| BEST BEACHES
IN ‘03
Remember Leonardo Di Caprio’s dangerous
journey to find the “perfect” beach in the movie The
Beach? Well you probably don’t, (that was a box office
bomb). However you surely have daydreamed in the office
about what it would be like to get away from the rat
race and enter a tropical paradise? The question is,
how to choose from such a wide array? That’s why we
have compiled our 2003 Summer guide to beaches both
abroad and local. Just remember, there is no such thing
as a “perfect” beach but we may have one here that is
perfect for you. Depends on what you are looking for…
Most Famous
Beaches
(If your thing is to see and be seen)
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| Copa Cabana: Her name was
Lola… She was a showgirl… Lalalalalala….At the Copa…Copacabana…
Okay so you’re not a fan of Barry Manilow… But that doesn’t
mean you won’t enjoy Copacabana, often referred to as
the world's most famous beach. We like to think of it
as the birthplace of the thong bikini. Located in Rio
de Janeiro, it is surrounded by granite slabs and a short
walk away from Rio’s best shopping centers, movie and
play theatres, fashion and jewelry shops, and restaurants
and nightclubs. |
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French Riviera:
It’s highly overrated and overpriced
but it’s still the place to go if you want to show off
to your friends and do some celebrity sighting. (Although
you better not go near recluse Brigitte Bardot’s home
in Saint Tropez). You may be surprised that the beaches
are mostly composed of uncomfortable pebbles and stones,
long heated in the sun. You will think you are walking
on hot charcoals. Or that the highly polluted sea…well…stinks.
Still, the topless women may make it all worthwhile.
Maui: What would a beach guide be without
Hawaii? The locals say it best: Maui no ka \Qoi! (Maui
is the best!). Maui’s landscape is incredibly diverse,
from the West Maui mountains filled with dense rainforest,
to the waters that teem with marine life---a veritable
paradise for divers and snorkelers. Big wave surfing,
bodyboarding, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are popular
sports year-round and form the center of both tourism
and island life.
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Most Romantic Beaches
(Perfect sunsets as a backdrop to gaze
in your sweetie’s eyes)
Laguna Beach: Two words: Pink Sunset! Although beaches
are known for having beautiful sunsets, the sunsets
at Laguna Beach, in Orange County, California, are magical.
This small artsy community is perfect for lovers to
explore arm in arm. Do climb up to the gazebo overlooking
the ocean and kiss your sweetheart while you are both
bathed in the golden glow from the sun. On the other
side of the bay, the Ritz Carlton is perched atop the
cliff overlooking the beach and you can wake up together
to the magnificent view.
Santorini: Although you will have to climb a donkey
trail before reaching this magnificent treasure city,
do not fret. By the time you reach your rustic beach
house on the other side of the island, planted firmly
on the downwards slope of the hill, you will be in paradise.
If you don’t believe me, rent the 1982 stinker Summer
Lovers with Peter Gallagher and Daryl Hannah. It is
worth it just to catch a glimpse of this fabulous island.
Turkey: There are too many beaches to
name so you simply must go on a cruise (or for the more
fortunate among you, rent a yacht) to savor all of Turkey’s
Beaches of the Turquoise Coast. Even the name is wildly
romantic, conjuring up images of clear cyan waters lapping
white sandy beaches.
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The beaches
of the main resorts of Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethiye, Dalyan,
Gokova, Gocek and Sarigerme are stunningly beautiful and
clean beaches. The coastline offers spectacular views
punctuated with coves, castles and ancient but not forgotten
cities. The colour of the sea is naturally 'turquoise'
and the beaches offer a wide range of watersports and
activities so that if for some freakish reason you get
sick of lazing around on the beach, there is plenty to
do. The Turquoise Coast pretty much sells itself. |
Most Party
Beaches
(Want to party the night away?)
Mykonos: This is the party central of
the Greek Islands. Some even call it the gay party central.
(Hey, we’re in Greece after all!) The nightclubs may
be Euro-trash cheesy, but the people are beautiful (mostly
Italian tourists fashionably riding their mopeds) and
you will no doubt forget yourself to the wild music
and dance until the wee hours of the night after a couple
of Sex on the Beach shooters or Tequila Boom-Booms.
Don’t be alarmed if you are approached by a big pelican
while eating dinner at one of many outside patios on
the island. It is none other than Peter Junior, the
most famous resident of Mykonos.
Ibiza: If you really want to learn how
to party, you have to go to Spain. And when Spaniards
want to really have fun, they go to Ibiza. This beach
resort has long attracted the jet set and rock stars
alike (Prince has a home there). One hint, don’t even
bother going to the nightclubs until midnight. That’s
when the real boogie gets down.
Hamptons: A place where even the Hilton
sisters have to stand in line to get into the hottest
spots, rumors of the Hamptons’ demise have been greatly
exaggerated. People still flock to this meat market
paradise on Long Island to party the night away and
“hook up.” However, if you are not a multi-millionaire,
be prepared to share your space with forty other horny
people in one of the infamous “Share-Houses.” It may
be worthwhile if you can snag that Park Avenue Dentist
and come back next summer to live in a mansion next
to Billy Joel’s.
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