Ratua Island, Vanuatu: Paradise found
Vanuatu offers up blissful barefoot luxury and seclusion
Vanuatus luxurious not-for-profit Ratua Private Island is just t
Where to find secluded surf on Nicaragua’s southern coast
Inhaling the salty air, your body pleasantly fatigued from a morning surf, you gawk at the breathtaking, crescent-shaped cove and slouch deeper into your hammock...for surfers, Nicaragua has it all. From powerhouse waves to more relaxing rides to secluded surf for novices, youve got an array of opti
The Seychelles for independent travellers
With stunning beaches and brilliant blue seas, it’s hardly surprising the Seychelles rank among the world’s most idyllic island getaways.Marooned in the middle of the Indian Ocean, this archipelago of 115 islands is notoriously exclusive (and expensive), and if you simply couldn’t imagine holidaying
Island
You dont always need suitcases full of cash to enjoy the Caribbean Sea – cradled in its western corner lie a number of idyllic island groups that are surprisingly easy on the pocket.San Blas Islands, Panama Scattered off the remote southeastern coast of Panama, the refreshingly undeveloped San Bl
Top beaches on Costa Ricas northern Pacific coast
This year, Costa Rica’s wet season took a turn for the dry, and it seemed like the whole country headed for the beach. The extra rays shone brightest on the northern Pacific coast, where emerging seaside destinations include a former pirate haven, a 1200-acre car-free (but modern!) beach community,
Sri Lanka: nirvana for beach lovers
Sri Lanka overwhelms the senses. The air is heavy with the scent of jasmine, the food richly spiced and the landscape one of utter beauty; the radiant green rice paddies, forests of swaying palm trees and mountains puckered in tea plantations are utterly bewitching. But for many people Sri Lanka can
The best nudist beaches in Australia
Easygoing Australia has an abundance of choice when it comes to beaches where nudism is legal and accepted. Most of the destinations on this list are nestled away, and home to communities of friendly, like-minded naturists who welcome newcomers. At some you may be the only person there – just you, t
Getting the best out of Boracay
So youve heard about Boracay. You’re not alone. In the past few years this small island in the Philippines has ridden a global wave of media attention to become one of the worlds top island destinations. But that notoriety presents a new challenge for the visitor: sorting through the endless options
Bulgarian Riviera: best beaches of the Black Sea coast
Skimpy swimwear: check. Sunblock, good book, readiness to swill umbrella-spiked cocktails: check. Ridiculous sums of money to enjoy a spectacular European seaside holiday: not if you’re in Bulgaria. Home to almost 400km of sensational Black Sea coastline, the Bulgarian Riviera is lined with beautifu
Beaches, sun and Vindaloo – Lonely Planets guide to winter in Goa
Thinking of spending Christmas in India? With a hot and tropical winter climate, India’s best beaches, a famous party culture, and a Christian population that celebrates the Christmas season with feasting and festivities, Goa should be high on your list of winter travel destinations. As the charter
Chill
The view from the knockabout beach bar is a classic: the afternoon sun glares off sugary sand as the ocean steams and rolls on top of it. A group of after-school teenagers run out in their wetsuits, planting board to belly as they plop into the surf. One of them is wearing a tell-tale straw hat tied
Ditch the crowds: Cuba’s top five alternative beach stays
Beautiful beaches are as iconic as cocktails in the Caribbean, but in Cuba only a handful of coastal destinations are well known. If crowded resort-lounging in Varadero isn’t your thing, there are plenty of equally stunning, secluded sandy strands for independent travellers. Often these lesser-known
Ten unforgettable New Zealand beaches
With 15,000 kilometres of coastline, New Zealand is heaven for beach-lovers. Its diverse shores dish up everything from lazy days and blazing sunsets, to active adventures such as swimming, kayaking and surfing. Finding a great beach is easy; to find an unforgettable one, read on… Ninety Mile Be
Where to find the Algarves best beaches
The coast of the Algarve in southern Portugal is a seemingly endless series of some of Europe’s finest beaches. They are seriously spectacular stretches of sand: the climate and atmosphere are Mediterranean, but this is the Atlantic so good waves and watersports are available alongside more sedate,
The best beaches of the Albanian Riviera
Albania’s rugged coastline, with traditional villages nestled in isolated bays and golden beaches lapped by turquoise waters, was a revelation when travellers first started discovering the country a decade ago. Since then Europe’s last untouched beaches have changed almost beyond recognition, but th
Summers cheat sheet: choosing a beach in Cape Cod
Ah, Cape Cod, Americas postcard-perfect summertime destination: sand dunes covered with wild beach rose, happy kids frolicking in the waves and sailboats drifting peacefully off the coast. But there are nearly 560 miles of coastline here, so those postcards don’t give the whole story. You’ll also fi
The best beaches of the Philippines
The Philippines is generating a buzz as a less-discovered alternative to Southeast Asian beach hotspots like Bali and southern Thailand. Its not hard to see why. The country has more than 7000 islands, most boasting at least an idyllic beach or two. With such a wealth of coastal pleasures on offer,
How to be an Aussie beach bum
When it comes to hanging out at the beach, Aussies have a few unwritten rules of behaviour. To make the most of your visit Down Under, and do a convincing impression of a bona fide Aussie beach bum, here are some helpful pointers:Beach etiquette
The most important rule: always head to the edge o
The other Japan: secret beaches of Okinawa and the Southwest Islands
Okinawa and the Southwest Islands comprise one of Japans pretty little secrets – a side of Japan that differs from the mainland in culture and pace. They take a little more time and effort to access, but the rewards for getting there are gorgeous semi-tropical, white-sand beaches and clear turquoise
Sardinias top 10 beaches: white sands and turquoise waters
Even in a country where gorgeous beaches are two a penny, the Italians admit that those in Sardinia are particularly bellissima. The island regularly tops polls of the world’s best beaches, with spiagge ranging from the rugged, cliff-backed coves of the east to the dune-flanked strands of the west.S
