A city in the Tampa Bay Area of Pinellas County, Florida, Clearwater has a history going back to the 1830’s when the construction of Fort Harrison was started on a bluff overlooking Clearwater Harbour. Previous to this, the area was inhabited by the Tocobaga people, at least since the 16th century. Fort Harrison was built as an outpost during the Seminole Wars, later in the 1840’s, land in the area was offered to anyone who would bear arms and a number of families took up the challenge and obtained sizeable tracts of land in the region. Originally called Clear Water Harbour (referring to a nearby fresh water spring), the city continued to grow, although at the turn of the 20th century it only had around 400 inhabitants. During WW2 Clearwater was used as a training base for troops heading for Europe from the USA, it has since become a popular tourist destination, especially the Clearwater Beach area which boasts some fantastic beaches and excellent facilities. Clearwater is also the HQ of the Church of Scientology. Clearwater Map.
August 26, 2009
August 25, 2009
Benifallim Costa Blanca
Well worth a visit when travelling in the northern Costa Blanca, is the delightful little mountain village of Benifallim, located in the Sierra del Rontonar. Having less than two hundred inhabitants, Benifallim really is a tiny place, but its narrow streets and alleyways and charming white-washed houses take visitors back to the times of the Moors, when they battled for control of the village with the Christian forces. Benifallim can be accessed from the CV785. Benifallim Map.
Devon Cities Exeter Plymouth and Around
The fourth largest county in England, Devon is situated in the south-west of the country bordering Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Devon boasts a couple of national Parks in the form of Dartmoor and Exmoor, and some historic towns and cities such as Exeter and Plymouth, making the county an interesting and exciting place to visit. Exeter, lying on the River Exe was the most south-westerly fortified town during the Roman occupation of Britain, and even before this was settled, perhaps as early as 250BC. If you are visiting Exeter be sure to take a look at Exeter Cathedral which was founded in 1050, and became the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, being moved from Crediton. The naval port and city of Plymouth is famous as the departure point of the Pilgrim Fathers, who headed for the New World in the Mayflower in 1620, they of course founded Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts, America. Plymouth these days is a bustling city with a population of over 250,000. Whilst visiting Plymouth, you might want to consider a trip across the border into Cornwall, where you will find the town of Launceston just 2 miles from the Devon border. In Launceston you can see the 11th century Norman castle which overlooks and dominates the town, it was built by William the Conqueror’s half brother, and demonstrates the importance they gave to the town. Back to Devon and for something a little different, you might consider a trip to the races at Newton Abbot, the course established in 1866 is situated beside the River Teign and is a popular venue for thoroughbred horseracing. Devon Map.
Bude Boscastle Tintagel Port Isaac and Liskeard
The beautiful area of North Cornwall has some wonderful places to visit and holidaymakers will no doubt return time and time again to take in the sights as they will surely not be able to take it all in on one trip. Beach lovers will likely head for Bude, a popular coastal resort on the north coast. Bude has two fine beaches and the surrounding coastline is an area of extreme natural beauty. A little south of Bude finds you at 2 interesting little villages – Boscastle and Tintagel. Boscastle, a pretty village hidden in a valley has a harbour situated in a natural inlet, formerly a significant port but these days relying more on tourism for its survival. Tourism is of course also big in Tintagel, with its associations with the Legend of King Arthur, the ruined Tintagel Castle is located on a nearby island, and the timeless story attracts thousands of visitors to the village. Still further to the south-west be sure to drop in at Port Isaac, another Cornish fishing village with much to commend it, this charming place was previously important for exporting coal, stone and pottery, though fishing and tourism are the order of the day in modern times, the village centre has some fine examples of 18th and 19th century cottages. Places of interest in Cornwall are not confined to the coast and for something a little different you could set your sights on the ancient market town of Liskeard, a place of importance since the 13th century, when it was granted its license to hold a weekly market, which it has done ever since. If you would like to experience the market atmosphere, visit on a Thursday. Liskeard Map.
