Altinkum, the Family Friendly Resort

Altinkum is a very family friendly resort located in a beautiful area along the Aegean Coast. It is renowned for having three extremely nice beaches that are perfect for families with small children as the beach shelves away very gently. 
 
The beaches are super clean, and there is always plenty of space for sunbathing, and it is easy to rent a sun lounger and umbrella for the day at a very reasonable cost. In fact it would be very easy to spend the entire holiday on the beach, as everything you need is nearby, including numerous bars and restaurants.

Although it isn’t an enormous resort, it does have sufficient shops selling everything you are likely to need, as well as a weekly market selling plenty of fresh produce, and locally made crafts that are perfect for souvenirs. In spite of the fact that it has developed quite rapidly over the last ten years or so, Altinkum has managed to retain its unspoiled air. 
 
Altinkum is easily accessible from either Bodrum International airport, or from Izmir International Airport, and is a good choice for a family location as there is such a diverse range of activities available. There are plenty of water sports, and a water park in Altinkum, or it’s a great area for hiking in, especially in nearby Lake Bafa. The area is particularly well known for its abundance of historical sites that would keep even the most avid history buff occupied for a couple of weeks at least.

Attractions and Activities in Cape Verde

Cape Verde is increasingly becoming known as a top holiday destination, especially amongst those seeking just about guaranteed winter sun. It is easy to see why, as this archipelago consists of ten different islands, each with their own distinct personality, and each has something different to offer.

However one of the major attractions of the Cape Verdean islands are the beautiful beaches and the abundance of water sports that can be found on all of the islands. The waters surrounding Cape Verde are perfect for surfing, windsurfing and body surfing, and if you have never tried any of these sports then it’s a great place to learn, particularly on the island of Sal where there is plenty of opportunity to rent equipment and take lessons.

Another popular activity is diving, and again the clear waters are ideal for both beginners and more experienced divers, and there are a number of good quality dive schools. Hiking and mountaineering are becoming increasingly popular, and there are numerous excellent treks to do, including exploring the volcanic craters on Fogo, and hiking across the dry river valleys on Santo Antao. 

If you are keen on fishing the Cape Verde would be a great destination, as it offers plenty of scope for going both deep seas diving, or even joining local fishermen on their trips. The two best islands are Sal and Sao Vicente, but there is plenty of expert advice available. Other activities include turtle watching, quad-biking, and bird-watching. If you are visiting Cape Verde for the first time then it can be nice to plan a bit of island hopping to experience a little of everything offered by this archipelago.

Quietly Beautiful Akbuk Makes an Ideal Investment Location

The name Akbuk means white bay, and it is in a beautiful area surrounded by mountains, pine forests and olive groves while the bay itself has clear, calm waters. As yet, it's not a very well-known resort and has a tranquil atmosphere while still having a decent number of shops, bars and restaurants.

Its nearest neighbour is the lively resort of Altinkum which is just 20 minutes away and it's easy to catch a bus to both Altinkum and Didim. The nearest airport is at Bodrum which is about an hours drive away.

This former fishing village also has a reputation for being one of the healthiest locations in Turkey due to the low humidity and high oxygen ratio. If you combine this with the fact that it's possible to buy fish caught that day in the harbour, and that there is a wonderful fresh fruit and vegetable market then this area becomes very appealing for those looking for a healthy, laid-back lifestyle.

As yet property prices here are still quite low, but it has drawn the attention of overseas investors and developers who see its potential to become a prime holiday resort.

Building restrictions in the area means that only low rise properties can be built and there is still a number of seafront building lots available as well as a small apartment complexes near the beach, or detached villas. Owning a property here means being able to experience the best of both worlds as it's an easy trip to more lively resorts while Akbuk offers a peaceful and beautiful retreat.

Japan Gives Grant to Cape Verde to Modernise Electricity Grids

Japan has granted a loan of €60 million to Cape Verde in order to help modernise the power distribution grids. The project will increase the capacity, transmission and distribution for six of the islands which are Sao Vicente, Fogo, Santo Antao, Sal, and Maio. The project should increase access to electricity on these islands, as well as modernising the electricity grids.

The project is also being co-funded by the African Development Bank and the Cape Verdean government. It is the second such agreement between Cape Verde and Japan, as the first was signed in 2008 to increase the capacity of the Palmarejo power plant, and to complete a transmission line to the interior of Santiago Island. Japan gives development aid to Cape Verde annually, and has done so since its independence.

