Page 41 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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BEACHES

ABOVE Beautifully sculpted natural archway in the shallow water at Spiaggia del Principe, Sardinia
LEFT The dazzling, bright-white moonscape and vivid azure sea at Sarakíniko Beach, Mílos, Greece

SARAKÍNIKO BEACH, MÍLOS, GREECE The volcanic island of Mílos might be best SPIAGGIA DEL PRINCIPE, SARDINIA, ITALY Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, or Costa Smeralda,
known for the ancient statue of Venus de Milo that was found here in 1820 (now housed is known for being home to some of the best beaches in the Mediterranean. A drive along
in the Louvre in Paris), but it also has a dramatic landscape and over 70 glorious beaches. the winding coastal road, stopping occasionally to take in the wind-sculpted rocks that
The spectacular island forms a horseshoe around a clear central gulf in the Aegean Sea. emerge from the glittery turquoise sea, is a great way to see the coast. Linger at Spiaggia
The bay at Sarakíniko, on the north coast, is formed of great white pumice rocks, which del Principe, a white-sand bay sandwiched between pink granite rocks and divided into
have been smoothed by wind and rain over millions of years. There is a small sandy two sheltered beaches by a rock wall. The beach may have become an exclusive holiday
beach here, and it’s a popular spot for swimming and snorkeling. spot, but it remains relatively hidden, accessible only by a 10-minute walk down a dirt track.

PORTO DE GALINHAS, BRAZIL This HANALEI BAY, KAUA‘I, HAWAI‘I Hawai‘i is JOATINGA BEACH, BRAZIL As the coast
low-key resort in sunny Pernambuco is not short of great beaches, but Hanalei Bay, stretches south of Rio de Janeiro, the
known for its natural tide pools that form on Kaua‘i, is one of the most beautiful. This beaches become more beautiful and
in the reefs just a short distance offshore. 2-mile (3-km) crescent stretches from the secluded. Dense Atlantic forest dips into
These heat up in the sun and are ideal for base of a sheer cliff at one end to a craggy the ocean at Joatinga, which is sheltered
swimming and snorkeling. To the south is bluff at the other, and is backed by lush on both sides by towering rocky outcrops.
Maracaipu, a great beach for surfing. mountains that collect the morning mist. Surfers come here for the big swell.

TAYRONA, COLOMBIA Take a taxi to the Tyrona National Park visitor center, and from MURI LAGOON, RARATONGA, COOK LUKA KORCULANSKA, CROATIA The
there, travel on horseback along a dense jungle path, teeming with swinging titi monkeys. ISLANDS Surrounded by a lagoon that sandy beach at Luka Korculanska protrudes
You’ll soon emerge on Arrecife Beach, a crescent of cream sand, where the wild ocean stretches to an offshore reef, and with into the clear waters of the Adriatic on a
crashes against huge boulders. This is a magnificent beach, but a dangerous place to forest-clad mountainous ridges, Raratonga wooded peninsula. It bustles with local
swim. Follow a series of precipitous paths through the forest, over rickety bridges, and is the most dramatic of the Cook Islands. families, the air filled with smells from
you’ll come to some calmer bays where you can submerge yourself in the Caribbean. Muri Lagoon, to the southeast of the island, open-air grills and food stalls. The beach
Despite a recent tourism boom, the infrastructure in Tayrona remains undeveloped, and boasts a beautiful stretch of pristine sand. is a leisurely 15-minute walk or a short boat
you are unlikely to see many other visitors. The nearest town is Santa Marta, a half-hour From here, you can paddle into the shallow ride from Korcula. This picturesque town,
drive away, and flights from Bogotá take just over an hour. There are some budget water to the uninhabited islets beyond, with its winding flower-filled alleys, is
cabañas on the beach, and a more upmarket eco-resort in the mountains. which are excellent for snorkeling. encircled by 14th-century fortress walls.

LAS ISLAS CIES, GALICIA, SPAIN These OFU BEACH, AMERICAN SAMOA The OXWICH BAY, GOWER, UK The Gower Peninsula in Wales, which juts into the Bristol
three granite islands are a far cry from the jagged, forested peaks of Piumfa and Channel, has a coastline pitted with secluded bays, rocky bluffs, and sweeps of golden
Costa del Sol. They are isolated, wildly Sunuitao mountains loom over the 2- sand. Oxwich is a 2½-mile (4-km) sandy stretch, backed by dunes and a salt marsh,
beautiful, and buffeted by the Atlantic at mile (3-km) stretch of coral sand on Ofu and is popular year-round for windsurfing, sailing, and water-skiing. The quietest part of
the mouth of the Vigo River. The steep Island’s south coast. The offshore reef is the bay is on the eastern side, at Nicholaston Burrows. If you have time, walk on the coast
cliffs on their western shores feel the full home to 150 species of coral and 300 path to Oxwich Point, from which point there are great views back over the bay.
force of the ocean, while the eastern coast species of fish, but you’ll need to bring
is gentler, with rolling sand dunes, and your own snorkeling equipment if you
calm waters. Glorious Praia das Roadas is want to see them – there is little in the
found here, its dunes sheltering a lagoon. way of tourist infrastructure here.

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