A young man, a backpack, and a subcontinent that confounded, dazzled and ultimately overwhelmed. In this occasional series, recalling bucket list destinations, Group Editor Andrew Palmer recalls a journey that exceeded every expectation — and one monument that moved him to tears.

We set off after a leisurely wander around the town seeing the gentle bustle of the great country. Sri Lanka is a much calmer beast than India, its people are smiling, courteous, helpful and have a wicked sense of humour. At one street food stall we stopped for a vegetable roti (really well spiced and not hot….but with a ‘ball burning’ aubergine chutney to go with it) and fresh coconut milk.

Both restless and relentlessly curious, Nigel Buckland is the epitome of a traveller, in the gratifyingly anachronistic manner of Eric Newby and Wilfred Thesiger.

Catgill Farm, the luxury glamping and camping destination nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, has unveiled an exciting new dog-friendly upgrade for 2026, designed for those who want to explore the great outdoors with their four-legged companion without compromising on comfort, relaxation and style.

Airports may feel permanently chaotic, but travel experts say there’s one day that consistently flies under the radar — and it isn’t the weekend.

Festive cruising continues to gain momentum with many cruise lovers seeking a tonic before, during or in between Christmas and the New Year to immerse themselves in the season’s vibrancy and bonhomie.

Is a walking break in the Peak District in December a sensible idea, or just a triumph of optimism over common sense? The days are short, the weather can turn on you without warning, and the romance of winter walking often looks better in theory than in practice. But sometimes you get lucky. We did.