But an idyllic break doesn’t always have to involve an exotic, far-off destination, as there are a wealth of stunning spots to visit right here in the UK. From peaceful coastal escapes, to lively city breaks, here are nine of the best ‘staycation’ destinations you could visit this year. Home to crystal clear waters and miles of sandy shores, this popular seaside resorts makes for the ideal beach holiday, and comes complete with quaint cobbled streets, shops, cafes and museums at its heart. Shutterstock other Buy a Photo This pretty town in the Lake District is home to Englands largest lake and sits against a glorious backdrop of rolling hills. The area offers a range of adventurous pursuits for visitors - perfect for an active break. Shutterstock other Buy a Photo Dubbed the original seaside resort, Scarborough is famed for its beautiful scenery and golden sandy beaches, making it a must-visit for those who love to spend time … [Read more...] about 9 of the best staycation destinations in the UK to visit this year
Heart north wales
How Coffee and Street Art Are Giving New Life to the Industrial Towns of Wales
by Kerry Walker, The Telegraph, March 4, 2019 From a Banksy within view of Port Talbot's steelworks to a speciality coffee roastery making coal cool – Wales is riding the creative waves of its post-industrial heritage, and not before time. In Ammanford, a grainy black-and-white photo from 1956 shows three half-grinning coal miners propped against a brick wall. One of them is Ben Addis, the great-grandfather of Scott James, co-founder of Coaltown Coffee. Luxury Travel Advisor’s ULTRA Summit May 21-23, 2019 | Reunion | Kissimmee, FL This exclusive, invite-only event focused on the luxury travel market brings together world-class travel agency owners and managers with the most opulent, luxury suppliers to cultivate collaboration, share insights, and help carve a path into the future of luxury travel. “That was a golden era for the town,” admits Scott. “The community was thriving and industry booming. But after the mines closed down, … [Read more...] about How Coffee and Street Art Are Giving New Life to the Industrial Towns of Wales
24 reasons why a trip to Wales is better than a holiday in the Med
To mark St David's Day, here are 24 reasons why you should forget the Med - and head to Wales instead. 1. You could almost be in Italy Yes, really. The twee coastal town of Portmeirion in North Wales was in fact modelled on an Italian village and on a sunny day the colourful facades of its baroque buildings could almost trick you into believing you’re on the Italian Riviera. Almost. • The best hotels in Wales Search a selection of UK hotels + rail from our partner Superbreak 2. Its beaches are exquisite A beach holiday might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of visiting Wales, but perhaps it should be: the country’s coastline has some of the finest stretches of sand in the UK, including Coppet Hall in Pembrokeshire and Llanddwyn Bay in Anglesey. And Gower’s Rhossili beach was ranked the best in Britain by TripAdvisor back in 2014 and the ninth best in the world (yes, really). 3. Wildlife abounds Wales’s … [Read more...] about 24 reasons why a trip to Wales is better than a holiday in the Med
The best places to celebrate St David’s Day in Wales
UNLEASH your inner red dragon by embarking on a day out in Wales for March 1. St David's Day 2019 isn't far away, so why not plan a trip to the saint's country of patronage? Welsh cakes, daffodils and other items may mark your St David’s Day celebrations. But what about visiting Wales itself? March 1 falls on a Friday this year, so its a good reason to enjoy a long weekend and do something different. There's plenty to see and do in three days throughout Wales. Or you might want to stay somewhere and hunker down. Whatever you choose, we've some ideas to help you enjoy yourself.Shows Head to St David’s Hall in Cardiff to enjoy the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales at the St David’s Day Concert. Alternatively, if you fancy a bit of Welsh opera, the Wales Millennium Centre is hosting a performance of The Magic Flute this year. Theatrau Sir Gar in Llanelli has its own St David’s Day show, as does the Rhyl Pavilion in North Wales. No matter where you … [Read more...] about The best places to celebrate St David’s Day in Wales
Things to do in North Wales
January 22, 2019 by Carol Perehudoff Leave a Comment Tweet Pin Share 1 Flip 1 Shares North Wales is a land of stunning coastal scenes, brooding castles and outdoor adventures. It’s also rich in historic attractions, culture and fine local foods, yet it’s still an unsung destination. This means fewer crowds for you. To help you plan the perfect trip, here are some of the best things to do in North Wales, along with a North Wales itinerary you can follow. Things to do in North Wales North Wales is small. You could cross the whole thing in two hours, but why would you want to? Located in (obviously) the northern part of Wales, it’s quicker to get here from England than many people realize – about a two-hour train journey from Manchester to Conwy or Llandudno. North Wales Itinerary I started out in Conwy and traveled west, then did a bit of a loop and went east back to Llandudno for my final stop. Some of the … [Read more...] about Things to do in North Wales