The White House is far too suburban for the Queen, writes etiquette expert William Hanson. If she took back control of the U.S for Britain, the Hay-Adams is where she'd stay. Opened in 1928, the Hay-Adams has been Washington DC’s go-to hotel for world leaders, diplomats and global icons for many years. Many former presidents call in for events, to stay or dine, and the hotel has most recently been seen in the latest series of Netflix’s House of Cards.
Bliss in Bali: Discovering total tranquility on the Indonesian island's eastern side thanks to a beautiful boutique hotel and a medicine man called Mountain
Bali has become synonymous with nightlife, but as Samantha Lewis discovers, if you head to the eastern side, that's where you'll find tranquility - and the beautiful Alila Manggis hotel. Set across four thatched blocks, all 55 rooms face out across the pristine lawn and large palm-fringed swimming pool (top left). It offers a host of activities including snorkeling, temple tours, boat trips (bottom right) sunrise treks and a visit to a traditional Balian healer. The décor is in keeping with the resort's laid-back luxury vibe – think plush white cotton bedding and traditional Balinese wood and wicker furniture.
Inside Virgin Atlantic's upper class Dreamliner cabin where turning left means fillet steak, a cocktail bar and the coolest salt and pepper pots ever
MailOnline Travel's Ted Thornhill flew upper class with Virgin Atlantic from London to Johannesburg and back and here reveals that shelling out for a top tier seat means eating gourmet food, quaffing wine chosen by an elite wine merchant, sipping cocktails at a bar (inset) and enjoying an 11in TV screen. Plus there are very cool salt and pepper shakers (top right). Though it wasn't perfection. Read on to find out why.
Discovering volcanic Britain: From Mount Snowdon to the remains of a Scottish SUPERVOLCANO, the country's (former) hot spots revealed
Just like Yellowstone Park, Britain is home to a supervolcano. Although there is a crucial difference – Britain’s is extremely dormant. It erupted 420million years ago. Still, its dramatic remains can still be seen at Glen Coe (top left) in Scotland. Here MailOnline Travel presents this and other former volcanic hotspots you can visit in Britain, including Ben Nevis (top right), Edinburgh Castle (bottom left), Lindisfarne and North Berwick Law (bottom right), with expert insight from Professor Emeritus Peter Styles, Professor of Applied and Environmental Geophysics at Keele University.
S&M; shows and an 'anything goes policy': Inside the secret Hollywood Eyes Wide Shut-style 'erotica' club that promises to be a 'naughty experience'
The LA venue, Carondelet House, hosts the night and puts on a show called Nuit Blanche - a world class sexually charged 1920's performance - and five course black tie dinner. On entry guests must hand over their mobile phones and sign an NDA so stars can go wild - without anybody taking pictures. DailyMail.com was granted access to the electric evening. Pictured in the main image is owner Alan Dunn (far left) and supermodel Janice Dickinson (third from left).
Mother Nature having a swell time: Incredible pictures of waves at their most beautiful - and terrifying
Waves can be at once mesmerizingly beautiful – and terrifying – as these incredible pictures show. They capture waves rolling in beautiful sunlight to form near-perfect tubes. And engulfing lighthouses in a show of mindblowing force. Some daredevil surfers test their derring-do against giant waves, with some of the images here capturing their efforts as they’re dwarfed by towering walls of water. One brave soul - Australian stunt rider Robbie 'Maddo' Maddison - even surfs ginormous waves on a dirt bike. Here MailOnline Travel presents a gallery of the most impressive wave scenes you’re ever likely to see from Hawaii to the African coast. Pictured clockwise from top left: A stunning shot of a wave in Hawaii; a wave engulfing a lighthouse in Ouessant, France; a beautiful image by South African photographer Marck Botha; a surfer is dwarfed by a wave off the coast of Nazare, Portugal, and (inset) a surfer hurtles down the face of a huge wave in Hawaii.
Explore South Africa from your ARMCHAIR: Amazing 360-degree Google Street View videos let you roam untouched scenery that's home to lions and elephants
From Table Mountain to the un-trekked wilderness, discover South Africa's stunning landscapes from your own home, via 360-degree Google Street View videos. Over 50,000km has been mapped thanks to over 200 volunteers. Rangers, nature enthusiasts, guides and tech fans trekked for 12 months, covering more than 900km on foot with a Google Street View camera. It mapped out 232 points of interest across all nine provinces in the country, including six Unesco World Heritage sites.
Hypnotic timelapse video shot from the flight deck of an Air France passenger plane shows a pilot's-eye-view of Iran at sunset
As views from the office go, this takes some beating. Guillaume Laffon, 32, gets the ultimate view of the world as an Air France pilot. But he's not keeping it to himself - he has recorded the last 2,200km of a recent Airbus A340 passenger trip between Charles De Gaulle in Paris and the Iranian capital, Tehran.
