Where tourists seldom tread, part 16: a trio of small historic cities
From Swansea, with its sweeping bay and artistic soul, to Doncaster’s Roman heritage and Carlisle’s literary past, this selection proves size doesn’t matter
Fancy a Belgian city break without the crowds of Ghent or Bruges? Mechelen might be the answer
The majestic Flemish city is dotted with renaissance palaces, great bars and eye-catching contemporary art – yet it’s firmly off the tourist trail
20 of the best spring breaks in the UK
Make the most of longer, warmer days by puffin-spotting in Mull, stargazing in Northumberland, or finding Narnia in the Mourne Mountains
‘Spring sings with birdlife and wildflowers’: readers’ favourite UK trips of the season
From best in bloom on the Lizard Peninsula to perky puffins in the Hebrides, our tipsters revel in the return of spring
Where the art of Edvard Munch comes alive: a city break in Oslo
As a new exhibition celebrating the portraits of Edvard Munch opens at London’s National Portrait Gallery, we take a trip to the artist’s home city in Norway
From an Alpine meadow to a Greek island: five of the best spring breaks in Europe
Our writers make the most of warm weather, smaller crowds and off-peak prices to visit their favourite spots, from the Baltic to the Bosphorus
‘I cycled through flower fields stretching as far as the eye can see’: readers’ favourite European spring breaks
From spring blooms in the Netherlands to early sunshine in Sicily, our tipsters share their favourite seasonal escapes
Far from the madding crowd: my personal pilgrimage on the quiet paths of Thomas Hardy’s Dorset
My mother wrote about the meandering trails from the novelist’s cottage, through countryside loaded with literary references – now I’m following in her footsteps
Where tourists seldom tread, part 15: three more UK towns with unsung stories
Our tour of unheralded towns continues with Black Country legends in Dudley, Renaissance-style architecture in Enniskillen and Middlesbrough, birthplace of the Sydney Harbour Bridge
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
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
An arty stay in cider land: a brush with the Somerset countryside
A cosy cabin offers not just a place to stay but a chance to learn from local artists and discover the gentle, rolling landscape and its farm produce
Beyond the commuter belt: why the stunning Surrey Hills are worth a short break
Come for wonderful walks on Box Hill and the Happy Valley trail, stay for cosy inns, great food and a sense of discovery
Like a luxury spa – for £20: where to enjoy Britain’s Turkish baths revival
In 1900, there were 600 Turkish baths in Britain and Ireland. Today, only a handful survive. We enjoy a revived hammam in Newcastle and take a look at 10 more around the country
Where tourists seldom tread, part 13: three more British places with tales to tell
We visit Wakefield’s rhubarb triangle Britannia’s westernmost amphitheatre in Carmarthen, and Colne - home of Monty Python’s favourite cobblestones