At airports around Europe, particularly those with flights to and from Istanbul, it’s not uncommon to see men, their heads freshly shaved — some wearing caps intended to cover red scabs, others wearing forehead bands to prevent postoperative swelling — and all showing the unmistakable signs of recent hair transplant operations.
A mini guide to The Wye Valley
31.07.2023 - 14:33 / wanderlust.co.uk / River Wye
For somewhere as fabled as the ‘birthplace of British tourism’, the narrow, steep lane leading to Symonds Yat’s waterfront was remarkably quiet. In fact, it almost felt like a dead end until I turned a tight corner and there was the River Wye, spread out before me in all its glory.
Over two centuries ago, this 210km-long river hosted the UK’s very first organised tour: a pleasure cruise from Ross-on-Wye to Chepstow that featured pit stops at quaint waterside inns, crumbling medieval ruins and various dramatic viewpoints. I imagine that embarking on that same cruise today would yield a remarkably similar experience, as very little about the landscape has changed in the years since. Perhaps the only exceptions are the canoeists, kayakers and paddleboarders who now flock to the Wye to enjoy its slow-moving currents. Typically, you can spot someone gliding through the water at any given moment, regardless of the time of year.
As I sat watching a handful of people row past Ye Old Ferrie Inn’s sunny terrace, a pint of local cider in my hand, I felt an irresistible urge to join them. And yet it wasn’t solely the Wye Valley’s namesake river that drew me here. The area is peppered with crumbling fortresses, ancient abbeys and industrial-era relics, all of which weave a fascinating tale of the region’s history. Wales is largely to thank for the inundation of castles. During the 11th and 12th centuries, hundreds were built by the Normans to protect their border. You could visit a dozen times and still find a new one to enthral you.
Adding to the eclecticism is a string of riverside towns. Each is unique, and yet they’re all connected eternally by the Wye’s gentle waters. It’s possible to spend hours perusing the shelves of Hay-on-Wye’s bookshops, while Ross-on-Wye’s vibrant buildings harbour all manner of vintage stores, art galleries and cafés. It is a region that ticks plenty of boxes: canoeist’s paradise, historian’s playground, rambler’s oasis, book-lover’s haven. I can think of very few other places that offer so much and yet remain true to their traditional roots. Perhaps that’s why the valley’s status as the cradle of British tourism is still so apt today.
How to spend 48 hours in Wye ValleyKickstart your day with a history lesson on Hereford. The city’s cathedral not only houses a treasured medieval map of the world, known as Mappa Mundi, but also the planet’s largest-surviving chained library, in which books are literally chained to shelves. After marvelling at ancient manuscripts, stroll to the river and sip coffee in De Koffie Pot’s sunny courtyard. Next, venture to Ross-on-Wye in the heart of the Wye Valley. Explore its riverfront before heading up the hill past rows of colourfully painted houses.
The website maxtravelz.com is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.
Top Autors
Popular Topics
forbes.com
11.08.2023 / 18:33
The 2 Worst Passports In The World
The citizenship-by-investment industry is in crisis.
theguardian.com
11.08.2023 / 15:39
In Darwin’s footsteps: sailing ship to retrace round-the-world voyage of the Beagle
On Monday 14 August, when the tide is right, an antique sailing ship will manoeuvre through the lock of Plymouth’s historic Sutton harbour and point herself south-west towards the Canary Islands. It will be the start of a two-year voyage around the world taking in 32 ports and involving thousands of people in a groundbreaking geographical project, Darwin200, which aims, among other things, to inspire the environmental leaders and scientists of the future.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:44
The Top Destination for U.S. Travelers This Year Is …
A recent report released from travel marketing engine Sojern, analyzed travel trends from January 2015 to April 2016 and found the top international destinations for U.S. travelers as well as the top emerging and declining international spots.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:23
The 10 Best Museums in the World (and How to Skip the Lines)
Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:15
The Busiest Summer Travel Destinations for 2019, According to AAA
Summer, also known as high season for travel, is almost here. And according to AAA just about everyone is poised to hit the road. The organization predicts two-thirds of what it categorizes as “leisure travelers” plan to take vacations this summer, meaning millions of Americans will be hitting the road.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:10
The Travel Illnesses to Avoid in 10 Popular Destinations
A travel illness can ruin a dream vacation, which is why you should be sure to get vaccinated or acquire some medication before taking certain far-off journeys. A new report from GetGoing Insurance points out the most common travel illnesses and conditions to take extra precautions for, and some of the most common places real-life travelers get them.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:04
The Best (and Worst) Countries for Cheap Taxi Rides
With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 18:01
Messages of Hope Around the World Amid the Pandemic
In this time of isolation, businesses and individuals around the world are sending out messages of hope. Discover, in photos, how we’re keeping our spirits up during the COVID-19 pandemic.
smartertravel.com
27.07.2023 / 17:57
The Happiest Countries in the World 2023
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
matadornetwork.com
25.07.2023 / 10:48
A First-Timer's Guide To the Island of Curaçao
In Willemstad, the capital city on the island of Curaçao, the waterfront is dotted with buildings the color of tropical fruit: mango orange, banana yellow, kiwi green. Paired with the bright blue water in nearby bays, it’s almost a full kaleidoscope of color. Originally, the structures were limestone white, but an 1817 law forbade white facades on buildings to protect islanders’ eyesight from the bright reflections of the Caribbean sun – but locals joke that it was a money-making bid on behalf of the island’s only paint supplier.
insider.com
21.07.2023 / 13:16
Photos show tourists pushing their bodies to extremes while visiting Death Valley, California, even as temperatures reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit
California's Death Valley has long been considered the hottest place on Earth.