Swap Niagara Falls for Aber Falls
Canada or Cymru? You decide
You don’t need to head all the way to North America to see one of the world’s most photogenic falls.
Leave your passport behind and head to Eryri in Wales where you’ll find the amazing Aber Falls instead. The 120-foot of tumbling water in Snowdonia National Park are surrounded by lush greenery and high cliffs that feel a million miles away from home. The river plummets into a shallow rocky pool, the perfect spot for a quick, cold dip before continuing towards the secluded village of Abergwyngregyn.
Swap Italy's Blue Grotto for Fingal’s Cave
A wee trip works just as well
Forget Italy’s beautiful Blue Grotto, your cosy cavern fix could be closer than you think.
Fingal’s Cave, tucked underneath the uninhabited island of Staffa in Scotland looks nothing like anything you’ve seen before, not even on the sun-soaked island of Capri. Renowned for its striking hexagonal columns, natural acoustics, and 69-metre-high arched ceiling, the basalt bat cave has an awe-inspiring cathedral-like atmosphere.
Swap the Grand Canyon for Cheddar Gorge
A cheap, cheerful and cheesy alternative
Who needs to spend thousands on flights to see the Grand Canyon when we’ve got Cheddar Gorge on our doorstep? Hear us out! What other great big hole in the ground do you know that’s named after cheese?
Avoid Arizona and the city of sin for a destination loved by rock climbers and cavers alike. At over 1 million years old, this part of Somerset has seen it all, so why haven’t you seen it? It might not reach the heights of the Canyon but at 450 foot tall and 3 miles long, it’s well worth including in your next itinerary.
Swap the Maldives for Cornwall
When your budget doesn’t stretch to the Indian Ocean
Picture the scene, you’re lounging in the sun, feeling the warm sand under your feet before swimming in clear, blue waters. You might think you’re on an island in the Indian Ocean but you could just as easily be in Cornwall.
Kynance Cove, on the Lizard Peninsula, is famous for its turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and stunning rock formations, making it one of the most scenic coastlines in in the UK.
Swap Germany for Wales
Pedal your days away in Powys
Searching for a world-class cycling break? Germany’s MainRadweg might be on your list but you there are plenty of cycling adventures to be had closer to home too.
The Elan Valley is one of the best mountain biking spots in Wales. Starting at Cwmdauddwr, the trail winds between rolling hills before taking you over Rhayader Tunnel, a Wildlife Trust Reserve that’s home to a number of bat species.
Finish your ride at Craig Goch Dam, an impressive stone dam known for its Victorian grandeur, graceful curves, and cascading waters.
Swap New Zealand for the Forest of Dean
Get into the Hobbit of holidaying near home
If the Lord of the Rings taught us anything it’s that New Zealand has some of the most jaw dropping scenery on M̶i̶d̶d̶l̶e̶e̶a̶r̶t̶h̶. Every year, fans flock Down Under to channel their inner Hobbit but thankfully the spirit of the Shire is a lot closer than you might think.
In the Forest of Dean lies Puzzlewood, an ancient woodland that is said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Old Forest, Mirkwood and Lothlorien. So why not pack a picnic for second breakfast, elevenses, luncheon and more for a day Frodo
Nestled between the Rivers Severn and River Wye, it’s also the perfect spot for a family day out, filled with beautiful moss-covered rocks, bridges, and fantastic rock and tree formations that can be accessed by miles of winding pathways.