Mont Blanc with L plates: hill walkers can now climb Europe’s highest peak

Kevin Rushby has always wanted to be a member of the climbing fraternity but lacked the confidence and guile. So he jumped at the chance to test his mettle and join a guided ascent of Mont Blanc

Riding the Cape Rouleur: in the saddle in South Africa

At a pro-style cycling event near Cape Town, Kevin Rushby hopes closed roads and full support team will see him ride like one of the Tour de France stars

Iceland, Europe’s last surfing frontier

Midsummer in Iceland is all strange landscapes, endless days … and empty waves. James Stewart goes surfing in a country of about 25 surfers

Discovering Iran: from Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf

On a tour of Iran, taking in Tehran and the Persian Gulf, Arron Merat finds that its less-travelled roads reveal towns and islands just as captivating as its star attractions

High-wire act: the industry putting the zip back into Welsh economy

Zip-wire attraction aims to put slate mining 'town that roofed the world' on international adventure tourism map

A new activity holiday in Montenegro

Away from the coastal casinos, this small country is big on lakes and hills – ideal for active breaks, with wine and food to match, says Mary Novakovich

Cage diving with sharks in South Africa

It's controversial – and on a lot of people's bucket lists – but cage-diving to see great white sharks in South Africa still gives Kevin Rushby a thrill

The Giro d’Italia comes to Northern Ireland, putting the bella into Belfast

The world's second most important cycling race also starts in the UK this year – the Giro d'Italia kicks off in Northern Ireland next week, where Andy Pietrasik tests his mettle on the Antrim coast stage, and rounds up the other two stages

Is this the craziest mountain bike race in the world?

Each year, 2,000 riders slip, slide and fall down Pic Blanc, in Alpe d'Huez, in search of 'enduro' biking glory. Susan Greenwood has a ringside seat and meet some of the riders

Kayaking in County Cork, Ireland: a glow in the dark adventure

From a kayak at dusk, Kevin Rushby watches one of nature's wonders turn the waters of Ireland's Lough Hyne to glittering quicksilver

Melbourne in the moonlight: a nighttime kayak tour

Beverley Fearis enjoys a kayak tour with a difference, paddling through Melbourne on a warm evening as the city lights up all round

Colombia’s Lost City: lore of the jungle

High in Colombia's Sierra Nevada mountains is the Lost City, a site which has been dubbed 'the new Machu Picchu'. But local tribes tell Kevin Rushby the city was never 'lost' to them – though much about their lives is now at risk

Top 10 state and national parks in Texas

Texas's vast and spectacular landscape is dotted with more than 100 national and state parks – and they're not all desert. Here's our pick of 10 varied parks, from the Lone Star state's own 'Grand Canyon' to historic sites, a forest and an urban oasis