Keyword "Europe holidays" - List of latest news (532 results)

08:11 Walking in Greece: helping to restore the ancient trails of Andros island

Idyllic scenery is just part of the appeal of a break that is also about sustainability, meeting locals and maintaining paths

22/04 Show us your mussels! A mouthwatering trip to Vigo, Spain’s seafood capital

The Galician city on the Atlantic coast has the EU’s largest fishing port, which provides its many bars and restaurants with a spectacular trawl of oysters, clams and mussels

21/04 20 of the UK’s best hotels, campsites and cottages right on the beach

The editor of Coast magazine shares her favourite seaside boltholes, from Argyll to the Isles of Scilly

20/04 ‘An epic expanse of golden sand’: the sweeping appeal of North Devon

It’s long been a magnet for surfers, but will this coast’s relaxed vibe and huge beaches persuade a lifelong Cornwall lover to switch allegiance?

16/04 Raptors delight: a bird safari in the Forest of Bowland

The north of England’s most overlooked natural beauty spot is home to wild terrain and some of the UK’s rarest birds, including the spectacular hen harrier

15/04 ‘A muddy ride into Romania’s dreamy countryside’: cycling the Via Transilvanica

The challenging 870-mile trail cuts diagonally across Romania and takes in mountain meadows, fairytale forests and medieval monasteries

14/04 10 Lisbon restaurants I’d recommend to a friend visiting the city

A local food writer selects places to eat that offer a flavour of Lisbon’s fast-evolving restaurant scene

13/04 Bridport revisited: great reasons to return to the market town

Dorset’s charming town is bursting with appeal. Here are 10 sites and attractions to take in next time you visit Bridport and the surrounding area

13/04 The ghostly allure of Dungeness, Kent

It’s an arid and mysterious place, yet it’s precisely these charms that captivate visitors – and our writer

12/04 What’s new in Portugal? 10 reasons to visit in 2025

From modern art in Lisbon and yoga on the Algarve to food festivals, coastal hikes, surfing and cycling, it’s all going on in one of Europe’s favourite destinations

12/04 Looking for the authentic Algarve? Go in the low season – and to Tavira

With wild beaches, gorgeous countryside and delicious seafood, Tavira and its surrounding villages have plenty to offer, even outside summer

10/04 Prague’s Vietnamese food revolution

A wave of immigration during the communist years has seen a slow burn for Vietnamese food – from beef noodles to green rice ice-cream – in the Czech Republic’s capital

07/04 Camping in the wild heart of Italy – en suite rooms and fabulous restaurant optional

In the rugged Maiella national park, a secluded campsite offers everything from pitches to hotel-style rooms, guided walks to Abruzzo hospitality

05/04 20 of Europe’s most beautifully located campsites – chosen by experts

We asked camping pros to tell us about their favourite sites, from the highest pitches in Switzerland to a wilderness reserve in Sweden

04/04 ‘A stunning campsite with views of the fjords’: readers’ best camping trips in Europe

From pitching a tent in the haunt of Greek gods to a private beach in Italy’s garden of Eden, our tipsters share their favourite places to sleep under the stars

03/04 Paris’s rewilded railway line: the disused track turned into a green space for wildlife and walkers

Inside the French capital’s ring road, the Petite Ceinture, a disused circular rail line, now abounds with nature trails, shared gardens – and even urban farms

02/04 ‘A Med island holiday without the crowds’: family-friendly Corsica

A holiday park on the lesser-known Côte Orientale offers lower prices, activities for all ages, and secluded sandy beaches

01/04 10 of the best wild fishing spots in the UK

From spinning off the coast of East Sussex to camping a rod’s length from a Scottish loch, the author of a new guide to wild angling chooses beautiful spots to fish affordably

31/03 The Danish island of seaweed cottages, salt and seafood

The remote North Sea isle of Læsø is world-famous for the gastronomic delights that come from its waters – so the best way to explore it is in waders

29/03 Where cider houses rule in Spain: a tour of Asturias

Loved by the Spanish but less known in the UK, the region is recognised by Unesco for its centuries-old cider culture – and has plenty more to offer

25/03 Walking in solitude and sunshine in Sicily: a newly restored pilgrim’s trail

A path in the Madonie natural park once used by itinerant friars takes present-day hikers on mountain trails through a terrain rich in wildlife

21/03 On the hoof: readers’ favourite horse riding breaks in Europe

From guided rides for beginners to adventurous multi-day treks, our tipsters share their top horseback holidays from Spain to Sardinia

19/03 Fancy a Belgian city break without the crowds of Ghent or Bruges? Mechelen might be the answer

The majestic Flemish city is dotted with renaissance palaces, great bars and eye-catching contemporary art – yet it’s firmly off the tourist trail

18/03 ​How a tiny village in a deserted part of Spain became a centre for gay weddings

A couple of hours’ drive from Madrid, Campillo de Ranas has played a huge role in promoting same-sex marriage – and revived the fortunes of the ‘black villages’ of Guadalajara

16/03 Swiss roll: a scenic tour of Switzerland by train

The best way to explore the country’s fabulous valleys and vistas is with a choose-your-own-adventure rail pass

13/03 Rembrandt’s Amsterdam – walking the Amstel River 750 years after the city’s birth

To celebrate this significant milestone, our writer follows the flow of the artist’s inspiration, taking in sights that would have been familiar to the Old Master

12/03 Where the art of Edvard Munch comes alive: a city break in Oslo

As a new exhibition celebrating the portraits of Edvard Munch opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery, we take a trip to the artist’s home city in Norway

10/03 From an Alpine meadow to a Greek island: five of the best spring breaks in Europe

Our writers make the most of warm weather, smaller crowds and off-peak prices to visit their favourite spots, from the Baltic to the Bosphorus

08/03 Come for the views, stay for the cheese and wine: spring in France’s Massif Central

With volcanic peaks, wild flowers and hot springs, the Cantal region is the perfect destination for a springtime road trip

07/03 ‘I cycled through flower fields stretching as far as the eye can see’: readers’ favourite European spring breaks

From spring blooms in the Netherlands to early sunshine in Sicily, our tipsters share their favourite seasonal escapes

02/03 10 reasons to visit Spain in 2025: new holidays, hikes and cultural highlights

From villas in Galicia and hikes in La Gomera, to a new parador near Madrid and a horse fair in Jerez

