Краткое описание: Britain is perfect for exploring, for acting on a whim, for having an adventure, for doing exactly what you want to do. Find a delightful village as you’re touring the coast? Check into that friendly inn overlooking the harbour. See a dramatic castle on the skyline? Turn off the road and stroll round dramatic battlements. Love the hip hotel in the city? Stay another night. Or two. Sure, you’ll make some plans in advance - especially if time is tight - but you can leave things to chance as well, enjoying the excitement that only freedom can provide.

Краткое описание: The range of travellers who visit Goa, from first timers to package tourists to hard-core adventurers, is a testament to its widespread appeal and the relative ease of travelling here. Goa’s size means that you don’t have to stress about planning a route or slicing your days into units to see and do everything; if you don’t like where you are, you can relocate to the other end of the state in a couple of hours.

Краткое описание: With centuries of practice, Germany has come quite close to perfecting its tourism infrastructure. Backpackers, families and jetsetters will all find their needs and expectations met. Room and travel reservations are a good idea during peak season (summer and around holidays), but otherwise you can keep your advance planning to a minimum.

Краткое описание: Sitting at one of the earth’s great crossroads, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan occupy a mountainous zone on the southern flank of the mighty Caucasus mountains. Here two continents meet between two seas and many worlds commingle at a frontier between Islam and Christendom - all under the watchful gaze of three bigger, much more powerful neighbours: Russia, Turkey and Iran.

Краткое описание: Some parts of France are tried-and-tested, bona fide ‘dream destinations’ and as such require planning weeks, if not months, in advance in order to snag the best room in the house: be it a castle, a tree house or a golden stone mas (farmhouse).

Other areas scarcely score a sentence in newspaper travel sections and as such are perfect for travellers happy to fly by the seat of their pants with no itinerary or advance booking to speak of. Whatever your budget - France allows you to spend a farthing or a fortune - travel is straightforward and generally free of bad surprises.

Краткое описание: Travel in Finland is a pleasure. Buses and trains run on time, tourist offices are eager to please and full of at-your-fingertips information, and you can get by easily enough without even dipping into a Finnish dictionary. It’s not a cheap destination, but neither are prices as elevated as sometimes imagined, and accommodation in particular can be excellent value, with hotels chopping their prices in summer and at weekends.

Краткое описание: Blessed with some of the warmest people on the planet and a genuine zest for tourism, Fiji lends itself to all genres of travel. Honeymooners, divers, backpackers, families, bird-watchers, adventurers, independent travellers and tour groups all flock here to make the most of the stunning landscape and abundant sunshine. Luxury beachside resorts and private transport cater to tourists looking for pure R&R with minimum effort. But it’s also easy to get off the tourist trail and explore the archipelago independently, regardless of your age or budget.

Краткое описание: The movie Pulp Fiction was right: the thing about Europe is the little differences. Thanks to the continent’s huge global influence, newcomers find it foreign and, at the same time, reassuringly familiar. Often dubbed a ‘living museum’, this is a place rich in history and tradition. Fairy-tale castles cast their shadows over lush green valleys and Gothic churches stand proudly amid beautifully preserved medieval towns. Galleries overflow with masterpieces from the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rodin, Van Gogh and Picasso. Festivals have evolved from ancient pagan rituals. Hell, even beer drinking has a time-honoured track record, especially in countries such as Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany.

Краткое описание: There’s no denying that travelling in Ethiopia and Eritrea is not easy going. The roads, though improving, still batter your bottom for hours on end and hotels (both budget and midrange) are known to host a flea or two. Cheap internal flights can add years to your backside’s life, but they can’t save you from everything. Expecting to see the sights between lazing in first-class hotels? Please put this book gently back on the shelf for those willing to take some doses of displeasure with the bounty of treasure these countries have to offer.

Краткое описание: Astonishingly few people can pinpoint these three countries on a map, giving Baltic-bound travellers an instant head start. Accommodation is relatively easy to find (bar the capitals in July and August, which do get tourist-busy) and is still a steal compared with many other European countries. Dining is another unexpectedly tasty experience, in the capitals at least, with many meals at laughable prices. To top it all off, the arts scene is hot, young and vibrant.