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January
A great way to start the new year is to get out in the wild for some volunteer work with the Wildlife Trust. Many projects need a hand, for example, this month at Hegs-Castle in Arkengartdale, North Yorkshire, volunteers are planting trees and harvesting willows to help combat soil erosion. More activities are guaranteed throughout the year. In the Lake District, Fix the Fells is looking for volunteers to maintain footpaths. The National Trust needs a hand in dozens of interesting areas.
The British coast makes for an excellent wild winter break, with bargain prices to boot. The new boutique Oyster House in Mumbles, Swansea Bay, has a two-night bed and breakfast January getaway package, with a three-course meal and drinks for two worth £250. There are lots of last minute deals on cottages too – check sites like independentcottages.co.uk for the latest savings.
February
Art lovers have a real treat this month: a comprehensive exhibition of Johannes Vermeer’s work opens at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Vermeer left behind 37 known paintings, 28 of which are on display, including classics such as Girl with a Pearl Earring. An additional event is a trip to Delft, the artist’s hometown, where an exhibition about the artist’s life is held at the Museum Prinsenhof. Amsterdam is served by DFDS Ferries from Newcastle. The main exhibition runs until June 4.
March
Finding a pair of boxers is one of the best experiences of March. The Yorkshire Wolds have a healthy population. While there, check out the Robert Fuller Gallery in Thixendale, where the artist’s wildlife cameras have garnered a large following. Other leporin strongholds are Anglesey, Orford Ness and Rathlin Island off County Antrim, where Irish lemurs are golden-haired and blue-eyed. For those who love watching rabbits from Alga organic farmers, Rhodri and Sarah Lloyd-Williams have set up two in a luxury treehouse on their farm in West Wales, just outside of Aberystwyth, where rabbits are abundant. Also in Wales, the new Museum of Speed opens at Pendin Sands on March 31, and a new Hotel Caban opens in the spring, overlooking the sandy beach. 45 new wilderness huts in Scotland, Bracken Hide, opened on Skye this month. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Cairngorms National Park, Wilderness Scotland is running an eight-day Coast to Mountains Walk (from £1,055 for seven nights’ B&B accommodation).
April
The Great Order of British Flowers, which began with snowdrops in February, hits the streets this month. The Japanese make headlines for cherry blossom trips, but what about our equally amazing wild garlic and bluebells? There is a new field guide, British and Irish Wildflowers and Plants, due out this month. Another highly anticipated book is Sarah Banks’ Wild Guide to North East England, part of a hugely informative series now covering all of Great Britain. Additionally, Inntravel has launched an exciting rail journey from Bilbao to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain (nine nights B&B from £1,105), which looks like an innovative way to do this classic route. There’s also a stunning new walking holiday in the cliffs of southern Galicia in Spain from On Foot Holidays (nine nights from £975). If bikes are more your thing, starting this month visit Good Place’s new gourmet tour from Italy’s Trieste south to the tip of Croatia’s Istria. The Elan Valley in mid-Wales launched a new cycling hub this month.
May
May means Eurovision, which this year takes place in Liverpool and you’ll want to stay somewhere with the panache you need. The former Lime Street Railway Hotel, a Victorian landmark, has been completely renovated to become the latest Radisson RED. If that’s not your thing, Hay Festival kicks off this month and there’s a new haunt in town just under the Tez. In Pembrokeshire, the puffins are back from their winter break and Celtic Deep is planning a week-long swimming festival with little charms and free diving lessons and beach food, all at the newly renovated The Old Point House, a 16th-century pub in East Angle Bay (the wonderful Cafe More led by the people who showed up). If you miss puffins, there’s a similar week in September dedicated to blue sharks. Elmore Court in Gloucestershire opened the stunning Treehouse in 100 acres (250 hectares) of reclaimed land. While the railways in Britain are struggling and in decline, things are moving forward in Europe – a new sleeper train between Berlin, Amsterdam and Brussels starts this month.
June
Also on the railway, this month the Austrian company Nightjet Sleeper trains will complete the overhaul of its carriages as part of a major overhaul. With this comes new lines connecting Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna, Genoa and many other major cities. For non-flying British travellers, this is essential as you can hop on the Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry (one sailing a week on Wednesdays) and spend a day in the city, then join a night’s sleep in Vienna. How about discovering that city’s Fleshmarkt, held from 2-4 June (Amsterdam-Vienna overnight from £27, private cabin £88)? This month also marks the 400th anniversary of Sweden’s magnificent Gothenburg. Track the Rail Baltic by connecting the Polish border with all the Baltic capitals on the railway, a significant change away from Russia, which will change the land connection for those countries.
July
For that real summer challenge, how about taking on some of Spain’s most famous summits? This month, Best Adventures is doing a five-night Barn Storm Picos de Europa Epic, which takes in Cotalba (2,026 metres), Jario (1,913 metres) and more (five nights half board from £730). Sail via Santander or Bilbao with Brittany Ferries. Spain is definitely the flavor of the month: the Tour de France starts in Bilbao on July 1st. Why not take Saddle Skedaddle’s new 865-mile cycling story from the Basque Country to Andalusia seriously? (21 days for £4,395)
August
Where better in summer than the Hebrides? Before a yoga session and dinner, hopefully spot some wildlife. Check out Hebrides Cruises’ latest trip around Mull and nearby islands (there’s a top chef on board). In Ludlow, Shropshire, see Magnalonga, a Salopian Italian tradition, where travelers gently soak in the local terroir, sampling food and drink along the way. It is very civilized and very interesting. If you want to go with the original version, head to San Pietro near Verona (April 23rd this year) where you’ll find Valpolicella instead of cider.
September
Here again is the season of missed foraging opportunities. Find out what’s edible, rather than obsessively looking, at the Scottish Wild Food Festival, held just a few miles north of Glasgow, with a host of workshops, tastings and events. Naturetrek offers a variety of day trips including mushroom foraging for beginners. If, like me, you like a field guide on hand, there’s a new one, Edible Fungi of Britain and Northern Europe, by Jens Peterson. At the Corris Railway in mid-Wales, heritage train enthusiasts can hire the line for a day: driving steam locos and pulling signs.
October
Salmon runs are not entirely predictable, but October is usually a good bet, especially after heavy rains have had time to wash out. The Severn at Shrewsbury in Shropshire is one of the best places. Head down Sydney Street to Weir Cafe. Other good places are near Stainforth River Ribble in North Yorkshire and many in Scotland. Another great UK wildlife migration is underway this month: Yorkshire Coast and Nature kicks off a series of Bird Discovery Days at the East Yorkshire Spur Head where, with luck, you’ll be able to spot bee-eaters, golden orioles and other rarities.
November
Winter walks are in full swing and hopefully the long awaited English Coastal Path will finally come to fruition. November also means the Perpetual Gem, the Mount Kendal Festival from 16 to 19 November. A new Euro 7 visa exemption for British travelers entering Schengen countries is introduced this month. It is estimated to cost British travelers £177m a year. The centenary of the Munich beer hall, where Adolf Hitler first gained attention, will be celebrated on November 8. Watch out for events at the city’s NS-Dokumentationszentrum, which focuses on the history of the Nazi Party. It’s a cold awakening of that time. Closer to home: perhaps try the relaunched Mortimer Trail through Herefordshire cider country.
December
This month marks the 40th anniversary of the death of abstract artist Joan Miró, and the Miro Mallorca Museum is opening a stunning main building that houses many of the man’s works. No flights needed, of course: there’s a ferry from Barcelona.
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