Lazy beach days

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.

With approximately 340 days of sunshine a year and six kilometres of soft white-sand beaches, Agadir is Morocco’s premiere beach resort. Nestled among the verdant valleys of the Great Souss and with the majestic Anti-Atlas mountain range rearing up behind it, this modern, cosmopolitan city has all the attendant pleasures, thrills and luxuries you could ask for.

The paradise-like Fraser Island is known first and foremost as a whale watching destination. The wider Fraser Coast region offers plenty of other amazing places and adventures. This picturesque area is centred around the twin cities of Hervey Bay and Maryborough. Check out the former gold mining town of Gympie and the beautiful natural surroundings, both on land and in the water. The warm and mild climate makes this region perfect to explore all year round.

The iconic white sand island archipelago, washed by crystal-blue waters of the Indian Ocean, firmly holds on to its reputation as a sought-after luxury holiday retreat for vacationers the world over. Earlier heralded as primarily a honeymoon destination, the Maldives now draw a diverse range of travellers to its increasing number of backpacker inns and long-established high-end resorts.

Ringed by mountains and crowned by a spectacular fortress, Spain’s sunniest city mixes shopping centres and tapas bars with a mediaeval old town of narrow streets and tranquil squares. Along the coast you can find fishing villages, popular resorts, secluded beaches and the wild landscape of the Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park.

Like so many of the towns and cities of Egypt, Hurghada, Luxor and Marsa Alam are living history museums. The three cities are positioned as corners of a triangle in the Eastern Desert. Hurghada, a former fishing harbour, stretches 24 kilometres along the waterfront and is the perfect area for water sports. Marsa Alam is found by the Red Sea coast and tourism is just starting to make an impact. The city of Luxor, with its jaw-droppingly beautiful monuments built by the hands of ancient craftsmen, lies 240 kilometres inland on the banks of the River Nile.

Once a peripheral backwater district, Langkawi has transformed into a major tourist destination, drawing visitors with its pristine tropical beaches and natural attractions. In 2008, the archipelago was aptly renamed 'Langkawi Permata Kedah', meaning 'Langkawi, the jewel of Kedah'. This name captures the essence of Langkawi — a true tropical paradise waiting to be explored.

Asturias is a region of splendid beaches, unspoiled nature, dotted with rich architectural, industrial and cultural heritage. Apart from the region’s uncrowded beaches, there are lively inland cities and areas of great natural beauty. There are several major destinations in the Asturias region, including the cities of Oviedo, Gijon and Aviles, along with the scenic village of Ribadesella. Our guide includes tips and information concerning these four key Asturias locations.