Should 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 special subject every week that’s related to Wales.
You possibly can see the present right here in case you’re curious about 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 imprecise and fluffy and didn’t give any stable recommendation so I assumed I’d put it right into a weblog put up.
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 very 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 need to stroll up Snowdon as a result of it’s well-known, however numerous individuals merely don’t know concerning the different choices.
I’m positive it should occur in all places, the place one seaside is loopy busy however there’ll be an identical 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 suppose it’s vital to unfold out the crowds and ensure sure areas aren’t overcrowded!
So listed here 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 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 would possibly get overwhelmed by choices.
Add ideas to your personal Google Map
Should 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 overlook the place they’re!
You can also make your personal 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 may shortly seek for them in relation to the place you might be.
You too can add additional data to sure pins resembling ‘Tom stated do that xxxx’ or ‘We’ll want 4 x £1 cash to park’.
Learn extra: Tips on how to actually use Google Maps once 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 arduous to seek out these companies as their web sites may be 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 courses, mountaineering with donkeys, yoga in wildflower meadows, bushcraft programs and a lot extra. I’ve achieved just a few resembling beekeeping and a historic biking tour in Anglesey. They had been good and I extremely suggest utilizing the Airbnb platform to hunt out these impartial companies – even in case you don’t really find yourself reserving by means of Airbnb!
Observe the @VisitWales Instagram account
Not solely is that this account stunningly beautiful and showcases so many hidden gems in Wales, however it additionally options numerous 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 group so you possibly can hold your entire concepts in a single place.
There are such a lot of stunning Instagram accounts that includes hidden gems in Wales however this can be a actually good one to start out 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 a wide range of walks close by. You possibly can filter them to be ‘simple’, ‘arduous’ or ‘household pleasant’ and many others to seek out the perfect one for you.
Komoot is one other good choice and options biking routes too however these apps are related for mountaineering so that you in all probability gained’t want each of them.
Wild Information Wales
Wild Information Wales is my favorite guide 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. Should you’re going to purchase any guide about Wales, make it this one!
Ask the locals
OK, this can be 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 won’t really see many individuals to ask!?
Wouldn’t it be bizarre to stroll into the native newsagents and ask for ideas? Possibly!?
It’s a good suggestion to ask for ideas once you’re reserving your lodging as you’ll doubtless be emailing straight with somebody who lives domestically.
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 seaside close by. He’ll discover the title of the seaside and Google it to see extra images and verify particulars resembling parking and many others.
Typically it goes nicely and we discover unimaginable hidden gems. Typically it doesn’t go so nicely however you’ve simply bought to be adventurous!
