It is a city that endured a terrible 20th century, wracked by revolution, war and tyranny. But as St Petersburg emerges into a bright future, its dark side can still be seen. Giles Milton dips into the past in Russia's chic imperial capital.
In what is becoming a hot topic, over half of cruise passengers would like to see smoking on ship balconies banned, according to a new survey.
They are the fungus nuggets that can be worth up to £850 for just 2lb. Sarah Gordon searches for truffles in the endlessly pretty French region of the Dordogne.
Hannah-Jane Tripp had long wanted to visit Iceland, and was not disappointed by her first foray into the land of waterfalls, geysers and lonely landscapes.
In the latest of our occasional series, historian Simon Schama reveals his favourite travel hotspots - from New York and Umbria to surprising Antwerp.
Holidaymakers take on different personas while away, according to new research. Tourists can fall into four categories, including 'Commanders' and 'Inspirers.'
With a new exhibition of his paintings lighting up Tate Britain, LS Lowry is in the spotlight. Caroline Hendrie visits the Salford streets that inspired him.
Abu Dhabi is more than Dubai's big brother. Gareth Huw Davies picks out six things you really must do in the vast emirate, from shopping to water-sliding.
Florida's image as a zone of theme parks and bars is well established. But there is much more to the state - as Tim Carroll discovers on Anna Maria Island.
It is slowly returning to the tourist map after decades of civil war. But Sri Lanka is worth the intrepid journey, says Max Davidson, as he tours an isle of blissful beaches, history - and quiet obsession with cricket. ...read
Anyone who has walked the South Bank may have spotted a 'ship' on the roof of the Queen Elizabeth Hall. Chris Leadbeater stays in A Room For London.
When the cruise gods are against you, there is little you can do except hope the staff know what they're doing. John Carter reports on one such trip.
Twenty years after falling in love with the park on her first visit, Liz James returns - and finds its allure is as strong as ever. Plus, escape to Paris for a day.
This week, our man of mystery finds himself in the former home of Sir Bernard Ashley, husband of Laura Ashley, but is a famous design heritage enough?
Amsterdam is in demand, with the relaunched Rijksmuseum putting it on many city-break lists. So was Chris Leadbeater wise to wait until two days ahead to book a room via a late deals site? ...read
Once a hidden corner of Yugoslavia, Montenegro is making a name as a chic Adriatic destination. Gary Edwards heads to Tivat to gawp at the super-yachts in the new marina, and the beauty of Kotor Bay. ...read
With a luxury hotel, guaranteed sun and post-festival R&R; on a secret beach, Olivia Walmsley discovers that Optimus Alive is her kind of festival.
Philip Norman grew up on the Isle of Wight, so has long been aware of its charms. He sees a new age in Ventnor, where fine food is changing the resort.
When Fred Mawer and family went to Italy, he did his homework and pre-booked tours. In the height of the Italian summer, it proved to be genius.
He is one of the world's top tenors - but for Joseph Calleja, home is where the heart is. And home is Malta. Here he explains the island's splendid appeal.
Only the devout and dedicated walk to Santiago de Compostela. The rest of us fly in. Mark Nicholls conserves his energy to explore the fascinating Spanish city that is as popular as ever with pilgrims. ...read
When Natasha Culzac visited São Miguel, unseasonal bad weather had shrouded the Portuguese-owned island in mist. She was undeterred...
With its islands strung across the Pacific, Hawaii is a glorious place for a cruise. Simon and Susan Veness head into the blue for a luxury adventure.
Wendy Driver tours a far-flung corner of Europe that has 8,000 islands, 3,000 years of history (including cave art) - and the former home of one very famous film star.
It seems the French have a rather relaxed attitude to 'elf'n'safety' when it comes to mountain activities, as Steve Nimmo discovers in Vallorcine.
When he goes away, Simon Lewis normally escapes the city, but in Lausanne the soothing waters and lakeside hotels make for the perfect spa setting.
