Ah, the Beaches You Will See-and Enjoy ….

Dog in Nice, France.(Note the rocks under the chaises!)

First of all, let me state unequivocally, I am the quintessential beach lover….rocky or sandy-gritty gray or golden sand. It is usually easy to relax at the beach, read my book, enjoy the company, and feel the sun warming me deliciously! The ocean totally won me over the summer before my sophomore year in college, when I waitressed at the Seaside House in Kennebunk Beach, Maine. We were in the dining room seven days a week three meals a day for very poor tips. But the great opportunity of heading down to the beach between meals was a very worthwhile trade-off, as I anguished over what I was going to do the next year. (I went back to the University of Massachusetts.) And ever since that summer and the many miles I walked the beach, I have been a card-carrying member of "Beach Lovers’ Anonymous"!    

Therefore, I have been delighted by the variety of beaches which I have visited while enjoying Vacation Home Exchanges! That being said, beaches are not my primary reason for visiting a particular place. Enjoying the beaches is secondary. Travelling 3000 miles and going to the beach is the frosting when I am in a foreign country. Last September I stayed in Badesi, Sardinia; all of Sardinia is known for spectacular beaches. However, they have amazing and unique archaeological locations as well! They also have some of the narrowest and curviest roads I’ve ever driven! So every other day I would go sight-seeing one day; on the alternate day I would drive three miles down to the beach to enjoy time reading and swimming! European beaches are different from American beaches I have ever seen. Usually there is a food stand right on the beach where patrons can order lunch and drinks. Many of them rent padded chaises, towels, and umbrellas for €15 or€20 for the day. Most Europeans seem not to care about using a beach chair; they just lie or sit on the beach on a towel.

You will find, if you do enjoy the beach, when you travel, that you will probably have a variety of beaches to choose from wherever you go.

In case, you missed these comments from previous blogs....

SASA98 said...
"When I did my Europe trip in '98, I ripped out pages as I was done with a country. I had a book for all of Europe; before I left, I'd torn out pages I knew I wouldn't need. As I went along, I tore out pages that had become irrelevant. That way, I had more room for that fabulous bath mat I got in Nice :)" 

"Sometimes, it (Back up plan) works out for the best and you end up going to places you never thought you would -- and it turns out, you love that new place!" 

Susan said:

"I think it's awfully smart of the cars to have a vest such as you are sporting! I'm going to add one to our emergency kit. Thanks for the car rental tips!"

In my next post I will talk about Vacation Home Exchanges contracts.