stretching

This town in North Wales has been a popular holiday destination for centuries, with its stunning beaches, historic pier and beautiful landscapes drawing in visitors

This North Wales town boasts a lengthy history of attracting holidaymakers from all corners of Britain, having earned the prestigious nickname “Queen of the Welsh Watering Places”.

The Victorian coastal treasure of Llandudno, with its colourful past, is believed to trace its roots back to the Bronze Age. These distinctive features attract tourists eager to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Conwy Valley and discover the region’s fascinating heritage.

Indeed, Llandudno has previously been hailed as amongst the safest locations to live in Britain, with approximately 19,700 fortunate inhabitants. What’s more, it’s considerably more affordable to explore and stay in compared to most rival seaside destinations.

Two principal beaches extend along the coastline – North Shore Beach and West Shore Beach. The northern stretch features a lengthy promenade typical of any British coastal resort.

However, what distinguishes it from others is its palm tree-lined walkway – reminiscent of a Mediterranean haven. Nestled peacefully beyond North Shore Beach lies the Great Orme clifftop, providing an excursion on the Great Orme Tramway, transporting visitors to elevated vantage points via cable cars.

One delighted tourist commented: “The cable car ride was amazing; for the length of the journey, £14 per return (this was the price in 2024) is pretty reasonable. The views are stunning, and you can see for miles on a really clear day, which we had.”

On the West Shore, nestled on the other side of the town, one can enjoy panoramic views of the Snowdonian mountainside. A TripAdvisor review gushes: “One of my favourite beaches anywhere: unspoilt, dog-friendly, free of kiosks and vendors – just sea, rock and sand. Stunning views of the Great Orme. Lots of parking.”

The charming town of Llandudno boasts a rich history that stretches from the Stone Age through to the Iron Age, with numerous settlements over the years on the slopes of the limestone headland, better known as the Great Orme. The headland is a popular attraction for visitors from near and far, offering a four-hour trek filled with breathtaking views.

The Victorian promenade, affectionately known as The Parade, and the iconic pier are two of the town’s most beloved landmarks, both dating back to 1877. After extensive restorations, the pier has earned the title of one of the best in the whole of the UK.

One visitor shared their experience of the pier, saying: “Excellent pier experience. A Punch and Judy, plenty of arcades, hair braiding/colouring, a good walk, fun stalls and a cafe with a wonderful lady singer belting out Amy Winehouse numbers. There’s even a little display of historical photos to show when the pier was used for the ferries. Well worth a visit.”

June 20 (UPI) — Summer officially began Friday in the Northern Hemisphere with the longest daylight of the year at around 15 hours.

At Times Square in New York, thousands of people enjoyed the extra sunshine in all-day yoga classes.

The summer solstice officially begins at 10:42 p.m.

The amount of daylight depends on the location. And the sun’s intensity also varies.

Simultaneously, those in the Southern Hemisphere will mark the winter solstice, which is the shortest day of 2025 below the equator. That is around 7 hours and 40 minutes of daylight.

The sun appears higher or lower in the sky depending on the season.

In New York City, daylight was 15 hours and 6 minutes with sunrise at 5:24 a.m. and sunset at 8:30 p.m.

Yoga participants enjoyed a sunny day in Manhattan with a high temperature of 85 degrees, no precipitation and 38% humidity. Free yoga classes were open to experienced yogis and first-timers on the Broadway pedestrian plazas.

Classes for 23rd Mind over Madness Yoga ran from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The only animals allowed were service dogs.

People could also participate in a livestream.

It was sponsored by Times Square Alliance, which is a nonprofit organization that “works to improve and promote Times Square so that it retains the creativity, energy and edge that have made it an international icon for over 100 years,” according to its website.

Events have been celebrated by cultures around the world for thousands of years. Stonehenge and the Mayan Chichen Itza Pyramid were purposely built to align with these seasonal markers.

Some Native American tribes in the plains and the Rocky Mountains perform a Sun Dance to celebrate the summer solstice. In Fairbanks, Alaska, a baseball game called the “Midnight Sun Game” traditionally starts at 10:30 p.m.

The summer solstice occurs because the Earth has a 23.5-degree tilt. So, the planet is pointed toward the sun half of the year and the most away the other half.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches its northernmost point relative to Earth’s celestial equator.

During the summer solstice, the sun shines directly on the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere. That means if you stand there, you’ll have no shadow at noon because the sun will be directly overhead.

The winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere is 10:02 a.m.

The winter solstice takes place when the sun is in its southernmost position relative to the celestial equator.

The word solstice is derived from the Latin word solstitium, which translates to “sun stands still.”

The Fall equinox will occur at 2:19 p.m. Sept. 22 this year and the spring equinox is March 20, 2026, at 10:46 a.m.