Where is Bonifacio?

Bonifacio is an ancient and unique fortress town, located on the French island of Corsica in the beautiful Mediterranean sea. Bonifacio was one of the first cities in Corsica, founded in 830 by Boniface, Count of Lucca and its locals are known as Bonifaciens.

Bonifacio is one of Corsica’s biggest attractions with medieval houses teetering on the edge of vast cliffs. It also boasts a superb marina, a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic buildings, accompanied by many nearby pristine beaches. All this attracts visitors from all over.

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Bonifacio

One Great Reason to Visit Bonifacio

One great reason to visit this travel destination would be to have the opportunity to go boating below the cliffs to marvel at the medieval houses clinging on! The city of cliffs!

Bonifacio Corsica

For More Information

• Wikipedia
• Official Website

Travel Photo of the Week: Fields by the Ghin Ghin Road

Whilst on a little break to the Yea area of country Victoria my 18 year, with her learner driver plates adorned, took us on a 2 hour drive on the back roads of Yea and into the highlands area of Ghin Ghin. I couldn’t resist stopping for a photo of this field with the colour contrasts of the green, yellow and blue sky. Spring time! …and if you look very closely, the clouds are smiling down on us.

Although New Zealand is closely associated with the production of white wine, you might be surprised to learn that the nation produces a mere one percent of the world’s overall wine. The overwhelming majority of the wine that is produced is sauvignon blanc, the white wine that most people associate with New Zealand. Along with sauvignon blanc, the nation produces an array of white wines. Chardonnay is a clear leader the further north in New Zealand you travel, but pinot gris and Riesling are also making waves and being planted in increasingly large numbers each season. If you are interested in trying some of the famed white wine from New Zealand, much of which is characterised as vibrant thanks to hints of grass and fruit, then be sure to include stops at the following wineries during your oenophile’s trip through New Zealand.

Waipara Springs Winery

This boutique winery and vineyard is found in the Waipara Valley region of New Zealand, which is just a short drive from Canterbury. Their vineyard covers more than 26 hectares, and they fill the space with Riesling, sauvignon blanc and Gewurztraminer varietals. Perhaps the most popular, however, is the winery’s Chardonnay. Each sip of this white wine reveals the limestone in the area’s soil, and there are clear hints of fruits and hazelnuts. With the exception of a handful of public holidays, the Waipara Springs Winery is open daily from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and visitors can enjoy tastings of a full wine flight or just a single glass. The onsite cafe pairs local wines with gourmet cuisine that features ingredients from the region.

Julicher Estate Winery

This charming winery in the Te Muna Valley is just minutes from the Martinborough, and it is run by a couple who aim to produce the best possible wines in New Zealand. Their operation may be small compared to the larger vineyards in New Zealand, but their careful touch results in arguably better-tasting wine. The grapes are plucked from the vines and hand-carried to the attached winery, which guarantees that no preserving agents or needed or any grapes are crushed by machines. Visitors have their own favourites, but the pinot gris is a universal winner thanks to its sweet and fruity aroma and clear pear taste. You will have to call the estate to visit, but they welcome interested wine lovers throughout the year.

Misssion Estate

To truly appreciate the history of making wine in New Zealand, travellers should visit the Mission Estate. This winery is the oldest in the country and was founded in 1851. Twice daily, there is a historic tour that gives information about the founding brothers of the estate, the architecture and, of course, the wines. The Cellar Door is the tasting room, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers free tastings as well as full flights for a small fee. The onsite restaurant boasts a European menu with traditional local ingredients, and the wine pairings are inspired. Be sure to try the sparkling Mission Fête if you are there for a special occasion.

Cloudy Bay

Even wine lovers who don’t have extensive background knowledge of New Zealand’s wine industry have likely heard of Cloudy Bay. This estate makes what is perhaps the most iconic wine of New Zealand, and it was here that the idea of a fresh, grassy sauvignon blanc was brought to the global table. The original vineyard grows exclusively sauvignon blanc, but their newer vineyards also produce pinot noir, chardonnay and Gewurztraminer. Cloudy Bay Estate is open daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. for tastings and sales, and you are welcome to use the grounds as a place to relax or have a picnic. Tours are available for a fee of $20 per person, and they allow you to see the grounds and the exclusive cellars.

To truly get a feel for white wine production in New Zealand, it is important to look beyond just the sauvignon blancs. Visit a combination of large estates and smaller boutique wineries to understand the local wine culture, the different varietals grown in the country and the variety of tastes that can be produced within New Zealand as a whole.

With the whole world to choose from, deciding where to go on your only summer holiday can feel impossible – how do you decide between Morocco, Majorca, Malmö or Miami? This is especially true if you have a strict budget, but don’t fancy heading to Lanzarote.

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up three of the best value holiday spots for summer and autumn 2013, focusing on destinations that offer sunshine and sand without high costs and crowds. There are plenty of cheap holiday deals to these fabulous destinations, whether you’re looking for a last minute getaway or a well-planned autumn sunshine jaunt… so have a look online, and start planning!

Montenegro

When you’re trying to stick to a strict financial plan, it’s best to avoid the most well-known places. Montenegro was almost totally unknown as a holiday spot until recently, and 2013 is looking to be its breakout year – so go before the prices jump next year.

Just south of Croatia on the Adriatic coast, Montenegro boasts fantastic weather during the summer months, with highs of around 30°C. With a mix of rock, pebble and sand beaches spread over 73km of coastline, you’ll be hard pressed not to find something to your liking. The beach at Kotor, towards the north of the country, is a beautifully secluded spot that plays host to the deepest fjord in the Mediterranean. There are two small islands a short way from the bay, Sveti Djordje and Gospa od Skrpijela, that are well worth seeing – if you want a break from the beach, hire a boat and head out to explore. Fly into Tivat airport and take a taxi to Kotor for around €7, and accommodation near the beach costs between €7 and €15 per night per person. Now that the secret is getting out, prices won’t stay so reasonable for long.

Croatia

North of Montenegro, Split, Croatia is also home to some daydream-worthy beaches. Split is slightly bigger and cheaper than the capital Dubrovnik, with loads to explore besides the incredible Adriatic coastline. History buffs shouldn’t miss the Roman ruins in the city centre; the Bronze Gate is also a must-see, with exhibitions and craft stalls at this stunning heritage site. There are a number of museums, and restaurants serving delicious Croatian specialities with fairly reasonable price tags. The fish here is a particular treat.

The Azores

If you want to get as far away as possible without blowing your budget on flights, head to Santa Maria Island in the Atlantic. Located in the Azores, about 900 miles off the coast of Lisbon, this Portuguese archipelago is an absolute haven for both adventure types and those looking to get away from it all. With a population of just 6,000 people, Santa Maria is also known as the Island of the Sun, thanks to its dry climate and yellow wildflowers. Formosa Beach is intensely sunny, with bright white sands and crystalline waters, and there are a number of nature reserves around the island with hiking trails. Incredible Giant’s Causeway-style rock formations (complete with a waterfall) and red earth are great outings, and a powerful reminder of the island’s volcanic past.