20 of the best outdoor activity breaks in the UK
These isles are alive with natural wonders – and experts who can get you close to the edge. From river-swims and packrafting to trail running and via ferrata, here are 20 great wilderness adventures
Standup paddleboarding off Scotland’s wild west coast
A new SUP and digital detox break on this beautiful coast means switching the smartphone off and focusing on the meditative pull of a paddle and the rhythm of the sea
11 of the UK’s best wild places – chosen by outdoor experts
These wilderness escapes are perfect for walkers, cyclists, adventurers – and those in search of splendid isolation. Here, writers, rangers and guides reveal their favourite spots
Throwing in the towel: is the beach holiday over?
A new generation of holidaymakers are choosing more adventurous trips – but crowded, boring beaches can often be challenging enough
‘Life on the edge of civilisation’: hiking in Croatia’s mountains
Its Adriatic coast is so dazzling that few venture into Croatia’s mountains but a short way inland are walks amid gorges and peaks that are just as spectacular – and characters with stories to tell
Joshua Tree national park: music, myths and art in the desert
The Coachella festival, starting this week, showcases music in a dramatic landscape but in – and around – Joshua Tree the arts and culture shine all year round
20 great mini adventures in the UK
It’s time to come out of winter hibernation and get into the great outdoors. From souped-up bike rides to white water rafting for beginners, there’s an adventure here for everyone
Jungle tales: village-based tourism in Thailand
Away from Thailand’s popular island destinations, inland, amid exotic fauna and flora, there are unspoiled villages where visitors can stay with local people
Great desert adventures: readers’ travel tips
Spectacular night skies, vast red dunes, one of the world’s longest trains and Navajo porridge are among our readers’ highlights in these beautiful ‘sandscapes’
New beginnings: Zimbabwe, back from the brink
With Mugabe’s catastrophic 40-year rule finally over, there’s optimism on the streets of Zimbabwe. Novelist Katherine Rundell revels in the newfound liberty of her childhood home
Off-peak: climbing Snowdonia’s smaller, quieter summits
The problem with climbing famous mountains like Snowdon is sharing them with thousands of others. So our writer finds a smaller Welsh peak that still makes her feel on top of the world
Idyllic tropical islands: readers’ travel tips
White sand, turtles, coral and rainforest-shrouded hills … our tipsters have sailed to far-flung archipelagos from Panama to the South China Sea
How to book and travel by high-speed train around China
China’s rail network is a fast-paced wonder that makes exploring this huge country – including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen – much easier
‘My romantic holiday’: the good, the bad and the calamitous
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we asked writers to describe their best (or worst) romantic escapes and adventures with the ones they love
Ghost villages and feral cows: island-hopping adventures in Hong Kong
The lesser-visited islands of Hong Kong’s archipelago offer an escape from the city, with everything from rock-hard climbs to ancient forts – and the occasional wild bovine