Advice

For over a century, San Sebastián has been a destination for the rich. Queen María Cristina made it her summer home in the early 20th century, sparking a trend in sophisticated summering, as well as an explosion of Belle Époque architecture. With the second-most Michelin stars per capita it’s a glutton’s heaven, and its unique

The egalitarian nature of Bristol extends to its hotels with good deals available across the board, so if you pick the right time, you can stay somewhere smart. What’s more as the heart of the city is relatively compact, you can be sure that wherever you stay you are never far from the action, be

The UK features a lot of amazing places to go hiking, so picking just 4 places is tricky. I’ve tried to include something for everyone, from stunning strolls through the countryside, to nail-biting scrambles over ridges with steep drops either side. So, without further ado, let’s get started! The Best Places To Go Hiking In

Historic Amsterdam is pint-sized but packs a big punch. Cute gabled houses, centuries old, are strung like lanterns along the canals. Crammed with fine art, pulsing with hipness, or sleek with new Dutch design, they’re little worlds of charm and allure. An intimate boutique hotel takes you straight to the essence of Amsterdam: the personal,

Chinese New Year is almost with us again – but there is still enough time to plan a celebratory trip, even if you want to fly out to China itself. How to do it? Read on… 1. The Rat’s Back Well, happy new year. May your next 12 months be filled with health and happi… 

Walking the Camino de Santiago is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in life, from a variety of points of view; and anybody who’s passionate about travel should do it at least once in their life. The Camino de Santiago is meant to be a religious pilgrimage, with a series of ancient pilgrim

From lovingly restored heritage townhouses in the old, historic parts of the city to near-luxury rooms of international standard – some chic and brash, others sedate and classic – in the popular downtown areas, the Thai capital offers a plethora of value-for-money stays. Whether located in local communities or amongst Bangkok’s futuristic cityscape, these properties

The worst hotels I’ve ever stayed in are different from the hotels that can be categorised as merely “bad”. To be awarded the accolade of “worst” there has to be an extra-special level of nonchalant awfulness that goes above and beyond your common-or-garden terrible. It’s not simply a matter of sub-par service or fusty rooms

Madrid is a thriving city of art, fashion, food, and fun. There is something to appreciate around every corner. As great as this is, it can easily become overwhelming to decide how to spend your time. There’s no need to go to every single museum or park in the city, and good luck trying to

Dust off your snowsuit and buckle up. We’ve trawled the snowy peaks of Europe for the best ski destinations… and brought you some corkers… Das Central, Sölden, Austria Best for… wine buffs This showstopping hotel strikes a fine balance: it is deeply luxurious, and yet feels cosy with home comforts. Bedrooms have soft blankets, bleached-oak

Unmissable big city bustle in one of the world’s greatest urban landscapes American author E.B. White once quipped about this city of eight million inhabitants: “New York provides not only a continuing excitation but also a spectacle that is continuing.” And while he may have said this nearly a century ago, his words still ring

The great thing about Barcelona is that you can do virtually anything. The Mediterranean Sea provides a lovely beach year round, the buzz of the city, the history of its buildings and; of course, the views from the Collserola Mountains. Especially, from its peak, Mount Tibidabo. However, Tibidabo is known for so much more than

Contrived. That’s the first word that bubbles into my mind about this spanking new luxury hotel just off Whitehall. It’s not the only word – there are others more flattering, but it’s one I associate with so many new places these days. Springing up from nowhere, appropriating buildings that were never intended as places of hospitality,

If I drew a picture of what a perfect holiday looked like for me two years ago, it would have featured a bar somewhere hot with palm trees and a social vibe. Not, I’d imagine, an isolated 18th-century sheep farm in the wilds of northern Iceland, where dawn is at 11am and dusk in the

If you happen to find yourself on a skiing holiday in the gorgeous Ischgl, this stunning resort has a number of restaurant options for you to try after a vigorous day on the slopes. Most of the produce served in any Ischgl restaurant is sourced from local farmers from the area, and the locals are

Every time I mention that French cuisine remains the greatest in the world, I duck. Below-the-line comments on the website go berserk. “The last steak I had in Paris was tougher than a truck,” they shout, occasionally in CAPITALS. “Frankly, the Frogs have lost it”; “You’re joking, right?” “Do you get paid for this sort

A Hong Kong airline has apologised for demanding a passenger take a pregnancy test before boarding a flight to the US Pacific island of Saipan. Midori Nishida, 25, from Japan, was checking in for the flight at Hong Kong International Airport, with low-cost carrier Hong Kong Express, when a member of its staff presented her

Traveling should be fun. However, there are times that we make mistakes that make our trip disappointing. This is why careful planning and research is a must in order for you to have a hassle-free traveling experience. Here are some of the common travel mistakes and how you can avoid them Overpacking Surely, you love

All of a sudden it is quiet; and except for the glowing blue snow above me, it’s dark – I feel my heart rate rising and my senses tingle with adrenalin. I remind myself to stay calm as I lie still, with my arms sandwiched by my sides, feeling the cold of the snow cocooned

Myth One A few days on a wellness retreat will “fix me” When I first started “retreating”, I’d convince myself that the nurturing combination of rare, self-centred days holed up in a gorgeous venue, one-to-ones with experts, massages, exercising in nature, healthy food, zero alcohol and caffeine was all that was needed to make everything