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Take the Pacific Highway south from Sydney and when you reach the Illawarra district, you have begun your exploration of South Coast NSW. There seems to be a magical border crossing there. The climate becomes a little cooler and the scenery a little greener. There are longer stretches of road between towns and each of the areas you visit has its own unique atmosphere. Many south coast attractions are on the coast, but others, sometimes overlooked by travelers on the Pacific Highway are inland gems you just don’t want to miss.

Image by: The Waterboy

Kiama is likely to be your first stop on the South Coast. This delightful seaside town is the perfect place to call your base of operations. Not only does Kiama have many wonderful attractions in its own right, its central location means that you can easily reach many other popular destinations without spending half your day driving.

From Kiama, a short drive inland will take you to Berry. Berry is a rural village steeped in heritage and charm. It will enchant you even before you arrive in the city center as you pass through the rolling hills of the surrounding dairy lands. Don’t expect a sprawling metropolis in Berry. The total population of the city is around 2000, but the town center is accustomed to catering to the needs of visitors and you’ll love all the restored buildings and wonderful shops.

A little further inland and you come to Kangaroo Valley. Like Berry, it is a small town, but it has a unique character all its own. Many people say Kangaroo Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. As you cross the historic Hampden Bridge, you will likely agree and when you look down on Kangaroo Valley from a distance, your thoughts will echo the words of explorer George Evans, who described the valley as something "no painter could beautify" any further.

Image by: Yewenyi

Just twenty minutes drive back towards the coast and you arrive in Nowra, the regional center of the south coast and its largest town. Situated on the Shoalhaven River, Nowra has an abundance of natural attractions. For a fascinating look at Nowra through an artist’s eyes, visit Bundanon, the rural property Australia’s great artist, Arthur Boyd bequeathed to the state as an artist’s retreat. It is only open to the public on the first Sunday of each month, but is well worth planning a south coast holiday around.

Whenever you happen to be in Nowra, you can take a Shoalhaven River cruise. As you make your way slowly up the river, the scenery will always be changing. One minute you will overlook a long, flat landscape and the next you will be passing by sheer sandstone cliffs.

You can return to Kiama or choose to Nowra for your South Coast NSW accommodation. For that matter, you might be intrigued by one of the other famous landmarks south of Nowra. Mollymook and Bateman’s Bay are just a couple of the coastal towns that will enchant you before the south coast turns into the Sapphire Coast and you continue on the Pacific Hwy south as far as you like. Be careful, though: you may become so enchanted by the south coast you will decide never to leave.

There is a diverse range of South Coast holiday rentals available to cater to all types of accommodation needs. You will find hotel and motels suitable for couples for a short stay, or a range of holiday houses for families or large groups wanting to get away for a summer vacation.

Pinterest is continuing to become a popular social networking site for people of all ages, races and ethnicities. From DIY projects to fashion to art to food, ideas can be inspired and pinned to one location on the site.

People use Pinterest for many reasons, but one of the best uses of Pinterest is to help plan a vacation.

It allows you to see places you want to visit.

Visit the travel section of Pinterest, and you’ll be bombarded by beautiful scenery from all over the world. If you notice a waterfall, beach, mountain or other place that piques your interest, you can use Pinterest to get more information on the location. If you simply fall in love with a location, you can then plan on vacationing there.

Pinterest opens you up to locations you may have otherwise overlooked. It appeals to your sense of sight, and a beautiful image can have more impact on you that a suggestion from friends or family members.

When you come across places you want to visit, pin them to a Vacation board. This way, you’ll be able to keep your dream vacations organized, and it can help you make planning easier.

It can help you organize.

Planning a vacation requires a great amount of detail, and it can be hard to keep everything together. You visit countless websites to gain information, and unless you bookmark them, you may forgetting which sites you visited.

Pinterest allows you to create a special board specifically for your vacation. You can then use the board to pin details of your vacation and keep everything organized. From hotels to activities and everything in between, you’ll have all of your vacation information in one place.

