CATEGORIES

HOW I GOT THE SHOT

JONATHAN GREGSON EXPLAINS HOW HE SECURED A CLOSE-UP IMAGE OF AN AFRICAN ELEPHANT FOR OUR JAN/FEB 2025 ISSUE

THE STATE OF ACCESSIBLE TRAVEL

FOR DISABLED PEOPLE, TR AVEL CAN PRESENT M ANY CHALLENGES, SUCH A S LOST WHEELCHAIRS AND POORLY TR AINED STAFF — BUT A NEW GOVERNMENT TA SK FORCE OFFERS HOPE.

BREAKING THE ICE

LIFE ALONG THE WEST COAST OF GREENLAND, HIGH ABOVE THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, CONTINUES MUCH AS IT HAS FOR CENTURIES, WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND A RESPECT FOR HERITAGE SETTING THE RHYTHM DURING THE LONG, FROZEN WINTERS

THE WORLD'S BEST TRAIN TRIPS

Glimpses of local life caught through the window, moments of connection with your fellow passengers, the chance to slow down and watch landscapes unfold with the miles - train journeys are the most memorable way of getting from A to B. From luxury heritage routes to regular services passing through extraordinary scenery, here's our pick of the best

HEAVEN &EARTH

IN PORTUGAL'S WILD NORTHERN BORDERLANDS, SURVIVAL AND SPIRITUALITY GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE CHANGING SEASONS, AS THEY HAVE FOR MILLENNIA. A ROAD TRIP THROUGH ITS REMOTE REACHES UNCOVERS PAGAN FESTIVALS, AGE-OLD CRAFTS AND ROMAN RELICS IN THE COUNTRY'S ONLY NATIONAL PARK, PENEDA-GERÊS

HONG KONG

It may be best known for its skyscrapers and shopping, but Hong Kong offers untold outdoor activities, from coastal kayaking and mountain hikes to quiet bike rides and unusual food tours

Joe Boyd

A GLIMPSE OF AN ALBANIAN FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL, CAUGHT ILLICITLY ON FILM, TRANSPORTS THE MUSIC PRODUCER INTO A LIFE LED BY ANCIENT RHYTHMS

Passion project

AS THE PROMISE OF SPRING BRINGS RENEWED VIGOUR, WE TURN TO STORIES OF LIFELONG OBSESSIONS AND POWERFUL LABOURS OF LOVE

Lighthouse solitude

PLAY CASTAWAY ON AN ITALIAN ISLAND, WHERE YOU CAN SPOT WHALES FROM A STYLISH TUSCAN RETREAT SET IN A WORKING LIGHTHOUSE

IBARAKI Secret lives & sacred mountains

From ancient shrines and mountain trails to cooking classes with charismatic locals, travelling through Ibaraki gives adventurous visitors an authentic taste of Japan.

Saru Mundurucu

TO PASS ON HIS LOVE OF THE FOREST, THE GUIDE CREATED THE FIRST TOUR COMPANY IN BRAZIL FOUNDED BY AN INDIGENOUS AMAZONIAN

Southern Mexico

EXPLORE THE RICH CULTURE OF MEXICO'S SOUTHERNMOST STATES, OAXACA AND CHIAPAS - FROM HISTORIC RUINS AND COLOURFUL CITIES TO DIVERSE LANDSCAPES AND DISTINCTIVE FOOD

WELSH MARCHES

STRADDLING THE BORDER BETWEEN ENGLAND AND WALES, THIS LAND OF FORGOTTEN VALLEYS, ANCIENT PATHS AND MEDIEVAL TOWNS IS RICH IN LEGEND AND FOLKLORE

COGNAC

The cuisine of France's Charentais region is getting a shake-up, with gin production taking over ancient Cognac houses, and the brandy itself used in creative cocktails and jammy balsamic vinegar

SALZBURG

The most Austrian of cities, Salzburg is an instant heart-stealer.

ITALY Lombardy's hidden wine routes

Discover the region of Lombardy, where scenic countryside trails lead to family-run wineries, medieval valleys and sparkling lakes

ALBERTA Discover Canada's wild side

Explore Alberta's alpine lakes, Rocky Mountain crags and picturesque towns perched amid the peaks. Words: SJ Armstrong

Tours & trails

DISCOVER FRESH AVENUES OF EXPLORATION THIS SPRING, FROM INDIAN RIVER CRUISES TO CYCLING TOURS THROUGH THE ITALIAN COUNTRYSIDE

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