In the dreary days of winter, it’s the most natural thing to dream of inspiring beach destinations where you could travel. With rolling waves onto golden sands framed by towering cliffs cloaked in lush vegetation, it’s easy to see in your mind’s eye what paradise looks like. If you’re keen for small group travel to a stunning coastal destination, we can recommend a few beaches that will truly take your breath away.
No matter which continent you seek adventure on, Luxury Gold can help you plan exclusive beach vacations in the most amazing places, so you won’t have to worry about a single thing. Read on to help decide your next beach getaway.
HAWAII
Kauna’oa Bay, Kohala Coast
The immaculate white sands of this beach are unusual in this part of the island, as they are formed of silica, instead of coral or lava like the other beaches on the Kohala coast. It’s a perfect place to take a refreshing swim in the morning, as the water is still and calm. The bay curves around providing shelter, but sometimes it’s possible to partake in the island’s favorite water sport – surfing.
On Luxury Gold’s Luxurious Hawaiian Escape, you stay directly on this private beach, so it’s possible to have it all to yourself. Swim with the manta rays or simply stroll on the white sand as the sun goes down over the island.
Wailea Beach, Maui
This glorious stretch of sand is named after the Lea, goddess of canoe makers. The calm waters are ideal for swimming or snorkeling, as the visibility is superb. If you just want to relax and top up your tan, there’s plenty of space on this wide beach, so you can get a prime spot in the sun. You can also admire the views of volcanic islands Kaho’olawe, Lana’i and Molokini in the distance.
Many Hollywood celebrities have been spotted on these sands, but nature lovers will prefer visiting in winter when humpback whales can be seen breaching just off the coast. Luxury Gold guests can enjoy a gentle walk from their splendid accommodation at Fairmont Kea Lani along the Wailea Beach Hear the sounds of the whales in season as your feet sink into the silky sand.
BRAZIL
Praia de Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro
Surely the most famous beach on earth, Praia de Copacabana is a perfectly scalloped slice of coastline, framed by green forested hills. With Luxury Gold, you can enjoy the view from the grand Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana, which sits right on the beach. Spot the enormous waves in the middle section, grab a cool drink from one of the hawkers and watch people weave in and out on the monochrome boardwalk with the recognizable wave motif.
If you’re feeling active, you can take a paddleboard out on the ocean, or maybe join one of the beach volleyball games taking place all along the 5-kilometer stretch? It’s also one of the most incredible places on earth to ring in a New Year, with revelers from all over the world and one of the biggest fireworks displays on the planet.
AUSTRALIA
Cape Tribulation, Queensland
Photo by David Clode
There is something remarkable about stepping from one the world’s oldest rainforests onto the beach at Cape Tribulation. Located in the Daintree National Park, this small coastal town feels totally off the beaten track and doesn’t welcome as many tourists as the beaches around Sydney or the Gold Coast.
Luxury Gold guests begin their Inspiring Australia tour staying right by the Coral Sea, so it’s a great opportunity to get some tranquil beach time in an extraordinary environment.
The crystal waters of Coral Sea are home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the planet’s most amazing natural wonders and a giant living organism that can actually be seen from space. This means that Cape Tribulation contains an abundance of marine life, so it’s a superb place for a diving trip. If not, take a walk along the pristine sands and enjoy the peace of this stunningly beautiful place.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island, Queensland
Perhaps you’d like some remote beach time as an addition to your Luxury Gold Inspiring Australia tour? If so, the award-winning Whitehaven Beach is a strong recommendation. Here you’ll find some of the purest sand in the world and the pleasingly warm waters are an inviting place any time of day.
If you fancy stretching your legs, head to the northern end of the beach, where you’ll discover Hill Inlet. This is where the tide shifts, creating a natural swirl of colors that is a beautiful sight to behold. As it’s located in the center of the Great Barrier Reef, you are sure to witness some amazing sea life in the clear turquoise waters. You can also take a seaplane or helicopter ride to appreciate the magnificent natural beauty of the area.
NEW ZEALAND
Mount Maunganui Beach, Auckland
Photo by Andre Knight
You are never too far from a beach in New Zealand, and the staggering beauty of each means that you’ll never have a wasted trip. However, Mount Maunganui beach is consistently voted as one of the best beaches in the country and even makes the top 25 in the world. Surfers flock here due to the awesome surf breaks, but as the coastline stretches for hundreds of miles, plenty of people visit purely for the gorgeous views.
Mount Maunganui is overlooked by its namesake mountain and it’s great for swimming, as well as surfing. Paddle boarding is another popular water sport at this spot. A gentle uphill walk will take you to the top of the Mount, an extinct volcano carpeted in foliage, where you have a spectacular vantage point over the Bay of Plenty. Many native birds frequent the mount, so you’ll easily catch a glimpse of a fanned tail as it swoops towards the Pacific Ocean.
