Travel in county Centre

Lamu was once an essential stop during any trip to Kenya. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this historic Swahili town is home to wandering donkeys and lazy dhow boats sailing by: it is magical, mystical, idyllic.

Rwanda is a strikingly beautiful country in Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Mention Rwanda and many people around the world still think back to the horrific events of the 1994 genocide, but more than 25 years on, travel has opened up to this safe and glorious land. Rwanda’s jaw-dropping mountainscapes include the volcanic Virungas, one of the last remaining habitats of the mighty mountain gorilla. Despite coping extremely well with Covid-19, Rwanda has faced a unique challenge in protecting its vulnerable gorilla population – as well as its human one. We chatted with Belise Kariza, Chief Tourism Officer at the Rwanda Development Board, to learn more about the country’s experience of coronavirus.

Don’t be put off by the high-rise hotels and glitzy boutiques; Hong Kong can still be explored on the cheap. From wandering through sub-tropical forests to seeking out cultural shows in the dense urban jungle, you’ll find that some of the best things to do in Hong Kong are free.

The variety to be found in South Africa is nowhere more apparent than in its two biggest cities. Cape Town has a scenic coastal beauty that brings the Mediterranean to the mind of many first time visitors. By contrast, Johannesburg is landlocked amid the vast plain of the Highveld, but its charms, while hidden deeper, as just as rich – like the mines that made it the “City of Gold”.

Characterised by rolling views of green countryside and English pubs, hotels and shops, a trip to the Cotswolds shows off a delightfully relaxed side of Britain. It’s the perfect place to simmer down the pace of life and get close to nature, but it’s not just bracing country walks on offer. From kid-friendly farm centres to quirky theatres to the UK’s only crocodile zoo, here are ten great things to do in the Cotswolds. For more inspiration, discover the prettiest villages in the Cotswolds. For an in-depth look at things to do in this picturesque pocket of England, take a look at ourRough Guide Staycations Cotswolds guidebook.

For anyone planning a weekend break in Paris and attempting to find accommodation below €100 per person per night – and most likely failing – it’s pretty obvious that the capital of France is an expensive place to visit. An iconic city like this, though, with its intricate history, remarkable architecture and extraordinarily rich culture should be on everyone’s lifetime itinerary. Here are a few pointers to finding free things to do in Paris.

Almost 50 years after John Lennon and Yoko Ono promoted world peace from room 702 of the Hilton, hotels in Amsterdam are more worthy of the spotlight than ever. But even for seasoned travellers, finding the best area to stay in Amsterdam takes a bit of research.