Although Cape Verde only has limited resources, it does have considerable capacity for producing renewable energy, and is pursuing this aim with some vigour. Recently a new solar photovoltaic micro-grid was commissioned for the island of Santo Antao which is being financed by a local private water company and the ACP-EU Energy Facility programme.

It will provide energy for 60 homes in a community that is only accessible by boat. The community is totally dependent on fishing, and needs ice to help preserve the fish. At the moment it's a five-hour boat trip to get the ice, which is a highly inefficient process. The solar plant will give power to a school, a health centre, a church, and a kindergarten, as well as three general stores and 22 streetlights. As Cape Verde becomes more modernised, such schemes are likely to become more frequent

Visiting Fogo in Cape Verde

Most of the tourist developments in Cape Verde are on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, and it would be easy to spend your whole holiday on these beautiful islands, but several of the other islands are well worth a look, and offer unique travel experiences. One such island is Fogo which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago; it is remarkable for having the only active volcano, and its name is the Portuguese word for fire.

Fogo has the highest peak in Cape Verde, and the volcano has seen several small eruptions since 1785 although the last eruption took place in 1995, with the last major eruption being in 1680. These smaller eruptions have all taken place within the crater, and have created smaller craters in the floor of the original crater which is 10 km long and 7 km wide.

Not surprisingly the soil around the crater is extremely fertile, and coffee is grown on the slopes, while grapevines are actually growing inside the crater and produce Fogo wine. The scenery on the island is quite dramatic and almost lunar as it consists of black sand and rocks.

The main town on the island is called Sao Filipe, and it's easy to see the Portuguese influence amongst the cobbled streets and pastel coloured houses, many of which are decorated with tiles and woods from Portugal. It's worthwhile taking a hike up the volcano, as there's even a restaurant at the top and the views are breathtaking. Fogo is also remarkable for being one of the few Cape Verdean islands to receive any significant amounts of rainfall, although it's still a very dry island.

The Cayman Islands Has Plenty of Activities for Visitors to Enjoy

The Cayman Islands is an idyllic holiday destination in the Caribbean which has so much more to offer than merely world-class beaches. It offers fantastic opportunities for scuba-diving and snorkelling, for both beginners and the more experienced.

There's also the chance to feed stingrays, or to take a trip to the Turtle Farm to see the conservation efforts firsthand. However there's lots to do on land as well. It's a great place to go hiking, and the three islands are easily explored on foot.

The Cayman Islands is remarkable for having some of the most diverse flora and fauna anywhere in the world, and it's also home to the largest colony of red footed boobies in the Western Hemisphere. The Mastic Trail on Grand Cayman is an interesting two-mile hike which takes you through dry, subtropical forests.

More adventurous hikers may want to visit Cayman Brac, as it has some pretty spectacular walks along the cliff, and is also home to numerous caves which are suitable for first-time cavers or the more experienced. Little Cayman has lots of pristine coastline and secluded beaches, as well as mangrove forests, lagoons and wetlands to explore.

The Cayman Islands are very beautiful, and the National Trust for the Cayman Islands helps to protect local natural resources and wildlife, as well as some of the cultural and traditional sites which are of historical interest. These include Fort George, East End Light House Park, and Walter Cemetery.

One of the most interesting historical sites is owned by the government. Pedro St James is a reconstruction of a 1780 Great House which took seven years to complete, and is a great way of finding out more about the Cayman Islands history.

Sightseeing in and around Altinkum

Altinkum is a perfect place to pick if you love to sunbathe, as it is renowned for having three fantastic beaches, but there is a lot more to see and do nearby, and even if you aren’t particularly interested in history, it would be a shame not to get out and about as the countryside is very beautiful.

Lake Bafa is nearby, and is wonderfully unspoiled as strict planning regulations have limited the amount of development that can take place. It is a great spot for keen bird watchers, but it’s also pleasant to take a stroll around the edge of the lake, or to take a picnic and just relax in the peaceful surroundings.

Pammukale is another natural phenomenon, and the hot springs of this spa resort are believed to have healing powers. It was once the centre of a pagan cult, and although this has changed, it is still an important textile centre.

Kusadasi is around an hour’s drive away, and is one of the most attractive cities in the Aegean. It is very close to several very important historical sites, including Ephesus, Priene and Miletus, but is also a great place for families as you’ll find the largest waterpark in Europe here.

Ephesus is one of the best preserved classical cities in the Mediterranean, and gives an interesting insight into how life might have been in Roman times. Miletus theatre is capable of seating 25,000 people, and during Roman times was famous for being used for lion fighting. History is everywhere in this region, and you might be surprised to find out how interesting it can be when experienced first hand.