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In the history of the Philippines, Antulang Beach Resort was the first resort to offer pool villas to its guests. It offers first class rooms, which simply means that these rooms have their own Jacuzzis. The luxury is impressive and the space is more than anyone expects! All rooms are built with Canadian pine wood that blends with the natural beauty of the place. Antulang Beach Resort can be reached via buses that will take a 45-minute ride from the city of Dumaguete, the capital city of Negros Oriental.

How to get there…

Antulang Beach Resort is under the Municipality of Siaton, which is an hour’s drive from the city of Dumaguete. And if you’re worried about how to get there, worry no more! If you are a foreigner, there are three ways to get to Antulang Resort.

First, you need to take a plane to Manila; the capital city of the Philippines. Once you are in the Philippines, specifically in Manila, try to book a flight to the city of Dumaguete or Negros Oriental. There are only two commercial airports in Negros province; it is in the city of Dumaguete for Negros Oriental and in the city of Bacolod for Negros Occidental. Now, while you are in Manila, you can try to book for Antulang Beach Resort through their point of sale; try asking at the tourist office at the airport. Surely they have all the numbers of all the possible destinations of the tourists. It is better that you trust the tourist offices than the taxi drivers because the Philippines is more focused on tourism nowadays, while the taxi drivers just want to make money. However, if you don’t have enough time to book at Antulang Beach Resort, just take the flight to Negros Oriental or Dumaguete City; it is only one hour from Manila by plane.

Secondly, if you arrive at Dumaguete City Airport without booking at Antulang Beach Resort, please find the tourist office and ask for the Resort number so they can reserve you. Otherwise, you must take a tricycle to go to the bus terminal. Now, the advantage of booking for Antulang in the first place is that there will be a van waiting for you at the airport that will take you directly to the Resort; you will know it because it has the name of the resort. However, if you were somehow unable to book, then you must travel by bus.

Third, the pedicab will take you to a Ceres bus station. Ceres Liner is the largest transport in the province of Negros and you can always rely on its services. Just try to find a bus that goes to the city of Bayawan; this is the final destination of the bus but it will pass through Siaton Township. Just tell the driver that you are going to Antulang Beach Resort. The ticket is $1.30 or 50 pesos; Before going anywhere in the Philippines, please exchange your currency to Philippine currency to avoid further hassle with situations involving cash.

What to expect in Antulang?

Antulang is a seaside resort. But not just any ordinary spa; it is luxurious and designed to meet the needs of celebrities as well as tourists looking for a good place to stay during a tour. So expect a lot from him.

The first thing to expect is the beach itself. If there is something that Antulang is very proud of, it is the beach. The white sand seemed to be a highlight against the clear blue sea. The caretakers carefully clean the shore every day and since the resort is first class, no one is allowed to dive into the beach without being reserved. So you might expect the beach to be exclusively for guests. One important thing to know about Antulang is that it is elevated and shelters at the top of the cliff. The spiral staircase will take you gently down to the beach; and that’s what makes the allure of the beach irresistible. Witnessing the sunset in Antulang is one of the most beautiful experiences you will find.

Antulang is also a good dive site. The shallow corals are incredibly beautiful to look at and everyone prefers to snorkel and compete with the beautiful butterfly fish, the colorful clown fish, octopuses and even eels. And for those who really want to explore further, they can watch stingrays and hawksbill sea turtles swim gracefully. Antulang Beach Resort also offers night diving, which would leave the impression of diving in your own aquarium.

And for nature lovers, Antulang has so many fruit trees that you can enjoy. Some of the local trees include berries (wild guava), sereguelas Y little apples They bear fruit all year round.

Apart from the local fruits, there are also local animals that you often see coming towards you like aura (monitor lizard), tuko (geckos), kagang (sentinel crabs) and umang (hermit crabs).

Antulang Beach Resort has scheduled cruises for its guests to the most popular Apo Island and neighboring Tambobo Bay. So if you really want to discover the hidden paradise then visit Antulang Beach Resort and you will surely feel the difference.

I recently went with my daughter and her friend to the Valley of Waves in Sun City, a resort in the North West Province of South Africa.

Sun City is about 230 kilometers from Johannesburg. The complex is huge, with several luxury hotels, including Lost City, Cabanas, and Cascades.

Offers a variety of activities including game drives [at the nearby Pilanesberg Game Park and Bakubung Game Park]gambling, bird watching, hiking, elephant and/or horseback riding, golf courses and some water sports.

We didn’t want to spend our limited time running around the resort trying to do everything. So we opted to spend most of our time at the beach, participating in spring break activities.

