20 of the best bargain beach holidays for 2013 in The Guardian, Friday 4 January 2013 12.45 GMT Santa Maria island, The Azores Crowds aren’t an issue on this speck in the eastern Azores – its mid-Atlantic location sees to that. What they miss out on is wild, wooded landscapes, nature reserves, famously good custard tarts and one of the best – and few white-sand – beaches in the archipelago, Praia Formosa. It’s also home to the smart new Hostel Azores in the island’s 15th-century capital, Vila do Porto. After days of arduous beach-hopping, return to lie by the pool here or hang out in the bar. • Doubles from €31.50, dorm beds €11.50 (+351 296 883 592, bit.ly/12G28gR), including breakfast. Flights from Heathrow to Ponta Delgada (on the island of São Miguel) via Lisbon cost about £300 with TAP. Sata flies from Ponta Delgada to Santa Maria island from €94 return. Further information: visitazores Costa Vicentina, Portugal Zambujeira beach, Portugal Zambujeira beach. Photograph: Alamy With a new 150-mile-long path, the Rota Vicentina (rotavicentina), opening in April, Portugal’s neglected Alentejo coastline (see feature on opposite page) will attract attention this year. Inntravel has just added four of the region’s new self-catering cottage apartments to its books. Right by the beach near Zambujeira, the apartments are in the grounds of a hotel, so if you don’t fancy cooking after a day exploring the coast (walking maps are included and bikes can be borrowed), you can book dinner in its restaurant. Guests can also use the hotel pool. • From £294pp B&B for a week in a two-bedroom cottage, including car hire (01653 617004, inntravel.co.uk). Fly to Faro or Lisbon with easyJet. More information: casasbrancas.pt Casas Na Areia, Portugal If you’re craving a tropical beach but can’t venture beyond Europe, these thatched beach cabins are a good compromise. An hour’s drive south of Lisbon, and an easy bike ride from pristine Comporta beach (four bikes are included in the rental rates), this development mixes hi-spec modernist architecture (design by Manuel Aires Mateus, state-of-the-art sound system, high-speed internet and sleek dipping pool) and rustic luxury (the dining and living rooms are open-sided and sand-floored). Dine on fresh seafood from the fishing hamlet of Carrasqueira, explore the 1,200-acre private nature reserve and pine forest, or sit and watch flamingos as the sun sets over nearby salt pans. The owners also offer horseback treks on Comporta beach and the Sado estuary nature reserve. • From €500 a night B&B, for up to eight guests (+351 934 418316, casasnaareia). EasyJet flies to Lisbon from five UK airports
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 09:36:02 +0000
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