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John M Edwards surprises himself by taking a holiday in Laos. It is, of course, landlocked so has no beach. He decides instead to take a not-very-spiritual step on his way to enlightenment.

Tim Saunders finds the gentle pace of Dorset suits his bank-holiday mood as he summers with his family on the English coast around Bridport.

Alastair Humphreys’ latest book follows one of India’s holy rivers on foot. In a marketing innovation he’s giving the Kindle version away free. This is our extract from his life on the road.

As the sun warms away the winter snow there’s still plenty going on in Europe’s leading ski resorts. Accommodation is inexpensive and the mountains perfect playgrounds. Theresa Semackor runs through your active options.

It’s easy to dismiss the sweat lodge experience as a commercial construct of America’s Native Indian cultures. But Joseph Gelfer finds the experience unexpectedly moving.

France’s capital provides a Gallic burst of culture-shock for first-time visitor Brittany Pietruni. But a journey by public transport across her new home city – for a Facebook rendezvous – sees her anxiety give way to excitement.

Charlie Walker parks up his bike to earn some cash in China. Five months in the Chinese capital get him little closer to understanding several mysteries of the Orient. But when a small child pees on his leg he quickly decides it’s time to move on.

Does leisure need directing? Yes if you’re staying at Gleneagles, Scotland’s leading resort hotel. Paul Woollacombe talks to Stuart Smith, the man in charge of fun.

There’s one country in the Middle East that’s bound to spark controversy. Matthew Thomas braves security checks to explore Tel Aviv and Haifa.

There’s more to Pakistan than floods, coups and American drones. Aamir Aziz insists it’s one of the world’s great tourist destinations.

For many bikers wanting to see America, a Harley-Davidson is a natural choice. But Tom Cunliffe finds finding a suitable bike for his wife is something of a challenge.

As a means of transport, rivers pre-date roads – and can be a lot more comfortable. Iain Miller says river cruises link the world’s greatest attractions in effortless style.

Alex Jones is not a fan of trains. But when he realises he can rock up to Bristol Temple Meads, get a ticket through Europe and Russia and end up in China the temptation is just too much. He signs up for the Trans-Siberian express.

Thai wrestling is not at its best when staged for tourists. But in the north of Thailand David Calleja finds more to deplore about the audience.

Brian Fisher is not a happy bunny when he comes back from the States. The cruise he’d booked was a huge disappointment.

Getting married is one of life’s best opportunities for realising travel dreams. John McElborough rounds up the leading paradise destinations for newlyweds.

Like many of Robert Fox’s Ukrainian experiences, departure threw up a number of unexpected hurdles. In this part of the former Soviet Empire nothing ever quite runs smoothly.

There’s more to Colombia’s northern resort city than presidential bodyguards and seedy strippers. On South America’s Caribbean coast Bonnie Lynn learns Spanish and Salsa – and a touch of Colombian style.

Air miles expire and Jeffrey Fields has lots. So he takes his girlfriend for a holiday in the Philippines, and heads straight for the beach.

As exchange rates buffet holiday plans America is offering good value for the pound. Theresa Semackor says villa holidays in Florida are a great choice this year.

France’s capital struggles to charm David S Grant as he negotiates the tourist highlights. A diet of strong coffee keeps him going in a land of berets and bendy straws.

You don’t need a lot of money to get around Europe. Eleanor Ross sticks out her thumb to explore northern Greece.

It’s not chance that Melanie Dugan chooses Samoa for a holiday. It’s because the flight is cheap and she can afford it. What she finds when she gets there, however, is something that money cannot buy.

Since she first heard about Paddington, Sophie McGovern has always had a thing about bears. So she leaps at the chance to go find them in Canada.

Not many trekking expeditions head off into the wilds of Iraq. But when Levison Wood heads off into the snow-covered peaks of the Zagros Mountains he finds a warm welcome amongst the mountain Kurds.

Autumn Thomas, rather appropriately, sets off for her trek to Flåm too late in the season for an easy stroll. Snow is already falling as she follows a google map into the Scandinavian hinterland.

David Jenkins, the Alphabet Traveller, has already written a book about four-letter countries and is now tackling those whose names are ten letters long. The logic of this rather eludes customs officials in Kyrgyzstan who think it’s more likely that drugs are involved.

With premiums rising it’s more tempting than ever to do without travel insurance. Michael Cook looks at the risks and say when it comes to travelling, better safe than sorry.

In Chennai’s gridlocked traffic twenty rickety free-wheelers set off for a 2,000km dash across the subcontinent. In the monsoon. Alex Jones enters the Mumbai Xpress Autorickshaw Challenge.

When Jody Hanson decides to make a career out of writing, she quickly realises this won’t pay the bills. But will teaching English in Chile keep her alive?

Following his favourite bands to see them play in Finland seems a good plan to Dan Hart. But when his warm clothes go astray he remembers Scandinavia can be cold.

With its history, culture, art and cuisine Italy is the world’s ultimate travel destination. Trouble is, it’s not cheap. Paul Woollacombe says renting holiday apartments are a great way to cut your travel costs.

There’s more to Florida than theme parks and retirement homes. Vicky Schippers heads out in peace on a houseboat at her own pace to explore unspoiled waterways, meeting wildlife and more.

Jason Smart does a three-year stint in Qatar. As a westerner he’s sheltered from the worst aspects of life in the Gulf but even oil dollars can’t make Doha better than dull.

It’s not easy to write about Cuba without mentioning socialism or US sanctions, but Eric Whitehead has greater issues on his mind. He knows he’ll soon be demanding a change of room but doesn’t yet know when – or why.

Kelly Turk flies into Ireland and falls immediately in love. She maintains it was with the country, but frankly it seems that men are also involved.

India’s rail system is perhaps the most useful legacy of the colonial era. Sophie McGovern lets a train take the strain of her 12-day adventure that takes in all India’s most stunning highlights.

Southeast Asia’s safe, friends had said, even for a woman travelling alone. But on her first day in Phnom Penh Angelique Stevens struggles to quell her travel nerves.