Places you’ll love to say: “Wish you were here”
Are you looking for a getaway that is beyond ordinary? Try having a trip on these two awesome places and have a summer that you will never forget. CALA DEL BUE MARINO Located on the east coast of Sardinia, Cala del Bue Marino are among the biggest coastal caves in the region. Owing their name to the epithet that the Sardinians gave to the monk seals that used to inhabit the area, these natural wonders boast underground rivers, subterranean fresh water lakes, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as fossils and Neolithic graffiti. The 15km stretch of caves branch off into two distinct regions, the north and south. The north branch is dry and fossilized and is not open to the public, while the south branch comprises a flowing subterranean river as well as ancient rock art. The plays of light that dance off the stalactites and stalagmites is an incredible sight to behold. The caves can be reached by sea, with a 30-minute boat excursion from Cala Gonone marina; or land, with the newly built road or path. Guided tours are available once you reach the caves. The tour covers about 1km of the caves, and ends at seal’s beach, a beautiful beach where the monk seals used to give birth to their pups. Unfortunately, photo-taking is not allowed beyond the entrance to the caves. This wonderful swimming spot along the route is on the island of Favignana. LAKE MANYARA NATIONAL PARK, TANZANIA A lion lounges on a rock in Lake Manyara National Park in Tanzania. These lions, endemic to the area, are famous for their tree-climbing capabilities, one possible reason why these large felines choose to spend most of their time in the branches of trees is that they are trying to escape the heat and flies. Lake Manyara National Park lies at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. With more than 400 species of birdlife and home to the Ngorongoro crater, previously a large volcano and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the scenic and diversely populated Lake Manyara National Park is a feast for the senses. July to October is the best time to visit the park, for large mammal-viewing, while bird-watching and canoeing should be taken advantage of in the wet season from November to June. A flight from the Serengeti National Park to the Lake Manyara airstrip takes about 20 minutes in good weather. Sometimes it’s not the location that matters, it is the trip and the people you meet along the way that makes the vacation worth remembering. So make the most of it and be polite and friendly as possible. More travel tips and destination at vacation-now.com.