Where is the Giant’s Causeway?

The Giant’s Causeway is located on the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. I visited the area during 1988 when visiting Northern Ireland where my maternal Grandmother came from.

I was taken by the Giant’s Causeway, with its rugged landscape and the tops of the columns forming stepping stones which are hexagonal in shape. The area is made up of approximately 40,000 of these interlocking, hexagonal basalt columns, which resulted from an ancient volcanic eruption. The Giant’s Causeway was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO during 1986 and is today owned and managed by the National Trust. It is the most popular tourist attraction in Northern Ireland.

A Companion to the Causeway Coast Way

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Giant’s Causeway

One Great Reason to Visit the Giant’s Causeway

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to enjoy the rugged stepping stone landscape.

Giant’s Causeway

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Where is Menorca?

Menorca, the smaller neighbour of the Balearic island of Majorca, lies off the coast of Spain and draws in thousands of visitors seeking sun, sea and sand every year. It is a great place for a traditional beach holiday – many of the most popular hotels in Menorca are dotted along the coastline – but for the more adventurous traveller who wants to do more than dip their toes in the water, this island is home to some of the best snorkelling hot spots in the Mediterranean.

In 1991, Menorca became a UNESCO (United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization) designated Biosphere Reserve, which means Menorca has been recognised as an area of natural beauty and conservation and is now protected as such. This is great news for visitors, as the landscapes, ecosystems and features which helped Menorca gain its reserve status have been protected during the surge in tourism over the years.

The lagoons, marshes, wetlands, caves, dunes and islets are just some of the features which have been preserved, and it is here where snorkelers and divers will find real the gems. Some of the top snorkelling spots are Cales Coves, Es Grau, Macarella and Cala Galdana and it’s these areas which are home to hundreds of exotic fish and sea life.

Whether you’re an amateur snorkeler or avid diver, you will find the underwater wildlife surrounding Menorca incredible. Damsel-fish, Perch, Sea Bass, Cardinal fish, Barracuda and Octopus are just some of the species which call these waters home and with sea temperatures barely dropping below 20c in the summer months, you can swim with these fish in just your swimsuit or speedos – no wetsuit required!

If it is beaches which float your boat, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Cala Pregonda. This bay, which lies completely unspoilt, is surrounded by woodland and can be quite difficult to get to. For those that do venture to this part of the island however, why not pack a picnic of local delicacies and make a day of it? Sparkling blue waters and pristine sands are your reward and it would be a shame not to make the most of them.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of Menorca hotels suitable for all tastes and budgets.

The Rough Guide to Mallorca & Menorca

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One Great Reason to Visit Menorca

One great reason to visit this travel destination is for snorkeling and diving the hideaway inlets of the island offer.

Menorca Holiday Guide – My Travel

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Travel Photo of the Week: Women of Elephanta Island

During a wet, steamy October visit to Elephanta Island and after disembarking from the boat trip from ‘ Gateway of India’ Mumbai, we were welcomed by a group of local women. They modeled for the visitors charging 2 rupees for a photo and more if they could get it! This photo was taken before a further 10-20 ladies came rushing over trying to get in the photo shoot to claim their 2 rupees.

Where is La Palma and La Gomera?

The Canary Islands are often synonymous with lively nightlife and long days on the beach soothing a hangover, but the islands of La Palma and La Gomera have been largely untouched by the tourism trade and offer visitors a true taste of Spanish island life.

Both islands boast dramatic natural beauty, with rugged mountains and incredible scenery, perfect for those who enjoying exploring the great outdoors on their holidays. The stunning scenery is surrounded by beaches of black sand, formed from the volcanic geology of the Canaries which offer a stark contrast to the white sands of their Spanish counterparts. For the walkers and hikers amongst you, La Palma boasts the incredible Caldera de Taburiente National Park to the north, where you can explore walking trails, or venture to the jaw-dropping Fuencaliente volcanoes for a day out with a difference. Over on La Gomera, you’ll find the UNESCO world heritage site of the Garajonay National Park, which is largely covered by the lush Laurel forest and perfect for hiking through. If you prefer to explore the islands in a more relaxed manner, hiring a car is the best option as public transport is very limited. It is advised that you arrange car hire before you travel to La Palma and La Gomera, as these services get booked up quickly during the peak season.

As well as enjoying the unspoiled beauty of these islands, you can relax and unwind in one of the many cheap hotels on the island, which offer homely comfort as well as exceptional service and authentic cuisine, including the famous tapas, Canarian potatoes with mojo or traditional paella. It is recommended that you indulge in fresh fish whilst holidaying on the islands, as it is caught daily and is the perfect addition to the locally produced wine. You can also take a little bit of the Canaries home with you by purchasing souvenirs from the markets and small shops, where local handmade crafts, aloe vera products, lace and pottery are in abundance.

The slow pace of life and untouched qualities of each island means it’s certainly not a place for party goers. These islands are not served by direct flights from the UK and have relatively little or no influence from other nations, so visitors will experience the authentic Canary lifestyle. It’s the perfect holiday for those wanting to enjoy the natural scenery whilst relaxing and unwinding.

This post is part of a monthly Spanish Series sponsored by www.hotels4u.com, where you’ll find plenty of hotels in Spain suitable for all tastes and budgets.

Canary Islands (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of the Canary Islands

One Great Reason to Visit

One great reason to visit this travel destination is to enjoy the slow pace and take in the landscapes each island offers the visitor.

Canary Islands

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