Strokes of midnight
For wild swimming fan, Sophie Cooke, there is nowhere more beautiful or dreamlike than Norway's fjords and lakes on a midsummer's evening
Celebrity mountain
Cheryl Cole and co were not the only stars of Comic Relief's Kilimanjaro climb. This famous mountain is enjoying a turn in the spotight - but climbing it is no joke, says mountaineer Ed Douglas
Shower after swimming to avoid MRSA, scientist advise
Large-scale study shows bathers have a high chance of contact with the drug-resistant superbug
‘Spirituality beats flaming sambucas’
New Year's Eve at a Benedictine monastery in north east Scotland gives Rhiannon Batten the perfect start to 2009
The best retreats
As well as providing a space for quiet contemplation, convents and monasteries can be a great source of cheap and characterful accommodation
Eat, drink and be … healthy?
Who said getting in shape had to be hard work? A new Italian spa puts its faith in the restorative powers of chocolate, truffles and red wine. By Helen Pickles
The expert panel
This week's question ... Where is your favourite place to detox?
Learn to not give a …
Desperate to avoid mung beans and chanting, Ian Belcher finds a hedonistic retreat in the Italian hills where he is actively encouraged to eat, drink and swear. A lot
Soak for an hour in hot source
You don't have to check into an expensive spa to enjoy thermal waters. New Mexico is dotted with pools that don't cost a cent, says Joshua Stein
Five best … exercise breaks
From cycling in Laos to boot camp in Mallorca, we reccommend the best places to holiday while exercising