World's most (and least) dangerous countries revealed: 'Risk maps' show that it’s Finland, Norway and Iceland you should head to if you want a trouble-free holiday
A new interactive ‘Travel Risk Map’ for 2018 reveals which countries are the riskiest in terms of road safety, security and medical matters. Finland, Norway and Iceland have the lowest rankings for all three categories, while most of Africa is deemed very dangerous for road safety and security. The map, by International SOS and Control Risks , shows that much of Africa also poses a very high risk for travellers’ health, along with Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Guyana. The countries in the ‘low’ category for health risks include Canada, the U.S, most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Brazil, China and Russia are all deemed to have ‘rapidly developing variable risk’ when it comes to health. This map shows which countries have the highest and lowest security risks, with those that have an insignificant risk marked in light green, 'low' risk countries are marked in yellow, medium in brown, high in red and extreme, such as Libya, in dark red
The not-so-friendly skies! Terrifying moment commercial plane is struck by HUGE lightning bolt just moments after take-off
If you suffer a fear of flying, look away now. Because this is the dramatic moment a commercial carrier suffers a direct lightning hit - just moments after launching into the skies. Footage shows the commercial carrier being struck mid-air while carrying countless passengers from Amsterdam's Schipol Airport.
The stunning beauty of RURAL Hong Kong revealed: Incredible photographs unveil a majestic world beyond the skyscrapers
The images, taken by some of Hong Kong's best photographers, depict star-filled skies on a remote island, a sea of clouds on a tranquil mountaintop and lush woodland. Among the participants are landscape photographer and winner of Hong Kong National Geographic's Photo Contest 2013, Will Cho (top right); veteran outdoor sports photographer Elvis Mo; Nature Conservancy 2017 photo contest winner Jessica Li (top left and bottom right); and renowned photographer Romain Jacquet Lagreze (bottom left), who is best-known for his 'Vertical Horizon' photo series, showcasing the geometric lines of Hong Kong.
Impressive holiday snaps! Brave snorkeller gets VERY close to deadly crocodile in bid for stunning images of the famed predator
Most people would flee if they came close to a deadly animal. But one brave snorkeller ignored his survival instinct - and, as a result, captured crystal clear images of a crocodile who almost appeared to smile for the camera. Robert Smits, 34, was swimming in the mangroves of Jardines de la Reina, Cuba, when he spotted the fierce-looking reptile and decided it was the perfect photo opportunity.
Now that's in-flight entertainment! 'Sexy' airline steward's HILARIOUS safety briefing goes viral after impressing holidaymakers
Most in-flight entertainment is pretty predictable. But a Southwest Airlines attendant has his carrier apart from the competition, this week, after giving their safety briefing a sexy re-sell, which included burlesque-inspired performances with the flotation vest (centre), laminated evacuation card (left) and seatbelt (right). Cabin crew-member Nicholas Demore was working on flight 1597 from Dallas to Las Vegas when he delivered a sultry rendition of the evacuation procedures - delighting passengers in the process.
Yours for £7,000! Emirates reveals FULLY-ENCLOSED first class suites on its Boeing 777 fleet - complete with virtual windows, gourmet dining and 32in TVs
They are already one of the world's leading airlines. But now Emirates, the Middle East's largest air carrier, has just upped its game after unveiling its brand new, state-of-the-art first class suites - which are estimated to cost from £7,000 per flight. Set to be introduced into commercial service on their Boeing 777 fleet, next month, the fully-enclosed cabins measure 40 square-foot (3.7-square-meters) and are billed as 'game-changers' with their privacy, gourmet dining (bottom left), mood lighting (top right) and 32" TV screens
Not your garden-variety home! Inside the bizarre mushroom-shaped property which is on the market for a cool £1.1million
It's not your typical, garden-variety home. But, despite this, the property designed to resemble a mushroom is clearly considered a rich picking - after going on the market for nearly $1.5million (£1,145,400), this month. Located in Pleasantville, New York, it boasts three bedrooms (top right and bottom left), a dining area (bottom right) and living room (top left).
Is this the world's ULTIMATE library? Stunning pictures show inside futuristic new build which houses 1.2million books
They are usually old, dusty places with little design appeal. But a cutting-edge architectural firm from Denmark is fast redefining how we see the humble library - as their latest project has proven, this week. The Tianjin Binhai Public Library, located in northeastern China, is deliberately designed to look like a human eyeball and boasts 1.2 million books over five storeys.
