You’ve probably never been to Southwest Scotland: here’s why you should go

From the high point in Pays de Gex, sun illuminates the flatlands and the blue waters of Lac Léman stretch into the distance. We’re in the realms of the Haute Chaîne du Jura, a national nature reserve where lynx and wolves wander and the mountain towns among the peaks offer far more than downhill skiing.

Dad shoes may be the ultimate cool-girl travel shoe, but dad boots—you know, those serious and heavy-looking, bordering on workman, boots—are yet to have their moment. In fact, practical walking boots as a whole are in desperate need of a modern makeover—the closest cool options that come to mind are the chunky Ganni Chelsea boots. That is until I recently discovered and tested some boots by French brand Palladium. What caught my eye were the chunky rubber soles teamed with a slick sneaker-like silhouette; like a Converse high-top but much more sturdier. Plus there’s even a dedicated travel collection designed to be ultra-lightweight—ideal for those carry-on-only trips.

Kingsbarns Distillery is the brainchild of Scottish golf caddie Douglas Clement. As a long-time caddie at Kingsbarns Links in the East Neuk of Fife in Scotland, Clement was constantly entertaining wealthy golfers who visited from all over the world to play Golf at St Andrews. His clients always wanted to go to a distillery for whisky tasting during their visit but there was nothing nearby, so he began to form a plan.

Last month’s announcement that the government will scrap phase two of the HS2 rail project, set to run from the West Midlands to Manchester, felt like another nail in the coffin for Britain’s beleaguered train network. Conceived in 2009, the HS2 main line was set to cut journey times between the north and south and create more seat space on the network, encouraging travellers to prioritise lower-carbon rail travel over cars and flights. 

The ancient Kingdom of Fife is steeped in rich history and dramatic scenery. The region is located on a sprawling peninsula on Scotland’s east coast, appreciated for its cinematic scale, ambience, and pure sense of drama. The name ‘Kingdom of Fife’ derives from its historical significance as one of the major Pictish kingdoms, once known as Fib. This four-day itinerary guides visitors through the region’s charming fishing villages, to iconic landmarks and across wild coastal paths. It's a place where visitors can escape, relax and unwind. Explore the historic home of Scotland’s ancient monarchs and tuck into world-class local produce — all within an easy drive from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city.

Scotland is making impressive strides to be one of the world’s most economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable places. The driving force behind movements on a national scale is the country’s commitment to protect its natural and cultural heritage. This includes rewilding efforts to restore the local ecology, as well as preserving coastal habitats for birds such as the golden eagle and woodlands for the charming red squirrel. Travelers are encouraged to adopt slow travel, and Scotland’s affordable trains and impressive network of EV charging stations make it easy to utilize clean transportation when you visit.

In some parts of Europe, high prices and Christmas markets go hand in hand. But in others, this year’s soaring costs have come as a shock.

For most people thinking about retirement, either at home or overseas, budget is a key factor.

Europe is home to 63 of the top 100 city destinations in the world, according to a new ranking.

Christmas pudding may be Britain’s best-known festive dessert, but in France, the bûche de Noël — or yule log — reigns supreme, with skilled pâtissiers and home bakers creating an array of different versions, from the classic to the outré.

Think of a Wes Anderson film and the muted greys and browns of a rain-soaked day in London are not the first things that spring to mind. But the UK capital is about to host the first European exhibition of photographs inspired by the vibrant aesthetic of the American film director.

“In wine, there’s truth,” wrote Pliny the Elder of Greece in the first century CE. He also wrote that “The only certainty is that nothing is certain.” Both his conciseness and ambiguity are reflected in much of today’s writing about wine.