27/02 Hiking in southern Italy: myths, mountains and wild boar in Cilento

South of the Amalfi Coast is a rugged wonderland of quiet paths through chestnut woods and vineyards. It’s all perfect for contemplating ancient yarns, spotting wildlife and enjoying local fare

26/02 Are you a Type A traveller? Why the quest for perfection could be ruining your holiday – and your relationships

Tomas Telegramma’s endless quest to optimise his holiday was doing the opposite. Here’s how he learned to put down the to-do list and love uncertainty

25/02 12 of the best independent shops in Copenhagen

From sleek interior stores to modern perfumiers and quirky sex shops, the Danish capital has no shortage of unusual shopping opportunities

19/02 An alpine winter feast: cheese, wine and a side dish of snowshoeing in France

A medieval Haute-Savoie village makes a great base for a gourmet break, with delicious comfort food and local wines. And the snowshoeing and skiing aren’t bad either, if you can drag yourself away from the table

17/02 Falling for Alassio – the rebirth of an Italian resort

The former fishing village on the Ligurian coast was once a favourite with the wealthy British set. Now instead of tennis and tea parties, it offers scenic treks and seafood feasts in glorious spring sunshine

16/02 10 reasons to visit Italy in 2025: the best new holidays and cultural events

Walking and cycling tours, family holidays, great places to stay, blockbuster exhibitions and more launching this year

15/02 Exploring Siena, Tuscany’s other artistic masterpiece

A major new exhibition at the National Gallery puts the spotlight on the Tuscan town’s artistic heritage. But nothing beats exploring its historic neighbourhoods on foot

14/02 A ‘gorgeous medieval’ town in Tuscany and other readers’ tips across Italy

From a Sicilian city brimming with life to serene Dolomite villages, our tipsters share their Italian highlights

14/02 The Bulgarian town where love takes a back seat to wine on Valentine’s Day

In Melnik, Saint Trifon eclipses Saint Valentine as the town celebrates its long history of winemaking

11/02 On board the maiden sleeper from Brussels to Venice: we got there in the end

Affordable couchettes, wonderful scenery and good company more than make up for a few teething problems en route

10/02 Sète: the seaside town with year-round sunshine in the south of France

Surrounded by canals, a lagoon and the Mediterranean, the port town has fabulous seafood and some quirky cultural traditions

08/02 25 of the best hotels, B&Bs and chateaux in France

From country houses and mountain chalets to seaside chambres d’hôte and cool city pads, our France travel expert picks her favourite boltholes

06/02 A frozen, protected wonderland: slow adventure in the less visited French Alps

At the gateway to the Vanoise national park, new cabins make a great base for a wild winter retreat that’s laid-back but packed with activity

04/02 My journey into the fairytale world of Maramureș – the Romania time forgot

A German couple who renovate abandoned wooden houses and rent them out offer a window onto a traditional way of life in the north of the country

01/02 Heavenly stays: 10 of the best monastery breaks in Europe

From frugal retreats to luxury escapes, these convents and monasteries offer peace and spectacular locations for all faiths

30/01 It’s like plunging under the North Pole: my mind-stretching ice dive in the French Alps

Move over wild swimming … ice diving in a frozen mountain lake and camping under the Milky Way connects you with nature at its most raw and magical

28/01 Merchants of Venice: 10 of the city’s most beautiful historic shops

From an elegant apothercary to a jewellers in a baroque salon, these stores all have atmospheric interiors and a history of exquisite craftsmanship

27/01 Even the black slopes are green: my eco-friendly skiing break in Austria

The carbon footprint of a skiing holiday can be as deep as a crevasse, but one Austrian resort with sustainability at its heart is mitigating its impact

26/01 Mardi Gras the Balkan way – alternatives to Venice carnival

In Croatia, Montenegro and Albania, the legacy of Venetian occupation lives on in a series of spectacular carnivals that these days have a local twist

25/01 When in Rome … go where the Romans go, not the tourist crowds

The Eternal City’s monuments and museums are busy at the best of times, but there remain myriad treasures to explore that are well off the beaten track

24/01 ‘Don’t even think about not going in fancy dress:’ Readers’ favourite carnivals around Europe

Nothing brightens up the depths of winter better than a local festival – and Europe is awash with ancient and brilliant carnivals

19/01 My culinary adventure on the Lisbon coast

The elegant towns of Cascais, Estoril and Sintra have plenty to offer, from romantic royal palaces to the best of Portuguese cuisine

15/01 A break from the accommodation mega-sites: the best alternative booking platforms

Airbnb and Booking.com are the market leaders but a new wave of smaller accommodation platforms are offering an alternative – and trying to give something back to local communities

13/01 No lifts? No problem: a low-impact ski touring trip in the Italian Alps

At Homeland, a lift-free ski experience in Lombardy, you have to hike up to ski down. Our writer wonders if this is the future for winter resorts

12/01 Dream journey: a nostalgic trip aboard the sleeper train from Amsterdam to Berlin

Taking the overnight train from Amsterdam to Berlin and on to Dresden is all about slow travel and the romance of life on the track

12/01 Blue sky thinking: six sun-drenched seaside getaways in southern Europe

From a secret harbour in Crete to the wild beaches of Portugal, our writers share the summer haunts they can’t wait to return to

11/01 A love letter to Patmos: the most serene of all the Greek islands

Saint John lived in a cave here and wrote about the Apocalypse, but these days the quiet shores of beautiful Patmos nurture happier thoughts

10/01 Dreaming of the sun: readers look ahead to summer holidays in Europe and beyond

From Turkey’s turquoise waters to a Corsican beach village, our tipsters’ thoughts turn to warmer climes in the months ahead

08/01 The kindness of strangers: we thought we’d been poisoned at Tolstoy’s house. Then a local explained what we had really drunk

We took thirsty chugs from the tall glasses. Surely this ‘water’ belonged in a biohazard chamber, not our mouths

05/01 Relax, revive, refresh: 30 of the best spa hotels and retreats in Europe

From luxurious urban escapes to holistic getaways and indulgent country breaks, here’s our pick of the very best spas

31/12 Snowshoeing and rescue monks: a monastery escape in the Swiss Alps

Only accessible to snowshoers and skiers in winter, the Grand St Bernard Hospice has been a refuge for centuries and is the perfect place for a meditative mountain break

26/12 On the waterfront in Helsinki – a zen regeneration game

The world’s most sustainable travel destination is giving its harbour a facelift with an eco-friendly hotel that whispers cool Scandi minimalism while reconnecting guests with nature

