Hen picked

Looking for something different to do over your hen weekend? Max Riddington finds 10 places where you can let your hair down - and not a health spa in sight...

She wants to ride her bicycle

Sheila Pulham is about to set off on a gruelling five-week cycle ride from Land's End to John O'Groats. Here she explains why

Travelling with kids

Dea Birkett: I just have to drop the word "jab" into this column, and the emails flood in.

Airlines to face health checks

Britain's major airlines face tighter regulation under a government crackdown to protect the health of millions of passengers.

Spirit level

The Indian town described by John Lennon as a "blissful Butlins" is now the yoga capital of the world. Andrew Spooner offers an enlightened guide to Rishikesh.

Rural rides

After a miserable year the English countryside is now back to its best, so Stuart Jeffries decided to explore the West Country trails of the national cycle route.

Travelling with kids

Taking your kids somewhere like, say, Brazil means jabs. And with jabs come a whole heap of questions as Dea Birkett finds.

Hostels close after foot and mouth losses

The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is closing 10 hostels because of losses caused by last year's foot and mouth epidemic, it was announced today. The hostels, which will close after the summer season, include venues in popular hiking areas such as the Peak District and Cumbria.