Camber Sands beach

Best for: windswept romance and adventure
The most easterly of the top five, in East Sussex is the seven miles stretch of soft golden beach known as Camber Sands. Clamber down the dunes which form a protective mountain created by the wind whipping the sand off the beach and building up; look out for the skylarks that dive and swoop on the winds across the vast expanse- it can be a mile and half to the sea when the tide is out. A great place for long walks, kite flying, strolling or horse riding in the surf or, at the end of an action packed day, cuddle up behind a wind breaker at the quieter western end of the beach and watch the sunset.

Camber Sands beach, England, UK by davharuk

Brighton Beach

Best for: trendy weekend break or traditional family fun at the seaside
A speedy ninety minutes south of London by car or train sits the groovy town of Brighton in Sussex, recently voted within the top 10 best weekend break destinations. Popular since the 1960s as a seaside getaway, Brighton remains charmingly retro with lines of Vespas parked along the seafront; the famous and well maintained Victorian pier is packed with amusement arcades and fairground rides not to mention the obligatory candyfloss and sticks of Brighton rock. Daytime family fun is guaranteed on the pebbly beach dotted with stripy deck chairs and couples or groups of friends will find the promenade and The Lanes well stocked with cool bars and night clubs, excellent seafood restaurants as well as a huge range of hotels and B&Bs for those making a weekend of it.

Brighton Beach, England, UK by Alpha

Studland Bay

Best for: peace and quiet and getting back to nature
Studland bay is four miles of beautiful white sand lapped by calm water which is generally warm in summer, attracting swimmers and seahorses. The beach backs onto a protected nature reserve of dunes and heath, conserved by the National Trust and home to many varieties of wildlife. There are three sections of beach, the very northern tip, near to the Sandbanks chain ferry, is a designated naturist spot; Knoll Beach is the main section with a cafe and boat hire and further down is the smaller, shadier South Beach. Walkers will enjoy a stroll east for about a mile along the cliff path to catch excellent, dramatic views of Old Harry’s Rocks, great chalk chunks that have broken away from the cliff and now stand alone in the blue waters.

Horse riding at Studland Bay, England, UK by jennicatpink

Salcombe Sands

Best for: fashionable sailing-club life and water sports
The charming town of Salcombe is a summertime home from home for many city dwellers in need of some relaxation; it is packed with trendy shops, cute cafes and superb restaurants serving fresh seafood. Salcombe South Sands is in a little sun trap of a cove, with rays and water as warm as the Mediterranean in summer. Around the headland- an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is North Sands. Both beaches are extremely popular with water-sports enthusiasts with canoes, kayaks and catamarans for hire, the waters are packed with windsurfers and sailing boats. It is possible to book on to power boating and sailing courses and even go scuba diving around nearby shipwrecks.

Salcombe Sands, England, UK by yellow book

Porthcurno, near Land’s End

Best for: magical mysterious hideaway bay
At the very westerly tip of the Cornish south coast, near to Lands End, Porthcurno bay is surrounded and protected by granite cliffs; it has soft, pristine white sand and turquoise waters. When the tide is out, explorers can walk around to neighbouring beaches including a nudist one, look out to sea to spot pirates or search for dragons in the caves. Up above on the cliffs sits the famous Minack Theatre, home to open air dramatic productions and, on the other side stands Treryn Dinas, the formidable Iron Age fort from which the ocean views are unrivalled.

Porthcurno Beach, Cornwall, England, UK by Karen Roe

About the author: Ashley Auckle works with B+B Weymouth, a boutique Bed and Breakfast in Weymouth, Dorset: http://www.bb-weymouth.com/

The post Top 5 beaches on Britain’s South Coast appeared first on Best of European Union.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Arian Zwegers

Santorini is probably the most well known island in Greece. With beautiful blue roofed cottages gracing the jagged cliffs that tower over the clear waters of the sea, Santorini is a delightfully beautiful holiday destination. The historic city of Thira is located on this beautiful island offering a peek into Greek history. A museum filled with well-preserved artifacts from this site is located here and is hosted by a very knowledgeable staff. There are also several tours of the island featuring the sampling of local Santorini wines – which are said to be very good!

Corfu offers a very different backdrop from Santorini. This small island in the Ionian sea is a great escape for nature lovers. The best thing to do on this island is to take a cycling tour. Tours can be guided or not guided and offer a multiday panoramic view of the entire island allowing the visitor to enjoy the silence of nature, the beauty of the sea, and the hidden treasures of this lovely gem of the Ionian sea.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Gleave

Beach goers should find their holiday destination on the island of Mykonos. Known for its pristine beaches, excitement, and party type atmosphere, this holiday destination is guaranteed to please. Platys Gialos is the most popular beach on the island. Packed with beach resorts, restaurants, and many people, this beach is where the biggest and best parties are found. Slightly less crowded and a little quieter are the beaches of Kalo Livadi and Kakafatis. Still filled with fun, these two beaches are frequented by a more subdued crowd and tend to be more family friendly.

Travelers interested in the history of Greece and the Greek islands will enjoy the solitude and offerings of Delos, Patmos, and Rhodes. Delos was once a temple dedicated to Apollo and the entire island was dedicated to the worship of this god. Patmos finds its history in Christianity as well as in the Greek traditions. The monastery of St. John the Theologian is located here and John the Apostle spent time here as a prisoner of the Roman Empire. Rhodes is filled with Knights Templar history. Visit the remains of the walled city once ruled by the the Knights of St. John.

The Greek Islands have much to offer holiday travelers. Finding the perfect place for the perfect Greece holiday is easy and fun.

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