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Journalist.

AMELIA NEATH IS A TRAVEL WRITER AT THE INDEPENDENT, COVERING DESTINATION GUIDES AND NEWS. AMELIA WAS PREVIOUSLY A FREELANCE US NEWS REPORTER AT THE INDEPENDENT, COVERING LAWSUITS, CRIMINAL CASES, AVIATION, US POLITICS AND LOCAL STORIES. SHE JOINED THE INDEPENDENT IN AUGUST 2023 AND IS BASED IN LONDON.

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Recent Work.

The Independent •

Top 10 vineyard stays on Airbnb for wine enthusiasts

One of the best times to book a trip to a vineyard is autumn when the harvesting begins, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of ripened grapes in full bloom before they are picked and turned into wine. Many vineyards celebrate this season with events, tours and tastings while the expansive rows of vines start to show their autumn hues. Planning a getaway based around a love for wine is becoming more popular year on year. New Airbnb data reveals that guest bookings in 2023 for getaways near or on vi...
The Independent •

The most beautiful places to visit in Paris

Paris has long been renowned as one of the world’s prettiest cities, with grand palaces, perfectly pruned gardens, haute couture and lip-smacking cuisine. The city streets are peppered with architecture from across the history books, Instagrammable cafés that look like they were plucked straight out of a storybook and acclaimed galleries housing some of the world’s best art. Whether you’ve been inspired by the 2024 Olympic Games that took place in the French capital this summer or by the new sea...
The Independent •

Top cosiest cottages on Airbnb for an autumn getaway 2024

As the temperature starts to drop, the swimsuits will be packed away and the woolly jumpers will come out of retirement ready for autumn weather.The UK is home to some of the cosiest, tranquil cottages, cabins and barns nestled in leafy surroundings, quaint villages and awe-inspiring coastal paths. New data from Airbnb has revealed that this autumn, those travelling in the UK are seeking out quintessential autumnal getaways, booking warm and inviting places while staying not too far away from hi...
The Independent •

How to visit each seven wonders of the world

You may have heard of the seven ancient wonders of the world, some of Earth’s most magnificent and powerful creations chosen and compiled into a list by Hellenic travellers passing through lands thousands of years ago.The list, created as early as the fifth century BC, included the likes of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient Iraq, the domineering bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios known as the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a magnificent navigational beacon f...
The Independent •

Nine dark tourism locations with tragic histories

The so-called travel trend of dark tourism has mystified academics and sun-seeking holidaymakers alike for years, as some travellers continue to be compelled to visit places with dark pasts instead of more traditional destinations.From monuments to museums, areas where atrocities took place and the remains of natural disasters, tourists have been drawn to these sites that now serve as places of remembrance of lives lost and also as a reminder of what the world is capable of.Everyone has their mo...
The Independent •

12 of the best romantic Airbnbs for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and many lovebirds across the UK will be opting to use the occasion for some much-needed time away to disconnect from the world and focus solely on each other.Romantic getaways don’t have to be sauntering down a Parisian street in the City of Love, or relaxing on the white sands of the Maldives – there are plenty of stays all over the UK that can provide cosy evenings by a wood fire or a plunge in an open-air hot tub overlooking rolling hills.The key to giving...
The Independent •

When is the best time to visit Dubai and what to do?

Dubai likes to do things bigger and bolder than most cities. A trip to the City of Gold can emcompass everything from fine dining eateries and desert trips to glamorous beach clubs, with the city already welcoming 13.2 million visitors between January and September 2024.The Burj Khalifa and the world’s largest shopping centre, the Dubai Mall, are often on holidaymakers’ lists when visiting the emirate, but there is so much more to discover - no matter what month you visit.The weather can very mu...
The Independent •

These are the UK’s most haunted places

The UK is home to some of the most breathtaking and impressive historical buildings, towns and cities, all brimming with remnants of the past. Yet with centuries upon centuries of history, not all has settled down and got lost in time – and some gruesome and violent memories lurk in the shadows til this day.From ghost stories and eerie apparations to unexplained happenings and overwhelming feelings, the country has plenty of local legends and unnerving rumours tucked away, even in the smallest v...
The Independent •

10 most beautiful places to visit in Dubrovnik

Colossal stone walls, limestone-paved streets and breathtaking historic buildings are just a handful of the unique qualities characteristic to one of Croatia’s most popular destinations, all perched on the edge of the glimmering Adriatic Sea. Aptly nicknamed “the Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik has long been renowned as one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Mediterranean and for good reason.The city’s Old Town was listed as one of Unesco’s World Heritage Sites in the late 1970s d...
The Independent •

Top 10 vineyard stays on Airbnb for wine enthusiasts

One of the best times to book a trip to a vineyard is autumn when the harvesting begins, allowing visitors to get a glimpse of ripened grapes in full bloom before they are picked and turned into wine. Many vineyards celebrate this season with events, tours and tastings while the expansive rows of vines start to show their autumn hues. Planning a getaway based around a love for wine is becoming more popular year on year. New Airbnb data reveals that guest bookings in 2023 for getaways near or on vi...
The Independent •

