La Mata Torrevieja: Also know as Torre la Mata, the Alicante coastal town of La Mata grew up around the salt trade after the Romans began extracting this valuable asset from the nearby salt lake, which is now a protected reserve. The centre of the salt production later moved to nearby Torrevieja and La Mata went into decline. In recent decades it has thrived due to the increase in tourist activity and, up until a few years ago, the demand for holiday homes close to the sea. La Mata has a long sandy beach (in fact several beaches) and boasts the usual holiday facilities.
2012/01/04
2011/12/16
Cala Galdana
Cala Galdana or Cala Santa Galdana is a beach resort located on the south coast of Menorca (Minorca) in the Balearics. It belongs to the municipality of Ferreries, around it lie two developments, separated by the Torrent d’Algendar, both built during the development of tourism in the 1960’s. The beach of Cala Galdana, about 300 metres long and 40 metres wide, is characterized by fine, white sand, typical of the south of Menorca, and abundant vegetation. Furthermore, Cala Galdana is a very safe beach for swimming and features many amenities such as lifeguard, Red Cross and public showers, sunbeds and umbrellas and water sports, making it one of the most popular beaches in Menorca during the summer months when the weather is at its best, both by tourists and the people of the island itself.
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2011/11/28
Southsea Castle Hampshire
Southsea Castle Hampshire – One of the most famous landmarks in the Hampshire coastal town of Southsea, Southsea Castle was built at the behest of Henry VIII in 1544. One of what are known as the Device Forts, Southsea Castle was constructed to defend Portsmouth Harbour and the Solent from attack by sea. Funded from money raised by dissolving the monasteries this castle in Southsea is still largely intact today and is a key tourist attraction for visitors to the town. It was badly damaged by fire in 1625 and again in 1640 but was restored to its former glory. The castle came under the control of Portsmouth council in the 1960’s and it was made into a museum for all to enjoy. On a trip to Southsea be sure to visit Southsea Castle.
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2011/11/24
Cromer Norfolk
Cromer Norfolk: An attractive Victorian seaside town in the county of Norfolk, Cromer has a long and unique history, mostly connected with the fishing industry. Well known for its crabs it also boasts fine sandy beaches, an old pier and a working lifeboat. Compact and easy to explore in just a day, Cromer has a pretty church with a tall tower, a small museum, and plenty of gift shops to visit. Though not so popular these days as it once was, Cromer still attracts its fair share of visitors, especially during the summer months when the weather is at its best. Be sure to head down to the harbour early morning and watch the crab boats come in with their catch, and later visit a local restaurant to see what a proper Cromer crab tastes like – delicious!If you are planning to stay for more than just a day in Cromer, you will find a good choice of guest houses and self-catering properties to pick from.
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Southend-on-Sea Essex
Southend-on-Sea Essex: Much more than just a big seaside resort, Southend is a major working town and residential area in its own right. Its impressive Civic Centre and its towering office blocks show evidence of this fact. Despite this Southend-on-Sea is still best loved as a holiday or day trip destination especially for the people of Essex and London. Popular as a seaside resort even in the early 19th century, Southend grew even more rapidly as a resort during Victorian times and its major landmark was built during this period in the shape of its famous pier, constructed in 1889 and still offering visitors the chance of a two and a half mile bracing walk today. In the summer time Southend can get very busy and the beach still crowded as in its heyday, when the weather is pleasant.
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2011/11/21
Clacton Essex
Clacton on Sea Essex
Clacton on Sea Essex – The biggest town on Essex’s Tendring peninsula, Clacton-on-Sea only became established as a town in 1871 when one Peter Bruff developed it as a purpose built seaside resort. Growing around its pier which was the main means of access to the town, Clacton was serviced by the Woolwich Steam Packet Company, whose steamships docked bringing visitors to the town. Still standing today Clacton Pier remains one of the attractions of the town and houses a theatre and amusement arcade. Clacton reached its height of popularity during the 1950’s and 1960’s, and of course most of these visitors arrived by road, the London Road having been constructed during the 1920’s to improve communications to the town and this part of the Essex coast. Butlins was of course a major contributor to the popularity of Clacton, when it opened its holiday camp there in 1938, providing facilities and entertainment for holidaymakers in both fine and inclement weather. Since Butlins closed visitors stay in local hotels or privately owned self-catering accommodation of which there is a good selection in the resort.
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2011/11/18
Chelmsford Cathedral Essex
Chelmsford Cathedral Essex – Located in the county town of Essex, Chelmsford Cathedral is one of the smallest cathedrals in the United Kingdom. Possibly built on an earlier 13th century church it reached its present proportions during the 15th and 16th centuries and is dedicated to St Mary, St Peter and St Cedd. Becoming a cathedral only in 1914, it has a tower with 13 bells. The nave and stained glass windows of the cathedral are later than the building itself, the nave being rebuilt in the nineteenth century and the stained glass windows replaced during the 19th and 20th centuries. Refurbished internally in 1983, the cathedral which is situated in New Street, Chelmsford, received new altar, seats and flooring. The cathedral is within easy walking distance of Chelmsford railway station making it an easy place to visit, it is an ideal destination when the weather is not so good.
Planning a visit? Check out the current weather in Chelmsford here: Chelmsford Weather.
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2011/11/15
Torre de la Horadada Spain
Torre de la Horadada Spain: La Torre de la Horadada is a town located beside the sea, in the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada (population 22,000) in the province of Alicante, Spain. A coastal town which has experienced recent development through tourism. It owes its name to two factors, first, the sixteenth-century watchtower, and second, the place where this tower is located: the Punta de la Horadada (the “pierced” represents the projection of land into the sea which has little caves made by the water, as if it was pierced) La Torre de la Horadada has several blue flag beaches which attract many visitors to the area, these include: Playa de los Jesuitas and Playa del Conde.
