Offbeat breaks

Many birds have fabulous plumage to attract mates or send warning messages. Some of the colours in their feathers are produced by microscopic structures on the feather surface that absorb and reflect

One of Europe’s most multicultural cities, Marseille is home to a large North African population whose traditional dishes such as brik pastry —sometimes given a modern twist —have become a key part of the local culinary culture

In the works of Plato, a Greek philosopher who lived around 2,400 years ago, the island of Atlantis was said to have been drowned in the Atlantic Ocean after the hubris of its people angered the Gods.

Away from the polished luxury of the Maldives’ famed resorts lies a tapestry of local culture, history and environmental resilience, proving that paradise has always been more complex – and rewarding – than it first appears