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A flowery village deep in the heart of Normandy (in the Orne) that has repeatedly won the flowering towns and villages of France competition (similar to Britain in Bloom) and has also won international awards. Gardening policy is based on ecological principals.
A small fishing village close to Gijon, Aviles and Oviedo. A variety of seafood restaurants next to a small fishing port. Village has a long tradition of fishing and maintains its traditions very much alive. Bagpipe festivals, celtic concerts and seafood all at very reasonable prices.
Fly in on a low cost easyJet or Air Berlin daily to OVD airport, 30 minutes away by car.
Porlock is situated in the Exmoor countryside and is a village with its own nearby bay and probably the most feared hill in the area. Porlock hill has a 1-in-4 gradient and has been responsible for many an accident over the years. The village is very pretty and certainly worth negotiating the hill for and you can walk to the bay which lies on a salt marsh - an excellent site for bird watching.
From Minehead, travel about 6 miles west along the A39 and watch for the Porlock turn-off.
www.porlock.co.uk/
About two miles west of Ilfracombe - as the crow flies - lies this small gem of a seaside village. It's set in a very deep 'combe' or valley and is one of those places where you genuinely feel as though you've stepped back in time. The village can be reached by road where you can experience the vertiginous descent through narrow lanes or by footpath across the cliffs from Ifracombe with wonderful sea views.
Once there you can enjoy a variety of pleasures - visiting the Fuschia tea gardens or the Grampus pub, taking one of several excellent walks, or just enjoying the wonderful little rocky cove and beach which for many is the highlight that really provides Lee with its charm.
From Ilfracombe take the B3231 passing through Slade valley and Lincombe then descend into Lee.
www.leebay.co.uk/
Yarraville Village is an area about 7km from the CBD (Inner West). The village is fantastic little hideaway and very cute with loads of little cafes, restaurants, art deco cinema, unique little designer shops and fantastic jazz bar.
Yarraville Village is an area about 7km for the CBD (Inner West). Catch the Weribee Train.
Only a few miles north of Avignon is the village where the popes used to retire during the summer; a beautiful medieval little town, it is well known for the superb red wine that is produced in the vineyards that surround it and that can be bought locally. All the bottles, of a greenish colour, have the coat of arms of the popes bearing The Keys of San Peter and the pope's hat engraved in the glass.
Chateauneuf du Pape
Tour the city for 2 days then hire a car and visit the Cotes du Rhon vineyards, the Vaucluse area, and the village of Bedoin on Mondays for a market to adore.
Cotes du Rhon, Vaucluse and Bedoin
Banyulbufar (or Bañalbufar in Spanish) has a number of excellent restaurants, particularly Son Tomas.
The village has not been taken over by tourism, although day trips to places such as Valldemossa are a must.
Off the C710 en route from Andratx to Valldemossa.
A charming Victorian village in the coastal town of Southport.
As well as the world famous Royal Birkdale Golf Club, this traditional village has many restaurants (top class cooking at Michael's), a cheese shop (The Birkdale Cheese Centre), butchers, bakeries and fishmongers.
A beautiful village in Sleat, the garden of Skye, boasting an art gallery, a lively pub, a whisky shop, and a lighthouse that seems to have been painted on by Monet.
We took a boat to Eigg and got followed by a whale that stuck its head out of the water to see us better. The next day we caught 12 mackerel while boating in the sound and had them with mussels bought from a local fisherman. Just ask in the pub.
Also: you must go roamin’ in the gloamin’ on the Old Man of Storr, further north.
North from Rothesay on the Isle of Bute is the village of Port Bannatyne around Kames Bay. Time has stood still. The little inshore fishing boats leave from the stone-pier catching crabs and langoustines. The bobbing yachts anchor offshore. The views across the water to the Argyll mountains are stunning. There are three pubs, and a great little cafe-cum-shop, and a post-office too.
Behind the village is an eccentric golfcourse with wonderful views, north and south. The little hotel sells truly fresh seafood, real ales and, astoundingly, Russian cuisine!
An absolute oasis in western Scotland.
Port Bannattyne is 2 miles north of Rothesay along the coast road on the Isle of Bute. Ferries to the isle leave from Wemyss Bay on the A78 at the mouth of the River Clyde (30 minutes sailing.) Wemyss Bay is linked by rail and bus to Glasgow Central station,Glasgow bus station,Glasgow Int Airport and Prestwick Airport (Ryanair.)
