International travel is slowly creeping back into our lives, but with countries flicking from green to amber to red faster than a set of traffic lights, many of us will be spending our holidays on home turf this year.
While thousands upon thousands head down to the (relatively speaking) tropical south coast of Cornwall and Devon, we're setting our sights much close to home.
There's so much to explore here in the north west, some of it so beautiful you might think you'd teleported to New Zealand, or to the Italian coast.
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For families, for couples, for groups of friends and for lone rangers, there's a holiday not too far from Manchester to enjoy.
Here are five beautiful holiday destinations to explore.
Where's your favourite holiday spot in the north west? Share your recommendations in the comments below.
Ribble Valley
You need only travel an hour up the road from Greater Manchester to find yourself in some of the country's prettiest countryside.
The Ribble Valley in Lancashire is so varied and so staggeringly beautiful, it even inspired many of the landscapes in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
You'll find picturesque villages aplenty here, including Downham, which has no overhead wires or road markings and has retained every inch of its period charm.
It's a haven for walkers too, whether it's a stroll along the River Ribble (maybe with a quick swim thrown in), a woodland walk in the Forest of Bowland, or a brisk climb to the summit of Pendle Hill.
You can also explore Clitheroe Castle and museum, and wander the streets of this ancient market town.
Where to stay: There are loads of places you can stay, but you'll find a nice mix of accommodation at Gisburne Park, from glamping (with proper beds, fire pits and hot showers) to self-catered lodges with hot tubs.
There's an outdoor heated pool, peacocks strutting around, and an on-site restaurant and bar, plus 1000 acres of estate to explore.
Where to eat: This corner of Lancashire is award-winning gastropub heaven.
The Inn at Whitewell, the Freemasons at Wiswell, and the Parkers Arms are all well worth a visit - and will accept you even in your muddy hiking boots.
Portmeirion
Once named Britain's second-most picturesque village, Portmeirion is maybe the closest most of us will get to a European break this summer.
The village on the Welsh coast was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village.
A jumble of colourful buildings includes a grotto, a piazza, and a beautiful bell tower, with Castell Deudraeth a short distance from the main village.
There are free guided tours around Portmeirion too, which will show you all the highlights.
Where to stay: Rooms are available throughout the village and at Castell Deudraeth, but you can't beat a stay at The Hotel Portmeirion, which has been here for almost a century.
The hotel has views across the estuary as well as an open air swimming pool.
Where to eat: If you want a slap-up fancy meal, it's back to the Hotel Portmeirion and its art-deco restaurant you go, but there are plenty of charming cafes in the village to try too.
For the real 'am-I-actually-in-Italy' experience, grab a seat at Caffi Glas and tuck into pizzas, pastas and gelato.
Lytham St Annes
St Annes has been a holiday favourite with Mancunians for decades, and for good reason.
Blackpool's quieter neighbour is situated on a beautiful stretch of Lancashire coastline and has an ornate Victorian pier, a boating lake, and the much-photographed row of colourful beach huts.
There's loads to entertain visitors of all ages, whether you want to stroll along the tidal sand dunes, veg out on the beach, visit the ornamental pond or play mini golf.
The town itself has plenty of restaurants and B&Bs, its own art gallery and Lytham Hall, a stunning Georgian country house.
And of course, it's only a short distance to the giant playground that is Blackpool.
Where to stay: For luxury, it's got to be the Clifton Arms, a giant four-star hotel with views right across the seafront.
But there are also loads of B&Bs and self-catered apartments with something to suit all budgets.
Where to eat: Is is common with tourism hotspots, there's a good mix of cuisines available in Lytham St Annes, from Chinese to Indian to Greek to Italian.
Locals rave about Turkish grill restaurant Anatolia Sea View, and you'll find one of the best chippies in the country in Seafarers, which has a restaurant area as well as a takeaway offering.
The Lake District
This is the obvious one, but with so much more time spent in the UK it's a great chance to do some proper Lake District exploration.
There's so much to do in this beautiful national park - hiking is perhaps the main attraction, but you can also rent yourself a canoe, a paddleboard or a tiny electric boat for a few hours, or take a dip at any of the swim-friendly lakes.
Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth both famously lived and wrote here, and there are museums dedicated to both writers, plus National Trust sites like Hill Top and Wray Castle to explore too.
The weather can be a little unpredictable here, but with the right gear there's really nowhere better.
Where to stay: If you want a proper treat, Low Wood Bay is a favourite.
There's an outdoor infinity pool, but it's got a full spa and indoor pools too, so you'll be happy to take shelter here if the weather does turn
Where to eat : The Lakes has masses of Michelin stars for such a sparsely populated area - there's the world-famous L'Enclume in Cartmel, The Old Stamp House in Ambleside, HRiSHi in Bowness-on-Windermere and The Forest Side in Grasmere, to name a few.
The Drunken Duck in Barngates is one of the best gastropubs of all time, and for brunches you can't go far wrong with Homeground in Windermere.
Chester
If your idea of a holiday is long lunches, leisurely strolls around the shops, and maybe an occasional day trip to a stately home - Chester's the one.
Chester was recently named the second-most stylish city for a UK break (beaten only by Bath).
It's a warren of higgledy-piggledy lanes and city walls, with its famous black and white Tudor buildings lining the streets.
Take a walk around the city walls, do a day trip to Chester zoo, take in the beauty of Chester Cathedral or just sit down and sip wine all afternoon.
The choice is yours.
Where to stay: Hiltons, Crowne Plazas, Holiday Inns - you'll find all the familiar hotel names in the city.
One of the newest kids on the block is The Hotel Chester, a £4.6million luxury boutique aparthotel.
Here are five more new hotels on the way.
Where to eat: Grab a drink at Lono Cove, which is opening its first bar in Manchester very soon.
In terms of restaurants, you can always rely on Elite Bistros' Sticky Walnut, or the renowned Hypha, or any number of popular casual chain restaurants that are dotted around the city.
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