THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Undecided between a city break and a beach holiday – why not do both? Jo Gardner rounds up the world’s best beach cities
Barcelona - the city
Barcelona is a must-visit for lovers of architecture with Gaudi playing a big part in designing many of the city’s buildings. His masterpiece is the Sagrada Familia church, an architectural marvel so intricate and ornate it looks like it belongs in a fairytale. Other must-sees include colourful Parc Guell – which is sprinkled with Gaudi buildings and statues - and Las Ramblas – a long pedestrianised strip where you can shop ‘til you drop in between pit-stops at street-side cafes. Come evening, head to a restaurant with an outdoor terrace and watch some of the country’s best flamenco or tuck into tasty Tapas.
The beaches
It’s hard to think of a cultural hub like Barcelona having beaches but it does - 10 of them in fact. From nude to food, there’s a beach for every whim in this city. When the mercury gets too hot, locals flock to the coast to relax, play volleyball, roller-skate along wide promenades or cool off in the Mediterranean Sea. Head to Nova Mar for peace and quiet, Barceloneta for people watching, Bogatell for travelling en famille, Mar Bella for nudism (where the kids can strip off too) and Sommorostro for restaurants.
Mumbai - the city
The streets of Mumbai are a chaotic riot of people, motorbikes, buses, cars and cows, with virtually no let up from the sweltering heat, smells or noise. Embrace the madness and you’ll learn to love Mumbai. One word of warning: ensure your children are safe from Dehli belly by avoiding meat and ensuring they wash their hands. Top attractions include the Gateway of India – built in 1924 to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India – the impossible to pronounce (not least spell) Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vatsu Sangrahalaya museum – which was set up in honour of the then Prince of Wales – and the Taj Mahal Palace – a hotel so beautiful it’s an attraction in itself.
The beaches
When the constant throng of the city gets too much, get a dose of sea air at Juhu Beach. Here you can swim in the sea, play football with locals, or ride a horse or camel (yes, camel) across the sand. When hunger strikes head to one of the street carts selling local fritters and corn on the cob or, if budget allows, choose an upscale restaurant. The beach is so close to the airport you’ll often see locals lying down on the sand and waiting for a glimpse of the underbelly of a plane as it passes.
Tel Aviv - the city
Tel Aviv has had its fair share of atrocities in its time but that doesn’t stop locals loving Israel’s capital city, where history meets hip. This is, after all, one of the world’s oldest port cities where Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated; it’s also home to the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and a surprising number of quirky coffee shops and craft beer houses. Experience a slice of local life in the neighbourhoods: Nachalat Binyamin’s traffic-free streets are filled with live music and craft stalls; wander the narrow streets of Neve Tzedek and you’ll discover colourful buildings, street art and a burgeoning coffee scene.
The beaches
There are 16 beaches along the Tel Aviv coastline, each clean and well maintained. Some are large and loud - with cafes and restaurants, nightlife and water-sports; others quiet and secluded with just the sea and the sand to enjoy. Hilton Beach is where gay and lesbians head for a warm welcome, parties with international DJs and plenty of places to relax; for separate male and female bathing days, try Nordau Beach, also known as Separation Beach. Other beaches of note include Dolphinarium Beach, where you can surf or kite surf courtesy of the Israel Surf Club, and Gordon Beach, which benefits from nearby café and restaurants.
San Fran - the city
San Francisco’s grungy image was diluted when several major tech companies set up camp in the city - forcing house prices up (and some locals out) - but the hippie undercurrent that dominated the city in the 1970s still lives on in the Haight Ashbury district, where the movement began. Other areas to explore include Mission (for thrift stores), Mid-Market (for Michelin-star restaurants), and the quirkily-named Dogspatch (for craft breweries and butchers selling organic, locally farmed cuts of meat). Downtown, visitors can be heaved up impossibly steep hills on a tram, cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge or eat fish and chips Fisherman’s Wharf. From here, board a ferry to Alcatraz Island, home of the notorious prison.
The beaches
They may not be the sandy, sundrenched variety that Southern California is known for but San Francisco has no shortage of beaches. You won’t see many people swimming in the cold waters – and certainly not without a wet suit – but you will see plenty of people kite surfing, surfing, relaxing and spotting local wildlife, including sea lions and porpoises (insert smiles on kids’ faces here). One of the safest beaches for families is China Beach, which has shallow waters and lifeguards; for seclusion, try Lands End Beach, accessible via a steep trail found to the west of Lincoln Park. In the evening, head to Baker Beach and watch as the Golden Gate Bridge lights up.
Rio - the city
Set between the mountains and the sea, Brazil’s capital is so stunningly beautiful the whole city has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Less threatening for tourists than it used to be (although you still need to keep your wits about you, particularly when travelling solo with kids), Rio is the place to go to party, particularly in February when the world-famous Rio Carnival takes place. Attractions in Rio are plentiful: head up Sugarloaf Mountain on a cable car - and take in the city below - visit Christ the Redeemer, a giant statute of Christ sitting on top of the Corcovado Mountain and spend some time on the beach.
The beaches
Few cities can claim to have a central beach as large and as pristine as Copacabana, a 4-km arc of white sand flanked by high-rise buildings. This is the place to be – and be seen – with locals sporting nothing more than slithers of fabric to hide their modesty. Whether you join this liberation or pop dark sunglasses on your kids, there is plenty to do here: sip coconut milk straight from the fruit, play volleyball, cycle along the promenade or simply sit and take it all in. Fans of Stan Getz should continue onto Ipanema, the beach that inspired the jazz singer to write The Girl from Ipanema.
Vancouver - the city
Vancouver isn’t just a city it’s a watery playground, a dining hub, an adventure-lover’s dream and home for nature. Sit in one of the city’s glass buildings and peek out at the snow-capped mountains ahead (this where thousands of visitors come every year to ski or snowboard) or cross the water to Granville Island Public Market and spend a morning buying (and trying) fresh produce, including legendary Lee’s Doughnuts. Head down to the city’s harbour and you can watch the boats come in and out or glide across the water in a kayak. Sunny day? Take a stroll through Stanley Park, a gargantuan 404-hectacres of greenery, pretty path ways and watery views. Raining? Take cover in the city’s many art galleries, museums or bookshops. When it comes to eating out, you’ll be spoilt for choice – ditch the diet and dig in.
The beaches
Kitsilano Beach – or Kits Beach as the locals call it – buzzes with activity in the summer months; volleyball players and Frisbee tossers mingle with sun worshippers and windsurfers. For sand-free dips and swimming lessons, the beach has large a heated saltwater pool facing the sea. When hunger strikes look no further than the Boathouse Restaurant which serves peel-and-eat shrimp, tasty chowders and fresh grilled fish on the patio – the views are worth a visit alone.