Inspiration

Inspiration

Lan Ha bay in Hai Phong, Vietnam — one of the best places for affordable winter sun
Plan ahead! Where to go for an affordable blast of winter sun

Whether you want to see wildlife, explore awe-inspiring deserts or unwind beachside, these savvy spots promise warmer weather in the cooler months


Collage of a man smiling and a scenic view of mountains and a winding road.
Tim Peake: On Earth, Scotland is where I feel most at home

An outdoor patio with light green cushioned furniture and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and islands.
The Greek island retreat fit for a Bond villain (with great taste)
Scotland

A luxury resort beach in Belle Mare, Mauritius, with a white boat in turquoise water, palm trees, and beach chairs under thatched umbrellas.
A luxury resort beach in Belle Mare, Mauritius, with a white boat in turquoise water, palm trees, and beach chairs under thatched umbrellas.
It’s not too late to find a great-value autumn trip

An outdoor patio with light green cushioned furniture and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and islands.
An outdoor patio with light green cushioned furniture and an infinity pool overlooking the ocean and islands.
The Greek island retreat fit for a Bond villain (with great taste)







Meet our experts

Claire Irvin - Head of Travel, The Times and The Sunday Times
Claire IrvinHead of Travel, The Times and The Sunday Times
Safari, family travel with teens, spas and city breaks — Claire has seen it allI’m a travel editor and I just took my first cruise… to AlaskaMy secret for the perfect Californian road trip? This is it

You can now book your holiday with The Times via our own travel agency
Mon-Fri: 9am-6pm
Sat: 10am-5pm

Beach holidays



Dusk view over the Needles from Headon Warren on the Isle of Wight with purple and pink heather flowers in the foreground.
I love the Isle of Wight. Here are eight reasons to go now

Saunas, a stylish beach club and cute museums for families add up to an old-fashioned seaside break in the sunniest place in the UK


Illustration of people enjoying a beach day with activities like playing with a ball, windsurfing, paddleboarding, relaxing on an inflatable, and reading books.
King’s Counsel, August 5, 2026



View of the historic Viking Age Gannarve stone ship burial site on Gotland island in Djupvik, Sweden.
The unspoilt Swedish island where locals head in summer


Koh Rong island, Cambodia, one of the best beach holiday destinations in November





Sunny street in Madrid old town, Spain, with outdoor cafes and a church visible in the distance.
September holiday prices are rising — but you can still find bargains


Snow-covered ski resort of Val d'Isere with wooden and stone chalets, ski lifts, and a mountain view.
The Alps’ best party ski resort gets a grown-up glow up

Once a hotbed of après-ski debauchery, France’s Val d’Isère has traded wild knees-ups for glamorous family fun

Snow-covered ski resort of Val d'Isere with wooden and stone chalets, ski lifts, and a mountain view.
The Alps’ best party ski resort gets a grown-up glow up


I’ve found the secret to crowd-free pistes


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Month-by-month guides


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Get ahead for Christmas


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More holiday ideas


Aug 29, 2026
A customer shops for K-beauty products at Olive Young Central Myeongdong Town store in Seoul, South Korea.
Forget foreign supermarkets — I’m obsessed with pharmacies

Bumper bottles of vitamins, teeth-whitening strips and posh cleansers… Gen Z are going crazy for chemists abroad and so am I

The Sunday Times




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Plan your perfect holiday with travel inspiration from our experts, covering the best cruises, safaris, rail trips and adventure holidays, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re travelling as a family, as a couple or solo, we have you covered.