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by Laura Dubois
Plan your summer getaway for 2011 at a Mediterranean dream destination .
The Mediterranean is home to some of the most popular vacation spots in the world, so choose one of these sun kissed countries for a dreamy summer vacation!
Cyprus
Said to be the cross roads of three continents – Europe, Africa and Asia – Cyprus offers inviting beaches, mountain panoramas, and luxurious hotels and resorts. Cypriot hospitality is legendary, and visitors will enjoy the warmest of welcomes along with the warm weather. Flights to Cyprus depart from most major European airports, with the coastal city of Paphos being the main point of entry to the island. In addition to Cyprus’ beautiful coastline, visitors can also venture inland to enjoy the fragrant citrus orchards, olive groves, and rolling vineyards.
Turkey
Turkey is a large and diverse county, often deemed the ‘bridge to Asia’. Visitors can choose from
the Black Sea or Aegean Sea coastline; from vibrant cities like Istanbul and Ankara to the inland retreats and mountain regions loved by climbers and bikers. As Turkey is a year-round destination, there are regular cheap flights to Europe throughout the year from all over that can get you there. Amongst the most frequented destinations by summer tourists are Bodrum and Dalaman.
Egypt
The Red Sea, which is an established travel destination, offers the closest tropical diving to Europe and Sharm El-Sheikh is one of the best known dive bases in the country with excellent options for learners as well as experienced divers who can experience wreck dives, night dives or multi-day dive expeditions. But it’s not just divers who come to Egypt; the Pyramids at Giza are the only one of the seven wonders of the Ancient world that are still in existence and thousands arrive every year to see these incredible structures.
Greece has over 1,400 different islands to choose from, giving it the tenth longest coastline in the world. The most popular Greek islands include Crete, Corfu and Rhodes, but some of the big cities like Athens, Thessaloniki and Patras are also well visited and tend to be good starting points for a journey through the country. Greece can be reached from most European capitals as well as some regional airports, so booking cheap flights to London would certainly get you there. In addition to the warm weather, friendly people and delicious cuisine, the country also boasts such iconic historic sites such as The Acropolis, The Oracle of Delphi and Olympia.
Croatia
Though Croatia is growing in popularity with tourists it still receives a tiny proportion compared to Spain, France or Italy, which is great news for you because it means fewer crowds and often lower prices. Croatia’s hot summers and abundance of beaches and islands (there are 1,185 of them) along the Dalmatian Coast make it an exciting place for a summer break. Dubrovnik is probably the best known destination in the country, and is often a stop for Mediterranean cruise ships.
Spain
For a vacay with a little extra heat and spice, Spain has all the right answers, and with flights to Spain frequent from major US cities, it doesn’t even have to be hard to get there. Barcelona is the big coastal draw on the mainland where you can dance on the beach, gawk at Gaudi masterpieces and stroll through lush, colorful gardens all in the same day. Alicante, Malaga and Valencia are a few other hoppin hotspots on the coast for beach bums to bask to your heart’s content, with as much or as little clothing as you want. On the islands of Ibiza and Mallorca, party animals will be able to hit the clubs until dawn, as these islands never stop rockin.
Author Byline: Laura Dubois is a freelance travel writer, focusing on European flight deals, destinations and travel suggestions.
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