Best of European Union » favorable climate http://www.best-of-european-union.eu Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Traveling to San Remo – City of Flowers | Italy http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2012/08/28/traveling-to-san-remo-city-of-flowers-italy/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2012/08/28/traveling-to-san-remo-city-of-flowers-italy/#comments Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:44:48 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=10955 Who wouldn’t want to go to a coastal town with the moniker City of Flowers? It sounds like a fragrant dream waiting to be experienced and taken in by all the senses. San Remo is on a small bay in the Ligurian Region of Italy, in an area known as the Italian Riviera. San Remo earned […]

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]]> Who wouldn’t want to go to a coastal town with the moniker City of Flowers? It sounds like a fragrant dream waiting to be experienced and taken in by all the senses. San Remo is on a small bay in the Ligurian Region of Italy, in an area known as the Italian Riviera. San Remo earned its nickname by having an intense array of tropical plants everywhere you turn. In this region of Italy, the tourists come in while the olive oil gets exported out. If you’ve ever hungered for real Italian cooking or longed for gorgeous scenery, then you will want to visit San Remo, and one of the best ways to do that is aboard a privately chartered yacht.

San Remo Harbour, Liguria, Italy
San Remo Harbour, Liguria, Italy by Dr. Gert Blazejewski

City of Flowers

San Remo is special for a few very simple reasons. The atmosphere here is pleasant- meaning that you will get accustomed to its fresh food, warm weather, majestic mountains, and Italian ambience rather quickly. San Remo’s favorable climate conditions are part of what make sailing a pastime here. There is plenty of sunshine without much rain, and the wind is quite predictable. The nice weather also means that attractions are open all year so you can enjoy a round of golf or a trip to the outdoor market any month you happen to dock here.

For those who opt to charter a motor yacht instead of a sailing yacht, San Remo will beckon you to get your exercise by experiencing the town on foot. La Pigna is San Remo’s town center, and many of its old treasures are only accessible to pedestrians. The harbor, popular among the luxury yacht set, is the place to go for restaurants with the freshest seafood. Imagine taking in Mediterranean sea views while dining al fresco only to turn around and see mountains stretching up into the sky behind the bay. After the meal on land, you’ll get to return to your private yacht for a nightcap and a good night’s sleep.

Streets in San Remo, Italy
Streets in San Remo, Italy by Susana Ferreira Machado

The Music

The other appeal of San Remo is that music is very much alive and appreciated in this town. There is the requisite annual Music Festival, but also, their Symphony Orchestra performs 120 concerts a year! And true to its name, the City of Flowers hosts a Flower Parade that reminds everyone of the town’s most fragrant residents. San Remo not only revels in these simple delights, it also caters to high rollers’ favorite vice: gambling! The casino in San Remo is 100 years old, and the town takes advantage of the building’s cache by hosting the European Poker Tournament every year.

Getting to your private yacht (or planning a meeting place for your guests) should not be too much trouble since the Cote d’Azur Airport serves this area. Trains frequently go between Nice, Genoa, Milan, and the Italian Riviera. Perhaps you can arrange for a boat transfer instead and cross the Med to get to your chartered yacht! Alfred Nobel deemed San Remo the perfect spot for his villa, and he was a pretty smart guy. Why not follow in the footsteps of his legend and head to San Remo where picturesque anchorages are idly waiting for you.

International Yacht Charter Group is the only yacht charter contact you’ll need to make.

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]]> http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2012/08/28/traveling-to-san-remo-city-of-flowers-italy/feed/ 0 Gran Canaria – the most diverse island of Canary Islands | Spain http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/11/11/gran-canaria-the-most-diverse-island-of-canary-islands-spain/ http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/2011/11/11/gran-canaria-the-most-diverse-island-of-canary-islands-spain/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:24:05 +0000 Julius http://www.best-of-european-union.eu/?p=5373 The island of Gran Canaria is the most diverse island of the whole archipelago – Canary Islands. Often referred as a miniature continent, not only because of the diversity of landscape and environment, but also climate. Once you visit Gran Canaria you feel like you visited three continents instead of one island. There are the […]

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]]> The island of Gran Canaria is the most diverse island of the whole archipelago – Canary Islands. Often referred as a miniature continent, not only because of the diversity of landscape and environment, but also climate. Once you visit Gran Canaria you feel like you visited three continents instead of one island. There are the sand dunes like in Africa (called Dunas de Maspalomas), mountainous inland and freshwater reservoirs, as can be found in continental Europe, and deep canyons in you can evoke America.

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

Canary Islands also feature rocky volcanic peaks. The one on the island of Gran Canaria is called Pico de las Nieves. Its slope descends to the ocean and is cut by numerous canyons. The island is divided into two climatic zones. North is more fertile and wetter, while south is more dry and warmer. Actually, we can say that the whole island is quite diverse.

Gran Canaria is the third largest island of the Canary Islands, it is also one of the most popular and therefore most vibrant tourist destinations in this area. The capital is Las Palmas. Varied landscape consists of sand dunes which you can enjoy from the camel back, palm and pine groves, and also of inland mountain forests. Thanks to the favorable climate the island is also suitable for banana trees. Very famous is spectacular botanical garden Palmitos Park – an artificial oasis in the canyon near Playa del Inglés.

Puerto de Mogan, Gran Canaria, Spain
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cristian Bortes

The next stop you should certainly do in a picturesque port of Puerto de Mogan. It is indeed a picturesque town where you can meet with genuine Canarian residents and taste some of the local specialities in one of many nice restaurants. It is an island full of souvenirs and Spanish specialties. People in Gran Canaria are very hospitable and respectful.

Do not miss also the botanical garden Jardin Canario in the town of Alta Tafira (southwest of Las Palmas). Admission is free and you can see all the original flora here.

There are two famous ports suitable for Yachtsmen – Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan. You can find here both a school for sailors, as well as for divers. Puerto de Mogan is also a paradise for fishermen, because there are strong ocean flows that bring a food for fish. Grand Canaria offers ideal conditions for golf fans, you can even organize your own golf tournament here.

The hot favorite for accommodation on this island are well-furnished caves.

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Juan Sosa

Best beaches in Gran Canaria Island

Playa Amadores – Beach with white sand lined with various shops and restaurants, has a reputation as one of the most beautiful in the whole of Gran Canaria. Playa Amadores is located near the center of Puerto Rico. Interesting is, that the beach which is located among the rocks has been created artificially to meet the requirements of even the most demanding clientele.

Playa del Ingles – The longest beach on the island, located in the middle of Maspalomas. Playa del Ingles with its charms is the most visited beach of Gran Canaria. Jumbo Multifunction Center located directly on the coast provides a wide range of services.

Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain
Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Alberto Garcia

Other places worth visiting in Gran Canaria

Las Palmas When you visit Las Palmas you should definitely pay for a sightseeing tourist bus. It runs from the city station and take you to all the places that a