‘The scent of damp earth, the hum of bees and treasures in every border’: readers’ favourite UK gardens
Our tipsters discover rainforests, rare flowers blazing with colour and the finest tea and cake
How a dawn chorus break in Gloucestershire opened my ears to the birds
I’m partially sighted so birding has always felt out of reach for me. But a stay at Slimbridge wetlands centre learning to identify bird song helped me connect with nature
An alternative Tuscany in northern Italy: fairytale hills and terracotta villages in Lombardy’s Oltrepò Pavese
Rising from the Po valley to the green Apennines, this little-visited region has good living down to a tee, with its fine wines, great food and historic villages
Sailing across the Baltic: an idyllic voyage from Germany to Denmark
A boat trip to Denmark’s South Funen archipelago takes in the North Sea coast, the historic Kiel canal and the Baltic before delivering its crew to an idyllic island rich in maritime culture
Share a tip on a great dog-friendly holiday
Tell us about a break that set tails wagging – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Our perfect slice of Portugal: a family holiday on ‘the best beach in the world’
With a stunning coastline, brilliant surfing and a B&B in the forest, this quiet corner north of the Algarve makes for an idyllic break
A slow boat to happiness: our family holiday on Wiltshire’s Kennet and Avon canal
What happens when you take a screen-addicted family of six on a canal boat with a patchy phone signal? Our writer embarks on a floating digital detox
Interrail passes are free for kids – so I borrowed my niece for a rail tour of Europe’s great cities
It took a few adjustments on both sides – she wasn’t keen on snails or Rembrandt – but after seeing Paris, Berlin and Venice, she wants to go again next year
‘Drift along, stop for a picnic and immerse yourself in nature’: your favourite boat trips in the UK and Europe
From cruising on a Scottish loch and sailing on the Broads to a ferry ride in the Alps and canoeing in France, our tipsters love messing about in boats
‘They erupt from the moor like castles, monsters and giants’: exploring Dartmoor’s tors
These ancient rocks have inspired myth and mysticism for millennia, and a new book and festival celebrate their enduring power
‘Time slows down in Lastovo’: I may just have found Croatia’s most unspoilt archipelago
Five hours by ferry from Split – and a world away from the clubs of Hvar – the islands’ wooded hills, pine-shaded beaches and transparent waters are buzzing with nature
Walking 42 miles in one day: tackling North Yorkshire’s Lyke Wake route on its 70th anniversary
The walk across the North York Moors – which has to be completed in 24 hours – is a mix of trudging and wild beauty. I experienced both as I joined one of the first people to do it in 1955
Nine ways to cut the cost of hen or stag dos and still have a ball
The average weekend jaunt costs £779 a person in the UK, rising to £1,208 if going abroad. But sendoffs don’t have to be that dear
Tell us about your favourite music, art or writing holiday
Have you been on an inspiring writing or artist-led retreat, or a learning holiday focusing on music, singing or dance? If so, please send us a tip about it – the best wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
20 of Europe’s best under-the-radar beaches
Even in high summer, Europe has plenty of unspoilt bays and hidden coves where you can escape the crowds