UK searches for “walking holiday” have risen 60% year on year as travellers increasingly seek slower trips that combine outdoor activity with local experiences. In destinations facing overcrowding, walking can also spread visitors beyond the busiest sites and bring spending to smaller communities.

Walking Can Spread Tourism Beyond Hotspots

“Overtourism isn’t just about numbers, it’s about concentration,” said Annie Antonatou, a Greek-based walking holiday specialist. She argues that routes across villages, trails and smaller islands can reduce pressure on major attractions while directing more visitors to family-run guesthouses, ferries, bakeries and tavernas.

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Veriano Verde, a guide for Exodus Adventure Travels who grew up near the Amalfi Coast, said walking also allows visitors to experience communities beyond the main tourist routes.

Amalfi Coast Offers Alternative To Day-Trip Crowds

The Path of the Gods is one of Verde’s recommended routes, combining coastal views with villages, local farms and encounters with residents. In Amalfi, he suggests visiting nearby Atrani rather than limiting a trip to the Piazza del Duomo.

Spring and autumn are the preferred seasons, while winter offers fewer visitors. A seven-day guided walking holiday with Exodus Adventure Travels starts at £1,469 (€1,715) per person, excluding flights.

Santorini And The Cyclades Beyond The Caldera

Annie Antonatou recommends combining the popular Santorini caldera with walks on Naxos, Sifnos, Milos, Andros and Tinos. Routes include the Fira to Oia coastal trail and Mount Zas on Naxos, the highest point in the Cyclades.

She said walking trips allow visitors to spend more time with local communities, experience regional food and see traditional agriculture rather than moving quickly between major landmarks.

The preferred periods are late March to early June and September to November. A week-long self-guided Santorini and Naxos trip through No Footprint and Responsible Travel starts at £550 (€642) per person, excluding flights.

Algarve Trails Focus On The Southwest Coast

The Algarve’s Fishermen’s Trail provides access to quieter parts of Portugal’s southwest coast. The 78km route from Porto Covo to Odeceixe forms part of the 450km Rota Vicentina network.

Ricardo Estêvão of Vincentina Travel said walkers often remember encounters with fishermen, café owners and family-run restaurants as much as the landscape.

The strongest periods are March to June and September to November, with summer avoided to reduce pressure on local communities. A seven-day self-guided trip starts at £420 (€490) per person, excluding flights.

Croatia Combines Historic Sites And Coastal Trails

Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast offers routes linking Dubrovnik, Mljet and the Pelješac Peninsula. Visitors can walk through the historic town of Ston and its vineyards, explore Mljet National Park and hike Mount Srđ above Dubrovnik.

September and October coincide with the grape harvest in Konavle and Pelješac. Travellers visiting Dubrovnik’s city walls can also reduce crowding by going before 9 am or after 4 pm.

A seven-day self-guided walking holiday through Responsible Travel starts at £844 (€985) per person, excluding flights.

Walking Expands The Tourism Season

Walking holidays can help destinations spread visitor activity beyond major landmarks and peak summer periods. For travellers, the format offers access to smaller communities, local businesses and landscapes that are often missed on conventional sightseeing trips.

For destinations facing concentrated tourism demand, it can provide another way to distribute visitors and spending across a wider area.

Retirement ages across the European Union range from 57 for some early-retirement schemes in Luxembourg to 67 in several member states. Most countries set the standard pension age between 60 and 67, while separate rules can apply based on gender, profession or contribution history.

As populations age and pension systems face greater financial pressure, governments have been gradually raising retirement thresholds. Cyprus currently sets the standard pensionable age at 65, while retirement at 63 results in a 12% pension reduction.

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Some Countries Allow Earlier Retirement

Luxembourg permits early retirement from 57 for people who have completed 480 months of mandatory contributions. Slovenia allows retirement at 60 with 40 years of insurance, while Greece permits retirement at 62 for workers with 40 years of coverage.

Hungary has a separate scheme under which women can qualify for a full pension after 40 qualifying years regardless of age. Portugal also allows some professions, including miners, quarry workers, ballet professionals and air traffic controllers, to retire from 45.

