I’ll never forget the drive up to Nefyn last summer – me behind the wheel of our trusty old hatchback, sat-nav insisting we were nearly there, and then bam, we take a wrong turn down some narrow lane that had more sheep than tarmac. Turned out we’d veered off towards Morfa Nefyn instead of the village proper, and for a good 20 minutes we were proper lost, bumping along with hedges scraping the sides. I was sweating a bit, picturing us sleeping in the car, but my other half just laughed and said, “This is the adventure, innit?” In the end, it added a proper thrill to the arrival, and when we finally rolled into the coastal village, hearts racing with that mix of relief and excitement, the place hit us like a breath of fresh sea air.

Pulling up to our terraced cottage, tucked away from the main drag in the quietest spot, I had this buzz of anticipation – would it live up to the pics? Stepping inside, though, it was love at first sight. A lovely, welcoming spot, beautifully appointed with that touch of luxury perfect for us two, all renovated to a high standard and tastefully done up. Deceptive from the outside, sure, but inside it felt like instant home – cosy, relaxing, the ideal launchpad for a romantic break. We dumped the bags, cracked open a couple of tins, and just soaked it in.

From there, the holiday became all about those hidden gems you stumble on by accident, especially when you let yourself get properly lost. First morning, we wandered off the beaten track behind the cottage, aiming for the beach but ending up on a winding path that spat us out at a secret cove I’ve never seen on any map. Crystal water lapping at the pebbles, not a soul in sight – we had it to ourselves for hours, paddling and picnicking like kids. Laughed our heads off when I slipped on seaweed, but it was pure magic, that feeling of discovering something just for us.

Next day, we got lost again on the clifftop walks around the headland – missed the main trail to Porth Dinllaen and found this tiny, overgrown path leading to an old lookout point with views that stopped you in your tracks. Seals barking below, gulls wheeling overhead, and us munching pasties from the village shop we’d grabbed earlier. Nefyn’s got all the amenities a short stroll away – fab chippy, friendly pub doing cracking local ales – but it’s these off-the-beaten-path finds that made it special. One evening, we veered inland a touch and chanced on a secluded bay near Edern, where the tide pools were teeming with little crabs and anemones. Sat there till sunset, feet dangling in, chatting about nothing and everything.

Looking back, getting lost wasn’t a mishap; it was the best bit. In our rush-a-day lives back home, we never slow down enough to notice the magic right under our noses. This cottage gave us that nudge – quiet, luxurious base to explore from, turning a simple holiday into a treasure hunt of hidden North Wales spots. If you’re after quality time with that special someone, minus the crowds, get yourself lost in Nefyn. You won’t regret it.