Visiting the Costa Nova Striped Houses & Cool Architecture in Portugal

Colourful striped houses right on the beach, it looks like one of the most photogenic places in Portugal.

But what’s it actually like to visit?

We spent two nights in Costa Nova as part of our Spain and Portugal family road trip in April, arriving late in the dark after our overnight ferry crossing and a long drive across Spain and Portugal.

The next morning we were visiting family in Viseu, then heading all the way south to Salema in the Algarve.

That meant we only had one full day here, and so the weather was just whatever it was going to be.

And honestly, our experience wasn’t quite the sunny postcard you might expect!

Continue reading “Visiting the Costa Nova Striped Houses & Cool Architecture in Portugal”

Salema, Portugal, in April: Return Visit for 3 Days on the Algarve

You know when you return somewhere and hope it feels just as good as the first time?

That was Salema for us.

We’d visited Salema in February once before and loved this quiet pocket of the Algarve. We’re not fans of built-up, tourist-heavy places, and Salema offered a peaceful escape that felt completely different from the busier parts of the region.

On that first visit, we stayed at NAU Salema Beach Village and honestly felt like the only guests there. It was that quiet.

So coming back again during the UK school Easter holidays in April, how would it compare? Would we love it just as much?

Continue reading “Salema, Portugal, in April: Return Visit for 3 Days on the Algarve”

Kolymbia Beach and White Rock Beach in Rhodes: What to Expect Before You Go

Kolymbia Beach, sometimes written Kolimbia, is one of the most accessible beaches on Rhodes if you are staying in Kolymbia itself. It is long, easy to reach, and lined by hotels and organised beach areas.

Next to it, at the far end, is White Rock Beach, a smaller, quieter stretch under Tsambika mountain. The two beaches sit side by side but are separated by water so you cannot walk along the sand from one to the other, although you can swim between them.

We have visited both more than once and each has its own atmosphere. Kolymbia Beach has more facilities, watersports and a restaurant overlooking the sea. White Rock Beach feels more tucked away and peaceful, almost hidden at the end of the bay. If you like a beach that has variety, these two are a great combination for dipping in and out of during your holiday.

Continue reading “Kolymbia Beach and White Rock Beach in Rhodes: What to Expect Before You Go”

Navarone Bay and Beach Review, Rhodes

Navarone Bay is one of those places you picture when you think of dreamy Greek waters. Deep turquoise, quiet, scenic and almost cinematic when the light hits right.

We first discovered it on the Hippo Submarine boat trip last year, where we swam in the bay surrounded by the most vivid blue water we had ever seen. It was the kind of swim you remember long after the holiday ends. In fact, my favourite and most memorable swim in the sea to date.

This year we returned to experience it from the beach. We’d seen the beach from the boat and it looked so peaceful. So quiet and like the sand was white rather than golden. It looked ideal for a beach to visit another time, so that’s what we did when we returned to Rhodes. But the beach itself didn’t quite live up to our expectations.

Continue reading “Navarone Bay and Beach Review, Rhodes”

Tsambika Beach Rhodes Review: Family Friendly, Naturist Section And What To Expect

Our first glimpse of Tsambika Beach came in 2024 when we climbed Tsambika Mountain from the Kolymbia side. From the top we could see a long curved stretch of golden sand with bright turquoise sea and shallow water glistening below.

It looked untouched, natural and peaceful with no buildings lining the coastline, only sun loungers and, at the time, a large inflatable aquapark floating in the sea.

We didn’t have enough time to visit that year, so we made sure it was one of the first places on our list when we returned to Rhodes in 2025, with the hope of exploring the beach and the aquapark we had seen!

Continue reading “Tsambika Beach Rhodes Review: Family Friendly, Naturist Section And What To Expect”

St Paul’s Bay & Mikros Gialos Beach, Lindos

When we think back to our time in Lindos, one of the places that really stayed with us was St Paul’s Bay. Just below the whitewashed village, this small, horseshoe-shaped cove is one of the prettiest spots in all of Rhodes.

It’s where golden sand meets calm turquoise water, framed by rocky cliffs and overlooked by the Acropolis of Lindos above. And tucked inside the bay are two lovely beaches – Mikros Gialos Beach, lively and social, and Agios Pavlos Beach, smaller and more peaceful beside the chapel.

We didn’t have time for a full beach day here, but after passing the bay twice on our way to and from Lindos, we knew it was somewhere we’d love to return to.

Continue reading “St Paul’s Bay & Mikros Gialos Beach, Lindos”

Exploring Porthleven in Cornwall: Travel Photo Diary & Thoughts

Porthleven is one of Cornwall’s most characterful harbour towns. With its independent shops, bustling foodie scene, and dramatic coastal setting, it has quickly become a favourite place to return to.

On our latest visit, we decided to spend a day here, camera in hand, to capture the atmosphere and share our experience in this travel photo diary.

Whether you’re planning a family day out, searching for things to do in Porthleven, or simply curious about this Cornish harbour town, here’s what we discovered.

Continue reading “Exploring Porthleven in Cornwall: Travel Photo Diary & Thoughts”

Exploring Sennen Cove & Gwynver Beach: White Sands and Turquoise Waters in Cornwall

On Saturday, mid-August, we set off from our home in Newquay for a one-hour drive down to Sennen Cove and Gwynver Beach, just past Land’s End.

The day was warm at around 22°C, though very, very windy, so while we were comfortable in summer clothes during the day, we needed cardigans and hoodies by the evening.

These beaches had been on our list for a while. We’d only ever seen Sennen from the Land’s End Coaster bus from St Ives a couple of summers ago, so this time we wanted to properly explore on foot before meeting friends later for dinner.

Continue reading “Exploring Sennen Cove & Gwynver Beach: White Sands and Turquoise Waters in Cornwall”