dream dates

Our local park is lovely, but it wouldn’t be our first choice if we could pick from any park in the world. Here are seven of our top picks for the best parks in the world to visit with your partner.

STANLEY PARK – VANCOUVER, CANADA

Almost entirely surrounded by water, this park wasn’t designed by a landscape architect, but made from the evolution of a forest and urban space over many years. Trip Advisor named it the best park in the world in 2014. You can check out the nearly one hundred year old Vancouver Seawall, as well as forest trails, the beach, a lake, and visit the Vancouver Aquarium, among many other attractions.

IBIRAPEURA PARK – SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL

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Not only a large leisure space, this great park is a magnet for culture. You can find top museums and a music hall within its grounds! Don’t miss the amazing sculptures, including a striking statue of Gandhi. Finish your visit with a stroll over the cast-iron footbridge, which spans the picturesque lake, known as the soul of the park.

PARK GUELL – BARCELONA, SPAIN

We love this surreal gem on Carmel Hill in Barcelona. You may have guessed that the park is the work of famed architect Antoni Gaudi, the face of Catalan modernism. You may know some of his other iconic works in Barcelona. As such, the park is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Make sure to get a photo with the multicoloured mosaic salamander at the main entrance!

FOREST PARK – ST. LOUIS, USA

This park is so large that it once hosted the Summer Olympics! Known as the Heart of St. Louis, it contains a zoo, an art museum, a history museum, and a science centre! $100 million has been spent since the turn of the century restoring it, and encouraging habitats for wildlife, who now frequent the park in droves.

KINGS PARK AND BOTANICAL GARDEN – PERTH, AUSTRALIA

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This park is an amazing mixture of grassed parkland, botanical gardens, and natural bushland on Mount Eliza. With stunning panoramic views of the Swan River and the city of Perth, it is the largest inner city park in the entire world. The State War Memorial, with its Eternal flame, is particularly moving, while the park is a favourite for bird watchers, with 80 bird species.

NAMBA PARKS – OSAKA, JAPAN

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How about this for the most unusual inclusion in our list? It is actually an office and shopping complex in Osaka. However, it is also a natural intervention in the urban sprawl of the city. The rooftop park crosses multiple blocks and gradually ascends eight levels, which you can access from the street. Amazing!

BUTTES-CHAUMONT – PARIS, FRANCE

Only the fifth largest park in Paris, it is arguably the most beautiful. The park’s most famous feature is the Temple de la Sibylle, which perches at the top of a cliff 50 metres above an artificial lake. There is also a cute grotto with a waterfall, and a suspension bridge built by Gustave Eiffel. Yes, he of tower fame!

Which parks do you think deserve to be hailed as one of the best parks in the world?

Whilst we massively advocate the importance of a weekly date night, there is always going to be the odd time when it isn’t possible. However, this does not mean that you should neglect to show your partner how much you love and appreciate them. Luckily, there are plenty of nice surprises for your partner that you can do that take very little time that will have a positive impact on your relationship. It could be something as simple as a creative ‘I Love You’ message.

Rose petals, candles, and romantic music are all easy and quick ways to turn an ordinary evening into a romantic one. We always take the time to plan our date nights in advance. Sometimes our schedules don’t allow us to devote an entire day or evening to a traditional date. However, we both keep a few ideas up our sleeves to surprise each other whenever this is the case. Here are a few examples.

MAKE HEART SHAPED PANCAKES

Our first attempt at heart-shaped pancakes was hilarious, since Scott used red food colouring. It made the pancakes look like bacon! Skip the colouring, and invest in some heart-shaped moulds. Hey presto, an easy romantic gesture. Serve with a nice cup of coffee, fruit, and syrup. Breakfast in bed is even better!

LEAVE LOVING COMMENTS ON POST-IT NOTES AROUND THE HOUSE

Get some fancy post-it notes, and write loving comments on them. Stick them around the house. Put some of them in obvious places where they will be found quickly. However, be sure to put some in places where they might not be found for several months, to keep the fun going!

