Around the Planet

Vietnam has such hot summers that, back in the colonial days, the French, in a similar manner to the British in India, took to the hills where the weather is cooler. In doing so, they established the town of Dalat up in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, in the Annamese Mountain Range. Being 1,500m above [...]

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Taking off for a retreat in the countryside can summon up images of expanses of green, bracing fresh air, and spartan, character-building accommodation. However, with Natural Retreats you get the wonderful benefits of the rural environment, along with some top-notch accommodation to relax in after a hearty day’s hiking.
Natural Retreats have only been in operation [...]

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The last time I was in China, doing a tour around Canton, our guide was a chirpy and pleasant man from Foshan, who managed to get everybody smiling, and even singing, on the course of the trip. However, at the mention of Shanghai, he went off into a mild rant: “People from Shanghai - they [...]

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If you happen to find yourself in Leeds, in the north of England, this month, and you love art, then you are in for a real treat: on 6th March the University of Leeds Art Gallery, located in the University’s iconic Parkinson Building, re-opened as The Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, showcasing a dazzling collection [...]

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Belgium lies at the cultural and linguistic boundary between the Germanic and Latin parts of Europe, with the north of the country composed of the Dutch-speaking Flanders, the south of Belgium being French-speaking Wallonia, and the capital area of Brussels being bilingual.
In Brussels the bilingualism is evident, as all places, including the subway stations, have [...]

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If you enjoy the luxury and facilities of a top hotel, such as spas, golf courses and children’s clubs, yet the freedom and privacy of your own personal space, then you may be interested in the great collection of villas available through exclusive travel company ITC Classics, covering some of the best and most sought [...]

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If you are looking for a coastal resort that is relatively unspoilt by commercialism, then I recommend the ancient harbour town of Porec, which dates back to Roman times, and is stunningly located on the Croatian peninsula of Istria on the Adriatic Sea. Istria was once part of the Venetian Empire, and the Italian influence [...]

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Here in the UK it’s still rather cold, and with Easter approaching, it’s great to contemplate an escape to the Mediterranean, and this could just be one of them: The Amathus Paphos Beach Hotel in Cyprus re-opens its doors this month after a refurbishment, and will feature the sophisticated new European restaurant Luna Rosa, improved [...]

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