It can help you know where to stay.

Once you’ve determined where you want to go, Pinterest can also help you determine where to stay. You can pin maps of the area to your board, and you can use the site to see pictures of popular hotels or lodging in the area. Once you’ve narrowed your choices down, do some research on the amenities and benefits of each place, and pin them to a special vacation board. This will allow you to keep all of your vacation information organized.

Use it to choose activities.

By using Pinterest to search one area, you can be provided with information on activities to do in the area. Is there a beachfront promenade? Horseback riding? Kayaking? Use the images you see most often to learn more about what you want to do while there. You may just find an activity through Pinterest that you would have otherwise overlooked.

Pinterest can excite your family.

Images provoke a great sense of excitement. Verbally telling your children where you’re going can only do so much, but showing them pictures of the area, what you’ll do while there and even showing them the culture of the area can get them more excited to go.

If you are traveling with other people, they can access your pin board to view the information of the trip too, such as where you’ll be staying and what you’ll be doing. This keeps everyone on the same page and eliminates the last-minute confusion.

If you enjoy traveling, Pinterest can become your new travel BFF. You can find new destinations, and you can even decide the details of your trip all through the information posted by other individuals as well as your own research.

Peter Stalling lives in Austin and works as a editor for the newspaper.  He likes to write articles about traveling and social media.  Peter recently wrote about his stay at a luxury resort in mexico.

Barbados is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean. Any shutterbug will appreciate the amazing array of scenery available on the island, no matter the season! If you’re planning a trip to Barbados, be sure to pack your camera and this list of the top scenic spots. These five locations are sure to provide an abundance of photo opportunities:

Flower Forest

If you love nature and find inspiration in the vivid colors of native flora, you’ll not want to miss the Flower Forest. Located at the edge of the Scotland District, the forest sits on the site of the Richmond Sugar Plantation. In the forest, you’ll find naturally occurring vegetation mixed with imported trees and plants. Visit during the high season and plan on spending an afternoon walking the well-beaten paths with your best lens. The photos you take will stun your family and friends back home!

Orchid World

Another top spot for those who love snapping photos of nature, Orchid World can be found right in the middle of the island. The parish of St. George is home to this amazing display of over 20,000 orchids from around the world. Take at least an hour to walk through the gardens and houses. Not only can you find inspiration among the orchids, you’ll find that the views of the sugar cane valley below lend a whole other perspective to your photography.

Andromeda Botanical Gardens

These peaceful gardens are located in Bathsheba, situated on the east coast of St. Joseph. You’ll feel as though you’ve entered a tropical paradise the moment you step foot in these gardens. Rolling streams and calm lily ponds surrounded by palms, orchids and tropical flowers will give you more inspiration than you’ve ever had. Find a spot and sit very still, and see if you can spot one of the favorite subjects of photographers around the world: the beautiful hummingbird.

Kensington Oval

If taking photographs of people is your hobby, you’ll want to visit Kensington Oval. Popular with locals and tourists alike, this green has held cricket matches for over a hundred years. You’ll not only be able to capture amazing photographs of locals and tourists, but can take away a bit of cricket knowledge and memorabilia as well. Home to the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup, the green has been refurbished and is an absolutely gorgeous piece of land.

Polo

What can afford better photo opportunities than athletes riding atop powerful, muscular horses playing one of the oldest sports in the world? Some of the more popular polo fields can be found at Clifton, Water Hall, Holders and Lion Castle. The sport is growing on the island of Barbados and you’re sure to find at least one person who would be thrilled to share the ins and outs of the game with a novice tourist!

Barbados is a stunning island with photo ops at every turn. Be sure to pack your favorite lenses in your bag to take some of the most vivid photographs you’ve ever had the pleasure to snap.

