Latest news with #TimeOut
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Turkey holidaymaker shares travel warning as he exclaims 'don't bother coming'
A man who was in Turkey on holiday has shared a word of warning - but other people have said that they disagree with his assessment of the country and its prices Turkey remains amongst the most favoured holiday destinations for Brits, with an impressive 4.4 million UK tourists flocking to the nation in 2024. Time Out reported this positioned Turkey as the eighth most sought-after tourist hotspot for UK holidaymakers, trailing behind destinations such as Spain, France, and Greece, though visitor numbers continue climbing annually. Nevertheless, if you're considering Turkey as your next getaway, one Welsh bloke has a stark warning: "Don't bother". The individual, who shares content on TikTok as @northwalesboii, revealed he'd travelled to Turkey for his summer break only to be left thoroughly disheartened by one particular aspect. In his clip, the tourist grumbled that everything had become "too expensive", urging potential visitors that if they're determined to experience Turkey, they'd better be ready to pack "a lot of money". He didn't specify his Turkish location, though some of the nation's premier attractions include the capital Istanbul, alongside Cappadocia, Antalya, and seaside destinations like Marmaris. The holidaymaker declared: "Just to let you know, if you're coming on holiday to Turkey, bring a lot of money. You will spend it. Everything has gone up." Warning: The below video contains strong language. "It never used to be so expensive; it used to be so dirt cheap to come here. To eat out, to drink out. Not no more. It is f***ing expensive." Opinions were divided among those commenting on the video. Some concurred that prices had indeed risen, with numerous individuals recounting their recent holiday experiences of being charged 400 Turkish Lira for a beer, equating to roughly £7.30. One commenter remarked: "I go three times a year, and you are correct, it's gotten expensive. It will go up again. Next year, we're looking at different places." Yet, there were those who maintained that their latest trips were "cheaper than the UK". A user countered: "Don't know what part you went to. We have just got back from Antalya, had a great time, and it was cheaper than the UK. " Another chimed in: "I don't know where you guys are going, but it's really cheap in Turkey. I do a lot of shopping and the food is cheap as well. " By 2024, travellers were warning that unchecked inflation might render Turkey a "ghost town" within a few years, with one person lamenting that tourist spots were "becoming like London prices." He expressed at the time: "I'm sat in this place now - for a burger it's £12. For a water it's £2 - it's becoming like London prices. "My sister, and her little family, said they're not going to come back again. ""I've seen some posts on here where people are saying, give it a few more years, and Turkey's going to be dead."
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Welsh lad in Turkey shares holiday warning as he exclaims 'don't bother coming'
Welsh lad in Turkey shares holiday warning as he exclaims 'don't bother coming' A Welsh lad who headed to Turkey for his summer holiday has claimed people shouldn't 'bother' travelling to the popular tourist hotspot for a specific reason as he shared a video online The Welsh lad has urged people to not 'bother' travelling to Turkey (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Turkey is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Brits, with a staggering 4.4 million UK tourists visiting the country in 2024. According to Time Out, this made it the eighth most popular tourist destination for holidaymakers in the UK, behind places like Spain, France, and Greece, but numbers are rising every year. However, if you're planning on making Turkey your next holiday spot, one Welsh man has some advice for you: "Don't bother". The man, who posts on TikTok under the username @northwalesboii, said he had jetted off to Turkey for his summer holiday and had been left feeling disappointed with one specific thing. In his video, the man complained that everything was "too expensive", and told people that if they want to visit Turkey, they should be prepared to bring "a lot of money" with them. He did not state where in Turkey he was, but some of the most popular spots include the capital city Istanbul, as well as Cappadocia, Antalya, and coastal resorts such as Marmaris. The man stated: "Just to let you know, if you're coming on holiday to Turkey, bring a lot of money. You will spend it. Everything has gone up. Warning: The below video contains strong language. Content cannot be displayed without consent "It never used to be so expensive; it used to be so dirt cheap to come here. To eat out, to drink out. Not no more. It is f***ing expensive." Commenters on the video were split. Some agreed that the prices had gone up, with many claiming they had recently been on holiday and been charged 400 Turkish Lira for a beer, which works out at around £7.30. One person stated: "I go three times a year, and you are correct, it's gotten expensive. It will go up again. Next year, we're looking at different places." However, others insisted their recent holidays had been "cheaper than the UK". Someone argued: "Don't know what part you went to. We have just got back from Antalya, had a great time, and it was cheaper than the UK." Another added: "I don't know where you guys are going, but it's really cheap in Turkey. I do a lot of shopping and the food is cheap as well." In 2024, holidaymakers claimed that rampant inflation could turn Turkey into a "ghost town" in just a few years, as one social media user claimed the tourist hotspots were "becoming like London prices." He said at the time: "I'm sat in this place now - for a burger it's £12. For a water it's £2 - it's becoming like London prices. My sister, and her little family, said they're not going to come back again. Article continues below "I've seen some posts on here where people are saying, give it a few more years, and Turkey's going to be dead."
