When it comes to Christmas shopping, few countries can hold a candle to Germany. Its traditional Christmas markets have been creating the wow factor for more than six centuries.

Jennifer Lopez has hit back at reports suggesting that she got a hotel maid fired for asking her for an autograph.

In Wengen, a ski resort perched high in the centre of Switzerland, AC/DC has infiltrated.

Graham Reid visits a place of worship and wonder on windswept Salisbury Plain.

Get out the tweeds and Wellingtons and join Pamela Wade at Blenheim Palace.

The US President must be allowed to build on his Administration's achievements, writes Reverend Jesse Jackson.

ANZ Bank sees no rush of customers to rivals with death of National brand.

Oysters are more beautiful than any religion," I said airily, plagiarising Saki and E. F. Benson in one pretentious breath.

Gritty Charleroi has a lively food scene, says Harriet O'Brien.

Gdansk offers a chance for visitors to take in scenes of sea, ships and spires set in a magnificently reconstructed Old Town while contemplating the ups and downs of European history, including the famous shipyard strike led by Lech Walesa.

Jill Worrall explores the coastline kitsch of Southwold, Suffolk.

A big "explosion" over a year in bedbug infestations is being blamed on the hard-to-kill pests hitching rides to Auckland on increasing numbers of world travellers.

Treasures often remain hidden - at the bottom of the sea, for example, or perhaps in some musty cellar. In Bastia, one often only needs to walk through the streets, eyes wide open, to discover them.

Highlanders' loose forward on All Black tour even though he is likely to be playing overseas next season.

Former pop star Gary Glitter has left a London police station after his arrest by police investigating the Jimmy Savile scandal.

A ramble through the many museums of Vienna reveals an enthralling peep show of curiosities for Jenna Hand.

Tourists are being taken for a ride by bad cabbies throughout Europe, writes Simon Calder.