Diane Magruder is a hotel and resort reviewer and, while she’s in between destinations, blogs for Barbados Holidays.org. In particular she highly recommends checking out Discovery Bay, Barbados.

Nature provides us with a natural background for fun and excitement.  If you are like me, though, you may not understand just how to use it to gain all that it has to offer.  Knowing some fun activities to complete with your family can be helpful.  Included is a list of outdoor sports that my family just has to do when camping.  Use these ideas or let them serve as inspiration for what you will do to utilise Mother Nature on your next camping adventure!

Hiking

Taking a hike through the woods is a great method of exercise for your family when on a camping trip.  Take the appropriate clothing and head out around your campsite.  Try travelling up hills and through the wooded areas in order to see all that you can while camping.  Remember, as my family sometimes forgets, it is best to stay in a group and have hydration throughout the trip.  Plan ahead and make sure that you have everything you need and then head out on your way through the great outdoors!

Climbing

For the avid outdoorsman as my husband is, climbing can be a great way to exercise and use that strength while outside.  Rock formations can be beautiful to look at but are also a source of activity when necessary.  It is important to remember that you should not attempt to go climbing unless you are completely prepared!  Take care and be safe by having someone go with you who is knowledgeable about where to go and what equipment is necessary to make the climbing experience safe.  Also, be aware that if you have mixed ages of individuals, children or the elderly may not be up to this activity so plan accordingly.  If you are safe, prepared, and know what you need to know, this can be so much fun!

Fishing

If climbing and hiking are both not your cup of tea, try doing something more relaxing, like fishing.  A great activity for all ages, fishing can bring serenity and calm to your group of campers.  Of course, there needs to be equipment including fishing poles and bait.  However, if you are willing to make the investment, or find a rental location as we do on many trips, this can be a great group activity that requires less expended energy.  The amount of fun you have may surprise you!  If you wish to keep the fish and cook them, there are often rules and regulations set up for this.  Make sure to check before taking them.  You can always throw them back if you want!

Kayaking

Kayaking can be another great way to see the natural environment around you and have fun too!  Kayaking requires equipment, which I have found many places are willing to rent or allow you to borrow, but for the lover of the water it is a great activity to do!  Set sail early in the morning so you can see the sunrise over the lake or near evening when the sun is setting and you will make a visual memory that will last forever.

Make It Your Own

Camping is about fun and reconnection.  Whether it is just you and the natural world or a family vacation, try these fun activities to make the most out of your time.  Along the way, it could happen that you find a new activity that will become your favourite pastime!  In addition, you may find that the memories you share will last you a lifetime!  Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy each other, and may these activities be as fun for you as they were for my brood!

Camping and caravan holidays UK can be so much fun and by making sure you plan ahead the whole family can enjoy some great outdoor sporting activities.

Blessed with over 65 kilometres (40 miles) of pearly white sandy beaches and a year ’round subtropical climate, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations. It stands to reason, then, that Maroochydore, in the very heart of the Sunshine Coast, would be the centre of activity on the Sunshine Coast.

Maroochydore is not actually a single town. Rather, it is a collection of interconnected suburbs, including Alexandra Headland, Maroochy, Mooloolaba and Coolum. Each of these names is well known to visitors to the region because each of them has its own special flavour. Together, they form the vibrant hub of the Sunshine Coast. With a total population of around 50,000, these communities form the commercial centre of the entire region.

If you asked the question, "What is there to do in Maroochydore?" you would probably be asked in return: "What’s not to do?" Aside from snow skiing and other winter activities, Maroochydore lacks nothing except perhaps the fast-paced life of other larger coastal resorts south of the Sunshine Coast. There’s all the shopping, dining and entertainment you can find in southern Queensland, but it’s all presented to you in the relaxed, hospitable Sunshine Coast spirit.

