If ever there was a place of contradictions, it’s Hong Kong. A frenetic city with excellent public transport, smaller islands with their ancient traditions are just a ferry ride away. All this and mor

A new generation in this storied Chinese megacity is eschewing the fast-paced lifestyles of their parents and embracing fun, freedom and living life to the full — and Shanghai is adapting in interesting ways

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.

It’s 30 years since daily Eurostar services began whisking visitors to Belgium’s capital — and the city known for Tintin and beer is still full of surprises

Whether you’re seeking an off-the-beaten-track adventure or a new perspective on a classic destination, there’s a cruise to make your island-hopping fantasy real

This week’s dream: a spectacular rail tour of ...