Pure white sand, clear turquoise waters and warm locals: The 10 most stunning islands in the world that we would all love to visit

Islands

The Maldives (top left) has topped the list of the best islands in the world, followed by the Greek islands, Sicily, and the Caribbean's St Barth, according to Conde Nast readers. Sicily, bottom right, was ranked in third place in the best islands in the world; The Greek Islands (middle) remained resolutely at number two while Capri (top right) came in seventh place; Barbados was voted in eighth place, followed by Mauritius (bottom left) in ninth, and Malta tenth place.

From caviar served in the surf to indoor hydrotherapy pools: These are the luxurious cruise lines voted best in the world

With amenities or perks fit for the rich and famous, these ships are (nautical) miles ahead of the competition and they have come out on top in a poll in this year's Conde Nast Traveller Reader Awards. Luxurious cruise ships are bucking industry stereotypes with high-end shops, elegant fixtures, tailored service and stunning penthouse suites.

Winter is coming: Brazil, Vietnam and the Caribbean emerge as this year's hotspots for Britons looking to escape the chill

Beach

While the grey and gloom of January may feel far off right now, those hoping to jet off for some winter sun need to start planning their breaks. But where to?

Let us be! Abbey Road live cam shows a man in a submarine suit and real penguins as fans hold up furious drivers while recreating The Beatles' famous album cover

A live camera feed in front of the iconic zebra crossing captures a backlog of traffic and angry drivers as fans and tourists recreate the cover photo of Abbey Road.

It's not for the faint of heart! First ever suspension bridge linking twin mountain peaks will have a partial glass floor and spectacular views from 9,700ft in the air

Calling all adrenaline junkies! The world's first suspension bridge linking two mountain peaks is set to open in Switzerland, offering breathtaking mountain-top views.

Ryanair and easyJet passengers face flight cancellations as a strike by Italian air traffic controllers throws holidaymakers' travel plans into chaos

D106CX Ryanair Boeing 737-800 taxiing for departure from Malta

The four-hour work stoppage across Italy forced Ryanair to ground almost 100 flights to and from Italy, while easyJet cancelled up to 60 flights, including 20 into and out of the UK.

One last summer fix! Glum Britons expected to book their holidays on 'Travel Blue Monday' as they escape dreary UK weather for sunshine

A5104C Man relaxing in hammock under thatched palapa Mulege Baja California Mexico

Monday 8 September has been branded 'Travel Blue Monday,' a day in which record numbers of Brits are most likely to book an exciting trip abroad.  

The next Picasso? Watch adorable Florida sea lion, Wilbur, paint his latest abstract masterpiece

Wilbur eagerly grasps the paintbrush with his mouth and gets to work as he is urged on by his encouraging trainers at the Theater of the Seas in Islamorada.

Now that's a hot shot! Photographer dangles over lava fountains shooting 200 metres into the air at Bardarbunga

Photographer Lurie Belegurschi's breathtaking images of Iceland's Bardarbunga, showing explosive lava fountains, were taken from a helicopter as it hovered above the volcano. Molten rock has been streaming out from a one-mile long fissure north of the Bardarbunga volcano since an eruption on Friday 29 August was followed by a larger eruption on Sunday 31 August.

London hotels are among DIRTIEST in the world... but Tokyo and Warsaw offer sparkling accommodation (and Sheffield isn't bad either)

Six million travellers were polled for a new study looking at the world's cleanest - and more importantly its filthiest - cities for an overnight stay.

Check in married, check out single! Luxury hotel sells $5,000 weekend divorce package complete with golf lessons, spa... and in-house lawyer

A upmarket hotel in New York has tailored a weekend divorce package for couples who want to split ... complete with spa, golf and in-house attorney.

British tourist sparks armed police response in Azerbaijan after wandering into a resident's garden to relieve himself

James Andre Young was forced to sober up after an armed police response turned up when he was caught relieving himself against a fence.

We're going to need more cake! Britain's BIGGEST family gathering is held in Devon as 130 of couple's descendants meet under a giant wedding marquee

The large family met in Buckland Brewer in Devon to celebrate their gene pool. Organisers borrowed a giant wedding marquee to fit everyone in.

Four British tourists hospitalised in Slovakia after bus crash that killed driver instantly

The crash happened while the vehicle was travelling between the capital Bratislava and Svaty Jur, a small town to the north east of the Slovak capital.

Water you having? Aquarium visitors enjoy extraordinary dinner party in underwater tunnel as fish and turtles swim around them

Fish, sea turtles and other creatures swam around the enthralled visitors at the Tianjin Haichang Polar Ocean World as they dined on seafood, of course, in the unusual setting. The event was organised to celebrate the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival, a harvest festival celebrated in China and Vietnam.

And on your left is an erupting volcano: Icelandair pilot takes a detour to give his passengers a once-in-a-lifetime view of Bardarbunga

volcano

An Icelandair pilot gave passengers an extra special view as a short detour was taken to have a closer look at the country's active Bardarbunga volcano. Luminous lava and smoke were in full view at the pilot took an extra loop for customers to take in.

Goodbye pariah state, hello Garden of Eden: How Colombia became not just safe to visit, but an undoubted South American must-see

Emerald toucanet, Colombia

Home to resplendent natural beauty, more exotic bird species than anywhere else in the world and coffee that takes like it's been brewed in heaven - Colombia is calling.

Scotland's first £1,000-a-night hotel closes for good... just two years after its owners sank £5m into the project

The Atholl, in Edinburgh's posh West End, was known as the most expensive hotel in Scotland, but it is now being converted into four individual flats.

