Lazy beach days

Holiday-geared Hammamet has long attracted international vacationers, a fact to which the glorious decades-old Yasmine resort complex serves as testament. The town itself offers just the right dose of thrills to culture enthusiasts looking to break the lethargy of an all-inclusive respite with some sightseeing and shopping – all within the ancient walls of a cream-colored, low-rise Medina.

Surrounded by a crystal-clear, deep-blue sea and a breath-taking desert landscape, Sharm el-Sheikh has developed into one of the most popular holiday destinations in Egypt. Come here to relax in one of the many well-developed tourist resorts, or dive at the area’s unique coral reefs. But ’Sharm’ is far more than just a resort town. It is also an ideal spot to discover real Egyptian culture and to travel to the neighbouring historic sites such as the renowned Mount Sinai.

Toulon is a genuine incarnation of Provence, not one of those garishly painted souvenir shops some other towns along the Riviera seem to have turned into. Toulon smells of real lavender and thyme in the market places, of salty sea breeze that wafts through the coastline, and of a vibrant yet relaxing atmosphere that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Located at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula, the once secluded area of Los Cabos has transformed itself into a popular international resort destination. Tourists flock to the region for its stunning beaches and the Corridor, a 33 km strip connecting the twin towns of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, both of which have a reputation for captivating visitors from all corners of the globe. Los Cabos is also the host of several well-known international events such as the Bisbee Black and Blue Marlin tournament and the SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race.

Murrells Inlet channels the charm of South Carolina with undertones of its colonial past and a menagerie of modern vacation amenities. As “The Seafood Capital of South Carolina,” Murrells Inlet welcomes visitors to explore its fishing enterprise. Not only is the seafood widely renowned, but so is the area’s collection of golf courses. But perhaps most spectacularly, Murrells Inlet is a nature lover’s paradise: Spanish moss drapes grand oaks that have stood for centuries, and seabirds glide over the sparkling waters of the Atlantic.

Jewel of the verdant peninsula of Istria, Pula is the province’s largest city and forms a dramatic gateway to the seductive, crystalline waters of the Adriatic. Situated at the southernmost tip of the area, known as ’the new Tuscany’ for its bright medieval hilltop towns and ancient ruins, Pula boasts a rich and varied cultural heritage. The city is bordered by national parks, remarkable for their astounding unspoilt natural beauty, and is celebrated for its wonderfully preserved Roman amphitheatre and forum.

With beautiful white sand beaches, excellent dining and a plethora of outdoor pursuits, Floridian Naples truly has it all, and more awaits outside the city limits at the Everglades National Park downstate or – closer yet – the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Naples is also known for its first-rate golf courses and deluxe boutiques, both of which give the city a well-off, prosperous air.