Nothing beats staying somewhere luxurious and chilling out in your own private hot tub. Nothing, that is, except chilling out in a private hot tub that has jaw-dropping views. To prove the point, holiday rentals firm CV Villas has compiled a list of the outdoor tubs that have the most impressive vistas - and we've found a couple of corkers ourselves. They include the hot tub at the Elounda Gulf Royal Spa Villa, Crete, centre, which features views over Mirabello Bay, the boat style tub at a guest house in Iceland, top left, the Felicia villa in Corfu, bottom left, which has a hot tub with views of the coastline and a tub in Italy, top right, which is in the middle of the Tuscan countryside.
Fancy a holiday on a disused slate quarry? Futuristic wilderness cabins launch on North Cornwall coast
Ever fancy an alternative to traditional hotels? Then these quirky wilderness cabins could make a ideal choice. Located in a disused slate quarry on the North Cornwall coast, these brand new boltholes are elevated high above the ground and accessed through a ladder (left). The cabins, or 'Kudhva' - the Cornish word for 'hideout' - also boast a large window (top right) offering a view of the local countryside.
You'll wish you WEREN'T here: With 'blood-stained sheets', 'cockroaches' and 'abandoned floors', these are the horrifying contenders for being the world's worst hotel
There are bad reviews, and those that label a hotel as being quite possibly the very worst in the world. Here, complete with accusations of 'blood-stained sheets', 'cockroaches' and 'entirely abandoned floors', we present some of the biggest contenders for that unwelcome title But do they really deserve it? You decide... Pictured: New Delhi's Centaur Hotel (bottom middle); The Lonsdale Hotel, London (bottom left); The Grand Hotel, Pristina (top left); Aspinals Hotel, Singapore (top middle), and New York's New World Hotel (far right).
So THAT'S how they handle 3m tourists! Tower of London's iconic Beefeaters have their own secret pub inside royal fortress (and their own exclusive beer)
They are, of course, part of London's tourist appeal. And the iconic Beefeaters are rewarded for their service with a top perk: their very own secret pub. After the hordes of tourists with their cameras and selfie sticks depart from the Tower of London every evening, a private drinking hole for Beefeaters (and their guests) comes to life within the walls of the royal fortress. After the daily hubbub fades, they can change out of their uniforms and head for a quiet drink at the Yeoman Warders' Club, their own private bar in a discreet corner of the sprawling fortress - a much-needed respite.
The fascinating vintage photographs that show a lost age of luxury on board Britain's sleeper trains
The vintage pictures form the basis of a new book called Anglo-Scottish Sleepers by Church of England priest and author, David Meara. In one vintage image from the turn of the 20th century, a man in official uniform and hat can be seen handing a white pillow to a train conductor with a 'Rugs & Pillows' truck behind him (top right). Another snap reveals the comforts of a woman staying in a first-class compartment on the Northern Belle, lying in her bed and receiving a professionally prepared breakfast on a tray handed to her by a train attendant (inset). There are also pictures of third-class accommodation (bottom right) and Euston station in 1909 (bottom left).
Are these the most stylish cabin crew uniforms ever? Fashion experts hail Delta's new staff workwear, which has been designed by celebrity favourite Zac Posen
The US-based carrier is changing its employee workwear for the first time in 10 years and Posen has spent three years designing the outfits and making sure they are practical for staff. The new uniforms have seen Delta's traditional red, white and blue infused with new hues, which have been dubbed 'passport plum' (purple), left, 'cruising cardinal' (red), right, and 'ground speed graphite' (grey).
From craggy cliff faces to snow-capped mountains: The truly STUNNING winning images from the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year contest
Thousands of remarkable images were submitted for the annual Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year contest competition, which culminated this week. These included a rainbow soaring by Loch Clair, Glen Torridon (top left), waves crashing against the craggy cliffs of Yesnaby, Orkney (top right), winter skies at Ardvreck Castle, Loch Assynt (bottom left), and Sgurr Eilde Mor in a full winter coat (bottom right).
From the best loo to the most wonderful places to stay: The UK Heritage Awards reveal Britain's finest historic houses, hotels, gardens and museums
From the best loos to the most wonderful places to stay - the UK Heritage Awards 2018 have honoured Britain's finest heritage experiences. Among the winners for 2018 are Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, top left, Hampton Court Palace, Richmond, top right, The Victoria in Norfolk, bottom left, and Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, bottom right.
Hot proper-tea! Tudor house that was once owned by the Twinings family has been converted into a stunning holiday let
The historic house, called Hollyhocks, in Eardisland in Herefordshire dates back more than 550 years and hosted medieval knights before the final battle of the War of the Roses. The property was used as a grain store in Victorian times and there was a fire in the Great Hall, which still has some smoke-blackened beams. The Twinings family - renowned for their tea - bought the property in the 1920s.
