A prairie-sky landscape right on our doorstep
Britain has some remarkable places. If we discovered them on the other side of the world, we'd soon be writing home. Film-maker and novelist Tom Connolly explores parts of Kent that have fuelled his creativity
Maine event: Autumn in New England
Fifty years ago novelist John Steinbeck toured New England and was impressed by what he saw. Visit this autumn and you will be too
The Hedonist: Baku
At large in Azerbaijan, by Ben Illis from Hg2 luxury city guides
Traveller's Guide: Tasmania
Australia's island state has temperate rainforests, deserted beaches, world-class wine – and a compelling convict history.
Turn over a new leaf in Canada's capital
City Slicker: Ottawa - This city has a reputation for being boring. Not any more. Amy Watkins offers a guide for new and returning visitors
48 Hours In: Mumbai
Autumn is the ideal time to visit India’s most cosmopolitan city – with plenty to nourish the body and soul
WIN! A two-night break for two in Bournemouth
We've teamed up with Hotels.com – the world's leading hotel booking website – to offer a two-night break for two in Bournemouth.

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.

48 Hours In: Rio de Janeiro
Brazil's 'marvellous city' is as flamboyant, dramatic and seductive as ever – even in the South American winter.
Latest videos
Stay the night: St Regis New York
The St Regis New York has preserved tradition without ignoring what's new, says Kate Simon

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

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.

In search of Kunegunda: A journey to the past in a Polish country churchyard
This poignant tale about a trip to eastern Europe won Marie Kreft the 2010 IoS/Bradt Travel Writing competition
Travel challenge: A holiday in Australia's 'Top End' and Outback
Every week we invite competing companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: the Northern Territory and Queensland. Prices are per person and based on two people leaving from Heathrow in September...
Patagonia: Try a Chilean adventure
The landscape of Patagonia is the perfect place to test your wild side, says Will Gray
Travel Challenge: A diving holiday in South-east Asia
Every week we invite competing companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday. Today: a week's diving holiday in South-east Asia in August. Prices are per person and include flights departing from Heathrow.





From luxurious spas
to wild and wonderful
watering holes,
we
select the hottest
spots to cool off in
this summer





Search for and compare thousands of cheap flights, hotels and car hire
Holidays for the discerning Traveller from the Independent Holiday Directory




Take a trip to the world's most interesting places with Simon Calder