'Our Bare Fare was hacked!': Budget airline faces boycott for mocking celebrity victims of nude photo scandal to sell tickets 

Spirit Hacked06a1a560-3398-11e4-9c0b-fb03394a7d37_spirit1.jpg

Angry Internet users are vowing to boycott Spirit Airlines after it mocked the celebrity nude photo scandal with drawing of a topless woman her arms for ticket sale ad.

That's a big wedge! Scottish hotels increase prices by up to 155% during Ryder Cup... with an average stay costing £254

Hotel prices in the towns surrounding Gleneagles have increased by up to 155%, according to online hotel comparison site Trivago.co.uk.

Cashing in on the Costa Concordia: Genoa locals turn cruise liner into lucrative business with boat tours to stricken ship and offers of hotel rooms with a view

Mandatory Credit: Photo by AGF s.r.l./REX (3982497k).. Costa Concordia.. Costa Concordia wreck removal project arrives in Port of Genoa, Italy - 27 Jul 2014.. ..

The Costa Concordia wreck has become a business opportunity for some locals in Genoa after it was towed into the southern Italy city to be scrapped.

Great Scott! £1,600 over-water hoverboard invented... one year before Marty McFly rode one in Back To The Future Part II

Most teenagers of the Eighties dreamed of zooming around on their own hoverboard like Marty McFly in the Back To The Future movies. And now they can... over water, at least. While Marty seemingly zoomed around above the ground, the new gadget uses high-powered water jet to allow the rider to hover above the water.

It's a scream! Florida theme park opens Falcon's Fury ride that sends thrillseekers on a FACE-FIRST plunge from 335ft at 60mph

The Falcon's Fury ride at Busch Gardens in Tampa is the first drop tower of its kind in the world, offering a heart-thumping experience that mimics the dive of the fastest animal on Earth. The tallest free-standing drop tower in North America tilts riders toward the ground when they reach the top and then sends them on a face-first plunge at breakneck speed. It has been engineered so that adrenaline junkies cannot anticipate the timing of the drop and is now open to the public after being officially unveiled.

'People were screaming to get the children off': Panicked passengers forced to escape from smoke-filled cabin via plane wing after fire prompts emergency landing

A plane returning from Ibiza was forced to make an emergency landing at East Midlands Airport after an electrical fault led to smoke filling the cabin. 

Now that's doing time! Mediterranean island prison in a national park where inmates tend to the animals, vegetables and make WINE

Natural beauty: The prison on the island of Gorgona in the Tuscan archipelago near Livorno is also a national park

There is a long waiting list to join the inhabitants of Gorgona, the beautiful northernmost island of the Tuscan Archipelago.

Suck on a lemon to combat jetlag and apply ginger to soothe sunburn: Infographic reveals the best 'super foods' for travellers

Best superfoods for travellers

The infographic reveals the natural way tourists can overcome jetlag, boost their immune system and tackle sun damage, using the ingredients in your fridge.

One shell of journey! Eight-year-old boy tries to smuggle his pet turtle through airport security ... in his UNDERPANTS

Congcong was so enamored with the turtle, he refused to let go of it. He stuffed it into his underwear at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China

The Brangelina effect! Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's wedding sparks 1,000% surge in holidaymaker interest in small French village

Over a one week period, Correns in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region has seen a huge 1,161 per cent uplift in searches on TripAdvisor compared to 2013.

Rolls-Royce pick up, private butler and a six-course dinner: The world's 'only seven-star' hotel offers guests most luxurious night yet (but it will set you back £1,000)

Dubai's most famous - and most outlandishly opulent - hotel is offering flush guests a night of sheer luxury, costing almost £1,000 for a single night's stay.

The perfect place for a pint! 700-year-old Norfolk pub named best in Britain... while Yorkshire watering hole is top for food

The Rose and Crown in Snettisham, Norfolk, was awarded the prestigious Pub of the Year title in the latest edition of the Good Pub Guide, while Pipe and Glass in South Dalton was best for food.

Now that's a bird's eye view! Photographer captures beautiful beach scenes 1,500ft in the air from a seagull's perspective

Antoine Rose, 40, took these shots while hovering between 100 and 1,500 feet in the air over the sandy coastline of Miami. Rose can spend up to ten hours on expensive helicopter flights in search of his perfect shot - and often returns from a trip having taken no pictures. He also has to wait for the perfect weather conditions.

The Ten Commandments of Air Travel: The simple in-flight rules on Knee Defenders, baggage space, queues and arm rests that will stop every other passenger hating you

Ten Commandments of Travel

Flights can be such tense experiences, with battles over space and reclining seats. But you can avoid being the passenger that everyone else loathes for being a selfish human being by following these ten very simple rules.

British paratrooper's 36,000-mile, round-the-world hike under threat after he is BANNED from entering Russia for 10 years

Karl Bushby, from Hull, has been walking around the globe for nearly 16 years and he plans to plead his case for a visa when he visits the Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

Highland King! Prince of Dubai to build 16-bedroom lodge on his 63,000-acre estate in Scotland ... right next to his 14-bedroom holiday home

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al-Maktoum has applied for planning permission to add to the existing luxury buildings on his 63,000-acre estate in Inverinate in Wester Ross.

'Sighted people act as their eyes': Blind man sets up holiday company offering riding bareback, sailing and skiing for visually impaired travellers

Amar sailing in Greece

Amar Latif has travelled to more than 60 countries over the last ten years to put together a portfolio of interesting holidays for partially-sighted people - despite losing his own sight to a genetic condition.

