Baxter state park

Baxter state park in northern Maine is home to Mount Katahdin, an impressive 1,600-metre peak that marks the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. Hikers attempting the entire trail between Maine and Georgia will either begin or end their journey on the summit of Katahdin, making this park a prime place for witnessing and sharing personal trials and triumphs of the 2,180-mile footpath. Hiking to the summit of Katahdin is not for the faint of heart. The trail is steep

Acadia national park,

Acadia was decreed the first national park in the eastern US, in 1919, and retains its elemental charm, with rugged granite cliffs, teeming tide pools and wild islands dotting the north Atlantic. Sections of the park are off-limits to cars and a network of horse-drawn carriage trails are still in use. It covers about half of Mount Desert Island, a rocky prominence of land divided into two lobes by the Somes Sound, and nearby smaller islands. Parts of the park appear untouched by people, while others have been developed for centuries: the island was first

netural water

We shelter from a torrential spring shower under some trees, a respectful distance from the eagles’ nest. When I peer through Sexton’s telescope, I’m not sure what is nest and what is bird. Then I realise: the female is half the nest, an enormous mound of mottled brown feathers. Sexton is relieved: “We know she’s OK and she’s sitting on her eggs.” Augmented by further reintroductions on Wester Ross and Scotland’s east coast, a healthy population of British-born eagles, and a few Norwegian old-timers, now in their thirties, grace the Highlands. The reintroduction has proved a model for others around the globe, such as the Californian condor project, and also provides inspiration for the burgeoning rewilding movement and its ambitious moves to bring back beavers, lynx and even wolves.

Bakken, Klampenborg

Did you know that Bakken is the world’s oldest amusement park? No, neither did we. Just 10 minutes north of Copenhagen (which also boasts the 19th-century Tivoli amusement park in the city centre), Bakken is a charming, historic attraction that was founded in 1583. It is frequented by classical white-faced clown Pjerrot, but rarely attracts visitors from outside of Denmark. And while it may not be able to compete with the high-octane thrills of modern theme parks, Bakken still has impressive rides: the grand wooden Rutschebanen coaster, built in 1932, is considered a classic. The tasteful and nostalgic park is surrounded by greenery and makes for a easygoing (and corporate-free) family day out.

Vulcania, Saint-Ours, Auvergne

France does amusement parks with an educational slant extremely well. While Puy du Fou in the Vendée wows visitors with historical battle re-enactments, Vulcania makes volcanoes fun and worth learning about. As well as a museum (borrrr-ing! … just kidding, it’s full of ambitious interactive exhibits that help explain how volcanoes work), the park has rollercoasters, including the Dragon Ride that accelerates to g-force +2. The park was designed by Pritzker prize-winning architect Hans Hollein and its centrepiece is a 28-metre-high cone covered in lava stone on the outside, and a firey gold-coloured interior.

Popeye Village, Anchor Bay

The 1980 film Popeye may have been a notorious flop but its has a legacy in the charming family attraction of Popeye Village, the self-consciously ramshackle collection of wooden buildings set on a beautiful bay constructed as a film set for the Robin Williams movie. Visitors can explore the colourful village, meet the characters and mosey into a range of attractions including a Popeye comic museum. There are also regular boat trips, puppet shows and a cinema, where you can, ahem, watch the Popeye film. It is what it is.

Give me a break

HOME Big savings on English and Welsh hostels If you are fed up with summer holiday price hikes, check out this new deal from the YHA. Book online before 31 January and you can save up to 50% on private rooms sleeping between two and six people at more than 100 of its properties in England and Wales. You don’t have to be a YHA member to take advantage of the offer

family friendly Menorca

It has a reputation as Mallorca and Ibiza’s sleepy little sister, but Menorca is starting to wake up. With beautiful coves and beaches, it has long been a hit with families, but has lacked grown-up places to stay. The opening of a handful of boutique hotels and villas in the past couple of years is changing that. Throw in some great seafood restaurants, top-class vineyards, Bronze Age ruins, two pocket-sized port cities to explore and it all adds up to one of the Med’s most underrated destinations.

mountain biking around

Spring in Cyprus is usually a time for positivity: after a short, cool period the island's intense blue skies and warm temperatures return (it's 23C and sunny this weekend) and the tourist trade, which trickles along through the winter, steps up a gear. This year however, given the turmoil surrounding Cyprus's banking industry, this part of the Med may seem like an odd choice for a holiday.

Have baby, will travel

For more than 20 years I enjoyed travelling solo. The arrival of my daughter Milly 18 months ago changed that. I was past 40 when I became pregnant, but nothing about motherhood dampened my wanderlust. And while I was carrying Milly, her legs were continually on the move, as if she already had itchy feet, too.

The foodie traveller on ...

The Breton speciality kouign amman (pronounced queen-amahn) had a brief spell as the most talked-about pastry on the block last September after it featured as a challenge in The Great British Bake Off, but the speciality has been enjoyed in Brittany for generations and is available in most good local bakeries.

