Advice

Croatia offers more than 1,100 miles of meandering mainland coast backed by rugged limestone mountains, along with hundreds of scattered islands and islets, of which 47 are inhabited. It is also dotted with historic and beautifully preserved harbour towns, relics of the four centuries between 1420 and 1797 when it was occupied by the Venetians. This

Southwold Erected in 1900, Southwold Pier was originally 810 feet long, but by the Eighties – after being battered by fierce storms and Second World War sea mines – a mere 60 feet remained. Rebuilding work took place between 1999 and 2001, extending it to a more impressive 623 feet, and thanks to its forward-thinking owners,

My first eye-opening insight into this enthralling region was as a teenager, when I hopped on a ferry from Corfu to Sarandë – on Albania’s Riviera – set on the dazzling Ionian Sea. I was captivated by its beaches, which could easily rival Greece or the Bahamas. Backed by magnificent mountains and gently lapped by

All hotels have been independently reviewed and selected. We will earn a commission if you book via the links below, but this never affects our rating. Our expert writers are usually hosted on a complimentary basis in order to gain the first-hand experience necessary for their review. The Cotswolds is arcadian England. Centuries of interplay

Our selection of favourites includes where to find the best handicrafts, antiques and local produce. For further inspiration for the perfect break in the Cotswolds, see our guide to the region’s best hotels, restaurants, pubs, afternoon teas, and things to do. Find places to shop by area North Cotswolds Mid Cotswolds South Cotswolds North Cotswolds On the northern Cotswold fringes, Chipping Campden

Having it all is most definitely a good thing but it can also be a somewhat overwhelming – where to start? London has so much to offer, for all tastes, budgets and cultural persuasions. There is proper (grisly) history, statement buildings old and new, and world-class museums housed in jaw-dropping architecture. There are wonderful parks

The UK can be as wondrous a destination as anywhere else – and if you are thinking of keeping it British in the coming months, you will find plentiful options to ease your wanderlust. In fact, you don’t even have to abandon the continental holiday you were dreaming of in dreary January. Sort of. With

Barcelona is an architectural and cultural hub studded with brooding cathedrals, myriad museums, stadiums and magnificent Gaudí creations. Below our expert shares her recommendations on the best things to do, from marvelling at Modernista buildings to exploring the Hansel and Gretel-inspired Park Güell. For further Barcelona inspiration, see our in-depth guides to the city’s best hotels,

A one-hour drive north of Milan, Lake Como is the most glamorous of Italy’s lakes, hemmed in by the snow-capped Alps with picture-perfect villages on the water. Milanesi pop here for the day for a breath of fresh air and to soak up the fabulous vistas, while international visitors – the Clooneys, the Kennedys –

The Easter holidays are underway across the country and with it the perennial problem of what to do with the children when the weather turns bad.  If the forecast does forfeit adventures in the great outdoors, it’s worth checking out some of the best indoor attractions around the country. From discovering the tricks of the

If there’s one thing the Tenerifians know how to do well, it’s party. Enjoying life is a genetic disposition, evident if you venture into one of the many bars and nightclubs frequented by locals – and there are many. Check out the vibrant student scene in La Laguna, test your stamina in the bop-till-breakfast clubs

Through the ages Sicily has been a crossroads and crucible of Mediterranean culture. The island today is a fascinating palimpsest, its history and abundant natural wonders ensuring that there’s something for everyone: the historic cities of Palermo, Catania and Siracusa; the Etna region with its volcanic landscapes, fertile wine country and picture-perfect Taormina; Ragusa, Modica

Yes, there are a million and one beaches (well, 72 listed on the tourist board website at least) on which to stretch out, switch off and toast into a nice shade of bronze. But to do just that is nothing short of a crime on such a multi-faceted island. Up, down, inside, outside: everywhere you

With its world-famous archeological sites, including the Curium near Limassol and the Tombs of the Kings in Paphos, luxury thalassotherapy centres and spas, water activities, and mountains dotted with vineyards and nature trails, Cyprus offers an endless variety of things to do during your holiday. You can try your hand at snorkelling, or diving if

Cyprus is often referred to as being at the crossroads of three continents – Europe, Asia and Africa – and as such their time-served influences can be seen on the menus of countless tavernas across the island. But, don’t go thinking Cyprus is set in its ways. In fact, this forward-thinking island has embraced grand

The Mediterranean island of Cyprus is a great choice if you want to laze on the beach and top up the tan. With its sub-tropical climate that translates into endless days of summer sunshine, and beaches and bays – some quiet and unspoilt; others bustling with activities – the island is an unbeatable holiday destination. Here,

Like Majorca and Ibiza before it, Tenerife is finally succeeding in shedding its tacky chrysalis, and morphing into a sophisticated destination happy to hold its own in the company of high spenders, gastronomes and choosy golfers. That’s not to say the ‘old Tenerife’ has met its maker, it just self-perpetuates in the background while Michelin

Long gone are the times when Tenerife tourism was only associated with familiar fodder listed on laminated menus. That food is still available for those looking for home comforts, but tastes in Tenerife have changed, and so has the quality on offer. These days creative Canarian is the dish of the day, with no less

Although renowned for its high-end shopping and cutting-edge design, Milan offers many more things to do: its museums harbour some of the country’s finest works of art, and there’s no shortage of churches adorned with wonderful frescoes, a number from the school of Leonardo Da Vinci. Steps away from the Gothic-style Duomo is La Scala,

Italy has welcomed visitors since time immemorial. But not all of Italy: some regions have remained impervious to the Grand Tourists of the past and the Instagrammers of today. Who, for example, visits Abruzzo, a region east of Rome and south of the Marche? Very few is the answer – but why so secret? Poverty, for