Sommaire pour February/March 2022 de Wanderlust

THOMAS KAST A photojournalist, author and illustrator, Thomas’ aim is to introduce the audience to unfamiliar locations and cultures. A winner of the Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year 2019 competition, his prize took him to Hong Kong and Macao for us in 2019. What’s on your 2022 Hot List? “To conclude a reportage on the media-shy Hasidic communities in Jerusalem. “ GERAINT ROWLAND Geraint has spent the last 12 years roaming the world, taking photos and trying to stay out of trouble. He’s exhibited his images in Cardiff, London and Lima, Peru, and licenses his photos via Getty Images. A Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year winner, he undertook his photo commission prize in 2019. What’s on your 2022 Hot List? “I’d love to visit Rwanda, which has fascinated…

“Thank you Paul [Goldstein], James [Nampaso, Maasai guide] and Lyn Hughes for a very interesting Wanderlust webinar tonight. It was great seeing ‘the African Bush’ at night.” Roger “Wow, what a joy. I loved hearing about Fig [the leopard] and seeing the short videos of the other animals. I couldn’t believe how close those elephants were! I’m definitely planning a visit to Kicheche.” Chris “Remember Paul, when we had to change a wheel with Fig watching us from a nearby tree?” Karen “One word three syllables... Fabulous. “ Sarah “Cheetahs are my drug of choice.” Jane “That’s the thrill for me – to go back and see Fig and her family – to follow their story!” Jackie “What a great evening and I loved James’ beautiful beaded necklace and seeing…

The highlights: Known as the ‘Hollywood of the Mediterranean’, you can see why Malta’s ochre-hued skyline and azure waters have enticed so many directors. And so many other countries for that matter, with the Romans, Arabs, Normans, French and British all wanting a slice of the island. Its heritage is as fascinating as it is diverse and its many epoch-spanning sites – from 5,000 years ago to the present day – are well worth exploring. Must see: Start in Valletta, the historical capital to admire Caravaggio’s The Beheading of St. John the Baptist, housed inside the gilded St Paul’s Co-Cathedral. Follow the narrow streets up to the Upper Barrakka Gardens for fine views over the Grand Harbour and Malta’s Three Cities. Take a closer look by catching a ferry to…

City sleeper Rail travellers will be able to board Europe’s newest, sustainable night train, connecting some of the continent’s most desirable cities. From this summer, the European Sleeper will provide a direct service linking the capitals of Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague. Travellers from London will be able to catch the Eurostar and change at Brussels to board the service. Passengers can travel happily knowing 75 fewer tonnes of CO2-emissions are produced than if taking the same journey by air. The service will run three times a week at first, with plans to increase to a daily service, dependent on demand. europeansleeper.eu/English SOLAR ECLIPSE BY AIR A total solar eclipse is due to take place in Australia in April 2023, and a specialist aircraft charter service is offering passengers a…

If you love videos about mountains and trekking but dislike in-your-face presenters, then the work of Kraig Adams is for you. This is a true fly-on-wall (but outdoors) experience as the camera and microphone accompany Kraig as he solo-hikes in Torres del Paine, through the Dolomites or to Everest Basecamp. The superb cinematography is accompanied by ambient music and/or the natural sounds, whether the crunch of footsteps, rumble of a volcano or the chatter of locals. You’ll feel as if you’re with Kraig on the trail or exploring the streets of Namche Bazaar. So calming are the videos that he has also put together compilations to help with study or relaxation. https://www.youtube.com/c/KraigAdams/videos…

Cowbells Walter Scherl is Austria’s last cowbell blacksmith – his workshop in Schnann in Tirol has been in his family for 300 years. Watch him at work and buy a bell to paint yourself. Pettneu am Arlberg, Tirol; schellenschmied.at Snowglobes Buy snowglobes at markets across Austria or watch them being made at the Snow Globe Museum, a 250-year-old building in Vienna run by Perzy’s grandson, Erwin Perzy III. Vienna; schneekugel.at Masks Browse 450 masks in House of Fasnacht Nassereith in Tirol (reopening June 2022). To buy or make one, contact carvers Matthias Gasperi in Hatting, Holger Tangl in Wenns or Florian Schaller in Gries im Sellrain. Museum, Nassereith; the carvers are on Facebook. Indigo printing Joseph and Miriam Koó own Original Indigo Blueprint, established in 1921. They still print with…

