Amazing Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy

Havasu Falls, Arizona

While you might argue this doesn’t really count as a lake, the bright blue waters that pool beneath Havasu Falls could hardly be more inviting for a swim after trekking through the heat of Arizonan canyons.

Crete Island, Greece

Crete island is the largest of Greece and is located in the south of the Aegean Sea. Crete is one of the most famous Greek islands and often visited with Santorini. It is separated in 4 prefectures: Chania, Heraklion, Lassithi and Rethymno. The island has everything to offer: mountainous landscapes, a coast with many beautiful beaches and rocky coves, beautiful towns and charming villages and harbors, excellent food, ruins like Knossos, of the Minoan Civilization, one of the greatest civilization ever, an exciting nightlife…

 Chania

Various attractive mountain villages are embellishing the prefecture of Chania Crete (Hania). The most famous of those traditional and picturesque villages is the one Therissos, which is considered as the most beautiful and unspoiled village of Crete. The coasts of the prefecture are boarded by lovely and lively touristy resorts which are built on fine beaches and offer all kinds of accommodations and touristy facilities. Some other are: Chania Town, Kissamos, Platanias and others...  The prefecture of Chania has many beauties among which its numerous beaches. From warm sand to colorful pebbles, the prefecture has a type of beach for everyone. Small and secluded coves can be found everywhere as well as long, busy and fully equipped beaches. All beaches have crystalline waters.

 

Heraklion

 

The prefecture of Heraklion Crete is full of picturesque villages perched in high altitudes, on the top of beautiful hills or mountains such as the villages of Ano Vianos and Epano Arhanes. The prefecture also has a lot of lovely beach resorts and busy villages such as Limenas Hersonissou and Malia lying in front of beautiful sandy or pebble beaches. All villages have accommodations (rooms for rent, hotels or both) and taverns.  Various beautiful beaches can be found around the prefecture of Heraklion Crete such as the wonderful sandy beach of Matala with its turquoise waters and the fine beaches of Tsoutsouros, Analipsi or Amoudara. Many of the superb beaches offer sun beds and umbrellas rentals as well as various water sports while others are totally unspoiled.

Lassithi

 

Various small towns, touristy and busy costal resorts and picturesque mountainous villages can be found around the prefecture of Lassithi. The beach areas propose fine accommodations with various touristy facilities while the mountainous villages have a few accommodations (usually rooms rented by locals) and are the perfect place to experience the traditional Cretan way of life. Tzemiado is one of the most picturesque villages. Other villages that can be visited: Elounda, Krista, Sissi and many others...  Magnificent beaches can be found on the coasts of the prefecture of Lassithi Crete such as the unique Vai Beach with its incredible palm forest (5000 palm trees), its azure waters and its golden sand. More wonderful beaches are available.

Rethymno

In the prefecture of Rethymno Crete various coastal resorts can be found, offering from simple rooms for rent to luxurious hotels and various touristy facilities. Many picturesque mountainous villages are also scattered around the prefecture, proposing just the minimum in terms of accommodations and facilities but offering the possibility to see and live the local traditional way of life. Anogia is one of the most beautiful of those villages. You can't missed RethymnoTown, Plakias and others...  Like in the other prefectures forming the wonderful island of Crete, the prefecture of Rethymno possesses a plethora of idyllic beaches and secluded coves, with crystalline waters. The most popular and one of its most beautiful beaches is the one of Preveli which looks like a lagoon with its emerald waters, palm trees and warm sand.

Saronic Islands, Greece

The Saronic islands are situated at a close distance from Athens, the capital of Greece and its port, Piraeus and are scattered between the prefecture of Attica and the eastern side of the Peloponnese. This group of Greek Islands is composed of Angistri, Aegina, Methana, Poros, Salamina, Spetses and Hydra and they have a lot to offer to the visitors: natural beauty, clean sandy beaches and even small deserted islets to explore. 

 Aegina

Beautiful and picturesque Aegina Greece has many traditional villages which can be found in the many mountains or close to the sea and which have kept their authenticity and unspoiled beauty. Touristy and busy resorts are also available, offering nice sandy beaches with crystalline waters. The capital of the island is one of the most attractive villages for it is full of neoclassical buildings and narrow stone-paved alleys.