22/12 My voyage of good cheer around Finland – the world’s happiest country

With clean air, vast green spaces and more saunas than cars, Finns have plenty of reasons to be cheerful

21/12 My Christmas pilgrimage to Mark Rothko’s Latvia

I took the scenic route to Daugavpils, birthplace of the abstract artist – a world of breathtaking colour, kindness and cold

17/12 ‘I was not ready for this jaw-dropping place’: readers’ favourite travel discoveries of 2024

From the wild wonders of a national park in Ireland to a perfect pastry in a Portuguese surfing town, our tipsters revel in surprises on their travels

15/12 Going solo: top European resorts for single skiers

From stunning scenery to great food and après-ski fun, here’s how to make the most of your time alone

14/12 24 favourite travel finds of 2024 - from turtles in Turkey to a Highland pub crawl

Guardian travel writers share their discoveries of the year, taking in food, art, history and wildlife

11/12 Coffee, kelims and the call to prayer: an overland journey to North Macedonia

Manageable in scale but crammed with history and nature, North Macedonia is a perfect introduction to the underexplored west Balkans

10/12 The magic of winter in West Cork, where music, food and drink lift the spirits

Ireland’s southernmost tip has been reinvigorated by new vibrant venues, markets and restaurants, which has brought an energy that brightens even the darker months

08/12 10 great Christmas getaways

Can’t face another year of turkey and tinsel? Here’s how to enjoy a complete change of scene this festive season

07/12 13 of the best and most beautiful shops in Paris

Chocolaterie, fromagerie, parfumerie … Parisian shops sound as gorgeous as they look. We choose stores with a history of exquisite craftsmanship

06/12 My secret corner of Paris: readers’ favourite places to visit in the French capital

From a traditional bonbon shop to a hidden jazz club, our tipsters share their favourite haunts in the City of Light

02/12 Off the Cretan track: skiing and climbing on the Greek island

Away from Crete’s sandy shores, tall peaks dominate the landscape, offering great skiing without the crowds – or ski lifts

30/11 Winter rail adventures in Europe: three itineraries for the colder months

Our slow travel expert picks her favourite off-season trips by train to France, Germany, Austria and Italy

30/11 The joy of ‘winterrailing’: my off-season rail adventure in France, Germany and Switzerland

Golden landscapes, cosy cafes and crowd-free sightseeing are just some of the highlights of exploring central Europe by rail in the cooler months

29/11 ‘A welcome sight after any journey’: readers’ favourite European railway hotels

From Galway to Venice, our tipsters choose their favourite places to stay which are near a train station

25/11 Dead cool and wolverine: from animal tracking to ski touring in Sweden

A prototype electric snowmobile and old-school wooden skis open up Sweden’s backcountry as our writer goes on the hunt for local wildlife

23/11 A spa is reborn in Transylvania: a ‘healing hotel’ amid Romania’s forests and mountains

A castle in the Carpathian mountains with a turbulent history has been restored by the original family owners

22/11 ‘Skiing, hiking and ice-fishing from the door’: readers’ favourite Nordic winter trips

Our tipsters wrap up warm and head to northern Europe, finding glacier lakes, frozen seas, snowy forests, reindeer herds and – happily – saunas and hot tubs

21/11 Perfect waves at the touch of a button: catching a break at Scotland’s first inland surf resort

Lost Shore Surf Resort near Edinburgh is Europe’s largest wave pool and there are few better places to learn this exhilarating sport

21/11 ‘A shelter from the growling Atlantic’: our stay in lighthouse keeper’s cottage on Ireland’s west coast

County Clare’s dramatic shoreline is the backdrop to Loop Head Lighthouse and its two holiday cottages. Binoculars for sea viewing included – but not wifi

17/11 Great Dane: a tour of Denmark’s culture, countryside and coast

Lakes, saunas, art, food – and Hamlet’s castle. A whistlestop tour of the best that Denmark has to offer

15/11 ‘It felt wild and mystical’: readers’ favourite remote spots in Europe

Our tipsters have found solitude in glorious mountains, islands and coastlines from the Highlands to the Aegean

14/11 Snowshoes and saunas: why Italy’s Bormio is perfect for winter sports and pampering

The medieval Lombardy town in the Valtellina Alps will host the skiing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but for now it’s full of under-the-radar charm

12/11 Is the party over for Belgrade’s club scene on the Danube?

Raft houses, known as ‘splavs’, became synonymous with the hedonistic nightclub scene in Serbia’s capital. Now they are being cleared from the river to make way for luxury flats, bars and shops

11/11 The Basque Country nature reserve at risk from Guggenheim expansion plans

The Urdaibai Bird Center, near Bilbao, is a haven for migrating ospreys and herons, but the city’s famous museum is ruffling its feathers

09/11 ‘I’m here for the ghosts’: an after-dark walk through Istanbul in search of its soul

The author of the Istanbul-set Inspector Ikmen novels takes a trip into the Old City’s thrilling and turbulent past

08/11 ‘Joyce and Hemingway loved lingering here. I can see why’: readers’ favourite small cities in Europe

Art nouveau cafes, Ottoman architecture and beer halls make these modest cities a big draw away from the crowds

07/11 Why encouraging cruise ships to dock at Amorgos would be a Greek tragedy

A policy of restricting huge liners visiting popular Cyclades islands could have the unintended consequence of diverting mass tourism towards quieter islands

06/11 We took our dog on a winter campervan trip in the Alps: are we barking?