Luxury Gold brings small travel groups to experience The Long White Cloud, which ends in Auckland. From there, Mount Maunganui is easily reached by car in under three hours, or you can take a short flight to nearby Tauranga.
CROATIA
Petrcane beach, Dalmation
Croatia’s mainland coastline stretches for over 1,300 kilometers, so travelers are spoilt for choice when it comes for picturesque picnic spots by the sea. However, much of the rugged coastline is rocky, with only a handful of beaches being sandy. Petrcane beach has both rocks and sand, which is convenient for travelers who don’t like sand sticking to their feet or clothing after being in the water.
Luxury Gold guests can easily access Petrcane Beach when staying at the Falkensteiner Hotel & Spa Iadera. The temperate waters of the Adriatic Sea and the shallow depths at this beach mean that it’s safe and pleasant for an afternoon dip. It is situated between two peninsulas, which provides shelter and it never gets too busy; the vibe of this ancient fishing village is completely relaxed. There are friendly cafés and restaurants nearby and a pretty promenade to walk along, while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze.
FRANCE
Plage Paloma, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
When you think of the most exclusive beach vacations in the world, the Cote d’Azur is sure to spring to mind. This beach sits right by some of the most expensive real estate on the planet and part of it is sealed off as an exclusive club that has played host to huge stars such as Sean Connery and Tom Cruise. This exquisite spot was named for Pablo Picasso’s daughter, so it has long been a favorite among artists too.
However, you can access the beach for free, and it’s worth it simply to marvel at the unobstructed views across the cliffs of Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Eze. Either book your spot under one of the beach umbrellas, or you can even join the jet set for some water skiing or paddle boarding around the little cove. Experience more sweeping Mediterranean vistas on Luxury Gold’s French Vogue tour.
PORTUGAL
Praia Do Carvalho, Benagil
It can be hard to find a beach on the Algarve that isn’t crowded, but enter a cliffside tunnel in Benagil, navigate the sandstone steps and you’ll emerge onto the small but perfectly performed Praia Do Carvalho. There is no lifeguard on this beach, but the soft golden sands and inviting sapphire sea between the large cliffs make it an absolute paradise.
If you like your beach days to be high on adrenalin, you can partake in some cliff diving, which is safe due to the depth of the water here. Snorkeling is also a rewarding experience, as the water is clear and the V-shape of the cove makes it a welcoming place for a multitude of marine life.
If you’ve joined one of the luxury group tours enjoying Spain & Portugal in Style, then you might like to add on a few days in the Algarve to explore the region in more depth.
SOUTH AFRICA
Bloubergstrand, Cape Town
Photo by Brent Ninaber
Although it’s a city, Cape Town has some incredible beaches. It’s difficult to choose which one is best, because it depends what you want from your beach trip. Certainly, the one with the most striking scenery is Bloubergstrand. The startling white sands lead to sparkling blue water with Table Mountain as a remarkable backdrop. It is truly inspiring.
The beach also feels quite untouched by tourism, mostly because it’s so expansive that it never gets crowded. You can find a great spot to catch some rays without anyone nearby. The winds can pick up down here, so it’s popular for kitesurfing and wind-surfing, and the crashing waves are a photo op in themselves.
Visitors who embark on the Spectacular South Africa tour with Luxury Gold spend five days in Cape Town, so there is time to really appreciate what the city has to offer, and see more than one of its astounding beaches.
MONTENEGRO
Plavi Horizonti, Dalmation
Although Montenegro is a tiny nation, with 295 kilometers of coastline it offers plenty for beach lovers to adore. The warm Mediterranean climate means that there is an abundance of sunny days, and the calm waters are great for a refreshing swim.
Luxury Gold guests enjoy a full day of leisure in Tivat, so it’s ideal for a relaxing day on the sand. Plavi horizonti, a Blue Flag beach, is situated in the southern part of the bay of Tivat, and is popular with families. The clear waters here are naturally sheltered from the wind by the pine and olive trees that line the cove. The beach is a mixture of fine sand and pebbles and warm rocky pools provide safe places to explore. This is one of the best beaches in Montenegro to snorkel, as you’ll catch sight of plenty of sea life beneath the surface.
Small Group Travel With Luxury Gold
As we consider getting back to travel, Luxury Gold have introduced small group departures, which can make your journey even more magical. Guests enjoy more space and time to explore a destination with less waiting around and more access to selected experiences that aren’t available to larger groups.
If you’re seeking smaller travel groups to the world’s best beach destinations, Luxury Gold affords you the opportunity with an average of 15 guests on our small group departures to Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and more. For as long as physical distancing is the norm, you can do so with Luxury Gold.
Choose your next sun break on one of the world’s finest beaches with Luxury Gold.
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