I’d like to hike a stretch of the Kent coast but I’m not sure where to go — where would you recommend? Promising salt marshes, sea forts and mud flats rich in birdlife, the newest stretch of the England Coast Path has just opened in north Kent. It spans the 29 miles between Whitstable (a seaside resort best known for its oysters) and Iwade, near the Isle of Sheppey. Look out for atmospheric old fishing huts en route to Seasalter, peregrine falcons and a ruined gunpowder factory in Oare
Marshes Nature Reserve, and container ships heaving through the waves like metallic icebergs. Stay at the Sandy Toes Beach House, just across the River Swale on the Isle of Sheppey. Set on a shingle beach, it’s a three-bedroom, shabby-chic former fisherman’s cottage filled with board games and buckets and spades.
nationaltrail.co.uk explorekent.org canopyandstars.co.uk The full England Coast
Path, still in the works, will eventually become the longest
managed coastal walking route in the world, spanning 2,700 miles along England’s entire coastline. One of its first sections (also in Kent) opened in 2016, 20 miles down the coast between Ramsgate’s pretty harbour, the White Cliffs of Dover and Camber Sands. Stay at Albion House, near Ramsgate Main Sands beach. The hotel is set in an imposing 18th-century building that once hosted Princess Victoria shortly before she was crowned queen.
albionhouseramsgate.co.uk GEORGIA STEPHENS
I’m heading to the Finnish capital for the Helsinki Biennial in June. What else should I see and do while I’m there? The summer event aims to highlight Helsinki’s beauty as a seaside city, and the main body of artworks will be exhibited on Vallisaari island. It’s a 20-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki’s Market Square, and from here you can take a ferry to the fortress island of Suomenlinna. From the pink former barracks to the charming cafes and restaurants, it makes for a fun day out.
Afterwards, Helsinki Market
Square and the adjacent Old Market Hall are excellent spots to try local food, from fried herring to salmon soup and cinnamon buns. As you meander through the area, take in some of Helsinki’s highlights, such as Esplanade Park — lined with high- end shops — and red-brick Uspenski Cathedral, as well as Senate Square and domed Helsinki Cathedral. To wrap up your visit, head
to one more island, Lonna, which comes alive during the
summer months, thanks to a seaside sauna and a restaurant serving local dishes. After heating up in the steam, take a dip in the icy Baltic Sea, then have a drink. This is seaside Helsinki at its best.
lonna.fi Cruise company FRS Finland
has a new ferry route that combines all three islands from €20 (£17.50) per day ticket. Single tickets for ferries run by Helsinki’s public transport company, HSL, are available at the Market Square platform for €3 (£2.50).
frs-finland.fi hsl.fi PAULA HOTTI
I’ve always wanted to travel to Southeast Asia but I’ve got a nut allergy so the local cuisines make things risky. What would be the safest way for me to get a taste of the region? Travelling with a nut allergy can be daunting — particularly in Southeast Asia, where nuts are an important part of many cuisines. The good news is that across the region, understanding of food allergies has improved significantly, particularly in areas popular with tourists. Travelling with an operator can
go a long way to giving you peace of mind. If you tell staff about your allergy before you travel, they can work with local suppliers to make sure they’re prepared. Having a local guide who can translate questions is also a huge help. At Intrepid, our leaders are
trained in understanding the importance of food allergies to make sure clients can eat safely. We provide written guidance in the local language, so if our customers are going out on their own, they can explain what’s needed. Southeast Asian food is varied,
so it’s also good to consider the specific cuisines of the countries you’re visiting. Vietnam is a good place to start, as nuts are mainly used as a garnish, so can easily be left out, allowing you to try the famous pho! But even with the best of
planning, you might not always be able to try local delicacies, so it’s a good idea to bring some snacks for emergencies. And remember that Southeast Asia has so much to offer — food is only one element. You’ll also get to experience the region’s fascinating culture, nature and history. NATALIE KIDD
JUNE 2023 187
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