'Pura Vida' … or, 'pure life' in English, is the phrase heard everywhere in Costa Rica, but it's not just a motto to describe how to live your life. The Ticos and Ticas (male and female Costa Ricans) use the phrase in many situations. Yes, the underlying meaning is to try and live a 'pure'…

Forget your preconceptions: Tenerife is much more than just a 'fly and flop' destination. The island, the largest of the Canary Islands, has a rich architectural culture and the fauna found in Teide National Park and north east of the island in the Anaga Mountains makes Tenerife a wonderful…

On my recent trip to Japan, I had the opportunity to experience five different ryokans - traditional Japanese inns - and I can highly recommend the experience. It is completely different to staying in a hotel and you can get a great feel for the original style of Japanese home life.

With the world-renowned Louvre in Paris bursting at the seams with visitors and New York's mecca of modern art, MoMA, soon due to close its doors for a four-month renovation, museum lovers will have to get creative when it comes to planning their next cultural circuit. Not to fret, we have…

Despite the dangerously polarising effect of social media and unscrupulous politicians, we all share the same hopes and fears, the same fundamental human condition, and there's no better way to remind yourself of these universal truths than through travel. Yes, the clothing, customs, cuisine…

It was with some trepidation that I booked my first return to Cuba since my backpacking days of 1994 - I'd spent over a month there and it still ranks in the top five of the best ever holidays. Just how much would this once unique nation have changed and how would the experience differ from…

One of the prettiest places in south-east Sicily, Ortigia is a small island which sits within Syracuse and is less than an hour's drive south of Catania. Here are my reasons why you should visit right now:

You might think you've been there, done that and got the metaphorical (and sometimes literal) Moroccan rug, but hidden among the souqs and labyrinthine side streets of Marrakech, there are always more secret spots waiting to be discovered…

Japan is one of our hottest destinations at the moment and, with a rather large rugby tournament fast approaching in 2019, it's only going to become more popular. Fortunately, we're on hand to make sure you very much catch the worm early doors and our experts can recommend the very best…

Kaixo (hello in Basque) and welcome to San Sebastian, or Donostia as it's known locally. The city is the capital of Spain's brilliant and ever so slightly batty Basque region. Here's all you need to know about this peaceful and beautiful city, with its miniature Rio de Janeiro vibe, complete…