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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The little-known way to travel across Spain by train for FREE this summer
FOR anyone travelling across Spain, there is a clever hack to get train journeys for free. Advertisement 4 You can get a free ticket if you make a long-distance train journey in Spain Credit: Alamy 4 Use the commuter routes to head out of the cities for free Credit: Alamy To get journeys for free, visitors can buy a combined Cercanías ticket, which is called the Combinado Cercanías in Spanish. The ticket essentially is included free of charge with tickets for some long-distance run by Renfe and include AVE trains . Travellers who have already bought a long-distance ticket won't need to buy another one to take a connecting local train as it is free with the combined Cercanías ticket. The only condition is that you travel within four hours of when the booked train departs or leaves. Advertisement Read More on Spain So if you're heading into the likes of Madrid or But from there, if you want to head out of the city to see mountains, lakes and other more Sarah Helppi, UK Country Director at "For those keen to explore Spain, it means you can go beyond the main tourist hubs without the need to spend more.' Advertisement Most read in News Travel You don't have to faff around with printed tickets either as you can get a PDF on your phone - which you can do on the Trainline app. If you want to buy a physical ticket, you can input the 5-digit code on the ticket into a ticket machine on the Cercanías train station platform. Huge new train station to open in world's most popular city 4 Head out of Seville to see beautiful hill towns Credit: Alamy This will print out the Combinado Cercanías ticket so you don't have to worry about your phone running out of charge. Advertisement Here are some of the best ways to see You can reach One Sun Travel writer visited Madrid last year where they To then explore out of the city, hop on the Madrid Cercanías train network where you can go out into the Guadarrama Mountains. Advertisement Up there, there's a medieval monastery and traditional restaurants. From pick up a commuter Cercanias train from Santa Justa station. That will take you out to the hill towns of the Sierra Norte, Aljarafe, Dos Hermanos and Utrera . Have a look before you travel at train routes and where a free ticket out of the city can get you for your next Advertisement Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences. Davos to Geneva, Switzerland "After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen "Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey London to Paris by Eurostar "Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what's so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won't have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail "From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton Beijing to Ulaanbatar "The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray Before you go, check all the And from someone who visits Spain at least 8 times a year – 4 You can get a free train ticket out of the cities in Spain Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Our top picks on where The Sun travel editors are going this summer from cheap Turkish resorts to world's biggest cruise
RACKING up hundreds of countries between us all, it's no surprise that the Sun Travel team are out exploring the world this summer. So we've spoken to each of our editors to find out where they are going this summer , from family villas in Sicily to being first on the world's biggest cruise ship. 11 From island villages to new cruise ships - the travel team is exploring the globe this summer Sicily villas One of the joys of not having school-age children is being able to travel in late summer , taking advantage of the cheaper prices and fewer crowds. But of course, the Bank of Mum and Dad is never closed, and our break will still see the whole family heading away together, but on a very different holiday with our grown-up kids. Our choice was a villa in where the whole family can come together to splash about in the private pool or gather for lazy meals on the terrace. The recently refurbished Ad Astra villa sits right on the seafront at Finale di Pollina on Sicily's north eastern coast with direct access to the pebbly beach and clear cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms there hopefully won't be any sibling squabbles and outside in the lovely gardens, there are two terraces for dining and relaxing. 