A local’s guide to Vilnius: gardens, bars and a castle on a hill

The Lithuanian capital is a destination on the rise, with a thriving nightlife and food scene. Chef Liutauras Čeprackas shares his highlights of his home city

Beaches, mountains, ancient towns and low prices? Albania has it all

Despite its dark 20th-century past, the country is now a traveller’s paradise of amazing landscapes, coast and historic cities

A local’s guide to Leipzig: dumplings, diversity and delightful G&Ts

With glorious boat trips on its canals and sumptuous food, from traditional Saxon to Vietnamese, this is a destination ripe for a city break, says restaurateur Nancy Naumann-Hirt

Let the games begin: Birmingham, then and now – in pictures

A look at Birmingham’s history before the Commonwealth Games start

A local’s guide to Naples: pizza, palazzos and dancing under the stars

Restoration architect Mariano Mazzella knows where to find the best pizzerias, palazzos, bars and views of Vesuvius in Italy’s most vibrant city

Romans, Druids and Camelot: the UK’s best ancient sites, as chosen by readers

Atmospheric forts, solstice circles and exquisite Roman mosaics feature in readers’ pick of the UK’s finest ancient monuments

How a holiday in Poland can help support Ukraine

Warsaw, Kraków and Gdańsk are home to atmospheric cafes, a history of resistance and a rich cuisine – and by visiting now you can boost Poland’s heroic efforts to help Ukraine

A local’s guide to Prague: the best beer, cool architecture and hunting for fossils

Actor and gallery curator Pavel Lagner leads us to Renaissance pavilions, fun cocktail bars and delicious, stinky cheese

I took the train to Brno, Czech Republic – here’s my guide to the city

We continue our celebration of Interrail’s 50th birthday with a visit to a relaxed, youthful city that’s deeply into music and food

Rail route of the month: from Bohemia towards the Baltic coast

On a bargain €9 one-month rail pass, our slow travel expert goes border-hopping on the historic Oder-Neisse line from the Czech Republic to Germany

Hidden Germany: where to stay and what to do off the beaten track

In our latest instalment on less-visited corners of Europe, we look at Germany’s coastal bike paths, scenic winelands and revamped industrial regions

‘A mirage at the top of a hill’: food, drink and adventure in Spain’s Vejer de la Frontera

This Andalucían town has centuries of stories to tell, from the Moors to the Romans. But it’s a Scotsman who has written its latest chapter, transforming a sleepy backwater into a tourist hub

I took the train to Düsseldorf – here’s my guide to the city

Next stop in our series marking the Interrail pass’s 50th birthday is a city in the heartland of industrial Germany, home to avant-garde art, electronic music and high fashion

Notes from a tranquil island: slow walking in Orkney

With its mesmerising seascape, the long, low green isle of Shapinsay is perfect for mindful exploration

A local’s guide to Hamburg: concerts, cocktails and dockyard cuisine

Concert pianist Alexander Krichel reveals his pick of the best bars, vintage stores, ferry rides and sailor-sized dishes of Germany’s second largest city