Rustling palms, hooting owls, pintxos and sangria … After a lockdown-enforced hiatus, a writer revisits the quiet Balearic to revel in joys old and newA peal of bells marks the start. Then comes a beating of drums. A barely perceptible breeze carries t…
10 of the best October half-term family breaks in Europe
With overseas travel opening up again, we have family ideas for cities, coast and countrysideSlovenia is cooling down in October, but it is a spectacular time to see Lake Bled’s woody fringes burst into flames of colour. Hilltop Bled Castle towers over…
Dorset with a hint of Finland: sustainable tourism on a weekend break
An eco housing development built on disused quarries offers visitors the chance to explore woods and heath, and enjoy lake activities“Adders … Keep to the path.”Now there’s a sign to grab attention on a carefree saunter in the Dorset countryside. I stu…
10 new places to eat seafood and other delicacies on Britain’s coast
Innovative dishes, freshly caught produce and cool, coastal vibes mark out these new restaurants and cafesOwner Luke Davis hopes Rockwater will help revitalise the Hove seafront. The modern, glass-fronted building on the promenade is open all day, from…
Hidden idylls and stunning sunsets: late summer breaks in Europe, chosen by readers
Beautiful beaches in the soft light figure strongly in our tipsters’ picks of sunny late summer and autumn getawaysThe north of the island of Lanzarote is a hidden idyll where sunsets burn golden orange and surf pounds the wild shores. Famara Beach is …
Serenity by sea: a calming family break on Germany’s Juist island
This East Frisian haven in the Wadden Sea does a great line in traditional and simple seaside pleasuresMy below-average German means I’m struggling for the gist of what our guide, Jens, is saying. It’s not being made easier by my six-year-old making lo…
Sealife and surfing in Scotland: the wide-open spaces of Tiree
The Inner Hebrides isle known as the Hawaii of the North is home to shimmering white sands, powerful landscapes and a new boutique hotelI was lying on my stomach on a clifftop waiting for a puffin to stop preening long enough for me to take its photo w…
‘A wild pony stamped on my tent!’: seven readers on their first camping experiences
Many of us are holidaying close to home this year and opting for camping, having never tried it before. Readers recall the cold, wet, wild and wonderful experiences they have had under canvasAfter 18 months of lockdown and seeing nothing but buildings …