I’ll never forget the drive over to Anglesey – we’d packed the car to the brim with welly boots and pasties, only for the sat-nav to chuck a wobbly just past the Britannia Bridge. It rerouted us down some winding lane that felt like it hadn’t seen tarmac since the 70s, and we ended up circling a field of bemused sheep for a good 20 minutes. Typical me, I thought, always turning a simple journey into an unplanned adventure. But by the time we rolled into Amlwch Port, the sun was dipping low over the harbour, casting this golden glow that made the whole mishap feel like serendipity.

The property itself was a proper gem – this Grade II-listed building from 1826, with our fabulous first-floor apartment tucked away up a private entrance. Spotless, contemporary furnishings that made it feel like a stylish home-from-home, plenty of space for me, my other half, and our mates. Right in the heart of the coastal village, with the sea practically winking at you from the window. First impressions? Blown away. That anticipation of arriving somewhere special hit the spot after our little detour.

We didn’t have a grand itinerary – nah, our holiday was all about getting lost and stumbling on Anglesey’s hidden corners. First morning, we wandered out along the coastal paths from the village, no map, just following the gulls. Ended up at this tiny cove just beyond the harbour, barely a soul there, with waves lapping at pebbles that glittered like they’d been sprinkled with fairy dust. Sat there with a thermos of tea, watching seals bob about – pure magic, the sort of spot you’d never find on a tourist app.

One afternoon, faffing about on a whim, we veered off towards the cliffs and got properly disoriented in the best way. Tripped over this secluded beach wedged between rocky outcrops – turned out to be a local secret near Cemaes Bay, all soft sands and turquoise water, empty save for a couple of dogs chasing waves. We picnicked on cheese rolls from Amlwch’s little bakery (their Welsh cakes are legendary, by the way), and it felt like we’d gatecrashed paradise. Light humour in there too – I slipped on some seaweed trying to pose for a photo, ended up looking like a beached whale. Laughed till we cried.

Another day, we aimed for a pub lunch in Amlwch but took a “shortcut” that led us rambling through flower-strewn paths to an old lookout point overlooking the harbour. Wind in our hair, views for miles – it was one of those moments that made me pause and reflect. Back home, life’s all rush and screens; here, getting lost reminded me how brilliant it is to just breathe and let the island lead you. No regrets about ditching the guidebook.

Evenings were for ambling back to the apartment, cooking up a storm with local crab from the harbour fishmonger, then spilling out to a nearby pub for a pint and yarns about our “discoveries”. Anglesey’s got this knack for those off-the-beaten-track surprises if you let yourself wander. If you’re after a holiday that’s more serendipity than schedule, this corner of Amlwch Port is your spot. Can’t wait to get lost there again.