Another postscript to my posts of a couple of weeks ago on blogging and Blogspot in Syria (see my last post and the postscript before it): after uploading the posts below, I received loads of emails and tweets from around the world, from Syrians asking everything from why I couldn't go to an internet cafe where it's often possible to access Blogspot (sorry, we were working 16-hour days so the only time I had to email was early morning or late at night at our hotels) to foreign and local censorship/IT experts wanting me to provide them with a list of every hotel we stayed at and the hotel's proxy info (apologies again, but one of the things we were doing in Syria was reviewing hotels, so we were moving hotels every second day, and I had enough to do as it was). Based on my recent experience ('recent', because I've never had time to blog on previous trips to Syria), my advice to you is if you're planning to travel to Syria and blog regularly, do your research first but research widely: there are plenty of experts eager to share their opinions (indeed, some rather aggressively) and there is a lot of contradictory advice around (even among the self-proclaimed "experts") about blogging and Blogspot in Syria, from people both outside and within Syria. I found that rarely did opinions align and every expert was able to cite a wealth of research on the subject. Once again, I apologise for not having time to test out your theories and suggestions, but I'm a travel writer who also blogs, rather than a travel blogger who also publishes - and that's likely to stay that way until someone pays me as much to blog as I earn writing. The paid work - which one charming "expert" referred to as "travel fluff" (rest assured, I took her as seriously as she took me) has to take priority, I'm afraid. So, back to work... or writing nonsense?

Cairo is the most populous city in Egypt and the largest in the Arab World. It has 214 kilometers squared and currently a developing country in the world. Cairo is marked by wide boulevards, public gardens and open spaces. It’s also the home of multiple famous attractions such as Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, Citadel, Ibn Tlun and Al-Azhar Park.

The Lifestyle

Visiting Cairo is going to the city of the thousand Minarets. It’s a vibrant modern society where men and women dress in modern clothing. One is not allowed if you walk around and reveal your thighs, upper arms, backs and cleavage. Especially inside the mosques, it’s truly a disrespectful demeanor once you wear shoes.

Activities and Attractions

There are numerous interesting activities you can do once you’re in Cairo. Apart from its rich and abundant form of lifestyle, you can walk around the city’s recreational places, the most popular being the Al-Azhar Park. This park is a good placeto relax. It has a landscape garden that overlooks the grand castle known as Citadel.

Other great attractions to explore in Cairo are:

1. Giza Zoo
2. Cairo Botanical Gardens
3. Mena House Golf Course (famous place for golfing, overlooking pyramids)
4. The Media Production City (Egyptian Drama Sets and Studios)
5. Riding a Felucca along the Nile River (available across the Four Seasons Hotel in Garden City)
6. Wadi Digla Protected Area (ideal for trekking, cycling, rock climbing, jogging and other exciting activities)

What and Where to Eat

A-Class restaurants are mostly found in Hotels and Nile boats. Get in here and you’ll enjoy Egyptian delicacies and special list of options. Staple food can be bought everywhere and these include kushari (macaroni with lentils and chick peas), fuul (bean paste), taa’miya (falafel) and fetyeer (pancakes).

Western and Asian food are also available. Fast food outlets such as McDonalds, Pizza Hut and KFC are all over the place and the trendiest places to hang out. Yet, to those who want to relax while reading daily newspaper, traditional coffee houses are nearby.

Who can imagine that a tear-drop shaped island in the Philippines is perfect for your surfing adventure? Siargao is an unspoiled and isolated location blessed with unharmed rain forests, islets and lagoons. Plus, the weather is stable all-throughout the year, mostly clocks at thirty degrees Celsius.

Now, can you now feel the intensity of excitement when you get there? If not, let me tell you the ten reasons why Siargao is your destination for your next summer vacation.

