Lakes and waterfalls, dizzying mountains overlooking the sea, dense forests inhabited by brown bears and lynx... this is the pure natural essence of the wilder side of the beautiful Balkan country of Croatia.
In the heart of India, there's a land called Madhya Pradesh, where they call the tiger 'sher' and the bear 'bhalu'. This was the place where Rudyard Kipling set the marvellous series of stories that he called the The Jungle Book and that went on to become an animated classic and Walt Disney's last film.
March 17th – St Patrick's Day – is a national holiday that is celebrated all around the world. Where better to celebrate, though, than Dublin, where locals and tourists alike will join in the four-day St Patrick's Festival? This exciting, energy-filled event is a great time to explore the Irish capital.
If you're one of the many fans who read the Harry Potter books cover to cover in one sitting and queued to see each of the eight films, the end of the series must have felt like the end of an era. Now, though, a new magical adventure awaits: 'The Making of Harry Potter' studio tour at Warner Bros. London, opens to visitors on 31st March, 2012.
Whether you prefer, dark, milk or white chocolate, from March 2nd to 25th, the pretty medieval town of Obidos invites you to indulge your cravings at the tenth International Chocolate Festival, this year dedicated to Disneyland Paris.
A great French love story deserves a great French setting, and the walled city of Le Mans provided the perfect location for the bittersweet tale of 'Cyrano de Bergerac' with Gerard Depardieu in the role of the big-nosed poet and lover.
Lisbon is a place that never grows dull: the better you know the city, the deeper you immerse yourself in the rich ambience of the Portuguese capital. But it's not just the city that's of interest: the surrounding area boasts other first-rate destinations, such as Cascais and Estoril, erstwhile havens for aristocratic European exiles.
Royalty, celebrities, the jet set... these are the ski slopes where A-listers of all types hang out. But that's not all they offer: kilometre after kilometre of piste, stunning scenery, world-class facilities and service, and the best in apres ski ambience... there's a lot of snowy fun out there just waiting for you.
Discover the green landscapes of the Emerald Isle and the setting of the endearing love story starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, in which the director John Ford paid tribute to the land of his fathers.
To see the aurora borealis, the elusive natural lights show visible in the polar regions, is to witness one of Mother Nature's most magical phenomena. NASA predicts that 2012 is going to be a bumper year for the Northern Lights, so why not take a cruise off the coast of Norway and witness this natural marvel for yourself?
Christmas may be over for another year, but there are still birthdays to be bought for and these four toy shops are a delight in themselves - and not just for the kids, either!
Sometimes when you're shooting the screen version of a novel, the best location is quite simply the actual setting of the book. That is clearly what three-time Oscar nominee Ridley Scott thought when he took the crew to Carcassone in the heart of France's Cathar country to shoot a new TV miniseries based on the bestselling novel, 'Labyrinth'.
This week marks the centenary of Amundsen's successful expedition to the South Pole, and is the high point of a year of celebration at the other end of the planet, in Norway, homeland to Amundsen and other great explorers.
'Crocodile Dundee', 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert', 'Mad Max', 'Matrix'... the vast land Down Under has been the backdrop for a string of blockbuster movies, but none show the sheer awe-inspiring magnificence of the country as well as the eponymous epic 'Australia'.
The sparkle of Christmas lights, the bustle and jostle at decorated stalls, the delicious aroma of burnt-sugar almonds, the scent of spicy mulled wine, the sound of the orchestra striking up... All across Germany, Advent fairs are a feast for the senses.
The waves that lap at the beaches of the Olympic Peninsula, and the thick fog that envelops the dense forest here in the northwest corner of Washington State, create the appropriate atmosphere of mystery for the passionate relationship between Bella Swan and her vampire lover Edward Cullen, stars of the 'Twilight' saga and its latest instalment, 'Breaking Dawn'.
The beautiful and varied landscapes of New Zealand provided the setting for Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, one of the most successful film ventures of all time. From the peaceful Shire to the fires of Mordor, locations were found for the magical world of Middle-earth where hobbits, elves, dwarves and wizards live.
Belgian chocolate is possibly the finest in the world, so why not plan a getaway to the charming medieval city of Bruges, the capital of this delicacy, during 'Choc'in Brugge', a celebration of all aspects of the sweet delight?
Liverpool may be the home of the Beatles, but there were plenty of other influences in their lives. And 'the King' was one. Now, the Fab Four's home city is hosting the unprecedented 'Elvis and Us' exhibition, which offers a chance to discover more about the relationship between these musical greats.
