On the trail of Peaky Blinders, Black Sabbath and the perfect pint – an alternative guide to Birmingham

As the Peaky Blinders film is released this week, we follow in the footsteps of the Shelbys, make a heavy metal pilgrimage and find the city’s best places to eat, drink and dance

‘That thrush just did something incredible’: tuning in to bird calls on a North York Moors walk

A guided walk through North Yorkshire woodland throws up some thrilling surprises by honing in on sound over sight

My search for the perfect brown bar in Amsterdam

I swerved the tourist traps and went on a bar crawl of the city’s bruine kroegen, the cosy, dimly lit pubs that are the Netherlands’ ‘surrogate living rooms’

Zoning in on Ménilmontant, Paris: ‘bohemian, arty and off the tourist trail’

This former industrial quartier is now getting noticed for its community-focused art spaces, lively local bars and inexpensive north African food

Rolling hills, rich heritage and great pubs: a car-free break in Leicestershire

This picturesque corner of the East Midlands is a well-kept secret and it’s great for exploring by public transport

10 of the most romantic hotels, pubs, cabins and cottages for a cosy UK getaway

It’s an ideal time of year for snuggling up on a countryside break. We pick accommodation from shepherds’ huts in Somerset to a chateau in Wales

Cool design and wild art on a city break in Metz, north-east France

The small city in the Lorraine region has been put on the map with the aid of two Parisian heavyweights – a loan from the Pompidou Centre and designer Philippe Starck’s quirky new hotel

‘It’s dedicated exclusively to female artists, from Frida Kahlo to Tracey Emin’: readers’ favourite unsung museums in Europe

From ancient Greek bronzes to an unusual take on Donald Trump, readers recommend galleries and collections they’ve discovered on their travels

A local’s guide to Milan: the city’s best restaurants, culture and green spaces

In celebration of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, which starts this week, paralympic swimming champion Simone Barlaam shares his favourite places in his hometown

A different kind of girls’ weekend: adventure and creativity in Carmarthenshire

Curated getaways in south-west Wales offer wellbeing and crafty fun for groups of women amid beautiful scenery

Slow train to Turin: a winter journey through the Swiss Alps to Italy

By travelling during the day on scenic routes, travellers can soak up spectacular landscapes before taking in Turin’s cultural heritage

My search for the perfect Danish pastry in Copenhagen

In a city packed with bakeries, how do you find the best? I risked tooth decay to locate the ideal blend of crisp pastry, an oozy centre and sugary cinnamon

Zoning in on Leith, Edinburgh – ‘It’s been a joy to watch the area reinvent itself’

The historic port district – and setting for Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting – has evolved into a cultural and culinary hub. In the first of a new series, a local resident visits the venues powering the resurgence

Six of the best affordable UK country house hotels to beat the January blues

The festive season can stretch waistbands and wallets to breaking point. Here’s our pick of boltholes for a new year reset – each with a spa and rooms for under £160 a night

A perfect winter walk between two great pubs in Cheshire

This 14-mile section of the Sandstone Trail crosses an ancient landscape of hills, woods and ridges, bookended by two fine old inns