and ethically, as it uses 15 rooms to spotlight the environmental challenges that our planet is facing (such as overfishing, food waste, and climate change). This exhibit will not only leave visitors in awe, but it will help support Oceanic Global, an organization devoted to raising awareness around our aquatic ecosystems. In addition, a tree will also be planted for every ticket sold, making it a perfect gift for your eco-conscious friends!

Em maedos da década de 
80, Tommaso Buscetta, um importante membro da Cosa Nostra, a máfia da Sicília, tornou-se num dos primeiros arrependidos da história desta organização, fornecendo informações ao juiz anti-máfia Giovanni Falcone. Alguns anos mais tarde, a sua delação levaria à prisão de Totò Riina, o líder
 da Cosa Nostra, desferindo um sério golpe na organização, e conduziria até o antigo primeiro-ministro Giulio Andreotti à barra do tribunal (seria ilibado). Há em Itália uma longa tradição de “filmes de máfia”
(e de séries e telefilmes), sejam mais policiais e de acção, sejam mais documentais ou políticos. O Traidor, de Marco Bellochio, que conta a história de Buscetta, essencialmente a partir da altura em que passou a colaborar com as autoridades, é uma contribuição maior para este acervo. Bellochio apresenta-nos um Buscetta membro da Cosa Nostra “à antiga”. Isto é, antes que o tráfico de droga tenha substituído o de tabaco como a mais lucrativa actividade da organização, levando o monstruoso Riina
ao poder, desencadeando uma guerra no meio do crime siciliano e fazendo tábua rasa dos valores que a orientavam (nunca matar mulheres ou crianças, por exemplo). A certa altura, Buscetta 
(o magnificamente sóbrio Pierfrancesco Favino, que já vimos em Romanzo Criminale ou em Suburra), diz a Falcone ser um desses “homens de honra” dos tempos pré-tráfico de droga 
e massacres indiscriminados. Ao que este responde estar farto do “mito da máfia nobre e honrada”. Bellochio não min

Editor's note: the event is cancelled until further notice. The Wings for Life World Run is a charity running competition that's been held on the first weekend of May since 2014. Zadar is the only Wings for Life World Run race whose route extends along the sea, taking in the beautiful Adriatic coastline as well as much of the pretty city of Zadar. It is the third-largest in the world by the number of participants. In terms of the population of Croatia, it is the largest race of its kind in the country, as well as the race with the highest number of student entrants. In 2019, there were 9000 participants from more than 25 countries.RECOMMENDED: More great sports events in Croatia where you can join in

Historic home of the iconic Lipizzaner breed associated with the Habsburg monarchy, Croatia has a long relationship with horses and horsemanship. You still visit the renowned Lipizzaner stud farm in Đakovo, among the fertile flatlands of Slavonia that provide the perfect terrain for the many riding schools here. Although the specific classic breed was only brought over from Lipica in 1806, the stables of Đakovo had already nurtured thousands of high-quality stallions sired from the 90 Arab horses documented as being here 300 years before. Light grey Lipizzaner still demonstrate their highly trained dressage skills at the Spanish Riding School within the Hofburg in Vienna. Ivo Biočina/CNTBLipik The Đakovo Stud Farm, meanwhile, actually has consists of two stations, the main one in this pretty Slavonian town, and a smaller one at nearby Ivandvor. Another key equine hub is Bjelovar-Bilogora County, further west towards Zagreb. The hussars of the Bjelovar Border Guards date back to 1756 and still perform at showcase events around Croatia and abroad, maintaining a link with the military cavalry history of the Habsburg era. Here, the Bilogora Horseback Tourist Trail runs for 90 kilometres, dotted with 15 equestrian associations and ten rural tourism farms, providing guides, local gastronomy and lodging. Beginners can start out with riding lessons in the enclosures and pastures of Čazma. More experienced riders can try out the longer-distance and trickier terrains of Papuk, also w

Just celebrating its 18th anniversary, the Zagreb Surf Club Tri strjele offers expert tuition in windsurfing and SUP at Lake Jarun where the organisation is based. Five sporting young locals founded ‘The Three Arrows’ to practise the kind of sporting activity usually associated with the Adriatic coast. As the head of Tri strjele Marko Murgić explains, “Our club is open all summer. It is best to register for the courses a little earlier so that there are no crowds and in order to prepare all the equipment”. Marko has spent several winters surfing on the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, but his favourite destination was Morocco. “The basics of windsurfing can be learned in three visits of a few hours each. To move to a higher level, you need to set aside a week or two and go to the sea.” For details of how to join Tri strjele, see here.  Paula Bosančić

