adventure

There's nothing quite like a family road trip, and one of the best ways to see France at its fiest is behind the wheel. What is surprisingly is how much of the country's most traditional attractions - gourmet food, the world's best wine, astonishing history and stunning architecture - are within a doable drive from the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle terminal in Folkestone.

We set off from Hampshire - and after a short dash on the other side through pretty Normandy, crossing some incredible viaducts over gaping valleys, found ourselves in Rouen. Read more about France from Behind the Wheel

At this time of year many skiers and snowboarders start booking and planning their ski break, with most of us heading to Europe in search of winter adrenaline thrills. This year we need not waste the airfare, as Scotland can offer good to excellent skiing experiences, which comes wrapped in some of the finest mountain scenery anywhere in the world. Read more about Try Scotland's Ski Wonderland

Put together any list of North America's top 10 scenic roads, and few in the know would fail to include the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia among their number.  The 298km highway loops around the Cape Breton Peninsula at the northern tip of the province, situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of St Lawrence. Read more about Explore Nova Scotia, the Cabot Trail and North-East Canada

Our van had seen better days but my partner tackled each bend as if auditioning for a car commercial. My stomach was firmly clenched as we edged a little too close to the cliff-edge during every dramatic twist in the road.

Just as I was wondering why we hadn't bought a sat-nav, the road levelled out onto a flat and fertile lowland on which in some prehistoric time the ocean had rolled. As the sun was at its highest, we faced landscapes that had taken trillions of years to form. With mountains on all sides, Europe's natural beauty was staggering. Read more about Exploring the Balkans

Those of us who are fortunate enough to live in a region like Andalucía, rich with natural and cultural attractions, know that tourism is a complex topic, and a great source of wealth. It is not only the climate and nature, though these elements are without doubt the cornerstones of the industry. It is also culture, in the widest sense of the word and in its most modern usage. Culture, ranging from the heritage of its historic sites to its varied gastronomy, from its popular 'fiestas' to golf courses, and a long etcetera. Read more about A weekend in Malaga Pure Enjoyment

I stepped from my airport taxi into an undulating sea of travellers clutching sugar skulls, pan de muerto sweet buns and cheery wreaths of marigolds.  Met by a grinning skeleton with a purple feather boa, he handed me tumbler of smoky agave liquor mescal.  Read more about Day of the dead – Festival Guide

New Zealand is a country which thrives on adventure. Rugged mountain landscapes become off-piste playgrounds, sky-reflecting lakes turn into jet-boat race trackers while ice-blue glaciers open up for exhilarating exploration.  The Kiwis have made it possible to jump, drive, slide, roll, fly or hike through pretty much any part of the country's terrain - making it a wonderland for adrenaline seekers. Read more about New Zealand, an Adventure Playground

In 2002, Whitby's historic harbour thronged with excited Aussies eager to snatch a glimpse of the Endeavour as it sailed into Captain Cook's hometown.  When I visited, though, there was just the odd flip-flop-wearing pilgrim lounging outside the Captain Cook museum; the town's cobbles swarmed instead with black-haired twentysomethings dressed in petticoats and top hats. Read more about Explore Yorkshire’s Many Sides

When boho-chic style hit the catwalks, prices in Notting Hill's second hand stores soared - and they never came back down, crippled vintage shopping and forcing those looking for that particular to look elsewhere. So, when the affordability of weekend break to the other side of the Channel you can say 'bonjour' to Paris's Le Marais district - your wallet and wardrobe's new best friend.  Here taffeta cocktail dresses are in abundance, leather satchels are aplenty - and price tags are rock bottom. Read more about Go Bargain Hunting in Paris’ Vintage Stores and Flea Markets

Ancient meets the modern in this city.  Home to the only Pompidou Centre outside Paris and birthplace of one of the most celebrated artists in history, Malaga is more than just the gateway to the beaches of the Costa del Sol and Andalucía in the south. A compact and richly cosmopolitan city, it delivers on culture, tantalising tapas, new hedonistic hotspots that could give Barcelona a run for its money and fine weather, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year. Read more about Malaga: The Art of Extending Summer