1. The Cloud 9.With the name itself, you can already associate it with greatness. Cloud 9 is named as one of the best surfing capitals in the world due to its thick and hollow tubes. Local and international surfers visit the place and take pleasure in their affordable accommodation and amenities.
2. Little creatures live there. Siargao is the home of several wildlife creatures. The moment you get here, you can’t help but ask for the tarsier, the green turtle and the Philippine Macaque.
3. Island Hopping. You can’t ignore the beauty and elegance of Siargao. This small island provides six great islands to explore. Visit and see what the magic in stores for you in Bucas Grande, Twin, Daku, Guyam, Naked and Caub.
4. Welcoming People. Most people in Siargao earn living through fishing and copra farming. Talk to them and they talk to you in English and Tagalog. Siargao people are hospitable. Meeting them is a pleasure.
5. See the largest mangrove. The largest mangrove forest in Mindanao is found in Siargao. If you want to ace your vacation, try visiting the place and enjoy the long stretches of wetlands, mineral reserves and the fourth largest lake in the country.
6. Getting there is easy. To those people living in Cebu, you can take a forty-five minute flight and overnight boat trip that lasts twelve hours. From there, allow those motors to take you on islands and islets.
7. Get Wet and Tanned. Siargao is also the home of white sand beaches. Hop in here and take the plunge. If you are done swimming, kayaking, snorkeling and diving, get pleasure from staying in one place and get chill under the hot sun.
8. Shopping is good. Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, fresh fishes- all the seafood you crave for are in their wet market and bay walk. You can also buy souvenirs everywhere.
9. Cliffs and Caves. Tired of surfing and getting wet? Give your vacation an extra delight by journeying the cliffs and caves of Siargao. Asking for a tour guide is also possible.
10. Easy Reservation. Research online and you’ll find numerous sites that provide you contact information about Siargao. Some sites even give you emails and mobile numbers for easy dealings.
    

For generations, the majestic beauty and humbling power of Niagara Falls State Park has fostered a sense of awe and wonder. Writers, artists and prominent figures have also flocked to the falls to feel the spark of creativity only the park’s panoramic views can create.

Through the years, countless people have enjoyed the sparkling scenery of the falls, making the Niagara Falls vacation spot a favorite for the whole family.

Niagara Falls is a set of massive waterfalls located on the Niagara River, separating the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. While not exceptionally high, the Niagara Falls are very wide. The falls were formed when glaciers receded at the end of the last ice age, and water from the then newly-formed Great Lakes carved a path through the Niagara Escarpment on its way to the Atlantic Ocean.

As stated by Britanica, “Cataract on the Niagara River in northeastern North America, one of the continent’s most famous spectacles. The falls lie on the border between Ontario, Can., and New York state, U.S. For many decades the falls were an attraction for honeymooners and for such stunts as walking over the falls on a tightrope or going over them in a barrel. Increasingly, however, the appeal of the site has become its beauty and uniqueness as a physical phenomenon.”

Niagara Falls is far more than a natural phenomenon. A world-class destination with something for everyone, the city offers thriving night life, one-of-a-kind sightseeing, and adventure for all ages. The Niagara Falls honeymoon and family activities like the Maid of the Mist tour and Marineland are long-time traditions, while new Niagara attractions abound.

The popular Fallsview Casino has made Niagara Falls a must-visit Canadian destination, and an array of Niagara accommodations -from charming to luxe-offer visitors an ideal retreat. A growing gourmet food and wine scene, drawing upon nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards, offers everything from out-of-the-way restaurant gems to popular Fallsview dining.

The American Falls feature a variety of adventures to help you make the most of your trip. Dine at the Top of the Falls Restaurant, walk right up to the base of Niagara Falls during the Cave of the Winds tour, or let the water fall all around you during the Maid of the Mist boat ride.

Come see what makes Niagara Falls one of the world's favorite destinations!

Perched high atop Mount Lee, the tallest peak in Los Angeles, lies the very famous Hollywood Sign. It is an attraction that literally shouts to the world the word “Hollywood.”

