The beach holiday is the platonic ideal of vacations: what nearly every traveler, whether active or armchair, dreams of. Soft sand, shady palms, a cold drink, a warm surf—what more could you want? It’s no wonder so many ad campaigns hang their hook (and their products) on this seaside ideal: brands of beer, lines of clothes, models of cars. Travel + Leisure writers and editors are no strangers to the allure of the shore, and so search the world for the best beach vacations it can offer.
Picture yourself in an Alpine meadow with your feet in glacial meltwater and your face in the sun. The hills aren’t alive with the sound of music. You’ll more likely hear chattering hikers or the soft burr of a freewheeling bicycle. Holiday in the Alps in summer: they’re sublime.
Adventure doesn't have to take you out of your comfort zone; from activities like zip-wiring in Costa Rica, to tasting local dishes in Italy and staying with local families in Peru, there's a little adventure to be found on all our travels.
Coded by Theresa