Gulf+Stream travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises spa and resorts

Some call the Pelion region of Greece ”The Mountain of Four Seasons”, and it is not hard to see why. Situated west of Skiathos, Pelion is a mountainous peninsula flanked by the Pagasetic Gulf to the east and the warm waters of the Aegean Sea to the west. In an area of just 78 acres, the landscape switches from coastal villages to dense forest, to a peak of 5,000 feet (1,500 m). In summer, there are myriad trails and nature walks through thick glades of beech, oak, maple, and chestnut trees. In winter you can ski while looking out over the spectacular sea views. Photo by: maja thurup

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This green counterpart of Venice could not be further removed form the mass tourism that has engulfed the Italian city in recent decades. Located in western France, just east of La Rochelle, Venise Verte is a canal network initially conceived to irrigate the surroundings farmland. As the water of the ocean receded, an area of marshland (called Marais Poitevin) was created. The area become a nature reserve. Photo by: patoche21

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Located in the confluence of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, Isla Contoy is the most important nesting place for seabirds in all of the Mexican Caribbean. The little island, just 5 miles long, is a protected nature reserve and a well-known spot for an eco-adventure. Photo by: Judy Knesel

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On the map Elba looks like a fish, swimming placidly some 20 km off the Italian mainland at Piombino. It is biggest of the volcanic Tuscan islands, easily accessible and one of the favourite destinations of Italians themselves. Photo by: Key of Life

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On the south side of the Gulf of Naples is the beautiful island of Capri, that has been celebrated beauty spot for centuries. Today this small island is a popular resort among well-heeled Italians and international celebrities, as well as day trippers from near by Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. The island rises sharply from the sea and is a beautiful jungle of tumbling purple, pink and white, lemon trees, narrow, winding lanes and pastel houses. Photo by: Pierpaolo.

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Lying in the Gulf of Guinea, Bioko is a mountainous volcanic island still populated by Bubi people, who speak a Bantu language brought over from mainland Africa. Set in tropical rainforest, this boot-shaped island is 70 km long and 32 km off the coast of Cameroon. Bioko has more species of rare monkeys than any other place in Africa; of seven species living on the island, four are among the continent most en dangerous island. Photo by: John & Mel Kots

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Hainan is China‘s Hawaii. It’s on the same latitude, with a highly developed agricultural economy, roads and infrastructure. It’s China’s smallest province, divided by a 1.5 km strait from Guangdong, and nestled between the Gulf of Tonkin and South China Sea. Like Hawaii it has the beaches, hills, forests, wildlife, and recreational roster. 

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Egina‘s geographical position at the mouth of the Saronic Gulf, made it an important maritime power in classical times. The island is emerged as Greece‘s leading pistachio producer, and a weekend beach resort for Athenians. Egina Town is an energetic, attractive place, with coloured fishing boat and yachts in a harbour that is lined with handsome buildings, cafes and restaurants. A single column marks the site of the Temple of Apollo, and there is a well-presented archeological museum. Photo by: Mi_ko

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Cres is one of the largest 1,200 islands along the Croatian coast. It is situated in the Gulf of Kvarner to the east of Istria. It is long, narrow and mountainous, stretching 68 km from north to south and 12 km across at its widest point. The incredible sheer of astonishing cliffs are a habitat of the griffon vulture, the largest bird in Europe. Photo  by: Reinhard.Pantke

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The Faroes are a group of 18 hauntingly beautiful islands, situated between Iceland and Norway. The archipelago covers a total area of 1,399 sq km and has a gentle warmed by the Gulf Stream. The scenery is amazing, rugged mountains up to 880 m high are thickly carpeted with impossibly green grass, incised everywhere by waterfalls, rivers and fjords. Extraordinary skies constantly transform the landscape. Photo by: hlemmur

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