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Category Archives: Beaches

Best beaches in the UK

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Despite all its lousy weather and rain, Britain still has some of the greatest beaches in the world. After all, millions and millions of years ago, Britain was once a tropical paradise and those yellow sands and crystal clear waters still exist.

Ok maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but theres still plenty to do from sailing to fishing to crab catching. Heres a list of Britain's most charming beaches.

Porthcurno Beach,Cornwall

One of the most stunning beaches in the UK is without a doubt Porthcurno. Spread out on the Atlantic coast of the most westerly bit of Cornwall, Porthcurno is famous for its secluded beach, stunning cliffs, beautiful white sea shell sand and translucent water. Not far is the Parish of St Levan and Land's End, Britain's most westernly point, where you can find everything that meets your fancy from pubs and restaurants to beautiful cottages and b&bs.

Lundy Island

Located between England and Wales, this is the largest island in the Bristol Channel and is voted one of the top ten British wonders. The population makes up a massive 28 people and there is hardly anything on the island but a pub, a shop and a few darn good beaches.. It's very popular with climbers and there are plenty of good crags on the cliffs with a few bolted routes but mostly trad. Scrambles are quite long and steep so good shoes are of upmost importance.

The Gower Peninsula, Wales

A big open space with lots of beautiful rocks, the Gower has brilliant surf, historic landmarks, caves, dramatic cliff tops, treks, panoramic views and stunning unspoiled beaches. Pretty bloody good! The campsites are cheap and a must during the summer. Very popular with surfers and climbers.

Bridlington North, east coast of Yorkshire

This stunning shingle beach lies just north of beautiful Hull. Its perfect for sailing, relaxing and taking in the stunning Flamborough chalk cliffs. There are plenty of B&Bs, camp sites and even farms where you can stay and get some work.

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Best beaches in the UK

Northern Ireland has Britain's most littered beaches

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LONDON, May 14 (UPI) -- Scotland has more plastic bottles on its beaches than anywhere else in Britain, while Northern Ireland has the most general litter, an environmental group says.

The Marine Conservation Society held its annual Beachwatch Big Weekend with volunteers picking litter off the sand from Lands End in Cornwall to John O'Groats in Scotland, The Scotsman reported. The group said Scottish beaches had an average of 110 plastic bottles per kilometer compared with an average of 75 for all of Britain.

In Northern Ireland, volunteers picked up an average of 8,224 pieces of litter on every kilometer of beach.

Around Britain, the number of cigarette filters doubled from last year, the society said. Other smoking-related litter that increased included empty cigarette packs and discarded lighters.

"As we continue to embrace the concept of a throwaway society, it's no surprise that plastic dominates the litter we find," said Anne Saunders, the society's Scottish projects manager. "Last year, we saw an encouraging drop in sewage-related debris on Scottish beaches -- that's the stuff people shouldn't put down their loos but do, like sanitary towels, nappies and condoms. But this year's figures show that has risen again, which is very disappointing."

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Northern Ireland has Britain's most littered beaches

Fewer beaches win blue flag status

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15 May 2013 Last updated at 06:25 ET

Nearly a quarter of blue flag beaches in Wales have lost their status after a wet 2012 affected water quality.

Thirty three, instead of 43, beaches have won the international award, alongside five marinas.

This year judging has used stricter criteria for water quality meaning some beaches around Wales could not apply.

The very wet 2012 meant more bacteria has been found, but the overall standard of Welsh beaches remains high, says Natural Resources Wales.

The blue flag award is issued by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), which rates beaches on categories including safety, facilities, and environmental management, as well as water quality

More stringent revised European bathing water standards were applied for the first time meaning beaches had to reach a level almost twice as strict as before.

Emyr Roberts, chief executive of Natural Resources Wales, said: "We all know that the record rainfall has an impact on water quality last year, but what is encouraging is that despite this and the higher standards introduced, 90% of beaches are projected to be classed as good and 68% as excellent in 2015."

Wednesday also marks the start of the bathing water season during which teams from Natural Resources Wales will collect 2,000 samples over the season from 100 designated beaches.

"As a result of the work we are doing to improve water quality and hopefully, with better weather this summer, more people will have an opportunity to enjoy the clean water and fantastic beaches we have in Wales," said Mr Roberts.

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Fewer beaches win blue flag status

Pepperidge Farm Employees Get Norwalk Beaches Ready for Busy Summer Season

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NORWALK, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

In keeping with one of its company values, teamwork with a spirit of genuine caring, Pepperidge Farm, Inc. today held its seventh all-employee service day for Headquarters employees. More than 200 employees donated their time by gardening, painting and picking up litter in time for Memorial Day weekend.

