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.

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You know when you see those photos of that glorious island oasis with white sand, clusters of palm trees, and pristine blue water? That’s Fiji. Fiji is exactly as amazingly beautiful as the image you have in your mind. On land or by sea, there’s a treasure trove of wildlife and natural beauty whenever you look. Over the last few years, I was fortunate to visit the area twice to try to find the best island in Fiji around the Lautoka/Denaru area. I’m sure it’ll be easy to see why these island gems aren’t to be missed. No matter which one you choose, you are guaranteed amazing snorkeling. There’s one that’s ideal for couples, one for families, and one for everyone!

Planning Guide for your Fiji Island Hopping Trip

• Where to stay: Likuliku Island Resort for couples; Castaway Island Resort for families
• Flight details: Fly into Nadi International Airport (NAN)
• Time of year visited: Spring & Summer
• Time in Fiji: A little over 1 week in total
• Island Hopping Note: The islands around Fiji’s main island can be accessed by boat or seaplane. Since I think it’s not the most fun to get on a seaplane after being on a long plane ride, all of the islands I’m recommending below can be accessed from the Nadi area by boat.

South Sea Island – Great for Everyone

This is the cutest little island that there ever was. The smallest of the three I visited, South Sea Island still has it all! The snorkeling here was like nowhere I’ve ever seen. I literally didn’t know where to look because there were so many fish all around. And we’re talking huge, fully grown fish (and sharks!).

South Sea Island is great for families and couples alike. For couples, there are plenty of lounge chairs on the beach, hammocks, and private areas to get some R&R. There’s a boat that will take you out to the barrier reef where there’s fantastic snorkeling. For families, the surf on this island is basically non-existent. Kids can easily plan right off the beach. There’s also a fun glass-bottom boat ride, and tons of shelling. If you do plan to snorkel, make sure to bring one of the best snorkel camera options with you on your trip to capture some amazing underwater moments.

Though South Sea Island is tiny, it still boasts its own lodging (a backpacker resort), pool, full kitchen/bar, and water activities like stand up paddle boarding. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:

Malolo Island – Perfect for Couples

This delightful place is the most romantic option of the three islands. It’s home to one of the most beautiful adults-only resorts I’ve ever visited, Likuliku Lagoon Resort. The staff here literally has all of your wants and needs covered. They even deliver the most amazing freshly-baked chocolate cookies to your room every day around 4PM.

Malolo Island offers all of the stellar snorkeling and water sports you’ll find all over Fiji. The highlights on Malolo Island, since it’s the biggest of the three I visited, are hiking and additional land wildlife that you won’t find anywhere else. In a single day, I saw six different kinds of crabs on this one island! Where else would you find that?

With all of this amazing natural scenery, you really have to look the part of a carefree island hopper. How’s a girl to compete with all that natural beauty? Since my most recent trip to Fiji was part of my honeymoon, I called on the pros. Special thanks to Haute Mama Boutique and stylist Susan Padron for making me look the part in this flowy white dress (pictured below). Doesn’t it just scream Fiji honeymoon? 😍

Qalito Island (aka Castaway Island) – Best for Families

If you’re traveling with kids or you’re the adventurous type, Qalito Island/Castaway Island should be just right! Castaway Island (not to be confused with nearby Monuriki Island, where the movie Castaway was filmed) is a perfect spot for families. Unlike some of the other area islands that cater to honeymooners, Castaway Island is set up for family fun. The island is one of the places where neighboring resorts will shuttle guests for day trip activities like banana boar rides and parasailing. The island also has its own Kids Club, so parents can enjoy a little time to themselves.

If you don’t have kids, there are still tons of fun active things to do at Castaway like waterskiing and jetskiing. I went there specifically to go parasailing because I’d never and it before and #YOLO. The views did not disappoint!

The Fijian People

The Fijian people are some of the happiest and friendliest people in the world. I would be remiss to write about Fiji and not mention them, since they contribute so much to the overall feeling of joy that’s exuded from this island. Every local I interacted with had a permanent smile plastered on his/her face. They live in paradise, and everything is on “Fiji time”, meaning “whenever you get to it.” They’re as relaxed as the breeze blowing through the palm trees, as warm as the sun shining overhead, and as cheerful as the brightly colored fish you’ll see in every reef. Check out this video of some of the local Fijian I saw perform during my recent visit:

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Villa Maria‘s sauvignon blanc is one of my favorites in the States, so I was thrilled to find out that they have a winery and vineyard right in Auckland. Villa Maria Winery makes it easy to visit within the city. One of my favorite things to do in any new country is visit their wine regions. Not only do you get to sample some tasty local beverages, you also learn so much about the country’s history and culture. After all, in wine there is truth 😉.

Before you go

Heads up: the Villa Maria Auckland tasting room is permanently closed. If you’d like the Villa Maria experience now, plan your visit to the Villa Maria Marlborough Cellar Door in Fairhall, just outside Blenheim. It’s open Monday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. at Corner of Paynters & New Renwick Road, Fairhall, Blenheim. You can reach the team at +64 3 520 8472 or villamaria.cellardoor@indevin.com

What follows is my Auckland visit from 2017, kept here to help you get a feel for the experience and the wines, even though that specific location is now closed.

Villa Maria Winery Tour

Villa Maria Auckland is a wine lover’s playground. A perfect day trip for connoisseurs and novices alike, there are endless opportunities here to learn and indulge.

The first part of your visit should be a tour of the winemaking facility. My tour was led by one of Villa Maria Estate’s market managers, Ian Clark, who has been in the spirits industry since 1955. During our tour, we also got a quick meet and greet with Villa Maria’s Owner and Founder, Sir George Fistonich, who is credited as one of the founding fathers of winemaking in New Zealand. You can’t beat face time the people who started it all while you’re learning about how their wines are made!

