Friday 13th superstitions: The truth about skipped seat rows and reduced ticket prices

Every year, Santa is the main attraction in Finnish Lapland. But there’s so much more to discover in this winter wonderland.

Two books bestrode my childhood, and made me the man I am: The Magic Bridle, a collection of British and Irish myths retold by the folklorist Forbes Stuart, which ignited my six-year-old imagination in 1974, and Mysterious Britain by Janet and Colin Bord, published two years earlier, and part of a then burgeoning bookseller phenomenon of often unreliable Earth mysteries compendiums. Nonetheless, they set this particular boy off, seeking out ancient sites whenever possible. Now everything has wilted but I still have calves of iron, and I can identify the outline of a hilltop earthwork from a moving car on a motorway as surely as a falcon seeing a field mouse 500 feet below.

Virgin Atlantic announced this week that it will suspend its service between Austin and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) beginning in January 2024, delivering a rare bit of bad news for the otherwise-booming Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS).

Up a steep and grassy windblown hill, in the top row of what’s known as the new graveyard, the playwright Brian Friel lies buried under a dark, glossy slab etched with an image of a St. Brigid’s cross, a traditional Irish symbol woven from rushes.

It’s not everyday that you face a travel crisis like a canceled flight and, as a solution, book a Lufthansa first-class ticket across the Atlantic. Even less likely, to then get it for less than $90 in cash. But that’s exactly what happened to me this winter on my way home to the United States from Greece. It turns out that points and miles don't just help you meet aspirational travel goals, they can also save the day during an emergency—and get you on that dream flight at the same time.

In a city known for its wealth of food options, you might be surprised to learn that one of the best meals you’ll have in London – or, perhaps, anywhere – is dinner at Nipa Thai in the Royal Lancaster London. Two months later, my husband and I are still talking about it – and the rest of our luxurious two night stay in this gem of a hotel.

Brockencote Hall, Chaddesley Corbett, WorcestershireYou might think you’ve rolled up at a luxury Loire valley chateau when you arrive at this Victorian manor in landscaped parkland. There’s nothing too luxe about the price, though, with B&B from £138. Spend what you save on a nine-course tasting extravaganza in the restaurant, perhaps matching it with a flight of wine. A normal two- or three-course dinner might feature local produce such as Worcestershire duck breast with confit duck hash and artisanal cheeses. There’s plenty to do during the day – fishing, tennis, or a stroll around the 29 hectares. The 21 bedrooms range from contemporary classics to feature suites.Doubles from £138 B&B, nine-course dinner £85, brockencotehall.com

A new timeline for the EU's post-Brexit Entry/Exit System (EES) has officially been confirmed by EU ministers.

A popular tourist attraction didn't exactly meet Kacey Musgraves' expectations during a recent visit.

If you’re thinking of relocating as a family to another country, this research could help you choose your destination.

I’m an East Coast woman through and through – yet despite my loyalties, I’m not one to shy away from the Pacific side of the USA.

Whether it is forest bathing or mountain meditation, since the pandemic our yearning for a deeper connection to nature is one that continues to grow. Capturing this growing wellness trend, across a multitude of offerings, is Lime Wood, one of the UK’S pre-eminent country house hotels, found in the New Forest.