The Islands of the Mediterranean

Dotted throughout some of the most stunning waters on earth are the islands of the Mediterranean Sea. Turquoise waters, warm sunny beaches, and beautiful people with rich cultures defined by the sea are what make these islands so special. There are numerous nations with stunning beaches that attract sun worshiping people from all around but here are some of the great islands where you can get away and enjoy the sun, surf, seafood, and history of quintessential Mediterranean.
Sardinia, Italy
Off the coast of Italy is the island of Sardinia. This island has been inhabited for thousands of years and has one of the most unique ancient cultures that still exist especially if you venture away from the crystal clear waters to the inland villages. This island will probably have more appeal to explorers who appreciate nature as opposed to a rocking nightlife. Although the adventurers you will have all day long in some of the clearest ocean water you will find anywhere and you will not be longing to stay up until the early morning hours.
The most beautiful beaches are to the north and northeast each with waters so clear you'll wonder whether you are looking at a pool or an ocean. You can access the island by either plane or ferry but the easiest way to get around would be to either hire a car or rent one and it will give you a chance to explore the ancient people and ruins that lie farther inland. Sailing and most other watersports are readily available especially at the popular resorts. There is horseback riding as well, which has long been an important part of the culture here on Sardinia.
Crete, Greece
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is not only has a warm and sunny Mediterranean climate one would expect, but also a fantastically warm and hospitable people as well. Stunning coastlines and beautiful beaches are met by rocky and rugged mountains inland giving the island a dramatic landscape. It has been inhabited by ancient Greeks for thousands of years and many of the cultures that have called this island home have left behind their remnants giving visitors so much to do and see while still enjoying a great beach vacation.
Here you can find a rich nightlife in certain areas such as Malia, Agios Nikolaos along with quiet, charming fishing villages such as Chersonissos or Hora Sfakion and everything in between. Many towns were built hundreds or more years ago right on the cliffs overlooking the sea making for a truly stunning place to explore to just find a great café and watch the sun go down over a glass of wine. Aside from the beaches there are great smaller coastal inlets to explore so heading out on a boat is well worth the money. The same goes for renting a car to allow you to explore many of the archeological ruins that abound here.
Corsica, France
This island off the southeastern coast of France is one of the largest in the Mediterranean Sea. It too has the sandy beaches that are met by inland mountains that are so often seen in Mediterranean islands. There are large vineyards here as well giving a perfect chance for a romantic wine tour before or after hitting the water. Walking tours of the island are also very popular with the GR 20 taking more than 2 weeks to complete but giving you an unparalleled chance to enjoy every inch of the island.
The beaches offer all of the great water activities you could want and being a popular tourist destination there is a wide range of hotels and resorts to choose from. Whether can be hit or miss with frequent summer rainstorms that can cause a lot of traffic headaches. Heading away from the tourist hotspots though and into the mountain villages is by far a worthwhile experience and much of the food brings together the best of both French and Italian cuisine. In the winter, you can even ski in the mountain areas.
Ibiza, Spain
Part of the Balearic Islands and belonging to Spain is the island of Ibiza. Ibiza has a lot of natural wonders including many endemic species that are found nowhere else on earth. From birds to lizards to sea life, the natural beauty of Ibiza is legendary. Ibiza has a unique culture so your trip will be made that much more memorable by taking the time to explore the rich heritage such as taking in a performance of the traditional dance on the island. The great beaches offer sailing, snorkeling, scuba diving and much more in the warm clear waters.
There is also a lot of history to explore here as well aside from the beautiful ecology. There are also ancient ruins of the civilizations gone by but have made their mark on the island's people and culture. During peak seasons it can become crowded in the heavily tourist areas but it makes for a great and lively nightlife as well.