Want to live happily ever after? Incredible fairy tale-style hotel called Enchanted Manor goes on the market for £1million
The Enchanted Manor, formerly called Windcliffe Manor, dates back to 1838 and is nestled in the pretty seaside resort of Niton Undercliff on the Isle of Wight. It enjoys spectacular views. It was snapped up at auction for £750,000 by current owners Ric and Maggie Hilton, who spent six months lovingly transforming it into a luxury romantic getaway. And now it has been put on the market for £1million. It's a truly magical place.
From a jam-packed 'sandwich' to DIY designer: The world's wackiest luggage revealed
It's not often that luggage turns heads. But these choice pieces of baggage are the exception to the rule. Here MailOnline Travel has scoured the hidden pockets of the internet to bring you suitcases that amuse, baffle and raise eyebrows. There's the case that resembles a sandwich, the rucksack designed for giants and a case that may well be bigger on the inside than the out - because it has a Tardis design. Also not to be missed is the Boba Fett suitcase and what's possibly the world's most erotic handbag.
World's best cities for millennials revealed: Berlin is No1, with Montreal second, London third and New York coming eighth
The study, by German-based apartment search engine Nestpick, looked at factors such as housing affordability, quality of nightlife, the economy, immigration tolerance and youth migration. Coming top of the list is Berlin, top left, which received 10 out of 10 for its nightlife scene. Second place is Montreal in Canada, bottom right, followed by London, centre top, Amsterdam, centre bottom, and Toronto. Other cities ranked highly on the list include Barcelona in seventh, New York City, bottom left, in eighth and Manchester, top right, in 10th.
Burger King becomes Hungry Jack's and KFC turns into PFK: How household brand names change from country to country
Brands morph from country to country – sometimes due to legal requirements or often just because of local tastes. Here’s how your favourite brands change depending on where you are. Pictured top row are the Burger King, KFC and Doritos cool original brands. But these become Hungry Jack's, PFK and Doritos 'cool ranch' in other countries.
Welcome to America's smallest town, population - 1: Monowi's only resident is the mayor, treasurer, librarian and bartender
Elsie Eiler is the sole resident of Monowi, Nebraska, and has lived there by herself since her husband's death in 2004. The 84-year-old holds the office of mayor, as well as clerk and treasurer. She still lives in a mobile home a half-block from the only business in the town - the Monowi Tavern - which she owns and operates. It's not her only business. She also runs the town library - a tiny building jammed with 5,000 books, which is dedicated to her husband, who was a devoted reader.
From king penguins to a hunter at home with his eagle and cat: National Geographic Traveller announces the stunning winners of its prestigious photography competition
Capturing scenes of natural beauty and expressions of human emotion from around the world, the winners of National Geographic Traveller's prestigious photography competition have been announced. This year, UK photographers were invited to submit their entries in one of six categories - action. nature, people, urban, portfolio and video. Pictured from top left, clockwise to centre: Simon Morris’s shot of an eagle hunter in Mongolia, Renato Granieri’s portrait of two king penguins, Chris Kirby’s snap of a local lady looking pretty in pink in South Africa, Jasmine Van Hoeylandt’s haunting image of Cormorants nesting in Zimbabwe and a colourful plumage trailing behind the Red Arrows display team, as captured by Jonny Williams.
The hotel where women were raped and tortured and men executed during the Bosnian war is STILL open for business
Taking a recommendation from a guide book, Australian Kym Vercoe checked into the Vilina Vlas, unaware that the hotel had been used to detain, rape and execute people during the war. It was used as the headquarters for notorious paramilitary group the White Eagles (bottom right) but now promises 'all elements for a real rest'.
Cosy pubs, Land Rovers galore and M&S; food: Inside the Falkland Islands' capital, one of the world's most remote cities
During a recent trip to sub-Antarctica, MailOnline Travel's Sadie Whitelocks stopped at the weather-beaten city of Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Despite being more than 12,600km away from the UK, Stanley - which has a population of just over 2,000 - is like a 'little Britain' with Union Jacks flying, fish and chips frying and seagulls crying. Sadie said when she popped into the local supermarket, she was surprised to find Waitrose and Marks & Spencer-branded produce. Pictured from clockwise from top left: Stanley, the interior of one of the local pubs, the exterior of the pub, a Union Flag showing the islands' allegiance to the UK and Christ Church Cathedral, the southernmost Anglican cathedral in the world.
A bit of clean humour! From Lord of the Rinse to Iron Maiden, the punniest launderette names ever
Washing dirty clothes isn't usually a barrel of laughs. But these cleverly-named launderettes inject a little humour into the process. For Tolkien devotees, Lord of the Rinse (top left) might get you a bit more animated come laundry day. While Iron Maiden (top centre) might appeal to the rock 'n' rollers and Soapranos to the TV buffs (top right). Over in Oklahoma in the U.S., Liberty Laundry (bottom left) is known for regularly updating its message board with a good old pun, telling customers this past January to 'wring in the New Year' with a spot of washing. Other comical launderette names include The Found Sock (bottom centre) and All Washed Up (bottom right).