Retirement Ages Are Rising Across The EU

Belgium’s retirement age is 66 and will reach 67 in 2030, while France is gradually moving to 64. Germany is increasing its threshold from 65 to 67, with the transition continuing until 2029.

Italy sets the standard retirement age at 67 with at least 20 years of contributions. Croatia and Latvia use 65, while Lithuania is moving to 65 for both men and women. Estonia reached 65 in 2026 and will adjust the age according to life expectancy.

The Netherlands will raise its statutory retirement age to 67 years and three months in 2028. Poland retains different thresholds of 60 for women and 65 for men, while Romania sets retirement at 65 for men and 62 for women.

Slovakia’s retirement age was 64 years and one month as of July 2025. The Czech Republic links retirement age to year of birth, with the highest threshold reaching 67.

Nordic Systems Add Different Rules

Sweden uses several age thresholds for pension benefits. Public pension payments can begin at 63, while basic protection starts at 66 and workplace protections change at 69. From 2027, a formal reference age will be introduced and linked to the basic protection threshold.

Cyprus Remains At 65

Cyprus remains within the broad European range with a standard pensionable age of 65. Workers can retire at 63, but their pension is reduced by 12%.

Across Europe, pension systems increasingly combine age thresholds with contribution requirements and life-expectancy adjustments, while separate provisions remain for certain professions and groups.

Zurich is Europe’s most expensive city for buying an apartment in the centre, with prices averaging €22,910 per square metre, according to Deutsche Bank Research Institute’s Mapping the World’s Prices 2026.

Geneva ranks second at €19,439 per square metre, followed by London at €17,241. An 80-square-metre apartment would therefore cost about €1.83 million in Zurich, €1.56 million in Geneva and €1.38 million in London.

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Paris And Vienna Complete Top Five

Paris ranks fourth at €12,771 per square metre, making central London about 35% more expensive. Vienna follows at €12,483.

Munich is Germany’s most expensive market at €11,435 per square metre. Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo also rank among Europe’s 10 most expensive cities, with prices ranging from €11,011 in Luxembourg to €9,785 in Oslo.

Milan and Amsterdam are slightly cheaper at €9,378 and €9,273 respectively, while Helsinki ranks 13th at €8,431.

Central European Cities Narrow The Gap

Prague is also approaching Western European markets, with central property averaging €8,352 per square metre. Madrid follows at €7,831 and Berlin at €7,613, while Rome averages €7,328.

Dublin and Frankfurt remain above €7,000 per square metre at €7,185 and €7,162. Lisbon and Barcelona are lower at €6,636 and €6,485.

Istanbul And Athens Among The Cheapest

Istanbul is the least expensive European city in the survey at €2,646 per square metre, followed by Athens at €3,442. Brussels ranks third from the bottom among the 28 European cities at €4,380. Birmingham averages €4,671 per square metre, while Budapest, Warsaw and Edinburgh range from €5,243 to €5,708.

The average across the 28 European cities is €9,090 per square metre. An 80-square-metre apartment would therefore cost about €727,000, while only four cities exceed €1 million for a property of that size.

Hong Kong Is The World’s Most Expensive

Across all 69 cities in the report, Hong Kong ranks first at €23,790 per square metre. Zurich and Seoul follow at €22,910 and €21,897 respectively. At the other end, Cairo is the least expensive city surveyed at €784 per square metre, followed by Johannesburg at €913.

The report combines data from Numbeo and Deutsche Bank, with prices converted into euros using European Central Bank average exchange rates for the first half of 2026.

Meta’s $18 billion settlement with attorneys general from 29 U.S. states includes a provision limiting future state claims over the company’s use of children’s data for age-assurance systems.

Under the agreement, Meta must develop, train and begin testing a system to identify users under 13 within a year of the settlement taking effect. The company already uses AI-based age-detection tools, although the agreement does not require the new system to use AI.