From waterfalls and wildlife to the elusive Northern Lights: Stunning drone footage captures Iceland's beauty in all its glory
From gaping gorges to the dancing northern lights, new drone footage showcases the mesmerising beauty of Iceland. A team of filmmakers trekked across the volcano-ridden country to capture a range of unique landscapes from the air. In a five-minute long video titled The North Awakens, viewers are taken on a breathtaking flight over a mix of terrain, soaring above icy glaciers and rugged cliffsides. Pictured: (From top left, clockwise) Black volcanic earth, a fast-flowing river, a rainbow over a waterfall and the colourful Northern Lights.
A heavenly view of the City of Angels: Breath-taking images of roads, skyscrapers and beaches feature in aerial collection of Los Angeles and New York City
Stunning aerial photographs of Los Angeles and New York City taken from planes and helicopters have been collected in a remarkable new book. The incredible images show the 9/11 Memorial and tower, Times Square and JFK International Terminal from above in New York. Other spectacular shots show Disneyland, the beach in LA and shipping containers in the port at Long Beach. Left: New York City's Columbus Circle. Top right: 432 Park Avenue, a residential block. Bottom right: A beach in LA.
Now that's a room with a view! Iceland's stunning 'bubble' hotel where guests star-gaze from their own transparent pods
Most people want a hotel room with a view. But, for holiday-makers planning a trip to rural Iceland, that needn't be a concern - especially if they're staying in one of the region's so-called bubble pods (pictured daytime, top left). Located at the 5 Million Star Hotel, in Skalholt, near the river Hvítá, guests are plunged into the heart of nature (night shot, top right), where they can star-gaze without stepping foot outside.
Salute the great war heroes: Join Peter Snow on a unique centenary tour of the epic battlefields, museums and memorials of WWI
Next year is a significant moment in world history – the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, arguably the most brutal and unforgiving conflict ever to have engulfed Western Europe. On this unique seven-day river cruise through Holland and Belgium, which is exclusive to readers of The Mail on Sunday, you will visit some of the great battlefields of the war, including Mons and Ypres, and hear the unforgettable and moving stories of the troops who fought and died there. You will also be joined by the broadcaster and historian Peter Snow, who will give a private talk and Q&A; in which he will share stories from his illustrious career in journalism and introduce some of the ‘gripping tales of courage, cunning and compassion’ that have inspired his new book, War Stories.
'People think we've lost the plot': Couple with two toddlers detail how they're QUITTING their careers and selling everything to travel the world
In a bid to prove that parenthood doesn't mean the end of adventure, one couple have told how they are quitting their jobs and selling all of their possessions to travel the world with their two young children. Kerri and Joe 'Smith' (renamed upon request) (pictured top right and centre), who are currently based in the New Forest in South England, say that many people stop travelling when they have a family because of 'misconceptions or preconceived ideas'. However, the adventurous parents are determined to prove naysayers wrong and they have been putting together a bucket list of activities to get stuck into next year with their son Bug, aged four, and two-year-old daughter Mimi (pictured together top left), including visiting Santa in Lapland and checking out a local school in Fiji.
From blood-soaked pillows to soiled mattresses and a COCKROACH infestation: 'Nightmare' Florida hotel exposed by undercover reviewer
Caked with dirt and harbouring dozens of creepy crawlies, one hotel in Florida has been outed for being the thing of nightmares. Dan Bell, who produces the hotel reviewing YouTube series Another Dirty Room, checked into the Regency Inn & Suites in Tampa with his team, where they made a string of unsavoury discoveries. Pictured: (From top left, clockwise to centre) Blood-stained pillows, a large cockroach, soiled mattresses, the room layout and an exterior shot of the hotel.
Hot tub screenings and movie-watching in a caravan: Britain's best cinemas revealed, from the most luxurious to the quirkiest
MailOnline Travel has scoured the land to bring you Britain's most bizarre, historic and plush cinemas. There's one housed in a former coaching inn, another inside a 14th-century barn and a cinema in a tiny caravan (top left). It's also possible to watch movies in a hot tub (top right), in total luxury (bottom right) and in a spectacular winter wonderland (bottom left).
What lies beneath is very bizarre: From leafy sea dragons to monstrous worms, the world's strangest sea creatures revealed
Lurking beneath the waves of the earth's oceans are a range of creatures so terrifying and strange you'd think they'd been created in the pages of a science fiction novel. From the giant scale worm (bottom left) - to the stargazer (top right), which has eyes on top of its head, and from the vicious-looking gangtooth (bottom right) to the leafy sea dragon (top left), MailOnline Travel reveals some of the weirdest deep-sea animals - and where they are hiding.
