Sledges, bears and a hotel with Wes Anderson vibes: Switzerland’s quirkiest family ski resort

Forget flashy St Moritz or Zermatt, the unsung village of Arosa has childlike charm, with animal sanctuaries, cool accommodation and kid-friendly tobogganing

Protecting one of Europe’s last wild rivers: a volunteering trip to the Vjosa in Albania

Now a ‘wild river national park’, the Vjosa needs more trees to be planted to preserve its fragile ecosystem. And visitors are being asked to help …

Zoning in on Leith, Edinburgh – ‘It’s been a joy to watch the area reinvent itself’

The historic port district – and setting for Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting – has evolved into a cultural and culinary hub. In the first of a new series, a local resident visits the venues powering the resurgence

Tell us about your favourite romantic place in Europe

Share a tip on a romantic spot – whether city, hotel or mountain top – the best wins £200 towards a Coolstays break

Do writing retreats actually work? Reader, I finished my novel in style …

The distractions of daily life can make writing a book a frustrating task, so I sought boltholes offering creative support and solitude in inspiring landscapes

10 of the best retreats in Europe to soothe mind, body and soul

Change your life – or just kick back and relax – by connecting with nature, trying a creative workshop, or taking a yoga course somewhere beautiful

Could a surfing retreat in Morocco conquer my fear of the sea?

The process of learning to catch a wave is an all-consuming activity that can prove to be a powerful therapeutic tool

‘Walking in the Lake District drizzle rewired my head’: readers’ life-changing trips

From the jungles of Colombia to sailing in Croatia, our readers reflect on the life lessons travel has taught them

Going beyond the surface in the Karst plateau: exploring the new cross-border geopark in Italy and Slovenia

GeoKarst is a new EU-funded project highlighting a unique landscape of caves, gorges and medieval villages near Trieste

The bathroom door scandal: why hotels are putting toilets in glass boxes

Solid doors are being replaced with sliding ones, or even transparent cubicles. For furious guests, this is a cost-cutting measure too far

Rock up to London: discovering stones and fossils from around the world on an urban geology tour

The city’s architecture travels through time and continents, incorporating everything from slabs of the Italian Alps to meteorites that hit southern Africa 2bn years ago

‘Mingling is part of the adventure’: a family trip to Wales shows why hostels are booming

Forget draughty bunk rooms and awkward social encounters, hostels now provide home comforts and a sense of community private rentals will never match

Share a tip on a great gallery or museum in Europe

Tell us about a favourite small museum or gallery you’ve discovered on your travels – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break

Wide sandy beaches and amazing seafood in western France

Charente-Maritime is a more affordable, less manicured family destination than nearby Île de Ré

Eight of the best affordable beach holidays, from Crete to the Costa de la Luz

Kick back and dream of summer with our pick of seaside gems, including a stylish Andalucian bolthole and a villa with views of Stromboli