Along with its position at the very bottom of the continent – only Hobart beats it for southerly latitude and Southern Ocean chill – Melbourne might have been purpose built to challenge accepted notions of Australian city life. It can seem topographically bland, prone to capricious cold and hot snaps, and, if blessed by a…
It wasn’t until the 1920s that ‘the season’ on the French Riviera, including in Cannes, began to switch from winter to summer. Prior to that, the great, good and wealthy had repaired there from autumn onwards, to escape the dismal climes of northern Europe. They then left in summer, for the sun was deemed too…
More than 60 years ago the International Festival’s founders set out to bring art, culture, colour and prosperity to a gritty and grey post-war Edinburgh. Now there are seven festivals in August, including the Fringe, Book and Comedy Festivals. Every year Edinburghers fall in love with it all over again as Auld Reekie becomes, quite literally,…
Getting around: Taxis and ride-sharing apps, like Uber and Lyft, are readily available throughout Miami, especially in popular tourist destinations like South Beach, Wynwood, the Design District and Brickell. While Miami is a driver’s city much as Los Angeles is, there are a variety of public transportation options that can be useful, especially if you’re…
The 13 best things to do in Budapest
Gundel is the place to eat this afternoon. It has an illustrious history and a sumptuous dining room, but for day-time visits there is also a less formal terrace and a good-value set lunch. After that, City Park has more than enough to fill a few hours. You can go boating on its lake, which…
A true Belgian experience: a cone of crispy frites (fries) from a traditional fritkot (chip stand), and a choice of 20 sauces. Friture de la Chapelle is in the Place de la Chapelle, the gateway to the Rue Haute and Rue Blaes, as well as the Marolles district, famous for its antique and bric-a-brac…
Telephone code: 00 356 from the UK, followed by the Maltese number (there are no zeros to remove in Maltese phone numbers) Foreign Office advice: Malta is mostly considered as safe or safer than the UK, except on the roads where standards of driving are described as ‘poor’. Extra reading: There is lots of useful information on visitmalta.com. The…
With dazzling light and bright blue skies for much of the year, Madrid would be an energising city even without the world-class museums and the buzzing nightlife. The centre has smartened itself up, too, with new boutiques, delis, cafés and gastrobars opening every week, but it is the traditional tapas bars and tiny shops that…
The elegant Treasurer’s House, a National Trust property, is only a five-minute walk from York Minster. From the Roman road running through the cellar to the Edwardian servants’ quarters in the attics, its history is perfectly preserved. There are 13 period rooms that tell the story of the house and its most famous owner, the…
Laid-back living, soft sandy beaches, warm hospitality, rum, reggae, rushing waterfalls, lush mountains – Jamaica is the Caribbean island where people flock, as its most famous son Bob Marley once sung, “to feel all right”. No wonder that the former Spanish (then British) colony captivated Ian Fleming, Noël Coward, Winston Churchill, Marilyn Monroe and Errol…
Have lunch at Pizza Rock, where the co-founder, Tony Gemignani, is a 12-time World Pizza Champion. Pizza purists should go for the Burratina di Margherita, a Sicilian-style pizza with Burrata cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction, or opt for something a little more avant garde such as the Cal Italia, with asiago, prosciutto, mozzarella, gorgonzola,…
How to spend an easy-going weekend in Reykjavik
Visit Orlando Tourist Board: This is the only official source of information for visitors, with a handy Interactive Map to help steer them through the extensive area; visitorlando.com. Emergency services: Dial 911 Local road traffic accident/emergency evacuation information: Dial 511 or visit fl511.com. Directory inquiries: Dial 411 or visit 411.myflorida.com. The basics Currency: US dollar Telephone code: Orlando numbers are usually area…
Tipping culture: 15-20 per cent in restaurants; $1 (approx. 80p) per drink in bars Public transport: Patchy bus services, but the streetcar lines run more efficiently (norta.com) Taxis: United Taxis are the largest and most reliable company. Around $36 (£28) from the airport to downtown. Etiquette when self-driving: Regular US driving rules, you can turn…
The problem visitors to Paris have is there is just too much to do, from its world-class museums to utterly staggering art galleries. Here is Telegraph destination expert Hannah Meltzer’s guide to the very best experiences and attractions in the city, from ripping down the Champs-Élysées in a quirky retro sidecar to insider tips on…
The best things to do in Barcelona
Manchester’s ornate listed buildings, red-brick cotton warehouses and weaver’s cottages are reminders of its industrial past. But the city’s ever-growing popularity means many are now home to luxury hotels, hip bars and imaginative restaurants. Creativity is a key part of Manchester’s identity, with musicians and artists from the city being celebrated worldwide. This is…
Amsterdam delivers the goods when it comes to memorable experiences and attractions. With canals weaving through the city, gabled buildings providing glimpses of a bygone past, and myriad museums portraying the importance of Amsterdam’s role in history, it is a city full of extraordinary things to do. From sitting in a swing high above the…
The 11 best things to do in Copenhagen