Year round beach destinations....

The great thing about these popular year round beach destinations is that most of the cheap airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair fly to them, so you really can get away for a family break without breaking the bank..... Antalya Antalya is the main city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey and one of the most popular holiday hot spots, with an attractive harbour setting and the picturesque old quarter of Kaleiçi enclosed within ancient Roman walls. Dominating the town is Antalya’s symbol, the Yivli Minaret (Grooved Minaret) dating back to the 3rd century. The superb Archaeological Museum, housing one of the top collections in the country, is not to be missed. Known as the Turkish Riviera, the Antalya shoreline boasts secluded coves, ancient cities and harbours, seaside towns, sparkling seas and soaring cliffs. The city provides an excellent base for exploring the small towns nearby, as well as caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins, including Perge and the mountain-top remains of Termessos. A 30-minute drive east of Antalya is Aspendos, boasting the finest example of a Roman theatre in the world. Built in the 2nd century AD, it is remarkably intact. In addition to the vast number of archaeological wonders, the area also has a wealth of outdoor activities. Antalya, lying at the foot of the Taurus Mountain range, is host to numerous sporting events throughout the year, including international beach volleyball, triathlons and canoeing competitions Fuerteventura Only 60 miles (100km) separates the island of Fuerteventura, second largest in the Canary archipelago, from the continent of Africa, and this sunny island shares the same latitude (and therefore weather conditions) with the renowned holiday destinations of Florida and Mexico. Unlike those bustling resort-ridden vacation stations, though, Fuerteventura is relatively undiscovered, its more than 150 idyllic sandy beaches only sparsely populated and many seldom visited at all.The island has an arid volcanic landscape, and apart from the beaches, not much to recommend it in the way of tourist amenities or attractions. This has kept the mega resorts and mass summer package holiday trade at bay, but it does have a fair share of day-trippers from the resorts of Lanzarote and Gran Canaria who come seeking a respite from the crowds. The island's two main resort towns are Corralejo and Caleta del Fuste. Fuerteventura is easily accessible from the other islands in the archipelago by ferry or air. The airport is situated close to the island's capital of Puerto del Rosario. Belek Belek is a sprawling resort town specifically developed for tourism, and over the last two decades has grown to encompass the neighbouring village of Kadriye. Boasting 300 days of sunshine and the warm, turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, the area has become a haven for those seeking the luxury of five-star hotel complexes, as well as some great golf courses. Many of the hotels have their own strip of private beach and some visitors never leave the comforts of their seaside accommodation. Belek is, however, close to a number of interesting sites and there are several exciting activities on offer for those who can bear to tear themselves away. The ruins of the Roman town of Perge is an interesting excursion, as is the well-preserved ancient amphitheatre at Aspendos; its acoustics have stood the test of time and it still plays host to the occasional concert. Jeep safaris into the mountains are another popular outing, as are boat trips, watersports, and visits to nearby Manavgat waterfalls and the thermal baths at Pamukkale. Scuba diving, white water rafting, horse riding and more are also on offer. The town of Belek itself is compact and has a small shopping centre, some souvenir shops and some cafes. Kadriye has more to offer in the way of street markets and nightlife, but day trips to busier towns such as Alanya or Antalya are also available. Belek is the perfect resort for golfers and those seeking lazy days lounging on a beach or by a swimming pool Costa Brava The ruggedly beautiful Costa Brava holiday coast stretches for 100 miles (160km) along the shores of Catalonia in Spain's north-eastern corner, from Port Bou on the Franco-Spanish border to Tossa del Mar, just north of Barcelona. The coast is filled with high-rise resort developments and modern marinas catering to package tourists, but retains enough green hillsides and lonely, wild cliffs, coves and caves to belie its reputation as one of Europe's busiest holiday destinations.Holidaymakers revel in the hidden delights of the craggy coastline, many exploring in boats to seek out deserted coves scented with pine and citrus trees, fragrant herbs and bright flowers. International resorts and marinas lie in close proximity to relatively unspoilt fishing villages and towns bearing evidence of the area's rich history with ancient castles and fortifications. Offshore divers revel in the abundance of wrecks to explore in the crystalline waters, while seemingly endless sunshine pours down on stretches of sandy or shingle beach.The untouched natural areas and fishing industry have also resulted in making a holiday here a gastronomic treat. Seafood reigns supreme, from sardines to delicious lobster, but specialities also include local wild game, like boar, duck and rabbit, which can all be washed down with a variety of wines produced from the vineyards that clothe the hillsides. Bodrum The popular resort of Bodrum, called Halicarnassus in ancient times, is the South Aegean's most attractive resort, described by Homer as 'The land of eternal blue'. The hillside is covered in painted villas adorned with bougainvillea. Narrow streets wind their way down to the sea, and the peaceful setting of its twin harbours offer shelter for yachts. Bodrum is a mustering point for local boats offering tailor-made daytrips to nearby islands or the pristine beaches and seaside restaurants along the magnificent coastline. From its position between the two harbours, the 15th-century crusader Castle of St Peter dominates every part of the town, now home to the fascinating Museum of Underwater Archaeology. The other attraction in town is the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, the crumbling remains of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. As Turkey's leading seaside resort destination, Bodrum is packed with foreign visitors in summer, yet it remains unspoilt and retains its charming Turkish character, perfecting the balance between exotic bazaars, the cry of the muezzin and ancient history, with water sports, sunbathing and a nightlife that is notorious throughout Turkey.