The Basque Country has its own particular take on Spanish 'tapas' – the wide range of tasty appetisers served alongside drinks in many bars across the country.
By car or motorbike, a tour of Norway's most attractive tourist roads will take you across fjords and to views of breath-taking scenery as you drive for miles and miles through unspoiled countryside.
Catamarans that speed like the wind, world champion sailors and Olympic crews all come together in these adrenaline-fuelled races that take place so close to the coast that spectators can watch the action from ringside seats on the shore. This three-continent competition is currently in the Med, with dates in France and Spain in upcoming weeks.
For a little over 20 kilometres, the steep white limestone cliffs of the French coastline between Cassis and Marseilles wiggle and twist to create the beautiful scenery of the Mediterranean 'fjords'. At their feet, the turquoise waters that have nibbled into the rock for centuries are a veritable paradise for scuba divers.
Colours, perfumes, sun sets, palaces, palm trees, gardens and squares... Marrakesh is a fascinating city and a must-see destination. All around there are unique and special experiences awaiting the traveller; we've selected just a few of the best.
From September 15th to 17th, the island of Porto Santo pays homage to the world's most famous navigator with a programme of events with all the flavour of the Age of Discovery.
About a 100 kilometres from Barcelona, southwards along the Mediterranean coast, lies Tarragona, a seaside city with an ancient heritage. Once a favourite with the Roman emperors Augustus and Hadrian, now, the modern city boasts clean beaches, fine dining and plenty of architectural and cultural attractions for visitors.
Even if you've never visited Spain, you may well recognise some of the views and landscapes of Cabo de Gata-Nijar from scenes on the big screen. With its hidden coves, peaceful farm houses and fishing villages all bathed in the unique Mediterranean light, it's the perfect location for a relaxing family holiday.
There's little chance of getting lost, so you can leave your map behind as you follow the state highway sandwiched between the mountains and the sea, and explore the charming, timeless towns and villages along one of Europe's most spectacular stretches of Mediterranean coastline.
Secluded coves with crystalline waters, unspoiled islands, medieval villages with winding cobbled streets, and of course, charming fishing villages. The Costa Brava treasure chest is overflowing with natural, cultural and historical gems.
It's summer in the mountains of Andorra, and that means it's time to dive, play golf, ride a mountain bike or any of a score of other sports and nature adventures. Summer weather doesn't stop the excitement at Grandvalira, Vallnord and Naturlandia ski stations.
If you enjoy your seaside holidays, why not take the idea one step further and try a floating hotel? From glass-floored bungalows set over the crystal waters of the South Seas, to chic ships at anchor on the banks of canals, rivers, and lakes, there's bound to be one that floats your boat!
Throughout July and August, when dusk creeps into the streets and squares of the fortified Plantagenet town of Le Mans, it brings with it a truly magical spectacle of light, colour and sound.
With over 1,000 islands dotting the beautiful clear waters of the Adriatic off the coast of Croatia, the area offers a stunning setting for a sailing holiday. Spend the day island hopping and exploring rocky coves, then return to harbour and enjoy an evening meal in one of the many picturesque villages that even in summer offer an escape from the crowds.
With all eyes on Monaco for 2011's second 'wedding of the year', we bring you a chance to get to know the tiny Principality with its air of glamour and exclusivity, and to discover some of the delights this haven of the rich and famous has to offer.
From July, the Futuroscope theme park invites you to join Antoine Saint-Exupery's mythical character in an adventure that promises to charm and enchant adults and children alike.
Nestled deep in central Borneo lies a haven quite unlike any other place on earth; here, in Tanjung Puting National Park, in the south of the island of Borneo, visitors can see orang-utans in their natural habitat and get up close and personal with these great apes – our cousins who share around 96% of their genes with humans.
The quiet golden beaches and ancient landscapes of the small island of Djerba are a haven of calm and beauty. According to legend, this land, where the air is full of the rich fragrance of the Mediterranean, inspired Homer when he wrote the Odyssey, and over 400 archaeological sites pay witness to the land's long history.
If you fancy getting away from it all and taking the family for a few days hiking in a beautiful natural setting, why not try the verdant Madriu Valley in Andorra?
This Saturday, the annual summer season of pyrotechnical displays over the River Rhine kicks off, offering the chance to see the River Rhine as you have almost certainly never seen it before.
Instead of taking the kids on holiday to the beach yet again, why not pull out all the stops and take them on safari? Let them see the great beasts of Africa in their natural habitat, stay in Masai-style accommodation and discover the world of the 'dark continent.'