Provence in bloom – exploring its flower festivals and the ‘perfume capital of the world’
Mimosas and violets are already out in the south of France, making it the perfect time for a pre-spring road trip
‘The most quietly romantic town we have ever visited’ – the enduring charm of Chiavenna, Italy
Writers from George Eliot to Goethe put this Lombardy town on the map, then it fell out of fashion. Today it makes a picture-perfect alternative to the Italian lakes
10 of the most romantic hotels, pubs, cabins and cottages for a cosy UK getaway
It’s an ideal time of year for snuggling up on a countryside break. We pick accommodation from shepherds’ huts in Somerset to a chateau in Wales
‘It feels as if I’m in a Richard Curtis film’: readers’ favourite romantic trips in Europe
Romance is in the air on a roof terrace in Venice, rowing across Lake Bled and a fairytale garden in Stuttgart
‘The intimate and the epic’: the best way to understand India is to travel by train
Being a passenger in this vast country is ‘a full-blooded immersion in the local’, says the novelist whose latest protagonist is lured by the romance of the rails
Saunas, safaris and silence in Norfolk: a winter weekend on a rewilded retreat
A transformative conservation project encompassing East Anglia’s large but secluded Fritton Lake has high-end hospitality and nature-rich experiences at its heart
Say no to fake snow: the Austrian ski resort that likes to keep it real
Like many Alpine areas faced with declining snowfall, Villach had to make a difficult choice: bring in the snow cannons or reinvent itself
Share a tip on your favourite under-the-radar places and things to do in Wales
Tell us about your favourite trip in Wales – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Cool design and wild art on a city break in Metz, north-east France
The small city in the Lorraine region has been put on the map with the aid of two Parisian heavyweights – a loan from the Pompidou Centre and designer Philippe Starck’s quirky new hotel
Why western Sicily is Italy’s emerging arts hub
Art is helping to revitalise Sicily’s ghost towns and deserted urban spaces, with the earthquake-hit town of Gibellina becoming Italy’s first Capital of Contemporary Art
In the decade since my sons left home, walking has brought us together
The exodus of grown children mostly happens without fanfare. For Lisa Walker, hiking the Camino turned into both a goodbye and a glimpse at the future
The revived Sydney to London ‘kangaroo route’ costs $50,000 a ticket. But you can do it for less than $10,000
A travel company has recreated the 1947 journey with food and ‘refined residences’ included. We asked a travel agent to do the same itinerary on the cheap
How the ‘Lowry effect’ is rejuvenating Salford and Manchester: a tour of the artist’s old haunts and new shrines
There’s a lot more to LS Lowry than his matchstick men. A visit to the artist’s hometown reveals how his legacy helped turn a derelict dockland into the thriving creative hub of Salford Quays
‘It’s dedicated exclusively to female artists, from Frida Kahlo to Tracey Emin’: readers’ favourite unsung museums in Europe
From ancient Greek bronzes to an unusual take on Donald Trump, readers recommend galleries and collections they’ve discovered on their travels
A local’s guide to Milan: the city’s best restaurants, culture and green spaces
In celebration of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which starts this week, paralympic swimming champion Simone Barlaam shares his favourite places in his hometown