Health tourism is now big business in Croatia, travellers able to combine a visit for medical reasons with a holiday by the sea or near a beautiful national park. Changing trends, old remedies An initiative announced a few years ago that the Ministry of Tourism was investing €400 million in health tourism as well as €250,000 to promote it has since allowed a number of trusted companies across Croatia to attract and train high-quality professionals in various fields of treatment provision, to buy in state-of-the-art equipment and upgrade facilities. A spa at Stubičke Toplice, within easy reach of Zagreb, has installed a cryosauna, exposing the body to extremely low temperatures for positive effects on the skin, the raising of immunity levels and help towards weight loss. Ziga Intihar/Terme Tuhelj As ever more foreign visitors chose Croatia over their own country for dental and other health procedures, opting for affordability, reliability and convenience, spa centres here decided to widen their remit. Among the wider range of facial and full-body treatments, those from the Far East, most notably Thailand, began to feature, while other centres looked closer to home for inspiration and, indeed, actual materials. For centuries, Croatia’s healing waters have been aided recuperation and relaxation – evidence of Roman recreation 2,000 years ago can be found at Istarske Toplice in northern Istria. The Romans would have also known about the therapeutic muds that also extend across n

Over the weekend of April 29-30, the village of Donji Kraljevec will again become the home of Croatian speedway, with fans flying into Zagreb and making their way to the unique track of Goričan, reopened in 2022. Bars and trackside will be bubbling with the babble of speedway jargon that connects fans who travel Europe throughout the year, often to places off the typical tourist map. Here, they’ll be in pleasant surroundings near the border with Hungary, in the wine-making country of the Alpine foothills where many choose to locate their holiday homes. This is also where Daryl Mersom catches up with Tai Woffinden ahead of the race to discuss what makes Croatia a special place for him. Three-time Speedway World Champion, Tai has been racing at Croatia’s first track at Goričan since his early twenties, his opponents including the son of the family that owns the 305-metre loop. FIM Speedway, Goričan They built racer Jurica Pavlić a track in his backyard, every motorsport-obsessed kid’s dream, catapulting him to success as 2007 Individual European Champion. Jurica went on to ride in the Polish Ekstraliga, the world’s pre-eminent speedway league.  Tai now shares his memories of Goričan, looks forward to the season ahead and talks about other side projects he is involved with. Time Out Croatia: What stands out for you about the stadium in Goričan? Tai Woffinden: The Pavlić family runs it. They’ve been heavily involved in speedway for a long time, at least as long as I can rememb

Croatian seniors Marica and Mijat Barišić are riding all the way from Vir near Zadar to Liverpool to see local band Let 3 perform at Eurovision in May. Their chosen mode of transport is a tractor, linking in with the Let 3 song chosen for the event, Mama ŠČ!, whose refrain, ‘Mama bought a tractor!’, is a dig at the leaders of Russia and Belarus currently involved in the Ukrainian conflict. The couple’s trip also echoes a hitchhiking tour they did in the 1960s, when they saw the Beatles’ famous rooftop show. They were later on the same plane as the Rolling Stones for a concert in Zagreb, and managed to grab Mick and Charlie for autographs. Sime Zelic/PIXSELL “We’ve been to a crazy Beatles concert, an even crazier Rolling Stones concert, and now we expect to be at the craziest concert of our own Let 3 in Liverpool,” says Marica. The pair will first hitch from their home in Vir to Rijeka, the port city where Let 3 are based, hooking up with the band for a performance there on Thursday, April 27. The tractor that is part of the stage act is then going to Liverpool, although it’s not yet clear if the couple can drive it the whole distance of 1,500km, given the tortuous post-Brexit bureaucracy at the border. However they travel the long and winding road, the pair will certainly be up for a party in Liverpool come May 13. Katarina Grgurić 

