Every traveler has a different fantasy about their ultimate beach
vacation. Adventure-seekers want beaches that are both
beautiful and close to exciting attractions, like exotic
jungles or a historically important port city.
Honeymooners, on the other hand, gravitate toward deserted islands
with palm-fringed beaches of the softest sand on
Earth. Meanwhile, a family may be looking
for fun-filled beach towns that have boardwalks
lined with amusement rides and food stalls
hawking saltwater taffy and corn dogs.
No matter what your definition of the perfect beach vacation,
you’re sure to find inspiration on our list of the best
beaches to explore in 2014.
Belize
The beauty of Belize just got closer with Delta’s new non-stop
weekly service from Los Angeles to Belize City. Delta joins a
variety of carriers that already offer non-stop flights from places
like Houston, Dallas, Newark, Atlanta, and Miami. The ease of
getting to this striking Central American nation is helping to
boost Belize’s status as one of the most compelling getaways for
nature-lovers.
St. Lucia
Honeymooners have long understood the allure of , a small but
vibrant town on St. Lucia’s west coast. Formerly the domain of
French plantation owners in the 1700s, today Soufrière is the
epicenter for tourism on the island. People come here for both
luxurious and laid-back resorts, gorgeous beaches, and other
natural attractions like The Pitons, the now-dormant volcano
Qualibou, Sulphur Springs, dozens of waterfalls,
Colombia
If you haven’t gotten around to visiting , don’t delay much longer.
As the country’s government and economy stabilize, more and more
travelers are heading to this diverse destination in South America.
The historic walled city on the coast is a study in Spanish
colonial architecture and monuments to both military and religious
figures. The city is now also home to all types of restaurants,
chic art galleries, and trendy bars
France
The island of in the Mediterranean may be part of France but it has
a vibe all its own. Where else can you find a beach retreat that’s
both hip and chic (it’s a favorite summertime vacation spot for
Parisians) while retaining its old-world charm and culinary
traditions? Best-known for being the birthplace of French emperor
Napoleon Bonaparte in 1769, his ancestral home— —in Ajaccio is now
a museum.
Greece
If you’ve only visited Corfu for the day while your cruise ship was
in port, you’re missing out. This lovely island in the Ionian Sea
played an important role in the development of the but was also
home to Venetians, the French, and the British throughout the
years. You can see layers of those influences in the iconic
palaces, monuments, and fortresses that still stand on the island
today
Croatia
There is one place on the Dalmatian Coast that’s currently raising
some eyebrows: . It’s long been a favorite stopover for sailors and
the yacht set, but a wave of hotel development, most notably by ,
is bringing a whole new generation of couples and families to this
island in the Adriatic Sea. The 115-square-mile island is notable
for its lush hillsides that are dotted with olive groves,
vineyards, aromatic lavender fields, pine
New Jersey Shore
Thousands of travelers flock to the Jersey Shore every year but
it’s more important that you plan a visit in 2014. The fact is,
tourism to New Jersey’s shore communities—with 130 miles of
beautiful beaches—still hasn’t fully rebounded after October 2012’s
category 3 Hurricane Sandy. The towns have rebuilt and are better
than ever and that’s one reason the is on Fodor’s 2014 Go List.
Brazil
Soccer fans are busy planning their vacations for this summer when
the city hosts the from June 12–July 13, 2014. But, don’t stick to
the soccer fields and pub! Explore the city, visit the nearby
Amazon rainforest, and check out a few of Rio’s chic beaches.
Insider
Tip: Locals will tempt you to visit well-known
Copacabana Beach on the Atlantic. You’ve got the waves crashing on
the beach in front of you,