The sign is said to measure 450 feet long, its mammoth letters are 45 feet high, and it's visible from all parts of Hollywood. It was erected on 1923 as an ad sign for real estate development in Beachwood Canyon, the Sign originally read "Hollywoodland." The last four letters were removed in 1945, after Hollywood had become the world's movie capital. The Sign had already become a well-known landmark. To note one event on 1932, during the Great Depression, one despondent young actress, Peg Entwistle, even jumped to her death from the Sign's giant letter "H."

The original sign contained thousands of light bulbs, which were changed daily by a caretaker who lived in a small house behind one of the Sign's giant "L's."And in the 1998 Disney remake of "Mighty Joe Young," the over sized ape climbs the Hollywood Sign and perches in one of its giant letter "O."

There is no easy way to reach the Sign itself, which is located atop an undeveloped hillside, far from roads. And if you did manage to reach the area, you would discover that the Sign has been fenced in to keep out the curious, and that a new high-tech alarm system has recently been installed. So all you have to do is to look at it.

The best way to see the Hollywood Sign is to drive up Beachwood Drive (north of Hollywood Boulevard). The Sign is clearly visible most the way up Beachwood, although the hills begin to obscure the view of the Sign near the top of the drive.

Here's a tip for you to follow to get more close and a good view of the Hollywood Sign:

The Hollywood Sign is located atop Mount Lee, in the Hollywood Hills, northeast of downtown Hollywood. For the best view, take Beachwood Drive north up into the hills. To reach Beachwood Drive from Hollywood & Vine, take Hollywood Boulevard east (a quarter mile), to Gower Street. Turn left (north) up Gower (three blocks, under the freeway) to Franklin Avenue. Turn right (east) on Franklin, then immediately turn left (north) up Beachwood Drive, into the hills. It's a long, twisting drive. To reach Beachwood Drive from the Hollywood (101) Freeway, take the Gower Street exit, then turn right (north) up Beachwood Drive.

CamSur Watersports Complex (CWC) is the reason why Camarines Sur becomes a wakeboarding capital of the Philippines. CWC is probably the most popular attraction in the province and it drags thousand of crowds from different places in the world. Basically, wakeboarding involves a wakeboard over a surface of the water and for you to understand, Camarines Sur provides great facilities for this exciting hard-driven water sport and commemorates wakeboarding summit every year.

If you are excited about this sport, here are the four reasons why CWC is your next must-see destination:

1. It’s affordable. Wakeboarding rates vary on the types of equipment tool you need to rent. For a beginner who wants to explore the sport’s basic whereabouts, the price clocks at Php 160 for an hour. There are also CWC rates that require deposit and are refundable upon the return of gear. If you rent vest and helmet the whole day, its rate is Php 750. If it’s a night date, it’s Php 590 and only limited to 5-9 PM. Half day and hourly rentals buzz at Php 460 and 165, respectively. Renting the board with bindings requires a Php 1000 deposit and rings Php 250 (hourly), Php 750 (half day), Php 1200 (whole day). You might want to try the wakeboarding behind the boat. This type of activity is adrenaline-rush and surely zest up your excitement level in the next level. Prices vary at 15 (Php 1380), 30 (Php 2760) and 60 minutes (Php 5520).
2. Great Accommodations. Are you looking for comfort? Luxury? These are all in CWC. Whether you choose Villas, Mansions, Cabanas or Containers, you can make sure your lodging-stay fits your budget and you can do an advance booking online.
3. Travel phase is easy. Wherever you are in the country or anywhere in the world, you can visit Camarines Sur by bus or by plane. Traveling by air takes 45 minutes from Manila Domestic Airport while taking a bus-ride can take eight to ten hours. Whatever mode of transportation you choose, make sure you do early reservations and always double check the things you need to bring before your departure.
4. Fantastic places and attractions. Camarines Sur allows you to visit great places beyond your imagination. Shopping, gaming room, biking, massaging, hiking, swimming, it’s all nearby. Just ask the locals around you and they are willing to give you the information you want.

