Adventure

The Easter break bank holiday has one purpose, and it’s not stuffing our faces with chocolate.  Nope, after a ling sunless Winter it’s to reacquaint out skin with its old friend – sunshine.  The four-day weekend (with a couple of extra days tacked on either side if you can swing it) is the perfect time to head to sizzling climes, and there are plenty of destination just a few hours away where the temperatures are soaring, this time of year.  Ride a camel on the beaches of Egypt’s Sharm el Sheikh, lie on a sunny boat deck as you sail past Croatia’s stunning coastline or head for the cultural

It’s one of those ‘must do it before I’m…… trips on everyone’s bucket list – an African safari adventure. Prowling big cats, toothy crocs, thundering elephants and many more of their exotic neighbours make a visit to the continent a once-in-a-lifetimer.

Sometimes when the temperature start sizzling, all you really wish for is soft sand to push your toes into, and bright blue water to jump in.  If you live in London like I do, you can rest happy in the knowledge that there are a whole host of sensational beaches within three hours’ journey from the here – and let face it, we’ve had had commutes that took longer than that.  So, hop on a plane and before you know it, you’ll be soaking up some rays, getting your surf on and ordering pina colada in a coconut, if that’s what tickles your fancy.

Glamping (glamour camping) just got better thanks to a surge in inflatable, transparent ‘bubble’ tents, which are popping up all over the globe.  If you are like me who doesn’t fancy the idea of sleeping in a tent then these are for you.

The region that gave its name to the bubbly wine is a fantastic part of France to explore. Only an hour from Paris, Champagne has lip-smacking wine trails that weave through picturesque countryside and villages, and best of all, dozens of tipples to sample - from the palatial home of Moët & Chandon to friendly family outfits operating out of little more than a shed.

Columbia is a country of contrasts in many different aspects and Cartagena is one of these places that adds to it. Located on the Caribbean side of the country, it is classified as a port city, however, it is a popular beach destination. Places like Isla de Barú and Islas del Rosario – reachable by boat, are well known for their white-sand beaches, palm trees and coral reefs.  Look deeper though, and you will find a place rich in culture and a pleasure to explore.

Few islands can rival Corsica for its magical mix of culture and natural beauty. Like a tiny continent, the island is both elegant and rugged at the same time, with a challenging interior of mountains and forests, and a glorious Mediterranean coastline fringed with white sand beaches.  This distinct terrain supports a huge variety of things to do, making Corsica a perfect choice for a holiday that delivers above and beyond, while the succession of rulers from the Greeks to the Genovese has ensured that local culture is unique.

You've probably got a mental picture of California. Maybe it's rows of palm trees against a perfect, azure sky. Maybe it's the Hollywood sign, Mullholland Drive twisting into the night above a million twinkling lights, the mansions of Beverly Hills. Maybe it's the Golden Gate Bridge, the precipitous streets of San Francisco, the vast, glittering Pacific Ocean. These things are all California icons, and you should definitely go and see them, but there's a lot more in between that you miss while cruising at 35,000 feet. California is huge and varied: dramatic mountains, sun-baked vineyards, blissful beaches. To really get to know the Golden State, you need to be in a car. Forget internal flights with their dull check-ins and romance-free shuttle buses, and get behind the wheel. Here are three great road trips that we suggest.

Dundee has come a long way. The city on Scotland's east coast has been named one of Lonely Planet's top ten European destinations.  It is now on the same list as Italy's Emilia-Romagna region, Cantabria in northern Spain and chic Provence in France.  This is due in part to the city's blossoming status as a cultural centre - the beacon of which is down to the new V&A Dundee museum with its Kengo Kuma design inspired by the cliffs of Scotland. The V&A is cited as an international centre for design, discovery and education.

Waterfront walks

'We are now in the worse part of Picardy,' said my guide. I looked around at the rather pretty landscape, bewildered as to why a tourist officer for the area should have such a low opinion of it. then my brain caught up with my ears and I realised: we had just entered L'Oise.