X marks the spot! Dazzling plans by British architect Lord Norman Foster for Mexico City's new £5.5BILLION airport unveiled

Mexico City will quadruple the number of passengers flying in each year to 120 million by 2050 with a new £5.5bn airport.

P&O; passenger outraged as child-friendly cruise ship displays 'odd' artwork featuring story about missing Madeleine McCann

Father-of-three Michael Gould, 55, from Liverpool, was on holiday with his wife and youngest daughter when he spotted the 'inappropriate' artwork on board P&O;'s Ventura.

The brighter side of Pyongyang: Fascinating photographs reveal city dwellers enjoying all the fun of the fair in North Korea's capital

A new set of photographs reveals the fun and optimism of a day at the Kaeson Youth Amusement Park in the North Korean capital. Perched on psychedelic spinning rides, the city's residents appear fancy-free with wide smiles and heads flung back.

Is this the world's most colourful mountain range? Surreal photos make Argentinian peaks look like Vincent Van Gogh painting

Photographer Kevin Zaouali, 22, shot the ethereal landscapes at the Hornocal mountain range located in northern Argentina, near the Bolivian border. The striking mountains in the Quebrada de Humahuaca valley, a UNESCO world heritage site. A rainbow of eleven different rock layers gives the peaks their distinctive appearance.

'This is a sick joke, right?!': Malaysia Airlines forced to pull 'Bucket List' flight giveaway after backlash over twin air tragedies that killed 537

Malaysia

The marketing ploy was launched in an effort to win back customers but the airline is now facing public backlash for the word choice just months after a pair of disasters killed more than 500 people. ‘Bucket list’ is a term that refers to the things a person wants to experience before they die. The contest offered residents of Australia and New Zealand a chance to win free flights to Malaysia.

Forget eating local! A THIRD of travellers prefer British food to foreign dishes... and one in 10 will whip up a Full English and roast dinner on holiday

A survey has found that one in ten holidaymakers resort to cooking British dishes when abroad because their family won't eat foreign food. But there are many who come home inspired as well.

Flying low! Algae-covered WWII warplane sunk off the coast of Turkey has become an underwater playground for divers

The 65-foot-long plane, which was used as a transporter for a Turkish paratroop regiment, was deliberately sunk in waters off Kas, Turkey, and has become an underwater playground for divers.

Who needs Val-d'Isère? Blazing heat, one lift and not a flake of natural snow in sight ... welcome to South Africa's first ski resort

Tiffindell resort, which is perched upon the Ben McDhui peak - the highest point in the Cape - offers tourists the chance to hit the slopes South Africa style.

India named cheapest country in the world for flights... with Malaysia in second place (but UK tickets cost THREE times as much)

It might have been cheaper to fly... India's airfare wars have cut costs dramatically

Finland and Switzerland are the most expensive places to catch a plane, with Denmark coming out top overall, while India, Malaysia and South Africa are cheapest.

Ghostly rooms, crumbling staircases and faded tapestries: Eerie photos capture lavish Belgian chateau left abandoned for 20 years

Opulent: The drawing room is filled with antique furniture and an enormous tapestry fills the whole of one wall, while the chandelier hints at an opulent past

The haunting photos of Chateau de la Foret show decaying rooms still filled with opulent furniture and faded decor - as if the owners had only just left.

Toy town cities! From London to Venice, amazing photos show some of the world's most famous destinations in miniature

New Yorker Richard Silver uses digital technology to miniaturise famous landmarks. His Tilt-Shift photographs The Colosseum (top left), Mexico's Telum Beach (bottom left) and Westminster (right) look like museum models. The 52-year-old Brooklyn native has been doing this for nearly six years and knows 'exactly what to photograph.'

Butlers, private chefs and walls dripping with diamonds: Are these the world's most luxurious hotel suites? (Costing up to £15,000 per night, they should be!)

These are the kind of suites used to hosting Hollywood royalty, rock stars and even heads of state, where you're likely to find private plunge pools, a butler service and chandeliers dripping with diamonds. (Clockwise) From The Jewel Suite by Martin Katz at the New York Palace, and The Resort at Pelican Hill, California, to Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Royal Suite, The Viceroy Maldives' Duplex Beach Villa, and The Owner's Cottage at Matakauri Lodge in New Zealand - these incredible suites have been named among the best in the world.

Inside Rio's coolest hotel which boasts Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney, Madonna and One Direction among its star guests

Flying the flag: Victoria Beckham is a fan, while, right, Coleen Rooney takes a phone call from her balcony during the World Cup

The Fasano is Rio's coolest hotel by far, with a steady stream of celebrities wanting to experience its charms, including David Beckham, Lady Gaga, and One Direction, who brought Ipanema to a standstill in May when they stayed there.

Women fighting over the right-to-recline force Delta Airlines plane to divert in THIRD mid-air seat row in just a week

A Delta flight from New York to Florida was rerouted on Monday due to passenger disruption - the third incident of this kind in less than a week.

What lies beneath: Marine biologist captures amazing split photos showing Britain's sealife above and below water's surface

Pleased to meet you: A crab and blenny fish meet in this split shot in Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, captured by photographer Andrew Pearson

From a floating jelly fish to a relaxed seal, Britain's beach life is captured above and below the water in this series of dramatic shots taken by Andrew Pearson.

