Turkey is a vast country. If you were driving along the coast from the tip of the Datca Peninsula to the point east of Adana where the coastline soon heads south on out of Turkey you will have driven over 1200 kms. It is a stunning coastline with warm, crystal blue seas for most of the year, and an equally impressive climate. The spring and autumn are both pleasant while the main weeks of summer and hot and cloudless when a refreshing swim in the sea is ideal to cool off. Suntans are guaranteed but the memories of cruising in a yacht or gulet will remain long after the suntan fades.

The airports of Dalaman and Antalya are geared to handle the huge number of tourists to the area and those flying into Antalya are only an hour from a town that has expanded with the increase in tourists and which has an impressive marina that welcomes boats on a daily basis. Kemer.

Kemer

There was a time when Kemer was certainly best accessed from the sea and sailors will say it is still the case even though there is a modern road linking this expanding town to Antalya to the east. Kemer sits below the mountains that rise as high as 2,200 metres. The setting is as stunning as the coastline itself. A Kemer port cruise offers the chance to sail east or west to visit existing settlements, the ruins of historical cities that date back to the Lycians, in the years before Christ, and the Romans.

Kemer used to be just a small fishing village and the daily catch is still welcomed by restaurants serving typical Turkish cuisine including the freshest fruit and vegetables and by captains who intend to feed passengers on board. There is nothing to stop tourists actually catching their own fish and putting it straight on to the BBQ.

Antalya

The next port of call heading east is the city of Antalya. It has a population of well over a million but that does not mean that it holds no attractions for those wanting a genuine Turkish experience. Antalya’s origins date back to the time when its small harbour was of strategic and trading importance. Kaleici, the Old Town, is still a charming cobbled street district that was important to the Romans. The district is filled with old Ottoman style houses, pensions and shops selling carpets and typical crafts and souvenirs. The Hadrian Gate and impressive wall separate Kaleici from the modern shopping areas of Antalya.

The City was important to the Byzantines subsequently and obviously to the Ottomans whose Empire lasted centuries until finally collapsing completely with the First World War.

An Alaturka Cruise Kemer takes in places such as Antalya but there is the alternative of heading west as well. The road actually heads inland for periods but boats never leave the stunning seas.

Demre

This modern town is the ancient site of the Lycian City of Myra and the home of the Church of Saint Nicholas, the person the modern world regards as the fictional figure, Santa Claus (don’t tell your children!). It is a delight because even though visitors come to see Saint Nicholas’ tomb, it is never overcrowded. It is a fertile region growing a wide range of produce year round, with pomegranates being one of the popular fruits though the crop is picked late autumn.

The sunken city of Kekova and Simena Castle are two interesting sites to visit, mixing a little history and culture with the simple pleasures of relaxation.

Some people travel to Turkey and select a private villa, apartment or hotel and stay in a single place. Perhaps they do an occasional day trip but the main aim of the holiday is to relax, get a suntan and enjoy good bars and restaurants by night? Sailing the Turquoise Coast deprives no one of any of these pleasures but offers so much more.  The sea is just a dive off the boat and a suntan certain. The small towns along any of the available routes mean that an evening at a local restaurant is no problem at all. Think of the extra pleasures sailing provides with the calm waters comfortable for even nervous sailors.

Split is the second largest city in Croatia and the center of the coastal region of Dalmatia. It’s a city where the traditional and the urban clash to form a city where the tourists can enjoy the Mediterranean to the fullest. It is visited by dozens of thousands every year and we provide you with a guide to make sure you’ll enjoy your trip to Split and experience the city in its full glory.

The most famous site in the city is the Diocletian’s Palace, built by the Roman emperor Diocletian in 3rd century AD. The historical core of the city developed around the Palace whose walls stands preserved to this day, and the Palace found its place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Other great monuments of culture are the Cathedral of St. Domnius, patron saint of the city, the statue of Gregory of Nin, a medieval Croatian bishop, plus many museums and galleries exhibiting pieces from the city’s long history. Even if you’re not so interested in visiting museums, we suggest visiting the Maritime Museum and the Gallery of Fine Arts as they provide the best overview of Split and Croatian culture.

