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In search of greener grass, Graham Field buys a motorbike and rides it to Mongolia. Then he wrote rather a good book about the journey. In this extract it’s August and snowing as he crosses the border into Mongolia.

Eric Whitehead flies about as far south as he can to head off on a riding safari through the frozen wastes of Chile’s Patagonian tip,

The marketing director of Titan Travel, Dan Whitehouse, talks to the Travelmag about his life in travel.

David Jenkins take the plunge into the local bathing habits while heading through the former Soviet republic of Kazakhstan.

Ugly Marabou storks, endless humidity and tailgating traffic: it’s not easy to find the sunny side of Uganda’s capital city. But Jason Smart finds the streets of Kampala provide insights into East Africa.

Frances Leate finds her sombrero tilted akimbo after a couple of rums too many when she flies into the Caribbean’s finest holiday island (whatever the Americans might say).

Make this the year to expand your ski horizons. Theresa Semackor says the Crystal Ski website is a great place to check out the best new mountain resorts.

Two or three times a year, Mary Vigliante Szydlowski heads down to Mexico to catch a bit of sun. She says Cozumel, just off the Yucutan, is a great place to celebrate carneval – and sensibly stretch your vacation dollar.

Matthew Thomas takes the slow route around Nepal when he takes a trek around the Kathmandu valley.

Age is no barrier to Patricia McCormack as she flies – in her eighties – to Scandinavia for a dog-sled adventure in the land of the Sami.

Michael Goodwin examines the relentless growth of all-inclusive holidays. They might save some money but wouldn’t you be better renting a motorbike and heading off alone?

A 26-day course in Vipassana meditation proves insufficient – or inappropriate – preparation for a serious bit of freelance hiking and then a motorcycle tour of Thailand’s north, but Pascal de Kruyff lives to tell the tale – and learn from his experience.

When he flies into Moroni, the tiny capital of the Comoros Islands, Jason Smart is upset to find no fridge in his room. After a few days on these Indian-Ocean islands, poor relations even to nearby Madagascar, he learns his privations are truly minor.

Germany’s sturdy tradition of serious autumn drinking is an annual fixture on Europe’s travel circuit. Natasha Martí is something of an expert: she’s attended Oktoberfest for each of the last three years.

It’s something of a disappointment to find Jerry Herman’s experiences in Hoi An and Hanoi didn’t extend to explicit sex, but the little pleasures of Vietnamese life prove to be quite exciting enough.

In a quiet corner of Andalucia, Jamie Meehan discovers a sunsoaked patch of paradise. The village of Agua Amarga, which has actually been used as a set to epitomise the ‘Spanish dream’, is the sort of Spain all good gangsters dream of.

Rachel Khona was born in Toronto, but at six months old someone moved her pram. Now grown up, she takes a fresh look at one of Canada’s most underrated cities.

Most visitors to Portugal go to either the capital, Lisbon, or – more usually – head straight for the beach. Dale Bentley opts instead to explore the quiet but fascinating town of Porto, on the Douro River.

As summer warms Alaska’s wastes, cruise ships circle remote coastal villages. In season, Ketchikan can see up to 10,000 visitors a day: Roy Stevenson tells them where to go.

Frances Leate rents a traditional gypsy caravan to explore one of the UK’s finest bits of countryside. With two horse-power available the pace is slow: perfect.

New Zealand’s ‘Adventure Capital’ also has a quieter side. Jeremy Hobin rents a car and finds Queenstown has a great selection of galleries with a wealth of indigenous art.

There are many different ways to experience India, but spending ten days in silence, mediating for 11 hours a day, is one of the more extreme options. Darcie Connell embarks on a course of Vipassana at McLeod Ganj. Will it bring sanity or go the other way?

Getting into any city culture can be daunting. Terje Raa finds his experience of the Danish capital transformed by the company of an active member of Denmark’s lively music scene.

John M Edwards surprises himself by taking a holiday in Laos. It is, of course, landlocked so has no beach. He decides instead to take a not-very-spiritual step on his way to enlightenment.

Tim Saunders finds the gentle pace of Dorset suits his bank-holiday mood as he summers with his family on the English coast around Bridport.

Alastair Humphreys’ latest book follows one of India’s holy rivers on foot. In a marketing innovation he’s giving the Kindle version away free. This is our extract from his life on the road.

As the sun warms away the winter snow there’s still plenty going on in Europe’s leading ski resorts. Accommodation is inexpensive and the mountains perfect playgrounds. Theresa Semackor runs through your active options.

It’s easy to dismiss the sweat lodge experience as a commercial construct of America’s Native Indian cultures. But Joseph Gelfer finds the experience unexpectedly moving.

France’s capital provides a Gallic burst of culture-shock for first-time visitor Brittany Pietruni. But a journey by public transport across her new home city – for a Facebook rendezvous – sees her anxiety give way to excitement.

Charlie Walker parks up his bike to earn some cash in China. Five months in the Chinese capital get him little closer to understanding several mysteries of the Orient. But when a small child pees on his leg he quickly decides it’s time to move on.

Does leisure need directing? Yes if you’re staying at Gleneagles, Scotland’s leading resort hotel. Paul Woollacombe talks to Stuart Smith, the man in charge of fun.

There’s more to Pakistan than floods, coups and American drones. Aamir Aziz insists it’s one of the world’s great tourist destinations.

For many bikers wanting to see America, a Harley-Davidson is a natural choice. But Tom Cunliffe finds finding a suitable bike for his wife is something of a challenge.

As a means of transport, rivers pre-date roads – and can be a lot more comfortable. Iain Miller says river cruises link the world’s greatest attractions in effortless style.

Alex Jones is not a fan of trains. But when he realises he can rock up to Bristol Temple Meads, get a ticket through Europe and Russia and end up in China the temptation is just too much. He signs up for the Trans-Siberian express.

Thai wrestling is not at its best when staged for tourists. But in the north of Thailand David Calleja finds more to deplore about the audience.

Brian Fisher is not a happy bunny when he comes back from the States. The cruise he’d booked was a huge disappointment.

Getting married is one of life’s best opportunities for realising travel dreams. John McElborough rounds up the leading paradise destinations for newlyweds.