Heard

While the UK has many iconic attractions from the London Eye to Edinburgh Castle, the one that comes out on top with the most five-star reviews on TripAdvisor is one you’ve likely never heard of

The UK has a wealth of places to visit, and if you’re planning a staycation, you certainly won’t be short of ideas. When it comes to visiting a new place, many of us use TripAdvisor to look at reviews and work out what the top attractions are locally.

Now, research from Iglu Cruises has used TripAdvisor data to determine the ultimate day out across 108 countries. Using this information, the cruise line identified which attractions had the highest number of five-star reviews, and a surprising winner emerged at the top.

With 98.1% of reviews giving it five stars, the top spot went to Ascent Aviation, based in the west central lowlands of Scotland. If you know someone interested in planes, this could be the ultimate day out for them, as it hosts a flight simulator and pilot training centre. Visitors can experience flying to over 26,000 airports on a 220-degree wrap-around, which makes you feel like you’re right in the cockpit.

Both children and adults can fly the simulator, although those under 14 will need an adult with them and may require assistance with some of the controls.

One TripAdvisor reviewer said: “I bought this experience for myself and a friend who loves all things aircraft and our experience could not have been better. Our pilot, Chris, was excellent and made us feel instantly comfortable and answered all our (many) questions patiently. A fascinating experience that was really good fun!”

Another commented: “Booked as a present for my son’s 12th birthday, he had an amazing time. The Pilot provided the tuition, treated him as an adult, and provided excellent instruction and patiently answered all his questions. Highly recommend for all flying enthusiasts out there.”

And in a double victory for Scotland, number two on the list is Glenkinchie Distillery in East Lothian. 91.1% of its reviews gave a glowing five stars to the iconic distillery, which is renowned for producing the Edinburgh Malt.

Whiskey fans can tour the distillery and learn how their single malt is made, before visiting the bar for a tasting, and picking up a bottle to take home with them. One visitor said: “Willie gave us the tour and did an amazing job. He told everything with passion, humor and involved everybody in the tour. It’s the best whisky experience near Edinburgh.”

In third place, the Victoria Tunnel in Tyne and Wear boasts 90.5% five-star reviews. This historic underground wagonway was built in the 1840s and originally transported coal, before being used in World War II as an air raid shelter. Guests can take a private tour of the tunnel and learn about its fascinating history and what it was like for the people sheltering there.

Wales gets its first mention in fourth place for the Big Pit National Coal Museum in Torfaen, for which 89.8% of reviews were five-star. This one has an experience that’s best avoided by the claustrophobic; you can go 300 feet underground on a guided tour which is led by a miner. Deep underground, you’ll see the original mine workings and machinery from its days as a working mine.

If you prefer to stay in daylight, there are also surface tours, which take you around various colliery buildings and allow you to learn about the rich history of the mine.

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The island is a Mediterranean paradise that is well worth a visit, with visitors commenting on how authentic and unspoiled it feels, as well as its stunning natural beauty

The picturesque Greek island of Samos, nestled just off the coast of western Turkey in the eastern Aegean Sea, is a haven of stunning seaside resorts and quaint fishing villages. Separated from the Anatolian peninsula by the narrow Mycale Strait, this 185-square-mile island is a blend of mountainous terrain and fertile plains.

A significant part of Samos is carpeted with vineyards, producing the renowned Muscat wine. The landscape is dominated by two towering mountains, Ampelos and Kerkis. Ampelos, the larger of the two, sits at the heart of the island, reaching heights of 1,095 metres. Kerkis, although smaller in area, boasts the island’s highest point.

With a population just shy of 34,000, Samos ranks as the ninth most populous of the Greek islands. It’s also a hotspot for diverse fauna, including golden jackals, stone marten, wild boar, flamingos and monk seals.

Samos is steeped in history, with the Eupalinian aqueduct being one of its many archaeological treasures. In the 6th-century BC, under the rule of the infamous tyrant Polycrates, a 0.6-mile tunnel was carved through Mount Kastro to construct an aqueduct, providing the ancient capital with fresh water, reports the Express.

This engineering marvel, dug from both ends in a methodical manner akin to the Channel Tunnel, stands today as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The ancient city of Samos was once fortified by a wall stretching 6,430 metres. Starting from the eastern pier of the ancient port, it extended northwards, ending near the ancient stadium on the city’s western coast.

Today, only fragments of the limestone wall and a tower north of Glyfada Lake remain.

Classical Samos is perhaps best known for its connection to the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras. In 1955, the town of Tigani was renamed Pythagoreion in honour of his birth there.

The historian Herodotus, famed for his Histories – considered the founding work of history in Western literature – also resided in Samos for some time.

Samos enjoys a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. According to the Hellenic National Meteorological Service, July is the hottest and driest month, but temperatures remain a pleasant 24C in October.

Whether you prefer remote or commercialised beaches, Samos has something for everyone. Tsamadou, eight miles from Vathy, is a pebbled, partly organised and family-friendly beach.

For those seeking seclusion, Mikto Sitani beach is non-organised and tucked away from the crowds.

Tourists have been full of praise for Samos, with one visitor gushing on Tripadvisor: “What a surprise! We had never heard about Samos but we booked by coincidence because it was one of the only European destinations where they didn’t expect cold and rain. So happy we did it. It’s a wonderful island. It’s still authentic[ly] Greek.

“Samos is not made for mass tourism. The roads are narrow, and there are hairpin bends everywhere. Some destinations are only accessible by 4×4 cars because there are no paved roads in some areas.

“Most of the island still looks untouched and the coastline is rugged and just magnificent.”

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