In the event you comply with me on Instagram you should have seen that I used to be on Wales this Week final night time! It’s an ITV present that includes a special subject every week that’s related to Wales.
You may see the show here in case you’re considering watching it!
This week is was all about holidays and 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 obscure and fluffy and didn’t give any strong recommendation so I assumed 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 aimed toward Mount Snowdon, the best peak in Wales, which is usually so ridiculously crowded with hikers which you could barely see the mountain for the crowds of individuals! However not removed from Snowdon, inside the Snowdonia Mountain Vary, there are such a lot of different unimaginable hikes!
I perceive that many individuals need to stroll up Snowdon as a result of it’s well-known, however a number of individuals merely don’t know concerning the different choices.
I’m positive it should occur all over the place, the place one seaside is loopy busy however there’ll be the same seaside 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 learn 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 possibly can’t start your seek for hidden gems in Wales with no easy Google search.
I like to recommend being particular and start by looking for a really particular space, akin to ‘Hidden gems in Cardiff’ or ‘Hidden gems on the Llyn Peninsula’ in any other case you would possibly get overwhelmed by choices.
Add options to your individual Google Map
In the event you’re discovering hidden gems in Wales – whether or not it’s through blogs or suggestions otherwise you’ve simply stumbled throughout them on the web – then I extremely advocate plotting them right into a Google Map earlier than you overlook the place they’re!
You can also make your individual personalised Google Map only for Wales and add pins to places you’d like to go to.
This implies you gained’t overlook about hidden gems you’ve heard about and you’ll shortly seek for them in relation to the place you might be.
You can too add additional data to sure pins akin to ‘Tom mentioned do that xxxx’ or ‘We’ll want 4 x £1 cash to park’.
Learn extra: Easy methods to actually use Google Maps whenever you journey
Take a look at Airbnb Experiences
There are such a lot of impartial companies providing experiences to showcase the hidden gems in Wales…however it may be laborious to seek out these companies as their web sites is likely to be primary they usually typically depend on social media. So that is the place Airbnb Experiences are available.
Have a look to seek out actually distinctive experiences akin to wild swimming lessons, climbing with donkeys, yoga in wildflower meadows, bushcraft programs and a lot extra. I’ve finished a couple of akin to beekeeping and a historic biking tour in Anglesey. They had been good and I extremely advocate utilizing the Airbnb platform to hunt out these impartial companies – even in case you don’t truly find yourself reserving by Airbnb!
E-book outside adventures with adventuro
Check out a reserving platform like adventuro to e-book outside journey actions like kayaking, coasteering, survival abilities, browsing, e-biking, paddleboarding and climbing!
Comply with the @VisitWales Instagram account
Not solely is that this account stunningly attractive and showcases so many hidden gems in Wales, however it additionally options a number of native photographers. You may 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 group so you possibly can maintain your whole concepts in a single place.
There are such a lot of stunning 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 possibly can open up the app and it’ll use GPS to point out you quite a lot of walks close by. You may filter them to be ‘simple’, ‘laborious’ or ‘household pleasant’ and so forth to seek out one of the best one for you.
Komoot is one other good possibility and options biking routes too however these apps are related for climbing so that you in all probability gained’t want each of them.
Wild Information Wales
Wild Guide 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 anyplace 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 strategy to discover hidden gems in Wales is to ask native individuals.
However I additionally know this isn’t all the time simple, particularly in case 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 options? Possibly!?
It’s a good suggestion to ask for options whenever you’re reserving your lodging as you’ll possible be emailing immediately with somebody who lives domestically. You can too use blogs and native Instagrammers too. I am native to North Wales and have so many posts concerning the space akin to 30 issues to do in Llangollen.
Examine 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 seaside close by. He’ll discover the title of the seaside and Google it to see extra images and examine particulars akin to parking and so forth.
Typically it goes effectively and we discover unimaginable hidden gems. Typically it doesn’t go so effectively however you’ve simply acquired to be adventurous!
