Staycation swaps: Adventure holidays
Going on an adventure doesn’t have to mean boarding a plane. This list of staycation swaps helps you to find alternative destinations to bring your adventure holiday plans to life closer to home.
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From catching waves in Cornwall to white water rafting in Wales, Best Western takes a look at the staycation swaps that can help make your dream adventure holidays a reality.
Swap Hawaii for Harlyn Bay.
Say aloha to the Cornish coast.
Struggling to find the funds to holiday in Honolulu? You’re surfing plans don’t have to be totally wiped out, not with Cornwall around the corner. There are plenty of beaches to catch a wave in the county, from Sennen Cove with its surf shop and surf school, to the popular Harlyn Bay, where you’ll find the best surf around low tide.
Autumn is the perfect time to visit the region, as storms stir up stronger swells and surges, and water temperatures won’t have dipped to their lowest depths. A wetsuit is always a good idea but with an abundance of shops to rent boards and equipment from, you won’t have to worry about packing everything you need before you hit the road.
If it’s a drier yet equally epic time you’re after, why not visit Tintagel Castle? The spiritual home of King Arthur sits next to Merlin’s Cave and looks every bit the stuff of legend.
Stay: Porth Veor Manor, Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western
Swap Colorado for Cymru Ride Wales.
Wildest white waters.
Forget the Colorado rapids, for crashing waves closer to home, there’s no better place than the Welsh Border. The River Dee provides everything you need for an unforgettable white-water rafting experience and at a fraction of the cost.
Rowers of all abilities can enjoy rapids ranging from Grades 2–4 at Whitewater Active in Llangollen. Rent your wetsuit, helmet, life jacket and oar and take to the water for an exhilarating day. If trusting strangers to steer you away from trouble doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, river bugs might be an option. The inflatable surfboard-style crafts allow riders to navigate the water powered by nothing but your own two hands.
For something completely different, why not explore nearby Chester? The pretty Roman city is a shoppers’ haven. Update your wardrobe in boutique stores, sip on coffees brewed in independent cafes, or simply take a leisurely stroll through Chester Rows, the unique covered walkways that transport tourists back to yesteryear.
Swap the South of France for Surrey.
Take your staycation plans up a gear.
A trip across the channel has been a pilgrimage for pedal pushers for many years. Cycling in your Tour de France heroes’ tyre tracks may be a lifelong dream, but there’s no reason why you can’t take to the saddle in the UK. Where better, than through the scenic Surrey Hills?
Box Hill is no stranger to competitive cycling after hosting events during the London 2012 Olympics. There's no greater place to picture yourself pedalling alongside the sport’s best before reaching the summit where you’ll be greeted with sweeping views over the South Downs.
Hampton Court Palace is a short ride away. All six of Henry VIII’s wives visited the royal home and today you can too to better understand their story and history’s most complicated husband.
Stay: Best Western Ship Hotel
Swap Iceland for Inverness.
Cast your fishing net closer to home.
Iceland may be home to ‘the queen of all salmon rivers’ but a fishing holiday needn’t include a trip through airport security. Forget the Nordics and head north to Inverness instead, the birthplace of fly-fishing.
Head past the loch and onto the River Ness to catch a monster of your own. Whether it’s trout or salmon, the river is a major migration route for fish and the ideal spot to step into your waders and cast a line. The area is filled with professional guides who can provide all the equipment you need and talk you through your technique.
If the weather doesn’t hold up why not head into town? The Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is home to a wide range of exhibits exploring the city’s history and its unique position as the ‘gateway to the Highlands’.
After an adventurous and exhausting day, there's nothing better than a hot shower or bath and to collapse into a comfortable bed at a local, independent or family run hotel.
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