Wild escapes: The best new adventures to book now
Think stargazing in Iceland, barefoot luxury in the jungle and futuristic kit that takes your next expedition to the next level
Explore open waters with expert sailing training
Are you an avid sailor hoping to hone your skills or a complete novice wanting to learn? The London School of Sailing (LSS) offers a unique sailing experience, blending professional training with a friendly, welcoming community.
Whether you're just starting out or you're already experienced, LSS provides tailored courses designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to become your own skipper. With expert instructors and a personal approach, students are prepared for unforgettable sailing holidays and adventures.
LSS also features a comprehensive charter agency service, offering expert assistance in securing boats worldwide, all backed by a price match guarantee. This combination of top-quality training and charter services ensures smooth sailing, whether exploring the Mediterranean or the Caribbean.
Get 10% off all courses and charter bookings with code LSSAUTMN10 at londonschoolofsailing.co.uk. Offer valid from 1 September to 1 November 2025.
Whether you're tackling a mountain trail or cycling your daily commute, Hypershell X helps you move further, faster and with less fatigue.
This sleek, AI-powered exoskeleton fits around your hips and thighs to provide up to 40% more leg strength, offset heavy loads and reduce physical exertion by 30%.
The built-in MotionEngine responds in real time, learning your stride and adapting its assist to match. Lightweight (from just 1.8kg), foldable and dust and water resistant, it's a smart choice for adventurers, photographers and everyday explorers alike.
With a 10-mile battery range, multiple activity modes and optional app integration, Hypershell redefines what your body can do.
Stay powered up wherever your adventures take you
For serious adventurers, staying off-grid shouldn't mean going without.
The Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 Portable Power Station is a compact-but-capable power hub designed to support explorers in the wild.
With 1.07kWh of energy and 1500W output, it can power everything from drones and GPS units to cookers and electric blankets. The LiFePO4 battery is safe, durable and built for extremes — making it ideal for everything from overlanding and van life to high-altitude treks or off-season camping.
Plug in via AC outlets, USB-C, USB-A or the 12V car port, and recharge with solar, mains or your vehicle. Weighing just over 11kg, it's made for adventurers who travel far and wide but never want to lose their spark.
Looking for an African adventure that treads lightly?
Wild Paths crafts bespoke safaris across Kenya that combine breathtaking wildlife encounters with real purpose. Track lions through the conservancies of the Maasai Mara, spot elephants in lesser-visited reserves or join walking safaris in wild bushland far from the crowds.
As one of the few operators that offer train journeys, Wild Paths pride themselves on offering incredible rail experiences that will see you travel across Rift Valley landscapes or meet the conservationists protecting Kenya's most endangered species.
Every trip is hand-built around your pace and passions, with carefully chosen camps that support local communities and nature alike. Whether you're a first-timer or a seasoned explorer, this is Kenya with heart and a sense of authentic discovery.
All bookings are ATOL-protected for complete peace of mind.
Far from the tourist trails, the vast icy expanse of Langjökull feels like another planet. Sleipnir's Glacier Monster Trucks offer rare, year-round access to this remote glacier — no hiking or crampons (only easy slip on) required.
Custom-built with independent suspension and onboard heating, these high-clearance trucks were designed for safe, comfortable travel across wild terrain.
The experience is family-run and deeply personal, born from founder Ástvaldur's dream of creating movement and joy for his son, who lived with a degenerative illness.
Today, the fleet carries guests from age four and over into Iceland's frozen heart — through shimmering silence, under wide Arctic skies. Tours depart from Gullfoss and are suitable for most abilities.
Get 20% off with code TRAVEL26. Offer ends 31 December 2026.
With seven premium locations across the atolls, Prodivers Maldives offers unforgettable diving and snorkelling experiences for all levels, from curious beginners to seasoned undersea explorers.
Spot turtles, reef sharks and manta rays across over 100 vibrant coral sites, or try speciality dives such as earning a Nitrox certification or high-speed scooter adventures.
Children as young as four can join guided snorkelling sessions, while those aged eight and up can try diving with Bubblemaker or Discover Scuba Diving sessions.
