Newcastle

Newcastle’s got that sweet spot kind of location—mountains on one side, the sea on another, and tucked into the third corner, a cozy little nature reserve with sandy dunes covered in ferns and heather. It’s like nature couldn’t decide what to show off, so it gave us a bit of everything.

The walk from town to the reserve is just about 1.5 to 2 kilometers along the beach. Just enough to stretch your legs, soak up the salty air, and build up an appetite before diving into one of the many cafés lining the main street. You can sit down for a bite, or grab some fish and chips or a classic “99” ice cream to go, then head back to the beach and watch the sun dip behind the mountains.

Honestly, that’s what a perfect summer weekend looks like to me. Simple, scenic, and delicious.