Second cities can be more welcoming and fun than capitals, perhaps nowhere more so than Porto, with its less manicured charm If you walk along the south banks of the Douro River in Vila Nova de Gaia, opposite Porto city, towards the sea, the scene will be classic Portugal for a while: a lot of…
The author of the Istanbul-set Inspector Ikmen novels takes a trip into the Old City’s thrilling and turbulent past It is a cold, autumnal wee hour of the morning in Istanbul and I am sipping a sweet, orchid-root-flavoured drink called sahlep and smoking a water pipe. I’m lurking outside a nargile (hookah pipe) joint on…
Art nouveau cafes, Ottoman architecture and beer halls make these modest cities a big draw away from the crowds I got off the train to Venice last summer in Trieste, planning to spend a few hours there, but was so knocked over by its beauty that I stayed for a few days. Tucked away in…
A policy of restricting huge liners visiting popular Cyclades islands could have the unintended consequence of diverting mass tourism towards quieter islands Imagine the perfect Greek island, a pristine enclave of slow tourism that’s remained unchanged for decades. Along the curve of a narrow bay whitewashed buildings line a quay, a rocky mountain face rearing…
Around 50 tourism stakeholders including state governments, inbound tour operators, airlines and hoteliers from India are participating alongside the Incredible India pavilion at WTM London.
Two novices, a large van and a lively Irish setter make for an eventful road trip through the French mountains When I first had the idea of taking a winter road trip through the Alps, I imagined snowy walks followed by fondue in the comfort of our van, feet warmed by 25kg of auburn fluff…
Scrooge, Santa, polar bears, gingerbread and light shows are among this year’s seasonal family delights at castles, palaces and Palladian piles throughout the UK Inside one of Waddesdon Manor’s Rapunzelesque round towers is a room named after the Ballets Russes stage designer Léon Bakst. In 1913, Bakst painted the seven panels here showing scenes from…
Share a tip on a fabulous Scandi winter break for the chance win £200 towards a Coolstays break Scandinavia does winter well – whether you prefer hunkering down in candle-lit cafes or husky sledging through wild landscapes, it’s a wonderful time to visit. We’d love to hear about your favourite winter breaks – whether it…
In winter, the YHA hires out whole hostels for exclusive use by large groups of family and friends – and they are in some of the loveliest parts of the UK• Tim Dowling’s tips for a successful multigen holiday• 12 great UK holiday pads for large groups The big dining room has picture windows with…
Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro converge in the Accursed Mountains, offering skiing days where you see more countries than you do other skiers Pushing my skis forward in tracks carved deep into the snow and a swirling wind and thick fog, I finally reach a vast plateau where Alb Berisha, our guide, greets me with a…
