Lost islands in the Mediterranean. The Princes islands in Turkey, the Capri of Hemingway, places that will amaze you from the first sight. We explore the five most beautiful, known and unknown.
Capri, Italy
There’s nowhere in the world you will find so many corners of total peace, as in this little island, wrote Dickens to Capri from the 19th century and Hemingway adds: you can be whatever you want and say whatever you want. So leave outside of your suitcase ties, the crisp shirts and formal dresses and walk around barefoot on the beaches, talking to local fishermen. At 6 pm, when the boats with tourists fleeing the Blue Cave, we decide to visit us and to admire the eerie inside. At the time of sunset, walk around the town of Anacapri, on top of the island and enjoy the traditional drink of Southern Italy, the limoncello.
Menorca, Spain
Ten thousand visitors outside Spain, most of them are artists, have fallen in love with its pristine beaches and relaxed everyday life. For these people the small, full of stone, sister of Mallorca is now a second home. Our attention is focused at the talaiot, megalithic monuments from the Bronze Age, despite the look of instability, stand strong for almost 2,000 years. But the caves have time to dig mares, the sandstone of which have been built and houses the palette plays off the white as the color of bronze. The most beautiful of these is the Pedreres de S’Hostal: a maze carved by the hand of man of the Palaeolithic Age, most magical backdrop for the celebration of the August full moon. As for the beaches, they are about 100, they can be reached only by foot or by sea. Distinguish are the Sul, Son Saura, Cala Turqueta and Cala Mitjana, with white, fine sand and pine trees that reach the sea.
Ile de Bendor, France
The Isle of Bendor is located 50 kilometers south east of Marseille, only 7 minutes by boat from the coastal town of Bandol. It is a product of the ambition of Paul Ricard, the eccentric businessman behind the Ricard Pastis, the famous drink of Marseilles. Ricard bought the island in the ’50s to create a private sanctuary where they entertained friends, including the Jacques Cousteau and Salvador Dali. Later it turned into resort, which could enjoy the whole world. Here you will find 63 rooms in different buildings, of which the most notable is Le Delos, a 19 room hotel with elegant Spanish antique furniture and chandeliers. There are also eight cottages, four restaurants, a diving school and a strange museum dedicated to wines and alcohol.
Chergui, Tunisia
Desert and sea. In between these two lies the charm of Kerkennah, archipelago consisting of five islands, of which only two are inhabited: the Chergui and Gharbi. To reach the first, you have to board into a ferry departing from the port city of Sfax. On the island, spend hours in relaxing walks on the beach, swim in waters full of life and meditate in the afternoon, while the sun makes diving in the sea. If you want even more quiet, even more contact with their insular nature, resort to El Attaia in the northeastern part of Chergui: a charming fishing village, the quiet bar where we drink sweet tea with mint, chatting with local fishermen. The best hotels are located in Sidi Fredj.
Princes islands, Turkey
Gorged Istanbul, we embark on one of the boats across the sea of Marmara. Direction of the Kizil Adalar: nine wooded islands, places of exile for Byzantine princes. The bigger is the Buyukada: the turning carriage rides, unique mode of transport, along with bicycles and wooden villas of the bourgeoisie of 1800, enhance the ambiance fin de siecle. We climb on foot to the Orthodox monastery of St. George, embraced by pine and perish in time at outdoor tables of the cafe.
View more here: A Sunseeker’s guide to the Mediterranean, The most beautiful beaches of Sicily.
By Nicole P.
Mediterranean photos: Jaber.TV, Myles Chuter, jean-louis Zimmermann, MAUREEN ROBINSON, Rebeca Anchondo.
