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Anchoring in idyllic bays. Slipping into azure waters for a refreshing dip. Warm breeze filling the sails en route to the next enchanted spot. Drinks and dinner on board under the stars. Gentle lapping to loll you to sleep. And repeat. Day after blissful day. A sailing holiday is a passport to another -- watery -- world where land-based worries are blown away on the breeze. Those with the right qualifications can charter their own boat. Some prefer the help of a skipper and crew, others like to take charge while sailing into a flotilla for shared experiences. However one chooses do it, the life aquatic is not to be missed. First, however, comes the decision on which tip of the planet to drift towards. Here are some of the finest destinations on the planet for sailing holidays: Greece A land lapped by sparkling seas and seemingly more islands than stars in the sky. With sun-baked beaches, turquoise waters, olive groves, deserted bays, rustic harbors with white-w

Sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean on a stunning bay in the western tip of France, the city of Brest has at its heart one of the country's most animated harbors. With its proximity to the British Isles, you'll find this area of France is steeped in Celtic heritage when you travel here. As such, accordions are eschewed for bagpipes and the locals display a preference for zesty ciders over fine wines. The region even has its own Celtic language, Breton, which is still spoken by nearly 200,000 people. Brest was sadly decimated in the Battle of Brest during World War II. It has since been rebuilt and is now a sophisticated city that hosts some of Europe's most theatrical sailing festivals. Les Tonnerres de Brest By far the most prominent of these is Les Tonnerres de Brest (Brest Festival of the Sea.) Every four years, more than 2,000 traditional boats sail from countries as far flung as Madagascar and Mexico to take part in the event, which is attended by nearly

The beaches in England are enjoying a golden age. Dozens of the country's best-loved stretches of sand and shingle enjoy Blue Flag status, with clean and clear waters and first-rate seaside cafes. Meanwhile, its smaller coves remain among Europe's most beautiful. These are the nine English beaches on our summer hot list -- or really for any time of year. 1. Covehithe, Suffolk On England's fastest-eroding stretch of coastline, Covehithe's exposed beach is a windswept gem. Weather-beaten dead trees poke out of the sand like sentinels, while ground-nesting birds hide away in the reeds surrounding Benacre Broad, a brackish lagoon at the back of the beach. The cliffs have receded by 500 meters in less than 200 years, meaning no two visits here are alike. Post-beach perfection: Rummage around St Andrew's Church in the old village. Partly ruined and dating back to the 14th century, the encroaching sea means it may not be there for much longer. 2. Porthcurn

Gold is still big business in Dubai, despite reports of a 20-year low in demand for gold jewelry in the UAE. According to the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the emirate has cornered approximately 25% of global trade in the precious metal. Dubai isn't shy about its love affair, plating sports cars in gold and installing vending machines dispensing ingots. Then there's the world-renowned Gold Souk. In a destination where symbols of wealth have become passé, perhaps it's no surprise there's a market for consuming gold in a literal sense. One of Dubai's prestige hotels, the Burj Al Arab, is embellished with approximately 1,790 square meters of 24-karat gold leaf. Some of it has found its way behind the bar too, blended into cappuccino foam or stirred into cocktails in Gold On 27, located on the 27th floor, 200 meters above sea level. However, splashing gold everywhere isn't necessarily tasteful. In fact, when ingested, gold has no taste at all. So wh

If you have a bucket list, Fogo Island may not be on it -- yet. Rugged and windswept, Fogo Island offers a different experience than most destinations -- a type of salty Narnia that, if you're still a believer that the Earth is flat, is known as one of the four corners of the world. Fogo Island is the largest offshore island of the Canadian province Newfoundland and Labrador, which is north of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Against the dramatic backdrop of the frigid, churning North Atlantic stands the island's main attraction: the Nordic-style Fogo Island Inn, perched on a small hill of craggy slabs of granite. With just 29 rooms, the inn achieves the feel of a very luxurious bed and breakfast with small and cozy spaces (most rooms have wood-burning stoves) while still finding a way to be breathtakingly expansive with its own art gallery, 32-seat theater, private guest saunas and roof deck hot tubs. The inn's restaurant cracked the top three of enRout

Bangkok is the ultimate destination for food lovers. From nondescript shop houses to Michelin-starred restaurants, Bangkok has a seemingly bottomless well of dining options. Here are some suggestions on where to start your BKK eating adventure: Nahm Offering Thai fine dining with exquisite attention to detail, the best ingredients and authenticity, Nahm provides the best of Bangkok culinary experiences. Head Chef David Thompson, who received a Michelin star for his London-based Thai restaurant of the same name, opened this branch in the Metropolitan Hotel in 2010. If that doesn't sell you, perhaps the fact it's the only Thai restaurant to crack the top 10 of the world's 50 best restaurants list will. Through recipes based on archaic Siamese cookbooks and other dishes passed down in "funeral books," you'll receive both perfect renditions of Thai classics such as tom yum goong, as well as fresh surprises difficult to find outside the Thai home.

