Sand, salt, sea, sun

If there’s one thing we love more than any other on vacation, it's the feeling of warm sand beneath our toes. These five beaches are some of the world's very best, from legendary Bondi in Sydney to the dreamy backdrop of Italy’s Ligurian coast. All you need to do is choose one — don’t forget to pack your bucket and spade!

BONDI BEACH, SYDNEY

Bondi is rightly one of the world’s most famous beaches, thanks to its stunning, sweeping crescent of white sand that draws surfers and sun worshippers alike from near and far. It’s home to the world’s first surf lifesaving club, with bronzed members attired in iconic red and yellow caps, while the headlands behind it are popular for walkers and even whale watching. Cafes, bars and restaurants are all just steps away, while our tip is to check out the pool at Icebergs, a swimming club at the southern end of the beach in operation since 1929 and home to extraordinary views.

BURJ AL ARAB BEACH, DUBAI

One of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, the 1,053-foot Burj Al Arab is a stunning property modeled on a billowing sail of a yacht, sitting on a beach of the same name. A location for millions of Instagram posts and countless selfies, it more than lives up to the hype thanks to the softest sands, always-warm blue waters and some of the most unforgettable sunsets you’ll ever encounter. And after those sunsets, it’s the only beach in Dubai where you can enjoy a relaxing night swim.

SAN FRUTTUOSO, ITALY

Few locations in Europe are as picturesque as the coast of Liguria in northwestern Italy, where pastel-colored houses cling to hillsides and hidden beaches promise total escape. Our favorite is San Fruttuoso, between Portofino and Camogli. The water is so impossibly blue that you'd be forgiven for thinking you're in the Maldives, while the mountains behind it are home to a medieval abbey. Best of all, it’s often deserted as you can only reach it by hiking or taking a ferry. Our tip is to stay at Portofino’s famed Splendido Mare hotel, whose staff can organize a private boat for your visit.

BIG WAVE BAY, HONG KONG

There’s no prize for guessing that the big draw at Big Wave Bay comes in the form of its surf, meaning that the sea is often studded with surfers and windsurfers. But the wide sandy beach, surrounded by green hills a short drive from the village of Shek O, is also a perfect spot for couples, families, or groups of friends. With amenities including showers and restrooms, BBQ pits, lifeguards, and a cafe, you have everything you need to focus on doing nothing other than topping up that golden glow. But if you’re keen on getting a workout in as well, it’s also the end point of one of Hong Kong’s most famous hikes, known as the Dragon's Back.

SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI

Finally to the sun-kissed shores of Florida and another world-famous stretch of sand, South Beach in Miami. The perfect spot to see and be seen, it's an energetic, colorful stretch of Miami Beach that draws in a glamorous international crowd both day and night. It’s home to elegant Art Deco architecture, one of the best oceanside dining scenes anywhere in the US, and nightlife to rival Ibiza. And if you’re a fan of tennis or golf, cycling or deep-sea fishing, this is a beach that has you covered for that, too. Stylish, vibrant, and sexy — the challenge is leaving when your vacation is over.

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