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.

Concrete jungles may have their monumental sky-scraping beauty, their ever-changing culture, and as life bustles between the streets of a city, day and night, this cultivated environment can eventually feed up and bore its citizens, because what we truly feel connected to is nature and all her wilderness. So if you want to unwind, get yourself in tune with your senses and surroundings, an open road can get you anywhere, and Australia is full of places to visit, landscapes to behold. All you need is a good car, a spare tire and, let’s face it, a decent amount of fuel, because this continent is vast. Since travelling cleanses the soul, here are some of the most rewarding driving experiences Australia can offer…

The Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This coastal route lives up to the reputation as one of the greatest areas to drive by and relish the natural scene. The 12 Apostles stand like sculptured static giants, as they stick out from the coast to greet the passers-by. Alongside beautiful beaches, there are also countless historic shipwrecks, magnificent rainforests and places to grab some good food and relax.

Road from Sydney to Melbourne

Simply follow the ocean between these two populated urban zones and you will find yourself passing through a string of coastal towns, rich with turquoise colored lagoons on one side of the road and lush preserved national parks on the other. This region is full of fishing spots, birdlife, Aboriginal culture, camping spots and wild scenery, as kangaroos pose for photographing, especially at Pebbly Beach.

The Nullarbor Plain, Western Australia

You will definitely need a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this adventure if you plan on abandoning the highway, because the road to Perth, or should I say – all the way to the shores of the Indian Ocean, is an expanse that’s dry and harsh for newly-bred adventurers. Bear in mind, this is not entirely a desert, but series of plateaus covered with bluebush and wedge-tailed eagles that soar the skies.

The Heritage Highway, Tasmania

Way down south, on the island of Tasmania, between Hobart and Launceston are a series of stone villages, emitting an old atmosphere in the lovely green countryside. Excellent local food can be found here, even though, historically speaking, this region was established and built by convicted gangs and criminals who preyed and looted on these highways.

The Alpine Way, New South Wales

If you ever wanted to camp among wombats and wallabies near the Snowy River, this is the place! The hills of Corryong in Victoria are an alpine sight to behold, especially when the snow melts and spring awakens nature from its slumber. Then you can ride mountain bikes to hurtle through the scenery, or grab a good walking stick to explore the forest trails by foot.

Kangaroo Island, South Australia

You can board a ferry with your car from Adelaide to reach this island full of wild animals – kangaroos (obviously), fur seals, penguins, koalas, etc. Alongside remarkable flora and fauna in Flinders Chase National Park, you can also visit rock formations which have been sculpted by wind-erosion. This is where nature is kept in its most pristine state, so explore its beauty at your leisure.

Great Alpine Road, Victoria

From Wangaratta you can embark this trip on a previously used railway track, which is now a haven for bicyclists and reach valleys full of wineries and alpacas. Up on Mount Buffalo you can mount a horse to witness the specific rock formations and waterfalls, while at the bottom, along Ovens Rover you can find many local breweries.

Uluru to Kings Canyon, Northern Territory

Now this is a real treat, because if you want to cross this red earth with your car, you should supply yourself for a multi-day drive. Make sure to choose from wide variety of tyres if you ever wish to challenge yourself on the road. This journey starts off at Alice Springs, in the middle of the continent, and for five days you can stop at old towns and ancient sites where Aboriginal art is displayed on the rock walls. Also, watch out for wild camels, because they can pop out of nowhere along the route.

Grand Pacific Drive, New South Wales

Not far from Sydney, you can find the Royal National Park if you follow this route. Beautiful beaches, white sands, blooming blowholes at Kiama, cliffs and mesmerising lookouts. Nothing could be more perfect, since this raw nature is really close to an urban jungle and doesn’t require much strain and preparation to get there.

I’m sure you’re pretty much familiar with all of these locations, but words can never fully describe what eyes can witness. So prepare your car, or rent an appropriate one if terrain requires such conditions and go get your lifetime experience. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the natural beauty Australia possesses, since it’s undisputedly, without much needed discussion, one of the leading continents in terms of biodiversity and uniqueness.

Tenerife is the largest of the seven Canary Islands; it has an area of roughly two thousand kilometers and about nine hundred thousand inhabitants, making it Spain’s most populous island. It’s also a renowned tourist destination, with millions of tourists visiting each year; people love its beaches, attractions and natural beauties.

Most of Tenerife’s accommodation is located in the south. Resorts like Costa Adeye, Los Cristianos and Playa de las Americas host the large majority of those who visit. Each of the resorts has a somewhat different reputation: Los Cristianos is for those who prefer a quiet holiday, mostly older visitors. Playa de la Americas, on the other hand, is the center of Tenerife nightlife; the party never ends in its numerous night clubs and beach bars. Costa Adeye is a new resort, known for artificial beaches, luxurious hotels and prestige restaurants.

Tenerife also hosts the second largest festival in the world, the Carnival of Santa Cruz. That’s when the streets of Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, brim with people dancing and partying all day and night until Ash Wednesday, when the ritual of the “burial of the sardine” marks the end of the festival. But the partying starts all over again next weekend, known as the weekend of the piñata.

There are also many natural attractions. A visit to the highest mountain in Spain, the majestic Mount Teide is a must; take the cable car and enjoy the panoramic view of the island. Teide is actually an active volcano; the last eruption happened in 1909. Its lava flows produced the mineral-rich soils which support a great number of plant species; 33 of them endemic. The volcano’s unique environmental conditions and geological features earned it the status of a National Park and it was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the towns in the vicinity of Teide is Garachico, a tourist favorite, known for its beautiful plaza and lava-hewn rock pools.

Many come to Tenerife for its hiking possibilities; Macizo de Anaga, a mountain range in the northeast of the island, is the most popular hiking destination. Its humid laurel forests and archeological sites made it a source of many local legends. The clear and warm waters around the island are suitable for diving; places like Las Galletas and Puerto de la Cruz will amaze you with their underwater volcanic column and the richness and diversity of underwater life. Almost thirty species of whales and dolphins often feed in these waters and sightseeing tours are frequent, especially from Los Cristianos and Los Gigantes.

The peak of the tourist season in Tenerife is from mid-January to Easter, although, due to the island’s subtropical climate, the island is worthy of a visit the entire year; some rain is possible during March and November, but only in the island’s northeast. One thing is certain; whatever your preferences on how you want to spend your holiday, Tenerife has it all – interesting events, plenty of exciting urban centers, cultural landmarks, the warm sea and unique natural attractions – what more can you possibly ask for?

Where is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park?

The Lençóis Maranhenses National Park (Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses) is located in Maranhão state, in north-eastern Brazil, just east of the Baía de São José. It is an area of low, flat, occasionally flooded land, overlaid with large, discrete sand dunes. It encompasses roughly 1,500 km2 (580 sq mi), and despite abundant rain, supports almost no vegetation.

The area became a National Park on June 2, 1981. The national park status serves only as a means of protecting the area’s ecology.

Lonely Planet South America on a shoestring (Travel Guide)

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

One Great Reason to Visit Lençóis Maranhenses National Park

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for the beautiful combination of stark sand dunes surrounded by unexpected lagoons and pools of water.

PLACES TO VISIT IN BRAZIL: Lençóis Maranhenses (Desert Beaches)

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Photos by Marcio Machado