Dream journey: a nostalgic trip aboard the sleeper train from Amsterdam to Berlin
Taking the overnight train from Amsterdam to Berlin and on to Dresden is all about slow travel and the romance of life on the track
Blue sky thinking: six sun-drenched seaside getaways in southern Europe
From a secret harbour in Crete to the wild beaches of Portugal, our writers share the summer haunts they can’t wait to return to
A love letter to Patmos: the most serene of all the Greek islands
Saint John lived in a cave here and wrote about the Apocalypse, but these days the quiet shores of beautiful Patmos nurture happier thoughts
Dreaming of the sun: readers look ahead to summer holidays in Europe and beyond
From Turkey’s turquoise waters to a Corsican beach village, our tipsters’ thoughts turn to warmer climes in the months ahead
Where tourists seldom tread, part 14: three English towns form the unlikely end of the Silk Road
If you can’t make it to Samarkand or Xian, visit Jarrow, Lichfield or Southend at the other end of the historic trading route
Pembrokeshire’s wild north by train, bus and bike
Overshadowed by St Davids and Tenby, the Welsh seaside town of Fishguard makes a great off-season base for coastal and country exploration
How I learned to meditate in Herefordshire
At a centre in the Wye Valley our writer puts aside her initial doubts and learns how silence and focusing on the breath can quieten the mind and boost wellbeing
Tell us about an alternative European carnival to win a holiday voucher
Share a tip on a less-known carnival in Europe – the best wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
How I learned to paint in St Ives, Cornwall
A novice painter finds the artistic heritage of St Ives somewhat daunting initially, but expert tuition in a dream artists’ studio soon gets the creative juices flowing
Away with Zan Rowe: ‘I cried every day in Greece, it was that beautiful’
In Guardian Australia’s weekly interview about travel, the TV and radio presenter reveals the pasta dish that took her to ‘heaven’ – and the holiday ritual that resets her
How I learned to fly-fish on the banks of the Thames
A fly-fishing session in London strips the pastime of its elite connotations and delivers an object lesson in mindfulness
Relax, revive, refresh: 30 of the best spa hotels and retreats in Europe
From luxurious urban escapes to holistic getaways and indulgent country breaks, here’s our pick of the very best spas
Detours and day trips: ‘Sunshine Saturday’ sees holiday bookings soar – with new trends for 2025
More than 12 million have already booked trips abroad, with off-the-beaten track locations a popular pick
How I learned to navigate in the Welsh mountains
Learning to read a map and use a compass turns disorientation into discovery in the Eryri national park
Give and take: I went on a volunteering holiday in Dorset – and learned stone masonry in return
A stay near Bridport with a community group offers respite from a hectic world, friendship and the chance to learn new, useful skills