Their names are Elba, Giglio, Gorgona, Capraia, Pianosa and Montecristo. The latter sounds familiar? Yes, sure, as in The Count of Montecristo by Dumas. The island was indeed used as a prison in the past centuries. However, it was not the only one of this group of islands. Islands work as the perfect natural remedy against evasions. Elba island shortly was the famous golden prison of Napoleon, Pianosa has been a penitentiary until 1998 for 140 years, while Gorgona is still home to one of the most efficient penal colonies employing inmates in the production of organic farming, typical Tuscan crafts, and honey. Their employment as prison territory for so many years contributed to maintaining their natural aspect almost intact, preserving them from mass tourism and real estate exploitation. When you visit them today you can still enjoy all their wild character and rapturing beauty.

The Mediterranean sea wetting the coast of these Tuscan islands offers sea bottoms in perfect conditions, a true paradise for snorkelers and scuba divers. Although fish hunting is forbidden, your eyes can catch all the splendid colors that the indigenous sea flora and fauna have on display. Many come from all over Europe to enjoy a diving, as these islands preserve an immense diversity and a safe haven for fish. The islands of Pianosa and Montecristo are so protected that you will need a special written permit to visit it, and will not be able to near it with a motor engine.

The presence of modern life is well evident on Elba and Giglio, the largest and most developed islands. Here is the nightlife with summer jet set, museums and road networks, although at Giglio you are forbidden any motorized means of transportation. During the summer the population of these two islands increases manifolds, while the winter is more suitable to quiet and tourism is almost absent. Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, and Gorgona is where you should go if you want to feel in close contact with nature and relax deeply. Gorgona offers a handful of houses, no hotels and just one pizza restaurant. Capraia gives you more than this, but do not expect any movida. Pianosa is as protected as Montecristo and sojourning is not possible. Moreover, scuba diving is forbidden. These are places to spend a truly unique holiday in Tuscany. If you are lucky you can find one of the rare villas on the Tuscany coast to rent instead of a hotel, and spend an unforgettable vacation on an island that will feel “yours” for a few days.

Hiking lovers just need to go to Capraia. Here is the most elevated point of the archipelago, and the entire territory is quite bare. Only low rising Mediterranean bushes grow on the island. Trails marked by the Alpine club gift hikers with kilometers to explore. The reward are the mesmerizing views to be enjoyed from the island’s elevations. From here one dominates 360-degree views over the shimmering sea.

Finally, the former prison-island of Pianosa is an interesting place to visit. You are given the chance to see the former life of this penal colony renting a bike and running around the places where for more than a century inmates from all over Italy have conducted their existence. The visit is also part of a one-day mini cruise of the Tuscan archipelago, a great occasion to discover the island you like best and to return to for a dedicated summer vacation.

This is a guest post written by Matt. Matt writes for ThriftyTuscany.com, where you can find a great variety of villas Tuscany coast and Tuscan villas by owner.

Many visitors to Lanzarote, for instance, are often surprised by the range of products available in local supermarkets. And those staying in self-catering holiday villas in Lanzarote have plenty of opportunity to try things they won´t find at home.

Amongst the most obvious differences is the range of fish, with everything from fresh sea bream and anchovies to little known species such as wreck fish and parrot fish. With much of the fruit and vegetables also grown locally, visitors can sample plantain, sweet potato, papaya and guayabo.

Some of the more tropical fruits grown on Lanzarote and Gran Canaria were brought to the islands from the Caribbean, as the trade between these two areas goes back a good four hundred years or so. The islands are also home to their very own species of black pig, which  predates the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors.

When times were hard, as was the case after the volcanic eruptions of 1730, many locals survived on staples such as gofio, which is a flour made from finely milled maize. Gofio can still be found in many traditional desserts served at local restaurants on the island.

Locally produced goats cheeses are also extremely popular, both with visitors and residents alike. The more mature cheeses have a tangy flavour and chalky, crumbly texture that makes them an ideal complement to a salad or with a glass of Lanzarote wine.

With numerous bodegas dotted across the wine region of Lanzarote, wine is also an important gastronomic offering. Several vineyards have won awards in the last few years for their red, rosé and white wines, which are produced by unique methods of cultivation and are still harvested by hand.