Inside the most eye-wateringly luxurious hotel rooms on EARTH: Stunning suites with bullet-proof windows, heated toilet seats and free clothes could be yours for the night... for £62k
Should you use price comparison websites to get a few pounds off the cost of your holiday hotel, you might want to look away now. As TV presenter Giles Coren shows in the new BBC series of Amazing Hotels, there are some hotel suites clearly aimed at guests for whom money is no object. Forget free mini toiletries and sewing kits, here perks include haute couture outfits to wear during your stay (at the £20,000 a night Mandarin Oriential in New York, centre right), bullet-proof windows (at the £62,000 President Wilson Hotel in Switzerland, left) and heated loo seats (Four Seasons, New York, top right). Meanwhile, at the Royal Villa at the Grand Resort in Athens (bottom right), where visitors have included Leonardo DiCaprio and Mel Gibson, each guest is presented with their own fitness trainer on arrival.
Now THAT's a bubble bath! Couples-only hotel has hot tubs in the shape of giant Champagne glasses
You might want to avoid having too much fizz before clambering into this wacky hot tub. In a bid to get guests in the mood for love, one hotel in the U.S. has installed bubble baths in the shape of giant Champagne coupe glasses in three of its suites. The towering tubs - in the 'Champagne Tower Suites' at the couples-only Cove Haven resort in Poconos, Pennsylvania - are raised seven feet from the ground on stem-shaped pillars.
Lord of the Rings super fan visits New Zealand and photographs the EXACT locations used in the movie trilogy
More than 16 years on from the first Lord of the Rings film release in 2001, hordes of fans still flock to New Zealand, where it was filmed. One such fan, Bry Voydatch, decided to venture there from Massachusetts for her 21st birthday in a bid to photograph herself at the exact locations used in the fantasy trilogy - and the results are very impressive. The physics student told MailOnline Travel that she spent two weeks venturing around the North and South islands of New Zealand and managed to visit almost every filming site from Lord of the Rings. Pictured: Bry (left) emulates Frodo Baggins as he leaves the Shire in The Fellowship of the Ring and retraces his journey into Mordor (right) on Mount Ruapehu.
EXCLUSIVE: The FAKE ski chalet websites scamming unwitting customers out of tens of thousands of pounds (and how to make sure YOU don't become a victim)
Several people have told MailOnline how they thought they'd booked a luxury chalet, but actually wired money to scammers – with one victim losing 30,000 euros. So just how were they duped? We investigated and uncovered how scam sites will steal pictures and descriptions from genuine agents (pictured), communicate only through emails and mobile phones and refuse to take credit card payments.
Hotel guest requests picture of Jeff Goldblum to be put by the bed but finds photos of the actor everywhere - even in the SHOWER!
One hotel went above and beyond for a guest who instead of flowers by the bed, requested a picture of Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum. Imgur user cornwallis1 said that he jokingly wrote to the Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel via email and asked for an alluring painting of Goldblum with his shirt semi-unbuttoned to be put on the bedside table. And the holidaymaker was stunned when he checked into his room with his wife and found that the hotel had followed through with his request and there were shots of Goldblum pasted at every turn.
A whole new world! Torrential rain in Brazil submerges hiking trail to create an eerily stunning underwater scene
Breathtaking footage shows a submerged hiking trail in Brazil, which had been transformed into a colourful underwater world after days of heavy rain. The video, shot at Recanto Ecologico Rio da Prata reserve close to the southwestern town of Bonito, shows walkways, bridges, and rain forest drowned in several feet of crystal clear water. At first it is hard to see that the cameraman - reserve worker Waldemilson Vera - is underwater, but when he tilts the lens towards the water's surface it becomes clear that he is swimming and not walking along while filming.
With perfect powder snow, craggy peaks and even reindeer, these pictures show ski heaven... but you'll never guess WHERE they were taken
With perfect powder snow, craggy peaks and even reindeer, there can be no doubt that this is the perfect place for a skiing holiday. But the location of the pictures may come as a surprise. Accessed overnight via sleeper train from London, this resort is not in the Alps, Scandinavia or Canada – but the Cairngorm National Park in the Scottish Highlands.
Is this the world’s most dramatic tent? Behold the German behemoth that took 40 people one week to erect (and it even had a CHURCH BELL in one of the towers)
Tents, on the whole, don’t tend to be labelled as ‘dramatic’. But this German behemoth most certainly does. It was used for a World Youth Day scout meeting in Dusseldorf and took 40 scouts one entire week to build it. It resembled a cathedral and even had a church bell installed in one of the two towers, which rose up to a height of 15 metres.