GIVE YOUR MAN SOME PAMPERING

We’d assume that in most relationships, the woman is the one who gets the pampering. However, be sure to pamper your man every now and then too! You can quickly turn your bedroom into a high class spa. Try giving him a manicure and a facial, things that he may well not be used to having. This idea is especially useful after a stressful week.

MAKE HER QUEEN FOR A DAY

This one would actually take a full day, but it was such a great surprise that we couldn’t help but include it! Get her a tiara or crown, and pronounce her Queen for a day. If you plan this date, you should consider very carefully how she might spend an ideal day, and make it happen! For ours, we managed to fit in breakfast in bed, a pampering session at a spa, afternoon tea, several hours at home doing whatever she wanted to do, a meal out at her favourite restaurant, a hot bath, and her choice of movie.

MAKE A ROMANTIC CROSSWORD

Buy or print out some graph paper, and make your own romantic crossword for your partner to complete. Make all of the questions relevant to your relationship. Clues could include your first holiday destination, the first restaurant you ate at, your first dance song, and other memorable points in your lives together.

WRITE A LOVE LETTER AND SPRAY IT WITH PERFUME

Believe it or not, love letters were once a huge part of many couples’ early days together. Ever seen ‘The Longest Ride?’. Indeed, we used to write letters to each other when we were both at university nearly fifteen years ago! Revisit that tradition and write your partner a love letter, and don’t forget to spray it with perfume!

DRAW A CHILDISH PICTURE OF THE TWO OF YOU AND POST IT

For an unexpected surprise, draw your partner a picture of the two of you that looks like a 5-year old drew it. If you use your non-writing hand, and some wax crayons, it is easy to do. Then, put it in the most formal envelope that you can find and mail it to your partner. Use a proper address label, and write on ‘for the urgent attention of’. If you can get it delivered to your partner’s workplace, even better!

What cute surprises have you done for your partner that have been appreciated? Let us know in the comments….

Our top hot air balloon rides in the world

We’ve been on three hot air balloon rides and each time was amazing, offering a different experience. For example, for one we went at sunrise. The other two were sunset ones. However, the most recent one ended up taking off rather later than planned, so we got a much darker experience.

The only thing with our experiences are that they were all within an hour’s drive of our home in Stoke-on-Trent. One was in the Peak District, another in Shropshire, whilst the most recent was in Staffordshire. If we could have a hot air balloon ride anywhere in the world, here is our pick of destinations.

SERENGETI NATIONAL PARK – TANZANIA

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The enchanting scenery and vistas that would be visible from here would be unforgettable. How amazing would it be to have a bird’s eye view of herds of elephants, hippos, or even a lion as it hunts its prey?

ATACAMA DESERT – CHILE

Take an awe-inspiring flight over the spectacular landscape of the Atacama Desert. The multi coloured rock formations stretch as far as the Andes and the Valley of the Moon.

LOIRE VALLEY – FRANCE

Idyllic views await you high above the Loire Valley. You’ll pass numerous castles, vineyards, forests, and rivers and have the perfect view from up in the sky.

JAIPUR – INDIA

The Pink City is a mesmerising place to experience a hot air balloon ride. Float over the iconic Amber Fort, and the unique colours and sounds of India, making sure to wave at the intrigued locals as you pass them.

CAPPADOCIA – TURKEY

One of the world’s most unusual landscapes with its fairy chimneys is world famous as a hot air ballooning site. Its not without good reason too, as Cappadocia is one of the most magical places on earth.

CANTERBURY PLAINS – NEW ZEALAND

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Enjoy panoramic views across the fertile Canterbury Plains to the Southern Alps. This really does seem like one of the most romantic places to take hot air balloon rides in the world.

SEDONA – ARIZONA, USA

The red rock country of Sedona offers ideal conditions for hot air ballooning. Its natural wonders, and the chance to spot some wildlife make it one of the world’s top picks.

Where would be your top choice to take a hot air balloon ride?

