Yunokawa, Hakodate, Japan

Yunokawa may be known as an onsen (hot spring) district but there are lovely, largely deserted beaches all around town.

The true charms of the coastal city don’t show themselves until the winter months. The area is scattered with onsens directly facing out to the shore and we can think of few things better than bathing in a hot spring while looking out at a beach covered with snow. Yunokawa is largely ignored by both foreign and domestic tourists during winter, as most Hokkaido vacationeers opt for Sapporo for skiing, so shops close early, which adds to the town’s sedate ambience.

Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam

Phu Quoc is being fashioned as the ‘next Phuket’ and will soon be turning in a pretty profit for the Vietnamese government and resort operators. But if unsoiled charms are what you’re after, there’s still time for you to check out the island and find out why the government finds it bankable in the first place (the international airport won’t open until next year).

Phu Quoc is frequently touted one of Vietnam’s most beautiful islands and the Bai Dai Beach, which squats in a Viet military area, is blissfully secluded with white sands and expansive vistas stretching to the horizon.

Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka

With its political woes apparently easing, Sri Lanka’s efforts to become known as a tourism hotspot rather than a terrorism hotbed are no doubt aided by its world-class surf spots.

Surf Mecca Hikkaduwa, one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach destinations, has close to a dozen reef breaks that stop short of being life-threatening, and plenty of sea corals to keep snorkelers happy.

To complete the Asian getaway experience, Hikkaduwa has sumptuously spicy local fare and Buddhist cultural spectacles for vacationers to write home about.

For local flavor

Akajima, Okinawa, Japan

The islet of Akajima of Okinawa’s Kerama Islands may be popular among Japanese day-trippers during the summer, but foreign travelers are a rare sight there.

Indeed, Akajima retains a blissfully sequestered charm even during peak season. The beaches are spotless, usually with just a handful of Japanese surfers, and locals are effusive and friendly. Further inland there is a quaint Ryukyuan heritage house open to visitors. If you’re lucky you may even befriend a local and have him teach you the shamisen while you sip on cold beer.

Beidaihe, China

Hainan Island may be China’s beach getaway de jour, but it’s Beidaihe up north that’s been amusing China’s upper echelons for decades.

Beidaihe is a few hours from Beijing and offers a fascinating alternative view of China’s bygone political intrigue. Rulers such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping hashed out national policies in their private villas here, and it’s popular among Russian tourists — an offhand reminder of erstwhile Sino-Soviet ties.

Cloaks and daggers aside, Beidaihe’s restaurants offer simpler pleasures with good seafood and ice-cold beer.

The old favorites

White Beach, Boracay, Philippines

Boracay may be a pimped-out tourist central but there’s a reason why it remains a superlative on travel rankings.

Tourism and development have crept up on the tiny island but it still lays a respectable claim to its “tropical paradise” name. Boracay has something for everyone, from powdery beaches to water sports and spas. And while the famous White Beach is lined with luxury resorts and kitschy souvenir shacks, watching the sun go down over the water still rates as a very special moment for many.

Soneva Gili, Maldives

Nearly all the beaches in the Maldives are faultless, but in terms of beach-side luxury, the staggeringly expensive Soneva Gili resort reigns supreme. Each over-water villa is equipped with little indulgences that you didn’t know you needed — room service by speedboat and outdoor bathrooms, for instance — and private butlers will drop you off at deserted private beaches complete with hammocks and picnics on request.

Source courtesy of CNNGo

1. Bournemouth, Dorset
Bournemouth benefits from 7 miles of pure gold. One of the best city beaches in the UK , its soft sand and acres of space are perfect for families. It’s won awards for cleanliness and on a clear day you can see out to the Needles on the Isle of Wight . True, it’s not a deserted paradise, but you can’t ask for much more so close to a major town. And with the building of Europe’s first artificial surf reef, the beach is set to become one of the UK ‘s premier surfing spots.

