In the doldrums of winter, sometimes you just need a little pick-me-up. To combat the dull, gray world you’re currently seeing outside your window, here are some of the best beaches in the world that we’ve visited. So many places have beautiful coastal vistas, but to be a best beach, it had to meet a few criteria: relaxing sunbathing and pleasant swimming in addition to a killer view. From continent to continent and around the world, you can’t go wrong visiting any of these gems.

Asia

Ko Phi Phi Island Beach, Thailand

Touted as one of the most beautiful yet easily accessible island groups in the world, Ko Phi Phi’s beaches in Thailand are not to be missed. Just make sure you leave only footprints on this, and really, all of these beaches. Ko Phi Phi is part of a marine National Park, and visitors have taken a toll on the beaches and reefs over the years.

Vilamendhoo Island Beach, Maldives

Formerly one of the uninhabited islands of the Maldives, Vilamendhoo Island is now home to a resort and spa with some of the best snorkeling and diving around. With warm island waters and that spectacular view, you can’t go wrong.

Europe

Amalfi Beach, Italy

Despite being a little rocky as opposed to sandy, hundreds of beach chairs with umbrellas are set out on this southern Italian gem. The warm waves of the Mediterranean combined with this view makes it a favorite. It’s easy to stay all day!

Praia do Camilo

What’s better than a beautiful sandy cove nestled between impressive rock formations? Praia do Camilo is also a great spot to watch surfers, and there’s a delicious seafood restaurant right at the top of the cliff—200 wooden stairs will take you up to it.

Red Beach, Santorini Greece

Now for a little something different—the sand on this Greek beach is literally red. You have to take a little “hike” to get there, but the unique experience is absolutely worth it. And don’t worry, you can easily make it there in your flip flops.

Oceania

Malolo Island Beach, Fiji

This is an idyllic Fijian island paradise where you can escape the stress of modern living and relax among golden sandy beaches. I’ve never seen another place that looks more like a postcard.

Piha Beach, New Zealand

Piha Beach’s black sand, pounding surf, and rugged natural beauty are a favorite with surfers and swimmers from around the world. With Lion Rock sitting right on the water’s edge, there are unlimited sweeping views across the ocean from this idyllic spot.

North America

Lavalette Beach, New Jersey, USA

Having grown up at the beach, it would be a crime to not include one of my local hometown beaches in this list! Lavalette is not only beautiful and largely unspoiled by rowdy tourists (hello, Seaside Heights/The Jersey Shore); but it also has a lovely boardwalk for beachside strolls in the offseason.

Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas

This is the beach for anyone with beach ADD—aka those of you who have a hard time just sitting on the beach and lazing the day away. Within steps, you have pools, restaurants, casino, and aquarium. What more could you need?

Lewes Beach, Delaware, USA

One of the things I love the most about this beach and town is that there’s really something for everyone. In addition to the beach, there’s also a nearby lake, so it’s a great spot for people who aren’t 100% beach lovers. There’s also an adorable little downtown with great restaurants and boutique shopping.

Marco Island Beach, Florida, USA

We may be a little biased on this one since we got married on this beach, but I can honestly admit that I’ve never seen a bigger beach in my life. This one is huge! It feels like miles of white sand. It’s the best spot for sandcastle building and beach volleyball, and the calm waves of the Gulf are perfect for kids.

Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Miami Beach is such a classic for so many reasons. You can get such a rich cultural experience in the nearby city; you can find party after party if that’s your scene; or you can completely chill with your family. It has something for everyone.

Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, USA

What a lovely little seaside town Ocean Isle Beach is. It’s quintessential coastal relaxation here, with some family fun mixed in. Mini golf, boating, outdoor dining, and all you’d expect from a great family beach trip are found here.

Santa Cruz Beach, California, USA

How fun is this amusement park on the beach? The waters of the Pacific are pretty cold most of the year, but there’s no shortage of fun at Santa Cruz Beach. And you can’t beat that view!

Santa Monica Beach, California, USA

An iconic example of the famed Southern California beach lifestyle, Santa Monica Beach has soft sand and warmer waters than its northern neighbors. Within walking distance are popular hotels, shops and restaurants. And any beach with palm trees is a winner in my book! Want more on Santa Monica? Get your insider’s guide to Santa Monica with kids here.

Are you feeling warm yet? Which do you think are among the best beaches in the world? Tell us in the comments.

The post Best Moments: Beaches appeared first on Mari on the Map.

Golden, glittering Bangkok is a city of dualities—from day to night, it transforms from ancient to modern, retaining its signature glow from either the sun reflecting off the gold wats and buddhas during daylight hours or the Time Square-esque lights beaming from the red-light district at night. Bangkok was my gateway to Asia, the first city in the first country I had ever visited on the continent. Visiting Asia for the first time is such a different experience from visiting the “western” continents, but it’s a cultural awakening that each serious world traveler should have at least once.

Bangkok Planning Guide

• Where to stay: Navalai River Resort
• Flight details: Fly into Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
• Time of year visited: Summer
• Time in Bangkok: 3 days
• Thailand itinerary: 3 days each in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, and 1 day in Ayutthaya (about 12 days off of work with travel!)

Save this map to use on your Bangkok trip:

1. Click the star to the right of the map title
2. Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone
3. Click on the three lines in the upper left corner and select “Your Places”
4. Select “Maps” and the map will be saved there for you to use on your trip. Have fun!

Favorite Moments

Day Light

There is so much to see during the day in Bangkok, including over 30,000 wats (!) (translation: temples). Each one of them has their claim to fame—something that makes them special—including Wat Pho (aka Temple of the Reclining Buddha), which boasts a 150-foot long reclining gold buddha, and Wat Phra Kaew (aka Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which houses—you guessed it—a 26-inch tall buddha carved out of a single emerald stone. It’s worth picking a few (or 10!) that sound most intriguing to you and make time to explore. You could spend hours looking at all of the gilded details on the exterior before even entering a wat.

Don’t Miss:

Wat Phra Kaew is considered one of the most important temples in Bangkok, and it’s situated within the Grand Palace grounds, which includes so many other absolutely stunning buildings. If you can only get to one site and want the most of the traditional ancient Bangkok, this is your best bet.

All that temple hopping will definitely make you work up an appetite, so make time to visit the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where amazing local women cook and feed customers from their canoes.

Logistics:

All temples require demure, respectful clothing for both men and women, so make sure your shoulders and knees are covered. Some of the temples, including those on the Grand Palace grounds, offer clothing rentals if you’re not dressed appropriately, but any germaphobes will definitely want to have their own appropriate pieces on hand.

Night Lights

As the sun sets, Bangkok is completely transformed into a modern city with all of the nightlife and glowing lights you’d expect. Whether a fancy dining experience or bar hopping with the best is on your agenda, Bangkok won’t disappoint.

Don’t Miss:

Dinner at Sirocco is an absolute must. The 360-degree views of the city are second to none. Make sure you get there before sunset, so you can see the city lights coming on. Prefer a raucous night out? Try Soi Cowboy, Bangkok’s red-light district, complete with go-go bars and late-night dance clubs. Even if you just want to spectate, it’s quite a site to see.

Logistics:

Cab drivers in Bangkok are notorious for not knowing where even the most popular of sites are located, so make sure you have your destination saved on your phone or a printed out map, so they can get oriented.

Day and Night

Wat Aran (aka Temple of the Dawn), situated on Bangkok’s west bank, is easily the most stunning temple in the city. Make sure to head over there during the day to see the details of the exterior, while also seeing it light up a night, best viewed from a cruise on the Chao Phraya River.

The post Bangkok, Thailand appeared first on Mari on the Map.