Le cinque terre (Liguria).

Located in the Northern Italian region Liguria (Map), the Cinque Terre are five villages (Monterosso, Rio Maggiore, Vernazza, Manarola, Corniglia). This beautiful area is now a favorite tourist location. It is though impressive to think how in the past the population living on these steep slopes falling on the sea were struggling to cut cultivable areas by building flat balconies (terrazzamenti) on the slopes. Might think that those villages where easy to defend from attacks from the sea, but people dearly paid for security with hard living. It was probably well worth it, because now, with tourism, their descendants have a much more rewarding life (money-wise). Accommodations are not particularly cheap, but you can find some affordable B&B. I have posted here a few pictures taken in Cinque Terre.

Gower peninsula (Wales).

We made a short (2and1/2) days in this area of the South of Wales, near Swansea. Pleasant scenery and villages. The narrow road tend to be packed in holidays times. Here are some pictures of the Westernmost point (Worms Head) seen from the village of Rhossili. For food and drink, Mumbles seems to be a good option, with quite a few pubs and restaurants (in the Mumbles mile).
A possible choice is the St. Patricks. Not cheap but good restaurant, pleasant dining room and wine bar. 638 Mumbles Road, Mumbles - Gower peninsula, Swansea SA3 4EA Wales
Telephone 01792 360199.

Lake district (Cumbria).

There is more information than one needs everywhere (web and books) about the lake district. Therefore I just mention a couple of pubs I tried in the north end of the district.
 

Oddfellows Arms, Caldbeck, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 8EA, 01697 478227 Jennings Pub (Jennings beers are consistently quite nice) with a rather rich menu. I tried some duck and it was good, and my friends were also quite pleased with their own meals (for dessert fans I was told that the sticky toffee pudding was excellent).

Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, English Lake District, Cumbria, CA13 0RU, England, UK, Tel: +44 (0) 1900 85219.
A typical Inn with extremely good pints of a local brew (so local you can only find it here!). I tried the Kirkstile Gold and the Grasmoor Dark Ale (there are two more types, check here) and found them excellent. Food is also very nice: I tried the local lamb shoulder and my friends gave me positive feedback about their meals.