Tom Downey goes in search of the French capital’s landmarks – as patrolled by Georges Simenon’s French detective ‘Maigret’s process meant poking around. He’d stroll the canals with a lit pipe in hand’ … the gentrified area around Paris’s Canal Saint-Martin. Photograph: Alamy By rights Le Bar du Caveau, on the Ile de la Cité’s Place Dauphine, one of the …
Cruising through the capital on a canal boat has given writer Helen Babbs a new perspective on London. Here she suggests some lesser-known places to visit along its navigable waterways, including a lost canal south of the river Barge-ing through … a canal boat sailing up the Regent’s canal towards Islington Tunnel. Photograph: Alamy Imoved to living on the water …
If your idea of hell is being locked in a room, give this enthralling escape game a miss: your team has just one hour to crack the clues and get out of there Clued up … a composite image of objects in HintHunt’s 1940s detective room In a nutshell Escape games are popping up all over the UK, but HintHunt …
William the Conqueror’s medieval fortress triumphs over its theme park trappings, though the new Horrible Histories maze needs time to bed in Warwick Castle, on the banks of the river Avon Photograph: PR Company Handout In a nutshell This castle, built by William the Conqueror, is now in the hands of Merlin Entertainments (owner of mega attractions such as Legoland, …
An enchanted, mystical wood makes for contented kids and adults on a trip where smart technology meets traditional fun Forest fun … children on a bridge at Puzzlewood In a nutshell A maze of mysterious pathways, cut between moss-covered rocks (known as scowles), occupying an enchanted wood, in the middle of the Forest of Dean. Gandalf eat your heart out. …
Slovenia’s – and now Europe’s – green capital is a laid-back charmer of a city. Easily walkable, it boasts striking architecture and a vibrant outdoor eating and drinking culture Jože’s special one … Ljubljana’s Triple bridge was completed by celebrated architect Jože Plečnik. Photograph: Alamy As capital of one of Europe’s most forested countries, it’s perhaps fitting that Ljubljana is …
A tour of the Ramblas and Gothic Quarter highlights a dark part of Barcelona’s past, including how many of its famous sights were built with fortunes made from slavery Square one … Barcelona’s slave trade history walking tour starts near Plaça de Catalunya. Photograph: Alamy Modernisme, Catalonia’s stunning take on art nouveau, is as important to the Barcelona brand as …
Activities, both adventurous and relaxing, abound in the Highlands and with these hotel suggestions from a new book, Scotland the Best, great food, hospitality and a good rest are also easy to find Loch and roll … the Glenfinnan House Hotel on the edge at Loch Shiel Glenfinnan House Hotel A Victorian mansion with lawns down to Loch Shiel and …
The revered climber on how his mountain home shaped his life and still surprises him with its ever-changing views Messner Mountain Museum, Kronplatz, Italy. Photograph: George Mirecourt/Corbis All climbers come to the Dolomites – just as they go to Yosemite – at least once in their life. They come here to express themselves, and to follow their predecessors on the …
Forget big names such as Kew and Versailles, these almost-secret gardens around the world are worth tracking down, for lovers of horticulture, sculpture – and the bizarre More than capable … the Capability Brown-designed Gatton Park, in Surrey. Photograph: Alamy Gatton Park, England This year marks the 300th anniversary of the birth of English landscape gardener Lancelot “Capability” Brown, who …