TRAVEL

Sulphuric placid, Zakynthos On an out-of-season trip to Zakynthos, a Greek island famed for intoxicated British teenagers that also happens to be beautiful, we stumbled upon Xigia Sulfur beach on the east coast. We were first greeted by the smell of rotten eggs, because of its sulphurous springs. Despite the smell, it’s brilliant: the glistening … Read more

part one | part two | part three | part four | part five | part six There’s Crap Towns. There’s UK Grim. There’s John Betjeman. And then there’s James Cleverly, the Lewisham-born MP for Braintree. British towns get punched from above, below and the side – even from inside: if you serially humiliate people, … Read more

Whether you’re visiting London for a romantic weekend retreat, to explore the West End and catch some shows, or you’re on a mission to seek out some of the city’s top restaurants and coolest vintage shops, you’re going to need a base of operations. Choosing a hotel you can rely on for a comfortable, quiet … Read more

For a quick trip with plenty to see, do, eat and drink, you can’t go wrong with one of Germany’s stunning cities. The country’s history and geography mean that each has its own unique character so, whether you want your holiday packed with culture and history, or are simply looking for a short new-year break, … Read more

With short, darker days and freezing temperatures, as far as romance in winter goes, it’s usually not much more than curling up together in front of your favourite TV show. While that’s all fine and good, post-Christmas is a great opportunity to break out of hibernation mode, rediscover your spark and explore some of Europe’s … Read more

There’s a special place near where I live. To get there, you head down the road with all the fly-tipping, go through the motorway underpass, then turn left by the second-hand car garage and the greasy spoon cafe with a spelling mistake in its name. When you reach the factory with the rusting metal pipes … Read more

Frequent Eurocity trains dash north from Milan via the Simplon Tunnel to Switzerland. On the way to the tunnel, those express trains speed by Lake Maggiore, affording fine views of the Borromean Islands. For Switzerland-bound trains, the last station stop in Italy is at the small Piedmont town of Domodossola. The station here is remarkably … Read more

If you’ve rambled along La Rambla in Barcelona, climbed the Eiffel Tower in Paris and checked out Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, it’s tempting to tick Europe’s major cities off the list. But even in the most well-visited cities, there’s often a new and surprising angle to discover. We’d love to hear about the unexpected discoveries … Read more