11 cities that have changed names

Saigon, formerly the capital of the Republic of Vietnam, was renamed in honour of the revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh, who was the chairman of the Worker’s Party of North Vietnam between 1951 and 1969. Decades prior to that he worked in London at the Drayton Court Hotel.

Durham Miners’ Gala in Durham City

“I think it’s a celebration of working class life in the north East. The pits have gone but it hasn’t broken the spirit of people or the communities. It’s now become a great festival, a carnival. Some people come for the fun fair, some people come for the speeches, some people come for the bands, some people come for the banners, some people come for the laughs. It brings people together,” said Kevin Maguire, associate editor of the Daily Mirror, talking after the 2016 Durham Miners’ Gala.

16 things to do in Sedbergh, Cumbria

Sedbergh is England’s official book town and a lovely spot to visit if you enjoy walking and cycling. On the western edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park, the attractive small town is well-placed as a base for visiting the nearby Lake District. Kendal is 11 miles away and Windermere is 19 miles from Sedbergh.

Top things to do in Maribor, Slovenia

“If you produce a lot of white wine you also have to drink it. That’s why Mariborians are happy,” jokes Tomaž, my guide during a walking tour of Maribor. The city is set within the Štajerska Slovenia wine region and a vast wine cellar is hidden below streets in its centre.

History and holidays in Lindos, Greece

Motorised vehicles don’t operate in central Lindos. That isn’t the result of some fashionable, recently introduced ecotourism masterplan aimed at emphasising the sustainable credentials of the Rhodian fishing village. The twisting alleyways were laid out long ago and are simply too narrow for cars.

Things to do in Latgale, Latvia

The Latgale region is nicknamed ‘the land of blue lakes’. Approximately 1,200 lakes speckle Latgale’s landscape making it an attractive destination for anyone who enjoys outdoor adventures including kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding or other forms of paddling.

Cycling the Lakeside Way at Kielder Water

Aiming to cycle around the lake inside of four hours while pausing along the way to view the landscape, birdlife and artworks proved a challenge. We underestimated. With the benefit of hindsight — now that I’ve climbed those hills on the northern shore — I’d pack a picnic and make a day of it. Kielder Castle, the various hides and artworks mean there’s plenty to spent time at along the way.