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States Agree To Limits On Future Claims

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) generally restricts the collection and retention of personal data from children under 13. Under the settlement, the 29 state attorneys general agreed not to bring past, present or future claims under COPPA or similar state laws over the specified use of children’s data.

Meta will not be permitted to use information from users under 13 for advertising, marketing or algorithmic optimisation.

Federal Enforcement Remains Unclear

COPPA is primarily enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which is not a party to the agreement. That leaves open the possibility of separate federal action over how Meta collects or uses children’s data.

Another issue is whether Meta can keep age-assurance data isolated from its other systems. An independent auditor will monitor compliance, but the settlement does not fully specify what data Meta can retain for training, how long it can be stored or whether derived insights can be used elsewhere.

Legal Risks Remain

Joshua Wurtzel, a partner at Schlam Stone & Dolan, said states could still pursue claims if Meta uses the data outside the settlement’s limits. Such cases could depend on how those limits are interpreted.

Peter Jackson, a data and intellectual property attorney at Greenberg Glusker, said the provision could “disincentivize future enforcement actions.”

The agreement gives Meta greater legal certainty around using children’s data for age assurance, but questions remain over federal enforcement, data retention and secondary use.

Cyprus and Kazakhstan are seeking to expand economic and business cooperation following President Nikos Christodoulides’ official visit to Astana in June, the first visit by a Cypriot president to Kazakhstan.

The two countries see opportunities for closer commercial ties, with Cyprus offering access to the EU and eurozone markets and Kazakhstan serving as a major economic and transport hub in Central Asia.

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Shipping, Energy And Technology Among Key Areas

According to the Presidency, the two sides identified prospects for cooperation in shipping, transport, energy, technology, cybersecurity, healthcare and tourism. Both governments also see potential for developing projects that could produce concrete results for businesses in the two markets.

Cyprus’ position within the EU and its eurozone membership could support access to European markets, while Kazakhstan’s geographic position offers opportunities for Cypriot companies seeking to expand in Central Asia.

First Presidential Visit To Kazakhstan

Christodoulides’ trip to Astana in early June was the first official visit by a president of Cyprus to Kazakhstan. The Presidency said the visit created a more structured framework for bilateral economic and business cooperation.

Beyond trade and investment, the two countries also reaffirmed their political ties. The Presidency highlighted Kazakhstan’s support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, in line with the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

Kazakhstan Awards State Distinction To Christodoulides

During the visit, Christodoulides received Kazakhstan’s Order of Friendship, which the Presidency described as the country’s highest state distinction.

The award was presented as recognition of the existing bilateral relationship and the two countries’ intention to deepen cooperation further.

School supply prices in Cyprus remained broadly stable compared with 2025, but significant differences between retailers mean families can pay very different amounts for similar products, according to the Cyprus Consumers’ Association.

The association surveyed online and physical stores operated by 10 businesses across Cyprus. Some products showed wide price gaps, while online prices were sometimes lower than those in physical stores.

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School Supplies Show Wide Price Gaps

School bags ranged from €1.89 to €209.95, depending on size, design and brand. Pencil cases cost between €0.48 and €45.55, while pencils, pens and markers ranged from €0.20 to €18.99. Notebook prices varied from €0.32 to €12.99, while filing folders cost between €0.19 and €8.48. The association advised families to compare prices across retailers and shopping channels.

Clothing Prices Also Differ

Jerseys and shirts ranged from €3.99 to €48, while trousers cost €12 to €27 and skirts €11.50 to €25. Parents were advised to consider quality and value rather than relying on brand names or advertising when choosing school products.

Focus On Need And Safety

Families should make a list of essential items before shopping and distinguish between school requirements and products influenced by advertising or trends. Younger children should avoid stationery designed to resemble or smell like food because of potential health and safety risks.

When choosing a school bag, parents should consider the child’s physical strength, the bag’s weight and its construction.

Check Return Policies

Consumers should check a retailer’s return policy before buying. Shops in Cyprus generally do not have to accept returns or exchanges when customers simply change their minds, so individual store policies apply.