For one week in September, a mobile phone company whose activities I follow organizes a week-long event during which families can come play games, watch extreme water sports, and relax. People can also come on day trips for the event, which is broadcast live on radio and television.

Unlike its college-associated cousin, this spring break involves clean family fun, with toddlers, schoolchildren, and teens playing together in various constantly changing groups. Parents, grandparents, and other family members can choose to take a dip in the water or join in the organized games.

I wanted to include an elephant ride on our schedule, but the girls outvoted me and insisted I’d be too busy playing in the water to bother with smelly elephants. I also suspected that they were a bit afraid of approaching a “wild animal”, so I didn’t push it. Maybe next time we come.

These are some of the activities we did:

1. He took surfing lessons and then chased the waves. – At first it felt strange, standing on what passes for a beach knowing full well that the ocean was hundreds of miles away. But the man-made surf can also be high in this small pond, and both parents and children can have a lot of fun diving underwater or riding a wave.

2. Climbing learned – Amidst the natural rocks surrounding the beach area, it is ironic that the area designated for rock climbing is artificial. But the kids had as much as if they were actually climbing, so I’m not complaining.

3. Played volleyball, hula-hooped – The teenagers among the various family groups were happy to gather the younger children and teach them games or hold some competitions.

4. Floating on the lazy river – The walk along the river was calm and smooth, until the stone monkeys on the river bank began to spit water in my face. The girls thought it was funny to see me duck and spin, trying to avoid the water. Hey!

5. I went on a water slide down a steep hill – The person who goes on a slide has to be at least 1.2 meters tall, so my daughter’s friend, who is also nine years old but much shorter, couldn’t go. So we do not delay in this activity.

6. We watched demonstrations – The formal program included demonstrations of water skiing and surfing, as well as dance routines by a group of cheerleaders. The dancers, mostly college students, were pretty good; their slender figures were shaped enough to make many a teenager’s heart beat faster.

7. Read a novel, do some work– Reading by the water is very hard work, especially when the heat hits you, urging you to fall asleep for just a minute or ten. I also brought a notebook and pen, so I made some notes to write about the trip later.

8. I took photos of some monkeys. – On the first day of our stay, we got lost on the way to our hotel. I don’t know how I managed it, because the layout of the resort is such that it should have gone from the beach, through the entertainment area, to the main entrance of the Cascades, where we were staying. But somehow, we found ourselves at the back of the hotel, watching monkeys rummaging through trash cans and chasing each other through the trees. We were very careful not to get close to them, but we took as many photos as we could without scaring them.

This romantic island, 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela and a four-hour flight from New York City, ranks as one of the best places for honeymooners. And that’s not all that makes Aruba such a hot (and dry) destination; The country records an average temperature of 82 degrees year-round, and things get even hotter when the sun goes down and the 11 casinos and nightclub gear up.

Do you like to learn about new and interesting things? If yes, then this article will be perfect for you!

Where to settle? Aruba has a variety of hotels to fit different budgets. some participate in the One Cool wedding coding, which presents the newlyweds with a treat envelope featuring an open container of plums, a discounted car charge, an open reel of mist and more.

Accommodation appeal considering the hug:

Hyatt Regency Aruba Coastal Option & Nightclub: Mega-resort with nightclub and waterslide, right on the shoreline.

In the rest of this article, we will discuss the meaning behind what we have learned about this topic so far.

Bucuti Coastal Option: A low-source luxury eco-friendly option located on one of the most open coastlines in the Caribbean.

Divi Aruba Shoreline and Tamarijn Aruba Shoreline Options: All-inclusive with gorgeous seaside locations right next to the Alhambra nightclub.

Sculpted by the trade winds, the outstretched arms of Aruba’s divi-divi foliage offer to newlyweds.

The delightful thing about visiting an island is that you can explore Aruba by

Stspool along the island’s seven miles of colorless coastline, some of the most beautiful anywhere, and explore the tranquil coves that dot its shoreline.

On foot, horseback, or mountain bike, meander through winding, underground paths through the hills to Yamanota, the most important feature of the island. Other beautiful landscapes include Playa de Palmeras, the impressive formations of Ayo and Casibari, the coves of Andicuri and the Spanish Mere.

A tour in a schooner boat that has visibility of up to 50 feet begins to expose mysteries beneath the sparkling turquoise waters. Divers and snorkelers at the California and Antilla shipwrecks on the island get an even closer look.

Aruba’s historical museum, the gold-grain ruins of Bushiribana and Balashi, and Indian petroglyphs will deceive those with an attraction to the ancient. Golfers may want to test their skills at Tierra del Sol, the island’s 18-hole golf course.