Two novices, a large van and a lively Irish setter make for an eventful road trip through the French mountains

04/11 We skied three countries in one day: a backcountry tour of the Balkans

Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro converge in the Accursed Mountains, offering skiing days where you see more countries than you do other skiers

03/11 Amazing Antwerp: 10 ways to get the most out of Belgium’s cultural gem

Fashion, culture, art, history – and diamonds – all come together in Antwerp. Here’s how to do it

02/11 Six of the best winter mountain breaks in Europe

From the Arctic Circle to Slovenia’s Julian Alps, we pick scenic and soothing retreats to don snowshoes, ski empty pistes and tune into winter

01/11 From Arctic sunrises to snow sports: readers’ favourite European winter getaways

Whether you’re into proper winter adventures, such as snorkelling in Iceland, or just a bit of après-ski, our readers’ tips include something for everyone

30/10 ‘Majestic brightness’: Warsaw’s Museum of Modern Art finds a new permanent home

After decades of nomadic existence, the Polish capital’s art temple is open for permanent business in an inspirational, light-filled new building

28/10 My rail journey to Naples and Pompeii to chase the last rays of sun

A trip from the UK in search of late-season sun leads to fresh discoveries in Pompeii as well bonus trips to Procida and Paestum

25/10 ‘I stood on the sunny hilltop imagining I was a Roman’: readers’ favourite ancient sites in Europe

Celtic coins in Jersey, vast Neolithic structures in Spain and France, and a Roman bath or two feature in our tipsters’ picks from antiquity and beyond

23/10 Really going Dutch: why I chose The Hague and Delft over Amsterdam

Canals, architecture, art, an enviable cycling culture … There are lots of reasons to take a city break in the Netherlands, without needing to set foot in the overtouristed ‘other’ capital

21/10 Pretty European city that's 'won' against overtourism despite 7m tourists a year

Bruges in Belgium has managed to control the impacts of overtourism despite the sparsely-populated city seeing an average of nearly 20,000 visitors a day.

21/10 Tapas not tantrums: we put food at the centre of our Barcelona family holiday

On a rail trip to Spain from the UK via Paris, our writer discovers a great way of travelling happily with children …

17/10 Roman holiday: just beyond the city lies a land of popes and emperors

Less than an hour from Rome, Nepi and the Tuscia region is an under-the-radar cultural and historic hub – and councillors are working with the local community to welcome more visitors

13/10 Clean air, crystal waters and carefree adventure in the Austrian Alps

The lakeside resort of Zell am See is big on outdoor fun, hearty food and stunning views

12/10 Roaming in the gloaming on Sweden’s new island-hopping trail

Stockholm’s archipelago is a joy in summer but harder to get around at other times as ferries reduce their services. But that could change with the launch of a new trail linking 21 islands

12/10 Spanish steppes: an epic hike across the wild plains of Extremadura

The Via de la Plata is one of Spain’s toughest pilgrim routes, weaving through a landscape of isolated steppes and fortress cities in the country’s least-known region

10/10 Voulez-vous parler avec moi? My midlife French exchange in Paris

Language exchange holidays are wasted on the young. I had a great time with my host – sans youthful embarrassment about my accent – and more adults are doing the same

09/10 I’m visually impaired but thanks to my guides I loved exploring Austria’s Tirol

A trip that pairs partially sighted people with fully sighted guides offers reassurance while expanding the possibilities of travel, as our writer discovered in Austria and Germany

07/10 Island-hopping in Croatia: adrift in the Šibenik archipelago

Framed by sparkling blue sea and deep green pines, the less visited Adriatic islands of Zlarin and Prvić offer a mellow end of summer escape

06/10 Vincent van Gogh’s Arles: visiting the pretty Provençal city that inspired his greatest masterpieces

The scenes of some of the paintings currently on show in London’s National Gallery can still be found in the southern French city

01/10 Communal dining is Copenhagen’s best-kept culinary secret

Eating out in Denmark can be costly, but a growing number of child-friendly community supper clubs in the capital offer affordable feasting with the locals

30/09 Shipwrecks, sea birds and whale spotting: exploring Ireland’s first marine park

A vast swathe of the rugged Kerry coast and its Atlantic isles is now a protected haven for wildlife, and the occasional Jedi knight

29/09 From grape stomping to truffle hunting: 10 great harvest festival trips in Europe

Autumn is a great time to join locals as they celebrate the fruits of the season, from the vineyards of Provence to the forests of Transylvania

26/09 Walking the Celtic Camino: new coast path links sacred sites in Ireland and Wales

Ancient chapels, neolithic sites, vast beaches and live music are among the highlights of a new pilgrimage route from Wexford to St Davids

24/09 A cycling, walking and running break in France’s best area for trails

Bagnoles de l’Orne in Normandy is a traditional spa town reinventing itself with new hiking and cycling routes – and a focus on sustainable tourism

19/09 Waterford revival: the reinvention of Ireland’s oldest city

From Viking history, to its wild coastline and even its ‘damp’ weather, Waterford has taken its natural assets and run with them

18/09 Mountains, beaches, history – why Belgrade to Bar is one of the best train rides in Europe

The 300-mile line between Serbia and Montenegro, built in Tito’s era, connects city and seaside for a blissful Balkan holiday

16/09 A late summer break in Montpellier, one of France’s sunniest cities

The reinvention of Montpellier from ancient university town to ‘Berlin by the Med’ is in full swing, and late summer is the best time to visit

15/09 Dream ’scapes: Europe’s 10 best surrealist trips for art lovers

Celebrate the centenary of surrealism in Europe with a trip to the art movement’s key spaces and places

14/09 A last blast of summer: five cities in southern Europe perfect for late-season sun

The sun is still shining brightly in southern Europe, but the crowds have gone, which makes these gorgeous seaside cities even more alluring

13/09 My favourite late summer city break in southern Europe: readers’ tips

Beaches on Sardinia, food markets in Aix-en-Provence and historic Sarajevo are among our tipsters’ highlights

11/09 ‘The hike of a lifetime’ – a circuit of the Écrins national park in France

The Tour des Écrins in the Hautes-Alpes is one of Europe’s finest long-distance walks, and offers a chance to reflect on how best to live alongside nature

10/09 Time travel in the Italian Alps: a glam stay in a 70s design hotel

On the shores of Lake Caldaro in South Tirol, the striking Seehotel Ambach has barely changed since 1973 – and is all the better for it

09/09 Tourism that does less harm: Lanzarote away from the big beach resorts

After this year’s protests against mass tourism all over the Canaries, we head for the small towns, vineyards and rugged coast of Lanzarote’s less-visited north

09/09 ‘Just the right amount of edge’: how Marseille became 2024’s on-trend city

Thanks to buzzy cafes and the backing of Chanel’s fashion supremos, France’s oldest city is having its moment

07/09 It was genuinely healing to return to Ibiza, the place where I’d nearly died

With his Ibiza-set novel just out, the bestselling author recalls his drug-fuelled partying years, recovery, and the island’s complicated relationship with tourism today

04/09 One Spanish region where tourists are welcome – especially spaghetti western fans

A new walking route around Burgos, in northern Spain, offers film pilgrims a close-up of the iconic locations used in Sergio Leone’s movie The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

02/09 Driving to the Italian Alps with two small kids – and camping: the unholy trinity of travel?