Wales Online
12 hours ago
- Wales Online
Overlooked Welsh town used to be one you'd drive past, but now it's a swish foodie paradise with walks and proper pubs
Overlooked Welsh town used to be one you'd drive past, but now it's a swish foodie paradise with walks and proper pubs This town has fast becoming one of my favourite spots for a weekend break for excellent eats, coastal walks and a spot of culture. Cardigan Castle (Image: Western Mail) I love a gorgeous market town, especially one with independent shops, artsy vibes, and a bakery worth travelling for. Cardigan (Welsh Aberteifi) fits the bill perfectly. Located on the west coast of Wales, this historic harbour town is often overlooked, but it really shouldn't be. It's the gateway to the Teifi Valley and both the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire coastal paths, which makes it a great base for exploring this glorious coastal sweep. Cardigan is the second-largest town in Ceredigion. It packs a punch culture-wise, having transcended from a significant 18th-century Atlantic seaport to a swish, artsy enclave with theatres and galleries. It's fast becoming one of my favourite spots for a weekend break for excellent eats, coastal walks and a spot of culture. As I'm now in my history era, it's also grabbed my attention with its rich heritage and handsome stone castle. Found on the bend of the River Teifi, Cardigan has a long and varied history. Henry VIII granted Cardigan its charter in 1543; by the 18th century, it was the most important seaport in southern Wales. It had a thriving herring and shipbuilding industry, and its merchant fleet carried fish, slate, bricks, bark for tanning, corn, and ale. Its heritage is also found in the town's varied architecture, where you can still see Georgian buildings, including the restored Castle House and original 17th-century arches. Cardigan is a traditional Welsh market town (Image: Portia Jones ) Today, it has a thriving small-town feel with boutiques, an independent bakery, an acclaimed hotel, and waymarked coastal paths that guide you along the glorious shoreline. I have visited several times, and I fell in love with the town a little bit more on every trip. Despite the buzzing town's many offerings, it's not quite as well known as tourist hotspots like Tenby or the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Perhaps that's because the Cardigan Bay area remains one of Wales's most underrated stretches of coastline, sandwiched between the headline-grabbing beauty of Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn Peninsula. In 2023, Time Out magazine even dubbed its main town, Cardigan, the 'most underrated' spot in west Wales. Here, you can experience Wales as its most authentic self, zipping between secluded bays to spot dolphins, trekking the coastal path and feasting on piping hot fish and chips in small fishing villages. The relative remoteness of Ceredigion and its communities' proud, resilient character have long made this coastline a stronghold of Welsh language and culture. Here, you can visit ancient castles, shop for local crafts, and try local produce at a food festival. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Cardigan Bay remains one of Wales's most underrated stretches of coastline, sandwiched between the headline-grabbing beauty of Pembrokeshire and the Llŷn Peninsula (Image: Portia Jones ) Cardigan is the main hub here and is ideal for exploring the Ceredigion coast. As the birthplace of the Eisteddfod, Wales's most important cultural festival, the town has long been a hub for storytelling, music, and art. Wander its streets, and you'll find charming cafés, cafés, pubs, and a thriving collection of independent shops and businesses. At the heart of the town sits the beautifully restored Cardigan Castle, the first stone castle built by a Welshman and the birthplace of the first Eisteddfod in 1176 This ancient Norman fortress, originally rebuilt in 1244, underwent a £12 million transformation in 2015, reviving its role as the town's crowning centrepiece. Cardigan Castle (Image: South Wales Evening Post) With a history spanning more than 900 years, the Castle has weathered many brutal power struggles between Wales and England. Today, it's a vibrant heritage site featuring a museum, restaurant, open-air concert space, and Grade II-listed pleasure gardens. According to Discover Ceredigion, the Castle also has a cultural connection. To celebrate the Castle's completion, Lord Rhys hosted the first recorded Eisteddfod, a festival of music and poetry. This competitive arts festival is a uniquely Welsh tradition that thrives locally