Latest news with #IgluCruise
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The UK beach that's 'better than the Maldives' revealed
Boasting pristine white sands and turquoise waters, Porthcurno Beach could be easily mistaken for a dreamy coastal destination in the Maldives. Located in West Cornwall, it ranked first for the best seaside area with warmer waters, in a study. Porthcurno Beach is a National Trust site backed by granite cliffs and is known for its sands being made of crushed sea shells, with larger pieces often washing up along the shore. Iglu Cruise's study analysed TripAdvisor 's top ten beaches in England alongside the average ocean temperatures in July, the Mirror reported. Porthcurno placed first, and has been praised on the review site for being 'better than the Maldives' by one visitor. They wrote: 'One of the best beaches in Cornwall, just returned from a week and visited Praa Sands, Carbis Bay and Porthcurno and this was our favourite. 'Spend the morning at the Minack Theatre soaking up the history and amazing views and then head to the beach for white sand and great surf.' Another called it a 'gorgeous beach', gushing over the 'unbelievable views' and adding, 'the sea was clear like as if you were abroad'. Someone else compared it to another tropical destination and said 'can you believe this is not the Caribbean!' Fistral Beach, also in Cornwall, followed Porthcurno in second place. Renowned as a perfect spot for surfing, the sandy beach boasts a backdrop of dunes and cliffs. While another Cornwall destination, Perranporth Beach, ranked third in the study. The seaside spot is three-miles long and is a popular choice for swimmers and surfers. Woolacombe Beach, in Devon, placed fourth with its golden sands and consistent waves. Tunnels Beaches ranked fifth. Visitors have to trek through a hand-carved historical tunnel to access its pebbled shore. In sixth place, Frinton-on-Sea Beach features and is located in Essex, followed by nearby Clacton-on-Sea Beach. Woolacombe Beach, in Devon, placed fourth with its golden sands and consistent waves Crosby Beach in Merseyside ranked eighth, while Brighton Beach in East Sussex came ninth, with Camber Sands placing tenth. In another study, Barafundle Bay in Pembrokeshire, Wales, was named the most-loved beach. The location is often described as having 'views reminiscent of the Caribbean'. With a beautiful green backdrop, the remote beach has turquoise waters and a golden sandy shore that mirrors what one might find on a tropical island.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
UK beach that rivals Maldives with white sands also boasts swim-friendly waters
Brits looking for the UK's best beaches to visit in summer 2025 should add one gorgeous sandy shore to their wishlist immediately thanks to its Maldives-worthy scenery A UK beach that wouldn't look out of place in the Maldives has been named one of the best for swim-friendly waters this summer. With its picture-perfect white sands and crystal-clear waters, it's no surprise that Porthcurno Beach in staycation hotspot Cornwall regularly tops rankings of the UK's best beaches. The National Trust site gets its postcard-esque white sands from the soft shells that form its shores, but its freshwater stream makes it a must-visit on those hot summer days. In fact, it's recently topped rankings of England's best shorelines for warmer waters if you want to take a dip to cool off. Beautiful white sand beach is one of 'best in Europe' with crystal-clear waters Tenerife's 'sunniest beach' happens to also be the island's 'most beautiful' The research was conducted by the team at Iglu Cruise who looked at TripAdvisor's rankings of the top 10 best beaches in England, and then worked out the average sea temperatures in summer (July) using World Sea Temperatures, to determine the rankings. Oh, and keep your eyes peeled across the horizon as between May and October, those warmer waters can draw in the likes of basking sharks and dolphins, as well as a plethora of birds that nest in the region. If you are going to take a dip, take note that the beach can get some strong currents, and there are only seasonal lifeguards on offer. You can find out more on the National Trust website. Holiday experts have previously recommended that Brits visit the gorgeous beach which they say rivals even the prettiest of Spanish shores. "If you're looking for a beach in the UK that offers white sand, dramatic cliffs, turquoise waters and lush greenery similar to the Costa Brava in north-east Spain, then head to Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall," the team at previously explained. "Reminiscent of a tropical paradise, the beach is framed by towering cliffs, providing a peaceful retreat from the wind, and a scenic backdrop that enhances its secluded and calm atmosphere. Lastly, the beach's clear waters make it ideal for swimming, snorkelling, and exploring marine life." It's not just travel insiders who are impressed; visitors have taken to social media and TripAdvisor to share their own takes on the beach, and they're overwhelmingly positive. "Just stunning. One of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen," one person wrote on TripAdvisor. "First time at Porthcurno and will definitely be returning. Just hope it doesn't rain this time." Another added: "Amazing beach , great relaxed atmosphere, amazing walks off the beech. Lovely clean surroundings, Minnack theatre right next door." Meanwhile a third person who was impressed by the beach did flag that you'll want to keep an eye on kids, due to a steep drop off. They wrote: "What a lovely beach. Fairly small bay with clean sand. It has quite a steep drop off so isn't great for children playing in the surf. It has toilets, a cafe and car park very close." It wasn't just Porthcurno Beach that impressed in the Iglu Cruise study; Cornish beaches took the top three spots in the rankings, which you can check out below. Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall Fistral Beach, Cornwall Perranporth Beach, Cornwall Woolacombe Beach, Devon Tunnels Beaches, Devon Frinton-on-Sea Beach, Essex Clacton-on-Sea Beach, Essex Crosby Beach, Merseyside Brighton Beach, East Sussex Camber Sands, East Sussex
