A graduation trip is one of the best ways to celebrate the occasion Forget booking the local bar for a birthday bash or heading to Blackpool for a stag do. Mark your memorable milestones by jetting off for the dazzling holiday of a lifetime. For your next birthday, swop the boozer for the glamour of Barbados. For the first time, the island's Treasure Beach Hotel (00 1 246 432 1346, treasurebeachhotel.com) is available for exclusive hire. With 35 suites, this is perfect for your bash. Exclusiv

Published: 14/01/2013 - Filed under: Home » Archive » 2012 » May 2012 » Destinations » Home » Archive » 2012 » May 2012 » It’s apparently the most visited city in the southern hemisphere, known for its natural settings, carnival celebrations, samba, and some of the most well-known beaches in the world. Yet, Ian McCurrach discovered a different Rio, finding peaceful gardens and stunning architecture in the bustling Brazilian city. There are few places where dense rainforest, towering mountains,

When I'm filling in official forms, there's no marital status box that applies to me - except to say that I'm single, which I'm not. I've been with Ciro for longer than the average marriage, and it seems ridiculous in this day and age that our relationship isn't recognised by law. Unlike our married friends, if, God forbid, Ciro was critically ill in hospital, only his next of kin and close family would be allowed to visit - I wouldn't even be able to see him. And if either of us were to die, w

Treat man's best friend with these top dog-friendly hotels There are now some five million dog owners in Britain and most of us don't want to leave Fido at home when we go on holiday. As a result, hotels are now putting some bark into their canine credentials by offering doggy packages. Here are ten of the best places you can stay with man's best friend. Smart dogs these days are checking themselves into swanky Cliveden (01628 668 561, clivedenhouse.co.uk). And they've thought of everything.

Breakfast in bed? Are you kidding? Not when you're staying at the El Bulli and there's a seven-course concept meal being dished up downstairs by superstar chef Ferran Adria and his number two, Rafa Morales. Most people would kill just for a taste, let alone seven courses of Adria's food. His El Bulli restaurant in Roses, on the Costa Brava, has a year-long waiting list just to get a table. But in the south of Spain, just outside Seville, the award-winning chef has set up El Bulli Hotel Hacienda

These days when the Orient Express goes nowhere near the Orient, Concorde has been grounded and long-haul describes the queue at US immigration, there is still luxury and romance to be found in travel, even in the unlikeliest of places. I found it when invited to my friends' wedding in Berwick-upon-Tweed and decided to go by train. It didn't make sense to fly; I live near London's King's Cross and can travel from front door to parish pew in less than four hours. And I'll get far more green Brow

Brussels has shaken off its boring image and now leads the way on the European party scene. The bars and restaurants cannot be beaten (Brussels boasts more Michelin stars per capita than anywhere else in Europe) and from the smouldering salsa and red-hot tango clubs to super-clubs, the "in-crowd" travels from all over Europe to shake their booty. The weekly English language mag for expats, The Bulletin has a comprehensive what's on section and listings. St Gery is the happening district, with