Bearing all on a New Zealand survival adventure with Chief Scout Mr Grylls

With a few tips from Bear, Dan manages to spark up a fire

Showbiz reporter Dan Wootton is more comfortable on Lorraine's sofa than surviving in the mountains of New Zealand's South Island, until he rediscovers his home country with adventurer Bear Grylls.

Bing

Taking shape: Center Parcs' new site at Woborn Forest comes to life

The 'glulams' are lifted into place

Building of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise at the holiday firm's new site in Bedfordshire is well underway as bosses reveal that the park is on track to open next spring.

Just like Dubai: Colwyn Bay rebuilds beach via method that made the Palm

Colwyn Bay

The Welsh resort town of Colwyn Bay has just finished a £6million reconstruction of its beach, using the same sand-pumping technique that built the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Europe's last corner: Beaches and beauty in Albania, the hidden bargain of the Balkans

Albania

Stamp of approval: How Postman Pat helped me love the Lake District

First-class views: Holbeck Ghyll hotel sits high in the hills overlooking Lake Windermere

Wordsworth's verse filled Frank Barrett with an adolescent loathing. But when he took his family on a Pat Pilgrimage, he realised the poet had been right all along about the Lakes.

Floating above London's stellar skyline on a new helicopter tour

Jo Tweedy and London sightseeing tour heilicopter

Pop royalty Beyonce is jetting into the O2 arena by helicopter this week...so what does Mrs Carter get to see on her way to work? Jo Tweedy finds out on an aerial tour of the capital.

A ship fit for Kate: Royal Princess is packed with impressive innovations

Sold out: Royal Princess will cruise the Mediterranean this summer, then sail the Eastern Caribbean over the winter

The hotly anticipated cruise ship - which will be christened in June by the Duchess of Cambridge - features a glass-bottomed bar and a steel-and-glass Sea-Walk.

Diet v decadence: Fighting temptation on a detox escape to lovely Lombardy

Lake Iseo

Jenny Coad has a dilemma. She has flown to Lombardy to try a detox break at the L'Albereta health resort. But all the fine food on the menu is making self-control impossible...

Christian's extraordinary journey: 'I bought a lion in Harrods - and he took me to Africa'

Big game drive: John, right, and Anthony with Christian in their car in London in the Sixties

An Inspector Calls: Surprise joy at the Best Western Wroxton House Hotel

Best Western Plus Wroxton House Hotel

The name does not sound hopeful. And The Inspector was not expecting very much from the Best Western Plus Wroxton House Hotel, near Banbury. How wrong he was.

Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli's score for St Martin and Antigua? Perfect ten

Life's a beach: Bruno Tonioli at the beautiful La Samanna resort in St Martin

With their spectacular beaches, St Martin and Antigua offer the perfect retreat for a busy TV judge. The Strictly Come Dancing star falls in love with the Caribbean once again.

Step back in time: Walking all the way back to wonders of Ancient Greece

Still beautiful: The ruins of the Tholos at the sacred Greek city of Delphi

Dymphna Byrne exercises both mind and body as she embarks on an uplifting Classical Greek Journey with an eclectic bunch of hikers - a tour that's a winner from the start.

Bring the bambinis! Roman ruins and treasure hunts in kid-friendly Tuscany

Hands up if you love Florence: Hayden soaks up the scenery on his visit to the Italian city

Ruthless Medicis, a scheming Machiavelli and the best ice cream in the world - Jill Paul discovers that Tuscany is the perfect place to keep kids entertained.

A bite out of Pondicherry: Incredible India with a oui taste of France

Pi Patel (Suraj Sharma) at sea in Ang Lee's film Life of Pi

Will Hide delights in the city that brought us the book and Hollywood film Life Of Pi, from the laid-back vibes of the French quarter to the lively streets of the Tamil area.

New museums, a coronation - it's a very big year for Amsterdam

Tour Boat on Brouwersgracht Canal

The iconic Rijksmuseum has just reopened after 10 years, and the Van Gogh Museum isn't far behind. No wonder the Dutch are in the party mood, says Sebastian Lander.

