Country Life’s best travel stories of 2018: Honeymoons fit for royalty, domestic paradises and top tips for ski trips
2018 saw us travel to Mauritius and back, to the finest hotels in the Alps and to some of our classically British country manor hotels, just a short drive from home. See our best stories from this year for some inspiration: where will you go next year?

Tresco: Like Britain, but with better weather, beaches, gardens… and no cars
All the magic of an island escape just a short plane ride from Exeter, with a history for hospitality that dates back to the First World War.
Aboard the Orient Express: The iconic and elegant 1920s train is back at its best
A hallmark of luxury travel in the 1920s, the Orient Express is still as iconic and spell-binding as it was during its heyday.
Constance Le Prince Maurice, Mauritius: A paradise on the water
A world of bespoke cocktails, fresh seafood and famous reef sharks, one could be forgiven for believing Constance Le Prince Maurice is paradise.
Villa Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik, Croatia review: The pearl of the Adriatic
A short bus ride from the city centre, Villa Dubrovnik perches on the edge of the Adriatic, framing the World Heritage Site behind its modern architecture.
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Sark: A dot on the map, a step back in time and an unforgettable, eccentric holiday spot
Just half a mile wide, Sark really does feel like a wild outcrop and with faultless accommodation and a plethora of fun family activities available, it’s the perfect place to escape for a little R&R.
8 stupendous holiday hideaways fit for a Royal honeymoon
With no budget, no rush and not a care in the world, these are ten of the most amazing honeymoon spots we could find from across the world.
Across Scotland by motorbike: The wonders of Raasay, and the joys of Calum’s Road
Scotland is a land full of history, from the island’s first legal distillery to a road built by one man over ten years. Discover all of this and the wonders of Calum’s Road by the speediest way you can remain in touch with nature: a motorbike.
Bicester Village: A delicate mixture of luxury shopping, teeming crowds and stunning British countryside
Explore the wonders of the self-styled 'Bond Street of Oxfordshire’ before escaping the crowds and hiding away in a idyllic country manor hotel.
10 of the best dog-friendly country hotels in Britain
Save the seperation anxiety and the cost of the kennels by taking your canine friend with you on your next weekend away.
23 things you need to know before you go skiing
You’ve booked your flights, researched your lift pass and you’re hoping for the best…get a little more preparation done by reading our top tips for beginners before you hit the slopes.
Credit: Pilatus Aircraft LTD.
Fantasy travel: The boat, car and plane of you dreams
If money were no object, we all have a dream car, a boat and very probably a plane in mind.
Credit: Will Bailey / Chalet Saunton
Chalet Saunton review: A dog-friendly Devonian retreat
Paula Lester is blown away by Chalet Saunton, a contemporary retreat in North Devon situated above a beach that allows
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
A foodie tour of Emilia Romagna, where Parma ham and proper Parmesan are washed down with Lambrusco
The real Parmesan cheese, true Parma ham and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, all confined to one region of production. Alexandra Fraser
Credit: Amanyangyun
Amanyangyun, Shanghai: Enjoying history in luxury
A newly opened luxury resort is the product of extraordinary conservation project. It offers visitors an intriguing insight into Chinese
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Name that mouse! And nine more to test you in our Quiz of the Day
Adorable rodents, a surprisingly affordable Surrey mansion and a classic Van Gogh find their place in Wednesday's quiz.
By Toby Keel Published
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'The whiff of a McDonald’s Happy Meal has them pouring in': London, where the foxes are streets ahead
The urban fox is as much a part of the city as the red bus or St Paul's. Will this elusive animal outlast us all?
By Patrick Galbraith Published
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Riviera dreaming: Why this glamorous Tuscan seaside town isn't content to fly under the radar anymore
Once frequented by David Bowie, Monte Argentario, on Italy's Tuscan coastline, is back in the spotlight a half century on and betting on a new wave of popularity.
By Rosie Paterson Last updated
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Dawn Chorus: Audrey Hepburn’s Swiss villa hits the market for £17 million and research reveals that looking at art can, quite literally, help you live longer
Everything you need to know today: The Swiss home that Audrey Hepburn lived in for 30 years prior to her death is for sale, those who regularly engage with art have a 31% lower risk of dying early and an iconic Palm Beach hotel teams up with interior designer Ashley Hicks.
By Rosie Paterson Published
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‘I don’t want to oversell it but they are the best pumpkin pancakes in the universe’: Country Life’s unbeatable guide to Oxfordshire
Where to stay, where to eat and what to do in Oxfordshire (with some borderline Gloucestershire snuck in), according to the people who love it and live there, including Lady Carole Bamford.
By Jo Rodgers Published
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A converted reservoir in Devon that might be the UK's most interesting holiday home
With some 7,500sq ft of space and room for 16 guests, Woolbrook Reservoir in Sidmouth is a unique property that has to be seen to be believed.
By James Fisher Published
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Sun, snow and sublime food — why the Dolomites might be my new favourite ski spot
There’s more to skiing than the French and Swiss Alps, says James Fisher, who goes in search of new adventures in the Italian mountains
By James Fisher Published
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10 of the best beaches in Britain and Ireland, from sandy spaces for families to places of exquisite natural beauty
If you're planning a holiday in Britain or Ireland this summer, you're in for a treat: the spectacular coastlines of these countries get battered by weather in autumn and winter, but on a fine day in spring or summer they're the equal of anything in the world. Rosie Paterson picks out 10 of the very best, and suggests places to stay near each once tourism is back up and running.
By Rosie Paterson Published
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Country Life's top 10 travel articles of 2020, from desert islands to a motor tour of the Cotswolds
Travel plans were thrown into chaos this year — but being able to escape around the world via a computer or tablet screen proved popular, as did planning for 2021. Here are our most-viewed travel stories of 2020.
By Toby Keel Published
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Eight adventures around the world to inspire you for 2021: Glaciers, desert islands and the world's most scenic railways
Travel has been on hold for most of 2020, but as the world begins to look to the future it's time to start dreaming again. Rosie Paterson and Toby Keel have put together a few suggestions.
By Toby Keel Published