Even the swankiest islands have a scattering of smaller, more affordable stays – if you know where to look. Luckily, Lucy Thackray does

Every month, we trawl the nation’s coastline to bring you news of the people, places and exciting goings-on that are worth knowing about

From the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland to Italy’s white-capped mountains – if you love the cold, in these destinations winter is always coming...

This week’s dream: a journey into Sicily’s lovely ...

(whatever your budget!)

From island-hopping in southerly Okinawa to farm experiences in rural Aomori and skiing in far northern Hokkaido, this diverse archipelago offers intriguing local culture, ancient history and epic wilderness experiences around every corner — and deeper exploration reaps huge rewards