7 of the best Valentine’s Day destinations for every kind of couple

Chocolates, petal-strewn suites, sandy beaches – yawn. Your love is unique, so dodge the cliches with a Valentine's Day break that caters to the quirks of your coupledom. From obvious romantic destinations littered with proposals to those spots that you might not have considered for spending time with your beloved, be inspired by these top places…

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The 7 best road trips in Vietnam weave past mountains, jungles and beaches

Long and sinuous, like the mythical naga serpent, Vietnam curves around the eastern shores of mainland Southeast Asia, stretching all the way from China in the north to Cambodia and the Mekong Delta in the south. Its twin megacities – Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City – are divided by 1137km (707 miles) of mountains,…

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22 unmissable experiences in Japan

Japan darts into the future while keeping a quiet hold of its traditions. Dazzling towers of light and luxury goods sit alongside timeless temples and traditional inns with old-world manners, and Japanese dishes that continue to delight the tastebuds. Quirky cafes brim with youthful glee, while sleek bullet trains zip you to turquoise beaches, ice…

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The 15 best things to do in Dubrovnik

Croatia’s top destination, Dubrovnik’s diminutive old town lies within sturdy medieval fortifications, overlooking the deep blue Adriatic. Here we introduce historical attractions in the old town, including noble Baroque buildings, museums and galleries. Beyond the walls, we take you along the coast to discover the best beaches and nearby islands. Along the way, we also…

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When is the best time to visit Portugal?

Portugal has a packed calendar of traditional celebrations, decadent food festivals, outdoor concerts and many other events. Summer is the time to catch the biggest array, but in truth, there’s always something happening here.  Festivals aside, it’s not easy to pin down the best month to visit Portugal. That really depends on what you’re after:…

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Vancouver Island: my trip in photos

Vancouver-based travel journalist Amber Gibson recently returned from bucolic Vancouver Island, whose spectacular winter storms make for a surprisingly romantic getaway. Here’s what she recommends for this unexpected destination. You should go storm watching on Vancouver Island because… The huge storms that roll in from the Pacific Ocean are simply spectacular. There’s nothing between Vancouver…

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Lisbon in 5 shops: artisanal groceries, vintage pieces and more

In our 5 Shops series, we'll point you in the direction of our favorite independent shops across some of the world's best cities. From food markets to bookshops, vintage and homegrown design, we've found a diverse and exciting mix of local retailers where you can pick up one-of-a-kind pieces. Lisbon’s cobblestone alleys, domed churches and…

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Where to pay homage to Dolly Parton in Tennessee

Ask any Tennessean the name of their patron saint, and they will all give the same answer: Dolly Parton, Queen of Glitz and Goodwill. While she’s revered the world over for her genius songwriting and musical talent, she holds a special place in locals’ hearts because of her lifelong dedication to supporting education and healthcare…

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The Amsterdam canal tour where the main attraction is trash

One organization is offering a way to really get to know Amsterdam’s famous waterways – by helping clean them. Erik Fransman has an important reminder as our boat makes its way down one of Amsterdam’s famous canals: no picking up dead animals, and don’t try and snag anything larger than the fishing nets. He is…

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