Shoppers can find indigenous crafts, well-made cargo from neighboring South American countries, and international stocks in Oranjestad and at the Alhambra Shopping, Midtown Mall, and Docks Marketplace.

Aruba has more than 100 restaurants and a variety of cuisines ranging from French to Japanese to Mediterranean and native island dishes. Grooms with nice teeth can end a meal with kesio (Aruban flan) or take away a few pieces of cocada, a candy made from coconuts.

From start to finish, this article has helped you learn more about this topic than you probably thought you would ever know.

Do you want to get married in Aruba? Look at this

# Aruba Marriage License Laws: Waiting Period: All documents must be submitted at least one month prior (by courier) to the desired wedding date

# Apostilled documentation from country of citizenship verifying that neither party is currently married

# Civil marriages are performed in the hall of the historic City Hall building in downtown Oranjestad

# If you are staying at a resort, ask the manager or wedding coordinator to help you make arrangements to obtain your marriage license.

# Aruba Marriage License Fee: US$80 during the week; US $200 Saturdays, holidays or outside office hours

# Marriage Booklet (certificate) US$20.00 or US$32.00 (price difference is based on the better quality of a booklet)

# ID required for an Aruba marriage license: Copies of birth certificates with raised seal

# Proof of divorce or death certificate

# You must have a valid passport and submit copies of pages showing relevant details

# Copies of witness passport pages

I hope this helps you if you plan to go there and have the time of your life.

One of the wonderful advantages of real estate in Mexico is that there are always new and promising areas opening up for investment. Of the two areas that offer particular potential, one is a sort of “next in line” in an area that has proven its strength several times, Tulum real estate, and the other is an entire region of Mexico that has just start attracting international discovery – Oaxaca Real Estate.

Tulum is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, about an hour south of Playa del Carmen, or about 2 hours south of Cancun. The area has already seen three great real estate success stories; first Cancun, then the island of Cozumel, and currently Playa del Carmen as the fastest growing community in Latin America, growth due solely to tourism and expatriate real estate investment.

A new international airport is in the early stages for Tulum; Investors are already beginning to pay special attention to Mexico land for sale in Tulum, and some excellent condo and home opportunities are appearing. Tourism is also going strong, and there is every reason to believe that Tulum will be the next boom story on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

Heading toward Mexico’s southern Pacific tip, Oaxaca, though in a very different situation, also shows signs of being “ripe for investment.” Mexico’s federal tourism agency has already identified Oaxaca as a state of “opportunity with a broad portfolio of products to attract investment with total legal security.”

Oaxaca has everything that has made other tourist destinations successful. It has a beautiful colonial capital, the city of the same name, and a handful of waterfront resorts that have already been attracting tourists, such as Puerto Escondido and Huatulco. It also offers beautiful nature and many “hidden” beachfront areas, ideal for those seeking a quieter escape.

Due to recent government efforts to harness the high potential of strategic projects in highways, wind, clean energy, agribusiness, and tourism, the state has been generating an increasing amount of prosperity and funds to reinvest.

Prices are still very affordable since international attention to Oaxaca is still in its early stages. This means investors buying now are positioning themselves to see property appreciation and returns similar to those who have capitalized on the booming real estate markets of the Yucatan Peninsula or Puerto Vallarta.

TOPMexicoRealEstate.com; The Leading Network of Specialists in Mexico to Find and Buy Mexican Properties Safely

Imagine…a spectacular mountain landscape with isolated buttresses, sheer cliffs and unusual geological features; imagine spectacular gorges, fairy-tale waterfalls and thick lush forests. I present to you ‘The Scenic Route’ in the magical province of Mpumalanga in South Africa. Mpumalanga meaning ‘The place where the sun rises’.

The scenic route offers the traveler a number of spectacular vantage points to experience this wonderland and includes views of the Blyde River Canyon (the third largest canyon in the world) and its Three Rondavels, God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and several of beautiful waterfalls like Mac Mac, Lone Creek and Lisbon Falls. The region also has a historical influence and a visit to the historic gold mining town of Pilgrims Rest is a must. Stroll down its quaint little main street to see restored historic buildings and miners’ huts, visit the museum to see old mining relics, stop at the tourist office and join a guided tour to experience life in good morning gold mining and try your hand at panning for gold.

Most of the scenic route is situated in the Highveld. Views from God’s Window and Pinnacle Rock look out over the Lowveld. These 2 areas experience comparatively different climates. The Lowveld is subtropical, due to its proximity to the warm Indian Ocean and latitude. The Highveld is comparatively much cooler, due to its altitude of 2,300 to 1,700 m above sea level. The Drakensberg Escarpment receives the most rainfall, and all other areas are moderately well watered by mostly summer thunderstorms. The Highveld often experiences severe frosts, while the Lowveld is mostly frost-free. Winter rains are rare, except for a few drizzles on the cliff.

