With Florida dominating the south eastern coastline of the United States, it would be easy to overlook the potential of a beach holiday in Alabama. After all, when we think of Alabama we tend to think more of its inland waterways and alligators rather than crystal clear seas. However, Alabama does have its own stretch of coastline and Gulf Shores is one of its premier beach resorts.

Gulf Shores is situated on the Gulf of Mexico which means you can look forward to warm waters that are a pleasure to swim in. The beaches are soft and welcoming and this combination means it is perfect for a family beach holiday. As well as sunbathing, swimming, and making sandcastles, you may also wish to hire a boogie board from one of the surf shops for some fun amongst the breakers, or perhaps you might decide to try some kite flying. The list of activities that can be indulged includes surfing, parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and banana boat rides. Another popular Gulf Shores attraction is sea angling. Opportunities exist to land a big haul either from shore or boat and there are plenty of charter trips for those wanting to try out some deep sea fishing.

Alabama is a fascinating state, full of history and charisma, and it’s well worth prying yourself away from its pristine beaches to check out some of its other attractions. One place that will appeal especially to families with small kids is a visit to Alligator Alley. Based in Summerdale, Alligator Alley is home to lots of rescued alligators and allows you to get close to these wonderful natives of Alabama and observe them being fed!

Another recommended attraction is the Baldwin County Heritage Museum. Alabama has a rich history from the early Native American years to periods of French, Spanish, and British rule and then through to the story of the American Civil War. The Baldwin County Heritage Museum provides a window into the past lives of Alabama’s residents and makes for fascinating viewing.

Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic, west of the Mediterranean. Madeira has many visitors each year, and has some great landscapes, gardens, flowers, and sublime tropical climate.

Madeira has a number of beaches scattered around its coastline. Among the more notable of these is Calheta which is one of the top resorts in Madeira. This beach has golden sands, crystal clear waters, and a marina. The beach is also good for a variety of water sports such as canoeing and windsurfing. Alternatively, at Lido there is a large and small outdoor seawater swimming pool, which also has direct sea access. Ponta Gorda also has similar outdoor seawater pools. For golf fans Madeira Island also has a few golf courses. At Funchal there is the Palheiro Golf Course, while the Santo da Serra overlooks the bay of Machico.