‘It smells of salt marshes, maritime pines, peace and quiet’: readers’ favourite travel discoveries in France
Our tipsters share their French delights, from fresh oysters and mountain trains to surf beaches and pretty harbour towns
A frozen, protected wonderland: slow adventure in the less visited French Alps
At the gateway to the Vanoise national park, new cabins make a great base for a wild winter retreat that’s laid-back but packed with activity
Winter waterway: a cosy off-season trip on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal
A centrally heated boat proves perfect for a quiet Pennine cruise but canal maintenance and stormy weather mean plans have to be flexible
My journey into the fairytale world of Maramureș – the Romania time forgot
A German couple who renovate abandoned wooden houses and rent them out offer a window on to a traditional way of life in the north of the country
Tell us about a trip to Morocco
Whether you hiked the Atlas Mountains or enjoyed a beach or city break, share a tip on your favourite Moroccan find – the best wins £200 towards a Coolstays break
Flight-free to Tunisia: London to Tunis in two days by rail and ferry
This epic but comfortable and surprisingly quick journey sets you up perfectly to explore Tunisia’s ancient sites, cuisine and medinas
Away with Kumi Taguchi: ‘I am really comfortable and happy travelling on my own’
In Guardian Australia’s weekly interview about travel, the TV presenter recounts a meal in Japan that took a dark turn – and reveals the most ‘magical place’ she has ever visited
Reach for the stars: the best dark-sky destinations in Britain
This month is viewed as galaxy season in the northern hemisphere, so seek out wide open spaces around the country to gaze up into the heavens, undimmed by light pollution
For a front row view of all humans, book a seat on a long-distance train
With the little homes the passengers build for themselves out of laptops and crisps, it’s microcosmic
Heavenly stays: 10 of the best monastery breaks in Europe
From frugal retreats to luxury escapes, these convents and monasteries offer peace and spectacular locations for all faiths
To Big Sur, with love: a monastery stay on the northern California coast
High above the Pacific, a hermitage offers a world without distraction, where silence, serenity and joy reign supreme
‘We were inspired, recharged and nourished by nature’: readers’ favourite wellness trips
From mindful walking in the Yorkshire Dales to a Buddhist retreat in Japan, our tipsters have found inner peace and rejuvenation all over the world
It’s like plunging under the North Pole: my mind-stretching ice dive in the French Alps
Move over wild swimming … ice diving in a frozen mountain lake and camping under the Milky Way connects you with nature at its most raw and magical
My winter campervan adventure in the Cairngorms, Scotland
A slow jaunt around the mountainous national park, on some of the highest roads in Britain, delivers dramatic scenery, frosty walks and ziplining after dark
Merchants of Venice: 10 of the city’s most beautiful historic shops
From an elegant apothercary to a jewellers in a baroque salon, these stores all have atmospheric interiors and a history of exquisite craftsmanship