An eye-watering seven million square kilometres, the Amazon River Basin covers around 40 per cent of South America and crosses eight countries. Home to the world’s largest rainforest, it teems with up to three thousand fish species including piranhas.

Far from marking a milestone in a low key manner expected of centenarians, an exhilarating, energetic and explosion of supreme talent is turbocharging Britain’s oldest contemporary dance company’s into the next century.

Buenos Aires - a multi-cultural melting pot pulsating with a kaleidoscope of colour - is the birthplace of tango and among the world’s most dynamic capital cities. Famed for icons including Eva Peron and Maradona, it is lovingly called the ‘Paris of South America’ with a rich cultural tapestry and vibrant arts scene to match London and the finest European capitals.

Scotland’s wild and rugged islands include the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland - and the Shetland Islands situated between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

I must have had my own blonde moment when the highly acclaimed Legally Blonde film with Reese Witherspoon hit our screens in 2021, grossing 142 million dollars worldwide and shaping fashion trends. Determined not to let the 2026 stage production pass me by, I was at the front of the queue for the upbeat romantic comedy and its timeless appeal.

Visitors the world over are awestruck over by the majesty and enchantment of the Norwegian Fjords. Widely acknowledged as the world’s most beautiful voyage which abounds with myths and folklore, epic scenery lies in store around every corner.

Northumberland, England’s northernmost county, is emerging from her winter hibernation and bursting into a blaze of colour. With the long-awaited arrival of longer, lighter days and sunset’s ‘golden hour’ nudging past 8pm, the county is enticing visitors with open arms to experience its symbolic reawakening with a packed calendar of events.

The Mediterranean coastline of the Costa Blanca, or ‘White Coast,’ stretches 120 glorious miles from Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. Located in the region of Alicante, the temperate climate boasts 300 days of sunshine annually.

Getting off the beaten track when travelling is no mean achievement in today’s world of mass tourism - especially in countries like Spain whose growing population hit 49 million last year.

Among the world’s most popular tourist destinations, Spain receives a record high 96.8 million visitors last year - and is predicted to be the world’s most visited country by 2040.

The appeal of travelling into the unknown can also be tinged with trepidation as to what may be waiting on arrival - particularly if the destination is off the beaten track. Not ones to do things by halves, Our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain and Sharon’s husband and Yorkshire Times photographer, Steve Hare, traversed the globe to Ushuaia in Argentina.

Our series of Motorhoming articles aims to share insights into the pleasures and adventures of this mode of travelling at home and abroad - along with the realities and practicalities involved.

January and February can be gloomy months - and not just weather-wise - with many of us counting the financial cost of Christmas and feeling demotivated and lethargic.

When the festive decorations start to look as jaded as many of us feel and the weather forecast is beyond depressing; it’s time to seek new adventures in exotic climes. While this may sound challenging, both geographically and financially, especially if you only have a few days off work, it is more do-able than you may think.

The Danube, a majestic waterway which Napoleon called the ‘Queen of European Rivers’, is the only river in the world to border ten countries. Flowing 1,770 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to the mouth of the Black Sea, its rich, cultural diversity spanning Imperial cities, fairytale castles, vineyards, and wildlife make it an increasingly popular destination.

In our last Magic of Motorhoming article, we looked at key areas including classifications - and whether to buy new or used - to help you decide the best fit for your travel adventures.

With hazy summer days a distant memory, autumn brings a season of transformation with crisp, vibrant leaves, harvests of colourful fruit and vegetables and crackling log fires.

With hundreds of motorhomes and camper vans to choose from, selecting what’s right for you can be beyond bewildering. Will you be living and travelling full time in your mobile home - or will it be your holiday ‘go to’ mode of transport to explore your locally or further afield?

Welcome to our newly launched column ‘The Magic of Motorhoming’ where we share fascinating insights and tips on a world which opens new and exciting explorations. Valued at a jaw-dropping £1.15 billion, the UK motorhome industry has witnessed an incredible boom as those with a sense of adventure embrace the independence of travel at home and abroad.

In 2007, Simon Cuncliffe-Lister, the owner of Burton Agnes Hall and passionate saxophonist opened the doors of his stately family manor home and hosted a jazz and blues festival. Fast forward eighteen years, and Burton Agnes Jazz & Blue’s Festival is hailed as a premier, talent packed Northeast event which pulsates with energy and fun.

An historic, opulent gem in Andalucia’s crown, Granada embodies the energy and passion of Spain, elevating the buzz of a city break to new levels. While exploring the city’s architectural and cultural treasures without visiting the Alhambra would be like visiting Rome and giving the Colosseum a wide berth, Granada’s magic extends far beyond the palace walls.

The summer solstice is a formative day in the calendar year, heralding the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Whether you celebrated with wreaths and feasts or simply savoured the longest day of 2025, the milestone kicked off the summer which evokes sunshine-soaked days and balmy nights.

Connecting with nature and its wondrous wildlife and birdlife is therapeutic for our health, bringing a wealth of rewards and an enormous wellbeing boost. With almost 630 species of birdlife in the UK alone, the opportunities and magnificent backdrops to enjoy this leisurely pursuit are plentiful – whether it be the golden eagles in Scotland or ravens on the cliffs at Land’s End. Our Time for Life Correspondent, Sharon Cain, and photographer, Steve Hare, have been exploring in Northumberland – an acclaimed bird watchers utopia.

This year the RNLI is marking a milestone 200th anniversary to acknowledge the remarkable bravery of dedicated crews and volunteers who have saved over 144,000 lives across the UK. The rescue of around three hundred of these precious lives is attributed to the compassionate and courageous community at Hauxley on the Northumberland coast.

Did you know that listening to jazz music can bring a wealth of benefits which include lowering stress levels and blood pressure and boosting our mental and physical well-being? Additional bonuses result in the vibes stimulating our brain - which in turn can increase creativity, lower depression and lighten our mood.

The countdown to Northumberland Day on Sunday, May 26, is a great opportunity to fly the county’s distinctive red and yellow flag and celebrate its rich heritage. Shaking off its winter grey landscape, spring transforms the most northerly county into a blaze of colour with a wealth of attractions to enjoy and explore.