From abandoned strip clubs to crumbling love hotels: Fascinating photographs capture the darkly enchanting side to modern Japan
Photographer Shane Thoms, from Melbourne, has captured some of these darkly enchanting places in a stunning new book – Haikyo: The Modern Ruins of Japan. Thoms, from Melbourne, Australia, has captured a bizarre and mysterious world where mini jungles sprout and discarded furniture litters dusty buildings laden with foreboding. The haunting locations include an abandoned slot parlour in Saitama Prefecture (bottom right), an abandoned strip club in Okayama Prefecture, a former love hotel in Chiba Prefecture, a theme park reclaimed by nature (main) and Hashima Island (top right).
A sea lion playing with a starfish and a towering thunderstorm: More eye-popping entries for the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest
The 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest is in its final two weeks of accepting submissions – and as these incredible pictures show, if you’re going to enter, you’ll need to be very good indeed to stand a chance of winning. Here MailOnline Travel reveals a few more of the very best images submitted so far. One of the standout shots is of a juvenile sea lion playing with a starfish (top right) in isolated Los Lobos, La Paz, in Mexico. Another jaw-dropper is a picture of a supercell thunderstorm spinning away at dusk over the plains of Colorado (main). Pictured bottom right is a double-crested cormorant.
New York resized: The Big Apple is reduced to a miniature city in a stunning set of 'tilt shift' photographs
It’s New York as you’ve never seen it before – looking tiny. These photographs, by Jasper Leonard, appear to have reduced the Big Apple to a miniature city. The effect – a dazzling bird’s-eye perspective - is thanks to a photographic technique called ‘tilt shift’. Leonard used it to transform Manhattan into a swirling ant-hill of miniature people after taking pictures over 20 days from rooftops, helicopters and drones. The photographer, from Antwerp, Belgium, said that ‘looking out over New York was a breath-taking experience’. The best of the photographs that he took on his trip will appear in a new book, New York Resized , published by Lannoo Publishers, out on November 20. Here MailOnline Travel offers a tantalising sneak peek of the stunning tome.
Sunseekers in Spain will soon be able to throw down their towels 200 miles from the sea... at Europe's biggest man-made beach
Stunning computerised images of what the artificial beach will look like when finished show windsurfers, kayakers and swimmers enjoying themselves in Caribbean-style transparent water. Other photos show couples arm-in-arm looking out from wooden jetties over the palm-fringed lagoon. A restaurant, beach bar, toboggan slides and a sailing school and 1,000 parking spaces complete the project. The beach will be a 40-mile drive north-east of the Spanish capital and 235 miles from the east coast city of Valencia, 300 miles from Benidorm and nearly 400 miles north of Marbella.
From flying fighter jets over the Nevada Desert to zip-lining in Las Vegas: How YOU could win an epic four-week adventure across the US and Canada
They have just launched 300 new action-packed experiences across North America. And, to celebrate, Virgin Holidays are searching for someone to cram 50 of them into a four-week long journey across 10 impressive destinations. From surfing (top left) and flying planes (main) to zip-lining (bottom left) and exploring nature (bottom right), one lucky winner will complete the ultimate bucket list - and document their adventures as the face of the company's social media channel.
Perfect beaches, total tranquillity, 4,000 bottles of wine and one very hungry goat - no wonder Petit St Vincent is a pleasure island
The Mail on Sunday's Sarah Turner discovers that Petit St Vincent, the private island retreat in the Grenadines, is where rich, thoughtful people come on holiday in a uniquely Caribbean way. In terms of personality, PSV (as it’s always known) has a touch of the Bill Murray about it, she writes – it’s gentle, eccentric and thoroughly charming. Covering 115 acres, the resort has room for just 22 cottages, a 4,000-bottle wine cellar, customised Mini Mokes and a lot of peace and quiet. And the scuba school is run by Jacques Cousteau’s son.
Flock and awe: Incredible photos of shepherds herding sheep from a treacherous 9,000ft pass to the valley floor in one of the toughest and most remote animal migrations in Europe
Every winter Georgian shepherds bring their huge flocks down through the incredible Tusheti mountains, risking injury or death. They have to negotiate the Abano Pass, one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Intrepid photographer Amos Chapple, from New Zealand, has captured the journey in a set of stunning images.
From a Cape Town chapel that looks like a manta ray to an Italian mountain museum: The 20 stunning shortlisted entries for the Architectural Photography Awards revealed
Twenty photographs have been revealed as the shortlist for this year’s prestigious Arcaid Images Architectural Photography Awards. The shortlist will be whittled down to one winner at the World Architecture Festival in Berlin. It's held from November 15-17 and is aimed at interior designers and architects. Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite photograph and the winner will be announced at the WAF Gala Dinner. From Danish museums to Singapore's housing estates, MailOnline Travel takes a whirl round the world with these stunning entries. Pictured clockwise from top left: A chapel in Cape Town; Messner Mountain Museum in Italy; Burning Man Festival in Nevada; the Choi Hung Estate in Hong Kong and the Ponte City Apartments in South Africa (inset).
