Categories
Articles Portugal

Add the Azores to Your Portugal Trip

The Azores are among the most undisturbed and isolated islands in Europe. Located nearly 1000 miles from the mainland of Portugal the islands are serviced with regular flights to Lisbon (and New York) and ferry services from Europe, yet they remain largely untouristed and uncommon island getaways.

With a subtropical climate, rolling vineyards, orchards and a stunningly beautiful and rugged coast, the nine major islands that make up the Azores are largely supported by farming and fishing. Because they remained so isolated for some long, the culture, dialect, cuisine and traditions of each island actually varies quite a bit, but the main language is Portuguese throughout.

The main activities in the Azores involve the beautiful nature of the islands and include biking, whale-watching, hiking, and sailing. You won’t find too many museums and monuments too keep you busy, nor will you find the throngs of tourists found on other European islands.

The Azores may be more expensive to get to thanks to their remote location, but once there, you’ll find them quite affordable. Cheap hotels are easy to come by, with average accommodations going for around $100 per night. Of course, you can also find more inexpensive lodging at family run pensions and bed and breakfasts throughout the islands. And finding inexpensive, fresh fish is never a problem.  With the low prices and lack of crowds, it’s only a matter of time before the secret is out about the beautiful islands of the Azores.

Photo by fortinbras

Categories
Articles Croatia

Brela Beach

sand-waves.jpgBrela Beach is on Croatia’s mainland, only a few kilometers from Split and Makarska on the other side and one of Croatia’s most popular and highest rated beaches. It’s an easy day trip to Brela from either city and you’ll find that many people make the drive down the coast to enjoy the fine pebbles that look like sand from a distance.

One of the best features of Brela is the series of secluded coves that add a bit of privacy to your visit. Each cove becomes your own little swimming hole and you may find yourself growing attached to one in particular if you go to Brela’s shores multiple times.

Brela is consistently ranked at the top of the best beaches in Europe and the attention has attracted many hotels to the area. Hotel Marina and Hotel Soline are your best bets for three star hotels, but a number of apartments and rooms for rent can also be found easily in the surrounding area for significantly less than the hotels, in most cases.

There are almost limitless recreation options around Brela. Brela is one of those destination beaches where the facilities come to you and you’re more likely to have to fight the guy offering to take you parasailing off with a stick than you are of getting bored while you’re there. Parasailing, scuba diving, gondolas, table tennis, even bowling is available near the beach.

Because it’s just south of Split, Brela’s weather is predictable and fairly similar to Croatia’s overall weather patterns. The weather will be sunny and hot in the summer, cooler and rainy in the winter. Although the crowds increase in the summer, the beach at Brela is seemingly never “full.” There is no such thing as a bad time to visit Brela.

Like almost all beaches in Croatia, topless sunbathing is acceptable by both women and men. Full nudity is officially discouraged, but with the coves at Brela offering something of a shield between the sections of beach, there will most likely be few complaints. Beaches generally separate themselves somewhat by age in Croatia, so that there is a family section and a place for adults. Mostly though, everyone at the beach is there to have a good time and enjoy the sun.

Categories
Articles Croatia

Baska Beach

Watch your step on your way down to Baska Beach on Krk Island. The long stretches of nearly-sand beach are inviting and fun to play on, but you have to get down there first and the descent can be a leg-sapping workout. Take all of your towels and picnic supplies with you, because you won’t want to make this trip twice.

A trip to Baska Beach does not have to include a grueling climb down from the parking lot. But hiking the trails to one of the secluded coves gets you into your own personal sunbathing and swimming hole and that is a feature worth every step of the walk down.

If you don’t want to make the effort to get what is close to a private beach, the beach at Stara Baska is still a worthy destination for your day. Known for its unspoiled nature and the pebbles that look like fully formed sand from a distance, Stara Baska is on the southwest coast of Krk Island. Krk Island is accessible by road or ferry. The main road (M2) extends by bridge to the mainland and connects to the island’s main road. Ferries connect from Valbiska to Merag, or if you want to get straight to Baska, there is a ferry running from Lopar to Baska.

Although there are plenty of tourists during the summer season, Baska is one of those “off the beaten path” destinations that you should visit to show up those travelers who think that if they’ve seen Dubrovnik they’ve seen Croatia. Dubrovnik is the face that Croatia wants to present to the rest of the world, but Baska beach, Krk Island and the rest of Istria hold some equally tempting attractions.

Although there are better beaches around Croatia, Baska’s appeal rests in that it has not been commercialized by the tour groups, windsurfing lessons, parasailing and other high cost ways to have fun that have moved in to other beaches. Instead of a resort, there are only the people who live there year round nearby.

Categories
Articles Croatia

Losinj

rocky-beach-losinj.jpgThe island of Losinj is a lesser known tourist destination off the coast of Croatia that is usually undisturbed by heavy tourist traffic. This could be because it is difficult to get to from the mainland, or because the island has had a sordid history surrounded in controversy. Yugoslavia annexed Losinj from Italy several decades ago, and many Italians left the island rather than live under communist rule. Today, Losinj is every inch a part of Croatia, although the group of Italians who lived there still stay in contact.

Although Cres island is considered something of a big brother island to Losinj, a vacation on Losinj has its advantages. Losinj is popular with couples and those looking for privacy while they’re away. Although there is an airport on the island, because of the island’s distance from the mainland, there are fewer people around and it is easier to get away from the crowds. The easiest way to access the island is by ferry Pula, Zadar, or Brestova.

Categories
Articles Croatia

Dugi Otok

sooke_mountains_water_21194_l.jpgThe long, narrow strip of land that makes up Dugi Otok is one of the most pristine islands in Croatia. Located off of the beaten path and far from the tourist hang outs, Dugi Otok allows you to relax in a natural setting, hike through olive trees, or even lounge on one of the rare sand beaches in Croatia.

The island’s relative isolation makes it a popular destination for couples and lovers to take a stroll and get lost in the natural surroundings. But, if your group calls for a more organized adventure, Dugi Otok makes up part of Kornati National Park, where you can tour the geologic and natural wonders that make up the attractions of the park on the south east side of the island.

Also, the Telascica Natural Park is a popular destination, with a 2 km salt-water pool full of balmy lukewarm water and dramatic white cliffs that separate the salt water pool from the ocean and plunge into the ocean on the other side. Telascica is much more difficult to access than Kornati, the best way to visit this park is to anchor your boat in the sea and come in to shore on your own.

The most popular family destination on Dugi Otok is Saharun, a white sand beach where kids can play and build sand castles that will not be destroyed by the encroaching tide.

The villages of Brbinj and Sali are home to most of the residents of Dugi Otok and it is at Brbinj that the ferry from Zadar arrives after an hour and a half trip from the mainland. The ferry ride twists around and in between other smaller islands and if it weren’t for those obstacles to a route as the crow flies, the ferry ride from Zadar might take less than half of the 90 minutes it takes now. But that is the sacrifice you must make to visit this archipelago.

View Larger Map