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Daily Record
6 days ago
- Daily Record
Stunning 31-mile train journey named UK's best thanks to picturesque views
The two-hour train journey has been crowned one of the best in Britain. When you think of UK railways, you probably think of long delays, cancellations, and crowded carriages. The transport system in Britain doesn't have the best reputation, so many may be shocked to find out that there are several stunning train routes that showcase rolling countryside and golden sandy beaches. For example, the Machynlleth to Pwllheli route in Wales was recently named one of the best train journeys in the country by Conde Nast Traveller. The route covers 31 miles of track and takes around two hours and 12 minutes. On the journey, travellers will see breathtaking mountains, stunning beaches, and dense forests, and it costs less than £20 for a return journey. T he publication said: "Just inside the southernmost rim of Snowdonia National Park, this route is blessed by nature from the moment the train departs. "Passengers gaze onto scenes of tall grass smattered with waist-high wildflowers and puffy clouds over peaks fringed with forest... Not long after Dovey Junction station, the ride follows the bends of the River Dyfi until it opens wide onto the Cardigan Bay coast, shaped by fingers of creamy sand and dunes melting into the water." The train has 25 stops, including the 'most isolated station in Wales', Dovey Junction, and the acclaimed seaside town of Barmouth - just make sure you get a window seat to make the most of the journey. Most of the track hugs the country's stunning coastline, allowing for plenty of beach vistas and sea views. However, there are no first-class carriages, so it might be worth bringing your own train picnic, reports the Mirror. Machynlleth to Pwllheli - the full route Machynlleth Dovey Junction Penhelig Aberdovey Tywyn Tonfanau Llwyngwril Fairbourne Morfa Mawddach Barmouth Llanaber Talybont Dyffryn Ardudwy Llanbedr Pensarn (Gwynedd) Llandanwg Harlech Tygwyn Talsarnau Llandecwyn Penrhyndeudraeth Minffordd Porthmadog Criccieth Penychain Abererch Pwllheli Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Machynlleth is located 217 miles from Central London, meaning you'll have to drive around four hours and 47 minutes to get there. You can catch an indirect train from London Euston, which includes a stop over at Birmingham but only takes three hours and 52 minutes. Single adult fares start from £37.20. After arriving in Machynlleth, you can hop straight onto the train to Pwllheli or spend the night in the market town. Here, you'll find an array of museums, the Michelin-starred restaurant Ynyshir, and - if you time it right - Machynlleth Comedy Festival. You can grab return fares to Pwllheli and back for as little as £21.09. If you have a railcard, this can cut down the price to an even more impressive £13.99 - which works out at less than £7 each way!
The Sun
6 days ago
- The Sun
Budget airline launches new flight routes from UK to 5 top Spanish destinations including ‘Europe's best city'
WIZZ AIR is launching five new routes from the UK to top Spanish destinations in time for next summer. The budget airline will fly from the London Luton Airport to Bilbao, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville from March 29, 2026. 5 5 Flights from London Luton Airport include daily flights to Madrid, as well as 10 flights a week to Barcelona. The new routes will make Wizz Air one of the key providers of budget travel to Spain. Launching just before the Easter holidays and in time for summer, flights will be available from as little as £17.99. Tickets are already available for the routes too. Running five times a week will be flights to 'Europe's best city', according to Conde Nast Traveller. In the publication's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards for the best cities in Europe, Valencia scored the highest with CNT stating: "A new winner for 2024 – Valencia is having a moment. "Spain's third-largest city has regenerated a former riverbed into a delightfully bucolic urban park and opened