If there's one thing I regret, it’s not heading to the beach before the pandemic broke out.
After being isolated for weeks, there’s nothing I yearn more than languidly sipping a cold beer and rubbing my toes against fine, white sand.
Here are the top five beaches I will make a beeline for when it's safer to travel.
BORACAY - PHILIPPINES
Photo credit: Laurentiu Morariu
Nothing compares to the powder-soft white sand of Boracay Island’s White Beach, the longest white beach in Asia.
This 4-km stretch of heaven on earth offers beachfront hotels to suit any budget, five-dollar massages by the beach and a wide selection of bars and restaurants.
What I would do: Eat the famous street food chori burger, a charcoal-grilled sweet chorizo with spicy sauce in a bun, and wash it down with an ice-cold San Miguel beer.
Where I would stay: Sea Wind Boracay in Station 1, the quiet side of White Beach, has a private beach with sunbeds reserved for hotel guests. Natural old wood architecture and a small pool surrounded by trees make this the perfect hideaway in Boracay. Double room starts at $250/night.
SARDINIA - ITALY
Photo credit: Massimo Virgilio
This Italian island beauty in the Mediterranean Sea famed for its clear, turquoise waters has plenty to offer aside from sandy beaches.
There are hiking trails in its mountainous interior, prehistoric archaeological sites, little towns with narrow streets full of character and a lively nightlife.
What I would do: Take a private boat tour to the La Maddalena islands on the north-western coast and stop at some the beaches to soak in the blueness of the Mediterranean Sea.
Where I would stay: The Cervo Hotel in Costa Smerlada overlooks the lively piazza of Porto Cervo and its exclusive marina. This resort is a bit pricey but its private beach, outdoor pool, seven restaurants and bars with seaside views and central location make it worth every penny. Double room starts at $500/night.
SAINT-TROPEZ - FRENCH RIVIERA
Photo credit: Valentin B Kremer
After Brigitte Bardot shot some films in the 1950s in this coastal town in the southeast of France, Saint-Tropez became a destination for the jet-setters from the 1960s until today.
This chic and decadent affair is ideal if you want to channel your inner glamour for a day under the sun and show off your tan in a nightclub afterwards.
What I would do: Put on my sexiest wrap-around sundress and pretend to be glamorous at the Bagatelle Beach Club on Nikki Beach.
Where I would stay: At the swanky Byblos Hotel, you can rub elbows with the A-listers on its private pool, at the Cucina restaurant by Alain Ducasse or at its adjacent nightclub Les Caves Du Roy. Decadence doesn’t come cheap, double rooms start at $800/night.
ALGARVE - PORTUGAL
Photo credit: Dan Gold
Less popular than the lively cities of Lisbon and Porto, the Algarve region in the south of Portugal is a must-see for its golden beaches, sandy coves, limestone cliffs, dramatic rock formations and culinary sensations.
What I would do: Rent a car and visit the golden shores from Lagos to Faro and eat some carabineiros (grilled prawns specialty of Algarve) and fresh seabass at the seaside Rei das Praias restaurant in Ferragudos.
Where I would stay: The Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort in the town of Carvoeiro is a good base to explore the rest of Algarve. This fully-refurbished cliffside hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean promises a relaxing stay. Double room starts at $200/night.
SANTORINI - GREECE
Photo credit: Hello lightbulb
This sounds cheesy but I dream of holding hands with a lover while watching a sunset from one of the white-washed hotels on the cliffs of Santorini.
What I would do: Explore the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli on foot, visit some wine caverns, rent a private boat and sail into the sunset.
Where I would stay: With tastefully decorated rooms in classic Santorini style and an outdoor rooftop pool, this small boutique hotel called Anteliz on the hills of of Fira, overlooking the Aegean Sea, is a steal at $200/night off-peak.