Latest news with #TheWorld's50BestBeaches
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Travel + Leisure
24-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Untouched Beach Was Just Named Best in the Caribbean—and It has Crystal-clear Waters, Zero Crowds, and Calm Waters
Soft white sand, a lush palm grove, and clear blue water await at Canto de la Playa, an under-the-radar spot that was recently named the No. 1 beach in the Caribbean by The World's 50 Best Beaches. Located on Saona Island, just off the southeastern end of the Dominican Republic, the serene escape is about as remote as it gets. If you're one of the many travelers vacationing in Punta Cana, you'll need to take a 50-minute bus ride to Bayahibe, where you'll board a boat to the island and its gorgeous beaches. 'While the entire island of Saona boasts fantastic beaches, Canto de la Playa stands out for its lush tropical greenery and absence of commercial activity. Untouched and pristine, it offers a peaceful escape where visitors can swim in calm waters and explore vibrant coral reefs just offshore,' the site states. 'The sand is noticeably soft, and many claim the water is among the clearest and most turquoise in the Caribbean.' Saona Island is part of Cotubanamá National Park, a protected area known for its coral formations, mangroves, lagoons, and coastal environments. And depending on your exact method of transportation—most travelers opt for a private boat tour or a group catamaran trip—you may also stop in the island's only inhabited village, Mano Juan, prior to exploring the mile-long beach. If you're not with a guided tour, you can either hike from Mano Juan or arrange a private boat to Canto de la Playa. Just be sure to bring your sunscreen, water, snacks, snorkeling gear, and any other essentials. You won't find a beach bar, restaurant, or restroom on this undeveloped stretch of sand. In order to put together the World's 50 Best Beaches list, the team tasked a group of travel professionals to vote for their favorite beaches. Once the data was collected, a panel of judges and 'beach ambassadors' helped select the final ranking, factoring in additional criteria, such as wildlife, how crowded the beach is, and if there's noise outside of just the ocean and nature. While Canto de la Playa—the team described as a destination that's 'perfect for those seeking to experience the natural charm of the Caribbean in its purest form—was the top beach destination in this part of the world, it came in sixth place overall. PK 9 Beach in French Polynesia, Fteri Beach in Greece, Bang Bao Beach in Thailand, Entalula Beach in the Philippines, and Cala Goloritze in Italy took the highest honors. Discover the full list on
The Irish Sun
22-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Award-winning holiday park next to one of UK's finest beaches set to triple in size – with 22 new lodges being built
A POPULAR holiday resort located next to one of the UK's top beaches is set to undergo an ambitious expansion. The award-winning park, made up of wooden cabins, will triple in size as 22 new lodges are added. 5 Whitekirk Hill is set to triple the amount of lodges on site with an ambitious new expansion Credit: Landal 5 Whitekirk Hill already has nine eco-friendly lodges, with 22 more planned as part of the project Credit: Landal Whitekirk Hill is located in East Lothian, Scotland, just an 11 minute drive from It first opened in 2019 following a £3 million renovation of the golf club which previously occupied the site. The location was converted into a modern family-friendly lifestyle hub, which includes a café, restaurant, indoor children's play area, spa, gym, and event spaces. In 2021, nine luxury eco-lodges were added to the property for overnight guests. Read More On Holiday Resorts Now Whitekirk Hill plans to add 22 more lodges, tripling the size of its accommodation. Plans were approved in April, consisting of 12 three-bedroom lodges and 10 one-bedroom micro lodges. And the resort reportedly plans to add an additional 10 lodges in the future. The news comes just weeks after the Wild Cairns Outdoor Activity Centre was opened at the 160-acre resort. Most read in News Travel This new addition features an axe-throwing area, an airsoft gun range with zombie targets, and a 1.5-mile obstacle course. Younger visitors can enjoy an indoor adventure playground with climbing structures and slides, perfect for colder days. Inside little-known seaside spot right next to the country's most iconic sites Guests can also enjoy garden games, which are available for hire for weddings, corporate events, and private parties. The resort boasts views of the nearby Tantallon Castle, the Bass Rock, and the Firth of Forth. Described as the place "where beauty meets