‘The mountains soothed the soul’: a long walk in Spain’s Pyrenees

On a 52-mile hike in Catalonia between five refuges, we found chamois, griffon vultures, rare butterflies, an ultra-trail running legend – and very few people

Trek to the source of the Wharfe: a riverside adventure in Yorkshire

Inspired by an Edwardian guidebook, our writer walks the 65-mile length of the county’s most famous river

Lakes, mountains and distant isles: 15 of the most tranquil places to visit around the UK

From sculpture gardens to ancient woodland, windswept hills to deserted beaches, here’s where to really escape from it all

Notes on chocolate: tea and chocolate are a capital hit

London’s the place to sample this flavoursome combination

‘At last the climax, a nerve-racking step over a vast space’: my Anglesey adventure

Brimming with natural beauty and renowned for its sea kayaking and climbing routes, Anglesey is perfect for a multi-activity break.

Ferret racing and giant marrows: how UK country shows keep rural traditions alive

Agricultural shows are a highlight of the British summer, combining farming heritage with the village fete to bring an eccentric joyfulness

10 of the UK’s best country shows

These brilliant late-summer rural fairs combine centuries of tradition with plenty of fun – from falconry to food and crafts

‘A magical event evoking times past’: readers’ favourite UK country shows

Rural traditions going back centuries can be seen at these fairs celebrating farming, food and landscape

Rail route of the month: the drama of an Alpine epic from Zurich to Graz

This exhilarating, nine-hour journey trundles through the Swiss and Austrian Alps and soars to more than 1,000 metres above sea level as it crosses the Rhine-Danube watershed

Wish you weren’t here! How tourists are ruining the world’s greatest destinations

Overtourism has long been a problem – and besieged cities are fighting back. But can angry locals stop the tide of stag parties, ‘anus burners’, noise and graffiti?

Boards, bikes and hikes: my family adventure in West Cork, Ireland

With surfing, e-biking, kayaking, hiking and history, we join an all-action family break around County Cork’s spectacular bays, headlands and beaches

‘Monster koi carp surface like scaly whales’: how I holidayed in Japan – without leaving London

Why travel 6,000 miles to visit a Kyoto garden or a Tokyo diner? Britain’s capital has it all

Take the high road: the man who visited every country in the world – without boarding a plane

At 34, Torbjørn Pedersen embarked on a seemingly impossible journey that would take 10 years – and involve cerebral malaria and being held up at gunpoint. He reflects on the highs, the lows and the joy of getting married en route

Tell us about a great journey in Europe – you could win a holiday voucher

Share details of a favourite train trip you’ve taken in Europe including the UK – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break

‘My steak frites is soggy’: how I holidayed in the Dordogne – without leaving East Anglia

I was hoping for vineyards, kayaking, flea markets and beautiful weather. Unfortunately, I was stuck with a classic British summer