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Catching Holiday Feelings at Home with Orienteer

Sueuga Kamau

Oakland

Sueuga Kamau's Guide to Oakland

Queer Bruk

Margate

Incredible beach with an amazingly (and somewhat surprisingly) diverse and safe atmosphere. Margate is rich with culture that is slowly but surely becoming more diverse, making it a great place for people of colour and LGBTQ+ people. 


Swim Level: Beginner

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: Lifeguard 

Stanborough Park is a 126 acre plot of land that has two lakes that are beautiful. While swimming isn’t allowed, it’s an amazing place to take part in canoeing, kayaking and other water sports - Welwyn is still relatively close to London, also!

Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport: Yes

Facilities: Yes


Trent Park is personally near and dear to my heart, I've had my birthday party underneath the same tree since I was one year old (with the exception of a couple of years) and the place is amazing! Located in North London (Cockfosters), the park is 413 acres and there are many bodies of water. It’s a truly amazing place that is transformative and peaceful.

Swim Level: Not for swimming 

Public Transport:  Yes

Facilities: No 

Cool Off From the Clubs with Queer Bruk’s Water Spots

Tanaka Fuego

Manchester

A beach that holds many of my childhood memories. It is such a special spot with a great beach. From high tide to low tide you can go for a splash about or a decent swim. It's pretty well known so it gets quite busy during summer but if you go off peak it's not chaotic at all. 4-6pm is the best time for me, you can enjoy the gentle breeze of the day winding down.

Not my favourite place but the people are more open minded. You can book swimming sessions for £6. Its family friendly and good for both beginners and those that want to do laps. There are also loads of activities to test out if you want to have fun and let loose.

Manchester is a place I love to go to, from the accent to the shore-  its a place that reminds me of being a kid. Chorlton water park is great for a paddle, and fun with friends. Like most of my other spots it isn’t remote, amidst the crowds you'll see dogs roaming free or a group of cis men having a lads summer so with this in mind I wouldn’t suggest coming down here alone, bring a pal or two and find a little spot to relax by the water. While you are there, hit Didsbury Park for a spot of bird watching. Its just a bus ride or a 30-40minute walk away.

Embrace the crowds and stay afloat with Tanaka Fuego

Area Noir & Tope Ajayi

Ibadan

Ibadan's Best Creative Spots with Area Noir & Tope Ajayi

Moxie

The team room is stunning and I always visit it when ever i go and see an exhibition there. It’s covered with beautiful tiles from head to toe and has chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. If not to grab some tea and cake it’s definitely worth taking a look at.

Walking around the Tate is always fun. I especially love ending up in the book store and I love browsing what books they have on offer.

On a sunny day take a walk around Hampstead Heath. It’s huge and covers a few areas of North London, but the area I always love to chill out by is next to the dog pond. You can sit up on the hill and watch all the different types of breeds jumping in and out the pond.

If you like gelato, then I would highly recommend this spot.

A great record shop again in Soho, which specialises in dub, reggae and world music. You can find lots of beautiful Brazilian LPS in here and they also have a great book and dvd selection downstairs.

Renting a pedalo out for the afternoon at the Serpentine is always fun, especially so in Summertime.

If you would like to see some culture but are strapped for cash, The British Museum is great because the entry is free. They have permanent exhibits of Egyptian & Greek artefacts which are always fascinating to go and look at.

I often get asked where to go out clubbing in London and my answer is always Corsica Studios. It’s such a reliable club for the music and the sound is great in there too.

My new favourite restaurant to go to in London. It’s french bistro and they serve great natural wines. They switch up the menu every week so it’s always something different when you go.

London with Moxie

We took a trip to Arisaig, Scotland with MW guiding us to go sea kayaking. The water is so clear it looks like the Caribbean, we kayaked from island to island spotting seals as we went. With the right equipment you can also go wild camping, snorkelling or fishing. 


Swim level: Beginner 
Public Transport: Yes 
Facilities: Lifeguard 


A photoshoot took us walking the Watkins Path of Snowdonia. We were following the river up which twists and turns through many rock pools and waterfalls, the rock pools make the perfect spot to stop for a swim and cliff jumping! The clearest water and easy to access.  


Swim Level: Intermediate

Public Transport:  Yes

Facilities: None 

Where I am from in Rickmansworth, there are a lot of lakes that you can go sailing on and spots that would be great for wild swimming. I haven’t been back in years but have fond memories. Catch a short train from London and take an easy stroll around them, it's a great spot to go if you just want to be in nature and surrounded by water. 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport:  No 

Facilities: Toilets / Car Park 

When walking The Old Man Of Coniston, the blue lake is the perfect scene for a mirror lake shot - you get reflections of the mountain behind and the sky, if you can stay till sundown! The colours are so vivid. 


