Latest news with #Caribbean-esque
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Tranquil beach is like a 'Caribbean paradise' with white sands and blue waters
This secluded beach in the Cíes archipelago is often likened to the Caribbean because of its white sands, but its cooling Atlantic waters and lush forests are ideal to beat the heat Brits are a hop, skip and jump away from this Caribbean-esque paradise named one of the best beaches in the world. A new list has highlighted this sandy Spanish destination for its 'soft white sand and clear, calm waters'. Playa de Rodas is a 700 metre-long beach in the Cíes archipelago off the coast of Galicia, Spain. Ranking in 18th place on The World's 50 Best Beaches list, Playa de Rodas is often compared to the Caribbean for its immaculate white sands and turquoise waters. Despite its Caribbean look, the cool and refreshing waters of the Atlantic are what make Rodas beach particularly enticing to travellers. The gently curved beach is also surrounded by a distinct natural landscape. It comes after news that Spanish islands fear Brits won't return as tourists are dealt another blow. Lush pine forests and sand dunes engulf the area, creating the tranquil and private atmosphere that Cíes is known for. There are also many walking trails visitors can explore - without the hindrance of large crowds. According to the travel experts who created the Top 50 ranking, 'your odds of perfect beach days are much higher than average at Playa de Rodas'. The water is unusually calm and has a sandy bottom that promises easy access. The average high temperatures during the summer months range from 22C to 24C, with minimal rainy days. The lowest average temperatures of the year are in January ranging from 8C to 13C. Naturally, high season peaks in July and August, but planning your visit for June and September promise exceptional weather with smaller crowds. The Atlantic is also much calmer between June and October. Crowding is not a major issue at Rodas beach because it is less convenient to reach that other popular Spanish beach destinations. The Cíes islands are only accessibly by boat. That means the best way for Brits the visit is by flying to either Vigo (approximately 2hrs 15minutes from London) or Santiago de Compostela (approximately 2hrs 10minutes from London). The most common way to travel from Vigo to the Cíes islands is by ferry. During peak season, ferries run regularly throughout the day between Vigo and the islands and take approximately 45 minutes. You can also rent a private boat to reach Cíes. One of the other reasons Cíes never suffers from overcrowding is because there is a cap on how many visitors can arrive each day. The Cies Islands are part of the UNESCO -protected Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. The archipelago is made up of three islands: Monteagudo, Faro (which are connected by a long footbridge) and San Martiño. Cies has become a posterchild for sustainable tourism, prioritising environmental protection over tourist accommodation. Given the island's protected status, there are strict rules about how many tourists can visit the island and when. No more than 2,200 visitors are allowed on the island each day, and anyone interested in visiting the islands must request permission in advance. The Cies island, managed by the Spanish national park authority, is also notorious for being rife with rules to protect the biodiversity of the area.
Western Telegraph
03-08-2025
- Western Telegraph
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire named the UK's best beach
Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire topped the list compiled by Holidu, a holiday rental portal, which analysed user review data from Google Maps for over 9,500 beaches. The list features the 25 best UK beaches for 2025, based on their ratings and beauty. Welsh beaches dominated the rankings, appearing nine times. Barafundle Bay, the most loved in the UK, is praised for its 'Caribbean-esque' views, with a green backdrop, turquoise waters, and golden sands. Other highly-rated Welsh beaches are Traeth Mwnt (2nd), Dunraven Bay (4th), and Freshwater West (12th). Barafundle Bay, with a Google Maps rating of 4.9 from 1,668 reviews, is celebrated for its preserved natural beauty. Accessible only by a half-mile walk, the beach has remained relatively wild yet pristine with golden sands and turquoise waters. It has won multiple awards, including the cleanest beach in the UK (2024), the Seaside Award (2019) for its high standards of cleanliness and facilities, and the Green Coast Award (2019) for its beautiful natural environment and great water quality. Traeth Mwnt, another Welsh entry, is a hidden cove with a Google Maps rating of 4.9 from 722 reviews. It's known for its golden sands and the iconic Mwnt Church overlooking the bay. Visitors can enjoy dolphin watching, as Mwnt is one of the best places in the UK to see dolphins. For those who prefer hiking, there's a scenic walk to the top of Foel y Mwnt, offering panoramic views of Cardigan Bay. The beach has also won numerous awards, including a Green Coast and Seaside Award. These stunning Welsh beaches offer perfect spots for a getaway without the need to leave the UK. Barafundle Bay, in particular, is expected to attract many visitors due to its natural beauty and the experience it offers, similar to the Caribbean. These beaches not only provide relaxation but also a range of activities such as dolphin watching and hiking, making them ideal for family outings. In total, nine Welsh beaches made it to the top 25 list, highlighting the variety and quality of coastal experiences available in Wales.