My suggestion to you when traveling to South Africa is to combine a 2 night stay on or near The Panorama Route, with your African safari experience in the world famous Kruger National Park or the private reserves west of Kruger. Three of my absolute favorite luxury hunting lodges are Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Savanna Private Game Reserve, and Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. All of these are situated in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, known for its excellent game viewing and in particular brilliant leopard sightings.

Now, to get back to your Panorama Route experience, my suggestion here would be to stay at the award-winning Oliver’s Restaurant and Lodge. This hostel has built a big name for itself. It is run by the owner and offers a nice home away from home experience. Situated on a peaceful and tranquil golf course estate with easy access to the Panorama Route, Kruger National Park and Nelspruit, the nearest international airport.

Rooms at Oliver’s Restaurant and Lodge are luxurious, spacious and beautifully decorated. Attention to detail is excellent. The personal service is first class. The kitchen is to die for. These combined attributes make it an absolute pleasure to stay here.

Spend the day lounging by the pool or pamper yourself in the wellness spa. A game of golf is right around the corner at the White River Golf Club. Outdoor activities in the region are plentiful and include quad biking, swings, rafting, hot air balloon rides, scenic helicopter flights, hiking, and horseback riding. Obviously, with the Kruger National Park just 25km away, you can also enjoy day game in your own vehicle. Pack a picnic lunch and spend the day wandering the park observing our fascinating African wildlife.

So one sees the abundance of options available to you in this area. It is worth spending a couple of nights here to get to know it and its friendly people. Just another magnificent part of our Rainbow Nation!

As a certified travel agent for four decades, international airline employee, researcher, writer, teacher, and photographer, travel, whether for business or pleasure, has always been an important and integral part of my life. Some 400 trips to all parts of the world, by road, rail, sea and air, involved destinations both mundane and exotic. This article focuses on those in the Caribbean.

Significant and multi-modal voyages to it, often on more than one occasion, covered 18 islands.

Antigua, via St. John’s, involved a road tour of Shirley Heights, Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, and the Blockhouse Ruins.

Aruba, with its colorful capital and cruise port of Oranjestad, included landmarks like Oranjestad. Parliament House, Queen Wilhelmina Park, Queen Beatrix International Airport, Santa Cruz, Agnochi Catashi Rock Formations, Ayo Rock Formations, Natural Bridge, Aruba Aloe Factory and Museum, and high-rise hotels in Palm Beach and low-rise hotels. rise up on Eagle Beach.

Barbados, with its capital Bridgetown, involved visiting many of its parishes and included attractions such as Santa Cruz, the Barbados Wildlife Reserve and the Barbados Concorde Experience, near Grantley Adams International Airport.

Bonaire, served by Kralendijk, involved attractions, such as Gotomeer, Seru Largu, and Washington Slagbaai National Park. Located in northwest Bonaire, it is a 14,830-acre nature sanctuary that was originally inhabited by native South Americans and was the location of the island’s two largest plantations during the Colonial Period, growing divi-divi and aloe trees and producing charcoal. . Accessed by a 15- and 22-mile route, the park features considerable topographical diversity, including desert areas, black and white sand beaches, caverns, salt flats frequented by flamingos, reefs, coral-filled bays, and pink pools. A visitor center and a museum were located at its entrance.

Curacao, with colorful Dutch architecture painting its Willemstad streets, included landmarks such as the Waterfront, dating back to 1634, the Plaza Pier, Fort Amsterdam, the Queen Emma – Pontoon Bridge, the Wilhelmina Drawbridge, the Mikveh Synagogue Israel-Emanuel and the Jewish Museum.

Trips beyond Willemstad involved the Curaçao liquor factory; Fort Nassau; the Boca Tabla Grotto; the Knip Plantation House; Knip Bay, which was one of the most beautiful beaches on the island where pure, sugary sand met the turquoise Caribbean Sea; and the general scenes enjoyed their “cunucu”, which was the Papiamento word for “country”.

Lush, velvety green Dominica was marked by its famous Morne Trois Pitons National Park, a 17,000-acre ecological area located on the southern side of the island. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the only one in the Eastern Caribbean, it featured one of the world’s last remaining oceanic rainforests. It was accessed by narrow, uphill and bumpy roads and featured crater lakes, grotto-fed waterfalls, freshwater lakes and the three peaks of the Morne Trois Pitons. Mist frequently rose over the dark green vegetation of this primordial rain forest. An aerial tramway offered spectacular views of this place reminiscent of Switzerland.

