Archives for September 2020

“Find an eagle feather,” the hotel’s psychic had counseled me the day before on a Zoom call (because, Covid), when I told her I was hoping to recapture the bohemian energy of my youth while visiting a town synonymous with free spiritedness.

“It’s not just peace, love, hug a tree,” she said. “How do you want to experience Tofino? What will happen if you just let it rip?”

What, indeed? And so, with no wolves or eagle feathers in sight, we climb onto beach cruisers, point them toward Chesterman Beach, and pedal madly into the fog, wet sand splattering our clothes.

Over the next few days, we’ll surf, forage, stuff our faces with local seaweed and seafood and, yes, even hug an 800-year-old cedar tree.

Nature’s balm

Increasingly, they come to surf Tofino’s trio of wide, sandy beaches with consistent whitewash that makes it possible for newbies to actually stand on their boards. Some even come to find themselves; it’s not uncommon to meet millennials living in a van while they work three jobs, surf and forage for chanterelles in the forest.

What all of these pursuits have in common is nature. You can, literally, bathe in the ocean and rainforest, breathe fresh, cedar-scented air, live off the land, maintain distance from other humans and pretend the world is A-OK, man.

Tofino is Canada’s original hippie town, and it’s still the crunchiest place in the country.

A haven for draft dodgers and misfits

McDiarmid grew up in Tofino — his father was one of the town’s original doctors — and he’s seen it evolve from an isolated village with just a coffee shop, liquor store, hotel and hospital, into a traveler’s Shangri-La. The metamorphosis began in the 1970s, after Pacific Rim National Park opened and the road to town was finally paved.

“That started a wave of more people coming to Tofino as tourists, camping on the beaches. Also, all the ‘conscientious objectors’ came too. … the U.S. hippies and draft dodgers came and they formed communes — they were afraid the US government would hunt them down. Many made this their home and they stayed,” says McDiarmid. “And everyone with a VW van drove to the end of the road, and we were the end of the road.”

One of those hippies was Maureen Fraser, who arrived from Toronto in her Ford Econoline van in 1976. She’d fallen in love with Tofino on a previous trip and vowed to move to town and open a bakery after she couldn’t find a cinnamon bun anywhere.

“It just captured me — walking on the beach, the waves rolling in,” says Fraser, who initially lived in a beach shack.

Over 40 years later, she’s still making bread at her bakery, Common Loaf Bake Shop (and she’s still not wearing makeup or a bra). Fraser defied the hippie stereotype by starting a successful business, and she surprised herself by becoming an activist.

The birth of BC environmentalism

During the 1980s, logging company MacMillan Bloedel had plans to clear-cut Meares Island, a looming isle across the inlet that supplies Tofino with its fresh water.

The company also aimed to log large tracts of old-growth rainforest ringing Clayoquot Sound, Tofino’s surrounding body of water whose inlets and islets imbue the area with a mystical, elfin beauty.

Fraser was soon organizing protests with like-minded hippies and other Tofino residents, along with the local Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

“It was your classic hippies against your classic rednecks,” recalls Fraser. “We lobbied for forest preservation and argued that logging would damage tourism, which was just getting underway.”

More than 900 protesters were arrested, including Fraser’s 9-year-old son. The publicity created national support for British Columbia’s environmental movement. Though logging still takes places, Meares Island was saved.

You’d never know Tofino was once a hotbed of protest today. Station wagons and vans with surfboards affixed to their roof racks line the streets.

Tourists enter souvenir shops and art galleries as the summer season winds down. Everyone is friendly.

The hippie spirit lives on

But undercurrents of that rebellious spirit are everywhere. A “Fu@k Amazon” flyer is tacked to the bulletin board beside the local bookseller.

Tofino is refreshingly free of chain businesses, with no Starbucks or McDonald’s outlets blighting the downtown’s salt-kissed, clapboard main street. Perhaps most tellingly, guys sport man buns.

And until last fall when it was dismantled, Poole’s Land, a hippie commune just outside of town, provided an affordable refuge for wayfarers trying on the Tofino lifestyle.

Travelers and transient workers could pitch a tent and pitch in on the forested acreage, and purportedly get paid in magic mushrooms, if that was their currency.

The lack of affordable housing has long been a town issue, one that Hotel Zed is trying to address by offering accommodation for its staff.

The hotel also speaks to the town’s hippie heritage, with a 1970s color palette, shag carpet in a sunken lobby and a psychic den for tarot card readings.