11 I can't wait to take our family holiday to Sicily 11 The resorts look brand new thanks to a recent refurbishment The beachfront town is more tranquil than neighbouring bustling The charming main square, La Torre, has gorgeous sea views perfect for a morning coffee or evening aperitivo. With easyJet flights flying into Catania and flights out of Palermo, we'll hire a car and get to explore the northern Sicilian coastline, still drenched in sunshine and temperatures of 27degrees in early September. One must-visit for me will be the ancient hilltop medieval village of Pollina - rising dramatically 730metres above the coastline where our villa sits. With narrow, winding streets to explore and an open-air amphitheatre carved into the rock there should be breathtaking views of the sea and Four nights at Ad Astra villa start from £462pp in September at Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Turkish TUI resort While I love taking my child on busy, exploration holidays (he's already ticked off some great bucket listers of Lapland and So we'll be heading to the Holiday Village AQI in Turkey this summer for a week of relaxation. 11 The Sun's Head of Travel (Digital) Caroline McGuire is going on a family holiday to Turkey 11 Trying to visit all seven pools will certainly be a challenge at the Holiday Village AQI Credit: Tripadvisor And the TUI resort has more than enough to keep up busy without leaving the site. We both love swimming, and there are seven pools to choose from so we'll be able to go to a new one every day. Although whether I'll be able to drag him away from the splash park, who knows. Maybe when I tell him there are more than 200 activities on offer at the hotel. And I'll be heading straight to the spa for a Seven nights at Holiday Village Aqui start from £891 in August with flights, or £619 out of season. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital) Fuerteventura September might not seem like summer here, but in The weather, on what is me and my hubby's favourite Canary isle, is glorious at that time of year. Not baking hot but still very warm and with the famous and very welcome 'Fuerty wind' making it much more bearable. We've been here three times before, so I think you get the idea we love it here. We've previously stayed in Caleta de Fuste, a popular resort in the middle of the island's east coast, with a good variety of hotels, villas, restaurants, pubs and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and Lajares, a much quieter place and great place to rent a villa and just chill by your own pool. 11 The Scottish Sun's Travel Editor Heather Lowrie is heading to the Spanish island of Fuerteventura 11 Even in September, it still feels like the best of summer in Fuerteventura Credit: Getty This time we're trying something different and heading to Corralejo on the northern tip of the island, where we hope to discover yet another side to I'm looking forward to walking along the former fishing village's well-known Flag Beach and eating glorious seafood at one of the many restaurants, especially in the old town with its cobbled streets and harbour. We're also planning a day trip to the nearby Lobos Island nature reserve and perhaps even plucking up the courage to go snorkeling, as well as pottering around the El Campanario Market to pick up a souvenir or two. But most of all I am just looking forward to a week of sunshine, great food and a bit of well-deserved R&R. Heather Lowrie, Scottish Sun Travel Editor World's biggest cruise ship I fell a little in love with cruising a few years back, on a heavily rum-fuelled sailing between sleepy Even now, I'm writing this from a sun-soaked lounger on a glossy ship at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, but it's the vessel I'm boarding later this year that I'm most excited about. Royal Caribbean 's newest ship and the second in its icon class, Star of the Seas, will be I'll be on board, of course. How could I resist another Caribbean adventure at sea? 11 The Sun's Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski is a new cruise fan 11 Royal Caribbean's new ship Star of the Seas launches next month Credit: Royal Caribbean The largest cruise ship in the entire world (a title she shares with sister ship, Icon of the Seas) and reaching a whopping 1,196ft in length, this will be on a mind-boggling scale . What I'm looking forward to most is the Lincoln Park Supper Club, an immersive dining experience exclusive to Star that, I hear, will transport diners back to the 1930s in the American city of Chicago . I'll also get to explore Watch this space. I'll be back here in a few months time and I'm sure I'll have endless secrets to spill. Royal Caribbean launches from Florida in August 2025, with seven-night sailings from £1,059 Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor Zurich I've always been wanting to explore more of Switzerland , so there's no better time than with the Women's Euros taking place. I'm looking forward to exploring Europe 's happiest cities. Not only that but it ticks all of the boxes - did you know the city has 18 lidos to choose from? While the locals choose to float down the river to work, with their belongings safely tucked into a waterproof bag, I'll be hunting out some of the women-only lidos to spend the days in. 11 The Sun's Deputy Travel Editor Kara Godfrey loves exploring a city on holiday 11 Zurich is definitely a hot spot this summer, with Women's Euros there this year Credit: Alamy As a chocolate lover, I'll also be heading straight to the Lindt World of Chocolate Museum to stock up (brining hauls