Patricia Bech Travel Hub

Beaches destinations to explore in autumn

September 7, 2026

The long summer has meant that many people have been enjoying beaches throughout the UK. It is still hot and sunny in many parts of Europe and the beaches in the UK also offer some great experiences as the weather cools off.

Whether it involves sunbathing and sipping cocktails, walking your dog or making the most of the swell with a surfing lesson, there are lots of activities to enjoy.

Here are some beach ideas for the coming weeks, both in the UK and abroad:

Spain: Wining and dining in Marbella and the Andalusian coastline

If you are still seeking some extra sunshine, then a trip down to Spain will give you a quick fix. With cheap flights operating from the UK to many Spanish airports and the school holidays being over, now is a good time to make the most of a late sunny break. Marbella is a popular choice for an autumn getaway. This is a vibrant place to visit, with many beach clubs and seaside restaurants. The Andalusian coastline is perhaps slightly more off the beaten track also offers beautiful stretches of golden sand.

Wales: Perfect for surfing and camping

In the UK, the Welsh coastline is lovely at this time of year. The sea is remarkably warm and the surfing conditions can be excellent at times. Whether it is the Gower or further West in Pembrokeshire, Wales has some of the most beautiful beaches to explore. There are lots of campsites, which will be quieter over the coming weeks.

Italy: For those who like the coast, without the sand

For those who don’t like sand, but still like a sea view, Italy is an excellent choice. Just like Spain, during the Autumn months you can enjoy fine weather and very warm days. The coastline near Polignano a Mare is particularly very striking. It has dramatic cliffs and pretty caves. The pizza and ice cream are also appealing!

England: Endless walks and sand dunes in Norfolk

One of the best beaches in England is located in Norfolk. Holkham Beach is one of the most famous stretches of sand in the country. It has been used as a backdrop in many films and is also a firm favourite of the Prince and Princess of Wales. You can explore the dunes, walk dogs and even ride horses on this beach, all while enjoying spectacular views.

Read the Patricia Bech Travel Notes here
Seaside towns to visit this summer

July 31, 2026

With the heatwave in the UK looking set to continue for the summer holidays, many people are choosing to enjoy a staycation rather than travel to Europe this year. There are plenty of beachside towns that you can visit for a day trip in the UK. Or you can stay longer and enjoy a bigger break over the summer months.

Whatever your budget, there is usually something to suit everyone, from renting a house or staying a in hotel. You can catch to train to some seaside towns or chose to drive. There are fun piers, good food and historic sites to see.

Here are some ideas of cities and towns that you can explore near the coastline in the UK.

Brighton

This is a really vibrant city and easy to visit from London. You can get there is about an hour. It has pebbly beaches, a fun pier and really buzzing nightlife. You can swim in the sea or enjoy a stroll through the streets with an ice cream in hand.

Whitby

In the northern part of the UK, you can visit Whitby. This seaside town is very pretty and it has a historic port and also a dramatic cliff top abbey ruin to explore. Famous for its seafood, the fish and chips are definitely a must to try here.

St Ives

Back down in the southern part of the UK is St Ives. It is well known for beautiful beaches. This is a popular place for surfing throughout the year, but it also has warm weather in the summer and an eclectic art scene as well.

Whitstable

If you like oysters then Whistable is the place to go this summer. This is another seaside location that has a pretty harbor and it is very well known for excellent food, which includes its famous fresh native oysters.
The best flower shows to visit in the UK

June 1, 2026
If you are looking for a flower show to attend during the summer months, there are plenty to visit across the UK. The RHS hosts lots of different flower shows around the country and there are also other events that take place at this time of year as well.

Here are some ideas for the best flower shows to visit in the UK:
- Blenheim Palace Flower Show: Blenheim Palace is a beautiful place to visit and there are lots of events throughout the year. In June, there is a flower show that exhibits floral displays and also offers shopping. Find out more here.
- RHS Badminton: RHS Chelsea is a hot ticket for those who live in London, but the new RHS Badminton Flower Show is set to attract a lot of interest. It is in the Cotswolds and this flower show will take place at the beautiful Badminton Estate.
- Harrogate Flower Show: With a spring and an autumn event, there are two chances to visit this event. Harrogate Flower Show has nursery gardens, talks and demonstrations to enjoy during both occassions. Visit the website here.
- RHS Sandringham Flower Show: A lot of the best flower shows take place in regal grounds and this is the same for the RHS Sandringham Flower Show. It will happen on the King’s Norfolk estate and promises a lot of attractions for keen gardeners and those who just want to enjoy beautiful stands.
London Parks to Visit in Spring

April 27, 2026

Warmer weather and sunnier days mean that people can spend more time outside. London’s parks are a lovely place to go if you’re looking to make the most of some green space while staying in the city.

There are quite a few that you can visit and lots of them will be brimming with flowery displays in the form of tulips and cherry blossom during spring. They also look lovely in the summer months and provide a peaceful escape from busy city life throughout the year.