Swim Level: Not for Swimming 

Public Transport:  Yes 

Facilities: No 

There is a lake at the bottom of Pen Y Fan, great spot for a wild swim after a long hike. You can pitch up for the night in the nearby forest and wild camp next to small streams. It's a great spot for a few days as with the right equipment this water can be used for drinking water and to clean your cook sets! 


Swim Level: Beginner 

Public Transport: No 

 Facilities: No 

Orienteer Mapazine's Top Weekend Trips That End with a Dip

Pablo Nouvelle

Zurich

An Italian enclave at the very end of famous Langstrasse. Paninis in every variety. Everything in this store is a 100% Italian. The ingredients, the amazing antipasti and the songs playing from the radio. How can something so simple be so good.

Zürich might be one of the most decent but surely not the biggest place on earth. If you want to get an overview first put on your fast shoes and head up to Käferbärg, which offers a little escape into the woods and a beautiful view over the city, the lake and the incredible alps. Make sure you set out for the trip in the late afternoon to catch the golden evening sun.

Close to my studio, this little restaurant has become my go to place if I want to treat myself for lunch. Honest meals, affordable and made with love.

Escape the city and climb the little mountain overseeing Zurich. Best to bring your bike and enjoy one of the many single trails and downhill tracks down the 400 meters altitude.

A beautiful bath to dip in the lake with a little beach and a tower out in the water to climb and jump from.

Claudio the soul of Sacci Bar will take care of your needs and make sure you won’t leave town without having tasted the best Negroni or natural wines there is.

Fancy a fancy dinner? Go to Kle. You’ll eat exclusively creations you’ve never experienced before. All vegan.

A small concert venue with one of the best bookings of local and international acts.

Jump from the bridge into the cold waters of the Limmat and drift down to Obere Letten. Have a Margarita at the rooftop of Primitivo Bar whilst watching people and go to a concert in the evening at the near by Parkplatz.

Best see and to be seen place on a Sunday afternoon. Visit the lovely Cafe Bonheur or bring your own and sit around the fountain.

Best cinema in town with the latest independent films and the most charming bar to linger around.

Discover Zürich with Pablo Nouvelle

Raffael

Kerala

I'm probably going to get some hate for this but it is literally the best biryani I've eaten in India. And believe me when I say I've pretty much travelled the length and breadth of this country for biryani.

Kerala is littered with these beautifully rustic establishments that brew their own coconut wine called toddy. It's well worth a visit, not just for the toddy but the food and the experience of the whole thing. I would recommend trying the fish head curry, duck curry and beef roast when you do visit. My favourite is the VELLIYAZCHA KAAVU TODDY SHOP, near Attingal.

A tiny, beautiful and clean beach. Beware the currents can be a bit dodgy at times but it's mostly fine.

Kerala's first and India's premier surf and yoga holiday destination. Join the local crew of surf instructors and guides for a surf every morning or just relax at the beautiful and stylish hotel, perched on a cliff top overlooking some of the best beaches and sunsets Kerala has to offer. Also, a really laid back atmosphere and cafe serving healthy treats and a mix of Keralan and Western-style food.

Backwaters of Kerala. The iconic Keralan scenery that you've seen on every postcard. It's like Alleppey but less touristy so best to visit here if you want to experience the backwaters but get away from the hustle of the very touristy spots.

Beautiful pristine beach and one of my favourites to visit. Again, not as many tourists as you might find on other beaches in Kerala so worth a visit.

My favourite spot to surf in Kerala. A beautiful fishing village with a fast hollow left hand wave. You can join for surf lessons or grab a board and go surfing yourself all while the fishermen and boats carry on with their days around you. Beware though, the surf can be a tad crowded here, but the locals are always friendly and welcoming.

I'm a bit of a beach bum as you can probably tell, but sometimes I like to leave the beach to get into the western ghats. You'll think you're in a different country. Vagamon is one of my favourite hill stations in the western ghats, considered to have one of the most ecologically dense environments in the world. The drive up there is stunning as are the views and there are some adventure activities like paragliding, hiking that you can get involved in, or you could just kickback and watch the birds for hours.

Heritage sites, cafes, art galleries and the biennale. Some may go as far as to say it's the art capital of India. (KASHI ART CAFE, DAVID HALL GALLERY, PEPPER HOUSE).

Kerala with Raffael from Soul & Surf

Los Angeles 

Here there is a room with tiny clay balls that have a composition inside them that absorb heavy metals from your skin. You can osculate between elements. Try the ice room.

One of the only natural hot spring in Los Angeles the water feels like silk and comes out at 104 degrees.

The only time I visited it was filled with black rubber balls. Extreme visual experience which was once a holding tank for Los Angeles drinking water. 

