I've been won over by Hayle in Cornwall. Here are a few reasons why.

...The Great Outdoors

Godrevy beach with lighthouse is to the north of Hayle's 3 miles of golden sand. At low tide all the Hayle beaches join up to create a really spectacular expanse - great for brave bodyboarders, flying a kite, frizbee throwing, runs and building sand castles.

Prussia Cove - about 20 minutes from Hayle you will find the small and secluded sandy cove. No facilities here. Was known as a smuggler's hideaway in the 18th century.

Marazion has a man-made causeway that allows access to St Michael's Mount, at mid and low tide, 400 yards off shore.

The new promenade along North Quay and the Jubilee Bridge make improvement around the harbour for tourists and locals.

There are so many towns and cities along the south of France that are worth a visit and with Marseille being 2013's European City of Culture, there is no better year to start planning your visit.  Here is QuirkyAccom's guide to the best places to visit, starting with the new City of Culture itself!

Marseille
When you arrive in Marseille, it is the towering statue of the golden Madonna and Child, at the Bascilica of Notre Dame de la Garde which first catches your eye.  This Neo-Byzantine church is at the highest point of the city and towers over the old Port. Once settled into your accommodation, choose one of the many winding roads that lead to the summit and enjoy your walk to the top. When you get to the site, there is then a steep climb up a number of steps to the actual entrance - so prepare for a hike, but once you reach the top the view is well worth the climb.  (You can also cheat and get a bus to take you up the first part of the walk, and drop you at the bottom of the steps).  

Imagine vast crowds of amiable locals and tourists, old and young, filling the streets as they focus in on a central plaza. Bars with tables spilling out on to the street and tempting smells wafting from tapas and churros stands nearby. The sky fills with a hanging smog from earlier fireworks displays, the smolding remains of charred figures, and fire crackers and bangers exploding on every corner.  Not for the faint hearted or nervous dogs, Las Fallas throws caution and uptight health and safety rules aside. This is Spain and its fiesta time again!

A giant structure of cartoon-like figures looms over the plaza and looks out at the expectant crowd. Girls dressed in elaborate gowns with hair plaited and twisted and held with tall combs, are joined by others in traditional blouses, neck-scarfs and colourful woven shawls. They dance around the structure as the firemen prepare their hoses. Fireworks paint the sky overhead. Anticipation is building...

At last the fuse is lit and an explotion of light and flame quickly takes hold of the falla. As the fire envelops it the firemen spray the crowd, which cower from the extreme heat, and the buildings that surround it. Ash falls in giant flakes and the people break off from their cheers to guard their eyes. As the bonfire reaches its peak those at the front are absorbed into the masses behind, unable to hold their ground any longer. A prize falla has been burnt and the crowd slowly disperses in search of the next.

The train has to be the best form of travel. No hanging around at airports, or making your way out of town to reach one. Not being restricted to your seat for hours, as on a bus. And avoiding the fatigue of being the driver - and the arguments if you get lost. You can take in the scenery, perhaps be truly ensconced in local life, and if you can afford it, spend days being waited on and nights in the comfort of a sumptuous cabin. You just can't beat a good train journey.

To get in the mood I recommend you read The Great Railway Bazaar written by Paul Theroux.

My own travels began as a timid teenager with an InterRail ticket around Europe. See my blog on the experience here.

The Bullet Train - I'll be in Japan this summer so will beable to tell a first-hand tale soon. The super-efficiency of the Japan Railways (JR) system is world renowned. They travel at speeds of 333 km per hour. Between Tokyo and Osaka, the two largest metropolises in Japan, up to thirteen trains per hour with sixteen cars each (1,323 seats capacity) run in each direction with a minimum headway of three minutes between trains. Although we think of Japan as the master of the Bullet train, as they began there back in 1964, in fact the French and Chinese have surpassed them on speed. Their trains travel at up to 485km per hour.