Tourism is big on the east coast of Lanzarote and the architecture reflects this. However, drive up the coast in a northerly direction and you can enter another world. The landscape changes and there is more of an authentic feel to the place. Arrieta is a wonderful village that is home to local fisherman. It is a charming place to stop for lunch; there are various restaurants around the harbour that produce some knock out fish dishes.

Driving through Lanzarote, Timanfaya National Park, Canary Islands, Spain by Son of Groucho

After a delicious lunch, drive further north to Punta de Majors for a dip in a natural swimming pool. There are several pools formed by the rocks and they fill up when the tide comes in. This is a great and unique place to have a refreshing swim. The pools are very pretty and outstrip a hotel swimming pool every time. They were originally used as a place for locals to do their washing. Remember too throw a towel in the boot before you set off.

Keep heading north until you reach the signs for Famara Beach. This is a natural wonder on Lanzarote. If you have ever felt the need to surf then this is the right place. There is a beach of 400m of fine sand – don’t expect the white sand of traditionally beautiful beaches as the sand is brown due to the volcanic nature of the island. However, the water is a great blue colour and the surfing is very good here. The famous Lanzarote surf school is based here so it is a great place to start your surfing career. As the water can be fairly turbulent, swimmers are officially advised to swim close to the shore.

Famara Beach, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain by torephoto

If you have set off on your Lanzarote adventure on a Sunday, then a trip to Teguise would be certainly worthwhile. It is the old capital of Lanzarote and as such it has some impressive colonial architecture. The Sunday market is a grand affair, with stalls selling local crafts. It is a bustling affair and it is often a great place to pick up those souvenirs that we love to buy. There are various food stall that make lunch a cheap and tasty event. A hot tip is to get there early for a great parking spot.

Lanzarote is not just an island of high rises and drunken tourists. It is a beautiful and rather unique island that has a lot more to offer than a clichéd holiday in the sun. The trick to finding the hidden gems is to use a hire car and explore the island at your own pace. It is not a huge island and it can be circumnavigated within a day. The stunning yet eerie volcanic scenery is breathtaking and provides great photographic material.

Written by Elizabeth James who writes for www.carrentals.co.uk. For more information, click here.

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Bray-Dunes, France by aimee daniells

A visit to the North Sea

While the southern beaches are great for those that like to enjoy the sun, do not neglect the North Sea from your route. Here, the weather is not as hot as on the French Riviera, so you can enjoy walking on the shores without fear of getting burned. During the nights, the temperature can get quite cold, so it is best to pack some warmer clothes with your luggage.

Some of the nicest resorts on the north coast are Zuydcoote and Bray-Dunes.

Visiting the English Channel

For families that love the quaint and the quiet part of France, there is no better place to embark on a vacation than the English Channel. Etretat is one of family friendly resorts that you can find in this area, especially known for the white cliffs and the white sand beaches that can be found nearby. Honfleur is a resort ideal for visiting historical places, as the local port and house are filled with history.

Other great family resorts along the English Channel are Perros-Guirrec, Berck on Sea and Granville.

Taking your family on the Atlantic Coast

When you want a bit of action and hotter weather, you can take your family with you on the Atlantic Coast of France. Some of the best known resorts here is Biarritz, a place where celebrities often meet. However, if you do not like the hustle and bustle of the trendiest resorts, you have plenty of others to choose from. Les Sables d’Olonne is famous for its beaches and for its boats.

Biarritz, France by Emmanuel Dyan

La Trinite-sur-Mer and La Baule are also great picturesque resorts where you can take your family.

A trip to the Mediterranean Coast

A great thing about France is that it can offer all kinds of weather, due to its spread from the North Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. Here the water is warmer and the weather is sweeter, which makes children really enjoy the many water activities that can be performed in the area.

Great family resorts on the Mediterranean Coast include Valras and Collioure.

Paris

If the beach and its attractions are not enough to complete a great vacation to France, there is always Paris. You cannot go wrong if you take your family on a trip to the famous capital. While seen as a trendy destination, Paris can also be very children friendly, with its Cite des Sciences (with a whole department dedicated exclusively to kids), and Centre Pompidou, with its Galerie des Enfants. The famous French deserts will definitely have your children beg you to stay more.

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The biggest attraction of Hornbæk is its local beach. It is also one of the best beaches in Scandinavia, awarded by the Blue Flag. Hornbæk Beach has fine white sand and you can enjoy here really clean air. It is a popular place of windsurfing and kitesurfing. Unfortunately there is no rent available, so you must bring your equipment yourself. In summer, the swimmers are secured by the Coast Guard. Hornbæk beach stretches on both sides of the harbor.

View The town of Hornbæk in Denmark – seaside resort called “Danish Saint-Tropez” in a larger map

Those who like walking and hiking are invited to the public forest Hornbæk Plantage, which stretches several kilometers along the coast. In the forest there are several marked routes. You can stop at one of many small parks and pick up the map of the trails at the local tourist Information Centre.

Hornbæk is also a popular place for fishing enthusiasts. Here you can rent a boat here either at the local Information Centre or in the office of Captain of the port, located on the south side of the harbor. Prices are around 600 DKK (80 EUR) per boat per day and up to 3 people.

You can stay in the local camp, which is well equipped and offers also cabins, a playground and an air trampoline for children. Or in one of the hotels. In the port you can visit the fish market.

Hornbæk is best accessible by train and car. The nearest international airport is located in Copenhagen, which is 50km away.

View The town of Hornbæk in Denmark – seaside resort called “Danish Saint-Tropez” in a larger map

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