My new attitude to travel is to skip the iconic – and I thank my father for that

A lot of travel can be about pretending to like monuments and sights that you don’t really enjoy, but my father, the reluctant traveller, has shown me that what matters is only doing the things you are genuinely interested in

Take the kids to … the National Showcaves Centre for Wales

Spectacular caves, towering stalagmites and a herd of model dinosaurs will keep the offspring thoroughly entertained, if only for a few hours

Málaga holiday guide: what to see plus the best bars, hotels and restaurants

This formerly down-at-heel port has been transformed into a vibrant city with plenty to please culture vultures, plus exciting new places to eat and drink

Arty living in San Francisco’s rising Outer Sunset district

This seaside haven for free-spirited artists, poets and surfers is on the up – and, despite the big city’s tech boom, it’s the area’s original community who are making the most of its upsurge in popularity

Eating out in Thessaloniki: how Greece’s culinary capital is reinventing itself

It is Greece’s second city but its gastronomic capital – and its bars and restaurants refuse to let tough times spoil a good night out. Just one reason it makes a great city-break alternative to Athens now

A taste of Greece in Thessaloniki: the city’s mayor on the future of the country’s gastronomic capital

Yiannis Boutaris, the mayor of Greece’s second city, has been credited with turning it into an ‘island of hope’ during the financial crisis

Top 10 outdoor cinema and theatre events in the UK

Fancy a fix of open-air film or theatre this summer? Across the country there are great arts events and festivals ready to serve up culture in superb, characterful settings. Here we pick 10 that will be perfect with a Pimm’s (or a brolly)

10 of the best ways to enjoy Paris … on a budget

From city beaches by the Seine and Paris’s oldest food market, to a nightlife scene buzzing with free festivals and live music, Paris doesn’t have to leave you feeling financially drained

Puglia, Italy: readers’ travel tips

Readers share recommendations on the best of Puglia, including hot springs, boat trips along the rugged coastline and spectacular architecture in the region’s historic hilltop towns

Take the kids to … Powderham Castle, Kenton, south Devon

It’s not crowded, there are great interactive shows, a wooden fort, pets’ corner and woodland trails, plus a 600-year-old castle for history enthusiasts

Holiday guide to Huelva, Andalucía: the best beaches, hotels and restaurants

There’s history aplenty, pristine, empty beaches, fresh sardines and a huge national park to explore in Huelva, the mysterious corner of south-west Spain

Let’s go to … the Jurassic Coast

Jurassic World has just made movie history after raking in a record $0.5bn on its opening weekend, but there is real dino history to be explored on this lovely stretch of Devon and Dorset coast

Top 10 art holidays and creative writing retreats in the UK

Getting away from it all on a writing retreat or art break offers an opportunity to combine a hobby with a holiday where it’s possible to learn new skills at beautiful and inspiring locations

US road trip: slow drive to Sitting Bull country in North and South Dakota

On a road trip on Highway 83, from Canada down to the Mexican border, David Reynolds finds that driving slowly quickens his sense of place - and history

10 of the most bizarre homemade playgrounds and attractions

From a ‘replica’ Noah’s Ark to a shrine made of beer bottles, these attractions are packed with the kind of wacky, homespun passion that make for an extra-special day out