Isle of Lewis, Scotland / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Monroe

The Edge of the Land

The Isle of Lewis is at the north westernmost tip of Scotland and one of the larger of Scotland’s Western Isles. Lewis isn’t really an island. It’s attached at its southern tip to Harris. These islands are the centre of Scotland’s Gaelic speaking culture. Crofting communities lived here until well into the 1970s.

The capital, Stornoway, is the only sizeable town in the Western Isles. Seals sometimes visit the harbour, especially when the fishing boats come in on Thursdays and Fridays. Responsible travel is vital on Lewis where the community keeps a strict observance of Sunday worship. All businesses are closed on this day.

Stay in a crofter’s cottage and explore the countryside and isolated beaches. Uig Beach on the south west of the island is the largest beach in Lewis. Tolsta Beach at the northern tip is famous for its “bridge to nowhere”, an unfinished bridge that was supposed to link the area to Ness, a village community at the northernmost tip of Lewis.

Tolsta beach, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Iain and Sarah

There are prehistoric Neolithic sites in the centre of Lewis. The Callanais Standing Stones are carved out of the pale grey Lewis gneiss and arranged in the shape of a Celtic cross. Eleven other stone circles are dotted around this neighbourhood. These are some of the most impressive megaliths in Europe and far more spectacular than Stonehenge.

After you have visited the castles, museums and shopping centres in Edinburgh, Stirling and Glasgow, it may be time to get away from it all. Scotland has the perfect location for a castaway, although this will be in some comfort. If you are looking for an unusual place to stay, try the Rua Reidh Lighthouse in Wester Ross at the entrance to Loch Ewe on the mainland.

Rua Reidh offers a view over the Highlands scenery, the Isle of Skye and Western Isles over the sea. It was built by a cousin of the writer, Robert Louis Stevenson. Wander around the countryside and see golden eagles, dolphins, deer, otters and seals. There are guided tours to see the wildlife and rock climbing courses for those who feel energetic.

Rua Reidh Lighthouse, Wester Ross, Scotland, UK / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by ms.akr

View From the Slopes

Try Scotland’s Central Highlands for exhilarating skiing holidays. Aonach Mor, about two miles north east of Ben Nevis, offers some of Scotland’s longest lasting snow. It’s possible to ski here until well into May. This is the best area for off-piste skiing and snowboarding.

The north face of Ben Nevis is popular for gully skiing. These are steep skiing descents between 45 and 60 degrees and can be even more challenging than this in continental Europe. The best time for this sport is between March and mid-May.

Corrie Sneachda, further north in Inverness-shire, is a glacial formation with steep sides. This offers the ultimate in extreme skiing. Responsible travel is recommended here as a number of skiers and mountaineers have been killed tackling the steep sides of the corrie.

Enjoy your stay in Scotland from the wonders of its wilderness and extreme sports to its thousands of years of cultural heritage.

AUTHOR BIO
Fiona Blake writes regularly on skiing holidays for a range of travel websites and blogs. She is also a specialist guide to the Western Isles.

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Beaches
On the island you will find beautiful pebble and sandy beaches. The best beaches for swimming are mostly in the eastern part of the island. The beaches are gentle with a calm sea (the waves are nearly absent, since the eastern side is not open to the sea), while at the western part you can find rocks.

Climate
Corfu has the coldest climate of all Greek islands (in summer daytime temperatures are around 28 °C), which is pleasant in summer and suitable also for hiking and exploring the island. rare here in the summer of weak collisions occur.

Kerkyra Town
Kerkyra is the capital of Corfu. The town has over 35 000 inhabitants. You shouldn’t miss Vlacheraina monastery, which lies on the own little island.

Corfu is very attractive for its beauty, charm, freshness and distinctive villages with magical ports. In them you can find fishing boats and tavernas. Throughout the island you will see a huge amount of cypresses, olive trees, pines and citruses.

Northern coast of Corfu has long been a popular destination for air tours. The tourists are in this beautiful island totally excited. Many famous people have joined their life or name with this favorite destinations – for example, Johan Wolfgang Goethe, Oscar Wilde or the wife of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I. – Elisabeth, called Sissi.

Corfu has also a rich history and interesting architecture. If you plan on sightseeing tour, you will certainly be happy that the island is dotted with plenty of sights worth visiting. You can visit Achillion – Classicist mansion, where the Empress Sissi spent much of her life. Another beautiful experience of your vacation could also be a walk to the ruins of a Byzantine castle Angelokastro from the 13th century or to the southernmost point of the island, which is Cape Asprokavos. There is an abandoned monastery, above which you can enjoy the view of 130m high rocky cliffs.

The Corfu has several interesting places that we strongly recommend you to visit: the capital of Corfu, Vlacherna monastery, Empress Sissi villa in the village of Gastouri, Pantokrator mountain, tourist town Paleokastritsa with nearby caves by the sea, village Lakoness, view Bela Vista or resort of Sidari with bizarre rocky reefs.

View Corfu – Emerald Island in the Mediterranean Sea Greece in a larger map

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When you chose to visit Italy, if you can manage to free up a single day during your trip, then you have to visit the popular lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. It is possible to visit all three of them in a single day if you plan ahead.

Murano, Italy by Alex Proimos

Murano Island is known as Glass Island. It was back in 1291 when glass production began on Murano. There are kilns dedicated to blowing glass all over the island and many different shops dedicated to selling the art. The most famous of the glassworks on Murano is that of Venini whose works are features in modern art museums all over the world. There is also a museum on the island that is dedicated to glassblowing. You will also find the 8th century Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato.

It is said that the Island of Burano is perhaps the most beautiful of the lagoon islands. Since back in the 16th century, the island of Burano has become known for the lace work done by the island’s artists. There is a museum on the island dedicated to lace and you can even see how it was woven centuries ago.

The island of Torcello is of course the most romantic of the three islands. The island is practically uninhabited which means you will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the island. It is also home to many archeological finds that are just waiting for you to explore. There is the Devil’s Bridge which is known as Ponte del Diavolo and comes complete with an amazing local legend. In the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta you will find an awe-inspiring mosaic of the Universal Judgment. The island is also home to the Estuario Museum which houses artifacts that date back to the Medieval, Byzantine and Roman periods.

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