I’m fascinated by United States history, particularly the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, so Montgomery in Alabama has always been a place I wanted to visit. As the city where Rosa Parks famously refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955, I strongly believe it is not an exaggeration to say what happened in Montgomery changed US history. But I wasn't prepared for how emotional my trip to the city would be when I visited last year. I spent a couple of days exploring the four “Legacy” sites created by the Equal Justice Initiative, a US non-profit dedicated to challenging racial and economic injustice and ending mass incarceration in America. These included a memorial, museums and square – which were all – but the one that stuck with me the most was the Freedom Sculpture Park. This site combined exhibits, installations and art to tell the story of slavery and honour the bravery and resilience of those Black Americans who lived through it.
The Freedom Sculpture Park showed me just how powerful art can be in helping us understand a place and its history. Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the EJI, summed it up well: “Art and sculpture became invaluable in dramatising the hardship and horror of slavery but also allowed us to celebrate the extraordinary love and character enslaved people maintained.” He added: “We hope visitors will leave our sites with a greater awareness and deeper commitment to creating a world where racial bigotry and bias are never tolerated.”
Read my full article on the Freedom Sculpture Park in Montgomery
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I adore Venice, but visiting its galleries and museums can get expensive. One of the most affordable ways to experience some of the city’s best art is with a Chorus pass. For just €14 you can get access to 18 churches across the city, and the pass lasts a full year. Venice’s churches contain some of the most stunning art in the world – including paintings, sculptures and murals – so this pass is a real bargain, and a great way to encourage you to venture beyond the normal tourist sites.
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The first time I travelled purely to see art and architecture was earlier this year, when I explored Barcelona by working my way through the works of Modernist architect Antoni Gaudí. I started with his earliest creations, including Casa Vicens, a summer house steeped in Eastern, Islamic and Mudejar influences, combining ceramic, brick and wood, ushering in floral and natural patterns into every nook. After seeing Gaudi’s artistic creativity flourish by hopping from one building to the next, my final stop was the city’s most famous building and undoubtedly Gaudí’s masterpiece, Basílica de la Sagrada Família.
The Nativity Facade of the church, the only part Gaudí saw finished before his death, left me speechless over the amount of intricate details carved into the sandstone that tell a visual story of Jesus Christ. Stare at it for an hour, and you’ll still be finding little hidden details.
The interiors were just as impressive, with sky-high, tree-like columns and stained-glass windows creating the effect of a sun-dappled forest. “A lot of people burst into tears when they walk in, because something happens inside them,” Marta Otzet, La Sagrada Família’s culture and social director, told me during my visit. While I am not religious, the power of Gaudí’s art left me choked up too, simply in awe of how one person designed this incredibly beautiful building for people to share after decades of perfecting his craft.
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La Sagrada Família, Gaudí ultimate masterpiece, became the tallest church in the world this year
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Letting artwork influence your travels can also give you a totally different perspective on a place. Rory Buccheri recently visited Algonquin Park in Canada after viewing the famous oil painting The Jack Pine by Tom Thomson, which depicts the vibrancy of the Canadian wilderness. The aim was to see Canada through the artist’s eyes, but the quest led Rory to discover the thousands of rarely told First Peoples stories that pre-dated Thomson’s work.
Meanwhile, during a trip to Portland, Oregon, Yvette Cook found that modern street art was a way to learn about how Alberta, a thriving area of Portland’s Black community in the early 20th century that later faced decline due to flooding and displacement, is rebuilding itself and revitalising businesses. “Art is often the catalyst for change,” Yvette’s tour guide, Amanda, told her, as they passed murals celebrating Black history on buildings, and bus stops sculpted into public art.
As Rory, Yvette, and I have discovered, art can lead you to stories you might never have heard otherwise, giving you a deeper understanding of the destinations we have the privilege to visit.
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Alabama is a welcoming destination for those who crave rich experiences with warm, easy-going charm. Alabama invites you to explore where history, music, food and scenic views shape the journey. Find out more.
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Get in the festive spirit with these great-value Christmas market trips! Book a selected flight and hotel package and enjoy a discount on your hotel, leaving you with more money to spend on gifts, treats and souvenirs.
Choose from fantastic destinations such as Prague, Vienna, Berlin and more. Book by 18 November 2026 to grab your deal. Learn more.
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Unwind at the award-winning Clayton Hotel Cambridge close to the city’s main sights and enjoy breakfast, a welcome drink and late checkout.
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Discover vibrant Liverpool for less with a great-value stay at Leonardo Liverpool Hotel, including a complimentary bottle of prosecco to celebrate!
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Geordie Greig takes a road trip around Alentejo, weaving his way through Roman history, across a landscape where tradition meets ambition
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For centuries, visitors have travelled to Egypt to marvel at its past. But among the pyramids at Giza, Rod Ardehali finds a generation more interested in shaping its future.
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11 gorgeous autumnal stays, from log cabins in Scotland to beach shacks in Kent and treehouses tucked among Hampshire’s vineyards
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At this plant-based hotel in Menorca’s wild hinterland, Emilee Tombs found sanctuary, offering yoga classes and exceptional vegetarian dining
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Writer and Production Journalist
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Writer and Production Journalist
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It's that time of year when UK adventures require a little extra preparation, with warm clothing and a few extra essentials becoming a must as temperatures drop. That's why I've reviewed the 15 best flasks for drinks on the go, which will keep your favourite hot drink warm for hours – perfect for long train or car journeys, or a warming pit stop along the way. And if your next adventure is still a while away, this BBC doctor says this £4 vitamin D supplement is all you need for winter.
If you're planning a cosy winter break in the UK, you may also want to take inspiration from this Couples Weekends Away guidebook, filled with itineraries, must-see locations and recommendations for the best places to eat, drink and stay. And if you still need a trusty coat to see you through your winter adventures, Millets has a large selection of insulated coats to help keep the chill at bay, whether you're exploring the countryside or visiting a colder destination.
Meanwhile, if you're already planning ahead for Christmas and need a gift for a fellow traveller, there are plenty of lovely options. Aspinal of London has a whole range of travel accessories, including passport holders, luggage tags and even AirPods cases, which can be personalised to make a thoughtful and practical gift. A quality pair of packing cubes is another great present idea, and our reviewer found these Briggs & Riley packing cubes to be "durable and high-quality". So, wherever your travels take you this winter, you can be prepared – and perhaps have a few gift ideas up your sleeve, too.
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