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 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 …

By Rupert Parker
After the recent demonstrations in Bangkok, everything seems to have returned to normal in Thailand.  Both in the city or the countryside, I saw no extra police or soldiers and, apart from Bangkok’s burnt out shopping mall, no evidence of the state of emergency.  Isaan, in the North East of the country, is one of the poorer regions but offers village home stays, an abundance of wildlife, Thailand’s first national park and ruins of Khmer temples.  It even produces its own wine.
Bangkok
Every time I visit the city the …

By Kate McWilliams
This summer, why not visit Liguria and become immersed in the array of thrilling cultural festivals taking place in this stunning region of Italy. From music and art festivals to street parties celebrating medieval battles from times gone by, Liguria has something to offer for all the family.
Occupying the north western coastal area of Italy, Liguria is a narrow curve of land abundant with world-famous beaches, stunning rocky coastline and enchanting countryside. It is home to the glamorous seaside resort of Portofino, the Cinque Terre and Genoa city, …

By Rupert Parker
Cologne is just an hour’s flying time from London’s Stansted and the town centre’s a short 15 minute train ride from the airport. The big attraction is the Cathedral but there are also 12 Romanesque churches, 40 museums and 120 art galleries. And at every stage you can fortify yourself with a glass of the famous top-fermented Kölsch beer in one of the city’s 3000 restaurants and pubs
Hotel Excelsior Ernst
Flights with German Wings are cheap so you can afford to splurge on your accommodation.  I stayed at the …

By Rupert Parker
One of the French House Party Experience’s many workshops is a gourmet cookery course, perfect for a long weekend break. Situated amid sunflower fields in a peaceful rural area on the outskirts of the medieval World Heritage site of Carcassonne, the Domaine de Raymond, a converted 200-year-old stone barn has just eight individual luxury rooms, a large outdoor pool, an all-weather tennis court and, of course, a spacious modern teaching kitchen.
Greet the Guests
I’d never been on a “house party experience” before so it was with some trepidation that …

By Rupert Parker
With the threat of the Icelandic ash cloud grounding flights it made sense to look at alternatives ways to travel.  France is easily accessible by rail and I fancied a trip to Provence.  Taking the train would also reduce my carbon footprint, so why not go the whole green hog and explore everything organic in the region?
Let the Train Take the Strain
Getting to Avignon by rail is remarkably easy and much less hassle than going by air.  It’s a two and a half hour hop to Paris on …