and can be found wherever Welsh people migrate. After stomping the castle grounds, I always head for my favourite cafe spot - Crwst. This swish Cardigan café and deli has garnered a cult following for its banging brunch and bakery items and has also caught the eye of food writers. Founded by husband and wife Osian and Catrin Jones, it is a swish 80-seater cardigan café and deli that attracts customers from miles around. Five years ago, a married couple decided to pack in their jobs and make a living out of what they loved doing the most: baking and drinking coffee. Crwst is the happy, bricks-and-mortar result of this foodie journey. Since their launch in 2018, the dynamic duo have grown the business and the foodie brand, taking on a second venue at Poppit Sands at the start of the Pembrokeshire coast path, where they serve Crwst's most popular bakes, ice creams and coffees. After visiting the castle, we swung into the award-winning Crwst for a well-earned coffee and sweet treat. (Image: Portia Jones ) The Cardigan cafe is nearly always busy after it was named in the Good Food Guide. People arrive in droves for its delicious dishes and fresh baked goods, including sourdough loaves, brioche doughnuts, and cinnamon swirls. The Cardigan café also offers a delicious brunch menu with items ranging from harissa halloumi burgers to pancake stacks and Turkish eggs, and has gained glowing reviews from food writers. Guardian writer Genevieve Fox writes: "Brunch is the ticket at this bright, trendy Cardigan craft bakery. The Full Welsh Brekkie includes Crwst's signature beans and a cockle and laverbread gratin, the halloumi is made locally, and the blow-out Sausage & Egg McDoughnut is filled with melted cheese." Crwst Deli (Image: Richard Williams) My personal favourite, though, is the rum and Banana French Toast, loaded with brule banana streaky bacon and topped with creamy Barti Rum Caramel ice cream. It's sweet and salty goodness with a lovely rum kick, which is exactly what you want at 10 a.m. Outside of baked goods, there's plenty to eat in and around the town, as The Financial Times hailed Ceredigion a 'hotbed of culinary wizardry' The account highlighted the plethora of top-class options available in the county and the dining scene in and around Cardigan town, including bakeries Crwst and Bara Menyn, the Brat supperclub at Ffrorest Ffarm, Caws Teifi, and Llys Meddyg, just over the border in Newport, Pembrokeshire. The piece also praised Pizza Tipi, a Michelin and Good Food Guide favourite, Yr Hen Printworks, Templebar Cafe, and Farmshop in Nevern. You can read more about the Cardigan foodie scene here. Pizza Tipi in Cardigan (Image: Pizza Tipi) Another highlight is the shopping offering. While it's not a massive scene, Cardigan has a small selection of shops and boutiques selling crafts, surf apparel, and books. Most shops and businesses are located along or just off High Street and further up on Pendre, with several shops at Black Lion Mews off the main street. Cardigan's indoor market is the retail showstopper, housed in the historic Guildhall building. The two-level market hall was originally the town's meat and dairy marketplace. Today, it is a lively shopping area for locals and visitors, with over 50 stalls run by independent local traders selling an impressive variety of goods and gifts. For a small town, Cardigan also has a fizzing arts scene with two theatres and music held at several venues across town, including the Castle grounds. Theatr Mwldan Arts Centre is an impressive cinema complex in the centre of Cardigan, with three fully digital screens, and is Wales' only truly Independent multiplex. There's a gallery and café here, and it's also the base of Gwyl Fawr, the town's Eisteddfod, which has several concerts and musical, literary, and dance competitions. Along with Mwldan, St Mary's, a Grade II-listed church dating from the 12th century, is the main base for the November Other Voices festival concerts by contemporary, internationally known Welsh musicians. Several smaller venues, from cellar bars to art galleries and bakeries, create a great atmosphere along the festival's music trail around town. Nearby Small World is an environmental theatre company that creates giant puppets, public events, and art commissions. It is a wildly creative, near-zero-carbon space that hosts family-friendly events like Children's theatre shows featuring live music and puppetry. There are several shops in Cardigan (Image: WalesOnline/ Rob Browne) For a show with a wow factor, Cardigan Castle hosts a range of performances. The Castle's beautiful surroundings provide the perfect setting