As with many beaches along the shores of Connecticut, Calf Pasture Beach was severely damaged by Hurricane Sandy last fall and getting the resources to fix it in time for the summer season was challenging, said Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia. And then our community partner, Pepperidge Farm, stepped up to help as they always do. We can always rely on them to assist the City of Norwalk whenever it needs it the most.

A healthy community requires a good working relationship and collaboration from all parties including the business sector, City Hall, non-profits and the community. Pepperidge Farm is committed to doing its part to strengthen and improve Norwalk, said Ruthann Walsh, Pepperidge Farm Director, Corporate Citizenship. In this particular case, we came out today with two goals in mind: to beautify the beach for Norwalk residents and to be sure the beach was cleaned up and safe for the hundreds of children who will enjoy it over the summer months. With the national obesity rates at epidemic proportions, it is critical that todays children get plenty of exercise and there is no better place to get that than at the beach! Some of the supplies used in todays cleanup were donated by The Home Depot of Norwalk.

Past Pepperidge Farm all-employee service days have included painting, refinishing furniture and re stocking pantry shelves at Norwalks food pantry, renovating the camp at the Carver Foundation of Norwalk and building edible gardens at Norwalks public schools. In addition, Pepperidge Farm has donated time and money to the community of Norwalk through various programs such as the Kids Back Pack program, participating in building a new playground in South Norwalk and supporting Project LEAN, in its third year at Jefferson Science Magnet School. This pilot program is an initiative Pepperidge Farm is co-leading with the Norwalk Health Department, the Norwalk Hospital and Jefferson School to reduce the rate of childhood obesity.

Pepperidge Farms contribution to the Norwalk Community has been recognized by awards from the Human Services Council, the CT Food Bank, The Carver Foundation of Norwalk, and induction into the Chairmans Circle of the United Way of Coastal Fairfield County.

About Pepperidge Farm

Pepperidge Farm, Incorporated, based in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a leading provider of premium quality fresh bakery products, cookies, crackers, and frozen foods. Among the companys most popular products are Sausalito and Milano cookies, Goldfish and Baked Naturals crackers, frozen Puff Pastry, frozen garlic loaves and Texas toasts, and more than 50 varieties of fresh baked breads including Pepperidge Farm Swirl, Farmhouse and Whole Grain. The company added Ecce Panis gourmet artisan breads to its portfolio in 2009. Pepperidge Farm was founded in Connecticut in 1937 by Margaret Rudkin, an entrepreneurial homemaker who began baking fresh, all-natural bread for her allergy-afflicted son. The company is now a nationwide business with 9 manufacturing facilities and almost 5,000 employees. Pepperidge Farm has been part of Campbell Soup Company since 1961.

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Pepperidge Farm Employees Get Norwalk Beaches Ready for Busy Summer Season

Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beaches in El Nido Palawan

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Asia, Best Beach, Ecotourism, Nature Trip, Philippines By melo on May 14, 2013 5:33 am

It was during our trip to Puerto Princesa when I decided to plan a trip to El Nido to visit other places I havent explored in my past El Nido trips. Prior to visiting Puerto Princesa, I already had my ticket re-booked to a later date even if Im still undecided where to go next.

Fishing Boats

The growing popularity of Twin Beaches of Nacpan and Calitang led me to take a decision to go back to El Nido and visit the long white sand beaches situated in a rare zone in Bucana Village, El Nido, Palawan.

Calitang Beach

It was cloudy when i arrived in Nacpan Beach but despite of the humidity, seeing the pristine beach is really rewarding. Its probably one of the best beaches Ive seen in the entire archipelago. The brilliant blue waters are so inviting and the place reminds me of Boracay without the crowd, annoying beach vendors and concrete buildings.

Kylas Cochina

As I walk towards the Hill, I passed by a small sari-sari store to buy water. I had an almost an hour of conversation with some of the locals which made me realize how nice it is to live in that village. Fresh seafoods, clean air and friendly people I just wish theres a decent internet connection.

Nacpan Beach

These beaches are specifically referred to as the Twin beaches because of the fact that it partly carries a lengthy shore line mutually taken up by two bordering sitios, namely, Nacpan and Calitang. The birds eye view of these twin beaches offers a breathtaking sight which made it one of the most picturesque beaches in El Nido if not the entire Palawan.

