High octane holidays

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3 MARCH 2004
Surfing, Portugal
Beach boys and babes looking for perfect surfing conditions will find them on the Algarve, Europe’s southwesternmost tip. Here the beaches, washed clean by Atlantic rollers, are golden and empty, backed by rolling forested hills. Savvy surfers can take their pick of the best breaks at Praia do Amado and Carrapateira, where expert instructors also offer know-how to rookies. This corner of the Algarve remains blissfully unspoilt, having resisted the creep of concrete complexes, and you can still find old fishermen casting for sea bass off cliffs – and enjoy their catch later at seaside restaurants nearby. The ideal base is an intimate little hotel in the heart of the unspoilt Monte Velho Nature Reserve from where you can an unusual and old-fashioned mode transport to the beach – donkey.

Sea kayaking, Sweden
There are more than 200,000 islands (no one knows exactly how many) in the Stockholm Archipelago, just an hour from the beautiful Swedish capital. Some boast white Caribbeanstyle beaches, others are nature reserves and many are uninhabited. The islands are a popular summer playground of young Scandinavians, who take to the water in their canoes, yachts and dinghies, cruising the clear blue channels and dropping anchor as the mood takes them. You can join in the fun on a sea-kayaking break – kayaks are quiet, environmentally friendly and speedy, but easy to manage. And novices needn’t worry as a guide will teach you the ropes before you paddle off. There’ll nothing too strenuous on the agenda – just lots of stops for swimming, picnic lunches or fishing. And one night you can even camp on a deserted island nature reserve where the guides will cook you a gourmet meal.