Tag Archives: Beach

Best Greek Islands for Family Holidays

Corfu Island off the coast of Greece

With hundreds of islands to choose from, there really is a holiday for everyone on offer in the Greek archipelago, from clubbers to retirees.

But what about holidays in Greece for families? Monarch.co.uk have a wide range of cheap holidays on the most popular Greek islands, so you don’t need to stress about cost.

The main thing to worry about is choosing an island with plenty of lovely beaches and quiet resorts to suit young children and parents seeking some down time alike. Let’s take a look at three of the best for family holidays in the sun:

Corfu

A perennially popular destination with Brits, Corfu has many English speakers working in restaurants and hotels, making it easy for families.

What’s particularly nice about Corfu is that the majority of the island is free from large-scale development – with the emphasis very much on enjoying a laid-back holiday, free from hordes of drunken 18 to 30-year-olds that plague some of the other Greek islands.

There are many attractive villages dotted around the coastline where you can eat in welcoming tavernas serving up tasty Greek dishes such as fresh fish and moussaka, often with a side of chips.

A wide range of different beaches are on offer, from pebbly ones with crystal clear water in the north-east that are perfect for swimming, to sandier ones on the more exposed west coast, where the water can be a bit more choppy.

Family attractions include Aqualand, not far from Corfu Town, where you’ll find many water slides and pools for a fun-filled day in the sunshine, while the capital itself is well-worth a visit to check out its shops and museums.

Rhodes

As one of the largest of the Greek Islands, Rhodes offers a number of different types of holiday. While there are plenty of places for 20-somethings to party the night away, such as the resort of Faliraki, there are equally just as many quieter towns where families can relax and enjoy each other’s company.

These include the town of Pefkos, which has a lovely sandy beach and a good selection of bars and restaurants, and the historic town of Lindos, with its cobbled streets and whitewashed stone houses. However, even Faliraki can cater perfectly well to families looking for somewhere more lively, with its long sandy beach and water park. There’s no obligation to go clubbing!

Crete

If you thought Rhodes had plenty of choice, wait until you check out the options available in Crete, Greece’s largest and most populous island.

One of the best locations in Crete for families is the small fishing town resort of Elounda on the northern coast of the island. This welcoming destination has a lovely sandy beach for sunbathing, offers boats trips to the nearby island of Spinalonga, is close to a number of historical attractions and is just a 45 minutes drive from the Acqua Plus water park.

Another lovely spot is Amoudara, whose wonderful, clean sandy beach and clear waters are perfect for a family day out, while the town itself has a wide range of dining options. There are also some bars and nightclubs if you’re going with your grown up children and they fancy heading out alone after spending the day with their parents.

A guide to the top beaches in Karnataka

India’s home to some pretty spectacular beaches, but I think it’s fair to say that Goa is the destination that usually springs to mind when you mention beach breaks here. But there are plenty more options, including Kerala and Karnataka, and today I’m going to be focusing on the latter.

Now, whether you’re drawn to the idea of a relaxing beach holiday or you simply fancy having the option to hit the sand occasionally, location is all-important. I think that if you’re keen to find the perfect spot booking through a specialist tour operator (like TransIndus) is the best way to go, since they’ll be able to offer you expert advice that is hard to get at a more general travel agency.

Plus, doing so also gives you the freedom to pick from a selection of existing itineraries, group tours and trips tailor-made just for you. But, I’m not here to talk about holiday planning today, so let’s move on and take a look at some of the best beaches to visit in Karnataka.

sand beaches in India

Om Beach

Located just outside Gokarna is the lovely Om Beach, which is particularly charming thanks to its shape. You see, it’s formed of two semicircular coves that form an inverted Hindu symbol known as an om – and it’s this from which it takes its name.

This lovely beach is more than just a pretty face, though, since it’s a popular centre for water sports. So, if you want to do more than laze on the sand all day, this is bound to be the place for you. Water skiing, surfing and parasailing are just a few of the things you’ll be able to try.

Gokarna Beach

Also in Gokarna is Gokarna Beach, which is a little off the beaten tourist track. Thanks to its position near lots of local temples, it’s actually somewhere that’s more popular among pilgrims than tourists – though that’s not to say it’s not worth visiting. In fact, if you’re after somewhere that’s free of swathes of holidaymakers, this is a pretty reliable place to choose.

Murudeshwar Beach

Next up is Murudeshwar Beach, which is one of Karnataka’s best-loved stretches of sand. Like Gokarna Beach, it’s quite popular among pilgrims thanks to its proximity to a local temple (this one’s a pretty major pilgrimage site, which has helped make the beach as well-frequented as it is today), but it’s an equally big hit with holidaymakers.

Generally speaking it’s a decent spot for swimming, but I should warn you that the currents here can be strong from time to time – especially at high tide – so always check the conditions on the day and keep your eyes peeled for any warning signs.

Kaup Beach

If it’s a pristine, idyllic beach you’re after, Kaup is likely to impress. This unspoilt part of the coastline is around 12 km from Udupi (which is famous for the Krishna Temple) and is well known for its historic lighthouse.

This dates back to 1901 and opens to the public at select times of the day. Going inside is a nice way to add a little variety to your day, as well as sprinkle some culture into your beach break.

Maravanthe Beach

Last on my list is Maravanthe Beach, which is a prime destination if you like the sound of a little adventure below the waves. You see, this is one of the top local destinations for scuba diving and snorkelling, and the icing on the cake is that it’s wonderfully scenic.

In fact, it’s pretty impressive before you even get there – if you’re coming by road you get a great view on the approach, which includes the Kodachadri Hills and the Arabian Sea.

There you have it, some of the best beaches in India not to miss!

