Latest news with #GreenCoast
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Forbes
The Secret Mediterranean: Why Albania Should Be Your Next Vacation
A stunning beach not yet taken over by summer crowds. Green Coast MGallery For decades, the Mediterranean has been spinning the same golden oldies: Capri, Saint-Tropez, Mykonos, Ibiza — the kind of places where the yachts are larger than the local fishing fleet, and the bill for a seaside lunch could finance a modest Balkan vineyard. But travel insiders — the ones who whisper names at dinner parties and secretly wish you wouldn't follow their advice — have been circling a new name: Albania. Yes, Albania. Wedged between Greece and Montenegro, with a coastline lapped by the Ionian Sea, Albania has for years been the forgotten cousin of the Adriatic club. Overshadowed by Croatia, misunderstood by Western Europe, and long closed off by a grim communist regime, it remained a blank spot on the Mediterranean map. So here's the thing about Albania — it's the part of the Mediterranean hardly anyone has been paying attention to, and that's exactly why it's interesting right now. On the southern coast, you've got the Albanian Riviera. It runs along the Ionian, with cliffs and pebbled beaches that, honestly, wouldn't look out of place in Greece or Italy. But the vibe is completely different. There are no massive resorts or glossy beach clubs (yet), and prices are much lower. At Palasë beach, for example, you now have the Green Coast Hotel — a new five-star that's part of the MGallery Collection. The look is understated — soft tones, stone floors, a small spa, yoga sessions by the sea. There's even paragliding over the cliffs, which is the sort of thing that tells you how quickly this coast is moving from backpacker secret to polished destination. One day you're drinking a homemade iced coffee at a plastic table on the beach; the next, you're sipping a cocktail at a polished hotel bar, watching the sun drop behind the cliffs. But just a few miles south, things feel much as they have for years. Dhërmi is a popular stop, known for its long pebbled beach and bars that fill up in summer with music and cocktails. There are small hotels here too — family-run places where you get a basic room and a view, no spa or pool, but a beach a few steps away and maybe a café downstairs serving grilled fish and cold beer. It's the kind of place where you'll see Albanian families, a few European backpackers, and, increasingly, the first wave of curious travelers from farther afield. Jale is another beach that pulls in the younger crowd, especially when the summer music festivals roll through. But if you're after something quieter, keep going. Gjipe sits tucked between cliffs, a cove that can only be reached on foot or by boat. There's no hotel, no road, no rental loungers lined up on the sand. Maybe a hammock strung between trees, maybe a small beach bar running on a generator, maybe nothing at all. What makes Albania feel different — at least for now — is what's missing. No mega-hotels. No €80 sun loungers. No crowds pushing past you at the ruins. It's still a little raw: the roads aren't great, buses run late, sometimes you have to shrug when plans don't work. But it's also generous — big plates of grilled meat or fish, local wine, and people who insist you try their homemade raki, whether or not you think you can handle it. You can walk down a beach that looks like something out of a travel magazine and find yourself almost alone, save for a few locals swimming at the end of the day. That said, change is coming fast. Vlora International Airport is set to open soon, which will bring in more international travelers. Beach clubs are already appearing on the Riviera, and bigger hotel brands are starting to look at the coastline. So if you're curious about a part of the Mediterranean that still feels like a discovery — with its mix of Ottoman towns, wild mountains, and coastline that hasn't been swallowed by development — Albania is worth getting to now. How long it stays this way is anyone's guess.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
Almost deserted sandy beach in North Wales celebrated as a 'hidden gem' for unspoilt beauty