August 24, 2009
Bahamas – The Early History
The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is located to the north of Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean, it is an independent country, speaking the English language and is made up of a large number of islands, cays and rocks spread over an area of over 5,000 square miles. Thought to have been first settled by the Taino people in the seventh century, the Bahamas has a large population by the time Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World. As Spaniards arrived in the Bahamas they took most of the native population into slavery, and those remaining died of disease, this caused the islands to become depopulated and they were not permanently resettled until the 17th century when a group of travellers arrived from Bermuda, they were known as the Eleutherian Travellers and settled on an island which they called Eleuthera (meaning freedom). After the islands became home to some notorious pirates, they were made a Britsh Crown colony in the early 18th century. Bahamas Map.
Benicarlo Spain
A coastal town and resort situated between Peniscola and Vinaros, Benicarlo is on the “Orange Blossom Coast” (Costa del Azahar) in eastern Spain. Settled since the Bronze Age, Benicarlo was just a small hamlet when the Moors ruled the region in the 8th to 13th centuries, it was later surrounded by a fortified wall after the Christian reconquest. Present day Benicarlo survives economically on agriculture and manufacturing and also has a budding tourism industry, as this stretch of coast gains in popularity. Benicarlo celebrates a couple of interesting festivals during the year, the first one being the Artichoke Fair, which is held in January and celebrates one of the most important crops for the town, during August the festival in honour of Benicarlo’s patron saint, includes the “bous a la mar” (Bulls in the sea) event.
Cornish North Coast – Padstow, St Agnes and Polzeath
The north coast of Cornwall is dotted with many pretty coastal towns and villages and is also an area noted for its surfing, one of the best know being at Polzeath, just north of Padstow, where high rollers crash in from the Atlantic Ocean. In 2007, some 300 surfers arrived in Polzeath in an attempt to set a world record for the highest number of surfers to ride one wave. High rollers and dangerous sand bars also make this area tricky for ships and many have been wrecked on the approach to Padstow harbour, the notorious Doom Bar being the most dangerous. Five miles up the River Camel, things are a little quieter and the town of Wadebridge has been a successful market town since the early 14th century, the town did however see action during the English Civil War, when even Oliver Cromwell though it important enough to take control of the bridge. Some way south of Padstow and Wadebridge the village of St Agnes attracts hikers, artists and holidaymakers, who visit to enjoy the beautiful coastline and countryside and the fine beaches of which there are at least 5 in the immediate area. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage Site, St Agnes was an important tin mining area in days past.
Falmouth Penryn and Around
Whilst visiting Cornwall you should certainly head for Falmouth and Penryn on the south coast of the county, two well known harbour towns, both have long and interesting histories. Falmouth along with Carrick Roads is the deepest natural harbour in Western Europe and also the third deepest in the world. Now a popular holiday destination, Falmouth has 5 excellent beaches and numerous guest houses. Penryn situated on the River Penryn near to Falmouth is one of the oldest towns in Cornwall, it has many historic buildings, some dating back to Tudor times. During the 19th century Penryn was important for the production and export of granite, with granite works being established beside the river. To the south-west of Falmouth and Penryn is the small fishing port of Porthleven, a notorious black spot for ships, many of which were wrecked during storms in the area. Facing south-west into prevailing winds, Porthleven has always been a difficult harbour to negotiate, its situation has however lead it to being a renowned surfing location, attracting many exponents of this sport. Not far from Porthleven and the largest village on The Lizard peninsular, Mullion is a popular area for tourists, with some spectacular scenery and some isolated beaches. Just offshore from Mullion Cove is a tiny island owned by the National Trust, it is an important breeding ground for many varieties of seabirds.
Looe, Polperro, Fowey and the Eden Project
A small seaside town situated on the River Looe in Cornwall, Looe is an attractive town which has become a popular holiday destination, whilst still retaining its fishing traditions. With a resident population of just over 5,000, Looe lies on both banks of the river, and is actually formed by 2 towns East and West Looe. An ideal base for touring the many attractions of Corwall, Looe has a good selection of holiday accommodation and you should have no trouble finding somewhere to stay should you wish to visit. There is plenty to see and do in and around Looe, with some attractive little fishing villages to visit in the area such as Polperro and Fowey. Polperro was a notorious smugglers haunt, especially during the 18th century, it is now a little more peaceful and attracts many visitors to explore its narrow streets and pretty harbour. Fowey, another small coastal town is actually an important cargo port, which was formerly significant in the export of china clay. Further south and near to St Austell, is one of Cornwall’s most well known attractions – the Eden Project. Conceived by Tim Smit, the Eden Project, which opened in 2001, features a number of huge plastic domes containing plants from around the world, it is certainly one of the “must visit” places in the region. Looe Map.
