Fading sun

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

Head to one of these sunny destinations for a burst of vitamin D

A small eco-village owned and run by a British family is the perfect base to explore the surprising beauty of Lanzarote, says Helena Lang

Frances Hedges introduces her young family to the wonders of Ancient Greece on an Athenian adventure that takes her from city to coast

Northern Italy’s lakes are a better bet in autumn. It’s still warm, the scenery transforms to reddish-gold hues and, if it rains, the lakes take on a wonderfully misty atmosphere. Once the summer crow

Think ‘dream holiday destination’, and no doubt images of the magical Maldives come to mind. Simon Lang flies out to the remote atolls to discover whether reality lives up to the fantasy