Summer's just around the corner and you're still not sure where to go on vacation? No need to panic. Here's our selection of low-cost summer destinations to help you make the right choice.
Where to go this summer to bask in the sun?
Let yourself be tempted bySardiniaand its magnificent coastline! The dolce vita is guaranteed. Once you've seen Sardinia's beaches, you'll find it hard to go anywhere else. They're beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Apart from the often crowded beaches of the north coast in summer, you'll be able to enjoy quiet beaches most of the time. From the magical turquoise coves of the Golfo di Orosei to the ultra-fine white sands of most of the island's southern beaches, Sardinia's coastline easily rivals the most beautiful Caribbean islands. As for prices, they're very reasonable compared to neighboring Corsica, even in the height of summer.
Just 3 hours 20 minutes by air from Paris and bordered by its four seas, TurkeyTurkeyis a delight for lovers of fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters. And also for those who want sunshine at low prices, as accommodation rates are particularly competitive in Turkey, even during the summer season. Another plus for Turkey: the beaches have particularly pure water. The country boasts 444 "Blue Flag" beaches, an international label attesting to the environmental quality of beaches.
For diving enthusiasts: in Alanya, since April 2017, Turkey's first tourist submarine, the Nemo Primero, allows tourists to explore the underwater beauties of this region of Antalya. An unusual outing to be enjoyed between two sunbathing sessions!
For low-cost vacations too, head for Catalonia and its famous Costa Blanca! From Dénia to Torrevieja, the Costa Blanca's 200 kilometers of coastline offer a wide range of activities. Long sandy beaches alternate with small coves. All bordered by every shade of blue. You'll also find many urban beaches, with everything you need for idleness, and wilder ones like the beaches of Elche, set between dunes and pine forests.
Where to go this summer to enjoy splendid nature?
Head for the Atlantic and the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores! Just a few hours' flight from Paris, in the middle of the Atlantic, you're in a little piece of Europe that's perfect for nature lovers and hikers. These volcanic islands offer fascinating landscapes. The Ponta do Pico, Portugal's highest point at 2,351 meters, is a fine climb and offers breathtaking panoramic views. On the island of São Miguel, the fumaroles of Lake Furnas and the crater lakes of Fogo and Sete Cidades are natural wonders. On the island of Faial, you can walk on the Capelinhos volcano, which came into being... in 1958!
Another major advantage of the Azores is their low prices, barely higher than those you'll find in mainland Portugal.
Just 4h30 from Paris by TGV Lyria, you can easily travel toSwitzerland to the pretty city of Berne for a change of scenery. The must-do summer activity in Berne is swimming in the city's river, the Aare. It's not a classic swim, but a real trip down the river. As hundreds of Bernese people do every summer, all you have to do is let yourself be carried down the river by the current. The water is pure and impressively deep blue, and the temperature just cool enough to recover from the summer heat. As you float downstream, you'll discover the old town of Bern, founded in the 12th century and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A unique experience.
Where to go this summer for a cultural bath?
After your swim in Bern's Aare River, it's time to take a stroll through the city!
Then it's time for a family outing to the exhibition devoted to Barry, the star of the St. Bernards, the endearing mountain dogs that have been saving lives for decades. Two hundred years ago, the most famous of these rescue dogs died: Barry. The exhibition looks back at the heroic deeds of this legendary dog, as well as those of St. Bernards in general.
Summer is also a good time to visit England, where prices remain reasonable despite the summer season, and where the good weather is finally here!
Where to party this summer?
Just a few hours' drive from Paris, inBelgiumthe Tomorrowland festival will be held, as it is every summer. It takes place in Boom from July 15 to 31. It's one of the world's biggest electronic music festivals. Tomorrowland is so popular that every year, fans snap up tickets and packages as soon as they go on sale. So don't delay in reserving your tickets! This year, for the first time ever, the festival will extend over two weekends for even more fun.
If you're a fan of alternative music, we recommend a trip to the green Austrian town of Feldkirch, in the heart of Vorarlberg in the far west of the country. This is where the Poolbar, an eclectic pop festival held in a disused swimming pool in the middle of the mountains, has been held every summer for over twenty years.
In terms of music, the Poolbar program ranges from indie pop and metal to hip-hop and folk, alternating every year between headliners and up-and-coming talents. All in all, it's a great way to party and enjoy Austria's beautiful countryside. And don't worry, accommodation is affordable!
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