The idea of a family road trip across Europe to reach Trentino’s celebrated Lago di Ledro felt daunting. Turns out getting there was more than half the fun

01/09 Viennese waltz: top travel tips for a spin around Austria’s capital

From the ferris wheel featured in the Third Man to an evening with Mozart and the world’s largest collection of Klimts, here’s how to make the most of a break in Vienna

31/08 Sea swims, sensational Scandinavian food - and the odd disagreement: Interrailing with my 75-year-old mum

Taking the train from Manchester to Oslo led to 10 action-packed days me and my Zumba-going mum would never forget

30/08 ‘It was more than a journey, it was an immersion’: readers’ favourite slow travel adventures

A night train to Venice, a Provence river cruise and ferries between the Aeolian islands – our tipsters share their slow travel highlights

30/08 In the footsteps of DH Lawrence: across the Alps from Germany to Italy

More than a century on, the route from Konstanz to Como across lakes and Swiss mountains must also contend with traffic, but it still inspires a novel

29/08 Austrian town gets its lederhosen in a twist over modern art

Bad Ischl is the first alpine town to be awarded European capital of culture status, bringing nudity and surreal sculptures to a rural area more in tune with classical music and mountain pursuits

26/08 Fjords and seaweed safaris: a new cycle trail along Denmark’s east coast

A cycling holiday on the Jutland peninsula’s ‘Fjordmino’ is a gentle procession of quiet roads, ferry rides, cute B&Bs and islands

22/08 ‘A journey and an adventure’: driving Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way

Running 1,600 miles from County Cork up to County Donegal, this route, launched 10 years ago, takes in the west coast’s spectacular scenery

21/08 Tackling the wild Rhône on a bikerafting adventure in France

You never get bored on a trip that switches from cycling along country lanes to paddling down rivers – and takes in picnic stops and wine-tasting, too

19/08 Walking the Netherlands’ new long-distance Salt Path

A new hiking route in the far north of the country is helping to connect visitors with rural communities and giving churches a new lease of life as B&Bs and art studios

17/08 ‘Everything carries a hint of myth and magic’: six great island escapes in Europe

From the Med to the Atlantic and the North Sea, our writers choose great offshore idylls offering peace and perfect beaches

16/08 ‘There are empty sands even in high season’: readers’ favourite island breaks in Europe

Small islands turn simple pleasures into lasting memories. Our tipsters enjoy tavernas, beaches, footpaths and sealife from Rum to Andros

15/08 How an ebike gave me the legs to tackle Switzerland’s contours

A new 240-mile cycle route from Lucerne includes spectacular alpine views and pastoral backcountry – with delicious local cheese and wine

13/08 In search of Monet’s wild landscapes: a glorious art adventure in central France

Rouen, Paris and London are more well-known Monet destinations, but rural La Creuse’s rugged gorges, spectacular lake and medieval castle really captivated the artist

12/08 A greener Spanish city break: electric boats, birds and rice fields in Valencia

Traffic-free central squares, a huge urban park and a protected nature reserve reachable by bike all add up to make Valencia this year’s European Green Capital

10/08 Luarca, a summertime secret on Spain’s cooler northern costa

Spanish holidays needn’t mean battling crowded beaches and blistering heat. In this small fishing village, flanked by green hills and some of the nicest beaches in Asturias, the pace of life is slow even in summer

09/08 From the playas to the plains of Spain: readers’ tips

Our tipsters revel in whitewashed villages, mountain vistas, regional food and medieval architecture

07/08 Kids on board: a family surfing trip to France’s wild Atlantic coast

With vast empty beaches, reliable waves and pine forests, the Gironde, near Bordeaux, is perfect for an exhilarating but relaxing holiday

05/08 Twin border towns reunited in Italy and Slovenia for capital of culture

Gorizia was split in 1947 between Italy and Nova Gorica in Slovenia. Next year they are coming back together as European capital of culture

04/08 Exploring the quieter side of the Cyclades on a Greek island hopping holiday

The party island of Mykonos steals the spotlight, but a short ferry ride away, tranquil Tinos and Delos offer ancient history, holy sites and rugged beauty

03/08 Italy’s ‘antidote to overtourism’: exploring unexpected delights in Vicenza and beyond

A new Italian holidays app, created by locals, helps steer travellers away from tourist traps by highlighting unusual places to eat, sleep and visit

03/08 I’m off on holiday - but who knows where? Will my ‘mystery travel’ experiment end in delight or disappointment?

In a world of endless choice, many holidaymakers are opting out altogether – booking a surprise trip and finding out the destination at the airport. But can it ever be as fun as something you’ve picked yourself?

03/08 Discovering Calabria in Italy, where tourists are seen as a blessing, not a curse

It has sandy beaches, hilltop towns and emerald seas to make fans of Italy swoon, yet this southernmost region remains an undiscovered gem

02/08 From the Dolomites to Sicily: readers’ favourite unsung places in Italy

Spa towns, perfect seaside haunts, brilliant food and art, and spectacular walks feature on our tour of lesser-known Italy, courtesy of our readers

01/08 Scaling the fairytale peaks of Saxon Switzerland in Germany

The dramatic landscape was beloved of Romantic painters and hardcore climbers. But the spa town of Bad Schandau provides a gentler introduction for skinny-calfed explorers

31/07 An Olympian effort: my struggle to cycle from London to Paris

The 250-mile Avenue Verte cycle route opened in time for the 2012 London Olympics. One side of the Channel is a smooth ride, the other is not fit for purpose – but that could all change thanks to the vision of one man

30/07 My Scandinavian summer: a campervan trip across Denmark and southern Sweden

Our writer, partner and dog hit the road to Malmö, joining the locals at campsites and pausing for swims, walks and sauna sessions en route

28/07 Rediscovering Dubrovnik: the pearl of the Adriatic

Turkish baklava, Greek moussaka, Italian pasta – the Croatian city’s complex history is reflected in its food. And then there’s its filmic looks and stunning location

28/07 Incredible city with perfectly preserved Roman theatre 1.8k miles from Colosseum

This beautiful but little-known city has been awarded the title of European Capital of Culture.