“It’s a little bohemian,” allows Mandy Farmer, Tofino’s only female hotelier. She hates “boring” hotels and wanted to bring a psychedelic experience to the new property.

Since magic mushrooms weren’t an option, she opted for a psychic.

That ability to break with convention draws people to the town. Myles Beeby ditched a career in marketing in Montreal to move west three years ago. At the time, he never would have described himself as a hippie.

“Moving to Tofino has changed me. I’m a tree-loving, eco-warrior who organizes beach clean ups,” he says. He bikes to work, and forages for mushrooms in his spare time.

Living the locavore life

Since everyone seems to be doing it, my daughter and I join Paul Moran, a chef and fifth-generation forager who leads classes to teach locals and visitors how to identify edible items from the sea and forest.

We peel tasty nori from the slick sea rocks of Frank Island at low tide and learn to spot “choice edible” mushrooms, including hedgehogs and chanterelles, growing in the woods just a few miles from town.

Moran explains how mushroom foraging has gone from a hippy-dippy oddity to a mainstream movement. Not only are ‘shrooms delicious and healthy, chefs and bartenders are crazy for them.

And hyperlocal ingredients are hot — restaurateurs around town all practice a philosophy of sustainability and intention around sourcing their food — from foraging their rainforest backyard to buying lingcod and salmon from local fishermen to getting meat and vegetables from Vancouver Island producers.

But at its heart, foraging is another way to connect with nature.

“People want that back to the land experience,” says Moran as we cut bright orange-yellow chanterelles from the damp forest floor.

Surfers: the modern hippies

It’s a similar story with surfing. Twenty or 30 years ago, surfers were just a small element of Tofino’s diverse community.

Now, thanks to surf schools such as Surf Sister, whose all-female instructors have helped make the sport more accessible to women, surf boards and wetsuits have sprouted up around town like mushrooms.

As most Tofitians like McDiarmid will affirm: “The modern hippie usually has a surfboard.” And rides a bike.

Natasha Baert thinks that surf culture is just the latest iteration of Tofino’s unorthodox, nature-based lifestyle.

Her mom started Tofino Sea Kayaking in 1988, when Baert was 18, and she’s seen the town evolve from a hippie haven, to an environmental flashpoint, to a sea kayaking hotspot after a write-up in Outside magazine. Now, surfing is having its moment.

But it circles back to the original surf bums and hippies who made their way to this remote outpost 50 years ago in the first place, to live on (or near) empty beaches ringed by rainforest, and live their lives on their own terms. That’s still a big draw for Tofitians today.

“It’s the idea of freedom that the west coast represents. It’s not constrained. It’s very unconventional out here and people want to find that in themselves,” says Baert. “Tofino is this template where that can happen.”

(CNN) — Frontier Airlines is offering free flights for people with the last name “Green” or “Greene.”

“Our fleet’s fuel efficiency is unmatched by other U.S. airlines and allows Frontier to deliver not only the lowest fares but the most sustainable approach to flying,” President and CEO Barry Biffle said in a statement.

The airline says customer response has been positive.

“We’re very excited to share our green message with everyone,” said Zach Kramer, a Frontier Airline spokesman, adding that many people are tagging friends with those names. “I was surprised how many people have the last name Green.”

Passengers must book a flight on FlyFrontier.com, must depart on Tuesday and return by August 20, and must legally have the last name Green or Greene.

(CNN) — Cat Burton grew up fascinated by airplanes, an interest first fostered by her pilot father, who flew with the Royal Canadian Air Force and later with Welsh carrier Cambrian Airways.

Cambrian, a component company of British Airways, later sponsored Wales-born Burton to learn to fly in 1971.

Before long, Burton was a qualified aviator, operating Vickers Viscount airliners across the UK.

When British Airways absorbed Cambrian in 1974, Burton began a high-flying career with the UK’s flag carrier airline that would span four decades.

Her favorite airplane? The 747. There’s a reason, she says, why it’s dubbed “the Queen of the Skies.”

“I was privileged enough to be the very first line copilot to fly the 747-400, in British Airways. I fell in love with the airplane, everything about it.”

When Burton retired, aged 65, she was British Airways’ most senior female pilot.

And Burton was finally flying as herself. At 58, she had come out as trans.

“My transition came very late in life,” says Burton. “Flying in the ’70s was probably considered a macho occupation. It was one of those jobs where somebody who was trans could camouflage it, not only from the rest of the world, but often from themselves.”