Unsafe products, pricing discrepancies, misleading offers and missing price displays can be reported to the Cyprus Consumers’ Association at [email protected] or through the consumer line at 1429.

Safe Bulkers has extended the application deadline for its 2026-27 scholarship programme to Sept. 7, 2026, offering 10 awards of €10,000 each to students pursuing studies linked to the maritime sector.

Now in its sixth year, the programme is offered by the New York-listed shipping company and CEO Polys V. Hajioannou. It is open to Cypriot citizens and Greek citizens permanently residing in Cyprus, including recently graduated lyceum graduates and students already enrolled at universities in Cyprus, Greece, the UK and other countries.

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Scholarships Cover Maritime And Technology Fields

Selection will be based on academic performance, financial need and social criteria, including household income and family or marital status.

Eligible fields include naval architecture and marine engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, electronic and computer engineering and automation. The programme also covers computer science, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, shipping law, and MSc studies in shipping trade and finance.

Academic Requirements Vary

School leavers must provide university acceptance and either a school-leaving grade of at least 18 or an A-level grade of at least B in mathematics or physics.

For students at UK universities, the requirement is an annual average above 60% or a 2:1 classification. Applicants at Greek polytechnic institutions need an annual average above 6.5, while candidates for UK master’s programmes must hold a Greek polytechnic degree with a grade of at least 7.5 or a UK 2:1 degree.

Students enrolled at other universities abroad must have an annual average classified as “very good”.

Applications Close September 7

Applications can be submitted through Safe Bulkers’ scholarship portal, together with the required supporting documents.

Applicants can contact ypotrofies@safebulkers.com for additional information. Final approval is subject to the submission and verification of all required documents.

The department has allocated an estimated €220,000 for restoration work at the Kanellopoulou mine gallery entrance and nearby mining facilities under the Interreg Greece-Cyprus 2021–2027 programme. The project covers the gallery entrance, ore-separation infrastructure, transport rails and an unloading area.

Village Projects Expand The Visitor Offer

Etap is also developing smaller projects, including the completion of Ayios Theodoros Farm, which will combine a village farm with a picnic area and introduce visitors to traditional agricultural life.

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The project follows Etap’s 2024 proposal to include Cypriot farm animals, native plants and traditional products. Other planned works include permanent sculptures at Mesoyios Artists’ Park and improvements to the Choirokoitia nature trail entrance.

Digital Access Expands Across Larnaca

Sixteen museums in the region have already been digitised, with the Ecclesiastical Museum of Athienou, Archbishop Georgios expected to join the platform before the end of the year.

Opened in July 2025, the museum houses icons, manuscripts, religious vessels, embroidery and vestments, including objects dating to the late 15th century. Visitors can also explore the region through the Larnaka 360° Cultural Walk, which connects virtual museums, storytelling statues and QR-coded routes.

Sustainability And Accessibility Projects Continue

Planned public-space projects include additional planting in Voroklini, improvements to Pyla’s coastal park and themed benches along Voroklini’s coastal walkway. An upgrade to the garden beside the tourism information office is also under consideration.

Etap is also planning further work at Livadia’s Kalamourgiki Memorial Museum and an accessible seating unit at Finikoudes. The Livadia museum already offers large-caption video screens, sign-language interpretation and a Braille booklet.

Tourism Links To Local Producers

Etap is seeking to strengthen links between tourism and local businesses through initiatives such as the CyFood B2B Forum. The wider programme combines heritage restoration, digital access, public-space improvements and accessibility projects across the Larnaca region.

Several initiatives are at different stages, from completed digital projects to planned infrastructure and visitor facilities.

Cyprus’ industrial sector posted modest growth in June 2026, with production rising by 0.3% year on year, according to figures released by the statistical service Cystat.

The overall industrial production index reached 117.6 points, using 2021 as the base year of 100. Over the first six months of 2026, industrial output was 1.2% higher than in the same period a year earlier, indicating a sector that is expanding, albeit unevenly.

