Europe Explored » seven islands https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Holidays in the Canary Islands – enjoy warm weather all year around https://europeexplored.com/2012/11/11/holidays-in-the-canary-islands-enjoy-warm-weather-all-year-around/ https://europeexplored.com/2012/11/11/holidays-in-the-canary-islands-enjoy-warm-weather-all-year-around/#comments Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:29:02 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=12141 If you’re looking to get away for a little extra sunshine then the Canary Islands are the perfect destination to enjoy warm weather all year around. They are extremely popular with tourists throughout Europe with 12 million visitors making the trip every year. The most popular destinations are the larger of the islands in particular […]

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If you’re looking to get away for a little extra sunshine then the Canary Islands are the perfect destination to enjoy warm weather all year around. They are extremely popular with tourists throughout Europe with 12 million visitors making the trip every year. The most popular destinations are the larger of the islands in particular Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuertevntura.

Amongst the islands there are eight airports so you’ll always be able to get to exactly where you want to go.

Tenerife coastline, Canary Islands, Spain
Tenerife coastline, Canary Islands, Spain by Mate Marschalko

Environment

The islands are the only place in Spain where volcanic eruptions have taken place in the modern era. Their volcanis origins have created some stunning, landscapes and coves. This combined with the climate have made them prime real estate for tourist orientated developments. Their position off the northwest coast of Africa means that they can have sunshine all year around. Despite their proximity, these islands have their own specific characters and climates.

Beaches

If it’s the classic holiday line-up of sun, sea and sand that you are looking for then this is the place to go. There are more than 1500km of beaches between the seven islands. You can stay within touch of the tourist areas with easy access to food and bars and sun loungers or drift further afield.

The Sotavento on Fuerteventura is a stretch that goes on for 17 miles on the south-east coast of the island. Here it is easy to find expanses of deserted land. Here the sea is warm all year around so is perfect for floating and enjoying the sun.

While these golden sands are what many people desire there is more variety to the beaches on these islands. El Golfo on Lanzarote has black volcanic sand and a green lagoon making it striking to look at. More volcanic sand can be found at El Bollullo, Tenerife with a stunning surrounding of Volcanic rocks.

You can also indulge in a number of water sports with the winds and waves making these seas perfect for Kite surfing.

El Golfo on Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
El Golfo on Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain by Moni Sertel

Nightlife

With a variety of islands you get a variety of nightlife opportunities. Gran Canaria and Tenerife offer much more of a party atmosphere with Gran Canaria’s Playa del Ingles the party capital of the islands with bars, clubs and restaurants. It is easy to see why this is the destination of choice for groups of young people going looking for a cheap holiday abroad.

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura are much more family orientated with much of the entertainment contained within resorts with child friendly bars and entertainment that everyone can enjoy.

With so many holiday experiences available, the Canary Islands are the perfect location to create a holiday tailored to your specific needs.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article was written on behalf of Voyager Travel Direct.

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Aukštaitija National Park – the oldest and most popular Lithuanian natural treasure https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/29/aukstaitija-national-park-the-oldest-and-most-popular-lithuanian-natural-treasure/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/03/29/aukstaitija-national-park-the-oldest-and-most-popular-lithuanian-natural-treasure/#comments Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:30:56 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2948 Aukštaitija National Park is the oldest and most popular Lithuanian natural treasure. It is spread on an area of ​​400 km2 and offers untouched paradise full of deep green forests and blue lakes, which create extraordinary charm to this country. Aukštaitija National Park has been established in 1974, in the eastern side of the country, […]

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Aukštaitija National Park is the oldest and most popular Lithuanian natural treasure. It is spread on an area of ​​400 km2 and offers untouched paradise full of deep green forests and blue lakes, which create extraordinary charm to this country.

Aukštaitija National Park has been established in 1974, in the eastern side of the country, where are located the most attractive sceneries of the Baltic States. Aukštaitija National Park is situated at an altitude of about 150 meters and was previously created by the glacier. About 70% of the park is covered with pines, firs and deciduous forests that are home to moose, deer and boar.

Aukštaitija National Park, Lithuania
Aukštaitija National Park, Lithuania by Wojsyl

As the most beautiful section of the park is considered Aukštaitija, which in Lithuanian means “highland”. Right here you can find 126 lakes, of which the deepest one is 60,5 meters deep and is located on the northern edge of the park. You can enjoy the best view of the lake from the tops of the surrounding hills, that reach a maximum height of 200 meters above sea level. One of them is Ledakalnis where you can get by following the marked path. From there you can see six or seven local lakes. One of the most beautiful lakes in Aukštaitija National Park is Baluosas lake that covers an area of 442 hectares and is entirely surrounded by woods. The lake is attractive because it surrounds seven islands, and in one of the island, the new additional lake has been created.

