BAY WATCH
Beaches
offer the perfect blend of romance and adventure
Beach destinations manage to bring out the excitement of every member of the family. You have a lot of shore adventure to look forward to as kids can hone their engineering and architectural skills by building sand castles, while the elderly can go for long and healthy walks on the beach. Top beaches in the world are also perfect spots to explore other facets of the destination — From classy restaurants to fancy night clubs and even resort wear boutiques. The islands in the Maldives have managed to intrigue travellers time and again, thanks to their friendly waters and the luxury stay options. Greek Islands, too, have amazing beaches that are extremely diverse from one another. Kid-friendly to rocky beaches with white, black and even red sand, the shores in Greece are distinctive and inviting. Plan your next vacation on one of these beaches and you’re sure to be the envy of all your friends...
A visit to the Maldives
Till recently, my description of heaven varied, sometimes ranging from scenic mountains to gushing waterfalls or even a plain bed of clouds above which we could sit and play the harp. Then, a holiday to two South Atoll Maldivian Islands — Vittaveli and Dhevanafushi happened. Since then, my version of paradise opens with the image of a leggy lass walking down down a scenic shore, her lovely tresses and long white flowy gown fluttering gently in the direction of the breeze. The Maldives truly pampered me to the core. I felt the wind caress my nape as I explored the picture perfect beaches blanketed with powdery white sand... Life in Maldives is simple yet exotic. My evening routine involved feeding a group of stingrays as they gathered near the shore. I’d play with them and then move on to take a dip in the warm waters, admiring the rich underwater vegetation. The water is so clear that it played tricks on me. There were times when I felt I could see the bottom of the sea, giving the impression that it’s within my reach, even as it later turned out that I was actually sailing in waters that were more than 20 feet deep. The best part (as most girls will agree) was that the scenic scapes made me look my best in every frame. All I had to do was strike a pose and the charm of the gorgeous natural settings, with clear skies and stark blue waters brushed off on me. On days that I felt like jazzing things up a bit in this palm tree-fringed heaven, I’d take to the waters and go jet-skiing, kayaking, yachting and sailing. The more adventurous went snorkelling, scuba diving and wind surfing, much to my envy.
As the blazing ball of fire sank into the horizon, my friends and I gathered at the beachfront for an open-air meal. Juicy prawns, mussels to-die-for in a creamy broth, salmon and heady cocktails — the chef spoilt us for choice!
Paradise in the form of an island in the Maldives also meant sparse population, giving me some much-needed privacy, peace and calm.
Though I stayed in a beach villa, with direct access to the beach, I strongly believe lagoon villas are the last word in Maldivian luxury. Equipped with infinity pools that offer stunning views of the blue waters ahead, other premium features of the lagoon villas are sea facing beds, open-air showers, private sundecks and a ladder going straight into the lagoon.
Are you ready to experience paradise yet?
Till recently, my description of heaven varied, sometimes ranging from scenic mountains to gushing waterfalls or even a plain bed of clouds above which we could sit and play the harp. Then, a holiday to two South Atoll Maldivian Islands — Vittaveli and Dhevanafushi happened. Since then, my version of paradise opens with the image of a leggy lass walking down down a scenic shore, her lovely tresses and long white flowy gown fluttering gently in the direction of the breeze. The Maldives truly pampered me to the core. I felt the wind caress my nape as I explored the picture perfect beaches blanketed with powdery white sand... Life in Maldives is simple yet exotic. My evening routine involved feeding a group of stingrays as they gathered near the shore. I’d play with them and then move on to take a dip in the warm waters, admiring the rich underwater vegetation. The water is so clear that it played tricks on me. There were times when I felt I could see the bottom of the sea, giving the impression that it’s within my reach, even as it later turned out that I was actually sailing in waters that were more than 20 feet deep. The best part (as most girls will agree) was that the scenic scapes made me look my best in every frame. All I had to do was strike a pose and the charm of the gorgeous natural settings, with clear skies and stark blue waters brushed off on me. On days that I felt like jazzing things up a bit in this palm tree-fringed heaven, I’d take to the waters and go jet-skiing, kayaking, yachting and sailing. The more adventurous went snorkelling, scuba diving and wind surfing, much to my envy.
As the blazing ball of fire sank into the horizon, my friends and I gathered at the beachfront for an open-air meal. Juicy prawns, mussels to-die-for in a creamy broth, salmon and heady cocktails — the chef spoilt us for choice!
Paradise in the form of an island in the Maldives also meant sparse population, giving me some much-needed privacy, peace and calm.
Though I stayed in a beach villa, with direct access to the beach, I strongly believe lagoon villas are the last word in Maldivian luxury. Equipped with infinity pools that offer stunning views of the blue waters ahead, other premium features of the lagoon villas are sea facing beds, open-air showers, private sundecks and a ladder going straight into the lagoon.
Are you ready to experience paradise yet?
SANTORINI
Greece has unlimited options for beach lovers. With over 2,000 islands in its midst, it’s easy to imagine the diversity that can be found here. Walking, cycling, food, water sports and buzzing beach festivals are what go into making the Greek Islands one of the most sought out destinations in the world. But if you wish to settle down in one area and explore it to the fullest, we’d recommend you tick Santorini off your list. A cocktail of adventure and relaxation in one go, Santorini is one of the most visited destinations among the Greek Islands.
PICK A BEACH
Exploring the beaches in Santorini is an unusual experience as they are the most unpredictable. The sand on its beaches never ceases to surprise as it goes from black, to white and even red! The vast differences in the look, the feel and even the kind of activities one can indulge in, on the Santorini beaches, depend vastly on which area you are in. The endless expanses of deep blue waters are apt for thrilling activities and the shore resembles a catwalk with men and women flaunting toned bodies, wearing top designs in swimwear. The reason for Santorini’s varied coastline is the immense influence of the volcanic nature of the island. But the fun in Santorini doesn’t stop at the beach itself. There are many scenic spots spread across the island, standing from where you can capture beautiful panoramic shots.
FANCY A SLOW RIDE?
Oia in the northern part of Santorini has beaches with a distinct flavour to them. Visit Ammoudi, a beach on the Oia harbour or spend an afternoon soaking in the sun and splendid views on Armeni Beach. Paradisos is a unique beach with black sand and if you take an aerial tour, you can capture pictures of the waves hitting the black sand beach, which looks like a concrete road from above! A popular activity on the way to Armeni is climbing up the footpath that connects Oia to it. The path has over 200 steps, which most tourists find tiresome to climb up and down with bag and baggage in tow. A simpler way is to ride a donkey to the top and enjoy the views along the way.
Vlycháda, to the South has grey sand and huge rock formations that are the result of the continuous work of rough and mild winds over the years. While in the South, make it a point to visit the Red Beach, which is widely considered as one of the most famous beaches in the world. It gets its name from the simple fact that the beach is laden with red rock formations, as part of the spectacular volcanic landscape.
Compiled by Sujata Reddy ETTR130808
No comments:
Post a Comment