Kate Whitehead

Urban exploration is an edgy pastime. But give it a Japanese name and this underground community, known for seeking out derelict and often inaccessible environments, sounds even more hardcore.

Many of those who visit the Arctic are after once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The Northern Lights rank high on many people’s bucket lists and they don’t disappoint, but there’s plenty more to do, like snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoe walking and ice fishing. And when you have travelled so far in search of something out of the ordinary,…

China could do with an image makeover, judging by the increasingly negative perceptions of the country revealed in a global public opinion poll

Blending adventure, relaxation and natural beauty, One&Only Hayman Island is a paradise on earth in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef

What is it? A brand new 266-room hotel on its own island (below) within the Venice lagoon. Isola delle Rose is an artificial island, built in the 19th century, and JW Marriott spent several years transforming what had been a sanatorium before the hotel opened in March.

A trip to Victoria Falls provides excitement and inspirational views in abundance, writes Kate Whitehead