There is something undeniably romantic about travelling by train around Great Britain. Perhaps it is the grand architecture of the historic railway stations, or the endless vistas of pristine countryside and quaint villages passing by the window. Whatever the reason, journeying by train adds a real sense of adventure to any trip and is one of the most scenic and relaxing ways to discover the real Britain.
Hop on board and travel into regional vibrancy where you’ll discover and explore ancient castles and cathedrals, coastal seaside towns and rolling green fields. England’s north projects warmth and romance with its astonishingly beautiful landscape that is unmatched around the country. Intriguing cities full of history await, such as Manchester, and further north you will uncover the Lake District, an area of whimsical beauty that has tugged at the hearts of poets and artists for centuries. Pay a visit to York, formally the capital of Viking territory, as well as the little fishing town of Whitby to concluding your time in England’s north.
In the rugged southwest of England you’ll find a landscape dotted with fishing villages, secret coves and beautiful beaches. Take to the dramatic coastline of Cornwall and breathe deeply from the salty sea air as you work up a hunger for the region’s hearty fare, and when you’re this close to the water you can expect superb seafood. One of the most well-known towns in the southwest is Bath, popular for its natural hot springs and historical charm. Step back in time as you wander through the eighteenth-century Georgian architecture and, if you’re a Pride and Prejudice fan, you’ll discover the myriad facets of the world that Jane Austen and her characters inhabited. If it’s a quintessentially regional experience you’re after, a visit to the Cotswolds is a must. Covering a huge area of just over 2070 square kilometres, you’ll find villages of honey-coloured stone, rolling hills, lively markets and some of the country’s greatest palaces and castles.
Get up close and personal with local customs, experience unique flavours and discover the charm of Great Britain. Every adventure here is unique.
Its 17 rooms are a lesson in combining colour, texture and a touch of history, and there’s none other to thank for such eye-catching interiors than fashion guru Christian Lacroix. The French designer has given each room its own flamboyant style at Hôtel du Petit Moulin, with panoramic wallpapers, patterned soft furnishings and rich hues. The building was constructed in the seventeenth century and is recognised as Paris’s very first boulangerie. It’s said author and poet Victor Hugo used to buy his bread from here, though there’s no restaurant on site today. What does remain, however, is the dreamy, original facade.
There’s no need to fret over the lack of on-site eating options, as these boutique digs are conveniently located in one of Paris’s most central and happening neighbourhoods, Haut Marais: a short stroll takes you to fine brasseries, charming cafes and a host of other attractions. At nearby sister hotel, Pavillion de la Reine, guests can use the spa and fitness room, and borrow bicycles for pedalling around town.
Most travellers’ itineraries include a museum or gallery, perhaps even two or three, but sometimes there are only so many ancient pieces of pottery or deftly crafted eighteenth-century landscapes one can view before going cross-eyed with boredom. In a celebration of the truly absurd, we bring you six of the strangest museums you’ll ever have the opportunity to visit.
There are some amazing sights to be seen in the UK, however Wales often gets overlooked. It shouldn’t. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Wales’s dramatic landscapes and fascinating Celtic culture is with a stay at Epic Retreats, a new pop-up glamping experience in the country’s northern wilds.
Appearing in two locations – deep within the valley of Llanfihangel y Pennant in the heart of Southern Snowdonia and along the fringes of golden beaches in Llŷn Peninsula – you’ll find eight unique abodes, complete with a luxe bed, ensuite and wood burner or stove. Each one is a winning design created by architects from around the globe, and each features a unique backstory inspired by the ancient mythology and natural beauty of Wales.
There’s the Animated Forest, which draws on the Welsh Poem Cad Goddeu; The Battle of the Trees, with its design resembling a creature making its way through the woodland; and the wide and glassy Dragon’s Eye, offering outstanding views from its circular rotating bed and, when lit up at night, the very image of an eye peering out through the darkness. For stargazers, the Sky Hut, with a ceiling that cracks open to reveal the heavens above – based on the tale of Cadair Idris, a mountain created by a giant warrior poet to best view the stars. There’s also a breakfast tent, communal area and staff on site 24-hours a day.
Depending on your length of stay you can choose to explore the surrounding area at your leisure, or take part in a stack of adventure-filled activities crafted by Cambria Tours that will take you deep into the pages of Welsh history, including learning how to forage in the wilderness, local wine and beer tastings, hiking through Snowdonia National Park and discovering archaeological wonders.
In the evenings settle in around a crackling campfire and tuck into a hot, fresh meal crafted from local produce while being serenaded by your live entertainment as the sun sinks down below the mountains, reminiscing on myths and legends. Now that’s epic.