This brief foray into the food and drink found on Lanzarote illustrates how much there is to discover by visitors to the island with a keen interest in gastronomy. Guests staying in Playa Blanca villas or other areas on the island should find plenty to amuse their palates if they are prepared to try some of the local produce.

To get a better idea of where to stay on Lanzarote, you can browse a wide selection of accommodation at www.holidayvillasinlanzarote.co.uk, all of which have been designed with the self-catering tourist in mind.

It’s not only holidaymakers that are enticed to these shores though.  Lanzarote also attracts quite a few real estate investors as well. The distinctive landscapes and year-round warm average temperature make Lanzarote in the Canary Islands the ultimate location for purchasing a holiday home. As the most easterly of the Canary Islands chain, Lanzarote is best-known for its marginal precipitation and moderate winters, and as a result Lanzarote property is very attractive to a wide range of investors hunting for first-rate returns or even just a home from home.  Creating a high level of demand for Lanzarote villas and apartments.

But regardless of whether you just simply need a quick break or a realistically low risk haven for your personal savings Lanzarote has an excellent choice of resorts.  With tourists able to choose from Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen.  As well as tons of holiday attractions and outdoor activities as well. With so much to offer hiring a car is unequivocally the most efficient way to see all there is to offer, but if you don’t like driving abroad then guided trips cover most of the main attractions too.

 On the other hand there are plenty of sports to get your pulse racing, such as mountain biking (and yes there are some big peaks here) and diving.  Not to mention taking walks if you like to keep your feet on the ground.  Surfing is also very popular and Lanzarote is known as the Hawaii of Europe.

Lanzarote is also a very photogenic island and the light here is just incredible.  Making it a real haven for photography buffs too.  Thanks to the lack of industrialisation on the island and also its location.

Making your way to Lanzarote at the moment is comparatively easy, with a journey time of around four hours from UK airports.  There are plenty of cheap flights to Lanzarote available on the internet, via sites such as Skyscanner.  Tourists can expect to pay upwards of €100 for their journey to this slice of paradise!

Flowing streams, fresh water springs and roaring rivers are the attraction through Costa Rica’s wilderness. The famous waterfalls known for its elegant beauty are Celeste Waterfall, El Chorro Waterfall, La Fortuna Waterfall, Nauyaca Waterfalls, Savegre Waterfall.
It is a must visit place for natural lovers. They come from around the world just with the intention of wildlife watching. The top five wildlife hotspots to observe the rich flora and fauna are Corcovado National Park, La Selva Biological Station, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Tortuguero National Park.
Costa Rica’s archaeological site is another attraction that journeys through history to a time of ancient civilization. The few glimpses are- The National Museum features a brief overview of the country’s history beginning with pre- Columbian artefacts, moving through the time of the conquistadors, and gradually merging into the present.
The Gold Museum has the most valuable collection of pre- Columbian gold in the world in exhibit. While, the Jade Museum is not just about jade, it had artefacts, ceramics, precious stones and gold miniatures from different cultural areas of Costa Rica to discover. Costa Rica’s Mysterious Stone Spheres, Guayabo National Monument, Las Mercedes Archaeological Site, Indian’s Rock (Piedra del Indio) are the most sought out places

Located on the idyllic Central Pacific coast, Quepos and Manuel Antonio attract sun-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and outdoor adventure seekers. It is a coastal town celebrated for its world class sport fishing. Less than a three-hour drive from San Jose, the area is accessible by local airlines and public bus.

If you are looking to buy a property in Costa Rica, bret dudl can help you find many properties on sale.

Playa Blanca can be found right at the southern end of Lanzarote, which explains why its climate is that much better than the other main resorts on the island.  And as a result it is very popular with visitors from countries such as Germany, Eire, Spain and the UK.  Despite expanding rapidly during the 1990´s it has managed to still retain much of its peaceful, village feel.  And boasts plenty of great beaches for visitors to enjoy along with lots of great places to stay.

There are lots of choices for tourists seeking self catering accommodation with a wide array of apartments and villas in Playa Blanca available for rental.  Most of these apartments are located on good quality complexes with plenty of facilities and amenities.  Whilst virtually all of the holiday villas in Playa Blanca come equipped with their own private swimming pools.