Winter is coming… and judging by these incredible pictures from past cold spells you'll need to be prepared for comedy and drama in equal measure
These incredible pictures, from across the world, capture some truly memorable snowy moments from years gone by including a bald eagle that sat in a snow-covered nest to protect its chicks (bottom left), a pick-up truck with a snow drift in the cab after it was abandoned in a blizzard (top left) and an amazing frozen river, snapped by an ice climber (top middle). There's also some insight into how winter affects the daily lives of Finnish people (top right), which is not much, and a remarkable ice beard (bottom right).
Enchanting photographs capture the majesty of wild horses living off the east coast of America on a bewitching island
Cumberland Island's 150 wild horses have been captured in a stunning book - Wild Horses of Cumberland Island - by French photographer Anouk Masson Krantz. The feral horses have lived there for hundreds of years and roam free on an island that contains expansive white-sand beaches, immense rolling dunes, old-growth maritime oak forests and salt marsh tidal estuaries.
Best of Britain: National Trust photo competition shows off the country's incredible landscapes in all their glory
Over 7,000 people entered the second annual National Trust photo competition. The two winners, George Evans and Ian Mayou, will be on the historic charity's handbook and membership cards next year. Over 24million Brits visit one of the 500 National Trust sites every year. Pictured clockwise from top left: Sue Rowlands' picture of Cotehele in Cornwall, which won her the runner-up prize for the membership cards; Gareth James' Dorset snap; Bethany Lynch's picture of Wicken Fen, Cambridgeshire, and Evans' winning shot of Llyn Dinas in Snowdonia.
The $1.5million CAMPERVAN: New luxury 'EarthRoamer' motorhome comes with a washing machine, heated floors and a king-sized bed
The EarthRoamer XV-HD started out life as a Ford pickup truck but has been transformed into a luxury motorhome that can accommodate six people. But while it has been designed to cope with the most extreme off-grid environments, it is also targeted at buyers wanting to travel in luxury. There is a full bathroom with separate shower, washer and tumble dryer, heated floors, king-size bed, Bose surround sound system and room for six. The kitchen has an induction hob, Bosch microwave and oven, fridge freezer and a sink. Colorado-based EarthRoamer unveiled the XV-HD this week - and it costs a whopping $1.5million (£1.13m).
Singapore Airlines has spent $850million upgrading its A380 cabins and the results are stunning, with DOUBLE BEDS in the £9,500-a-go suites AND business class
The new cabin products were displayed for the first time on Thursday at a media launch in Singapore. They will enter service in December on the first of five new A380 aircraft entering the fleet. Retrofit work will also take place on 14 existing aircraft, to ensure product consistency across the airline’s entire A380 fleet. Pictured: The incredible new first-class suites, which now feature double beds and sit-down vanity mirrors (top left and bottom left) and the new business class cabin, which also boasts double beds (top right and bottom right).
Tiny Swiss village with a population of just 13 to be turned into a giant hotel to save it from extinction
Switzerland's smallest mountain village has come up with an unusual plan to save it from extinction – to become a giant hotel. The mountain hamlet of Corippo, located in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in Switzerland, concluded that it would likely face total extinction in the future as there are only 13 inhabitants left. The village, at an altitude of 600 metres (1,968 feet) above sea level, once had a thriving community in its small piazzas and in its little church when the population was still 300 people.
Do these mailboxes get your stamp of approval? Wacky designs include SpongeBob SquarePants and a giant handgun
The curbside mailbox seen throughout rural and suburban America is a design that’s recognisable throughout the world – but these days lots of homeowners are pimping it up, as these fascinating and amusing photographs reveal. The mailbox design we’re all so familiar with dates back to 1916. It’s called the Joroleman mailbox, after Roy J Joroleman, a Post Office worker who created its look. Fast forward to 2017 and this classic design is being customised to resemble SpongeBob SquarePants, a minion from the Despicable Me animations and an X-Wing fighter from the Star Wars movies among others.
Frightfully good! From an English Victorian castle to a remote lighthouse in Maine, the top 10 spookiest Airbnb listings revealed
It is the accommodation site that has changed the way we stay. But, while most rentals are problem-free, some of Airbnb's listings come with an unexpected 'bump' in the night. In fact, many of the platform's spookier options have been dubbed 'haunted' by guests and owners alike, who claim spine-chilling supernatural activity render their properties extra special. So, if you're feeling brave, here's a selection with paranormal allure - and what you may encounter as a guest. The eerie properties include, pictured clockwise from top left: Augill Castle, Cumbria; a Gothic mansion in Maryland; Goose Rocks Lighthouse, Maine; a U.S Civil War-era farmhouse, Gettysburg and (inset) Castello dal Pozzo, Piedmont, Italy.