Going cheap! Welsh seafront hotel used in Hinterland series goes under hammer for £250,000... after it failed to sell for £1m

Under the hammer: The 83-room Grade II listed building started life as the Queen's Hotel in 1866 and served more recently as council offices, a magistrates court and a police station

Featured in the BBC/S4C drama Hinterland, the seafront Grade II listed building in Aberystwyth began life as the Queen's Hotel in 1866.

100 passengers forced to wait THREE hours to collect luggage at Birmingham Airport... after being told they could not leave until bags arrived

Carl and Emma Macdonald, from Solihull, West Midlands, say their plane landed just before 1am on Monday but their suitcases did not arrive on the carousel until 4am.

Manila's international airport on high alert after authorities thwart an anti-China group's plot to set off homemade bombs capable of creating a huge fireball

Four incendiary devices were found inside the suspects’ van at a car park at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, where armed guards are stationed at entrances and K9 units are on patrol.

Plane makes emergency landing in LA after cockpit windscreen CRACKS in mid-air

DN7F6P American Airlines Boeing 757-200 with the registration N698AN

A passenger snapped a photograph that shows a spider web of cracks in the left windscreen of the American Airlines flight after it was forced to abort its journey to Dallas-Fort Worth.

No need for a harness! Daredevil leaps from 1,300ft clifftop with parachute fixed to piercings embedded in his BACK

A dramatic video shows Stanislav Aksenov carrying out the stunt and freefalling for two minutes from the 1,300ft-high cliffs surrounding the Lauterbrunnen valley in Bern, Switzerland. The Russian did the jump without a harness, instead attaching the parachute to metal piercings in his back. The dramatic video, which he posted online, shows him freefalling, after pulling the parachute bag sitting on the cliff's edge.

Eerily empty streets, Soviet-style skyscrapers and state officials on patrol: Undercover camera captures everyday life in North Korea

It's a fiercely clandestine country, but an eye-opening new video, filmed using a Go-pro camera offers an insight into the austere and guarded world of North Korea. The enlightening footage takes the viewer through the eerily quiet tree-lined streets of capital city Pyongyang.

'A big fall in UK tourists will have serious implications for the wildlife': Born Free actress Virginia McKenna reveals how 30 years on she's still wild about Kenya

Born Free

McKenna's Born Free charity works throughout the world 'to stop individual wild animals suffering and to protect threatened species'. Thirty years on, it has become a global charity with 100 employees, a £2 million-a-year budget and a proud record in rescuing and re-homing animals. Now aged 83, Virginia continues to wage a tireless battle on behalf of wild animals.

Experiencing more, not less, by glamming it at Glastonbury: The festival's first pop-up hotel is a refuge from all the muddy chaos

Experience MORE not less by glamming it up at Glastonbury

'The luxury of a private bathroom and plush bed is just one awesome perk that comes with staying in a Snoozebox,' writes DENI KIRKOVA.

Crete expectations: Trying to make sense of it all at Thomson's splendid Sensatori resort

Feeling blue: The Sensatori Crete resort occupies a prime position on the north coast of the island

Lucy Jones will tell you that she is not easily pleased - not least when it comes to travel. She wants spas, food, culture and fun. Will she find it at the Sensatori resort on the north coast of Crete? She just might...

Off on holiday? You'll find cheaper hotels ABROAD than at home (but Monte Carlo is the most expensive place to lay your head)

Monte Carlo has the most expensive hotel prices in the world, says the survey

London is the 23rd most-expensive city to stay in a hotel, according to new research, which reveals an average price of £127 per night, while in Monte Carlo hotel rates leaped to £223.

Ryanair is snubbed as budget easyJet edges into list of world's top 10 airlines ... and British Airways steals number one spot

BPGX1K BA Cityflyer G-LCYG Embraer E170 STD at Edinburgh Airport

In the battle of budget airlines, Ryanair failed to crack any of the top 10 lists, as voted on by readers of Conde Nast Traveller, despite continued efforts to revamp its image.

Make or break holiday? Don't count on it! Third of married couples reveal they split within weeks of jetting off ... and 10% say trip prompted divorce

Nearly a third of divorced Brits said they decided to split up within weeks of returning from a tumultuous holiday, found a study.

Stress and cheap travel deals are main reasons Brits are going on more holidays ... with 40% jetting off every six months

A new study has revealed that 41 per cent of holidaymakers are only waiting six months before packing up and jetting off again.

'A trip to Poland used to mean nuclear Armageddon - but relations have thawed since then!': John Nichol swaps RAF Tornados for Ryanair on a trip to Slawa

Times have thankfully changed since the Cold War and the former RAF navigator travelled to the country not by Tornado but on a Ryanair flight.

From Kate Middleton's pre-wedding suite, to Raymond Blanc's 32-room Oxfordshire resort: The top 20 UK hotels revealed

Top UK hotels

Conde Nast Traveller has released the results its annual Readers’ Travel Awards, naming the top 20 holiday hotels in the country. Chewton Glen in Hampshire (top left) took the top spot, while Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons in Oxfordshire (centre and top right) came in second. Coworth Park in Berkshire (bottom left) was edged out of the top 10, while the Coven Garden Hotel in London (bottom right) made its first appearance in the list.

Back on the bombing run: One of the last two flying Lancasters pays tribute to the 55,000 Bomber Boys who never returned with flight on the route thousands of sorties took to target the Nazis

WATCH: For the 55,000 brave aircrew who lost their lives in the Second World War, it would have been their final view of England, soaring high above the North Lincolnshire countryside. In tribute, one of the world's last two airworthy Lancasters takes the same route over Bomber Country - where some 389,000 sorties were flown by Bomber Command between 1939 and 1945. The exclusive MailOnline pictures and video were captured from a light aircraft flying alongside the 69ft-long Canadian bomber, flying in formation much how the legendary bombers would have done more than 70 years ago. 

