The area

Historically Torrevieja was renowned for its production of sea salt, which has been one of the area’s leading exports since Roman times. In more recent times the area has become famed for its golden sandy beaches and superb water sports and sports fishing opportunities. As recently as the 1980s Torrevieja was a sleepy fishing village, but in the last couple of decades the area has been transformed into a holiday maker’s paradise. The area boasts some fantastic restaurants offering tastes from all over the world, and if you’re a sucker for the beach, there are four sandy stretches with calm, clear waters right on your doorstep.

Cove in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, Spain by Jose M Martin Jimenez

The beaches

If you like nothing better than spending a good portion of your holiday flat out on the beach then you will not be short of choice in Torrevieja. Playa de los Locos is one of the larger beaches within walking distance of Torrevieja centre that boasts a 700 metre stretch of sand as well as calm, blue waters perfect for swimmers of all abilities.

Playa del Cura is particularly popular with the locals due to its stunning backdrop of palm trees and charming restaurants. The beach’s small size and popularity does mean it gets busy in peak season, so you might have to set off early to secure your spot.

Playa de la Mata is regarded by many as the most beautiful beach in Torrevieja, and is less protected than the area’s other beaches, making it a haven for water sports lovers. Windsurfers, kite surfers and sailors flock to the beach from miles around, but thankfully the beach has a large of expanse of sand, so you should always find your own little sunny spot.

Beach in Torrevieja, Costa Blanca, Spain by Phillip Capper

The attractions

The town’s rich heritage as a major producer of sea salt is encapsulated by Torrevieja’s sea and salt museum. Although you may not think you’ll be immediately taken by the history of the salt industry, this museum is of real interest and well worth an hour of your time.

The Park of Nations is an excellent place to relax, escape the crowds and enjoy an oasis of tranquillity. The beautifully landscaped and verdant park, complete with lake, fountain and palm trees make you feel like you’re a million miles away from a bustling tourist resort.

And what better way to walk off your dinner than with an evening stroll along Torrevieja’s gorgeous beach front and marina. Order a drink and watch the world go by in one of the town’s charming cafes or bars.

Author: If you’re looking for great apartments in Costa Blanca then Los Locos Beach offer comfortable, well equipped, spotlessly clean self-catering apartments with breathtaking sea views. Pop along to the website to see the full range of apartments.

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Visit the city of Alghero

The historic city of Alghero is a must-see on any trip to Sardinia. It has a picturesque old town, brilliant fresh seafood restaurants and plenty of places to sit with a cold drink watching the sun go down. The town is not heavily reliant on tourism, meaning that it’s a great place to experience true Sardinian culture, though it does get busy during the summer months. A gently shelving sandy beach stretches the length of the bay, making it a great choice for those travelling with young family.

A family holiday in Torre del Porticciolo near Alghero, Sardinia, Italy by Dave Haygarth

Explore the coastline in a kayak

If you’d like to explore Sardinia’s beautiful coastline, hiring a kayak for the day is the best idea. This will give you the opportunity to paddle to the secluded beaches, as well as view the caves and sealife along the coast. Be sure to check out the idyllic Cala Luna, the setting of Madonna’s film Swept Away, which can only be accessed by boat. Kayaks are available for hire on the promenade in Cala Gonone.

Enjoy Laguna di Nora’s turtle sanctuary

Located on the south coast of Sardinia, the Laguna di Nora turtle sanctuary makes a great day out for the whole family. As well as the rescued sea turtles and aquarium, there are fascinating Roman ruins and a beautiful beach nearby.

Spend a day at Il Lazzaretto beach

There are many wonderful beaches in Sardinia, but the Il Lazzaretto beach is a favourite even amongst the locals. Located in the Porto Conte regional park, it is sheltered by a headland on which stands a beautiful 16th century tower. The soft white sands and crystal clear waters make it an ideal place for rest and recuperation. If you do fancy some further exploration, it’s just a short walk or drive from the prehistoric settlement of Nuraghe Palmavera.

Sample the local cuisine

We’re all familiar with the delights of Italian cuisine, and the food in Sardinia manages to encompass all of its delights whilst keeping a strong identity of its own. A Sardinian meal typically starts with antipasti, including proscuitto, cheeses, octopus, salami, olives, and marinated vegetables. The first course often comprises of sa fregula, a small round shaped pasta served in fish broth with clams, ravioli made with semolina or panadas, a round pie filled with vegetables, meat or eels. The second course will usually be a fish or meat dish. Traditional Sardinian meats are spit-roasted suckling pig, baby lamb, goat and rabbit. If you’re a bit more adventurous, you may want to try sa cordula, lamb intestines with peas plaited into a braid. Another specialty is sanguinaccio, a pig-blood sausage sweetened with currants and sugar. With such a plethora of wonderful food options available, visitors to Sardinia will never go hungry.

Pizza, Sardinia, Italy by Dave Haygarth

Conclusion

Sardinia is a beautiful island with plenty to offer travellers, so make sure you hire a car. It makes a wonderful holiday destination for those looking for a little bit of laid back luxury.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hector Garcia

Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is the second most populous of the Canary Islands but undoubtedly the most beautiful. The capital Las Palmas is a vibrant and bustling city with a beautiful beach and a fantastic nightlife. The skyscrapers that form the backdrop to the beach give it a great sense of relaxation amongst people in their day jobs (hey who doesn’t want to rub it in a little). Beyond the city the beaches are incredible. They are heavily built up but not in the concrete jungle way you expect from the Costa del Sol for example. The beaches are incredible but it is the natural beauty and diversity of the island that really makes Gran Canaria so splendid.
The scenery ranges from sand dunes to mountains and verdant forests and lush gardens. This makes it an incredible place to stroll and to hike and the sheer biodiversity is overwhelming. The beautiful towns along the coast and inland such as Puerto de Mogan (little Venice), Puerto Rico and Maspalomas give you plenty to see and do and offer a rich diversity of hotels, resorts and Gran Canaria apartments to stay in and relax.