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Nacpan and Calitang Twin Beaches in El Nido Palawan

A guide to Mexico’s beautiful beaches

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Quintana Roo in Cancun. (Photo: jthetzel / Flickr)

On Mexicos beaches, Ive been sporty, social, or had my solitude. Ive had the friendliest service in the world, the best housemade guacamole, and left with killer suntans. Beach vacations dont get much better than this.

Cancun

(Photo: jthetzel / Flickr)It was my firstand everyone elsesbrush with Mexico and I keep going back. Thats because it simply boasts the gold standard of beaches. Powder-white sand is such a clich and almost never true. But its accurate here. Even more gorgeous is the water, so pale and iridescent, with such a flawlessly sandy bottom that the patterns the light makes on the surface evoke the kind of swimming pools that Hockney painted.

I stayed at Live Aqua Cancun when it was just called Aqua, before Hurricane Wilma wrecked it; and I stayed there after the extensive rehabilitation (its now all-adult and all-inclusive). If the beachfront location werent enough, the place has one of the choicest pool gardens in the world, with eight pools of different temperatures and types: round, infinity, wadingand one is elevated so you can fall from it, into the pool below. Did I mention the oceanfront cabanas with the sun beds that are suspended from the ceiling and gently sway with the breeze? I have now.

Cabo San Lucas

I lived in Southern California for years, and Cabo was the go-to place for Angelenos who cant bear the 70 degree winters at home. Its around a two-hour flight (movie trivia: in Tarantinos film Jackie Brown, the L.A.-based heroine works as a flight attendant for the fictional Cabo Air). Among Cabos swimmable beaches, the most famous is Lovers Beachits the one with the rocky arch that launched a million postcards. This beauty can be reached by boat or via a hike from Solmar Beach. The One&Only Palmilla resort is among the areas most luxurious: it features Jack Nicklaus first Latin American golf course, a renowned 13-treatment room spa, and a safe-to-swim beach.

Costa Maya

Remote and unspoiled, Costa Maya probably only exists in its current form because of its proximity to a cruise ship terminal. Its located on the Yucatan Peninsula near the Belizean border, but its a full 200 miles from the Cancun Airport. The only reason I even learned about it is because I was the editor of a magazine for Holland America and I visited the port on a Caribbean cruise. I was glad I did. Some staffers from the ship suggested I check out the main town, Mahahual, which turned into a barefoot beach paradise during its rebuilding after Hurricane Dean hit in 2007. The towns malecon (promenade) is flanked on one side by spiffy boutique hotels and bars to get your Dos Equis on, and a beach dotted with thatched-roof palapas on the other. The Nacional Beach Club & Bungalows, overseen by hosts/owners Evan and Anna, serve up great hospitalityand quesadillas.

Zihuatanejo

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A guide to Mexico’s beautiful beaches

Summer Guide 2013: Beaches

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Explore the coral beaches and white-sand shores of Connemara in Ireland on a new sea-kayaking adventure. The guided ocean trek is based on the tales of Granuaile, a 16th-century Gaelic pirate queen. It traces her route along the Atlantic coast from Connemara to Achill Island, staying at waterfront B&Bs along the way. The price is 1,250 (1,058)pp, based on two sharing, with Wilderness Ireland (01479 420020; wildernessireland.com), including six nights' B&B, some meals, equipment hire and the services of a guide. Travel to Connemara costs extra. Departs 1 June and 7 September.

Imagine lying back on a sunlounger and losing yourself in a good book without fear of being disturbed by screaming children, mobile-phone conversations or music blaring out of the nearest beach bar. Now the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay (00 90 252 3110303; kempinski.com/bodrum), near Bodrum in Turkey, has turned that fancy into a reality: an adult-only "silent beach" on a strip of sand at its resort on the Aegean. ITC Classics (01244 355550; itcclassics.co.uk) offers a week from 1,059pp, based on two sharing, including return flights with easyJet from Stansted or Gatwick to Bodrum, transfers and B&B.

Pack your bucket and spade and head for the beach at Westward Ho! on the Devon coast this summer with a break at Nirvana, a new apartment sleeping four on the edge of this vast stretch of sands. When you're not out on the beach, admire it from this vantage point the open-plan living room offers sea views through its wall of windows and there are two balconies on which to take in the salty air. From 656 to 990 for a week in summer through Marsdens Cottage Holidays (01271 813777; marsdens.co.uk).

INSIDER TIP

James Daley, money expert at Which? (which.co.uk)

"If you're flying abroad this summer, one of the best ways to get a great rate on foreign currency is to order online with a provider that has a bureau at your departure airport. The rate is better in advance and it's more convenient to collect your money at the airport."

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Summer Guide 2013: Beaches


  1. Beaches