Burton says she “bottled up” her gender identity as a teenager. It wasn’t until her late 50s, when she was grounded by the Civil Aviation Authority for a few months due to some heart issues, that Burton embraced her real self.

She made the decision that when she went back to work, it would be Cat who returned.

“Coming out is one of those irrevocable things, you can’t go back in again,” says Burton. “I always liken it to stepping off a cliff in pitch darkness.”

British Airways, in Burton’s words, were “absolutely exemplary.” The airline, says Burton, didn’t just support her, they were proud of her.

But she was still unsure how colleagues would react. You can never know, she points out, how even your oldest friends might respond when you come out.

But that cliff she’d stepped off turned out to be “only two inches high.”

“People use the word brave, but it’s not brave. Coming out in that circumstance is lifesaving. It’s that or there is no life,” says Burton. “So there was no bravery involved. But nevertheless, it was a step in the dark.”

Inspiring others

When Burton returned to work as Cat, British Airways sent out official communication to the pilots on its roster. Burton decided to put out her own post about her transition, writing with candor and publishing on a British Airways message board.

“Within a week, that post had 2,000 replies and 10,000 views,” says Burton. “Most of it was supportive. Some of it was so supportive, it made me cry.”

There was, she says, “a lot of good-natured banter” from colleagues, but the joking was kind.

“You can tell the difference between somebody who’s laughing at you and laughing with you,” she says.

When Burton made UK newspaper The Independent on Sunday’s 2014 Rainbow List, a list of influential LGBTQ+ Brits, British Airways press team shared their congratulations on Twitter and Burton’s story went public.

Several years later and post-retirement, Burton continues to inspire young people via her work as a flight instructor at Aeros Flight Training in Cardiff. Her days are spent conducting everything from trial lessons to pilot qualifications.

And she’s continued her STEM work in school visits, alongside further outreach related to diversity and aviation.

“Flying has not only always been a job for the boys, it’s always been a job for white male cisgender heterosexual boys,” says Burton. Cisgender refers to a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth.

“It’s not that long since it was a complete career breaker for a trans woman to transition.”

Burton recalls a friend who transitioned while working as a pilot for a small British airline in the late 1980s.

“Within, I think, three months, she’d been bullied out of the job by her peers who just didn’t want to fly with her,” says Burton.

Times have changed, however, and the Equality Act of 2010 in the UK now protects against workplace discrimination.

“Pretty much all of the airlines that I know of have now either got a transgender pilot, who’s transitioned on the job, or have even hired a transgender pilot from scratch,” says Burton.

But there are still steps forward to be made, says Burton.

“It’s been weaponized by people who just ideally they’d like to see transgender people go away,” says Burton. “They see transgender people as a problem. Whereas what we are is just part of society. We are just ourselves.”

“There is every bit as much reason to work to improve the diversity in terms of race in the flight deck as there is in terms of gender in the flight deck,” she says.

Burton points to issues surrounding the steep cost of pilot training as a barrier to entry — and champions affirmative action and bursaries as potential solutions, as well as upping representation.

She also acknowledges that working in a white, male-dominated industry isn’t always easy for female and minority pilots.

“I suppose I’ve got a unique perspective on the male-female interface in a flight deck,” says Burton.

“I always considered myself to be very on side with my younger female copilots, when I was flying in my old gender role. And when I look back on it, with my fresh set of eyes, if you like, my fresh perspective, what I was actually being wasn’t supportive, it was being paternalistic. And I didn’t even realize it. I didn’t recognize it. But now I do.”

While working with British Airways’ diversity team, Burton says the airline “had huge numbers of young women complaining of the behavior of older — particularly older — male pilots, to them in the flight deck.”

The aim, she said, was to always get the male pilots to consider that, while their behavior might be well-intentioned, it was coming across as patronizing.

But Burton says younger pilots are more open-minded, and she hopes these issues will become a thing of the past as the pilot demographic gets younger.

Labels and components

Burton is proud to be a trans woman. But she is also proud to be an experienced and accomplished pilot.

While speaking about her life, she points out that all humans are made up of many different components — and no one component eclipses the others.

“My labels are Cat, I’m happy to accept that as a label, and the other label is human.

Everything else is an ingredient: woman, transgender history, pilot, experienced, British Airways captain, flying instructor. All of those things are things that make up Cat.”

(CNN) — They’ve never not been in style, but superyachts are having a a bit of a moment.