An Inspector Calls: Dining out on the past at The George of Stamford, Lincs

The George of Stamford

The Inspector checks in to the George of Stamford for a 'Serene Sunday' package. But will the hotel where Charles I was once a guest give our man the royal treatment?

Everybody's happy! Sardina's Forte Village is a Royal Family favourite

Esterno Beach, Sardinia

In the annual battle to find a holiday that suits all of her children, Lady Helen Taylor has finally tracked down a resort on Sardinia that's fit for a cousin of the Queen.

Lashings of family fun in delightful Dorset: A heavenly holiday in Famous Five country

Corfe Castle

Ferry good: Peace and quiet in Pas-de-Calais, France's fine, forgotten region

Le Touquet

For many, it is the place where the ferry pulls in. But the Pas-de-Calais is one of France's most intriguing areas, says Meera Dettani - as she finds wild beaches and war history.

An Italian goddess: MSC Preziosa is the Sophia Loren of the high seas...

MSCæs flagship Preziosa at sea

Caroline Hendrie tours the new Italian line MSC Preziosa, whose Godmother is film icon Sophia Loren, and finds she boasts crystal, marble, gold and pizza by the yard.

The land of Hockney and fish and chips: Yorkshire is a world of its own

Facade of the Beverley Minster, Yorkshire

The stirring landscapes - both coastal and inland - have inspired David Hockney. Gareth Huw Davies finds that Yorkshire has more than enough to entertain on a short break.

Tear up the phrasebook! Putting a language course to the test

Sebastian and a stall holder at the flea market

Linguist Paul Noble's new Destination Spanish CD promises to teach the basics in just 150 minutes. But does it work? Sebastian Lander puts it to the test.

Thank you for the music: Dancing Queen delight at Abba's new museum

The way they were: Abba's Björn, Agnetha, Frida and Benny on stage in their heyday

Historically, Stockholm doesn't really do Abba. All that's about to change. As part of a multi-million pound Swedish Music Hall of Fame, Abba finally get their due this week.

Miami nice! How Florida's beachside city became an A-list playground

Miami's Ocean Drive, Florida

What was once a down-at-heel home for pensioners has been reborn as America's most chic resort where you can share a beach with the likes of Katy Perry and Leonardo DiCaprio...

Tall towers, mega malls and lashings of luxury: Six Things To Do In.... Dubai

Fountain in front of a hotel, Madinat Jumeirah Hotel

Dubai has recovered its sky-high ambition and is once again building. Gareth Huw Davies hits the UK's favourite winter escapes, and loses count of the superlatives.

How to shape up for summer - the best get-fit escapes in Europe

Mountain running

Beach season is almost upon us, and we all want to fit into our bikinis (or trunks). But how to get fit if you don't like the gym? Lucy Fry picks the best shape-up breaks.

Eagles, oars and downpours on a cruise around the land of the Vikings

Replica Viking longship on Bjorkedal Lake

From the colourful port of Bergen to Viking ships and the Northern Cape waterways used by British Arctic convoys in the Second World War, a Norwegian cruise is a history lesson.

Thai flies when you're having fun: Denise van Outen visits Koh Samui

Denise and daughter Betsy on the beach

The island of Koh Samui is both friendly and luxurious, says Denise van Outen as she enjoys a break with daughter Betsy to celebrate the wedding of a close friend.

Sheik, rattle and roll in Dubai, the city that does fun with a capital F

The Dubai Mall Aquarium

Dune bashing, camel treks and even skiing (with live penguins), Dubai is a wacky wonder...and the weather is some sort of heaven for Brits visiting in late spring, writes Lydia Slater.

Take the plunge: Shipwrecks, caves and rainbow fish on a Cyprus dive trip

Zenobia

Cyprus is famed for beautiful beaches, but head below the surface - literally - and another world awaits. Arthur Martin discovers ghostly ships, hidden caverns and even eels.

The Crafty Traveller: Don't let your trip go down with the sinking pound

Play your cards right: With careful planning, you can make the most of your holiday money

The pound is not looking nearly as strong against key holiday currencies as it was last year. Here's some strategies that you can employ to combat the current situation.