24/07 Step away from the Games: five unsung Paris museums to visit during the Olympics

These quirky cultural gems are ideal for discovering a different side of the French capital this summer

22/07 A local’s guide to Galway: ‘As a chef I love the food, but it was the culture that first captivated me’

Michelin-starred chef JP McMahon selects his favourite bars, restaurants and beaches ahead of the Galway Races

19/07 From Normandy to Provence via Alsace: readers’ favourite unsung places in France

Summer night markets, fairytale villages and painterly beaches feature among our tipsters’ travels

19/07 Nice and easy: a leisurely cycle, with dog, along the final stage of the Tour de France

The riders won’t have time to take in the beauty of Nice’s Promenade des Anglais, but they’re missing two centuries of seaside architectural treasures

18/07 Baltic beauty: exploring Estonia’s northern coast

Mossy marshes, sunny beaches and summer cabins surrounded by flowers recall the childhood idyll of Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book, set in the Gulf of Finland

15/07 The renaissance of Venice’s favourite retreat

When Venetian nobles wanted to escape the heat and crowds of the city they headed to the Brenta Riviera. Today’s visitors are following their lead

15/07 Copenhagen offers tourist rewards as other EU nations clamp down

The Danish capital hopes to lure climate-friendly and well-behaved travellers with perks such as free drinks and skiing

12/07 Hamburg’s wartime bunker is reinvented as an unlikely green oasis

An iconic air raid shelter in the St Pauli district has been given a new lease of life with the addition of a hotel and rooftop urban park

12/07 ‘We hiked green volcanoes near Barcelona’: readers’ favourite day trips from cities

Our tipsters revel in rural escapes and dips in the sea on their city breaks from Gdańsk to Lisbon

11/07 London to Vilnius: my rail odyssey to the Baltics

As the construction of a high-speed line ushers in a new era for travel between Poland and Estonia, our writer takes the slow train and explores cities that are new to him

09/07 From a sauna to an ice bath in Scotland: my full immersion in hot and cold therapy

A peaceful woodland estate in Aberdeenshire now offers wellbeing breaks with adrenaline-boosting Nordic-style treatments

07/07 The train in Spain: seeing Andalucía by rail

The Moorish cities of Seville, Córdoba and Granada are connected by fast trains making them the ideal destination for a whistle stop tour

07/07 A high-wire family adventure in the Swiss Alps

Farmers once used a cable car network to move between mountains in Switzerland’s Engelberg region. Now tourists can use them to follow a new hiking trail

06/07 Skip the coast: three of Europe’s loveliest lakes to visit – by travel experts

Three writers pick their favourite lakeside getaways in France, Germany and Italy, with boat trips and great places to stay and eat

06/07 Swanning around the Austrian lakes: a trip to Carinthia

Austria’s southernmost province has 200 pristine, swimmable lakes, adrenaline-fuelled activities – and saunas with a view

05/07 ‘Stunning lakes and majestic mountains’: readers’ tips from Europe

Dramatic scenery, gleaming lakes and unspoilt views take the fancy of our adventurous tipsters, from France to Albania

02/07 ‘My escape is going north’: heatwaves begin to drive tourists in Europe to cool climes

Whether swapping the south of France or Mallorca for the UK or Scandinavia, rising temperatures are changing habits

30/06 Retro Paris: stepping back into the 70s

Take a nostalgia trip at a newly-opened hotel in the bohemian heart of the French capital

29/06 Our epic family adventure hiking through Greece’s Vikos gorge

A rail trip across Europe to the spectacular Zagori region of Greece is the perfect bonding experience for the writer and her 11-year-old son

29/06 Alternative Greece: six of the best holidays beyond the sunlounger

From wildlife spotting to wine tasting and cargo boat sailing, discover new ways to explore the mainland and islands

28/06 ‘We loved pitching in an olive grove’: readers’ favourite campsites in Europe

From the shores of an Alpine lake to the banks of the Dordogne river, our tipsters share their top spots for a holiday under canvas

27/06 Rail route of the month: Nantes to Quimper, France – a Breton classic

In Brittany, modern regional trains with huge windows invite you to soak up the views. Our author’s final piece in her series takes in the line to Finistère

25/06 From face-plants to flying across the lagoon: how I learned to kitesurf in Sicily

The coastline near Marsala is the perfect spot to practise your Superman moves on a residential kitesurfing course

22/06 Barcelona to ban apartment rentals to tourists in bid to cut housing costs

Spanish city is one of Europe’s top destinations but its popularity has made housing increasingly unaffordable for residents

20/06 Berlin by rail: a cold-war adventure

Taking the sleeper train to Berlin, the writer and his teenage son explore the city’s fascinating legacy, eerie buildings, war relics and stunning street art

19/06 Wild west: a walk on Brittany’s rugged Crozon peninsula

The fishing villages, clifftop paths and sandy coves of the Breton coast provide the perfect backdrop for a five-day hike

18/06 Paris can wait: how we dodged the summer crowds by Interrailing to Europe’s smaller towns

We took our teenage sons on quieter tracks – to Utrecht rather than Amsterdam, Baden-Baden not Berlin – and enjoyed a less frantic rail tour of Europe

16/06 Tourists warned as Greece hits 43C with more heatwaves set to batter Europe

A meteorologist in Greece said the heatwave in his country "will go down in history" while Turkey is hit with devastating wildfires.

16/06 Take a kayak to your cabin: 10 of the best riverside stays in Europe

The life aquatic can be enjoyed to the full at these serene villas, farmhouses and treehouses by the water

15/06 ‘This is the Amazon of Europe’: a wildlife trip on Romania’s Danube delta

A cruise on the extraordinarily biodiverse watery wilderness offers a father and son close encounters with eagles, pelicans and glossy ibis

14/06 ‘We drifted downriver and camped where we liked’: readers’ favourite lake and river breaks in Europe

Go with the flow on these tranquil river and lake trips from Sweden to Romania

12/06 Fancy a pre-match pint? If you’re in Frankfurt for the footie, you’ll be on cider rather than beer

Boozy, tongue-popping Apfelwein is the toast of the host city. Here’s where to sample it with your frankfurters

11/06 ‘It’s very wild. I’ve seen wolves’: a hike through the forests and ghost villages of secret Galicia

Trains from Britain to Spain put me a taxi ride away from Ribeira Sacra – an unspoiled region of river gorges, chestnut groves and rich history

10/06 Sharks, murder and a neolithic ‘spaceship’: the mysteries of Ireland’s new national parks

The ecological jewel of Kerry Marine national park and the archaeological splendour of Brú na Bóinne in the east are the latest additions to the country’s portfolio of protected areas

04/06 Art in the Arctic: exploring Bodø, Norway, European capital of culture for 2024

The Norwegian town, just inside the Arctic Circle, makes a picturesque (and unusual) setting for a programme of exhibitions, gigs and outdoor activities – and the sun doesn’t set all summer

02/06 Europe's top 10 cities for culture laid bare - as UK brutally snubbed from list

No British city ranked in the top 10, with the best ranked only coming in at 29th. London only placed 55th.