My Shirley Valentine adventure! Denise Van Outen celebrates turning 40 in Mykonos ... with four-year-old Betsy in tow

Denise

The star headed to the Greek island ahead of her one-woman show in the West End, and celebrated her landmark birthday in style with her daughter Betsy, far right, goddaughter Elicia, far left, and her best friend Tamara. Now, she's the island's biggest fan.

An island fit for a Duchess! How stunning Malta is gearing up to welcome Kate on her first solo foreign tour

The Duchess of Cambridge will represent the Queen on her first official overseas trip without Prince William and already the island has gone Kate-crazy.

Dodging crocodiles, educating Berbers, tackling the tango ... Sir Richard Branson's mother Eve reveals how she has done it all in 70 years of adventure!

Her son is a millionaire businessman who owns his own private island, so it's no surprise that Eve Branson is well-travelled.

A rooftop pitch, sophisticated sausage rolls, and across the road from Old Trafford: Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville announce December opening of Hotel Football

The four-star hotel, located directly opposite Old Trafford stadium, promises to provide football fans with 'the ultimate match day experience'.

Chair in Leek arts centre where Johnny Depp stopped for tea and cake is removed by manager after excited fans cause chaos

The Pirates Of The Caribbean star caused a social media storm - after being spotted swanning around the Staffordshire Moorlands at the weekend. 

Plane carrying 200 people forced to circle over Norway for THREE hours to burn off jet fuel before making an emergency landing with a suspected flat tyre

AHFPCR Novair Airbus A321 taking off from Malta International Airport

A tyre may have been punctured when the Novair Airbus A321 - filled with holidaymakers - was taking off while en route to Chania on the Greek island of Crete.

That will bust the student loan! Freshers can pay to arrive at university in a private jet, Aston Martin or even a horse and carriage ... but it will set them back £25,000

The Very Important Fresher package offers freshers the chance to make a ‘first class impression’ and ‘an entrance enviable of movie stars or premiership footballers’. Designed by delivery specialist Uni Baggage, the high-end package aims to provide an ‘action-packed James Bond-style expedition across the country’. 

Goodbye pariah state, hello Garden of Eden: How Colombia became not just safe to visit, but a South American must-see

Colombia

Boasting resplendent natural beauty, more exotic bird species than anywhere else in the world and coffee that takes like it's been brewed in heaven, Colombia has shed its shady image to become a very desirable destination.

Padlocked gates, uninhabited islands and empty theme parks: World's most expensive tourist-attraction fails revealed

Empty attractions

When designing a tourist attraction, longevity, costings and appeal, you would think, are crucial elements to work through. However as we will see from these sites from around the world, including the Harmon Hotel in Las Vegas (top) and Dubai's World Islands (bottom), a dream can turn into a disaster for developers and tourists alike. Uninhabited islands, locked up gates and amusement parks that are devoid of 'fun' show the sad state of affairs when plans fall through and management goes awry.

Police helicopter and eight rescuers called in to save tourist who attempted to climb steep 7,000ft high Dobratsch mountain while wearing FLIP-FLOPS

Maria Schneider, 23, from Vienna, was attempting the 7,109 feet-high Dobratsch Mountain near Villach, Austria, when she got stuck and was unable to go any further.

Angry passenger attacks airline employee at New York's LaGuardia Airport after being asked to show his checked-luggage ticket

AE41TE La Guardia Airport in New York City

Police say the passenger punched and kicked the United Airlines employee in front of shocked travellers in a baggage claim area, leaving him with a split lip, loose teeth and facial bruises.

Sri Lanka to rebuild iconic Bridge On The River Kwai that starred in Oscar-winning film (and this time it won't be blown up)

ARRF4E BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 1957 Columbia film with Alec Guinness and Sessue Hayakawa

Nearly 60 years after the wooden bridge was destroyed in the final scenes of the iconic film, Sri Lanka is set to rebuild the famous bridge in a bid to attract tourists.

'Treat with care' and 'beware of guest': Secret notes reveal what hotel staff REALLY think about problem holidaymakers

B7D8DM Female receptionist talking on the phone

A former front desk worker has lifted the lid on how hotel staff really feel about fussy guests - and how they deal with awkward people.

The X-Factor effect! Sin City bookings up 100% after it is leaked as Simon Cowell's Judges' Houses base ... but Cheryl's Nice location is shunned by viewers

The series only kicked off on Saturday, but the Judges' Houses have already been leaked, with Cowell and Mel B's locations the most popular among viewers.

'I was exhausted!': British adrenaline junkie solos 100 extreme climbs in the Lake District in 19 HOURS ... surviving on just one egg sandwich

Professional climber and instructor James McHaffie, from North Wales, overcame mental and physical exhaustion to complete the centenary of solo climbs in an astonishing 19 hours.

'There's more to Ibiza than clubs!': Alex Zane raves on... with his ultimate guide to the Spanish party paradise

Great outdoors: Alex Zane loves the party side of Ibiza but also enjoys going out exploring

The music-loving presenter shares his top restaurant, bar and secret beach tips to prove that Ibiza has more than just fantastic nightlife. Read our Q and A with the star to find out how to 'live like a local' on the Spanish party island.

'What an absolute disgrace': Furious parents demand answers from 'charity challenge' travel firm that continued to request payments days before going bust

AX701K trekkers approaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Northern Tanzania, the highest Mountain In Africa.. Image shot 2008. Exact date unknown.