The Gold Coast is famous for its theme parks. In fact, many families go to the Gold Coast just to visit Sea World or one of the other large theme works in the area. If you’ve "been there, done that" or want to enjoy the more relaxed pace of the Sunshine Coast but not deprive the kids of a theme park adventure, Maroochydore is the perfect compromise. Aussie World, conveniently located just off the Bruce Highway, is not as large (or expensive) as its Gold Coast rivals, but it is equally fun for the whole family. Hint: the teenagers and brave adults will love the Giant Redback!

Another great Maroochydore family attraction is the Sunshine Castle. Located in nearby Bli Bli, the re-creation of a medieval castle is great fun for everyone and is just a ten minute drive from Maroochydore. Be sure and climb to the top of the 24 metre (about 20 yard) high lookout and take in the breathtaking view of the entire Sunshine Coast and hinterland.

If you like surfing, no one needs to convince you to take the time to drive past the classic, but overcrowded breaks of southern Queensland to the beaches and points around Maroochydore. Alexandra Headland and Noosa Heads are two of the Sunshine Coast’s classic surf spots and there are many more. When you add the great beachbreaks into the mix, there are dozens of great spots for surfing. For consistent waves, check out Coolum: for some reason, it attracts waves like a magnet.

Whether you’re a family, a couple or travelling alone, you’ll love the Sunshine Coast and will find a Sunshine Coast accommodation  to suit you. There’s everything from budget backpacker lodges to romantic retreats for couples. If you’re not driving, don’t worry. There are plenty of transportation services available in Maroochydore, so you won’t need to miss a thing.

Among numerous hotel, motel, bed and breakfast house, lodge and backpackers choices in Nelson, New Zealand, consider Almond House Backpackers for convenience, budget, and comfort. This hostel has an 84% BBH quality rating, pleasant outdoor views and is just a short walk to the city center.

For those of you who are not familar BBH stands, it lists over 300 backpackers accommodations in NZ. The ratings are done by the travelers once a year.

Clean, small, and comfortable Almond House Backpackers is easy on the traveler’s budget with free bedding, coffee, tea, swimming pool, BBQ, sunny garden, and off street parking in a secure environment. Dorm, twin, and double rooms have fully made up beds. This backpacker also features laundry facilities and a guest phone.

Costs are from $26 for a shared room to $70 for a private double bed room with bathrooms close by. You can get a discount on all the accommodations with a BBH card.

Under new management since December 2006, the hostel has friendly owners who are ready to give helpful advice for booking tours and activities on your Nelson visit. They’ll be glad to direct you to New Zealand’s great outdoor adventures of Abel Tasman National Park, enjoy a museum, local artisans, shopping, sample great Nelson wines, or take part in bone carving or other arts and crafts.

When you’re not cooling off in the private pool at Almond House Backpackers, owners Paul and Fiona might also direct you toward Nelson’s famous wellness spas for a full spectrum of treatments and services offered by qualified practitioners. Or they may recommend fish and chips or the catch of the day at one of Nelson’s restaurants located in this fishing port known as “Seafood City.”

Almond House Backpackers makes a great base to relax only a few minutes’ walk away from cafes, pubs, and restaurants, or you can enjoy reading or writing postcards int the attractive garden, cooking in a well equipped kitchen or gathering with friends around the BBQ, or catching up on laundry.

Almond House is situated on a quiet residential street across from the Green Grocer Organics Shop and one minute’s walk from “The Bush Tavern,” Nelson, New Zealand’s oldest pub. It is walking distance to downtown where you will find New Zealand’s finest artisan workshops and stores. Coach buses will gladly pick up and drop off.

My daughter and I stayed here for a couple of days where we had fun exploring the town and purchasing gifts for our family and friends. The accommodations are first class. We had a double room that was very spacious and looked over the pool.

You will find more information about places for your New Zealand vacation accommodations here…

Every summer the main topic of discussion in the Pandora Inn at Mylor in Cornwall revolves around sailing holidays. Who went where and with whom? Crewed or un-crewed? As far as previous family holidays go was it the best one ever? Would you go again?