Every experience is led by expert instructors with a deep respect for marine life and guest safety. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a family holiday, this is barefoot luxury beneath the surface.
Get 10% off with code DivePD25 at prodivers.com. Offer valid for bookings between 1 September 2025 and 30 April 2026.
Book now
Retreat to a mountain sanctuary in Oman
Magnificently set over 6,500ft above sea level in the Al Hajar Mountains, Alila Jabal Akhdar offers a quieter kind of luxury — rooted, elemental and deeply restorative.
Here, cool mountain air mingles with wild rose-scented valleys, ancient villages and dramatic canyons. Hike to hilltop hamlets, dine beneath the stars, or unwind with spa rituals inspired by timeless wellness traditions.
The architecture blends seamlessly into its surroundings, while suites and villas offer sweeping views and exceptional privacy.
If you're seeking romance, reconnection or simply stillness, this EarthCheck-certified resort delivers. Best of all? While the valleys below swelter, temperatures up here remain cool and inviting.
Begin your journey
Join an adventure designed for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s
Ready for an elevated adventure?
Other Way Round Travel offers grown-up group trips built for solo travellers in their 30s and 40s who want more than just to party or chill by the poolside.
These curated adventures blend real connection with real experience, from hiking the Inca Trail to kayaking past sea caves near Dubrovnik. The group size? Small. The vibe? Relaxed, with a focus on good food, meaningful moments and four-star comfort.
Whether you're riding camels in the Sahara or sharing dinner with your new friends, the trips strike a balance between independence and community.
With more than 90% of guests travelling solo, you'll arrive alone and leave with a dozen WhatsApp contacts and a lifetime of stories.
Tucked away in the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky, London — yes, it's really called London — offers adventure at every altitude.
Paddle or fish across the 5,600-acre Laurel River Lake, where forested coves and sandstone cliffs shape a natural playground for kayakers and anglers.
Prefer dry land? London is known as the Cycling Capital of Kentucky, with hundreds of miles of scenic routes from winding backroads to the famed Redbud Ride each spring.
Trails lead through the forest, while local life comes alive each September at the World Chicken Festival — home to live music, fried food and the world's largest frying pan.
Outdoorsy, friendly and full of character, this is Kentucky off the beaten track.
Plan your trip
This isn't your average safari.
At Ol Pejeta Conservancy — a 90,000-acre reserve in the foothills of Mount Kenya — guests help fund frontline conservation while actively taking part in the work itself. Join rangers for a morning fitness session, follow rhino tracks on foot or take part in a mock anti-poaching mission.
Alongside classic game drives, you'll also get the chance to meet the last two northern white rhinos on Earth and explore one of Kenya's best-preserved ecosystems, home to elephants, lions, Grevy's zebra and more.
Stay in luxury tents or private cottages, with every booking supporting wildlife protection and local communities. Whether you're there for purpose or adventure, this is travel that leaves a legacy.
Experience it for yourself
See Japan in seamless style
Ancient temples, neon skylines, bullet trains, tea houses – Japan is a country of contrasts, and journaway lets travellers explore everything in seamless style.
This tour operator specialises in fully customisable round-trips, combining flights, hotels and curated experiences with expert support before and during every journey. Whether you're after quiet temples in Kyoto, sushi tours in Tokyo or a glimpse of Mount Fuji, journaway offers exciting options for everyone.
More than 45,000 satisfied travellers trust its truly flexible, stressfree approach, backed by a bestprice guarantee. Beyond Japan, journaway opens the door to worldwide adventures, from the volcanoes of Iceland to the savannahs of Africa.
Save £150 on any booking with code nextadventure150 at journaway.com. Offer valid until 26 October 2025.