Rooms with NO view! Aggrieved hotel guests share photos of their less-than-pleasing vistas
From brick walls, to grimy skips and building sites, aggrieved hotel guests have shared some of the not-so-delightful views from their bedroom windows. Eduardo M from Chile said he was thoroughly disappointed after checking into Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco. Instead of the sweeping city view he was hoping for, he wrote on TripAdvisor: 'I was given room 305, and when we entered the room we saw this horrible brick wall facing our only window.' Meanwhile, MailOnline Travel was equally disappointed by the view at Heathrow's Radisson hotel. The vista was a grimy-looking skip looming outside the window (bottom left).
From crumbling ruins to fire-damaged forts: Haunting images show the world's most incredible abandoned castles
They were once great buildings that stood proudly as a symbol of strength. But now, having been bombarded with shells, set on fire and left to rot, these castles are looking a little worse for wear. This fascinating series of photographs includes UK ruins such as Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire, Crichton Castle in Scotland and Kinbane Castle in County Antrim. And European edifices such as Xixona Castle in Alicante and Birkenfels Castle in Alsace. They may not be looking so grand today, but they're still utterly intriguing - time-capsule buildings that offer glimpses into by-gone ages.
The plane that helps you beat jet-lag: Qatar's new aircraft features special lighting and air filters that will help your body cope with long journeys
Traditionally, passengers get to live the high life on a plane after turning left. But on board Qatar Airways' new A350-1000 aircraft, entering service on Saturday between London and Doha, economy class passengers will get to feel like VIPs, too. That's because in their cabin there are millions of ambient anti-jet lag LED lights, hospital-grade filters - with the entire cabin air renewed every two to three minutes - larger overhead bins, higher ceilings and every window seat has an actual window.
Just the ticket for a quirky getaway! The holiday home that sits right on the platform of a railway station
All aboard for a quirky getaway. This holiday home sits right on the platform of Malvern Link Railway Station, offering guests commanding views of services to Great Malvern, Hereford and Worcester Foregate Street. It was built in the 1800s and was the home of the station master in charge of ensuring the smooth running of the railway. It's now been fully restored.
These paws ain't made for walking! Meet the pampered pets who get carted around in bags and BABY HARNESSES
There's no getting dirty paws for these pampered pets, with their owners taking animal care to new heights. In photos shared to Imgur, dozens of critters are seen being carted around in bags, from dogs in New York to cats in Asia. Pictured from top left, clockwise: A man carries a dog on his back in a baby harness-like contraption, a cat can be seen peering out of a rucksack, a dog peers out of a tote bag, a lady checks in on her four-legged passenger, a puppy on the back of its parent and a man with his pet in a sling bag.
Just the read to warm you up! From the clear waters of the Caribbean to the golden sands of Bournemouth: TripAdvisor names 2018's best beaches
Grace Bay in the Turks and Caicos, top left, came out on top of the TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice Beach awards beating competition from beautiful beaches in Brazil, Cuba and Spain. The top-rated beach in the UK is Bournemouth beach, top right, the No1 in the USA is Clearwater Beach in Florida, bottom left, while Manly Beach is deemed to be the best in Australia. Taking the crown for the best beach in Europe is La Concha Beach in San Sebastian, Spain, bottom right.
The Cape Verde islands? They're a bit dull apart from the running, diving, driving, sailing, floating (and playing with kittens)
Hero Douglas ventured to Sal - one of ten small volcanic, arid islands in the former Portuguese colony of the Cape Verde archipelago - to celebrate her 19th birthday. She said her holiday requirement list had included bikini weather, deserted sandy beaches, a small island, an authentic feel, vegan-friendly, a short flight, similar time zone and affordability. Her budget was about £400 for food, flights and accommodation.Eventually, she managed to find a bargain break to Cape Verde online. Pictured is: Hero diving, top left, driving a quad bike, top right, riding a horse, bottom right, floating in the sea, bottom left, and a view of the island scenery, centre.
From Patagonia to Hawaii and beyond, these stunning images of rainbows are guaranteed to brighten your day up
Spotting a rainbow can brighten the greyest of days, as these images show. MailOnline Travel recently witnessed a rainbow from the air while taking off from Ushuaia airport at the tip of the Argentina, with the coloured rays rising up from the mountainous scenery behind. Others have been equally lucky to see rainbows in the sky during a flight or while using a drone. One photographer captured the Victoria Falls in South Africa with a coloured arc forming in the clouds of fine spray. Another eagle-eyed photographer took a breathtaking panorama of a band of colour raining down over the winding Sella Pass mountain road between the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol in Italy.