A picnic is the quintessential summer date idea. Eating finger foods whilst you are surrounded by nature is hugely romantic. It will lead to some great quality time spent with your partner. Best of all, they are super easy to plan. Just head to a delicatessen or even a supermarket (like we did!). Stock up on enough treats to see you both through the afternoon.

Apart from the quick food stop on the way, all you really need is a decent picnic blanket to lay all your goodies out on. A basket will help to set the scene for romance. However, don’t worry if you want to plan a picnic on the fly. The main thing is enjoying the time you spend together. A simple picnic is ‘almost’ as good as a gourmet one. Given the choice, here are the best picnic spots in the world.

HUAYNA PICCHU – PERU

Towering over its more famous neighbour, Machu Picchu, this rocky summit offers a blissful panoramic view. You will see the world-famous ruins, as well as the Urubamba River Valley as you dine at nearly 9,000 feet!

CENTRAL PARK – NEW YORK, USA

The most visited urban park in the USA has been used in far too many movies and TV shows to mention. Take a long stroll around the iconic park to find the best picnic spots. Maybe it will be the oasis of Arthur Ross Pinetum, or perhaps listening to Beatles records on the lawn near to Strawberry Fields?

YOYOGI PARK – TOKYO, JAPAN

Try a sushi picnic amongst the cherry blossoms in Yoyogi Park, around March/April time. Enjoying them is an important Japanese custom, known as Hanami. The park gets especially busy on Sundays, with all manner of crazy costumes on display from members of Japan’s countless subcultures.

PARC DU CHAMP DE MARS – PARIS, FRANCE

Walking through Paris with a baguette might sound rather stereotypical. However, there are few more romantic places in the world to enjoy a picnic than this park. Did we mention having the Eiffel Tower as your backdrop?

MILFORD SOUND – SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

It rains for around half of the year at this remote tourist hotspot. However, if you can avoid getting wet, there are few more dramatic places on earth than Milford Sound to enjoy a boat ride picnic.

 VILLA BORGHESE – ROME, ITALY

This tranquil park just outside the centre of Rome offers much to the romantic couple looking to have a picnic. Gorgeous ponds, fountains, and Roman ruins galore provide for an amazingly tranquil and inspiring setting.

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ARDERNE GARDENS – CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

This public park and arboretum was established by an English timber merchant. Its popularity for wedding photographs should give you a clue to its suitability for a romantic picnic. The Moreton Bay fig tree near to the entrance is one of the largest trees in the country.

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What do you think are the best picnic spots? Let us know in the comments…..

Eid al-Fitr is a major Muslim festival, celebrating the breaking of the fast at the end of Ramadan. It is celebrated therefore, with special prayers in the morning, followed by a day of feasts and festivities. Islam has followers in many parts of the world. Therefore, you are never too far away from a celebration. Here are some of the best ones from around the world.

For non-Muslims, we totally recommend celebrating Eid al-Fitr with the Muslim community. You will learn much about a culture that goes back centuries. Hopefully we can all learn to be more tolerant of the beliefs of others. You can check out our experience at Europe’s biggest Eid al-Fitr celebration here.

NEW DELHI, INDIA

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Thousands of people gather in the courtyard of Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid mosque, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, to pray in unison. They pour in through the ornate bronze gate, and perform a ritual called Wuzu in a large pool within the courtyard as they prepare for the prayers. A mass hugging session follows the prayers.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA

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Over 250,000 people visit the Moscow Cathedral Mosque for morning prayers on Eid al-Fitr. However, only 10,000 are lucky enough to get inside. As you can see from the image above, Russian police have to work hard to preserve order on the occasion, with so many people piling into the space.

CAIRO, EGYPT

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The ancient and historic Al Azhar Mosque in Cairo, and its park, are very popular places to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. However chaotic it is, it makes for an amazing spectacle. Be aware of any local advice regarding safety though, and consider watching the celebrations from further afield.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

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The Multicultural Eid Festival and Fair in Sydney has been going for over thirty years now. With Australia being a predominantly Christian country, there is therefore more of a multicultural vibe to proceedings. As a result, the family fun day features amazing traditional cultural entertainment.

