Magical madeira

Take a road trip around Scotland’s ‘misty isle’ for volcanic rock formations, wild swimming at the Fairy Pools and warming drams of cask whisky.

From fascinating culture to stunning natural wonders, there’s more to this Canary Island than you might think

It’s more than 350 years since Marrakech last held the title of Morocco’s capital, but in many ways it still feels like the heart of the country. International designers and bohemians have been drawn to the city for decades. And though Marrakech’s fortunes have ebbed and flowed over the past millennium, tourism is booming right now. It’s the mix of old and new that tends to captivate: art galleries sit alongside ancient tombs, while crumbling, labyrinthine alleys lead to gilded coffeehouses and chic garden cafes — all framed by the Atlas Mountains. Luxury hotels have sprung up on the city’s outskirts like glittering palaces, but there’s nothing quite like staying within the amber-hued walls of the 11th-century medina, where riads (traditional townhouses) offer memorable retreats.

Every month, we trawl the nation’s coastline to bring you news of the people, places and exciting goings-on that are worth knowing about

Even the swankiest islands have a scattering of smaller, more affordable stays – if you know where to look. Luckily, Lucy Thackray does

From the otherworldly landscapes of Iceland to Italy’s white-capped mountains – if you love the cold, in these destinations winter is always coming...