As his flight-free trip around the world nears its end, Ed Gillespie meets a couple in Nicaragua who have taken 'slow travel' to an extreme - 14 years on the road and counting...

  Bill Tikos, the Coolhunter

  A night in the Mojave

  The TV adaptation of the No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series hits our screens tonight. Bob Maddams, a film-maker working in Africa, follows in Precious Ramotswe's footsteps around Gaborone before heading off to investigate the real Botswana

  If, as the old saying goes, March is good for nothing but wind and taxes, then the exotic spoils of old Constantinople might be the perfect refuge; teetering on the very edge of Europe, it's about as far as you can get from northerly gusts and your tax return in the space of a weekend. Spring in Istanbul means all the usual perks, but without the stifling heat or the summer throngs. It's also the season of lower rates: with Easyjet flights starting at around £120

  Strength of euro adds to European tourists' shopping, bar and accommodation bills

  It's time to shake off the winter blues with a few well-chosen outings. We asked five experts to give us their top picks for families, design junkies, urban adventurers, lovers of food and the great outdoors. Here's their selection

  Mike Carter brings you his tried and tested pick of Europe's most exhilarating motorbike rides

  Jams fewer than expected despite more people holidaying in Britain due to credit squeeze fears

  Oliver Burkeman on TripAdvisor that has reviewers thrashing and praising the same hotel

  Walking barefoot over different types of terrain is said to be beneficial to one's health. To test the theory, Alice Wignall braves the Barfuss trail - mudbath and all

  Leader: In much of Britain buses are the only form of public transport available - which is why current threats to services are such a serious worry

  Mechanical fault strands passengers for an hour