BIRMINGHAM, UK

You can read all about our experiences at Europe’s biggest Eid al-Fitr celebration, held at Small Heath Park in Birmingham, here. As a non-Muslim, it is likely that you will be made to feel very welcome if you are interested in celebrating their important festival with them.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Photo by Gunawan Kartapranata / CC BY-SA 4.0

As the world’s largest Muslim majority country, Indonesia is a great place to celebrate Eid al-Fitr. However, many people actually leave the bigger cities and travel to their home villages to celebrate with family. Many pray right by the docks, with tall ships as a stunning backdrop. Some even pray on the usually busy main roads!

MECCA, SAUDI ARABIA

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Apologies to the non-Muslims (this includes us!), but this is one place that will only ever be a dream place to visit. Only Muslims are allowed inside the holy city of Mecca. However, the amount of people who partake in Eid al-Fitr prayers here is just staggering, and a real sight to behold.

Where do you think has the most impressive Eid al-Fitr celebrations? Have any of you celebrated it as a non-Muslim?

Taking a stroll through a beautiful town, city or landscape is certainly one of the most romantic things that you can do with your partner. After our romantic walking tour in Little Venice, London, we started to think about what the world’s most romantic walking tours would be. Here are our suggestions….

PARIS, FRANCE

Take a long stroll from Place de la Concorde to Jardin des Plantes, along the River Seine. Iconic panoramas, Royal palaces, a bustling flower market, and an ultra-romantic bookstore with a ‘mirror of love’ are some of the highlights. Make sure to take a love lock to attach to one of the bridges, and throw the key into the Seine, as a symbol of everlasting love. From here, you could stop for afternoon tea or an ice cream, before finishing up at the botanical gardens. A romantic walk like no other.

ROMANTIC ROAD, GERMANY

Walking the whole distance of the Romantic Road would take three and a half weeks! Therefore, we recommend just picking a short section for your romantic walking tour. A good tip is the section of the Tauber Valley, from Tauberbischofsheim to Rothenburg. You’ll pass through some gorgeous historic towns, and plenty of wine-making countryside for a well-earned drinks stop!

VENICE, ITALY

Venice is so unbelievably romantic that it barely matters where you go. You could even just lose yourselves in the maze of streets and canals. However, be sure to check out some of the palaces on the Grand Canal, some of which are associated with the legendary lover Casanova. Of course, a stop for a coffee in the Piazza San Marco is another must-do!

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, USA

Ignore the horse drawn carriages, and head out to explore Charleston on foot. You can feel the history in the air here, from the cobbled streets to stately mansions and cultural sites. It also has a bit of a foodie reputation, so you are sure to find plenty of places to tantalise your tastebuds and rest your feet as you go along.

CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA

This beautiful walled city is the Venice of Colombia. Wander through its quaint streets, with balconies overflowing with flowers. Its ambience is perfect for a romantic walk with your partner, admiring the architecture of its buildings, and even a stroll along the sun-kissed beach.

HANOI, VIETNAM

Hanoi’s Old Quarter is a haven within the chaos of Hanoi. Stroll on through the streets, admire the ancient architecture, and maybe grab a bite to eat from the many food stalls. You can also find a nice gift for each other from the shops, and watch some fantastic street entertainment.

BARCELONA, SPAIN

Try a walk through Antoni Gaudi’s Parc Guell. Its frankly bizarre mosaic benches are perfect for sitting together and having a cuddle to break up a long walk. You may need a sit down after the walk up the hill to the park itself! You can admire great views of the city from up here.

Have you got a favourite romantic walk that you like to do with your partner? If so, let us know in the comments…..

Because of our secret date seeing some of the Christian sites of London, we started to think about the Christian sites in the world that we would recommend that people visit. Here are our suggestions of the very best and all are well worth visiting.

