Europe and Middle East

Exclusive guide to the best holiday destinations in Europe and Middle East. independent reviews from award-winning travel writers

Coloin Hockley provides his brilliasnt insider guide to Rye and East Sussex, uncovering all kinds of cool stops.

Insider Guide to Rye and East Sussex. Discover their hidden gems.

Rye town is a charming network of cobbled streets and lanes with architecture dating back to medieval times, and most importantly is known for its membership of the historic Cinque Port Confederation, of which memories of GCSE history come flooding back to me.  

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PDR at Pizarro

Pizarro Restaurant

At Pizarro, one of Jose Pizarro’s three London outposts, there is no “tweezer” presentation – this is proper, gutsy Spanish cooking with few, if any, concessions.

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Rupert Parker gives his Guide to Fine Dining in Lisbon Taberna Fina Mackerel w cucumber

Insider Guide to Fine Dining in Lisbon

Lisbon is also good value, compared to other Eurozone cities and you can still eat here from less than 10€. These establishments will cost substantially more but if you’re interested in high quality creative Portuguese cooking, then these are the places where you’ll find it.

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James Ruddy reviews the iconic Swan hotel and Spa in Lovely Lavenham. Hotel Spa final med 2

The Swan Hotel and Spa. Discover this historical icon in lovely Lavenham

As soon as we pass the mass of black beams and wonky leaded windows, it is clear that The Swan Hotel and Spa is still dripping with its 15th-century origins

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Angel

The Angel Hotel in Bury St Edmunds. Beautiful Georgian Pile.

Bag a room at the front of the Angel Hotel, in Bury St Edmunds, and you will be looking out over a huge cobbled square that has changed little for many centuries, certainly since the arrival of the railways in 1846 ended its role as one of the key coaching inns between London and East Anglia.

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Majestic Hotel and Spa Facade 1

Majestic Hotel. Enjoy historic luxury in Barcelona

Suited on the central Paseo de Gracia, the Majestic is one of Barcelona’s oldest and grandest hotels, with an imposing historic building and an impressive reception area.

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