Tag-Archive for » mediterranean «

Five Sunny European Vacations

If you thinking of a beach holiday this year but don’t fancy the crowds, here are five of the best destinations in Europe that haven’t suffered crowding and over-development that many other resorts have.

Sardinia - Sardinia is an island immersed in the Mediterranean sea, an island of natural beauty with perfect white beaches and rugged mountainous scenery. The cuisine, friendly locals and beautiful cosmopolitan port and seaside towns also makes this country a good beach holiday destination.

Croatia - The lovely stretch of Dalmation coast on the Adriatic Sea, is filled with picturesque islands - each with their own unique charm, beautiful beaches, quaint fishing villages and marina ports full of sleek boats. If you’re in search of sun, sand, sea, historical culture and incredible scenery, Croatia could be your perfect destination.

Patara - Patara has eighteen km of golden sands backed by the dunes and the Taurus mountains and is often thought to be one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful and unspoilt beaches. Due to the strict conversation laws there is not a building to be seen and there is just endless golden sands. The beach is one of the few remaining beaches in the world where the Loggerhead turtles still come to lay their eggs. It also has many great historical attractions including some fascinating Roman ruins.

Kefalonia - Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and is a popular destination for discerning travellers - those looking for Greece the way it used to be. Blessed with natural beauty, the island is adorned with lovely beaches, secluded coves, rugged landscapes and hours of sun - a perfect summer vacation.

Amalfi Coast - High cliffs and high society, ancient glories and glorious sunshine, the beautiful Amalfi Coast is the Mediterranean fantasy destination. Offering everything from fine music and fine wine, tasty typically Italian cuisine and bustling charming towns and villages, this is really a place to consider for your European vacation.

For more great tips on where to travel visit www.globalgrasshopper.com which includes advice on how to see Paris in a day

Gran Canaria - What To Expect From A Holiday There

Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands is a firm favorite with holidaymakers who are seeking a bit of sunshine, sand and sea. However, it is less well known for it’s green and leafy mountainous area to the north of the island. Not just the destination for a lazy beach holiday in the sun, Gran Canaria is also gaining a reputation for being the perfect destination for an active holiday of water sports or for hiking. And if that’s not enough there is plenty to offer in terms of culture in Gran Canaria, with lots of museums, galleries, architecture and churches for you to discover and explore.

Holiday Resorts - Gran Canaria has a long held reputation as a place to visit if you want a holiday in the sun and with its sandy beaches and blues seas it’s easy to see why. The area has a reputation for being lively and if you like to dance the night away in clubs when on holiday you will have a great time in Gran Canaria.

Water Sports - If you enjoy water sports of any kind then Gran Canaria is a great destination for you. There are lots of opportunities here to indulge in canoeing and kayaking, surfing, snorkeling or diving. Because the island gets a lot of breeze it is also a great place for windsurfing and sailing. Gran Canaria is also a good place for fishing.

Camel Safaris - A camel safari is the perfect way to see the deserts of Gran Canaria. A camel safari across the Maspalomas dunes will give you the opportunity to see some stunning scenery and have a completely unique experience.

Hiking and Walking - Gran Canaria isn’t just the place to go for a beach holiday if you are a keen walker or hiker you will find lots of opportunities for walking in the north of the island. There are over 30 protected nature areas in this part of Gran Canaria and lots of trails and hikes for walkers who want to enjoy the great outdoors and admire the spectacular scenery.

Museums and Galleries - The Castillo de la Luz is a 16th Century castle that houses art exhibitions and is well worth a visit if you have time. There is also the Centro Atlntico de Arte Moderno which is Las Palmas’s main modern art museum. The Museo Canario is the island’s main museum and houses the largest collection of Cro-Magnon skulls in the world! You will also find early examples of pottery and utensils from the island here as well as a few mummies. The Museo Elder de la Ciencia y la Tecnologa is a technology museum that will appeal to children. There are lots of fascinating displays many of which are hands on.