The beaches of Split are very popular among locals and tourists, as the Adriatic is warm and clean and the beaches are surrounded by parks and pine trees. The Marjan Park is a perfect place for a relaxing afternoon stroll and the most popular beach is Bačvice, where the locals engage in a water game called ‘picigin’, similar to handball. Ask them if you can join and enjoy the game yourself, since the locals are usually open to foreign visitors. And when you get tired, have a cup of coffee or a beer at one of the bars at the Promenade. Drinking your coffee for a long time and just enjoying the sun is also a vital part of Split culture!

Nightlife in Split is rich and diverse; there are many late-night coffee shops, bars, nightclubs and beach bars. Rock and music lovers will want to check out the Kocka or the O’Hara, where you can hear local indie & underground bands, those who like electro music will want to visit Hemingway Split and the Bačvice Bar, hosting both domestic and international DJs. During the summer there are some large music events as well – the biggest being the Ultra Music Festival, attracting more than 30 000 people from all over the world.

Split is also a city of sports; the football club of Hajduk is one of the city’s most recognizable symbols, with a vast army of supporters throughout Croatia. You can try out cycling, tennis, golf and various water sports, such as waterskiing and diving.

As in any major tourist center in Croatia, there are plenty of fast food diners and shops in the city, but it would be a shame if you didn’t try the Dalmatian cuisine and at least some of Split specialties. The traditional cuisine is based on fish, herbs, olive oil and boiled vegetables; some famous dishes include grilled sardines, squids, octopus salad, cuttlefish risotto, tuna and shrimps, accompanied by domestic wines or beers. These can be found in virtually all taverns and restaurants in split, just search for a sign stating ‘konoba’ (a type of tavern/restaurant) and enjoy your food!

We also encourage you to visit islands and towns in the vicinity of Split as they’ll give you a better picture of how beautiful Dalmatia is; start with the islands of Brač and Hvar, the nearby towns of Omiš and Trogir and you could even visit Biokovo and Krka National Parks. But even if you prefer to stay in Split, the city provides such a wide range of attractions that you’ll have your hands full just enjoying them

Are you interested in experiencing something truly amazing next summer?

When most people go on holiday they usually end up doing the same boring thing year after year, which involves visiting a traditional tourist destination and spending their time sitting around a swimming pool all day.

You don’t have to keep repeating the same process on a constant basis because there are a whole world of opportunities ready for you to explore.

Sailing Around The Croatian Islands

Sailing around the beautiful Croatian islands has become a lot more popular in recent years and it’s showing no sign of declining.

Part of the reason is because people want to experience it again, but they also get the word out and it attracts a new crowd hoping to relish in the delights each island has to offer.

Sailing from island to island offers so much because each of the islands contains its own special qualities. We’re going to look into the top 5 islands you’ll experience and we will talk about what makes each one stand out.

Brac

Brac is known for its great food and along with traditional Dalmatian dishes they also have a lot of unique culinary dishes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a food lover’s paradise and after eating in a few restaurants you won’t want to leave.

One dish in particular that is always appreciated is the Brac lamb. The reason it tastes so good is because the lambs haven’t yet had a chance to taste grass. They are served up after only being fed by their mother’s milk and if you look into this it dates back to ancient times.

Hvar

The island of Hvar is rich in history dating back thousands of years. As you’re exploring you can’t afford to miss visiting the Stari Grad plain. It’s a land division so well-preserved it’s been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the olden days there were violent clashes breaking out all over the place, so you’ll get to see the walls and fortifications the local inhabitants built as a defense system to keep them safe from the dangerous uprisings that were occurring during the 16th century.

Losinj

The natural environment on Losinj is only something you can appreciate when you see it with your own eyes. It boasts thick pine forests that have been around for centuries. If you want to do something a little more exerting you can follow the walking trails while trying to see how many of the 1200 plant species you can spot.

The air quality will refresh your lungs and the waters surrounding the island are extremely clean. They’re trying their hardest to protect anything from compromising the delightful natural resources you’ll get to encounter on your trip.

Mljet

You can’t go on holiday without relaxing over a few drinks at night. Mljet might be the perfect place to do it because the wine from the local vineyards tastes great. Even if you’re a wine connoisseur you won’t leave disappointed.

