They were writers' muses a long time ago, today they inspire new generations. They are Estoril in Portugal, Taormina on Sicily and Bimini, The Bahamas, tree pearls and next cities for you to visit.
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Estoril, Portugal
Estoril is an exclusive resort town situated some 32 kilometres west of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The whole area of Cascais-Estoril is known as one of the most expensive places to live in Portugal. In the heart of Estoril lies the Palacio, a luxury 5-stars hotel equipped with everything what you may to need for business and pleasure and the perfect point from which you can start meeting the town more closely.
Estoril's casino, one of the Europe's largest casinos, inspired Ian Fleming, the father of James Bond, to write his famous novel "Casino Royale". Gambling could be one of the options what to do in Estoril, however if you want to check your luck and skills then choose a different kind of a battlefield. Estoril has the superb selection of seven 18-hole courses including Palacio's, but it also has picturesque sandy Tamariz beach, places for waterskiing, surfing, windsurfing, and other "ing" activities.
Don't leave the town before you visit Cabo da Roca, the most western point of the continental Europe and Pena National Palace and Park, the castle older than the Bavarian. Estoril is the host of Portugal Golf Open, Portugal Sailing Match Race, International Horse Jumping Competitions and many other sports events. Taste its Porto vine, delicious cookies and above all taste cod dish. Only after that you may say that you have been visited Portugal.
Taormina, Sicily Taormina is a small town situated on the eastern coast of the island of Sicily, Italy, on the hills of the Monte Tauro Mountain. It is the real Sicily's Monte Carlo and the favourite destination of famous and elite guests from all around the world. Wolfgang Goethe, Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Barton enjoyed in a beauty of it narrow streets. Its carefully arranged gardens, colourful exotic plants and Birds of Paradise inspired H.D. Lawrence for his novel Lady Chatterley's Lover.
Etna, the biggest active European volcano, dominates above the small Taormina offering magnificent view to the town, hiking, skiing and watching the eruption, if you have luck to be there when Etna wakes up. Grand Hotel Mazzaro Sea Palace is set among the rocks and sea in the centre of the bay. Choose a suite with sea view and private swimming pool, order a plate of pasta and swordfish dish after that, add a bottle of vine and enjoy in peace and silence.
Don't miss the temple of Zeus that was converted to church and Palazzo Corvaja, the most important medieval construction which today is Museum of Anthropology. You will enjoy in walking in Villa Comunale, one of the most beautiful parks in Sicily and above all visit Greek Amphitheatre, if not for historical reasons than because of a magnificent view on Mount Etna and the sea coast.
The island of Bimini, The Bahamas
Two major islands, North and South Bimini creates Bimini, your next (fishing) dream destination. Book your bay-front villa in Bimini Bay Resort and Marina which offers complimentary wireless high speed internet. Send an e-mail or two and go out to confront to big, small, slow, fast, bighead and smallhead swimming animal species. Your hosts promise the best adventure and fun, we promise that we will dedicate our next article in health section to theme "10 easy ways how to heal the lost pride" or shortly "Fishophobia".
Ernest Hemingway, passionate fisherman itself, lived on Bimini for a while. While there, he worked on "To Have and Have Not" novel. He said: "A man can be destroyed but not defeated." Keep that in mind. Just a minute of the resort you can try the first challenge. Meet and confront barracuda, tuna, sailfish or to bonefish, the strongest and fastest running beast of the salt-waters.
Waters of Bimini are well-known for having a large shark population. You can witness their feeding and simultaneously learn about their life. Maybe you will not be ready for kayaking adventure or guided snorkelling excursion after that, so take our advice and left to visit sharks for the last day of your staying.
Your hosts will be happy to show you Bimini's creeks and numerous mangrove plants, colourful corals (great for scuba diving) and always friendly dolphins. Visit Bimini and enjoy. ■