Other areas visited included Trafalgar Falls and Laudat Village.

Grand Cayman means George Town, Hell, Seven Mile Beach, and West Bay.

Grenada, the spice island, was indicative of St. George’s, Fort Frederick, Annandale Falls, Grand Etang National Park, and the Douglaston Spice Estate.

The famous Casa de Campos was a symbol of the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola.

Jamaica, with its lush mountainous interior, suggested images of continental forests, and its sights included Dunn’s River Falls, Mountain Valley, the beaches of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Highlights were a jeepney tour of the plantation and bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River.

Puerto Rico was characterized by San Juan, Luquillo Beach, El Yunque Rain Forest and Isla Verde. Old San Juan was home to the San Juan National Historic Site, with buildings dating back to the 16th century, including the fortresses of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristóbal and the old city walls.

St. Barthelemy involved coverage of Gustava, the capital and seaport, the Den Rock Hotel, the first on the island, Morne Vitet, the highest peak on the island at 281 meters, Anse de Grand Cul de Sac, Anse de Marigot , Loreint Beach, St. Jean Beach, and Turtle Island, the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

St. Croix, with its Danish heritage, included visits to its two main cities, Christiansted and Frederiksted. Fort Christiansvaern was among the Danish colonial buildings in the Christiansted National Historic Site. The West St. George Village Botanical Gardens occupied a former sugar plantation. And a boat cruise to Buck Island Reef Monument, a small, 176-acre uninhabited island 1.5 miles north of St. Croix’s northeast shore, offered diving opportunities.

St. John, the smallest of the US Virgin Islands, was accessed by inter-island ferry from St. Thomas and involved a tour of the Virgin Islands National Park, which took up most of the island . Its beaches, including Trunk Bay, backed by forests, and Francis Bay, whose calm waters were home to sea turtles, were fringed by coral reefs. Annaberg Plantation was once the location of an 18th century sugar plantation and trails through the rain forest led to the ruins of the Reef Bay Sugar Mill.

Saint Lucia, in the Eastern Caribbean, was an island nation whose pair of dramatically conical mountains, the Pitons, marked its west coast, which in turn was home to volcanic beaches, reef dive sites, luxury resorts and fishing villages. Inland jungle trails often ended in waterfalls like the 15-meter-high Toraille, which tumbled over a cliff into a garden.

From Castires, its cruise port, the exploration encompassed the 18th-century merchant’s house of San Marcos built in 1942, which had used the foundations of the original 1920 structure; Caribelle Batik; Marigot Bay; the Roseau Valley Banana Plantation; Anse La Raye; and La Sikwi Sugarmill, which included a guided tour and tasting of native St. Lucian foods: fried green plantain, panapén, sugar cane, grapefruit, yellow plantain, and plantain ketchup.

San Martin/St. Martin was marked by its main cities, Marigot in French St. Martin and Philipsburg in Dutch St. Maarten.

Tourist attractions on St. Thomas included Skyline Drive, a view from the top of the mountain, Charlette Amalie, Fort Christian, and a climb of the Paradise Point Tramway. But the highlight was a parasailing flight over its bay.

Hooked to a parachute and airdropped from the stern of a speedboat, the parachute instantly surrendered to aerodynamic forces and lifted, the world receding and miniaturizing in seconds until even the sound of the boat’s engine faded into silence. silence. To the left, suspended 600 feet above the St. Thomas Harbor and the now diminutive 91,000-ton Constellation cruise ship with my feet dangling into oblivion, I was left with the surreal perspective of the island below; the fierce winds that filled my parachute and uniquely kept me aloft; and my thoughts.

Trinidad was marked by its capital, Port of Spain.

For your next travel destination, head to the island of Puerto Rico where you will simply enjoy the many tours that are available there for your sightseeing pleasures. There is so much to see and do while you spend your time having fun with all of the Puerto Rico tours.

You can just relax as you float on the ocean on a leisurely catamaran sailing to Icacos, which is located just south of San Juan. There you will see many miles of white sand beaches with beautiful blue waters. During a tour, you will be able to search the island, sunbathe, collect shells, or if you wish, simply swim along the shores.

You can also see the wonders of the water underwater where you will find living coral reefs. You will be offered a picnic lunch along with a piña colada, which will be served to you by the crew members on the boat. The tour will take you sailing by catamaran to the uninhabited island of Icacos.

Luquillo Beach is a very large crescent of white sand lined with coconut palms along with the view of El Yunque Mountain as a backdrop. You will trek through cool mountainous rainforest, which is home to uniquely preserved plant and animal life.