Demand has been steadily growing over the years, with the global fleet jumping from 3,906 crafts in 2009 to 5,646 in 2019, according to the Superyacht Group.

The rising popularity of these large and rather magnificent vessels ultimately means that yacht designers are having to up the ante while coming up with new and imaginative concepts to ensure that their projects stand out from the rest.

“The days of all big yachts looking the same are long gone,” Stewart Campbell, editor of Boat International, told CNN Travel last year.

“Owners are really pulling out all the styling stops and challenging shipyards and designers to come up with boats that are truly unique. “

A number of new and innovative superyacht concepts have been unveiled over the last few years, including a vessel that transforms into a submarine, a game changing Trimonoran design and a yacht designed to look like a huge swan.

Here are 10 of the most exciting yacht concepts that could be taking to the waters in the not too distant future…

Avanguardia

Translating to “vanguard” in English, the megayacht concept forms the shape of a gigantic swan thanks to its detachable “head,” which works as a control tower.

Due to an extendable crane/bridge positioned in the bow, the “head” can be lowered down to the center of the vessel while it’s at sea.

In fact, Avanguardia’s length will increase by around 20 meters, taking its total length to 157 meters, when it’s brought down.

If that wasn’t impressive enough, the control tower can also be removed from the vessel and used as a completely separate boat.

The rest of the yacht is divided into five main decks, with the rear deck comprising a personal port for two jet capsules.

The yacht concept also has two onboard helicopters and two helicopter hangars.

As for speed, its twin fully electric side engines and central MTU Rolls-Royce jet engine, will allow it to achieve a maximum estimated cruising speed of about 18 knots, according to the design studio.

While Avanguardia is currently just a “stylistic exercise,” the Lazzarini Design Studio are hoping to find a buyer to put up the $500,000,000 required to build it.

Project 175

Measuring 54.92 meters, the low-profile flybridge design, currently known as Project 175, has an advanced hybrid propulsion system.

But its most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly its neon uplights, which showcase its sleek form when the sun goes down, while giving off the vibe of a floating nightclub.

The designers say they’ve tried to simplify the sail set up as much as possible by selecting “tried and tested” control systems with “proven in-service reliability.”

This includes a ketch rig plan that provides a “flexible and manageable distribution” of the sail area and a lifting keel that reduces the draft from 23 feet to 15.5 feet.

Inside, Project 175 is fitted with a glazed saloon, a formal dining area, five guest cabins and a jacuzzi.

Anders Berg, the naval architect behind the concept, tells CNN Travel that the concept has generated an “encouraging response,” from the industry, but there are still many important details that need to be worked out.

“The process to develop a new concept project requires us resolve many of the technical and ascetic disciplines at an early stage,” he explains.”

“It’s not just a pretty picture; there is considerable amount of accurate design input, from developing the hull and appendages (keel/rudder), to space planning the interior within the structural confines and resolving the sail plan and sail handling systems.”

Berg stresses that due to the complexities of the project, it may take between 24 and 30 months to build “depending upon the shipyard capacity,” once all of the finer details are resolved.

Escalade

This impressive concept is said to be the first of its kind to feature a Trimonoran hull — a blend of a monohull and a trimaran hull.

The Trimonoran is powered by a hydraulic propulsion system and consists of three slim hulls, thus providing Escalade with 30% more space than a similar vessel, according to Akalın, along with more stability and less water resistance.

“The hull provides top speed and stability with less power/energy because of the hull shape and hydrofoils under the body,” says Akalın.

“Her body also allows [for] smoother sailing than standard hulls. The hull cuts the waves very politely.”

The yacht’s opulent interior was devised by British designer Celia Sawyer.

While this concept had not been picked up by a shipyard at the time of writing, it’s drawn a lot of interest from potential buyers and Akalın and Anwigema are currently working on a detailed production project to determine the pricing for the vessel.

The duo are confident they’ll find a client for Escalade once the vessel has been through the appropriate testing, and estimate it will take around 12 to 15 months to bring it to life.

Thor Explore

This concept is designed “from the inside out,” which is a rather unusual practice when it comes to yacht designing.

But the glass floor, which turns opaque at the “flick of a switch” when guests require privacy in the main saloon, is arguably its most impressive feature.

The 100-meter exploration vessel also has a sunken seating area, an onboard beach club and a fully certified helideck.

While a build cost for the vessel hasn’t been calculated, the team at Gresham Yacht Design confirm that Thor Explore is in the advanced stages of the design process.