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2011/11/09
Blickling Hall Norwich Norfolk
Places to Visit Near Norwich – Blickling Hall: A splendid Jacobean house build during the early 17th century Blickling Hall is one of the excellent places you can visit if you are staying in the Norwich area of Norfolk in East Anglia. Boasting one of the largest collections (private) of rare books in the United Kingdom, Blickling Hall Gardens and Park also has plenty more to attract potential visitors. The gardens in particular are beautiful and can be visited any time of the year, but are definitely best in the Spring when the Spring bulbs come into bloom, pick a day when the weather is sunny to see them at their best. Take a walk through the attractive woodlands or around the lake and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this wonderful place, one of Norfolk’s highlights. Blickling Hall is near to Aylsham, about 15 miles north of Norwich.
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2011/09/22
The Aylesbury Duck
The Aylesbury Duck – A famous breed of duck which used to be, but no longer is, bred in the town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, the Aylesbury duck is bred mostly for its appearance and its meat. A huge delicacy in London restaurants during Victorian times the Aylesbury duck was at that time only bred in the Aylesbury area, where ducklings and ducks were reared in squalid conditions often living in the cottages of their rearers, this industry created many jobs in the town at the time. When ready to eat the ducks were then marched to London on foot in all types of weather, stopping off at inns and pubs along the way to rest and sleep. By the late 19th century the breeding of the Aylesbury duck had fallen into decline especially in the town of Aylesbury itself, restaurants began using the newly imported Pekin duck which was generally cheaper and easier to breed and rear.
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2011/09/16
Bournemouth Dorset England
Bournemouth Dorset England – Well what can you say about the beautiful and ever popular seaside resort of Bournemouth in Dorset? It has first class, well kept sandy beaches, clean bathing waters, plenty for the kids to do including play areas and paddling pools, great pubs and restaurants for your wining and dining in Bournemouth, terrific attractions such as Alum Chine Tropical Gardens, the popular pier, the promenade and the Victorian Gardens. There is just so much to do in Bournemouth whether the weather is sunny or wet, and you will certainly not be disappointed with a visit there. If you are thinking of moving to Bournemouth, it is a good, if a little expensive, choice, with decent job opportunities, especially seasonal work in the summer time.
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2011/09/02
Los Cristianos Tenerife Canary Islands
Los Cristianos Tenerife Canary Islands – One of the best known and best loved holiday resorts on the island of Tenerife, Los Cristianos has all the facilities you could need for a perfect family holiday. There are plenty of excellent hotels to choose from for your accommodation in the resort, and also a good choice of self-catering apartments which you can rent from an agent or direct from the owners.
Located west of Tenerife’s southern airport, Los Cristianos has super beaches, a pretty harbour, quality restaurants and bars, excellent water sports facilities, superb weather conditions, good fishing (fishing trips are available from the harbour), wonderful theme parks and entertainment.
If you think you like the sound of this then you should get a holiday booked to Los Cristianos sometime soon and learn for yourself just what a great resort it is. Tenerife of course has plenty of other fine resorts and another good one which is nearby is Playa de las Americas.
Tenerife is the biggest of the Canary Islands and also attracts the most visitors, so you will be in good company whenever you visit. Los Cristianos Map.
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2011/08/31
Swanage Dorset
If you are looking for a traditional Englsh seaside resort to visit, then you could do little better than the charming Swanage in Dorset. Boasting outstanding sandy beaches, and a beautiful unspoilt coastline, Swanage will appeal to all sorts of people, those who like the traditional beach style holiday, with the usual seaside resort amenities, those who like walking, cycling an hiking, and those who like to visit historic and ancient places (Corfe Castle for instance). With some of the best weather conditions in the UK, Swanage definitely has appeal as a summer holiday destination, and the beaches are great in the sunny weather, though not quite so appealing on rainy days, of which of course there are plenty (this being England). There is still lots to do when the weather is not so good, pop into the amusement arcades, go to the pictures or visit a charming English pub or two. Make sure you visit such lovely places as Lulworth Cove, Corfe Castle, Wareham and Purbeck, marvel at the Old Harry Rocks and Durdle Door, if you have time you could maybe visit Weymouth, Bournemouth or Poole all well worth the trip. All in all a great place to visit in Dorset, Swanage will not disappoint.
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2011/08/18
Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote
Puerto del Carmen Lanzarote – The largest and probably the most popular of Lanzarote’s coastal resorts, Puerto del Carmen is spread over a considerable distance along the coastline of Lanzarote and has several miles of beaches, some better than others. The accommodation in the form of hotels, apartment blocks and villas is also spread along the coastline of Lanzarote, and some distance inland, so be careful when booking if you want to be near the beach (or a specific area of the resort). Handy for the airport at Arrecife Puerto del Carmen is the perfect holiday destination, with good facilities, plenty of nighttime entertainment, good beaches and sunny weather all year round. There are plenty of hotels and most major tour operators arrange holidays in Puerto del Carmen, there is also plenty of self-catering accommodation in the form of villas and apartments, giving you plenty of choice for your holiday in Lanzarote. You really can visit Puerto del Carmen any time of year and the British favour the resort during the winter months ie December, January, February and March as the weather is more pleasant at this time of year, getting rather hot and sticky in July and August, the traditional holiday months.
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