Archive for the ‘Beaches of Europe’ Category

Beautiful Amalfi on the Italian Coast

Posted by Jody on March 20, 2013

Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Chloe Trogden.

My husband and I recently had the pleasure of visiting Italy, and we rented a car to drive from Venice on down the west coast to Sorrento. Along the way, we got a little lost — but it was the best detour of our whole trip.

After shooting past our exit for Sorrento, we drove to the other end of the small peninsula and had to drive in a loop all the way around back to Sorrento. On the way, we passed through Amalfi and many other mountain towns on the beautiful Italian coast.

Italy's Amalfi Coast (Photo by Chloe Trogden)

Beautiful Amalfi on the Italian Coast (Photo by Chloe Trogden)

Our drive through windy, coastal mountain roads gave us stunning views of the ocean and the beautiful beaches below.

Amalfi is a relatively small town, but it borders the coast entirely. However, much of that border is rocky cliff that drops straight down to the waters below. In a few places, there is a steep road that leads down to homes and businesses, as well as a beach or two.

Beautiful Amalfi on the Italian Coast (Photo by Chloe Trogden)

The Spiaggia Grande is a lively beach with crystal-blue waters. Though it is a relatively small stretch of beach, it more than makes up for it with its white sandy shore and stunning views of the town on a mountainside behind it.

The beach has a few bathing establishments, or you can choose to relax on the small section of free beach. Since it is so small, the beach becomes packed pretty quickly. It’s better to visit on the off season before the crowds become too intense.

Beautiful Amalfi on the Italian Coast (Photo by Chloe Trogden)

If the beach does get too full, take a stroll into town and explore the historic center or enjoy some local cuisine, including fresh seafood or citrus that is grown right on the mountainside.

If you are planning a longer trip and want to explore the area, nearby Atrani Beach is a family favorite, and you can drive to surrounding towns such as Sorrento and Positano. You can also take a ferry or a boat to the nearby island of Capri, which has many more stunning views and historical attractions.

About the Author: Chloe Trogden is seasoned financial aid writer who covers specific opportunities such as federal grants for students. Her leisure activities include camping, swimming and playing her guitar.

~~~

A very special “Grazie mille!” to you, Chloe, for taking us on a such a beautiful tour of Amalfi, Italy! You’ve certainly shown us that sometimes the best finds in life are the wonderful and very unexpected detours! ~Jody

~~~

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Posted in Beaches of Europe | Tagged: Amalfi Italy, beach, Featured Writer, Italian beaches, Sorrento Italy | 9 Comments »

Have you heard the one about… Floating Gold?

Posted by Jody on February 4, 2013

Ambergris (photo by Peter Kaminski from Wikimedia Commons)

We’ve made some wonderful acquaintances here at Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches. Recently, one of our favorite blogging friends, Wingclipped, at The Coastal Path shared a link with us that was quite intriguing! It seems that a Mr. Ken Wilman and his curious canine companion Madge were walking along a Lancashire beach in the North of England one day when they happened across a very smelly beach treasure on the sand. After a bit of google searching, Mr. Wilman discovered that their rock-like “floating gold” might be worth over $136,000 USD!

Wingclipped sent along this video link (which sadly refuses to be dis-embedded from the Sky News website, and therefore can not be directly posted here. Go ahead and click the link below to see the video!).

http://news.sky.com/story/1045585/whale-vomit-worth-100000-found-on-dog-walk

FYI: What Ken and Madge actually found is a lump of ambergris. According to Merriam-Webster.com ambergris is “a waxy substance found floating in or on the shores of tropical waters, believed to originate in the intestines of the sperm whale, and used in perfumery as a fixative.”

Score one (a really big one) for beachcombers everywhere!

