By the Seashore

01 Jun 2011

Holidaying by the seaside is magical. It evokes childhood memories of sun-drenched picnics and cool, salty sea breezes; free time and fun. It’s a break that’s invigorating and restful, lazy yet active. IAN JARRETT is charmed.

Italy’s stunning Ligurian coastal route encompasses the mountainous seafront of Cinque Terre, which consists of five picturesque villages, including the breathtaking Manarola.

The tradition of the annual seaside holiday is believed to have begun in Britain, when visitors from the cities descended upon seaside towns, mainly in summer, because they believed that the fresh, bracing air was good for the health. It wasn’t long before the attractions of sun, sand and sea spread like an incoming tide across many parts of the world.

Seaside towns have their own unique charm. In Britain, it could be piping hot fish and chips eaten out of a bag, or the plaintive cry of seagulls soaring over rooftops, while in Cannes on the French Riviera, it’s the celebrity factor. In New Zealand’s Akaroa, it’s the small fishing boats returning to port with ruddy-faced skippers and their catch, and on the beaches of Phuket on Thailand’s west coast, it’s the sun-kissed scuba divers and tanned snorkellers returning after a day of island-hopping.

Here are seven of the best seaside towns to vacation in:

PADSTOW, UNITED KINGDOM

When in Padstow, grab a bite at Rick Stein’s restaurants, which serve favourites like fish and chips.

This charming Cornish seaside town tumbles down the hillside and ends in a cluster of houses, quays, inns, holiday cottages and cafes huddled around the fishing boat harbour. International celebrity chef Rick Stein operates four food outlets in this town, and there are 16 rooms above Stein’s The Seafood Restaurant, most of which overlook the harbour and Camel Estuary. Fellow TV chef Jamie Oliver has a Fifteen restaurant south-west of Padstow at Watergate Bay, so no one in the area would go without a good meal.
padstowlive.com

MANAROLA, ITALY

Padlocks left by couples on the Via dell’Amore linking Manarola and Riomaggiore in Italy.

Manarola is one of five small village towns found in Cinque Terre, a collection of fishing villages perched along the Ligurian Coast. Ferries move between each of the villages – Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore – and for those who prefer to linger in the town squares rather than walk the dusty summer trails, there is no shortage of restaurants and shops. An excellent seafood restaurant overlooking the town and sea is Trattoria dal Billy’s, where the catch of the day is presented to diners to help with their menu choices. From Manarola, it is a short half-hour walk on the Via dell’Amore, or Path of Love, which leads to the village of Riomaggiore. Along the path, couples have attached hundreds of padlocks to fences and railings, symbolically locking in their love and throwing away the key.
www.turismoinliguria.it

AKAROA, NEW ZEALAND

In New Zealand, chill by the Akaroa boardwalk or head out to sea for a fishing trip.

This is New Zealand’s only French settlement, established on South Island in the 1800s as a base to serve the needs of France’s whaling vessels. Descendents of the original settlers still live in the area today and French names have been retained for some of its streets. The village, with its colonial architecture, art galleries, craft stores and cafes, is a stroller’s delight, while Akaroa salmon, shellfish, olives and other local produce, including artisanal cheeses from the historic Barry’s Bay factory, keep foodies happy. The Akaroa French Festival is held every second year. The next one, from October 28-30, 2011, will include French street-side dining, roving entertainers, music from the New Zealand Army Band and market stalls.
akaroa.com