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Mining And Water Supply Lead Monthly Gains

June’s performance was driven by strength in mining and quarrying, which rose 11.4% annually, and by water supply and materials recovery, which increased 1.5%. Manufacturing also registered a gain, albeit a narrower one, rising 0.6% from June 2025.

By contrast, electricity supply fell 4% over the same period, underscoring the mixed nature of the country’s industrial trajectory.

Mixed Performance Across Industrial Activities

Within water supply and materials recovery, the two activities diverged sharply. Water collection, treatment and supply climbed 14.2%, while materials recovery dropped 15.1%.

Among manufacturing subsectors, other non-metallic mineral products recorded the strongest annual increase in June, up 7.5%. Rubber and plastic products followed with growth of 4.7%, while wood and cork products excluding furniture and basic metals and fabricated metal products each advanced 2.3%.

Smaller gains were seen in textiles, wearing apparel and leather products, which edged up 0.4%.

Several manufacturing categories, however, moved in the opposite direction. Machinery, equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment saw the steepest decline, falling 8.5%. Production of electronic and optical products and electrical equipment decreased 2.4%, while furniture, other manufacturing, and the repair and installation of machinery and equipment slipped 2.3%.

Paper products and printing fell 0.7%, food, beverages and tobacco products declined 0.6%, and refined petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceutical products and preparations were down 0.5%.

First-Half Output Shows Broader Stability

Looking at the January-to-June period, the underlying picture was more stable. Manufacturing output increased 0.7% year on year, mining and quarrying rose 1.1%, and water supply and materials recovery grew 2.5%.

Among individual activities, water collection, treatment and supply delivered the strongest first-half expansion, increasing 11.5%. Basic metals and fabricated metal products followed with growth of 5.1%, while electricity supply rose 4.3%.

Other non-metallic mineral products advanced 3.4%, and wood and cork products excluding furniture increased 3.2%. Refined petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceutical products and preparations were up 1.8%, while rubber and plastic products rose 1.4%. Paper products and printing increased 0.7%, and food, beverages and tobacco products were unchanged from the same period in 2025.

On the downside, materials recovery recorded the sharpest decline in the first half, falling 8.8%. Machinery, equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment dropped 5.9%, while furniture, other manufacturing, and the repair and installation of machinery and equipment decreased 4.2%. Textiles, wearing apparel and leather products declined 3.9%, and electronic and optical products and electrical equipment edged down 0.4%.

The latest data point to an industrial economy moving forward at a measured pace, with gains in essential and extractive activities helping to offset weakness in several manufacturing segments.

Shares of Marvell Technology fell 8% in premarket trading despite a second-quarter revenue beat, after the chipmaker’s updated fiscal 2028 outlook failed to meet elevated investor expectations.

Marvell now expects fiscal 2028 revenue of about $18 billion, representing roughly 50% annual growth and exceeding its previous forecast of $16.5 billion. Second-quarter revenue rose 37% to $2.7 billion, beating the company’s May guidance by $39 million.

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AI Demand Drives Revenue Growth

Marvell supplies networking, connectivity and custom chips used in AI data centres, where revenue increased 46% year on year in the latest quarter. CEO Matt Murphy said AI-related bookings remained strong and forecast further revenue growth through the rest of fiscal 2027.

Despite the higher outlook, Marvell provided limited detail on how it would reach the $18 billion target. That added to investor concerns after the company’s recent Google partnership, which could allow Google to purchase up to $12.2 billion in Marvell stock through fiscal 2033.

Under the agreement, Google can buy up to 58.97 million Marvell shares at $206.58 each, subject to performance targets. The partnership covers products supporting Google’s TPU systems, including AI inference chips, storage controllers and network interface controllers.

Investors Had Higher Expectations

Goldman Sachs said investor expectations were already high heading into the results because of strong spending by major customers and the Google agreement. Analysts described the results as an “incremental positive” but maintained a neutral rating, citing Marvell’s higher valuation relative to peers and uncertainty over its ability to add more custom-chip customers.

Marvell shares have gained 184% this year despite the latest decline, reflecting strong investor demand for companies supplying AI infrastructure.