Best healthy breaks
India | Wales | France
Head space
I faced a crossroads: down one path being expected to do yoga. Down the other, death. Yoga or death?
Italy sounds alarm over avian flu
· Swans fleeing cold bring virus to western Europe · Rome warns people not to handle dead or sick birds
Walk the talk
Put me down for one of the new podcast audio guides to Dublin recorded by historian and artist Pat Liddy and downloadable free on to an iPod or MP3 player.
Walking holiday
Alpine lakes, cosy mountain refuges and the best views in the world ... There's nothing more life enhancing than a walking holiday (just don't forget the Vaseline).
20 great hotels for walkers
Walkers have simple demands: an informal hospitality that doesn't look askance at muddy boots; hot water and log fires; hearty meals and a choice of routes, some starting at the door. Desmond Balmer, editor of the Good Hotel Guide, chooses 20 hotels for a winter walking weekend.
50 best spas
With so many spa holidays to choose from, finding the right one for you can be a daunting task. Should you opt for Ayurveda in India, thalassotherapy in Thailand or new age therapy in New Mexico? Spa veteran Nicole Mowbray selects some of the best retreats to suit every need and every budget.