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Editors' picks: Best beach vacations for explorers

Editors' picks: Best beach vacations for explorers

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 Sparkling water and sunny weather are musts for any great beach. If you want not just a beach, but a new discovery, that's when you come to us. We've found exceptional candidates for your new favorite beach vacations from around the world, whether you want to explore the sights or just people-watch while you sunbathe in an exotic locale.

Destinations
  1. Cyclades
  2. Mazatlan, Pacific Coast
  3. Balearic Islands
  4. French Riviera - Cote d'Azur, Provence
  5. Sydney, New South Wales
Hedonistic Mykonos beaches glow, and the excitement burns through the night at Paradise Beach. After you've sampled the decadence on Mykonos, catch glimpses of the dawn of Western civilization. Archaeological treasures are never more than a stone's throw away in this stunningly beautiful island group. Delos, Santorini and Naxos have some of the best sites for exploring the ruins of ancient, cosmopolitan cultures. On Santorini, for instance, visit the ancient Minoan town Akrotiri, perfectly preserved by ash from a volcanic eruption.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Agios Ioannis
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Popularity index:  #1 in Fira
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You can still find casual, authentically Mexican pleasures in Mazatlan. The old beach, Playa Olas Altas, offers a peaceful retreat from the Golden Zone resorts. There you'll find the best waves on Mexico's Pacific coast. Catch your own dinner if you like: fishing is another big attraction. But first sample the amazing seafood at the cafes in genteel Plaza Machado, the cultural center of the city.
Great deals for Mazatlan, Pacific Coast
Popularity index:  #1 in Mazatlan
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Popularity index:  #1 in Mazatlan
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This island group is made up of Majorca, Ibiza, Minorca and tiny Formentera. On the northern coast of Majorca, you'll find craggy cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean and unexpected sites like the ornate former monastery, Real Cartuja. Es Trenc Beach is undeveloped, bordered by a pine forest, and stretches for miles along the southeast coast of Majorca. Go to Ibiza to check out the rave scene, and to Formentera for quiet, secluded beaches.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Orient
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Popularity index:  #1 in Ibiza
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The luxurious grande dame of beach destinations, the French Riviera continues to dazzle. Start your tour of the region with a stroll on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. You'll find it difficult to leave without a sun-soaked reverence for simple pleasures. Or visit Cannes in May to see the rich, famous and extravagant descend on the Cannes Film Festival. Small beaches are tucked between charming ports and rocky shores throughout the region, but if you want a chic sandy strip, you'll want to settle in St. Tropez.
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Popularity index:  #1 in Nice
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Popularity index:  #1 in Cagnes-sur-Mer
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A panoply of beaches awaits you in Sydney. Famous Bondi Beach tops the list, and it deserves its rare reputation, combining easy urban access, local flavor and extraordinary surfing. Get there early, and by the time the crowds have descended, you can head off to brunch at one of the many nearby cafes. After an evening dip, stroll through the historic neighborhood called The Rocks. If you like to discover more secluded beaches by foot, a leisurely hike along the Manly Scenic Walkway is just the thing.
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Popularity index:  #2 in Sydney
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Popularity index:  #3 in Sydney
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