Iceland warmer welcome
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – Britain’s only truly coastal National Park.
Several highlights should not be missed, including the medieval walled town of Tenby, immensely pleasing on the eye, with its offshore monastery island, Caldey. Then there is the pristine beach at Barafundle, the puffins on Skomer island, and the holy seat of St David’s, Britain’s smallest city, birthplace of Wales’s patron saint.
WHEN THE WORLD REOPENS: A seven night selfguided itinerary starting in Amroth and featuring the area around Tenby costs from £660. See celtictrailswalkingholidays.co.uk.
Different angle The Fisherman’s Trail, Portugal
The Rota Vicentina longdistance route threads through 75 miles of wild,
HOLIDAYS to Iceland could be back on as early as this summer, as the island nation makes plans to welcome back tourists from June 15.
As an alternative to quarantining all visitors on arrival, Iceland hopes to do tests at Keflavik virgin shorescape in Europe’s emptiest corner, from the Cape of St Vicente in the Algarve to Porto Covo in Alentejo.
This is a world without roads, so you can expect silence, sun and skinny tracks squiggling off to the next headland.
The Rota was initially used by local fishermen to reach the best spots, which is why it is also called the Fisherman’s Trail.
Highlights are Zambujeira do Mar, one of the most scenic villages, and the coastal cliffs and wonderful beaches at Carvalhal, Machados and Amalia, perfect for a picnic.
Ponta em Branco has some of the best ever views over Odexeice beach, where it nestles between the river and the ocean.
For an unusual local delicacy try gooseneck barnacles, which may look offputting, but taste like a cross between a lobster and a clam.
WHEN THE WORLD REOPENS: Inntravel offers a seven-night
Airport when they land. Any visitor who tests positive would be required to self quarantine in Iceland for 14 days.
The tests, run with the National University Hospital of Iceland, would get a same-day result but could be skipped if you show a medical certificate with a negative result.
Costa Vicentina itinerary for from £835, land only. See inntravel.co.uk.
Northern star Cresswell to Berwick Northumberland
The Northumberland coastal path runs along a soft shore with gentle seas and it’s endowed with wildflowers, golden sands and ruined castles.
There are great beaches at Ross Back and Embleton, fishing ports at Seahouses and Craster, the powerful castle of Bamburgh and the romantic ruin of Dunstanburgh. Plus the offshore bird-rich Farne islands, which you have to get to by boat, and Holy Island, which you can walk out to at low tide. If this shoreline was a couple of degrees warmer, it would be huge with summer holidaymakers. As it is, it is perfect for walkers. WHEN THE WORLD REOPENS: Serious hikers can do the 72 miles from Cresswell to Berwick on Tweed in five days, although Contours offer easier options too from £570 self-guided.
See contours.co.uk.