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
How the Royal Family's summer excursions to the Mediterranean have noticeably changed: From Prince Charles' iconic windsurfing trip to Gary Goldsmith's Ibiza cocaine scandal as William and Kate are spotted on a £40million yacht in Greece
Like thousands of families across Britain, Prince William and his family escaped to the Mediterranean this summer for some well earnt sun and relaxation. It is understood that William and Kate holidayed in Greece where they travelled around the idyllic Ionian Islands on a luxury £40million yacht. The Prince and Princess of Wales - along with Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte - first travelled to Kefalonia before they were spotted off the coast of the tiny island of Ithaca. The royals then dropped anchor at nearby Zakynthos for a very special reason. During the weekend, the Daily Mail reported that a tender boat was despatched on a special mission. Locals on Zakynthos have half-jokingly speculated that the 12-year-old George might fancied a fast food treat. Sources remain tight-lipped about the what the purpose of the trip was but allegedly the young Prince - seemingly having grown tired of Greek staples such as souvlaki and moussaka - might have fancied a McDonalds. The amusing stories emerging from the Waleses' Greek escapades are reminiscent of holidays that a young William enjoyed with the now King Charles III and his late mother Princess Diana. Throughout the 80s and 90s, William and Harry enjoyed a number of yachting excursions across the sun-kissed shores of the Mediterranean yet there remains noticeable differences between those enjoyed by William today. Indeed, the now adult Prince of Wales has been keen to make sure his family trips remain private. However, while the Prince was growing up, Charles and Diana were pictured in their swimsuits in remarkably intimate and candid shots. One of the most famous yachting holidays taken by the couple was during their trip to Majorca in 1986. They were invited by the King of Spain - Juan Carlos I - to visit the popular tourist destination where they reportedly visited its most popular resorts including Palma and Cala Major - where the Spanish Royal Family's summer residence is located. This is in stark contrast to Wills most recent trip to Greece where the Daily Mail has learned that not once during the sailing trip did the royals set foot on any of the islands. Pictures that emerged from the trip suggest it was a holiday Charles and Diana enjoyed. In one image, Diana could be seen diving off the side of the Spanish yacht into the sea. Meanwhile Charles was spotted enjoying a spot of windsurfing. William and Kate holidayed on the neighbouring island of Ibiza in 2006 while they were courting. While staying on the party island, the future Prince and Princess of Wales were pictured sunbathing together on the bow of a yacht. During this holiday, they were invited to stay at Kate's 'bad boy' uncle Gary Goldsmith's £3.6million villa alongside Pippa and James Middleton and Prince Harry. The luxury pad boasted an infinity swimming pool and a tennis court, but it quickly became known as 'La Maison de Bang Bang' – crude French slang for the house of sex – because of his penchant for wild parties. In 2009, the trip made headlines after The News Of The World printed a shocking photo of Kate's uncle - Gary Goldsmith - seemingly preparing to snort cocaine on their front page. Gary had unwittingly invited two journalists from the paper into his villa in Ibiza where he shared stories about Kate and Wills time at his home including a tale of how William broke his ornamental pyramids. Another famous trip taken to the Med by Charles and Diana was their holiday to Italy in 1991. The excursion was dubbed their 'second honeymoon' as it came shortly after the couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. Sailing along the coast of Italy, the royals enjoyed the splendour of the Alexander - which at the time was the third biggest yacht in the world - where they were joined by the former King and Queen of Greece, Constantine and Anne-Marie, as well as Prince Charles's cousin, Lord Romsey, and his wife, Lady Penelope and all their children. Charles and Diana swimming in the sea off the coast of Sardinia. From what is known now their marriage was very much on the rocks by the summer of 1991 Diana aboard Mohammed al Fayed's yacht in Saint Tropez While the press dubbed the trip a 'happy family holiday', Charles and Diana would separate just over a year later in December 1992 and from what is known now their marriage was very much on the rocks by the summer of 1991. Princess Diana would continue to take yachting holidays after her separation and later divorce from Charles in 1996. Her most notorious trip would tragically become her last when she spent the summer of 1997 sailing around southern Europe with Mohamed al Fayed