A tiny island off the coast of Sicily, Favignana is the largest one of Aegadian Islands, which also include Marettimo and Levanzo. Whilst Favignana was once prominently involved with tuna fishing and packing, it is now focussed on tourism. But you won’t find scores of people flocking to the white sand beaches with cool boxes in hand, like some other European holiday destinations; the island is relatively untouched by the cruel hands of mass tourism and remains a safe haven for those looking for some peace and quiet.

Cala Rossa, Favignana, Italy by rivaalessandro

Places to Stay

There are a variety of different hotels to stay in around the island and you can be sure a beautiful view of the azure sea is never far away. My two favourites are the Hotel Tempo di Mare and the Hotel Cave Bianche.

The Hotel Tempo di Mare is a four star, stunning white-walled hotel whose entranceway beautifully frames the crystalline waters. It is not a huge hotel and has around 45 rooms, each designed in a simple but chic way with white linens and hints of pale blue. There is a restaurant within the hotel which serves delicious Italian and Sicilian fusion food, using the mouth-wateringly plentiful frutti-di-mare.

The Cave Bianche is a little further away from the island’s main city, only around a 10-15 minute drive, and is set in an old mining quarry. This is a striking hotel unlike anything else in the world; submerged within a quarry with huge vaulted ceilings and characteristic pale sandstone walls. There is also a large pool and Jacuzzi’s not to mention plenty of sunbeds, so you can take advantage of the warming Mediterranean sun.

All in all both hotels are stunning and a real design feat, certainly eons better than what you would find on the Costa del Sol!

Church in Favignana, Sicily, Italy by giovanni.gambaro

Beaches

There are a number of beaches scattered throughout the island, the best has to be the gorgeous Lido Burrone and Cala Azzurra. Both of these beaches are around the south of the island and easily accessible by car or moped. The real thing that makes them special is the fact that the sea is so clear, and the sea beds are covered with luminous white sand stretching out from the coastline. This makes it easy to see all of the amazing sea-life around the area, including octopi, moray eels, crabs and jellyfish, although the majority of these will be found in deeper waters so you don’t have to worry about getting stung!

Sunset at Favignana, Sicily, Italy by payhere

How to get there?

I am from London and so one way I found to get there was flying from Heathrow to Palermo in Sicily which is only a short flight, then hire a car from Palermo to Trapani and then hop on a hydrofoil for around 20 minutes to then get to Favignana’s main port. If all this may seem a little too much, why not try a cruise and stay Caribbean cruise? They are run regularly by many operators and stop right alongside Sicily making it much easier for you to get to Favignana.

However you find it, Favignana is a real hidden gem, so why not discover it now before everybody else does?

The post Top 5 reasons why Favignana is the perfect place for your next holiday appeared first on Europe Explored.

Gran Canaria, Spain / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Hector Garcia

Clear waters can be tough to come by, but clear waters which contain points of interest are even tougher to find. The shores of Gran Canaria are home to some of the best scuba diving in the Canary Islands and certainly worth exploring whether you are splashing about with a snorkel or are a serious diver. The warm sub-tropical waters are teaming with wildlife both exotic and varied, so when you’re taking a dive there’ll be plenty to see.

For something a little more action-packed, Gran Canaria sees itself as one of the world’s best windsurfing locations and in previous years has produced many a champion surfer and been home to competitions and championships which draw in the world’s windsurfing communities.

The winds which lend so well to windsurfing also produce some of the best waves for surfing and bodyboarding, leading it to be referred to the ‘European Hawaii’ by experience surfers. You can look forward to waves up to 5m in size when the conditions are right, some awesome conditions begging to be tamed. When staying at Anfi Beach Club you are only a few moments away from access to all the equipment and tuition you might need to spend your time away on or in the water.

No matter where you are in Gran Canaria you’re never far from the vibrant and energetic nightlife so many seek out after sundown. For the most vigorous club atmosphere you should head to the South of the island, near the Playa del Inglés or Maspalomas; the area is home to hundreds of bars, clubs and discos which cater for just about every taste you can imagine.

Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by kismihok

For those staying at Anfi Beach, which is about 20km west of Maspalomas, you are still within travelling distance if you still want to experience the main hub of clubs and bars, however, you’re also far enough out to escape from it completely should you wish. The nightlife surrounding the Anfi Beach is slightly lower key the Maspalomas, but you still have access to bars, restaurants, live entertainment and clubs, both onsite and offsite in the surrounding areas.

If you are more inclined to leave your resort and explore the island, Gran Canaria is home to some of the most dramatic and picturesque scenery of the Canary Islands. Because of the island’s volcanic beginnings the terrain is largely rocky and far from flat giving any one with a passion for hiking or trekking plenty to explore as well as some breathtaking vistas which really must be seen to be believed.

So whether it is just for the beaches or the waters, the nightlife or the nature – there is really something to be found for everyone on Gran Canaria, all within easy reach of Anfi Beach Club.

About the Author:

C Green is a long-time blogger covering many diverse subjects from travel tips, to art and house sitting. He currently writes for Travel & Leisure Group, trusted timeshare resellers of over 20 years.

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The post Making the most out of your stay at Anfi Beach Club, Gran Canaria appeared first on Europe Explored.