for choirs, bands, opera performances and concerts. Outside the town, there's plenty to explore, as Cardigan Bay stretches over 129 miles, from Bardsey Island off the Llŷn Peninsula in the north to the wild headland of Strumble Head in the south. It's home to the largest population of dolphins in Europe, and its rich waters are a haven for wildlife, including seals and seabirds. For nature lovers, this is the best place in Europe to spot dolphins, especially if you're skimming over the waves on a fast-paced RIB ride through the bay's choppy waters. You can book a budget-friendly Bay Explorer boat trip with local pros, 'A Bay to Remember'. Departing from nearby St Dogmaels, this hour-long trip wizzes you around the shore on high-speed RHIBs, where your knowledgeable skipper will keep their eyes peeled for wildlife. This was one of my favourite wildlife tours, and I got loads of lush snaps of seals and seabirds. Seals on the Ceredigion coastline (Image: Portia Jones ) Bouncing over the waves, you'll likely spot herring gulls and razorbills swooping through the air and landing on rocky outcrops. Your vessel will also speed past Mwnt, a sandy bay that's one of the best places in Ceredigion to spot dolphins, so keep a good lookout for those distinctive dorsal fins slicing through the water. These zippy boat trips also visit secluded, pebbled bays where Atlantic grey seals lounge lazily on the rocks. These resident seals are easy to recognise thanks to their distinctive heads. Their scientific name even translates to 'sea pig with a hooked nose.' Adorbs or what? For hiking, the Ceredigion Coast Path is one of the most rewarding sections of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path. Stretching for 60 glorious miles between Ynyslas and Cardigan, it offers some of the most varied terrain and scenery on the entire route, ranging from soft dunes and sandy coves to craggy cliffs and windswept headlands. For hiking, the Ceredigion Coast Path is one of the most rewarding sections of the 870-mile Wales Coast Path (Image: Portia Jones ) This waymarked path can be walked in seven manageable sections, each ending in a village or town with accommodation and transport options. You can also tackle the full route over a week or choose shorter sections, such as New Quay to Aberaeron or the 11.7-mile stretch from Cardigan to Aberporth. Highlights along the way include the dramatic headland at Mwnt, the birdlife of Birds Rock, the tidal island of Ynys Lochtyn, and the expansive Ynyslas dunes. Wildlife sightings are common; watch for bottlenose dolphins, seals, and even porpoises along the pebble-strewn cliffs and coves. The trail's southern end begins in Cardigan, where the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire Coast Paths meet. Once the largest port on Wales's west coast, this historic town gave its name to Cardigan Bay. A bronze otter statue marks the official start of the route, standing beside a quayside wall inscribed with poetry by local writer Ceri Wyn Jones. As you leave town, the path follows the north bank of the River Teifi, passing farmland and the likely site of the original wooden Cardigan Castle, hastily built to control the river and access to the sea. The route continues past the Cardigan Golf Club and the Victorian-era Cliff Hotel, once part of a grand vision to turn this coastline into a rival to Brighton. The coastal path is rugged, wild, and diverse, with towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and dramatic sea views you'll want to get snaps of. (Image: Portia Jones ) From there, it's a clifftop walk toward Aberporth, with panoramic sea views and a coastline dotted with caves, sea stacks and rock formations with evocative local names like Hatling Bigni, Pen Peles and Pencestyll. These rocky markers were once essential reference points for mariners navigating this wild stretch of coast. Making a weekend of it? The town and surrounding area have a range of hotels, B&BS, cottages, and campsites to choose from. You can check prices and book on Airbnb and One of my favourite hotels is right in the centre of town and is really conveniently located. Perched on the riverside in Cardigan, The Albion Aberteifi blends seafaring charm with maritime design. Just four months after opening, The Times and The Sunday Times named it the Best Place to Stay in Wales 2023. This swish spot is the latest project from the team behind Forest. The Albion, Cardigan (Image: The Albion) Each en-suite room feels like a captain's cabin with reclaimed wood-panelled walls, 150-year-old oak floors, Welsh wool blankets, custom furniture, and river views from every window. Breakfast is served in the relaxed resident lounge, where you'll also find cocktails by night and coffee and cake by day. Article continues below Yr Odyn restaurant offers weekend dining in the guest lounge and is soon moving to a beautiful new riverside space next door. Across the river, fforest's Pizzatipi and cosy Smwglin pub are just a short wander away.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