and his son Dodi al Fayed. At Mohamed's invitation Diana traveled to the south of France, with William and Harry, in July that year for a week away at his home in Saint-Tropez and on his private yacht. It was on this holiday that the Princess met Dodi and a romance soon blossomed. Diana enjoyed the break. The Princess was pictured smiling and enjoying herself aboard the luxury vessel and Harry would write in his memoir, Spare, that 'everything about that trip to St. Tropez was heaven'. A month later, Diana returned to the French Riviera and spent more time with Dodid travelling to Corsica and Sardinia on his yacht. The pair were soon photographed together leading to a summer of speculation in the media about what their relationship was. The Daily Mail ran a headline on August 7 which read 'Diana's cruise with playboy Dodi'. It was during this fateful holiday that Princess Diana was snapped sitting at the end of the yacht's diving board. Alone, wearing a striking turquoise swimming costume the picture instantly became one of the most notorious photos from that summer as just days later both Dodi and Diana would dead following a car crash in Paris. Two years later, in August 1999, Camilla joined Charles and his sons for a yacht cruise around the Aegean in what Richard Kay at the Daily Mail described at the time as 'the most significant development in their relationship since their "coming-out" photocall on the steps of the Ritz Hotel' where they officially announced their relationship. Since their marriage in 2005, Charles and Camilla have continued to enjoy yachting. In 2008 they embarked on a royal tour of the Caribbean where they traveled by boat to destinations such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Metro
4 hours ago
- Metro
I found a lively European city break that cost me £61 a day
A mammoth-sized mural of a girl painted in earthy tones. A bright, striped block of flats. A new skyscraper shaped like a head. Driving through Tirana, I can't help but look up. This, I think, is a place where old and new worlds collide. My taxi driver, Erion, leans over the steering wheel and points to the buildings around us. 'That's new, that one is a couple of years old, that one is very popular with tourists, this is also new,' he says. A tantalising aroma wafts from a stall beside the car window. The vendor is unwrapping fresh ballokume , a traditional sweet treat, and kulaç , Albanian soda bread. On the corner, men are playing dominoes on a makeshift table. At first glance, Tirana feels lively, but not overwhelming. The Albanian capital of 600,000 residents is about the size of the London borough of Brent. But it has ambitious plans. And with fascinating history, a Mediterranean climate and new direct flights from Gatwick for as little as £19.99 from October (courtesy of Wizz Air), it's an underrated choice for an affordable city break. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. It's impossible to visit Tirana without meeting memories of its Communist past. Not far from Skanderbeg Square, the heart of the city, is an underground Cold War bunker. Bunk'Art 2 – and Bunk'Art 1, located further out – are museums that give life to Enver Hoxha's paranoia (entry is £7.85, with cheaper options for a combined ticket or groups). Albania's Communist leader was so obsessed with foreign invasion that it's estimated he ordered the creation of more than 170,000 bunkers – making Albania the country with the most bunkers in the world (as far as we know, at least). After the fall of Communism in the early '90s, Tirana was mostly made up of grey, Soviet-style buildings. In the early '00s, Edi Rama – the then mayor and now Prime Minister – launched an initiative to inject colour into the capital. As a result, there are murals everywhere you turn, from residential corners to park benches. If you are planning to stay only a few days, consider joining a street art tour that will take you to hidden Insta-worthy spots. Other attractions worth visiting include the Et'hem Bey Mosque – a beautiful cultural monument that was spared destruction during the Communist era – and Mount Dajti, which can be reached via cable car. Something that surprised me about Albania was its eclectic and tasty food. It's a mix of Mediterranean and Balkan flavours, with hearty meat dishes and delicious vegetarian staples. I tasted perhaps too many crispy byrek (savoury pastries), as well as yoghurt-based sauces and juicy dolma (stuffed vegetables). One of my favourite meals was at Piceri Era Blloku, which serves succulent Albanian qofte (meatballs) with a creamy sauce of plum nardem , a traditional preserve (£6.72). Of course, I couldn't not put Albanian nightlife to the test. Head to Radio Bar Tirana for some seriously cheap cocktails (starting at £6.54) with retro vibes. If you're looking for something more upmarket, the 360° rotating bar at Sky Club offers an incredible view and a romantic