Lorna Parkes

Before the pandemic, a honeymoon in the UK might have sounded like an unusual idea. Shouldn’t we all be hotfooting it to a relaxing hotel pool somewhere hot and sticky? Rinsing our savings for cocktails in New York or flights to somewhere far-flung and off the radar? The fact is, we’ve now had time to appreciate what’s in our own backyard – and it’s pretty fantastic.  From the outdoorsy delights of the Lakes and Yorkshire’s opulent country estates to seafood and whisky in Scotland and the pin-up beaches of the southern coast, there’s something for everyone here in the UK. So if your idea of romance no longer involves the prospect of lengthy airport queues, or you’ve decided to cut back on flying for environmental reasons, our pick of the best honeymoon destinations in the UK has you covered. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best romantic weekend getaways in the UKRECOMMENDED: The best UK Airbnbs with swimming pools

There’s a theory that couples who travel well together, stay together – and it’s a theory that we are more than happy to subscribe to. And while, sure, pretty much anywhere can be romantic if you want it to be, the world is also full of classically romantic places. East, west, north and south, we’ve scoured the globe for the most romantic holidays in the world. Of course, it isn’t as simple as just rocking up to these places and expecting magic – romance requires work, after all. Let each other know what you want (and don’t want) out of your trip, set the budget, leave room for spontaneous adventures and then, only then, will the warm, fuzzy feelings kick in. Enjoy. RECOMMENDED💞 The most romantic places in the world

From celebrated centrepieces to difficult-to-find stunners, the best national parks in the world showcase how gorgeous this planet really is. Reconnecting with nature is never a bad idea, and national parks are the perfect vehicle to do so. It also happens to be really freakin’ good for you.  The United States led the way with the world’s first national park (Yellowstone in 1872), and today just over 15 percent of the earth is protected land. This is good news for key ecosystems, vital for unique landscapes, and a boon for nature lovers worldwide. From Asia to Africa and across the Americas to Europe, here’s our pick of the best national parks in the world.   RECOMMENDED:   🍁 Five of the world’s wildest places and the people working to keep them that way  🗻 The best places to stay in Yosemite  🥾 The 16 best hikes in the world  

July 19 was dubiously crowned ‘freedom day’ in the UK, but travelling abroad still falls a long way short of being as free and easy as it was pre-pandemic. That said, there’s every reason to be optimistic if you’re in desperate need of some reliable summer rays or a dose of adventure – even more so if you’ve got a degree of flexibility in your schedule (and a relaxed attitude to choosing a destination). When it comes to booking a holiday right now, the only guarantee is that nothing is guaranteed. With the lifting of quarantine for fully vaccinated UK residents returning from ‘amber list’ countries, the flight route map is looking busier than it has done at any point over the past 18 months. But there are some eye-watering complexities to booking a trip, and you should steel yourself for last-minute changes. Here’s what you need to know. RECOMMENDED: Seven things you need to know about travel to Europe after Brexit

There are 44 countries in Europe alone, and no other place on earth packs as much cultural diversity into its borders. Want world-class museums and Unesco-listed monuments? You got it. How about hiking and biking beneath jagged mountain peaks? Or perhaps it’s all-night party strips and silky sands you’re after? Our run-down of the best places to visit in Europe has it all. Throw in cheap flights and excellent cross-country rail links and, predictably, you have a densely packed swag bag of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet. So, where do you start? From Iceland to Spain to Croatia, Europe’s prettiest swathes are ground zero for holidaying families in late July and throughout August – at this time of year you’ll need to book at least six months ahead at the most popular resorts for good-value accommodation. In many regions, May/June and September are the city break sweet spots where visitors can expect temperate weather, cheaper prices and fewer crowds. In our humble opinion, these are the places in Europe you simply must visit at least once. Whether you fancy touring a wine region, eating your way along the Med or canyoning through river gorges, there’s a holiday for you on this list.  RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best cities in the world

Listen up: your honeymoon is the best chance you’ll ever have to fulfill your travel fantasies, so make it good. Peruse our list of the best honeymoon destinations to factor in a bit of excitement in between lying by the pool because, hopefully, you’ll only do this once.  We’ve picked the very best places to travel to in 2019 and 2020, including romantic getaways to Japan, Bali, California and New York. So whether you want to plan your honeymoon around major sporting events, seriously stylish hotels or bucket-list activities, we've got you covered. We’ve also included the world’s most environmentally friendly country, the best-value Caribbean island, and the greatest road trips on the planet. You’re welcome. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in the world

If you’ve been screaming into the digital void recently, it’ll come as a relief to find a bolthole where your phone isn’t welcome. New wellness retreats at Swinton Bivouac, an eco-glamping site in Yorkshire, provide an excuse to ditch technology for a couple of days and reconnect with your surroundings. Staying up in the Dales means unadulterated nature: noise-free woodlands, meadow valleys, sweeping lake vistas… you get the picture.  Retreat participants are put up in sustainable tree lodges (breakfast hampers and veggie dinners included), but you can book Swinton’s lodges or cosy meadow yurts for DIY nature-based frolics any time from Easter to October. There’s even a wood-fired hot tub. The off-grid adventure is led by Forest Bathing UK founder Faith Douglas. For the uninitiated, forest bathing is just a soothing way to describe mindful walks in the woods. There’s lots of that here, but also sound bathing (think chilling out to the melody of gongs and Tibetan bells) and reiki drumming in a meadow tepee around a dusk campfire. Fear not: it’s actually a lot more down-to-earth than it sounds. Though if you do want a dose of magic, there’s an eighteenth-century woodland druid’s temple that’s atmospheric enough to validate any fantasies of fairies and forest sprites.  Masham, North Yorkshire. Two-night wellness retreat £375 per person. Next retreat Sep 22-24. Yurts from £109 a night. Find out more here.  Fancy a digital detox? Check out these really rural breaks from London.