Airbnb has revolutionised how we travel, allowing visitors to leap straight into the beating heart of a community. However, it has come at a cost. In 2019, a report by the Economic Policy Institute found that ‘the presence of Airbnb raises local housing costs’. Several major cities (including Barcelona and Paris) have since tightened regulations to tackle over-tourism and ensure that housing caters for residents rather than tourists. Fairbnb is a sustainable alternative; it doesn’t allow people to list second homes, and a percentage of fees go to community projects.…

KEEN Drift Creek, £80 Whether you’re splashing through rockpools, trying a bit of SUP, pounding city streets or walking a coastal trail, the Drift Creek is built with performance in mind. It offers incredible traction on wet or dry surfaces and is available in either a Closed Toe model with toe protection or a sporty Two-Strap edition. keenfootwear.com TWELVE SOUTH AirFly Pro, £54.95 A nifty gadget for travel, AirFly Pro allows your devices to connect wirelessly to other systems that don’t have built-in Bluetooth. For instance, enjoy in-flight entertainment on your favourite headphones. It can also send audio from your iPhone to the sound system in your rental car; you could use it to stream directions from a navigation app. www.apple.com/uk OAKLEY CMDN sunglasses, £121 Look effortlessly cool in this…

Staycations are here to stay With borders opening across the world, some people will be desperate to catch the next plane abroad. However, many of us have been learning about the hidden gems on our doorsteps with this extensive time spent at home. Our love for staycations will flow into 2022, as we continue to explore the beautiful, diverse and less-established landscapes, from wonderful wild spots to overlooked small towns. Seeing places without the crowds For those who do want to venture beyond their homes, there might not be a better time to visit some of those bucket list destinations, especially any honeypot sites. Travel will continue to be quieter than it was pre-pandemic, meaning popular cities, landmarks and tourist attractions will have fewer visitors, creating a much more relaxed…

1 Go on a seal safari Hundreds of harbour and grey seals have taken up residence in the Somme Bay and they like to snooze on the sandbanks. Join a guided tour with naturalist Maxim Marzi. somme-tourisme.com 2 Visit Nausicaa Nausicaa Aquarium in Boulogne-sur-Mer is the biggest aquarium in Europe and where conservation is its key goal. The Big Tank is home to sharks, manta rays and huge shoals of fish.nausicaa.co.uk 3 Explore Montreuilsur-Mer This medieval town is worth a wander. Victor Hugo set part of Les Misérables here and every year at the end of July and beginning of August, the story is performed in an outdoor sound and light show.french-weekendbreaks.co.uk 4 Take a tour in a vintage vehicle Les Belles Echappées rents out vintage…

1 Every stroke we take is one less we have to make. Even against the most relentless wind or retrograde tide, somehow a canoe moves forward. This mystery can only be explained by the fact that each pull forward is real movement and not delusion. 2 There is to be no abuse of self or others. Respect and trust cannot exist in anger, it must be thrown overboard where the sea can cleanse it. It has to be washed off the hands and cast into the air so the stars can take care of it. 3 Be flexible because the adaptable animal survives. If you get tired, ship your paddle and rest. If you get hungry, put in on the beach and eat a few oysters. If you can’t figure…

”Hong Kong is a photographer’s dream,” says Geraint Rowland. “It’s got impressive architecture and the busy streets teem with life, day and night.” The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year winner was blown away by the territory. As part of their dual-destination photo commission (see p146), the four winners of the UK’s biggest travel photography competition were first guided around Hong Kong and its many islands. They soon discovered there were plenty of opportunities to point their lenses, whether the neon skyscapers, the old neighbourhoods from which the city evolved or one of the 260 outlying islands, whose slower pace of life, unusual wildlife and natural landscapes offer a contrast to that famous urban bustle. “There’s so much going on in the streets,” enthuses fellow winner Paul Wynn. “Colourful taxis,…

