‘I have the island to myself’: how to be a castaway in Cornwall
Book an overnight stay in the cosy smuggler’s cottage on Looe Island and you get to enjoy this marine nature reserve after the day trippers have gone home
It takes a village – the pioneering tourism project breathing new life into India’s mountain communities
Over the past 21 years, Village Ways has been leading low-impact tours of remote communities in the foothills of the Himalayas, supporting traditional ways of life and offering a rare glimpse of pristine landscapes and wildlife
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
‘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
Stunning views, honesty shops and community pubs: people power on the Llŷn peninsula in Wales
This rugged promontory in north Wales is thriving thanks to community-run cafes, restaurants and inns, which can all be visited on a spectacular coastal walk
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
In the footsteps of a Welsh borderlands baddie: walking the Mortimer Trail
A trail named after a brutal marcher lord passes through tranquil countryside between Shropshire and Herefordshire but is rich in reminders of the area’s turbulent past
Forget the Algarve – Portugal’s best winter escape is in the mountains
A century ago, the Serra da Estrela mountains were Portugal’s answer to the Swiss health resorts of St Moritz and Davos. Now, a historic sanatorium has been given a 21st-century makeover and is drawing people back to the hills
‘The most quietly romantic town we have ever visited’ – the enduring charm of Chiavenna, Italy
Writers from George Eliot to Goethe put this Lombardy town on the map, then it fell out of fashion. Today it makes a picture-perfect alternative to the Italian lakes
Say no to fake snow: the Austrian ski resort that likes to keep it real
Like many Alpine areas faced with declining snowfall, Villach had to make a difficult choice: bring in the snow cannons or reinvent itself
In the decade since my sons left home, walking has brought us together
The exodus of grown children mostly happens without fanfare. For Lisa Walker, hiking the Camino turned into both a goodbye and a glimpse at the future
Walk this way: new Australian hikes to try in 2026
From accessible urban strolls to multi-day treks through world heritage-listed sites, walkers are spoiled for choice
Rock up to London: discovering stones and fossils from around the world on an urban geology tour
The city’s architecture travels through time and continents, incorporating everything from slabs of the Italian Alps to meteorites that hit southern Africa 2bn years ago