Two novices, a large van and a lively Irish setter make for an eventful road trip through the French mountains When I first had the idea of taking a winter road trip through the Alps, I imagined snowy walks followed by fondue in the comfort of our van, feet warmed by 25kg of auburn fluff…
Scrooge, Santa, polar bears, gingerbread and light shows are among this year’s seasonal family delights at castles, palaces and Palladian piles throughout the UK Inside one of Waddesdon Manor’s Rapunzelesque round towers is a room named after the Ballets Russes stage designer Léon Bakst. In 1913, Bakst painted the seven panels here showing scenes from…
Share a tip on a fabulous Scandi winter break for the chance win £200 towards a Coolstays break Scandinavia does winter well – whether you prefer hunkering down in candle-lit cafes or husky sledging through wild landscapes, it’s a wonderful time to visit. We’d love to hear about your favourite winter breaks – whether it…
Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro converge in the Accursed Mountains, offering skiing days where you see more countries than you do other skiers Pushing my skis forward in tracks carved deep into the snow and a swirling wind and thick fog, I finally reach a vast plateau where Alb Berisha, our guide, greets me with a…
Fashion, culture, art, history – and diamonds – all come together in Antwerp. Here’s how to do it Brussels and Bruges get all the attention, but Antwerp is Belgium’s most dynamic city. Shaped by its Flemish heritage, working port and centuries-old diamond trade, it’s a destination that feels both historic and excitingly modern offering a…
Fashion, culture, art, history – and diamonds – all come together in Antwerp. Here’s how to do it Brussels and Bruges get all the attention, but Antwerp is Belgium’s most dynamic city. Shaped by its Flemish heritage, working port and centuries-old diamond trade, it’s a destination that feels both historic and excitingly modern offering a…
From the Arctic Circle to Slovenia’s Julian Alps, we pick scenic and soothing retreats to don snowshoes, ski empty pistes and tune into winter Marketing slogans usually leave me cold, but even I can’t argue with “Queen of the Dolomites”, the sobriquet given to Cortina d’Ampezzo. There’s a regal air about this venerable ski resort…
Whether you’re into proper winter adventures, such as snorkelling in Iceland, or just a bit of après-ski, our readers’ tips include something for everyone Waking up to a pink Arctic sunrise over endless fir trees from my bunk on the overnight train from Stockholm to Abisko was the perfect start to a winter adventure. The…
The GM Ringway is an extraordinary circular route that takes in industrial heritage, countryside, towpaths and hills. Here’s how one 10-mile section shapes up … Two swans and six dusty-grey cygnets mew and whistle as they glide in single file along the canal. Silver birches wiggle their leaves in the gentlest of autumn breezes. Auburn,…
Ghost-hunters will love the grisly tales that cling to these medieval manors, ancient burial grounds and chilling castles, chosen by a gothic horror novelist – and all are open to visitors Blickling Hall is a handsome house that boasts gothic architecture and plenty of atmosphere. However, the old Tudor house that once stood here is…