From an underwater letterbox in the South Pacific to a sorting room in Antarctica, the world's most remote post offices revealed
These post offices give a whole new meaning to the phrase 'snail mail', as their remote locations could mean several weeks of waiting before letters reach their destination. MailOnline Travel has pushed the envelope to find the most obscure places at which you can pop something in the post. One of the odder spots includes a post box ten feet down at the bottom of the South Pacific Ocean (top right), where you can buy waterproof postcards and postal marks are embossed instead of inked. Other equally far-flung spots that promise to make the postman's job a bit more tricky include the End of the World Post Office in Argentina (bottom right), the world's most southerly mailing depot at Port Lockroy in Antarctica (bottom left), the barrel box on Floreana Island in the Galapagos (top left) and the mail shed on the Isle of Tanera Mòr in Scotland (inset).
From battling 10-metre-high waves to sleeping in -42C temperatures: One explorer's epic 6,100km ski and kayak trip around Norway
'I saw my life flash before me,' intrepid explorer James Baxter explained, as he regaled some of the hairiest moments during his epic 6,100km ski and kayak trip around some of the most remote parts of Norway. The humble Scotsman opened up about his extraordinary eight-month voyage during Expedition Finse, an annual gathering that takes place in Norway featuring some of the world's top explorers. Baxter said that he feared everything was over as he battled ten-metre-high waves in his kayak one stormy day and sleeping in -42 degrees Celsius was another tough point. Pictured from top left, clockwise to centre: A view of a snowy slope Baxter skied along, his tent at night, a view from his kayak, a shot of him in action and feeling pretty chilly in sub-zero conditions.
Now THAT'S a high-flying job: Meet the professional abseilers who scale dizzying skyscrapers, bridges and radio masts
If you've got a fear of heights, then this job certainly isn't for you. Høyden, which is based in Oslo, Norway, employs a team of around 20 abseilers who spend their days scaling some of Norway's highest heights to carry out maintenance and repair work. Dizzying images provided exclusively to MailOnline Travel show the troop of technicians at work, putting their faith in ropes as they dangle from bridges and skyscrapers.
Secrets of the Princes' African sanctuary: From saving elephants and rhinos to finding true love, this is the place closest to William and Harry's hearts
To many of us, Africa represents a safari destination that offers a once-in-a-lifetime holiday but to Harry and his brother William, it has become a precious sanctuary. Both princes have embraced the continent’s wide open spaces, its wilderness and its wildlife with a fervour that many conservationists believe will help save Africa’s endangered species. Graham Boynton visited and says it is easy to see why the Princes adore the continent. Pictured main is Prince Harry in Malawi helping to move endangered elephants to a safe haven.
Why sleeping under the stars in the Monument Valley Native American reservation was the best night of my life
A billboard in the desert-town of Kayenta, Arizona, 40 kilometres south of Monument Valley, claims that the nearby tribal park is one of earth's great wonders - and Holly Hales was not going to argue. Native Americans have called it home for nearly 1,000 years and the stars alone make it a place worth hanging around in for millennia. Holly spent a night there, sleeping in the otherworldly landscape beneath mind-boggling clusters of constellations and hearing tales of spooky 'skinwalkers'. It was the best night of her life, she writes.
EXCLUSIVE: Meet Afghanistan's first female SKIERS, who are learning to snowplough in an area that was once a Taliban stronghold
Henriette Bjorge, 38, from Norway, went out to Bamyan in central Afghanistan, once a Taliban stronghold, to teach skiing at the Bamyan Ski Club back in 2013 and help introduce Afghan women to the sport. For their first lesson, a group of Afghan women turned up armed with handbags, their best dress coats, chic sunglasses and silk hijabs looking like they were more ready for a Paris catwalk than for high-speed thrills. Pictured from top left, clockwise: A group of Afghan women enjoy a ski picnic, posing with skis on an abandoned tank, not your average skiing gear, a lesson in waxing skis, a spot of side-stepping and another unusual skiing outfit.
Alton Towers reveals the first images of new £16million Wicker Man-themed roller coaster that combines FIRE and WOOD
The high-speed attraction at the theme park in Staffordshire is the first wooden rollercoaster to be built in the UK for 21 years and is set to open to those brave enough to ride it in the spring. The track spans 2,000 feet and it is all made from naturally treated timber that has been hand-carved specially for the project. The Wicker Man roller coaster shares its name with the 1973 classic film, starring Edward Woodward.
The top 20 most-filmed movie and TV locations in the world revealed: From New York's Central Park to the UK's South Bank, these are the places you’re most likely to see a star
A new study has shown that it's US locations that are the most popular places to film movies and TV shows with the only non-US countries making the top 20 being Canada and the UK. Among the most popular filming locations are Central Park, New York, top left, Venice Beach, California, top right, University of British Columbia, bottom left, and London's South Bank, bottom right.
Thrifty traveller spends just £1,709 on ten holidays abroad (and even bags a British Airways BUSINESS CLASS flight)
A thrifty traveller has told how she went on ten holidays in a year and skipped to three continents for just £1,709. Chelsea Dickenson, 28, from north London, set out on a mission to see how many trips she could squeeze in over 12 months after being horrified by how much Brits spend on holidays. According to a study by train ticket retailer Trainline conducted in December 2016, the average Brit spends £3,418 on just one trip - double the amount Dickenson had to play with.
