From Ibiza to Wales: A Gen Z Shift from Party Holidays to Foraging and Wellness
Georgie screws up her face in a vivid display of disgust. 'It tastes exactly like blood!' she exclaims with a dramatic cry. We are standing together in a shallow rockpool on the expansive Pendine Beach in Carmarthen, diligently learning the intricate art of de-husking limpets for a unique seaside snack. Our guide is the seasoned foraging expert, Craig Evans, who patiently instructs our group.
Clad head-to-toe in waterproof gear, we prepare to venture forth in search of elusive razor clams and various edible seaweeds, all while intermittent spatterings of rain drizzle down. This immersive experience is decidedly not the most glamorous of getaways one might imagine.
A Departure from Debauchery
Once upon a time, and not so very long ago, our traditional girls' holidays revolved almost exclusively around a few key, predictable ingredients: copious amounts of cheap vodka, poorly rolled cigarettes, and endless nights in dimly lit European basement clubs. So how, then, have I successfully convinced four of my oldest and dearest friends to completely forego the well-trodden paths to Ibiza and Mykonos, instead heading resolutely down the M4 motorway for a restorative weekend in the rural heart of Carmarthenshire?
The clear and compelling answer is that these days, alcohol plays a significantly diminished role in our collective lives. We are increasingly keen to extract something more authentic and 'real' from our precious trips together, moving decisively beyond the repetitive thrum of nightclubs.
We are certainly not alone in this evolving mindset. According to the comprehensive 'State of Student and Youth Travel' report published by the Flight Centre Travel Group, approximately eighty-three percent of Generation Z travellers are now actively prioritising cultural exploration and meaningful sightseeing when they journey abroad, consciously shunning the more debauched and hedonistic ways of past generations.
A Restorative Base in Laugharne
With two cherished members of our close-knit clan of five having recently suffered the painful loss of grandparents, the invaluable opportunity to spend some deeply restorative quality time together felt not just welcome, but fundamentally necessary. Our chosen base for this retreat is the grand and characterful Cors Country House, a stately home nestled in the very heart of the small, picturesque town of Laugharne.
With the formidable Storm Chandra wailing and howling outside our windows, we take a moment to properly assess our new, luxurious surroundings. Megan has immediately made a determined beeline for a magnificent freestanding roll-top bath. Meanwhile, Olivia and Zoe are already deeply engrossed in frantic Google searches for 'how to use an Aga' cooker. Our accommodation boasts five spacious bedrooms, a private cinema room, and even a well-stocked bar – we have certainly not committed to going entirely teetotal just yet.
A famously former resident of Laugharne was also not particularly shy of enjoying a drop or two himself. Perched dramatically by a cliff on the renowned Wales Coastal Path, the historic Dylan Thomas Boathouse served as the celebrated poet's final residence. Today, the top two floors of this iconic boathouse function as an insightful museum dedicated to Thomas's life and work, while the cosy basement has been transformed into a charming tearoom.
Culinary and Cultural Discoveries
From the comfortable confines of his recreated living room, we immerse ourselves fully in the Welshman's fabled literary career. Downstairs in the tearoom, further delightful cultural discoveries eagerly await us. 'I have never actually ordered rarebit before,' confesses Megan thoughtfully as we all sit down for afternoon tea, 'because I always rather foolishly assumed it had something directly to do with rabbit.'
There are immediate murmurs of agreement and recognition from our entire group – followed swiftly by sheer delight as steaming hot plates of the classic Welsh delicacy arrive at our table, accompanied by generous slices of traditional bara brith and numerous piping hot teapots. We tuck in heartily as the rain continues to patter against the windows, feeling profoundly happy to be warm and cosy inside.
Coastal Foraging and a Chilly Celebration
Thankfully, the inclement weather calms down considerably by the following morning, allowing us to bundle cheerfully into the car to join Craig for our long-awaited coastal foraging session. Out on the vast, seven-mile stretch of Pendine Beach, with the invaluable assistance of Craig and his loyal golden retriever, Llel, we quickly learn to determine which seaweeds are the most flavoursome and which varieties are best avoided entirely.
By the time lunch finally rolls around, we are enthusiastically cooking up a veritable seaside feast, carefully stewing our foraged cockles, mussels, and razor clams over a crackling open fire, all richly seasoned with wild garlic and locally sourced Carmarthenshire butter. Afterwards, in a spontaneous burst of exhilaration, we strip off our cumbersome waterproofs and tear headlong into the sea for a celebratory, albeit decidedly chilly, invigorating dip.
It might not be the warm, azure waters of the Mediterranean, but I feel an undeniable sense of personal triumph. There is something uniquely uplifting and soul-stirring about sea swimming energetically beneath brooding, stormy skies.
Spiritual Nourishment and Reflection
That very same afternoon, it is time for yet another form of essential nourishment – but now in a more spiritual and introspective capacity. Pavlina, an experienced yoga practitioner and skilled massage therapist, has joined our group to lead a deeply relaxing combined yoga and acoustic sound therapy session.
The tranquil afternoon slips peacefully by, and as the resonant, healing vibrations from Pavlina's Tibetan singing bowl reverberate soothingly around my entire body, I suddenly realise just how profoundly relaxed and centred I feel – a world away from the frenetic mania and chaos that so often defined our previous girls' holidays.
After enjoying a wholesome dinner of delicious vegetable pie and soup sourced from the excellent nearby Wrights' Food Emporium, followed by a hearty full Welsh breakfast at the charming Inn At The Sticks the next morning, we bravely venture out to brave the rain for one final, drizzly, reflective stroll along the windswept beach.
It is, all five of us unanimously agree, one of the very best and most memorable trips we have undertaken for a long, long time – and notably, not a single sore head was required.