~ Sending along very special thanks to Wingclipped for sharing such a fun beachcombing story. You too can follow the family travels and antics of Wingclipped, his lovely wife, and their energetic twins as they explore the coast of Britain on foot at his blog The Coastal Path. His most recent entry is entitled “40d – Entering Dungeness” (Britain’s only desert and “Europe’s largest stretch of shingle landscape”). This week’s post comes complete with a heartwarming twist!

~~~

Posted in Beach Treasures - Beachcombing, Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland, Monday Miscellaneous, Whales and Dolphins | Tagged: ambergris, beach, beachcombing, floating gold, Lancashire beach, North of England beach | 14 Comments »

Galway’s Best 5 Beaches

Posted by alainaflute on July 3, 2012

Beautiful Galway City is located in County Galway on the western coast of Ireland. According to the Galway Tourism website, “Galway City is a thriving, bohemian, cultural city…Along with being a popular seaside destination with beautiful beaches and long winding promenade, it also has a buzzing cosmopolitan city centre.“

County Galway, Ireland (Asarlaí/Wikimedia Commons)

Today’s “Tuesday Tally” is Galway’s best 5 beaches, as presented by Galway Ireland Tourism.

Dog’s Bay and Gorteen Bay from Errisbeg. Looking south. Dog’s Bay is on the western side. (Dr. Charles Nelson/Geograph Project Collection/Wikimedia Commons)

Back to back beaches, Dogs Bay and Gurteen Bay are “two of the most beautiful beaches in County Galway and probably in the West of Ireland.” Only a couple of miles outside of Roundstone in Connemara, County Galway, these bays make a fine stretch of coast, with amazing views and white sandy beaches (made from seashell fragments). Both beaches are considered safe for swimming and water sports. They also make fabulous walking destinations.

Silver Strand, Barna. Silver Strand is one of Galway’s most popular Blue Flag beaches. In the distance are the hills of the Burren. (Trish Steel/Geograph Project Collection/Wikimedia Commons)

Silver Strand Beach in Barna, Galway “has a safe, shallow, sandy beach of approximately 0.25km bounded on one side by a cliff and the other by rocks. It is particularly popular with and suitable for young families.” Facing straight into Galway Bay, this beach offers fantastic views. Low tide is the best time for swimming, and there is a lifeguard on duty during summer months.

Coral Beach (Trá an Dóilín), Carraroe, County Galway, Ireland (Emkaer/Wikimedia Commons)

Coral Beach in Carraroe (aka Trá an Dóilin) is “an area of great natural beauty.” Known for its fine coral, this area has tidepools to explore and good snorkeling, too.

The seaside diving board off the promenade in Salthill, Co Galway. (Terence wiki/Wikimedia Commons)

Salthill Beach (in Galway City overlooking Galway Bay) is actually several small beaches that are separated by outcrops. This very popular blue flag beach has lifeguards on duty from mid-May through the end of September.

Another blue flag beach, Kilmurvey Beach (Inis Mor, Aran Islands, County Galway) sports beautiful sand and safe swimming, and “when the tide is right, you can jump off the old pier into the clear water.” There are facilities near the roads, and some great spots on the dunes to picnic.

Hit any of these five beaches for great views and beautiful water. This is the perfect time of year to hit the beach in Galway, Ireland! Féach leat níos déanaí (see you later)!

Sunset – Galway Bay View from Tawin Island (Allan Harty/Geograph Project Collection/Wikimedia Commons)

Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: beach, best beaches Galway Ireland, County Galway beach, Galway Ireland beaches, Ireland beaches | 4 Comments »

Top 5 Beaches of Kefalonia, Cephalonia, Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia

Posted by alainaflute on June 26, 2012

However you choose to spell this island’s name, you’re still in the same place in western Greece, and hopefully, you’re already hitting the beach.

Map of the Ionian Islands (Wikimedia Commons/PD-USGov)

The largest of the Ionian Islands, Kefalonia has beaches to suit every taste. According to the guest post “Top 5 Beaches of Kefalonia” by Kefalonia Tours on http://www.VisitGreece.gr “The Blog”, these are the ones you’ve got to hit.

Myrtos Beach - The view from above will take your breath away. This beach is one of Kefalonia’s claims to fame, having received a number of international awards as one of the best Mediterranean beaches. It has also been awarded the Greek National Tourism Organisation’s “blue flag” year after year (I have no idea what that means, but it sounds fancy). Take a dip in the turquoise waters and stick around to watch the sun go down.

Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia (Rob Bendall/Wikimedia Commons)

