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My husband and I stayed at Villa Kamenica for a week and loved every minute of it! We were in the garden apartment which came with its own private patio, stone oven and beautiful views of the amazing gardens. Tomislav, Zeljka, Duje (their cute puppy) made us feel welcomed, showed us all the best beaches, and gave us great wine! Tomislav showed us the fish market and cooked an superb dinner every evening. By the end of the week we felt like family and were very sad to leave our paradise.
Villa Kamenica and Komiza are true gems! It was the BEST place we have ever stayed!
Villa Karmenica
Pavlinoviceva 15,
21485 Komiza, Croatia
www.villa-kamenica.hr, from €35 a night.
Google map: tinyurl.com/37b94hr
I’ve been to 63 countries, but the Scillies are the place I have visited most often. They have drawn me back since I camped aged 16 at the Garrison Farm on St Mary’s, waking at dawn in a vine-draped greenhouse after a storm destroyed the tent. In contrast my most recent stay was at Star Castle, an Elizabethan fortress in the shape of a star - where you can sleep in a thick-walled guard room overlooking the harbour.
The Scillies are the farthest you can get from the UK, while travelling the shortest distance. Bird watching, walking, prehistoric cairns, silky, white-sand beaches and coves, any number of prodigious shipwrecks and famously exotic vegetation, they have it all - including trendy modern hotels and fine dining (if that’s what you want). More important: the turquoise sea all around acts as a soothing invitation to unwind, as you explore between the five inhabited and umpteen mini islands.
Even in August there is seclusion if you are prepared to walk away from the harbour landings. I went skinny dipping one August day on St Martins, with only birds and rabbits for company. The wonky circle of St Mary’s cliff path is a day’s leisurely stroll, and if you plan it properly it’s possible to fit in two, if not three, superlative cream teas en route. Then back to Star Castle for a five-course meal followed by an evening in the Dungeon Bar. Nothing can beat the atmosphere of this place. You won't get jetlag, you don’t need jabs, and you’re more likely to get bother from a ghost hanging around a megalith than from an undesirable lurking on a street corner. Fortunate Islands indeed.
www.star-castle.co.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/96QhjD
Cornwall is arguably best off-season, and self-catering accommodation is nicer during the odd rainy day. My top tip is to stay slightly out of the town centre (it’s quieter), and the best I’ve found is Four Shores, a Victorian terraced town house, five minutes' walk from the beach. Or ten minutes if you’ve just eaten your second cream tea of the day. Four Shores is one of the most comfortable and best equipped houses I’ve stayed at. There are two double and three single bedrooms, with more showers and WC’s than you can flap a wet towel at. There are quirky details I love: stained glass doors, window seats for people watching, a store room for surf boards and a cute patio. It’s perfect for families and friends, but there is also the chance off-season for couples to enjoy the property at special rates.
01736 798478, fourshores.co.uk
I have never been so scared and yet so exhilarated! We were transported via luxury minibus to Gans Baai which is well known for having lots of sharks.
I don't know what I was expecting, but the trip was well planned with really helpful staff and we saw about seven or eight Great White Sharks up close from our vantage point in the cage. All the equipment was included in the rental and I just really enjoyed the whole experience.
I used a company called Shark Zone which was recommended to me by a friend who lives in Cape Town:
www.sharkzone.co.za
+27 73 726 7370
Google map: tinyurl.com/yh4rfp3
This is a peninsula far from for the mainland just 2 kilometers trough a handmade pathway in the middle of estuary. The almost-island is an inhabited mountain named Monte Argentario. Porto Santo Stefano is one of the two small tipical fishing village in the area. You can enjoy looking at the sea from the central square place at Porto Santo Stefano, placed in the middle of the bay and also is the center of town. The streets here are steep. All the houses'windows on the hill look at the sea.
You can enjoy a great pizza and specially all the most-freshly seafood just some minutes after the fishing people carriage it from the boats.
