The gate of europe

From Dua Lipa knocking back negronis in Palermo’s old town to Charli xcx’s wedding in Tonnara di Scopello, Sicily is leading the festa. Here’s how to join the party

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.

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

BEST KNOWN FOR ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST INCREDIBLE WILDLIFE SPECTACLES — THE GREAT MIGRATION ACROSS THE SERENGETI — THIS EAST AFRICAN NATION OFFERS MANY EXTRAORDINARY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES, FROM MOUNTAIN CLIMBS TO CULTURE-RICH STAYS ON TROPICAL ISLANDS