This sensory deprivation tank provides a location where your body is lighter than the fluid holding it. 

LA’s Best Spas and Steam Rooms, Chosen by Hyd

Sama

Palestine

Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, it is around 11,000 years old, (lol, that number apparently exists), and it is the lowest point on earth, 258m below sea level. There, you will find Deir al Krntl, The Monastery of Temptation, which dates back to the Seleucid Empire, and where Jesus fasted for 40 days after getting baptized in the Jordan River. It is a beautiful monastery, built on the edge of a mountain cliff, overlooking the whole area, including Jericho, the Dead Sea, and a bit of Jordan. To get there, you can hike or take an aerial tramway.

The Gaza strip is a restricted area for everyone. Since 2008, Israel decided that people in Gaza all deserve life in prison. So they put the whole city under siege, and closed off all entry and exit points. But, if you do manage to get a permit to visit, go. The people there are the friendliest and most creative people you will meet. You can sit on the beach of the Mediterranean sea, which you can see from all over Palestine, but can never reach, you can eat really good food - there are too many things to see in Gaza... we can write a full article just about that.

Through the checkpoints and hassle, which can take between an hour to seven, depending on the day and the soldiers mood, you can get to Jenin. In Arraba, you can go to the Abdelhadi Palaces (Our palaces - just to brag). These Palaces have been within the family for more than 100 years, 2 of them have been renovated into a Turkish Bath and a public library. You can also start a walk from ARRABA TO BURQIN, where you pass through a spring, a roman wall, and Burqin Church, which is the 3rd oldest church in the world.

Also known as ‘Little Damascus’, a place where visiting the old market (souq) is a must. Some of the few things its popular for are nablus knafeh; my dad has been eating knafe, a really sweet dessert, every day since he was born. He used to take me to eat knafe almost every day as well when I was a kid, which is the reason why I don’t eat it anymore. He still finds that weird. It’s nablus soap and Turkish baths. I personally travel with that soap and always have some in whichever house and in whatever country I live in. You’ll also find the Samaritan Museum. Samaritan’s believe that mount Gerizim in Nablus is the holy place for the Israelis. The Samaritans have always been neutral, they don’t like politics and don’t get into it. They speak Arabic and Hebrew and they live on both sides with both people.

On the way to Ramallah you will run into Taybeh village and the Taybeh brewery. The first female-run microbrewery in the Middle East. If you are there in the Oktoberfest, you will be very happy that day. Fresh beer from the cellars and a beautiful spot on top of the mountain. After Taybeh comes Birzeit, a beautiful old village. There you can find “Malek il falafel” the best Falafel in the area. Brilliant homemade Palestinian dishes in an old traditional house. In Birzeit, you can also find the Palestinian Museum. Getting into Ramallah, there is Snowbar Garden; it is this beautiful garden built into the mountain with a great view. Great drinks and a pool for the summer times. Other good bars are Garage Cafe, La Grotta Bar and Radio Bar.

Heading out of Ramallah, through a lot of checkpoints, with a lot of views of illegal settlements, through mountains, through a lot of hassle and humiliation, you’ll get to the birthplace of Jesus, which is definitely a site to see in the nativity church. There is a shorter way to get there through Jerusalem, which is safer as well and doesn’t make you dizzy and sick, but it wouldn’t be called an occupation if we were able to drive on it. So if you are Palestinian you cant take that road. The old city of Beit Sahour is incredible as well. If you want something to eat and you like chicken, Qabar goes back forever; the menu is only chicken (these guys seriously don’t have any pics that’s how old school they are). You can also find the hotel that Banksy opened, with a straight-up view of the 8m high segregation wall and checkpoint. The walled-off hotel is a must-visit spot with a lot of Banksy art. Banksy visits Palestine a lot, especially Bethlehem, during your trip you will find a lot of his graffiti on the walls of the city. If you get tired of the wall blocking your view, you can go to Hosh il Yasmine; a very nice chill spot and has a lot of music events and a great view of the mountains around you. On your way to Hebron you can pass by Battir village, god’s paradise on earth.

Hebron market (souq) with its maze of alleys is definitely worth exploring. The shops and stalls sell everything from locally made pottery, glass, rugs, and embroidered items to fresh and dried fruits. The old city has plenty of archaeological sites worth visiting. In Hebron, they make everything… they literally can make anything. The old city also gives a real sense of what it feels like to be under occupation, as the old city is occupied by extremist settlers and protected by over 1500 soldiers making it a really intense environment. As you can see in the pictures, you can always notice netting on the top of everything. That is because the settlers tried to drive people out by throwing their trash on top of the people of Hebron. So instead of leaving, people put nets all over to catch the trash. It is very intense living there, this is why we always say when a Hebron person puts his mind to something, nothing will stop them. There is nothing like a Khalili head. They even recently approved a new illegal settlement to be built where the market is, so now there is an order to bulldoze the market.