If you want to impress travel pals with your local know-how then
this is the place to be. A drinking den that’s hidden behind an unmarked door at the back of a matchstick-box-sized Mexican restaurant, Candelaria basically ticks every box on the hip hit list: the front is a sparsely decorated taco stand, the back a candlelit clandestine bar.
Try authentic tacos and quesadillas, and affordable cocktails from a menu that favours agave spirits, such as mezcal and tequila; wannabe connoisseurs can even dabble in a flight of four for US$35. Those feeling less intrepid should give Al Son de la Batanga (made with Olmeca Altos Tequila Blanco, Amaro Montenegro, fresh lime juice and Chinotto) a whirl, or perhaps La Guèpe Verte (chilli-infused tequila blanco, fresh lime juice, agave syrup, coriander leaves and cucumber). There are even special brunch cocktails on offer at weekends between 12pm and 4pm.
Located in Paris’ quiet 3rd arrondissement it’s perfect for a quick nightcap, but also plenty close to the bustling Latin Quarter and the more suave Le Marais.
Indulge in an unusual sleepover at Amsterdam’s pop-up Urban Campsite. In its third incarnation, this weird and wonderful take on tenting has sprouted at Amsterdam’s Science Park. This year’s event (on until 1 September) explores the “the art of tech living”, while past iterations include the “art-sleep-experience” set on an artificial island, and a far simpler event at the Vliegenbos campsite back in 2013. Take your pick of 14 unique sleeping quarters, from a dumpster dubbed Dakloos (homeless) complete with sliding roof, to Tubalow (sewer-cum-bungalow), and even a Leonardo da Vinci-inspired tent covered in giant pick-up-sticks.
Relax in your own biodegradable B&B Foam Home, or live out your space exploration fantasies in Universe 9, a 360-degree rotating research ship. For a night in the slow lane opt for the Slow Camper – a refurbished 70s-era electric van and turn your world upside down in the Big Box.
Set in a former vacuum factory in the arty district of Neukölln, this urban campsite offers all the charm of a night under canvas without the bugs and other beasts that go bump in the night. The site’s ‘creative playground’ is scattered with revamped caravans and quirky wooden cottages, each individually styled for a unique stay. There are also regular rooms with ensuites for a more mainstream getaway and an on-site cafe for a hearty slice of city sustenance.
With a garden complete with a hammock and swing strung up between wildflowers, tumbling beans and corn, the Hüettenpalast is so chill it’s easy to forget the big smoke is just metres from this hillbilly haven. Thankfully the friendly hosts have made life easy on weary travellers by compiling a list of the local shops and cafes that most merit exploring. And word on the street is a sauna will even be added to the fold in the not too distant future… watch this space.
Beneath the enchanting scenes of the Seine and Paris’s cobblestone footpaths lies the route for one of the city’s oldest tours. Since the latter part of the nineteenth century, the Paris Sewer Museum has guided tourists and locals alike through the pungent labyrinth of its underground system.
It’s a true feat of early engineering and design – construction began in the 1300s – but this museum isn’t for those with a delicate disposition. With fully dressed mannequins posed as workers and thoroughly entertaining information about the city and its catacombs on offer, this is a tour that neither you nor your nostrils will be able to forget.
Marvel at the giant balls once used to clean the sewers, which look like they could have been plucked from the set of an Indiana Jones movie. Paris’s sewer network spans some 2, 100 kilometres, and tours were once conducted by locomotive-drawn carriages and also by boat. Guided tours are available, or go it alone.
Who would have thought a Swedish national park could attract so much controversy? Hidden in the Kullaberg Nature Reserve in Skåne in the country’s south, is the giant sculpture Nimis (Latin for ‘too much’), constructed by controversial Swedish artist Lars Vilks. Built entirely from driftwood – at least so it’s believed – Vilks started crafting the structure in 1980, and it took two years before anybody even noticed.
Once it was uncovered, a series of convoluted court battles between Vilks and the local council led to the artist to declare one square kilometre of the nature reserve as autonomous from Sweden. And so the Royal Republic of Ladonia was born in 1996.
The micronation has a flag, a motto, two unnamed anthems, a capital, several official languages, a government, a queen, a president, a vice-president, a state secretary and almost 18,000 citizens worldwide. You can apply to become a citizen via the website for free, or even opt for a noble title for a small fee. Despite all this, nobody actually lives there.
The sculpture itself is impressively large, and as you climb down through it you feel as though you’re entering Netherland. The driftwood has been intricately cobbled together using nails and whatever else Vilks could get his hands on, to create an epic wooden labyrinth with tunnels you can climb through, and towers you can climb on. It’s awesome in both scale and concept.
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