adventure", Whitekirk Hill has been awarded a five star rating by the Scottish tourism board. And if that's not enough reasons to visit this stunning area, one of the UK's finest beaches is also located nearby. Tyninghame Links, also known as Ravensheugh Sands, is regarded as "one of the finest beaches in the south of Scotland", according to The World's 50 Best Beaches The World's Best Beaches consulted more than 750 judges including travel journalists, influencers, and beach ambassadors to rank the beaches. Lucky Bay, Australia Source D'Argent, Seychelles Hidden, Philippines Whitehaven, Australia One Foot, Cook Islands Trunk, US Virgin Islands Honopu, Hawaii Reynisfjara Beach, Iceland Navagio Beach, Greece Balandra, Mexico Cala Goloritze, Italy Pipe Creek, Bahamas Pink, Indonesia Grace, Turks & Caicos Gardner, Ecuador Mcway, California Turquoise, Australia Le Morne, Mauritius Sancho, Brazil Seven Mile, Cayman Islands Lanikai, Hawaii Maya, Thailand Moro, Spain Kelingking, Indonesia Meads, Anguilla Flamenco, Puerto Rico Arena, Dominican Republic Little Hellfire, Australia Lazio, Seychelles Vaeroy, Norway Horseshoe, Bermuda Myrtos, Greece Hidden, Mexico Grand Anse, Grenada Xpu Ha, Mexico San Josef, Canada Matira, French Polynesia Capriccioli, Italy Pasjaca, Croatia Boulders, South Africa Salines, Martinique Champagne, Vanuatu Marinha, Portugal Balos, Greece Achmelvich, Scotland Kaputas, Turkey Radhangar, India Varadero, Cuba Piha, New Zealand Pink Sand, Bahamas Paths wind through the adjacent forest, emerging onto the huge sandy bay, with dramatic views of the Bass Rock. Visitors can park up nearby for just £3 for the entire day. And if you're a fan of the show Outlander, this area may look familiar to you. This stunning beach featured in season five, episode two, in what has been described as "one of the most dramatic scenes" of the series. Whitekirk Hill is located just 46 minutes from Edinburgh, and is well worth a day trip if you're in the area. 5 Whitekirk Hill has received a five star rating from the Scottish tourism board Credit: Landal 5 It is located near Ravensheigh Sands, regarded as one of Scotland's finest beaches Credit: Alamy 5 Ravensheugh Sands featured as the backdrop during a dramatic episode of Outlander Credit: Starz Entertainment
Local Italy
15-05-2025
- Local Italy
La Bella Vita: Where to find Italy's best beaches and escaping the crowds in Rome
La Bella Vita is our regular look at the real culture of Italy – from language to cuisine, manners to art. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to newsletter preferences in 'My Account' or following the instructions in the newsletter box below. The pristine cove of Cala Goloritzé, on the eastern coast of Italy's Sardinia island, has recently been named the world's best beach in the latest ranking by experts at The World's 50 Best Beaches. But Sardinia isn't the only Italian region where you can find glittering sand and crystal-clear waters. The number of Italian beaches awarded the prestigious Blue Flag (or Bandiera Blu) recognition has risen to 487 this year – two more than in 2024 and up from 458 in 2023. Here's where to find them. From the Colosseum to the Vatican Museums and the Pantheon, Rome's best-known sites attract thousands of visitors every day during peak tourist season. But if you're planning a trip to the city soon and are looking to avoid long queues, packed tours and gridlock crowds, Italy's capital has no shortage of hidden gems that usually draw far smaller numbers of visitors but are just as enjoyable as some of the more popular sights. From a Renaissance villa hosting one of the world's largest collections of Etruscan artefacts to one of ancient Rome's largest public bath complexes, we rounded up six of the best attractions to escape the tourist crush while visiting the Eternal City. The Italian language has no shortage of options when it comes to talking about the human 'rear end'. Think of sedere (butt), fondoschiena (bottom) and chiappe (buttocks), for instance. But unlike other bottom-related nouns, the term culo, which is the closest Italian equivalent of 'ass' or 'arse' in English, can be found in several popular phrases that have very little to do with human anatomy. Though you won't learn them in any Italian course or find them in language textbooks, these expressions are very common in everyday Italian and are well worth getting familiar with if you're looking to add some cheeky flamboyance to your speaking skills or simply want to know what Italians are talking about when they use them. As summer approaches, most of the country will be heading for the beaches or mountains to beat the heat in the coming months – but there are lots of other ways to cool down in Italy, including sipping on a refreshing tipple. estate.