The most beautiful places to visit in Paris

Paris has long been renowned as one of the world’s prettiest cities, with grand palaces, perfectly pruned gardens, haute couture and lip-smacking cuisine. The city streets are peppered with architecture from across the history books, Instagrammable cafés that look like they were plucked straight out of a storybook and acclaimed galleries housing some of the world’s best art. Whether you’ve been inspired by the 2024 Olympic Games that took place in the French capital this summer or by the new sea...
The Independent •

Top cosiest cottages on Airbnb for an autumn getaway 2024

As the temperature starts to drop, the swimsuits will be packed away and the woolly jumpers will come out of retirement ready for autumn weather.The UK is home to some of the cosiest, tranquil cottages, cabins and barns nestled in leafy surroundings, quaint villages and awe-inspiring coastal paths. New data from Airbnb has revealed that this autumn, those travelling in the UK are seeking out quintessential autumnal getaways, booking warm and inviting places while staying not too far away from hi...
The Independent •

How to visit each seven wonders of the world

You may have heard of the seven ancient wonders of the world, some of Earth’s most magnificent and powerful creations chosen and compiled into a list by Hellenic travellers passing through lands thousands of years ago.The list, created as early as the fifth century BC, included the likes of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient Iraq, the domineering bronze statue of the Greek sun god Helios known as the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria, a magnificent navigational beacon f...
The Independent •

Nine dark tourism locations with tragic histories

The so-called travel trend of dark tourism has mystified academics and sun-seeking holidaymakers alike for years, as some travellers continue to be compelled to visit places with dark pasts instead of more traditional destinations.From monuments to museums, areas where atrocities took place and the remains of natural disasters, tourists have been drawn to these sites that now serve as places of remembrance of lives lost and also as a reminder of what the world is capable of.Everyone has their mo...
The Independent •

12 of the best romantic Airbnbs for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and many lovebirds across the UK will be opting to use the occasion for some much-needed time away to disconnect from the world and focus solely on each other.Romantic getaways don’t have to be sauntering down a Parisian street in the City of Love, or relaxing on the white sands of the Maldives – there are plenty of stays all over the UK that can provide cosy evenings by a wood fire or a plunge in an open-air hot tub overlooking rolling hills.The key to giving...

Featured Articles.

The Independent •

Odyssey timeline: How the four-month Belfast ordeal unfolded before setting sail

When it was announced that the residential cruise ship Odyssey would set sail around the world this year, visiting more than 425 ports in 147 destinations over the course of three and a half years, some passengers immediately knew that they needed a place on that ship.What they did not know, however, was that before this ‘trip of a lifetime’, the new residents would have to endure four months stuck in Belfast after a string of last-minute repairs.Delay after delay haunted the vessel as its saili...
The Independent •

‘No way to run a railway’: The ‘outdated’ rule causing train cancellations every week

Relying on staff volunteering to work weekend shifts to keep trains running on Sundays, as well as the regular need to fall back on voluntary overtime to cover absences, has been blasted as not sustainable for a healthy, functioning railway in the UK.Transport expert Graham Eccles, who during his career was the managing director of South West Trains before being appointed as the head of the railway division at Stagecoach, told The Independent that reliance on overtime work is “no way to run a ra...

Listen to me on Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast.

Travel News.

The Independent •

These are the best places to travel to in 2025

National Geographic has named its top 25 destinations to explore next year, from the tropical savannahs of Brazil all the way to the icy fjords of Greenland.The science, culture and travel brand has unveiled what they believe to be the must-see destinations of 2025, handpicked by their explorers, photographers and editors.Some journeys are recommended due to their timely importance, such as hiking near an active volcano, catching new museum openings, visiting thriving ecosystems and attending on...
The Independent •

Greenland’s new international airport hopes to open the territory up to the world

Greenland is set to open a new international airport next month, aiming to entice more adventure tourists and visitors to the ice-capped territory by making it more accessible.From 28 November, visitors to Greenland’s capital Nuuk will be able to get a direct flight to the city for the very first time, via jetplane from Copenhagen, Denmark.The new airport marks the beginning of a series of openings, with two other airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, in South Greenland, opening by 2026 which will...
The Independent •

Passenger makes sourdough loaf during flight sparking furious online reaction

A social media creator has been slammed online for vlogging the process of making sourdough bread – all from her seat on a flight to Spain.Content creator Maria Baradell, 37, has gained an online following for documenting how she makes baked goods for her bread bakery business, however, a recent video sparked some controversy after she filmed herself making sourdough while on a plane.The video shows the mother-of-five starting the process of creating a fresh loaf of bread to surprise her sister...
The Independent •

Which beach has the whitest sand in the world?