of I'm determined to prove that Zurich isn't an expensive destination, especially seeing as you can fly there in just over an hour for less than £20. Loads of airlines are launching flights too - Edelweiss now has direct routes to Zurich from Bristol while easyJet has new Edinburgh-Zurich flights. But of course I'll be cheering the women on, hoping we get to the finals. Come on England ! The UEFA Women's Euros England vs Sweden match takes place in Zurich on July 17. In the mean time, here are some of our other Sun Travel Team tips including: The top affordable European destinations Where are the rest of the travel team going? Travel Reporters Alice Penwill and Cyann Fielding are also heading abroad this summer. Thailand exploring This summer I'm going the furthest I've ever been, to Thailand's second largest island of Koh Samui. It's of course known for being the star of White Lotus' third series and I'm looking forward to exploring all the island has to offer from beautiful beaches to late night parties. On holiday, there's nothing better than swimming in a sea that's not freezing cold, so I plan to go in as much as possible. Snorkelling is on the to do list too as I hear the island is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs - and I will be investing in an underwater camera to watch my adventure on replay. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter European islands When it comes to soft spots, Italy is a major one for me - the country boasts so many destinations that you can visit several times and never get bored. That is why I am heading to yet another Italian destination this summer - Sardinia which has 2,000km of coastline, sandy beaches and numerous hiking trails. For fellow Italian lovers like me, this is a great destination with flight times coming in at around two-and-a-half-hours and return flights available for as little as £48. Particular things I am excited for are seeing the nuraghi scattered over the rugged landscape. These little houses date to the bronze age and are shaped like bee hives. I am such a sucker for hidden gems as well, so I am keen to explore the island's caves and coves to see if I can find off-the-beaten-track spots, which tourists usually don't head to. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Our top picks on where The Sun travel editors are going this summer from cheap Turkish resorts to world's biggest cruise
RACKING up hundreds of countries between us all, it's no surprise that the Sun Travel team are out exploring the world this summer. So we've spoken to each of our editors to find out where they are going this summer, from family villas in Sicily to being first on the world's biggest cruise ship. Sicily villas One of the joys of not having school-age children is being able to travel in late summer, taking advantage of the cheaper prices and fewer crowds. But of course, the Bank of Mum and Dad is never closed, and our break will still see the whole family heading away together, but on a very different holiday with our grown-up kids. Our choice was a villa in Sicily, where the whole family can come together to splash about in the private pool or gather for lazy meals on the terrace. The recently refurbished Ad Astra villa sits right on the seafront at Finale di Pollina on Sicily's north eastern coast with direct access to the pebbly beach and clear cobalt waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms there hopefully won't be any sibling squabbles and outside in the lovely gardens, there are two terraces for dining and relaxing. 11 The beachfront town is more tranquil than neighbouring bustling Cefalu but still promises a smattering of pizzerias, cafes and shops. The charming main square, La Torre, has gorgeous sea views perfect for a morning coffee or evening aperitivo. With easyJet flights flying into Catania and flights out of Palermo, we'll hire a car and get to explore the northern Sicilian coastline, still drenched in sunshine and temperatures of 27degrees in early September. One must-visit for me will be the ancient hilltop medieval village of Pollina - rising dramatically 730metres above the coastline where our villa sits. With narrow, winding streets to explore and an open-air amphitheatre carved into the rock there should be breathtaking views of the sea and Aeolian Islands if we get a clear day. Four nights at Ad Astra villa start from £462pp in September at Lisa Minot, Head of Travel Turkish TUI resort While I love taking my child on busy, exploration holidays (he's already ticked off some great bucket listers of Lapland and Cape Town at the age of six), sometimes you need that fly and flop. So we'll be heading to the Holiday Village AQI in Turkey this summer for a week of relaxation. Turkey is always a great option when travelling in the summer, being one of the more affordable holiday destinations that have short flights from the UK. 11 11 And the TUI resort has more than enough to keep up busy without leaving the site. We both love swimming, and there are seven pools to choose from so we'll be able to go to a new one every