Jason Burt finds much to love about the writer's favourite holiday villa.

The Independent's Simon Calder finds beautiful Mediterranean views are going begging as tourists avoid Greece during its summer of discontent.

Simon Winter finds you don't have to spend a fortune to take in the majesty of Switzerland's mountains.

This canton in the southwest of Switzerland is home to some of the country's most famous landmarks, including the Matterhorn and the Aletsch Glacier.

Jill Worrall heads across choppy waters to visit a former monastic site on a rocky Irish outcrop.

These two rocky outcrops off the coast of County Kerry support large gannet and puffin colonies. The larger of the two islands, Great Skellig, was also once home to a remote Christian monastery and is now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Belgrade's two rivers offer sunny strolls and lively waterside activity, writes Mary Novakovich.

Will Hawkes spends 48 hours in the city of Mozart's birth and finds there's more to it than music and marzipan.

The threat of volcanic eruption has done wonders for tourism in Iceland.

St Petersburg is full of treasure amassed by royalty, finds Susan Buckland.

This 'barn' getaway is design-fabulous and about as un-rustic as a cottage in mid-Wales can be. Light floods into the colossal living room upstairs through substantial glass panels cut into the sides and the gable end - but instead of delivering a Manhattan-style skyline, the panorama serves as an ever present reminder of rural bliss.

For further information see redkitebarn.co.uk.

Can accommodation be all things to all people? Samuel Muston checks in to find out.

Flip Byrnes mixes a guided tour of Italy's highlights with free-range sightseeing.

A week in Denmark reveals best of island landscapes, writes Petra Reinken.

Valerie Adams? Mahe Drysdale? They're just the latest namesto take the podium. To celebrate New Zealand winning its 100th Olympic medal today, here's a look back at five of our less known Olympians:

News reports of the wreck of Costa Concordia revealed a tale of fatal misadventure but also showed the quiet loveliness of the island of Giglio, writes Simon Calder.

A tiny piece of Britain at the tip of Spain has been the source of much intrigue, writes Bob Pearce.

Europe and Japan gain, but US makers take a hit as buyers turn away from the thirsty monsters that have ruled the market.

Harriet O'Brien samples the culinary delights of Liège in southern Belgium's Walloon region.

Olympic games visitors to get an early taste of the machine that BMW reckons will help it rule the electric scooter market in the next few years.