‘I have the island to myself’: how to be a castaway in Cornwall
Book an overnight stay in the cosy smuggler’s cottage on Looe Island and you get to enjoy this marine nature reserve after the day trippers have gone home
Pristine waters teeming with marine life: a deep dive into the Greek island of Alonissos
Divers come for one of the world’s most significant marine reserves, but there’s plenty to do on land too – from hiking trails and beaches to seafood tavernas
‘No cars, unspoilt beaches and seabirds rule’: readers’ favourite European island escapes
From the rugged north of Scotland to the glittering Aegean, our tipsters recommend islands for slowing down, lazing around and taking in nature
It takes a village – the pioneering tourism project breathing new life into India’s mountain communities
Over the past 21 years, Village Ways has been leading low-impact tours of remote communities in the foothills of the Himalayas, supporting traditional ways of life and offering a rare glimpse of pristine landscapes and wildlife
My stay in Switzerland’s oldest mountain inn – where winter sports aren’t allowed
Perched high above a frozen lake, Grimsel Hospiz in the Bernese Oberland offers an unusual winter escape, with gourmet food, a hot tub, star-filled skies and no distractions
Seven of the best music festivals to visit by train from the UK
From jazz in Rotterdam and hip-hop in Paris to brass bands on the beach in Blackpool, the Guardian’s music editor chooses the best European festivals that can be reached by rail
Tell us about your favourite UK spring activity or day out
Share a tip on a fun, family day out that celebrates the arrival of spring in the UK – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
10 of the best affordable family adventures in Europe
From packrafting in Luxembourg to cycling in Slovenia and eclipse-spotting in Spain, here are some great ways to get the kids into the wild
‘Children see magic in the smallest adventures’: exploring Scotland with my four-year-old
On a tight budget, we stayed in a bothy, climbed a mountain, looked for Nessie and – best of all – made memories that money can’t buy
‘Incredibly liveable and creatively buzzy’: Bret McKenzie’s guide to Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara
The Flight of the Conchords comedian shares the New Zealand capital’s best coffee, nature spots and the pastries he’ll queue out the door for
‘Landscapes as wild as they get in Europe’: family hiking in Albania and Montenegro
Mountain walks, river swims and centuries-old traditions appeal to the whole family on an adventurous trip to the Balkans
‘In Switzerland, it’s possible to sledge between two railway stations’: readers’ favourite family adventures in Europe
Alpine playgrounds, unforgettable train rides and white-water rafting feature in our readers’ family trips from Norway to the Netherlands
On the trail of Peaky Blinders, Black Sabbath and the perfect pint – an alternative guide to Birmingham
As the Peaky Blinders film is released this week, we follow in the footsteps of the Shelbys, make a heavy metal pilgrimage and find the city’s best places to eat, drink and dance
‘That thrush just did something incredible’: tuning in to bird calls on a North York Moors walk
A guided walk through North Yorkshire woodland throws up some thrilling surprises by honing in on sound over sight
Want to go skiing in Switzerland without breaking the bank? Here’s where to go …
Hitting the piste in Verbier doesn’t come cheap, but in laid-back La Tzoumaz you can access the same pistes without such a steep price tag