One of Dorset’s more popular seaside resorts, the town of Swanage has been attracting holidaymakers since Victorian times and became even more popular after the introduction of the railway by the London and South Western Railway Company in 1885. It has survived as a traditional English seaside resort mostly due to its unspoilt nature and the beauty of its surrounding coastline, being part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site of Dorset, which alone attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. Swanage today has a population of just over 10,000, and its economy revolves mostly around tourism, though it was previously significant for both fishing and quarrying, its being the prime location for many centuries for the production of Purbeck stone and Purbeck marble. As a holiday resort its attractions include its sandy beach, its excellent climate and its beautiful coast, with the renowned Old Harry Rocks located nearby, other attractions include Corfe Castle, Studland Bay, Lulworth Cove, Durlston Country Park, Durlston Bay, Peveril Point and the Swanage Lighthouse, it is a good base for touring many of Dorset’s other attractive towns and villages and beautiful unspoilt countryside. Swanage can be reached by way of the A351 and is about 7 miles from Poole.
April 17, 2010
Morella Valencia
One of the most distinctive towns in the Valencia region of eastern Spain, Morella is a medieval walled town, overlooked by a 13th century Moorish castle. Its ancient fortified walls are intact and unbroken (save for seven entrance gates), and behind these walls lies a labyrinth of narrow alleyways and streets largely unchanged for centuries. The castle which is now in ruins, dated from the Arab occupation, although the current castle was built upon earlier Iberian and Roman fortifications. Morella has a number of interesting historical monuments and some fine museums.
April 16, 2010
Roses Costa Brava
A very old fishing town situated on the Gulf of Roses in Catalonia, Spain, Roses was originally founded as a trading settlement by the Greeks in the 8th century BC. Within the walls of the later 16th century citadel, the Ciutadella, there are still some remnants of this ancient civilisation together with artefacts from the later Roman settlement which began in the 2nd century BC. Roses Spain became a fortified town during the 17th century, a necessary step due to frequent pirate attacks, and these fortifications were truly tested by at least 4 sieges over the ensueing centuries, they were finally destroyed by the French in the early nineteenth century. Roses benefited greatly from the explosion of tourism during the 1960’s and 1970’s and became one of the prime holiday spots along this part of the Costa Brava coast. Roses is still a significant fishing port and has a lively marina with plenty of bars and restaurants where Roses nightlife is enjoyed by its many visitors. Roses, and the Gulf of Roses has plenty of stunning sandy beaches and some fine conditions for water sports, a great attraction for the area. Worth visiting are the Ciutadella, the church of Santa Maria, the Aiguamolls Natural Park, the Cap de Creus and the town of Figueres, birthplace of artist Salvador Dali. This are of Spain enjoys a super climate and Roses weather is ideal for holidays all year round but especially during the summer months when sunshine is the order of the day and rain rare. Roses Map.
April 9, 2010
Magaluf Majorca
Magaluf Majorca
One of the best known resorts on the holiday island of Majorca, Magaluf is a sun and fun resort that would not suit everyone. Mostly attractive to the younger generation, Magaluf boasts a wide range of entertainment with friendly bars, lively discos and nightclubs and a vibrant atmosphere. The resort does have some excellent sandy beaches which will suit those looking for a more relaxing holiday, and on the beaches visitors can make the most of the wonderful Magaluf weather, which is ideal for holidays during the summer season, and remains pleasant throughout the winter months. The nearby Pirates Show has, since its inception, attracted over 3 million visitors and continues to attract and entertain. Other attractions in Magaluf include water sports, horse riding, golf, aqua parks, go-kart racing and much, much more. Magaluf has an excellent range of hotels and some privately owned rental accommodation, so booking a Magaluf holiday should not be a problem. If you are looking for a non-stop sun and fun holiday, Magaluf might just be the place for you.
April 8, 2010
Punta Prima Costa Blanca
Punta Prima Promenade
One of the ever popular coastal resorts of the Orihuela Costa in Spain, Punta Prima is situated between Torrevieja and Playa Flamenca, just off the N-332 coastal road. A renowned area for holidays and relocation Punta Prima has an attractive stretch of coastline and some nice sandy beaches which visitors can enjoy. The picture accompanying this post is of the seafront promenade, approaching Punta Prima from the Playa Flamenca end. Punta Prima has a large commercial centre beside the roundabout on the main road and also has a strip of bars and restaurants along the N-332, stretching from the roundabout towards Playa Flamenca. The region benefits from fine weather conditions, being especially sunny and dry from May to September. An ideal spot for golfers there are some six courses within easy driving distance of the resort. Punta Prima is around 45 minutes drive from Alicante airport and 25 minutes from Murcia airport. Punta Prima Map.
Girona Catalonia
Girona Catalonia – Riverside Houses
A historic city in the Catalonia region of north-eastern Spain, Girona has a population of just under 100,000 and is the capital of the province of Girona which takes in many of the resorts of the popular Costa Brava coastline. Originally settled by the ancient Iberians, Girona was later called Gerunda by the Romans when they established a citadel there during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsular. Later occupied by the Visigoths and then the Moors, Girona was brought back to Christian control in the 11th century. These days Girona is the arrival point for most visitors to the Costa Brava region being the location of the main airport for the region. The airport is actually located outside the city itself, so to visit the city you will need to take a taxi or bus and from here you can access the coastline north and south via bus or train. Girona enjoys a fine climate with the best weather being during the summer months (May to September), winters are cold with frost not unusual. Worth a visit in Girona are the old town, the coloured houses of the riverside, the ancient cathedral, the Collegiate Church of Sant Feliu and the Benedictine church of Sant Pere de Galligants. Girona is located beside the AP-7 motorway which links it with Barcelona to the south-west, and Figueres and France to the north. Girona Map.