It’s definitely still winter in most of Europe so is it just me or is anyone else thinking about a sunny escape? If you haven’t been to Malaga before, or not for a while, there’s something here for everyone. With lots of popular towns in easy reach of each other and the airport, it really is a great area to pick a comfy base and see what attractions take your fancy.…

South America. Are you thinking of Rio Carnival and Christ the Redeemer and beaches galore? I know I am. But South America is huge, it’s wild, it has culture and history and food to discover at every turn, and it’s very easy to get off the beaten path. With so many world-famous cities and sights, would you go in search of the highlights or the hidden gems of this lively continent?…

If you’re considering a winter break this year, I’ve put together a few off-beat options to stimulate your travel taste buds! Whether you want a cheap last minute holiday or if you’d rather splash out on some of Europe’s best food and drink, there’s something here for you to consider. Never let it be said that I don’t value a good ‘staycation’ (see my Instagram feed for photos from an autumn road trip in Scotland), but sometimes it’s nice to start the year as you mean to go on, exploring somewhere completely new and exciting.…

Is she a bird? Is she a plane? No, it’s my mother, and apparently she’s got superpowers too. Her powers include running marathons, and defiantly crossing oceans on the Clipper RTW Yacht Race, among other things. Meet Joan Clancy. She answers to ‘Mum’, ‘Gran’, and even ‘Doctor’, in her capacity to make Accident & Emergency staff across the North of England tremble at just the mention of an impending visit.…

So you’re working hard to earn a living, putting in the hours week after week, and it’s about time you took a break. A holiday is out of the question, you just want a day off to relax and unwind. Maybe you’re coming to Manchester for a concert, for the Christmas markets, or maybe you live here – you lucky devil.…