48 Hours In: Tokyo

Simon Calder: A visit to the capital of Japan is a journey into a fascinating future world (and see Simon's exclusive video of the trip)

The wildebeest migration brings herds north

The wildebeest is king of the Masai Mara

Sankha Guha: This time of year the Masai Mara in is packed with animals – and they put on a real-life horror show.

Trail of the unexpected: The M25

Leave rush hour behind for a day out on London’s mighty ring road. Simon Calder fires up the Focus.

Simon Calder: How London got its ring road

Dyffryn Mymbyr: Mountains of charm at a Welsh retreat

Steve Connor visits the birthplace of rural escapism.

Masked ball: Dogon women in Mali take a break during festivities - the masks are optional

Africa Round-Up: Step away from the binoculars

This continent isn't all about safari. Rhiannon Batten rounds up a selection of alternative holidays.

Tahiti: Does this Polynesian idyll still have the same allure?

A new exhibition of Paul Gauguin's work paints a vibrant picture of Tahiti. By John Walsh.

Stay the night: Royal Mansour, Marrakech

Mohammed VI issued an edict for a sumptuous hotel, and lo! It came to pass. Adrian Mourby reports.

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World Expo hits halfway – and organizers hope for sunny days ahead

Expo 20210 Shanghai has hit the halfway mark of its sixth month run and organizers say they have learned from their mistakes - and are promising bigger and better days ahead.

Twin peaks: Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf

48 Hours In: Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's 'marvellous city' is as flamboyant, dramatic and seductive as ever – even in the South American winter.

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The Savoy Thrill

Why spending the night in style is good for the soul: John Walsh on the joy of luxury living

Throughout August at various locations, English Heritage is putting on Time Travellers Go days to allow children to get creative, handle artefacts, play games and listen to stories

School holidays special: Days out around the UK

You don't have to go too far afield this summer to take a break. Make the most of a weekend, or shape a whole staycation around some fun events. Simone Kane picks her favourites from across the country

Sands of time: Mishal Husain's trip took her back to the deserts of Ras al-Khaimah

Mishal Husain travels back to the UAE

A trip down memory lane is a little tricky if, like me, yours was an expatriate childhood. Mine was spent in the United Arab Emirates – 10 happy years from 1975, when I was two years old – which makes it the first home I can remember. But the UAE isn't somewhere I pass through much these days and my friends from there are scattered across the globe. Even if I did venture back, the ever-changing urban landscape is more than likely to have rendered once-familiar locations unrecognisable.

Cross purpose: Marie's quest to find her great-grandmother's grave, pictured, in Rumia, Poland, provided the inspiration for a uniquely personal travel tale

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