Five of Europe’s best national parks – with all the beauty but none of the crowds
Offering exquisite scenery, rare wildlife and spectacular trails, these under-the-radar national parks are worth tracking down
A gentler side of the Dolomites: a summer break in Italy’s Adamello-Brenta natural park
Its peaks are a big draw for adrenaline junkies, but this natural park’s newer attractions offer more inclusive family activities
‘A water world teeming with wildlife’: readers’ favourite national parks in Europe
From camping beside glacial lakes in Montenegro to birdwatching in Poland, the continent has no shortage of inspiring wilderness adventures
A modern pilgrimage through Herefordshire’s Golden Valley
With nights spent in ancient churches and wayfarers’ meals at farms and pubs, this spiritual four-day walk is all about the journey – and rural England at its finest
The longevity vacation: why bar-hopping holidays are out and extreme wellness breaks are in
Would a £35,000 holiday help you live longer or just leave you bankrupt? A surprising number of people are paying to find out
Dalmatian spot: kicking back on Croatia’s Dugi Otok island
A fishing village stay on one of the country’s less-visited large islands reveals a quiet Adriatic gem boasting green lakes, holm oak forests and unspoilt beaches
Coach service offers journeys across the UK for knockdown price of £2 each way
Hundreds of cut-price, sustainable intercity journeys are on special offer this week for trips across England, Scotland and Wales
We revel in the remoteness: wild camping and hiking in the Scottish Highlands
A five-day mindful adventure on the Knoydart peninsula – one of the last great wildernesses in the UK – offers the chance to fully unwind and leap into the unknown
Tell us about a favourite beach in Europe – you could win a £200 holiday voucher
Share details of a trip to a great beach in Europe (not in the UK) – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Walking in the air: Snowman creator Raymond Briggs’s favourite Sussex paths
An exhibition of the great British illustrator’s life opens this month in Ditchling village, in the South Downs countryside that inspired him
Retreat to Crete: why the Greek island is a perfect escape
The unspoilt northeast of Greece’s largest island offers a restorative mix of uncrowded beaches, authentic tavernas and extraordinary views
A Wessex trail: Dorset’s Hardy Way leads to the historic Smugglers Inn
A circular walk across hills and through picturesque villages known to Constable and Hardy starts and ends at an ancient smugglers’ watering hole near Weymouth
Summer in Scandinavia: five eco-friendly ideas to holiday like a local
The essence of a Nordic summer is to lean into a slower pace of life and embrace nature, from staying in a Swedish summer house to gentle canoe tours in Finland
Swede dreams are made of this: wild swimming and forest walks in West Sweden
Dissolving into nature is possible in West Sweden, where a new holiday concept offers low-impact stays that don’t compromise on Scandi style
‘Kayak across the fjord to your own secluded beach’: readers’ favourite summer trips to Scandinavia
Nordic breaks offer peace and tranquility, say our tipsters who revel in midnight skies, car-free islands and spectacular views