Madeira’s pulse quickens with extreme sports and glamping
The Portuguese island is shaking off its reputation for sedate holidays and visitors are now discovering its wild side
Send us a Germany tip for the chance to win a £200 travel voucher
Germany’s got the lot, outdoors and in, and it’s no more leiderhosen and sausages than the UK is roast beef and Morris dancing. Send us your highlights and you could be off there with our prize of a £200 voucher from hotels.com
‘The spaciousness is breathtaking …’ In praise of Britain’s mountains
The beauty of the UK’s uplands, from the Highlands to the Lakes, is that you don’t have to travel far to find adventure, spectacle or solitude, says Simon Ingram
10 of the best new travel books
There’s nothing like quality travel writing to transport a reader into distant realms. We pick entertaining, inspiring and challenging books that offer a different kind of journey
Abseil away … to Pembrokeshire’s secret seascapes
Pembrokeshire’s glorious coastline gets understandably busy – but there are hidden cliffs, coves and caves to explore. The catch? To reach them you’ll need to climb, swim or canoe
Twister tales: stormchasing in Tornado Alley, Oklahoma
Out on the US Great Plains a storm is brewing and that’s great news for extreme weather fans on a tour that’s all about witnessing the power of nature up close
A rebirth of ancient skills revitalises a village in Peru’s Sacred Valley
A tourist boom and natural disaster almost led to the extinction of an ancient way of life but, thanks to a women-led initiative, old weaving techniques and economic viability have returned
Laos town known for drunkenness and tourist deaths cleans up its act
The town of Vang Vieng in Laos was once synonymous with backpacker excess, but now offers adventure activities that make the most of its stunning location
A tale of ice and fire: touring East Iceland
This summer, new flights from the UK to Egilsstaðir, East Iceland, bring this region of volcanoes and fjords within easy reach
The only way is up: Steve Backshall’s favourite climbs
The wilderness adventurer and TV presenter explains his love of mountains and reveals his top five climbing spots
Local tours and guides in Cuba: readers’ travel tips
From gay bars in Havana to exotic wildlife in the countryside, our readers reveal how using local tour guides is a great way to discover Cuba
10 of the best hostels and lodges … that you have to hike to
These out of the way retreats can only be reached on foot – but the reward for your efforts is a warm welcome and a chance to rest weary legs in spectacular surroundings
20 superb UK walks – for families, day-trippers and long-distance ramblers
Ranging from two to 630 miles, our picks take in all types of British terrain, from dramatic hill country and story-rich woodland
Exploring the real Iran, with social media as your guide
Travelling independently, our writer relies on the advice and generosity of the young Iranians who are using social media to show foreign visitors the warm, fun and defiant reality of everyday life in their country
Oman: ‘You’ve never heard silence until you get to the Empty Quarter’
Researching this romantic corner of the Arabian peninsula for her book, Katherine Webb fell in love with the beautiful calm of the desert