On the coast of Luquillo beach you can see a lot of marine life and many tropical fish as well. Luquillo Beach is located on the northeast coast and is known as the best on the island with a popular public stretch of very calm water coupled with golden colored sand.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Bacardi building, known as the largest rum distillery in the world. There you can sample the products and even take home some liquid souvenirs. From there you can visit some preserved Spanish colonial cities.

The entire city of San Juan is known as a historic site which is something you won’t want to miss. While visiting the old city, you can stroll through the old cobblestone streets and visit the museums, fortresses and churches that make San Juan a wonderful attraction.

If you love the deep sea, you will simply enjoy the experience in some of the best sport fishing waters in the world. You can take a full day or half day deep sea fishing charter where you will be ready for a luxury cruise and also the chance to catch and fish for a sailfish, tuna, dorado or even a blue marlin.

A trip to Puerto Rico simply isn’t complete without exploring the depths of an ancient cave known to be a million years old. You will visit the Parque de las Cuevas del Río Camuy. This tour will take you directly from San Juan to the third largest underground cavern in the world.

You will certainly enjoy a tour of the wonders from sinkholes to cathedral like caverns and then you can see a mysterious river with its eons – ancient stalactites and also its stalagmites. You will find this tour quite interesting.

For your next trip, consider a visit to Puerto Rico to see some of the many fascinating and interesting places you’ll never see during the many tours the beautiful island has to offer.

The mainland of France has water on more or less three sides: the Atlantic, the English Channel, or La Manche as the French prefer to call it, and the Mediterranean, so France has beaches for everyone, from families even superstars. world class surfers to naturists.

The Côte d’Azur (literally, the blue coast) stretches along the entire south-facing Mediterranean coast from Marseille in the west to Menton in the east, while the French Riviera is the elegant eastern section from Cannes to Menton. .

In a nutshell, travel to France’s Côte d’Azur [east Mediterranean coast] to sunbathe in a crowded social spot, to Brittany [north Atlantic coast] for family holidays with many attractions for children, to the South Atlantic coast [e.g. bay of Biscay] for space or surf and corsica [in the Mediterranean] for the best beaches in France, hiking and nature.

Most of France’s beaches are well developed with many amenities and few dangers, although the beaches in the north-west [Atlantic] tend to have colder, rougher and less clear waters, while the Mediterranean [south east] the strands of sand, except for Corsica, tend to be small, crowded and expensive, with the best stretches being taken by paying umbrella operators.

Below is a guide to some of the best beaches in France.

**The French Riviera is the place to be for great weather, lively social life, good shopping, excellent eating and drinking facilities, and not necessarily expensive, although the beaches are often crowded, rocky or pay-to-tan while that traffic and parking is a nightmare. Nice or Cannes are particularly good examples of the advantages and disadvantages. The cute little town of Menton, in the far east and next to Italy, is as laid back as the Riviera.

***Arcachon, on the Silver Coast [near Bordeaux] is a charming little resort surrounded by the largest pine forest in France, offering lovely little beaches, although if you need lots of sand, a couple of kilometers to the south is Dune du Pyla, the largest sand dune in Europe : more than 100m. [350ft] tall and long. South of Arcachon and more or less to Biarritz there are 200 km of beach but with few facilities.

**Biarritz, SE France, is a large city with some fine buildings, great seafood, great sandy beaches and good surf, but of course cold Atlantic water, a fairly constant breeze and frequent sea fog.

*** A stunningly beautiful old Basque town just a 20-minute drive south of Biarritz, quiet and pedestrian-friendly, St Jean de Luz sports an absolutely stunning promenade of old Basque houses and fine sand. Disadvantages, however, like Biarritz.

***Seignosse is a new seaside resort on the Atlantic coast 3 km from the old town of Seignosse and spreads over 6 km of surf-washed sand and surrounded by dunes, offering all the necessary facilities for families and surfers alike, from surf schools, beach club, water park and forest bike trails to an excellent golf course of the same name. Seignosse is south of Bordeaux and north of Biarritz, accessed via TGV to Bayonne, then by bus or taxi.

*Cap d’Agde, near Montpellier, is suitable for naturists, in other words, take off your gear. Not only in terms of nude beaches, but the entire city, from restaurants to banks, goes for the natural look.

**La Rochelle, a charming port city on the Atlantic coast, is one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in France. The area has miles of safe sandy beaches, especially on the nearby islands, and with shallow waters, they are ideal for young families.

*La Baule, an 8-mile crescent-shaped beach on Brittany’s Atlantic coast is the longest stretch of sand in Europe. It is not as elegant as the French Riviera, but its good facilities are ideal for families.

*La Sauzair, in Bretignolles-sur-Mer on the Vendée coast, is the best for surfing, while the resort of Bretignolles has wide sandy beaches and rocky coves.

