Competitions tips

Many rural bus routes have been cut in recent years but those that remain still offer a great window on to the UK’s countryside. And with the bus fare cap – now at £2.50 –on single journeys across England running until 30 November 2024, it’s possible to enjoy views of large swathes of glorious woods, peaks, coast and meadow for a fraction of the price of most rail tickets or travelling by car.

What could be more romantic than the sight of a pillar-box red train gliding through a pristine Alpine landscape of snow-capped mountains, frosted fir trees and frozen waterfalls? The answer, of course, is having a seat inside the Bernina Express, cradling a cup of hot chocolate and gazing at a winter wonderland through the train’s panoramic windows as it pulls onwards to St Moritz. Or maybe, it’s pretending to be on the Hogwarts Express as you cross Glenfinnan Viaduct on your way from Glasgow to Mallaig. Or, at this time of year, listening to carols on board the Santa Claus Express from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Whatever your choice, we’d like to hear about your favourite romantic, dramatic and seasonal railway journey in Europe.

At this time of the year, there’s no nicer feeling than when you stand on the threshold, shake the rain from your jacket, scrape the mud from your boots, and step into the warming fug of a friendly pub. The scent of roast dinners mingles with the aroma of burning logs and the smell of hops from the pump, and you’re instantly cheered by a feeling of bonhomie. It’s an integral part of what makes autumn and winter bearable on these soggy isles. So, we’d like to know about your favourite watering hole that serves winter-warming comfort food. It doesn’t have to be fancy – just wallet-friendly.

As temperatures drop and days become shorter, warming up in an outdoor thermal pool or natural spa is a great way to keep the winter blues at bay. We’d love to hear about places you’ve discovered for a spot of pampering – perhaps you’ve lazed in healing hot springs in Italy or “taken the waters” in geothermal pools in Hungary. Luxury spa hotels are often built close to these natural resources – but we’re looking for suggestions for affordable experiences. Closer to home, for example, there have been a number of mobile saunas appearing on beaches or near rivers to take the sting out of an icy dip. Tell us about your discovery and why it’s a top spot for a winter wellness boost and you could win £200 towards a holiday.

Stonehenge is one of the most recognisable landmarks in England – and one of the most visited. But while the debate rumbles on about how best to balance the demand for visitor access with the need to preserve the special character of this sacred site, there are thousands of unsung prehistoric sites dotted across the landscape which can offer a more intimate and atmospheric experience, minus the expensive entrance fee, traffic jams and tour groups.

“I had not been out many minutes this afternoon before I discovered that it was the kind of autumn day every minute of which becomes a memory and seems, as it goes by, to have the beauty of a remembered thing.” So wrote the Guardian’s country diarist Basil de Sélincourt 100 years ago. Autumn is the most evocative season, when colours change, mists roll in, the light softens and wildlife is afoot gathering up the hedgerow harvest of blackberries, rose hips, crab apples and hazelnuts. We’d like to hear about your favourite autumn locations featuring forests and wildlife.

Paris, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam – Europe’s major capital cities get a lot of fanfare, and rightly so. But they can become victims of their own popularity with inflated prices and over-tourism. With lively cultural and food scenes, friendly locals and a strong sense of identity, the less obvious secondary cities can sometimes offer a more rewarding experience to travellers. From Trieste to Trondheim, Coimbra to Kraków, we’d like to hear about your favourite small European cities.

Summer is prime time for country fairs – where farmers parade their animals, giant marrows win prizes, local produce is for sale and fairground rides add to the fun. We want to hear about the best rural festivals you’ve been to, whether in the UK or a similar-style event on the continent. The top tip will win a holiday voucher.