Three European spots to visit this summer

A travel consultant who has explored much of Europe highlights three destinations worth considering for a summer trip: Comporta in Portugal, Gozo in Malta, and Hvar in Croatia. Comporta sits about 75 miles south of Lisbon, with white-sand beaches, pine forests, and clear blue water.

Praia da Comporta and Praia do Pego put the ocean front and center, and beach clubs such as Comporta Café Beach Club are tucked into the dunes and serve traditional Portuguese seafood. Horseback rides along the shore from a local equestrian school added a bit of adventure to the visit.

Gozo, the sister island of Malta, impressed with its dramatic coastline after a quick ferry ride from Malta that takes about 40 minutes. Local recommendations led to Maxokk Bakery for ftira — the flattened Maltese bread — where a tuna ftira and an anchovy pizza proved worth the wait.

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