‘DIVINE HEREFORDSHIRE’
Judging from the dozens of new walking itineraries that tour operators have introduced, it’s fair to say that pilgrimages are back in fashion in these turbulent and uncertain times. The opportunity to escape the news cycle to spend days in quiet contemplation in nature seems more attractive than ever — and even more so when you can sleep in medieval churches for £20 a night. The Golden Valley Pilgrim Way is a new six or seven-day walking — or cycling — route starting at Hereford Cathedral and circling 60 miles through the county; a shorter three or four-day route has also been mapped out. Overnight in churches in villages such as Dorstone, Tyberton, Madley, Clodock and Ewyas Harold; most have adjacent pubs.
Read the full article, here: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-best-holiday-destinations-for-2024-a-month-by-month-guide-jvds5pq6s
Bannau Brycheiniog, Wales
Reclaiming the name Bannau Brycheiniog for a beloved national park in Wales last year was more than a linguistic change to Welsh from English; it was a shift to spotlight the Welsh culture of the 520-square-mile park, formerly known as Brecon Beacons. The park’s emphasis on the relationship between nature and local culture is also shown in a new logo. Instead of the burning brazier of Brecon Beacons, the logo now has an ancient Welsh crown set within a green forest under stars, a reflection of the park’s commitment to a future where planting native trees restores temperate rainforest, the revegetation of peatland captures carbon and the dark sky is protected from light pollution.
While visiting Bannau Brycheiniog, “the peaks of Brychan’s kingdom,” make use of the park’s public transport and bike rentals, including the Explore Wales Pass for trains and buses, or take in the views by hiking through waterfall country from the village of Pontneddfechan.
— Susanne Masters
Read the full article, here: https://www.nytimes.com/shared/v2/interactive/2024/travel/places-to-travel-destinations-2024/bannau-brycheiniog.html
