Netherlands: A day on the beach

July 7, 2024July 7, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

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!

Montenegro: Rugged and wild

June 9, 2024June 9, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

Do you find it difficult to relax on a sunbed for an entire week?

When I stayed in the charming Montenegrin town of Perast, I was eager to travel instead of taking it easy.

So I booked a day trip with 360 Monte to visit the north of Montenegro and see some stunning landscapes. CONTINUE READING BELOW

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I was picked up early in the morning to join a small multi-national group also keen to see the north of Montenegro, a contrast to the sunshine resorts of Kotor Bay and the Adriatic coast.

The first delight was climbing high above Perast for stunning views of the water below and soaring mountains bathed in beautiful morning light.

A view over Kotor Bay in Montenegro as dusk settles.

A view of Kotor Bay at the end of the day

The journey north was at times slow and on winding, lofty roads. Here are the highlights of north Montenegro that I saw:

Ostrog Monastery – A religious compound cradled in the mountains, dedicated to Saint Basil who is buried there. It’s a place of Orthodox devotion where his relics are kept in a tiny chapel. This was like entering another world far removed from my own.

Black Lake – Its waters are blue and fringed by pine forests and mountains in Durmitor National Park. A really impressive slice of nature.

Tara Canyon – The dazzlingly blue waters of the Tara River pass through this deep gorge. For engineering lovers there’s the vast Tara Bridge to cross. I decided against riding a zip wire over the gorge.

Salt Lake – An artificial body of water dotted with little islands near the city of Niksic. The lake looks steely blue if the skies are clear.

This was a long day on the road and there was one last treat on the way back to Perast – another view across Kotor Bay as a golden dusk was bedding in.

For a small country, Montenegro has more than its fair share of natural beauty, well worth seeing if you can tear yourself away from your sun lounger.

São Tomé snapshots

March 31, 2024April 16, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

The small, little-known African island nation of São Tomé e Príncipe is a place worth visiting.

My smartphone came along for the ride with my camera and played its part too, even though I’ve been reluctant to make use of its photo-taking abilities.

These portrait format phone snaps are less disciplined and capture some little instant details – and the occasional selfie.

Visit my São Tomé and Príncipe pages to find out more about these warm, engaging islands. Any travel questions? Feel free to leave a comment below.

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Príncipe: African island gem

March 3, 2024April 16, 2024 / mikeosbornphoto / Leave a comment

“I’m going to São Tomé e Príncipe.”

“Where on Earth is that? I’ve never heard of it.”

That was the reaction of all my friends when I told them about my travel plans. I’d picked an obscure holiday destination for the average Brit.

In a nutshell, São Tomé e Príncipe is a small African island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea. The country gained its independence in 1975 after centuries under Portuguese rule.

After a hop from Manchester to Lisbon, it was a six-and-a-half hour flight to the warm equatorial climes of São Tomé, the main island.

So what does this largely unheralded country have to offer? First stop is Príncipe, the much smaller partner with a fraction of the population. CONTINUE READING BELOW

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Príncipe is a 40-minute flight in a small passenger plane from São Tomé – or a 14-hour ferry crossing if you’re feeling adventurous or reckless.

The tiny airport is a testament to the island’s remoteness and seclusion, while the good quality road doesn’t last for too long. There’s an abundance of greenery everywhere on this lush, equatorial speck of land.

My home on Príncipe was Roça Sundy, once a plantation owner’s home turned into a small hotel filled with colonial features. Dinner is served on the rear verandah and ceiling fans gently whir throughout. A sumptuous bolthole which I fell in love with.

The front entrance of Roça Sundy, a former plantation house turned into a hotel.

Roça Sundy. My large, lofty room was to the left of the entrance.

The house is surrounded by old cocoa plantation buildings which have fallen into disrepair. Just a small operation now gathers the raw materials and makes them into high quality chocolate, which tastes out of this world.

It was time to explore Príncipe along with a Roça Sundy guide and driver. Essential stops included the view over Praia Banana, a perfect Desert Island Discs beach framed by turquoise waters and dense forest.

Up in the hills overlooking the Atlantic is another sumptuous plantation property called Belo Monte, exuding luxury for those who make the long journey here.

A trip to Santo Antonio, the island’s only city – more of a sleepy, slightly larger village – was a highlight, with its decaying colonial architecture, zany pastel paintwork and languid inhabitants.

The northern half of Prìncipe is where most people live. The southern half is ruggedly mountainous and was declared a Biosphere Reserve a decade ago. The best way to view this spectacular volcanic landscape is by boat in the Bay of Needles, a coastal area studded by pristine little beaches.

Was it worth the long journey to see this little-known territory? Absolutely and I’d recommend it to anyone looking to break with the usual holiday destinations.

Next time: A trip around São Tomé’s main island. Bigger, bolder and busier than little Príncipe with much more to discover from this small nation.

Southport: A day of two halves

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023 / mikeosbornphoto / 2 Comments

Here in the UK, if the weather forecast for the next day is good, you make plans.

On this particular occasion I decided to travel from Manchester to the seaside resort of Southport for some sunshine.

It looked like the forecasters had got it wrong. Heavy clouds and the threat of rain made the Mersey coastal town look dramatic rather than calm.

But a fish and chip lunch later, the clouds shifted to make way for beautiful blue skies and had me scurrying back to Southport’s expansive beach and lengthy pier. There’s always hope even in the north of England!