If you want to step back in time, riding through idyllic rural scenes, the Radnor Forest trail in Powys, Wales, is the perfect retreat, says Anne Atkins.
Have toddler, will travel? It's not always as easy as it sounds with an energetic youngster around. TravelMail's new parents put some handy travel accessories to the test.
Melodies seep from every brick in Memphis, from Graceland to Beale Street. But it is at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music that Paul Oswell finds the city's musical past.
What do you do when it's time to swap wild nights for tranquility? Head for Paxos, says Mariella Frostrup, where remote beaches and lunches of marinated sardines await.
Caroline Hendrie visits Vienna, Bratislava and Budapest on her European whistlestop tour and discovers the historical connections between the three cities.
It is the seaside resort that so inspired the film-maker Federico Fellini - and there is more to Rimini than its beaches. As Adrian Tierney-Jones finds out.
The Hollywood star wed her musician fiance James Righton in the picturesque Rhône Valley. Isabel Palmer toasts their beautiful location choice with a glass of the local tipple.
The rise of and rise of stylish Montenegro
Montenegro is making a name for itself. Gary Edwards finds super yachts and splendid scenery in trendy Tivat.
Book review: A Tourist In The Arab Spring
Tom Chesshyre's new book 'A Tourist In The Arab Spring' is a thoughtful piece of work, says Frank Barrett.
Ask Frank: A scuba safari in the Maldives
This week, the Mail On Sunday's Travel Editor assists a couple who want a safari with more than the odd bored lion.
A late-room treasure hunt in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is in demand this summer. So was Chris Leadbeater wise to wait until just two days ahead to book a room?
Blog: Paxman needs to work on his Welsh
Jeremy Paxman disparaged Blaenavon, with its Unesco heritage, in a recent debate. Frank Barrett is rather miffed.
Checking In: Historian Simon Schama
Historian Simon Schama reveals his favourite destinations. But which part of America does he describe as 'dull'?
How to do New York in a wheelchair
Is it possible to visit New York in a wheelchair? Oh yes. Barbara McMahon explains everything from theatre tickets to taxis.
The best hotel room view in London
Chris Leadbeater spends a night in 'A Room For London'...AKA a ship perched high up on the South Bank.
LATE DEALS BLOG: EDITOR'S PICK
Is the new-found sunshine making you crave a holiday? Fish through the latest deals and offers here...
New York can seem daunting - especially if you visit in a wheelchair. But options are on offer. After a stay in the city with her wheelchair-bound sister, Barbara McMahon explains everything from tickets to taxis.
Set in a medieval castle with links to the Italian movie industry, Castello di Casole is no ordinary hotel. Anna Pasternak spends a few days in the Tuscan hills.
A trip to Corfu doubled up as business and pleasure when Tom Herbert and his Fabulous Baker Brother Henry created a pizza the locals couldn't resist.
Did you know a famous beauty, poisoned by her stepmother really existed? Robert Gore-Langton follows Germany's new fairytale trail.
An encounter with gorillas can be a hellraising, but enchanting experience, as Nick Boulos discovers when he comes face to face with a rather irritable silverback named Makara.
Alexander Chancellor takes a fine art tour of Stockholm and finds hidden glories. And when he is full of high culture, he heads to the Abba museum.
With gourmet restaurants, art galleries galore and leafy boulevards, Mexico City has is once again a dazzling centre, says Deidre Fernand.
How do you ensure that you get the best from your visit to Italia? Fred Mawer picks a handful of useful websites that are guaranteed to help.
Stan Cullimore sets off for a weekend on the Isles of Scilly and finds more than he'd expected when he goes swimming with seals.
The Inspector headed to Kesgrave Hall, outside Ipswich, with high hopes after a friend's recommendation. Would those hopes make it past dinner?
The Deep South is one of the most iconic corners of the USA for a road trip. To prove it, Amy Shindler and pal Beth set off on a long journey to Nashville.
There are dangers cruising in icy waters off Greenland. But when a proposed port of call is cancelled, David Simpson gets up close with giant icebergs.