Palestine with Sama

Tayler Prince Fraser

I have a ton of fond memories visiting my Gran down in Bridport, and we’d often spend days by the beach eating rock candy and pasties. Fast forward 15 years and it’s now the spot that my mum lives in, and when I go to visit, she often invites me for open water swims with her and a group of friends. 

Similar to West Bay, this place is full of happy memories spent with family. We also used to go digging for fossils around the beach too, but never actually found anything other than some shells and rocks. 

We took a group of friends down for surfing and paddle boarding lessons a few years ago, for which we shot a small stills and video campaigin around. I have a distinctive memory of being on the beach at sunrise and it was one of the most incredible sights. After we wrapped, it only made sense to go for a celebratory swim.

The location of another film we did! I wanted to visit the Lake District for the longest time and finally had a reason to do so. It was the height of summer and lockdown restrictions had loosened, so myself and a couple of friends headed up for a location scout/break from the monotony of solitude. Swimming in the lake was one of the most surreal feelings, given the context of the moment. 

The location for our stills campaign, ‘Deep is the water’, Botany bay is a location synonymous with the British summer holiday. It doesn’t get more quintessentially British than this, perhaps, say for somewhere like Brighton. It’s incredibly beautiful and the waters are shallow for a considerable distance from the beach too, making it a more suitable location for those less confident in open water. 

Tayler Prince Fraser’s Top Swim Spots

Lila

Montevideo

At the southernmost city in the Americas, in Montevideo bay, very close to the busy city center, there's this Breakwater structure in which I love to spend time, unplugging myself from everything while watching and sampling sounds from the docks, birds and fishermen around.

I won't lie, I am a huge fan of South American cemeteries, visiting them in each city I play gigs at. In Montevideo, there's one I'm particularly fond of, Cementerio del Buceo. The dichotomy between massive architecture next to decaying graves with plastic flowers, cats always running around. Most of my favourite local musicians and poets from past centuries are buried there.

In the backyard of a fantastic art museum, there's the Japanese garden of Montevideo. A beautiful spot filled with bamboo trees, cherry blossoms and orchids, blended with Uruguayan national trees such as Ceibo. Love to go there with a good book and stare at the koi fishes for hours.

The flea market culture is quite remarkable in Uruguay. Every Sunday, you will find Tirstan Narvaja market right in the city center. I visit it every weekend ever since I can remember, walking kilometres in search of thrift clothes, vinyls, music gear and the most random things you can imagine.

Undoubtfully every Uruguayan has a fond memory of this spot. Right next to the amusement park and the beach, there is a lovely tiny lake with small boats that you can rent, surrounded by native trees, musicians playing around, tiny little islands with rabbits, and a castle (that is actually a library) in the middle.

Located in the oldest neighborhood in town, Cafe Brasilero is a very inspiring artistic bar founded in 1877, with typical art nouveau decorations and incredible food. It's been said that many famous writers from around the globe have started their books there.

Montevideo is known for venues shutting down in the blink of an eye, so most parties are itinerant. But luckily there's Tundra Bar, a place where you can go see the most experimental underground acts around, perhaps a rave here and there, and in the evening you can eat amazing vegan food.

Montevideo with Lila

Anastasia Kristensen

Copenhagen

Great summer spot, which has finally opened this summer. The outdoor area is super cute, there’s space to seat, have a delicious bite and drink and then go in front and have a dance to some of the most excellent DJ's from around the world. I closed the opening day and it was so much fun.

Have discovered this second-hand market recently and it’s a gem. Located in the heart of the vibrant Nørrebro area the market. The vision of organisers to put an end of the awful consumerism mindset of buying mindlessly and never recycling. Everyone can book a stand and the place offers fantastic vegan friendly food trucks too. Many of the sellers are participating exclusively for charity purposes, which makes the experience of shopping way more meaningful.

If you are looking for a rare and more luxurious end of second hand, Lidkøb Østerbro is the one. Danes are stylish people and have accumulated loads of beautiful items throughout the decades. Here’s the place to shop them. A bit pricey but I’ve never left this place without finding something extremely pretty there.

A very popular go to spot for drinks, and particularly natural wine. Absolute must when in Copenhagen.

My fav spot to wind down and chill. This side of the lakes isn’t overly used but it has the most calming and peaceful effect.

If you look for more advanced and sophisticated Ruby is the place to visit. Centrally placed and has an amazing dark wooden interior inside. definitely ask for "One In, One Out" when there. The menu changes frequently.