Made famous by the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Antisamos is a another “blue flag” beach that captures the imagination. Only a few miles away from the port of Sami, this beach’s “landscape combines all shades of blue and green, where the vegetation grows almost into the sea.”

The next beach on the list, Petani Beach “consists of fine white pebbles and crystal clear turquoise waters. The path to the beach is just as unique as the beauty of the whole of the landscape which literally leaves the visitor speechless.” This beach is comes fully equipped with sun beds and nearby restaurants.

Petani Beach, Kefalonia, Greece (Matt Sims/Wikimedia Commons)

Just when I was starting to think that all Kefalonian beaches looked the same, Xi Beach is a bit different. Sans steep cliffs and deep waters, this beach is easy to access and is very family friendly. What makes this beach special is the red clay sand, giving visitors a“natural and free spa session, as it is said to have cleaning and tightening effects to the skin.” It’s easy to park here, and this beach also offers a variety of water sports.

Xi Beach, Paliki, Kefalonia, Greece (Splendid entry/Wikimedia Commons)

Last but not least, Skala Beach is known for its length (over 3 kilometers long), clear water, and plentiful vegetation. According to the blog post, “Apart from the village and the beach of Skala it is worth visiting other beautiful beaches and picturesque villages situated in the southeastern part of Kefalonia.”

The Beach in Skala, Kefalonia, Greece (Matti/Wikimedia Commons)

In a land where everything is all Greek, hitting the beach is a language we all can understand.

Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beaches of Europe, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: beach, best beaches of Greece, best beaches of Kefalonia, Greek beaches, Top 5 Beaches of Kefalonia | 5 Comments »

Beachcombing

Posted by alainaflute on May 17, 2012

Reblogged from Under A Topaz Sky:

We spent the Bank Holiday with my parents in East Suffolk and one day we took the girls down the coast to the little town of Southwold to visit Southwold Pier. It's gorgeous to visit - fabulous places to eat, quirky things to see and buy and best of all, great beachcombing!

Beachcombing in Southwold

Posted by underatopazsky on May 11, 2012

We spent the Bank Holiday with my parents in East Suffolk and one day we took the girls down the coast to the little town of Southwold to visit Southwold Pier. It’s gorgeous to visit – fabulous places to eat, quirky things to see and buy and best of all, great beachcombing!

The soft East Anglian coast between Southwold and Lowestoft to the north is eroding rapidly and the debris of roads, houses etc that have fallen into the sea inevitably wash up further down the coast. My 14yr old picked up an interesting piece of what looked like conglomerate which actually turned out to be an unmistakeable lump of tarmac!

I’ve had some of my best sea glass finds from this beach, including a glass Victorian bottle stopper on New Year’s Day and even though our visit was cut short as it was raining and bitterly cold, I still managed to come home with my usual pocketful, including that amazing chunk of Victorian dinner plate rim!

I love the range of shades you get with the glass – I can find a dozen pieces in shades of aqua and turquoise and none of them be an exact match. The tiny shard of pottery with a faint blue and white remainder of its original bright pattern is a delight too.

As so much building material has fallen into the sea, a lot of brick, drainage pipe and tile fragments of varying sizes can also be found on the beach. I’ve been toying for some time with the idea of taking some of the white tile fragments and using a fine nibbed pen to draw on the surface.

I just happened to have one in my bag, so…

There was a faint layer of glaze still on the surface of this piece of tile so not all of the ink penetrated the ceramic and it’s more grey than black, but I like the concept.

I’m planning to stick it onto a piece of black fabric (possibly the watermarked taffeta I photographed it on, or possibly some black silk matka) and mount it to make an unusual card.

I did manage to get a fair amount of sewing done as well that weekend – more of that later!

Posted in Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland | Tagged: beach, beachcombing, Southwold England, Southwold England beachcombing, Southwold Pier | 2 Comments »

Going Coastal

Posted by Jody on March 30, 2012

Reblogged from A Man I Am in Amsterdam:

"Wow."

That is the first thought that comes to one's mind upon first setting eyes on Marseille's beautiful Mediterranean coastline. Whether viewed from the beach or the limestone calanques, the Mediterranean Sea shows its true-and-blue colors, and, quite frankly, it's a stunning sight.

