Author: mikeosbornphoto

Six serene summer holiday spots

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June marks the start of the summer holiday season when most of us choose to get away.

If you’re wondering where to go, here’s a handful of relaxing destinations that I’ve tried and tested and will hopefully provide some travel inspiration.

If you have any questions or your own suggestions, feel free to fill in the form at the bottom of this post. Happy holidays!

SERIFOS, GREECE

Unlike the popular Greek islands that tend to be overcrowded, sleepy Serifos is a simple blend of quiet beaches and lofty walks if you’re feeling energetic, with small-scale accommodation and plenty of tavernas and cafes. The island has a direct ferry connection to Athens. A recipe for holiday bliss? You betcha.

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A blue and white church on the Greek island of Serifos

WIRRAL, UNITED KINGDOM

A short hop away from Liverpool city centre, my homegrown serene spot is based on many day trips which could turn into a holiday. West Kirby’s waterside is a place to walk, relax and enjoy the scenery. Just be prepared for the British summer weather.

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Walkers pictured at West Kirby's Marine Lake in the Wirral.

SANTIAGO, CAPE VERDE

As Sal becomes an ever more popular tourist hotspot, my advice is to visit Santiago, markedly less visited even though it’s Cape Verde’s largest island. There’s a coastal area just south of Praia with a relaxed feel, while Tarrafal in the north is tropical and laidback. Santiago can be reached via Lisbon and is a good launchpad to explore the rest of this African archipelago.

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Boats on a secluded beach at Tarrafal in the Cape Verde islands.

DJERBA, TUNISIA

A well-established North African escape less popular with Brits but easily reachable. You can doze on a sun lounger, wander along the beaches or experience some Arab culture if you’re feeling more active. Just watch out for some very hot weather in this little piece of Tunisia.

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A stretch of Djerban coast, the blue of the Mediterranean and the Spring sky.

MOHÉLI, COMOROS ISLANDS

Okay, so it takes around 24 hours to reach this rarely visited destination from the UK. But you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful tropical island scenery, your own lodge hut by the beach and the chance to see rainforest bats and stunning sea creatures. Throw in some sublime sunsets and this will be a transformative visit.

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COSTA CALMA, SPAIN

The ever popular Canary Islands are around a four-hour flight from the UK, with Fuerteventura being one of the quieter options. Costa Calma is a long sweep of sand in the island’s south. Relaxation is the name of the game here. There’ll be other tourists around but there’s plenty of room for them – and the great weather is almost guaranteed.

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Palm trees, blue sky and sea seen beyond a hotel balcony in Costa Calma, Fuerteventura.

Tunisia: Island architecture

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My trip to Tunisia’s Djerba island was intended as a relaxing sunshine break after the long, chilly British winter.

Instead of lying on the beach I decided to hire a bicycle and see some of Djerba’s sights using pedal power alone.

Riding my trusty two-wheeled companion from Djerba Cyclo, I visited a wealth of mosques, saw some of the island’s abandoned buildings and appreciated the architecture of my hotel.

The gleaming combination of whitewash against blue sky was the biggest takeaway from my Tunisian island travels.

Read about my top finds below.

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Fadhloun mosque. Built in the 14th century, this mosque had the colour of Saharan sand when I visited. It’s a little eroded with the passage of time and remains a place of worship to this day. Very different to the loftier, more modern mosques of Djerba. Worth the cycle ride!

Tunisian windows. This became my obsession in Djerba. They’re typically shielded with ornate metal grilles, often painted blue. Instagrammable? You bet they are.

Abandoned architecture. The curious tower along Mehari Beach which may have been a restaurant terrace. And the landmark buildings on the island’s Ras Rmel peninsula, fittingly a nature reserve and home to unspoilt beaches.

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Manchester: Stunning Spring

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Spring got off to a spectacular start in Manchester and across the UK.

For three weeks we enjoyed dry, sunny and settled weather thanks to a prolonged period of high pressure.

My local high rise buildings gleamed blue under the sun. The cherry blossom season also flourished.

I took a trip to Dunham Massey south of the city to see the gardens sparkle. What a time to take photographs – and be alive!

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Djerba: A little piece of Tunisia

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There’s only one way to escape a long British winter and that’s flying off to warmer climes.

I chose Tunisia as my change of scenery and the island of Djerba in the south of this North African country.

Djerba has been welcoming guests for decades with its Mediterranean shores, golden sands and wealth of hotels.

While relaxing in the sun is on offer, delve a little deeper and you’ll discover Arab culture and the vibrancy of the souk. CONTINUE READING BELOW

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Booking my package trip to Djerba was effortless, with direct flights from Manchester and choosing one of the numerous hotels on offer.

The Iberostar Waves Mehari, with its large premises at the quieter end of Djerba’s north-east coast and close to the beach, looked a good choice.

The gardens were nicely manicured, my room quiet and comfortable, while the buffet restaurant was packed with delicious food at breakfast and dinner.

The hotel also has its own stretch of beach – the starting point for me to explore this developed coast. First impressions were that it was a little scruffy, while friendly packs of dogs existed alongside camels and horses that could be hired for rides.

While many holidaymakers choose to relax by the hotel pool, I decided to hire a bicycle thanks to the very friendly service of Djerba Cyclo.

I visited other parts of the island’s coastline on my metal steed and discovered some truly stunning beaches which were practically deserted and bathed in Caribbean colours.

Author Mike Osborn enjoying the cool waters of Djerba in Tunisia.

Djerba is a place to take a paddle

I was intent on visiting Houmt Souk, Djerba’s main town, but swapped bike for very reasonably priced taxi to make the 22km journey each way.

The town’s old souk is captivating with its little winding streets with some shabby facades offering colourful wares.

Yes you’ll be hustled inside shops and given the hard sell, but it’s part of the experience and there’s never an obligation to buy. Use it as an opportunity to speak to Tunisians and find out a little more about them.

It’s also worth walking to the seafront and visiting the Ghazi Mustapha fortress’s solid walls. From the ramparts I noticed bathers paddling in the surprisingly shallow waters.

Djerba. You can visit and never leave your sunbed – the perfect holiday for some people. But it’s worth seeing more of this Tunisian island. Next time: Cycle rides, mosques and Djerban architecture.

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Wirral: Spring has sprung

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When the first signs of Spring show, my instinct is to get out of the city and enjoy some fresh air.

A few weeks ago this took me from Manchester to the Wirral Peninsula near Liverpool, a place I’ve visited many times.

The little town of West Kirby on Wirral’s western edge is blessed with water, wide beaches and open skies. Is this a good place to end your winter hibernation? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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The first place I visited in West Kirby was the war memorial, an energetic walk uphill. The site, which offers views across the peninsula and Irish Sea, was bathed in buttery yellow gorse blossom.

One place that I always visit and photograph is the Marine Lake and the walkway that encircles the water. Little figures of walkers and a huge bright sky always create memorable frames.

To the north at the mercy of the tide is Hilbre Island and expanses of sand alongside shifting waters.

I also took my sun-kissed walk around the corner of the peninsula, skirting Hoylake promenade and sands which have been rewilded from beach to greenery.

This is an outing that never fails to energise and lift the mood, especially when it felt like an end to a long winter.

Walkers enjoy an early Spring walk around the Marine Lake path in West Kirby, Wirral.

West Kirby walkers enjoy Spring skies

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