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Places to Visit in Bodmin, Cornwall

There's so much more to this little town in Cornwall than just ice creams, tranquil gardens, coastal walks and self storage in Bodmin. In fact, people are often pleasantly surprised with regards to just how much there is to see and do. Even better, one of the best things about it is there are six places tourists can visit all within walking distance of each other. This means that visitors simply park their car and then their only concern for the rest of the day is how they're going to fit everything in.
Situated right in the heart of the town is the Shire Hall. Once the former county courts of Bodmin, the hall now houses the award-winning Courtroom Experience. A fun and interactive activity, guests are invited to act as a member of the jury in a Victorian murder trial. Full of twists and suspense, it's guaranteed to keep visitors full of suspense and on the edge of their seats throughout.
Just a stone's throw from the Shire Hall is the Bodmin Town Museum. Boasting some excellent exhibitions of the town's history, the museum also contains a Victorian kitchen, a real cell door from Bodmin Jail and a selection of friendly wildlife which is always a hit with the kids.
A tour around Bodmin Jail is the ultimate experience for those who love a bit of eerie history. Built in 1779, the building has certainly seen a few things in its time and visitors are welcome to explore the five floors of cells and exhibits. Bodmin Jail was even featured on Living TV's Most Haunted, so beware - you may even come across a ghost or two.
If you are heading to Bodmin around Christmas time then it's well worth paying a visit to St Petrocs Church. As well as being the largest Parish Church in the whole of Cornwall, St Petrocs also hosts its famous Christmas Tree Festival which is always popular with tourists and locals.
If you still have the time or energy to fit anything else into your jam-packed day, then the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry Museum is well worth a look. The attraction boasts some excellent displays of military artifacts and tells the story of many wars from hundreds of years ago right up until today.
Finally, why not treat yourself to a well-deserved rest by heading over to the Bodmin and Wentworth Steam Railway? Your feet can take a break while you sit down and relax whilst enjoying a trip through the beautiful countryside. It's well worth researching if the railway will be holding any events during your stay because with a number of family-friendly events such as the Paddington Bear weekend, children will be thrilled with your visit.
When visiting this quaint little town, there is of course everything tourists could possibly want or need. From hotels, bed and breakfasts, cafes and shops to attractions, events, activities and even self storage in Bodmin, you will never run out of things to do.

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Five Benefits Of Attaining Citizenship In Another Country

Some people's burning desire to go to a progressive country especially a first-world country is not only fueled by the country's majestic landscape featured in certain popular movies which made a blockbuster hit in cinemas. A huge part of it has everything to do with the benefits that you can get when you attain citizenship. Listed below are ten benefits which a lot of foreigners find very enticing.
1. Uninterrupted residency. Compared to just having your tourist or a temporary visa which can only allow you to live in the country for a few weeks to months, getting permanent residency and citizenship gives you the privilege to have an uninterrupted residency in the country. You are given every right to stay in the place and enjoy it.
2. Get to own properties. You won't enjoy investing in rural properties in the country unless you are a citizen. This is because there are certain categories of rural property that only allows citizens for ownership. Don't let anything hinder your dream of acquiring and owning properties in the country. Enjoy the beautiful country by gaining citizenship.
3. Access to different jobs. If you are seeking for a greener pasture both literally and figuratively, this is the ideal place. This country is one of the few places that are under populated that has left a lot of job positions open. Being a citizen, you get access to all the different jobs provided you qualify for the requirements when it comes to skill and knowledge.
The country being under populated is one of the reasons why the country is encouraging and welcoming people to their country. They too need a huge labor force to cope with their growing industry needs.
4. Get to adopt a child. If you and your husband are childless and would want to adopt a child to complete your family in the country, this is easy with gaining your citizenship. You can talk to the proper government or private institution that handles these cases.
5. Access to quality and free education. State schools in the country offer quality and free education. You can enroll there or in the future have your kids take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. You also have the choice to enroll your kids to private schools however they may be too expensive.
All these and more are possible when you attain citizenship. Just looking at the benefits, it will definitely be more worth your while to apply for citizenship.

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