day. Although whether I'll be able to drag him away from the splash park, who knows. Maybe when I tell him there are more than 200 activities on offer at the hotel. And I'll be heading straight to the spa for a Turkish massage and sauna session. Seven nights at Holiday Village Aqui start from £891 in August with flights, or £619 out of season. Caroline McGuire, Head of Travel (Digital) Fuerteventura September might not seem like summer here, but in Fuerteventura is most definitely is. The weather, on what is me and my hubby's favourite Canary isle, is glorious at that time of year. Not baking hot but still very warm and with the famous and very welcome 'Fuerty wind' making it much more bearable. We've been here three times before, so I think you get the idea we love it here. We've previously stayed in Caleta de Fuste, a popular resort in the middle of the island's east coast, with a good variety of hotels, villas, restaurants, pubs and plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained and Lajares, a much quieter place and great place to rent a villa and just chill by your own pool. 11 11 This time we're trying something different and heading to Corralejo on the northern tip of the island, where we hope to discover yet another side to Fuerteventura, including the incredible Corralejo Natural Park's sweeping sand dunes. I'm looking forward to walking along the former fishing village's well-known Flag Beach and eating glorious seafood at one of the many restaurants, especially in the old town with its cobbled streets and harbour. We're also planning a day trip to the nearby Lobos Island nature reserve and perhaps even plucking up the courage to go snorkeling, as well as pottering around the El Campanario Market to pick up a souvenir or two. But most of all I am just looking forward to a week of sunshine, great food and a bit of well-deserved R&R. Heather Lowrie, Scottish Sun Travel Editor World's biggest cruise ship I fell a little in love with cruising a few years back, on a heavily rum-fuelled sailing between sleepy Caribbean islands. Even now, I'm writing this from a sun-soaked lounger on a glossy ship at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, but it's the vessel I'm boarding later this year that I'm most excited about. Royal Caribbean's newest ship and the second in its icon class, Star of the Seas, will be embarking on her maiden voyage next month. I'll be on board, of course. How could I resist another Caribbean adventure at sea? 11 11 The largest cruise ship in the entire world (a title she shares with sister ship, Icon of the Seas) and reaching a whopping 1,196ft in length, this will be on a mind-boggling scale . What I'm looking forward to most is the Lincoln Park Supper Club, an immersive dining experience exclusive to Star that, I hear, will transport diners back to the 1930s in the American city of Chicago. I'll also get to explore CocoCay, the cruise lines private island in the Bahamas where icy cocktails are delivered directly to cabanas on golden sands, overlooking the clearest waters. Can it get any better than that? Watch this space. I'll be back here in a few months time and I'm sure I'll have endless secrets to spill. Sophie Swietochowski, Assistant Travel Editor Zurich I've always been wanting to explore more of Switzerland, so there's no better time than with the Women's Euros taking place. I'm looking forward to exploring Zurich, often named one of the world's best places to live as well as one of Europe's happiest cities. Not only that but it ticks all of the boxes - did you know the city has 18 lidos to choose from? While the locals choose to float down the river to work, with their belongings safely tucked into a waterproof bag, I'll be hunting out some of the women-only lidos to spend the days in. 11 11 As a chocolate lover, I'll also be heading straight to the Lindt World of Chocolate Museum to stock up (brining hauls of Dubai Chocolate back with me). I'm determined to prove that Zurich isn't an expensive destination, especially seeing as you can fly there in just over an hour for less than £20. Loads of airlines are launching flights too - Edelweiss now has direct routes to Zurich from Bristol while easyJet has new Edinburgh-Zurich flights. But of course I'll be cheering the women on, hoping we get to the finals. Come on England! Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor In the mean time, here are some of our other Sun Travel Team tips including: Where are the rest of the travel team going? Travel Reporters Alice Penwill and Cyann Fielding are also heading abroad this summer. Thailand exploring This summer I'm going the furthest I've ever been, to Thailand's second largest island of Koh Samui. It's of course known for being the star of White Lotus' third series and I'm looking forward to exploring all the island has to offer from beautiful beaches to late night parties. On holiday, there's nothing better than swimming in a sea that's not freezing cold, so I plan to go in as much as possible. Snorkelling is on the to do list too as I hear the island is surrounded by vibrant coral reefs - and I will be investing in an underwater camera to watch my adventure on replay. Alice Penwill, Travel Reporter European islands When it comes to soft spots, Italy is a major one for me - the country boasts so many destinations that you can visit several times and never get bored. That is why I am heading to yet another Italian destination this summer - Sardinia which has 2,000km of coastline, sandy beaches and numerous hiking trails. For fellow Italian lovers like me, this is a great destination with flight times coming in at around two-and-a-half-hours and return flights available for as little as £48. Particular things I am excited for are seeing the nuraghi scattered over the rugged landscape. These little houses date to the bronze age and are shaped like bee hives. I am such a sucker for hidden gems as well, so I am keen to explore the island's caves and coves to see if I can find off-the-beaten-track spots, which tourists usually don't head to. Cyann Fielding, Travel Reporter
The Irish Sun
15-07-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Europe's best railway station that's one of world's busiest is getting £1bn revamp – and could launch direct route to UK
EUROPE'S best railway station is set to receive a £1billion upgrade with the possibility of a direct route on the cards. Plans to expand Advertisement 6 The major European station is set to receive a huge upgrade Credit: Getty 6 This upgrade will increase the station's capacity by 50 per cent Credit: Getty Major station set for huge upgrade This These upgrades will increase the station's current capacity by a staggering 50 per cent. Plans were publicly displayed on May 14 and have since been approved as Zürich Stadelhofen station braces for an upgrade. Commissioned by the Swiss Federal Government, the Swiss Federal Railways (SSB) aims to address a major bottleneck in the Zürich S-Bahn system, Advertisement SSB intends to achieve this through the station's expansion, as the current three-track layout already operates at full capacity. Plans for direct route to London This comes after SSB revealed hopes to create a According to This new expansion could be a step in the right direction as the proposed upgrade of one of the world's busiest stations will enable more frequent services and improve connectivity. Advertisement Most read in Travel One Brit told Swiss Info: "We feel so disconnected after Brexit. This kind of direct connection would be incredible." Currently, Brits can travel to five places by direct Picturesque English town is getting new £27m train line for first time in 60 years – & will cut journey times by an hour But Yann Leriche, the chief executive of Getlink, said: "We are keen to drive forward attractive opportunities for low-carbon [travel] with a range of new destinations in Germany, Switzerland and France. Advertisement A spokesperson for London St Pancras Highspeed added: "Many European cities could be reached directly by train in under six hours which we believe is really competitive with short-haul air travel." However, the plans are rather ambitious, with no set time frame for when these could launch. Key upgrades to major Zürich station With approximately 80,000 daily passengers and 770 train movements, Zürich Stadelhofen is the third-busiest station in the city and the tenth-busiest in Switzerland. The proposed upgrade will enable more frequent services and support the implementation of a 15-minute base frequency across the network. Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun According to Railway Pro, these are the key upgrades to the station : The construction of a fourth track on the hillside of the station, aligned with the current shopping level Connection of the new track to existing tunnels A new single-track Riesbach Tunnel towards Zürich Tiefenbrunnen Enhanced station access Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences. Davos to Geneva, Switzerland "After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen "Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey London to Paris by Eurostar "Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what's so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won't have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail "From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton Beijing to Ulaanbatar "The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray 6 The Swiss station opened its doors for the first time in 1894 Credit: Getty 6 Stadelhofen is currently the third largest station in Zurich Credit: Getty 6 Work is expected to start by 2030 Credit: Getty Advertisement 6 The upgrade is estimated to cost of £1bn Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
10-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
I cycled across the UK and people always make the same mistake when visiting the Cotswolds – here's where to go instead