AQUA

Measuring 112 meters, the eco-friendly concept is designed to operate at a top speed of 17 knots, with a range of 3,750 nautical miles.

Aqua’s technology system is dependent on two 28-ton vacuum isolated tanks stored at temperatures as low as -253 C (-423 F).

The liquified hydrogen is transformed into electrical energy by proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells.

“For development of Aqua we took inspiration from the lifestyle of a discerning, forward-looking owner, the fluid versatility of water and cutting-edge technology, to combine this in a 112-meter superyacht with truly innovative features,” designer Sander Sinot said in a statement back in 2019.

“Our challenge was to implement fully operational liquid hydrogen and fuel cells in a true superyacht that is not only groundbreaking in technology, but also in design and aesthetics.”

While there has been immense interest in the AQUA concept, the team at Sinot confirm to CNN Travel that it remains available and has not been built.

Carapace

This impressive hybrid vessel can move on the surface of the sea and underwater.

Italian-based naval architect Elena Nappi, who devised the concept after years of nautical experimentation research, says she wanted to combine the relaxation provided by luxury yachts and the “privacy” of immersion navigation to represent a “new class of mega yachts.”

“Very often yacht owners are looking for original solutions to be able to offer their friends and their family something special, and certainly that of a diving cruise of this type is something unprecedented in the super yacht market.”

Carapace, which measures 78 meters is powered by a diesel-electric and fuel cell system and holds three deck levels, with amenities such as VIP cabins, a bar and health club.

While Nappi is keen to see this design become a reality, she stresses that it will be a long while before the vessel is brought to life, even if it’s picked up by a buyer.

“If we make a comparison with the automotive sector, it is not hard to understand that the road to this type of boat is still very far away,” she adds.

“The first electric car was built in 1884 and is only on the market today, so it is impossible to think that a harness like this could be put on the market before 100 years.”

HIDE

The thing that makes this innovative yacht concept stand out from the rest is the fact that it’s actually designed to camouflage into its surroundings.

In addition to its clever exterior, the superyacht, which can accommodate up to eight people, has an impressive top deck with a pool and a removable canopy.

Borla also hopes to add photovoltaic solar panels to the roof of the wheelhouse to facilitate a hybrid propulsion system and has chosen furniture made from recycled textiles.

According to the designer, the vessel will operate at a cruising speed of around 14 knots and a maximum speed of 18 knots.

If HIDE were to be picked up by a buyer, Borla believes the vessel would take around two years to construct.

Project Centauro

Dubbed Project Centauro, the 110-meter (360-foot) vessel is powered by two MTU engines paired with steerable water jets and has an estimated cruising speed of 18 knots.

With room for 14 guests, the vessel also holds an entertainment area, as well as an indoor pool, observation lounge and a large beach club that connects to the main deck via a staircase.

According to the team at Officina Armare, Project Centauro would take around two years to build should it be picked up.

Codecasa Jet 2020

Italian shipyard Codecasa are in the process of constructing a 70-meter (230-foot) superyacht concept that looks like a floating jumbo jet.

The enormous vessel is fitted with airplane-style rounded windows, as well as a bow designed to mimic the nose of an aircraft.

There’s also a forward section that bears a strong resemblance to a cockpit.

Codecasa’s other features include a huge sundeck, a swimming pool, a sky lounge and a beach club that has its own elevator.

The shipyard were due to begin building Codecasa this year, but it appears that the Covid-19 pandemic may have put this on hold.

Once it’s delivered, Codecasa aims for the vessel to become its flagship.

Ice Kite

While combining kite sailing, where possible, with a low resistance hull made of aluminum and carbon fiber and two diesel engines, Ice Kite can achieve far greater fuel efficiency, and it also looks pretty spectacular.

Unlike the other concepts, Ice Kite has been specifically designed for a client — an unnamed German entrepreneur.

Red Yacht Design say the owner put in a commission for a yacht that would feel integral to the sea.

The design is largely made up of glass, in order to provide some of its enclosed spaces with more natural light.

Ice Kite will be fitted with a helipad, a pool, a 12-person dining area and a hot tub.

The yacht, which offers a 17.4 knot maximum speed, also comes with a 26-meter support vessel to carry any extra equipment the owner needs.

Although Ice Kite is still in the design phase, Red Yacht Design say the owner has received an offer from a Dutch shipyard to build both the yacht and its support vessel.

Isles of Scilly

Situated 40 kilometers off the tip of Cornwall, this Atlantic archipelago of islands and islets has the look of a tropical paradise, but with a bucolic, English sensibility.

