‘The champagne of pale ales’: my search for the perfect kölsch beer in Cologne

‘Kölsch is not a drink, it is a religion’ in Cologne, and it’s only brewed in and around the German city. But which of the many beautiful, storied beer halls serves up the best?

15 great cottages and cabins for an autumn escape in the UK

Get inspiration for your next short break with our pick of self-catering accommodation, from a sleek Highlands retreat to a cabin with a hot tub on a Somerset vineyard

I hoped my children would have epiphanies while visiting my homeland; my father suggested we go swimming instead

I brought my children to Penang to immerse them in the places of their grandparents’ stories. When I stopped lecturing them about gratitude and privilege, we enjoyed our final days doing as locals do

15 great small hotels, inns and restaurants with rooms for an autumn stay in the UK

From a cosy Cornish inn with open fires to a boutique hotel in Northumberland, these new and revamped boltholes tick all the right boxes

‘Everything is golden’: readers’ tips for a great autumn day out in the UK

With autumn officially here, our readers savour days of fruitful mellowness, from Cornwall to Loch Lomond

Taking a deep dive in Helsinki’s subterranean city

Under the Finnish capital lies a world of swimming pools, go-karting tracks, playgrounds – and even an art gallery

Bolognina: make tracks for Bologna’s bustling former rail workers’ quarter

This once industrial area has been transformed into a vibrant artistic hub with a thriving food and drink scene

Byron Bay’s ‘daggier neighbour’ named in Lonely Planet’s 2027 Best in Travel list

The Tweed region is easily as beautiful as nearby Byron, but without the glamour and crowds. For locals, the biggest drawcard is the community

‘To sleep in a sculpture is a wonderful idea’: a hike along Andy Goldsworthy’s epic art trail in Haute-Provence

A long-distance walking route in the south of France devised by the celebrated land artist offers intrepid hikers an opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and art

Share a tip on a wellness experience in the UK and Europe

Tell us about your favourite wellness experience, whether it involves forest bathing or a beach sauna – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break

Three countries, one hike: an Alpine adventure in Austria, Slovenia and Italy

The Alpe Adria loop is an eight-day walking trail that crisscrosses borders, taking in dramatic peaks, glorious meadows and charming places to stay

10 of the best mountain huts in Europe: bunkrooms, bothies and bonhomie

Beautifully situated refuges with superlative views offering sanctuary to intrepid hikers and climbers

‘Like a Bond villain’s lair’: I climbed the Dolomites to the world’s most spectacular mountain hut

Perched above the clouds in northern Italy, Santnerpass refuge doesn’t just look stunning. It’s a marvel of eco-building – and vegetarian cuisine

‘Gateways to heaven’: readers’ favourite trips in Europe’s mountains

From the foothills of the Pyrenees to the peaks of the Dolomites, you share your top views, meals and adventures at altitude

Beyond Bradford and the Brontës – new walking trail shows West Yorkshire’s natural beauty

The Bradford Pennine Gateway Trail, launching this weekend, aims to ‘change perceptions of Bradford’ by taking in the moors and the area’s new national nature reserve