As daylight hours grow shorter, cities turn to festive decorations to bring warmth and sparkle to the season, ensuring nothing dims the holiday spirit. Each year, urban centres reinvent themselves through ever more spectacular Christmas installations. From themed attractions and dazzling lights to food stalls offering mulled wine, churros and local specialities, Christmas markets—particularly across Europe—have become destinations in their own right, capturing attention throughout the winter months. But where does this tradition come from?
New Year’s Eve is one of the most intense dates in the nightlife calendar. For this reason, celebrations are expected to take place in regulated venues, which do not include short-term rental properties. In this context, Airbnb has activated its anti-party system in Puerto Rico, Canada, the United States, Australia, France and Spain to prevent unauthorised parties in listings on the platform.
Jamaica’s recovery following Hurricane Melissa has been remarkable. In several areas of the country, hotels sustained no significant damage, and Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston resumed operations just two days after the storm made landfall. This swift response has translated into an unusually strong level of resilience within the tourism sector.
We all picture the same iconic New Year’s Eve scenes: Times Square packed with revellers or Madrid’s Puerta del Sol overflowing with crowds, its Christmas tree glowing as the countdown to midnight begins. Yet, in contrast to that frenetic atmosphere—which many people would rather avoid altogether—a new way of celebrating has emerged: the Slow New Year.
Machu Picchu has been awarded top honors in the Best Vacations 2026 ranking by U.S. News & World Report, one of the most influential tourism rankings in the United States. The iconic Peruvian site received the Gold Badge, recognizing it as the best destination in Central and South America.
In the national ranking, the Balearics trail Catalonia (20.3%), Andalusia (17.8%), Madrid (14.8%), the Valencian Community (10.9%), and the Canary Islands, which continue to dominate demand.