Five of Europe’s best accessible island escapes
From the Venetian lagoon to the sparkling Med, these island getaways offer a welcome change of pace just a short hop from the mainland
10 of the best affordable family adventures in Europe
From packrafting in Luxembourg to cycling in Slovenia and eclipse-spotting in Spain, here are some great ways to get the kids into the wild
‘Children see magic in the smallest adventures’: exploring Scotland with my four-year-old
On a tight budget, we stayed in a bothy, climbed a mountain, looked for Nessie and – best of all – made memories that money can’t buy
‘Landscapes as wild as they get in Europe’: family hiking in Albania and Montenegro
Mountain walks, river swims and centuries-old traditions appeal to the whole family on an adventurous trip to the Balkans
‘In Switzerland, it’s possible to sledge between two railway stations’: readers’ favourite family adventures in Europe
Alpine playgrounds, unforgettable train rides and white-water rafting feature in our readers’ family trips from Norway to the Netherlands
‘Mingling is part of the adventure’: a family trip to Wales shows why hostels are booming
Forget draughty bunk rooms and awkward social encounters, hostels now provide home comforts and a sense of community private rentals will never match
Wide sandy beaches and amazing seafood in western France
Charente-Maritime is a more affordable, less manicured family destination than nearby Île de Ré
Eight of the best affordable beach holidays, from Crete to the Costa de la Luz
Kick back and dream of summer with our pick of seaside gems, including a stylish Andalucian bolthole and a villa with views of Stromboli
How to have a sustainable family ski holiday: take the train and head high
Cut out flying and you shred skiing’s carbon footprint. And opting for a high-altitude resort that needs less artificial snow makes it even greener. Les Arcs in the French Alps ticks both boxes
50 inspiring travel ideas for 2026, chosen by readers: beaches, city breaks, family holidays and more
Our popular readers’ tips column has been running for 20 years. We’ve selected some highlights from the past 12 months to help you plan your 2026 adventures
A tent, an electric stove and -40C temperatures: the chefs who cook ‘on ice’ in Antarctica
During the southernmost continent’s darkest, coldest days, scientists and researchers turn to food for comfort
Stargazing in the Lake District: a new forest observatory opens in Grizedale
There’s no shortage of stunning scenery and daytime activities in the Lakes. Now, an observatory is offering stellar nocturnal events too
I took my kids to Lapland on the Santa Claus Express – but would the big man deliver?
If meeting Santa Claus is on your children’s wishlist, this trip on a festive sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, with reindeer and huskies thrown in, is Christmas with jingle bells on
‘Immortalised by Monet’: the enduring seaside charm of Trouville, Normandy
The impressionist painter was much taken by the stylish villas and unique light of the French port, which 150 years on still refuses to be outshone by glitzy big sister Deauville
Bivouacking in the Pyrenees: how we got our teenagers to take a mountain hike
With the help of a droll local guide, we managed to enthuse our two sons on a wild camping adventure in the mountains of south-west France