Top 5 Holiday Destinations in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean has been a favourite travel destination for as far back as the history of man goes, and for very good reasons.  The climate is ideal, providing warmth and sunshine all year round for visitors from cold northern climates.  During the summer, the diverse landscapes scattered throughout the Med from the hills, vineyards and mountains to the enticing beaches encourage visitors from all over the world to visit to enjoy the pristine sands and serene water.  Here is a list of the top 5 Mediterranean holiday destinations that you should definitely visit at least once in your lifetime.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

Barcelona

To start off experiencing the Mediterranean in a major city filled with action, fantastic shopping and dining, and a nightlife that is second to none, Barcelona is an ideal place.  During the day, there are many museums to experience filled with the rich history of Barcelona.  One of the most popular is the Barcelona FC Museum, dedicated to the incredibly popular football team – it is the second most visited museum in all of Spain!  At night, you can visit one of Barcelona’s many nightclubs and dance your cares away.

Carassonne

Carassonne in southern France should be on everyone’s list of places to visit when exploring the Mediterranean.  It is a thriving medieval Castle that is filled with Renaissance history.  As soon as you enter through the drawbridge, you will feel like you have stepped into a history book.  The best way to get the full Carassonne experience is to stay overnight so you can have the city essentially to yourself after the many tour groups have left.  Halloween is an especially great night to visit thanks to the house of terror they put on as well as other decorations.

The Algarve

The Algarve is the most popular holiday destination in Portugal and with good reason.  It is very safe, very welcoming, and is relatively cheap.  The beaches are also stunning and clean, which is made even more impressive by the fact that there are over 200km of beaches to enjoy.  English is widely spoken at most of the resorts as well.  If you love playing golf, then The Algarve is a perfect holiday destination as it is home to over 30 courses.  It may shock you to learn that the total population of The Algarve is under 500,000, yet the region receives over ten times that amount of tourists per year.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hugo Cadavez

Crete

Crete is the largest Greek island by area and is an extremely popular holiday destination for tourists.  Every year, over 2 million visitors travel to Crete, the majority of them staying in the capital, Heraklion.  One of the biggest draws is of course the magnificent beaches, but also the tremendous nightlife which will give you plenty to do to fill your days as well as your nights.  If beaches and nightclubs aren’t really your thing, Crete also has some magnificent mountains that are ideal for hiking in.

Cefalu

Cefalu located in Sicily is a beachside village that has a very strong feeling of history.  The streets are all narrow and cobbled and barely provide enough room for a Smart Car to navigate.  Lining the streets are antique shops, craft shops and fruit and veg markets, all of which are worth a visit.  Relatively quiet compared to other destinations, you will be able to enjoy the water in Cefalu without the frantic pace of life in other destinations.  There are a lot of ancient buildings, such as the Cathedral of Cefalu that provide a great experience for tourists too.  Cefalu is also home to numerous bars and restaurants so you will never run out of things to see and do.

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If you are planning on visiting the Med for the first time, look into staying at the La Manga Club.  A stay here is guaranteed to make you want to return time and time again.

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Tags: algarve, Barcelona, Carassonne, Cefalù, Crete, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Category: Travel Tips