ASIAN BEACHES
Asia has some of the prettiest beaches in the world. It's true that if you are coming from Europe or the Americas the trip is a long one. However, once there the cost of everything is much lower so you can enjoy an exotic holiday for no more than you would spend nearer to home.
You can sleep off any jet lag on the beach (under an umbrella off course). How often do you get to see such interesting places as Bali or Thailand? Great beaches, beautiful scenery, bargain prices. It's worth the effort all around.
Phuket and the islands off the southern Thailand coast provide countless world class beaches. You can rent a lounger for a small fee on any one of them and feel as if you're being pampered at a five star resort - at bargain prices. And when it comes to caring for their visitors, Thai's always do it with a smile.
ATLANTIC BEACHES
The Atlantic is home to many world class beaches. If you ever lazed about Ipanema for a morning you would know this for a fact. There is not another urban beach area on this planet that has the same feel to it as Rio. Not even world famous Waikiki can match its sensuous tropical atmosphere.
The precipitous mountains rising out of the edge of the sea, the sultry sway of 'garotas' as they pass provocatively by, the brisk fresh sea breeze, the singsong chant of the beach vendors moving from customer to customer. Yes this is a true beach heaven, and yet only one of many such beaches you'll find along the coast of Brazil.
CARIBBEAN BEACHES
Then there's the Caribbean, which may have more great beaches than the rest of the world combined. Not only is the sand scintillatingly white and the water crystal blue, but the locals are about as laidback and friendly as you'll find anywhere on earth.
These folks really know how to enjoy life and the feeling is absolutely contagious. "C'mon mon, don't worry, be happy." So you know you're going to have a great time if you head for the Caribbean.
With so many beaches it can be hard to choose. For the best beaches, head for the Bahamas. On a budget? Head for the Dominican Republic. Want to party? Then it's Jamaica all the way. Looking for an exclusive haven? Then head to 'Provo'. The choices are endless and only a short jet-hop down from the North.
INDIAN OCEAN BEACHES
Isolated and peaceful, this area is recommended for those in dire need of a relaxing break from their day to day hectic lifestyles. When sea and sky blend into an infinite blue vista, it has a hypnotic effect, that even the busiest workaholic can't resist.
It's a little pricier than some other regions but the results are well worth it for anyone who wants to recharge the old engine so it will fire on all cylinders back in the work-a-day world.
Of course the Maldives is the Shangri-La of all beach destinations. The entire country is a network of the most splendid tropical atolls in the world. For those on a budget Mauritius is a handy jet-hop south from Europe. Or to see some of the most picturesque beaches on the planet, try the Seychelles.
MEDITERRANEAN BEACHES
What can you say about the 'grand dame' of all beach destinations? This is where it all started - and has never stopped. These folks take beach sophistication to a level that the rest of us can only wonder at.
Who else can compete with the breathtaking scenery, the exquisite food, the enchanting wines, the unabashed naturists and the relaxing ambiance of the coastal towns? Others have tried but no one has been able to replicate it.
The Mediterranean coast of France is as much a 'de rigueur' rite of passage as Paris. For those seeking romance, try Italy and in particular Sardinia. The price is right and the setting unrivaled. For the budget conscious there are the Greek islands, steeped in ancient history and populated with convivial locals.
PACIFIC BEACHES
This region is all about vastness and the utter beauty you can find lying within it. With only minimal development to date, there is still an endless supply of atolls and lagoons crying out to be explored by the adventuresome.
This area is the stuff of legends. To visit here is to visit a part of history. From endless vistas to the kindness of the locals, which is only exceeded by their generosity. Let these gentle folk take you back to a time when beach, sea and swaying palms were still part of the innocence of the garden.
If you are on a short break head for Hawaii to taste the true meaning of island hospitality. For a more extended visit include the Fiji's and French Polynesia where the hands of time seem to have paused, as if to ponder the rest of the world's headlong rush into an uncertain future.
BLUE FLAG BEACHES BY COUNTRY:
|
Country |
Beaches |
Marinas |
|
|
|
Bahamas |
0 |
2 |
|
Belgium |
4 |
7 |
|
Bulgaria |
9 |
1
|
|
Canada |
12 |
0 |
|
Croatia |
125 |
21 |
|
Cyprus |
52 |
0 |
|
Denmark |
216 |
75 |
|
Dominican Republic |
4 |
0 |
|
England and N. Ireland |
90 |
0 |
|
Finland |
1 |
24 |
|
France |
226 |
69 |
|
French Departments and Territories |
16 |
3 |
|
Germany |
35 |
125 |
|
Greece |
430 |
9 |
|
Iceland |
2 |
4 |
|
Ireland |
78 |
2 |
|
Italy |
214 |
56 |
|
Jamaica |
3 |
1 |
|
Latvia |
11 |
3 |
|
Lithuania |
6 |
0 |
|
Montenegro |
18 |
0 |
|
Morocco |
13 |
0 |
|
Netherlands |
36 |
49 |
|
New Zealand |
2 |
1 |
|
Norway |
5 |
6 |
|
Poland |
3 |
0 |
|
Portugal |
193 |
16 |
|
Puerto Rico |
5 |
0 |
|
Romania |
1 |
1 |
|
Russia |
0 |
2 |
|
Scotland |
6 |
1 |
|
Slovenia |
7 |
2 |
|
South Africa |
21 |
0 |
|
Spain |
455 |
72 |
|
Sweden |
34 |
49 |
|
|
Tunisia |
0 |
1 |
|
Turkey |
258 |
13 |
|
Wales |
42 |
5 |
|
