‘Tranquil, natural and barely a tourist in sight’: readers’ favourite hidden gems in Spain
Your top off-the-beaten track discoveries, from gorges in Galicia to vineyards in La Rioja
Terrain in Spain: gravel biking in the mountains of Andalucía
A cycle tour of the Sierra Nevada backcountry proves a bumpy but beautiful ride through cinematic scenery
‘You can’t take that on the plane for free!’ How Ryanair turned its staff into bounty hunters
Ground staff earn €2.50 for every piece of oversized luggage that they intercept. Meanwhile, passengers who are caught out pay a much bigger penalty
An irresistible adventure activity for New Zealand visitors? Delivering the mail by boat
In the sparsely populated Queen Charlotte Sound, tourists can accompany the skipper-come-postman as parcels are dropped off via the scenic route. No heart rate check required
‘The vast wooded wilderness doesn’t look like England’: exploring Northumberland’s Kielder Forest
England’s largest forest has an aura reminiscent of parts of Canada or Finland. This year it celebrates its centenary with new trails and dark sky events
On the shoulders of giants: roaming among England’s famous chalk figures
Ancient hill carvings of horses, giants and gods have fascinated artists, writers and travellers for centuries. I went in search of their stories
Share a tip on a trip to Italy
Tell us about your favourite Italian holiday discovery – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
From volcanic wilds to world-class art: 10 fun and fabulous reasons to visit France in 2026
Some of the best under-the-radar attractions across the Channel include steampunk wonders in Calais and the largest collection of impressionist works outside Paris
A cruise through history on the Canal du Midi
Designed as a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Med, today the scenic waterway from Toulouse to Sète is seen as a living ‘work of art’
Route des Vacances: a gastronomic driving holiday from Paris to the Mediterranean
The RN7 road to the Côte d’Azur is enjoying a renaissance among lovers of slow travel in search of offbeat France
The most beautiful coast in the world? Exploring New Zealand’s overlooked Nelson Tasman by sand and sea
For years this region was regarded as little more than a gateway from the North Island to the South. But spend several days there and you’ll ache to tear yourself away
‘It’s like witnessing a Renoir or Matisse painting coming to life’: readers’ favourite trips in France
From Normandy to Provence, our readers enjoy great art, architecture and outdoor activities in France
‘Walking is the best way to discover offbeat Corfu’: a spring hike across the Greek island
Explore wild scenery, empty beaches and beautiful villages on the 110-mile Corfu trail, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year
Mysterious Marrakech: why I never tire of Morocco’s Red City
With its never-ending street theatre and labyrinthine markets this timeless city swallows you whole – and reveals new secrets with each visit
Wales on rails: a car-free break in Carmarthenshire
It’s a quintessentially Welsh experience of castles, cockles and cawl when you explore the south-west of the country by train, bus and a new footpath opening this week