What on Earth?

editor’s note

I have a theory that the personality of a great

LEITH

Edinburgh local Chitra Ramaswamy introduces us to the historic –

Restaurants with Rooms

Whet your appetite for British stays that match bucolic locations with thrilling gastronomy

Where to go right now

Whether you’re ater a speedy trip or a break further aield, ind your sweet spot – hot or cold – for some January travels among this global selection

Snag the hottest table

The tricks to getting a meal in the world’s most popular restaurants, even when they’re fully booked

Turn rainy seasons to your advantage

Waldeinsamkei t (GERMAN) The special feeling of solitude when alone

Christmas gits

Present inspiration for all the globetrotters in your life (including yourself)

Christmas Trees

How evergreen branches made it from Ancient Egypt to Buckingham Palace

Hotel Heureka, Venice

A chic, art-filled palace away from the tourist hubbub, in low-key Cannaregio

Sub-zero

We reveal the winning images for our monthly Instagram competiton, this issue on the theme of ‘sub-zero’

In the shadow of the Matterhorn

Joshua Earle shares his experience of travelling to Switzerland to photograph one of Europe's highest peaks in two contrasting seasons

Cycling around Mai Chau

Meandering through rice terraces and timeless villages in the classically Asian style – by bike – is the perfect way to see this enthralling area of Vietnam

Post-nuptial mix-ups and mishaps

No matter how careful the research, there’s always a chance that honeymoons, like any other trips, can go wrong. Our stafers thought they’d planned the epitome of romance – but they hadn’t accounted for baboon invasions…

Warm Welcome in Rio

Illustrator and book author Felix Scheinberger on his trip to

Pik’n’ mix Stockholm

In our ongoing short-break series, this month we turn our attention to the very best experiences in Sweden’s capital. Choose your favourites and build your best trip yet

GREAT E SCAPE Czech Republic

Experience old-world Prague, explore the snow-draped forests of Bohemia’s mountain regions, and admire misty spires and turrets across the land. Then look more closely, and find an unexpected side to the Czech Republic, from a regenerated neighbourhood in the capital to the singular second city of Brno

PLAN YOUR TRIP

Prague is the main international transport hub for the Czech

THE WILD WILD EAST

FROM THE STREET ART OF MELBOURNE TO THE RUGGED UPLANDS OF VICTORIA ’S NORTHEAST, TALES OF LEGENDARY OUTLA WS AND HIGH- COUNTRY HORSEMEN ABOUND. WE DISCOVER THEM ON THE TRAIL OF THE MOST FAMOUS BUSH BANDIT OF THEM ALL, NED KELLY

VICTORIA

Getting there Several international airlines ly from London to Melbourne,

Manhattan cocktail

Seeking out the ultimate example of the eponymous drink of the world’s most glamorous island

Doppelgänger

Follow in the footsteps of the emigrants and adventurers who sought a perfect reflection of Europe among the distant lakes of Argentine Patagonia

Argentina’s Lake District

British Airways lies direct from London Heathrow to Buenos Aires

OUR YEAR OF Discovery

2018 has seen our team of writers and photographers visit all four corners of the globe. Here we reflect on the highs and lows in a year of travels – and where we’re excited about going next

My travel life

We chat travel inspiration with rising star Konsta Punkka, a Finnish photographer known for his inventive animal portraits @kpunkka

Culture in Kraków

If you believe the legends, Poland’s second city was founded on the defeat of a dragon, and a mythical atmosphere does indeed permeate its attractive streets and squares. Use this guide to get to grips with its culture

Outdoors in Cape Town

There’s nowhere quite like Cape Town, a singularly beautiful city that blends cultures, cuisines and landscapes, all crowned by magniicent Table Mountain. See it in South Africa’s summer season

Winter in the Lake District

Full of crisp, frosty fell walks, hearty dinner spots and cosy pubs with crackling ires, the Lake District is the place for a bracing, British winter retreat. Use this list to plan out a perfect seasonal holiday

Honolulu on a budget

Honolulu, the boisterous capital of Hawaii, delivers an explosion of diverse experiences. Though a light to these tropical islands doesn’t come cheap, once you get to the city, you’ll ind it works just ine on a budget

Beer in Dublin

A small city with a huge reputation, Dublin’s brilliance is underpinned by its formidable collection of pubs and breweries: use this list to navigate a route to the Irish capital’s best pints

Best of Jaipur

Enthralling Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, is the gateway to India’s most lamboyant state. The city’s colourful, chaotic streets always create a heady spectacle. Follow our suggestions to see Jaipur’s top attractions