The only beach in North Wales with green flag status is also amongst the most deserted. Traeth Llydan is among the most beautiful of the region's beaches with golden sand and grassy dunes backed by a small pine forest. Also called Silver Bay, after the nearby holiday village, Traeth Llydan sits in a horseshoe bay on the southern side of Anglesey's Holy Island. Ideal for rock pooling, thanks to the rock formations that bracket the bay, it's renowned for spectacular sunsets and an air of seclusion. In the distance is a small castellated tower, a former bathing house on the Bodior Estate. In some respects the beach at Rhoscolyn is the smaller twin of famous Traeth Llanddwyn near Newborough - but without the bustle. One fan is comedian Jason Manford, who last summer spent time on the 'cracking' beach with his children while staying at friends. Posting sunset photos online on a 'beautiful Welsh evening', his only gripe was the 'bloody cold' water. Less wimpy visitors love the gently sloping beach as it's ideal for swimming, kayaking and sailing. Facilities are rudimentary but dogs are allowed on the beach at all times. Traeth Llydan's exclusivity is down to its lack of permitted vehicle access. Although there is a good-sized car park nearby, this is reserved for guests at the holiday park. Moreover, security guards take a dim view of anyone trying to walk through the facility. Instead, most people park at Borth Wen, the next cove along, and walk along the Anglesey coastal path. It's a bit of a trek – up to an hour – but the 'amazing' views across to Eryri make up for it. If parking at Borth Wen, you'll need to arrive early – its beach can get busy. An alternative is to walk and cycle the lanes around Silver Bay Holiday Park and pick up a footpath through pine woods to the beach. The wooden steps down to the sand make for a dramatic entrance. 'Beautiful beach,' said one visitor in a review. 'Not unlike one abroad. Hot, soft sand and glistening water.' Another said: 'An absolutely beautiful beach unspoiled by tourism.' By comment consent, the beach is "never busy" and caravanning guests are 'lucky to have it" on their doorstep. Another visitor said: 'One of the prettiest bays I have come across for ages. Clean, clear water that is lovely to swim in and not too deep.' It's possible to have the beach to yourself, soaking up the tranquility. However the sound of lapping waves can be interrupted by a noisy neighbour: RAF Valley airport lies across Cymyran Strait and, depending on your perspective, the roar of jet planes will either be an irritation or a point of interest. In May Traeth Llydan retained its Green Coast Award in this year's Keep Wales Tidy Wales Coast Awards. It was among 13 beaches in Wales to collect the award, and the only one in the north of the country. Green Coast status is conferred on the 'hidden gems' of the Welsh coastline - those that boast "unspoilt beauty, excellent water quality and high standards of environmental education". Organisers say these beaches are 'exceptional places to enjoy stunning scenery, rich coastal heritage and diversity'. Keep Wales Tidy noted: 'Silver Bay is a beautiful, remote beach facing south into Cymyran Bay. Get the best island stories from our Anglesey newsletter - sent every Friday "The beach is wide and sandy with rocky outcrops to clamber over and plenty of opportunities for rock pooling. It is also popular for sailing, surfing and canoeing.'
Irish Independent
16-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Eleven Mayo beaches awarded coveted Blue Flag status
Every Mayo beach which received a Blue Flag in 2024 retain the coveted status expect Golden Strand Beach in Dugort on Achill Island. The beach, which has experienced access issues in recent times, was given a Green Coast award. Keel Beach, meanwhile, has been awarded a Blue Flag for the 37th consecutive year. Located on the west of Achill Island, Keel has retained its Blue Flag every year season since 1989. As one of world's most recognised environmental awards, the Blue Flag recognises the sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world. All award recipients must reach specific criteria regarding water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management for the duration of the bathing season. A record number of Blue Flags have been awarded today in the Republic of Ireland this year, with 89 going to beaches and 10 to marinas. Mayo also achieved nine out of 70 Green Coast awards, which recognise beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. These are: Tránaun, Inishturk, Cross in Louisburgh, Carrowniskey Beach, Srah Beach, Termon Beach, Cross on the Erris Peninsula, Rinroe, Golden Strand on Achill Island and Portacloy. The list of Mayo Blue Flag beaches is as follows: Bertra Beach in Murrisk, Clare Island Beach, Elly Bay in Belmullet, Dooega Beach, Dugort Beach, Keel Beach and Keem beach on Achill Island, Mullaghroe Beach in Belmullet, Mulranny Beach, Old Head Beach in Louisburgh and Ross Beach, Killala. Jim Horan, Administrative Officer, Environment, Climate Change & Agriculture, at Mayo County Council welcomed the retention of 20 Blue Flag and Green Coast awards. He thanked all the local community groups, stakeholders, and other agencies for their work in 'ensuring that our beaches continue to be maintained to the high standards required to be awarded Blue Flag and Green Coast for the 2025 bathing season'. 'The final total of 20 awards is also the second highest recorded in the country,' he said. Mr Horan asked all beach users to follow the instructions of the lifeguards, be aware of dog restrictions and to leave nothing behind after visiting the beach.