Getting there: Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) welcomes daily non-stop flights from the UK. Major airlines include British Airways (ba.com), American (americanairlines.co.uk) and Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com). Getting around: No car is needed in Boston, as the city has the ‘T’ public transport system (mbta.com). Rent cars when leaving town; use the PlatePass (E-ZPass MA) electronic toll payment, as many highways are now all-electronic or have cashless toll collection lanes. Deals: When doing the sights In Boston, consider the CityPASS® (citypass.com) or Go Boston All Inclusive Pass (gocity.com). Accommodation: Special places to stay in Boston range from the 110-year-old grande dame Fairmont Copley Plaza (fairmont.com) to the contemporary Inn @ St. Botolph (innatstbotolph.com) and Verb, a retro rock ‘n’ roll motel (theverbhotel.com). In the Berkshires, The Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge…

Walking into Oakham’s old town centre, a blue plaque on a stone cottage caught my eye. It commemorated former resident Jeffrey Hudson (1619-1682), the ‘smallest man from the smallest county in England’. Hudson, I later leaned, was a metre-high court dwarf, decreed a ‘wonder of the age’ for his well-proportioned tiny size. So a bit like Rutland itself. Rutland is the country’s smallest historic county by some margin and, hovering in the landlocked midlands, one many outsiders struggle to place on map. But it’s a perfectly formed package of rural England and crams a fair amount into its limited borders, from Cotswold-like villages to one of the largest man-made reservoirs in Europe. As its motto declares: Multum in Parvo – much in little. It hasn’t long been this way. Although…

Some cities achieve greatness and others have it thrust upon them, but Alexandria was born to greatness. Alexander the Great named more than 70 cities after himself, but none were destined to live in the memory the way that Alexandria in Egypt continues to do, its name conjuring up a nostalgia for a glorious time that we only know through stories. The city owes its birth and instant fame to its location at the north of Egypt, near one of the branches of the Nile, and on the Mediterranean coast. The coast here is flat and mostly featureless, but there was always a good harbour formed by an island just offshore, now joined to the mainland to form a spit of land. The harbour is what caught Alexander’s eye, looking…

Visit… The Roman catacombs are a mix of ancient Egyptian and Roman; the theatre and villas at Kom el Dikka a reminder of the glory of the past; the 15th century fort of Qaitbay sits on the site of the Pharos, the lighthouse that was one of seven wonders of the ancient world; and the halls of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina sits on the site of the ancient library. Swim… Although some city centre beaches are dirty, if you venture west to Agami or east at Montazah there is some delightful swimming. Shop… The souks might not be as exciting as in Turkey, but there are still joys in the old Attarine market – on my latest visit, I bought a 1960s English ship’s clock. Eat… You’re by the sea, so…

Day 1: Porto Start in Portugal’s second city, capital of the north. Wander the waterside Ribeiro district. Marvel at Baroque architecture and gilded churches. Jump on a tram, or hire a bike and pedal, to river mouth Foz do Douro suburb. Walk across the top of double-decker Dom Luís I Bridge to the twin city of Vila Nova de Gaia, home of the port wine lodges and the new World of Wine district. Day 2: Historic core From Porto, travel north first to Guimarães, cradle of the nation and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The castle and Paço dos Duques palace are twin gems, crowning a hill like a theatre backdrop to the tightly-packed medieval centre. Day 3: Heaven’s above Braga, ecclesiastical capital of the country where every other building seems…

A Remarkables view, Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand We’re looking forward to New Zealand opening up so we can get back to the Queenstown Skyline Gondola, with its views over the country’s adventure capital and the Remarkables mountain range. But this visitor hotspot has used the enforced break to reassess its offering. The Queenstown Cares initiative has been launched with the aim of promoting sustainability and connecting visitors to the local environment and the community. Projects include plastics reduction, the reintroduction of kea parrots into the Remarkables, and the promotion of low-impact immersive activities.…

It’s been a tumultuous time for travel but, as much of the world opens up, we are joining forces with our friends at AITO, the Specialist Travel Association, on a survey to understand the travel plans of discerning travellers. AITO members offer authentic and original holidays, all fully protected. Like us, they are keen to know what matters to you at this time. What’s more, you’ll have the chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher if you complete the survey. Go to www.wanderlust.co.uk/ aito/survey…