Continue : Gran Canaria Holidays

Europe - Why Cyprus Is Worth Visiting

When it comes to a rich combination of history, wonderful food, and beautiful weather, it is tough to beat a visit to the island of Cyprus. Located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus offers a vacation experience that is sure to appeal to everyone. First settled in the second millennium BC, the island’s tradition has had ample time to flourish.

This early civilization is seen in Choirokoitia, possibly Cyprus’s first settlement. In addition to being the first established on the island, it is considered to be one of the first to appear anywhere in the world. Cementing its place in human history, UNESCO has added Choirokoitia as a World Heritage Site. When discovered, the establishment was already in very good shape for something so old, but it has been fully restored so that tourists and residents alike can appreciate this piece of prehistory. Ten painted churches on Cyprus have also been given World Heritage Site status due to their breathtaking examples of Byzantine art. Bright frescoes decorate the walls, artful examples of the skills the earliest settlers possessed. For the adventurous, the Tombs of the Kings await in the depths of the solid rock of island.

One cannot visit the island of Cyprus without partaking of its delicious food. The island is just south of Turkey, and herbs and spices from the Middle East, Asia Minor, have mingled with the Greek mainland to create unique dishes. These seasonings are the perfect complement to recipes calling for fish, meat, poultry, the freshest fruits and vegetables, wine, and olive oil. These recipes are immersed in the history of the land because many are passed from generation to generation. Wine has always been a staple of Cypriot food and economy, so there is sure to be a local distillery you’ll want to check out. Commandria is one of the world’s first identified wines, and will appeal to those who like sweet wine. Those that are looking for more of a shock to the senses might seek out Zivania, a wine distilled to the point of nearly pure alcohol.

Being a Mediterranean island, Cyprus is rife with sunny, sandy beaches perfect for lying out in the sun or diving into the waves. Cyprus’s climate places it above most other places on earth for swimming and sunbathing. There’s more to the beaches than swimming. You can enjoy windsurfing and sailing year round on Cyprus. Head underwater with some snorkeling and go out for deep water fishing, activities that many enjoy on the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Cyprus has something for everyone who visits her shores. There is so much to do, from historic tours to unparalleled sightseeing adventures. Plan a trip to Cyprus today and discover what so many other thrilled vacationers have already.

Read On : Cheap Holidays Cyprus

Travel Guide - Turkey

watchmojo.com presents… A helpful travel guide for anyone planning on visiting the culturally diverse country of Turkey.

5 Reasons Why Turkey Remains Top Hotspot despite Avian Flu Fears

According to recent reports from the tourism industry in Turkey remains the main access point emerging holiday despite the recent cases of the human form of bird flu have been discovered in remote areas of the country.

The country’s appeal for those looking for a dream holiday destination due to the following five main reasons:

1) Turkey is a country with a rich historical and cultural tourists that offers summer some of the most incredibly beautiful and unspoilt beaches in the Mediterranean Sea and some of the most exciting is increasingly popular with the stars sport and celebrity.

2) The sun shines in summer in southern Turkey from March until October that the tourists a chance to sample the delights of this interesting in the nation inimitably spring, summer and autumn.

3) In the winter of Turkey plays host to fans of winter sports and those who need some après ski fun in a wide range of sophisticated ski resorts, where prices are much lower than in Germany, Austria , Italy or Switzerland, but where the quality of facilities and amenities are on par with the best resorts in the European winter sports.

4) Prices of holiday accommodation to rent or buy, including in Turkey are the lowest in the whole Mediterranean region and that it is possible for a family of four to rent a villa with sea views and a private pool of a tenth the price of the same property in Spain, Cyprus, Italy or France. Besides anyone who wants to buy a vacation home in the sun you’ll save hundreds of thousands of dollars, euros or pounds for the purchase of a property in Turkey instead of buying property on the Greek islands or the Spanish Costas for example.

5) The access of Turkey is improving all the time as more airlines to open more routes from Turkey and throughout Europe. One of the latest developments in this area is a regular British Airways flights to Dalaman from the United Kingdom and in terms of domestic flights within Turkey are incredibly affordable that provides tourists the opportunity to enjoy a double or multiple in holiday destination great nation of Turkey.