With tranquil countryside, a scenic coastline and truly sumptuous food, Normandy is just a ferry ride away in northern France
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Lake Levico – Italy’s little secret
Lake Levico is a very special rural location with natural ecosystem and spectacular views, a real Alpine retreat
Sailing down to Strasbourg
I’ve never been on a river cruise before but, after sailing to Strasbourg, now I understand why they’re so popular. Cocktail of the day in the panoramic lounge bar of…
Divine Abu Dhabi
When Emirati men get together, they don’t take their dogs to a pub, instead they meet up under the setting sun with their falcons. Falconry is an important part of…
Innsbruck – treasure of the Tyrol
In the friendly Austrian city of Innsbruck, the Alps form a dramatic backdrop with exhilarating views
Julia Stiles shows off the drama of the French Riviera
Watch the first series of British TV production Riviera and you’ll soon be booking flights to Nice and planning a trip to this glamorous stretch of the Mediterranean coastline. The…
Geneva is Switzerland’s gem with great views, exquisite food and a spiritual heritage
There are some very cheeky sparrows in Geneva. Sat in the garden of the Cottage Café in Brunswick Park enjoying lunch, the birds flit from chair to chair, picking up…
Why you’ll love Carlton Towers in Yorkshire
Where I went Carlton Towers doubled as Windsor Castle in ITV drama Victoria and this Grade I-listed country house is set in a 250-acre North Yorkshire estate, south of Selby.…
Stay close to home with a Moddershall Oaks spa break
Situated in the rolling countryside of Staffordshire, Moddershall Oaks is a delightful family-run five-star country spa getaway and wedding venue. With only 10 boutique rooms, an atmosphere of utter tranquillity…
Visit Maritime Canada for rugged coastal beauty
Twice a day in the heart of Maritime Canada, some giant invisible hand pulls the plug on the Bay of Fundy, a liquid cul-de-sac some 45 miles across. Home to…
Lyon city guide: Explore the French city
Stay You’ll find hotels to suit all budgets in Lyon, France’s third largest city. For luxury, try the five-star Hotel Le Royal (00 33 (0)478 375 731; lyonhotel-leroyal.com; B&B from…
Tokyo: The city of the rising sun
When you’re planning a trip to Tokyo, you read a lot about how big it is – but it’s only when you stand on the 45th floor of the city’s…
Suffolk: A holiday in Constable country
Suffolk is often overlooked as a holiday destination. A beautiful and unspoilt county, its countryside is dotted with beautiful historic towns and villages, while exquisite beaches line the coast. Much…
Sicily: See the stunning home of Inspector Montalbano
Situated at a crossroads in the Mediterranean, Sicily was for centuries seduced, conquered, possessed, enriched, exploited and abandoned by successive invaders – Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Barbarians, Arabs, French, Spanish. Each…
Germany: Cake, culture and castles
Dresden Saxony is a landlocked state in eastern Germany that is rich in cultural, historical sites and picturesque landscapes in every direction. Its capital, Dresden, nicknamed the ‘Florence of the…
Enjoy the spice of life in Grenada
As I adjust my goggles and dip my face below the surface of the warm, clear seawater I see a serene mermaid reclining on the sandy ocean bed. Further along…
Visit Madeira for a romantic island retreat
If you want to combine a me-time spa break with a romantic island adventure in stunning natural surroundings, Quinta Splendida has it all. Originally a grand 19th-century manor house, it’s…
Explore Exmoor for pretty villages and heavenly walks
Like its fictional heroine resident, Lorna Doone, Exmoor is both wild and gentle, and it’s easy to see why author R D Blackmore chose it as the setting for his…
Tenerife: Under the volcano
Wherever you go in Tenerife, Spain’s highest mountain is never out of sight for long. The unmistakable outline of Mount Teide dominates the largest of the seven Canary Islands, the…
Holidaying with a disability travel tips
In a perfect world, someone with disabilities could ring any hotel or travel company, and find out precisely whether their chosen holiday was feasible (and in a perfect world, all…