Living it up in Liepaja
Proudly bearing the coveted European Blue Flag for the cleanliness of its sand and water (27 different criteria have to be met to qualify), Liepaja’s beach is a great place to stroll at any time of year, but really comes to life in the sunshine when the city can justifiably claim to be Latvia’s summer capital.
The venue for sports tournaments, sand sculptures and musical concerts as well as an excellent spot to top up the suntan, the beach also benefits from being easily accessible from the city and provided with plenty of facilities.
And don’t forget that you’re on the amber coast here, a fact brought home to you by the world’s longest string of amber beads (123 metres of them!) at the nearby House of Craftsmen. So better check that lump beneath your beach towel really is a bucket and spade rather than a priceless chunk of amber!
Sunseeking in Sochi
Sochi made international headlines when it won the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, but don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it shuts up shop in the summer. Sochi made its name as a favourite holiday destination first for Russian royalty and then for Soviet bigwigs, and a certain Josef Stalin enjoyed the mild subtropical climate so much that he built his favourite dacha here. The tradition continues to this day, with a presidential retreat frequently hosting meetings between heads of state.
Sochi also claims to be the longest city in Europe, with most of its 145 kilometres bordered by immaculate sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Black Sea.
In recent years huge amounts of money have poured into Sochi, so there’s no shortage of upmarket restaurants and brand new hotels, all within a few strides of the beach.
Capital of the French Riviera - Nice
 Another city blessed with beaches on its doorstep is Nice, capital of the French Riviera. It’s a fact you’ll notice before you even arrive, as flights swoop low over the Med’s waters as they come in to land. In fact, it’s possible to be on the beach within 20 minutes of landing. Walk out of the airport, turn right and you’re there!
The wide, sweeping coastline between Rauba Capau and the airport contains 15 private beaches owned and maintained by the hotels on the other side of the famous Promenade des Anglais, interspersed by public beaches open to all.
Nice’s beaches have their own particular character, mainly due to the pebbles or ‘galets’ that form them. Think of it as getting a free foot massage rather than being uncomfortable and you’ll soon get used to them. Alternatively, wait for a storm, which occasionally washes sand ashore and transforms the beaches overnight.
Venice’s Dolce Vita
 Most people associate Venice with gondoliers and crumbling palaces rather than beach life, but a quick water taxi ride will take you to the Lido, one of the world’s most famous beaches.
This was the setting for the book and film of Thomas Mann’s classic ‘Death in Venice’ and was also where the Venetian ruler, the Doge, used to come to toss a ring into the waters of the lagoon once a year to symbolise the city’s marriage with the sea.
In summer the sunloungers are filled by the rich and famous, but one of the most extraordinary events takes place on January 1st. An intrepid bunch known as the ‘Winter swimmers’ or ‘Ibernisti’ take to the water regardless of the weather, cheered on by crowds munching sausages and drinking mulled wine.
Tel Aviv caters to all tastes
 Nearly thirty years ago, the Tel Aviv city authorities had the brilliant idea of smartening up their beaches in a bid to attract tourists. They succeeded magnificently with the result that Tel Aviv now boasts some of the cleanest and bestmaintained beach facilities in the world with free access, changing facilities, toilets and showers.
It’s worth being aware of the different clientele of the various beaches, as some cater for conservative Jews who may prefer single-gender swimming or limited displays of bare flesh. Some beaches can only be used by women or men on different days. At the other extreme, Tel-Baruch beach north of the city is popular with nudists.
If you want to head away from the crowds in high season, a good tip is to try pleasant Bat Yam beach, located 12km south of Tel Aviv. |
