Cancun's mission was (and still is) to generate Yanqui dollars for the Mexican economy

Cancun: The creature from the swamp

Don't go to the artificial Riviera Maya to debate climate change, but it's a great beach resort. Sankha Guha samples Mexico Club-Med style.

Cruises: the ultimate holiday?

Why are holidays afloat such a success story for the travel industry? Because you unpack, sit back and see the world, says Simon Calder.

Splashing out: the ocean liner that thinks big

At the original North Face

Skiing in Switzerland's Grindelwald, Mike Higgins is reminded of the Eiger's notoriety at every turn.

Building sights: Madrid has refurbished streets and squares, swept traffic underground and built new cultural spaces

You can feel the sense of pride in this city

Madrid is enjoying the benefits of a facelift. Harriet O'Brien offers ideas for new and returning visitors

WIN! A two-night break for two in London

We've teamed up with Hotels.com – the world's leading hotel booking website – to offer a two-night break for two in London.

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Flybe hopes its shares will take off after float

Europe's largest regional airline, Flybe, is to float on the London Stock Exchange with the aim of fuelling expansion.

Dome service: Aleksander Nevski Cathedral is intriguing

48 Hours In: Sofia

For anyone seeking a budget city break with some tempting skiing attached, Bulgaria's capital is an elegant solution.

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Where the boat came in: The Old Lifeboat House celebrates its history without overdoing the nautical theme

Stay the night: The Old Lifeboat House, Aberdyfi

This former lifeboat house is a pleasant retreat for holidaymakers, says Sue Watt

The Savoy: A landmark of luxury

The original isn't always the best. Cars, computers, songs by Bob Dylan: so many good ideas have been taken and improved by others. When The Savoy opened in 1889, it was London's first luxury hotel, offering hot and cold running water, 24-hour room service, electric lighting and "ascending rooms", or lifts, as we now say.

Under the sea: a scuba diver off the Oman coast

Dive in to a magical world

Oman is full of intriguing forts and bustling souks, but some of its most spellbinding sights are underwater.

Your carriage awaits: a hostess of the new train running between
Nice and Moscow

Nice-Moscow train route: From the Med to Moscow

Shaun Walker: A new rail service linking the French Riviera with Russia aims to restore the glamour of travel.

Keeping track: trams have run in Melbourne since 1885

48 hours in: Melbourne

Sophie Lam: Summer is coming to Australia's second city, bringing sun, seaside activity – and sports fans.

Travel challenge: A shopping weekend in Boston

Every week we invite competing companies to give us their best deal for a specific holiday.

Where the weird things are: Meet the pangolin, the mammal that thinks it's a reptile

A 15kg walking artichoke? A metre-long ant-eating pine cone? Even though the pangolin is fairly widespread in savannah woodland right across sub-Saharan Africa, it's hard to describe in animal terms. For a start, this bizarre mammal is the only warm-blooded creature on the planet that is completely covered in scales.

Top trunks:Palace of the Winds in Jaipur

Rajasthan: The cities of blue, pink and gold

Terri Judd: In a land that celebrates colour like no other, Rajasthan takes the spectrum to extremes.

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