Life's a beach: Five essential summer destinations
Life's a beach: Five essential summer destinations
With the year of the budget-beating 'staycation' being over, many British holidaymakers are once again favouring foreign climes in 2010, with an increasing appetite for the exotic. While many travellers are seeking out adventure holidays off the beaten track, others are content to soak up the sun on traditional beach holidays in some of the world's leading resorts.
To try something different this year, many travellers are visiting tropical destinations that were previously the domain of the rich and famous, thanks to increasingly available budget flights and new developments at Caribbean islands such as Bermuda, giving more people the chance to see the legendary pink sands of Horseshoe Bay for themselves.
Another far-flung destination growing in popularity, the Indian Ocean paradise of the Maldives is an especially pertinent choice in these environmentally-conscious times, as the low-lying island nation is in danger of being engulfed by rising sea levels in the future, meaning this may be one of the last chances to see the atolls in all their glory while we still can.
Heading abroad doesn't have to be more expensive than staying at home either, especially when savvy travellers head outside of the eurozone to countries such as Egypt, where the developing Red Sea resort of Sharm El Sheikh has risen to prominence as one of this year's top destinations. Turkey can be a similarly economical option for a budget beach break, whether travellers prefer to head to seaside resorts or venture into the beautiful unspoilt landscape of the Cesme peninsula.
That's not to under-value the traditional beach destinations of Spain such as Palma and Malaga though, which are still surging forwards, along with Faro in neighbouring Portugal. Even Spanish cities not usually renowned for their beaches have much to offer visitors, such as cultural Barcelona - despite receiving more recognition for its museums and distinctive architecture, the extensive redevelopment of Barcelona's seafront ready for the 1992 Olympics has ensured the city earns its rightful place on the beach holiday map.
Even with all this globetrotting, seeking out the best and brightest destinations for summer, sometimes you just can't beat a classic British seaside break, complete with screaming kids and changeable weather. Whether predictions of a sizzling summer turn out to be true this time, or a bitter disappointment similar to last year's much-maligned 'barbecue summer' fiasco, beach bums and beach babes can make sure they're always prepared for everything by knowing where their towels are. Spring Allergies: Are You Afraid to Smell the Roses? Spring Allergies: 5 Ways to Gain Control Preparing for a Trip to the Grand Canyon Car Hire in Italy for all your travel in the country Travel around Geneva for a memorable trip Southwest Travel How to gift cheap Christmas gifts Advice for the Lone Traveler A party in Paradise, A party in Hellfire! Life After The Shark Club, The Dismal Decline Of The Patong Beach Nightlife Scene Look for the Best Rocky Point Beachfront Rentals in Mexico Africa's Persistent Underdevelopment : An Analysis of Its Causal Factors Relax Your Way to Health and Happiness: For Women Only