In search of the world’s best beaches

In search of the world’s best beaches

Expedia.co.nz reveals its Top 10 best beach destinations

Sydney, 3 December 2010 – Beaches, bays and impressive coastlines beckon almost all travellers. However, not everyone is wowed by the same waves, and everyone has their own idea of what their perfect beach might be. Expedia.co.nz operated by Expedia, Inc., the world’s largest online travel company, has released its top 10 best beaches list. Some are off the beaten track, while other lesser known beauties lie in the heart of already iconic locations overlooked by tourist hordes and best known to locals.

Louise Crompton, Marketing Manager for Expedia.co.nz, said: “New Zealanders are known to be beach lovers and we have put together this ‘bucket list’ of beach experiences around the world to inspire them With so many incredible beaches to choose from, it was a difficult job narrowing the list down to our top 10. Not only will travellers find a special beach experience at each of these destinations but also some great deals, so more dollars for sunset cocktails!”

Expedia.com.au’s Top 10 Best Beach destinations:

Cable Beach
Broome, Western Australia

Located 7km from Broome, Cable Beach is one of Australia’s premier beach destinations. Featuring 22.5 km of pure white sand and crystal clear turquoise water, the beach is almost perfectly flat and ideal for swimming and surfing. Bordering the Indian Ocean, and surrounded by the vast inland wildernesses of Western Australia, Cable Beach has an atmospheric ‘last outpost’ feel. Travellers can explore the exquisite beach on foot or by four-wheel drive. Cable Beach is also renowned for its sunsets, which can be enjoyed whilst riding a camel along the beach, or from the comfort of one of the many beach-side restaurants.

Expedia recommends staying at the 5 star Pinctada Cable Beach Resort & Spa in Broome. Rooms start from $370* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Pinctada Cable Beach Resort & Spa.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 07/01/2011 – 14/01/2011

Ao Nang Beach
Krabi, Thailand

Ao Nang is known as Thailand’s best all-round beach destination, due to its central location in the Andaman Sea and magnificent scenery. Ao Nang beach is relatively unspoiled and days can be spent relaxing by the shore or taking part in one of the many activities on offer, such as, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking. The beach is also conveniently located to restaurants and bars. The equally spectacular Railey Beach is only a 15-minute ferry ride away and is approximately two hours from Phuket.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4 star Krabi Cha-da Resort. Rooms start from $140* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Krabi Cha-da Resort.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 17/01/2011 – 24/01/2011

Nha Trang Beach
Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is the known as Vietnam’s premier ‘traditional’ seaside resort – a lively seaside town where travellers relax by day and party by night. Surrounded on three sides by mountains, Nha Trang Bay is considered among the world's most beautiful bays and one of Vietnam’s best beaches. The beach is long and flat, with golden sands and spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. It is also the gateway to a cluster of quieter islands which offer outstanding snorkeling and scuba diving trips.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4 star Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel. Rooms start from $94* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Yasaka Saigon Nha Trang Hotel.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/05/2011 – 08/05/2011

Paradise Beach & others
Yasawa Island, Fiji

Famous for its fine sand and exquisite beaches, including Paradise Beach, Champagne Beach and Valawalu Beach and the limestone caves – made famous as one of the filming locations for the blockbuster movie, ‘The Blue Lagoon’ with Brooke Shields. Yasawa Island, the largest of about 20 volcanic islands in Fiji’s Yasawa island archipelago, is renowned for its spectacular rugged scenery and palm-fringed white sandy beaches. Yasawa Island is the only island in this outlying archipelago with an airstrip.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4.5 star Outrigger on the Lagoon - Fiji. Rooms start from $285* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Outrigger on the Lagoon.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/05/2011 – 05/05/2011

Azeda Beach
Búzios, Brazil

Armação dos Búzios (better known as Búzios) is a peninsula surrounded by 8km of islands and beaches, and made famous in the 1960s when film star Brigette Bardot passed through, drawing the attention of adventurous tourists around the world. is the beach is now dotted with hip restaurants, bars and boutiques. Búzios’ premier beach, Adeza Beach, is considered one of the prettiest in Brazil. Accessible on foot, the beach boasts a 300m stretch of fine white sand and crystal clear water. With waves virtually non-existent, it is perfect for snorkeling.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4 star Porto Bay Glenzhaus. Rooms start from $405* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Porto Bay Glenzhaus.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/02/2011 – 08/02/2011

