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Daily Record
6 hours ago
- Daily Record
Iconic Scottish road trip ranked among world's most Instagrammable destinations
It ranked an incredible fifth in the world with 694,511 Instagram mentions A breathtaking Scottish route has driven its way into the global spotlight, after being named one of the most picturesque road trips on Earth in a new study of Instagram data. The North Coast 500, a spectacular 516-mile loop through the Scottish Highlands, has been ranked fifth in the world and second in Europe by cinch, the UK's largest online used car retailer. Researchers analysed 40 iconic road trips across six continents, looking at how often each was shared on Instagram using popular hashtags. Scotland's NC500 racked up 694,511 hashtag mentions, largely under #nc500 (519,000) and #northcoast500 (175,000). Cinch said: "Completing the top five is Scotland's North Coast 500, clinching 694,511 Instagram hashtag mentions. Most tend to accompany their scenic Scottish snaps with #nc500 (519,000 uses) and #northcoast500 (175,000)." Beginning and ending in Inverness, the NC500 winds through remote beaches, majestic Munros, rugged cliffs and ancient castles. It typically takes five to seven days to complete and has earned a 4.7-star TripAdvisor rating, beloved by photographers, nature lovers and road trippers alike. But taking the top spot worldwide was a truly iconic route: Route 66. Route 66 takes first place with over 2.4 million Instagram hashtag mentions, proving that you just can't beat the classics. The legendary 2,448-mile highway connects Chicago to Los Angeles, cutting through America's heartland and offering an unforgettable blend of big cities, small towns, diners, deserts and ghost towns. Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way ranked just behind at number two globally, claiming the top spot in Europe. The route boasts over 1.9 million Instagram mentions, thanks to stunning coastal images posted under hashtags like #wildatlanticway. Spanning an astonishing 1,600 miles from the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal to Kinsale in County Cork, it holds the title of the world's longest defined coastal route, offering breathtaking cliffs, remote beaches and endless Atlantic views. The Wild Atlantic Way and the NC500 were the only European road trips to make the top 10, but four more bagged spots in the top 20. The Ring Road in Iceland had 295k Instagram posts, while Ireland's second entry was the Ring of Kerry with 262k. The Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland (232k) and Germany's Romantic Road (42k) rounded out Europe's inclusion in the top 20. Cinch's motoring editor Sam Sheehan commented: 'There's something unmatched about exploring the world from behind the wheel – stopping when you like, chasing views, discovering unexpected places. "These drives capture the imagination of millions because they offer freedom, beauty and a bit of adventure. 'Whether you hire a car to go from Chicago to California or take your pride and joy around the NC500, a little research can help you set up the road trip of a lifetime.' The top ten most Instagrammed road trips in the world: Route 66, USA, North America – 2.4 million hashtags Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland, Europe – 1.9 million Great Ocean Road, Australia, Oceania – 1.6 million Blue Ridge Parkway, USA, North America – 722K North Coast 500, Scotland, Europe – 695K Garden Route, South Africa, Africa – 634K Carretera Austral, Chile, South America – 581K Silk Road, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan & China, Asia – 512K Pacific Coast Highway, USA, North America – 453K Hana Highway, USA, North America – 431K
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Our hotel went bust during our stay but then something peculiar happened'
Holidays are all about relaxation, staying in a welcoming hotel and spending days by the pool, but for one traveller their getaway was far from what they expected Many of us meticulously plan our summer holidays, tracking down the best flights and checking an endless list of hotel reviews to ensure we're getting the most for our money. But sometimes, even with careful preparation, our holiday can be ruined, and we're being told to pack our bags as staff tell us the hotel has gone bust, mid-stay! This happened to one unlucky holidaymaker in the middle of their trip to Turkey. They were asked to relocate the hotel or pay for their stay again, but this was just the start of the bizarre ordeal. The traveller took to Reddit to share their experience under a post asking for people's "worst holidays". The user shared earlier this month: "Went to Turkey years ago and bang in the middle of the holiday, our holiday company went bust. "The hotel called a meeting and told us all to pack our bags or else pay the bill again. We paid again, thinking that anything was better than being on the streets in a strange land. Our fellow holidaymakers objected, and the staff and guests all fell out. Things were getting heated, so we decided to bail out and return later on in the evening." READ MORE: Dad shares eye-watering bill after taking family for Disneyland 'Princess Breakfast' They continued: "Fast forward four hours, we landed back to a practically deserted hotel. We were personally welcomed by the manager, who was all over us like a rash from then on. He must have thought we were millionaires, because it turned out that we were the only guests to have paid again. "We also learned that some of the guests and staff had been arrested for throwing punches and were taken off the premises. The remaining guests were nowhere to be seen, but I read on TripAdvisor afterwards that they had left their luggage in the hotel temporarily until they managed to change their return flights. "Apparently, when they opened their luggage back at home, they found that it was full of Mars bars, wrappers removed, that had melted in through their clothes. Fun times." One user commented on the post with: "That was a wild ride." Others shared their own holiday from hell stories, including one who was accused of cheating while away with his wife. They revealed: "Husband and myself went to an all inclusive 3 star in Majorca (this was our big mistake). The hotel was like an episode of Benidorm. On the 1st night we went to the evening entertainment and an English lady asked if she could sit beside us. The place was packed! "Had a friendly chat for about 20 mins until her coked-up Brock Lesnar look-alike partner stormed in and accused my husband of having an affair with her. He smashed all the drinks off the table and started flipping chairs. Utter chaos! Security was called and some lad managed to calm this roided up psycho down with the offer of a joint. We avoided them like the plaque for the next 7 days although I doubt they remembered who we were!"
