The constant sunny weather is almost guaranteed here. There is subtropical Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 18 °C and average summer temperatures above 30 °C. Tourism started to develop here in this area in the 60′s of the 20th century. Until then there were just small fishing villages on the coast with the quiet life.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Stephen Heron

Costa del Sol is still relatively sparsely populated in comparison with northern parts of the coast, such as Costa Brava or so. In addition to a wide range of accommodation there is also a wide range of entertainment and shopping options. You can taste the famous Spanish cuisine and meet with the locals who are very friendly.

The area features the long beautiful beaches, many of which have previously received the Blue flag of the European Union, which proves their high quality. These beaches boast not only for its cleanliness and grooming, but also a high quality of services. Costa del Sol consists of a large number of large and small beaches, most of which has a gentle access to the sea, which is especially appreciated by families with children. Swimming is offered in a crystal clean and warm Mediterranean sea, whose waves are also ideal for various water sports. It is a popular destination for the lovers of windsurfing, kiting, water skiing or riding on water scooters.

Costa del Sol is an ideal place to spend quality holiday full of sun. In addition to great swimming in the sea and sunbathing on the beaches here you can also find beautiful landscapes and many historically significant places. Top cities worth a visit are Malaga, Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Torremolinos, or resorts like Benalmadena, Fuengirola and last but not least is Gibraltar. Costa del Sol is also very close to African continent, it is not a problem to get for example to Morocco.

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One of the best preserved and maintained monuments is a fortress Talao (Torre Talao). It offers a great view of miles of beaches and cliffs.

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In the historical center of town you can see a Norman castle from 11th century, monastery, ruins of Judas tower, Palazzo dei Principi from 13th century, Church of San Nicola in Plateis from the 8th century, Palazzetto Normanno from 12th century, a former prison Cimalonga tower from 15th century and many more.

You can see here a lot of exotic plants. For example, cedar. The whole region was named right after this slow-growing tree as Cedar Riviera. The tree grows up to a height of 40 to 60 meters with a trunk diameter of 80-200 centimetres.

If you don’t find something you are looking for right in Scalea, then go to the neighboring national park – Parco Nazionale del Pollino. Here you can see another amount of plants as well as protected animals, caves and several gorges, such as Argentino River Valley, the gap in Lao or Romito cave with the pre-historic graffiti.

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Rimini is located in an area known as Adriatic Riviera, which is famous for its endless sandy beaches and long gradual entry into the sea, which is appreciated especially by families with young children. The resort is situated on a flat sea coast in the southeast corner of the Po Valley, about 200 km south of Venice and 50 km from the historic city of Ravenna. Along with several other towns in its surroundings creates a long strip of the urban landscape.

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The town has been here already since Roman period, which is reflected in the buildings in the city center. Rimini has received wider recognition in 1843 when the first spa resort was built here, which is still working. They deal with the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and respiratory tract and are located in the northeast of the city. During the World War II almost the whole town was destroyed but it has been reconstructed during following years, began to grow and today it is one of Europe’s largest sea site resorts. The first hotel was opened here by Baldini family together with a spa centre in the year 1843. Since then there has grown additional 1600 accommodation properties.

Currently this resort can offer not only the sea, beaches, entertainment and attractions, but also nice old city with some beautiful and important monuments. So you can find a wonderful combination of nature, history, culture and entertainment here. Rimini has two faces – one is historic, great and calm in the same time, while the other one is trendy, vibrant and splendid.

Fans of medieval and Roman monuments will certainly not be disappointed since there are few of them right in the city center. One of the most important monuments is Ponte di Tiberio, a bridge that was constructed of Istrian marble. Its history dates back to the year 20 AD. Up to 90′s of the 20th century the bridge was used for transport, but now serves only for pedestrians. At this bridge, originating from the reign of Emperor Tiberius, starts the main street Corso di Augusto, which crosses the old city.

Following the street you can get up to the south edge of town where you can admire the oldest triumphal arch in Italy – Arco d’Augusto, which was built in 26 BC and served as the official gateway to the city. From the gate, then leads the main road Via Principalis.

The main square of Rimini is Piazza Cavour, which reflects all the city life. Its dominant feature is the ancient palace Palazzo del Podesta built in the 14th century. In front of it you can see the equestrian statue of the former ruler Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta. He was considered as one of the most daring military leaders in Italy of this time.

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On Via IV. Novembre street you can see a Renaissance cathedral church Tempio Malatestiano, which is perhaps the most beautiful building in the town at all. It was built in the 13th century by architect Leon Battista Alberti. His work has subsequently become a jewel of Renaissance architecture. Old Town provides a pleasant rest from the otherwise bustling tourist center. You can wander the picturesque cobbled streets or relax in hidden corners and observe the life around.

But Rimini is mainly known for its busier environment and rich cultural program. It is an ideal place for those who want to enjoy an active holiday full of fun and entertainment of various kinds. So if you like a hectic shopping, crowded pizzerias, discos and bars, you should spend some time on the main street near the beach. In the dark the resort transforms into a center of wild fun. There are especially young people, who are enjoying the vibrant nightlife of clubs and discos until the early morning hours. Exuberant nightlife is the main reason why Rimini is often called “Ibiza of the Adriatic” among young people. However you will not be disappointed even if you are the lover of good food and drink, as you can sit in a comfortable environment of restaurants, pizzerias and bars.