My most favorite pizza is actually a vegan pizza; Pow vegan pizza is something I'm always up for eating. I always order either Moscow or Nairobi :))

Anastasia Kristensen's Perfect Summer Spots in Copenhagen

SooJin

Seoul

Usually open from sun up to sun down, it's best to visit during the weekday considering what a shit show it is on the weekends. You have to rummage to find gems and beware of counterfeit goods.

Chill cafe/bar tucked away in Eulji-ro that is run simultaneously by the owner of vinyl shop Clique Records. Great high balls, wine, cheese and music.

Hotel in the heart of Hongdae that boasts it's connection with the subculture. Grilled cheese at Tartine is one of the best and you can grab a drink at Side Note Club on their terrace.

A cafe/bar situated on the top floor of the showroom and shop of brand AJOBYAJO - at first it’s intimidating but just walk up the stairs to the 4th floor. Offers a zen-like vibe with Buddhist statues and an aquarium with white carp as their bar table. Their tea/coffee usually comes with traditional dried persimmons.

Located in the Hannam-dong neighborhood of Itaewon, Warped is a streetwear based clothing store where local creatives go to just chill.

A two-room techno club in Itaewon with possibly one of the best sound systems.

Entrance fee to the garden is separate from the Palace.

Small and cozy record bar that was opened by Jinmoo, one of the founders for OG DJ crew 360 Sounds. You can easily hear hip hop, jazz, soul and funk sounds by 360 Sounds members and other local DJs.

Not only a bar but an artistic space that has been used for live performances, film screenings and exhibitions. Sindosi offers books, cassettes and artwork for sale as well as a church going experience on their roof as they have pews for seating.

SooJin Park's Best Spots in Seoul

Collard

Gorgeous Italian spot, candle lit and romantic as romantic can be. Forest green decor and seating for either an intimate date or group date. It’s usually pretty full in there so I’d advise you to book in advance -- but it’s worth it. Recommended dish: Lobster Linguini with a side of Quail Eggs.

Perfect day time date spot in Belsize Park North London, a breakfast menu with a Persian influence. Lovely service, get to see a few actors and actresses that live around the area which is cool but just don’t be weird, practise your nonchalant “too cool for school, yeah whatever famous person”- nod in the mirror. Close proximity to Primrose Hill park also which is a staple date location. Recommended dish: Baked Eggs.

The finest of fine dining, beautiful restaurant, decor levels on a thousand. Would recommend for relationship daters. Probably a bit over-blown for a first date experience unless the person you’re trying to court has a great pallet for French cuisine and loves a glamorous atmosphere. Recommended dish: Black-legged Chicken to share & Escargot for the side.

My girlfriend coined this spot “The Thinking spot” she took me there all the time and said it’s where she does all her best thinking. Pull up in the car and chat for hours in front of the bird decorated lake or take a stroll down the lake side. It really is a beautiful and calming spot inside such a popular Royal Park. I recommend going at night to avoid having to weave around large crowds.

This is the low key pre-drinks date spot you hit for if you’re about to go out for drinks (my Londoners know what I’m on about) -- the drinks before the drinks. Lounge-y and quiet, Polo Bar is perfect for conversation and shaking off nerves before you go out for the “after drinks” at a restaurant or club once were allowed back in them.

Why not look at some art if you’re both into it? This particular gallery is situated in central london so it’s surrounded by an array of food spots and makes the whole dating experience a lot more eventful. Doing something is cool. Always incredible exhibits on show here also, from artists like Reginald Sylvester and Coco Capitán.

For the film enthusiasts the Curzon Bloomsbury is the perfect cinema for a movie date. It’s a smaller and more boutique feel as opposed to the usual cinema experience elsewhere. There’s a boatload of great restaurants and cafes in the Bloomsbury area to eat at before or after the film if it’s all going well, and if it’s not then it’s only 5 mins from tube station.

London's Finest Date Spots with Collard

Minneapolis 

Head to Fhima's for fine Moroccan and Sicilian cuisine. It's tradition before a Gravy show in Minneapolis to go here with my mum and all the homies. We’ll get a private room, a bunch of drinks and get the menu brought out family feast-style. I've tried every item on the menu, and probably quite a few that aren't on there, and have loved every one. My favourite restaurant in Minnesota. Don't miss it.

The nicest little classy bar and restaurant in Rochester. Right downtown – within walking distance from my crib – and the food is sensational. My favourite meal is the Minute Chicken, with the steak fondue appetiser if you're big-time hungry. All the waitresses and bartenders are people I grew up with so tell ‘em Matt Hauri says what’s good.

Pizza shop right down the street from my childhood home. They have the best pizza in all of Rochester, and just the dopest people working there. Every time I step in it turns into a party.

