  Classical variables like RR Lyrae, classical and Type-II Cepheids and Mira
variables all follow period-luminosity relations that make them interesting as
distance indicators. Especially the RR Lyrae and delta Cepheids are crucial in
establishing the distance scale in the Universe, and all classes of variables
can be used as tracers of galactic structure. I will present an overview of
recent period-luminosity relations and review the work that has been done using
the Gaia DR1 data so far, and discuss possibilities for the future