Aukštaitija National Park became a home to 194 kinds of birds and 60 kinds of other animals, including rare rock and sea eagles. Some parts of the national park are closed for tourists, or can be visited only with a guide. These include Trainiskis reservation with Baltys and Gruodiskes lakes or Ažvinčiai forest that is home to lots of 150-200 year-old pine trees.

Lūšiai lake in Palūšė, Lithuania
Lūšiai lake in Palūšė, Lithuania by Wojsyl

The area with lakes is very popular for tourists especially those who love canoeing and camping, but also for the hikers who will find numerous marked trails here. In some areas of the park it is allowed to collect mushrooms and berries.

Aukštaitija National Park contains a hundred villages, some of which date back to the 18th century. Five of them – Šuminai, Salos II, Vaišnoriškes, Varniškés II and Strazdai were even declared as protected ethnographic centres. Ginučiai Village boasts a watermill from the 19th century, and the village Stripeikiai has a Museum of ancient bee-keeping. The park has several ancient piliakalnis (fortification mounds), such as Taurapilio on the southern shore of Lake Tauragnas.

Wooden church in Paluse, Lithuania
Wooden church in Paluse, Lithuania by Wojsyl

The great attractions of the park also include wooden churches and bell tower from 1750 that you can even find on 1 LTL bills. Another interesting part of the park is the path lined with wooden statues and leads around the lake Lusiai, which is a typical example of popular folklore.

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Aeolian Islands – unique volcano islands near Sicily, Italy https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/01/aeolian-islands-in-sicily-italy/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/01/aeolian-islands-in-sicily-italy/#comments Thu, 01 Jul 2010 08:34:59 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=426 Aeolian Islands (sometimes called shortly “Lipari”) lies at the northern coast of Sicily. Lipari consist of seven islands: Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Alicudi and Filicudi. This archipelago is unique for a volcanic activity, which along with numerous geological attractions make these islands grateful to the tourists. Still active volcano on the island of Stromboli […]

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Aeolian Islands (sometimes called shortly “Lipari”) lies at the northern coast of Sicily. Lipari consist of seven islands: Vulcano, Lipari, Stromboli, Panarea, Salina, Alicudi and Filicudi. This archipelago is unique for a volcanic activity, which along with numerous geological attractions make these islands grateful to the tourists. Still active volcano on the island of Stromboli offers a remarkable experience for observers, while sulphurous lakes on the island of Vulcano are attractive for their therapeutic effects.

Aeolian Islands, Volcano island, Sicily, Italy
Photo by admin – that’s me and my wife in Vulcano island : – )

It is not a secret that the Aeolian Islands are called the pearls of the Mediterranean. Surely you enchant their unique atmosphere, clear sea, white houses contrasting with the black volcanic beaches and agile life regardless of the presence of volcanoes. In the fertile areas off the coast of Sicily you admire growing vines, olive and fig trees in the wild mountainous inland countryside and smoking a volcano Mount Etna. In deep valleys you can see a beautiful cities with many ancient and Norman sites.

Due to its climate, beautiful landscape, exotic wildlife and beautiful coastline are Aeolian Islands looking forward a growing interest of tourists. They are suitable for lovers of nature and hiking, as well as for a sun worshippers and swimmers. Clean seawater and rugged coastline make these islands a paradise for divers and water sports operators.

Vulcano Island from volcano, Sicily, Italy
Photo by admin

Geographical location of the Aeolian islands guarantees a subtropical climate. Average temperatures are acceptable due to fresh winds that pleasantly cool hot air from the sea and bring soothing moisture. In summer the temperature reaches around 35 °C, annual average temperature is 14 – 16 °C. An important climatic factor is the distribution of annual precipitation. Rainy seasons are mainly autumn and winter. Rain is usually rare in summer, it is usual that six months are totally without rain.

You can get to Lipari by a ferry from Sicily (a town Milazzo), where you can be transferred with your car. It is possible to move between islands by fast ships Aliscafo. The most popular type of accommodation on the Aeolian Islands are bungalows or apartments.

Aeolian islands offer really a lot. Certainly you should not miss the greatest attraction of the islands – a trip to the active volcano Stromboli. In 2000, the Aeolian Islands were included in the list of UNESCO’s cultural and natural heritage sites.

Vulcano island, Aeolian Islands, Italy
Photo by admin – Vulcano island


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