Lanikai Beach
Oahu, Hawaii

Located about 30 minutes’ drive from Honolulu - in the town of Kailua - Lanikai Beach is a 500m stretch of powdered sugar sand, and a perfect spot for travellers seeking a quiet, remote location to relax. It is sheltered by a wide, protective offshore reef and has a clear view of the spectacular Na Mokulua islands, certainly living up to its translated name, ‘heavenly sea’.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4 star Hotel Renew. Rooms start from $213* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Hotel Renew.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/04/2011 – 08/04/2011

Isola Bella Beach
Taormina, Sicily, Italy

Located on the east coast of Sicily, with views of Mt Etna, and protected by the bay and mountains, Isola Bella beach is without a doubt one of Sicily’s most prized natural assets. The beach is located close to Taormina, a quintessential Italian beach town, and a popular holiday destination amongst artists and celebrities. The beach features pebbles rather than sand, typical of many European beaches, and crystal clear water, making a dip during the hot Italian summer irresistible. Depending on the tide, beachgoers can walk to Isola Bella, the nature reserve on the tiny islet adjoining the beach, or swimmers can swim or snorkel around the island. Taormina itself is a charming town and perched on the cliffs above its gorgeous beaches, which can be reached by an aerial tram.

Expedia recommends staying at the 4 star Hotel Tritone. Rooms start from $168* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Hotel Tritone
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/03/2011 – 08/03/2011

Clifton Beach
Cape Town, South Africa

Actually four adjacent beaches separated by giant granite boulders, and set against the most spectacular backdrop of the majestic Twelve Apostles mountain range, Clifton Beach is considered one of Cape Town’s ‘glamour’ spots – where the rich and famous live and beach-loving locals and tourists go to relax Each with its own identity, 4th Beach is the most popular and entertains beachgoers with volleyball and Frisbee. Although sheltered from the prevailing Southeaster in the summer, the chilly Atlantic Ocean means a quick dip is all that is required to cool down from the baking sun. The best time of the day is just before sunset, as you can kick back to watch the sun set over the sea.

Expedia recommends staying at the 5 star Bantry Bay Luxury Suites. Rooms start from $185* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Bantry Bay Luxury Suites.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/02/2011 – 08/02/2011

Seven Mile Beach
Negril, Jamaica

Located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, the island of Jamaica has long been the playground of sun worshippers the world over. On its western shores – at Negril – is Seven Mile Beach. Close to scores of hotels that hug the curved shoreline, it is the longest continuous stretch of beach in Jamaica. At the end of the beach is a lighthouse, with majestic views of the surrounding cliffs and spectacular rock formations. The beach is popular with families, but there are plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained including snorkeling, kayaking and glass-bottom boat tours.

Expedia recommends staying at the 3.5 star Tensing Pen Hotel. Rooms start from $242* per room per night Visit Expedia to book a stay at Tensing Pen Hotel.
* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/07/2011 – 08/07/2011

Mughsayl Beach
Salahah, Oman

Salalah, in southern Oman, has a unique charm with its coconut groves and banana plantations growing right to the water's edge. It is also blessed with great beaches - popular for swimming and beach football. Mughsayl Beach is one of the most popular of Oman’s 2,700km of untouched sandy beaches. The golden sands and sparkling water contrasting with the rough mountains and cliffs, make Mughsayl a truly memorable and visually unique beach experience. During rainy season the huge waves cause dramatic explosions of water through blow holes at one end of the beach. Mughsayl Beach is approximately 45km from Salahah City, but certainly worth the trip.

Expedia recommends staying at the 5 star Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah. Rooms start from $232* per room per night. Visit Expedia to book a stay at the Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah.

* Prices based on sample travel dates 01/05/2011 – 08/05/2011

ENDS

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