atmosphere. I sat there for two hours, waiting for the sun to go down and paint the skyline red, sipping blood orange martinis (around £10 each). What's not to love? However, my favourite was Komiteti Bar. The venue calls itself a 'café-museum', and it's decorated with objects from the Communist period. There are handmade doilies, repurposed sewing machines, and traditional costumes hanging on the walls. After our first visit, when we had some classic cocktails, we came back again, this time determined to give raki (a traditional Albanian spirit) a try. The team behind the bar welcomed us with a smile, shouting from afar, 'You back again?!' Due to some language difficulties, we decided to fully trust our waiter to choose a selection of raki drinks based on the options 'spicy, sweet, or sour'. We were not disappointed when we received a refreshing berry-based infusion and a tumbler with a simil-whisky sour, the perfect accompaniment to the live music in the background. Accommodation: £15.08 (per night) I shared an Airbnb flat with three friends. The historic soviet complex, known as Shallvaret, was built in the 1950s. £15.08 (per night) I shared an Airbnb flat with three friends. The historic soviet complex, known as Shallvaret, was built in the 1950s. Breakfast: £3.87 At Destil Creative Hub, I had petulla , Albanian fritters with apple jam, honey, and feta cheese on the side, and fresh orange juice. One of my favourite finds of the trip. £3.87 At Destil Creative Hub, I had , Albanian fritters with apple jam, honey, and feta cheese on the side, and fresh orange juice. One of my favourite finds of the trip. Guided tour: £8.36 We had a very informative and fun walk with Tirana Free Tour. You can pay as much as you think it's worth it. £8.36 We had a very informative and fun walk with Tirana Free Tour. You can pay as much as you think it's worth it. Lunch: £10.53 During my psychedelic lunch at Restorant Tymi, I tried Albanian meze, which included soft bread, two local cheeses, grilled vegetables and an aubergine dip. Plus water to stay hydrated, of course. £10.53 During my psychedelic lunch at Restorant Tymi, I tried Albanian meze, which included soft bread, two local cheeses, grilled vegetables and an aubergine dip. Plus water to stay hydrated, of course. Visit to the House of Leaves: £5.90 Also known as the Museum of Secret Surveillance, this chilling exhibition explores the inner workings of the Communist regime. £5.90 Also known as the Museum of Secret Surveillance, this chilling exhibition explores the inner workings of the Communist regime. Dinner: £11.27 At Oda Restaurant, I had fërgesë (a creamy bake of cheese and vegetables), fasule pllaqi (lima butter beans baked in tomato sauce) and aubergine stuffed with vegetables. We also shared a litre of house wine between four. £11.27 At Oda Restaurant, I had (a creamy bake of cheese and vegetables), (lima butter beans baked in tomato sauce) and aubergine stuffed with vegetables. We also shared a litre of house wine between four. Cocktails: £6.32 We liked Komiteti Bar so much that we came back twice. The interior resembles a communist-era home, but with a modern twist. Their Albanian raki cocktails are a must-try. £6.32 We liked Komiteti Bar so much that we came back twice. The interior resembles a communist-era home, but with a modern twist. Their Albanian raki cocktails are a must-try. Total: £61.33 'Everywhere in Albania is an active building site,' Arber Musabelliu, a local guide from Free Walking Tour Tirana, tells me. When she visited last year, Metro's Alice Murphy also noticed that several areas of the country were overbuilt and overcrowded. There's even a Reddit thread devoted to the issue, ominously titled 'The consequences of mass tourism in Albania'. Tirana isn't the exception. Before becoming the capital of Albania in 1920, it was a relatively small town in a strategic position at the centre of the country. Now, just over 100 years later, it's a modern European city with bold development plans. A masterplan – known as Tirana 2030 – aims to transform the capital into a greener, more sustainable and technological urban centre. Led by Italian architect Stefano Boeri (the brains behind Milan's iconic forest building), the vision includes quirky buildings and architectural drama. Some that have already been erected include a pixelated map of the country, a skyscraper that looks to have been inspired by a Jenga set, and a patriotic block of luxury condos in the shape of Albania's national hero. And, because Tirana is mostly made up of low-rise Communist-era buildings, the effect is disorientating. Architecture isn't usually my thing, but in Tirana, I was hooked. Watching the city's skyline, with Mount Dajti in the background, my eyes were captivated by these monumental pillars, towering over the landscape. One disappointing aspect of Tirana was its untidiness, sadly. While this didn't spoil my visit, there