THAILAND

Its palm-fringed bays and warm waters may be world-class, but there's much more to do in Thailand than many expect - from slow island exploration and cave meditation in the south to hands-on farm experiences and craft workshops in the north

RIO DE JANEIRO

Few cities are as naturally spectacular as Rio. Flanked by the Atlantic and Guanabara Bay, backed by jungle-furred peaks and strung together with miles of creamy sand, this is a place of singular beauty. The beachside neighbourhoods are the obvious areas to stay: legendary Copacabana, quieter Leme and trendier Ipanema, the gateway to Rio's western beaches. Don't write off inland, though. over the past decade, a new, boutiquestyle hotel scene has emerged. High above the historic centre, Santa Teresa is Rio's boho bastion. Directly below is nightlife-central Lapa. Whether on the coast or mid-city, Rio's hotel scene gives you the best of both worlds.

Georgina Miller

THE BRITISH FREE-DIVING CHAMPION ON HER FAVOURITE DIVE DESTINATIONS AND FINDING PEACE BENEATH THE WAVES

STOUR VALLEY

One of the most scenic corners of Essex is its border with Suffolk, formed by the art-inspiring River Stour

MUNICH

COMBINING HIP BAKERIES, CONTEMPORARY ART SPACES AND EMERGING DISTRICTS, GERMANY'S THIRD-LARGEST CITY HAS A YOUTHFUL SPIRIT

GO THE DISTANCE

Celebrate Disney's centenary by visiting some of the destinations behind its much-loved films

A new classic

A TRAIL WEAVING THROUGH A WILD COASTAL STRETCH OF THE SOUTH ISLAND IS SET TO JOIN NEW ZEALAND'S LIST OF GREAT HIKING ROUTES

Where the wild things are

The jungle-clad region of Sarawak on the island of Borneo is a destination designed for adventure, from its prehistoric caves to its colonies of orangutans.

HOW CAN AI HELP YOU PLAN A TRIP?

WITH AI INCREASINGLY BECOMING PART OF OUR LIVES, EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON THE BEST WAYS TO USE TOOLS LIKE CHATGPT FOR TRAVEL AND HOW TO AVOID BEING DUPED BY FALSE FACTS.

RIVER SWIMMING

Stories about the polluted state of the water in British rivers are rarely absent from the news - so how can you know where is safe to swim?

UNITED STATES Take the ultimate Florida road trip

Discover the secrets of the Sunshine State on a road trip that combines buzzing beach towns with wetland adventures and wildlife encounters

ON THE GAU CHO TRAIL

Deep in the heart of Patagonia, at the southern tip of Argentina, gaucho guides saddle up to lead horseback adventures through dramatic mountain passes and over the endless rolling pampas

The west rides again

IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS, TUOLUMNE COUNTY OFFERS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NATURAL WONDERS OF CALIFORNIA, ALONGSIDE A WEALTH OF QUIRKY GOLD RUSH TOWNS AND HOLLYWOOD FILM SETS PRIMED FOR A COMEBACK

ACTIVE PORTUGAL

There's a wild side to Portugal that remains largely under the radar. Those with a nose for adventure can swim beneath the Milky Way in Alentejo, surf Atlantic breakers on the coast, discover wildlife in national parks or take to new hiking trails in the Algarve's cork-cloaked hinterland

AUCKLAND

New Zealand leads with its natural attractions more than its urban ones, but it's worth lingering in its largest city, and after the long flight there's all the more reason to find a welcome space to rest and readjust. Auckland's hotel scene begins in the Central Business District (CBD), where a new post-pandemic energy has seen a wave of openings including restaurants and rooftop bars. Away from the shadow of the needle-pointed Sky Tower, seaside neighbourhoods such as Takapuna, Devonport and Mission Bay attract quirky breweries and top-notch cafes, and all around you'll find hilltop viewpoints, award-winning vineyards and white-sand beaches.

PALMA

Majorca's capital is now one of Spain's most exciting culinary cities, thanks to local chefs revitalising old recipes, rediscovering heritage ingredients and relishing a love of vermouth

Dr Theresa Emmerich Kamper

THE AMERICAN EXPERIMENTAL ARCHAEOLOGIST PADDLED THE THAMES IN A COWSKIN CANOE TO GAIN INSIGHT INTO STONE AGE-STYLE LIVING

DIVE DEEPER

IN MOZAMBIQUE'S BAZARUTO ARCHIPELAGO, AMID THE UNDULATING SAND DUNES, GUESTS CAN JOIN SCIENTISTS TRYING TO PREDICT THE FUTURE.

Mauritius

Mauritians can trace their roots to Madagascar, Zanzibar and East Africa, to the four corners of India and southern China and to the Malay Peninsula and Europe the legacy of centuries of colonial rule. Now their island's streets are lined with temples, churches and mosques, alongside roti stands, bistros and noodle houses. Mauritius has a unique national cuisine one that combines these contrasting heritages with the best ingredients as can be grown under the Indian Ocean sun. And the stories behind the recipes, some old and some entirely new, are best told by the people who use them every day.

Family adventures

FROM CRUISING INDIA TO MARINE CONSERVATION IN THE MALDIVES, THERE ARE ESCAPES TO ENTERTAIN ALL AGES.

INTO THE HILLS

Carving a path through cloud-swathed villages and centuries-old tea estates, the new long-distance Pekoe Trail gives hikers a chance to explore Sri Lanka's quiet central highlands.

REAL DESERT ISLANDS

WHETHER YOU WANT A SLOW PACE OF LIFE OR TO SURF OFF WHITE-SAND BEACHES, FIND YOUR PERFECT REMOTE GETAWAY IN THE INDIAN OCEAN

ALONG FOR THE RIDE

On tropical Réunion, France's farthest-flung department, buttery croissants and baguettes make good fuel for conquering the rainforested interior on two wheels

RIDE THE WAVES

THESE WHITE-SAND ISLANDS ARE IDEAL FOR RELAXED BEACH BREAKS, BUT THEY HAVE AN ADVENTUROUS SIDE, TOO. LEARN TO SAIL, COOK LIKE A LOCAL OR CONQUER THE CROWD-FREE SURF.

THE MALDIVES

With a near-endless supply of sugary white sand, warm seas and sunshine, this archipelago of some 1,190 tropical isles is most famous for being a place to unwind in style. But go beneath the surface and you'll discover island-hopping sailings to shipwrecks, active adventures from surfing to scuba diving and paddleboarding, and laid-back residential islands where you can gain a real insight into local Maldivian culture

SEYCHELLES

From beach idylls to granite mountains, this African archipelago is a sight to behold. Spend two weeks around its main islands and remote outposts to see tropical wildlife and catch fiery sunsets by the water.

Just launched

THE LATEST FROM THE INDIAN OCEAN, INCLUDING FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESORTS AND WILDLIFE-WATCHING TOURS.

Adventure Canada

There's nowhere like Canada for adventure travel. The world's second-largest country takes in glacier-topped peaks, polar tundra and sun-soaked prairies on an epic scale. Wildlife-lovers are spoilt for choice and the spectrum of activities is endless - from wild camping and multi-day hikes to placid paddles and road trips dotted with luxe lodges

Can Hotels Really Make a Difference?

From renewable energy and conservation schemes to supporting communities and managing food waste, there are many ways a hotel can manage its footprint.

BEAUTY & THE BIRDS

Northern Ireland's Rathlin Island feels lost in time, with its incredible birdlife the highlight of its many attractions.