Winter flavours

Warming. Hearty. Comforting. Joyful. From roast meats to sumptuous stews, the dishes of winter really make the season sing. We asked several leading chefs and food writers to share the dishes, ingredients and destinations that make the colder months worth celebrating

SEEING STARS... AND SO MUCH MORE

LOOKING TO THE SKIES FOR ANSWERS TO THE BIG QUESTIONS CAN BE A LIFE-AFFIRMING EXPERIENCE. BUT IT ISN’T ALL JUST STARGAZING — SOME OF THE PLANET’S BEST DARK-SKY DESTINATIONS OFFER ACTIVITIES AND EXPERIENCES THAT BRING THE COSMOS TO LIFE, MAKING EVEN THE MOST DISTANT NEBULAS SEEM CLOSER TO HOME

THE LAST COWBOYS

Remote ranches, sun-bleached mission towns and prehistoric rock art amid soaring mesas: the sierras of southern Baja California are legendary for their scenery. A road trip to visit the Mexican cowboys that eke a living from this arid land reveals traditions that have changed little in centuries, and a way of life that’s hanging by a thread

TRAVEL GEEKS ASK THE EXPERTS

NEED ADVICE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP? ARE YOU AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS, TIPS AND GUIDANCE? THE TRAVEL GEEKS HAVE THE ANSWERS…

COASTING ALONG

MODERN-DAY CHEESEMAKERS, DISTILLERS AND VINTNERS MAY CALL DEVON’S SOUTHEAST COAST HOME BUT THE STORY OF THESE SHORES STRETCHES BACK MILLENNIA. RAMBLE ALONG WILDLIFE-RICH BAYS TO DISCOVER TALES OF SMUGGLERS, ROMAN RUINS AND STARTLINGLY WELL-PRESERVED FOSSILS

Maldives

Framed by palms and with sparkling turquoise sea, nowhere does beachside bliss like the Maldives. And with a string of new openings, this Indian Ocean the islands’ hotel scene has never looked better.

5 Of The Best Beaches In Likupang

Located on the island of Sulawesi, the district of Likupang is home to azure seas, pristine beaches and some of the world’s richest marine biodiversity. We round up five of the area’s most coveted coastal hotspots

THE BIG TRIP

After the privations of recent months, we’ve scouted around for some unique and spectacular ways to spend winter in the mountains. From Iran to Iceland, the Rockies to Russia, why wait to book that ski trip of a lifetime?

SANTA & SNOW

For a Christmas-themed trip that both parents and children would include on their wish list, the best advice is to book is now

NORDIC WINTER KNOW-HOW

Ready to embrace the wilderness, whatever the weather? Then you too can capture the spirit of Norwegian ‘friluftsliv’

WHAT'S BOOKING?

Skiing is back on track. After some disappointing seasons, resorts have made preparations, travel restrictions are easing and skiers, as ever, are eager for action

ONE FOR ALL!

If you’re heading to the mountains with a group of mixed-ability skiers, boarders or non-skiers, these all-rounder resorts offer fun for everyone

ESCAPE THE CROWDS

Four industry experts o€ er up their insider tips on ski resorts that deliver a big mountain experience minus the hordes

48 HOURS IN LABUAN BAJO

From admiring marine marvels and blissful sunsets to seeking out the iconic Komodo dragon, here’s how to spend the perfect weekend in Labuan Bajo

BIG PICTURE BOROBUDUR

Dating back around 1,200 years, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Borobudur is the world’s largest Buddhist temple — set amid the lush, green rice fields, jungle and misty volcanoes of Central Java. Here are four facts about this magical site

MEET THE LOCALS

From a rich food scene to a plethora of natural wonders, three Indonesians wax lyrical about their country

ON THE SHORES OF LAKE TOBA

The beguiling Lake Toba, in North Sumatra, is the world’s largest crater lake. Its surrounds are home to pristine landscapes, one of the country’s tallest waterfalls and the Batak ethnic group

LIKUPANG GOING UNDER

Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Likupang is just as breathtaking below the water as it is above. Local diver Sunario Ramenaung tells us about the world beneath the waves

UBUD, BALI: A CELEBRATION OF SPIRITS & SILENCE

Despite its reputation as a party island, much of Bali is shrouded in ancient tradition. The country’s most sacred Hindu festival — Nyepi, or ‘Day of Silence’ — takes over the town of Ubud each year

Buenos Aires

Famed for its boulevards and ballrooms, the Argentine capital is reinventing itself through restaurant collaborations, a new arts district and a revamped dockland park

MADEIRA

Against a backdrop of volcanic peaks, waterfalls and lagoons, new hotels and a raft of wild adventure tours are giving new edge to the lush Portuguese isle.

TASMANIA

Southern Tasmania's Huon Valley is blessed with fertile soil, a temperate climate and some of the world's cleanest air — something farmers and growers are harnessing to transform the region into an agritourism hub.

NAIROBI

Home to experimental chefs, edgy art galleries and eco-minded boutiques, Kenya's capital has blossomed in recent years with a lively bar scene and innovative places to eat, shop and stay.

BALKANS

A trip through the Western Balkans, home to Europe's largest indigenous Muslim population, shows how marginalised cultures can coexist

THE REALITY OF ZERO-EMISSION FLIGHTS

HAVE THE LATEST INNOVATIONS IN AVIATION FUEL, ELECTRIC BATTERIES AND HYDROGEN-POWERED AIRCRAFT LEAD US ONE STEP CLOSER TO TAKING TO THE SKIES SUSTAINABLY?

LUCY SHEPHERD

The 29-year-old adventurer is tackling her biggest expedition to date: crossing Guyana's Kanuku Mountains, deep in the Amazon Rainforest

CARIBBEAN

The islands and territories that make up the Caribbean are justifiably renowned for their bountiful sunshine and beaches, but beyond the resorts lie an intoxicating variety of cultures, creatures and cuisine that rarely make the headlines. But with dozens of destinations to choose from, how to decide which to visit? We've selected 14 of the most engaging, where memorable adventures amid natural wonders await. From climbing the volcanoes of Dominica and snorkelling the pristine reefs of Bonaire to discovering the rums of Martinique and the colourful street art of Curaçao, this is a region that excels in the wild and the unexpected

BHUTAN

A kingdom of palaces, pagodas and rolling pastures draped across the valleys of the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan is a country built around the tenets of Buddhism. The annual Paro Tshechu, held each spring, is among the most spectacular of the country's sacred festivals, with dances and ceremonies dating back to the 17th century

ASK THE EXPERTS

NEED ADVICE FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP? ARE YOU AFTER RECOMMENDATIONS, TIPS AND GUIDANCE? THE TRAVEL GEEKS HAVE THE ANSWERS...

Reconnect With Nature In Isère

Isère is the third-largest ski area in France, meaning there’s no shortage of winter adventures — from Nordic skiing to frozen waterfall climbing