 Agistri

The island of Agistri has three main settlements: Megalochori or Mylos village, Skala village, which is also the main port of the island, and the traditional village of Limenaria.  The island of Agistri offers many beaches which are distinguished for their crystal clear waters. The most popular one is in Skala village, which is ideal for children, but there are many others worth visiting, like the beaches of Mariza, Mikri Dragonera and Megali Dragonera, Chalikiada, Xekofti or the more isolated small beaches in the area of Aponissos, Magiza and Bariama. The beautiful island of Agistri is the ideal place for a relaxing holiday. Nightlife on Agistri is not as vivid as on other Greek islands. However, there are several places where one can spend an enjoyable evening or night. Although there are cafes, restaurants and bars in all the villages of Agistri, the most touristy -and therefore vibrant- places are the villages of Skala and Megalochori or Mylos.

Hydra

Hydra Town (or port, harbor), capital and port of the island, is the only true village of the island. This is mostly due to the fact that the whole island is closed to any kind of motorised vehicles and doesn’t have any roads, except from donkey paths. The town is a paradise-like place, protected by a special preservation order. It is full of traditional red-tiled houses, old mansions and stone-paved narrow alleys.

Poros

The beautiful island has many interesting, picturesque and quiet fishing and mountainous villages proposing nice accommodations built according to the traditional architecture of Greece. It also have a very attractive capital, called Poros Town, where two-storey houses with coloured windows, doors and walls are standing next to fine neoclassical buildings, surrounded by narrow stone-paved streets and alleys.

Spetses

Charming Spetses has the particularity of having only one main settlement formed by many districts that only locals can distinguish. Those districts show how the town has expended over the years and how its centre has moved. The actual centre of the town is Dapia which is also the main port and the oldest centre is Baltiza, a fishing settlement which is the old harbour . All districts offer beautiful architecture of Greece. 

10 Best Driving Holidays around the World

Great Ocean Road, Australia

 

If flying into the culturally enriching and modern city of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road simply cannot be ignored. With the benefit of driving a car, you are at the gateway to a 300km designated route through a number of staggering natural wonders that hug the serene ocean setting.

Sydney to Cairns

Australia’s east coast is simply crammed with innumerable awesome places and natural wonders to go and visit and by driving along this coast you truly get the most out of a trip from Sydney to Cairns. Take in Sydney’s iconic sights and then head north towards Cairns ending up at the inimitable Great Barrier Reef.

Garden Route, South Africa

 

Without question, the 200km of coastline that make up South Africa’s ‘Garden Route’ are among the most beautiful on the planet. This astonishing voyage takes you through mountainous landscapes, gorges, dense forestry, golden beaches, immense lakes, rivers and caves.

The Amalfi Coast, Italy

Arguably, the Amalfi ranks as Europe’s most scenic stretch of coastline. The mesmerizing beauty of the landscapes that present themselves are almost too idyllic as you venture through pastel-colored villages and terraced hillsides nestled in amongst lush-green mountains and dazzlingly blue waters.

Banff and Jasper, Canada

From the Great Plains through to the devastatingly inspirational mountain scenery of Banff and Jasper National Park, this drive through western Canada could quite easily be the greatest this planet has to offer. The views are simply exhilarating as you traverse forests one moment and dominant glaciers the next.

Rocky Mountains

The natural wonder of the mountains and the age-old lure of cowboys, ranches, wilderness and world-beating ski resorts are all yours with the benefit of driving on holiday. For many, it is the allure of driving in seemingly deserted wilderness under huge open skies that attract many.

Provence

If getting away from it all is up your street then Provence is for you. Fly into Carcassonne and marvel at the charm of this pleasant walled city before heading into the Black Mountains where panoramic scenery will bombard the senses.

French Riviera

Head along the coast taking in the wonderful beaches in famous towns such as St. Tropez and Cannes before heading down to the millionaires playground that is Monaco.

Pacific Coast Highway, California

Ascending to steep cliff drops overlooking the sea donning wonderful views all the way to incredible San Francisco. From here, expect wineries and redwood forests as you cross the Oregon state border where spectacular bays and small fishing villages present themselves.

Rhine Valley, Germany

The Rhine Valley is famous for its historic castles and fortifications, dense forests and beautiful river settings and is regarded by many as Germany’s most beautiful scenic drive.