They talk a lot about the light in Tuscany, but Michael Lamb found the darkness just as intriguing in Siena.

Yesterday European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, announced she would seek approval from the European Union to launch trade negotiations with New Zealand.

The possibilities for discovery are endless, regardless of route, on a European river cruise, writes Pamela Wade.

Michelle Jana Chan takes her Czech grandmother to Prague on a journey of rediscovery.

Walking through Barcelona, it's easy to forget that great political passions were once played out in its streets, writes Stephen Burgen.

A family holiday in Italy and France avoids the big towns and bright lights and finds the pleasures of rural living and small communities.

Pebble beaches, promenades and cobblestone streets filled with quirky shops and pubs make Brighton endearing, finds Greg Bowker.

Ancient tombs, historic homes that played backdrop to combat - Ireland boasts loads of history to relish away from the paddock, writes Brendan Manning.

Thousands of graves stretching to the horizon remind Penny Lewis of the sacrifice made by so many.

On an escorted tour, travellers are treated to the best of Singapore, Spain, Italy and France, writes Carol Smith.

Europe's Christmas markets usher in a world of magical toys, local delicacies, beautiful decorations and bags of good cheer. These are the best Christmas markets, as chosen by users of booking.com.

For Germans, VW is a huge part of their national identity and place brand, writes Mike Lee. It would be like a Kiwi finding out that Fonterra, purposely lied about the safety or nutritional value of its milk products.

Nowhere is the VW emissions scandal being felt more acutely than in Wolfsburg, the ultimate German company town.

A three-hour rail trip across Sicily gives Linda Herrick a glimpse of its ghost towns.

Forget about planning and booking holidays - Anna Leask hands the job over to someone else and climbs on board for a ride of pleasant surprises and new friends.

As Sarah Lang found out the hard way, here's what to do - and what not to do - on holiday in Europe.

Belfast has not forgotten its troubled history but the city's future is looking brighter, finds David Mercer.

Facing an unstaunchable flood of migrants and refugees, Germany yesterday said it was reaching breaking point and would enact emergency controls.

While eastern Europe's new European Union member states are being asked to absorb the fewest, they are putting up the fiercest resistance to plans to spread the refugees more evenly across the 28-nation bloc.

You will be pleased to learn that beer can be paired with almost any dish, writes Charlotte McDonald-Gibson.

Andrew Alderson experiences the epicurean delights of the French capital from his fifth-floor house exchange.

Europe, with its ageing population, needs to increase its younger population by several million to avoid a situation where pension systems grow unsustainable.

Battery frenemies Telsa, Panasonic poised for Solar power fight in Europe.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has told fellow leaders that Europe has a duty to shelter refugees, rebuffing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Brian Fallow speaks to a New Zealand-based analyst who sees the EU sliding into paralysis and inevitable decay.

Venice's water cabbies steer Kevin Pilley to some of their favourite watering holes.

The most scenic stretch of the Danube River is a haven for epicureans, writes Paul Rush.

A carefree wine-tasting jaunt in France is as leisurely as life gets, says Catherine Masters.

Angela Merkel has promised there will be "no tolerance" for violent anti-migrant protests that have gripped Germany in recent weeks.