The Da Vinci road: walking through Tuscany
Five hundred years after the death of Leonardo, our writer sets off on a walk between the great Renaissance cities of Florence and Siena
The Castle Inn, West Lulworth, Dorset – hotel review
This traditional inn close to Lulworth Cove has played the renovation game, revamping 12 boutique-hotel bedrooms and high-end pub grub
10 of the best tapas bars and restaurants in Almería, Spain
As Spain’s gastronomic capital for 2019, Almería will be in the spotlight. Here, the author of a new book on Andalucían food picks her favourite places to eat
UK spring breaks: six of the best towns and cities
From Bath to Belfast, these destinations are all compact enough for a short break yet packed with culture, shopping and great food
Spring breaks: 5 of the best cities in Europe
From fiesta-mad Seville to buzzing Montpellier and blossom-filled Berlin, spring is a blooming marvellous time for a short break
10 of the best cognac distillers, tours and tastings, France
Exploring Cognac and the Charente region gives an insight into a brandy rich in history – with a barrel full of tastings on offer
A local’s guide to Palermo, Sicily: 10 top tips
It may still be basking in the glow of being Italian Capital of Culture 2018 but the city has been a cultural melting pot since antiquity
10 of the best yoga holidays in UK and Europe
Beautiful locations and activities such as running or simply hanging out on the beach complement quality yoga teaching at these retreats
The best party destinations for backpackers
If pumping bass is your thing, these cities and travellers’ haunts come alive at night, and boast friendly hostels when it’s finally time to hit the pillow
10 great winter walks in the UK: readers’ tips
Cold winds sweep marshes, hills, woods and moors from Rye to Pitlochry. But our tipsters are hardy and know the best routes – and some restorative pitstops
Yule love these … great European Christmas traditions
Continental festivities include chocolate logs in Paris, tree-cutting in Norway and plenty of fish: eel in Naples, carp in Prague and fermented skate in Iceland
A brief history of the gingerbread house
The witch’s house in the two-centuries-old tale of Hansel and Gretel is today inspiring ever more extravagant gingerbread creations and constructions across Europe and the US
10 of the best warming winter drinks around the world
There’s more to Christmas drinks than mulled wine, as our pick of the best winter tipples, from hot beer in Krakow to Chile’s pisco eggnog, reveals
10 of the UK’s best new distilleries
The UK now has more than 300 distilleries producing whisky, gin and vodka – and offering tours, tastings and more. The Guardian’s drinks writer gets into the Christmas spirits
A local’s guide to Bangkok: 10 top tips
It’s easy to get sucked into tourist traps in the world’s most visited city but these old-school enchanted corners are blissful antidotes to all that