sleek rooftop bars, innovating and refreshing until it became – according to our readers – the best city break in Europe this year. "From Art Deco grandeur to beachside resorts, here are eight of the city's loveliest addresses to know." Located on the banks of the Turia, the Spanish city was originally founded by a Roman colony. Today it boasts a historical charm worth exploring, with attractions including the El Carmen neighbourhood. The Spanish surf spot with year-round sun and some of the best stargazing in the world There is a great cultural scene, too, with many top culinary spots to try. And for those who like to fly and flop, the city is home to 13 kilometres of sandy beaches with a lush Mediterranean climate. To celebrate the launch of the new routes, the airline is also offering travellers the chance to win free flights to one of the destinations. Clues will be shared for a scavenger hunt across London on the airline's Instagram account. The first person to head to three Spanish landmarks Wizz Air shares will win. 5 Yvonne Moynihan, managing director at Wizz Air UK, stated: "While some airlines stick to siestas, we're bringing serious competition with our signature low fares and high-efficiency model. "We are proud to do things the WIZZ way - always customer-first making travel accessible and affordable to all with unbeatable value flying brand new aircraft." Jonathan Rayner, chief commercial officer at London Luton Airport said: "The continued and rising demand for city break destinations has been clear to see this year and these eye-catching additions to our departure boards build on the wealth of fantastic options already available from LLA." Wizz Air is also launching new routes to Italy and Austria in October, with flights to Milan Malpensa, Rome Fiumicino and Vienna International Airport all running daily. Fares for these flights can also be found as low as £17.99. A new UK airline with cheap US fares has also been 'parked' after just two flights, and now people are fearing it's been scrapped for good. Plus, Emirates has a budget airline and it's rolling out new business class seats. 5
Glasgow Times
20-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
The stunning and 'otherworldly' beach picked as the best in Scotland
Luskentyre Sands on the Isle of Harris in the Outer Hebrides has long been recognised as one of the world's top beaches. Previously, it was highlighted in a global ranking of the best coastal locations by a prestigious travel publication. Conde Nast Traveller placed it number five in the world and praised its "impossibly azure" waters and "brilliant white" sands. READ MORE: Car torched outside homes as police probe deliberate blaze Luskentyre Beach was previously named one of the best in the world (Image: Tripadvisor) Why Luskentyre Sands is the best beach in the whole of Scotland More recently, the spot was crowned one of Scotland and the UK's best "no-litter" beaches by BusinessWaste based on the lack of reviews highlighting the issue of rubbish. READ MORE: Boost for holidaymakers as Glasgow Airport strikes set for next week 'suspended' The Scottish beach has also received a lot of praise from visitors, with users on Tripadvisor giving it a 4.9/5 out of 1149 reviews. One person said: "This beach is Outstanding! I've never seen anything quite like it before. The beach has also been praised for its 'otherworldly' feel (Image: Tripadvisor) "The views on the drive up to the car park are otherworldly. Beautiful turquoise water, soft golden sand that stretches for miles, grass-covered dunes." Another said: "Luskentyre Beach is the most stunning beach I have ever visited, which is saying something, as I am in my seventieth year. "When I first saw it, my breath was literally taken away. It has beautiful sand and is never crowded. The sea is crystal clear and there are views across to Taransay." This visitor penned: "If not for the chill in the air, one might be mistaken for being on Kauai." A fourth added: "The most amazing beach and scenery, definitely worth a visit! Not a huge amount of parking, so I would suggest getting there early to get a spot."
