Melody makers ... an ensemble plays an open-air event at the Grafenegg festival in Austria.

For those about to baroque

Michael White nominates Europe's most affordable and laid-back classical music festivals in the northern summer.

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Wonderland ... reindeer, "all skinny legs and felt antlers".

Wild spirit of Christmas

Dugald Jellie discusses frequent-flyer points and global warming with Santa in a magical grotto near the Arctic Circle.

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French actress Edwige Feuillere

Railway trips to dine for

Ah, the romance of long-distance train travel ... Ute Junker shares her experiences of carriages and cabbages.

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The tower of Kuressaare Castle in Estonia.

Ten top towns in Europe you've never heard of

Done Venice, Paris and London? Ticked off Prague, Budapest, Berlin and Dubrovnik? It may be time to delve a little deeper on your next European adventure.

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