Food and wine
Sparkling wine is just one of the highlights of Champagne, France
Champagne tours and tastings are an obvious must-do, but you can also explore the countryside by bike, learn how to cook French cuisine and indulge at a luxury wellness spa.
- by Ellen Connolly
Opinion
Italy
I’ve been visiting Italy since the ’80s. Here are 12 lessons I’ve learnt
What’s a shakerato? Where are the best toilets? Are baby gangs a thing? Check out these expert tips ahead of your next Italian holiday.
- by Michael Gebicki
I’m a pizza snob. But I still loved this city’s notorious deep-dish pizza
Are you guilty of hating Chicago’s infamous deep-dish pizza before you’ve even tried a slice? Then read on, fellow pizza snobs.
- by Kylie McLaughlin
Italy’s stunning, but slightly seedy, island paradise
This might be the safest and most comfortable way to see the Mediterranean’s largest island, just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot”.
- by Helen Pitt
Best short-haul holiday destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam’s frenetic and underrated financial centre offers a rich history and one of the most exciting – and bargainous – food scenes in South-East Asia.
- by Katherine Scott
Best short-haul holiday destinations: Singapore
Still consider this city a place in which to merely pause on the way to somewhere else (or somewhere more interesting)? It’s time to catch up.
- by Anthony Dennis
You’ve never seen a fruit shop quite like this one
Hushed reverence, fruit displayed like jewellery and white-gloved salesmen: you can bust your budget on fruit at specialist Japanese fruit stores.
- by Brian Johnston
Why this enchanting place captured so many Hollywood hearts
California beach life, Hollywood history and plenty to see for free – base yourself in Santa Monica and you might find it’s all the LA you need.
- by Amy Cooper
This country’s national dish is fascinating … and challenging
It’s deeply cherished, and the source of much pride. Diss it at your peril (I learnt the hard way).
- by Ben Groundwater
From humble beginnings to Victoria’s most-loved regional hotel
Visitors to award-winning Lake House, now celebrating its 40th year, used to navigate there with a hand-drawn map mailed in the post.
- by Ben Groundwater