Wander the perfectly preserved medieval streets of Monpazier in the Dordogne, enjoy a traditional French lunch and discover why this is one of France's most beautiful bastide villages.

From medieval Domme and Monpazier to prehistoric caves, glorious gardens and remarkable Périgord food, join me on a journey through one of the most beautiful corners of rural France.

Discover the timeless elegance of the Sea Cloud Spirit on a luxury sailing cruise around Sicily. From Palermo and Taormina to Malta and Syracuse, experience fine dining, exceptional service and the romance of travelling beneath towering white sails on one of the world's most beautiful sailing ships.

Discovering the Danish Happiness Factor Year after year, Denmark ranks near the top of the World Happiness Report, a global survey examining wellbeing across 140+ countries. In the most recent rankings, Denmark came second only to Finland, while the UK landed a less cheerful 23rd. But why? What makes this cool, windy, northern European nation so content? As mentioned in last week's feature on Skagen’s artist colony, I decided to explore the question of Danish happiness furthe

Discover what it's really like to sail aboard the magnificent Sea Cloud Spirit on an eight-day luxury voyage from Naples to Valletta. From glamorous Capri and historic Palermo to beautiful Taormina, Syracuse and Malta, this first-hand review explores elegant sailing, outstanding cuisine, fascinating excursions and one of the Mediterranean's finest small-ship cruise experiences.

Authentic Italian Cuisine at Masseria Il Frontoio, Puglia Slow Food, Farm-to-Table Dining, and True Puglian Hospitality I’m in the mood to talk about proper Italian food. Partly thanks to an old Rick Stein programme I’ve ust watched. Not just any Italian food, but the kind that makes you want to pack your bags and head straight for the heel of Italy's boot. I'm referring to Masseria Il Frontoio , a place that's not just a restaurant—it is something of a shrine to the Slow Foo

A quick trip around Le Marche in Central Italy

Leave the beaches behind and discover the real Lanzarote on foot. From dramatic volcanic landscapes and lava fields to secluded coves, traditional villages and spectacular coastal paths, this walking holiday reveals a side of the Canary Islands that most visitors never see. Perfect inspiration for hikers, nature lovers and adventurous travellers.

Most visitors head to Tenerife for sunshine and beaches, but this remarkable Canary Island offers far more. From dramatic volcanic landscapes and spectacular walking trails to traditional villages, outstanding food and breathtaking mountain scenery, here's why Tenerife deserves to be explored well beyond its famous resorts.

Samos is one of Greece's finest walking destinations, with mountain trails, peaceful villages, forests and spectacular Aegean views. Join Martin Hesp on an unforgettable hiking adventure led by legendary guide Rupert Mostert.

Many years ago,actually nearly half a century ago, I visited the town of Nafplion in Greece. That’s how we pronounced it but I see that you leave the final “n” off the name when you’re writing it in Greek. Anyway, we loved the place. And it’s easy to explain why. We had driven from England in 1977 in an old Renault 16 which had broken down a few times along the way. It is a very long way from the English Channel down to Greece via what used to be known as Yugoslavia. We had t

The Changing Face of Our Dinner Tables 🍽️ The items that appear on the average West Country dinner table have changed dramatically over the past 20 to 30 years. Gone are the days when a simple plate of meat and two veg’ ruled supreme. Today, our tables are filled with diverse ingredients, flavours, and products that many of us would never have imagined back then. And this is particularly true in the case of wine. The Evolution of Wine in the West Country 🍷 From Exclusive Tr

There are place names in the great European atlas that are enough to make the discerning traveller scuttle in the opposite direction – for example, having travelled to almost every corner of the EU in 30 years of writing travel articles, I’ve always managed to avoid the Algarve thinking it to be overcrowded and over-exploited. But one generalises at one’s peril. I am sure there are parts of Portugal’s southern coastline which are overbearing in certain seasons, but the south

It was a burning hot morning the day we visited this famous market situated in the heart of Provence. If I’m honest, I was beginning to dread facing the crowds and overheated streets, but then, I’d never been to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue before. The first thing I realised was that it features a great many cooling waterways, and these really did have the effect of reducing the sun’s heat. L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is a picturesque town which plays host to one of the region's most popul

The Bagni Di Pisa Palace and Thermal Spa is a very impressive indeed. The place is reminiscent of the sort of place Agatha Christie might have visited - if Poirot ever went anywhere to “take the waters” this would be the place. Actually, someone who did write something famous in this very hotel was Mary Shelley - who finished penning her story Frankenstein here after being partly inspired to write it back at home in Somerset’s Quantock Hills. I attended a wine class in the

It’s amazing how things can stick in your mind, even if they are all to do with ancient history. I was thinking this recently when I snapped our photo of a Viking long boat on its moorings on a lake in deepest darkest Jutland and it reminded me of my childhood. Just opposite my old West Country school there was a field called Battle Gore, the legend of which used to fill us boys with wonder and awe. A huge battle was once fought right there in our own little village. Wow! And

As Europe's summers grow hotter, Denmark's beautiful Kystlandet offers the perfect coolcation. Discover sandy beaches, charming coastal towns, delicious food, scenic walks and refreshing Scandinavian hospitality far from the crowds and heatwaves.

Some years ago, we travelled to Venice in the depths of winter because my stepdaughter Emma was having a major exhibition of her jewellery in the city. What follows is the newspaper article I wrote at the time… The Silent City. That’s what I call Venice now that I’ve been there in the back end of February. As a countryman, the thing I dislike most about any urban environment is the general, all-pervading, mind-numbing, noise. I have never been to a city that doesn’t shake wit

Exploring the Majestic Beauty of Castelluccio and the Piano Grande Plain Many years ago we were staying with friends in Umbria and we all went up into the Sibillini Mountains to visit the old town of Castellucio and the famous Piano Grande Plain. You’ll find all this in the very heart of Italy. This enchanting and captivating locale offers a tranquil escape with its stunning landscapes. The Village of Castelluccio: A Glimpse into Pastoral Elegance Castelluccio, the highest se

Discover Stavros Beach in Crete, where Anthony Quinn danced in Zorba the Greek. Explore one of Greece's most iconic film locations, with beautiful scenery, calm waters and fascinating cinematic history.