Editor’s letter

If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that we live in times where little is certain. However, it seems trips are finally within our grasp and, with some caveats, even destinations further afield are once again on the horizon.

So, this issue we celebrate weekend getaways. Remember them? Adventures that pack a host of experiences into a handful of days — and offer instant gratification as you maximise every available minute from that much-needed break from routine.

We’ve selected 52 flight-free escapes for the year ahead, many of which are just a short drive, train journey or ferry ride away. And with 21 of them in the UK and Ireland, there’s plenty to choose from right here on our doorstep.

With everything from puffin-spotting in Wales and foraging in the French Alps to exploring Ireland’s Copper Coast on wheels and sampling the Slow Food movement in Italy, there are enough ideas to keep you inspired for a year of weekends away.

And as the year progresses, hopefully more and more of those travel plans pencilled into your calendar will become reality. Fingers crossed.