There’s no shortage of great travel getaways that adventurers can enjoy. But let’s be honest — sometimes, you don’t want to do anything too adventurous. Quite the opposite. You just want to sit on a beach, read, and enjoy the sheer enjoyment of being alive.
Of course, it’s not as if you can just spend time on any old beach and expect to have a thrilling experience. The beaches of Northumberland have a wild beauty, but you wouldn’t want to spend a day there trying to sunbathe. No, for the true beach experience, you’ll want to spend time in one of the all-time great beach destinations.
If you’re looking for a sunny getaway this year, then consider one of the following destinations.
Mauritius
It’s not hard to see the appeal of Mauritius. Take a quick look at the island on Google Images, and you’ll be mentally planning your trip as soon as possible. It’s an expensive place to visit, yes, but if you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, then you could arguably do no better. This tropical island has white sand beaches, clear water, and plenty of fun activities available. The only problem with making a trip to Mauritius is that you probably won’t want to return home!
Maldives
The Maldives has a reputation for being one of the best honeymoon destinations in the world, and with good reason. It’s paradise on earth. It offers a quality of beaches that is similar to what you’ll find in Mauritius, which is another saying that the Maldives has some of the best beaches in the world. This is a luxury destination that offers an all-around awesome experience.
When you’re not at the beach, you could be at the spa, getting a message, or enjoying a world-class meal with a view that’s to die for. There’s also plenty of fun to be had on the island, too, with snorkelling and scuba diving just two of the activities that you’ll find here.
Thailand
It’s true that the natural beauty of Thailand is not the same as it was twenty or thirty years ago. There’s been a lot of tourism over the past few decades, and it has had an impact on the quality of the beaches. Still, with all that being said, you’ll still find plenty of awesome beaches in Thailand. Plus, alongside white sand beaches and glorious sunshine, you’ll also have a bit of adventure — there’s nowhere in the world that’s quite like Thailand!
There are luxury options available if you’re looking for a touch of the high life, but don’t worry if you’re on a budget; it’s one of those places where you can very much have a great time even if you don’t have much cash to spend.
Greece
There’s a lot to love about Greece. After all, there must be a reason why travellers have been visiting the country for thousands of years. Indeed, for many Europeans, it is the ultimate beach destination. Part of the appeal is that there are so many options available. You can book a rental villa on Mykonos and have a getaway that’s part fun adventure, part relaxation. Or you can visit one of the smaller islands, such as Paros, where you’ll find a more local ambience.
Wherever you choose, you can expect delicious food, sunshine, and beaches that will very much make you fall in love with the country.
Australia
No one’s going to pretend that Australia is the easiest or cheapest place to visit. After all, it’s on the other side of the world! But people who make the effort to undertake the long journey will be handsomely rewarded. For one thing, it’s just quite novel to visit such beautiful sights in a place where everyone speaks English. And then there’s the whole matter of the beaches, which are up there with the best in the world.
There are quiet and wild beaches, or you can get right in the mix in places like Bondi Beach. As well as sitting back and enjoying the gorgeous sand, visitors will have the chance to try their hand at every type of watersport available, including surfing. Be warned, though — it’s as hard as it looks!
Bali
You’ll likely have heard a lot about Bali in the past few years. It’s become a favourite destination of digital nomads, who get to more or less live the dream by living and working in one of the most beautiful places on earth. So what attracts people to Bali? For one thing, it’s just stunning. The beaches are incredible — it’s no surprise that people end up just staying! But there’s also a strong sense of community and culture on the island.
If you’re looking for a beach destination where you can also practise yoga, meditate, and all around live your best life, then a long trip to Bali will be just what the doctor ordered.
Hawaii
Hawaii is a part of the United States, but it really has very little in common with the other 49 states. There’s a reason why so many celebrities decide to spend significant periods of time on the island — it’s just beautiful. There are many amazing beaches that complement the adventurous side of the island very well. You can spend the morning trekking through the jungle and then soak up the rays in the afternoon.
And you’ll also get to enjoy the amazing sunsets that the island produces, which are unlike anything else that you’ll find on the planet. The beaches are outstanding but they’re only one component of what is an awesome place to visit.
Ibiza
Spain has many great beaches. Indeed, you can pretty much visit any part of the coast or the country’s islands and be reasonably confident that you’re going to find a great beach or two. But if you’re looking for great beaches and a great all-around time, then think about visiting Ibiza, which is known as one of the best island destinations in the world. You’ll have quiet beaches, party beaches, and everything in between.