Students stranded abroad, upset parents and UK charities that benefited from the excursions organised by Student Adventures, say were given no indication it was in trouble.

Holiday villa fraud that's hit countless British families: You arrive at that dream villa to find the owner's never heard of you - and you sent your cash to a chillingly plausible conman

The villa the Peggs wanted to book via Owners Direct

Chris and Annia Pegg were devastated when they discovered they had deposited their £1,650 holiday fund for a trip to the South of France into a fraudster's bank account.

Egypt hit by 95% decline in tourism revenue with western travel warnings and social unrest to blame

Should be enjoyed: Westerners are being put off travelling to see The Great Pyramids of Egypt due to the country's 'instability'

The Egyptian government estimate that revenues have fallen by 95 per cent since the revolution, from £250 million to just £10.5 million.

Sunsets, smiles and stunning Santorini: A cruise of the idyllic Aegean gives memories to treasure forever

As I descend the cable car from the mountainous heights of the beautiful island of Santorini, I have time to reflect on a Greek odyssey of fine food and stunning scenery. Taking in four Greek islands, a city and town in Turkey as well as the Greek capital Athens, my cruise aboard MV Louis Cristal has left me wide-eyed, enthralled, with memories to treasure forever. From landing in Athens and sampling some of the nightlife, followed by a solid night's sleep in the stunning Electra Palace Hotel, to viewing an incredible sunset off the port of Santorini, my idyllic Aegean Cruise made for a perfect summer getaway.

Jacuzzis, butlers and baby grand pianos... welcome aboard the cruise ships with the most lavish suites (and heftiest price tags)

Luxury cruises

With cruising becoming one of the most popular ways to travel, ships are upping the ante with a spectacular array of luxury offerings to cater for wealthy travellers taking to the seas. From Jacuzzis and personal butlers to Ralph Lauren linen and even a glass shower that juts out over the open water, these suites far surpass the golden age of ocean cruising.

Over in a flash! Photographer captures incredible moment cargo plane is struck by lightning ... as it flies in front of RAINBOW

Birk Mobius snapped the perfectly timed photo at a small airfield just outside of Leipzig as a bolt of lightning hit one end of the plane and shot out the other end as it flew through stormy weather.

Aviation authorities on red alert for ash cloud after Iceland is forced to close airspace over Bardarbunga volcano

A small eruption has occurred north of Iceland's Bardarbunga volcano after nearly two weeks of earthquakes in the region but no volcanic ash has been detected, authorities said on Friday.

Fears 'Pompeii of the North' could be snapped up by developers as historic Roman site is put up for sale

Binchester Roman Town

Binchester Roman Town in County Durham, has been put up for sale by the Church Commissioners and archaeologists fear the historic site could fall into the hands of developers.

Is this the proof Britons are just as bad as Germans for hogging sunloungers? Hilarious video shows 'Benidorm Olympics' as holidaymakers dash to grab day beds 

dmvidpics 2014-08-29 at 4.13.38 PM.png

The video, set to video game-style music, speeds up a day at the Flamingo Oasis hotel in Benidorm, showing the battle to reserve sunloungers as soon as the pool opens.

From day to night! Photographer creates incredible 'timeslice' photos of famous landmarks as the sun sets

Richard Silver has snapped the Houses of Parliament, Rome's Coliseum and the Burj Khalifa in Dubai using his 'timeslice' method.

Glowing sunsets, frosty mornings and even a double rainbow: Spectacular photos capture luminous colours of American prairie

Chip Phillips drove thousands of miles to take stunning photographs of the Palouse region in Washington, America. He documented the bucolic landscape (top right), glowing sunsets (bottom right), meadows and prairies (middle), a double rainbow (top left) and vividly coloured flowers (bottom right).

Licence to thrill! James Bond fans recreate GoldenEye stunt with death-defying bungee jump from iconic 720ft tall dam

For more than £125 a pop, people with an adventurous streak can bungee jump off the Contra Dam in Ticino, Switzerland and follow in the footsteps of the fictional MI5 agent.

Life on the edge! Stomach-churning footage shows daredevil climber CRAWLING along narrow summit ... while climbing 6,600ft mountain

The breathtaking footage - filmed from a camera on his head - shows the hiker's shoes as he carefully makes his way up the Stetinden mountain, in Oppland, southern Norway.

Granny cool! British biker on record-breaking 56,000-mile ride around the world celebrates becoming a grandmother... at 38 years old

Steph Jeavons is halfway through her record-breaking feat to become the first woman to ride a motorbike across every continent on earth, and celebrated the birth in India. Ms Jeavons is riding her motorbike 'Rhonda the Honda' in Jaipur when she was told her granddaughter Alexis had arrived.

The city built from scratch! Futuristic £25bn metropolis being constructed in the desert for 2022 Qatar World Cup

It's par for the course that a city hosting a major sporting event will add to its existing arsenal of facilities, a stadium here and an entertainment precinct there. For Qatar, the controversially awarded 2022 World Cup host, they're building an entire city on the desert coast that includes its primary venue. The 28 square mile city of Lusail is scheduled to host the opening ceremony and final of the biggest sporting event in the world, provided the £25 billion project and its 86,000-seat stadium, Lusail Iconic Stadium, is completed on time.

