Euphoria on a moped in Indonesia, orcas off Argentina and the chance to ranch, surf or simply be the person they always wanted to be are among our readers’ wonderful memories

After a 10-year slog at work, my boss agreed to my taking a year-long sabbatical. We used this to revisit south-east Asia – not to relive past travelling glories of my 20s (where my destinations usually revolved around partying). Instead we floated around the more “cultured” parts that were not on my radar in days gone by – South Korea, Japan, Taiwan (a revelation) and more remote areas of the Philippines and Indonesia. I could list a hundred special moments and locations over the year – but the memory I revisit in my head the most is my daily moped drive to a beach on the Karimunjawa islands in Indonesia. It’s not the crystal-clear sea, smiling locals or amazing food that sticks, but the feeling of absolute freedom and euphoric joy that made me smile from ear to ear on that ride, sometimes laughing to myself hysterically for no reason (I must have looked a bit crazy). It’s joy that I felt from simply being alive. It’s a feeling that can be elusive in life and one I cherish so much.
Benjamin

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On 20 September 2023, the Guardian launched a new digital edition for a continent in the grip of dramatic political and social change. This is what we’ve learned so far – and how you can help us do more

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A year ago today we launched Guardian Europe, a new digital edition of the Guardian to help bring journalism about the world to Europe and journalism about Europe to the world.

It has been a dramatic year for the continent, with moments of intense political peril, from huge far-right electoral surges to extraordinary people power and progressive fightbacks. It has also been a year of sporting joy at the Paris Games and Euro 2024. We’ve been there to capture it all, and we’re very grateful that millions of you have joined us.

To support Guardian Europe and all our journalism, please consider setting up a monthly amount, from just €4 – or £4. It takes less than a minute and is the most effective way to back powerful, investigative reporting

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The Sea Change film festival on Tiree is a DIY affair that celebrates women and also connects communities on a series of small, scattered isles

Think of a film festival and images of celebrities, paparazzi and throngs of tourists might spring to mind, but one festival on a Hebridean island does things a little differently. The Sea Change film festival , which runs from Friday to Sunday, has been attracting the public and the film industry to Tiree (population about 650) in the Inner Hebrides for the past five years.

It’s Scotland’s only annual festival dedicated to celebrating women through film, and hosts screenings, workshops and talks, as well as beach walks, pilates classes and swimming sessions. The community centre becomes the main cinema and an after-party might mean a few pints at a pop-up bar rather than a glitzy hotel.

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From Viking history, to its wild coastline and even its ‘damp’ weather, Waterford has taken its natural assets and run with them

It was a pretty long interregnum, about 1,000 years, but Waterford is once again a hot travel destination.

The Vikings were the first to popularise this corner of south-east Ireland, liking it so much they settled, built a town and called it Vadrarfjordr, Norse for “winter port”, around AD914. There was no better refuge for weary raiders to rest and recuperate.

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Research says flat-fee train travel would bring economic and health benefits as well as simplifying ticket fares

Renationalising the railways does not go far enough – Labour should spur a rail renaissance by allowing people around the UK unlimited train travel for a flat fee, campaigners have said.

Under a “climate card” system, passengers could pay a simple subscription to gain access to train travel across all services. This could be effective if set at £49 a month, according to research published on Thursday , though travellers on fast long-distance trains and those on routes in and through London would need to pay a top-up to reflect the greater demand on those services.

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The 300-mile line between Serbia and Montenegro, built in Tito’s era, connects city and seaside for a blissful Balkan holiday

It started with a disagreement. Where to go on an early autumn break? I wanted a city and history, my boyfriend wanted coast and stunning scenery. The solution? Two days in the Serbian capital Belgrade, a train ride to Montenegro, and some time on the Adriatic. In the end, the cinematic train journey proved the real star of the show.

Belgrade is an eclectic mix of Habsburg, Ottoman and brutalist architecture with a buzzy nightlife. At the Museum of Yugoslavia we learn that the Belgrade to Montenegro train was one of former communist president-dictator Tito’s proudest projects. The line opened to great fanfare in 1976, after Yugoslavian engineers had spent 20 years burrowing through mountains to reach the Adriatic, carving out 254 tunnels and 435 bridges.

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Ditch package holidays for group tours, use credit card rewards, and make sure it’s all by public transport

Heading off abroad alone? Give the single supplement the swerve and cut the cost of solo travel.

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Border checks system was due to go live in November but some countries say they are not ready amid worries about lack of testing

The full implementation of an EU entry-exit system introducing fingerprinting and facial recognition checks at ports and airports is expected to be delayed again amid fears over congestion and long queues.

Ylva Johansson, the EU’s home affairs commissioner, said recently that the new entry-exit system (EES) would be introduced on 10 November with a contingency of delaying it one week to 17 November.

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From a wire bridge near Ben Nevis to a wild swim in Devon, these walks come with a unique manmade or natural element to look forward to as you stroll

Even the best walk needs a focal point, an extra something that makes the whole day come alive. For me the swim is the default choice. I’ll jump in that river, lake or sea at any time of year, but there are many other, less bracing, options. These five walks bring a range of highlights.

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