Daily Mirror
26-04-2025
- Daily Mirror
'I visited UK seaside resort snubbed by Brits and quickly fell in love'
There is no greater fall from grace than the UK's abandoned coastline. Once dripping in opulence and grandeur, seaside resorts up and down the nation were thriving for decades - ditching their fishing and shipbuilding status to become an insatiable tourist magnet. However, in the 70s, the Benidorm boom kicked in. With cheap flights and promises of guaranteed sun infiltrating the travel market, more and more Brits started flocking over to the likes of Spain and Greece - draining the money from these tourist-reliant spots. This, combined with water firms dumping swathes of sewage in our waters, and inflation tripling the price of the 99 ice cream - meant many coastal destinations had started to crumble. Weston-super-Mare, located in Somerset, is one of many towns stung by the collapse of seaside prestige. Back in 2023, the destination was cruelly crowned one of the 'worst' UK seaside towns by the Telegraph - with judges ranking it a meagre 18 out of 100. In 2015, Weston-super-Mare also hosted Banky's Dismaland exhibition - a temporary pop-up that transformed the town's former Lido site, The Tropicana, into a 'family theme park unsuitable for children'. While seemingly poking at the town's plummeting image, the 'bemusement park' went on to generate an estimated £20 million in tourist revenues. 'I visited tiny village dubbed Italy of UK and one thing surprised me' Keen to find out whether the town's notoriety was justified - or simply a result of British snobbery - I headed down to the hotspot last month. It was a sunny Sunday, and the temperature had climbed to a (scorching) 13C - meaning I wasn't the only one desperate for Fish & Chips on the sand. Now, I've spoken before about what actually makes a good beach. If you think a town some 23 miles from Bristol is going to boast sugar-like sand and Caribbean-esque waters - you need to lower your delusional expectations. The sea at Weston-super-Mare is often brown as it carries high levels of suspended sediment and organic matter in the Severn Estuary. Does it stop kids from building sandcastles? No. Does it mean you can't bask in the sun with an ice cream, walk your dog, or have a sunset stroll with your partner? No, no, and no. Weston-super-Mare's beach may not be great for your Instagram feed, but that doesn't mean it isn't filled with joy. After devouring a portion of chips drowned in vinegar on the beach, I headed onto the Grand Pier - which now charges a £2 entry. You get a pretty fabulous view of the beach from up here, and can easily spend a few hours in the arcade. After that - an ice cream is essential. Want the latest travel news and cheapest holiday deals sent straight to your inbox? Sign up to our Travel Newsletter Weston-super-Mare may not have a strip of trendy coffee shops serving up Matcha-flavoured pastries, or a huge amount of culinary choice for those not so keen on beige food, but its roaring spirit is undeniable. I had felt like I'd gone back in time, back when trinket shops selling rock and silly cardboard cutouts were enough to make a holiday worthwhile. For me, Weston-super-Mare ticked all of the seaside essentials. It was lively and jam-packed with tourists, the toys weren't pushed too far back on the 2p slots, and the beach was big enough to practice cartwheels without whacking anyone in the face. It wasn't pretending to be anything it's not, and for that alone - I fell in love. In the words of Weston-super-Mare's MP Dan Aldridge: "The town has so much to offer. Sure, it might not have the white sands of Barbados, but I've never seen an arcade this good - or had Fish & Chips as tasty - in the Caribbean. The Ultraviolet Crazy Gold and Dr Fox Tea Room are unmatched. I don't care what five-star resorts you might stay in, nothing beats the charm of Weston. It'll always be my favourite." If that isn't enough, Weston-super-Mare has revealed bold plans to improve the area even more. Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council, said: "The town has seen multi-million-pound investment in recent years, including the £20m award by the UK government which is enabling a programme of significant projects to improve the town. The Grade II Listed Birnbeck Pier now has a bright future and the Tropicana event venue is set to undergo major investment, subject to planning permission... "The housing market is booming, with supply outstripping demand and house price increases exceeding the national average. All of this is attracting growing inward investment in the area including US tech giant Epic. There's so much going on, it's impossible to list it all!"