If you will want a break from the hot Italian sun, go to cool down into the Adriatic Sea. Rimini has over twenty kilometers of beaches with golden sand, which is sometimes up to 200 meters wide. Although the sea is a little cloudy from the sand, do not worry about its purity. If you do not prefer sunbathing on the beach and just lying, you can try paragliding, windsurfing, water skiing or jet-ski. In addition to water sports Rimini offers also opportunities to play volleyball, tennis, golf, mini golf and many other sports you can think of. If you have roller skates, be sure to take them with you – Rimini offers several special in-line routes.

You can also spend some time in one of the many parks. The biggest one is the Parco XXV Aprile, where you can get from the street Dario Campana. If you are planning your vacation with children, it is better to choose accommodation in a quieter part of town, like Miramare de Rimini, where the beaches are not overcrowded and there are no fees. This is more quiet part than downtown, which you appreciate mainly during the evening and night hours. As the busiest part of town is considered Rivazzura.

Around the city there are many theme parks, e.g. Fiabilandia, but also the Dolphinarium, a water park and Aquafan underwater world. Perhaps the most popular amusement park is Mirabilandia – Land of Miracles. Among the frequently visited attractions is Italia in miniature, where you can see Italy’s most famous buildings in miniature.

In addition, only about 20km from Rimini you can find the second smallest state in the world – the Republic of San Marino, which is definitely worth a visit. So Rimini is a place where you cannot experience boredom, but unfortunately there is sometimes very hard to find moments of peace.

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Porticcio holiday resort which is situated in one of the most beautiful bays of the west coast of Corsica has become a popular destination for water sports lovers from all over Europe. You will find a wide and long sandy beaches here lined with numerous restaurants and bars. There is also the only water park on Corsica nearby. Visitors can go diving, sailing, surfing, water skiing or playing tennis. There is also a sailing school. Very popular here are Porticcio ship cruises.

Tips for your trips

The advantage of the site is that you can easily get to Ajaccio and other parts of the southern half of the island. South of the capital of Corsica, Ajaccio, you will find one of the most beautiful bays of the west coast. It is right opposite the Bloody Islands (Les sanguinaires) in the Ajaccio’s bay, protected by guard towers Capitello a Frassu. There are numerous hiking trails and mountain biking trails. Very attractive are the central parts of the island with picturesque villages and beautiful countryside of Corsica’s National Park.

The most romantic way how you can get to Corsica across the sea, is by ferry either to Bastia in the north or to Bonifacio or Ajaccio in the south. If you have a luck, you can see some dolphins around the ship.

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Marsascala history dates back to the 17th century, when there was a small and insignificant fishing village. It had a strategic position, which in 1614 was used by Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller of St. John – Fra Alof de Wignacourt. He rebuilt the town into a defensive fortress St. Thomas Tower, which protected this part of the island against the Turkish invasion. The village suddenly became a closely guarded place. Now, the fort does not fulfill its function any more, but it’s just a restaurant.

The Coast of Marsascala Bay is lined with a long promenade, where you can find many cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops – it is a centre of all social life. In the vicinity of the city there are constantly growing new villas and weekend houses. Especially the residents of the capital – Valletta, which is quite far away, use to spend a peaceful end of the week here.

Coast is flat and rocky. You can find sandy beaches in the neighbouring St. Thomas Bay. It offers ideal conditions for swimming, relaxation and water sports. The landscape around the city is made up of fields of orchards and vineyards, which give the place a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.

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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.

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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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If you wake up early and be among the first visitors here, you’ll enjoy a beautiful morning and plenty of solitude. At about 1′o clock the tourists are coming here together with the cruise ships. For its charm and stunning looks Porto Katsiki Beach was nominated for the most beautiful beach of the Mediterranean sea. Also according tourists it is among the eight most beautiful beaches in the world.

This beautiful beach is accessible from the tiny village of Athan and you must get roughly 90 stairs from the cliff. You can also walk through the adjacent beach Egremni, which is similarly beautiful and much longer. Porto Katsiki Beach is relatively short, the length is about 500 meters and during a high season there is not a lot of privacy. Parking at the beach is free for motorcycles, for the cars you sometimes need to pay a small fee.

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Thanks to its location the city and its surroundings belong to the warmest areas of the Bulgarian coast. For its beautiful nature the resort was a popular place for the Bulgarian royal family in the past. Today Tsarevo is a popular tourist destination suitable for lovers of comfortable, quiet, romantic, but also of active holiday.

In the center of town you will find the pedestrian zone, shops, markets, cafes, pastry shops, restaurants, discos, bars, parks, cinema or a jungle gym for children. Tsarevo has a football field with artificial turf, which is freely accessible to children. In Tsarevo you can also enjoy some sport activities such as sailing, diving or widsurfing. Close to the resort you can stay in well-known campsites Bulgarka and Nestinarka.

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Monte Cofano Nature Reserve (La Riserva naturale orientata Monte Cofano) offers to Sicilian visitors an unspoilt beauty and presents a significant value for natural and anthropological features.

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The mountain is formed by a combination of dolomite, carbonate rocks that are the oldest outcrops in the province and date back to the Triassic, about 200 million years ago. They are separated from neighboring area Gnarosa Marcato by a small saddle. You can follow the marked trail starting from the beach Cala Buguto that leads all around the perimeter of the mountain. From the top of the mountain you can enjoy a splendid view of the coastline.

There are many signs of human presence in this area since prehistoric times as evidenced by the graffiti and stone tools which were found in caves Miceli, Buffa, del Crocefisso and Mangiapane.

In June 1991 the area was declared a nature reserve.

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