Leisure & Travel / Features
The London neighbourhood that’s got it all: 10 reasons why you need to live in stylish Stratford
East London’s Stratford has been on the up ever since the Olympic Games transformed the area - and it’s only getting better. Rhiannon Evans, who has lived there for six years, tells us why it’s the place to be. It’s been 10 years since the magic of the Olympic Games...
What the world wants to do for a living: Fascinating map reveals the most popular jobs around the world
A PILOT is the globe's number one dream job in 2023, from the USA to the UK and Australia. On the map - generated using 12 months of Google search data - country names have been supplemented by the jobs theirresidents most want information about with a view to a...
Worthy holidays: 10 of the best charity holiday stays in the UK
Book into one of these brilliantly located cottages, apartments, bothies and hotels and you’ll be contributing to a worthy cause too. Ten Hill Place, Edinburgh, Midlothian The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has fingers in pies with a surprisingly broad range...
Waterfall weekender: My wild swimming adventure in the Brecon Beacons
A walk amid cinematic landscapes to five south Wales waterfalls - and a cosy pub - proves the perfect substitute for a holiday abroad. It had been a tough month for several reasons and I needed a break. I initially thought a holiday abroad would be the only antidote....
Grey gap year: The over-60s with a taste for travel on a budget
Boomers are eschewing the traditional cruise holiday in favour of exploring the world with a backpack or in a camper van. David and Viv Boardman have just arrived in Germany after a long bus-ride between Lille and Dusseldorf. They’re in the middle of a five-month...
South American beauties: Vibrant cities, mind-boggling landscapes and ancient wonders
TV’s Simon Reeve had the trip of a lifetime criss-crossing the continent. Here are his highlights… Travelling through South America is an amazing privilege, each day rich with experiences. Covering more than 4,000 miles over many months, my journey for my new TV...
Sugarcane cabins and floating seats: The future of air travel
A lot goes into a best-ever flight experience - seat comfort, service and safety to name but a few factors. And all three could look completely different in a few decades’ time. Plane cabins are ever-changing, particularly in the long-haul world. In the past few...
Cheese, cider & cycling: A tasty tour of the West Country
Following the Somerset Food Trail by e-bike offers the chance to meet growers and makers, enjoy beautiful scenery, and sample delicious local produce. What more do you need than good cheese and a glass of cider?” I’m at Batch Farm, in the Somerset village of East...
Europe on a shoestring: 14 of the best budget city breaks
We’ve found the budget breaks across Europe that won’t break the bank, from Balkan hotspots to Barcelona. Various factors enable a great budget break in Europe. Flights - and not to an airport 50 miles away - shouldn’t break the bank, and nor should a good-quality...
Lost lanes of the Midlands: Five great cycle routes in the heart of England
Taking in backcountry from Leicestershire to Shropshire, these 30 to 50- mile routes, included in a new book, feature beautiful villages, countryside and places to stay. Stilton and pork pies, High Leicestershire Start / finish: Melton MowbrayDistance: 34 miles This...
One down, 39,136 to go: The explorers who walk every street in their city
You don’t really know an urban landscape until you’ve visited all of it on foot - from slums to beauty spots. Just ask the thousands of ‘every-single-streeters’. There’s no better way to soothe the soul - and get to know a town than striding through its streets. In my...
Railway routes: 10 of the best train journeys in Europe – fast or slow
A new book on rail travel across the continent showcases gorgeous scenery, historic routes and adventures at a slower pace. Railways in Europe are many things. With their grand stations, history and evocative destinations, they evoke a timelessness that is absent from...