Sun, Sea,
Mountain.
This is the "Abruzzi"
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Il Gran Sasso d'Italia 2914 m. s.l.m.
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Cristal-clear water, wide, smooth, golde sandy beaches, and a temperate climate throughout the sommer. A seductive mix, enriched by the numerous amenities provided by the beach services and refreshment bars and restaurants. An oasis of relaxtion and enjoyment. And right behind the beaches strect open country side, green hills and mountain slopes, and the 4 notional parks wich have earned for
Abruzzo the title of grren region of Europe.
May 25, 2003
The Sunday Times
Silvi Marina in Europe's top 20 beaches
Looking for the perfect beach? Well, you’ve just found 20
of them. Our writers — the most exacting judges in travel
— bring you their personal pick of Europe’s best
It’s the holy grail for holidaymakers: the perfect beach.
But finding it just got a lot easier, if you believe scientists
from the University of Glamorgan. They have spent three years
asking tourists what they look for in a dream strand, assessing
28 variables, from colour of sand to cliff height to cleanliness.
The result is a mathematical formula that can rate the loveliness
of any stretch of seaside in the world. Only trouble is, the formula
reads: D = (-2xA12) + (1+A23) + (1+A34) + (2xA45) over AT.
That’s not much use to you and me. At Travel, we believe
in more people-friendly methods. We have put our own best brains
to work on the best-beach conundrum using the following simple
equation: expert knowledge plus unrivalled experience equals holiday
bliss.
Naturally, our writers discover wonderful, hidden-away beaches
on their travels — and sometimes these are so divine that
they make sure they keep them to themselves. No longer. To bring
you the official Sunday Times Top 20 European Beaches, we presented
all our journalists with a stark choice: fess up, or spend the
next six months writing a city guide to Minsk.
The beaches flooded in, and the result is the definitive list.
Whatever your taste — baking or bracing, deserted or discreetly
funky — you’ll find your perfect patch of sand here.
And no algebra required.
PSILI AMMOS, Greece; PLAGE DE LA COURTADE, France; PRAIA DA ADRAGA,
Portugal; BENIRRAS, Ibiza; MILOPOTAS, Greece; WHIPSIDERRY, England;
PLAGE DU LOTO, Corsica; PATARA, Turkey; PLAYA DE LA CONCHA, Spain;
TRAIGH SCARASTA, Scotland; AGUA AMARGA, Spain; PALOMBAGGIA, Corsica;
KOUKOUNARIES, Greece; PLANOS, Greece; OXWICH BAY, Wales; SALECCIA,
Corsica; SWEETWATER, Greece; PORTALS VELLS, Majorca; VOIDOKILIA,
Greece;
SILVI MARINA, Italy
Where? In Abruzzo, on the Adriatic coast.
Why? Silvi Marina looks typically Italian, with neat rows of sun
loungers and umbrellas laid out across fine yellow sand. The sea
is calm and clear — ideal for an early-morning swim —
and the front is lined with pines and oleanders. But the big reason
for flopping here is the charming, family-run Mion Hotel, a perfect
base for exploring Abruzzo's Renaissance churches, medieval villages,
lakes and mountains.
Where to stay: the four-star Mion (00 39-085935 0935; doubles
from £67, half-board).
Where to eat: the hotel's restaurant is excellent, as is La Casina
Rosa (085 828 9744), in San Pellegrino. Local specialities include
guazzetto, a spicy fish soup.
Don't miss: the evening passeggiata. Wear your best shoes.
Getting there: Ryanair (0871 246 0000, http://www.ryanair.com/)
flies from Stansted to Pescara, a 25-minute drive from Silvi Marina;
from £40.
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