The most poppin' bar that has survived in Rochester. So if you end up in Rochester on any weekend night, Kathy’s is where it's at. It's got a little rooftop that I'd recommend. A lot of hectic memories from back in the day up there.

This is basically where all the rich people in Minnesota live, but even us middle class folk would pull up and show face. It's a big ass lake with a ton of shoreland that people build fancy shit on. Tons of lake bars and supper clubs that people can pull their boats up to. In high school I'd go out there with my boys in a canoe and convince people to let us wild out on their boats. This is as Minnesota as it gets.

If you end up at Minnetonka I recommend Lord Fletcher's, it's the go-to spot on Minnetonka. Giant ass bar. They probably have like five different bars spread out there, could fit like 1,000 people probably. Everyone is lit too.

Another spot to check out on Minnetonka: Big Island is the main spot where everyone goes on weekends. Hundreds of boats tied together, Michelob Golden (the Minnesota beer), waist-high water, it's lit.

It's my favourite club to hit on a weekend night. They've got bottle service, they know what music to play and that’s where you'll find me if I'm in Minneapolis.

This is a Jamaican restaurant and rum bar with discotheque music from all over the world, and they have some of the best Caribbean food that I've had – at least in the Midwest. And just an insane set of rums. It’s a great vibe.

Lit ass bar in downtown Minneapolis. Potentially the most lit gay bar that I've been to, and I spend a lot of time in WeHo. Gay folks party harder than most, baby don't miss it.

Bar and coffee shop all in one. The coffee is fire, the bar is fire, it's pretty poppin'. I met the owner and he's a great fella.

Yung Gravy's Guide to Minnesota 

Little Dragon

Gothenburg 

They sell good coffee and good coffee gear. That’s the only thing I buy apart from food. It’s nice shopping. - Fredrik


You can take the bus here, it's a public nature reservoir by the ocean and you can walk out and be alone if that’s what you need or it's where the party is. There’s also rocks you can jump off and feel the energy of the ocean. Some places are a bit hard to get to so you may have to climb a bit, but it’s a nice little half island so you won’t get lost. It’s good to explore and get a feel of the west coast. It’s like the milder version of Norwegian influence. - Erik 


The Best Places in Gothenburg to Explore Local Culture with Little Dragon

Octa

Berlin

This restaurant is run by my good friend Tim Ligtenberg and they make a fantastic Neapolitan. It's also my go-to spot on Friday evenings, as Tim always has a DJ or two spinning in their outdoor space in Mitte's Hackescher Hof, where I can be sure I'll run into at least a few friends before heading to the next event.

A small, quiet wine bar in Neukölln – the perfect stop for a chilled glass of orange wine on my way home from the office. They also offer a limited selection of authentic Italian goods, such as my very favorite Nocellara olives and bread sticks.

This local nut and dried goods store has a couple of locations around Berlin, but I like to frequent their shop on Karl Marx Straße for familiarity. In addition to their wide selection of traditional Lokum (aka "Turkish Delight") they also offer a huge selection of roasted nuts and dried fruits – I recommend their candied hibiscus, or the sesame roasted almonds – my go-to snacks since the first time I entered their store.

Probably the best way to describe Hopscotch is as an oasis. In addition to a sprawling selection of non-western English-language literature, emphasizing diaspora narratives and marginalized experiences, Hopscotch hosts workshops and events for a general audience.

To be frank, I haven't had a chance to visit the SAVVY Contemporary space, but that is only because of lockdowns hindering the accessibility of cultural institutions. SAVVY's focus, as an arts center, classroom, and communal space, is on interrogating notions of the "West" and "non-West" to attempt to deconstruct some of the firmly held social constructions surrounding such notions. SAVVY founder Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung was recently appointed as the new director of the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in Berlin to take effect in 2023, which is a huge deal – especially in Germany, where visible examples of Black cultural architects are very limited.

Berlin is home to a huge selection of swimming lakes and ponds. Sadly I have a deep connection to the Ocean, but since Germany is largely landlocked, lakes will have to do. Bernsteinsee is one of my favorite places to go swimming, but at around an hour's drive outside the city, it is a rare visit for me. The vibe there is just very clean, very quiet, and SANDY – which is not the case for all of the lakes in Greater Berlin.

Octa's Favourite Spots in Berlin

Koreatown Running Club 

6th st in Koreatown gets so busy with the nightlife and endless restaurants. I love running down 6th and seeing all the chaos that comes with everyone having a good night out on the town.

For a mellow neighbourhood run, I enjoy running through Hancock Park which neighbours Koreatown. I love looking at the architecture of the houses there.

Stop by for some cold brew at the local coffee shop, Document coffee.