01/06 Why I love Europe’s hidden gardens

When I toured Spain’s world-famous estates and palaces, it was a small semi-concealed garden I stumbled upon that made the biggest impression – and inspired me to discover other urban oases across Europe

31/05 ‘Pillars, pergolas, palms and pines’: readers’ favourite gardens in Europe

Our tipsters’ favourite floral finds from Hanover’s formal terraces to the world’s oldest university botanical garden in Padua

30/05 Rail route of the month: from Genoa to Ventimiglia, Italy – a line of cinematic brilliance

Along the coast through Liguria to the French border, our slow travel expert finds the tunnels as bracing as the coastal views

28/05 Majorca anti-tourist protesters issue stark five-word warning

Thousands of anti-tourism protesters marched through the streets of Majorca this weekend shouting "go home" to foreigners and tourists visiting the Spanish city.

26/05 How to keep your cool cycling up Italian mountains with a teenager in tow

E-bikes transform a four-day cycling tour of the South Tyrol from an endurance test to an enjoyable jaunt with enough puff left over for bonding chats amid the spectacular scenery

23/05 A different Roman holiday: novelist Conn Iggulden on the city’s lesser-known wonders

The bestselling historical fiction writer, whose new book, Nero, is out today, urges visitors to the Eternal City to make time for the quieter pleasures on offer around its seven hills

20/05 South of France, but not as we know it: exploring Nîmes and the Gard

Unesco listing for the city’s Roman temple put this city on the map last year, but there are uncharted delights in the surrounding towns as well

16/05 A walk across Italy in Garibaldi’s footsteps: from Ravenna to the coast of Tuscany

A route tracing the hero’s flight across the peninsula in 1849 runs spectacularly over the Apennines then descends to the sea via a string of gorgeous Tuscan towns

14/05 ‘Flavours as vivid as the scent of pine forests’: why I love Baltic cuisine

Food writer Caroline Eden celebrates the region’s distinct - and underrated - flavours, from quince lemonade and cloudberry jam to birch syrup and blueberry soup

13/05 48 hours in Cologne, Germany’s most laid-back city

Cologne cathedral, Europe’s biggest collection of pop art and vintage shops are all less than four and a half hours from London by train

12/05 Sun, sea and delcious food: 10 wonderful agriturismos in Italy

From a family farm where you can help yourself to lemons and oranges in the orchard to an old shepherd’s house with views of the sea

11/05 Extra time at Euro 2024: day trips and more from Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Leipzig

Spectacular scenery and rich culture from the Alps to the North Sea are just a train ride away from the main hubs at this summer’s football tournament

11/05 Germany’s football factory: a travel guide to the Ruhr

All eyes will be on Germany’s industrial heartland next month as Euro 2024 kicks off. We explore the region’s heritage, renewal and sporting history

10/05 Readers’ favourite trips in Germany: ‘We wandered every cobbled street and climbed every gothic tower’

From the Baltic to Bavaria, via Berlin, our tipsters enjoy epic scenery and architecture, culture and steins of fabulous German beer

08/05 How did I avoid paying Venice’s new ‘entrance fee’? By joining the local Venezia FC fans

Fans heading to the waterside stadium don’t have to pay the €5 tourist fee. And with the team fighting for promotion to Serie A, the atmosphere at the last home game of the season is electric

07/05 Why clubbers are raving about Germany’s cross-country Techno Train

With DJs, bouncers and bars, the Nuremberg train offers a complete clubbing experience for hundreds of ‘clubbers’– and some lovely views of the Bavarian countryside …

06/05 Europe’s best beach holidays: Cadaqués, Spain

Forget what you think about the Costa Brava: this whitewashed town on a horseshoe bay was ‘the best place in the world’ for Dalí – and is still pretty much perfect today

05/05 Europe’s best beach holidays: Arcachon, France

A buzzy town prom, plates of moules with chilled rosé and cycle rides to sandy beaches on Cap Ferret add up to happy holidays on the Atlantic coast

04/05 Europe’s best beach holidays: Pesaro, Italy

Pizzas, aperitivos and a big sandy beach add to the offbeat charm of this Adriatic resort town

04/05 10 of the best beach towns in Europe, with places to stay

From the Turkish Riviera to the Île de Ré, we select quiet and unspoilt places to stay for sun, sand, snorkelling – or just snoozing

04/05 Europe’s best beach holidays: Donoussa, Greece

This quiet island in the Small Cyclades has one small town, several wild sandy bays and a plethora of panoramic walking and running trails

02/05 Where Odysseus threw a barbecue: exploring Sicily’s Favignana island

The Egadi isles are said to have inspired the mythical islands in the Odyssey. Today, the largest of the group is a quiet place of blissful beaches, fresh fish, neon seas and ice-cream breakfasts

29/04 ‘Slow travel at its most joyous’: our three-week road trip to Croatia

Rather than bomb down motorways for marathon stretches, the idea was to see new things along the way, such as the great lakes of Germany and a Renaissance town in Italy

27/04 My four-day rail and ferry adventure from the UK to Albania

From London to Tirana, via Chambéry’s medieval streets, bustling Bari and Albania’s dynamic capital, this trip across Europe has treats at every turn

26/04 ‘Ahead lay cypress-lined Tuscan roads waiting to be discovered’: readers’ best road trips

Our tipsters navigate Alpine passes, serene backcountry and dramatic coastlines across Europe, stopping off for the odd hike, cycle or dip in the sea

24/04 Rail route of the month: vines on the line from Avignon to Lyon, France

Our slow travel expert takes the train through the Rhône’s wine country, hoping for grand cru views and a glass of Condrieu

22/04 Autism makes travel a challenge. Here’s how I learned to cope

Busy places and unexpected events used to send me into meltdown on holiday. An autism diagnosis helped me to adapt my plans and rediscover the joy of travelling

20/04 Five of Europe’s best national parks – with all the beauty but none of the crowds

Offering exquisite scenery, rare wildlife and spectacular trails, these under-the-radar national parks are worth tracking down

