I don’t know about you, but for me a beach vacation conjures up images of the Beach Boy’s mythical Kokomo. “Bodies in the sand, Tropical drink melting in your hand…” Sun, sand, the warm tropical breeze, it always sounds perfect for me until I get there. And then, within 48 hours of sunning, sanding and reading on the beach – I am itching to do more than just relax. Blame it on the itchy traveler’s wanderlust that lingers in my heart.
Although we live near the beach, our family always seems to want to go to the beach for vacation. It’s ironic really. This Christmas we’re looking to take another multi-generational beach excursion so I’ve been scouring my brain for places that offer more than just sand, surf and tropical drinks. Here are my top three picks:
Florida. Ok, so our family is based in Florida, but there is A LOT more do to here than relax on the beach. From the history of places like St. Augustine and the Ford Estate to shelling on the islands of Sanibel or diving in the Keys before visiting the old stomping ground of Ernest Hemingway, there is something to keep everyone busy beyond the white sands and beach chair.
Egypt. Egypt is high on my list of places to return to. Beach resorts along the Red Sea are popular with families, couples and those looking for undersea adventures, but inland the Sinai Peninsula is not something to be missed. From hiking Mt. Sinai to desert adventures on a camel with the Bedoin, to the Colored Canyon and National Park of Ras Abu Galoum Egypt’s Sinai has more than just incredible diving and beaches.
Turkey. The blue coast of Turkey is undeniably gorgeous and it seems to invite you to a vacation of beach lounging and sun bathing, but the area is literally an adventurers paradise. From the amazing ruins if Ephesus to the cloud like pools in Pamukkale, or hiking along the ancient Lycean way to the village of Olympos to visit the chimera, the area is steeped in mythological history.
Let’s hope I can be persuasive enough that this year we’ll be celebrating the winter holidays in a place that has much more than just a beach!
I’m a big Florida fan!
So are we, although living here we don’t take advantage of the beach as often as we should!
I would absolutely love to go to Turkey! Pamukkale looks gorgeous, and I can’t stop thinking about riding a hot air balloon in Cappadocia! Hopefully going next year!! 🙂
@Jessica- We didn’t do a hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia, but we did get up early one morning to see them lift off – it was beautiful watching all the balloons floating at dawn.
I’ve been to Egypt and It was a great country to explore. Miss pyramids a lot, but there were way too many tourists in Cairo :S. I love being at the beach but no longer than 2 days then I feel like doing some activities and sport 🙂
@Agness – Cairo is really touristy, it’s amazing how few people get beyond Cairo, even to Luxor and Aswan!