UK - Attractions

Only 50 ‘River Bugs’ exist in the world and Scotland-based adventure sport company Nae Limits has 10 of them! In partnership with Extreme Dreams (www.extremedreams.co.uk/), Nae Limits were the very first company to bring this latest white water activity over to Scotland from New Zealand (a mecca for extreme sports). This action sport has never been offered to the public outside of New Zealand and Australia but it’s now available just over an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow in Dunkeld, near Perth.

River Bugs are a cross between a white water raft and an armchair and are so called as they make the rider look a bug or insect. Sound weird? Read on… River bugs are a single person craft, made up of inflatable chambers behind and beside the user (known as a "bugger"). These chambers ensure that you stay on top of the water, while extra thick padding turns colliding with rocks into a low-impact dodgems ride. After learning a few basic skills, you will be able to run the rapids, catch eddies, surf standing waves and even pirouette!

Nae Limits will provide you with a wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet, booties, fins and special webbed gloves. The gloves are designed to help with paddling and steering the bugs. You will be taught how to operate the craft, i.e., steering, safety, etc and then taken out to play on the river! If you only try one activity this year, make sure it is "River Bugging".

When can I do it?
April through to October.

Anything else I should know?
River Bugging lasts half a day.

What’s the minimum age?
16.

How much is it?
From £45 per person.

Liverpool
Liverpool is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular city break destinations. After being awarded European Capital of Culture 2008, the city has moved into the sights of travellers and tourists from around the world. Already famous as the birthplace of The Beatles, the city’s other cultural assets are justifiably touted as some of the finest in Europe. With more theatres, museums and galleries than any other UK city outside London, Liverpool’s history as one of the world’s great ports has left a remarkable legacy of art and architecture that gives it a distinctive look and unique atmosphere.

Liverpool is also one of the world’s great sporting cities with horse racing at Aintree and Haydock, 40 golf courses – seven of which are Championship standard, including the Royals Birkdale and Lytham, not to mention Liverpool and Everton FC. So if it’s Strawberry Fields, Premiership football or Europe’s finest culture you’re looking for, it has to be Liverpool.

Must see and do

• 'From Me to You' - Beatles Store and Information Centre , Liverpool
• Croxteth Hall and Country Park, Liverpool 
• The Beatles Story, Liverpool
• Liverpool Football Club and Stadium Tour, Liverpool
• Liverpool Planetarium, Liverpool
• Tate Liverpool, Liverpool 
• The National Wild Flower Centre, Prescot  

Channel Islands
Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney are the largest of the islands with a great variety of different attractions, both man-made and natural. Part of the attraction, of course, is the warmest climate in Britain. Around 2,000 hours of sunshine every year and plenty of lovely beaches on which to enjoy them. Friendly communities, a rugged coastline and gentle, unspoiled scenery make the islands ideal for anyone who wants to ‘get out there’ and explore on foot or by bike.

Try some island hopping and you’ll also discover some fascinating history. One of the most dramatic sights on Jersey, for example, is 13th-century Mount Orgeuil castle, built on the remains of an Iron Age fort a few miles east of the capital St Helier.

The islands’ proximity to France means there’s a Gallic touch. Eavesdrop on conversations in an intriguing Norman-French patois. Buy a baguette and cycle, French-style, with it in your bicycle basket through streets whose names betray a strong Gallic influence.

• Channel Islands Military Museum , St Ouen
• Flying Flowers Jersey Flower Centre , St Lawrence
• Treasures of the Earth , St Ouen
• Guernsey Clock Makers , St Andrew
• German Military Underground Hospital , St Andrew
• Strawberry Farm and Craft Centre , St Saviour 

Isle of Man
The island is reached from all major UK airports and there are regular car ferry services from Heysham, Liverpool, Dublin and Belfast, continuing a link with the tourist industry that goes back 150 years.

At just 33 miles (53 km) by 12 miles (19.3 km) the island can be explored by car or public transport. The Isle of Man is a crown protectorate with its own currency, language and the oldest continuous parliament in the world. There is no exchange rate as Manx money is based on sterling and English is the common language. Visitors can view the spectacular scenery on the fast and efficient bus service or take a more leisurely ride on the vintage Electric Railway, horse-drawn trams, mountain railway or the steam railway. Manx National Heritage boasts ten major sites of historical importance with many more, smaller sites island-wide.

Douglas, with its Victorian architecture, National Museum, hotels, guesthouses and two-mile (3 km) promenade is the capital of the island. However, with accommodation from hotels to farmhouses to be found all over the island, there is no need to stay in one place. If you’re seeking motorcycle thrills or just quiet contemplation of our natural beauty then this is certainly a destination not to be missed.

Must see and do

• Manx Museum , Douglas
• Castle Rushen , Castletown
• The House of Manannan , Peel
• Manx Grand Prix Motorcycle Fortnight , Douglas (August) 
• The Nautical Museum , Castletown 
• Snaefell Mountain Railway , Douglas 
• Laxey Woollen Mills , Laxey 
• Kipper Museum , Peel
• Cregneash Village Folk Museum , Cregneash