Tasting

Now onto the good stuff—the wine! You can’t very well visit a winery without sampling the wine, so a wine tasting has to be on your agenda. Mine was with senior winemaker, Dave Roper. Villa Maria exports 70 percent of their wines, so it was great to taste five wines that are available in the US. I’ve been a fan of Villa Maria sauvignon blanc for a long time. I had no idea that they made so many other of my favorite varietals and some new ones I don’t normally try. The Bubbly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris were instant favorites that I’m planning to look for now that I’m back home. Make sure you try them!

The winemakers at Villa Maria are a wealth of knowledge about everything from the soil to the final product. Even though we were only visiting the Auckland region on this trip, we learned all about the other winemaking regions in NZ. I’m already mentally planning a trip back to explore more of the north island and the south island, which will, of course, include a visit to Villa Maria Marlborough.

BONUS! The Café

You might come for the wine, but you should definitely stay for the food. EVERYTHING. WAS. AMAZING. This was one of the best meals I had during the trip—totally unexpected from a cafe at a winery. Every item on the menu has a perfect pairing suggestion. My personal favorite was the salmon with the pinot gris. Lunch is also a perfect opportunity to taste some of the wines you don’t have at the tasting. I choose the albariño and viognier—yum! With a view out over the vineyard and a glass of wine in your hand, the cafe is the perfect spot to admire the beauty that is New Zealand wines and Villa Maria. Cheers!

Villa Maria Winery: Sustainability You Can See

Villa Maria not only has some of the tastiest wines. I love that they’re also dedicated to their impact on the next generation. The world never feels so small as when we touch every corner of it. As a world traveler, I love to support companies that do what they can to minimize their impact on the environment.

And these guys are taking it to the next level. We’re talking things I’ve never seen at another winery (and I’ve been to wineries on four continents!)—like those famous New Zealand sheep tending the soil and natural light in the barrel rooms. So you really should have that second glass (bottle?) of wine, and throw your support to Villa Maria’s sustainable cause.

For a little extra context: Villa Maria Winery helped found Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand in 1997 and keeps its vineyards and wineries certified today. Their bottles use an average of 67% recycled glass, and through the New Zealand Glass Packaging Forum, every tonne of glass recycled saves about 670 kg of CO₂ versus new materials. They’ve also partnered with New Zealand Ethical Employers (2023) to strengthen worker standards, and from 2024 some wines ship in tanks to be bottled in the UK—cutting shipping and glass emissions by about 27%. All of it points to the same goal: grow grapes sustainably, use resources wisely, and take care of people and place.

Check out this video of our behind-the-scenes tour

Final Thoughts

Villa Maria Winery made Auckland an easy yes for wine lovers, and I’m glad I experienced it when I did. Even though the Auckland tasting room is now closed, the heart of the Villa Maria winery experience lives on in Marlborough. If you’re planning a New Zealand trip, add the Marlborough Cellar Door to your list, taste a sauvignon blanc and a pinot gris, and leave time for lunch. The winemaking, the people, and the focus on sustainability are still the draw.

If you love learning a place through its wines, Villa Maria Winery is worth the detour. Go for the tasting, ask questions, and bring home a bottle you will open on a quiet night when you want to remember New Zealand.

If you have any questions or need further advice feel free to email me or send me a message on Instagram. I’m always happy to share more tips and insights to help make your family’s adventures unforgettable!

This post was created in partnership with Villa Maria. 

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Blue, beautiful Sydney, Australia is such a special city. It’s somewhere that I’d love to live if it wasn’t so far from my family. Life revolves around the water, which is most delightfully evident at the end of the workday, when you see throngs of businessmen and women trading in business suits for wetsuits, ready to get into the water. Taking a cue from the locals, I revolved my itinerary around exploring the Sydney Harbour, and she did not disappoint.

Sydney Planning Guide

• Where to stay: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
• Flight details: Fly into Sydney Airport (SYD)
• Time of year visited: Fall
• Time in Sydney: 2 days
• Oceania itinerary: 1 week in Fiji, 1 week in Tahiti, 2 days in Sydney, and 1 day in Auckland (3 weeks off of work with travel time!)

Save this map to use on your Sydney 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

Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb

Climbing the Syndey Harbour Bridge was high on my bucket list, and I was so thrilled that the experience far outweighed my expectations. In fact, I can’t wait to get back there and do it again. If I lived there, I would probably do it weekly. From start to finish, your senses will be overtaken by 360-degrees of the beautiful harbor and a perfect view of the distinctive peaks of the Sydney Opera House.

Don’t Miss:

The Twilight Climb gives you a taste of everything. You depart while it’s still sunny out, stop at the peak of the bridge for sunset, and walk back down as the city lights come to life.

Logistics:

BridgeClimb Sydney does a fantastic job of making you feel secure from start to finish. There’s a mandatory orientation where they walk you through safety tips and what to expect. You’re given special gear to ensure that you’re safe, and you’re literally strapped to each other and the bridge once you get up there, so there’s nothing to fear. It’s completely safe.

Kayaking the Harbour

Now that you’ve seen the Sydney Harbour from the sky, take to the sea. Kayaking the Harbour was such a fun way to get another perspective of what the locals love so much about this city by the sea.

Don’t Miss:

Life’s An Adventure‘s kayak tour takes you all around the eastern part of the Harbour, giving you the opportunity to hop out and explore several national park areas used for recreation by locals. It departs from Rose Bay at Woollahra Sailing Club and makes stops at places like the Hermitage Foreshore Walk, which has an amazing view of the city.

Logistics:

You will get wet on this tour (you are kayaking, after all!). Make sure to dress accordingly!

Searock Grill

Round out your grand Harbour tour with a meal at Searock Grill. The food is great, and the view is second to none.

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