Escape to… salzburg

It doesn’t get cosier than winter in the twinkly Hungarian capital

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

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.

A JOURNEY ACROSS SICILY REVEALS THE ESSENCE OF AN ISLAND SHAPED BY OUTSIDERS, WHERE SUCCESSIVE WAVES OF IMMIGRATION OVER THE CENTURIES HAVE CREATED A UNIQUE CULTURAL IDENTITY

You might know Milan for its acclaimed fashion week, but have you ever visited the city for just a day? If not, it’s certainly a destination to consider! One of the city’s highlights is Leonardo da Vi

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