In the event you observe me on Instagram you’ll have seen that I used to be on Wales this Week final night time! It’s an ITV present that includes a unique matter every week that’s related to Wales.
You possibly can see the present right here in the event you’re thinking about watching it!
This week is was all about holidays and taking a look at who’s going overseas and who’s opting to remain native. We spoke about suggestions to economize and recommendation for anybody wanting to remain in Wales.
One of many questions that was handed to me was about discovering hidden gems in Wales. I wasn’t positive what apps or manufacturers I used to be allowed to say on TV so I used to be a bit imprecise and fluffy and didn’t give any strong recommendation so I believed I’d put it right into a weblog submit.
The person I used to be with, Adrian from the Wales Tourism Alliance, had talked about the truth that some areas of Wales are over-busy whereas others are under-busy and we have to discover methods to unfold out the crowds and present guests the hidden gems.
This remark was particularly geared toward Mount Snowdon, the best peak in Wales, which is commonly so ridiculously crowded with hikers that you could barely see the mountain for the crowds of individuals! However not removed from Snowdon, throughout the Snowdonia Mountain Vary, there are such a lot of different unimaginable hikes!
I perceive that many individuals wish to stroll up Snowdon as a result of it’s well-known, however a number of individuals merely don’t know in regards to the different choices.
I’m positive it should occur all over the place, the place one seashore is loopy busy however there’ll be an analogous seashore 2 miles away that’s empty! Or one ice cream store that’s packed and one other close by that’s simply nearly as good however vacationers don’t find out about it!
There’s positively a component of native individuals wanting to maintain the hidden gems to themselves. And who can blame them!? However I additionally assume it’s essential to unfold out the crowds and ensure sure areas aren’t overcrowded!
So listed below are my tricks to discover hidden gems in Wales
Google it
After all, you’ll be able to’t start your seek for hidden gems in Wales and not using a easy Google search.
I like to recommend being particular and start by trying to find a really particular space, resembling ‘Hidden gems in Cardiff’ or ‘Hidden gems on the Llyn Peninsula’ in any other case you may get overwhelmed by choices.
Add solutions to your personal Google Map
In the event you’re discovering hidden gems in Wales – whether or not it’s by way of blogs or suggestions otherwise you’ve simply stumbled throughout them on the web – then I extremely suggest plotting them right into a Google Map earlier than you neglect the place they’re!
You may make your personal personalised Google Map only for Wales and add pins to areas you’d like to go to.
This implies you gained’t neglect about hidden gems you’ve heard about and you may rapidly seek for them in relation to the place you might be.
You can too add additional data to sure pins resembling ‘Tom stated do that xxxx’ or ‘We’ll want 4 x £1 cash to park’.
Learn extra: The way to actually use Google Maps whenever you journey
Take a look at Airbnb Experiences
There are such a lot of unbiased companies providing experiences to showcase the hidden gems in Wales…however it may be exhausting to seek out these companies as their web sites is perhaps fundamental and so they typically depend on social media. So that is the place Airbnb Experiences are available in.
Have a look to seek out actually distinctive experiences resembling wild swimming lessons, climbing with donkeys, yoga in wildflower meadows, bushcraft programs and a lot extra. I’ve accomplished a number of resembling beekeeping and a historic biking tour in Anglesey. They had been sensible and I extremely suggest utilizing the Airbnb platform to hunt out these unbiased companies – even in the event you don’t truly find yourself reserving by Airbnb!
Comply with the @VisitWales Instagram account
Not solely is that this account stunningly attractive and showcases so many hidden gems in Wales, nevertheless it additionally options a number of native photographers. You possibly can then click-through to see the photographer’s accounts and discover much more gems.
I like to recommend clicking the ‘save’ button and including it to a set so you’ll be able to maintain all your concepts in a single place.
There are such a lot of lovely Instagram accounts that includes hidden gems in Wales however it is a actually good one to begin with. I’m not going to recommend a load as a result of it simply turns into overwhelming.
Use AllTrails App
The AllTrails app showcases strolling trails. I actually prefer it as a result of you’ll be able to open up the app and it’ll use GPS to point out you a wide range of walks close by. You possibly can filter them to be ‘straightforward’, ‘exhausting’ or ‘household pleasant’ and so forth to seek out the perfect one for you.
Komoot is one other good choice and options biking routes too however these apps are comparable for climbing so that you most likely gained’t want each of them.
Wild Information Wales
Wild Information Wales is my favorite e-book to seek out hidden gems round Wales. It doesn’t function any apparent locations and actually does have so many suggestion that I’d by no means seen wherever else. In the event you’re going to purchase any e-book about Wales, make it this one!
Ask the locals
OK, it is a easy and apparent tip however the best solution to discover hidden gems in Wales is to ask native individuals.
However I additionally know this isn’t all the time straightforward, particularly in the event you’re staying in self-catering lodging the place you may not truly see many individuals to ask!?
Wouldn’t it be bizarre to stroll into the native newsagents and ask for solutions? Perhaps!?
It’s a good suggestion to ask for solutions whenever you’re reserving your lodging as you’ll seemingly be emailing immediately with somebody who lives regionally.
Verify Google Maps and be adventurous
That is one thing Sam does on a regular basis. He’ll simply look on Google Maps and spot there’s a seashore close by. He’ll discover the identify of the seashore and Google it to see extra photographs and examine particulars resembling parking and so forth.
Typically it goes nicely and we discover unimaginable hidden gems. Typically it doesn’t go so nicely however you’ve simply obtained to be adventurous!
