The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

What to do in the Brecon Beacons For a Long Weekend

by

If you are looking to take along weekend away in the UK, The Brecon Beacons is one of the best places to do just that. this remote, mountainous region is probably best known because it is the destination of choice for the SAS to train with its rugged hills, harsh conditions and remote location.

Whilst the army may send the best of the best to this area to train, for tourists, it makes for a perfect weekend getaway and here is what you can do within the National Park during your weekend away.

Festivals

The festival calendar in the Brecon Beacons is packed each year with a huge amount of annual festivities taking place. From food and drink festival, animal shows and farmers celebrations, there is plenty going on in this region for you to get involved with. Have a check before you head away to find out what is on whilst you are there.

Hiking Exploration

There really is an incredible amount of activities which you can indulge in during your time in the Brecon Beacons but one of the best ways to really see this region is to put those hiking boots on a and go explore. Through this national park you will find thick forests, hidden trails that lead to beautiful waterfalls, large expanses with incredible views and cave networks which cut below the mountains.

Stargazing

Because of the size of the Brecon Beacons, and thanks to the fact that there are no cities nearby, the national park is a phenomenal place to go stargazing thanks to the lack of light pollution. Each year thousands of stargazers flock to the Beacons National Park to see one of the best night skies that you are ever likely to witness.

Vintage Train

The Brecon Mountain Railway has been in operation for many years and this vintage train is one of the best ways to see the beautiful natural landscapes which you can find here. The train covers the full length of the Taf Fechan reservoir and then climbs up to the vantage point at the top of Torpantau, a wonderful experience that lets you see the very best of the park.

Activities

If you want to really enjoy your time here in the Beacons then the best way to do so is to get involved in some of the many activities which you will find in the park. From rock climbing and caving, gorge walking to kayaking, paragliding to cycling, whatever your bag is, you will find it right here in the Brecon Beacons. There are many companies which operate within the National Park, offering such activities and the prices are very reasonable.

Gold Mine Tour

Many years ago gold miners would flood into the Beacons looking for that pot of gold which would change their life and you can take a tour which will see you follow in their footsteps. The tour will take you deep into the heart of the disused mine and give you a taste of what it was like for the miners.

There is so much to do here that it would be foolish if you didn’t have it on your list of places to explore for a long weekend.

A Guide to a political tour in order to understand Northern Ireland

by

Before the days of ISIS and Al Qaeda, in the 70s and 80s, the UK was going through one of its most difficult periods since the end of the Second World War, with terrorist activity and an internal struggle in Northern Ireland. The struggle existed based on two factors, the first being religion which was split throughout the country between Protestants and Catholics, this lent itself to a further struggle between Loyalists and Republicans, those in support of the crown, and those who weren’t.

This period in UK history is generally referred to as the ‘Troubles’ and it was a horrific time for people living within Northern Ireland. Whilst these troubles are now behind us, the impact which it had will reverberate for many years to come with lives being lost on mass, families, neighborhoods and communities torn apart, and political turmoil which has taken years to unravel.

On a visit to Northern Ireland, and in particular, Belfast, you can take a tour that will help you to further understand exactly what went on during those years, and witness the devastating consequences of one of the darkest periods in Northern Irish history. If you wish to take this tour, here is what you can expect.

Murals

Both during the Troubles and afterwards,huge murals were painted throughout the city on walls and the sides of houses. Some of these murals were painted to remember the dead, others were designed as a sign of allegiance but the majority of them were calls for peace, togetherness and an end to the unnecessary violence. The large majority of these murals still stand to this day and they make up a fascinating part of these educational tour.

Guide Information

One of the reasons why these tours are so highly rated is that the guides who give them, actually lived through these times themselves. Such is the recent nature of what happened in Northern Ireland, the generations who lived through it are still with us today and can recount with clarity, just what it was like to live through the Troubles. The tour guides will not only show you the locations of mass murders, bombs and stand-offs, but give you some education on how it came about, and how it finally ended. A great many of the tour companies will actually offer two guides, one from each side of the battle, to give you an accurate depiction of both sides of the story.

Exploration

Make sure that you take a walking tour rather than a bus or taxi tour as this will give you the chance to further explore the city, whilst you are understanding the political side of things. The walking tour takes between 3-4 hours and as long as you have a great guide, the time will fly by as you learn more about this fascinating city.

The political tour is an absolute must on a visit to Northern Ireland and it is the best way to truly gain an understanding of the culture and the history of this beautiful region.