Time Out
21-07-2025
- Time Out
This spectacular national park in northern Spain has been crowned best in Europe
You can tell a lot about a country by its national parks. These preserved and protected spaces help teach visitors about the country's natural landscape, resources, wildlife, weather and local produce, all while offering visitors the chance to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the earth. Europe alone offers over 460 parks to explore, so Iglu Cruise studied TripAdvisor data to rank the best of the best of the continent. The top contender? P arque Nacional Ordesa y Monte Perdido in Spain. This Pyrenees park stretches its jagged mountain peaks, elevated cerulean lakes and mouth-dropping waterfalls across 156 kilometres along the northeastern border between Spain and France. If you're a nature junkie, Ordesa is your enabler, offering activities like hiking, whitewater rafting, camping, canyoning, rock climbing and then some. Experienced climbers flock to Monte Perdido, or 'the lost mountain', the Pyrenees' third-highest summit, for adrenaline-pumped climbing, while the Escupidera, Perdido's final section, is a cold, icy challenge even in summer. Less experienced nature dwellers will still be in awe down on the Ordesa Valley Floor, where a 16k route winds through fields of flowery meadows, silver-fir forests and waterfalls-a-plenty. Maybe you'll stumble upon some of the wildlife or herds of curious cows grazing, accompanied by their shepherd, steering them away from dangerous edges. Taking second place is Slovenia's Triglav National Park, where the highest peak of the Julian Alps, Mount Trivalgo, stands at just under 2900 metres. Take the challenge of this intermediate trek, or, if you're looking for a journey on wheels, cycle on the Radovna Cycle Route in the Radovna Valley on the park's western border, suited for all levels. Wales' Snowdonia National Park (or Eryri) comes third, with 823 square miles of stunning Welsh wilderness. Climb the mighty Mount Snowdon, walk through its lakeside trails or simply camp out among Wales' countryside, taking in the fresh air and lush green hills. Did all this nature talk tempt you to a nearby trail? Check out our roundup of the 20 best hikes in the world after reading the rest of the Iglu Cruise winners below. The top 10 national parks in Europe 1. Parque Nacional Ordesa y Monte Perdido, Spain 2. Triglav National Park, Slovenia 3. Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, Wales 4. Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Italy 5. Killarney National Park, Ireland 6. Caldera de Taburiente National Park, Spain 7. Parc National Des Calanques, France 8. New Forest National Park, 9. Goreme National Park, Turkey 10. Parque Nacional de Garajonay, Spain
North Wales Live
20-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Eryri is named third best national park in Europe
Eryri (Snowdonia )has been named the third best national park in Europe. A list has been compiled of the finest national parks in the whole continent. Despite fierce competition Eryri made the top ten - the only site in Wales to make the cut. Iglu Cruise compared Tripadvisor data to calculate which ones have the highest percentage of five-star (excellent) reviews. 50 of Europe's most popular national parks were used in the data sample, with a table of the top ten below. They said: "To appreciate a country's natural beauty, visiting a national park is a great way to enjoy scenic landscapes, outdoor activities, and opportunities for relaxation and adventure. "A national park is a dedicated area of protected land which preserves the natural environment. Europe alone is home to over 400 national parks in countries across every corner of the continent. But which national park in Europe is the best?" The only parks to finish above Eryri were Parque Nacional Ordesa y Monte Perdido in Spain and Triglav National Park in Slovenia. On Eryri National Park, they said: "In third place, and the first UK national park on the list, is Eryri/ Snowdonia National Park, with 84.6% of five-star reviews. "Eryri National Park is located in northwest Wales, in the counties of Gwynedd and Conwy. It was the first national park to be established in Wales, following the implementation of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, officially gaining the status in 1951. "According to the official website, over four million people visit Eryri National Park each year, with over 1,500 miles of public footpaths. Notable highlights include hiking up Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), whitewater rafting and taking a trip on the Snowdon Mountain Railway."