The Chinese houses with rooftop FARMS: Residents can grow their own food and rear animals on eco properties erected in aftermath of devastating earthquake
It was devastated by the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. But now China's Jintai Village, in the Sichuan Province, is rebuilding itself in an ingenious way - thanks to a new development of sustainable houses with roof farms (top and bottom right). More than 22 cutting-edge properties have been erected in the afflicted area (inset), which allows residents to grow their own food and rear animals for continuous, greener living (top left) in an environment where there is little space for house building.
A flood warning for a puddle and a plea not to clean fish in hotel rooms: Amusing (and baffling) signs from around the world revealed
As the Monty Python team once sung, always look on the bright side of life. But if you’re having trouble with that – these hilarious signs might help. Some are unintentionally hilarious, like the sign on the Missouri hotel reception desk that read ‘please do not clean the fish’. It has the air of a sign that’s been put there to address a genuine, albeit bizarre, problem. And the flood sign placed next to a puddle, was obviously put there before the weather cleared. But others need applauding for their wit, such as the furniture-store sign that reads ‘Shack of Sit’.
Orlando for snobs: Etiquette expert William Hanson reveals how it's possible to tour Disney World and Universal in VIP style and spend the night in five-star lodgings
His friends were aghast that he was going to Orlando - it's not exactly glamorous - but William Hanson didn't care, because he knew he'd be doing it in style. And here he reveals all. He took a VIP tour of Disney World (inset), including a meal at the Grand Floridian hotel (bottom left), and Universal (top left and bottom right) and was whisked around both by a personal guide. And he put his feet up in the luxury surrounds of the Waldorf Astoria Orlando hotel at the end of the day (top right).
Sleeping sperm whales, hyenas taking on lions and a fiery volcano: More jaw-dropping images from National Geographic's 2017 Nature Photographer of the Year contest
The wonder of nature is limitless. But, in case that wasn't already clear, a selection of brand new images from the National Geographic's Nature Photographer of the Year contest 2017 prove it. Entries from the third and fourth galleries highlight nature's incredible beauty and power, ranging from hyenas trying to take on lions (top right) to a pod of sleeping sperm whale (main). Also shortlisted is a stunning image of lava flowing from Russia's Klyuchevskaya Sopka (bottom right), the highest active volcano in Eurasia.
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TOP STORIES IN TRAVEL
- Forget the White House: If the Queen took back control of America for Great Britain THIS hotel is where she'd set up her official residence, writes etiquette expert William Hanson
- The mystery of the Arctic ghost ship: Abandoned 1914 cargo vessel SS Baychimo drifted for decades - but is she still out there?
- A tourist attraction that'll give you the willies: Inside South Korea's Penis Park, which features dozens of huge wooden phalluses
- Would you sign up for a holiday with a SECRET itinerary? Joining the 'Adventure Academy' in Indonesia, which tests your resilience by making every activity a total surprise
- Inside Virgin Atlantic's upper class Dreamliner cabin where turning left means fillet steak, a cocktail bar and the coolest salt and pepper pots ever
- Bliss in Bali: Discovering total tranquility on the Indonesian island's eastern side thanks to a beautiful boutique hotel and a medicine man called Mountain
- Strictly NO dancing: Kristina Rihanoff relaxes at a family-friendly Turkish resort, determined to avoid one of the many activities
- The cruise ships that best recreate the romance and glamour of the golden age of ocean liners
- Forget the Maldives or Thailand: The detox retreat in BELGIUM that offers just about everything
- Ask Frank Barrett: Why visiting the former home of Jungle Book author Rudyard Kipling is a truly magical Christmas treat
- The ultimate holiday island: Mariella Frostrup revels in the dazzling delights of Sri Lanka, a land with breathtaking scenery - and a truly spectacular number of public holidays
- Tignes angst and the perils of too much snow (for once!): The terror of flying down pistes during a virtual white-out
- S&M; shows and an 'anything goes policy': Inside the secret Hollywood Eyes Wide Shut-style 'erotica' club that promises to be a 'naughty experience'
- Discovering volcanic Britain: From Mount Snowdon to the remains of a Scottish SUPERVOLCANO, the country's (former) hot spots revealed
- The charming Italian ski resort that's fit for TV royalty: Joining Game of Thrones star Iain Glenn on the slopes of Champoluc
- TV's Bettany Hughes loves ancient history, her brother craves action. So will the Peloponnese keep them both happy?