20/04 A gentler side of the Dolomites: a summer break in Italy’s Adamello-Brenta natural park

Its peaks are a big draw for adrenaline junkies, but this natural park’s newer attractions offer more inclusive family activities

19/04 ‘A water world teeming with wildlife’: readers’ favourite national parks in Europe

From camping beside glacial lakes in Montenegro to birdwatching in Poland, the continent has no shortage of inspiring wilderness adventures

17/04 Dalmatian spot: kicking back on Croatia’s Dugi Otok island

A fishing village stay on one of the country’s less-visited large islands reveals a quiet Adriatic gem boasting green lakes, holm oak forests and unspoilt beaches

13/04 Summer in Scandinavia: five eco-friendly ideas to holiday like a local

The essence of a Nordic summer is to lean into a slower pace of life and embrace nature, from staying in a Swedish summer house to gentle canoe tours in Finland

13/04 Swede dreams are made of this: wild swimming and forest walks in West Sweden

Dissolving into nature is possible in West Sweden, where a new holiday concept offers low-impact stays that don’t compromise on Scandi style

12/04 ‘Kayak across the fjord to your own secluded beach’: readers’ favourite summer trips to Scandinavia

Nordic breaks offer peace and tranquility, say our tipsters who revel in midnight skies, car-free islands and spectacular views

10/04 Türkiye overtook Europe in prices: Flight prices "skyrocketed", accommodation increased by 50 percent

Dorak Holding Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ahmet Serdar Körükçü, said that flight ticket prices from Europe to Turkey have increased greatly, and accommodation fees have been increased by 40-50 percent this year due to increasing costs. The holding, which has also entered health tourism through the "Dorak Health" company, is planning a public offering in May-June 2024. Close to 2023...

10/04 My hike on the hardest trail in Europe – Corsica’s GR20

Even an ‘easy’ part of this 125-mile walking trail on the French island presents challenges for mind and body, but the rewards for persistence are infinite

07/04 Upstaging Umbria: rugged and seductive Le Marche

Far wilder and less populated than its more fashionable neighbours, Le Marche offers spectacular mountains and a stunning coastline with none of the super-charged prices

06/04 How I learned to love the slow route home to Ireland

Journeys are about so much more than getting from A to B, as our writer found when he ditched flying for the train and ferry between Dublin and London

05/04 ‘I wanted the 17-hour trip to go slower, not faster’: readers’ favourite European journeys

The excitement of the voyage itself grabbed our tipsters as they delighted in riding trains, ferries and buses across Europe to as far afield as Norway and Turkey

04/04 White cliffs to wetlands; discovering France’s Pas-de-Calais

Too many of us bypass the closest part of France to the UK – those who linger enjoy soaring chalk cliffs, vast beaches, superb seafood and verdant marshes ideal for exploring by boat

02/04 ‘Hidden in plain sight’: the European city tours of slavery and colonialism

From Puerta del Sol plaza in Madrid to Place du Trocadéro in Paris, guides reshape stories continent tells about itself

31/03 A foodie weekend in Madrid: how to eat and drink like a local

If you want to know what makes the Spanish capital tick, head for its back-street bodegas, tiny tapas bars and neighbourhood food markets

28/03 Rail route of the month: cheese, chocolate and a magical ride to the Swiss town of Gruyères

The scenery – and delicacies – get better and better for our slow travel expert as she takes a local train through Canton Fribourg to a beautiful medieval village

27/03 One of world’s busiest tourist cities days away from slapping tax on visitors

The new fee, which will be enforced on 29 specific days throughout 2024, is part of the city's larger strategy to manage tourism flow effectively.

26/03 It’s like travelling back 700 years: healthy pleasures in rural Andalucía

A group of seven Moorish villages in southern Spain are the perfect place to recharge – offering mountain air, sparkling springs and any excuse for a party

25/03 Light fantastique: Paris through the eyes of the impressionists

From Monet to Degas, the light of Paris has inspired countless artists. As the city celebrates 150 years of impressionism it’s still shining bright

23/03 I’ve written about France for 20 years – here are my favourite places to visit

After a lifetime exploring the country’s cities, coast and countryside, our France expert chooses her personal highlights

23/03 My top restaurants and food discoveries from 20 years of writing about France

From roadside picnics to Michelin-star restaurants, the former editor of France magazine picks her most memorable foodie moments

23/03 Not just cheap beer and old buildings: an arty weekend in Prague

A new sleeper train from Brussels is bringing the Czech capital’s contemporary art scene within easy reach of rail travellers

22/03 ‘This is the France you dream of’: readers’ favourite travel discoveries

Medieval villages, secret alleyways and Charles de Gaulle’s retreat are just some of our tipsters’ French finds

18/03 My hammock was my window on to the valley: a new type of walking trail in the Swiss Alps

The world’s first hammock hiking trail in southern Switzerland takes hikers into quiet corners of the Alps – with their beds in their backpack for lazy pit stops and overnight stays

17/03 Sagas and geothermal swimming pools – Reykjavík moves to a different rhythm

Wild landscapes, distinctive architecture and child-friendly facilities also help raise the happiness levels of our writer on a stay in the Icelandic capital

16/03 10 of the best European activity breaks with a spirit of adventure

Fancy seatrekking, swimrunning or bodypainting? These and more familiar outdoor pursuits are on offer at destinations from northern Norway to the Greek islands

16/03 We found a swimming pool in every city on our Interrail trip around Europe

Swimming at every stop left us fresh and invigorated – and led us to parts of cities that tourists seldom visit

15/03 Brilliant activity breaks by readers – from Portugal to the Lake District

River trekking, paragliding, cycling and via ferrata feature among our tipsters’ adventurous jaunts across Europe

14/03 A street food tour of Genoa

From fluffy focaccia to creamy pànera, local Michelin-starred chef Ivano Ricchebono introduces our writer to a taste of the Italian port city

13/03 10 of the best places in France for paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing

Turquoise seas, tranquil canals and glacial lakes … France offers some of the world’s most scenic paddling routes

12/03 Steaming in: Galicia’s scenic – and free – thermal baths

In the northern Spanish town of Ourense, locals and visitors luxuriate in warm spring waters at a series of free public baths – or enjoy a private spa for a fiver

11/03 Where people who love good food come to holiday: Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal

Its glorious beaches, great food and fine walking make it a magnet for Portuguese families in summer, but this Alentejo resort is largely unknown to British visitors