The Best of Guardian Travel

From wild camping in the Sahara and the Lakes to culinary adventures and tours of Europe, these holidays are also a fun way to meet new people

Our tipsters confirm that the Emerald Isle’s pubs, cafes and literary hotspots offer brilliant backup for its huge variety of outdoor adventures. Scroll down for the winner

From Croatia’s dramatic sinkhole lakes to rewilded glens in Scotland, our travel writers pick fun and sustainable adventures for the coming year

Discover breathtaking views, superb food and utter peace on this popular island on the west coast of Scotland

Overnight trains between Stuttgart and Vienna and Bordeaux and Freiburg are among several new services that have launched in recent days

From chance encounters to thrilling train rides, holidays on a shoestring have been some of my best

The Lake District is rightly famed for its breathtaking waters, but its numerous small islands are also havens just waiting to be explored

BikePark Wales offer the UK’s longest beginner trail – 5km – and a great introduction to downhill mountain biking. Our writer and her family try it out

From a sandstone labyrinth to bears and marmots, Europe’s hills and mountains offer exhilarating long-distance walks. Just don’t forget your poles and harness

Plan runs, rides and walks with this selection of navigation aids – all of which allow you create, follow and share hiking and cycling routes

At a country house in West Sussex, meditation, yoga and detox come together for a weekend of mindfulness that expands your ‘protective bubble’

With Switzerland now on the travel green list, it’s the perfect time to head for the hills. But if lockdown has left you struggling for fitness, an e-bike can take the strain out of the climbs

From Rome to the Amazon, in these 20 films stunning locations play a starring role – and they’re all on now at a laptop or TV near you

An impressive network of trails, nearly all accessible by public transport, makes it easy to plan your own adventure in the Bundesrepublik

Plant-based tours are springing up in cities where meaty cuisine traditionally rules – and these choices also explore some of Europe’s coolest urban districts

The long read: The pandemic has devastated global tourism, and many will say ‘good riddance’ to overcrowded cities and rubbish-strewn natural wonders. Is there any way to reinvent an industry that…

Find unspoiled nature, uncrowded shores, peace and tranquillity on these small islands

From atmospheric Berlin to Joyce’s Trieste, via Marseille’s markets and a wellbeing walk in Copenhagen, city strolls reward the curious rambler

A new book on rail travel across the continent showcases gorgeous scenery, historic routes and adventures at a slower pace

Where to go in southern Spain for culture, history and cuisine – from mountain horseback riding to the ultimate fly-and-flop