The vineyards of Slovenia
We'd like to tour the vineyards of the Vipava valley in Slovenia. Is there a good central place to stay? Do the wine cellars welcome independent travellers, or must we join a group?
Clean breaks: You don’t have to be barmy, but it helps
Our very own Mr Clean, Ian Belcher, finds some healthy alternatives in unlikely places.
Well earned rests
Surfing, mountain biking, hiking - there's always been plenty to satisfy the active, but where to unwind? Alf Alderson catches the new wave in Welsh hospitality.
Clean breaks: Learning curves
Our very own Mr Clean, Ian Belcher, finds the latest healthy alternatives.
Ride ’em, cowgirl
Gun totin', lasso spinnin' and cattle herding have typically been seen as cowboy work. Now cowgirls are taking over the ranch. Just America, which offers wild west holidays on nine ranches in America's southwest and Rocky Mountains, says female guests are set to outnumber men this year. Guests can choose basic ranches such as Kara Creek, Wyoming, where you sleep in bunkhouses, tents or tepees, or opt for more luxurious ones with spas like the four-star Tanque Verde Ranch, Arizona. Most offer horseriding and horse(wo)manship training, rodeos, riflery, western dancing and hiking.
Health farm
Rural B&Bs offer an affordable alternative to luxury spas, says Isabel Choat.
Ranching out
There is a way to see southern Spain's wild side, says Claire Cozens - and it doesn't involve all-night partying. Instead she settled into the saddle and set out on a horse-trekking tour of the Alpujarras.
Spring in their step
Walking holidays don't need to be chilly British affairs, says Donald MacLeod. And to prove it, he joined a group hiking through Spain's spectacular Alicante mountains.