Top alternative summer destinations for 2011
Summer is fast approaching and with it being a new decade, Black Tomato are celebrating 2011’s summer with their top list of 11 alternative destinations.
The list :
INDONESIA - The treasure-trove of experiences on the islands of Java, Lombok, Bali, Flores and Sumbawa are experiences just waiting for you to discover. Fire breathing dragons? Well sort of, Rinca and Komodo Islands are two of the only places on earth to see these three metre long , man eating lizards living out of captivity. And finally the smoking volcanoes of Flores and in particular the stunning Mount Kelimutu crater lakes will have you wandering why you didn’t visit Indonesia sooner.
SAMOA - Journeying to Samoa may already be taking a step off the beaten track for many but we have been scratching under the surface (quite a bit) and have uncovered lots.
MONTPELLIER - We think Montpellier is how the south of France should be: a stylish unassuming place exuding the best that our Gallic neighbours have to offer – great wines, amazing seafood and of course that je ne sais quoi. Nestling quietly on the river Lez, between neighbours Perpignan and been-there-done-that Nice, Montpellier is the fast becoming the hot spot in France.
PANAMA - This uber cool pais continues to impress and we simply can’t wait for our next trip to go hang out with the Panamanians. June sees the temperatures soar into the mid-thirties ensuring you come back with that killer tan; and with almost 3,000 kilometres of coastline, you won’t have any trouble escaping the crowds here.
TURKEY - This summer don’t miss out on visiting little known Cesme, our hidden outpost far from the masses of Izmir. This gem is home to many of the most ancient historical sites in Europe as well as some of the prettiest coastline we have ever come across. Cesme (literally meaning ‘fountain’ in Turkish) has already soaked us with its good vibes for this summer and we can’t wait to take you there.
SOUTH CAROLINA - It’s going to be a sizzling summer in the Palmetto State. Having seen Charl Schwartzel triumph at the Masters in Augusta, we’re out to show you some of the delights on offer if you stray off the beaten track. There are some weird and wonderful things out there; South Carolina is the world capital of miniature golf, has the smallest police station on earth and is home to 90’s rockers Hootie and the Blowfish…interested? …well there is a little something out there to grab everyone’s attention.
PHILLIPPINES - Encompassing 7,107 islands, the Philippines is high on our list of must go to destinations this summer. It really is a great place to combine that Robinson Crusoe beach experience with a foray into virgin rainforests with a splash of adventure thrown in. If beaches are your thing, soft powder white sand and warm electric blue waters are the norm here, so you won’t be disappointed.
BASILICATA, ITALY - On the Tyrrhenian Sea lies an undiscovered land of picture postcard rolling hills, tiny fishing villages and miles of white sandy beaches. Visit the Basilicata this summer and the promise of long balmy evenings on a vine-covered terrace with Pinto in hand is not one that will be broken easily. Our idea of heaven is to set up camp in one of the charming mountain villages of the Lucanian Dolomites and rent a vintage car to exploring the surrounding Mezzogiorno. We recommend basing yourself in the Maratea district, a real hideaway for those few in the know.
ETHIOPIA - Our new favourite, Ethiopia is a colossal highland complex intertwined with dramatic valleys and vast placid lakes that are sure to thrill. Explore architectural relics in Lalibella, trek the rugged Simien Moutains before skimming across great lakes dodging crocodiles. And for an unforgettable way to round off your African experience, soak up the hospitality of one of the untouched tribes residing outside Jinka. Live like the locals with an overnight stay in an indigenous village learning the customs of skin painting and lip disking. Throughout Ethiopia we have got a number of traditional accommodation options lined up just for you all with a dusting of western luxury…naturally.
COOK ISLANDS - All of the Cook Islands 15 gems lie at the centre of the Polynesian triangle. Whilst the hand full of tourists who do visit this tiny nation usually head for capital Rarotonga, we have been exploring what else is on offer. Our favourite paradise is Aitutaki in the southern group of islands endowed with powder white sands and thousands of swaying palm trees. These islands are nothing short of turquoise blue lagoon, but we especially loved checking out the outlying motus (islands) including the legendary One Foot Island, regularly voted as the best beach in Australia and the Pacific.
MEXICO - Mexico is our hot tip for this summer and it’s easy to see why. Away from the somewhat overwhelming capital city, Oaxaca is a charming colonial town in the stunning Sierra Madre Mountains. Be sure to stop by Mina Street where the smell of raw cocoa bean hangs thick in the air before heading to the Iglesia de Santo Domingo for a spot of culture in this 16th century beauty. High in the Michoacan Mountains, Lake Patzcuaro is considered the doorway to heaven by the indigenous Purepecho Indians, and with good reason. We’ve only just begun to scratch the surface, and can’t wait to reveal all this summer.
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