“Loved the #Scotland feature in @wanderlustmag so much by @robinmckelvie that I read it twice. Can’t wait to get back for the trip we had to COVID cancel last year.” @GirlsThatTravel “The Tourist was a good series. I know it’s a story but amazing how nobody took any water while travelling through The Outback!” Suzanne Krentz “Close encounters with a bear can be a chilly experience... and they like penetrating household garbage from the bins in the Tri-City’s residential areas [British Columbia], especially early in the morning when people are busy to go to work.”@frigerzoid “Lincoln, UK, [has] so much historic interest there, [but] probably gets overlooked as it is a small city and in parts, similar to York.” Colin Paul “I love the layout and design of the content…

Memorable Plane Journeys “The alarm sounded loudly on the 19-seater from San Fernando de Apure to Caracas. The noise stopped after the plane descended to below 15,000 feet, but everytime we tried to ascend, the alarm shrieked again. The mountains were probably closer than usual as we flew over them.” Carol Hopperton “After taking off from Sharm el-Sheikh, we had to land in Bari to refuel. The captain appeared and said, ‘We have a small problem: the airline has no fuel account here, can I borrow some money?’” Richard Marsden “At 35,000ft, I witnessed a wing bolt fly off and what looked like oil coming out of the hole. I gestured to a passing air stewardess who put a conspiratorial finger to her lips. About ten minutes later, she reappeared…

The fourth season of The Wild with Chris Morgan focusses on people who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife and the environment. Meeting passionate researchers and scientists from around the world, as well as in the USA’s Pacific Northwest where he is based, Chris promises inspiring tales and “moments of total awe”. Episode one in the season travels to the Côa Valley in northern Portugal for a project to rewild and regenerate an area that has been largely abandoned by people.…

Mountain Bothies Association This charity maintains over 100 shelters across remoter parts of Great Britain, available for overnight stays — the ultimate low-impact digs. Most are only available via footpaths, like Guirdil, a 19th Century shepherds’ cottage on the western shore of Rum. Before getting involved, read up on the Bothy Code to ensure these places remain special for everyone to enjoy. Canopy & Stars B Corporation-certified Canopy & Stars has always had a responsible ethos. Not only does it direct people towards off-grid cabins and innovative environmentally sensitive shelters but it is also majority employee-owned and aims to plant 1 million trees by 2025. The Long Run Having guided nature-based places to stay towards more sustainable operations for over ten years, this membership organisation knows a thing or two…

Vital statistics Capital: Hanoi Population: 97,000,000 Languages: Vietnamese, French, plus assorted minority group dialects, including Muong, Cham and Khmer Time: GMT +7 International dialling code: +84 Visas: Before COVID-19, UK & Irish nationals travelling by air could fill in the visa on arrival (VOA); electronic visas must be arranged beforehand if arriving overland. Money: Dong - currently £1 to VND31,000. ATMs are found throughout the country and credit cards widely accepted. When to go Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate with weather patterns differing north to south and a marked temperature range, which drops to an average low of 15°C in Hanoi (Dec-Feb) and 22°C in Ho Chi Minh City. April is the warmest month, with an average maximum temperature of around 30°C. The North – May-Sept are the driest…

1 JORDAN & SAUDI ARABIA Unique jaunt through the iconic Middle-East Explore’s Journey Through Arabia tour is currently the only trip on the market that transports visitors overland from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea-hub of Jeddah, through desert and ancient cities, and then into Jordan.The route takes travellers through the some of the Middle East’s most fabled sights: exploring ancient the Nabataean cities of Hegra and Petra, camping out in the Wadi Rum desert while appreciating traditional Bedouin hospitality, and taking a boat trip to the 100 islands off Umluj, the ‘Maldives of Saudi Arabia’ – with marine life such as turtle and dugong – before finishing at the Dead Sea and Amman. Who? Explore (01252 884709; explore.co.uk) When? 19 March, 7 May, 10 Sept, 8, 15, 29 Oct, 19 Nov,…

Getting there Hong Kong is served by direct flights, with a number of airlines departing the UK including Virgin Atlantic (virginatlantic.com), British Airways (ba.com) from Heathrow and Cathay Pacific (cathaypacific.com). Getting around Ferries are important transport modes between Hong Kong’s harbours and numerous islands. The iconic Star Ferry links Kowloon with Hong Kong Island. Other services link Central with Cheung Chau, Lantau and Lamma Islands, and west to Macao. Ferries from Wong Shek and Ma Liu Shui serve islands in the New Territories. The Mass Transit Railway, Kowloon-Canton Railway and Light Rail cover much of northern Hong Kong and Lantau Island, Kowloon and up towards the Chinese border. Trams trundle along HK Island’s north shore, while the Peak Tram ascends to the eponymous viewpoint. When to go Summer (May-Sept) brings…

