Destinations

By Tom Bevan With tropical palm-laden beaches, stunning mountain trekking and a vibrant cultural scene it is no surprise to see Cape Verde leaping forward in the list of winter sun hotspots. Sprawled off the west coast of Africa and a relatively short flight time from the UK, the nine islands with a growing a reputation as the ‘African Caribbean’ are the ideal getaway. Some parts offer a beach paradise with soft white sandy shores that really do rival any 'paradise' island. Others...

Eighteen years since Fatboy Slim’s first Big Beach Boutique heralded Brighton as party central, its reputation as a creative powerhouse continues. Inspired by the fresh sea air, the glorious South Downs just behind it, and the delightfully different outlook of its outgoing residents, it’s still one of the most vibrant cities in the UK for culture. Yup, even more so than London, in which world-leading arts offerings inevitably grapple with the inevitable rat race – and not just the Banksy...

by Alex Wright The heavens open as our host Linda pulls away, leaving us alone by the side of the riverbank. It doesn’t look like stopping soon so we stand under the shelter of a nearby tree. My friend Jules and I are on a short week’s break exploring the heart of Latvia - the Gauja National Park. Founded in 1973, the country’s first national park is easily accessible, 24 miles from the capital Riga. The 90,000-plus hectare site is...

There is something masochistic to be said about wanting to surround yourself with Hooray-Henrys and throw yourself down an avalanche-prone mountain on two fibreglass sticks. But, like S&M, there’s also an undeniable allure to it. As a man who grew up among the rolling hills of Yorkshire I’ve seen my fair share of snow, but one element that’s alluded me has been to ski down it. Just the thought of skiing has a kryptonite effect on my working class sensibilities....

Our writer tries out Colorado's champagne powder for the first time

For most, Italy is pizza, pasta and rustic buildings that make for amazing selfie backdrops. At least that’s what I was going there for… Covering 301,338 km², it undoubtedly offers a number of hot spots we know, visit and love. However, with that being said, I was encouraged to ditch the tourist routes and fall in love with a different point of view. Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy, retains every bit of its Italian cinematic glamour and it really is a...

Closer to Dubai Airport than the famous tourist strip of Jumeriah Beach, Sharjah is the UAE’s third largest emirate. It might not be as well-known just yet, but here, the glitz and excesses of its neighbour are resisted in favour of Islamic heritage and tradition. As we found out on a recent trip over, it means it’s a fascinating destination that welcomes respectful visitors, and rewards them with a wealth of unique attractions like the glassy lakeside area of the...

By Pat Levy Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Colorado’s wild west: roads are ice-free, it’s off-season for skiing, and summer’s influx of tourists is yet to kick in. The Rocky Mountains are especially glorious in autumn, alight with the shimmering gold of aspen trees in blazing contrast to a blanket green of the lodgepole and ponderosa pines that cover the mountain slopes. Getting there is a breeze now that direct flights to mile-high Denver, the state...

by Alex Wright Mount Fuji may well be one of Japan’s most iconic images, but climbing to its 3,776-metre peak it is no easy task with altitude sickness and shortness of breath to contend with. To help you prepare as much as possible, ere are five lesser known facts you need to know before making the ascent. 1) Mt Fuji is an active stratovolcano (three separate volcanoes) But don’t worry - the last time Mt Fuji erupted was on December...