The main island of St. Mary’s is home to winding lanes and stunning beaches, while tiny Bryher offers arguably the best sunset views in the entire country and has just one hotel — Hell Bay.

Tresco Abbey Gardens easily beat any country estate on the mainland for variety and color, while a boat trip to the uninhabited islands of Samson or St. Helen’s offers the chance to see seals and seabirds up close.

Norwich, Norfolk

With 31 surviving medieval churches, a spectacular cathedral whose spire is a prime nesting site for peregrine falcons and cobbled streets lined with spectacular buildings dating back to the 12th century, Norwich is an easily overlooked historical gem.

Roadside signs proclaim this “A Fine City” and for good reason.

The pubs are among the best in England, with the delightful Adam and Eve dating back to 1249.

And with an annual arts festival taking place every May, its modern cultural offering makes it far more than a museum piece.

Adam and Eve, 17 Bishopsgate, Norwich NR3 1RZ; +44 (0)1603 667423

Walberswick and the Suffolk coast

Walberswick’s village green, ruined church, and seaside location make it one of the finest places in this corner of eastern England.

Beloved by artists and writers including Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Esther Freud, thanks to its moody light and relative isolation, the village is surrounded by over 1,000 acres of protected heathland and marshes, ripe for long walks and is home to Grade I listed St. Andrew’s Church.

Head along the coast to swanky Southwold, or watch the gray rollers come to shore as the sun rises.

St. Andrew’s Church, Walberswick IP18 6UY

Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

The one-time northern frontier of the Roman Empire, Hadrian’s Wall is arguably the greatest historical monument in a country blessed with castles, cathedrals and spectacular ruins.

Stretching from one side of England to the other, its central section is the most arresting, the wall rising and falling across steep hills.

Day trippers should head to the preserved forts at Housesteads and Vindolanda.

Those with more time can follow the 135-kilometer national trail, taking in the wall from Newcastle to the Solway Firth.

Housesteads Roman Fort, Bardon Mill, Hexham NE47 6NW; +44 (0)1434 344363

Winchester, Hampshire

Home to a 13th century replica of the legendary round table of King Arthur, Winchester is a place where history is inescapable.

As well as the aforementioned table, its Great Hall is home to artifacts from Winchester Castle (which no longer exists), while nearby Winchester Cathedral is the longest of its kind in Europe.

Wander through cobbled streets and past the famous Winchester College and along the rippling River Itchen for a rustic English experience like no other.

The city is also filled with well-preserved Georgian buildings such as the one that houses the original Hotel du Vin, which dates back to 1715

The Somerset Levels

The atmospheric Somerset Levels are unlike anywhere else in the UK.

The flatlands, bisected by rivers, ditches and disused canals, offer hazy views of the Mendip Hills to the east and the Quantocks to the west, while the slightest rise in altitude gives rise to ancient settlements, such as Glastonbury.

Its watery habitat makes it a mecca for birds, including bitterns and kingfishers, with bird sanctuary Ham Wall Nature Reserve serving as a crucial habitat.

Dungeness, Kent

The only place designated as a desert in the UK, Dungeness is utterly unique.

Located on the Kent coast, its windswept beaches and inland nature reserve, coupled with big skies and sea air, make it the perfect place to spend an afternoon getting the freshest air imaginable.

The coastal hamlet with the same name is something of a time warp, with a miniature railway ferrying passengers along the coast to the town of Hythe.

Grasmere and Rydal Water, Lake District

England’s Lake District has such a breadth of beautiful landscapes that visiting just one doesn’t do it justice.

The village of Grasmere and nearby Rydal Water are perhaps the best places to start.

This is the Lake District of romantic poet William Wordsworth (his Dove Cottage is just outside of Grasmere village) all tumbling fells, deciduous woodland and gleaming water.

Rydal Water is the area’s smallest lake, perfect for wild swimming in summer, with a path that skirts its banks offering an easy introduction to hiking.

Grasmere is home to great pubs and hotels as well as Sam Read Bookseller, a fabulous book store for stocking up on maps and mountain literature.

Hull, East Yorkshire

The UK’s City of Culture in 2017, Hull has gone from being largely overlooked to taking center stage.

Its Old Town has some of the best-preserved Georgian and Edwardian architecture in the country, while culturally the city continues to innovate.

Manchester

Northern England’s cities often get unfairly lumped together, but there’s a distinctiveness between Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool and Manchester that makes them all worth a visit.