is a lot that could be done to improve the situation. Compared to other European capitals, Tirana is small and easy to explore on foot. Buses in the centre are also very frequent (£0.35 for each ride). For a weekend getaway, stay near the lively Blloku ('the Block', once an elite communist enclave) or Skanderbeg Square to be close to the main attractions and nightlife. The city has plenty of affordable options when it comes to accommodation. As I was travelling with three friends, we opted for something with shared (but private) living spaces. For us, making the most of our time together – whether visiting a museum or just resting on the sofa after a day of walking – was the most important thing. We chose a two-bedroom, two-bathroom Airbnb with a 4.98 rating for £220 in total. Located near the Blloku, it was just a four-minute walk from the main street, which meant we could easily get home after dinner and drinks in one of the district's trendy bars. The apartment was certified as a Guest Favourite, meaning the listing was rated highly by previous guests. Elton, our host, was extremely responsive and made sure we felt right at home. For a luxury experience, the Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana is the top-rated 5-star hotel on TripAdvisor. Located in the centre, it has a 24-hour gym, a wellness centre and three different restaurants to choose from. Prices start at £103 per night for a standard room. For families, Hotel Mondial takes the crown on TripAdvisor. Reviewers praise the spacious and modern family rooms, which accomodate large groups and come with connecting doors. This is also one of the few hotels with a rooftop pool in the capital. Prices start at £75 per night for a standard double room. More Trending If you are on a budget, or travelling alone, Tirana Backpacker Hostel is a highly rated option. With some very strong hippie vibes, reviewers raved about the day tours, the cheap vegetarian dinners and nicely decorated rooms, with one guest calling it 'the best hostel I've ever stayed in'. A night in a six-bed mixed dorm starts at £10.42. You can fly directly from London to Tirana for as little as £26 from Stansted (with Ryanair), from Heathrow with British Airways and from Luton (with Wizz Air). From October 26, Wizz will also fly from Gatwick. Ryanair runs direct flights to Tirana from Manchester and Edinburgh airports. Once you've landed, the city centre is a 30-minute drive away. Get an Albanian SIM: Depending on your phone provider, data roaming in Albania may be very expensive. Opt for a local SIM (easily found at the airport or in the city centre) or an eSIM (I went with Saily, and had no issues). Depending on your phone provider, data roaming in Albania may be very expensive. Opt for a local SIM (easily found at the airport or in the city centre) or an eSIM (I went with Saily, and had no issues). Carry some local currency: Visiting Tirana without Albanian Lek in cash will be painful. And trust me, because I tried. Some restaurants will accept cards, but not all. I witnessed someone having to leave their watch as collateral and rushing out to find an ATM late at night. Just save yourself the hassle. Keep in mind that it's a closed currency, so you can only get it once you get there, and you can't take it back with you at the end of your trip. Visiting Tirana without Albanian Lek in cash will be painful. And trust me, because I tried. Some restaurants will accept cards, but not all. I witnessed someone having to leave their watch as collateral and rushing out to find an ATM late at night. Just save yourself the hassle. Keep in mind that it's a closed currency, so you can only get it once you get there, and you can't take it back with you at the end of your trip. Have the details of a taxi company at hand: Sore feet (or heels!) and walking don't go well together. Uber and Bolt don't operate in Albania. We used Green Taxi from and to the airport, but our Airbnb host also recommended Blue Taxi and Taxi Lux. Sore feet (or heels!) and walking don't go well together. Uber and Bolt don't operate in Albania. We used Green Taxi from and to the airport, but our Airbnb host also recommended Blue Taxi and Taxi Lux. Check out the airport lounge for a bit of luxury: If you want to finish your holiday with a treat, visit the Business Lounge at Tirana Airport. Entering costs £25 (or free with Priority Pass), and it will save you from the crowded waiting area. They have a wide selection of good food and drinks, but the freshly baked cakes deserve a special mention. This article was originally published on 17 April 2025 and has been updated. MORE: Greek island dubbed 'Mykonos of the Sporades' is a gem that's 26C in September MORE: I visited the 'world's most fun airport' that makes family holidays easy MORE: The spectacular city you must visit to watch the FIFA World Cup in 2026
Times
4 hours ago
- Times
Cannes v St Tropez: which is better?
