Top 10 places to visit on the Ecuador coast

Air Europa’s new flights from Madrid to Guayaquil start on 16 December, making an Ecuador trip much easier. Here, we highlight a coastline of great resorts, as well as tropical forest and wonderful wildlife

Trips into off-the-beaten-track India: readers’ tips

Getting under the skin of India can mean trekking in the Himalayas, taking mammoth rail and bus trips to remote temples and cycling in lush mountains

Colombia’s rainbow river benefits from peace deal

One of Colombia’s natural wonders, the Caño Cristales river lies deep inside what was Farc rebel territory. But last month’s historic peace deal means tourists can enjoy its many-hued waters

Top 10 travel books for Christmas

Travel books broaden the mind and provide inspiration for your own dream trip. From beautiful photography books to daring and sometimes madcap adventures all these make perfect presents

Escape from the Blue Lagoon: Iceland, beyond Reykjavik

Away from the increasingly crowded area around the capital, there are new ways of exploring Iceland’s untamed landscapes – and a hotel that looks like a Bond lair

The wild beaches and islands of Western Australia’s Coral Coast

Natural wonders are as elemental and ancient as they get on the Coral Coast, north of Perth. And charter flights and Indigenous guides are helping to open up its islands, peninsulas and lagoons

Inside Vietnam’s astonishing caves on a local tour

Since Son Doong, the world’s biggest cave, opened to visitors in 2013, tourism has soared, but locals around Phong Nha are keen to protect the area and promote community homestays and tours

How to climb Kilimanjaro without the crowds

The world’s tallest freestanding mountain is on many people’s bucket list, but the relative ease of the climb makes uncrowded routes hard to find. Our writer discovers one …

10 of the world’s epic train journeys

Whether gliding through the Rockies or labouring up the Andes, our pick of spectacular railway trips gets a green light for all budgets

Great rail journeys of the world: readers’ tips

Whether it’s the coast of Cornwall, Siberia or the savannah of east Africa, our readers have picked train trips memorable for landscapes, food and fellow travellers

Planet Earth II: the most amazing places, chosen by producers

David Attenborough’s Planet Earth II is already thrilling viewers with its amazing photography. We asked the show’s producers for their most memorable places, and suggest ways of seeing the wonders for yourself – though travelling to truly remote spots does not make for a budget trip

10 of the best women-only activity holidays

Demand for women-only breaks is growing. These activity trips include yoga, surfing, boot camps, and dog-sledding, from Kent to Kilimanjaro

Unrest in Ethiopia hits tourism

Violent protests in some regions have led to Foreign Office warnings against holidays in Ethiopia, but though messages are mixed, most local operators report that it’s business as usual

Iran holiday guide: from Tehran to Isfahan and beyond

With staggering architecture, exotic landscapes and rich culture, Iran offers endless adventure. Resident Haleh Anvari is our guide around Persepolis, Yazd, Kashan and more

10 of the best holidays for solo travellers

Travel companies are tapping into this growing market, offering adventurous trips across the globe for solo travellers wanting to meet like-minded people