Destinations

By Milena Mihova Photographs: Hristo Rusev A row of ghostly looking abandoned houses alongside a road covered in potholes serve as a welcome sign to the secluded Bulgarian village of Kostur. Situated close to the Turkish border, the place is almost equidistant from Sofia and Istanbul. “Everything here is designed to give you that middle of nowhere feeling. It is sad and lonely,” explains a bus driver from the near by town of Svilengrad whose job is to take rare visitors to the village. Kostur...

@BenGelblum Walk along the Kent coast where Thames estuary turns into North Sea, wind farms and shipping rising out of the dark blue expanse: you come across the ghosts of Victorian holidays. Abandoned coastal cafes and crumbling concrete lidos built into the sea where once thousands flocked to bathe. And as you walk along the clifftops from Broadstairs, Stone Bay, Joss Bay, Palm Bay, Walpole Bay to Margate, cheeky haven of half-remembered childhood holidays, you find a resort frozen in...

With the news that Monarch Airlines are expanding its destination list to Tel Aviv and Ovuda in Israel, the doors have opened for London holidaymakers to explore the country even more. Ovda is a 45-minute drive to the beach resort of Eilat. Up to now the resort has been popular with domestic holidaymakers and Eastern Europeans, but now it looks set for a potential British invasion as Londoners can now fly direct. The new offering means that you won't yet see The Sun in any...

Colorado, in the southwest of the US, is best known for its high-quality skiing opps and the spectacular views afforded to it by its mountainous landscapes. So no wonder it attracts outdoorsy types who love skiing and climbing. And encouraged by its vistas, it's the perfect place to expand one's horizons. Breckenridge, for example, is part of the Rockies but is also known for its watersports. So with the help of Breckenridge Tourism Office, we've found a few less obvious...

 by Beth Roberts They say if love is the treasure, then laughter is the key - which might well be the reason so many couples will head to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August. Starting on the 7th and lasting till the 31st, it’s the largest arts festival in the world, with over 2000 quirky shows and a host of stunning venues to choose from. But there’s plenty on offer in this seductive Scottish city to keep the spark alive...

by Benjamin Potter Hear the word theme park and a sigh escapes as the stereotype of queues and screaming kids comes to mind. So when Europa Park invited me to check out their latest attraction - a virtual reality rollercoaster - I'm no Eurosceptic, but I was prepared for the worst. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The rides are incredible at Europa Park but it’s the rest of the entertainment which makes this park stand out. The 13 countries...

You want to 'do' Mont Blanc this summer but not sure where to start? From relaxed guided family treks to longer itineraries, mountain biking and even a full-on climbing ascent, there are plenty of options to choose from. It all depends on your experience – and what you want to get out of your trip. (NB Prices don't include international flights) 1. The family option: Mont Blanc Family Walk from France to Italy Starting in the Chamonix Valley, this relaxed...

It was on a starry night, when the hills were bright, that astronomists realised they needed to move away from those darn light-polluted hills. And with a steady interest in star-gazing, the Spanish mecca of Montsec has seen a steady rise in tourists visiting for its glimpse of our galaxy. Set in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountain, the Montsec Astronomy Park has become recognised as a world-class spot for star-gazing since it opened its doors to the public in 2009. The conditions...