Croatia has always been ahead of the game where health tourism is concerned. Well over a century ago, the elegant resort of Opatija would attract Europe’s crème de la crème for what would today be termed wellness breaks by the Adriatic. Whereas the spectacular settings haven’t changed – you can still combine visits to Croatia for medical reasons with a holiday by the sea or by a beautiful national park – the treatments on offer are far more specialised and customer-focused. Health visits spur tourism This is particularly true when it comes to dental tourism. A few years ago, Croatia’s Ministry of Tourism not only announced a €400 million investment in health tourism but a budget of more than €250,000 to actually promote it. This allowed companies across the country to attract and train high-quality professionals in all areas of treatment provision, buy in state-of-the-art equipment and generally upgrade facilities. As word spread, more and more foreign visitors began to choose Croatia over their own, particularly for dental procedures, whose costs could be astronomical back home. Croatian communities within a short drive of Italy, Austria and Slovenia saw top-quality clinics open, the practices taking advantage of their location to offer patients affordable, reliable and convenient service and after-service. Regions close to Central Europe, or facilitated by international airports, also witnessed an influx of dental tourists, in Istria, Kvarner and the City of Zagreb. These a

Almost 15 years after planting their first olive tree in Istria's historic red earth, the team at Istriana has just announced the launch of their Istriana Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Istriana is milled from estate-grown, organically cultivated olives, with great care taken to ensure that their unique aromas and flavours are protected from their farm to your table. Here, attention to detail is everything. Producing in limited quantities enables Istriana to ensure the quality of its olive oil and oversee every step of the process from cultivation, harvesting, selection, milling and blending – all to preserve the truest form of the olives' natural flavour. The unique packaging design is inspired by fragments found of Roman-era clay amphorae once baked in the villages of southern Istria. Istriana's bottle design invokes this heritage and each bottle is hand-signed and numbered by the producer. Istriana This is where history, expertise and modern technologies meet to showcase a carefully curated blend of Leccino, Pendolino and Rosignola olive varieties. As Istriana describes it, ‘Centuries of Istrian tradition in every drop'. Following Istriana's award-winning appearances at international olive oil competitions earning gold medals in New York, Japan, Italy and London, Istriana is now making their Premium Blend available at select food stores and gourmet specialty shops in the United States and Europe. In Istria, you can find Istriana at the Karlić Tartufi truffle shops in B

Whether you’re looking for challenge or panoramic views, light outdoor exercise or a strenuous workout, Croatia is a great place to hike. The key here is variety. Routes, tracks and trails can be tackled by almost all age groups and skill levels, and natural hazards are few – although fortune favours the prepared. Decent hiking boots are a must, water, too, especially in summer. If you’re hiking in high season, take a hat and sunscreen, and try to avoid the heat of the day in the early afternoon if you can avoid it. If you’re heading out in winter, check the weather forecast and, yes, it does snow in Croatia. Slopes may not reach over 2,000 metres but you wouldn’t want to leave yourself open to the elements if the temperature drops significantly. Information boards and a safety infrastructure are in place. The ideal times to hike are in autumn and spring, when the temperature should be neither boiling nor freezing, and the views should be spectacular. Marjan To combine a fascinating city break with an enjoyable hike of under three hours, then a climb up and around Marjan, the hill overlooking Split, is a good suggestion. There are steep sections in parts, but overall, this route of around eight kilometres should be pretty accessible for all. And the most calf-crunching section is right at the start, the 300 or so steps, the Marjanske skale, that lead up from setting-off point near Trumbićeva obala, were you’ll also find a tourist information office. The steps begin where Draž

Croatia’s varying landscapes, dramatic scenery and propensity for outdoor adventure mean that it is perfect cycling country. Four EuroVelo routes pass through its territory. One follows the coast as part of the Mediterranean-hugging trek between Spain and Greece, passing through Pula, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik and the protected area of Velebit, while another cuts through inland Slavonia along the former borders of the old Iron Curtain. Of course, you can arrange your own itinerary, allowing you to discover parts of Croatia you wouldn’t ordinarily see through a car window.   Here are three key areas whose terrain and stop-off merit discovery. CNTB/Aleksandar GospićParenzana Istria Some roads asphalt, some more challenging, the many routes around Istria are cannot fail to be picturesque. Trails stretching for 2,600 kilometres cross the region in every direction, with cyclist-friendly hotels and rental companies along the way, and the reward of fine cuisine pasta and superb local wine at the end of a satisfyingly tiring day. Of the many routes tracing the undulating interior, one combining both grit and gourmet is the Truffle’s Trail, which begins and ends in Buzet. Starting at the foot of the Ćićarija Mountains, the route covers nearly 35 kilometres and takes three hours to complete, with an elevation gain of 870 metres. The Bella Vista trail, which begins and ends in Labin, lives up to its name with magnificent panoramas of the Kvarner Bay and a continuous string of photo-ops

