Guidebook publisher moves away from book sales to become a tech platform providing bespoke holiday service that aims to ‘change the way people travel’ After almost 40 years of helping backpackers travel on a budget, Rough Guides has launched a bespoke holiday service aimed at “time-poor” adventurous older travellers who no longer want to rough…

The Caribbean’s third-largest island is rich in history and natural highs, from Noël Coward’s clifftop hideaway to ganja (now legal), coffee and vegan Rasta food The Firefly Estate was the home, and is now the burial place, of Sir Noël Coward. The land was once owned by the infamous pirate Sir Henry Morgan, and it…

Kevin Rushby fears Barbados will be too bling for him – until he gets off the beaten track and discovers its glorious beaches, locals’ bars and rich history I’m going for a ride with Randy Licorish. We’ve put the bikes in a pickup truck and are heading through the traffic south of Bridgetown. I have…

From a bedecked Zagreb to twinkling Turin, here are the best places to spark your festive spirit With an ice-skating rink, a huge ferris wheel and an attractive Christmas market (7 December-6 January), Ghent offers no shortage of opportunities to get into the Christmas spirit. But beyond the baubles and twinkly lights, there’s plenty to…

It’s never been easy for visitors to explore this fascinating country independently. But for the first time, state-approved vans give licence to roam Cuba’s mountains, beaches and towns Our campervan passes through Manicaragua, a tobacco-growing (once sugar-growing) town in the centre of Cuba. Manicaragua’s leaves are used for the dense core of Habanos cigars; premium…