Meditation, mindfulness and crystals for the A-list: The two-day course that reveals how Miranda Kerr and Victoria Beckham relax

The A-list way: A new retreat at Champneys teaches mindfulness, mediation, and yoga loved by Miranda Kerr, left, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley 

Sandi Clark and Mike Mayes, have launched a programme at Champneys based around the principles loved by the glossiest A-listers. Sandi and Mike's course, which is called Bring Yourself Back Into Your Life, aims to help people discover how to put yourself in control of your life, learn who you are, how to create a positive reality and be aware of the negative influences in your life.

Malibu or Munich? Why the Bavarian capital's city centre is a hot spot for surfers ... hundreds of miles from the nearest beach

When we consider iconic waves, the likes of Hawaii's Pipeline, Australia's Bells, Tahiti's Teahupoo or South Africa's Supertubes may come to mind, but Munich's Eisbach River gives them all a run for their money when it comes to popularity and year-round (mostly) enjoyment. there's no need to travel to the other side of the world to enjoy the ride.

Luxury on a budget! Warsaw named the cheapest for five-star city breaks at £84 a night ... and London breaks the bank at £320

High-end hotels in Warsaw cost on average of £84 per night, compared to the UK capital, where indulgence-seekers have to splash out an average of £321.

Malaysia Airlines to sack 6,000 staff following twin disasters: 'We need to rebuild after these two awful incidents' says carrier

Malaysia Airlines crew members react as hearses carrying victims' bodies of the ill-fated Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 leaving Bunga Raya Complex at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang, Malaysia, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. The bodies and ashes of 20 Malaysians killed when Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down over Ukraine in July have arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the first repatriation of victims from the flight to the country. (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)

Malaysia Airlines is to sack a third of its workers as it struggles to overcome the twin disasters that have hit it in the past six months, killing 537 passengers and crew.

A £1,900 cleanse and nutri-ballet classes for the A-list: Inside London's luxury spa where Cara Delevingne gets ready for the catwalk

After signing a non-disclosure agreement and raiding her bank account, Ashley Pearson indulges in a full-body bespoke three-day cleanse at private members club Grace Belgravia, where rumoured members include Cara Delevingne (right) and her sister Poppy. The spa looks like a billionaire's private home instead of a high-end medi spa (top right). The three-day cleanse costs £1,900 and offers traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, fitness, spa treatments, and nutritional advice and menus.

Air France suspends flights to Ebola-hit Sierra Leone at request of French government ... days after crew signed safety petition and refused to board flights 

The French government requested Air France suspend flights to Sierra Leone as fears over spread of Ebola grow, but the carrier continues to operate to Guinea and Nigeria.

Ever wondered where the flight attendants sleep? Revealing photos give a glimpse of the parts of the plane passengers don't see

It's not just passengers who need to rest during a long-haul flight. Cabin crew also need to take time off. But have you ever wondered where they go during their down time?

Wish EWE were here! Couple take Bobbie the toy sheep on holiday in Tenerife after finding it abandoned at Scottish train station

The stuffed animal - aka Bobbie -  was rescued by Trish and Drew Dingwall, who whisked him off to the popular holiday spot, where they took photos of him to send back home.

Greece, glorious Greece: Finding family holiday heaven on Halkidiki's 'middle finger'

Jack Doyle

Sithonia, the so-called middle finger of the peninsulas which hang down from the northern Greek mainland, is an ideal place for a family break, as Jack Doyle discovers.

Tuning in to lively Leipzig: Music, mystery and magic in a 'lost' German city of the east, where Bach conducted and Goethe wrote

Dusk delights: Leipzig's skyline, which includes here the New City Hall and the Federal Court, dazzles in the evening light

British tourists are fully aware of the charms of Berlin and Dresden. But another city of the old German east is less visited. Yet Leipzig is a joy, says Adrian Tierney-Jones.

The spa's the star: A luxury weekend at Alexander House Hotel, a true Sussex gem

Alexander House Hotel

Approaching the entrance to Alexander House, Emma Creamer had that familiar worry - is this place too posh for me? The answer? Posh, yes. Too posh? Not at all.

For relationships on the rocks? The romantic LIGHTHOUSE hotel a minibar, 24-hour room service and just one room

A unique one-room Norwegian Lighthouse Hotel in Aalesund, Norway offers guests translucent Atlantic Ocean views and peace and quiet.

Robot bartenders, a 300ft-high viewing capsule and 'virtual balconies' offering real-time views of the sea: Welcome to the world's most futuristic cruise ship

The new Royal Caribbean International ship Allure of the Seas has been branded 'the most futuristic and advanced ship' on the high seas ahead of its grand launch. While robotic arms will mix the perfect cocktails for guests, interior rooms will be treated to screens showing the views outside and there is even a 'plan your cruise' app to help passengers to make dinner reservations or book an excursion and radio frequency devices that track luggage.

From Lindsay Lohan's £28,000 unpaid bill to Florence Welch setting her room on FIRE: Are these the worst-behaved celebrity hotel guests ever?

They are the stars that every hotel manager dreads. Badly behaved Lindsay Lohan (left) has an unpaid £28,000 bill at Hollywood's Chateau Marmont (inset) and Florence (right) accidentally set her hotel room on fire at the Bowery Hotel, New York after a night of partying with Kanye West and Lykke Li.

Qantas and Virgin warn passengers using Knee Defenders is as bad as smoking or using illegal drugs on planes ... as sales of the banned devices soar on the back of US fight incident

Knee Defenders are banned on Australian flights

Australia's largest airline companies have confirmed that the Knee Defender gadget is banned on their flights, despite being sold online.