Far from bog standard! A disco ball above the tub and a loo in a cave, the world's most incredible hotel bathrooms revealed
These certainly aren't bog standard washing facilities. MailOnline Travel has scoured the world for some of the most incredible hotel bathrooms, which certainly make bath time a bit more fun. At Atlantis, The Palm in Dubai, (centre inset) the underwater suite boasts bathrooms with views into an aquarium so you can feel like you're splashing around with the fish, while on board the Celebrity Reflection cruise liner (top right) there is a glass shower cubicle cantilevered over the ship's side so you don't miss a moment on the high seas. Other salubrious spots to sud up at include the Beckham Creek Cave in Arkansas (bottom right), the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze in Florence (bottom left) and the Malmaison in Birmingham (top left).
From a starry night in Brazil to the stunning highlands of Iceland, the Landscape Photographer of the Year's incredible winning shots revealed
Capturing nature in all its glory, the winners of the prestigious International Landscape Photographer of the Year competition have been revealed. Now in its fourth year, the contest celebrates all genres of landscape photography, with photographers from all over the world submitting four images to be judged on consistency and for having a 'spark of landscape brilliance'. Max Rive, from the Netherlands, was revealed as the winner for 2017 with his breathtaking images capturing the rugged beauty of Patagonia and Greenland. Pictured from top left, clockwise: A watery view by British photographer Adam Gibbs, an image by Max Rive, a landscape from Brazil by Marcio Cabral and the highlands of Iceland by Alex Nail.
Forget Instagram, this Irish gem has been turning food into art for 20 years: The glorious hotel where exquisite dining is the name of the game - and you can even EAT the paintings
There was a time when what we ate was purely about subsistence. But just a quick scroll through Instagram proves that today's photo-sharing society has changed all this - with food now as much a feast for the eyes as it is the stomach. In Dublin, there is one hotel that has been ahead of that particular curve since before social media even began. For the past two decades, The Merrion - arguably the most luxurious hotel in the Irish capital - has been serving up its unique and playful Art Tea, a two-course decadence that sees chefs literally turn pastries into extraordinary pieces of art.
Norwegian sets transatlantic speed record AGAIN: Dreamliner races from New York to London in just 5 hours and 9 minutes thanks to monster jet stream that pushes it to 799mph
Carrier Norwegian has broken its own record for the fastest subsonic transatlantic flight from New York to London, completing the journey in just five hours and nine minutes. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as G-CJGI (main), and captained by Martin Wood, beat the record set in January by four minutes after reaching 799mph on the crossing. The flight left JFK on Thursday February 8 and was able to touch down at Gatwick airport around an hour ahead of time thanks to a ferocious jet stream. Pictured bottom right is the crew that operated the record-breaking flight.
A sneak peek inside the world's biggest cruise ship as workers get the £959million behemoth ready for her March launch
Boasting 18 decks, enough room for more than 8,000 people and a 1,188-foot-long body, the world's biggest cruise ship is due to set sail next month. Behind-the-scenes photos show how the finishing touches are now being applied to Royal Caribbean's newest ship, Symphony of the Seas, with dozens of construction workers fervently working away. The main body of the 228,081-ton monster liner was completed last June and now its interiors are being furnished with dazzling spotlights, swathes of carpet, and licks of paint.Pictured: (Clockwise from top left, clockwise to centre) Waterslides are set to be a big attraction, the ship's ice rink, a view of the top deck, one of the 20 restaurants and an exterior shot of the hefty vessel.
Couple clock up 45,000 MILES across 36 U.S states and Canada in a tiny 130-sq-ft house on wheels
An adventure-hungry couple has told how they've racked up 45,000 miles on the road in a tiny house on wheels - and they have to plans to stop driving. Alexis Stephens, 33, and Christian Parsons, 42, from North Carolina, sold all of their possessions and hit the road in their kooky trailer-style abode more than two-and-a-half years ago and they have since travelled through 36 U.S. states and one Canadian province. They said when they first moved into their DIY home they 'had to get used to sharing such a tiny space' and life has become a bit of a 'choreographed dance' with them shifting places so they're not in the way of each other. Pictured from top left, clockwise to centre: The tiny house on the road, its kitchen, another landscape shot, the bedroom area and the happy road-tripping couple.
