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.

Is there anywhere more magical in the world than Santorini? The whitewashed buildings with their bright blue roofs just scream to be photographed, and there’s a sense of relaxation that flows in with the soft caldera breeze. Just glance out over the rugged landscaped cliffs, and it feels like you can see the curvature of the earth. With its quaint towns, unforgettable sunsets, and black and red pebble beaches, this Aegean gem is a must for any Greece itinerary.

Santorini Planning Guide

• Where to stay: Hotel Mylos
• Flight details: Fly into Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (AIA), then take a plane or ferry to Santorini
• Time of year visited: Summer
• Time in Santorini: 3 days
• Greece itinerary:3 days in Santorini; 3 days in Athens; 3 days in Mykonos (1 week off of work!)

Save this map to use on your Santorini 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

The Towns in Santorini

The entire island of Santorini is dotted with quaint little towns, each boasting winding streets full of restaurants, shops, and local/tourist life. My favorite two towns and the ones you must see are Fira and Oia. There’s some friendly competition between the two for “best views”—the perfect excuse to spend time in both—let’s play along.

Don’t Miss:

Located in the middle of the crescent of the island, the heart of Fira is vibrant and bustling, a definite contrast from the lazy lanes that lie outside the town. You’ll feel the beat and flow of energy through the maze of storefronts, as you catch knockout sea views between the buildings. When you’re ready for happy hour and some serious sea/sky-candy, duck into Cafe Classico and sit on the terrace for some truly spectacular views.

Oia, on the northern tip of the island, is another favorite for visitors, and boasts the same windy streets as Fira, but on a smaller scale. With a reputation as having the best sunsets in the world, you can imagine the crowds that come this way to catch a glimpse of the sun dipping into the ocean. I must say, it definitely lives up to the hype!

Honorable mention for Firostefani, which is where you should stay for its location between Fira and Oia. The best dinner I had  in Santorini by far was at Vanilia Restaurant in Firastefani’s little town. You’ll barely be able to focus on the yummy dishes because your eyes will be glued to the view. 

Logistics:

The best way to get from Fira to Oia is by renting a scooter or quad, which is very popular in all of the Greek isles. If you’re a first-timer, definitely get the quad, do you don’t have to worry about balance, and you’ll have a little room on the back for a bag or beach towels. There are tons of places on the outskirts of Fira that rent them, and you can always ask your hotel where they recommend. Note that most hotels will not have parking, but there are local lots just outside all of the towns.

The drive from Fira to Oia is pretty straight forward if you go the short way along Epar.Od. Firon-Ias. If you’re a little more adventurous and want to take the scenic route (that’s me!), drive one way along the east side of the island (Google Maps literally calls this “unnamed road”). The street isn’t very well lit at night, which means I saw the most amazing stars on the way back to Firostefani after watching the sunset in Oia. You will be able to see galaxies far, far away. 

Santorini’s Beaches

One beach, two beach, red beach, black beach—Santorini’s beaches have so many different colors of sand! It’s another bit of friendly competition between these two for which reigns supreme, so you’ll once again just have to see it all so you can weigh in.

Don’t Miss:

A visit to both of these is absolutely necessary. You can easily spend the day or just a few hours at both, and if you’re really feeling saucy, you could hit up one in the morning and on in the afternoon. They are fairly close together, but, of course, there’s no direct route. However you choose to split your time, do not miss a lunch stop at Taverna Glaros, a little local spot with authentic Greek food, on your way to or from the red beach.

Logistics:

That quad you rented will come in handy since you’ll need to drive to both of these beaches from most hotels. Parking at both is pretty simple; just line your quad or scooter up with the others. Make sure you study the color and stickers on yours—they can all look pretty similar after a few hours in the sun.

The only way to get to the red beach is a short hike down a cliff, which looks much harder than it is. It’s definitely worth it, so don’t be intimidated!

The Volcano

Santorini is still an active volcano with the crater mostly buried under the sea. In the middle of the caldera is Nea Kameni, an island made of volcanic rock thats especially attractive for its therapeutic hot springs. Don’t miss the opportunity to get out on the water for a new perspective of Santorini, plus a hike on Nea Kameni and a dip in the hot springs. Many of these tours set sail from the Old Port via a pirate-like ship and include snacks, plus a sunset cruise if you go in the afternoon.

You can get down to the port via donkey (yes, donkey!) or via the cable cars. If you decide to take the donkeys, be kind to the donkey handler, or he’ll give you a stubborn ass! (This is actually true; I read many reviews stating that you will get a grumpy donkey if you aren’t nice to the donkey handler.)

