Lazy beach days

Rhodes, the pearl of the Mediterranean region, is a cosmopolitan island that combines unique natural beauty and archaeological wealth with stunning beaches and intensive nightlife. This is a place for everyone: simultaneously youthful and family friendly, romantic and modern.

Dinard, set on the dramatic coastline of Brittany in northern France, has long been a fashionable destination for holidaying French urbanites. Characterised by its long and wide, tree-lined boulevards that converge on elegant squares full of chic restaurants and creperies, the city juts out seawards and is, therefore, surrounded on three sides by beaches and the sea. For sailing, water sport and beach enthusiasts, it means that the coast is always within easy walking distance.

Often called the 21st arrondissement of Paris, Deauville has been the go-to destination for the upper crust of French society for decades. Today, it is a spectacular seaside resort town sporting grand promenades, glamorous casinos, a pair of thoroughbred horse race tracks, golf courses, the American Film Festival, and plenty of chic visitors.

Sun-drenched and palm-fringed, the island of Saint Martin is one of the most beautiful in the eastern Caribbean. It also has a dual personality: the northern Saint-Martin is a little outpost of France, and the southern Sint Maarten oozes the warmth of the Dutch. The border between them is basically non-existent, and visitors are free to enjoy everything from water sports and cultural festivals to shopping.

Mykonos is an eclectic place–pristine beaches, elegant boutiques, fine dining, and rowdy bars are all packed onto one tiny piece of land, a mere 15km long at its widest point. Partying is a round-the-clock affair here, against a scenic backdrop of whitewashed houses and Little Venice, Mykonos Town's most charming neighbourhood.

Think of picture-perfect, long sandy white beaches framed by a lapping marine-blue ocean, lush rainforests with cascading waterfalls, vibrant flora and fauna, and under the ocean, the most amazing colourful gardens you could imagine: this is Samoa, the last unspoilt paradise in the world.

The island of Mauritius lies about 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. As part of the Republic of Mauritius, which also includes the nearby islands of Rodrigues, Agaléga and St. Brandon, Mauritius has a long history of colonial conquests, disputed by the Netherlands, France and Great Britain. Having gained independence in 1968, the Republic of Mauritius retains its colourful diversity, remaining multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multicultural and multilingual, giving shape to a very own, unique environment.

Lucea's appeal goes beyond its stunning white-sand beaches, secluded coves, and picture-perfect sunsets. It also extends to the quaint colonial town that plays host to a bustling weekly market on Saturdays. Nestled between Montego Bay and Negril, Lucea is a tranquil and pristine destination that has yet to be overrun by tourists, unlike many other popular Jamaican getaways.