In the early part of the year, Jane and I are tempted to flee Britain for somewhere warmer. But even on the Mediterranean you can’t be certain of feeling hot. And neither of us enjoys flying for 10 hours or so to a tropical destination. Where you are guaranteed heat - and much closer to home - is when standing... more

When it's cold we like going somewhere where we can warm up in hot thermal water. That's why we chose Baden Baden, a fashionable resort since the 18th century. Instead of a hotel, we opted for a self-contained room, with well-equipped kitchen, in a centrally located Gasthaus. That's because, from experience, I know that meals in German restaurants can simply... more