Plus, where to find a legendary pub in Wales that only sells one kind of beer ON YER BIKE I cycled across the UK and people always make the same mistake when visiting the Cotswolds – here's where to go instead Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WHEN exploring a new part of the country, it's easy to get swept up with the trends and head to the most well-known parts - but you'll definitely hit crowds. Steve Silk, author of Go West, travelled from London to Fishguard on his bike and reveals the remote and less touristy spots that people should be seeking out instead, especially in the ever-popular Cotswolds. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Steve cycled from central London to Wales covering 300 miles in 8 days Credit: Steve Silk 7 Along the way Steve found a Cotswold village with barely any tourists Credit: Alamy Steve told Sun Travel: "The Cotswolds is lovely, but what people get wrong there is they go to the same few locations, like Bourton-on-the-Water or Bibury; everyone goes there. "Those places are chock-a-block full of coaches and ice cream vans, they're the kind of tourist stops that I'm not really into. "I was on my bike and discovered dozens of gorgeous Cotswold villages that won't get any attention from most of the tourists - I got them all to myself." Steve believes half the joy of cycling, rather than being in a car, is that you accidentally stumble upon places you wouldn't necessarily see when going straight from A to B. One almost deserted village that Steve found was in the Windrush Valley. He added: "It was a little village called Windrush, and I had it all to myself. "The landscape was amazing, it had all that wonderful limestone that you get all over the place in the Cotswolds. "Cyclists have a superpower - we're the only ones that know about this place. I always don't want to tell you about it, because I'd like to keep it that way." "But too many people go to the same places, we should be a little more adventurous in where we go and spread the net a little wider." Steve's adventure took him across 300 miles of the UK, so there are a few other places he accidentally found - including an incredibly remote pub. Views of Bibury, Cotswold 7 The journey 300 mile journey ended in the Welsh town of Fishguard Credit: Alamy 7 The Dyffryn Arms is a gem amongst locals but unknown with tourists Credit: Alamy Steve, who travelled for four days alone, and four with friends, said: "We found a lovely pub in the middle of absolutely nowhere in Pembrokeshire where they only sold one kind of beer and only took cash. "The beer came from a keg out the back, and the decor looked like it hadn't changed in 100 years." The pub in question is the Dyffryn Arms which is a gem amongst locals. But tourists rarely stumble upon it because of its tucked away location in a valley around six miles outside of Fishguard. Steve told us: "It's a wonderful example of Wales keeping its secrets well-hidden, you'd struggle to find it if you didn't know it was there." And it seems those who manage to find agree with Steve, as they've dubbed it a "rare find". Steve added that the pub was often referred to as Bessie's because of the legendary landlady that had worked there since the 1950s. Another spot in Wales that Steve suggested for anyone seeking tough hills or hiking with a view that can't be beaten, is the area around LLandovery - a town that has snug pubs and coffee workshops. Llandovery sits next to the River Tywi and it's close to the Brecon Beacons National Park. For fans of history, it's also near Y Pigwn, a famous Roman site where there are still cobblestones on the roads from thousands of years ago. More impressively, Steve said: "You can see across to the Black Mountains, and the Tywi Valley" which is one of the reasons why Steve wants to encourage Brits to explore more of the UK. He said: "Britain's got so much to offer. Especially as I get increasingly fed up with arriving at an airport at three hours early and then waiting for a flight, and being on the flight - it's a full day, isn't it? "If you set off on the bike, just think what you can do in those eight hours. "It's a whole extra day at each end that you've got. Britain is one of those countries where OK even if you're living in the city, you could be in the countryside in three quarters of an hour. "And if you've got there under your own steam, you appreciate the beauty of Gloucester and Oxford so much more." 7 Steve was accompanied by his mates for four of the days Credit: Steve Silk 7 Steve documented his journey in his new book called Go West Credit: Steve Silk Steve completed his journey in Fishguard, which is known for its beauty, and being one of the best UK seaside towns to move to in 2025. Steve told us: "It's important when you're finishing a 300 mile journey that you feel as if the destination's worth it, right? "You want it to have a sense of closure, and it was lovely to see the sea in Fishguard's Lower Town. "We went to was a very cosy little pub, The Royal Oak, where we had a couple of drinks and raised a glass to a job well done." Steve travelled from central London to the Welsh coast in eight days through beautiful villages and tackling some very steep hills. Read more about his journey in Go West, out July 10, 2025.