Here are three London parks to check out

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of the most famous parks in London and it is huge. It is a nice park because it has a lot of open green space and also the famous Serpentine, which is a massive recreational lake. Taking a boat out is a really nice activity and gives you a perspective of the park from the water. There are lots of things to see in Hyde Park including the Diana Memorial Fountain and also the rose garden.

Regent’s Park

Regent’s Park is another of the Royal parks that is well worth visiting. It has beautiful flower beds during the spring and summer months. Located in the North of the city, it is also home to London Zoo. This means you can visit the animals, as well as the park, if you’re looking for a fun day out and activity to do with all of the family.

St James’s Park

With views of Buckingham Palace, this is a very regal park. It is London’s oldest park and also includes a lake and a fountain. The park is full of impressive trees and spring bulbs. You can walk down The Mall for the best view of Buckingham Palace and it looks amazing when dressed with flags.
Best woodlands to visit for Snowdrops and Bluebells

February 26, 2026

Spring is not that far away and lots of pretty flowers are starting to bloom. Woodlands can look very beautiful at this time of year, especially if they have lots of snowdrops or bluebells coming through.

There are some wonderful woodlands that can be explored at this time of year for those wanting to get some photos.

For snowdrops, Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire is said to be very beautiful during February and March. It has hundreds of varieties of snowdrops and you can go on different walking trails, which cover over 10 acres. There are specific opens days for seeing the snowdrops. Welford Park is another popular place to visit. It is blanketed in snowdrops.

Bluebells also give the opportunity for some amazing photographs. Places to visit in the UK include North Yorkshire, where you can see Hackfall Woods, which is part of the Woodland Trust. There are lots of places across the country to see bluebells, with Wanstead Park in London also a popular place to visit.

Links

Snowdrops:

Colesbourne Park

Welford Park

Bluebells:

Hackfall

Wanstead Park – City of London
Romantic Cities to Visit for Valentine’s Day

January 28, 2026

Paris

Number one on the list of romantic cities to visit for Valentine’s Day is definitely Paris. One of the great things about Paris is that you can get there quite easily from the UK either by flying, driving or catching the train. There are lots of nice cafes and restaurants for romantic dining, with a trip to the Eiffel Tower also great on Valentine’s Day.

Florence

With beautiful streets and romantic scenery, Florence is also a nice place for a city break in time for Valentine’s Day. It is considered a global art destination and steeped in cultural delights. Although it is not allowed anymore, many couples have partaken in the romantic gesture of attaching a padlock to the Ponte Vecchio to symbolise their love.

Vienna

With its world class opera scene, Vienna is considered to be a fun city to visit for couples who want to enjoy a weekend away. The Austrian capital has a great food scene and it is a contemporary and compact European city that also has many interesting places to visit. Its history of classical music puts it on the map as a good destination for Valentine’s Day trips.

Venice

Venice is a beautiful ‘floating city’, which has a reputation as one of the prettiest places to visit in Italy. It is very popular with celebrities and often a host city for weddings. It is less crowed during the early months of the year, but it still offers a great ambience this time of year, with its pretty streets and canals.
UK pantomime performances for the 2025/26 season

December 22, 2025

Visiting the pantomime over the Christmas holiday is a tradition for lots of families in the UK. It is a fun occasion for all ages, with plenty of laughs guaranteed, and a really enjoyable experience.

If you are looking to see a good pantomime over the coming weeks, here are some of the ones that are showing at the moment in various locations around the UK. There is a lot of variety across the country this year and something for everyone.

Sleeping Beauty at the London Palladium: Julian Clary and impressionist Jon Culshaw lead the cast at this show. It is a classic fairytale that promises to provide good entertainment for all the family.

Peter Pan at Greenwich Theatre: Another classic tale and one that is often used for the pantomime performances. Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinker Bell soar into action to outwit Hook and his pirate crew in this high-flying magical adventure.

Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome: If you are in the Midlands area for Christmas, then you can enjoy a performance of Robin Hood at the Birmingham Hippodrome. This show has adventure and glamour all bundled up together.

Jack and the Beanstalk in the Bristol Hippodrome: Those who are in the West can make the most of the variety across the country and watch another classic tale, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Cinderella in Bournemouth Pavilion: Cinderella is of course one of the most famous tales and often used for panto performances. You can watch it in Bournemouth this year.

Sleeping Beauty at the New Theatre Cardiff: Another different panto performance is available to watch in Wales. A sparkling production of Sleeping Beauty will be performed at the New Theatre in Cardiff over the coming weeks.
Best Christmas Lights Displays in the UK

December 5, 2025

Christmas lights are one of the best things about this time of year. They cheer up the city streets and look lovely outside homes. For those who want to indulge in some extra special festive lights displays, here are some of the best ones to see across the UK.

Stockeld Park

Yorkshire’s winter wonderland is at Stokeld Park. Here there is a beautiful Christmas light trail, which helps bring the forest to life. There are installations, projections and sculptures, complete with animations and soundscapes.