Llanystumdwy is a beautiful Welsh village, with some splendid attractions. Set on the banks of the river Dwyfor, the wise people of Llanystumdwy have restored the boyhood home of David Lloyd George, next door to the compact and fascinating museum. The great man himself is buried alongside the river in a breathtaking setting. There are plenty of beaches, country and seaside walks here, and refreshments are available at the excellent pub - Tafarn y Plu -where you can sample a pint of Lloyd George beer. For a bit of variation, visit the national writers' centre,the rabbit farm - or Cricieth castle nearby. Also, the beaches in the area are tremendous.
Whilst you can ask for finest wines known to humanity in Penrith, you may be disappointed to find that Withnail and I's infamous afternoon tea wasn't actually filmed there.
You can however go to a little village about 10 miles away called Shap, where a cute shop on the main street will sell you amazing sandwiches and glorious home made cakes. Die hard fans may want to head to Wet Sleddale to see the derelict building (Sleddale Hall) which was Uncle Monty's holiday home but there are much nicer picnics spots. Get a map, a good pair of walking boots (Withnail's carrier-bag-over-shoe skills won't do) and explore.
A pretty little village on the shore of Lough Corrib that has managed to retain its identity in the face of the roaring commercialism of the Celtic Tiger. It's famous for its fine trout fishing, so come in May, when the place is abuzz and local kids sell live Mayflies to the fishermen for dapping. Lots of good pubs and places to eat, and only 20 minutes from Galway City. It's a good base for exploring the area: wild walking around the 12 Pins of Connemara National Park, access to the Western Way, one of Ireland's great long-distance walks, Leenane (the setting for the film The Field), and some stunning coastline near the village of Roundstone, including Gurteen Beach and Dog’s Bay (prettier than it sounds).
A small fishing village between Palermo and the airport. Most of the seafront restaurants serve a 6 - 7 course set lunch (around 20 euros). No menu as such, just what's been caught fresh that morning. Bottle of wine or two included. I've never seen anyone who's not Italian eating there and its time to share this wonderful place. Ryanair's summer schedule means you can have a decadent day out and have lunch in the Med (if you don't mind the early start). Delfina is the one I'd recommend. It's busy between 1-3pm when the locals descend for their feed but I've never had to wait too long for a table.
www.sferracavallo.com
Central Palermo by cab is around 20 euros and takes around 20 minutes, traffic permitting. Local trains stop close by en route to/from the airport.
Molina is a medieval village at the junction between three valleys in steep wooded mountainside about half an hour from Negrar. The village itself is charming. The old houses reflect the style of the western Lessinia, and its botanical museum in the main square has a fine exhibition of local flora.
But the main attraction is the walk down to the park for breathtaking views of the walls of nude rock and the roaring waterfalls. For the bravest we recommend a play on the swing which takes you right up to one of the waterfalls. Pay for your ticket in the village before you start the walk downhill (it costs a 50 cents less that way, the full price is 3 euros). You should wear good walking shoes - it can be slippery and bear in mind that when you get down to the last waterfall, you've got a long walk back up again. There is a bar at the beginning of the walk so anyone who prefers to can stay there and wait for the others to return.
And to finish off the day why not have a look at some local produce in the little shop and try the friendly and reasonably priced restaurant in the main square. We recommend it!
GO, it's wonderful!! Fly to Kochi or Trivandrum - both are great to visit anyway, especially the fascinating town of Kochi. But best of all, take a journey by boat through the backwaters and drop in on village life. It's magical. And you'll never get better food!
It is a quaint ancient village house which originally consisted of two houses, now merged into one, with outer walls 1,000 years old.
It is an ideal base for travelling to Toulouse, Carcassonne (an ancient city), Narbonne (close to the beach), and taking a day trip to Spain or Andorra.
There are many local places of interest, vineyards you can walk in, abbeys, churches, and sports like sailing at a nearby lake, boating, cycling. There are local restaurants and many adjoining villages. The mountains are 30 minutes' drive away, with wonderful views and picnic spots.
A car is essential, but can be easily hired from Toulouse (EasyJet flies there) or Carcassonne Airport (Ryanair flies there).
1 Rue de Notre Dame, Rieux Minervois, near Carcassonne, Aude, Languedoc, South France.
www.frenchvillage.co.uk
Tel: 01932 784316
Nessebar is a quaint fort village just a short walk away from Sunny Beach.
Tiny village in the north of Skye, has an excellent youth hostel, but the best thing is to take the road over the hills to the east coast from there to see the Quiraing, spectacular almost lunar scenery and extraordinary views.
Northern peninsula of Skye.
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