Bucket & Spade / Rail Holiday Recommendations

[stuartmoss]

Hi All,

It's that time of year again when I'm being pressured into choosing a holiday for Easter. The wife and kids fancy The Canaries, but I think I'll find it boring where there is no rail. I'm not a sunbather, and I like to take myself off and explore for a couple of hours each day while they tan.

I'm looking for somewhere coastal, nice beaches, railway station within walking distance of main resort, Mediterranean Europe - hopefully warm enough by mid April too.

We've done the whole of the Costa Brava, Costa Del Sol, Costa Dorada, Villefranche & Riviera, Adaccio, Toulouse, Civitavecchia, Alicante and some more besides.

We (as a family) have never been to Portugal, Costa Almeria, mainland Greece, Croatia and Sardinia - so these would prove to be interesting from my point of view and good for them if there is a beach. But can anyone make any recommendations based upon their experiences?

Thanks!

 

[WestCoast]

I'd recommend Tunisia for 'beach and rail', the weather will probably be as good as in The Canaries and it's quite a bit cheaper (no euros!).

I have stayed near Sousse and Port El Kantaoui and took the train from Sousse to Hammamet and Monastir (different directions).

Tunisia is very popular among the French, Swiss and Italians, it has very well developed tourist facilites (hotels near beaches) alongside authentic towns with souks and medinas. Thomson, Thomas Cook and Cosmos e.t.c all offer it.

The rail fares are rather cheap (certainly lower than Spain, Portugal or Greece).

Rail Company - www.sncft.com.tn
Rail Wiki (more useful) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_Railways
Tourist Board - www.cometotunisia.co.uk

The flight is only 45 minutes or so longer than Southern Spain - about 3 hours 30 mins which is less than the Canaries.

If you have any questions do ask. Half of my family works in the travel industry so I can ask them what they recommend too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oh, I like the Canaries too by the way. The largest island, Tenerife, is my favourite, it has a great bus network and you can escape to the National Park (where the Teide Volcano is), Santa Cruz (the Capital) and the lusciously green North of the Island.

I had a fascinating tour in the northern town of Icod de los Vinos (where the 'oldest tree in the world is') - it involved being taken down into lava caves, which was fascinating. Plus, the village in Masca (voted one of the most beautiful in the world) was a great highlight. You just buy the 'bonus card' for discounted bus/tram travel - but sadly there are only buses and a tram in the capital.

 

[stuartmoss]

I'd recommend Tunisia for 'beach and rail', the weather will probably be as good as in The Canaries and it's quite a bit cheaper (no euros!).

I have stayed near Sousse and Port El Kantaoui and took the train from Sousse to Hammamet and Monastir (different directions).

Tunisia is very popular among the French, Swiss and Italians, it has very well developed tourist facilites (hotels near beaches) alongside authentic towns with souks and medinas. Thomson, Thomas Cook and Cosmos e.t.c all offer it.

The rail fares are rather cheap (certainly lower than Spain, Portugal or Greece).

Rail Company - www.sncft.com.tn
Rail Wiki (more useful) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunisian_Railways
Tourist Board - www.cometotunisia.co.uk

The flight is only 45 minutes or so longer than Southern Spain - about 3 hours 30 mins which is less than the Canaries.

If you have any questions do ask. Half of my family works in the travel industry so I can ask them what they recommend too.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oh, I like the Canaries too by the way. The largest island, Tenerife, is my favourite, it has a great bus network and you can escape to the National Park (where the Teide Volcano is), Santa Cruz (the Capital) and the lusciously green North of the Island.

I had a fascinating tour in the northern town of Icod de los Vinos (where the 'oldest tree in the world is') - it involved being taken down into lava caves, which was fascinating. Plus, the village in Masca (voted one of the most beautiful in the world) was a great highlight. You just buy the 'bonus card' for discounted bus/tram travel - but sadly there are only buses and a tram in the capital.

That's helpful - thanks, I'd never even considered Tunisia, I guess with the recent political upheavals I had mentally ruled it out as a destination. I'll have a look further into it. Obviously I want to be 100% happy in terms of security if I'm taking the family.

 

[WestCoast]

That's helpful - thanks, I'd never even considered Tunisia, I guess with the recent political upheavals I had mentally ruled it out as a destination. I'll have a look further into it. Obviously I want to be 100% happy in terms of security if I'm taking the family.

It's much more stable than Egypt at the moment IMHO, the first proper democratic elections went smoothly. Nevertheless there are some measures in force and you may want to read this, http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and...e-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/tunisia - compare it to other countries though, even EU countries have a fair few warnings!

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Another suggestion - take a look at the resorts surrounding the ancient Turkish city of Izmir. Lovely beaches and a bustling city of 3 million with a rail link and a metro! Regular flights/packages are available to the area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izmir

 

[stuartmoss]

Another suggestion - take a look at the resorts surrounding the ancient Turkish city of Izmir. Lovely beaches and a bustling city of 3 million with a rail link and a metro! Regular flights/packages are available to the area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izmir

Now Izmir looks very interesting - thanks for sharing that one!

 

[Clip]

Croatia is beautiful - I love the place - but the railway is pretty much non-existant overall and the beaches are not erm, very sandy

But go just for the beauty of it - Petrecane in the north is beautiful along with surrounding islands

 

[stuartmoss]

Croatia is beautiful - I love the place - but the railway is pretty much non-existant overall and the beaches are not erm, very sandy

But go just for the beauty of it - Petrecane in the north is beautiful along with surrounding islands

Without sandy beaches it sounds like the kind of place for the Mrs and me but not the family holiday with the kids. Thanks for the tip though.

 

[Bald Rick]

Sardinia has the best beaches I have ever seen, better than Carribean, Gt Barrier reef, Indian ocean and so on. A bit thin on the train front although there are a few.

Alternatively France? either Atlantic coast La Rochelle southwards or Cote d'Azur.