Think Germany corners the market on Christmas markets? Well, you may have a point. Still, other parts of Europe take part in the venerable tradition throughout the month of December. Take the small East Midlands cathedral city of Lincoln for instance. Just three hours north of London, the county town of Lincolnshire puts on a … More

While we loathe facile city juxtapositions (and are loth to make them as a result), surely there is some merit to a city-off between a premier capital and a second city also-ran. Presumably, after all, people on either side of the divide will forever debate the pros and cons of a Sydney and Melbourne, New … More

Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, in the West Midlands, is William Shakespeare country. The birthplace town of the Bard is a bona fide metonym for the foremost poet and playwright and, indeed, Shakespeare spent most of his life (1564–1616) in Stratford (with, of course, prominent periods in London). Millions of tourists visit Stratford-upon-Avon today to channel and commune … More

Diwali is the venerable “Festival of Lights” for millions of Hindus the world over but the holiday has considerable significance in Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism as well. Whatever you call it – Diwali, Depali, Deepawali – when the time comes to celebrate in October or November, let the fireworks fly and the ras malai flow. … More

From Cardiff to Belfast, Edinburgh to London, the most opulent accommodations in the United Kingdom allow visitors to stay in all manner of manors, castles, country estates, golf and spa resorts and urban boutique hotels. Check out ten of our very favourites which, all in all, evince the best of what the UK has to … More

If you want to unplug in London and tune out the din of the city for a spell, you have options. One reliable way to destress is to take a dip. With that, check out the ten best hotel pools in The Big Smoke.