Travellers who want to mix a cultural holiday with a few days on the beach are bound to find plenty of places to pitch up their tent in Goa, India.
There are plenty of amazing places to go and things to do in the state, which boasts a multicultural history thanks to the various colonisers it has seen over the years.
If you’re concerned Goa may be too touristy to be your dream holiday destination, fear not, as there are plenty of beaches and untouched stretches which most package holidaymakers will steer well clear of.
Hunt for tents for sale before you head on your break, so you’re completely prepared in advance, just in case you come across the perfect secluded spot to set up camp for the night.
Those of you hoping to find a gorgeous beach in Goa will definitely be in luck – from Arambol to Anjuna – there are a range of different sandy shores on offer, with varying opportunities for swimming thrown in.
If you’re on the lookout for culture, you’re best off heading to Old Goa, which boasts some extremely impressive religious buildings that make up for the lack of eating and sleeping establishments in the town.
Ever fancied finding out how all your favourite fruit and spices grow? If you have, you should make a trip to Ponda to check out the spice farms – complete with optional elephant bathing – to find out that turmeric plants appear in the ground and cotton grows high up in the sky on trees.
With flights to India getting ever cheaper, you should hop on a plane to Mumbai or Delhi and take an internal flight down to the southern state to save some money.
Once you’re there, be sure to check out the amazing Goan curries, preferably at a beachside shack – they’re bound to add to the cultural experience.
Soak up the culture in Goa
Be a beach bum in Brazil
If you fancy a beach holiday, but you want something a bit more adventurous, why not head to South America for your break?
Brazil, the biggest and only Portuguese-speaking country on the continent, has a multitude of things to offer any discerning traveller.
There are beaches galore, offering adventurers plenty of opportunities to whip out their cheap tents and set up camp on some beautiful white sandy shores.
Once you’ve set your sights on Brazil, you’ll probably need to pick out a particular region to visit, as on a two-week, or even three-week, break, you’re unlikely to see everything you want due to its size.
If you decide on the south of the country, the beaches of Florianopolis should be high up on your list. They boast gorgeous white sand and crystal-clear seas, perfect for anyone after the perfect beach break.
A little further north, you’ve got the famed beaches of Rio de Janeiro state. You should really pay a visit to Copacabana and Ipanema, as they’re in the heart of the city, so you get some breathtaking views of the distant favelas, juxtaposed with the high-rise apartments in the centre.
If you decide on a trip to the north-east coast, there are a number of other places which are bound to appeal if you’ve got tents to set up.
Take a long, but well-worth-it trip to Jericocoara – an adventurous journey from the nearest city of Fortaleza – where you’ll be rewarded by gorgeous beaches, dune buggy trips and candle-lit night-times, as there’s no electricity in the tiny town.
Or if you’re a fan of sealife, you’re bound to love Pipa, in the state of Natal, where you can swim with dolphins if you’re brave enough to venture into the deep water around the bay.
Wherever you choose, you’re guaranteed to have a beach holiday you won’t forget any time soon.