Kusadasi Kusadasi is one of the most swollen resort towns on the southern Aegean Coast, overflowing with shiploads of tourists in summer who enlarge the year-round population several times over. Once a small fishing village, today the busy town is packed with curios and carpet shops; its proximity to the ruins of Ephesus making it an ideal base for Aegean cruise ships. Despite the frenzied tourism, Kusadasi is situated amid splendid coastal scenery and several significant archaeological sites, including the three well-preserved Ionian settlements of Miletus, Priene and Didyma. There are plenty of good hotels and restaurants, and ferries link it with the nearby Greek islands of Samos and Mykonos.

Majorca The island of Mallorca (Majorca) is the largest in the Balearic Island group, which collectively form one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, and certainly in the Mediterranean.Mallorca took off as a tourist Mecca in the 1960s, when a development boom spawned the building of hundreds of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping centres which now line most of the island's coast. The capital, Palma, however still retains some of its historical flavour sporting grand mansions and a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling centre. The northwest coast, too, still offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and several quaint old towns and villages.If you visit Mallorca for the sun and fun, it is worth taking a break from the beach resorts and heading off for a tour of the island by car, or even bicycle, to discover the romantic fishing villages, historic monasteries, monuments, museums and spectacular landscapes tucked away from the madding crowds. The interior is largely the preserve of a thriving agricultural community, dotted with windmills, olive and almond trees Sharm El Sheikh A world-acclaimed dive centre and the most developed of the Red Sea resorts, Sharm el-Sheikh has many activities, luxury accommodation and restaurants available. Most hotels and diving centres are situated four miles (7km) from the city at Naama Bay and it has become a busy holiday resort with plenty of shopping opportunities, late night entertainment and an attractive resort atmosphere. Numerous dive sites are within reach of Sharm el-Sheikh, including the huge drop-offs at Ras Mohammed in the extreme southern part of the peninsula, the Straits of Tiran, wrecks and 28 sites located along the coast that are reached by boat. Naama Bay has a gently sloping sandy bottom, is ideal for dive classes, and provides diving and snorkelling opportunities for all levels without having to use a boat or car to get there. Besides excellent diving and snorkelling, which are the main activities, there are plenty of watersports available if one feels like doing more than just soaking up the sun. Add a vibrant nightlife with casinos, discos and nightclubs and one cannot complain of boredom. Dubai Originally a small fishing settlement that became a busy port of call on the ancient trade route between Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley, the emirate was rapidly transformed into an international business centre and modern tourist destination following the discovery of oil in 1966. Today Dubai ranks as the country's foremost commercial centre, a city whose skyline is constantly being upgraded with new developments providing the infrastructure and facilities needed for a progressive society, including world-class hotels, shopping plazas and outstanding sports facilities. Dubai Creek divides the city centre into two parts: Deira on the northern side and Bur Dubai to the south and each has its fair share of souks, restaurants, hotels, shopping malls and fine mosques. From within these high standards of luxury and convenience, visitors can experience exotic Arabia in the bustling souks or a night in a Bedouin tent with belly-dancing under the starlit desert skies, as well as a way of life that is still embedded in the Islamic traditions of an ancient land. Dubai's attraction lies in the contrast between the ultra modern and the enchantingly traditional, which gives the city a personality like no other and visitors a variety of experiences to choose from. From desert oases and unspoiled beaches, camel races and old wind towers, to top-class shopping opportunities, avant-garde architecture and the finest international cuisine, Dubai has more than enough depth to satisfy even the most seasoned of travellers. One of the city's top attractions is its excellent shopping. As an open port with low import duties, Dubai can offer an incredible range of top brand names at cheaper prices due to the tax-free environment, and 'shopping tourists' are drawn from around the world to this paradise of malls, souks, boutiques and modern department stores selling everything from Paris fashions to Japanese electronics. The annual Shopping Festival attracts millions of tourists to the city for a shop-till-you-drop holiday

