Supergiant crustaceans may cover more than half of the deep-sea floor

21 May 2025

The enigmatic crustacean Alicella gigantea is the world’s largest amphipod, but like all deep-sea creatures it hasn’t proved easy to find

How the US military wants to use the world's largest aircraft

20 May 2025

The world’s largest aircraft, called WindRunner, is being designed to carry huge wind turbine blades – but the US military is looking into its own applications for the proposed plane

Earliest galaxy ever seen offers glimpse of the nascent universe

20 May 2025

The galaxy MoM-z14 dates back to 280 million years after the big bang, and the prevalence of such early galaxies is puzzling astronomers

How an ancient alchemy technique is transforming modern chemistry

20 May 2025

Today’s chemistry is a wet business, mostly done by mixing compounds in liquid solvents. But a push towards using dry powders instead is proving surprisingly effective

Featured: A journey through science, technology and nature, Japan

20 May 2025

24 September 2025 - 11 days for £6,995 per person

Embark on an extraordinary journey through Japan’s diverse natural and geological wonders—where cutting-edge cities meet ancient forests, volcanic landscapes frame the majestic Mount Fuji, and the rich biodiversity of national parks gives way to the coral-fringed shores of Okinawa.

Beyond its stunning scenery, Japan offers a incredible insight into cutting-edge science and timeless nature. Over the 11 immersive days, journey from the modern pulse of Tokyo to the geothermal wonders of Hakone, the cultural richness of Kyoto, and the subtropical ecosystems of Okinawa. Traverse snow-capped peaks, soak in ancient hot springs, and explore pristine coastlines, each destination revealing a deeper layer of Japan’s dynamic natural and scientific landscape.

You will be accompanied throughout by Dr Rowan Hooper, who has a PhD in evolutionary biology and worked as a biologist in Japan for five years, before joining The Japan Times in Tokyo as science editor. He has been at New Scientist for over 15 years, covering all aspects of science. Rowan will offer insight into how Japan is leading the way in integrating science with natural preservation, including developing innovative environmental technologies and researching climate change and wildlife conservation. 

This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts and outdoor lovers looking to discover Japan’s rich biodiversity, from the subtropical forests of Okinawa to the tranquil hot springs of Hakone. A burgeoning centre for technology and countless areas of spectacular natural beauty, Japan is a must-see destination for science and nature lovers. 

In partnership with Intrepid Travel.

Vaccine may treat cocaine addiction by blocking drug's entry to brain

20 May 2025

A vaccine that helps people overcome cocaine addiction has shown signs of being safe and effective in a small trial

The science of Champagne: North-eastern France

20 May 2025

8 June 2025 - 5 days for £2,686 per person

Whet your appetite and indulge in a sparkling escape to the heart of Reims in north-eastern France, designed to delight and inform Champagne enthusiasts. Savour exclusive tours and tastings at prestigious Champagne houses like Taittinger, Bollinger, Brimoncourt, Moët et Chandon and Henri Chauvet. Discover the science behind Champagne production, from the ancient cellars where fermentation and ageing processes occur to the vineyards shaped by terroir and climate. 

According to legend, Dom Pérignon, a monk, created the first sparkling wine by accident, and exclaimed: “I am drinking the stars!” The truth is more scientific; uncover the complex chemistry that gives Champagne its signature bubbles, the sensory delight of savouring each sip, and the cultural heritage that makes this beverage truly iconic. 

Champagne involves a fascinating blend of chemistry, physics and biology that underpins the creation of this iconic sparkling wine. The unique characteristics of the Champagne region’s soil, climate and geography contribute to the specific flavours and quality of Champagne. Discover how the interaction of proteins, yeast and sugars create the “stars” that so impressed Dom Pérignon, and how different methods of producing sparkling wines have evolved. Meet winemakers and sample a wide range of wines, including smaller producers such as Gosset, Brimoncourt and Henri Chauvet.

Accompanied throughout by drinks expert Jonathan Ray, travel to the heart of the Champagne region to learn more about the secrets behind world-famous marques including Moët & Chandon, Taittinger and Bollinger.

You will be based in the ancient city of Reims, where kings of France were crowned for centuries. We will enjoy a walking tour of the city and a visit to the cathedral, but the focus will be on sampling a wide range of Champagnes and understanding what makes this the world’s most celebrated wine.

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

Megalithic Malta: Temples, architecture and archaeology

20 May 2025

March 2026 – 6 days

Register at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you when confirmed details, including dates and prices, are available.

Explore the islands of Malta and Gozo, both rich in remarkable history. They hide many exceptional archaeological sites, from ancient and mysterious temples believed to be some of the world’s oldest structures to the fortifications of the Knights of St John, which withstood unprecedented bombardment in the second world war. 