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There’s something inherently sensual about Greece—maybe it’s the culture that grew around idolizing beautiful and powerful gods and goddesses; maybe it’s the warm weather and the delectable dishes; or maybe it’s the fact that any culture seems sensual in comparison to the Puritans that founded America. Regardless, Greece is bringing sexy back, and Athens is where it all gets started. As the heart of ancient Greece, the city is dominated by architecture dating back to 5th-century BC that juxtaposes with the raw power and unmatched beauty of the ancient Greek culture. It’s a city sure to ignite your inner flames of desire—for sightseeing, of course!

Athens Planning Guide

• Where to stay: Hotel Attalos or Hotel Phaedra
• Flight details: Fly into Athens Eleftherios Venizelos (AIA)
• Time of year visited: Summer
• Time in Athens: 3 days
• Greece itinerary: 3 days in Athens; 3 days in Mykonos; 3 days in Santorini (1 week off of work!)

Save this map to use on your Athens 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

Hottie with a Body

Statues of the ancient Greek gods and goddesses are everywhere in Athens, their muscles and curves cut into stone to live on forever. The best sites for ogling these shapely figures are the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel where you can just imagine Zeus and his cronies doing all kinds of manly strategizing about conquering Sparta, and Ancient Agora, where no doubt Athena and her squad would use their womanly guiles to hold court among Athens see-and-be-seen crowd (or something more historically accurate). Regardless, these are the big two in terms of must-see sights in Athens, so make time to get better acquainted with them.

Don’t Miss:

There’s so much to take in at the Acropolis and Ancient Agora. At the Acropolis, the Parthenon is the star of the show, and it’s easy to see why, but don’t neglect some of the smaller monuments like the Erechtheion and the Temple of Athena Nike. These monuments don’t have as many people crowded out front for photo opps, so it’ll be much easier for you to get up close and check the details, like the statuesque (literally) ladies holding up a piece of the Erechtheion. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus, an ancient open-air theater, was also a favorite of mine. As you look over it, you can just imagine how epically romantic it would have been to witness anything on the stage.

At the Ancient Agora, spend time in the Stoa of Attalos, featuring rows of fine young (stone) thangs, including a headless Emperor Hadrian in a skirt (sexy, kinda) and the Temple of Hephaestus with all types of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures (centaurs and mermen, anyone?) carved into the stone below the roof.

Logistics:

 

Date Night

For some quality time out with your honey (or buddy), Athens doesn’t disappoint in offering some dining options with a side of eye candy, including breathtaking views over the city, wine grape vines growing overhead (in the middle of the city!), and a view of the city’s centerpiece, the Acropolis, illuminated against the dark night sky.

Don’t Miss:

Lycabettus Hill, the tallest point in the city, is the perfect location for watching the sun dip behind the mountains and into the sea over dinner and drinks. I recommend Cafe Lycabettus, the more casual of the two restaurants, both boasting the same great views.

On another night, snag a seat at Thissio View Restaurants, either on the street level or their amazing roof deck. Either spot gives you a prime location to watch the Acropolis lights come alive.

If you’re in the market for a lazy lunch, head over to the Plaka District, the oldest area of Athens, which is mostly closed off to car traffic. Sit outside on the Plaka Stairs underneath the winding grape vines at Geros Tou Moria Tavern, where you’ll wine, dine, and embrace the sensual atmosphere.

And if you just want a respite for some R&R (refueling and recharging) while you’re visiting the ancient sites, stop into the Acropolis Museum Cafe and Restaurant, where you and your boo can lazily rest away from the afternoon heat, sipping yummy coffee drinks and sharing a one of their sweet treats.

Logistics:

 

Do Not Disturb

Ready for some action between the sheets? Hotel Phaedra and Hotel Attalos are your spots. Both are small boutique hotels that have the same old-world charm you’ll find all over Athens, and both have fantastic views of the Acropolis.

Hotel Phaedra is in a quieter area in the Plaka neighborhood, giving you the opportunity to see locals on the car-free streets in the early morning picking up their newspapers. Ask for a room with a view of the Acropolis. Some of their rooms have shared bathrooms, so make sure to get a standard (not budget) room for some privacy.

Hotel Attalos is more geared towards the vibrant crowd, in a much more hopping area of the city, with the best views of the Acropolis from its shared roof deck, where you can enjoy some cocktails before turning in for the night.

The post Athens, Greece appeared first on Mari on the Map.