Exciting ways to get away from it all

COUNTRY LIFE writers reveal the hotels that stood out to them in 2025

Generally, few settings are as calming– or as coveted– as those beside a river and these five homes offer rare tranquillity among watery idylls, yet are also within relatively easy reach of the capital

Take a peek behind the scenes of our latest issue with the writers and photographers who made it happen

A five-day itinerary through southern Louisiana threads across Cajun Country — a world of shadowy swamps, gothic beauty and mom-and-pop cafes serving everything from steaming bowls of gumbo to fried bullfrogs

Delve into the lush tropical forests and unique Ryukyu culture of northern Okinawa to discover ancient castles, proud communities, rare wildlife and life-enhancing cuisine