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Not often the Travelmag goes in for economic analysis. But Brian Riot has some views on the probable outcome of the latest Greek bailout.

There might now be enough snow to slide down a modest English slope, but for a serious skiing holiday you need mountains and ski-lifts. Theresa Semackor runs through your best options for a skiing holiday in Europe.

When John ‘Jack’ Daniels falls over the steps of his Indonesian villa, he finds himself at the mercy of Bali’s finest doctors. Thankfully he finds they bolt him up superbly.

It’s not an easy time to romanticise the dreams of the super-wealthy. But Lindsay Salt finds solace in the expensive folly of one especially rich American.

In Jingjong, Yunnan Province, Sergey Kahn goes to see his first cockfight,where he hopes to make a killing by betting against a puffed-out champ. But in this fight to the death it’s not easy to judge the potential of an untried chicken.

There’s a great deal to discover in Australia, says Marcos Lujan. But long-haul travellers shouldn’t economise on one important extra: effective and valid travel insurance.

This might be one of America’s most historic towns, but Eric Whitehead finds Gloucester less interesting than he expects. It’s always worrying when the afternoon nap turns out to be a highlight in your day.

When another jeep gets stuck in the mud Jude Perera’s driver hops out to help. This leaves Jude, and family, abandoned amongst an increasingly frisky set of touchy tuskers. Forget the heroics: just get us outta here!

Depite warnings from her mother, Mara Moettus sets off alone, in her teens, to hostel around Europe. On her first night in Budapest two disturbed room-mates ensure she doesn’t get much sleep.

An irritating recession is no reason to put off your annual vacation. Theresa Semackor knows how to travel on a budget.

Jane Austen fans flock to see the author’s home at Chawton, usually on organised tours. Julia O’Connor braves the UK’s notoriously complicated and expensive public transport system and completes the journey in authentic Victorian style – on foot.

Tourism is certainly helping Cambodia’s fast-growing economy, and helping the country rise above its turbulent past, but Adam O’Hern finds worrying signs of how the boom in western visitors is now eroding a traditional Khmer way of life.

Lorne Blumer loves the southern city of New Orleans. And proves it with this atmospheric dispatch from America’s frontline of fun.

To experience Britain’s maritime heritage the best place to visit is Portsmouth, surely the most important naval base in England. Jonathan Hunter tours the museums on offer and finds history on show at every turn.

Bob Carter gets to grips with western Sweden when he teams up with three friends for a six-day expedition in a Canadian canoe. Days on the lakes and nights in a hammock prove to the perfect way to travel through the the Bergslagen region.

The countless winding roads of the ‘Emerald Isle’ easily outwit Sharon Goott Nissim’s GPS navigator. So the planned highlights she’d hoped to see are replaced with an unplanned tour – and a much more interesting experience.

Forget tourist embargoes: they haven’t worked and never will. As Myanmar’s repressive regime crumbles Andy Knight flies into Burma and checks out the situation on the ground.

A hundred years ago Maurice Coggin, aged 19, set off from Eastbourne to ride across England on a newly-bought ‘Premier’ motorbike. But the first British bikes were not reliable machines, and after a full day on the road he is forced to continue by train.

Those booking their European summer sun need look no further than Spain’s Atlantic outposts. Tenerife is a natural choice, says William David.

Jason Smart ticks of the eightieth country he’s visited but I think he’s cheating. One of the smallest states in Europe, best known for postage stamps, should hardly count. But – he’s done his research – it has its very own beer.

After planning retirement in Southeast Asia’s most visited nation, Allan Cross begins to see steel behind the smiles. Western visitors, he says, should be aware that it’s not such a carefree place and the potential for civil unrest simmers below the surface.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas to Ashleigh Powell, with toys in every store and New York’s iconic attractions close at hand.

Backpacking Europe doesn’t have to mean slumming it. James Redding recommends some European ‘Capitals of Culture’ that are worth visiting on any budget.

Despite not having read the books or seen the films, Helen Moat finds a stopover in the town of Forks brings her a raw taste of American gothic. But there’s more to the place than the movie-themed marketing would have her believe.

David S Grant has a good time on his visit to Holland’s capital. Too good, in fact. If he’d stayed another light he’d have had to leave his liver there.

Denver Burke suggests Scotland for Christmas. The city of Edinburgh, he says, it at its best in the festive season.

French Polynesia fails to charm John M Edwards. Everything’s expensive, the beaches are poor and budget travellers unpopular. Especially him when, on the island of Moorea, he crashes the local Club Med and chomps his way through some free hospitality.

When Glen Rooney proposed cycling across Romania he didn’t get a lot of encouragement. Instead he was warned of dangerous dogs, bandits and highwaymen. Of course he found nothing of the kind: just rural tranquillity and the kindness of strangers.

Texas Street is one of Korea’s most notorious red-light zones. In the interests of research Michael Fraiman sets out to spend a night amongst strippers and prostitutes and finds it a strangely angry place.

Iain Miller finds beauty and peace in the magical landscapes of Norway and Sweden. An escorted tour, he finds, is the best way to explore.

No travel insurance for Rick Langrehr as Peru, apparently, is unsafe for Americans. But South America’s highlights, including Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca are brought within easy reach by a fart-powered horse and a high-powered motorbike.

High in the mountains, the city of Baguio is a refuge from the Manila’s tropical heat. If you’re not into beaches this is one part of the archipelago that is well worth a visit. Jason McKenny dines out with the Igorot people of Luzon’s Cordillera Central.

Wondering where to go skiing this year? Kirsty Leckie-Palmer rounds up the world’s best ski resorts in Europe and North America.

To those who find the story of humanity hard to handle, Warwick Cairns makes it simple with a concise account that starts with a Kenyan fossil and ends with the present day.

Zoe Shenton shocks her friends – and the tourist industry – by visiting Indonesia without going to Bali or Lombok. She flies into Jakarta and explores Java, seeing a side of the country package-travelling resortists often overlook.

As the UK heads into the festive season the winter shows come on in London’s Theatreland. William David says tickets to a show can be a great gift for the hard-to-please – and gives a guide to which shows to see.

In many parts of southern Africa you’ll see more animals carved in wood, on sale by the side of the road, than you will on a safari. Stefanie Giglio meets the craftsmen who turn Africa’s trees into art – and therefore food.

There’s plenty of livestock at India’s largest camel market, but Hema Narayanan finds the ‘Ship of the Desert’ is no longer a premium product. When oil is easier to buy than water the days of the caravanserai are fading – and camels too have to eat.