Working in exchange for tickets from Vancouver to Texas was an ideal way for a 60-year-old solo traveller to find friends, fun and an instant community ‘We have beers!” came the cry, followed by the more enigmatic “and hair clippers!” As the sun began to set, with no discernible abatement in temperature, the crew was in…
Quiet cliff paths, vast sweeping beaches, cobbled high streets … and freedom. The writer and presenter finds the things she once wanted to escape from are now the island’s principal attractions I wish someone had told me at the time that growing up in Guernsey was extraordinary. Not that I was receptive to that information…
Working with charities, farms and rural development projects has been life-changing for our writer – and is something anyone can do, regardless of background The first time I joined a volunteering trip I was 22, and had no idea what I wanted to do in life. It was in the summer of my third year…
Travelling around Chile, Argentina and Peru – with a focus on Indigenous tourism – is a transformative adventurePlus 10 tips on planning a family gap year It was on holiday in Italy in 2022, after perhaps a little too much wine, that the decision was made: Mirjam Peternek-McCartney and her husband, Mark, would take a…
Euphoria on a moped in Indonesia, orcas off Argentina and the chance to ranch, surf or simply be the person they always wanted to be are among our readers’ wonderful memories After a 10-year slog at work, my boss agreed to my taking a year-long sabbatical. We used this to revisit south-east Asia – not…
The Sea Change film festival on Tiree is a DIY affair that celebrates women and also connects communities on a series of small, scattered isles Think of a film festival and images of celebrities, paparazzi and throngs of tourists might spring to mind, but one festival on a Hebridean island does things a little differently.…
From Viking history, to its wild coastline and even its ‘damp’ weather, Waterford has taken its natural assets and run with them It was a pretty long interregnum, about 1,000 years, but Waterford is once again a hot travel destination. The Vikings were the first to popularise this corner of south-east Ireland, liking it so…
The 300-mile line between Serbia and Montenegro, built in Tito’s era, connects city and seaside for a blissful Balkan holiday It started with a disagreement. Where to go on an early autumn break? I wanted a city and history, my boyfriend wanted coast and stunning scenery. The solution? Two days in the Serbian capital Belgrade,…
From a wire bridge near Ben Nevis to a wild swim in Devon, these walks come with a unique manmade or natural element to look forward to as you stroll Even the best walk needs a focal point, an extra something that makes the whole day come alive. For me the swim is the default…
Tell us about your favourite woodland walks and activities in the UK – the best tip wins £200 towards a Coolstays break Autumn is the most magical time of year in the UK’s woodlands, with the leaves turning from green to gold and red. Tell us about your favourite ways to soak up the seasonal…