You can have a bath in the sea, sunbathing, having a mineral water bath in the nearest(near to Orbetello), hiking on the mountain, walk round the town, go on a leisure boat trip...or just plan a trip to Siena or Firenze, only and hour and a half far from here.
It is like the paradise, you'll enjoy the historic places like the Spanish fortaleza (castles), the seaside walk, the mountain views, the excellent wines and food, the calm and tranquility, and the sea bathing and of course, the nearest to Firenze and Rome.
You should take some of the numerous, almost every 2 hours, trains from Rome, in direction to Milan or Lucca. You should stop down at Orbetello Station and there rent a car or a taxi. In some minutes, just about 10 kilometers far you will be in an almost unknown italian paradise.
This is a peninsula far from for the mainland just 2 kilometers trough a handmade pathway in the middle of estuary. The almost-island is an inhabited mountain named Monte Argentario. Porto Santo Stefano is one of the two small tipical fishing village in the area. You can enjoy looking at the sea from the central square place at Porto Santo Stefano, placed in the middle of the bay and also is the center of town. The streets here are steep. All the houses'windows on the hill look at the sea.
You can enjoy a great pizza and specially all the most-freshly seafood just some minutes after the fishing people carriage it from the boats.
You can have a bath in the sea, sunbathing, having a mineral water bath in the nearest(near to Orbetello), hiking on the mountain, walk round the town, go on a leisure boat trip...or just plan a trip to Siena or Firenze, only and hour and a half far from here.
It is like the paradise, you'll enjoy the historic places like the Spanish fortaleza (castles), the seaside walk, the mountain views, the excellent wines and food, the calm and tranquility, and the sea bathing and of course, the nearest to Firenze and Rome.
You should take some of the numerous, almost every 2 hours, trains from Rome, in direction to Milan or Lucca. You should stop down at Orbetello Station and there rent a car or a taxi. In some minutes, just about 10 kilometers far you will be in an almost unknown italian paradise.
It is a clean, large white expanse of coast with chunky groups of rock pools, many with names linked to the shape, for example : stag rock, cat rock etc. My two boys aged six and 10 delighted in them and I did think we could spend two weeks here and they would never tire - delightful.
Nearest station , Berwick on Tweed ( from the North) then the local 501 coastal bus - - a lovely journey through all the villages, spying seascapes and countryside.
I do not know about driving, yet I have lots of tips and affordable holiday advice for car less families. ( you know; green, guardian reader type holidays, all acceptable and educational for the kids, whilst full of fun and freedom)
Lovely, well equipped cottages near three miles of beautiful sandy beach, fantastic views of Bamburgh Castle, Lindisfarne Priory and Farne Islands - also amazing old stone tower which sleeps two, called the Ducket - lovely inside - recently renovated - now 5* where you can stay - great views.
Ross and Outchester Cottages
Ross Farm, Belford
Northumberland, NE70 7EN
www.rosscottages.co.uk
The Moorings is a B&B in a fantastic position in the pretty medieval seaside town of Looe. My first dread was that it would be chintzy and uncomfortable in a B&B, but I’m delighted to say I was dead wrong. The showers were powerful, the rooms were airy and relaxing, the view was beautiful and I spent hours watching the children crabbing while reading a book out on the balcony. Add to that that it is five minutes pleasant walk to the sea past a working fish harbour! It was a really relaxing, friendly and family orientated holiday.
There is a website www.themooringslooe.com, and Looe has a train station.
An outstanding memory from our trip to Australia was the view from the deck of our cruise ship, the Coral Princess, as she sailed south down the edge of the outer Great Barrier Reef with a line of white surf stretching in either direction as far as the eye could see, where the deep ocean waters break on the continental shelf.
Every now and again the surface was broken by a flying fish skittering across the waves.
The stunning Las Islas Cies in Galicia is an uninhabited and pristine national park with loads of wildlife and a perfect crescent of soft pale sand, backed by small dunes sheltering a calm lagoon of crystal-clear (but freezing) sea.
