Channel hopping: seaside, cycling and more on Jersey, Guernsey and Sark
For a flight-free summer holiday with a castaway feel, we take an overnight ferry to the Channel Islands
‘Everything carries a hint of myth and magic’: six great island escapes in Europe
From the Med to the Atlantic and the North Sea, our writers choose great offshore idylls offering peace and perfect beaches
Ten great ideas for August bank holiday
From wild days in Sussex to a Fab Four fest in Merseyside, there’s something for all the family in our pick of upcoming events
‘There are empty sands even in high season’: readers’ favourite island breaks in Europe
Small islands turn simple pleasures into lasting memories. Our tipsters enjoy tavernas, beaches, footpaths and sealife from Rum to Andros
How an ebike gave me the legs to tackle Switzerland’s contours
A new 240-mile cycle route from Lucerne includes spectacular alpine views and pastoral backcountry – with delicious local cheese and wine
In search of Monet’s wild landscapes: a glorious art adventure in central France
Rouen, Paris and London are better-known Monet destinations, but rural La Creuse’s rugged gorges, spectacular lake and medieval castle really captivated the artist
Share a tip on a slow travel trip – you could win a holiday voucher
Tell us about a favourite rail, road or boat trip in Europe including the UK – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
A greener Spanish city break: electric boats, birds and rice fields in Valencia
Traffic-free central squares, a huge urban park and a protected nature reserve reachable by bike all add up to make Valencia this year’s European Green Capital
10 of Europe’s best sculpture parks and open-air galleries
From Rodin and Moore in the Netherlands to an underwater sculpture forest in Cyprus and a gallery on the Berlin Wall
Think Andalucía is parched and dusty? Not where I’m cycling
Unlike some parts of Spain’s southernmost region, the Sierra de Aracena hills are green, leafy and peaceful – perfect for an e-biking holiday
Luarca, a summertime secret on Spain’s cooler northern costa
Spanish holidays needn’t mean battling crowded beaches and blistering heat. In this small fishing village, flanked by green hills and some of the nicest beaches in Asturias, the pace of life is slow even in summer
From the playas to the plains of Spain: readers’ tips
Our tipsters revel in whitewashed villages, mountain vistas, regional food and medieval architecture
A car-free adventure on the Isles of Scilly
The archipelago off the Cornish coast has stunning coastal walking trails, flora and fauna in abundance, festivals and delicious food, with a soundtrack of roaring waves and birdlife
Kids on board: a family surfing trip to France’s wild Atlantic coast
With vast empty beaches, reliable waves and pine forests, the Gironde, near Bordeaux, is perfect for an exhilarating but relaxing holiday
Saunas, sledding and empty shores: Guardian Australia staff’s favourite east coast winter breaks
Whether you plan on embracing the cold or warming your bones, these well-tested winter holiday spots lean into the best of the season