A beloved tourist destination in the UK is set to be rebuilt in China.

Stratford-Upon-Avon, an idyllic town in the West Midlands, is known for its quaint shops, welcoming pubs, and stunning landscapes. It is also the birthplace of Shakespeare.

The market town, with its historic buildings, views of the River Avon and wealth of museums, is particularly popular among Chinese visitors, leading to this unique project.

The city of Fuzhou in China is building a copy of Stratford, complete with a recreation of Shakespeare’s birthplace, several streets and even the River Avon.

This will form part of a larger project named Sanweng, or ‘Three Masters’, which aims to honour three literary giants – Shakespeare, Cervantes, who will be commemorated with a ‘Little Alcala’, and Tang Xianzu, a local writer.

All three authors passed away in 1616. Phillipa Rawlinson from the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust noted during a 2016 visit: “There is an enormous interest for Shakespeare in China.

“The trust has had a long working relationship with cultural organisations to promote Shakespeare’s works life and times to Chinese audiences.”

For those keen to trace the steps of the Bard, there’s a wealth of sights to see in the Warwickshire town. Start with Shakespeare’s Birthplace, where you can wander through the house and gardens where he spent his childhood.

Other must-sees include the schoolroom where he learned to read and write, as well as Anne Hathaway’s childhood home (Shakespeare’s wife, not the Hollywood star).

As you’d expect, the town is brimming with theatres, showcasing a host of modern-day productions. And when hunger strikes, you’ll be spoilt for choice with everything from high-end restaurants to relaxed pubs and cafes serving up traditional British fare.

The Stratford-upon-Avon Canal is also worth a visit if you fancy a leisurely walk along the River Avon, with an array of artwork, shops and eateries lining the walking routes. Plus, there are plenty of canal boat tours on offer if you prefer to take in the views from the water.

With over 800 years of history, there’s so much more to uncover in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The good news is that there are numerous walking tours throughout the town where you can learn about some of the highlights.

And don’t forget to carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the bustling farmer’s market.

If you’re keen to experience the charm of the area first-hand, there’s a wealth of hotels to choose from. The area is also well-connected with convenient transport links from Birmingham and London.

Summer will be here before we know it, and if you are still to book a warm and sunny getaway, you’ll know that they aren’t always cheap. Flights, accommodation and baggage can really add up, not to mention the money you’ll need to spend when you are actually on holiday.

Because of this, you might be keen to know some of the beautiful places where your money can go the furthest. And there’s one stunning European country that has just been named as the best value destination for 2025. Bulgaria, situated in the Balkan region of Europe, should be added to your travel bucket list immediately. 

Laura Evans Fisk, head of digital & engagement at eurochange, has highly recommended Bulgaria as a budget-friendly holiday option for this year. 

She analysed everything from the flight and accommodation prices, to the cost of a three-course meal and a beer, and found that this country with a rich history and buzzing nightlife came out on top. 

Here you’ll find terracotta-tiled rooftops and beaches very reminiscent of Croatia, with a much smaller price tag. Laura said: “A mid-range three-course meal for two and a round of drinks will cost just £14 each in the coastal town of Burgas, and a sea-view room at the stunning Sunny Beach resort will cost just £27 each per night.”

The coastal regions of Bulgaria are the perfect spot for sun-seekers, or you can travel further inland to the likes of the capital city Sofia for a culture-packed trip. 

You really can’t beat the views along the Black Sea that you’ll get when visiting Burgas, and a visit to the Sea Garden is an absolute must. This seaside walk with beach access and coastal paths is one of the top attractions here, and for good reason too. 

There are plenty of cafes and ice cream spots dotted throughout if you need refreshments, and there are even dedicated board game tables for entertainment. 

There’s also Sunny Beach, a major seaside resort known for its popularity and excellent value.  It’s the biggest and most popular holiday resort in Bulgaria, and is home to over 200 hotels. 

There are also 130 restaurants and plenty of live music bars, pubs and clubs, so if it’s the buzzing nightlife you’re after, then Sunny Beach is the place to be. 

And the oldest city on the Black Sea coast, Sozopol, is also very worth a visit. It’s located on a rocky peninsula and three islands, which makes its landscape so interesting.

Its history dates back to the 7th century BC, when Greek settlers founded the town. 

Nowadays, it’s a popular beach resort with clear, sandy beaches and plenty to see and do. Renowned for its fabulous hospitality, unique narrow streets with stone and wooden houses from the nineteenth century and the beautiful summer weather, Sozopol is another great place for a day trip when in Bulgaria. 

A cruise ship expert has warned holidaymakers that “90 per cent” of cruise passengers make the same mistake when booking their excursions. According to Lucy Southerton, who worked on cruise ships for a decade, passengers could find themselves unnecessarily out-of-pocket. Lucy explains that quite often passengers find the trips they want cost more once they get onto the ship.

So instead of waiting until you’re on holiday to book your excursions, Lucy suggests speaking to your travel agent ahead of departure or by using the cruise line app. She says the price can even be cheaper if you book ahead of time.

On her Cruising as Crew YouTube channel, Lucy said: “If you have researched the port and decided that doing a cruise ship excursion is the right thing for you, then don’t wait until you’re onboard to book this excursion, which is what 90 percent of people do.

“One, you’re going to be stuck in a mammoth queue, because, if you’ve been on cruises before you will know that the excursion desk is only open at certain times during the day and during these times obviously everyone wants to book their excursions in so, you don’t want to be spending your valuable, limited time of our cruise queueing up.

“At least, I don’t want to be doing that. And also, excursions sell out extremely quickly, so I’ve seen a lot of people miss out on once in a lifetime excursions because they assumed that they could book last minute and if that’s one of the main things you were looking forward to doing, that can be quite devastating.”

Lucy says many passengers assume the excursions offered by their cruise line are the best in the ports they are visiting. She however says the reality is that companies rely on travel companies with “available capacity”.

She explains: “This doesn’t mean they’re offering the best attractions, this means they’re offering what’s logistically easiest for them to offer.”

Instead of merely booking the excursion recommended by the cruise firm, Lucy suggests having a look around the port to see what is available. She says passengers can often save “a lot of money” by booking an excursion with an independent travel operator.

One thing she does warn about however is travel to your ship. Lucy says that one issue with booking a third-party excursion is that you might not be covered should something happen on your journey back to the ship.

She explained: “When I’ve done something like this, I spend the entire day thinking, ‘I wonder if we should start heading back yet just to allow any delays on the trains’. For me, it’s just not worth it, I don’t enjoy the experience, I don’t enjoy where I’m visiting, I spend the whole time thinking, ‘Oh my God what if we get stuck in traffic, what if the car breaks down on the way back to the ship, what if we don’t make it.”