Scotland in bloom: wildflowers turn the Outer Hebrides into a Technicolor dream
The machair is nature’s dazzling display on these remote islands, but this rare habitat also plays a vital role for wildlife and the resurgent crofting community
Lochs, bothies and burial chambers: readers’ favourite trips in Scotland
From the epic landscapes of the Highlands and islands to intimate local community events, our readers share their best finds in Scotland
‘Bath, Harrogate … Woodhall?’ A short break in one of the UK’s most forgotten spa towns
The Lincolnshire village, the height of fashion a century ago, offers fascinating history, a woodland cinema, excellent cycle routes and a deeply restorative feel
From gentle strolls to zipline thrills: summer hiking in the Swiss Alps
The vertiginous Valais canton offers adventures aplenty, from abseiling down gorges to wild swims in glacial pools – and nights swapping hiking tales in mountain huts
The perfect base for a Wind in the Willows weekend: a stylish B&B in the Chilterns
Taking a leaf out of Kenneth Grahame’s book, our writer spends a few days getting lost among the woods and riverside villages of Oxfordshire and Berkshire
Share a tip on your favourite neighbourhood in a European city
Tell us about an area away from the centre and tourist hotspots in a European city, including the UK. The best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
My search for the perfect bodega in Madrid
Good wine, cheap tapas, ramshackle decor and a sense of history are the key ingredients of these Madrileño institutions. I went on a bar crawl to find my favourite
Time-travelling in Cantabria: from the stone age to Sartre via the ‘prettiest town in Spain’
On the north coast of Spain you can see some of the world’s oldest art, explore a stunning medieval village, then watch surfers ride Atlantic swells
‘We are not like the rest of Andalucía’: the rugged charms of Almería, Spain’s desert city
While Málaga battles overtourism down the coast, this ‘forgotten’ working port city revels in its outsider status
What Australians and other international travellers need to know about the new EU travel rules
Borders for 29 countries will no longer have manual checks with machines instead used to scan your face, fingerprints and passport
‘Tranquil, natural and barely a tourist in sight’: readers’ favourite hidden gems in Spain
Your top off-the-beaten track discoveries, from gorges in Galicia to vineyards in La Rioja
Terrain in Spain: gravel biking in the mountains of Andalucía
A cycle tour of the Sierra Nevada backcountry proves a bumpy but beautiful ride through cinematic scenery
‘You can’t take that on the plane for free!’ How Ryanair turned its staff into bounty hunters
Ground staff earn €2.50 for every piece of oversized luggage that they intercept. Meanwhile, passengers who are caught out pay a much bigger penalty
An irresistible adventure activity for New Zealand visitors? Delivering the mail by boat
In the sparsely populated Queen Charlotte Sound, tourists can accompany the skipper-come-postman as parcels are dropped off via the scenic route. No heart rate check required
‘The vast wooded wilderness doesn’t look like England’: exploring Northumberland’s Kielder Forest
England’s largest forest has an aura reminiscent of parts of Canada or Finland. This year it celebrates its centenary with new trails and dark sky events