JERUSALEM – ISRAEL

The Holy Land itself. Its history goes back longer than almost any other city on Earth. Wandering the streets of Jerusalem really does transport you back to biblical times. You can walk the stations of the cross on Via Dolorosa, visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus is said to have been crucified and buried, and see the site of the Second Temple, on which now stands the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Other noteworthy places to visit include the site of the Last Supper, and the Garden of Gethsemane. Jerusalem is also frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. We’ve included Jerusalem as just one entry in the list. However, there is just so much Christian heritage in Jerusalem that you will be in awe.

NOTRE DAME DE PARIS – FRANCE

One of the largest and best known Christian sites in the world, Notre Dame may well be most famous for its hunchback, Quasimodo. However, the medieval cathedral is a sight to behold. Its treasury houses some of the Catholic faith’s most important relics. These include the Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the cross used for Jesus’ crucifixion, and one of the nails.

VATICAN CITY – ITALY

Technically a country all of its own within Rome, it is ruled by the most famous Christian of all – the Pope. It is a fantastic place to visit, particularly for Catholics. Major points of interest include St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, which contain some of the world’s most famous religious paintings and sculptures.

BETHLEHEM – PALESTINE

This small Palestinian city is only a few miles outside of Jerusalem. Of course, it is renowned for being the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The major attraction is the Church of the Nativity, built around the cave that Jesus is believed to have been born in. It dates back to the year 327! You can also visit the Milk Grotto where the Holy Family took refuge, and the Shepherd’s Fields. Christmas is an extremely popular time to visit Bethlehem, with processions and services that are shown around the world on television.

SAGRADA FAMILIA – SPAIN

Gaudi’s masterpiece in Barcelona was only a quarter built by the time of his death in 1926. Work has continued since then, but to this day is not complete. However, it is hoped that it will be finished by the centenary of Gaudi’s death in 2026. It is quite unlike any other religious building in the world, and a must-visit if you get the chance.

SALT LAKE CITY – USA

The capital of the American state of Utah was founded by Brigham Young as the home of the Mormons, or the Latter-day Saints. Brigham Young described it as the ‘Kingdom of Heaven on Earth’ and to this day it has religious significance. Temple Square is the main attraction. Whilst you can’t go inside the Salt Lake Temple itself (unless you meet strict membership criteria), there are two Visitor Centres, and lots of other great sites of interest that you can.

OUR LADY OF GUADELUPE – MEXICO

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This Roman Catholic church, basilica, and shrine, in Mexico City, is the most visited Catholic pilgrimage site in the world. However, the main reason for most people’s visit is to see an image of the Virgin Mary that appeared on an apron in the sixteenth century.

What do you think is the number one Christian site in the world? How many of the above have you been to? 

We are obsessed with creating amazing and unique date ideas to enjoy with each other. Our dates have taken us across the country, and even around the world. However, who says you have to go anywhere? It is most definitely possible to have a totally amazing date night right at home! We have had so many at-home dates that it is hard to pick some out to tell you about. However, here are a selection of our most recent date ideas to do at home to get things started!

CHEESE PARTY

Purchase a selection of fantastic cheeses from your local cheese store or supermarket, and lots of great accompaniments. Make sure to try different types of cheese (blue, mild, etc). You can theme the entire night to cheese very easily, by adding a cheese themed movie, TV show, board game and quiz to proceedings. A cheesescake is a great choice for dessert! Check out our cheese party here.

TEACH YOUR PARTNER A NEW SKILL

Share your most amazing skills with your partner. We often have guitar lessons as a date idea, since Scott is a skilled guitarist. However, you could teach your partner anything you like. Do you know how to cook a special dish, speak another language, or are you an expert with finances or DIY? Then put aside a day or an evening, and teach your partner! It is a great way of gaining a shared interest, and enriching both of your lives. Check out some great ideas here.

