Queen Victoria travel tips

Famously described by Marco Polo as the finest island of its size in the world, Sri Lanka continues to enchant today. The island has some of the world's most beautiful beaches, a rich historical legacy, national parks filled with leopards and elephants, waterfalls splashing down mountain slopes and tea. A lot of tea.

Rajasthan, India’s largest state, is a realm of sand dunes interrupted by silvery lakes and fort-studded cities. Flush with rose-colored palaces, the capital, Jaipur, is better known as the “Pink City”. Home to North India’s finest fort, the westerly “Blue City” of Jodhpur places you at the edge of the Thar Desert. Any odyssey in the “Land of Kings” calls for calm accommodations where you can catch your breath between sights and excursions. Ranging from palace stays to earthen homes, these are the most unique Airbnbs in Rajasthan for experiencing the city, desert, and lakes.

If picturesque cycling, coastal walks and simple seaside pleasures float your boat, make the Isle of Wight your first port of call. Home to Queen Victoria’s summer retreat, Osborne House, the island has 20 beaches and a series of unspoilt coves. A network of cycle and walking trails covers 17 miles of coastline and countryside. Famous for the Cowes sailing regatta in July and August, the 147-square-mile island also offers every water sport going, from kayak surfing and windsurfing to paddle-boarding and parasailing.

Travel journalist James Marsh is not immune to the charms of France's Côte d'Azur and gets why that may be your first choice for a beach holiday in France - but here's why he thinks you should consider visiting the Vendée region instead. 

Time does strange things in southwest Germany. Even before Einstein hit on his Theory of Relativity in Ülm, Mark Twain had realized something was up after taking to the waters in the smart spa town of Baden-Baden. “Here at the Friedrichsbad,” he wrote, ”you lose track of time within ten minutes and track of the world within twenty.”

Part of the Arabian Desert, the Empty Quarter is made up of 650,000 square kilometres (250,000 sq miles) of sand dunes and is the world’s largest sand desert. It occupies much of the southern inland area of the Arabian Peninsular, covering over a quarter of Saudi Arabia, and there are very few settlements here – hence the name.

Switzerland has a reputation for being the destination of choice for ski fiends and adrenaline junkies, but Lake Lucerne, right in the heart of the country, is perfect for anyone who appreciates taking it slow.

Norfolk is known for endless skies and wide horizons stretching over sandy beaches and a web of waterways. The county is a magnet for fans of the great outdoors, particularly bird watchers and boating enthusiasts. But there are so many other things to do in Norfolk. There are superb medieval churches, fascinating museums and stately homes, as well as lively seaside resorts and bags of entertainment for kids.

This is a ‘what a time to be on the planet, in this room, right now’ type of whisky,” beamed Ron, the head tour guide at Ardbeg. Despite the ravages of the pandemic I agreed with Ron; not just on the 45-year-old dram. This was, and is, a special time to be at my favourite Islay distillery, the whitewashed dame that has stood firm against the Atlantic since Queen Victoria was on the throne. It was and is a special time to be on Islay too, a life affirming oasis; a safe port, even, in the Covid-19 storm.