Grayson Perry travel tips

I’m on a bus, hurtling over the hills at exhilarating speed. An oxbow lake flashes into view: while geography was never a passion, the sharp curves of the meandering river as it reaches the sea at Cuckmere Haven demand my full attention. The arresting view has featured in paintings by Eric Ravilious as well as a Hollywood film or two.

Major UK and international artists have donated work to an online and live auction supporting the British charity Freedom from Torture. The 13th edition of the charity’s biennial art auction, Drawing a Line Under Torture is currently online, with a live auction of twelve artworks to take place at an invite-only private view on 6 November at Sotheby’s New Bond Street, London.

As all travellers know, the world can be a weird and wonderful place, as seen in this overview of weird world fashion, from the exuberance of Bahamian Junkanoo parades, to Britain's Royal Ascot Ladies Day.

What image does the word “Teesside” conjure up? A stark landscape where heavy industry meets the wind-whipped North Sea coast, perhaps? While this stereotype certainly forms part of Teesside’s character, there’s so much more to the intriguing northeast region than meets the eye.

With festival season in full swing, August offers no end of opportunities to party, from Nevada's off-the-wall Burning Man, to Maine's food-fuelled Lobster Festival. That said, it also offers plenty of options for blissfully chilled-out breaks – and they're all here, in our run-down of the best places to visit in August.

It would be impossible to mention Manchester and not talk about football. The city’s two teams have a long history of rivalry and boast fans all over the world. The home of Manchester United, Old Trafford, and the home of Manchester City, Etihad Stadium, offer tours and should be on any fan’s to-do list. For neophytes and anyone with an interest in the game, the National Football Museum is a must visit attraction in the centre of the city, next to Manchester Cathedral. The museum is not just about the Mancunian teams – it exhibits artefacts, photographs and stories about the culture surrounding the game.