Ellen Himelfarb

Beaches have a very simple sort of a appeal. Picture-perfect definitions of paradise, these stunning spots of land demand one thing and one thing only: to lie down and chill out (whilst, obvs, slathered in a healthy dose of sunscreen). But while many beaches are unified by sun, sea and sand, no two beaches are truly alike. Nature just doesn’t work that way. Stretches of volcanic black sand couldn’t be further from tropical coves or vibe-heavy city beaches. But they’re all magnificent – and the ones below are the absolute best that this planet has to offer. RECOMMENDED: ✅ Our full guide to the best things to do in the world in 2023🌊 The most spectacular places to swim in the world🤿 The most beautiful wild swimming spots in the UK

Summer's over, Halloween's been and gone, and the hours of daylight are shrinking. Luckily, there's still something to celebrate before the year is out. That's right, it's time to stick on Mariah Carey and start dreaming of glühwein and tinsel. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, after all, and the best Christmas markets in Europe are spectacular celebrations of all things festive. That they cover every corner of the continent from Tallinn to Seville is the cherry on top.Are cherries festive? That doesn’t matter so much. What matters is getting in the festive spirit, and planning a trip to Bruges to sample pralines in an ancient shop is a guaranteed moodsetter. Europe's towns come alive in the winter as quaint squares and streets are filled with old-fashioned stalls and twinkling lights, transforming the continent into a festive wonderland.