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If you’re looking for inspiration for a summer holiday in Europe, this guide to our best travel stories has you covered, whether you’re a food lover or adventure buff, looking for ancient ruins or sunny beaches

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The unyielding call of England’s rough, beautiful Lake District

For some, travel is just a checklist – another day, another flag. But returning to a familiar spot takes you past the tour-guide stage and throws you into the deep end of intimate, vulnerable contact

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GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCK

Riding the road less travelled in Scotland

A bike tour though the Hebrides reveals castles, dramatic cliffs and the region’s history of Christianity

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In Ludlow, England, foodie heaven awaits

Lovely buildings: check. Great location, interesting history: check, check. But what really makes Ludlow worth the drive is its connection to the countryside, local producers and great chefs

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From sultry seaside to misty jungle: Exploring Portugal’s wild frontier

Package beach resorts aren’t this region of Portugal’s raison d’être. Head just a few minutes inland to find an island rich with forest walks, craft spirits and spectacular views

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istock

Lisbon preserves historical shops as contemporary influences take hold

Can the traditional mom-and-pop shops survive in a world accustomed to convenience? Lisbon seems to think so

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ISTOCK

In the small city of Caceres, Spain is at its most delicious

Trade the crowded beaches for the food-filled heart of the country

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Oliver Moore

For cyclists who relish a real test, try a trip through the French Alps

Sometimes the Cent Cols in the French Alps can be hell on wheels, but there are epic, otherworldly moments to be had over 10 days in the saddle … and, after getting home, an urge to maybe do it again

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KAT TANCOCK

Field trips for grownups: Exploring France with my French class, wine included

The École des Trois Ponts offers an immersive cultural experience beyond mere language lessons

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ISTOCK/istock

A taste of authenticity in French Basque Country

This extraordinary region in southwest France oozes laid-back cool. Hemmed between the Bay of Biscay and the Pyrenees, it offers a more authentic Basque experience than its Spanish counterpart

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Looking for adventure? Tuscany should be your next travel destination

In Tuscany, Mark Sissons discovers a wilder side to Italy’s photogenic region that is starting to attract more active travellers and thrill seekers

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THERESA SUZUKI

In search of Italy’s summer beach getaways

When vacationers compete with locals for space on the beach in Italy, it’s sometimes better to hit the road – or the sea – for a sunny retreat

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GETTY IMAGES / ISTOCKPHOTO

Explore Roman ruins in peace in Trier, Germany

The historical gems of Trier offer visitors something they can’t get from Italy’s grand landmarks: the opportunity to explore in peace

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BELADON

Rotterdam’s renaissance: explore the city of the future today

In Rotterdam, the world’s first floating farm is just one of the city’s many modern wonders

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Koen Smilde

How to escape the crowds of tourists in Amsterdam

If you head east, you’ll find Amstel, which has lately emerged as the city’s cultural gateway

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MARTIN BAUMAN

My 27-kilometre quest for the ultimate Instagram photo of Norway’s Trolltunga

Social media has drawn thousands of people to a remote part of Norway for a beautiful vista

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TOM HOUGHTON/FORMAN HOUGHTON PICTURES;INC.

What to do during Sweden’s magical summer interlude​

The Swedes go a touch mad in their brief but intoxicating warm season, when the sun shines nearly 22 hours a day. In mid-June, Stockholmers head for cottages in the Stockholm Archipelago, where they practise the pagan rites of Midsummer Eve

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