Advice

Brexit may be “done”, but from the traveller’s point of view, the full implications of what it means for our holidays are only just becoming apparent. And I’m not talking about the short-term problems – the chaos at Dover, the queues at airport immigration desks and the 90-day limit on the time we can spend

My first eye-opening insight into this enthralling region was as a teenager, when I hopped on a ferry from Corfu to Sarandë – on Albania’s Riviera  – set on the dazzling Ionian Sea. I was captivated by its beaches, which could easily rival Greece or the Bahamas. Backed by magnificent mountains and gently lapped by

Is it the sea, the strange sense of security, or just that wonderful feeling of escaping from life on the mainland that makes an island break so special? Whatever the exact chemistry, islands make brilliant holiday destinations, and nowhere more so than in the Mediterranean. With the help of our experts, we’ve created the definitive

Is history repeating? In an echo of the chaos of April 2010, an Icelandic volcano has violently erupted, spewing lava and sparking fears of flight delays and cancellations.  On the face of it, there’s good reason for concern as the Fagradalsfjall volcano sits just 20 miles from Reykjavik airport. However, the relatively small size of

You wait two years for a minibreak then two come along at once. First, a multi-generational get-together in the Cotswolds at the Swan Inn, stone the colour of honey and set on the dreamy banks of the Windrush beside an absurdly comely bridge. The barman walked us to our room, which felt like home only

It feels as if the wider world has only recently ‘discovered’ Mykonos, now mentioned in the same breathy terms as Ibiza or Miami – yet it has appealed to A-list celebrities and those who embrace an alternative lifestyle since the Fifties and Sixties. Back then, those stars included Brigitte Bardot and Jackie Onassis; today you’re

While the west coast of Mallorca gets the most attention, and you certainly have to dive off the rocks of Deià after a seafood lunch at least once in your life, the southeast of the island is arguably more beautiful. Avoid the resorts of Cala d’Or and stay inland at Santanyí, a golden stone town

I’ll never forget the moment I arrived in Canggu, on Bali’s south coast. The air was different: clearer and cleaner. The buildings were ornate; there were bright greens and deep blues and nature was everywhere. Driving around every day felt like an offering from the gods – beautiful flowers on the streets; the gentle call

Dishes may be a mere moment on the lips, but the tastes, smells, flavour combinations and textures – like those of Proust’s madeleines – are stored in our memories for years to come. One mouthful of pesto takes me straight back to the Piazzetta in Portofino, watching the chic set moor their yachts in the harbour.

London is so much more than the obvious tourist attractions, which is why it’s good advice to consider which area(s) you’d like to explore before booking your hotel. Take the neighbourhood approach and that’s where you’ll generally find cheaper rates on your hotel. So perhaps you’ll want to tap into the creative hipster vibes of

Just an hour from Edinburgh, ­Berwickshire is a naturally beautiful region in Scotland’s southeast, imbued with maritime heritage, and yet shamefully under-visited. Its coastline runs south from Cove Harbour, just a few miles south of “Sunny Dunny” Dunbar, all the way to the English border, where Berwick- upon-Tweed topples just over onto the English side

As someone who travels frequently, I’ve got into the routine of doing my research about a destination well in advance. But, before my most recent trip, I got caught out, not by the widely reported delays, cancellations or strikes, but by something completely off-my-radar: an NHS admin error. Remote working during the pandemic allowed me,

The recent chaotic scenes at Dover and Folkestone were the latest setbacks to hit travellers this summer. They follow hard on the heels of a litany of other issues, from cancelled and delayed flights to airports overwhelmed by queues to strikes, baggage mountains and runways grinding to a halt because the tarmac is melting in

It’s the conundrum that faces every cruiser. You’ve selected your sailing and chosen your ship, so the next question is, which cabin will bring you the sweetest dreams? For the uninitiated, picking your perfect spot can be something of a minefield with the risk of ending up in the bowels of the ship close to

When most of us think of Cumbria we think of the Lake District – mountains, water and Kendal Mint Cake. But there is another Cumbria, where there are no hills and no crowds, just sand dunes and solitude, birds and flowers of every hue, nature reserves, coastal walks, quiet villages, rugged churches and memorials to

Exactly one year ago, all Britons arriving home from EU nations faced 10 days in isolation – even if fully vaccinated. It was the law: if you broke quarantine, you risked a £10,000 fine. We spent hundreds of pounds proving our health, swabbing our noses before, during and after summer breaks – and faced reams

We were wet, we were cold and my friend, Jane, and I had made the cardinal sin of arriving early at our Lake District youth hostel. We were not allowed in and had to huddle, with our soggy backpacks, under nearby trees until the permitted “admission time” and the bolt on the door was drawn

Last weekend the Department for Transport published an “Aviation Passenger Charter” which sets out “what you, as a passenger, need to know about your rights and responsibilities when flying.” It comes at what is surely the lowest point in history for the aviation industry, as tens and  thousands of flights have been cancelled and, for

Fitness is booming – and not just the physical kind. While more and more of us are returning to gyms, society’s pandemic experience has propelled mental health into the mainstream. Working out is no longer just about losing weight and getting a six-pack, it is also about nourishing both our mental and physical fitness. While an

Travellers are bracing for another summer of stress. But this year it’s not just Covid causing complications, but also staff shortages, flight cancellations and strike action threatening to ruin holidays. In such an uncertain climate, robust travel insurance is a must. Unfortunately, new research from Which? has found that around 40 per cent of policies