It’s the latter, though, that’s the big hitter.

The vibrant Northern Quarter is great for shopping, whether it’s for vintage clothes or picking up the latest albums at Piccadilly Records, while venues such as Bridgewater Hall, Home and the Albert Hall make it the place to be for culture fiends.

Forget complaints about the wet weather, Manchester is the real deal.

Standedge Tunnel and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Yorkshire

Britain’s industrial heritage isn’t just found in its cities.

On the edge of spectacular, bleak moorland, the pretty Huddersfield Narrow Canal slips into Standedge, the deepest, longest and highest canal tunnel in the country.

Opened in 1811, the 5,000 meter tunnel was used to transport goods and materials.

Today, visitors can take organized two-hour trips all the way through, steeping themselves in this area’s proud history.

An excellent visitor center and quaint pubs such as Riverhead Brewery Tap nearby Marsden make it even more worthwhile.

Stanage Edge, Peak District

Renowned among climbers and loved by walkers, Stanage Edge is one of the most popular spots in the Peak District.

On a clear day, the views are glorious, taking in the Dark Peak and the Hope Valley.

In summer it’s ripe for a long day’s hiking, while winter brings a moodiness and charm, not to mention fewer visitors to break the tranquility.

Walk up from the nearby town of Hathersage, home to an excellent, heated outdoor swimming pool which steams on colder days.

The Rhinog mountains and Barmouth, Wales

Mid Wales isn’t the easiest part of the UK to reach, but those who venture here are blessed with huge sea views, soaring mountains and a sense of unending space.

The seaside resort of Barmouth, with its estuary, railway bridge and wide sands, is a great place to be based for adventures in the nearby hills or to medieval fortresses such as Harlech Castle, built by Edward I during his invasion of Wales.

The Rhinogs, which sit in the southern part of Snowdonia, are ripe for exploration, their paths less trodden than those of the national park’s more popular routes to the north.

Rhossili Bay, Gower Peninsula

South Wales is a marvel, its beaches and hills among the very best in Europe, let alone the UK.

Rhossili Beach, on the Gower Peninsula, is regularly lauded as one of the best stretches of sand around, and with good reason.

Its five kilometers of pristine shoreline are adored by surfers and swimmers, while walkers trace paths along the clifftops, taking in views of Worms Head and the waves rolling in from the Atlantic.

Visitors can take in the stunning views of Rhossili from the comfort of a bar at The Worm’s Head Hotel, which is a four-minute walk from the beach.

The Cairngorms, Scotland

Scotland’s Cairngorms are arguably the last truly wild place remaining in the UK.

In winter, these hills sit beneath meters of wind swept snow.

In summer, the long days and warm sun make it the perfect place for hiking and wild camping.

While adventurous types head into the hills for multi-day treks, those after a more sedate trip should visit Loch an Eilein, a ruined castle on an island at its center, for picture postcard views and the chance to see red squirrels up close.

Loch an Eilein, Highland, PH22 1QT

Glasgow

It’s easy to overlook Glasgow, such is the allure of Edinburgh.

But Scotland’s largest city easily matches the capital when it comes to architecture, art and culture.

The sprawling Kelvingrove Art Gallery is world class, the West End’s shops and bars the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon.

With a thriving music scene and top restaurants like the award-winning Stravaigin, it’s unquestionably one of the country’s best destinations for a city break.

Shetland, Scotland

The most northerly part of the UK is reachable either by plane or ferry from mainland Scotland, with planning required, especially to reach the northern island of Unst.

However such effort is rewarded with views of rugged landscapes, plus the chance to spot orcas hunting seals close to shore in summer, or the majestic Northern Lights dancing across the sky in winter.

The islands are also home to fascinating prehistoric sites, such as Stanydale Temple, as well as unspoilt beaches, ripe for a day of relaxing when the weather settles.

Galloway Forest Park, Scotland

Far from the light pollution of towns and cities, Galloway Forest Park is the first Dark Sky Park in the UK.

Head here once the light fades on a clear day to see over 7,000 stars and planets, and that’s just with the naked eye.

Bring a telescope and things get even more spectacular. Three visitor centers offer information on the constellations on show, with dedicated viewing platforms making it easy for novices and diehard astronomers alike to catch a glimpse of celestial wonders.

New Forest, Hampshire

For a country once covered in trees, England’s woodlands are today relatively limited.