* Belle-île-en-Mer, an island off the Atlantic coast near Brittany, has fine sandy bays and charming coves.

***The island of Corsica has some stunning beaches along with scenic drives.

Many years ago, on a backpacking trip through Europe with a boyfriend, I was introduced to the Citroën 2CV or two horses. On a six week tour of various countries and historical sites, he took 90 photos of the cars and 10 of me, I think you can guess where the relationship ended.

History aside, I thought my husband would have a lot of fun driving a vintage car around Provence for a day. The answer was simple, there is a Dutch/French company called 2CV Experience that rents carefully restored “two horsepower” cars for the day. It couldn’t have been easier, being minutes from Aix-en Provence. They currently have 12 cars and are expanding their inventory to 15 shortly. These pristine cars have been completely hand-restored, meticulously painted, and are ready to go when you arrive. All the cars are called: Tournesol, Olivier, St-Tropez, Menthe, Sahara… we were given the keys to Lavende for the day.

The Citroën 2CV was produced between 1948 and 1990. The car was technically well built and designed, affordable and literally designed to move the French rural population from dependence on animals (horses and carts) to the automobile. The car is still iconic. It is minimalist in design, lightweight, offers easy maintenance and consistent reliability. In 42 years of production, more than 3.8 million cars were produced.

I couldn’t have dreamed of a more perfect day in mid-March. It was a brilliantly sunny day, cloudless and warm. At 10am we were given instructions on how to “roll back” the canvas convertible top, from then on it was a “topless day” until 7pm.

We had a vague idea for our day trip. It looked something like this; Head to the coast and then “discuss” whether to go left or right. This would be followed by a friendlier chat about where to have lunch, and finally a quieter ride back to home base. Fortunately, 2CV Experience saved the day by providing a detailed map, route instructions and tourist notes for a 145km tour of Etang de Berre. There are actually seven lakes, but Etang de Berre is the largest. The area was formed during the last ice age. This inland body of water is fed by freshwater sources. The entire area is more than 20 km long and 16 km wide. There are numerous small towns and cities to visit along the way.

The first stop was Chateau La Barben, just outside of La Barben. There has been a structure on site since 1064. Day tourists, overnight B&B guests, and special function receptions. Unfortunately we arrived early in the season and too early in the day so we couldn’t see the interior. Certainly the exterior is well restored and the location is a beautiful cool oasis, surrounded by water features.

The next towns were Pelissane, Salon de Provence, Grans and Saint Chamas. Each city has some unique sites and photo opportunities. Without a doubt, the town of Grans was our favorite stop. The town is small and maintains a real Provençal atmosphere with a mix of residences, restaurants and cafes. This small town has a permanent population of about 3800 inhabitants.

The other towns weren’t very remarkable although each one has some unique features and offers some photo opportunities at the most unexpected moments. Although the rental company provides all the tools for a picnic, you still need to spend a few minutes shopping for ingredients. We ended up in Istres at a restaurant for lunch. This is an ancient city that has some remaining Roman sites surrounded by a bustling city. A quick tour of the area and it’s clear you shouldn’t venture too far from your car and keep your valuables close at hand. That said, we stumbled upon Pinch of Salt for lunch on the high street and it was excellent.

Post-lunch stops included the village of Saint Miter les Remparts, this village should NO to be missed The ancient city was surrounded by high defensive walls, dating back to the 14th century. There are two main entrances to the old town, the north and south gates. Do not miss the residences built on the old walls of the town. This small town is a charming and relatively quiet stop on the tourist circuit. Unfortunately, time was running out and the sun was heading in the wrong direction, so the following cities were literally on their way for another time.

My husband, the willing driver, was warned about some of the car’s idiosyncrasies. First it was where the emergency lights were in case something unforeseen happened. Important details included the fact that there is NO power steering, NO power brakes, and the transmission is out of sync. Translated all that means that one needs to use a little force to drive the car and must think ahead. With a non-synchronized clutch, if you need to downshift to first gear, the car must come to a complete stop before engaging the gear. The gear lever is interesting in that it’s on the dash, with a unique shift pattern. Lavendre was fun to drive, the corners required a bit of effort to missteer, and a rolling stop in second was the name of the game, avoid full stops if possible. The car accelerated well. The car seems to work best at 90 km/h or less; all the better for taking in the sights and sounds of the small towns, natural sights, and historic monuments along the route.

At the end of the day, it was truly a “magical” experience in an old classic. The small team at this company is well organized, professional, helpful, and provides excellent trail notes! Otherwise, we could still be “discussing” the instructions.