Zagreb Population: 806,000 approx Average max July temperature: 29°C Famous for: Baroque and medieval Gornji Grad (Upper Town), grand 19th-century Donji Grad (Lower Town), café culture. Ljubljana Population: 280,000 approx Average max July temperature: 28°C Famous for: Germanic art nouveau and Plecnik’s Secessionist architecture, fairy-tale cobbled Old Town, café culture. Need to know A direct train between Zagreb and Ljubljana takes around 2.5 hours on a scenic line that snakes through forest-clad hills weaving along the banks of the Sava River. How to get there Direct flights from London to Zagreb take just over two hours with British Airways (ba.com) offering return fares from £101. Flight time from London to Ljubljana is slightly shorter – easyJet (easyjet.com) has return fares from £95.…

Fall foliage Autumn is spectacular. Warm days followed by crisp nights flip a switch, turning a gazillion leaves to scarlet and gold, purple and orange. Avoid the hordes of ‘leaf peepers’ by travelling midweek and basing yourself in the country; then hike or bike. Explore back roads, such as the Western Massachusetts Scenic Byways. Route 116 takes in small towns, wooden covered bridges, Savoy Mountain State Forest (for hiking trails) and Adams, where the Berkshire Scenic Railway runs foliage train trips.bywayswestmass.com Appalachian Trail One of the world’s most famous hiking routes, the Appalachian Trail runs for 3,500 kilometres down the eastern United States. Some 150km are in the Berkshires. You don’t have to do it all: highlights include 1,064m Mount Greylock, the state’s highest point. Walk on and around the…

“Explore Rutland on foot. Start at Uppingham’s historic Market Place (where there’s a market every Friday, as there has been for centuries) and grab a snack from Uppingham Fine Food, my favourite independent shop. Stroll down the High Street and walk along a path called The Inhams to beautiful Bisbrooke – home to Wilma the village pig, an artisan bakery, a secret garden and a stunning church – before looping back to Uppingham.”…

Currency: LE, the Egyptian pound – roughly LE21 to the UK£, 18 to the €. US$ is the preferred hard currency. International dialling Code +203 Getting there: There are direct flights into Alexandria’s Borg el Arab airport from Rome, Paris, Istanbul and some other cities. More likely, you will come from Cairo by the frequent bus or train services, both of which take around three hours. Getting Around: Nostalgics will enjoy the continuing ‘clicking of violet trams along the sea-front,’ but the best way of getting around is either to walk or hail the many inexpensive cabs. Festivals: The week-long Heritage Days Festival, usually each November, is a chance to indulge in the history of the city in the company of experts and authors. There are usually walking tours and…

International dialling code: +351 Currency: Euro (€) Getting there: There are currently direct flights to Porto from six UK airports. Alternatively, catch the car ferry from Portsmouth to Santander from where the region is about six hours drive. Getting around: You will need a car to explore the region’s remoter reaches. However, trains from Porto connect the cultural cores of Guimarães and Braga. The Douro line from Porto to Pocinho, which stops in Pinhão, is on many a rail enthusiast’s bucket list. Weather: The coast is cooler with warm, mainly dry summers, but often wet in other seasons. The hinterland is drier with hot summers and cold winters; spring and autumn are more comfortable. Further Information: www.visitportugal.com/en/destinos/porto-e-norte…

LYNN HOUGHTON The Mississippi River Growing up on Canada’s West Coast instilled a passion in Lynn to tell stories of nature, northern destinations and indigenous people. She canoes deep into the Mississippi for us on p124, exploring its less-told history. What’s on your 2022 Hot List? “Hot for 2022 are less-travelled destinations: Salt Pans of Bolivia; Manitoba, Canada; Guadiana River, Algarve; the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, plus Benin and Togo, West Africa.” KATHY ARNOLD Massachusetts Long a Londoner, American-born Kathy loves to spend time in New England, and Massachusetts in particular. On p170, she gives us tips on the lesser-known spots in this popular state, from quirky museums and funky hotels to exploring the great outdoors. What’s on your 2022 Hot List? “To compare and contrast facets of USA history…