START YOUR OWN BOOK CLUB

Pick a great book together that both of you would enjoy. Get two copies of the book. Your local library may have them in stock to save you some money. Then, spend some time in the build-up to the date night reading the books. We spent time each night before bed reading them next to each other. It is great fun gauging each other’s reactions to plot twists, whilst being careful not to discuss what you have been reading. That is, until date night, when you can discuss the themes of the book and how it made you feel. You can get book club questions for many books online.

WRITE YOUR MEMOIRS

Writing your memoirs is a great way to learn more about each other, as well as being a wonderful thing to do for yourself. The best tip when writing your memoirs is to pick a very specific theme or moment. Maybe you could each write your memories of the night that you met, or a memorable holiday. Perhaps even your childhood, or a job you once had. It is surprising to see what comes out when you put your mind to such a task. You can read our travel memoirs here and here.

COUNTRY NIGHT

Get your stetson hats and cowboy boots on, and dedicate a day to country and western music! Make sure you have a good country and western CD box set, or Spotify playlist, and listen to it throughout the day. You might find a new favourite artist. Other activities you can do include watching documentaries and live performances by country stars, swing dance lessons, and sing along to classics on the karaoke. Have southern fried chicken for dinner, of course! If you are musically talented, try your hand at writing a country song. There are plenty of country and western movies to finish the night on, such as Nashville and Walk The Line.

PEANUT BUTTER RIVER

If you have family or friends around, you could set up a game of Peanut Butter River. You will need at least six players. Make some stepping stones out of paper, card or carpet samples. Three of you will be the ‘explorers’ trying to get across the peanut butter river, whilst two of you will be the ‘crocodiles’ trying to prevent it. Someone will have to be the umpire, as this game will throw up plenty of arguments otherwise! Find the rules online, and make sure to take turns being explorers, crocodiles and the umpire.

ANIME DAY

Another great theme for a full-day date idea is anime. The iconic Japanese cartoons are perfect for inspiration. Of course, you want to include a couple of movies and a few TV shows in your day. If you are into cosplay, then this is an ideal time to show what you can do. If you don’t fancy going the whole hog, at least wear a colourful wig! For dinner, be sure to get sushi and other Japanese food items, and drink it down with some sake!

Of course, there are MILLIONS of great at-home date ideas, and these barely touch the surface. We hope you enjoy trying some of them out, and we will be sure to add many more over the months to come! 

We enjoyed a fantastic date to a poetry reading at the Stoke-on-Trent Literary Festival. Chances are, however, your own city or a nearby town will have its own poetry or literary festival. Even if not, libraries, coffee shops, bookshops, and theatres across the world host poetry readings that you can go along to with your partner. You will surely find it quite easy to find an event near you. If money is no object, however, then check out our selection of the ten best poetry festivals around the world.

POETRY INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL – NETHERLANDS

The world’s best poets descend on Rotterdam each year, also reading works in various different languages. The festival began in 1970. Nearly fifty years later, it stands as one of the top poetry events in the world.

LEDBURY POETRY FESTIVAL – UK

This ten day festival is held over the summer in the rural heartland of England. They host a wide range of events featuring world-class poets. They range from live readings and open mics, to family events and a slam.

POETS TRANSLATING POETS – INDIA

This event in Mumbai is a great collaboration between Germany and the countries of South Asia, because it provides much valuable cultural interchange. Poets from each country translate the work of each other, rather an exciting and rewarding process.

CORK INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL – IRELAND

Ireland’s largest annual poetry festival attracts poets from all over the English-speaking world. Prizes are awarded to special works of poetry, and workshops take place to help would-be poets to hone their craft.

DODGE POETRY FESTIVAL – USA

Held every two years for the past thirty, has been described as ‘poetry heaven’ and as ‘Wordstock’. It takes place in every year that ends with an even number in New Jersey. Many renowned poets have read at the festival, including Taha Muhammad Ali.

INTERNATIONAL ISTANBUL POETRY FESTIVAL – TURKEY

An independent poetry festival, this one aims to promote the Turkish language and its poetry around the world. You can see poetry readings taking place at some iconic and historic venues in October each year.

