CATEGORIES

Dianne Whelan

THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK

NIGERIA

The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat

Katie Hale

A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET

WILTSHIRE

BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES

BATH

Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth

GRANADA

In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists

India's Golden Triangle

LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK

FORGED BY FIRE

A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN

ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE

A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING

the RETURN

ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE

JAPAN

Bullet trains, pagoda bells, steaming bowls of ramen, cherry blossoms — Japan has many icons, which has made it an incredibly popular travel destination. But with fame comes crowds, and there are still many treasures to be uncovered in lesser-known corners of this East Asian archipelago. Here, we look at some of the alternatives, from slow scenic trains and lesser-trodden pilgrimage hikes to street-food city crawls and geisha houses in unexpected places. Why rely on the old classics when you can strike out in search of new ones?

ARUBA

Dutch and Portuguese flavours bring international flair to local seafood on this Caribbean island, from freshly grilled mahi mahi to citrussy fried shrimp. But save room for clay pot stews and cheese-stuffed pastries

LEVI

Above the Arctic Circle, this lively resort encapsulates the wild heart of Finnish Lapland - and hits its stride in winter, with snowy woodland walks, frozen lakes and reindeer encounters.

Wild wellness in Sumba

ANCIENT TR ADITION S ARE BEING INCORPOR ATED INTO MODERN LUXURY ON THIS REMOTE INDONESIAN ISL AND, WITH EQ UINE YOGA AND SPA SAFARIS

Live like kings

NEW AND REOPENING HOTELS WILL EXPAND THE HORIZONS OF TRAVELLERS TO MOROCCO IN 2025

Annette Arjoon-Martins

RAISED BY HER INDIGENOUS GRANDMOTHER IN GUYANA, SOUTH AMERICA, ANNETTE BUILT A FEMALE DRONE UNIT TO MONITOR MANGROVES

The Amazon to the Andes

THIS AUTUMN, PADDINGTON HEADS TO PERU ON THE BIG SCREEN - FOLLOW IN HIS PAWPRINTS FOR AN EPIC FAMILY ADVENTURE

Serra de Tramuntana

MAJORCA'S MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGE IS EVERY BIT AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE ISLAND'S COASTLINE - AND YOU CAN HIKE STRAIGHT FROM YOUR HOTEL

CRAFTING PERFECTION

Carlsberg's old brewing district has been redeveloped, offering creative new ways to enjoy Copenhagen

HOTEL AWARDS 2024

IT'S BEEN AN EPIC YEAR FOR HOTEL OPENINGS, REVAMPS AND EXTENSIONS, AND WE'VE SCOURED THE GLOBE FOR THE BEST OF THEM. WHETHER YOU WANT TO TUNE INTO THE JUNGLE FROM A TREEHOUSE, SLEEP IN A PIECE OF HISTORY OR WATCH THE SUN SET OVER MOUNTAIN PEAKS FROM YOUR BED, YOU'RE GUARANTEED A MEMORABLE STAY FROM OUR WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP

MALDIVES

An archipelago of 1,192 coral islands and 26 turquoise atolls looping across the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is home to resorts that cater to every imaginable taste, from barefoot escapes to designer digs. The most convenient to reach are located in the South Malé, North Malé and Vaavu atolls, within speedboat distance of Velana International Airport, while more remote atolls are accessible by seaplane or domestic flight. With easy access to the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa and Raa are especially popular. Those around the Equator, including Gaafu Alifu, offer a splendid sense of isolation, abundant marine life and brilliantly starry night skies.

TRANSYLVANIA

The central Romanian region of Dracula fame makes for an intriguing autumn break - sink your teeth into its crafts and culture after discovering its turreted castles.

Audio adventures

FROM OVERTOURISM TO HOW THE OLYMPIC GAMES AFFECTS HOST CITIES, HERE ARE SOME OF THE BEST PODCASTS THAT EXPLORE THE WORLD

NICE

Historically a place where monarchs and aristocrats would escape the winter in favour of warm Mediterranean climes, this southern French city is at its best in the off season

BELFAST

In the Northern Irish capital, the healing and uniting powers of music and art are being used to reconcile the past, look to the future and bring communities together

The Big Trip - New England

MADE UP OF SIX STATES, THIS REGION IN THE NORTH EAST OF THE US IS BEST KNOWN FOR ITS HISTORY AND CULTURE, BUT ITS COASTAL ROADS AND MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAILS ARE JUST AS BIG A HIT.

IN THE SHADOW OF GIANTS

THE ANNAPURNA REGION IN NORTH-CENTRAL NEPAL IS HOME TO TOWERING HIMALAYAN PEAKS, SWEEPING VALLEYS, ANCIENT VILLAGES AND SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S BEST MULTI-DAY HIKING TRAILS

OF TIDES & TIME

ISLAND-HOP THROUGH ESTONIA'S WESTERN ISLES TO APPRECIATE THE BENEFITS OF SLOW TRAVEL IN THIS UNTOUCHED STRETCH OF THE COUNTRY, WHERE SOVIET HISTORY, FOLKLORE AND NATURE WORSHIP CREATE A RICH TAPESTRY OF LIFE

THE FORGOTTEN MOUNTAINS

On the northwest border of Slovenia is a mountain range as dramatic as it is accessible, offering hut-to-hut hiking on multi-day adventures - with plenty of hearty food and local tales to sustain the journey

outdoor AUSTRALIA

The land Down Under seems ready-made for soul-stirring adventures. Its 16,000 miles of coastline are one long playground, with vertiginous cliffs riddled with hiking trails and reefs ripe for diving. There's ancient flora and unique wildlife hiding in the rainforests, and cities that offer every activity under the sun. So pick up your hiking boots, paddle or flippers and get outdoors