beach

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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Coastal walk: Lytham to Blackpool

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The weather forecast promised a warm September day in northern England.

I hurriedly booked train tickets from Manchester to the genteel Lancashire seaside town of Lytham St Annes, and planned to walk along the coast to colourful, brash Blackpool.

I took this trip on a beautiful autumn day in 2023, but the route was reversed.

Did going from south to north make all the difference? KEEP READING BELOW

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When I arrived at Lytham, I headed straight for the promenade where the tide was far out and sandscape glistening in the sun.

The curve of Granny’s Bay was full of people enjoying the warmth and dog walkers enjoying the sea’s absence.

I did the same at St Annes Beach, wandering far out on the golden sands, beyond the resort’s perfect row of bathing huts. Visiting the stranded pier and its famous old remnants had to be done.

St Annes Pier in Lancashire taken with the tide very far out.

St Annes Pier surrounded by sand not sea

The genteel coast eventually gives way to the bold bulk of Blackpool. Unlike last year, the tide was sloshing against the Brutalist coastal defences so there would be no walk along the beach this time.

I enjoyed peering up at the concrete monuments and huge mirrorball of the New South Promenade with a perfect view of famed rollercoaster The Big One – and the resort’s iconic tower.

So this time I finished my walk among the hum and buildings of Blackpool, unlike the relative calm of Lytham’s coast. As for the photographs, I was blessed with another year of stellar skies and finding relative minimalism by the sea. 

This is a coastal escape from the hustle and bustle of inland Manchester, no matter which way you walk.

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Fuerteventura: Costa Calma

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My recent island travels have taken me to São Tomé e Príncipe and Cape Verde, which were all about exploration.

This time I visited Fuerteventura in Spain’s Canary Islands, where the emphasis is on sun, sand and relaxation.

I stayed at Costa Calma in the south-east of the island, settling down to days of hotel buffet meals, lounging around and sunset wanders.

But there was photography too, capturing the essence of this popular destination.

Would you like to kick back and take it easy here?

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Fuerteventura: Island architecture

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I recently went on a good old-fashioned beach holiday to the Spanish island of Fuerteventura.

It’s a destination blessed with a sunny climate, beautiful beaches and has relaxation at its heart.

But on Fuerteventura’s Costa Calma, especially popular with German holidaymakers, I became fascinated with the resort’s architecture.

Could your attention be turned away from the beach? CONTINUE READING BELOW

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I stayed at the SBH Crystal Beach Hotel, a large confection of concrete and marble made for hundreds of holidaymakers.

It was a layer cake of whitewashed tiers, confusing to navigate, but boasted a beautiful view over the long beach.

The coast has been developed over the years with several large hotels and a little resort town, packed with white and pastel buildings guarded by sturdy desert plants.

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The neighbouring Taro Hotel took the prize for architectural exuberance, topped with peaked concrete slabs like southern Fuerteventura’s rugged mountains.

Down on the beach, the bright yellow lifeguard pods became something of an architectural obsession in their own right.

This little getaway reminded me of family holidays to Spain in the 1970s and 80s, when the big hotel was king and you didn’t have to go far.

The beautiful skies, stark lines and rich colours were a joy to photograph – it wasn’t all snoozing and swimming on this sunshine break!

Has your simple beach holiday turned into an architectural joy? Let me know :)

Netherlands: A day on the beach

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My break in the Dutch city of Rotterdam turned into a sun-soaked summer day on the beach.

The city’s metro system extends to Hoek Van Holland Strand, with a new station practically metres from the sea.

This was my first seaside experience in the Netherlands – so how was it? CONTINUES BELOW

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I see a lot of the Irish Sea living in north-west England, so it was good to return to the North Sea coast which was familiar to me growing up in Essex.

Here in the Netherlands there are miles of soft golden sands and blue seas under stellar skies if the weather favours you.

But look in one direction and the industrial heft of Hoek Van Holland port is impossible to ignore. Simply point yourself northwards and forget it’s there.

The seaside is dotted with beach huts and a wealth of relaxed places to eat and drink, creating a Mediterranean vibe.

A scene of visitors to the sands of Hoek Van Holland Strand in the Netherlands.

Dutch beachgoers enjoying a seaside trip

There’s also a naaktstrand (nudist beach) on full display and not furtively hidden away in the dunes.

Sorry! My British sensibilities caused me to surreptitiously glance and snigger in equal measure. I didn’t remove my clothes but respectfully put away my camera as I walked briskly through the naturist zone.

It was a busy Monday on the sunny Dutch beach, similar to the UK but minus our amusement arcades and piers. It felt a little classier and well organised.

It’s just 40 minutes away from the glorious city of Rotterdam – more of that to come soon!

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