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- Gorgeous Georgia: Looking for a bargain city break? Tbilisi is terrific for a long weekend on the edge of Europe
- All eyes on Oakland! Move over San Francisco - this fun, easy-going city across the Bay is fast becoming a rival
- Mother Nature having a swell time: Incredible pictures of waves at their most beautiful - and terrifying
- World's most dangerous countries revealed: 'Risk maps' show that it's Finland, Norway and Iceland you should head to if you want a trouble-free holiday
- Hypnotic timelapse video shot from the flight deck of an Air France passenger plane shows a pilot's-eye-view of Iran at sunset
- Will Ferrell let loo-se on Virgin Trains: A-lister warns passengers using the on-board toilets to make sure they've locked the door during comedy announcements
- Explore South Africa from your ARMCHAIR: Amazing 360-degree Google Street View videos let you roam untouched scenery that's home to lions and elephants
- 'Which volcano does the lava in laverbread come from?' Hotel staff reveal the most bizarre questions they've been asked by guests
- A New Zealand city comes alive again: The resurrection of pretty Christchurch is a reason to be cheerful
- Come to Como, the view is superb even if the weather is cold: A long autumn weekend next to Italy's greatest lake
- Another reason to visit Rajasthan: Why Jodhpur, one of the underrated jewels of India, is falling into colourful focus
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- Rabbit's feet, voodoo amulets and fish scales: 19 bizarre lucky charms from around the world
- Parents who've never been camping before sell their house, buy a motorhome and set off around Europe with their three small children for a year on the road
- The stunning beauty of RURAL Hong Kong revealed: Incredible photographs unveil a majestic world beyond the skyscrapers
- Waltzing along the Rhine (with a little help from a few Australians): A tuneful cruise along Germany's greatest river
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- A swish Swiss soother: This dazzling super-contemporary Alpine spa is the perfect tonic for modern frazzled souls
- A tropical slice of Thai temptation: Phuket may not be perfect, but for sunny holidays it knows how to please
- Make for Montenegro: Seaside sensations await as this increasingly chic Balkan country finds its glamour
- Impressive holiday snaps! Brave snorkeller gets VERY close to deadly crocodile in bid for stunning images of the dangerous predator
- Now that's in-flight entertainment! 'Sexy' airline steward's HILARIOUS safety briefing goes viral
- Airbus lands biggest-ever deal with sale of 430 planes to U.S. firm Indigo for $49billion
- Emirates reveal FULLY-ENCLOSED first class suites on their Boeing 777 fleet - complete with virtual windows, gourmet dining and 32" TV
- The not-so-friendly skies! Terrifying moment plane is struck by HUGE lightning bolt just moments after taking-off
- Flight attendant becomes internet star after RAPPING the safety instructions to stunned passengers
- Eerie images show abandoned house in rural Belgium frozen still after owner deserted it decades ago
- The rise of the 'ground-scraper': Drone footage shows £345million quarry hotel inching towards completion after 11 years
- It'll grow on you! Inside the bizarre mushroom-shaped house which is on the market for £1.1million .
- Hotels from HELL: Disappointed holidaymakers share hilarious snaps of their less than luxury accommodation (and it makes Fawlty Towers look five star!)
- Is this the world's ULTIMATE library? Stunning photographs show inside futuristic new build which houses 1.2million books
- From waterfalls and wildlife to the elusive Northern Lights: Stunning drone footage captures the natural beauty of Iceland in all its glory
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- Shell shocked! Bizarre moment MILLIONS of black snails invade popular beach in Florida
- The friendliest cities in the world: The happiest and safest destinations have been ranked - so how did YOUR hometown stack up?
- A heavenly view of the City of Angels: Breath-taking images of roads, skyscrapers and beaches feature in aerial collection of Los Angeles and New York City
- Salute the great war heroes: Join Peter Snow on a unique centenary tour of the epic battlefields, museums and memorials of WWI
- Woman, 26, who swapped the city for remote Scottish island now works NINE jobs because there's nobody else to do them
- Thousands of geese take off in simultaneous flight across a lake in Canada creating a mesmerising scene and deafening sound
- How to join the 'mile high club': Racy passengers reveal how they had sex on a PLANE (including a man who shares the best way to position yourself in the toilet)
- One man's horror after thinking he booked a £5,289 first class holiday while drunk - only to learn he was PRANKED by his local travel agent
- Are YOU the type? Majority of rail passengers still make last-minute dash for the doors - despite risk of injury
- A gourmet's paradise at Antigua's Pelican House... but watch out for the very peckish stingrays!