Lanzarote

Lanzarote is considered much more of a package holiday destination with lots of resorts and hotels. Lanzarote villas to rent are incredibly popular as well thanks to the islands reputation for excellent nightlife and of course the beaches. The beaches on Lanzarote are incredible with Playa Blanca and Papagayo being two of the very best with beautiful white sands and stunning crystal blue waters. The island is incredibly popular as a package holiday destination but government legislation has meant that development has been tasteful and there isn’t an abundance of concrete monstrosity.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ SOSA

The natural beauty on offer on the island isn’t quite as diverse as Gran Canaria but the island is still incredibly beautiful with the cave complexes of Los Verdes and Jameos del Agua being two of the highlights. The volcanic crater of El Golfo is also incredible and a deep green colour that is incredible. Finally Timanfaya national park is an absolute must for visitors as it holds tens of square miles of beautiful volcanic landscapes and craters that are unlike any other landscape on earth.

The island also has a rich history with an abundance of beautiful architecture and centuries old fortifications to explore. The 16th century Castillo de San Gabriel and the Castillo de San Jose are incredible to behold and stand as testament to the island’s rich history. The islands rich history is well worth exploring and is a great way to take a break from the beautiful beaches and the sun and relaxation you’ll mainly be enjoying.

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Nice

The capital of the French Riviera Nice is the fifth largest city in France and one of the most exciting places to spend a summer on the Riviera. The city became a popular tourist destination in the 19th century thanks largely to an influx of British traveller’s seeking the warm Mediterranean sun. The beach may be largely pebbled but the city is beautiful. The Promenade des Anglais is one of the most famous sights and provides a beautiful beach side walk. The Orthodox Cathedral is well worth a visit and the medieval town centre is the perfect place for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Here you can find the remnants of the old Chateau and a rambling collection of narrow alleys and beautiful ochre houses. In terms of places to stay apartments in Nice provide you with a real sense of luxury but the many five star hotels are equally impressive and elegant.

Cannes

Cannes is famous as a millionaires playground and is one of the most outwardly extravagant destinations on the Med. The May international film festival is perhaps the most famous draw for the rich and famous and tourists more generally but the town has a rich warm atmosphere throughout the year. The seafront promenade and La Croisette and the Vieux Porte around the bay are a fantastic place to while away your afternoon’s while Le Suquet which forms the central part of the old town is a fantastic series of rambling streets and medieval buildings as well as the impressive 11th century castle. Nearby you can access the popular Iles des Lerins via a brief ferry ride and enjoy some fantastic beaches. In terms of staying here in France, villas are at their most luxurious and hotels aren’t far behind. Further inland you can find cheaper accommodation and numerous camping grounds.

St. Tropez

St. Tropez is one of the most laid back and stunning parts of the South French coast. It manages to retain village like charms despite being an incredibly popular destination. The port and surrounding streets are messy in an ever endearing way and the beautiful buildings and very traditional French culture mean that St. Tropez is one of the best destinations in France all year round. The 11th century citadel with its museum is perhaps the most interesting sight but the views are the most impressive thing about it. The town hall is fairly impressive but really the culture is the most interesting and exciting thing about visiting this town. The real pleasures for many though are the beaches with St. Tropez being in close proximity to some of the region’s most beautiful and popular beaches. In particular Les Graniers and the beaches on Baie des Canoubiers are particularly impressive.

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Here, on Guincho Beach you can enjoy fine sand, which forms the dunes but also clear water that is ideal for surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. Therefore Guincho Beach is a popular destination for surfers from all around the world. It is regularly a home to Portuguese National Surfing, but also to the World Championships in windsurfing. Near Guincho Beach there are several surf schools and Surfcamp, where you can stay and borrow or get your surf fixed.

The beach also starred in the film – as a part of the movie about James Bond in 1969 (On Her Majesty’s Secret Service).

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The Navagio beach can only be reached by boat.

Access from the mainland is not possible, you have to take a boat at the island of Zakynthos. But you can ask also the local fishermen, who – at a lower price – also take you to the beach. Do not go there in the big waves. Then you can see the Navagio beach only from a distance of several hundred meters, because ships cannot enter the narrow inlets during the big waves.

From the cliff above the beach you can enjoy the view of the Navagio beach and surroundings. The most pictures are taken from this view point.

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The biggest attraction of Hornbæk is its local beach. It is also one of the best beaches in Scandinavia, awarded by the Blue Flag. Hornbæk Beach has fine white sand and you can enjoy here really clean air. It is a popular place of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Unfortunately there is no rent available, so you must bring your equipment yourself. In summer, the swimmers are secured by the Coast Guard. Hornbæk beach stretches on both sides of the harbor.

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Those who like walking and hiking are invited to the public forest Hornbæk Plantage, which stretches several kilometers along the coast. In the forest there are several marked routes. You can stop at one of many small parks and pick up the map of the trails at the local tourist Information Centre.

Hornbæk is also a popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Here you can rent a boat here either at the local Information Centre or in the office of Captain of the port, located on the south side of the harbor. Prices are around 600 DKK (80 EUR) per boat per day and up to 3 people.

You can stay in the local camp, which is well equipped and offers also cabins, a playground and an air trampoline for children. Or in one of the hotels. In the port you can visit the fish market.

Hornbæk is best accessible by train and car. The nearest international airport is located in Copenhagen, which is 50km away.

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