Europe’s Dreamiest Lakeside Towns for Slow, Scenic Escapes

‘No cars, unspoilt beaches and seabirds rule’: readers’ favourite European island escapes

From the rugged north of Scotland to the glittering Aegean, our tipsters recommend islands for slowing down, lazing around and taking in nature• Tell us about a spring activity or day out – the best tip wins a £200 holiday voucherA short ferry ride from Vigo (daily and overnight visitor numbers are capped) took us to the tiny archipelago of the Cíes Islands, a protected cluster of islands where seabirds rule and tiny beaches remain unspoilt. The…

Europe’s dreamiest lakeside towns for slow, scenic escapes

Swap beach holidays for lakeside luxury and enjoy slower days, softer scenery and a more restorative pace of travel, writes Naomi Chadderton. There’s...

Cotswolds town named among the UK's 'most beautiful' for 2026

A Cotswolds town in Oxfordshire near Jeremy Clarkson's pub has been named among the "most beautiful" in the UK for 2026.