Tourists have been raving about a stunning UK village that could make you ‘believe you are in Italy’ with its impressive scenery and beachfront – there’s even an array of eateries on a backdrop of colourful buildings
Holidaymakers have been told to head to a stunningly unique town in Wales that looks like an Italian getaway.
The peaceful village of Portmeirion in Gwynedd, north Wales, boasts breath-taking scenery, sub-tropical gardens and adorable cottages as well as plenty of shops, cafes, restaurants – and even an authentic Italian-style gelato shop.
The hidden gem, which has served as a location for a number of films and TV shows, boasts colourful buildings, palm trees, and plenty of outdoor seating and hospitality spots overlooking the beautiful seafront. TripAdvisor describes the spot as a “dreamlike world, full of surprises” full of rich history.
One reviewer said: “There’s a definite charm about the place, even visiting on a rainy day like we did, and you’d be hard pushed to find anything else like it.” Meanwhile another added: “We were so lucky that the weather was amazing and you could almost believe you were in Italy.”
Another commented: “A fantastic place and lots to do. The grounds and gardens were beautiful. The seafront was lovely. We enjoyed coffee, ice cream and a delicious breakfast in the sun.”
One mum, who shares travel tips on her Instagram page @thetravelmum, described the spot as “amazing”. She shared video clips of her trip and said: “Portmeirion is a tourist village in north Wales, some say designed and built with inspiration from the Italian town of Portofino. You can visit for the day, sit and enjoy some gelato and relax by the beach. If you fancy a treat you can even stay there overnight and enjoy some top class dining. We saw a wedding there too!
“Bizarrely it has mixed reviews but we really enjoyed visiting somewhere so different.” The mum-of-four, who loves finding bargain breaks, says the Welsh holiday spot is perfect for those who “want some Italian vibes but you’re broke”.
Fans were quick to comment on the clip as one individual said: “Wowww can’t believe this is Wales.” “Need to add to our list,” wrote another. “This is where I got married, it is beautiful,” said another fan.
How to get to Portmeirion
If you are travelling from England, train from London will take you a minimum of five hours and 50 minutes. From Manchester it takes around five hours, and generally around four hours and 45 minutes from Birmingham on a train. Many people opt to drive or travel by coach when holidaying to Wales.
For a speedy journey, you can fly to Anglesey Airport – 30 miles from Portmeirion. The hub hosts twice daily flights from Cardiff Airport on weekdays.
The nearest major international airports to Portmeirion are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport, both approximately two hours away by road. The journey from Manchester airport and Liverpool airport is around 100 miles, and takes about two hours. So if you live down south, it might be a good idea to fly up to northern England first if long car or train journey are not for you.
Have you been to Portmeirion? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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