Newspapers and Magazines

Both USA Today and the International Herald Tribune are widely available in continental Europe, for those who need a daily news fix. At roughly USD 2 a copy, the cost can add up, though. Try the Herald Tribune, which has a certain snob appeal. It also has a decent cross-word puzzle, whose difficulty varies at random from idiot-proof to impossible. Also, The European, an English-language newspaper that focuses on the affairs of Europe, is widely available, as are European editions of various British papers.

While in Britain, definitely check out its wide selection of papers; to get both ends of the spectrum try the Times and the Daily Sport. Also in London, look out for the numerous magazines and newspapers aimed at expatriates. Southern Cross, South Africa UK News, and so on, serve the needs of their homesick ex-colonials, and are well worth a look for travelers from other countries. You can pick them up free from bins all over the city.

A blizzard of magazines in English can be found all over Europe, with Time and Newsweek on sale pretty much everywhere. Also, try the foreign versions of well-known magazines from home and note the differences. For example, British Cosmopolitan is so brainless and sex-obsessed that it makes the American version look like something written by Dickens.