- Ask Frank Barrett: Book the ultimate festive package in the heart of London and how to find a Christmas home rental for the whole family
- Revealing a corner of Croatia that's as tasty as Tuscany, with creamy cheeses, pungent truffles and glossy fat olives
- The Finns aren't what they seem when you're sharing their sauna! Exploring Helsinki's new breed of public bathhouses
- 'Our bond is so strong even we can't explain it': Explorer twins reveal how gruelling treks and a life-changing accident have made them unusually close - and scientists study their every move
- Graham Norton's latest co-stars? Monet and Goya: TV talk-show host's portrait goes on display at the National Gallery of Ireland
- A dazzling return to Dundee: Scottish journalist Nina Myskow takes a trip down memory lane back to the city where she once played tennis with Elton John
- A French island thriller! Volcanic Reunion in the Indian Ocean will take your breath away
- 'People think we've lost the plot': Couple with two toddlers detail how they're QUITTING their careers and selling everything to travel the world
- An Inspector Calls: The Pear Tree won't lure the Chipping Norton set with stale bread rolls and ill-fitted curtains
- Austria's ski sweet spot! The little-known triptych of villages boasting groomed pistes and spectacular slopes
- Passenger THROWN OFF luxury cruise liner after protesting stops cancelled due to deadly plague outbreak
- The UK's ultimate HOUSING ESTATES revealed: Newcastle's Byker Wall is unlikely winner in urban awards top 10
- Blood-soaked pillows, soiled mattresses and a cockroach infestation: 'Nightmare' Florida hotel exposed by undercover reviewer
- Now that's a room with a view! Iceland's stunning 'bubble' hotel where guests star-gaze from the luxury of their own transparent pods
- What lies beneath... is very bizarre indeed: The world's strangest sea creatures revealed
- From using a CONDOM to start a fire to evading a man hunt: Top tips for surviving a VERY adventurous holiday
- Britain's cosiest rentals revealed: From windmills to quaint cottages, these are the best places to hole up in during winter
- From abandoned strip clubs to crumbling love hotels: Fascinating photographs capture the darkly enchanting side to modern Japan
- Hot tub screenings and movie-watching in a caravan: Britain's best cinemas revealed, from the most luxurious to the quirkiest
- Now THAT'S a budget fare: Wow air launches £99 tickets from London to New York
- New York resized: The Big Apple is reduced to a miniature city in a stunning set of 'tilt shift' photographs
- A sea lion playing with a starfish and a towering thunderstorm: More eye-popping entries for the 2017 National Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year contest revealed
- The $1.1billion Louvre Abu Dhabi opens its doors with works by Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci on display
- Fishy restaurant bill angers tourist: Holidaymaker complains to the mayor of Venice after being charged £463 for a lobster lunch
- Sunseekers in Spain will soon be able to throw down their towels 200 miles from the coast... at Europe's biggest man-made beach
- Would YOU eat in a pitch black restaurant? The cave where blind waiters serve meals to guests in total darkness - but for some the experience is unbearable
- UK travel firm launches holiday party packages for divorced women to help them 'relish their new lease of life'
- Luxurious treehouse that comes with a sauna, hot tub and pizza oven is in the running to win the House Of The Year award
- Newlywed spends her £2,000 honeymoon on the LOO after a horror sickness outbreak at a luxury holiday resort
- 'Extraordinary weather' looks set to make 2017 one of hottest years on record, say UN agency
- From flying fighter jets over the Nevada Desert to zip-lining in Las Vegas: How YOU could win an epic four-week adventure across the US and Canada
- Hilarious moment air hostess struggles to stop laughing during her safety routine as she's wolf-whistled by cheering French football fans on a flight to Cardiff
- Christmas? It's never been so much fun: What to see and where to stay in London during the festive season
- Perfect beaches, total tranquillity, 4,000 bottles of wine and one very hungry goat - no wonder Petit St Vincent is a pleasure island
- My forecast for Verbier? Sunny, snowy and chilled, says weather presenter Lucy Verasamy
- Bravery and beauty in Bordeaux: Celebrating the heroism of British commandos - and the revival of a great city
- Flock and awe: Incredible photos of shepherds herding sheep from a treacherous 9,000ft pass to the valley floor in one of the toughest and most remote animal migrations in Europe
- From a Cape Town chapel that looks like a manta ray to an Italian mountain museum: The 20 stunning shortlisted entries for the Architectural Photography Awards revealed
- Enchanting photographs capture the majesty of wild horses living off the east coast of America on a bewitching island
- In the footsteps of Churchill and Ian Fleming at Beaverbrook - the hotel with thrilling past guests that could be top of the country house league if it irons a few niggles out
- A fascinating tour of Norway's mysterious Vestfold County where Viking tales and stark, beautiful scenery make for a thrilling mix (no wonder Scandi crime writers love it)
- Singing the blues! Why upbeat Chicago rivals New York for music, art and glitz
- A Florida flourish! There's more to the Sunshine State than just Disney - and the magic is real
- Embrace the bedlam of Marrakech: Inside the city that has a vitality like nowhere else on earth
- Living it up in Lisbon! Portugal's pretty city is on a roll - go there out of season to get a seat on the trundling trams
- Winter is coming... and judging by these incredible pictures from past cold spells you'll need to be prepared for comedy and drama in equal measure