The Borromean Isles: magical gardens on Italy’s Lake Maggiore

Patricia Cleveland-Peck gazes in wonder at Isola Bella, a baroque garden shaped like a ship floating on the lake, is entranced by Isola Madre, a romantic garden full of flowers and enjoys a lunch of lake fish on Fisherman’s Island

Letter from France: May 2013

Slovenian ImpressionistsRUNNING NOW
Until June 30: The School of Shanghai (1840-1920)
During the 19th Century, armed conflicts shook the Qing Dynasty so hard that many artists, painters and calligraphers chose to flee to Shanghai where, under the protection of Western armies, they could develop their art. The combination of traditional Chinese visual art with freedom of drawing [...]

Citizens Advice

From the website:

“The Adviceguide website is the main public information service of Citizens Advice, providing people with round-the-clock access to CAB information on their rights – including benefits, housing and employment, and on debt, consumer and legal issues.”

Best water park, best volcanic walk

Tenerife is one of the most popular destinations for British, Irish and indeed European tourists. Attracting people all year round, the island in the Canaries has just received the accolade of best water park in a grouping that includes both the USA and Europe for its Siam Park.

In 60 Days From 0 to 5 Star

For seven years, the Cross Foxes near Dolgellau had been derelict. Maybe even the foxes shunned the place as well regardless of their temper. (sorry, couldn’t resist the bad puns) But Dewi and Nicol Gwynne saw something in the building and decided it was for them. Two years later they opened; two months after that and they achieved the highest accolade restaurant and accommodation can achieve. 5 stars.

Proving Who You are to Ryanair

Up until October 1st, if you flew Ryanair any old photo ID would do if you were flying just within the UK.. Now they will only accept a passport. Ryanair say this is “to simplify our identification policy to avoid passenger confusion.” Well you have to say that this sentence doesn’t help matters either. Who was confused beforehand? Nobody. Photo ID was anything that had your photograph on full stop.

Barbados Banter

Insider tips about the Caribbean’s most exciting island from the people who really know – those that live there