Travel Tips tips

The Himalayan Queen, the Grand Trunk Express, the Deccan Odyssey… the very names of India’s trains are evocative of timeless style and old-school adventure.

From narrow hutongs to wide-flowing rivers, China is a land of opposites, superlatives and fascination. There will always be plenty to see and do here, and the likes of the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the Bund, Zhangjiajie and Terracotta Army usually take the limelight. In need of more eclectic inspiration? Look no further – here are eleven other things to see in China.

WIth 1244 islands, a wealth of unspoiled National Parks, and world-class wine and food, Croatia is one of Europe’s rising stars. In fact, you voted it one of the most beautiful countries in the world. To make sure you hit the ground running when visiting this diverse nation, wise up with our top ten tips for first-time travellers to Croatia. The Rough Guide to Croatia is also packed with plenty of expert information.

Taken from the Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget , these are our top 11 tips for backpacking Southeast Asia.

New Zealand’s craggy coastline and beautiful national parks beg to be explored. The scenery gets more spectacular around every corner, with beaches, vineyards, glaciers, snow-capped mountains, raging rivers and vast lakes all jostling for attention.

Let's be honest, budget flights have their uses, but they're a boring way to travel in Europe, and who wants to navigate motorways or be stuffed into a clammy bus when crossing the continent?

With sandy beaches, colourful markets and plenty of family-friendly attractions, there’s a huge amount to keep children entertained in Mexico. Our mini guide will help to make travelling in Mexico with kids fun, exciting and (relatively) stress-free.

Despite having turquoise-ringed tropical islands, misty rainforests, cosmopolitan and arty cities, colourful festivals and one of the world's most interesting ethnic mixes, Malaysia remains Southeast Asia's most unsung destination.

Thailand remains one of the first ports of call for first-time backpackers. But don’t be fooled – though travelling here means following a well-beaten tourist trail, there’s no denying that this beguiling country can take a while to get to grips with. To make sure you hit the ground running on your first visit, follow our top ten Thailand travel tips.

These days, cheap flights abound. But sometimes it makes a lot more sense to hit the road for a journey through the night.

The tantalizing idea of boldly going where no-one has been before – or at least trying – is what drives many of us to book our next trip. Yet adventure is as much a state of mind as stepping out into the unknown. Here are eight ways you can guarantee your fill. Once you've absorbed these general tips, you might want to explore our round-up of the world's best adventure holidays for 2022.

The world of travel apps is saturated. There are apps for almost everything these days, from the planning stages right through to post-travel reminiscing. Some of them are fun, some are seriously handy and others are just gimmicks.

Whether we dwell in city centre or suburb, we nearly all dream of escaping the humdrum and finding somewhere truly off the grid. As the world shrinks, more and more places that promise isolation find their offerings increasingly crowded. Here's five destinations, drawn from Rough Guides' Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth, that still deal in true escapism.

Cuba’s captivating, colourful streets and carnaval­ feel make it appealing for travellers year­-round. And, as relations with the US thaw, the country's popularity has skyrocketed, with visitor numbers showing little sign of abating.

Marc Perry is a British expat living in Kosovo who has been captivated by its landscapes, where flat plains meet soaring mountains, the kind hospitality of the people, and a fascinating history of the land.

In 2011, after 15 years of a tourism boycott to avoid aiding the oppressive military junta, Myanmar opened its doors to visitors. The country, now with a democratically elected government, is improving its tourism infrastructure but still struggles to cope with the huge influx of visitors.

If you've got wheels, wanderlust and a spot of time, a road trip in Europe offers the chance to see the continent at a more relaxed pace. From the sunny shores of Portugal to the dungeons of Dracula's castle in Transylvania in Romania, the following itineraries can be easily combined, shortened or altered to suit your wayfaring tastes. Here are 9 of the best road trips in Europe, a clutch of which also feature in our run-down of the best countries for summer in Europe.

The wind whistling through your hair, beautiful landscapes whizzing by. The freedom! Travelling through Vietnam by motorbike is one of the best ways of seeing the country, a way to reach nooks and crannies others don't. With no timetables to rely on except your own flights of fancy, it's both exhilarating and relaxing at the same time.

With the slightest hint of spring in the air we can all be coaxed from that winter hibernation and out into the world as it blooms.

It is no exaggeration to say that budget airlines have revolutionised air travel. Gone are the days when an air ticket was a luxury item. Today cheaper flights allow us to not only take a summer break from our routine, but also to enjoy mini-breaks throughout the year.

With its glittering royal palaces, ancient temples and sacred shrines as well as sandy beaches, some of the world’s best skiing and beautiful national parks, Japan is a country you'll want to return to again and again.