The Wanderlust Club has a great range of exclusive offers, competitions and events for our members – here are just a few. Already a member? Head to wanderlustmagazine. com/your-wanderlust to find out more. Missing out? To join the Club, turn to page 106 VIRTUAL EVENT: Georgia & the Caucasus (16 March) Jonny Bealby and Marc Leaderman will talk about the history, culture and travel highlights of Georgia. Jonny first visited Georgia back in 1999 and now ranks it as one of his favourite countries, where the landscapes, the history, the cuisine and the people combine to make it a compelling travel destination. WIN! A copy of Ayla , by MasterChef Santosh Shah Nepali chef Santosh Shah was very much the people’s champion on MasterChef: The…

The Architectural Guides From €38/£32, DOM Publishers A good way to truly understand a country is through its architecture, revealing the true history of culture, politics and economics than underpin it. DOM publishers’ The Architectural Guides don’t just provide an excellently curated list of the most intriguing buildings in a destination for visitors to seek out, but also the context behind their construction and ideas they represent. Successfully combining DOM publishers’ joint passion for architecture and high-quality books, the 150-strong series is not only one of the best on-to-go travel guides to appreciate some more off-the-beaten track destinations – including Bishkek, Iran, Kabul, Kazakhstan, Minsk, Sofia, Tunis and the UAE – but beautifully constructed enough to simply inspire armchair travellers at home. You can find the full catalogue at www.dom-publishers.com. The…

1 COWBELLS Austrian farmers tie bells to cattle so they can find them if they wander off. Traditionally, blacksmiths made the bells by pressing sheets of steel together, hammering them into shape and welding them. After adding handles, they dip them in brass, polish them and paint images of flowers or chalets on them by hand. 2 SNOW GLOBES Inspired by cobblers’ lamps – water-filled glass balls used to magnify candlelight – Erwin Perzy I invented the snowglobe in Vienna around 1900. They are still made by hand, and often feature mountain village scenes and Vienna’s Ferris wheel, St Stephen’s Cathedral and City Hall under a blanket of fake snow. 3 MASKS Fasnacht carnival heralds the arrival of spring (the next one is Jan-Feb 2023). The first…

It was lovely that you could join us at Kensington Palace to host 2021’s Wanderlust Travel Awards. It’s a great venue but a bit different to the sort of places that we usually associate you with. We’re much more used to seeing you abseiling into a volcano or underwater with some big marine creature... I guess that 20 years ago, I would have considered that kind of adventure to be putting myself out of my comfort zone. But now that has become my reality and this is out of my comfort zone. Doing things where I have to put on a suit or a jacket or even shoes, I feel so completely out of my depth, such a fish out of water. I’ve come to feel so at home sleeping…

1 HANOI Built around a series of lakes and the snaking Red River, the buildings in Vietnam’s capital are a mix of Confucian China, Soviet monumentalist and French colonial. 2 NINH BÌNH This landscape of lily-covered rivers winding through karst mountains and green paddy fields is UNESCO World Heritage listed. 3 HALONG BAY Northern Vietnam’s vast bay of forest-covered islets lies in easy reach of Hanoi and is best visited on an overnight cruise. 4 PHONG NHA-KE BANG NP Caves honeycomb the mountains of this UNESCO-listed national park; including Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest, and glittering Phong Nha Cave. 5 HUE The imperial capital of the Nguyen emperors, with a crumbling forbidden city and a hinterland dotted with beautiful temples and tombs. 6…

1 QUAPAW CANOE OUTFITTERS Named for one of the local Indian tribes, Quapaw Outfitters’ main operation is in Clarksdale but has two other outposts on the Lower Mississippi River. This outfitter organises bespoke paddling/canoeing expeditions. They sell and rent canoes, accessories and most related equipment. Owner John Ruskey is renowned for his artwork, apprentice programme, charitable activities and school trips on the river. 2 THE BILL WALLER CRAFT CENTER Located in Ridgeland, right next to the old Natchez Trace Trail, the home and museum for the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi opened in 1973 and was the creation of Governor William Waller. The Center works to preserve and promote regional crafts as well as supporting craft makers. 3 ELVIS PRESLEY’S BIRTHPLACE In the north-east of the state, Tupelo…

