PART of the job of being a travel writer is getting to stay in some extremely amazing hotels around the world.

Some of the best hotels I’ve stayed in were unforgettable – real bucket list stuff.

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There was the five-star overwater villa in the Maldives, where the entire room was glass-walled and sea-fronted, with new floral arrangements delivered every evening.

Or there were the stunning fairytale lodges in Kenya, where my pre-dinner entertainment was watching elephants come to the watering hole.

But if you ask me what my go-to hotel is? It’s the humble Premier Inn.

You probably think I’m mad for opting for a budget chain over bucket-list resorts, but let me explain.

Of course I love it when I walk into a sparkling hotel, where staff greet me by name with a glass of champers in hand.

But those kinds of places come at a price – with some resorts costing upwards of £1,000 a night.

As someone who has always been a backpacker and cheap traveller (my biggest bargain being an £8 hostel in the middle of a nightclub in Thailand) it’s hard to quantify that cost, no matter the glamour.

Yet the humble Premier Inn has never left me down, and all for the price of a meal out.

I’m apparently not the only one. A study conducted by the hotel chain in 2022 found that 83 per cent of guests would stay again after booking.

And that £39 base rate has looked after me in the form of clean, if not simple rooms.

If you don’t believe how much I loved a Premier Inn bed, then come to my house – I have the same pillows as the hotel.

They are also amazingly located in the middle of cities, next to airport terminals, or in ideal bases to explore the area.

And it always marks the start of something exciting.

The night before a long flight, not able to sleep with anticipation, or arriving just to drop my bag and get ready for a day exploring a new city.

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It’s ease of check-in and check-out beats a fancy resort, which always seem to take forever.

Not Premier Inn, where I dump my card in the morning and am out in seconds.

And I am the guest who gets Buffet Fear – that nervousness when there are just too many stations and options.

In my opinion, you can’t go wrong with a classic English fry up, where you know what you’re getting every time.

Followed up by a croissant or three, of course, that you can sneak into your bag for laters…

I’m not saying I’m not a fan of a gorgeous hotel – I’m still dreaming of my beachside suite, after a trip to Turks & Caicos last year.

But the humble Premier Inn has a place in my heart. Purple pillows and all.

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A NEW train service launching next month will connect two major UK cities for the first time.

CrossCountry has revealed a new direct service will launch between Cardiff and Edinburgh.

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The 455 mile journey will connect the Scottish and Welsh capitals with passengers not having to make any changes.

The direct journey will travel to 22 train stations, joining at Birmingham New Street or Gloucester.

The weekday service will depart from Cardiff in the morning, before arriving in Edinburgh.

There will be one weekday service going each way from Cardiff-Edinburgh and Edinburgh-Cardiff.

The new service will start next month from December 15.

CrossCountry’s interim managing director Scott Maynard said: “We’re delighted to introduce this new service joining Cardiff and Edinburgh directly by rail for the very first time – meaning even more connections for customers across the length and breadth of the country.

“Thanks to colleagues across CrossCountry and the wider rail industry for their support in delivering these new services linking two of Great Britain’s capital cities, as well as many other key towns and cities in between.”

Scottish Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop added: “The launch of a new direct weekday train service between Edinburgh and Cardiff for the first time is welcome news for rail users wishing to travel between these two capital cities.”

The current fastest route is around six hours, while changing in Crewe.

It is hoped that the new journey will be a similar time.

If you’re thinking of visiting either city, here is an insider guide to both of them.

Cardiff

Last year Conde Nast Traveller crowned Cardiff as the UK’s best city thanks its “exciting independent restaurants, buzzy bars, and up-and-coming neighbourhoods.”

I lived in Cardiff for just over one year and I can see why it was named it.

There is Cardiff Market, housed under a Victorian glass ceiling across two floors selling everything from local cheese and Welsh cakes.

Make sure to visit some of the amazing pubs too, including the UK’s very first Tiny Rebel pub as well as the Cambrian Tap and the City Arms.

End with a late-night takeaway on Caroline Street, known locally as Chip Alley, where you’ll find fish and chip shops and fast food galore.

– Hope Brotherton, Travel Reporter

Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world

Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire

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Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski

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Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray

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Edinburgh

Wander around the historic closes – the narrow winding adjoining lanes off the main streets – of the Old Town and stop at he Grassmarket, a historic market place with independent shops and places to eat and drink.

Don’t forget the amazing National Museum of Scotland too – the rooftop terrace is the best place to catch the .

As an activity, do the Pickering’s Gin tour at Summerhall.

It is based in the old vet school which in itself is a really interesting place and you get to learn all about the process and taste some gins.

– Susan Doherty, local

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A DIAMOND-SHAPED island with just 40 residents has been named one of the world’s best stargazing spots.

Earlier this year, the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides, was recognised as having some of the best night skies in the world.

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Located more than 20 miles off the west coast of Scotland, the Isle of Rum was named Scotland’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary by DarkSky International.

While Scotland already has five international Dark Sky Places, the Isle of Rum is the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Scotland because it meets stricter night sky quality criteria, such as lower levels of light pollution.

The only other place in the UK to have been declared a Dark Sky Sanctuary is Ynys Enlli in Wales.

When the news was announced in August, Amber Harrison, who is the programme manager of Dark Sky Places, said: “This certification represents the hard work and dedication of advocates, residents, and community officials who recognise the value of Rum’s natural and cultural resources and are dedicated to safeguarding them against human impacts into the future.”

In light of its stargazing status, work has started on several new projects, including plans to install telescopes at Kinloch Castle.

Plans for a camera and weather station have also been proposed as well as a year-round programme of astronomy events.

Designated a National Nature Reserve since 1957, the isle of Rum is well-known for its wildlife and natural landscapes.

One of the island’s biggest draws is its population of red deer, of which there are thought to be 1,000.

This means there are hundreds more red deer on the island than there are human residents.

The red deer herd is famous for its huge stags.

It is also home to one of the world’s largest colonies of Manx Shearwater (a medium-sized bird) and other bird species like white-tailed sea eagles.

With approximately 30 miles of coastline, there are plenty of exotic sandy beaches, rocky shores and secluded coves on the island.

Covered with white sand, Kilmory Beach wouldn’t look out of place on an exotic island in the Caribbean.

Located on the northern tip of the island, Kilmory Beach has been praised by visitors with one person writing: “An absolutely stunning beach that literally takes your breath away”.

Another person added: “A lovely beach with great views”.

There’s also Guirdil Beach, which is a little trickier to reach.

Because of its shoreline, the island is a top holiday destination for kayakers and canoeists.

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Earlier this year, the isle of Rum became part of the Small Isles Snorkel Trail – a self-guided snorkeling route that showcases some of the best spots on the Small Isles.

Another attraction on the island is Kinloch Castle.

The huge Victorian mansion was built as a summer home for textile tycoon, Sir George Bullough.

Kinloch Castle opens for tours during the summer – although these are subject to availability.

There are plenty of overnight accommodation options on the island, including hotels, B&Bs, campsites and bunkhouses.

A direct ferry service operates from Mallaig to Isle of Rum.

Journeys take roughly five hours, with one-way fares from £5.15.

A Brit is the leader of a remote island in the middle of the ocean – and claims it’s the smallest country in the world.

Michael Bates became the leader of “Sealand”, a platform 7.5 miles off the Suffolk coast when his dad Roy died in 1991.

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