Travel guide tips

“From the lush landscapes to the faultless food, you'll never be short of things to do - or eat - on an Italian escape,” says tour guide Lorne Blyth.

If you’re a sakura - or cherry blossom - lover, you’ll likely have Japan and Washington DC on your travel bucket lists. But did you know there are countless places across Europe with equally impressive pink blooms to take in this spring?

Staff at airports and airlines across Europe are planning to strike over the coming months, causing thousands of flights to be delayed or cancelled by industrial action.

If you’re ready to unlock the secrets of how to have a blast in Florence, join us as we embark on an adventure through this Italian gem.

Smaller than Wales, Belgium’s southern, mainly French-speaking region may be compact but packs a diverse punch. Wallonia is a jewel of a destination that sparkles with centuries of history, architectural splendour, glorious nature, fascinating culture, wonderful gastronomy and beautiful cities, towns and villages.

The drama and beauty of Luxembourg’s capital often comes as a surprise to the first-time visitor. The Grand Duchy – the world’s only sovereign nation whose head of state is a Grand Duke – emerged in 963 AD when Count Siegfried built a castle on top of the Bock cliffs. Today the Bock and Old Quarter – a UNESCO World Heritage site – perch on a sandstone plateau high above the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, and wandering its upper and lower cities is like strolling through history.

Nestled in the north-west corner of Ireland, the city of Derry-Londonderry (Northern Ireland) and the county of Donegal (Republic of Ireland) sit snugly side by side. Taken together, this pair have every ingredient you could want from a short break: a dollop of history, a splash of culture and immeasurable quantities of nature and adventure. Better yet, it’s a combination that few have yet to put together.

Located on the west coast of Japan’s main Honshu island, Ishikawa juts out into the Sea of Japan and is bordered by Toyama, Gifu and Fukui prefectures. Continue reading for ultimate Ishikawa prefecture travel inspiration and find out more:

Elite hiking trails with breathtaking backdrops. Mythic mountains ringed by fairy-tale forests. Ancient Celtic culture melded with modern eco-innovations.Snowdonia National Park in North West Wales offers visitors an exhilarating blast of natural beauty and unforgettable experiences - whether you’re seeking epic outdoor escapades, history-inspired adventures, or a fun-filled family break. If you’re wondering what to see and do in this awe-inspiring region of Wales, this Snowdonia National Park travel guide is sure to fuel your plans, with yet more inspiration to be found in our Rough Guide Staycations Snowdonia and North Walesguidebook.

Slicing a north-south swathe through the mountains and coniferous snow forests of Siberia, visiting Russia’s Lake Baikal (Ozero Baikal) is a world-beating experience — and that’s no exaggeration. At over 1.6 km deep, Lake Baikal is the world’s deepest freshwater lake, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an undeniable sparkling jewel in Siberia’s crown. From finding out what you need to know before you go to Baikal, to discovering what makes it special, read on for your Lake Baikal travel guide.

Way out in the cool North Atlantic Ocean, there’s a cluster of craggy islands inhabited primarily by sheep and puffins. The Faroe Islands are Scandinavia’s ultimate off-the-beaten-track destination. Here’s our guide to what to expect on your first trip to this remote archipelago.

Often squeezed into an overnight stop on a self-drive tour of Iceland’s Ring Road, the East makes a superb short break destination in its own right. With five days to lavish on the little-visited Austurland region, you can not only dawdle through the breathtaking East Fjords, but also spend time hiking in the mountains of Borgarfjörður Eystri and exploring the waterfalls, canyons and dormant volcanoes of the island’s rugged interior.