Spanish steppes: an epic hike across the wild plains of Extremadura
The Via de la Plata is one of Spain’s toughest pilgrim routes, weaving through a landscape of isolated steppes and fortress cities in the country’s least-known region
Fears for future of ski tourism as resorts adapt to thawing snow season
While some embrace technological innovations, others are forced to close as global heating causes lack of snowfall
From the Peloponnese to the Pyrenees: readers’ favourite long-distance walks in Europe
Pull on your walking boots and immerse yourself in magnificent scenery on these long-distance trails, chosen by our tipsters
Voulez-vous parler avec moi? My midlife French exchange in Paris
Language exchange holidays are wasted on the young. I had a great time with my host – sans youthful embarrassment about my accent – and more adults are doing the same
I’m visually impaired but thanks to my guides I loved exploring Austria’s Tirol
A trip that pairs partially sighted people with fully sighted guides offers reassurance while expanding the possibilities of travel, as our writer discovered in Austria and Germany
Hiking Cheshire’s Baker Way: the joy of a less-known walking trail
They get less fanfare and footfall than the UK’s famous long-distance paths, but trails such as this – which starts in Chester and saunters through the local countryside – are just as rewarding
Share your tips on ancient sites across Europe
Tell us about your favourite ancient European site – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Island-hopping in Croatia: adrift in the Šibenik archipelago
Framed by sparkling blue sea and deep green pines, the less visited Adriatic islands of Zlarin and Prvić offer a mellow end of summer escape
Vincent van Gogh’s Arles: visiting the pretty Provençal city that inspired his greatest masterpieces
The scenes of some of the paintings currently on show in London’s National Gallery can still be found in the southern French city
Never-ending odyssey: the rise of perpetual cruises that offer the very wealthy a new home at sea
After numerous delays, the Odyssey finally sets sail from Belfast for three-and-a-half years – but what drives people to spend a fortune living full-time on luxury liners?
‘Reconnecting with our glorious woodlands’: why we should all get out into the forest
With the leaves turning golden, now is the time to visit the woods, says the author of a new book, and perhaps learn how to better protect them too
‘A wildly beautiful place for autumn colour’: readers’ favourite UK forest trails
From Japanese acers at Westonbirt arboretum to the pines of Loch Ard, our tipsters share their top woodland days out
Where tourists seldom tread, part 12: five more UK towns with hidden histories
Scratch beneath the surface of these once well-connected but now overlooked towns and their grand civic buildings and streets reveal a rich seam of history, legend and memory
Communal dining is Copenhagen’s best-kept culinary secret
Eating out in Denmark can be costly, but a growing number of child-friendly community supper clubs in the capital offer affordable feasting with the locals
Share a tip on a great UK youth hostel
Tell us about your favourite youth hostel, bunkhouse, bothy or camping barn – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break