2. West Wittering, West Sussex
West Wittering near Chichester manages to please all comers with expansive sands, superior water quality and a thriving dune ecosystem. The beach shelves gently towards the sea making it ideal for safe swimming and when the tide is out you can bask in shallow tidal pools warmed by the sun. If you feel restless you can walk around East Head, a sandy spit populated by absorbing coastal flora and fauna.

3. Croyde Bay , North Devon
Hammering surf and excellent surf schools and shops have sealed Croyde Bay ‘s reputation as North Devon ‘s best beach for catching waves. The village has retained an old world charm despite the influx of young surfers keen to party and the beach is big enough for sunbathers and swimmers, too.

4. Holy Island , Northumberland
One of the most haunting and beautiful places in Britain , Holy Island was an early centre of Christianity in the UK . Cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide, it has a castle, an evocative ruined priory and mile upon mile of deserted sand. If you’re in a reflective mood, this is the one for you. Watch out for grey seals and rare birds.

5. Holkham, Norfolk
Draped in dunes, Holkham is a deliciously secluded beach backed by scented pine forest. Sunbathe, horseride or explore 3 miles of seemingly measureless, creamy sands. And if you come to Holkham, you’ll be in illustrious company. The Queen likes to walk her Corgis here and Gwyneth Paltrow strode across the sands for the final scene of Shakespeare in Love.

6. Great Bay , St Martin ‘s, Isles of Scilly
Short on Kiss Me Quick hats and sickly sticks of rock but with charm to spare, Great Bay is the best beach in the Scillys. You can only reach it on foot, so the holiday hordes generally stay away. It’s only a 20 minute walk from the quay and the journey’s certainly worth it. Offshore, kelp forests sheltering colourful fish wave lazily in a cobalt sea and the arcing white sands are distinctly tropical.

7. Blackpool, Lancashire
Ice creams, saucy postcards, fish ‘n’ chips, rock, donkey rides and deckchairs – Blackpool beach is the essence of the traditional British seaside. Apart from miles of sand you’ll find slot machines, shows and some of the biggest and scariest rollercoasters in the UK.

8. Abereiddi Blue Lagoon, Pembrokeshire
Not strictly a beach, the Blue Lagoon is actually an old quarry with a tidal channel to the sea. The quarry forms a satisfying circle, protecting and enclosing a disc of shimmering azure water. It’s a romantic spot reached by walking passed ruined slate workers’ cottages and quarry buildings. Surrounded by cliffs, it’s popular with cliff jumpers and coasteerers.

9. Sinclair’s Bay, Caithness
This all but deserted beach just south of John O’Groats has soft white sand that’s lapped by waters tinged an otherworldly blue. It’s hard to find a more atmospheric beach. This one’s guarded by two 16 th -century castles and welcomes porpoises and whales. With 4 miles of uninterrupted sand you won’t have any problems bagging a good spot.

10. Porthcurno, Cornwall
This glorious, unspoilt beach hugged by craggy cliffs has fine white sand made from sea shells. There are cliff-top paths, rock pools to discover and a stream trickling down the beach – ideal for paddling children. Nearby, the extraordinary Minnack Theatre hosts open-air plays with views of the ocean.

(Credits for the beautiful pictures)

Accommodation: Capitol Hotel

Places to Visit: Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, Central Market

Shopping: Berjaya Times Square, KLCC, Sungei Wang Plaza, Bukit Bintang Plaza

View of a room of Capitol Hotel

The Architectural design of KLCC

The Twin Towers in the Day

The Twin Towers in the Night

The Busy Streets of KL

The KL Tower

Accommodation: Hotel First World

Places to Visit: Amusement Park, Casino

View of a room of Hotel First World

The Outdoor Amusement Park

The Indoor Amusement Park

View From the Top

Which city ahould I live in?

The result is Dublin.
You love the beautiful green nature that Ireland has to offer you. The outskirts of this city is a peaceful place to live, where you can look out over endless rolling green hills. Also, you like cold weather during the winter! You should move to Ireland!