August 21, 2009
St Austell and Around
The most populated town in Cornwall, St Austell is also a good base for exploring the county, being close to such well known attractions as the Eden Project, the St Austell Brewery and Mevagissey’s Lost Gardens of Heligan. St Austell itself has a long history, though it was not mentioned in the Domesday Book, and it certainly had a church in Norman times, as remains can still be seen, the present Trinity Church however dates from the 15th century. As with many Cornwall towns, St Austell was much involved in the mining industry, especially copper and tin, but unlike others, this was replaced by clay mining as it became an important centre for the China Clay industry. These days tourism is more significant and the beautiful surrounding coastline is a big attraction with such pretty fishing villages as Mevagissey being an obvious place to visit. To the west of St Austell on Cornwall’s northern coast, the surfing resort of Newquay is a popular destination with miles of sandy beaches and ideal surfing conditions. Newquay is also well known for its nightlife, which is very lively, especially during the summer months. St Austell Map.
Bermuda – The Early Years
A British Overseas Territory located in the North Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda (Somers Islands) was originally discovered by a Spaniard (Juan de Bermudez) in 1503. Later used by the Spanish and Portuguese for re-stocking passing ships, the islands were not permanently settled due to rumours of spirits in what became known as the Isle of Devils, treacherous surrounding reefs also contributed to the islands remaining unpopulated. In 1543 a group of Portuguese sailors spent some months in Bermuda, after their ship was damaged on rocks. The British did not arrive until some time later and even then by accident, as a fleet of ships under Sir George Somers, were broken up in a storm off Bermuda, as they headed for Jamestown, Virginia. The survivors colonised the island and claimed it for the English Crown, St George’s was settled in 1612 and subsequently became the first capital of Bermuda. Bermuda Map.
Bermuda Braces Itself for Hurricane Bill
Bermuda is currently on alert as the powerful Hurricane Bill approaches, the Category 3 storm was predicted to pass through open waters between Bermuda and the USA some time on Saturday. On Thursday the “eye” of the storm was 500 miles south of Bermuda. The hurricane is expected to regain Category 4 status on Friday, though is will probably weaken through Saturday. This first storm of the Atlantic season caused Bermuda to issue a tropical storm alert on Thursday, and is on hurricane watch, bracing itself for possible devastation.
August 20, 2009
Benalmadena Costa del Sol
One of the finest holiday resorts on the Costa del Sol coastline of southern Spain, Benalmadena has a variety of tourist attractions including the Sealife Aquarium, the Selwo Marina and the famous Tivoli World Amusement Park at Arroyo de la Miel. Benalmadena has a history going back to the Arab occupation of Spain, and the name is thought to be derived from the Arabic “Ben-al-Madina” (“Children of the Mines”), referring to the iron ore mines which used to be important in the area. The coastal area of the town, known as Benalmadena Costa is the home of the marina, a popular area with visitors and the location of a variety of shops, bars and restaurants. The inland section is known as Benalmadena Pueblo, an attractive village with pretty white walled houses. Sit and watch the world go by in the charming Plaza de Espana, or visit the picturesque church of Santo Domingo. Benalmadena and this entire stretch of coast enjoys a wonderful climate (Costa del Sol means “Sun Coast”) and the weather in Benalmadena is perfect for family holidays at any time of year. Benalmadena is located between the popular resorts of Torremolinos and Fuengirola and can be accessed from the railway station at Arroyo de la Miel or by road from Malaga airport. If you are not driving you may need to book a Malaga airport transfer, to get you to your destination in Benalmadena, though if you are booking through a tour operator, this will probably already be laid on for you.