A number of people have contacted me via the comments to my post below and on Twitter in response to my appeal for advice after my blog was momentarily blocked in Syria. Shukran jazeelan to everyone for their tips - much appreciated! Unfortunately (or fortunately), I'm a busy travel writer with a lot to do here in Syria at the moment - boutique hotels to review, restaurants to try out, artists and musicians to interview - and blogging is not high on my list of priorities at the moment sadly, so I don't have time to test out all your suggestions now. In addition to my lack of time, the intermittent and excruciatingly slow internet access at a lot of the hotels we're staying at means I simply can't get on the net when it's convenient nor wait for photos to upload at the usual size I post them. And I don't have time to keep running back to the Four Seasons, which must have the fastest internet access in town. Quite a few people have written to me about blogspot being banned here and forwarded links supporting this (sorry, but I don't have time to respond to everyone), however, just for your info, I can access a large number of blogspot blogs that I usually read from other parts of the world from Syria (and I was able to access them on previous trips here too), including many listed on my own blogroll, and Syrian-based blogspot blogs that I don't normally read but have discovered on this trip. People are asking me what ISPs I am using and am I using proxies. As I am reviewing hotels, I am moving hotels every couple of days so I'm using whatever ISP the hotel is using and whether the hotel has a proxy or not, I'm sorry but I don't have time to investigate, and would rather be talking to a singer such as the wonderful Rasha Rizk than an IT guy. Hoping you understand.

My harmless little blog Cool Travel Guide has been blocked in Syria for a whole 24 hours - I was confronted with the dreaded "Access Denied" sign when I tried to update it yesterday. But, there's been a miracle, or someone came to their senses, and now I can access it. I realize my mistake - my Syrian advisors tell me it's because I used the 'I' word, which I'm not about to use again, so guess all you like. So, how did it get unblocked? Did the censors actually read the content and realise I was a 'friend' of Syria's? Just a travel writer who writes about places she loves and stays clear of politics? Or was it that the Minister for Information and her staff, who were staying at the same hotel as us last night, overheard my loud complaints to the general manager this morning? Either way, I can post for the moment, but if you don't hear from me again, you'll know why. Come and follow me on Twitter instead.

Post-script: this post and my tweets on Twitter generated scores of responses via email and Twitter about blogging in Syria. Most were friendly messages from Syrian bloggers, IT experts and officials, with tips on how to get around proxies, using Blogger/Blogspot and other blogging software in Syria, and advice on what's acceptable and what's not regarding blog content. I'm sorry I didn't have time to follow everyone's suggestions - it was an incredibly busy trip with little time for blogging unfortunately - but a huge thanks to everyone who got in touch.

Aleppo's labyrinthine medieval souq - or rather souqs within a souq - has long been one of our favorites in the Middle East, mainly because it has remained relatively untouched by tourism up until recent years - especially compared to Istanbul's Grand Bazzar and Cairo's Khan el Khalili. It's a place where locals shop for anything from women's underwear to camel meat, as much as backpackers haggle for hookah pipes and harem pants. Great buys include olive soap (buy the soap the locals buy, not the soap packaged for tourists), Syria's famous silk brocades and other textiles, and gutras (men's checked headscarves). These days you'll also find stores and stalls with their eyes on the growing tourist market selling jewellery, carpets, and brass and copperware, and spruikers on corners hustling for sales. But we prefer wandering the back-alleys, where the locals shop for their cheap plastic shoes, spangly fabrics, and children's clothes, offering a far more authentic experience.

