We woke to a sky rich in red over the undulating Lakeside countryside. It was stunning and boded well for the day ahead. Two hours later the sun had broken through to warm the chill air. The thermometer rose to 8C as Bowness-on-Windemere came alive. It was January 3, but the attraction of Lakeland continues. Cars poured in and the parking areas soo...

Circus 1903, which celebrates the Golden Age of Circus, will return to London's Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall over the Christmas and New Year period. While the once used live animals are absent (thank goodness, we get Queenie and Peanut, two wonderful elephants in puppet form. What Circus 1903 has in abundance is a flow of the finest acrob...

Late season voyages to Svalbard in the Norwegian Arctic offer ideal light conditions for novice and expert photographers to capture images of the unusual icy landscapes and wildlife. Specialist polar tour operator Swoop is offering two 10-day, small-ship expeditions to the Svalbard archipelago in September 2020. Both trips are for just 12 guests ea...

Lisbon has been awarded the 'Foodie Hotspot' of the year by the annual National Geographic Traveller UK reader awards 2019. The annual Reader Awards celebrate the best places, experiences, hotels, operators, authors, and podcasts, which are shortlisted by judges and voted by the audience. The hilly and coastal capital of Lisbon has a reputation for...

The ancient fortress of Masada The ancient fortress of Masada sits atop a 450-meter cliff in Israel's Judean desert, overlooking the Dead Sea a 90 minute drive from Jerusalem. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a historical experience and, following the Israeli tradition, visitors are advised arrive early to witness the sunrise slowly colour th...

To 31 August 2020 ABBA: Super Troupers The Exhibition is a celebration of chart-topping Swedish pop group ABBA : Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid (Frida) Lyngstad. It brings together their music, lyrics, creative process and influence as one of the world's most iconic pop bands. ABBA came to musical fame when their pe...