The Mediterranean is characterized by its palette of deep blue colors, and this certainly holds true in Marseille.

Paris Plages: Fun in the Sun on the River Seine

Posted by alainaflute on March 23, 2012

Paris has it all: light, romance, art, shopping, architecture, gardens, fountains, and the list goes on. What more could this city possibly want? Well, you and I both know the answer to that is a beach! Or, une plage, rather!

Paris plages édition 2011 (Photo by Hadonos/Wikimedia Commons)

This Parisian summertime tradition began in 2002, and it’s still going strong. This year’s party starts mid-July and includes three points along the River Seine that will be transformed into beachy getaways (Louvre/Pont de Sully, Port de la Gare and Bassin de la Villette).

Paris Plage 2008 (Photo by Remi Jouan/Wikimedia Commons)

According to Paris.fr, the beach that started it all back in 2002 stretches from the Louvre to Pont de Sully, spanning “three kilometres through historical Paris, and features a swimming pool, concert stage, and open-air attractions (rollerblading, tai-chi, wall climbing, boules etc.). Refreshment areas, play areas and deckchairs are available for your time out unwinding by the river.”

The newest Paris Plage, Bassin de la Villette was added in 2007. This one “stretches from Rotonde de Ledoux (nearest Jaurès Metro station) to the former Magasins Généraux (in Rue de Crimée) and features a proper water-sports complex (with rowing boats, kayaks, pedal boats and dinghies) alongside quaint quay-side restaurants and boules courts.” So, there you have it! About 4 weeks out of the summer, you can enjoy all the luxuries of a Seine-side holiday in the City of Light: swimming, sunning, dining, kayaking, and enjoying la vie en rose.

Pack your bags and grab your passport. We’re heading to the beach!

Posted in Beaches of Europe, Friday Finds | Tagged: Bassin de la Villette, Louvre/Pont de Sully, Man-made Paris beach, Paris France beaches, Paris France temporary beaches, Paris Plages, Paris river beach, Port de la Gare and Bassin de la Villette | 1 Comment »

Tuesday Tongue Twister: The Firth of Forth to Fife

Posted by Jody on March 20, 2012

Greg and I have big ideas to someday rent a car (with unlimited miles, of course) and tool around the island of Great Britain, taking in all the coast has to offer. Oh yes, big ideas! Let’s just say that the rental car company might not be too pleased when we return the car with 10,000+/- miles added to the odometer!

The Lothians Region of Scotland (Credit: FinnBjo/Wikimedia Commons)

You can imagine that I was very happy to discover that the helpful folks at Visit Scotland have already mapped out our dream trip through “Edinburgh and the Lothians.” The website tells us: “From empty beaches and unspoilt nature reserves to quaint fishing villages and seaside resorts, there is plenty to discover around Edinburgh and the Lothians. Edinburgh enjoys spectacular coastal scenery thanks to its location on the mighty Firth of Forth.”

Seven beaches of Edinburgh and the Lothians, here we come:

Belhaven: This award winning beach is “A great beach for walking, having picnics and sunbathing, it is the ideal place to enjoy the views across the Forth Estuary and watch surfers – this is the best place to catch a wave in the region.”

Seacliff: “Not far from North Berwick lies this hidden gem of a beach, ideal if you want to avoid the crowds. Discover the tiny red sandstone harbour, thought to be the smallest in the UK, and enjoy the splendid views of Bass Rock and the ruins of Tantallon Castle.”

Seacliff Beach with Tantallon Castle in the distance. (Photo: Richard Webb/Wikimedia Commons)

North Berwick: “Enjoy the long stretch of sandy beach alongside the pretty seaside town of North Berwick. This is a pleasant old-fashioned seaside town complete with Victorian villas, fishing boats, ice cream parlours and fish n’ chip shops.”

Yellowcraigs: “This long sandy beach is popular with families and dog walkers. There’s loads of room for the kids to run about, fly a kite or enjoy a game of football, with great views over the Firth of Forth to Fife and the island of Fidra.” Note to self: bring binoculars. I don’t want to miss any of the scenery! ~And (no kidding), I really want an excuse to say “the Firth of Forth to Fife!”~

Yellowcraigs Beach with the Island of Fidra in the background. (Photo: Richard Webb/Wikimedia Commons)

Portobello: The beach at Portobello is in a more urban setting just a few miles from the center of town. “Portobello offers city slickers the chance to relax in the outdoors – and on a hot summer’s day, the beach is popular with swimmers and sunbathers.”