'Water was coming through the hole in the ceiling': Travelodge guests forced to leave hotel in the middle of the night after huge tank bursts and roof caves in

Guests were roused from their beds at the hotel in Cutteslowe, just north of Oxford, when the fire alarm sounded and they were told it was too dangerous to spend the rest of the night in their rooms.

Forget pricey hotels! Russia to offer World Cup fans affordable accommodation in 2,000-room SHIPPING CONTAINER

The Snoozebox Football Village - a series of modified shipping containers that can be stacked on top of each other - will include restaurants, shops and a massive TV screen so fans can watch all the matches.

An ice-rink, helter-skelters and a 72ft Brachiosaurus skeleton: infographic reveals the world's most unusual airports

Whether it's a butterfly garden or walloping down a 19ft helter-skelter slide, modern airports are going to great lengths to entertain customers. 

Air India plane taken out of service and fumigated after a stowaway rat hitched a ride to New Delhi

BN9K07 A Boeing B777 of the Indian airline Air India on final approach

The rodent was reportedly spotted on a plane that flew in from the city of Ranchi, and it is at least the fourth reported sighting on an Air India aircraft this year.

Australia is top destination of choice for expats with 1.2 million ditching the UK for Down Under (but half will return after just two years)

Where Are Our Expats? 03.07.14 - V2.jpg

The US and Canada come in second and third place - with 700,000 and 675,000 Brits living there, according to a new infographic.

Swirling rivers, heart-shaped lakes and a rainbow-coloured mountain: Photographer captures breathtaking aerial images of Iceland while flying in a Cessna

Landscape photographer Lukas Gawenda shot the images while flying in a Cessna aircraft, capturing the country from a new angle. Iceland's stunning features are transformed into abstract compositions - waterfalls, rivers and mountains appear as a blur of colours, lines and shapes, forming breathtaking patterns.

Drunk guests, rude staff and other families with out-of-control children: Parents reveal their top bugbears when staying in a hotel

More than one in ten (12 per cent) of parents polled said other people not controlling their young ones was their biggest annoyance.

King of the castle! Kipper the cat who took up residence in medieval Scottish fort is set to become a star on Japanese TV

Kipper has been enjoying free run of Blackness Castle for the last year is set to appear on Japanese TV after a production crew spent hours filming for a show on quirky cats.

Southwest Airlines LOST elderly woman: Diabetic grandmother, 85, in wheelchair is abandoned at airport for hours after worker forgot about her

DENVER (CBS4)     A Denver family is angry at an airline they say lost their diabetic and slightly forgetful mother.
The airline, Southwest, admits it could have handled the situation better.
The recent trip to the East Coast for Alice Vaticano, 85, to visit her daughter turned into a bit of a marathon.
She says her daughter took her to the Newark Airport, where a skycap promised to wheel her directly to her gate. Her daughter didn   t obtain clearance to go to the concourse with her.
But somehow Vaticano got parked and forgotten.

Alice Vaticano was making the trip home to Denver, Colorado, from Newark, New Jersey, where she was visiting one of her daughters, when she became lost in transit.

You CAN'T get stuck on a plane toilet, your plane MIGHT be struck by lightning, and your tray table CAN kill you... 10 myths about air travel that you should know before you fly

10 myths about plane travel debunked

As electronic devices can be used through the duration of flights, putting paid to the idea that they interfere with modern aircraft, here are other myths of airline travel.

A chip off the old block! Legendary Fawlty Towers hotel foyer created entirely out of LEGO (but Basil and Sybil aren't included)

Credit: Nathan C. Feist 2014.
Lego Fawlty Towers
used with permission

An American Lego master has recreated the iconic Torquay hotel lobby, from classic comedy Fawlty Towers, completely out of plastic bricks to honour his favourite TV series.

Rows of empty seats and 200 crew resignations: After two of the worst air tragedies in history, could this be the end for troubled Malaysia Airlines?

A photo posted on Twitter claiming to show a Malaysia Airlines flight from Australia shows rows and rows of empty seats are seen, with just three passengers visible. 

Butlers, private chefs and walls dripping with diamonds: Are these the world's most luxurious hotel suites? (Costing up to £15,000 per night, they should be!)

These are the kind of suites used to hosting Hollywood royalty, rock stars and even heads of state, where you're likely to find private plunge pools, a butler service and chandeliers dripping with diamonds. (Clockwise) From The Jewel Suite by Martin Katz at the New York Palace, and The Resort at Pelican Hill, California, to Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Royal Suite, The Viceroy Maldives' Duplex Beach Villa, and The Owner's Cottage at Matakauri Lodge in New Zealand - these incredible suites have been named among the best in the world.

Bing

Get the Travel RSS feed

More RSS feeds...
   

TOP TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS

NO FEES ON FOREIGN PURCHASES

• Credit cards selected by This is Money
company logo
   0% CURRENCY FEES
   Post Office Platinum
company logo
   0% CURRENCY FEES
   Saga Platinum
company logo
   0% FOREIGN FEES
   Lloyds Avios Card
company logo
   0% FOREIGN FEES
   Halifax Clarity

   

TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL

   

TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL

Is this the world's most colourful mountain range? Surreal photos make Argentinian peaks look like Vincent Van Gogh painting

Photographer Kevin Zaouali, 22, shot the ethereal landscapes at the Hornocal mountain range located in northern Argentina, near the Bolivian border.

Winter is coming: Brazil, Vietnam and the Caribbean emerge as this year's hotspots for Britons looking to escape the chill

Judging by sales of their currencies, Brazil, Vietnam, the Caribbean and the USA are forecast to be the hot destinations for chilly British travellers.