Why we travel
William Dalrymple on how living in India has changed him
William Dalrymple didn’t set out to become Britain’s leading chronicler of Indian history, but a chance trip to the subcontinent started a lifelong obsession. Thirty years on, he’s still living in Delhi — a city with a “tangible sense of history”.
Pico Iyer on his transformational trip to Tibet
The author and memoirist recounts a powerful journey through Asia that culminated on the high plateau of Lhasa among prostrating pilgrims, in the shadow of the Potala Palace — the former winter palace of the Dalai Lamas.
Christina Lamb on her career igniting journey to Afghanistan
The chief foreign correspondent at The Sunday Times was just 22 years old when, in the late 1980s, she journeyed up the Grand Trunk Road to Afghanistan — the start of a long and enduring love affair with the country’s colours, flavours and hospitality.
Levison Wood on walking with elephants in Botswana
Setting out from the Zimbabwe border, the adventurer, author and broadcaster spent a month on the front line of elephant conservation, walking alongside a herd as it followed its annual migration route towards the Okavango Delta.
Ade Adepitan on seeing Africa beyond the headlines
Reflecting on his latest BBC TV series, Africa with Ade Adepitan, the Nigerian-born British TV presenter looks back on his transcontinental journey, from Cape Verde to Somalia — a trip that, as well as showcasing a range of African stories, was in part a personal tale of homecoming.
Kate Bradbury on why Costa Rica should be a blueprint for conservation
Reflecting on a trip to Central America, the TV presenter wonders what the UK would look like if it invested in the natural world as much as Costa Rica does.
Alastair Humphreys on finding great escapes in the UK
Having toured the globe — from camping in the Arctic to cycling through Kyrgyzstan — the adventurer finds that journeys of real significance are also on offer closer to home.
Felicity Aston on the power of polar regions to teach vital conservation lessons
Wonder and science intersect on an expedition to Earth’s frozen poles, says the polar explorer. Each trip offers unique challenges that have the power to teach vital lessons — not just about the human spirit, but about our role in protecting the planet.
Robert Macfarlane on his love of the UK’s wild places
The prize-winning author remembers holidays in the UK, from Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands to the outskirts of Cambridge, and reflects on the wild landscapes that have shaped both his work and his life.
Extreme cyclist Emily Chappell on tackling Alaskan peaks in winter
On a transcontinental cycling race, the ultra-endurance athlete and author hadn’t anticipated how much the cold would weaken her. On a frozen highway in Alaska, pedalling between snow drifts, she learnt profound lessons about human endurance.
Alice Morrison on making a home in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains
Travel has the capacity to change each of us profoundly. Author Alice Morrison remains enthralled to a memory of visiting a small family compound high up in the mountains of Morocco, while training for an ultra marathon.
The inside guide to Vienna's eclectic music scene
The Austrian capital is alive with music, from raucous jazz clubs and three-day festivals to masterful violin makers.
What to do in the Elan Valley, Wales
By day or by night, this dramatic swathe of rural Wales offers plenty of ways to embrace the great outdoors.
Five meal kits from top restaurants to cook at home
How successfully can meal kits replicate the restaurant dining experience at home? We try out kits from Dishoom, Hoppers, Padella and more.
Four new hotels in Calgary, Canada's gateway to the Rockies
Hip new pads and revamped classics provide reason to linger in the gateway to the Rockies.
Life on the water: human stories from Kerala's palm-fringed backwaters
The waterways of the Indian state teem with birdlife and the rhythms of rice production. But beneath the surface, the Periyar National Park and the tranquil Vembanad lake are finding a balance between the needs of agriculture and nature.
How to spend a winter weekend in Jungfrau, Switzerland
Pride of the Swiss Alps, the spruce forests, log cabin chalets and world-class pistes of Jungfrau’s peaks are all the more accessible thanks to the new fast-track Eiger Express cable-car.
How to plan a literary walking tour through north London
Admire Primrose Hill with William Blake, read Charlotte Brontë’s manuscripts and follow Mary Shelley’s love affair on a walking tour of north London’s literary history.
Take the high ground: why Austria’s Zillertal valley is the ideal winter playground
After a summer that, for many of us, was spent largely indoors, winter beckons like never before. Austria’s Zillertal valley is where winter sports enthusiasts can answer that call.
Adventurer Julian Lings reveals his favourite trips and champions natural clothing brand Icebreaker
New Zealand-based clothing brand Icebreaker puts nature at the heart of everything it does. Julian, senior sustainability manager of its parent company VF Corp, talks adventure, reducing environmental impact, and Icebreaker's latest Transparency Report.
On the shores of Lake Iseo: exploring Italy's lesser-known lake district
The smallest of Italy’s great lakes, this scythe-shaped squiggle of water is home to fishing villages tucked into deep bays, backed by an amphitheatre of snow-capped Alpine foothills and terraced hills that produce Italy’s most-prized sparkling wine.
Travel Geeks online: a culinary tour of Israel — 19 January 2021
Join us for an hour online from 19:00 to 20:00 on Tuesday 19 January for a virtual culinary tour of Israel, when our expert panel will discuss its vibrant and exciting food scene.
How to plan an architecture walking tour along Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
The Scottish capital was heralded as the pinnacle of European urban planning when, in the 18th century, its neo-classical New Town was built as a harmonious compliment to the Medieval fortress and lanes of the historic quarter.
A beginner's guide to spiced rum
Sweet and accessible, spiced rum is ideal for tentative spirit-sippers, as well as being a killer cocktail ingredient.
A city guide to Helsinki, Finland
With new cultural quarters, no-waste restaurants and a passion for design, Finland’s capital has transformed itself from overlooked city break destination into a Nordic success story.
Can I go skiing this winter? How to book and where to go this season
From social distancing in-resort to insurance and where to book, we help you glide through the new normal of winter on piste.
Six of the UK’s historic trees and their curious stories
British woodlands are alive with stories. From cursed oaks to thousand-year-old yews, we take a look at some of the country's most fabled trees.
MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou explores the flavours of Crete
From olive oil to octopus, the Greek chef and author of cookbook Under the Olive Tree: Recipes from my Greek Kitchen celebrates the flavours and unmissable dishes of her homeland.