It’s said the island still probably looks the same as it did when Odysseus arrived on the shores thousands of years ago, so as well as drinking the wine you’ll want to make sure you take a stroll through some of the many vineyards scattered around.

Rab

A holiday is never complete without a trip to the beach and you won’t need to go far to find a luscious beach you’ll have all to yourself. It’s the best place to go swimming as the sea surrounding the island is as clean as can be.

Sandy coves are scattered all over the place, but if you don’t just want to lie down to catch a tan you can visit some of the rocky and pebble beaches too. There is even a nudist beach on the island for those interested in something wilder.

You Won’t Regret Your Trip!

Try to find someone who didn’t enjoy sailing around the Croatian islands and you’ll be looking for a while. If you do decide to try something out of the ordinary you’ll treasure your memories forever.

Right now is the best time to go because the islands are going to get even busier in the future and it’s always better to stay ahead of the curve. There is also plenty more to see, but I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the main features each island has to offer.

The Italian lakes sound like a holiday for Nan and Granddad, but the reality is far from it. Streets are lined with honey coloured walls and decked with faultlessly glamourous Italians bathing in the warmth of the Dolce Vita (and it’s not difficult to see why this is truly an Italian phrase once you’ve consumed your third ice cream cone of the day).

More often than not ‘the biggest’ turns out to be the worst – think of chain restaurants and hotels, where giant price tags affix themselves to familiar names, all for a taste of roasted disappointment. This is not the case with Italy’s largest lake however, as the towns surrounding Lake Garda are small and authentic, still offering you the chance to find those teeny, backstreet restaurants with space for 8, whose chequered table cloths will recall quieter days.

The plan of attack for Lake Garda should involve a visit to the prettiest towns surrounding the lake, many a boat trip atop the pristine, aquamarine water and as much gelato, gnocchi and pasta as one can acceptable consume in polite society.

The most convenient airports for getting to the lake are Verona or Brescia, and from there you can take a short train ride on to one of the lakeside towns.

Ideally, it is better to choose one lakeside hotel and stat put, rather than lugging your belongings back and forth across the lake. From your base point, it’s easy to access any of the towns by catching a lake ferry – though be careful to give those jetty timetables a thorough once-over, as the timetables aren’t always suited to the zippy, cram-it-all-in traveller. This is Italy, after all; the land where they appreciate “dolce far niente’ – the pleasure of idleness.

Every trip should include a visit to the town of Sirmione on the southern shore. The town’s moated, 13^th century castle “Rocca Scaligera” (try pronouncing that one with Italian flair!) provides fantastic views across the lake, if you have the energy or motivation to make it up to the top. For those in it for the relaxation, a visit to the hot springs, such as Terme di Sirmione, is in order. Hot springs have been used over the centuries for their healing properties, and whilst the sceptic might find this notion a questionable tourism ploy, the waters will undoubtedly leave your skin softer and your mind refreshed after a good soak.

Next up on the agenda is Gardaland. You don’t need to be with kids to enjoy this fantastic theme park and, after all, not the entire getaway can’t be spent sighing over views of the lake and sipping wine.

The second town of interest is Malcesine, with the stunning Scaligero Castle, perched high on a cliff overlooking the lake. This is a popular wedding spot, so don’t be surprised if you see dozens of well-dressed, good-looking Italians skirting around. Literary lovers will also enjoy indulging in extracts of Goethe’s writing, and accounts of his castle visits.

Forgetting fears of heights will also allow you to take a cable car up Mount Baldo to visit the restaurant and shop at the top, as well as providing you with one of the best photo opps of the trip. Finally, after a tiring day of sight-seeing, the well-regarded Ristorante Al Gondoliere is the place to be for the best homemade gnocci around. This restaurant serves the kind of food that has you Googling local house rental prices.

Finally, top off your trip with a visit to Riva Del Garda. At the very north of the lake, the scenery here transforms from towns and medieval alleyways to glorious mountain backdrops and fjords. This part of the island is much less built up, and is also considered the best ice cream stop off point (a well-loved favourite is the Gelateria Flora whose sundaes will make you come back for round two). The more adventurous travellers will also delight in the treks into the mountains, which will bring you to waterfalls, Bronze Age settlements and castle ruins.

So what do you think? Have you packed yet? Let us know about your experience of Lake Garda below!