Activity holidays

As part of this year's Travel Guide, out with our January 2026 issue, our travel editor Arta Ghanbari charts her journey across the more undiscovered parts of southern Peru, visiting a string of new stylish lodges and meeting people whose life is still infused with ancient Inca rituals, symbolism and tradition

Against a pastoral Transylvanian backdrop, Elisabeth Luard receives an immersive education in botanical painting

Arta Ghanbari discovers there is no better way discover Laos than aboard elegant new boat Bohème on the longest river in South East Asia

Nicola Moyne casts off with Coastal Exploration Company, a traditional Norfolk sailing fleet harbouring an altruistic vision for authentic, sustainable travel through the region's wildest waterways

Arta Ghanbari voyages around Bodrum and the Datça peninsula in a traditional wooden gulet, enjoying the slow pace and spontaneity of travelling under sail – and the chance to explore the coast away from the crowds

These are a new generation of agriturismo

The mountainous Zagori region is enjoying a renaissance among hikers eager to discover its rugged landscapes and unspoilt villages. Caroline Beck laces up her walking boots to experience the wild beauty of the Vikos Gorge

Pamela Goodman samples Datu’s hilltop Ayurvedic retreat in Tuscany, where tailored treatments, yoga and nutrition combine for an eye-opening trip

We have gathered a selection of destinations where interiors and atmosphere go hand in hand

An ideal destination for flight-free travel, Ile d'Yeu, off the west coast of France, is accessible from the UK by train and ferry. And, as Lisa Johnson discovers, it offers a real sense of escape with its beautiful beaches, easy-access cycle paths and a laidback pace of life

In pursuit of adventure Kendall Hill joins a cruise on Seabourn Pursuit along Western Australia's Kimberley coast, where natural wonders, ancient Aboriginal art and animal encounters make for an unforgettable trip

Tim Moore discovers a dramatic landscape of otherworldly ruins and remote villages that feel blissfully removed from modern life

Sarah Siese recommends a holiday on horseback as the best way to explore the mountainous landscape of Kyrgyzstan and experience the traditions of hospitality associated with its centuries-old nomadic culture