Camping Le Méditerranée

Argelès sur Mer and its seven kilometres of sandy beach may be fab, but it's not the only top seaside spot around. Named after the local red rock, the Côte Vermeille is a stretch of coast that runs down to the Spanish border: here you'll find peaceful ports like Collioure (15 minutes' drive), seaside wine-tasting hubs like Banyuls (20 minutes) and the swish marina at Port-Vendres (also 20 minutes).  Those in search of local lore should be pleased by how many historic sites can be found hereabouts: the medieval village of Castelnou (35 minutes), prehistoric artefacts at Tautavel (50 minutes) and UNESCO-listed ramparts at Villefranche-de-Conflent (one hour) are all within easy reach. Those looking for a bit of natural history, meanwhile, should make tracks for the nature reserve at Mas Larriu (10 minutes).  Guests here are also well placed for day trips to the city: Perpignan (20 minutes) has everything you'd expect from a sizeable French town (street markets, art galleries and a medieval cathedral), while cross-border trips to Figueres and the must-see Dalí museum are also on the cards.