Western Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Western Telegraph
Whitesands Beach named among the best in the world
From Australia to Hawaii, Barbados to the Maldives, Big Travel 7 has come up with a list of the best beaches in the world. Introducing the list, the travel experts said: "From the sun-soaked tropics to the icy edges of the poles, our planet is home to some truly spectacular beaches. Best-rated UK beaches for 2025 - Tripadvisor rankings "Whether you're dreaming of sipping a cocktail under the warm sun or taking a romantic stroll along a pristine shoreline, we've got you covered. "From pearly-white sands that stretch unbroken for kilometres to crystal-clear waters that invite you in for a swim or snorkel, these are the 50 most beautiful beaches in the world." The best beaches in the world The top 50 best beaches in the world, according to Big Travel 7, can be found on the map below: Why Whitesands Beach is among the best in the world Whitesands Beach, located near St David's, ranked 28th in Big Travel 7's list of the world's best. Describing the Pembrokeshire beach as "arguably Wales' best", the experts explained: "This Blue Flag beach is overlooked by the hill of Carn Llidi, while the white sands curve towards the rocky headland of St Davids Head. "A popular but quiet beach due to its size, it is well worth visiting next time you're in Wales, as it is a favourite among both locals and tourists. "The water quality is excellent, perfect for swimming in the summer months as well as snorkelling and scuba diving." This is not the first time Whitesands has been recognised as a top beach. Conde Nast Traveller also ranked it among the UK's best beaches for 2025, in a listicle released earlier this year. Whitesands Beach isn't just highly recommended by experts, but by visitors as well, boasting a 4.2 (out of 5) rating on Tripadvisor from 532 reviews. One person said: "Stunning beach and a great coastal path walk near the beach. Beach is great for families and surfing/ swimming. A great place to visit in summer or winter." Another visitor to the Pembrokeshire beach added: "An absolute gem! Beautiful dog friendly beach with the sound of crashing waves. "Footpath either side fir a view across the bay. Called into the cafe which is also dog friendly for an ice cream, the staff where really friendly and welcoming. "Plenty of parking available however £6 is expensive if you are only there for a short visit." Whitesands Beach comes highly recommended by visitors as well as travel experts. (Image: Tripadvisor) Things to do at Whitesands Beach Whitesands is described as "one of the most popular beaches in Pembrokeshire" by Visit Wales, and is said to be ideal for: Sandcastle building Paddling and swimming Surfing Windsurfering Kayaking Diving Angling Short walks along the Pembrokeshire Coast Path or to the summit of nearby Carn Llidi There are also traces of a 6th-century chapel to St Patrick buried beneath the dunes located behind Whitesand Beach. You may also be able to see some of the local wildlife while visiting the beach, with a variety of sea birds, seals and porpoises often spotted close to the shore, according to Visit Wales. The beach is accessible to wheelchair users. Visit Wales said: "A slipway provides easy access onto the sand and there are beach-friendly wheelchairs available for hire." There are also lifeguards on duty at various points throughout the year (see the Visit Wales website for more details and times). Lifeguards are on duty at Whitesands Beach at various times throughout the year. (Image: Tripadvisor) Is there a cafe at Whitesands Beach? There is a cafe (Whitesands Beach House), shop and surf hire located behind Whitesands Beach. Toilet and changing facilities are also available. There are more shops, cafes and other services in St David's, which is located just two miles from the beach. Is Whitesands Beach dog-friendly? Yes, Whitesands Beach is dog-friendly. However, there are restrictions in place between May and September, which means dogs must be kept on a lead. RECOMMENDED READING: Parking at Whitesands Beach There are parking spaces for around 60 cars above Whitesands Beach. Parking "can be a problem during the height of summer", Visit Wales says, but there is a Celtic Coaster shuttle bus (summer only) available which travels to the beach from The Oriel y Parc car park on the edge of St David's.
NZ Herald
19-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Travel Alerts: NZ tops list, Aman Rosa Alpina opens and writer's festival return
Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech. Plan your next trip with these travel highlights. Photo / 123rf Each week in Travel, we check out some of the latest happenings from Aotearoa and beyond to inspire your next adventure. NZ tops life-work balance list New Zealand has been named the top country for work-life balance, according to a 2025 study by Remote, a global HR platform. In an article by Conde Nast Traveller, Remote analysed 60 of the world's highest GDP nations, looking at factors such as paid leave, minimum wage, healthcare, average working hours and inclusivity. New Zealand ranks highest thanks to the number of annual leave days, minimum wage and 26 weeks of paid maternity leave. This recognition shows why Kiwis enjoy a lifestyle where work and personal time blend seamlessly. This solidifies New Zealand as not just a beautiful destination but also an ideal place to live, work and recharge, offering the perfect backdrop for adventure and wellbeing.
