By Rupert Parker
Named after the great curve in the Rio Grande River, the Big Bend region, on the border with Mexico, is one of the last remnants of America’s Wild West.  Whether you’re rafting down deep canyons, shooting six guns, or riding mountain trails, it’s the place to realise your childhood cowboy dreams.
Because the area’s so remote, it’s a long journey – fly to Houston, a one hour hop to Midland and then a three hour drive.  The flat Texas plains, full of Oil Derricks and Pump Jacks gradually give …

By Rupert Parker
The province of Nova Scotia, on the Atlantic coast of Canada, is more than just ice and snow.  Indeed, because of the Gulf Stream, winters are mild and there’s little of the extreme cold that envelops the rest of the country.  Summers are also glorious and the 4000 km coastline provides a wealth of seafood as well as good swimming and surfing.
Halifax
The capital of Nova Scotia, founded in 1749 as a British garrison town is surprisingly lively – 200 restaurants and bars are crammed into a tiny area …

By Katie Hamilton
Newly opened Coral Lodge 15.41 in Northern Mozambique has just launched a children’s programme with such exciting adventures that even the adults will be jealous! The locals in the surrounding villages recently found an old treasure map stating that there is hidden treasure somewhere near Coral Lodge and all of the younger guests are invited to help find it!
The lodge is surrounded by a privately owned nature reserve full of untouched beaches, dunes and mangroves – perfect for kids to explore. The new activities include the PADI Bubblemaker …

By Kate McWilliams
Although August is well underway there is still availability to escape to the sun of the Balearics this season. For those that are still undecided on where to visit here are the top ten reasons to visit the Balearic Islands!
300 Days of Sun
With 300 days of sun the Balearic Islands are just a short hop for guaranteed sunshine! If the temperamental British August is too much to handle just a two hour flight will transport holidaymakers to a different world of blue skies and warm seas!
Beaches
Whilst beaches throughout …

By Rupert Parker
In August, Starigrad Paklenica staged the first ever festival of music documentaries together with performances by Croatian bands.  This could well become an annual event.
I’m in the seaside resort of Starigrad Paklenica, really just a thin ribbon of campsites, guesthouses, hotels and restaurants sandwiched between the Adriatic and the mountains.  The idea that there might be a film festival here seems unlikely as there are no cinemas and the Balkan holidaymakers with their screaming kids don’t really seem a potential audience. Of course I’m wrong as the festival …