More information can be found here: Christmas Adventure Event | Stockeld Park

Stourhead

Down in the other part of the UK, you can visit Christmas at Stourhead for a beautiful winter lights trail. There are also festive food and drinks stalls here too.

More information can be found here: Christmas 2025 | Stourhead | Wiltshire | National Trust

Christmas at Kew

Ideal for those in London, Christmas at Kew boasts a magical winter that is packed full of dazzling lights and Christmas colour. There are some amazing illuminations on show, including shimmering tunnels of light.

More information can be found here: Christmas at Kew | Kew

Christmas at Westonbirt

From the team behind Christmas at Kew, Christmas at Westonbirt also has lots of impressive displays. There are different light collections throughout the arboretum and they are accompanied by festive tuned to get you in the party mood.

More information can be found here: Christmas at Westonbirt | Forestry England
Best fireworks displays for NYE

November 11, 2025

Fireworks have long been associated with marking the start of the New Year. There are some amazing displays that you can watch. Some of the NYE fireworks displays should be on your bucket list when it comes to travel.

Here are some of the most famous ones that you should try and visit at some point:

Sydney

Sydney has a very famous display to highlight the start of the New Year. The fireworks show here is iconic, and it takes place over the harbour, which provides an impressive backdrop. There are actually two displays that happen on the evening. The Calling Country fireworks are scheduled at 9pm before the main display and these are ideal for children and families.

Edinburgh

Scotland always celebrate New Year’s Eve in spectacular fashion. The Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh has been taking place since 1993. Part of the evening celebrations include fireworks that light up the sky over Edinburgh Castle.

London

With Big Ben and the London Eye included in the background of the fireworks display in London, this internationally renowned event draws a huge crowd. It is also shown live on TV for those who want to watch it from the comfort of their own home.

Dubai

Dubai is known for hosting very glitzy celebrations. The fireworks on NYE are no different. The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is often a centerpiece in the show.
Nordic Breaks for the Winter Season | Patricia Bech Travel Hub

October 6, 2025

Discover the World’s Arctic Winter Holiday Collection has some great new hotels that are opening up for the winter season for Nordic breaks.

New Aurora Retreat at Black Sand Hotel, Iceland

Opening in November, this new boutique hotel sits on the edge of south Iceland’s remote and rugged coastline, with the buzz of Reykjavik only an hour away. The elegant rooms have large windows to make the most of the views overlooking vast stretches of black sand beaches and lava fields running down to the northern Atlantic. Cosy and warmed by geothermal energy the Black Sand Hotel is a perfect new spot for watching the dancing northern lights (with aurora wake up calls) as well as enjoying active days exploring the Reykjanes UNESCO Geopark and the Golden Circle. A three night stay this winter is priced from £532pp which includes B&B accommodation and car rental. https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/aurora-retreat-at-black-sand-hotel/

New Arctic Spa Escape at Gáldu, Ivalo, Finland

Opening in December is Finland’s newest spa hotel, Gáldu Hotel & Spa. The boutique lodge marries amazing winter experiences in Finnish Lapland with wellness and the chance to press the reset button in a stunning location. The name ‘Gáldu’ comes from the Sámi word for ‘ice plunge’. The location on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park puts guests conveniently just 40 minutes from the airport at Ivalo to take advantage of the direct flight from London Gatwick. Choose from a 3-night package which includes reindeer sleigh, farm visit and full day spa access or 4 nights which adds on husky sledding and even more time to enjoy sauna three ways – traditional Finnish dry sauna, wood-burning sauna with panoramic views and steam room. And, for some water wellness there’s the warm pool, cold plunge and outdoor Jacuzzi. A three night stay is priced from £1766pp which includes full board, use of the wellness amenities, arctic activities, winter clothing and transfers.

https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/arctic-spa-escape-at-galdu

New Tromsø and Sommarøy Winter Adventure, Norway

This new winter trip combines a Tromsø city break, husky sledding and Sommarøy, a remote island in Northern Norway. The journey begins in Tromsø with its vibrant café culture, artisan scene and striking modern architecture of the Arctic Cathedral. There’s the option to take a cable car up Storsteinen for spectacular views and enjoy Arctic cuisine including fresh seafood and wild game. Go husky sledding and for a true Nordic experience, brave a dip in the sea and warm up in a floating sauna. Continue to the island of Sommarøy for snow-covered beaches, crystal clear blue waters and the chance for spectacular northern lights. The Sommarøy Arctic Hotel features an outdoor terrace, sauna and cosy lounge. There’s sea kayaking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a fjord and wildlife minibus safari available as optional activities.

A four-night stay is priced from £1025pp which includes 2 nights in Tromsø with breakfast and 2 nights at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel with half board, husky safari from Tromsø and transfers. https://www.discover-the-world.com/holidays/tromso-and-sommaroy-winter-adventure/

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