The Fire Pit Camp

On the leafy fringes of the village of Wendling, the Fire Pit is a family-friendly camping paradise, usually scented with campfire smoke. The large, car-free meadow is home to 420 saplings planted by the Woodland Trust and just 10 spacious pitches. The centrepiece is the Wren’s Nest, a two-level glamping dome sleeping eight, made from locally harvested hazel wood and recycled materials. The campsite hosts a food festival on 6 and 7 June.

Farrs Meadow, Dorset

Few sites can match Farrs Meadow for ingenuity and peace. Quirky touches include upcycled horsebox showers and cattle troughs converted into washing-up sinks. There’s a separate paddock for campervans, and accommodation in a yurt, a vintage Dandy camper and a converted stable. It has wild swimming in the Stour river, and is a 10-minute walk from one of the National Trust’s tiniest properties, the Vine Inn in Pamphill, and half an hour from one of its biggest, the 8,500-acre Kingston Lacy estate.

New York state’s forgotten city

Designed by prestigious architects using the best materials, the Buffalo State Asylum was, when it opened in 1880, a mark of the city’s commercial stature and progressive attitudes. But times changed and the sandstone colossus was abandoned in the 1970s. Now an ambitious plan will restore and transform the site, renamed the Richardson Olmsted Complex after the lead architects, into an 88-room hotel, the Buffalo Architecture Centre and a conference space.

Pfeiffer beach, California

Just stunning. Take the unmarked hairpin right turn a couple of miles south of Big Sur Lodge and follow the narrow road to coastal gold. The coastline is very Goonies-esque. The spray, mist, noise and power of the Pacific are sensational. The rock formations moulded by years of wind and water are a sight to behold too. The wide expanse of infinitely walkable beach means that there is always a quiet spot – or as quiet as the wind and waves will allow. About two hours south of San Francisco or 30 minutes south of Monterey, right off the amazing Pacific Coast Highway. Bring a picnic as there are no services.

Anna Maria Island,

Just 45 minutes south of Tampa airport lies the hidden paradise of Anna Maria Island. A spit of land emerging from nearby Bradenton, it extends like a finger out into the Tampa Bay – but feels a million miles away from the hustle of the city. This is old Florida at its best and most authentic. Rent a condo and start your day with eggs sunny-side up at the Rod and Reel Pier restaurant, before hitting the pristine white beaches. You might even get to share your swim with a manatee or two.

Siesta Key beach,

The pristine white sand of Siesta Key beach in Florida is made of quartz deposited millions of years ago from the Appalachian mountains so even in the hottest weather the beach is cool on the feet and great for sport or relaxing. The minerals give the sea a stunningly clear, shimmering aqua-marine colour at all times. Access and parking are free and the sheltered waters of the Gulf of Mexico make it easy for swimmers of all abilities. Get there by bus or taxi from Sarasota, four miles away.

Long Beach Island

This beach-lovers’ paradise is just an hour from New York. With miles of white sand it’s a refreshing change from the over-developed beaches elsewhere on the east coast. The island may be small (18 miles long and half a mile wide) but it doesn’t lack variety; Schooner’s Wharf offers boutique shopping at the foot of a reconstructed tall ship, Beach Haven has a surf park and fairground. The iconic Barnegat lighthouse is in a state park on the north of the island which is also where you’ll find multimillion dollar beachfront residences owned by celebrities – and as the island is so small, if they’re vacationing for the summer you’ll soon hear about it!

Hotel Martello, Lampedusa

Lampedusa, currently at the centre of the Mediterranean migrant crisis, warrants our support. Hotel Martello, above the port, was restful, with pleasing rooms and excellent facilities. It proved a great base for diving and sailing trips and for exploring the fishing port and its beautiful boats. The starkly poignant Monument to Migrants Lost at Sea on a headland above Porto Vecchio, is worth a visit too.

rib roast

Another delicious dish arrived and today is pleased to present the rib roast with a delicious tasting makes you eat and want to eat again. So Utah time to implement all of the following:

Clever fish meatballs

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Ten Acres Vineyard

This is a lovely campsite and vineyard near the picturesque village of Winkleigh, between Exmoor and Dartmoor. The owners are winemakers who know everything about wine and English sparkling wine, which of course you can also try. There are also some delightful little pigs and chickens – it’s perfect for family camping.

Cleadale, Isle of Eigg

If you enjoy your camping raw, earthy and inspiring, Cleadale is worth making the trek to. The soft pastures aren’t smooth, but you know you are surrounded by mother nature at her most inspiring here. The best grassy banks for tents look seaward to the Isle of Rum and you can eat your pasta as the sun sets while eagles and buzzards soar from cliff tops. JRR Tolkien penned some chapters of The Lord of the Rings when staying here, and you might want to write your own book or poem too.

River Dart country park

A sunny coastline, mild climate and lush pastureland make the south Devon coast great for camping, and the River Dart Country Park has streams for swimming, hiking areas, nature trails and pirate ships to keep the kids happy. Local organic products are available at the nearby Riverfield Kitchen.