After six Olympic golds, the cycling hero heads to Galley Bay to relax in the sun with his wife Sarra and vows this is one trip where he's not going anywhere near a bike...
The world is a big place, with plenty of opportunities to create those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. So if we had deep pockets, just where would we choose to go on holiday?
Cognac has a fine reputation among connoisseurs of brandy - and the French scenery that defines the region is equally splendid, says Mark Jones.
They were the Italian family who rose to power with force and cunning in the early 16th century. Novelist Sarah Dunant goes in search of their story.
The little-known Kvarner region of Croatia blends the architecture of Nice and the grandeur of Vienna, says an enamoured Julie Peasgood.
At this time of year, the Balearic isle is known for house music and all night partying. Away from the beats though, there is a more serene side, as David Whitley explains.
On first impressions, The Headland Hotel - which perches above Fistral Beach near Newquay - looks trapped in the past. On second glance, it has its moments, says The Inspector.
It's certainly not the obvious time to go but for Rachel Corcoran and her brother, a summer ski trip to Cervinia proved to be the perfect sporty break with a healthy dose of vitamin D.
This remote US state is famed for its long, hard winters and snowy landscapes, but in summer it bursts into life with colourful vistas and wildlife, says Martin Symington.
Isolated and beautiful, the Outback has more to it than kangaroos and cows, although Ruth Styles sees plenty of both as she follows in the hoof-prints of outlaws and rustlers.
Tim Bentinck dives into a 60th birthday celebration on the Cayman Islands – but will his reef encounter with a giant of the deep really bring him seven years' luck? And who the heck is Rusty Pistachio? ...read
Caroline Hendrie feared the worst when she realised her Fred Olsen cruise ship was teeming with younger passengers...and that they might be joining her on a cycling trip.
Glamping, you say? Not for me, said Edmund Vallance until his wife persuaded him posh camping was a different game to traditional breaks under canvas.
Thanks to the heatwave, lots of families have decided to remain in Britain. But many of us leave booking until the last minute, which means you can still book for the summer.
Gareth Huw Davies lists the highlights of this splendid city, which mixes the mystique, power and glitter of great empires and is now bidding to host the Olympic Games in 2020.
The bigger sister of chi-Capri, Ischia is a near-Naples island of great restaurants and volcanic scenery. Sharon Parsons enjoys a glorious week in the sun.
During its two centuries of history, the Chateau de Challagne has been everything from a Nazi bolthole to a school. Now it has been lovingly restored as a luxury retreat. Andrew Pierce feels like a (19th century) king...
English wine is on the up and nowhere is it more delicious than at the Three Choirs Vineyard in Gloucestershire. Stephanie Cross reports.
It has had a troubled past, not least due to a brutal 20th century war with America, but Dea Birkett finds rural beauty, bustling cities and smiling locals when she visits Vietnam.
It is a walled city famed for its medieval architecture, but down its twisting cobbled roads you can also find a delightful brewery, says Jenny Cowley.
It is the Massachusetts island, easily reached from both Boston and New York, where A-listers gather and the wealthy have homes. But Nantucket is also a fine place for a short break, as Jenny Coad discovers.
It's home to some of the world's biggest waves but for surf enthusiast Guy Adams and his wife, Portugal's Silver Coast proved the perfect place for a short break.
Most people arrive on Greece's many islands by plane these days, but Glenys Roberts recaptures the romance of travel by flitting from one magical island to another by ferry.
Historian David Starkey has described the Mary Rose as 'England's Pompeii'. If this is true, then the new museum in Portsmouth is the closest to time-travel we'll get.
It is the corner of northern Italy so splendid that George Clooney bought a house while filming Ocean's Twelve. Mark Palmer spends a long weekend on the shore of Lake Como.
This week the Inspector lives it up on the estate of the late Lord Hambledon. The hotel promises 'eccentric style' and a 'memorable experience', but does it deliver?
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