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- You'll wish you WEREN'T here: With 'blood-stained sheets', 'cockroaches' and 'abandoned floors', these are the horrifying contenders for being the world's worst hotel
- Are these the most stylish cabin crew uniforms ever? Fashion experts hail Delta's new staff workwear, which has been designed by celebrity favourite Zac Posen
- From craggy cliff faces to snow-capped mountains: The truly STUNNING winning images from the Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year contest
- From the best loo to the most wonderful places to stay: The UK Heritage Awards reveals Britain's finest historic houses, hotels, gardens and museums
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- Khloe Kardashian did it, but was it sensible? Experts reveal if it is safe to fly while pregnant
- Want to live happily ever after? Incredible fairy tale-style hotel goes on the market for £1million
- How India's endangered lion population - which lives in one single forest - is fighting back from the brink of extinction
- Canada's Wild West! Rugged scenery and sensational wildlife make Whistler and Vancouver ripe for adventure
- British holidaymakers have abandoned London as their top staycation choice - and now they're flocking to LINCOLN
- British Airways to launch super-cheap no-frills fares for transatlantic flights (but you'll need to pay extra for stowed luggage and seat reservations)
- Brits love a bargain, the Chinese want designer brands and Americans seek out 'cultural souvenirs': Survey reveals traveller's international shopping habits
- Hot proper-tea! Tudor house that was once owned by the Twinings family has been converted into a stunning holiday let
- From cocktails on the roof of the Intercontinental to families squished like sardines in Slumdog alleyways: Be bewitched by a magical, maddening Bombay mix
- Caught on camera: The terrifying moment gale-force winds tear an airport ROOF off in China
- From the mayhem of the Medina to the cool gardens of a fashion icon, you'll love 48 hours in... Marrakech
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- From Clacton Beach to a Casino Royale wedding: Martine McCutcheon's holidays of a lifetime
- Perfection in the land of legends - and lilos: Tolon has something to please every member of the family
- Revealed: The car hire firms across Europe charging up to £1,000 too much for vehicle repairs
- Rugged Corsica rivals St Tropez for glamour: The Mediterranean island has dramatic mountains and unspoilt beaches
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- Burger King becomes Hungry Jack's and KFC turns into PFK: How household brand names change from country to country
- From a jam-packed 'sandwich' to DIY designer: The world's wackiest luggage revealed
- The world's best cities for millennials revealed: Berlin is No1, with Montreal second, London third and New York coming eighth
- From the free-climber who scaled Yosemite's fearsome El Capitan to the man who conquered Everest in 26 hours: National Geographic names its adventurers of the year
- No wonder they call it the friendly skies! Hilarious footage shows Indian airline crew celebrating Holi festival with flashmob dance
- Welcome to America's smallest town, population - 1: Monowi's only resident is the mayor, treasurer, librarian and bartender
- From king penguins to a hunter at home with his eagle and cat: National Geographic Traveller announces the stunning winners of its prestigious photography competition
- Some airline ticket prices are now based on what passengers can AFFORD - but critics say it amounts to discrimination
- Perhaps they were making ratatouille? Diner at restaurant in Thai shopping centre films a RAT roaming around its kitchen
- One of the world's most conservative countries to welcome holidaymakers: Saudi Arabia will issue tourist visas from April
- Revealed: Japanese and Singaporean passports are the most powerful in the world with the UK's remaining fourth and USA's fifth
- A bit of clean humour! From Lord of the Rinse to Iron Maiden, the punniest launderette names ever
- Merseyside boozer that was boarded up for five years reopens and claims the title of Pub Of The Year
- Disabled boy was forced to sleep on airport floor with no blankets or food after his family were stranded in Tenerife for over 24 hours during storms
- Cosy pubs, Land Rovers galore and M&S; food: A stroll around the capital of the Falkland Islands, one of the world's most remote cities
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- Now THAT's a bubble bath! Couples-only hotel has hot tubs in the shape of giant Champagne glasses
- The hotel where women were raped and tortured and men executed during the Bosnian war is STILL open for business
- Inside the most eye-wateringly luxurious hotel rooms on EARTH: Stunning suites with bullet-proof windows, heated toilet seats and free clothes could be yours for the night... if you have £62,000 to spend
- Lord of the Rings super fan visits New Zealand and photographs the EXACT locations used in the movie trilogy
- Walt Disney makes £1.75billion investment in Paris park with plans for huge new Marvel, Frozen and Star Wars attractions
- Revealed: The most beautiful place to visit in the UK outside London is Cleethorpes Beach, according to Instagram
- American Airlines is changing its safety video after complaints from delayed passengers that it is too 'loud and celebratory'
- EXCLUSIVE: The FAKE ski chalet websites scamming unwitting customers out of tens of thousands of pounds (and how to make sure YOU don't become a victim)
- Hotel guest requests picture of Jeff Goldblum to be put by the bed but finds photos of the actor everywhere - even in the SHOWER!
