When visiting Tokyo, it’s key to book a luxurious hotel that feels like a serene retreat removed from the crowds. After all, Japan’s sprawling capital is populated by 37 million people, making it the single largest city in the world.
21.07.2023 - 08:22 / roughguides.com
From the pristine shores of Bali to the rugged beauty of Australia's Whitehaven Beach, these best beaches in the world offer incomparable beauty, crystal clear waters and a sense of tranquillity, making them truly unforgettable destinations for beach lovers.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guides guidebooks — your essential guides for visiting the world.
While its beautiful, paradise-like beaches are newsworthy enough, Ko Pha Ngan – and more specifically, Sunrise Beach, on the island’s peninsula Hat Rin – has become one of the best beaches in the world for its raucous drink- and drug-fuelled Full Moon parties. The parties take place on the night of a full moon each month.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Ko Pha Ngan.
Haad Yao Beach on Koh Phangan Island, Thailand © jasomtomo/Shutterstock
Accessible by longboat only, this secluded beach is backed by the cavernous Tham Phra Nang Nok, or “Princess Cave”, believed by fishermen to be the home of a mythical sea princess. There are no restaurants on the beach – instead, look out for the longboats selling juices and snacks.
Stretching along Thailand’s spectacular Andaman Coastline, bordered by striking limestone karsts and provides visitors with a relaxing getaway in Krabi. On this tailor-made Krabi Beach Escape, soft-sand beaches and inviting turquoise waters await.
Find more accommodation options to stay near Phra Nang Beach.
Aerial view of Phra Nang Cave Beach with a traditional long-tail boat, Krabi, Thailand © Avigator Fortuner/Shutterstock
Enormous Rainbow Beach, in southeastern Queensland, gets its name from its surrounding colourful sand dunes – a mixture of browns, blacks, oranges, yellows, and reds. The sand dunes are said to have been formed by a rainbow-coloured spirit plunging into the cliffs following a battle with a wicked tribesman. In actual fact, the sand is simply rich in vibrant minerals like ilmenite, zircon and rutile.
Rainbow Beach, Queensland, Australia © mantisdesign/Shutterstock
The largest and finest island in the Whitsundays, National Parks-run Whitsunday Island is home to one of the best beaches in the world -Whitehaven Beach, with its startling – almost blinding – white sand. It handles plenty of day-trippers and campers (there’s a campsite at the southern end of the beach) but it’s still admirably clean for it.
Find more accommodation options to stay near Whitehaven Beach.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsundays, Australia © Shutterstock
continued below
Although most of the islands in the Okinawa chain, south of the Japanese mainland, have magnificent beaches, Aharen is one of the best beaches in the world, particularly for its extraordinarily clear waters. The waters shelter a rich marine life, including over
When visiting Tokyo, it’s key to book a luxurious hotel that feels like a serene retreat removed from the crowds. After all, Japan’s sprawling capital is populated by 37 million people, making it the single largest city in the world.
Ever dreamed of packing up everything and moving to another country? Here are the most livable cities in the world, according to a study by The Economist.
The esteemed Dr. Beach has released his annual list of America’s top ten beaches, and you’ll want to visit all of them this summer—doctors orders.
I don’t suppose that most travelers choose their trip destinations based on a country’s happiness index. On the other hand, if they knew that Country A scored near the top of the happiness index and Country B scored near the bottom, it seems probable they’d be inclined to book their flights to Country A. Who wants to spend their vacation among unhappy people?
AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).
Wondering what the best airlines are according to the average flyer? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) gives a good idea in its Travelers’ Choice best airline rankings each year based on real travelers’ reviews. And the results are different than most trade studies that list the “best airlines.”
Skytrax is out with its annual list of the World’s Top 100 Airlines, perhaps the most recognized worldwide ranking of best airlines. As usual, and to the chagrin of travelers here in the states, most of the top performers are not U.S. airlines. Instead, the list is dominated by Asian, Middle Eastern, and, to a lesser extent, European carriers.
Looking for the best cities to live in or retire abroad? The world’s most livable city is once again Vienna, Austria, according to The Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s annual Most Livable Cities ranking.
If you want to stay at the best hotel in the United States, head to the French Quarter Inn in Charleston, South Carolina. And if you’re looking for the best bargain hotel stay in the world, it’s in a small town in northern Spain. That’s according to TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, which just shared the best hotel ratings for multiple categories heading into 2019.
For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.
Dreaming of being on a dreamy European beach—or already on one and wondering if you can do even better? Then look to the Iberian Peninsula. European Best Destinations recently announced its ranking of the top 15 beaches in Europe, as voted on by thousands of travelers from 83 countries. This year’s No. 1 is Torrente de Pareis in Mallorca, Spain. Rounding out the top three are Bordeira Beach in Alzejur, Portugal and Amio Beach in Cantabria, Spain.
Germany’s thriving capital has been voted the tenth coolest city in the world thanks to its cutting-edge art scene, wild nightlife, multiculturalism, incredible museums and rebirth into the dynamic cosmopolitan powerhouse it is today. And as each day goes by, Berlin seems to only get cooler.