Miami Herald
06-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Florida beach with ‘pristine' setting ranks among world's best. Why it's special
Florida Florida beach with 'pristine' setting ranks among world's best. Why it's special Siesta Beach ranks among the best beaches in the world. Miami Herald file A Florida beach boasts a 'pristine' setting — and it's one of the best coastal destinations in the world, a new report finds. Siesta Beach ranks No. 42 on a list of the top 50 beaches across the globe, according to results published April 29. To create the list, the website The World's 50 Best Beaches said it contacted thousands of travel experts and asked them to vote on their favorite beaches. A team reviewed the submissions, focusing on how the destinations fared across eight metrics: 'unique' landscape, coastal wildlife, under-the-radar setting, non-natural noise levels, accessibility, calm waters, low crowds and ideal weather. 'Our mission is to inspire travelers to go beyond the typical tourist hotspots and discover the kind of beach experiences they've always dreamed of — places that are truly breathtaking, peaceful, and unforgettable,' Tine Holst, co-founder of the website, wrote in a news release. What makes the Florida beach special? Siesta Beach was the only place in the United States to earn a spot on the worldwide list. The destination on Siesta Key — a roughly 65-mile drive south from Tampa — has powdery, white sand that stays cool on hot days, according to The World's 50 Best Beaches. 'The gentle slope of the beach, combined with the shallow, calm waters, makes it ideal for swimming and wading, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for families,' the website wrote in its report. 'Siesta Beach is also known for its pristine surroundings, free from large developments, which helps preserve its natural beauty.' It's not the first time Siesta Beach has received wide recognition. In February, the destination on Florida's Gulf Coast was named the No. 1 beach in the country. In those rankings, the review website Tripadvisor called the beach a fan favorite due to its clear water, seashells and proximity to other attractions, McClatchy News reported. 'The beach has lifeguards on duty, while the relaxing town offers nearby cafes and oyster bars all within walking or biking distance,' Tripadvisor wrote in its report. 'Visitors can spot wildlife like manatees and dolphins while on kayaking tours, and enjoy beautiful sunsets from the soft sand beach.' On the latest list, the world's top-ranked beach was Cala Goloritze, located on the Italian island of Sardinia. This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM. SJ Simone Jasper The News & Observer Go to X Email this person 919-836-5768 Simone Jasper is a reporter covering breaking stories for The News & Observer and real-time news in the Carolinas.
The South African
06-05-2025
- The South African
Cape Town beach named one of the 'World's 50 Best Beaches'
The world's best beaches for 2025 have just been named and one of Cape Town's very own has made the prestigious list. According to The World's 50 Best Beaches , this year's list was a culmination of many days spent by judges, Beach Ambassadors and World's 50 Beaches team exploring beaches all over the world. These judges found Cape Town's famous Boulders Beach special enough to be placed at a respectable 12th spot on the list, adding: 'Famous for its resident colony of African penguins, Boulders Beach near Cape Town offers a unique opportunity to observe these charming birds up close in their stunning natural habitat. The beach is set against a backdrop of large granite boulders that create sheltered coves with unusually warm waters, ideal for swimming. This setting makes it distinct from other Atlantic Ocean beaches in the area, which are typically cooler. The presence of the penguins, combined with the safe, warm swimming spots, draws both tourists and locals who are looking for a unique beach experience that combines wildlife observation with leisure activities.' Although South Africa's Boulders Beach just missed out on the top 10, two other African beaches did make the cut. Anse Source D'Argent in the Seychelles claimed the 7th spot, while Nosy Iranja in Madagascar featured at number eight. Here are the beaches which also featured in the top 10: Cala Goloritze, Italy Entalula Beach, Philippines Bang Bao Beach, Thailand Fteri Beach, Greece PK 9 Beach, French Polynesia Canto de la Playa, Dominican Republic Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles Nosy Iranja, Madagascar Ofu Beach, American Samoa Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