Towns of Alicante Province – Torrevieja and La Mata
Located to the south of Alicante on the southern Costa Blanca, surrounded by 2 huge salt lakes, the coastal towns of Torrevieja and La Mata are growing resorts with a huge range of facilities and some fabulous sandy beaches. Torrevieja has had some bad press in recent years but much of it has been an exaggeration and the town has continued to flourish despite this criticism. There has been an enormous amount of development in recent years and Torrevieja has grown from a small fishing village to a huge resort. It has been a popular location along with La Mata and the Orihuela Costa, for the purchasing of second holiday homes and a large number of Brits and other North European nationalities have chosen to buy holiday homes there, a large majority choosing to plump for a Torrevieja apartment as these are at the cheaper end of the market. La Mata is a very Spanish resort and attracts a huge number of Spanish tourists during the summer season. Again many Brits have chosen to buy property here and there is a growing ex-pat community. The beaches at La Mata are amongst the finest in the region.The wonderful weather is one of the main reasons for its popularity and Torrevieja and La Mata enjoy a unique micro-climate with over 300 days of sunshine every year. Torrevieja also has some fine beaches, especially to the south of the town and these can get very packed during the summer season. Golfers head to this area in large numbers, as there are some excellent golf courses within easy driving distance of both Torrevieja and La Mata, the closest are the 3 golf courses of the Orihuela Costa, and also nearby are La Finca and La Marquesa golf courses. Torrevieja has some excellent facilities including the water park Aquopolis, a bowling alley, a fine marina and an excellent new shopping centre. Behind both Torrevieja and La Mata lie the enormous salt lakes which have been important for the economy of both towns over the centuries, they now form part of a protected Natural Park which is important for wildlife.
Places to Visit in Cornwall
England’s most south-westerly county, Cornwall is a popular tourist destination with some wonderful towns and resorts to visit, it generally enjoys a warmer climate than the rest of the UK and is one of the least developed of the English counties. The only city in Cornwall and the most southerly in Britain, Truro only has a population of around 20,000, it is the administrative capital of the county and grew in size and importance during the heady days of the once booming mining industry. Places to visit in Truro include the cathedral and the Royal Cornwall Museum. To the north-west of Truro is Perranporth, one of Cornwall’s popular surfing destinations, with miles of sandy beaches and hundreds of miles of fetch, this is a great surfing location. Golfers will not be disappointed either with a superb links golf course located north of the village, the families of surfers and golfers can enjoy the fine sandy beaches and pleasant climate. To the south of Truro and Perranporth is another charming little fishing village called Portreath, formerly an important shipping port for the Cornish mining industry, Portreath these days is a little more laid back, and attracts holidaymakers during the summer months. Just inland from Portreath are two formerly significant mining towns – Camborne and Redruth, both have seen decline as mining has decreased but both are currently being redeveloped. Camborne has a population of around 23,000 and together with neighbouring Redruth and Pool is the most populated area of Cornwall. A ruined Roman Villa found nearby give evidence of the town’s early history. Redruth has a number of interesting places to visit including the parish church of St Uny, Murdoch House and the Cornwall Centre and Mining Exchange. Head even further south and you will find the coastal town of St Ives, an attractive little town which was once a significant fishing port. St Ives was named after the Irish saint who came there in the fifth century, and these days is notable as an artistic centre, with artists attracted by the tranquillity and beauty of the place. St Ives is also the location of the famous St Ives September Festival. Go yet further south and you will find the towns of Penzance and Newlyn, together with the attractive fishing village of Mousehole, one of the prettiest in Cornwall, all situated around Mount’s Bay. Penzance is an ancient town, and was the location of a chapel dedicated to St Anthony over 1,000 years ago, the towns has many interesting places to visit. Newlyn has for many centuries been a significant fishing port, a tradition which still holds today, it being the largest fishing port in England. Newlyn has also been an important centre for the arts, with the Newlyn School being world famopus during the 19th century. Finally we visit the tiny fishing village of Mousehole, brought to world attention by the Penlee Lifeboat disaster of 1981, when the entire crew was lost in a storm. Today Mousehole is one of the must visit locations in the area, with its beautiful harbour and old world feel.
View a map of Cornwall here: http://www.my-towns.co.uk/cornwall-map.html