If you are looking for a beach vacation on a tropical white sand beach, surrounded by coconut trees, then this is your island! Or should I say… islands. Upolu is the main island where Apia, the capital, is located. Savaii, the largest island, is quite a different experience and is not to be missed. There are several much smaller islands scattered along the coast.

While you’ll want to spend much of your time on one of the glorious beaches, there’s plenty more to do in Samoa. Here is a suggested itinerary for one week, best to rent a car for sightseeing. You’ll want to take some time each day to relax by a pool or on the beach. Enjoy a leisurely lunch at one of the wonderful outdoor restaurants and RELAX!

Day 1: Arriving at Faleolo airport, you will instantly feel the heat! Constantly around 26-27 degrees Celsius, night temperatures rarely drop below 23 degrees. It is about a 45 minute drive to Apia. You will immediately begin to relax, with your first experience of colorful villages and crystal clear turquoise waters that stretch to the white foam of the reef. Once you’ve settled in, it’s a good time to take a short walk around town, or try a Vailima beer, around the pool. Find out what night the Fiafia is celebrated. There are usually only one or two nights a week when hotels put them on, so plan ahead.

Day 2 – Morning – Explore Apia, including the markets. There are two markets: the Beach Rd Market on the seafront near the Tusitala (Kitano) hotel is for

• clothing
• Dishwasher
• cloth cap
• carved wooden items, including the traditional kava bowl
• jewelry made from husk, coconut shell and seeds

You will find that they generally do not haggle. Ask if they’ll give you a cheaper price for two and they invariably tell you their boss isn’t here today so they can’t do it. It’s worth walking to Marketi Fou, the fruit market, where you can wander among the locals as they go about their normal daily shopping. Samoa does not have tropical fruits like pineapples and mangoes throughout the year. They have two three-week seasons a year. Bananas and oranges are always available, with other fruits such as passion fruit, guava and fruit saw at different times.

Afternoon: If you like to dive, Pololo Deep is just outside of town and is the only beach near Apia. You’ll find it best at mid or low tide.

Day 3- Morning- Visit Vailima, home of Robert Louis Stevenson, on Cross Island Road. He was Samoa’s beloved Tusitala-“story teller”, and lived here during the last years of his life. You can look through the wonderful restored colonial house and make the 40-minute walk to the top of Mount Vaea, Stevenson’s final resting place, with magnificent views of Apia.

Afternoon: After lunch, it is a good time to take a forty-minute coastal drive to Piula to cool off with a swim in the natural freshwater pool, which empties into a cave. Situated on the grounds of a beautifully renovated church, you can enjoy the pool, looking out to sea over the narrow rock wall that separates them. The pool closes at 4 o’clock, when the local women drop their boarding school clothes from the children’s church and the fish come out of their hiding places.

Day 4 – Full Day – Hire a car and drive up the hill, through the rainforest. Check out the Bahai temple on top of the hill, then head down to Coconuts Resort where you can have tea or lunch in the morning. Leaving Coconuts, follow the coast road back to Apia, through the many towns and beaches. If you have time to take a detour to Togitogi Falls, they are beautiful. Or you can return via Papasea – Sliding Rocks. Better when it has rained a lot.

Day 5 – Morning – Take the car ferry to Savaii. There are plenty of accommodation options, from beach fales at Stevensons or Janes, Savaii Lagoon…a mid-range option, or Le Logoto for a more luxurious experience.

Afternoon: Just 2 kilometers down the road is the village of Satoalepai, where you can swim with turtles. This is a very beautiful place, and while the turtles are in captivity, they have a large pool and are well cared for. They are very friendly and it was the highlight of my trip.

Day 6- All day – Drive around Savaii – Plan to stop at

• Saleaula Lava Fields – An amazing insight into the effects of Mount Matavanu’s eruptions between 1905 and 1911.
• Alofaaga Blowholes – You will need to check the tides as you will want to be as close to full tide as possible to best see the blowholes. These are some of the best you will see anywhere in the world! You will pay $5WS each which includes a local guide.
• Continue to the Vaisala hotel through towns and beaches. This is the best option for a meal, unless you’re bringing a picnic basket.
• Stop at the ruins of the village destroyed by Cyclone Ofa.

NOTE: You will want to allow enough time for photo stops. This is a very photogenic country, and Savaii has some wonderful places for photographers to enjoy their hobby!

Day 7- All day – Experience a night at a beach fale. This could be in Savaii, or after taking the ferry back to Upolu, around the coast where you have several beach fale options. If the basics aren’t for you, you may prefer the exclusive Seabreeze Resort in Paradise Cove, with excellent snorkeling and probably the best view of live coral on the island.

Day 8 – To the airport