Ship Shape: The Queen Elizabeth in Southampton on Friday

These classic cruise liners still rule the waves

The 'Queen Elizabeth' will be officially named tomorrow, but while the vessel is new, its spirit belongs to a long-gone age. Kate Simon reports

Ups and downs: The author takes in the views on the descent from Gorongosa

Park life returns to Gorongosa

Despite the destruction caused by the country's long civil war, there is new hope for this stunning natural haven in central Mozambique.

Trail of the unexpected: Dame Shirley Bassey's Cardiff

Cardiff adores Shirley Bassey, despite the fact that there has never been much sign on her side that the love affair is requited.

Main attraction: Cruise the Rhine and the Danube

Colin Nicholson: The Main, one of Europe's lesser-known waterways, is becoming more popular.

Jewels in the crown: the towering Mount Fuji and Japan's celebrated Bullet Train

Traveller's Guide: Japan's great outdoors

Danielle Demetriou: Head beyond the vibrant cities to discover stunning shores and sacred mountains.

'A princely citadel turned metropolitan'

Chiang Mai is overtaking Bangkok in travellers' affections. Andrew Spooner offers a guide for new and returning visitors

WIN! A two-night break for two in Copenhagen

We've teamed up with Hotels.com – the world's leading hotel booking website – to offer a two-night break for two in Copenhagen.

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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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Savoy refurb: rather fine, guests agree

Tom Peck sees the first guests check in to a �220m refurbishment project

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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