Taiwan's best beaches and top diving spots

The fortunes of this estuary island are linked to the tides

America’s coastal areas don’t have a monopoly on great beaches . . . or groovy beach towns.

When you think of the Caribbean, the first things that come to mind are most likely turquoise waters, relaxed vibes and swaying palm trees. But there’s a lot more to a trip to this part of the world than lazing around on a sunlounger, taking in the views and sipping exotic cocktails. The Caribbean offers a huge variety of other tempting activities, from windsurfing and waterskiing, to scuba diving and snorkelling to see some of the most beautiful, vividly coloured coral reefs imaginable. Here are a few of the must-try activities you can enjoy.

The esteemed Dr. Beach has released his annual list of America’s top ten beaches, and you’ll want to visit all of them this summer—doctors orders.

Panama City Beach has over 27 miles of white sandy beach. And while that’s undeniably one of the main draws for anyone looking to visit, even people who prefer to stay sand free won’t run out of things to do in town. You can get in touch with nature at Camp Helen State Park, take a deep sea fishing charter trip, stroll along Pier Park boardwalk, and, of course, enjoy lots of delicious seafood at marina restaurants.

Dreaming of being on a dreamy European beach—or already on one and wondering if you can do even better? Then look to the Iberian Peninsula. European Best Destinations recently announced its ranking of the top 15 beaches in Europe, as voted on by thousands of travelers from 83 countries. This year’s No. 1 is Torrente de Pareis in Mallorca, Spain. Rounding out the top three are Bordeira Beach in Alzejur, Portugal and Amio Beach in Cantabria, Spain.

For five days of the year each summer, the somewhat soulless exhibition centre in Earls Court is transformed into a giant pub (pictured above). Or at least that’s what it feels like. Gone are the trade stalls and suited delegates, replaced by an army of (mostly bearded) volunteers manning hundreds of kegs, dispensing beers few people have ever heard of to thousands of squiffy punters – a lot of whom are wearing traffic-cone hats or sombreros for no apparent reason.

If you live in North America you’ll probably need no introduction to Outlander. This epic TV series is already massive on the western side of the Atlantic and has finally hit UK TV screens courtesy of Amazon Prime. For the uninitiated, think of Outlander as a cross between Game of Thrones and the movie Braveheart.

Yurt and tipi camps have been springing up all over Britain. They range from a single canvas structure pitched in a farmer's spare field to multi-tent sites spread over tracts of woodland and with all the activities and facilities you'd expect at a modern campsite. Here are our top ten favourites.

If you're looking to combine your next trip with a world-class festival or a mind-blowing carnival, then look no further. Here, from the pages of Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth , we present ten of the best parades, parties and processions across the world.

From the pristine shores of Bali to the rugged beauty of Australia's Whitehaven Beach, these best beaches in the world offer incomparable beauty, crystal clear waters and a sense of tranquillity, making them truly unforgettable destinations for beach lovers.

The Golden Gate Bridge, rows of colourful Victorian houses, trams chuntering up steep hills: San Francisco is a city full of iconic sights. But it's worth tearing yourself away from it for a day or so to discover the other Californian treasures on its doorstep.