Aleppo is Syria's most atmospheric city after Damascus and it's our next favorite destination after the capital, the highlights for us being the medieval souq, the labyrinthine old quarters dotted around the inner-city, and the complex cuisine, arguably the most interesting in the Middle East. The new town with its stylish cafes - currently full of hip young Syrian expat kids home for the summer holidays - is pretty appealing too. We're here to do hotel reviews and a feature on Aleppo's oldest restaurant dynasty, as well as gather content for other stories, so we've been at the Aleppo Sheraton for a few days. While it can't compare in terms of atmosphere to Aleppo's myriad boutique hotels in restored old houses, the hotel's location, slapbang in the centre of Aleppo, mid-way between Al Jdeida and the souqs, is unbeatable. As is the comfort and space of our room, the big desk, and internet access - things that become more important to a writer and photographer on deadline than sleeping under an Ottoman-era ceiling, I'm afraid. Oh, and the views, pictured, are pretty special too.

One of our many reasons for coming to Syria this time was to interview Abu Shady, the last of the hakawati, or traditional storytellers. We last interviewed him almost two and half years ago when we were here to update our Lonely Planet Syria and Lebanon guidebook - that's the 'current' edition every Western traveller is clutching in their hands here now. (We're not using it ourselves - nor are we using any other guidebook - there's no need obviously after so many trips here, but it's interesting to see how many people have a guidebook *and* a guide - very different to last time when there were far more independent travellers around. Why people need help ordering a meal, I'll never know, but it's something I'm going to ponder in another post.) When we last spoke to Abu Shady he was conscious of his age, depressed that numbers of people attending his performances at Al Nawfara cafe in Damascus' Old City were dwindling, his biggest competition being cinema, TV and the internet, and was grooming his son to take over after he died. Ironically, now his nightly performances are packed (people even phone to book tables) and storytelling is more popular than ever (in line with a resurgence of interest by Syrians in everything old), yet he no longer wants his son to take over. Why? Because the pay is lousy. I guess there's a point artists reach when they're no longer prepared to go hungry (or allow their family to go hungry) for their art. I'll pop up the link to our story soon.

The atmosphere in Damascus is electric now, and the streets of the Old City more alive than we've seen them before - and we've been regular visitors since 1998. Summer traditionally sees Syrian expats from around the world returning home to spend time with their families while Damascus has long attracted Gulf Arab tourists escaping the sweltering summer temperatures of the Arabian Peninsula - while it's warm here now (low to mid 30s Celcius), the Gulf is scorching (average mid 40s Celcius), so Syria is a cool escape in comparison. But we're seeing travellers from all over the globe getting lost in the Old City's labyrinthine streets at the moment, including Europeans, Australians and Americans. By the look of their travelling gear - harem pants and hippy attire dominate backpacker wardrobes here - they were expecting a cheap destination. But Damascus now boasts an array of beautiful boutique hotels, an ever-growing number of fine restaurants, a handful of hip bars and stylish cafes, a lively arts and cultural scene, and an increasingly chic shopping area in the new city. We're reporting on all of these for magazines over the next week or two, so I'll try and share a few of our discoveries with you as we go.

Pictured? That's Naranj, a relatively 'new' restaurant by Damascene standards, which was very good - the buzzy atmosphere indicative of that found in the whole city at the moment. Although Naranj is not the best, and don't listen to anyone who tells you otherwise - that's a title reserved for Al Halabi at The Four Seasons Hotel, and I'll tell you why in detail very soon.

We spent our last night in the UAE in Dubai - stuck in a traffic jam, checking into our fully booked hotel, shopping for last minute necessities at busy Dubai Mall - packed with shoppers laden with shopping bags as late as midnight - and strolling the waterfront overlooking the new Burj Dubai, where tables at the outdoor restaurants and cafes were crammed with families, despite the 45 degree heat. It was the same old Dubai - not the 'ghost town' I'd be reading about in the media while we were in Australia. Ironically, summer has historically been the time of year when Dubai is usually a ghost town, when locals and expats who can leave the country for a couple of months evacuate for cooler climates for their summer vacation.

Pictured: the enormous aquarium at Dubai Mall.