I imagine these discussions have been going on at the Pandora since the 13th century, when the inn was first built. It’s a treasure of a place with marvellous food, and a must stop for all who sail the south of England. Summer welcomes a passing trade of local residents who row across on high tide for a pint and many return visitors come back to see if there are any familiar friends there from the sailing community.

You see the Pandora is one of those unofficial information points that you won’t find marked on the sailing calendar. I often eavesdrop and pester those in the know for their recommendations on the best destinations for family sailing holidays and below are three of the best that I’ve gleamed so far.

Caribbean, USA, Atlantic Ocean

The British Virgin Islands consist of a small archipelago of fifty tiny islands that lie to the east of Puerto Rico.  Families sail these Caribbean islands and experience the crystal clear turquoise water that can only be found over coral reefs. These waters teem with wildlife. Enjoy the sight of dolphins escorting your yacht as you sail between harbours; turtles lazily swimming by in shallow waters; ending days at dusk with a spot of fishing over the side when moored in aqua lagoons.

Depending on the type of family holiday you design, you are guaranteed a different perspective whatever you choose. Un-crewed sailing holidays mean that you are the boss, and many of those in The Pandora look to have hearty sea legs. Their eyes glint as they describe the freedom of sea travel; the delights of navigation by stars; waking to glorious sunrises on water; and snorkelling with supersized starfish, all of which makes me want to close my eyes and escape to warmer climes.

Whitsundays, Australia, Pacific Ocean

Deeper blues and darker hues await families who sail the Whitsundays in Australia, regarded as one of the most essential sailing holidays one must undertake to have led a full life. Everything about Australia is bigger. Sea-life includes: sea lions, whales, green turtles, parrotfish, albatrosses, and sharks, the latter makes me think it might be better to go for the crewed option here!

An experienced skipper to take the family yachting will ensure you experience the raw beauty that Australia has to offer. It is possible to feel like you are alone in your very own tropical aquatic wilderness. Sailing can be thrilling and fast, with large twin cats an appealing option for independent charters. You can always mix things up on family holidays, depending on how competent and qualified individual members of the family are.

Australians are very service orientated, and incredibly cheerful, many regarding their jobs in the Whitsundays as one of the best in the world. The phrase ‘The Lucky Country’ bubbles from their commentary as they tell you tall stories about the Whitsunday sea-life and point out the constellations of the night sky and Southern Cross. Just don’t mention the cricket.

Seychelles, Africa, Indian Ocean

North of Madagascar is paradise on earth. The Seychelles is home to many species of wildlife and some of the most pristine picture postcard beaches in the world. The series of islands in the Indian Ocean attract those who like an adventure aspect to their sailing holiday such as big game fishing and deep sea diving.

Families enjoy holidays in the Seychelles as it is a popular destination for super yachts, big power cruisers and large catamarans moored to busy marinas. There’s a great atmosphere and lots of people to share experiences and tips with.

The main feature common to all these destinations according to the wise old wags at The Pandora, is the social aspects. Sea and sailing holidays attract holidaymakers who have the spirit of adventure, enjoy outdoor water sports and a convivial glass of wine over decks as the sun sets over the rails.

Biog: Eliza Doole draws her travel tips from personal experience with family holidays in the Seychelles, and other popular world destinations.

Greece has one of the most famous histories of any country on Earth; the advanced civilization and empire that reigned over this area of Europe gave the world mathematics, philosophy and mythology. Without the cultures that resided beside the diamond-clear waters of the Mediterranean, a great deal of science would likely not exist. Needless to say it’s a history buff’s dream vacation spot!

The island of Crete, just off the coast of the mainland, is one of the most populous of Greece’s municipalities, and was home to the ancient Minoan civilization, which was one of the earliest permanent cultures ever (living during the Bronze Age), and which built the first palaces in Europe. Many of the ruins of these archeological wonders are still around and open for visits. For the curious traveler, these sites truly must be seen to be believed.