Dubrovnik Riviera Dubrovnik allows its visitors to make the most of its historical architecture, white pebble beaches and crystal-clear sea. For centuries Dubrovnik has drawn visitors seeking fine accommodations, excellent cuisine, beautiful surroundings and recreational opportunities. George Bernard Shaw is quoted as describing Dubrovnik as 'heaven on earth'.The old town, dating from the 7th century, is on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites. Enclosed by city walls built in the 13th century, the buildings represent a cross-section of medieval architectural styles and remain well preserved. Onofrio's Fountain, situated just inside the main entrance to the old city at Pile Gate, is one of Dubrovnik's most famous landmarks and a popular meeting place. The centre of the old town is the Stradun, its main street, which was originally a channel separating an island from the mainland, and was filled in to join two opposite towns into the merged city of Dubrovnik. There are numerous churches, monasteries and museums to explore; the old town also boasts plenty of restaurants, bars and shops; and the coastal belt is awash with marinas, coves and promenades. Most of the hotels and the best beaches are located north west of the old town at Lapad, as well as in Ploce to the north east Tenerife If there is any spot on the globe that enjoys a perfect climate, Tenerife in the Canary Islands is it. There is markedly little variation in the average temperatures between summer and winter, which hover between 59ºF and 75ºF (15-24ºC), and there is only very occasional rain. Throw this in to the mix of verdant forests in the northern part of the island as well as mountains, deserts, volcanoes, exotic plant and animal life, and spectacular beaches (with black volcanic sand) - and you have a holiday paradise.Tenerife offers the unique experience of swimming and sunbathing on a beautiful beach while just a few miles away snow sparkles on the crest of Mount Teide. The island's central mountain stands at 12,200 feet (3,719m), the highest in Spain, and a cable-car ride to the summit offers unrivalled views of the lunar-like landscape of the volcanic slopes.The island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, is an upbeat town geared for tourism. Its port, where once the first shots of the Spanish Civil War were fired, is today a morass of ferries, jetfoils and freighters. Playa del Ingles 'The Englishman's beach' is how Playa del Ingles translates - those naming the resort had great foresight as today thousands of Brits flock here for sun, sea and San Miguels. Situated at the south of Gran Canaria island, the resort is one of the largest and busiest in Europe and its main attractions are the wide sandy beaches that stretch from the Maspalomas dunes to San Agustin in the north. The seafront is lined by the lovely pedestrian promenade, the Paseo Costa Canaria, planted with lush gardens. With its conglomeration of high-rise hotels, apartment blocks and shopping malls, Playa will not win any awards for architecture or sophisticated ambience, but the ever-growing resort, purpose-built for pleasure and leisure back in the 1960s, is hard to beat for a good value summer fun break. Although mainly geared for the younger market, families and older visitors are also attracted by the glorious year-round climate and endless beach, but tend to stick together in the quieter areas Costa Del Sol The densely populated coast of Andalusia, stretching from Almeria to Tarifa, is Europe's all-year-round favoured holiday destination, known as the Costa del Sol. It consists of a string of fine sandy beaches, where the average water temperature is 64ºF (18ºC), and picturesque towns have abundant tourist amenities, resorts and high-rise hotels. Attractions include zoos, bullfights, water parks, casinos and amusement parks, like the renowned Parque de Attractions Tivoli. The most popular resort town on the Costa del Sol is Torremolinos, which retains some elements of traditional Spain, although most main streets are now pedestrian thoroughfares filled with souvenir shops and ice-cream parlours.