The New Forest is perhaps the country’s best, and is believed to hold the largest concentration of ancient or veteran trees in Western Europe, with around 1,000 across the National Park.

With wild ponies, vast heathlands, rugged coastline and narrow roads that can be explored easily by bike, this peaceful corner of southern England is the perfect escape from the bustle of London.

Luxury country house hotel Chewton Glen, situated on the fringe of the National Park serves as a great base for those keen to explore the forest over a few days.

Lincolnshire Wolds

There are more famous landscapes in the UK, but the Lincolnshire Wolds, the highest part of eastern England between Kent and Yorkshire, has real charm.

Protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the rolling hills, burbling streams and pretty farmland are a haven for rare birds and wildlife such as the Dartford Warbler and the Wild Gladiolus.

There are also huge views to be had of the Pennines and the east coast thanks to its flat surrounding landscape.

Meanwhile nearby St. James’ Church, positioned on the edge of Lincolnshire Wolds, has the tallest spire of any medieval parish church in the country.

Malvern Hills, Herefordshire

For newcomers to the UK (and old hands, too), it’s possible to overlook the counties that border England and Wales.

But with areas like The Malverns, there really is no excuse. This range of hills offer some of the finest hiking in the country.

While outdoor types won’t struggle for activities, the spa town of Great Malvern, with its classic Victorian architecture, antiques dealers and bookshops mean there’s plenty to satisfy those who’d rather not get their walking boots out.

Holy Island, Anglesey

Wales’ relentless landscapes and hidden corners make it a treasure trove for the intrepid.

Yet while Snowdonia gets all the plaudits, the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, which sits across the water from the northwest island of Anglesey, is a delight that’s easily missed by those heading who travel here to take the ferry to Ireland.

The coastal path offers huge views out to sea and back inland to where the mountains of North Wales rise, while the brilliant white South Stack Lighthouse and its surrounding cliffs are home to puffins and peregrine falcons.

South Stack Cliffs Nature Reserve, Holyhead, LL65 1YH; +44 (0)1407 762100

Brecon Beacons, Wales

Whether it’s kayaking along tumbling rivers, hiking over high peaks or eating some of the freshest local produce Wales has to offer, the Brecon Beacons has got it all.

Yes, it can get wet, but this is the UK, where rain is a way of life.

While other national parks can often feel crowded, the Brecons offer something a lot more tranquil than their English counterparts, with views and villages to match.

Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland

The nine Glens of Antrim tumble down from the Antrim Plateau to the Irish Sea.

You can hire a car and follow the winding coast road, built in the 1830s, which covers over 160 kilometers, with views of the hills and distant Scotland to keep passengers enthralled.

Glenariff and nearby Slemish Mountain were both used in TV series “Game of Thrones,” meaning this part of Northern Ireland has enjoyed something of a tourist boom in recent years.

The picturesque conservation village of Cushendun, a small coastal village set in the heart of the Antrim Coast that’s been protected by the National Trust since 1954, is another of the area’s highlights.

Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland

The estimated 40,000 basalt columns of Giant’s Causeway are steeped in legend.

A UNESCO World Heritage site dating back 60 million years, they’re believed to have been built by the giant Finn McCool for a battle with a rival giant across the water in Scotland.

Today, cliff top walks and an excellent visitor center bring the area to life, with gorgeous scenery and first-rate wildlife to match.

But as the country went into lockdown and tourists could no longer enter, those amenities risked going to seed. That’s when Singapore Airlines (SIA), the city-state’s national carrier, decided to get creative.

“With Covid-19 drastically reducing the number of flights operated by the SIA Group, we have created unique activities that would allow us to engage with our fans and customers during this time,” the airline’s CEO Goh Choon Phong said in a statement.

The airline is unveiling several activities, including a meal served inside of a parked Airbus A380.

The pop-up restaurant will be called Restaurant A380 @Changi and open for only two nights, October 24 and 25. Just as they would on board, diners will be able to choose from a short menu of options, although the best bet will likely be the Peranakan dishes prepared by acclaimed Singaporean chef Shermay Lee.

In addition to the food, diners will get a yet-to-be-revealed swag bag — and if they show up in “traditional heritage wear,” some extra goodies.

Singapore Air frequent fliers will have the option of using miles to book the experience. And if they miss out on the two nights of in-flight dining, there are additional events slated for November school holidays, including riding in an aircraft simulator, tasting the in-flight wine selection and a chance for kids to dress up as flight attendants.

Another option: some of Changi’s lounges have been opened up for people who are working remotely.