The Financial Times can’t hide its admiration for the architectural beauty of Villa Miralago, a hotel on the edge of An Italian lake in southern Austria. Lovers of kitsch, or country music, or both will appreciate Rob Blackhurst’s fascinating insight into Dollywood, the theme park based on the singer Dolly Parton, in Is Dollywood one big kitsch joke? “For all its flag-waving, the full-throated celebration of southern life does capture something that is inspiring about America and goes beyond the God-and-guns clichés.” Linda Inoki relishes a trip to Britain’s sunnies spot in The peculiarity’ of Jersey. “Years ago I worked in the humdrum capital of St Helier, and was only too happy to catch the last ferry of summer back to the mainland. But Jersey has changed. The offshore finance industry has brought more wealth, luxury and style, and has even tweaked the pace of island life.” Thirza Vallois goes Footloose in Toulouse as she gorges on the food, and the sights of the city. “Toulouse is both traditional and forward-looking, regional and cosmopolitan, languidly Latin yet vibrant with youthful vitality. “

In The New York Times Jordan Hruska savours The crab houses of Maryland’s eastern shore, “Like most of the others, he was hunched over the brown paper tablecloth with arms out at both sides… His hands, like theirs, were slimy to the wrist with crab innards and spicy sludge, and like many of them, he sported an unabashedly sloppy grin. All pretense is shed at a crab house spread.” In Polishing a lost gem to dazzle tourists Isabel Kershner wonders whether the unveiling of its latest architectural discovery, a Roman-era mosaic in Lod, Israel, will reverse the town’s ailing fortunes: “‘I saw a white frame, then a tiger,” said Ms. Avissar, who has recently retired, recalling her first glimpses of the mosaic. ‘It was completely flat and in marvelous condition.’ Once exposed, the mosaic was put on public display for a single weekend, during which some 30,000 Israelis flocked to see it.” On the streets of Pamplona without a bull in sight, Lionel Beehner discovers that a bull-free Pamplona is surprisingly enriching: “with the rowdy San Fermin crowds absent, I found a city worth knowing for itself: filled with cultural and culinary high points, teeming with chatty night owls and sophisticated wine aficionados, and framed by the pointy foothills of the French Pyrenees to the north and wide plains to the south.” In Buenos Aires puts its traditional cafes in the spotlight Camille Cusumano picks the best of the city’s notable coffeehouses, ranging from Borges’ local haunt to artist hangouts. On a coffee roll, Ken Belson tracks down Where Tokyo grabs a coffee, helpful for those who can’t function on tea alone.

The Guardiann’s Paul lets us all in on his tip for Spain in Why unspoilt Asturias is a secret I just have to share, writing “the region is a microcosm of Spain as a whole, cramming into its borders everything from snowy mountains to sandy beaches, humble tapas bars to avant-garde restaurants, and from raucous local fiestas to silent valleys where bears and wolves still roam.” Molly Gunn is happily surprised by the various food, music and cultural attractions on offer at Berlin’s numerous squats in Welcome to Berlin’s squat scene. In Calmer chameleon Georgia Brown checks out Le Caméléon, the latest eco-hotel in Costa Rica and wonders if the sleek new design might herald a change for the worse. “My room is a dazzling contrast to the abundant nature outside. Everything is bright white – floors, walls, furniture, flat-screen TV and iPod dock – with splashes of red, green or blue on cushions and wall hangings. It’s ultra-modern and comfortable. But I can’t help worrying about getting dirty footprints all over my pristine floor.” Raja Shehadeh finds a connection to Pakistan and serenity within Echoing lands, his tale of summers spent walking the Scottish Highlands: “Once there I felt a deep silence descend upon me, unlike any I have known. It was not characterised by the absence of sound, for the moor seemed to breathe, emitting deep sighs as the low wind swept through the water-soaked grass, weeds and bracken.”

In The Telegraph Author Liz Jensen waxes lyrical in Copenhagen: My kind of town:”I also miss the wind turbines on the skyline. I get quite emotional when I see rows of them out at sea, their blades turning. To me, they’re beautiful, almost mythical structures, a fusion of human ingenuity and natural force.” In Uluru: best seen from a distance Rodney Bolt praises the Australian government’s plan to ban people from climbing Uluru claiming, “The most rewarding view is of Uluru, not from the top of it. Watching the massive, solitary monolith respond in a glow of pink and red as dawn breaks is an experience unequalled almost anywhere in the world.” In Canada: Life with the ice men Sara Evans sees for herself the impact of technology and climate change on the Inuit peoples in Canada’s northernmost territory: “Tradition and technology sit side-by-side in unexpected ways. Outside, the wiry pelts of white Arctic wolves are nailed to the sides of houses to dry out, and tangled piles of gnarly caribou antlers and broken skulls prop up wonky satellite dishes.”

In The Independent Brian Viner writes of an amusing holiday in Moët and mackerel: Beneath the glitz and glamour of St-Tropez lies a charming coastal tow: “Just as we had given up hope of seeing anyone famous, Sir Richard Branson, owner of Virgin One and thus, ultimately, the provider of our mortgage, arrived with Lady Branson and a large, cheerfully rowdy party of friends, and sat down at the table next to us.” Christopher Wakling boldly goes to the Space Centre in The nearest tourists can get to the stars is still Nasa’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida: “Astronauts, not film stars, are the top celebrities. Pulling into The Kennedy Space Center car park, I spotted a Porsche 911 with the number plate “APOLLO 15″. The buzz-cut, craggy gentleman at the wheel was dragging on his cigarette with enough steeliness to make Clint flinch.” It’s all about the architecture of Alberobello in Trail of the unexpected as Adrian Mourby enjoys the unusual trulli roofs of the town. In Got a touch of writer’s block? Take the next train to Paris author Lennox Morrison follows the trail of Paris’ independent bookshops and cafes, alighting in Balzac’s back yard and Hemingway’s favourite – The American Library – along the way.

Chernobyl offers a holiday in hell for Tom Whipple in The Times who feels like a voyeur as he explores latest tourist destination, Pripyat, the town with closest proximity to Chernobyl: “You are by the biggest radioactive leak in the world,” he scolds, “and you leave your bag on the soil to pick up dust. If it is contaminated you will have to leave it in the exclusion zone.” Christopher Somerville leaves it all behind in and explores the Wildlife in Australia’s Northern Territory: in particular the Fogg Dam wildlife reserve. In Croatia: the flashing blades of Korkcula Emma Tucker is persuaded by the charms of Croatia, and enjoys a memorable traditional Korculan “Moreska” sword dance: “one of the sword blades flew off its handle, twirled vigorously through the air and landed in the mini-skirted lap of a young Croat sitting in the second row.” Eleanor Mills comes away feeling mighty refreshed after a weekend at Whitstable’s more down-at-heel neighbour, in The great British weekend: Broadstairs, Kent: “Turner came here to paint because of the endless skies; the rolling cloudscape and mighty expanse are a tonic to the harassed soul.”