If you are among the cautious thousands who have waited until now to book a summer holiday, there is a far better choice of last-minute cruises than the cruise lines – with their "book now to avoid disappointment" warnings – would have us believe.

Something to Declare

The life aquatic

The hotel

School summer holidays are in full swing - but the Great British exodus to the sun is a relatively new invention

'Why would you want to read a book on holiday, when there is so much to see'

The man who pays his way

From coffee in Nicaragua and upmarket Asia to Andy Murray's hotel

Fictitious restaurant fools TripAdvisor

The moral of the story is: only read the negative reviews. If they are fake, the resort or venue will take action to have them removed from TripAdvisor. But if a positive review is faked, no-one (other than a bored or conscientious journalist) will check it.

"Smart mind"

Treatment of the month

A short break in the Italian city of Sorrento over the Bank holiday weekend

Passengers at Heathrow surprised to find themselves aboard British Airways' newest plane - the Airbus A380

National Geographic Traveler Magazine has announced the winners of its prestigious photography competition which showcases the planet in all its diversity.

David Phelan takes flight with the latest entertainment on-board BA

Guidebooks and leaflets aren't enough to tempt tech-savvy tourists these days. Rhodri Marsden grabs his smartphone and goes to meet them