In simple words, online banking is the process of banking meant for the future. It is pretty astounding how people can handle their banking needs right from the comfort of their home. This system saves a lot of time, money and energy. Even simulation pret can be started through this online banking system before going to the bank. This system makes banking possible 24 X 7. All features, which are available at the physical location of the bank, are also available here; additionally, there are few extra features that are accessible too. This is a completely risk free environment to bank in and very convenient to handle.

Getting an online account with the bank makes it easy to know about the account information from anywhere and anytime. However, in case of submitting papers of pret immobilier for loans, it is required to go to the bank. Also any transaction gets instantly updated. This is a great way of keeping a note of all transaction made from a particular account which also prevents foul play to a great extent. Customers’ services are easily available through email in case anyone faces any problems regarding the account. Some banks make provisions of messaging system also. Overall, online banking system is a great system and is here to stay.

The North part of Egypt’s Red Sea is picked as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World. This crystal clear blue water is the home of 800 species of fishes, 200 coral species and thousands of migrating birds in the shorelines. With its red tint mountain ranges around, there are also numbers of great resorts all over and Hurghada is the biggest resort of all.

Speaking of Hurghada, the place has now first class hotels and sports facilities like snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, yachting, windsurfing and sail boarding. The Hurghada Aquarium and Museum is probably the perfect place to explore marine creatures so fascinating to look at. For those people who simply want to look around, numerous bars, restaurants and boutique to keep you entertained.

7 Reasons Why Visit Red Sea Coast

1. Perfect Destination for Summer. Summer months in Red Sea Coast are warm. You and your friends surely have a great time in place. The attractions are breathtaking and you can enjoy bathing under a scorching sun.
2. Easy Accommodation. Hotels and Inns are all around even if your destination is not in Hurghada. As long as you research the specific place you want to stay, there is no problem in spending a vacation in Red Sea Coast.
3. Adventure. As mentioned above, water sports are longer an imagination in Red Sea. All what your dream of is all here. Getting wet and having fun is 100% reality.
4. Cruising.Go and find yourself a cruise line that meets your demands and budget. All my friends told me cruising is the best way to go through the wonders of Egypt.
5. Visit Monasteries.The oldest monastery is located Red Sea. The Coptic Christian Monasteries is probably the most peaceful place to meditate, reflect and relax. However, as a respect for the place, you can only see the whole area when you hike on a hill.
6. Underwater at its finest. Visiting Red Sea Coast is like exploring the wonders under the blue sea. Once you dive underneath, the natural beauty strikes you with greatness.
7. Travel Packages. If you can’t wait for tomorrow, try browsing the Internet for some vacation packages in the Red Coast. I am sure you can find one and once you’ve the right one, the perfect escapade is not impossible to find.

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I might not get much time to blog over the next six weeks as we have a tight travel schedule, bouncing around the Middle East researching stories and doing hotel and restaurant reviews. So why not come and follow me on Twitter @laradunston?

One of the stories I've been commissioned to write is about how Twitter has been embraced in the MidEast and how it's being used. Twitter users are meeting socially at tweet-ups across the region, getting involved in charity work through Twestivals, and using Twitter for social change. If you're a Twitter user based in the UAE, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait or Qatar, or anywhere else around the Middle East, please email me or leave a comment here - I'd love to get in touch with you.

The photo pictured is the workspace of British writer-poet Robert Graves in his former home, now a museum, at Deia on Mallorca. It's the kind of space I'd love to write at. If I didn't live out of my suitcase, that is, and actually had a home in which to write... But who's going to feel sorry for a travel writer, right?

The nice people at Trip Base recently gave me a little award - well, I was a finalist in their Best Travel Guides category - and I was so busy I didn't even have time to thank them properly (although I did as I was told and put the badge up). So, a big heartfelt thank you, Trip Base - or shukran jazeelan as we say here in the MidEast. If you want to see which other blogs won awards, you can see the full list here and here, and if you want to know more about Trip Base, check out their site.

