The best European weekend breaks

If anything springs to mind when you hear the phrase “fairytale castle”, it’s almost definitely Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen in Germany

Move over Paris, Rome and Madrid and make way for some lesser-known capitals and regional European cities which are ideal for short break in the winter months and beyond

Paris is one of the world's most glorious cities, welcoming millions of visitors to relish in la vie en rose each year. However, there is more to France than Paris – and we've gathered our favourite day trips from the French capital to round out your Francophone cultural education

Whether it's your first time or you're a Paris veteran, we've created the perfect list of things to do, tailored to your upcoming holiday

Jaw-dropping interiors, exquisite antiques, unspoilt beaches and the best gelato – why Sicily needs to be your next holiday destination

The Marseille-based Irish writer Mary Fitzgerald recommends exploring the diverse neighbourhoods of this Mediterranean coastal city. With a rich history that stretches back to the Ancient Greeks, it is now experiencing an exciting cultural and culinary revival

Maybe you want to drastically reduce your impact on the environment, or perhaps you just hate flying – either way, here’s how you can negotiate the continent without taking to the skies

Ahead of revealing his new set design for the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, the artist and designer Ignasi Monreal shares his favourite places to eat, shop and visit in his home city

A visit to these beautiful geothermal waters is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Here's everything you need to know about Iceland's Blue Lagoon

Approaching the opening of his fourth modern art show, Copenhagen creative Michael Dansk shares his insiders’ guide to the capital of new Nordic cuisine, contemporary design, and fairy tale architecture.  

Pamela Goodman delights in the splendid reimagining of Villa Igiea, an Art Nouveau palazzo with a glamorous history on the outskirts of Palermo, overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea

Caroline Bullough visits Austrian mountain town Lech,  where chalets and huts have been converted into ritzy,  exclusive hotels. Among them is an intimate and rustic gem called Severin's – a short distance from Lech's main street yet blissfully quiet and with unspoilt mountain views…