Beyond its urban attractions and historical draws, England's Lake District offers natural beauty to rival even the joys of home, writes Nic Hamilton.

A colourful past comes to life when you visit Norfolk, the Pacific's undiscovered island, writes Paul Rush.

A colourful past comes to life when you visit Norfolk, the Pacific's undiscovered island.

Justine Tyerman looks for anything but authentic ... or traditional.

Paul Rush finds cruise ships have plenty for kids to do.

Colin Mathura-Jeffree laps up the luxury and labels on the Gold Coast.

Andrew Potter uses a holiday to Turkey to take an app-y break from his smartphone and other electronic devices.

Ewan McDonald tries his hand at sand-surfing, dune-riding and more at Tangalooma, Queensland.

Norway's snow hotel is a truly seasonal venue, writes Andrea Kitay.

From fair Verona, where we lay our scene, to Mantua, Padua and Rome, Shakespeare was fascinated by Italy.

Justine Tyerman flies Emirates Flight EK 122 Istanbul to Dubai.

Sequestered in the battlements of Castle Mandawa, Paul Rush dreams of his best exotic marigold hotel.

Sequestered in the battlements of Castle Mandawa, Paul Rush dreams of his best exotic marigold hotel.

Ewan McDonald hangs out in a city that he usually passes through, and gets a different perspective.

Poor but sexy - you can't argue with Berlin's unofficial slogan. Although it doesn't possess the wealth of other German cities, it has sultry charms.

Ewan McDonald hangs out in a city that he usually passes through, and gets a different perspective.

Deborah Telford plunges into polishing up her command of French with practical lessons in a Provence village.

Cretans hold the secret to longevity ... and their hospitality is the stuff of legends, as Justine Tyerman discovers.

Danielle Wright discovers the colours of Fiji on a muddy boat tour up the Nahigatoka River.

Two words go far in Japan's ski towns, finds Kieran Nash.

Armed with the traditional Aboriginal greeting of a gum leaf, Jon Bridges is set to discover Melbourne on two wheels.

Jon Bridges bikes Victoria's Great Ocean Rd and experiences the gems that Melbourne has to offer.

"Pro! Pro!" The honking, nasal call is quickly absorbed by the uncomfortably moisture-heavy forest canopy. We scan the dense tangle of tree trunks and twisted vines, waiting for a response.

P.K. Stowers takes the scenic route to the Cape of Good Hope at the southern tip of the African continent.

Andrew Potter flies Ryanair from London's Stansted to Stockholm (well, almost).

“When you figure out your suitcase, you figure out your life,” said fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg recently. Here are five tips to get you on your way.