Cramond: “The suburb of Cramond still retains its fishing village feel, complete with a quant row of whitewashed houses. The small beach is a popular choice with Edinburgh residents who head here to walk and cycle on the beachside paths and offers a splendid view of the Firth of Forth.”

Gullane Bay (Photo: Richard Webb/Wikimedia Commons)

Gullane: Gullane lies 20 miles from Scotland’s capital of Edinburgh. This village is known for its award winning beaches and golfing. “Golf has been played here since 1854, and today there are three courses, all offering great views across East Lothian, Edinburgh and the Forth.” I’m not a golfer, but I can well understand that golfing with a view can only add to the fun!

There we have it, seven beaches of Edinburgh and the Lothians, brought to us by the friendly people of Visit Scotland! That was easy. ~Now, on to Fife!

Just a note: The British Cartographic Society has some really interesting facts and figures if you are interested in details about the coastline measurements of England, Wales and Scotland.

We’re looking for more ideas on the beaches of Great Britain. Please feel free to post a comment or write a guest post! Don’t forget to share us with your friends and Like us on Facebook at One Shell of a Find! Thank you~

Posted in Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland, Tuesday Tallies & Tips | Tagged: beach, Edinburgh and the Lothians beach, Edinburgh Scotland beach, Firth of Forth beach, Scotland beach, The Lothians Scotland beach | 1 Comment »

Fish and Chips in Dymchurch, Kent, England

Posted by alainaflute on March 16, 2012

Or, in my case…hold the fish and pile on the chips! What is it about vinegar and salt that makes fried potatoes so delectable? Maybe it’s the combination of fried food with the fresh sea air in Dymchurch, Kent, England that makes this dish a seaside must-have.

Traveling down the Kentish coast from Hythe, the next beach you come to is in Dymchurch. This lovely seaside resort town has plenty to offer its visitors, including an amusement park, places to camp, and the Romney, Hythe, and Dymchurch Railway. Best of all, arguably, is its lovely sandy beach. On my trip to Dymchurch with friends, we hit a fish and chips place close to the sea and then walked to the beach to take in the sun and sea breezes while enjoying our feast on the seawall.

Dymchurch Beach, Looking towards Hythe (Ian Dunster/Wikimedia Commons)

For you veggies out there, you don’t have to feel left out! You can just get chips (nom, nom, nom). In my case, they were fried in separate oil from the fish. Also, for 50P you could bring your own candy bar that they will batter dip and fry. Yikes! Well, at least you won’t have to wait for that once-a-year state fair (but don’t forget about fitting into your swimsuit)!

If you’re not in the mood to eat, go on rides, fly a kite, swim, windsurf, or jet ski, you can take a ride on a donkey! No, that’s not a British insult (I think). Not only is this beach a repeat “Tidy Britain Group Seaside Award” winner, the owner that offers donkey rides on the beach in Dymchurch won an award for his donkey Sam: Best Child-Friendly Donkey 2011 (South and South East England).

Dymchurch Beach Donkey Rides (Ian Dunster/Wikipedia)

You may also remember that Dymchurch made the cut for the Top Ten Beaches in Kent! If you get the chance to drive along the Kentish coast, plan plenty of time to explore what each town has to offer. 5 miles down the road might hold a new surprise!

Read more about Dymchurch at dymchurchonline.com!

Posted in A Treasure of a Beach (Best Beaches), Beaches of Great Britain and Ireland, Friday Finds | Tagged: best beaches in Kent England, donkeys on the beach, Dymchurch beach Kent England, Dymchurch Kent England, Kent England beach, Top 10 Beaches in Kent England | Leave a Comment »

« Previous Entries

Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches

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Archive for the ‘Beaches of Europe’ Category

Beautiful Amalfi on the Italian Coast

Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Chloe Trogden.

Have you heard the one about… Floating Gold?

Galway’s Best 5 Beaches

Top 5 Beaches of Kefalonia, Cephalonia, Cephallenia, Cephallonia, Kefallinia, or Kefallonia

Beachcombing

Beachcombing in Southwold

Going Coastal

Paris Plages: Fun in the Sun on the River Seine

Tuesday Tongue Twister: The Firth of Forth to Fife

Fish and Chips in Dymchurch, Kent, England

Follow “Beach Treasures and Treasure Beaches”

One Shell of a Find!

Treasure Hunt!

Life’s a Beach! What will you find on yours?

Beach Treasures in Your In-Box

Treasure Trove

Beach related blogs we like ~

Come Join Us! Treasure Hunters

Disclaimer

Copyright Notice

Archive for the ‘Beaches of Europe’ Category

Today’s Featured Guest Writer is Chloe Trogden.

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