Equities on both sides of the Atlantic dropped overnight on disappointment the European Central Bank won't be boosting its bond purchases to help ease the euro zone's fiscal crisis.

Even if you've already blown this year's budget, you might wish to consider visiting one of these twinkling cities next Christmas.

Blushing bride: Singer Sinead O'Connor is celebrating her 45th birthday with a fourth marriage.

A bucket and spade are handy for more than just building sandcastles on the Isle of Wight.

Paul Rush is beguiled by the magical maze of Venice and the fancy frills of Burano.

Susan Buckland delights in floating down an Irish canal in a home away from home.

The Danish capital is both user-friendly and utterly charming.

World share markets are down, with worries about Europe overwhelming good economic data from the US.

The capital of the country that brought us Danish pastries and Hans Christian Andersen is user-friendly and utterly charming.

World share markets are up after central banks from Europe, Japan and North America agreed to cut the cost of US dollar funding.

This charitable trust, in the south of England, is home to eagles, owls, hawks, vultures and pretty much any other bird of prey you can imagine.

Jim Eagles visits a sanctuary for birds of prey in the south of England.

He’s rarely spoken about his failed marriage to Madonna, but director Guy Ritchie now flips the lid on life with his former Material Girl.

Italy found buyers for its debt but had to pay a premium, underpinning the sense of urgency for European Union leaders to contain the debt crisis.