The water is turquoise and the sand fine and white.
The only place to stay on the island is an idyllic campsite shaded by pine trees. It has a decent shop, bar and cafe and, this being Spain, even a proper restaurant that serves great seafood.
The park is open to the public only in summer.
00 34 986 43 83 58, campingislascies.com, open Easter week and June to September.
Mizen Head is west of Schull and is Ireland’s most south-westerly point. To reach the visitor centre (built in 1905) walk over the chasm on the famous arched bridge.
There are plenty of boat trips ranging from a 10 minute one from Baltimore to Sheare Island, or a two and a half hour one out to the Fastnet Lighthouse. Nine miles out in the Atlantic, this lonely outpost has warned approaching shipping for over a hundred years but since 1989 is fully automatic.
From Schull, travel west down the bog road which takes you to Mizen Head.
The most relaxing beach in north Goa. Turtles use this beach to lay their eggs so the beach is a protected area and hawkers aren't allowed there (to constantly wave bits of tat in your face like they do at other beaches). There are about three cafes and then a huge expanse of untamed coast - if you're lucky you can walk for half an hour without seeing another soul. You'll need scooters or a car to get to the beach as it's quite out of the way.
If you're coming from the Anjuna area, head for Siolim, take the bridge across the river, then head for the coast.
Because it's totally buzzing at this time of year (August) and a really fun place to be (and cooler with the sea breeze). But even in the winter it's great to have a 'blustery' walk along the front, certainly blows away those cobwebs!
Southsea seafront, Portsmouth
Day charter from Ibiza or Formentera on a private and fully licensed sailing yacht with a maximum of 10 guests. You even get to sail the yacht yourself if you want. Buffet lunch included with wine, beer & soft drinks.
tel: Jenny & Phil on 636 003 860
Phi Phi is an island that has everything and it can be covered in a day, but to appreciate its treasures you will need longer. It offers great fishing and secluded beaches, and accommodation ranges from beach huts to air conditioned rooms. Traditional thai massage, snorkelling and diving all have to be tried. The island is bliss and I wish I was there. Be sure to seek out tourist info before you leave. You can even arrange for a guide to wait for you upon arrival. Thailand has so much to offer.
Located on the opposite side of the island to San Antonio, Benirras Beach is a great little hangout with a couple of restaurants, a good little ramshackle beach bar and a friendly atmosphere.
On Sunday evenings the place comes alive as all manner of old school hippies, and trustafarians appear out of nowhere. There's beer drinking, drumming and dancing as the sun sets on the horizon.
This is a world away from the San Antonio I experienced on an 18-30's holiday 10 years ago.
And if you're into a bit of stretching, I recommend you check out Ibiza Yoga - totally idyllic and not 'too purist' ;-)
www.ibizayoga.com/;
www.ibiza-spotlight.com/beach/benirras_i.htm
Get a boat from central Stockholm out to the island of Vaxholm (about an hour away). Vaxholm has cafés, shops, and an old fort museum that you can go and visit. It's a great day trip for a sunny day. You get to see a lot of Stockholm from the water on your way out.
Waxholmsbolaget also runs boats to loads of other islands - their website has good English pages telling you about them.
The ferries go from Stromkajen near the Grand Hotel. Look for the Waxholmsbolaget sign.
www.vaxholm.se/turism/eng/index.asp
www.waxholmsbolaget.se/
Charter a boat out of Santa Eulalia for a day and visit the island of Tagomago for the best scuba and shallow diving. Tagomago also has some nice little beaches for the nudists among you.
Just across the bay in Chiba this Holy Mountain is crowned by a 1,000-year-old temple and the largest Buddha in Japan. And it's relatively undiscovered, meaning it's crowd free for now.
Check out this for more details - written by myself I should add.
metropolis.japantoday.com/tokyo/recent/travel.asp
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