The Côte Bleue or Blue Coast, so named after the iridescent colour of the water, is dotted with small ports, beaches and secluded inlets, and the coastline is rugged, craggy and wildly beautiful.

Utrecht: a fantastic alternative city break to Amsterdam. Compact & bike-friendly with cool cafes & bars and some great restaurants

There is something otherworldly and cinematic about Matera. A dizzying maze of alleyways, hidden passages, sleepy squares, tunnels & terrace

It's a stunning city, boasting a trove of exuberant Baroque buildings and picturesque piazzas. Yet it never feels showy...

Castro is an endearing little coastal town with a nostalgic, timeless quality; almost cinematic.

We wander through the labyrinth of narrow cobbled streets that make up Monopoli's historic centre. It's siesta-time and the city is silent

It's a sunny Sunday afternoon as we make our way to Canal Saint-Martin. Tables and chairs spill out onto the pavements & the narrow streets

Guide to getting the best of the Venice Biennale. Insider tips on the best time to visit & must-see itineraries

One of Italy's most vibrant cities, visit Bologna for its great food, lively bars, world-class art & beautiful colonnaded streets

Parma is a city that never fails to delight, often in unexpected ways. Neat, compact & beautifully preserved with a youthful vibe

Moltrasio is a charming hillside village with panoramic views of Lake Como, dramatic mountain scenery & abundant rich green forest

Getting the best out of your city break in Milan: an introduction to its coolest neighbourhoods, must-see sights, culture, food and wine

Stylish, elegant & effortlessly cool, Turin is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Italy with a vibrant nightlife & Alpine setting

Its finest moments can be found, not in the tick-the-box tourists sights, but entirely for free in the hidden courtyards & tiny piazzas

Ferragudo is a traditional Portuguese fishing village with buckets of charm & located in an area of spectacular natural beauty

It's the small things that make me come back again and again to Paris like the picture-perfect jazz vinyl store on the corner, the friendly, knowledgeable staff in the natural wine store or the perfect espresso standing at the bar in a crowded café.

Exploring the hidden treasures of the outer neighbourhoods in Rome - ancient ruins, a unique architectural experience and art museums without any queues. Also featured: a superb & central hotel and the best Carbonara in the city...

Everything you want in a city break: world-class museums & galleries, beautiful buildings, river walks and incredible food & wine

Think wintry strolls along picturesque canals followed by hot chocolate in cosy cafés or sipping mulled wine & munching on roast chestnuts

Lucca has everything you expect from Tuscany: grand piazzas, tiny squares, beautiful churches, terracotta-coloured buildings& narrow streets