Time Out
a day ago
- Time Out
The seven wonders of the world, ranked from best to worst
The seven wonders of the world are, well, wondrous, and each demonstrates the fascinating scale and skill of human creation. But everyone's got their opinion, and a brand-new survey has unveiled which 'wonder' is the most popular of all. How? Well, Iglu Cruise did some digging and compiled a ranking based on the proportion of five-star reviews each site has garnered on TripAdvisor. So, topping the list and beating out all six other wonders was (drum roll, please) Machu Picchu! That's right, the hilltop citadel in southern Peru, built by the Incas as a royal estate for emperors and nobles, is the highest-rated wonder in the world. Of the 20,132 TripAdvisor reviews, Iglu Cruise found 18,414 were five-star, giving it an impressive proportion of 91.5 percent overall. In second place? That would be the magnificent, otherworldly Taj Mahal, a grand mausoleum in Agra, India built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal – Valentine's Day ain't got nothing on this guy. A solid 84.1 percent people gave the marvel a five-star review, which was closely followed by the 81.7 percent positive score for the Great Wall of China. Check out the rest of the list below. The seven wonders of the world, ranked Machu Picchu, Peru Taj Mahal, India Great Wall of China, China Petra, Jordan Colosseum, Italy Christ the Redeemer, Brazil Chichén Itzá, Mexico Plus: Forget Spain – I went to Sweden and found the ideal summer holiday destination.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
A world-class wilderness adventure that's right in the backyard!
The adventure that you've been craving is on your doorstep, with the amazing Hollyford Wilderness Experience in Fiordland. Hollyford Wilderness Experience business manager Adam Dooney was inspired by many things when he first did the guided multi-day walk. Along with the stunning scenery, it was the guides and the hosting staff at the lodges along the way that impressed him most. 'I did not expect the quality of delivery, and how much passion and intimacy they bring to the experience,' he says. A true adventure, the all-inclusive Hollyford Wilderness Experience is extremely accessible to most walkers The unforgettable three night experience was a winner of Trip Advisor's Travellers' Choice Award in 2024, ranking it as one of the world's top attractions. Yet while international travellers visit for such experiences, many locals aren't aware of what's on offer right here. For those mature travellers in the lower South Island looking for an accessible adventure, the Hollyford Wilderness Experience is the perfect choice. The low altitude walk will take you from the mountains to the sea, and includes spectacular transfers by jet boat and helicopter. Small groups of no more than 16 people are led by engaging local guides. The experience is coloured by their rich storytelling that takes in both the natural history, and that of Ngāi Tahu and early European pioneers. And comfort is not compromised on the Hollyford Wilderness Experience. You'll only carry the essentials, while well-appointed private lodges deep in the native forest offer private rooms, hearty cuisine, outdoor hot tubs, and warm hospitality. Adam Dooney says it's the entire experience that separates the Hollyford Wilderness Experience from other options in the area. 'It's not just another walk, it's a full experience,' he emphasises. 'The Hollyford is one of the most beautiful valleys in Fiordland. You see everything from the foothills of some of Fiordland's largest mountains, through the beech forests, and out to the coastal environment of the West Coast.' Walkers will be deeply immersed in the hugely diverse natural environment of this incredible part of Aotearoa. The extremely knowledgeable guides weave stories of the area throughout the walk. This includes the Hollyford's history as a pounamu trail, historical Ngāti Mahaki pā at Martins Bay, and the proposed European settlement of Jamestown from the Goldrush era. 'Our staff absolutely love the place and enjoy sharing it with people,' Adam says. 'Some have been working for us for 25 years, so there's a lot of knowledge and a lot of passion there. What shines through is the connection between our customers and staff, and that's what really brings the whole place to life for everybody.' What is on offer with the Hollyford Wilderness Experience is sure to appeal to an emerging segment of the adventure market who are focused on quality. They're looking for something different, a more fulfilling experience that they emerge from richer than when they went in. As Adam says, it's amazing what we have on our back doorstep in this country - and particularly in this region. 'Fiordland and the Hollyford Valley are right there for the taking,' he marvels. 'These walks are so accessible for many people, and on an international basis they offer great value for money.' Anyone looking for a superb experience should visit for more information, or have a chat with one of the reservation team on 0800 832 226.
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- The Herald Scotland
New guide to help visitors 'enjoy Scotland responsibly'
It aims to aid visitors while they are planning their trip and is based on The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It comes as TripAdvisor's Summer Travel Beats: Travel trends and consumer sentiment 2025 report shows that on average 57% of travellers book activities in advance of reaching their destination, with cultural tours/historical landmarks (38%) and outdoor activities (34%) topping the list. READ MORE: Jill Walker, Director of Marketing and Digital at VisitScotland, said: 'We know our landscapes are special, and so do our visitors, which is why they continually top the list of reasons to visit Scotland. Research shows most visitors are doing much more of their trip planning and booking in advance of their journey. Our 10 Scottish Outdoor Access Code Tips aim to engage with those visitors and ensure they know how to enjoy our great outdoors responsibly and safely to everyone's benefit.' Bridget Jones, NatureScot Recreation and Paths Manager, said: 'Scotland's rights of responsible access have given people unparalleled opportunities to get outside and enjoy exploring our breathtaking landscapes, nature and local greenspaces for twenty years. Whether you are on a paddle board, wild swimming, walking, riding a horse or bike, or in a kayak, there are activities for everyone to experience. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code has guided the introduction and use of these rights, helping the public understand their responsibilities based on mutual respect. 'At NatureScot we are committed to working with partners, landowners and communities to ensure access rights continue to thrive, and that their use helps tackle the climate emergency by promoting a deeper connection to nature while encouraging everyone to care for Scotland's extraordinary outdoors.'
