10 best beaches in Egypt

It’s easy to paint a certain picture of Martha’s Vineyard if you’ve never been. Ahead of my first visit last month, I imagined what’s synonymous with most well-known islands: unspoiled beaches, freshly caught seafood, an unhurried pace of life. But I also imagined locals who were insular, conservative, and flashy with their wealth.

America’s coastal areas don’t have a monopoly on great beaches . . . or groovy beach towns.

With its white-sand beaches and sparkling turquoise seas framed by palm trees, lush greenery and soaring mountains, there could hardly be a more romantic destination than the Caribbean. Whether you want to snorkel with spectacular sea life, indulge in a moonlit dinner á deux, have your cares massaged away or lounge together in a private cabana, the Caribbean offers the ultimate idyllic couples’ escape.

Dreaming of visiting the pyramids? You no longer have to face the hassle of getting an Egypt travel visa through a consulate, or worry about long lines at an airport visa counter after a long-haul flight.

With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.

There’s no shortage of unique hotels in Cape Town, South Africa, that show you how a vacation should be done. Positioned between ocean and mountain, the breathtaking landscape is matched by a thrilling downtown district dishing up farm-to-fork fare and wines from the local vineyards. With international and boutique hotels vying for your attention, whittling down where to stay in Cape Town is the biggest hurdle. Complete with swimming pools and views for days, these luxury hotels in Cape Town’s top neighborhoods have you spoiled for comfort and location.

New Zealand offers an idyllic escape and is a perfect place to visit for those in search of a luxurious getaway. From its awe-inspiring mountains and captivating landscapes, to its majestic lakes and sprawling vineyards, New Zealand is a paradise for travelers. There are also plenty of opportunities to indulge in luxury experiences such as enjoying gourmet cuisine with locally sourced produce expertly paired with wines, staying at luxurious lodges that offer superior amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows with unbeatable views, and exploring iconic art collections from the late American billionaire Julian Robertson.

For most travellers, Egypt's Sinai Peninsula means one thing: the coast. Package tourists flock to the bold and brash resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh and neighbouring Na'ama Bay, while backpackers and independent travellers favour the more laid-back charms of Dahab and Nuweiba. The inviting Red Sea, sandy beaches and seemingly endless diving and snorkelling opportunities mean that relatively few people take the time to explore the interior of the Sinai Peninsula. Those who do rarely venture beyond a handful of well-worn and over-crowded camel, jeep and quad-biking 'safari' routes.

Rugged and vast, Canada is a road-tripper's dream. Driving gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace – pull over and take in the scenery along the way or break up the journey with hiking and kayaking.

South Africa's ever-changing landscapes, pristine coastlines, quirky small towns and abundance of wide open spaces have cemented the country's reputation as one of the world's best road trip destinations.

Egypt is the Nile, and the Nile is Egypt, or so the saying goes. But there is much more to this ancient land than that. Egypt has long exercised a potent spell over ordinary people. It has inspired poetry and literature, architecture and more. Here is our guide to the best things to do in Egypt.

Many of the popular island destinations in this part of the world boast golf course resorts and beautiful beaches, but Bermuda has so much more than the standard things to see and do. While many of the activities can be enjoyed year-round, Bermuda's sub-tropical climate means that May to September is when the island is liveliest, so here are our favourite things to do in Bermuda beyond the resorts.