Bath, balls and Darcy’s pile: where to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that a fan of Jane Austen must be in want of festivities to mark her big birthday. Here are some of the best
Pac-Man Live: filching fruit and fleeing ghosts in human-sized video game
Nearly half a century after the little chomping yellow head was first seen, Manchester’s live version joins pantheon of immersive nostalgic exploits
Saddle up: 10 of the best horse riding breaks in Europe
From camping in Gypsy caravans in Cumbria, to trekking in Transylvania and cantering through olive groves in Crete
I travelled 2,000 miles from Italy to the tip of Spain – on horseback
I had to brave wolves, bitter weather and mountain passes during my epic journey, but it was transformative
On the hoof: readers’ favourite horse riding breaks in Europe
From guided rides for beginners to adventurous multi-day treks, our tipsters share their top horseback holidays from Spain to Sardinia
Tennyson, Virginia Woolf and Jimi Hendrix – all on a car-free trip to the Isle of Wight
The island is easy to reach by ferry and explore by bus, following in the footsteps of everyone from a Victorian poet to a 60s rock star
Fancy a Belgian city break without the crowds of Ghent or Bruges? Mechelen might be the answer
The majestic Flemish city is dotted with renaissance palaces, great bars and eye-catching contemporary art – yet it’s firmly off the tourist trail
How a tiny village in a deserted part of Spain became a centre for gay weddings
A couple of hours’ drive from Madrid, Campillo de Ranas has played a huge role in promoting same-sex marriage – and revived the fortunes of the ‘black villages’ of Guadalajara
Tell us about a great camping trip in Europe
Share a tip on a brilliant campsite in Europe – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
‘We love watching the landscape respond to each season’: why hiking long-distance trails in bite-size chunks is more fun
Tackling a long-distance walk like the Thames Path or South Downs Way in short sections makes it manageable – and more spontaneous, too
Avoid the White Lotus effect: Thailand travel without the tourists
The country is no stranger to pop-culture fuelled overtourism. But behind the scenes there are islands, wild places and temples to explore
Swiss roll: a scenic tour of Switzerland by train
The best way to explore the country’s fabulous valleys and vistas is with a choose-your-own-adventure rail pass
20 of the best spring breaks in the UK
Make the most of longer, warmer days by puffin-spotting in Mull, stargazing in Northumberland, or finding Narnia in the Mourne Mountains
‘Spring sings with birdlife and wildflowers’: readers’ favourite UK trips of the season
From best in bloom on the Lizard Peninsula to perky puffins in the Hebrides, our tipsters revel in the return of spring
Rembrandt’s Amsterdam – walking the Amstel River 750 years after the city’s birth
To celebrate this significant milestone, our writer follows the flow of the artist’s inspiration, taking in sights that would have been familiar to the Old Master