My favourite route is definitely running down Wilshire Blvd heading west. It’s a straight shot that leads to Santa Monica. I enjoy all the stop lights for the quick breaks to catch your breath during your long run :) 


We meet here a lot during marathon training. Starting from the most northern spot of the parking lot, we run south through Santa Monica, Venice and Playa del Rey and back up with the Pacific Ocean right by our side. It’s about 16 miles but there’s ways to extend it to 22. No lights and we end up with a good time at the beach.

Downtown Los Angeles is always fun to run through. We don’t go there often. Maybe to a restaurant or bar but we’re in and out. You often don’t get to wander and look around so it’s always refreshing run our route runs through it.

In the mornings when we do our big group runs, we’ll sometimes run down Vermont leaving Koreatown and pass a whole block of street vendors that take up the whole sidewalk. There’s probably like 20 tents packed with people. It’s the only place that can match our energy that early in the morning. We always run alongside them and exchange good mornings and buenos dias back and forth.

Easy loops around the reservoir ending with some coffee and food in Silverlake is always a good time. It’s also a good ten miler from Koreatown with a loop around the reservoir.

Nike has always been a great partner with us early on. 3107 Pico is home to the original Nike store. Eventually, it became a printing/copy shop but with some work, it fell back into the hands of Nike. A place with a lot of history. Always good to run out of here and make some more.

Koreatown Run Club's Guide to LA

Open Waters Community

A gorgeous sandy beach in South hams at the mouth of the River Avon where you can forage for sea treasure, surf or sun yourself in the summer. I go often to collect drift wood and shells to use in my art pieces. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Lifeguards from May - Sept

Added by @nuttersbychloehill

Sick place to go for a picnic and a swim in the summer. Bit muddy , but alright when you dive in. Bring your armbands just in case. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @tenzinball

Quieter than most tourist beaches, with some gorgeous views up at Hastings cliffs, plus there's a lovely group of swimmers, the St Leonards Bluetits, for bigger supportive swims when you want them.

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Changing rooms

Added by @filmsvbooks

One of the best beaches I've been to, beautiful white sand, very few people, no litter and lots of seals which are very cute. Nudity is also acceptable if that's your thing. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: None

Added by @kittycatmeow4

Stunning reservoir with clear water that glows a vibrant turquoise in the sunshine where you can go open water swimming, or even take cheeky stop by the hot tub or saunas in you're feeling boujie. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Lifeguards 

Added by @shotbymelissa 

Beautiful place to swim, one of the best places I've been to wild swim in the UK with some amazing views around the lake. Takes a little bit of a walk along the footpath to get there and you should keep an eye out for boats, but well worth it. 

Swim Level: Intermediate
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No
Wheelchair access: No 

Added by @samblenk

I love this place because it's got fresh running water, beautiful lakes and streams and massive grass areas for lounging in the sun. Perfect place to rest and restore your energy.

Swim Level: Not for swimming
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @feensface 

Home to a unique breed of seaweed eating sheep who live on it's rocky-foreshore, this beach isn't neccesarrily one for swimming but it's a place where once a year you can tap into local cutlure and traditions by attending the North Ronaldsay Sheep Festival which involves rebuilding the drystone sheep dyke to prevent the special breed from straying from the shores and eating grass which is toxic to the sheep. 

Swim Level: Not for swimming
Public Transport: No 
Facilities: No

Added by @gazzergram_

Such a great pool and there's a queer swim meet there once a month which is great for water lovers who might not feel so comfortable going to the pool alone. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: No 

Added by @freshasadaiz 

An effortlessly beautiful beach where you can swim or go fossil foraging if that floats your boat. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes, RNLI lifeguards 

Added by @xcazzyx 

One of my fav pools, it's open air, heated and has beautiful views of the surrounding hills.

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, lifeguards and changing rooms

Added by @heyellieq

Tiny little shingle beach with stunning views. Great for a quiet little retreat, peppered with fossils and there are some fantastic walks to be had on the surrounding cliffs with spectacular views of the sea. 

Swim Level: Intermediate 
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, toilets 

Added by @wilhopson

Hope Cove is like a little slice of the Med tucked into the Devonshire shores. The cove itself is beautiful, with crystal clear water, little streams and rockpools that pepper the beach and lots of big boulders for climbing. It's safe as there's very little current and there are usually lifeguards in the summer months and if you get tired of paddling then there's a lovely little gallery where you can enjoy art produced by locals. 


Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: Yes, Seasonal lifeguards 

Added by @indiahill_mhd

The bit of Brighton Beach that extends down to Hove is a an oddly serene oasis compared to the main bit of the beach by Brighton town centre. Not many tourist stray down that far, there's a mixture of sandy and pebbled sections and the main draw is it's a lot quieter. Lovely for a dip in the summer and the major key is to position yourself inbetween Marrocco's (a fantastic Italian restaurant where the go to order is a Frittura Mista - a HUGE and delivious box of seafood and chips) and the Brass Monkey's Ice Cream cart (often positioned on Courtney Terrace on the beach front where the beach huts are).

