Estuary Essex … exploring the grimy but lovely Thames near Tilbury
The Observer’s architecture critic discovers a fascinating collision of industry, historic churches, waterfront and wildlife
Not fade away: the joy of a ghost-sign spotting walk
An urban stroll can become a journey into the past for those alert to the faded beauty of hand-painted adverts on old buildings
I’m painting the amazing Galápagos wildlife – from my sitting room
Can a virtual four-day art class come anywhere close to visiting the famous archipelago? Maybe not, but for our writer it turns out to offer something far more valuable
Giant underwater ‘jellyfish’ roundabout becomes latest Faroe Islands tourist attraction
Already a hit on social-media, an infrastructure project linking the two largest islands is set to become a big draw for foreign visitors
City canvas: walking Manchester’s new self-guided art trail
The new 50 Windows of Creativity trail weaves a journey that turns the city into a huge open-air gallery
Where Wes Anderson films ‘accidentally’ come to life
A new book portrays striking locations from Lisbon to Alaska brimming with the great director’s aesthetic appeal
The meaning of leaf: an autumnal tour of England’s arboretums
Planted by specimen collectors in the 18th and 19th centuries, arboretums are a ‘living library of trees’ that have become an invaluable public resource for recreation and education
Once more unto the beach: artists’ plan to boost the UK seaside
With coastal towns severely affected by coronavirus, one creative duo are planning a string of artist-led festivals in October half-term to lure people back to the seaside
It’s a brutal time for London’s National Gallery, but also a brilliant time to visit
With capacity drastically reduced visitors have a unique chance to enjoy the art without the crowds
Life after lockdown in Bordeaux: Les Bassins de Lumières
The world’s largest digital arts centre opened this week in a former submarine base, its cavernous chambers and dazzling visual effects providing exactly what visitors need after nearly three months in confinement
The bittersweet story of Marina Abramović’s epic walk on the Great Wall of China
In 1988 Abramović and Ulay trekked from opposite ends of the wall to meet in the middle – but this Herculean act of love and performance art was doomed from the start
10 of the world’s best virtual museum and art gallery tours
The originals are out of reach for now, but you can still see world-class art – without the queues or ticket prices – with an online tour of these famous museums
The adoration of Ghent: art, history and flavours in Flanders
Medieval and magical, vibrant and edgy – the Belgian city is a sensory overload
A vision in concrete: Oscar Niemeyer’s Brazil
As Brasília turns 60, it’s time to reassess the legendary modernist architect on a visit to the Brazilian capital and Rio de Janeiro
I loved this dreamy bohemian place: my art holiday in south Wales
A portraiture painting break in the Black Mountains reignites the artistic spark that our writer abandoned as a teenager