The picture? That's Mallorca again, and the view from our room at the Maricel hotel.

Well, we're off again. And yet it seems like we'd only just arrived. After five taxing days of sleeping and eating in Barcelona, and before that seven grueling weeks working on a book in Mallorca, the last 12 semi-sedentary days in the UAE have sped by. It's been busy. We had a few days of restaurant reviews, interviews and photo shoots, then time in catching up on loads of writing and planning our next trip from our friend's colossal Abu Dhabi villa, rightly dubbed 'Falcon's Crest'. Picture this: a monumental Arabian villa, sweeping staircase, 20+ rooms, five bathrooms, one of which is nicknamed Hef's (it's all black!), and a gold falcon over the driveway gate.

But, sadly it's all over already and today we're headed back to Dubai to our other 'home away from home', Al Manzil, so we don't miss our early flight to Damascus in the morning. We're trying Jazeera Airways for the first time, and over the next six weeks we'll be testing out a number of low-cost Gulf airlines as we bounce around the region a bit researching stories for in-flights and travel magazines: Syria 2 weeks, Qatar 9 days, Kuwait 5 days, Lebanon 5 days, Jordan 4 days, then back to the UAE again. That's a lot of countries in a short space of time for us with not a lot of time in each place - normally we like to take things a lot more slowly. But it's work, not play: we're doing some feature stories, profiles, and a bunch of hotel and restaurant reviews, as well as having meetings for a couple of book projects we're developing. No, not guidebooks! And for the first time in some years this will be the first trip where we're working on magazine stories only - no guidebooks, thankfully. The last few have really taken their toll... but who's going to listen to a travel writer complain, huh?

My scheduled posts on Mallorca didn't go up as hoped, so I'm going to save my best boutique hotels and best restaurant lists for another day, as I have some packing to do... I will post them over the next week or so, though, I promise. Especially as I've heard that UK travellers are now scrambling to get away from the dismal weather, and naturally, many are heading to Spain. For now, I'll leave you with a final pic that might entice you away...

And here are some more of Mallorca's most stunning beaches (my favorites anyway), where you can soak up some sun, work on that tan, and have a wade in the calm sea; continued from part 1 (below):

* CALA TORTA – a beach beloved by locals and expats and popular with travellers on driving holidays, Cala Torta is reached by a winding road through a national park; turn-off just out of Artà on the road to Capdepera. Although the road was recently sealed, there’s still a very rocky, dirt section near the end. There’s a small beach bar and lifesavers, but no toilets, so watch where you step when walking over the sand dunes!

* CALA MONDRAGO – in the south near Santanyi, these two adjoining sandy coves boast perhaps the clearest water of any of Mallorca’s beaches; while the first one gets crowded, the second cove is quieter.

* CALA D'OR - you'll find one of Mallorca's prettiest beaches, with aquamarine water that looks especially lovely in the late afternoon, just in front of the hotel of the same name. Surrounded by low cliffs and white Ibiza-style houses belonging to affluent Spaniards from Barcelona and Madrid, aside from hotel guests, it's pretty much local-owners and wealthy holiday-makers. This is a beach that's worth checking into the hotel for.

* CALA SANT VICENÇ – several coves surrounded by rocky sandstone cliffs where the local teens like to lay their towels on the rocky ledges, flirt, and dive from the rocks. Far from unspoilt though, and the characterless town is comprised of little more than hotels and holiday houses. Don’t stay here, do a day trip instead.

* PORTO CRISTO – this fine beach has one of the loveliest settings, in a bay embraced by low cliffs, and on a day when the sea is sparkling diamonds, and kids are diving off the swimming pontoons, it can seem like one of the most stunning beaches in the world. This is a touristy town, though, with the road running along the beach lined with takeaway food places, generic restaurants, and souvenir shops. There are far worse places to spend a holiday on Mallorca though.

What have I left out? What are your favourite Mallorcan beaches?