Frustration at the lack of plus-size outdoor clothing and a feeling that people her size are unwelcome in the outdoors led Steph Wetherell to launch Every Body Outdoors last year. The Instagram page she set up with four women whom she’d met online clocked up 1,000 followers in its first …
Read More »Share a tip on your travel discovery of the year – you could win a holiday voucher
One of the joys of travel is that moment when you come across something unexpected that lingers long in the memory. It could be a little-known church with stunning stained-glass windows, a backstreet cafe that offers toothsome pastries, a country walk that serves up cinematic views, an offgrid campsite that …
Read More »Where tourists seldom tread, part 6: ‘ugly, lovely towns’ with stories to tell
part one | part two | part three | part four | part five Type the names of many ordinary towns into Google followed by “is” and the search engine often autocompletes with “a dump”. The predictive text becomes self-perpetuating as people click on the link, through curiosity or accident. …
Read More »‘People dance on tables’: welcome to Belgrade’s kafana pub culture
I’m in a good old-fashioned pub, drinking beer over wooden tables and tucking into a hearty meal. Except the wooden tabletops are covered in red checked cloths, the decor is Balkan folk. Instead of a roast I’m diving into a pile of minced beef sausages called ćevapi and imbibing shots …
Read More »How to do Champagne on a prosecco budget: a tour of France’s most famous wine region
Forgive me for sounding a little smug. You would too if you were sitting in stylish lodgings sipping a glass of grand cru minutes away from a prestigious address, the Avenue de Champagne in Épernay, east of Paris. The mile-long avenue is lined with expensive champagne houses, from Moët & …
Read More »Winter wonderlands: 10 family activity days and adventures in the UK
Ice skating at Brighton Royal Pavilion With the majestic domes of the Royal Pavilion as its backdrop – lit in magical neon colours if you go after dark – this real ice rink is a popular highlight of Brighton’s yuletide offering, and the only one in the UK powered by …
Read More »Smoke, sweat and tears: my initiation into Estonia’s sauna sisterhood
“We are your sauna sisters now. Tell us what you’re afraid of.” The three women I have just met eye me expectantly. “Er, I wouldn’t say I’m afraid, exactly, more apprehensive about how hot the sauna will be, and how cold the water is …” I’m at Mooska Farm in …
Read More »Seize the holiday: four tips on taking a spontaneous UK break
It’s time to unshackle yourself from the tyranny of advanced holiday preparation. Get rid of that calendar, stop trying to anticipate the future, and start going with the flow. You won’t be alone: recent research from Hilton* has found that only 22% of UK travellers consider themselves meticulous planners. Eschewing …
Read More »Last-minute romance: three spontaneous UK destinations for loved-up travellers
When the long nights and cold snaps descend, it’s natural to want to do as little as possible. Joggers, box sets and takeaways, rinse and repeat until March. And though hibernating at home with your other half is a solid strategy for surviving the more miserable months of the year, …
Read More »Fresh air and fresh sheets: five winter English destinations for nature lovers who crave comfort
By now, we’re all well-versed in the physical and mental benefits of being in nature. But that doesn’t mean we all want to become Bear Grylls in the quest for serenity. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities to explore England’s natural beauty without having to forage for your own food …
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