BOLOR TSOM POETRY FESTIVAL – MONGOLIA

Translating as Crystal Cup, after the trophy awarded to the winner of the competition for the ‘goddess-blessed poet’. One of the largest poetry events in Asia, the festival has been going since 1983. It would provide a very unique experience if you could attend.

INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL – COLOMBIA

This festival is rather different than others since it is held in Medellin, a city with a reputation for violence. The festival provides a fantastic alternative for the city. It has even won a Spanish literary award for its contribution to peace in the city.

INTERNATIONAL POETRY FESTIVAL – NICARAGUA

Granada is world-famous for its cultural offerings, and since 2005 offers its own International Poetry Festival. They invite poets from over forty countries to recite their work at the festival. It is the largest of its kind in Central America.

POETRY AFRICA – SOUTH AFRICA

The major event for African poetry attracts the cream of the crop to Durban. It is an important event that brings together the continent to share and promote its unique cultural identity. Anti-apartheid poets Dennis Brutus and Gcina Mhlope have been frequent visitors to the festival.

Have you got any others to add to the list? What is your local poetry festival like? 

On our secret date sunbathing on Rhosneigr Beach in Wales, we felt like we were on the most beautiful beach in the world. However, upon further investigation, we have found that the following might have even more of a claim to the title. Here are the best beaches for sunbathing on!

MATIRA BEACH – BORA BORA, TAHITI

Bora Bora’s most popular public beach is beautifully framed by lush palm trees and green hills. The palm trees will give you a bit of natural shade, should the sun be just too hot! This beach has a tranquil, serene atmosphere that will be perfect for sunbathing.

SALINE BEACH – ST. BART’S

This beautiful, unspoiled Caribbean beach is simply stunning. With white sand and turqoise waters, not to mention plenty of shade from the coconut trees to get you out of the sun’s rays during the heat of the day, you can’t ask for better.

KO PHA NGAN – THAILAND

Although it is best known for its monthly full moon parties, Ko Pha Ngan has plenty of powder-soft white sand to sunbathe on. Grab yourself a hammock and stay until the sun goes down. The views are incredible.

SEVEN MILE BEACH – GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS

The coral sands and gorgeous crystal clear waters make this beach one of the best in the world. When you get too hot on the perfect sand, head into the water which is cool and refreshing. Be sure to pack some sun cream though, as the sun can be rather intense.

LOVER’S BEACH – MEXICO

Reachable only by a one hour long boat ride, you won’t be complaining when you get there. With a huge open-roofed cave and the most other-wordly scenery, you and your partner will be in paradise.

SOURCE D’ARGENT – SEYCHELLES

Where else can you sunbathe and enjoy scenery quite as amazing as this? With shallow, clear water, golden sand and fascinating rocks, you might find yourselves not being able to put the camera down. I don’t think you would forget an afternoon spent on Source D’Argent.

GRANDE PLAGE – BIARRITZ, FRANCE

This beach in the quintessential seaside resort of Biarritz offers mesmerising views of the ocean. The sand is fantastic, and perfect for sunbathing with a good book. There are plenty of more active things to do on the beach should you fancy a break.

RAINBOW BEACH – QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA

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Check out the coloured sands at Rainbow Beach! This town is so relaxed that you will wind down in no time. Make sure to find a good book, and you can easily while away an afternoon in peace and quiet.

COPACABANA BEACH – RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

Soak up the rays and the ambiance of the world famous Copacabana Beach. It is a great place for people watching, with scores of people playing beach sports including football and volleyball. The sand is gorgeous, though be warned it can get very hot.

CAYO LARGO – CUBA

This quiet and isolated beach with its fine white sand is a real slice of paradise. It is actually made up of two beaches, which you can easily walk between when the tide is not in. It is somewhat of a luxury resort, where you will find little in the way of culture. However, the beaches more than make up for it for an afternoon or two!

What do you think are the best beaches for sunbathing in the world? One that we have mentioned, or somewhere else?