France leads the charge again in beautiful bays, as our countdown of these eminent sweeps of water rolls along. Of course, with club headquarters in France, it is not a major surprise that several of the most beautiful bays in the world happen to be there. Coincidence? We think not! Conspiracy? Perhaps.
Whatever the case, the NGO that devotes time and money to protect these illustrious tourist destinations has noble intentions. So the next time you sit on a dock by the bay, take a few minutes to appreciate the view.
Brittany is one of the most spectacular regions of France and we think, hungry for appreciation. Sure, the area gets some love now and then but really, is it up there in our collective consciousness with sunnier confines, rife with olive groves and vineyards? Does it get the attention of Provence, Alsace or the C?te d’Azur? We think not!
High time to change all that, no? After all, the commune of Quiberon is a preeminent resort town in the summer and honestly, just as exquisite a place as one can conjure in a country famous for them. A favourite in France when the annual August break has city dwellers on the hunt for a cool escape, the bay sits on a beautiful peninsula, notable for record sardine hauls. The challenge for the most beautiful bays in the world club is to advocate protection of the bay, special as a precious habitat for marine animal and plant life, and draw safe tourism to the area at the same time. Certainly a common obstacle in many parts of the world, but felt particularly in Quiberon Bay, where the geography stands out as novel in France.
The departments and towns that dot the area around tranquil Somme Bay in France make you want to rent a Citro?n and go on a road trip. To many, the Somme River and tributary regions that span out from the English Channel are indeed the natural symbols of record in France. For romance and lush landscapes, Somme Bay is the place to be. The area has drawn the eye of conservationists in recent years who endeavour to stem the dissipation of miles and miles of precious beachfront around the bay.
These sandy dunes form the bedrock of Somme’s ecology. Life here depends on their guardianship. From the dunes of L’Authie north of the bay to the Brighton dunes to the south, the area is full of preservation zones that serve as hallmarks of tourism here. Valley towns and thick forests surround the bay, with England just across the channel, and form a country altogether distinct and pristine. Recreational options abound around the Somme and the hospitality for tourism is about the best you can find in France. If you want to explore the Somme Bay region properly, give yourself a good week.
The island of Sylt in Germany proves that the conglomeration of beautiful bays is not a mere generic countdown but a revelation of gems. Indeed, the near mystery island on the North Sea contains the most remote collection of towns in Germany and other than the natives, not many people come to visit. The town of Westerland in particular, is a popular seaside outpost with locals and sits on a bay that overlooks the majestic North Sea, a short hop from Denmark.
In fact, towns in Sylt bear more of a resemblance with Scandinavia than with Germany. This is the way of continental Europe and certainly spices up the scenery for tourism purposes. Unfortunately, while Germans flock to Westerland in the summer months to bask in the tiny spa town by the sea, foreigners seldom visit. Inaccessible by car, the predominant method of transportation to get on the island of Sylt is via rail, although ferry and plane are two other options. If a trip to Denmark or Germany is on your schedule, try to reserve some time for Westerland. After all, cute seaside towns are a rarity in Germany.
Check out some of the best hotel deals in Germany before you head there next.
Fed by monsoon rains and lush with mangrove forests, the hyper biodiverse region of exotic Kerala is explosive with life. From the Ghats to the Arabian Sea, Kerala contains a coastal backwater system that is unlike any place on Earth. No mere hyperbole either, as experts clamor around the globe to save the precious ecosystem from extinction.
Much hangs in the balance and depends on the survival of the precious lakes, lagoons and estuary systems of backwater Kerala. Commercial development and overpopulation of the area since the colonial ravages of Portugal several hundred years ago have not been forces for good in Kerala. As a result, the region is under threat. Associations like the NGO of beautiful bays want to reverse the current trend, though the odds look grim, and use ecotourism and other conservation methods to raise the level appreciation for this exquisite and delicate world treasure.
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