It was a free school meal of rice, lentils and potatoes. But it was tainted by insecticide, and by the end of lunch 22 children were dead.

A Taliban commander has written to Malala Yousafzai, telling her she was shot for being critical of the Taliban - not because she championed girls' education.

Japan's snow tours ensure Doug Conway has lots to do.

Chris Harrington discovers a village in Thailand with a distinctly Chinese history.

The Togian Islands off the northern Indonesian island of Sulawesi offer some of the best diving spots on earth.

It's hard to beat Thailand's beaches. But where to go if you've been to Phuket and Koh Samui, the most popular choice of tourists, and you'd like to try somewhere slightly less crowded?

Derek Cheng challenges himself and sets a new personal best for culinary repugnancy.

Luxury steps up to new high-tech levels at a renowned Hong Kong institution.

China is making up for lost time on the fairways with the most opulent courses you've ever seen, writes James Ihaka.

Kris Shannon and Andrew Koubaridis get suited and booted in China.

Thanks to blockbuster movies and intrepid travel programmes, New Zealanders are broadening their holiday horizons.

Jennifer Ennion discovers Thailand's Koh Phangan is perfect for those who want to get away from it all.

A peek behind the scenes at Cathay Pacific's kitchens fascinates Shandelle Battersby.

Kris Shannon gets busy in the Japanese capital.

Devout desert dwellers and blessed bovines live in harmony in the Rajasthan desert, writes Paul Rush.

Paul Rush experiences courtyard cuisine in the back streets of Beijing.

Mainland Chinese say they intend to study abroad in far greater numbers.

A trip to the bridge that cost so many prisoners of war their lives is a poignant experience, writes Peter Feeney.

Skiing destinations tend to be in well-heeled areas - from Queenstown to the Austrian Alps and Whistler. Naturally, North Korea wants to take its place alongside the well-groomed resorts.

Liz Light enjoys life in the slow lane on a Turkish island.

Thoughts of cycling in India probably conjure up images of intensely congested streets, teeming with all modes of traffic and sharing limited space with free range animals- a reasonable or enjoyable holiday activity?

Cycling adventure in coastal Goa and Kerala

This Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s ascent to the top of Mt Everest with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. Rebecca Kennedy journeys to base camp and gains a sense of what Sir Ed loved about the ‘Holy Himalayas’.

Ann Huston and her sons hire a boat and head to Indonesia's Komodo National Park in search of giant lizards.