- Ryanair announces the closure of its base at Glasgow Airport with up to 300 jobs at risk
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- A whole new world! Torrential rain in Brazil submerges hiking trail to create an eerily stunning underwater scene
- Dump your liquids and your JOINT! Las Vegas airport installs dustbins for marijuana so travellers can get rid of the drug before security
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Doctors issued guidelines on how to treat in-flight medical emergencies after study finds rise in passengers falling ill at 36,000 feet
- Severe storm leaves thousands of holidaymakers stranded in the Canaries as 70mph winds and torrential rain wreak havoc
- Is this the world's most dramatic tent? Behold the German behemoth that took 40 people one week to erect (and it even had a CHURCH BELL in one of the towers)
- With perfect powder snow, craggy peaks and even reindeer, these pictures show ski heaven... but you'll never guess WHERE they were taken
- Going Dutch! A 48-hour guide to Amsterdam as Eurostar launches its new direct service from London
- Great British boltholes: Check in - and check out the 150,000 books at this eccentric B&B; in a library
- From learning about civilian life in Antwerp to visiting the Gallipoli battlefields, the ten best WWI armistice centenary tours revealed
- Holidays of a lifetime... Zoe Wanamaker: The actress reveals how she went on honeymoon - next to a car park in Wales!
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- The Cape Verde islands? They're a bit dull apart from the running, diving, driving, sailing, floating (and playing with kittens)
- Now you can be a downhill champion too! The world's longest amateur ski race lures competitors to a tiny Swiss village
- A proper charmer! How the tiny Channel Island Alderney has a big history and is glorious for all the family
- Rooms with NO view! Aggrieved hotel guests share photos of their less-than-pleasing vistas
- Just the ticket for a quirky getaway! The holiday home that sits right on the platform of a railway station
- These paws ain't made for walking! Meet the pampered pets who get carted around in bags and BABY HARNESSES
- From crumbling ruins to fire-damaged forts: Haunting images show the world's most incredible abandoned castles
- The plane that helps you beat jet-lag: Qatar's new aircraft features special lighting and air filters that will help your body cope with long journeys
- Amazing time-lapse footage shows houseboat made out of scrap wood sailing from Hamburg to Paris, navigating canal locks and 124ft-high boat lifts
- Airbnb to expand into the luxury market by offering wealthy travellers boutique hotels and properties for 'trips of a lifetime'
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- From Patagonia to Hawaii and beyond, these stunning images of rainbows are guaranteed to brighten your day up
- Revealed: A third of all Brits are MORE scared of flying compared to 10 years ago - with engine failure their biggest worry
- From £1k worth of jabs for China to a £370 vaccine pack for France, the surprising cost of inoculations around the world revealed
- 'There are great nightclubs in Syria': Explorer reveals how it's possible to have a good time in the world's most dangerous countries
- 'Fines might make people worry less about their Gucci luggage': Report into American Airlines evacuation reveals it was hampered by people grabbing their bags as safety boss says they should be fined
- From cuddly kangaroos in Australia to maple syrup in Canada and bottled AIR in Iceland: Locals reveal which souvenirs tourists buy they think are pointless
- Awww-some! Kent wildlife park celebrates the arrival of an adorable rare black rhino calf
- Revealed: Why your tourist toilet habits are bad for locals - and the environment
- From the clear waters of the Caribbean to the golden sands of Bournemouth: TripAdvisor names the best beaches in the world for 2018
- My body beautiful! How a boot camp on the party isle of Ibiza can whip you into shape
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- Near-death experience prompts an adventurer to go on an epic global tour to tick off his bucket list, including skydiving in Dubai and hiking in Nepal
- From an underwater letterbox in the South Pacific to a sorting room in Antarctica, the world's most remote post offices revealed
- Wacky Jenga-style resort that cost £1 BILLION to build set to open its doors in Dubai
- From battling 10-metre-high waves to sleeping in -42C temperatures: One explorer's epic 6,100km ski and kayak trip around Norway
- Tourists in Amsterdam's Red Light District will be ordered to turn their BACKS on sex workers in windows
- Now THAT'S a high-flying job: Meet the professional abseilers who scale dizzying skyscrapers, bridges and radio masts
- The sexiest accents in the world revealed: It's not the sound of French or Italian that has the woo-factor - but ENGLISH
- Fancy travelling the world working on a Disney cruise ship? The job is all yours, as long as you can cope with an 84-HOUR WEEK
- Revealed: United Airlines is the most punctual US carrier, with JetBlue ranked bottom
- Touring with the band has never been easier! The amazing fold-up GUITAR that can fit in your hand luggage (and you can even pack clothes inside it)
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- Secrets of the Princes' African sanctuary: From saving elephants and rhinos to finding true love, this is the place closest to William and Harry's hearts
- The 10 best rock star hotels: From Dollywood to Marley's mansion, stay in celebrity lodgings
- Great British boltholes: 1930s New York? Just turn right at London's Hyde Park to The Beaumont
- The city break... Paris: Lilies, leopards and the Louvre, you can find all of them in just 48 hours
- EXCLUSIVE: Meet Afghanistan's first female SKIERS, who are learning to snowplough in an area that was once a Taliban stronghold
- What a super Saga! No flights, no lugging of cases... this cruise is plain sailing all the way