St Ives in Cornwall named as Britain's best seaside view
St Ives took the honour thanks to its "gorgeous surrounding bays" among other features. This prize was determined from a collaboration between holiday park company Haven and It quizzed 2,000 Brits on what their favourite seaside view was, and St Ives as a whole ended up with the most votes. St Ives wasn't the only Cornwall spot featured, as Padstow was close behind in 3rd, and Hayle was in 16th place. As reported by Time Out, there are plenty of "postcard worthy panoramas" to be enjoyed from the town. They wrote: "You can soak up sea views from almost anywhere in the Cornish town, but you'll find the it's best vantage points on its gorgeous surrounding bays. "There's Porthmeor Beach, a favourite among local surfers, Porthminster Beach which offers views towards Godrevy Lighthouse, and Porthgwidden Beach, a smaller cove facing the English Channel." Why is St Ives worth visiting? St Ives is more than just its pretty views, as Time Out recommended places like "the Tate gallery's western outpost" and the Porthminster Gallery. Visit Cornwall shares similar sentiments, highlighting it as the home of "some of the finest art galleries in the UK". It adds: "St Ives is also renowned for its famous quality of light, which has drawn artists to the area for over a century. "Despite its size, the town boasts world-class art galleries, including the Tate St Ives, set against a stunning coastal backdrop. "Alongside its artistic heritage, St Ives is home to an excellent food scene, highlighted by the annual St Ives Food Festival." The town as a whole is described as "the dazzling jewel in Cornwall's crown" according to its tourism website. It adds: "A picturesque fishing harbour and seaside town with a quartet of golden beaches. Recommended reading: "Voted best family holiday destination by Coast magazine and one of TripAdvisor's top 10 European beaches. "Wander through the maze of narrow cobbled streets, independent shops and fisherman's cottages in the heart of St Ives. "With accommodation ranging from top hotels, bed & breakfast, self-catering cottages or apartments, come and sample some of the tastiest award-winning restaurants, cafes and bars in the Southwest."
Time Out
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
The London hotel that was just named one of the greatest luxury hotels in the world
London is brimming with old-school glamour and charm, so it's no surprise that one of the city's oldest and most famous hotels is still topping rankings for the world's top places to stay. That's just what London does best. Claridge's hotel in Mayfair has been named as one of the '50 greatest luxury hotels on Earth' by luxury lifestyle guide Robb Report. Each year Robb Report produces the 50-strong list of the planet's finest high-end hotels. For 2025, only one UK establishment made the cut. Claridge's came in an impressive third place in the global ranking, being beaten only by Florence's Collegio alla Querce in second, and Rosewood Amsterdam in first place. Opened in 1812, the historic hotel is a true legend of the scene and a longtime favourite place to stay for royals and celebrities – its pillows have supported the very important heads of everyone from Queen Victoria to Kate Moss. Made up of 269 regal rooms, a subterranean spa, swanky gym and two very highly regarded restaurants, Claridge's has everything one might need for a truly luxurious stay. Robb Report wrote: 'This grande dame of the London hotel scene is a beloved, determinedly British institution that's been part of English life for decades, yet it retains a youthful vigor. As for the Time Out editors? They agree. 'Inarguably one of Europe's finest hotels, Claridge's has a top-to-bottom vibe that exudes Art Deco glamour, historical significance and smoky old-world naughtiness,' wrote Time Out editor-in-chief Joe Mackertich in his five-star review of the uber-posh digs. 'The 269 rooms are as comfy and as elegant as you'd imagine... Meanwhile, both principal eateries, the Claridge's Restaurant and the Foyer, manage to justify their price tags with high-quality cooking and exceptional service. A truly special place.' You can read the full review here.