Pitting these two Riviera rivals against each other is more honourable duel than bar-room brawl — you'd be hard-pushed to find more elegant opponents. The names of both have become synonymous with sun-soaked Gallic luxury, and while there are similarities — both destinations, beloved of Hollywood A-listers, offer a good line in beaches, boats and boutiques — there are significant differences which may sway you in favour of one or the other. While both are titans of tourism, their physical size is an obvious point of contrast. Cannes is a city of 75,000 people; St Tropez is a small seaside town with less than 4,000 residents. As a result, high-season crowds are more heavily felt in the latter, where 80,000 visitors a day can swamp the picturesque streets that inspired Matisse, Chagall and their fellow Fauvists. Visit off-season if you want to sense the small fishing village that existed before the jet set came in their superyachts. The candy-coloured old town is undeniably gorgeous, as are many of the bronzed and beautiful visitors, who flock to the beach clubs and chichi restaurants. With few places to park and no railway station, St Tropez is designed for languid, lazy days and sybaritic nights. Cannes, on the other hand, offers not only more action within its environs — from markets and museums to the Lérins Islands in the bay — but is also a better base from which to visit the wider Côte d'Azur, not least because its hotel prices are a little more reasonable. However, the city isn't lacking in glamour, from the beach clubs lining La Croisette promenade to the star-studded film festival, usually held in May. As busy as St Tropez and Cannes may be in high season, the summer months bring swimmable waters, sun-kissed days, night markets and plenty of art and music festivals. And that's without mention of the celebrations around Bastille Day, which arrive with a bang on July 14 as fireworks are launched from beaches along the coast. Our guide sets the two combatants to contest everything from beaches and attractions to hotels and restaurants — en garde! This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Winner It's a tie … both have fabulous beaches Cannes' main seafront sprawls along the palace hotel-lined La Croisette promenade as one big, golden beach. A handful of spots are public, such as Plage du Palais des Festivals (below the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, venue for the film festival). But the expensive private beach areas are the places to be seen, especially the plages of the Carlton and Martinez hotels, where champagne flows by the bucketful and A-listers snack on lobster with their feet in the sand. When you need to escape, the down-to-earth Lérins Islands, a short boat hop away, have charming creeks without the crowds, and shaded paths through wild forest. St Tropez, on the other hand, is all about beach parties. It has its share of restful spots — butterscotch-sand Plage des Graniers and pebbly Plage de la Ponche, amid the pastel-coloured houses below the citadel — but it's the beach clubs along Plage de Pampelonne that get the mega-yacht crowd going. Celeb-tastic experiences await along its sands in places such as Le Club 55 (created when Roger Vadim shot And God Created Woman with Brigitte Bardot) and La Réserve à la Plage, where the jet set come to swim, bronze and fine-dine. • Best beaches in Europe Winner St Tropez Cannes' seafront beach clubs are glorious spots for cocktails, especially at sunset, when the skies are striped Gucci pink and orange. But you can't beat its rooftop bars, where your spritz comes with 360-degree Med views and laid-back DJ sounds. You'll find a bustling bar scene in the streets behind the promenade — in trendy wine bars and British-style pubs, where punters spill out on to the pavement — and also in the city's three casinos. But for sheer fun, St Tropez wins hands down — for its posh Pampelonne beach clubs (again), but also for the Vieux Port in the old town, where celebs in flip-flops party on mega-yachts as champagne-fuelled crowds watch on from the terrace of Café Sénéquier. You'll find a more laid-back vibe behind the port, on plane tree-lined Place des Lices, a market square where locals sip bière over a game of pétanque. At sunset, the best spots are at Plage de la Bouillabaisse, where the beach bars have views across the shimmering gulf on to the twinkling lights of nearby Port Grimaud. • Read our full guide to France Winner St Tropez Beyond the Croisette's sea-facing palaces (where the food comes with whopping price tags), some of the loveliest