‘This is the real Santa’s workshop’: a trip to Germany’s toy village
You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Seiffen, the magical ‘home of Christmas’ where they’ve been making traditional wooden toys for hundreds of years
‘When the church door opens, it’s like a miracle’: the phone app that’s a key to Italy’s religious art
A cultural initiative in Piedmont is unlocking a trove of priceless medieval frescoes in rural churches
Supermarché sweep: the treats we love to buy on holiday in Europe
Italian sweets, Irish smoked fish, honey cakes in Belgium … Our writers choose the stores and local delicacies they make a beeline for when travelling
Where the real Rudolph lives: reindeer herding with the Sami people in Sweden’s wild west
In the snowy mountains of Grövelsjön, visitors can get a rare glimpse into a little-known traditional way of life – and sleep in a tipi under the stars
‘One of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the world’: readers’ favourite churches in Europe
Wonderful art, mysterious history, amazing design and beautiful locations have drawn our tipsters to these shrines from Norway to Bulgaria
We tested Europe’s luxurious new ‘business-class’ sleeper bus between Amsterdam and Zurich
A new overnight bus service in the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland offers comfort and sustainability
We found the authentic Liguria: an off-season road trip through north-west Italy’s brilliant villages and cuisine
By avoiding the famous hotspots and travelling in December, we enjoy culinary delights and historic charms without the summer crowds
Get your skates on: 10 of the best pop-up ice rinks in the UK
From city rooftops to seafront winter wonderlands, these are some of the best places to slide into Christmas
Share a tip on taking part in an organised challenge in the UK or overseas
From charity treks to open water swims and urban trail runs, tell us about a trip based around a physical challenge – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
‘It’s like striding across the top of the world’: the Pennines’ new Roof of England walk
The route showcases the North Pennines’ unsung landscapes. We road test a 50-mile section that takes in golden forests, high moors and pretty villages
‘I was hooked’: the rise of the intrepid female solo traveller
Women of all ages, especially older ones, are actively choosing to travel alone. What’s behind the trend?
Winter warmer in the woods: a sizzling sauna and cool, cosy cabin deep in a Sussex forest
Architect-built cabins and a sauna blend seamlessly into the High Weald landscape and make the most of its magnificent views
Pete’s Eats, north Wales’ famous climbers’ cafe, reopens its doors
This Eryri refuge for hillwalkers and climbers has been reborn, breathing new life into the once-struggling mountain village of Llanberis
‘We awoke to find the Peak District under a blanket of snow’: readers’ favourite rural winter UK breaks
From an ancient castle in Easter Ross to a cosy cabin on Lough Erne, our tipsters share their favourite country boltholes for an active winter escape
Authentic Algarve: exploring Portugal beyond the beach
A series of walking festivals and cultural programmes aim to lure visitors to the Algarve’s woodland interiors and pretty villages to help boost tourism year round