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes

Added by @indiahill_mhd

Powered by volunteers, Clevedon Marine Lake is a salt water tidal pool filled with water and set against the the Bristol channel. Swim, paddle, crab, SUP or canoe here any day of the year. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes 
Facilities: No 

Added by @bonnieophelia 

Take the Bristol to Bath cycle route and end here to pop your toes in the water. Take a picnic and meander through the valley, enjoying a dip in the River avon. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No 

Added by @bonnieophelia 

A 2 mile long pebble beach, set against jurassic cliffs, is a perfect spot for a long walk and day out in the south Devon area. After, get a clotted cream ice cream and pop to the long high street of charity shops. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: No
Facilities: No 
Wheelchair Access: Yes

Added by @bonnieophelia

Tucked away behind Clifton Village in North Bristol, Clifton Lido is a calm oasis offering delicious swim and lunch packages. Pop in during winter as the pool is heated all year round. 

Swim Level: Beginner
Public Transport: Yes
Facilities: Yes, lifeguards and changing rooms

Added by @bonnieophelia

If you fancy a little inland adventure, or just want to brush up on your skills before going on a holiday further afield, you can try your hand at scuba diving, open water swimming or stand-up paddleboarding centre in Somerset. Swim Level: Intermediate, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms + Guide, Added by @dancetoujours

This is a beautiful art deco saltwater lido formed in an unusual, triangular shape. You can take a dip while enjoying a little slice of history. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilties: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: Yes. Added by: @dancetoujours 

A real gem of the south west, this is one of my favourite places in the UK to go snorkelling. Also at low tide you can explore the surrounding caves and it feels like you're walking through a magical kingdom of rocks, water and hidden caves. Swim Level: Beginner Public Transport: No, Facilities: Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: No

Beautiful sandy beach next to a quaint, picture-perfect fishing village with some truly amazing views and you can grab a drink at Tŷ Coch Tavern after. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: No, Wheelchair Access: Partial.

The cutest little cove in the world with a bit of a swashbuckling vibe from the smugglers caves that are dotted about.  It's got a lovely sandy beach, which is really quiet as it's tucked away from any roads or hustle and bustle and there's even a botanical garden nearby if you're visiting with friends who are less keen on beach activities. Seafood is to die for. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: No, Facilities: No, Wheelchair Access: No

Even thought the route to Man O'War is really steep, it's worth the effort. The water is so beautiful, it's literally like being in the Med on a hot day. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: No, Facilities: No, Wheelchair Access: No

So I had to double take at pictures of this beach when I was looking ahead of my visit, because it genuinely looks like a beach I love in Trinidad. The water is crystal clear and I had a sick day here doing paddle boarding and snorkeling and collecting sea treasures. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: No, Wheelchair Access: Yes

This was a lovely little discovery on a camping holiday to Osmington Mills in Weymouth. The beach is sandy and pebbly, but the best thing about it is the water is super clear and it's pretty shallow for quite a distance offshore, which was great for the members of our group who were anxious about deeper water. Also, it's a lot less busy than Weymouth Beach. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: No, Wheelchair Access: Yes, Added by @indiahill_mhd

Really great facility to have in the heart of Hackney borough. I love going here for a cold water swim all year round. There's nothing quite like it in the rest of London and there's something really liberating about having access to cool water and open horizon against the city skyline. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: Yes

This one is for all my people after a boujie weekend. Floating around in these beautiful heated pools, overlooking the rooftops of Bath city is such a treat, especially at sunset. There's also an indoor pool if you don't fancy the one on the roof. And if you plan your trip, you can head down to the Roman Baths to contrast your modern experience of the water with a guided tour to find out how the Romans enjoyed the water too! Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms + Guide, Wheelchair Access: Yes 

Ok hear me out, this pool is small and kind of spenny because you only get access when you book a room in the hotel, but the view from this pool is amazing. It's 52 floors up and you can see all of London. This is definitely one to consider as a birthday, valentines, palentines or anniversary experience. If you're going to go up the Shard, this is the way to do it. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: Yes

This spa is so decadent, there are six pools and each has a different kind of vide. There's one set up on the roof, another which is more of a kid's pool with a rockpool kind of vibe, but my favourite one is the one set slightly aside from the hall in the grounds as it has more of a holiday abroad kind of vibe. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Lifeguard + Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: Yes

This is a teeny tiny infinity pool to be fair, but it's set right up in the rooftops of Manchester city centre and it's just really cool because of the views. Swim Level: Beginner, Public Transport: Yes, Facilities: Changing Rooms, Wheelchair Access: Yes

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