Our top 20 most-read articles in 2018

1. 7 of the best walks in London

Canal circuits, South Bank strolls and park perambulations – these are some of the best routes to appreciate (or escape) Britain's capital city. 

Do you have a favourite London route? Let us know on Twitter.

2. 15 of Scotland’s best hikes

Few countries can match Scotland’s dramatic landscapes. Get your walking boots ready for these 15 greatest hikes, with suggestions for one-day, family, coastal, adventurous, romantic, historical hikes and more.

3. How to become a travel photographer 

"Every muppet with a camera and a plane ticket thinks that they can be a travel photographer”. Pro photographer Steve Davey, author and photographer of Unforgettable Places To See Before You Die, is discouraging, but he has a point. You might like the sound of swanning around the world, clicking the shutter now and then, but there’s more to being a travel photographer. Our team of experts share their tips and advice...

4. 5 reasons to visit Pula, Croatia

Set beside the glittering Adriatic Sea, Pula is home to world-class festivals, fresh and affordable cuisine, and the most complete Roman colosseum in the world. Here's why you need to get there now.

5. The world’s 10 most awesome giant Buddhas

Immense in both scale and beauty, these paeans to the Buddhist faith make quite the impression, whether you’re a believer or not.

6. 23 BIG bucket list adventures

The rarest travel experiences. The toughest. The dearest. The ones that won’t be around forever. We reveal the real do-before-you-die journeys. 

7. Sri Lanka's best wildlife national parks

Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for seeing wildlife. It is also one of the best all-round wildlife destinations in the world for a mix of big game, marine life and varied landscapes, all packed into a compact area with a very good tourism infrastructure. Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne reveals what you'll find in each of its national parks.

8. 5 breathtaking road trips in England and Wales

The UK has over 200,000 miles of road ready to explore. And despite the notorious reputation of some of its motorways – yes, we're looking at you, M25 – many of its roads are surprisingly picturesque. Discover five favourites – fun to drive, and with breathtaking scenery to boot.

9. South America trip planner: 8 incredible routes

Whether you want to hike the Andes, self-drive Brazil, delve into the Guianas or take the train to Machu Picchu, these eight journeys will inspire a Latin adventure.

10. 7 stylish ways to see Iceland's northern lights

Volcanic Iceland is one of the world's most active auroral regions. Here are seven ways to see the lights in comfort and style, for those who could do without freezing vigils, sleepless nights and wild-goose chases.

11. 37 world-class walks

Whether you like teetering on mountain ridges or prefer a gentle jaunt along the beach, we’ve found the best wanders our world has to offer - with picks from Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australasia and Asia. Get your boots on.

12. Europe’s 8 best day hikes, from coastal walks to mountain magic

A compact patchwork of cultures and landscapes, Europe offers an incredible variety of short accessible hikes. From seaside scrambles to alpine rambles, here are eight of the best in Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway, Austria, Slovenia and Spain.

13. 5 best places to see orangutans in the wild

An encounter with an orangutan in its natural environment is one of the world’s great - and increasingly rare - wildlife experiences. Here are five of the best places to see them.

14. 15 reasons why sailing around the world may not be for you

Knowing how to sail is only half the battle. Learning to live the cruising lifestyle can prove to be just as challenging. Selling up and sailing to the far-flung corners of the globe may sound romantic, but Aimee Nance reveals the practicalities you should consider first.

15. 10 fantastic European cities for a winter city break

From smoked beer and Christmas markets to snow-coated medieval towns... Travel bloggers, including Wandering Earl and Travelling Calavera, select Europe’s most atmospheric cities to visit in winter.

16. 10 of the best places to see gorillas

Most people who go to see gorillas see them in Uganda or Rwanda; only a few hundred make it elsewhere. Fancy bucking the trend? Here are ten places to see them for yourself.

17. Travelling the world in a camper van

The USA is made for campervanning. Other countries can be less hospitable, but still doable to those with a van and a spirit of adventure. The open road lures campervanners. Speak to any camper owner and the sentiment is much the same: these vehicles give you the freedom to go where you want when you want, knowing you’ve got a comfy bed waiting for you at the end of the night. Here's how to get started.

18. 10 of the world’s best places to see elephants

We pick out 10 of the best places in the world to see these magnificent giants, including Botswana, Thailand, Malawi, Laos, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Borneo and Tanzania.

19. How to see the northern lights on a budget

Want an unforgettable trip on the cheap? You don't get much more spectacular than the northern lights. Here's how to see them for less than £250 (yes, really!).

20. How to plan your trip to China: 5 great itineraries

Blimey, it’s big. But don’t be deterred: China is also wild, bustling, ancient, modern, scenic and full of surprises. Get your head around it all with these top itinerary ideas.