Up and Brumming! Tim Bentinck's favourite Birmingham haunts

Straight and narrow: Boats line a canal in the city centre

The actor has been travelling from London to Birmingham for 30 years. He used to view the city as somewhere he worked but a recent move has changed his perception.

Poetry, the Tube and onion bhajis: Best websites for exploring London

Portobello Road at Notting Hill

There is so much more to England's capital city than the neon whirl that is Leicester Square. But where do the uninitiated begin? Fred Mawer finds nine unique websites.

Magic of Madagascar! Untouched corner of a wildlife-packed island

Sainte Marie Island

From acrobatic whales and red-ruffed lemurs flying through the trees to empty islands with pristine beaches, Madagascar's northeast corner is its best-kept secret.

Sun, surf and viticulture: Adelaide is a perfect blend of Australian highlights

Etan discovers the secrets behind the Barossa Valley's best-known wineries

From vineyards to beaches that would make the stars of Home and Away weep with envy, Adelaide is South Australia's best-kept secret, says Etan Smallman.

Journeying to the final frontier of adventure travel in Greenland

Ilulissatis

From kamikaze dogsled rides to sampling seal consommé, intrepid travellers will love this little-discovered island and the fjord-side village of Ilulissat, says Adam Edwards.

Forget humble riads, it's all ivory horses and minimalism...

Natasha meets one of the Selman's four-legged residents

Sirayane and Selman are two hotels that sit on the same stretch of road away from Marrakech's Medina. When it comes to design, they couldn't be further apart.

Wild wonder! Seeing Arizona's Grand Canyon on a river rafting adventure

Most days the team stopped the rafts to take explore the surrounding landscape

Can you beat the view from the top of the Grand Canyon? You can if you head several miles down and look back up. Neil Simpson finds getting down there is a holiday in itself.

Flotilla thriller: You don't have to be a pro to sail in the British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands, Peter Island

The BVI is the stomping ground of yachties and millionaires, but novice Olivia Greenway and her husband find it's plain sailing on a flotilla trip around the islands.

Awe-inspiring journey: Following The Hobbit's (hairy) footsteps in N. Zealand

Helen takes a peek inside Bag End, the home of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins

From Hobbiton to the Misty Mountains, New Zealand's spectacular landscape has brought JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth to life. Helen Nicholson explores...

Modernity beckons Burma, a magical country on the cusp of a new dawn

U Bein bridge

Chris Lawrence finds Burma ethereal with a sense of the undiscovered. But given the extreme changes it has undergone, will it last, he asks?

A tour of Schindler's Kraków, 70 years after its Jewish ghetto was emptied

Liam Neeson as Schindler

Seventy years ago today, the Kraków ghetto was ruthlessly emptied and most of its residents sent to the gas chambers. But some were saved by German Oskar Schindler.

Marseille: France's 'ugly duckling' city has become a Mediterranean swan

Vieux Port

One of the European Capital of Culture for 2013, Marseille is experiencing a resurgence, with new museums springing up alongside its Old Port, says Chris Leadbeater.

Lost in Austen country on a literary tour of her much-loved Hampshire

Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen in the film 'Becoming Jane'

As the world celebrates the bicentenary of Pride and Prejudice, Sarah Gordon goes in search of Jane Austen in the county that inspired the literary heroine's works.

Actress Hermione Norris revels in a traditional family holiday in Cornwall

A simple life: Hermione with her son Wilf, 8, and daughter Hero, 5

The Spooks actress's job has taken her to exotic locations around the globe, but Hermione Norris loves a good old-fashioned UK break with her family.

Cosy castles and little hotels on the Isle of Wight, the idyll Victoria adored

Isle of Wight

Queen Victoria loved the Isle of Wight so much that she had the vast Osborne House built near Cowes. Chris McCooey crosses the Solent - and soon understands the appeal.

What a blockbuster! There's more than stars and sunshine in California

Palm trees sway over the sandy beach at Fishermans Cove in Laguna Beach

From Frank Sinatra's Palm Springs hangout to wine tours, Ronald Reagan's favourite taqueria and the Griffith's observatory, the Sunshine State dazzles Malcom McKay.