Author: Traveler

Australia’s best beach accommodation on a budget: NSW coast

October 31, 2012

Lennox Head Bed & Breakfast, Lennox Head A rustic family home-cum-guesthouse in the hugely popular beach location of Lennox Head. The mellow neighbour to the often manic Byron Bay, it is populated by happy surfers, bohemian families and sea changers from Sydney, and has a cluster of excellent coffee spots and restaurants – try Quattro […]

Shopping and eating in Kvarner: 7 solutions to 7 difficult situations

September 22, 2012

Situation 1: “I want the best Malvazia NOW!” Wine Bar Loza A carefully edited selection of local whites and reds –and quite a few other colors, including rosé. Appetizers made from local delicacies, hand-picked from different parts of Kvarner and Istria. An exquisitely simple dinner menu that changes by the day. A level of service […]

Ecuador and Peru’s top 10 beach hotels on a budget

September 7, 2012

ECUADOR Hotel Gabeal, Mompiche The modest fishing village of Mompiche is turning into a small backpacker hub thanks to perfect surfing conditions and an impressive setting with thickly forested hills dropping down to a wide beach backed by palm trees. While package tourists are attracted to the glitzy Decameron Hotel on the hill, budget travellers […]

Shopping for fresh food at local markets

August 25, 2012

There are two obvious reasons why Croatian food is so good: A) Cooks – and people in general – know that well-executed simplicity equals mighty and delicious dishes. B) Cooks – and people in general – have easy access to the best ingredients. Those ingredients are nothing more than staples, the unfussy and elementary components […]

Souvenir shopping, continued – Croatian classics

August 23, 2012

Last week, we shared four gift ideas that focus on original designs and stand apart from uninspired destination t-shirts and typical souvenir shop bric-a-brac. But if you’re looking for something a bit more classic, here’s a list traditional souvenirs that don’t compromise quality. Croatian lace Three towns in Croatia are famous for their traditional […]

Brittany’s top 10 beach hotels and places to stay on a budget

July 18, 2012

Villa Tri Men/Hôtel du Bac, Sainte-Marine Originally a grand holiday home and now a boutique hotel, the Villa Tri Men sits elegantly on a leafy peninsula in the pretty fishing village of Sainte-Marine, 16 miles from Quimper. Most of its 20 bedrooms look across the harbour and the Odet estuary towards the fashionable resort of […]

The Côte d’Azur’s top 10 beach hotels and Bamp;Bs on a budget

June 8, 2012

This selection of budget-priced hotels takes you along the beaches and resorts of the Côte d’Azur, from Toulon to Menton and the border with Italy. While rates will rise steeply in July and August, the Riviera can still be an affordable destination. All prices quoted are for off-peak season, including breakfast (unless stated) and Wi-Fi. […]

Sicily’s top 10 beach hotels and Bamp;Bs on a budget

May 10, 2012

La Bianca Scogliera, Scala Dei Turchi Though illegal building has left its mark on Agrigento’s countryside, this part of Sicily, with its Greek temples and rolling vineyards, is outstandingly beautiful. The beaches too are visually spectacular, thanks to white marlstone cliffs, the so-called Turkish steps, that give this place its name. La Bianca Scogliera sits […]

Vinistra – experience Istria’s best wines

April 19, 2012

Vinistra, an international wine exhibition, is the official start of May Wine Madness in Istria. It is followed by Open Wine Cellars Day. Throughout the May, Istria celebrates wine, with series of events dedicated to this drink of the gods. Vinistra 2012 will be held in Porec, in sports hall Zatika, on the second weekend […]

California’s top 10 beach hotels and places to stay on a budget

April 11, 2012

Crystal Cove Beach Cottages, Crystal Cove state park These bohemian, higgledy-piggledy beach cottages sit in the heart of Crystal Cove State Park’s 3½ miles of winding white-sand coastline. They were built in the 30s and 40s and have been lovingly restored with vintage seaside furniture and period details. Each cottage is either on the beach […]