eateries in Cannes are amid the steep, meandering lanes of the old town area of Le Suquet. Here, Provençal food features on most menus on your way up towards the Notre-Dame d'Espérance church — the perfect spot for a post-prandial walk thanks to its panoramic look-out terrace. Be sure to try local specialities such as soupe au pistou (a veggie and bean soup) and daube Provençale (red wine-marinated beef stew). But (as you'd expect in a town of such overt hedonism) St Tropez is possibly even more gourmet, with everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to hip seafood shacks to see and be seen in. It's fortunately not all about the bling, either: the creative dishes on the plates often shine brighter than the stars tucking into them. And many of the highlights — think artful reinterpretations of classic Mediterranean fare — are found in restaurants (such as La Table de la Messardière) beyond the seafront. Don't leave without munching on the town's namesake cake — tarte Tropézienne, a brioche-like delight filled with vanilla cream, created in the town in the Fifties. • Best restaurants in Nice Winner Cannes — by a sliver In most people's minds, the words 'Cannes' and 'hotels' equate to beachfront film-star haunts like the Carlton and the Martinez. But behind the Croisette, in the town centre and north of the train station (towards Le Cannet), there are plenty of lesser-known gems that'll place you in the action, without the price tag. St Tropez is smaller, so doesn't have quite as much choice (hence Cannes winning here). But what it does have are luxurious hidey-holes nestled in the lush hills just above the old town. One such place is La Bastide de Saint Tropez, a peach-coloured manor surrounded by gardens. Back in the centre, the Hôtel de Paris — where some junior suite dwellers can yacht-spot from their windows — famously attracted everyone from Édith Piaf to Clark Gable. Or try country-chic La Ferme d'Augustin — a fraction of the price and very pretty. For Garbo-esque isolation in Cannes, you'll want the hills around the nearby perched village of Mougins, or the rocky seafront just west of central Cannes, in Théoule-sur-Mer. Moroccan-themed Tiara Yaktsa is a secluded standout, with endless clifftop views over the azure sea. For a secluded splurge in St Tropez, bolt down at the super-romantic Château de la Messardière, surrounded by landscaped gardens and umbrella pines. Winner Cannes The seafront is a must-see when you're in Cannes — whether you do it on foot, along the Croisette (via the Allée des Stars, Cannes' handprint-filled answer to the Hollywood Walk of Fame), in a posh hotel in the beach area, or by boat. But it's just a fraction of the offerings: Forville market in the old town drips with fragrant, Provençal delights; fashion boutiques congregate around Rue d'Antibes, and a hike through the panoramic Croix des Gardes hillside takes you into an arboretum of mimosa trees (in peak bloom in February). Or you could sail to Île Sainte-Marguerite, home to the fortress that once held the Man in the Iron Mask and a magical underwater sculpture museum (accessible by snorkelling). When the beach parties get too much, St Tropez does have a few diversions up its sleeve: there's art to see in Musée de l'Annonciade (in a 16th-century chapel filled with the works of 20th-century greats such as Matisse and Signac) and at Maison des Papillons, a quirky butterfly museum amid pastel-painted former fishermen's homes. Wine-tasting abounds on the peninsula, at places such as Château Minuty, a glorious vineyard near the pretty hilltop village of Gassin. For sports, you can try Flyboarding and parasailing off Pampelonne, or hiking along the wild Sentier du Littoral, a spectacular coastal path that glorifies St Tropez's sumptuous natural setting. Cannes It's a very close call but Cannes just pips St Tropez to the post. Swinging in Cannes' favour is its accessibility, both in terms of prices and location. After all, you don't come to this part of France just to stop in one place. You hop around from bar to restaurant, and from boat to party. So having good transport links will certainly help you get from A to B, while every penny saved on hotels will allow you to get more out of the experience. Then there's the fact that Cannes is just so much bigger, absorbing those summer crowds with ease — something that St Tropez often struggles with. If it's any consolation, St Tropez is just a short drive away for those big nights reporting by Oliver Berry and Joanna Booth • Best beaches in France• Best villas in the south of France
