Where tourists seldom tread, part 19: three UK towns with industrial legacies

We explore the Roman, Tudor and Indian delights of Leicester, the textile and religious heritage of Paisley, and the radical history of Nelson, the only town named after a pub

Black, Brummie and proud: a walking tour of the real Handsworth

The Birmingham neighbourhood is hugely significant in the Black British story – a history seemingly unknown to Tory MP Robert Jenrick – as revealed on a guided walk that remembers Nelson Mandela and Benjamin Zephaniah

Like a place in one of his fairytales: exploring Hans Christian Andersen’s homeland in Denmark

With turreted castles, quirky museums and offbeat art, the island of Fyn where the author grew up is a place of myth, magic and adventure

‘Like it had been put on Earth specially for me’: readers’ favourite European city breaks

From the later summer glow of Marseille to polar nights in Tromsø, our tipsters choose their favourite cities

‘I stayed in a manor fit for a Baltic baron’: exploring Latvia’s pristine coast and forests

West of Riga lies a wonderland of empty beaches, ancient castles and charming mansions for the price of a B&B

Fresh perspectives: the best outdoor art trails in the UK this autumn

Free walking routes connect sculptures, murals, soundscapes and more in locations across the country – from butterflies in Brontë country to ceramics in Stoke

The art of the city: a walking tour of Edinburgh’s best landscape sculptures

Start with Andy Goldsworthy’s earthy installations at the Royal Scottish Academy, then head outdoors to discover more of his work, alongside pieces by Barbara Hepworth, Antony Gormley and Charles Jencks

Where tourists seldom tread, part 18: three seaside towns that defy the tides of fashion

Ayr, Bangor and Millom routinely bring up the rear in coastal town polls, but they offer a calmer alternative to the brash traditional seaside resorts

Explore Portugal’s historic hilltop hamlets in a free electric hire car

A project offering free car rental is revitalising the medieval villages north-east of Lisbon by finally making them easily accessible to visitors

‘Women are the guardians of our culture’: why Kihnu is Estonia’s island of true equality

They wear traditional dress, play ancient melodies on violins and accordions, but the women of this island outpost ensure that it is more than just a living museum

‘Dawn paints the statues gold’: readers’ favourite places in Turkey

Travellers share their holiday finds, from ancient ruins to thermal pools, blissful waterside restaurants – and taxi driver diners

‘A town built on fishing and fun’: why Great Yarmouth will always be my first resort

From family-run fairgrounds to a spectacular circus, traditional seaside fun is alive and kicking in the Norfolk coastal town where I grew up

Where tourists seldom tread, part 17: three port towns freighted with history

From Ipswich’s medieval treasures to Ramsey’s seaside charm and Lancaster’s chilling legacy of witches and slavery

Forget the stereotypes, Benidorm is the complete package

The resort was ahead of its time – built to handle industrial numbers of tourists while not displacing residents. And beyond the full English breakfasts and pub crawls, there’s an authentic Spanish side to it

Travels in Moominland: summer in Tove Jansson’s Finland

The children’s book author spent the precious long Nordic days in simple, off-grid cabins on small dreamy islands – a tradition many Finns still follow