Playa Blanca is a great resort for those who like to soak up the sun as there are some wonderful beaches here.  The largest and most popular of these is called Playa Dorada, which is located to the west of the resort centre.  Whilst the most central beach is smaller and called Playa Blanca.  Playa Flamingo to the east completes this trio.  And there are even more options just a fifteen minute walk away at Papagayo – or parrot in Spanish.

All of these beaches can be reached via a single seafront promenade which unites the whole resort.  This is also where tourists will find a large selection of good quality fish restaurants too.  Along with a wide array of shops.

For those keen to explore it’s possible to book day trips to the neighbouring Canary Island of Fuerteventura, as ferries make the crossing from Playa Blanca hourly throughout the day.  And here tourists can enjoy the huge sand dunes of the Corralejo National Park.  Back on Lanzarote they can also take a tour of the islands number one attraction, the Timanfaya National Park.  Home to hundreds of volcanoes which blew their tops during eruptions in the 1730´s.

 Lanzarote is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Spain – thanks to its great year round climate, wonderful beaches and good quality accommodation.  And as a result the island attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year from the UK and Eire.

 Lanzarote Guidebook was launched three years ago to cater to this audience and the new spring issue of this quarterly guide features a competition offering readers the chance to win a villa holiday on the island.  Which can also be entered online.

 Lanzarote Guidebook is written by local residents and includes lots of inside tips – as well as comprehensive information about all of the main resorts, attractions and things to do.  It is distributed free of charge to tourists on the island via car hire offices and private villas and can also be downloaded free of charge via the Lanzarote Guidebook website.

 Visitors to the website can also enter this great competition which carries the top prize of a weeks stay in one of the best Lanzarote holiday villas on the island.  At the three bedroom Villa Mirador, which is located right by the beach in the resort of Matagorda, close to Puerto del Carmen.  A prize provided by the leading island villa specialists Lanzarote1.  Who have been organising holidays in Lanzarote since 1988.

 Lanzarote is a great holiday destination as like the rest of the Canaries the island enjoys good weather all year round.  With tourists able to enjoy days on the beach or by the pool even during December and January.  Thanks to the islands location just off the coast of West Africa.

 As well as sunshine Lanzarote also offers visitors loads to do and see.  Such as the stunning scenery of the Timanfaya Volcano Park and the incredible creations of the local artist Cesar Manrique.  Who was instrumental in ensuring that the island wasn’t over developed during the 1970´s just as package tourism started to take off.

 Visitors to the Lanzarote Guidebook website can find out all they need to know to ensure that they have a great holiday in this unique destination.  As well as being able to book flights, apartments, package holidays and car hire in Lanzarote – all under one roof.

Lanzarote is as far south as you can get and still – technically speaking – be within the administrative confines of the European Union.  Although in reality it is located much closer to Africa than Spain.  Either way though this has been a Spanish territory since the early 1400´s and has all the familiar customs and cuisine of the mainland.

Tourists have been visiting the island since package holidays first took off here in the 1970´s and Lanzarote today expects to welcome around 1.4 million visitors during the course of 2009.  A reasonable performance given the impact of the credit crunch and the weak state of sterling over the last twelve months.

Many visitors will be staying in one of the hundreds of villas in Lanzarote that are available for rent.  As around half of all tourists opt for private rental accommodation.  With the remainder staying in hotels or Lanzarote holiday apartments.

During the winter months tourists are best advised to head for the southern most resort on the island –  Playa Blanca.  Which translates as white beach in Spanish – as the resort is named after the small white sand beach which still lies at its heart.

Playa Blanca during the winter months enjoys better weather than the other two main resorts on the island of Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise.  Making it the best possible choice for anyone in search of winter sun.  There’s also an excellent selection of holiday villas in Playa Blanca available for rent. Many of which are owned by British and or Irish investors – so overcoming any language barrier when booking.

Playa Blanca is located further from the airport than the other resorts but the transfer time is still only forty minuets.  And on the upside it is located closer to the islands main visitor attraction – the breathtaking Timanfaya Volcano Park.

