A JOURNEY ACROSS SICILY REVEALS THE ESSENCE OF AN ISLAND SHAPED BY OUTSIDERS, WHERE SUCCESSIVE WAVES OF IMMIGRATION OVER THE CENTURIES HAVE CREATED A UNIQUE CULTURAL IDENTITY

Self-catering has all the benefits of staying at home, but the joys of being away. For a shortcut to the best places to stay, here are some we’ve tried and tested

The insiders’ guide

Bari may not shout as loudly as its Riviera cousins, but that’s part of its charm. This Adriatic beauty at the upper end of Italy’s heel is a mix of ancient stone streets and culinary delights. From e

Stretching across two continents separated by the Bosphorus Strait, this ancient Silk Road city was once the capital of both the Christian Byzantine and Islamic Ottoman empires. Crumbling hammams rub shoulders with striking contemporary buildings, while the call to prayer from Hagia Sophia mosque can be heard from the 15th-century Grand Bazaar, as well as Michelin-starred restaurants. Istanbul is sewn together by a series of storied districts, which results in a varied hotel scene. Relive the Ottoman heyday in a Sultanahmet townhouse; book a boutique stay fuelled by cafes and galleries in Karaköy; or check in among the designer stores of Nişantaşı.

I’ve just returned from three magical days in the Lake District. Craggy mountains, mist over the fells, and the gentle hum of a Herdwick sheep or two. I stayed near Hill Top, once home to Beatrix Pott