The most important lesson, though, is that France is best experienced in small towns. Big cities are vivid – full of museums, cathedrals and specialist macaroon outlets – but also stressful.

However, not every destination in Europe is deemed worth going to by experts, and one has been recently branded the continent's "ugliest", with ... as it recorded the "most significant increase ...

The prettiest and ugliest towns in Britain have been ranked in a controversial poll. The UK is home to around 1,250 towns: many of them pretty, many of them ugly, many of them not-too-bad.

However, the title of the UK's most beautiful town was awarded to ... been bestowed with the unfortunate title of Britain's ugliest town, scoring a paltry 12 out of 50, including a zero for ...

Merthyr Tydfil in Wales was named Britain's second most unattractive town, scoring a mere 15 out of 50. Meanwhile, Slough in Berkshire has been awarded the dubious title of Britain's ugliest town, ...