Wild coast, snowy peaks, thundering rivers, vast rainforests: when it comes to big nature, there are few places in Canada that compare with British Columbia (BC). From the craggy Rockies to the Great Bear Rainforest and the Gulf Islands, it’s a land made for adventure... ON THE OCEAN At more than 25,000km, BC’s Pacific coastline has something for everyone: chilled out beach towns, deserted shorelines, dramatic cliffs and remote islands rich in First Nations culture. From Vancouver, take a road-trip along the Sea-to-Sky Highway, the snaking coast road that runs all the way to Squamish and Whistler, or head along the Sunshine Coast to visit the laid-back coastal communities of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt and Powell River. Across the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver Island is home to British Columbia’s capital…

Ask most Americans about Massachusetts and they talk about Boston, Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. And its leading role in the founding of the nation: the Pilgrim Fathers’ landing 400 years ago and the start of the American Revolution. But there’s much more to this state than history. At only 240km wide, Massachusetts may be one of America’s smallest states, but few places are denser with things to see and do. Its Atlantic coastline is a natural playground, with broad sandy beaches and every kind of water sport. To the west, the rolling Berkshire Hills are perfect for hiking, biking and communing with Mother Nature. In between is farmland, with back roads leading to picture-perfect villages. Think cosy taverns, historic homes and the white spire…

Location: All four ksour are in central-eastern Mauritania, 500-1,000km inland from coastal capital, Nouakchott. Getting there: From the UK, connect to Nouakchott daily via Paris (Air France) or Casablanca (RAM), or twice-weekly via Gran Canaria (Binter Canarias & Mauritanian Airlines). Connections from London take around 9-12 hours; from £55 return. Weekly (Dec-Mar) charter flights between Paris and regional capital Atar with Pointe Afrique (pointafrique.com/vols) are most convenient. Getting around: The ksour are remote, and public transport challenging. A good tour agency (and vehicle) can therefore be key. Native Eye (nativeeyetravel.com) and Lupine Travel (lupinetravel.co.uk) run scheduled trips, and Time 4 Mauritania (time4mauritania.com) arranges custom itineraries. When to go: Nov-Mar is best, with highs around 30-35° and cool nights – other times can be truly scorching. Accommodation: There’s at least one…

EAT your way around the Rutland Food & Drink Trail. This driving or cycling route visits a range of producers across the ‘County of Good Taste’, from brewers and gin distillers to coffee grinders and bread bakers. discover-rutland.co.uk WALK around the entire county. The 100km Rutland Round roughly traces the perimeter, leading via attractive villages, award-winning pubs and quiet countryside, with detours to Oakham and Rutland Water. There’s no need to do it all at once: the official guidebook (£6.75; cordee.co.uk) breaks it into five sections. Also, the Rutland Local History & Record Society website has an interesting selection of village walks. rutlandhistory.org INHALE the floral delights at Barnsdale Gardens. Open year-round, Barnsdale is a collection of 38 themed and individually-designed garden ‘rooms’, fun to explore even if you’re not…

Small & characterful Alexander the Great The Alex is less great than its name suggests, but the best budget option for sightseeing, occupying the upper floors of an office and apartment building situated close to the promenade. Rooms are spotless, air-conditioned and balconied but ask for one off the street – the school across the road is noisy day and night. Mid-range The Cecil The best of the old colonial hotels, mentioned by Lawrence Durrell among others, the Cecil has been an institution since it opened on the waterfront in 1929. Now part of the Steigenberger group, it remains the obvious choice if you want to balance nostalgia with a bit of comfort. www.steigenberger.com Best address in town Four Seasons Alexandria The Alexandria is everything you would expect from the…

“It is impossible to exaggerate how amazed people can be they come to towns in the Minho such as Braga and Guimarães and find them bursting with youthful life. Many come to these places expecting history and culture, and certainly discover plenty of that. But a museum atmosphere? Not so much. Instead, they discover a full package of experiences, cities with fabulous restaurants, avant-garde bars, and student life lived outside on streets and squares.”…