Holiday Along a Coastline
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At first mention, the word ‘coastline’ might not inspire the excitement that people crave in a truly great holiday – that quickening of the pulse, I-can’t-wait-until-I’m-there giddiness that only comes after destination daydreaming for weeks. Put up against exotic beaches and frozen landscapes, a trip to a coastline might seem, well…boring. And then there’s the question of what to do when you get there – stare out across the water looking fearfully at the cliff only centimeters from your toes? Snap a few pictures then scamper back to the safety and comfort of your car? It doesn’t exactly sound like the holiday that you brag to family on the back of postcards. But this narrow approach to a trip along the coastline is all wrong. Delving deeper into this mélange of water and land and looking past its generality might just make you think twice before scoffing at a holiday along the coastline. Too many people make the supreme mistake of assuming that all coastlines are just craggy rocks, sandy beaches and foamy surf – but this way of thinking undermines the dramatic influence that coastlines in creating a country’s scenery. Coastlines cut through some of the most beautiful places in the world, uncovering many other layers of natural beauty. They sculpt and mould the countryside, slicing away at the earth to reveal a fusion of both land and sea. And this fusion creates some of the most beautifully rugged scenery. I love the vivid green mountains rising out of bright blue water in the West Norwegian Fjords and just looking at pictures of the uninhabited Ha Long Bay in the Gulf of Tonkin gives me chills. I love how unpredictable some coastlines can be. The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland is flooded with black basalt columns of all sizes protruding from the sea – sparking legends that giants once used this coastline to trek across the sea to Scotland. Not only are coastlines easy to look at, but they’re perfect for a do-it-yourself holiday. A coastline is a road map permanently carved into the landscape – there are no directions needed when you drive, cycle or backpack your way around a coastline, following a twisting, turning expanse of intermingling water and earth. And there’s not just one destination when you visit a coastline, the journey can stretch and develop for days – or longer – it’s up to you. And when one coastline comes to an end, you can guarantee that another will pop up, ready for exploration. |
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More Scenic Coastlines » Perfect for Exploring...
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West Norwegian FjordsCoastlines in Vestlandet, Norway Situated in south-western Norway, north-east of Bergen, Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord, set 120 km from one another, are part of the west Norwegian fjord landscape, which stretches from Stavanger in the south to Andalsnes, 500 km to the north-east. The two fjords, among the world’s longest and deepest, are considered as archetypical fjord landscapes and among the most scenically outstanding anywhere. Their exceptional natural beauty is derived from their narrow and steep-sided crystalline rock walls that rise up to 1,400 m from the Norwegian Sea and extend 500 m below sea level. The sheer walls of the fjords have numerous waterfalls while free-flowing rivers cross their deciduous and coniferous forests to glacial lakes, glaciers and rugged mountains. The landscape features a range of supporting natural phenomena, both terrestrial and marine, such as submarine moraines and marine mammals.
Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Review by Photo by flickr user Dennis Wright |
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Ha Long BayCoastlines in Ha Long, Vietnam Ha Long Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, includes some 1,600 islands and islets, forming a spectacular seascape of limestone pillars. Because of their precipitous nature, most of the islands are uninhabited and unaffected by a human presence. The site's outstanding scenic beauty is complemented by its great biological interest. Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Review by Photo by flickr user permanently scatterbrained |
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Amalfi CoastCoastlines in Naples, Italy The Amalfi Coast extends from Sorrento to Salerno and includes highlights such as Positano, Ravello, and the Emerald Grotto (a rival to the Blue Grotto on nearby Capri). For the combination of spectacular coastal scenery and culture, the Amalfi Coast is pretty hard to beat.
Review by Photo by mikelyvers |
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Giant's Causeway and Causeway CoastCoastlines in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom The Giant's Causeway lies at the foot of the basalt cliffs along the sea coast on the edge of the Antrim plateau in Northern Ireland. It is made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. The dramatic sight has inspired legends of giants striding over the sea to Scotland. Geological studies of these formations over the last 300 years have greatly contributed to the development of the earth sciences, and show that this striking landscape was caused by volcanic activity during the Tertiary, some 50–60 million years ago. Copyright © UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
Review by Photo by flickr user dfyoung |
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Muri Lagoon and TitikavekaCoastlines in Cook Islands Muri Lagoon is one of the more popular attractions on Rarotonga island. It hosts resorts and restaurants whose guests can take advantage of the great conditions for swimming, kayaking, and windsurfing. During low tide, it's possible to walk to the sandy islet of Koromiri. Titikaveka is located on the quieter south coast of Rarotonga where there are deserted beaches and pristine rainforest.
Review by Photo by oreint pacific |