Croatia’s 12 nature parks stretch from Učka fringing Istria in the north-west to Kopački Rit in eastern Slavonia, and down to the Lastovo Islands way out in the southern Adriatic. They also include Medvednica, so close to Zagreb, it’s within easy reach of the city’s public-transport system. Without the crowds of Croatia’s most popular national parks, nature parks offer not only stunning landscapes and rare flora and fauna, but also tranquillity. You can explore the wetlands of Kopački Rit by boat or scale the forested slopes of the Žumberak-Samobor hills and hardly see another soul. Biokovo The mountain range of Biokovo overlooks the holiday-focused Makarska Riviera in central Dalmatia, best viewed from the nature park’s recently opened vantage point, Skywalk. This sits 1,228 metres above sea level and offers incredible views of the Adriatic and the islands of Brač and Hvar. Extending some 12 metres out into the skies from the mountain at Ravna Vlaska, the viewing platform will surely test the nerve of anyone who gets vertigo when high up, not least because much of the structure is built from super-thick glass. Formerly a toll road, from just outside Baška Voda, a route allows you to pass through the mountain range via the free Tunel Sveti Ilija to experience the hinterland and great natural features such as the Red and Blue lakes at Imotski, a great swimming spot. Dinara The most recent natural attraction to receive the status of a nature park is Dinara, referring both to th

Vegetarians and vegans will have a field day in Istria thanks to its top-quality, seasonal produce available at shops, restaurants and markets across the region. Farm to table has long been a concept embraced in Istria, where small-batch producers work with the bounty around them, the fertile terrain cultivated in Roman times and by Illyrian tribes before them. Vineyards and olive groves have been a welcome feature on the Istrian landscape for 2,000 years at least. In recent years, Istria’s modern-day wine and olive-oil industries have lifted the region to global prominence, while the rise of agritourism has allowed visitors to spend time on family-run farms, sleeping there and sampling the produce grown there. Many operate as taverns, a few tables set up in rural surroundings, with a daily menu drawn up according to what’s available and what’s in season. Guests can even help the owners milk the animals and see how their herbs and crops are grown. CNTBMotovun The Istrian calendar Passing expertise down from generation to generation, Istrians work with the seasons. Wild asparagus appear on menus and market stalls in spring, truffles and mushrooms in autumn. Rich in minerals and vitamins, wild asparagus was once gathered by Istrian shepherds and families on spring outings. Now it’s considered a delicacy and essential to dishes such as fritaja, a mix of scrambled eggs and chopped asparagus stalks. Thick green bunches are sold at markets. Truffles are a signature delicacy in th

With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, here are a few suggestions for places to take your loved one on February 14 – or get them flowers beforehand. Cvjetni trg & DolacSay it with flowers they say, and the stalls at Cvjetni trg, and the steps in front of Dolac market, are the best places to find the freshest and brightest ones in town.  Bacchus Jazz BarBy Trg Kralja Tomislava, Bacchus is one of Zagreb's most intimate music venues. The small bar has a cosy candlelit atmosphere and booths perfect for couples. The bar is often full, so it's advisable to book a table, particularly for Valentine's when it opens until midnight. Trg Kralja Tomislava 16. BooksaIf you’re looking for a low-key location for a first date or to celebrate a relationship, try out Booksa, close to central Zagreb. The café is also a bookshop and cultural centre, and the perfect spot for quiet and intimate conversation over an exotic tea. Open on Valentine's between 10am-6pm. Martićeva 14d.  Kino TuškanacIf you’re more interested in dinner and a movie, Zagreb’s main arthouse cinemas, Kino Tuškanac, is showing Terry Gilliam's classic Brazil at 7pm on Valentine's. This bizarre take on 1984 is a sci-fi love story with a difference. Tickets €4. Tuškanac 1. Museum of Broken RelationshipsFor an ironic but certainly memorable date, try out the Museum of Broken Relationships. A unique attraction in the historic Upper Town, it displays meaningful objects which were discarded after a break-up of some kind, with an ac