Stockholm, often nicknamed Venice of the North, is quite as pretty as its Italian counterpart, far less pungent and most certainly not about to sink. Anna Maria Espsäter roams the city in search of perfect places to enjoy springtime in the Swedish capital

New poll shows that the old favourites, still topped the love stakes on Valentine’s Day

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the channel

It’s carnival time in Italy! From the end of January, carnival fever will grip many cities and towns in Italy: carnival floats, masked balls, masked parades, children dressed in fancy costumes, typical delicacies such as frappe or zeppole, multicoloured streamers, confetti and all the riotous fun of this joyous time in Italy will enliven the otherwise cold and dreary winter

4.5 million holiday searches since Christmas Day

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the channel

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the channel

Anthony Lyddker journeys to Slovenia and finds it to be one of Europe’s most surprising destinations

Venice – Italy’s medieval gem – enchants vistors all year round but the ‘City of Water’ can also be an unpleasant place to holiday as Adrian explains

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the Channel

Whether you’re a novice or seasoned traveller, France will steal your heart. Each month, Frederic – our French correspondent – gives us the low-down on what to see and do across the Channel

Yes there are canals on Burano but there are also strips of garden and open spaces which is rare on both Venice and Murano. When you alight at the main waterbus stop in Burano, there is a large open space and you can see houses with gardens.
And that is another reason why you should visit the island. Houses – much more modern than in Venice – are brightly coloured

Venice, Grand CanalFor those planning a holiday in Italy this summer, here are a few events that might tempt you.
Asti: Palio di Asti. Held on September 3rd, the horse race has twenty-one riders and is preceded by a parade of well over 1,000 people. Try a “bönet”, which is a chocolate pudding, with [...]

Patricia Schultz, author of the newly revised #1 New York Times bestseller 1000 Places to See Before You Die, talks travel

Next month, Madeira will join the ranks of Cannes, Berlin and Venice as the island plays host to its very first film festival

Europe may be having a cold snap that has seen rivers freeze in Amsterdam, Hamburg and elsewhere but in many places its carnival time.
Today in Venice, despite some canals freezing, their carnival begins, one of the colourful and historic in the world.

Just back from his annual trip to Venice, Adrian updates you on toilets, validating tckets on the vaporetti, bag-sellers, bicycles and a common con trick

UPDATE: 17/12/2011. Scottish Tourism Minister Fergus Ewing has announced that there will be no accommodation tax in Edinburgh.Without the transfer of powers from the government to loacl authorites, any such introduction would be illegal.

Readers will be aware of our thoughts on signage. Particulary confusing ones. So here is one from Venice which suggest you can go in opposite directions to get to the same place!

It looks as though those of us who haven’t booked holidays are finally getting around to it. Over the weekend, travel agents that we’ve spoken to saw more customers than they expected. Last minute bookings seem to be the theme this year again.

Two weeks ago, we reported that both Florence and Venice were introducing taxes per night and per star rating on accommodation. With under a week to go before they come into force is the any news how it will work? Or any news at all?
The short answer is no.

Like London buses, when one comes along, it is accompanied by another. So Venice, on Wednesday this week, decided to introduce an accommodation tax just like Florence.

One of the great sites of Venice is the Bridge of Sighs. For a little while its impact has been greatly reduced as much of it has been hidden by awnings as restoration work takes place. Almost a year ago, as the picture shows, the awning carried advertisements for a watch manufacturer. Now a reader who visited it last month has sent us a picture of the new advertisement. It is for Toyota.

Canalside, Murano
Murano glass is known the world over. On the cable and satellite channels there are even programmes just selling the jewellery. Tourists cross from Venice to shop there, visit the glassblowers and see an island which seems more like a village where people live. As you walk along the canalside here, there are boats [...]

Doge’s Palace, Venice
Venice is perceived as expensive and that turns many people off from going there. Like many other tourist destinations it can be. Some things are outrageous such as the price of water taxis and a gondola for one can set you back €85 for 30 minutes. If you go to a restaurant close [...]

Venice motoscafo
The American humorist, Robert Benchley, (grandfather of Peter Benchley who wrote “Jaws” another water linked product) sent a telegram from Venice to his publisher saying “Streets flooded. Please advise.” And because travel writers have come up with nothing quite as pithy, the quote comes up in many travel pieces about this iconic tourist destination. [...]

Venice, Grand Canal
Can there be anyone in the UK who hasn’t heard of Venice? With a rich, unique heritage there is nowhere quite like it. It is ideal as a short break being compact and it allows you time to decide what you should come back and see at greater length. This is not [...]

In order to deal with security in Italy, the government has introduced some rules. The main rule is that mayors of Italian cities can introduce laws to take account of their own needs. If the new laws covered the whole of Italy, the holidaymaker would know where they stood but there are different laws in different cities. What applies in one place needn’t necessarily apply in another.