Knossos

This palace, also known as the Labyrinth, is the largest Bronze Age site on Crete. It’s thought to have been the ceremonial center for the Minoans, and is a veritable maze of rooms decorated with images of what life on the island was like. The ruins were discovered in 1878, and it has since been determined that the more than 1,000 interlocking rooms housed up to 100,000 people at its most populous. The resort contained aquaducts for three separate water-management systems, a huge Throne Room, and at least one large theater.

Palace of Zakro

Zakros is a site on the east coast of Crete, and was likely a trading hub due to its protected harbor. The small town had a large palace which was erected around 1900 BC, and rebuilt at least twice over the next 500 years. The ruins here are extensive, and one can still see the outlines of the buildings from the stone foundations which remain in the ground. The spot also has evidence of a winding labyrinth, and was the spot where several diamond-shaped pieces of tablets were discovered, all of which were inscribed with Linear A, one of the ancient Minoan scripts which have yet to be translated.

Phaistos

This city was inhabited starting at around 4000 BC, and is referred to quite often in ancient Greek literature. The poet Homer described its participation in the Trojan War, and the founder of the city was rumored to be the son of Hercules. When it was first excavated in the early 20th century, scholars realized that the site had actually been completely destroyed and rebuilt in the late Bronze Age, when the first palace had been almost entirely obliterated by a massive earthquake. In 1908 an archeologist found the Phaistos Disc, which is a small clay artifact covered in unique hieroglyphs. Its meaning and purpose are a complete mystery, especially since the language on it has never been deciphered.

Be at the center of a hub of wonderful Mediterranean activities while staying at Hapimag Damnoni resort, Crete. Located at the ocean, Hapimag Damnoni is the ideal Greek getaway spot. Offering everything one could hope for in a Greek resort, including stunning vistas, this island paradise is THE place to vacation.

Every Australian has heard of Kalgoorlie: the outback town in the heart of Western Australia. Australians have heard of it, but because of its remoteness, relatively few have gone out of their way to visit and see what it’s really like. Is it really as you imagine it to be? Is Kalgoorlie (or Kalgoorlie-Boulder, its official name) worth going out of your way to see?

One thing can be said for sure: Kalgoorlie is worth visiting. It may not be as you imagine it to be – in fact, it probably won’t be. Many Australians imagine it to be a dusty outback town with a handful of hardy residents. If you are one of these, you’re in for a big surprise. Kalgoorlie-Boulder has a population of over thirty thousand and is a vibrant community in the middle of some of the most amazing scenery on earth.

Kalgoorlie has such a rich history, you might be surprised to learn that it is newer than many other historical Australian towns. HM Lefroy first mentioned crossing through the region in 1863. He was followed by CC Hunt, a year later. Neither of these explorers found the pastoral land they were seeking.

It wasn’t until nearly 30 years later that Kalgoorlie’s "cash crop", gold, was discovered in nearby Coolgardie by Arthur Bayley. His find generated interest and in 1893, prospectors discovered 100 moree ounces of gold and the Kalgoorlie gold rush was on. Miners hoping to strike it rich in the Kalgoorlie gold fields flooded into the region. Gold was the only thing on their mind and many died from disease and exposure. They came so quickly, there was no infrastructure in place and for awhile, water was so scarce, it had greater value than gold.

The Kalgoorlie Gold Rush was no "flash in the pan." The town’s current population was equaled soon after the gold rush began and businesses were established for the miners. At one time, there were 93 hotels in Kalgoorlie-Boulder and 8 breweries made sure the miners didn’t suffer from thirst after a hard day’s work. In a little over a century since its discovery, an incredible 50,000,000 ounces of gold has been extracted from its desert floor.