Within the resort itself there are three great beaches – Playa Blanca, Playa Flamingo and Playa Dorada.  Whilst just a fifteen minute walk from the resort centre are the incredible beaches and coves of Papagayo.  An all natural beach lover’s paradise that is widely regarded as one of the finest and most picturesque stretches of sand in the whole of the Canary Islands.

Mallorca is also easy to reach from mainland Europe and is well served by all of the leading low cost airlines from key markets such s the UK.  With a flight time of just under two and half hours.

First time visitors should note that the island is very much a game of two halves though.  As the south is still snynomous with package tourism – epitomised by the bars and discos of resorts such as Magaluf.  Whilst the north is cooler and more sophisticated.  Home to ancient former Roman settlements such as Pollensa and some of the best quality holiday villas in Mallorca.  Many of which have been built using the local honey coloured stone.

So which is the ideal resort in Mallorca for you?

Alcudia
Alcudia is the largest resort on the island’s north coast.  It’s popularity sealed by the fact that it is also home to the biggest beach on the island – a huge stretch of sand which extends for around 8km. 

As a result Alcudia is very popular with families looking to escape the fleshpots of the south.  A reputation enhanced further by the fact that the beach here shelves gently into the sea – making it ideal for young children.

Cala DÓr
Cala d’Or is relatively modern resort situated on the island’s east coast – around a one hour transfer time from the main airport at Palma.  Emerging from it´s former shell as traditional fishing village during he 1970´s to become the modern resort of today.

The centre of the town is pedestrianised which makes it very pleasant to stroll around come nightfall.  Whilst during the day the action revolves around one of the seven beaches in the resort.  Head for the marina at Cala Llonga for a really atmospheric meal out.

Puerto Pollensa
One of the north’s more chi chi resorts Puerto Pollensa is the close coastal cousin to the town of Pollensa.  A former Roman settlement that boasts a host of picturesque squares and quiet cobbled streets.  And is a popular destination with families looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the larger resorts.

The resort really started growing in the 1980s when scores of tourists from countries such as Russia and Germany and other Eastern Europe countries began arriving there for short holidays as part of inexpensive package tours.

Seeing its growing popularity an excellent airport has been built, which caters to flights from all over, and now there over 200 hotels in the city.

The city extends about 36 kilometers along the seashore and does not go too deep inside the Egyptian desert. It’s prime attraction for all those who gather here are its beautiful beaches and the aquatic sports which are easily available all around. All the hotels and resort villages have made arrangements for sports such as snorkeling, sailing, and scuba diving for their guests. The warm blue waters of the Red Sea are home to marine life of immense variety, and the divers are presented with the vision of beautiful underwater coral gardens.

The city is divided into three regions – El Sakala {or Sheraton Road as it is normally known as}, El Dahar and Promenade.  El Sakala is the main centre of the town with all the markets and excellent fish restaurants. From here you can walk to the Marina, where the best bars and nightclubs and restaurants are located.

The Promenade is another great place to go to – a 5 km. long marina, with clean walkways and innumerable shops.

If you are looking for a beachside resort, with a lot of the local culture and ambiance still within it, then you should spend some time at Hurghada in Egypt.

Despite Cyprus’s troubled history and it’s ongoing dispute with Turkey over Northern Cyprus, it still remains one of the most peaceful island resorts in the world. The Mediterranean here is warm and inviting, and the beaches are clean and range from the quiet ones in the western peninsula to the lively ones on the east coast.

Cyprus is situated at the crossroads of three continents and it has an amalgamation of cultures from the European to the Asian and the Middle Eastern.

How to get here:

You can either fly to Limassol or take a cruise ship to this island. You can also take the overnight cruises from Port Said in Egypt or from the ports in Europe.

Where do we stay:

You have the options of five star luxury resorts or reasonable priced budget hotels which offer you all inclusive packages, where all meals and drinks are a part of the total package.

What do we do here:

Your choice of activity depends on your energy level. If you like visiting local sites have a look at the Tombs of the Kings or drink the nectar from Aphrodite’s Cave. If you are longing for a period of rest and relaxation, just sit back at one of the many beaches and for a short while forget all your troubles.

The Cypriots believe that once you have been here, you will be beckoned back again and again by this lovely island. Hence do visit us, and let us prove how true this adage is.