10 of the most inspiring contemporary female adventurers

Following our article on female adventurers of the past, we’re bringing things up to date with a look at the explorers making their mark today and inspiring others to get out and blaze a trail

Border crossing: whitewater rafting in Hells Canyon, US

A five-day rafting and camping trip in dazzling Oregon and Idaho, along the deepest canyon in North America, was the perfect adventure challenge for our devil-may-care writer

Iceland’s slo-mo capital: on a tour of Djúpivogur and beyond

The coastal town of Djúpivogur in east Iceland has gained ‘slow city’ status. Lucy Siegle paces herself to feel its calming benefits

‘I’m passionate about the ocean’: Céline Cousteau on diving off the Americas

The film-maker and conservationist is as determined to protect the marine world and indigenous peoples, in places like Mexico and the Amazon, as her famous forebears

Instagram snapshots: the Karoo through the eyes of locals

We asked you to share your Instagram shots of the Karoo, South Africa’s magical semi-desert space. The images you sent show a landscape of open blacktop, remote villages, sprawling plains and an out-there festival

The alternative guide to the Karoo, South Africa

The final part of our alt South Africa series journeys to the huge semi-desert expanse of the Karoo – the country’s ‘soul space’, which attracts eccentrics, hippies, crafters, outsider artists, and road-trippers

My big fat Italian bike tour

This season’s snowsports fad, an import from the US, is fat biking down the slopes. Sam Hadddad tried the alternative to skiing and snowboarding in the Dolomites. Plus five more places to try it

In the company of wolves: animal encounters in Narvik, Norway

After years of persecution, wolves are howling anew across Europe – and in the north of Norway an unusual zoo park is bringing them face-to-face with their nemesis: us

Iceland’s buddy brilliant stopover scheme

Stopovers usually mean dull airport lounges. But in Reykjavik, Icelandair staff will show you their country for the day – for free. Carole Cadwalladr gets a dishy pilot who’s a bit of an action man

Green and pleasant adventures at Loterie Farm, Saint Martin, Caribbean

Once a dilapidated piece of history, this lush estate is now a thriving activity-holiday destination with ecotourism high on the agenda

Top 10 inspiring female adventurers

Many female travel adventurers have become lost in time so, to celebrate International Women’s Day, we pick 10 incredible women who defied convention to undertake awe-inspiring journeys

The wild west of my dreams: California’s Sequoia national forest

A little-visited peak above the San Joaquin valley feels like ‘my mountain’, says novelist TC Boyle

Tony Hawk on how skateboarding is taking flight across the world

Skateboard legend ‘the Birdman’ explains how his sport is attracting new followers in Afghanistan and Ethiopia – and how it can promote self-confidence

On Komodo island, tourists and giant lizards will just have to get along

Who needs Jurassic Park? In Indonesia, giant reptiles have their own national park, but a new airport development is bringing an influx of tourists to their domain

40 of the world’s best cruise holidays

Cruises are no longer the preserve of affluent pensioners. Now there’s yoga, goth bands, wildlife watching, Star Wars parties and zombies – although not all on the same boat