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is bac Globe hopping
20 / European beaches
The
beach is back With beach holidays topping the wish list of many in 2022, Europe’s easily accessible and family-friendly coastal spots are in demand, says Charlotte Flach
A
s the waves roar and throw themselves against the ancient boulders, I balance precariously on a rock that juts out above the roiling surf. The seaspray flecks my face as I gaze out at a dark sky, which mirrors the fine grains of ebony sand of the surrounding stretch of volcanic beach. As I look out, I feel like I am completely alone in this sublime landscape, subject to the elements which churn ominously around me. I’m standing on a deserted beach, on the remote northern reaches of
Secluded cove in ALCUDIA, Majorca
Lanzarote. There isn’t another soul around and the scene in front of me is a far cry from most beaches I’ve visited before. Granted this might not be everyone’s idea of an amazing beach experience, but I find it totally thrilling. Clients might prefer to switch moody beachscapes for sun-soaked sands and calm shallows for deep sea diving, but the good news is that agents can cater to just about any request when it comes to a beach break in Europe.
Strong contenders For many clients, “sun, sea and sand” will be the criteria for this year and Europe delivers this in abundance. Malta is a sure sell for year-round sunshine, Greece offers island-hopping appeal for variety, Croatia has glassy-clear waters and the Spanish isles remain a familiar favourite for Brits. Unlike further-flung destinations such as the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean, shorthaul flights make sandy beaches more accessible, especially for family or multigenerational trips.
There’s an influx of grandparents booking breaks with their children and grandchildren, mostly to the Mediterranean for summer 2022, according to ABTA’s latest travel trends report. Research from Accor Hotels suggests that fly-and-flop holidays are in high demand with beach holidays topping the wish list for 2022. The survey found that 31% of respondents are planning sun and sand getaways for this year and over half (51%) of those surveyed said they intend to keep their travels within Europe. “Europe is always a great spot for a beach holiday because it’s easily accessible, particularly for families. For example, Malta has year-round sunshine, and can be reached by plane in just over three hours,” says Natalie Swinburne, Trade Marketing Manager, UK & Ireland for Visit Malta. “Customers are booking holidays in their numbers, with both the Balearics and the Canaries performing very well,” adds Alan Cross, Head of Trade Sales at Jet2holidays. “Short flight times and the wide variety of accommodation on offer to suit families,
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