10 UK Staycations That Feel Like They're Abroad

It’s the summer we’ve all been waiting for; heatwaves aplenty, the end of the pandemic’s restrictions and the fact that international travel is no longer illegal! That being said, there are certainly lots of hoops to jump through if you fancy travelling overseas at the moment. With a daunting gauntlet of expensive tests and complicated traffic light systems, we completely understand why many of you would prefer to book a UK staycation instead. Going on holiday is supposed to be stress-free after all! 

With that in mind, we’ve put together a round-up of 10 UK staycations that feel like they're abroad, so you can re-discover the stunning beauty that was right on our doorstep the entire time!

Trade in Santorini for St Ives 

First up is classic Cornwall, where white houses are stacked like sugar cubes along the jumble of teeny lanes that hopscotch all the way down to those blue, blue waters - much like the stunning island of  Santorini. All the best places can be discovered on foot too, and - like it’s Greek lookalike - St Ives also dishes up some of the best sunrises and sunsets going! Tip: hop on one of our coach breaks to Newquay and enjoy a free excursion to St Ives. 

Swap the Amalfi Coast for Portmeirion

This one feels like a no-brainer! If we blindfolded you, spun you around in circles a few times and popped you down in Portmeirion (OK, that’s not usually how we run our coach holidays) but you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d been whisked off to Italy’s Amalfi Coast! Peppered with colourful pillar-flanked buildings, piazzas and even an authentic Italian style gelateria, the Italianate village was the brainchild of architect Sir Clough Williams-Ellis and is known as a ‘kookiest holiday resort’ in Wales!

Ditch Amsterdam for the Regent’s Canal, London

Looking to kick back in a riverside café and watch the quaint little Rosie and Jim style barge boats drift along a picturesque network of canals? This beautiful scene is actually much closer to home than you think. Trade in Amsterdam for The Regent’s Canal in London. The tranquil waterway unfurls around the city and passes the vibrant Camden Lock, a stunning collection of waterside mansions and ZSL London Zoo, all the way to Little Venice. 

Scrap Budapest (and Rome) for Bath

This one is a double-whammy! A two-for-one staycation, if you will. Budapest is well-known for it’s wonderful hot springs, and ‘taking the waters’ is one of the Hungarians favourite pastimes, but did you know that Bath is famous for it’s natural thermal waters too? The city also serves up plenty of Roman history and a trip to The Roman Baths allows you to discover one of the very best preserved spas of the ancient world!

Switch Cinque Terre for Tenby 

A rainbow cascade of houses tumble down towards the harbour like a spilt bag of skittles and colourful ice cream kiosks at every turn! We’re surely talking about Cinque Terre; the five coiffured coastal villages in Italy? Nope! Why bother crossing the pond when we have Tenby right here in Pembrokeshire with its cobbled streets, soft, sandy beaches and steal-your-misses good looks! 

Shelve Torremolinos for Blackpool 

Who needs Spain when you’ve got Blackpool?! Year-round entertainment, miles of unspoilt beaches and a famous promenade offering classic seaside attractions? What’s not to love! Oh and with the iconic tower, Pleasure Beach amusement park and the annual illuminations, it’s the perfect family holiday without the price of flights. 

 

Scrap Provence for The Cotswolds 

Fields of Lavender, sinuous little rivers that meander through the glorious countryside and on towards clusters of pretty stone cottages. Hello Cotswold villages! Trade in that little glass of french wine for a classic Cotswold cider and ditch the brasserie for a plate of scones all plump with jam and clotted cream at a traditional Cotswold tearoom. 

Exchange New York for London

They’ve got Broadway, but we’ve got the West End. They’ve got Times Square, but we’ve got Trafalgar Square. They’ve got hotdogs on the street, but we’ve got historic East End pubs serving up delicious pie and mash. Oh yeah, and we’ve got over 2,000 years of history told through iconic landmarks and buildings like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. Remember, London is always a good idea!

Say bye to New Zealand and hello to The Lake District

Looking for stunning scenery, natural beauty and awe-inspiring views? New Zealand sounds like it’s for you! Oh what’s that, you don’t fancy spending 24 hours on a plane? Ahh OK then, well the Lake District certainly provides a pleasant alternative! Just think, spacious and sweeping landscapes awash with glittering midnight blue lakes, jagged fells and lush valleys blanketed beneath a tangle of quaint villages. Bliss!

Swap Venice for Cambridge 

OK, they’ve both got a Bridge of Sighs, and more gondolas / punts than you can shake a stick (or barge pole) at, but Cambridge is much closer to home! The River Cam is the heart and soul of this gorgeous city and a floating tour of ‘The Backs’ (the area behind the iconic colleges), is highly recommended. Forget Italy, ‘cos this is quintessentially British!

Ready to trade in the Great Wall of China for Hadrian’s Wall? Leave the passport at home and show your national pride for our wonderful treasured island by booking a classic National Holiday’s coach break for your next getaway, and be sure to tell us about any other alternative staycations that have that ‘international feel’ in the comments box below!