Top Destinations for a Weekend Beach Break

Planning a weekend beach getaway is all about choosing the right location. You see, unlike longer holidays, location has the power to significantly impact how much of a break you get – choose somewhere that’s relatively quick to reach and you’ll enjoy plenty of time in the sun; select a destination further afield and your carefully planned break will morph into a weekend of planes, trains and automobiles.

So, today I’m going to give you a few ideas of places to go for a long weekend in the sun. Hopefully, they’ll inspire you to do something a bit different with your next bank holiday or short break from work.

beaches in Barcelona

Barcelona

Barcelona is my favourite destination in Europe and I think it’s absolutely perfect for a long weekend away – especially if you’re looking for something more than just a great stretch of sand. While Barcelona is home to several excellent beaches, it’s also a culturally rich city that has something to offer virtually everyone.

So, you can divide your time between sipping cocktails at the numerous beach bars and exploring some of the cultural sites, such as the various architectural achievements of Antoni Gaudi, including the Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo.

Plus, it’s less than a two-hour flight from most UK airports, making it extremely well suited to short breaks. The only downside is that as there’s so much to see, you may well find yourself wishing you had more time to explore!

Benalmadena

The Costa del Sol is a great destination for a sun-drenched holiday, and one of the best places on it for a weekend break is Benalmadena. As it’s just 8 km from Malaga Airport, it’s particularly convenient for anyone arranging a short break who doesn’t want to waste time on lengthy journeys between the airport and their accommodation (by the way, you can get some ideas of places to stay on this website).

The beauty of Benalmadena is that it offers a little bit of everything. As well as great beaches, it has a charming old town (Benalmadena Pueblo) and is close to a huge range of attractions, including the amazing Tivoli World theme park. Unsurprisingly, this is a firm favourite among families, but it has rides suitable for big kids too, so don’t disregard it if you’re travelling with other adults!

Another thing well worth doing is hopping on the local cable car. This will give you great views not only of Benalmadena, but also of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Alternatively, head over to Aqualand, which is the Costa del Sol’s largest water park.

Benidorm

Last on my list is Benidorm, which is a classic British holiday destination. Located on the Costa Blanca, this tourist resort is famous for being a bit of a home from home for UK travellers, thanks to its abundance of British-style food and pubs. This is the place to come if you want to do nothing more than relax on the beach during the day and dance the night away once the sun goes down.

Benidorm has a great tourist infrastructure, so there’s plenty you can do here if you don’t fancy spending your entire break on the sand. For instance, there are plenty of water sports you can try, or you can take a short trip out to Peacock Island, which has some great scenery, as well as lovely views over Benidorm.

Enjoy Tenerife on a Budget!

As one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in Europe, Tenerife has developed a thriving tourism industry, with a wealth of excellent attractions, restaurants and other amenities. However, don’t get fooled into thinking a trip to island has to be expensive, as there are plenty of options for budget travelers looking for a cheap holiday in the sun.

While it’s certainly possible to spend a fortune indulging in fine dining, visits to water parks and scuba diving excursions, it’s also very easy to have a truly amazing time here without giving your wallet a workout. After all, when you consider that Tenerife is a volcanic island sprinkled with charming historic towns, gorgeous beaches and unique landscapes, it becomes clear that the isle itself is one giant tourist attraction, and exploring this amazing location is free of charge.

There are also plenty of cheap hotels in Tenerife for those who don’t want to spend a packet on an all inclusive resort, and you’ll find lots information about budget accommodation here. Once you’ve booked your stay you’ll need to start thinking about how you’d like to spend your time (without spending your money) on the island. To help you, we’ve put together a brief guide to enjoying Tenerife on a budget.

beach in tenerife

Eat like a local

While the popular resorts of Los Cristianos, Playa de las Americas and Costa Adeje are full of the kinds of restaurants that thrive on big-spending tourists, the north of the island boasts its own unique gastronomical culture that is centred small eateries called guachinches. These are basically small makeshift food stalls serving home-cooked dishes using local recipes and ingredients. In accordance with Canarian culture, each guachinche only remains open for three consecutive months at a time, serving no more than three dishes, and usually will only be advertised by a small wooden sign.

Because of this, they tend to be frequented more by locals than tourists, so taking the trouble to find one is a great way to discover some authentic Canarian cuisine at an extremely affordable price. Typical dishes include ceviche and other seafood recipes, as well as crinkly chips known as papas arrugadas.

Explore the island

Rather than splashing out on boat trips or days out at theme parks, why not try exploring the island itself? This way you’ll get to learn more about Tenerife’s history, culture and nature for next to no money.

One place that’s worth visiting is the small town of Garachico on the northern coast. Once the island’s main port, the village’s development was stopped in its tracks when the harbour was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1706. Many historic buildings such as the Santa Ana Church and Convent of San Francisco remain, while visitors can also take a dip in the volcanic rock pools, which were created by the same eruption that devastated the port.

Elsewhere, the Teide National Park is home to Spain’s tallest mountain, Mount Teide. This amazing landscape is home to several species of flora that are not found anywhere else in the world, including the beautiful tower of jewels. Taking the cable car to the summit offers amazing views across the island, and is a great way to spend a cheap day out.

Hit the beach

One thing Tenerife is famous for is its climate, and there’s no charge on sunbathing. With so many beaches to choose from you can spend your entire trip discovering the amazingly diverse coastline of the island, adding a sense of adventure to your relaxing beach holiday.

Rather than lounging around in overcrowded resorts like Playa de las Americas, take a trip to Playa Bollullo in Puerto de la Cruz. The black sand, caused by the erosion of volcanic rock, is unlike anything you’ll have ever seen before, and makes for a unique s