Daily Mirror
16-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful white sand beach is one of 'best in Europe' with crystal-clear waters
A gorgeous white sand beach is well worth having on your travel bucket list especially as it's one of the best spots for swimming during the summer months A breathtaking beach is already hailed as one of the best in Europe, and now it's also been tipped as a must-visit for Brits looking for swim-friendly waters. Tropea in Italy is no hidden gem, and it's not difficult to see why it's been crowned a must-visit this summer. If you were going to put a picture of a beach on a postcard, Tropea ticks all of the boxes. White sands? Check. Crystal-clear waters? Check. Breathtaking surroundings for those all-important Instagram backdrops? Check. The Blue Flag beach is free to visit, but it can get quite busy during the peak summer months because it's popular with both locals and tourists. As for those inviting turquoise waters, you can hire the likes of pedalos in the area to go exploring, or join one of the many boat trips that take you along that ridiculously pretty Italian coast. As for back on the fine sands, you can hire sunloungers and umbrellas, not to mention that there are plenty of restaurants and shops just a short walk away. The gorgeous beach is also currently rated as one of the top 10 in Europe, taking eighth place in the rankings on Tripadvisor, based on visitors' reviews. One happy holidaymaker wrote of their stay: "Wonderful place, always clean and clear water (so much so that you could see the fish). We rented a pedal boat to go a little 'offshore' and enjoy the enchanting sea of Tropea and we are not disappointed. Enchanted!" Another added: "The downside is the need to climb stairs from the city to the beach and back. But in Calabria, it's inevitable. Pros are much more: a beautiful coast, with bays and relatively low tourist occupancy, crystal clear water, a clean groomed beach, wonderful views and beautiful sunsets." If you are planning to take a dip, you'll likely get to enjoy water temperatures averaging 26.3C, according to new research from Iglu Cruise. In fact, their experts have named Tropea as the best beach in Italy when it came to rankings of where to go for a dip, and enjoy glorious sun-soaked weather. The travel insiders explained: "Often regarded as one of the best beaches in Italy (according to Tripadvisor), Tropea Beach is another location where you can find warm sea temperatures that are perfect for swimming in the summer. Views from the beach are spectacular, with surrounding cliffs causing a natural barrier to the wind. If you're looking for azure blue waters and white sand, this might be the beach for you." It wasn't just Tropea that impressed. In fact, overall it came fifth in the rankings, with Konyaaltı Plajları in Turkey taking the top spot, with waters boasting average temperatures of 27.8C. You can check out the full top 10 list below... Konyaaltı Plajları, Antalya, Türkiye - 27.8°C Konnos Bay, Ayia Napa, Cyprus - 27.3°C Anthony Quinn Bay, Rhodes, Greece - 26.5°C İztuzu Plajı, Dalyan, Türkiye - 26.5°C Tropea Beach, Tropea, Italy - 26.3°C Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece - 25.7°C Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece - 25.6°C Playa de Ses Illetes, Formentera, Spain - 25.1°C Spiaggia dei Conigli, Lampedusa, Italy - 24.9°C Playa de Muro Beach, Majorca, Spain - 24.8°C