Tulum Beach in Mexico has been named the beach with the whitest sand in the world, beating out destinations like the Seychelles and Greece for the top spot.Researchers from luxury villa travel agents CV Villas carried out a study of over 200 beaches around the world, using colour analysis theory and Google Maps images to find out which beach truly is home to the whitest sands on the planet.Using screenshots from Google Maps and finding out the sands’ RGB colour code, the researchers compared thi...
The Independent •

Are London Tube strikes happening today?

London Underground drivers have called off plans to carry out strikes on the Tube network just days before they were supposed to start.Train drivers’ union Aslef announced on Tuesday (5 November) that they were suspending strike action due to take place on 7 and 12 November across the London Underground after new negotiations and an “improved offer” from transport bosses.The announcement comes just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) declared it would no l...
The Independent •

The best and worst hotel brands revealed

Three lesser-known Spanish hotel chains are favoured among guests as the best international hotel brands, beating out some big names such as Hilton and Holiday Inn, a new Which? survey has revealed.Iberostar, Paradores and RIU came joint-first in a table ranking international hotel brands based on a survey carried out by 2,000 Which? members.The lowest-scoring brand overall is French-owned Campanile, which received an overall customer score of just 57 per cent.The survey asked people about their...
The Independent •

These are the best places to travel to in 2025

National Geographic has named its top 25 destinations to explore next year, from the tropical savannahs of Brazil all the way to the icy fjords of Greenland.The science, culture and travel brand has unveiled what they believe to be the must-see destinations of 2025, handpicked by their explorers, photographers and editors.Some journeys are recommended due to their timely importance, such as hiking near an active volcano, catching new museum openings, visiting thriving ecosystems and attending on...
The Independent •

Greenland’s new international airport hopes to open the territory up to the world

Greenland is set to open a new international airport next month, aiming to entice more adventure tourists and visitors to the ice-capped territory by making it more accessible.From 28 November, visitors to Greenland’s capital Nuuk will be able to get a direct flight to the city for the very first time, via jetplane from Copenhagen, Denmark.The new airport marks the beginning of a series of openings, with two other airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, in South Greenland, opening by 2026 which will...
The Independent •

Passenger makes sourdough loaf during flight sparking furious online reaction

A social media creator has been slammed online for vlogging the process of making sourdough bread – all from her seat on a flight to Spain.Content creator Maria Baradell, 37, has gained an online following for documenting how she makes baked goods for her bread bakery business, however, a recent video sparked some controversy after she filmed herself making sourdough while on a plane.The video shows the mother-of-five starting the process of creating a fresh loaf of bread to surprise her sister...
The Independent •

Which beach has the whitest sand in the world?

Tulum Beach in Mexico has been named the beach with the whitest sand in the world, beating out destinations like the Seychelles and Greece for the top spot.Researchers from luxury villa travel agents CV Villas carried out a study of over 200 beaches around the world, using colour analysis theory and Google Maps images to find out which beach truly is home to the whitest sands on the planet.Using screenshots from Google Maps and finding out the sands’ RGB colour code, the researchers compared thi...
The Independent •

Are London Tube strikes happening today?

London Underground drivers have called off plans to carry out strikes on the Tube network just days before they were supposed to start.Train drivers’ union Aslef announced on Tuesday (5 November) that they were suspending strike action due to take place on 7 and 12 November across the London Underground after new negotiations and an “improved offer” from transport bosses.The announcement comes just days after the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) declared it would no l...
The Independent •

The best and worst hotel brands revealed

Three lesser-known Spanish hotel chains are favoured among guests as the best international hotel brands, beating out some big names such as Hilton and Holiday Inn, a new Which? survey has revealed.Iberostar, Paradores and RIU came joint-first in a table ranking international hotel brands based on a survey carried out by 2,000 Which? members.The lowest-scoring brand overall is French-owned Campanile, which received an overall customer score of just 57 per cent.The survey asked people about their...
The Independent •

These are the best places to travel to in 2025

National Geographic has named its top 25 destinations to explore next year, from the tropical savannahs of Brazil all the way to the icy fjords of Greenland.The science, culture and travel brand has unveiled what they believe to be the must-see destinations of 2025, handpicked by their explorers, photographers and editors.Some journeys are recommended due to their timely importance, such as hiking near an active volcano, catching new museum openings, visiting thriving ecosystems and attending on...
The Independent •

Greenland’s new international airport hopes to open the territory up to the world

Greenland is set to open a new international airport next month, aiming to entice more adventure tourists and visitors to the ice-capped territory by making it more accessible.From 28 November, visitors to Greenland’s capital Nuuk will be able to get a direct flight to the city for the very first time, via jetplane from Copenhagen, Denmark.The new airport marks the beginning of a series of openings, with two other airports in Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, in South Greenland, opening by 2026 which will...