Kalgoorlie has become quite a bit more cosmopolitan since its rough and tumble beginnings, but other than that, it is much as it always has been, including the architecture, the better examples of which still stand. To give you a feel for what old Kalgoorlie looked like, the locals have created the Inner City Trail which takes you past the finest examples of 19th century architecture in the town.

Two "must see" Kalgoorlie attractions are the Super Pit and the Antony Gorley sculptures. Antony Gorley chose the haunting salt plain on Lake Ballard as his "gallery," where 51 black iron sculptures stand out against the stark, salt-encrusted soil. In marked contrast to this, but equally surreal, the Super Pit is the largest open pit gold mine in Australia.

You don’t have to worry about going without the necessities or even the luxuries in life when you visit Kalgoorlie today. Many of the 93 original hotels are gone now, but they have been replaced by modern Kalgoorlie accommodation options ranging from comfortable station stays in the surrounding outback to Five Star luxury resorts.

With a breadth and depth that few Europeans can fathom, the States hosts some of the most dramatic scenery around. Vast deserts – check! Towering mountains – got ‘em! Thousands of miles of sandy coastline – there! Rare and unusual national parks – most definitely! An endless array of world class cities with fabulous cuisine, night life, theatre, shopping, and so on and so forth – ditto…!

However, that said, some of us are born with plain itchy feet. We love our home, sure, but we yearn to see the rest of the world and what better location to start with than the beach?

Below are five of the world’s finest beaches which are just calling out for all you adventurous combers, loungers and tousle-haired beach bums.

Barra, Mozambique

If you like your beach with a dash of diving, Barra is the place for you. A stunning peninsula on the southeast of Africa, Barra will hold you spellbound with its warm water and white sand. Once a Portuguese colony, this place is an absolute haven for divers and no matter what your level, you will find adventure at every turn. Palm trees complete the picture of this perfect beach and fortunately for you, Barra won’t leave a huge dent in your bank account.

Manzanillo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica appears in many a “best of” list and it’s not difficult to see why. With an enviable environmental record, Costa Rica is a country (and beach) you can feel good about visiting. Manzanillo, a fishing town located on the Caribbean, is so remote that at the time of writing, they still have no ATMs (nearby Puerto Viejo has them instead). You will revel in the beauty of the beaches and if that isn’t enough, the Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge will keep you amused with its vast array of wildlife. If you want an adventure trip that is off the beaten path, Manzanillo is your place.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Come discover what Europeans have known for years; If you seek beaches, Croatia is your land. In the classical European town of Dubrovnik, you can discover magnificent architecture placed conveniently near beaches such as Lapad and Banje. In this part of Croatia, known as “The Pearl of the Adriatic”, you can involve yourself with the beach or the ancient town as much or as little as you want. Sailing and boat trips might divert your attention so make sure you get to the beach first. Surprisingly, Croatia is easy on the travel budget, another reason to check out this gem. 

Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Thailand’s beaches come in a plentiful variety but none are so special or as far away from it all as Koh Phi Phi. Don’t let the name put you off; the beaches are amongst the best in the world. Imagine steep and cloud-like rock faces plunging singularly into the clear blue green Andaman Sea. Got it? You’re almost there. In Koh Phi Phi, you can scuba dive, kayak, rock climb, or hire a long-tail boat to whisk you away to a tiny secluded beach. In the ‘Land of Smiles’, almost anything is possible. In Koh Phi Phi, your ideal beach vacation is close at hand.

Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand

Ah, New Zealand. No other land seems so remote, so different…so downright beachy. It’s an island, after all, and the best beach, by a long shot, is somewhere around Kaiteriteri down to Wainui Bay. If a beach vacation is what you’re looking for, this is it. Located on the South Island, this area is bordered by the Abel Tasman National Park, home to wildlife, forests, rocky cliffs, and, yes, beaches. Think about it: miles of golden sand, crystalline water and sunshine. Plus, there are loads of activities like hiking, cycling, and kayaking.

Biog: Amy is looking forward to her next beach vacation as soon as possible!