Tag Archives: beach vacations

Check Out Some of The Top Reasons to Visit Greece!

Words aren’t enough to describe how beautiful the top reasons to visit Greece truly are. Greece has it all – from ancient ruins and fascinating history, to the breathtaking city of Athens. Of course, don’t forget the countless pristine beaches and islands rich in culture and heritage.  You will truly take pleasure in the numerous sights to explore and experience in this beautiful country nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens, Greece

A place like no other

Visiting Greece as a first-timer is really a life-changing experience because you will get to take in a unique place which exudes extraordinary charm and beauty. The country’s tranquil pace of life and marvelous panoramas are simply one of the top reasons to visit Greece that will awe and make you fall in love with the place over and over again. So, just sit-back and expect a journey that will linger in your heart for a lifetime. Trek the matchless terrain in Meteora. Dive into the virgin, still-to-be-delve-into coves. Swim into the globally recognized beaches such as Belgrina, Myrtos and Balos and be revitalized by their refreshing clear blue waters.

Greece is affordable

Greece is one of the most affordable countries in Western Europe (even though it’s located at the southern tip of the Balkan Peninsula). So whether you’re a luxury vacationer, or looking to trace the path of Homer and Plato, there are cheap holidays for the Philosophers, spenders, and of course, the backpackers. Just look into the flight prices/accommodations and you’ll see!

Ideal weather

Owing to the country’s location in southern Europe, Greece’s favorable climate enables all tourists to have fun whatever time of the year they may choose to visit, regardless of the type of activity they may pick to engage in.

Delectable Greek gastronomy

It’s undeniable that one of the top reasons to visit Greece is for its mouth-watering cuisine. Greek food is healthy and the fare well-balance. In fact many diets are based upon the Greek way of eating, including the famous, Mediterranean diet. Dishes here are prepared meticulously and food is a way of life for the Greek people, and they are proud to share their centuries-perfected recipes with visitors.

World renowned capital city

You’re vacation to Greece would be deemed incomplete if you haven’t been to the wonderful city of Athens. Through the years, many tourists have been attracted to experience the capital city of Greece (and chances are you’ll probably fly in here as well). Just in 2005 alone, around 6 million tourists spent their holidays in the city. One of the most famous tourist attractions is Acropolis Hill which houses the Parthenon as well as the Temples of Nike and Erectheion.

These are just a few of the top reasons to visit Greece on your next great escape. You’ll just have to give it a chance to discover the rest! Bon Voyage!

 

 

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

Tenerife’s Most Beautiful Towns

Tenerife is known the world over as being a fantastic holiday destination for those wanting a break at a cheap and cheerful resort where they can soak up some sun in the daytime and let their hair down in the evening. What you might not know, however, is that this Spanish island also contains a wealth of picturesque villages and towns that are ideal if you are hoping to get away from it all.

Indeed, by heading away from Tenerife’s most touristy resorts you will have the chance to get an authentic experience of local life and come across stunning landmarks and destinations that many tourists just don’t get to see.

Your first step in uncovering the isle’s hidden gems ought to be to book a flight and accommodation (the former being something you can do through low-cost airlines like Monarch). Once you’ve done that, you can focus on discovering some of the following.

Arico

towns in Tenerife

Head to the south of the island and you’ll find the quiet, yet charming, village of Arico, Tenerife. Set in a secluded valley, this settlement is the ideal place to visit if you are hoping to get away from it all and relax.

Although it is much quieter than bustling resorts like Santa Cruz and Costa Adeje, that isn’t to say there’s not plenty to keep you enthralled, with the beaches here providing good conditions for swimming and scuba diving. There is the chance to participate in fun sports such as rock climbing, while swimming pools and tennis courts are also available to use.

Make sure you take the time to go on a walk through the village so that you can appreciate the beauty of its whitewashed buildings. Among the most fascinating landmarks that you’ll get to see is the church and, upon stepping inside, you can take in La Virgin de Tajo y Nino, a precious work of art depicting Jesus and the Virgin Mary that dates back to the 16th century.

El Sauzal

small town in Tenerife

Located on Tenerife’s north-west coastline, El Sauzal is the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy the island’s blissful weather but would prefer to do so in a resort that hasn’t experienced mass commercial development. Agriculture is a key industry for the rural town and, with citrus fruits, vegetables and cereals all grown here, it’s the ideal spot for keen foodies to visit.

Wine is another locally made product and there are a number of vineyards in the vicinity that you can visit to learn more about how the drink is produced – you can even enjoy wine tastings in their cellars! For an even greater insight into the local wine industry, stop by the Casa del Vino la Baranda (wine museum) where you can enjoy some locally-made vintages alongside traditional Canary Island meals at the onsite restaurant.

Chirch

The tiny village of Chirch is another fantastic place to visit if you want to see a quieter side to Tenerife. Come here and you’ll find an array of classic Spanish architecture, while traditional ovens that were once used to make roof tiles can also be spotted.

Head to Chirch’s summit, meanwhile, and you can soak up fantastic panoramic views, with the islands of El Hierro and La Gomera visible on a clear day. On July 10th, the village celebrates the Day of the Traditions festival – a day-long event that sees residents recreate the customs and day-to-day activities of the town in the early 20th century. This affects everything from the games that children play to the domestic chores that are carried out, with everybody wearing traditional attire.