During this tour, you will visit prehistoric temples that are thought to be the earliest accessible free-standing buildings in the world, as well as medieval settlements and the walled city of Mdina.

Discover three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 7000 years of history, including unexplained carved-stone landscapes and prehistoric death cults, as well as beautiful coastlines, attractive fishing villages and fine Baroque architecture. 

Staying at the indulgent five-star Corinthia Palace hotel is a captivating experience that blends luxury, elegance and impeccable service. Nestled in the heart of Malta, this iconic hotel offers a sanctuary of tranquility amid lush gardens and historical architecture.

You will be accompanied by award-winning journalist Juliet Rix, who promises a journey rich with insight and discovery. Juliet, renowned for her captivating storytelling and extensive knowledge, will be on hand throughout the tour to offer engaging talks and walking seminars. Her expertise and passion for the destinations will bring a unique perspective, deepening your understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of the places visited. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to learn from a distinguished journalist, ensuring that your travel experience will be both intellectually stimulating and profoundly memorable.

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

Celebrating science through space and time in Nobel's Stockholm: Sweden

20 May 2025

June 2026 – 6 days 

Register for 2026 now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you with confirmed tour details, including dates and prices when available.

Discover the scientific heritage of Stockholm, past, present and future. Meet experts and learn about Sweden’s contribution to botany, astronomy, physics, chemistry and medicine. Explore this vibrant capital city and learn about the Nobel prizes, which were created to celebrate great achievements in science.

Built across 14 of the 20,000 islands that shelter the city from the Baltic Sea, Stockholm is not only beautiful, it is also a haven of scientific thought, boasting the likes of Alfred Nobel, Carl Linnaeus, Jons Jacob Berzelius and more. 

Swedish inventor and industrialist Alfred Nobel (1833-96), who was born in Stockholm, established the Nobel prize to reward those who had “conferred the greatest benefit to humankind”. Learn about past laureates in the fields of natural sciences, literature and peace, as well as the public outreach activities undertaken by the institution around the world, specifically looking at the research behind infection and pandemic that has taken place through history and its implications to today’s thinking. 

During the tour, you will be accompanied by Alex Wilkins from New Scientist for three days. During this time, he will give private lectures and walking seminars, offering an insight into the impact Nobel made on the scientific world. These include the following topics:

• The history of Alfred Nobel, the Nobel Foundation and the Nobel prizes
• A whistle-stop tour of 20th-century physics through the lens of the Nobel prize
• How much does the Nobel prize represent modern science?

This tour is great for those interested in science history, botany, astronomy, physics, chemistry and medicine, as well as exploring one of the world’s most elegant capitals. 

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.

The science history and culture of Vienna: Austria

20 May 2025

8 December 2025 – 5 days for £2,286 per person

Discover Vienna, a city that, at the turn of the last century, was Europe’s most important cultural and academic melting pot. Gain insight into the mind of Sigmund Freud and the city in which he spent most of his life. Uncover how he explored the unconscious and became known as the founder of psychoanalysis. Learn about other key Austrian psychological thinkers, including Alfred Adler and Viktor Frankl.  

Vienna combined a wealthy civil society with a period of tolerance for the Jewish community and a flourishing scientific, artistic and musical sphere. It was in this atmosphere that Freud was able to pioneer his ideas, specifically his theory of psychoanalysis. Born in what is now the Czech Republic, Freud spent most of his childhood and adult life in Vienna. In 1923, he published "The ego and the id", which pioneered the idea that the unconscious mind is split into the id, ego and superego, each competing for control over our thoughts and actions. It was this theory that led to the foundation of modern psychoanalysis and cemented Freud as one of the world’s great scientific thinkers.

Travel in the company of Professor Dany Nobus, Professor of Psychoanalytic Psychology at Brunel University London. He will join the tour throughout and offer lectures which will cover Freud, Adler, and Frankl simultaneously, within the historical context of Viennese culture during the early 20th century. The lectures will be broadly chronological (rather than thematic), starting with Freud's invention of psychoanalysis and ending with the Nazi annexation of Austria and the emigration of numerous Jewish clinicians, including Freud himself. 

Talk topics:

• Vienna 1900: Modernism, Hysteria, and the Rise of Psychoanalysis.
• Who Controls the Human Mind? Conflict and Culture in the Three Viennese Schools of Psychotherapy.
• “Declaration of No Impediment”: Antisemitism, Forced Exile, and the Global Dissemination of a Clinical Brand.

In partnership with Kirker Holidays.