SOMEONE once famously said “Go west, young man." With that in mind, I can’t think of any more appropriate advice for anyone planning a quick break in the UK.

Forget package holidays and foreign climes, Cornwall is the destination. With mild and pleasant temperatures all year round, a rugged coastline, quaint fishing ports, beautiful sandy beaches and fantastic attractions, the county really has something for everyone.

It’s just a few hours’ drive west to a land of mystery and beauty. Influenced by the Celts and carved by the sea, Cornwall has a captivating feel which leaves a mark on all travellers.

And if you thought Whitchurch Canonicorum and Piddletrenthide in Dorset were strange sounding names for villages, try Ventongimps, Marazanvose and Stithians.

Negotiating the highways and byways of Cornwall you’d be forgiven for thinking you were driving through the Emerald Isle or the Welsh valleys!

I visited Cornwall for the weekend but I think a week is needed because there is so much to see. I stayed at the St. Michael’s Hotel and Spa in Falmouth, a charming and very stylish hotel that I would urge readers to check out.

It’s a contemporary setting and ideally placed to provide a good base for which to explore Cornwall. Situated in the heart of picturesque Falmouth, it has to be one of the finest settings in the county.

Set in its own sub tropical gardens, St Michael’s Hotel and Spa has stunning views out across the sandy beach and Falmouth Bay to the rugged Lizard peninsular and spectacular Cornish coastline.

Just two minutes from the South West Coastal Footpath The glorious Gyllyngvase beach is only 150 metres from the garden gate with its Blue Flag golden sands and chic café.

Visiting out of season means you’ll probably be sharing the beach with just the gulls but in the summer the area buzzes with visitors, many of whom are attracted to this walker’s paradise.

Within an hour from the hotel there are many famous beauty spots such as Swanpool beach with views to St Mawes. Further afield, and about half an hour's drive from the hotel, is the picturesque National Trust's Kynance Cove.

Another nearby treasure is the Cadwith, one of the few remaining working fishing villages in Cornwall. A cluster of thatched cottages nestle in a valley leading down to a shingle beach, where the small fleet of colourful fishing boats can be found when not out fishing.

It’s a wonder I ever got out of the hotel to explore all these treasures.

At St. Michael’s, the nautically attired staff provide an informal haven of perfect pampering with the very best of food and service.

All the bedrooms are en suite and are carefully furnished in a contemporary coastal style. Some of these have balconies or patios that lead straight onto sub tropical gardens offering stunning views of the ocean and Cornish coastline.

There’s also St Michael’s Spa that features a large heated indoor swimming pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, sun deck, well equipped fitness suite and spa treatments.

For the record, the Spa has received a clutch of accolades including being selected by Coast magazine as one of the UK’s top six coastal spas in July 2007.

After a £3.5 million refurbishment by owners, Nigel & Julie Carpenter, St Michael's hotel has won many awards and is generally regarded as one of the finest hotels in the South West. St. Michael’s jewel has to be the dining experience.

The Flying Fish restaurant is an award-winning restaurant at the hotel with stunning views of the ocean, Falmouth Bay and the Cornish coastline. It’s a stylish, contemporary and friendly restaurant for residents and discerning diners.

The roof terrace offers a great opportunity for "sun downers" and al fresco dining in warmer months. The talented team of chefs create an exciting range of dishes based upon what is fresh & seasonal.

Seafood lovers will be in heaven as the menu regularly features delights from the local area.

The hotel is just a short walk from the quaint port of Falmouth, where other recommended activities include sampling the delicious cuisine at Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop. Here you can enjoy a variety of local fish like hake, monkfish, John Dory and bass in batter and deep fried in beef dripping that make it really crisp.

Another nautical treat is the National Maritime Museum, which is located close by in the marina.

There are many events to look out for in Falmouth, whicjh would be worth coinciding with your trip.

By far the biggest is Henri-Lloyd Falmouth Week that takes place in August andhas developed into the largest regatta in the South West. It provides a racing schedule to challenge the most competitive sailors, yet retains a ‘fun and friendly’ feel which also attracts families and the less experienced.

For foodies, you should check out the Falmouth Oyster Festival that is held in October and ow in its 14th year. The event has steadily grown both in size and popularity, regularly receiving in excess of 25,000 visitors, and is now considered to be one of the top food festivals in Cornwall.

Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season and the diversity and quality of Cornish seafood and in particular, one of the last remaining traditional oyster fisheries, dredging by sail and oar.

Ancient laws dictate that no engines may be used to dredge the oysters to conserve the stocks and protect the natural ecology of the oyster fishery, using the characteristic Falmouth Working Boats or oyster rowing punts.

With so many things to see in Falmouth and Cornwall it’s impossible to mention them all here, but there’s always something to keep you occupied.