Although it has a reputation as the Paris of Latin America, Buenos Aires is reasonably priced and a surprisingly good-value destination. Still, some of the best things to do in the capital of Argentina are better than inexpensive. They're free! Here are seven of them: 1. Recoleta cemetery Despite being the resting place of Argentinian dignitaries, housed in memorials of marble grandeur, it's Evita Peron's grave -- buried under her maiden name of Duarte -- that's turned the cemetery into the No. 1 attraction in Buenos Aires. The Duarte family mausoleum is near the entrance and easy to find. But the narrow passage in front -- just enough for one person to squeeze through -- makes it almost impossible to photograph unless you have a wide-angle lens. On your way there, you can stop to admire the statue of the sleeping boy angel that resonates with every visitor and ask around for the other notorious resident of Recoleta: Rufina Cambaceres, who's depicte

Overlooking Hanoi's peaceful West Lake, eponymous restaurant Banh Tom Ho Tay (West Lake Shrimp Cake) sports a no-frills setting, filled with plastic green chairs. But you're not here for grand interiors. The historic restaurant is famous for its namesake dish, made fresh daily using a special family recipe. "(Our shrimp cake is) special because the recipe has been passed down through several generations, from my grandmother, to my mother, to me," Ngoc Lan Ha, owner of Banh Tom Ho Tay, tells CNN Travel. "And we've been continuing the legacy that our parents left behind." Banh tom beginnings Banh tom, or shrimp cakes, are thought to have become common in the 1930s when small street vendors began congregating along Thanh Nien Street -- a road that separates West Lake (Tây Hồ) and Trúc Bạch Lake. When the hawkers garnered popularity, the government later combined many of the stalls and opened one big restaurant along the waterfront. En

Although many people view Memorial Day as the American holiday that unofficially kicks off summer, it could be argued that the Fourth of July is summer's biggest, best holiday. Gatherings often involve hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream, not to mention those colorful explosions in the sky, otherwise known as fireworks. While small towns and counties throughout the USA celebrate the country's birthday with these light-up-the-sky displays, there are a number of stand-out events in destinations around the country. Check out these big July 4 events sure to please the fireworks fan, parade seeker and eating-contest enthusiast. Macy's 4th of July Fireworks 2018 marks the 42nd year of the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Show. More than three million spectators across three of New York City's boroughs -- Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens -- will watch the spectacle, which takes place over the city's East River. But that's just a quarter of the number

Volumes have been published about palm-peppered islands and sugar-coated beaches of tropical Thailand, their writers waxing lyrical about pillow-soft sand and crystalline waters. But with so many coastal choices, it can be a challenge to pick the perfect stretch of sand. Seasonal weather definitely has a bearing on destination decisions. The best bet for sunshine on the west coast (Andaman Sea) is November to April; while on the east coast (Gulf of Thailand), it's January to September. Veteran Thai travelers always check ahead before heading to lesser-visited destinations -- many hotels, resorts and restaurants in non-A-list places close for the low season. Choosing a full-service beachside base camp to begin a journey is a smart approach. You can strike out from any number of such bases by using the network of ferries that connect Thailand's islands: Base camp: Trang or Satun Beautiful but isolated Koh Rawi is located about 40 kilometers west of Tarutao.

Even without its beaches, Barcelona would be one of Europe's coolest destinations thanks to its groundbreaking food scene, unique architecture and legendary nightlife. But the cherry on the sundae is the three-mile strip of nearly continuous golden sand, which is so wired into its heart that it's like the entire city's backyard. Much of the seafront buzzes with a carnival atmosphere year-round, with hawkers tiptoeing around sunbathers to sell cold cans of beer, beach blankets and chintzy trinkets. Along the pedestrian promenade that runs the length of the waterfront, musicians, street performers and sand sculptors compete for tips among a constant stream of strolling tourists and locals to this part of Spain. Weaving around them are bikes, Segways, skateboards, motorized scooters, rickshaws, rollerbladers and every other wheeled contraption imaginable. The most popular beaches are only a 15-minute walk from the tangled alleys of Barcelona's oldest area,

It's taken more than 2,700 years to build the city of Rome as it is now, so is it possible to see it in less than 24 hours? Yes ... but you'll need a foot massage at the end of one crazy, jam-packed day. From its ancient monuments to Renaissance masterpieces, traditional cuisine and buzzing piazza life, here's what makes up the beautiful chaos that is Rome. 7:30 a.m. Caffeine kick-start Romans kick off their days with a cappuccino and a fresh cornetto (around €4, $5). For a top-notch breakfast, try Cristalli di Zucchero (via di Val Tellina, 114; +39 06 5823 0323) in Monteverde. It's a superb bar-pasticceria that has been awarded the highest accolade by Gambero Rosso and simply has to be done if you're serious about our plans for Rome. There are smaller branches across the city. 8:30 a.m. St Peter's Basilica You'll have more time to admire Michaelangelo's famed dome and the Pietà, his marble sculpture of Mary holding the body of Chris

Doha, Qatar — Standard advice says it's best to get to the airport two hours ahead of departure time. Anyone flying via Qatar's Hamad International might want to double or even triple that. Not because there's any extra hassle getting through security at this gleaming, ultramodern facility. In fact, if you've signed up to its E-passport scheme, you'll be through in minutes. Nope, it's because you're going to want to spend that extra travel time wallowing in what is probably the most luxurious airport on the planet. It's possibly the coolest, too. Opened in 2014 with the ambition of turning the Arabian Gulf city of Doha into a global aviation hub serviced by Qatar Airways, HIA now handles more than 30 million travelers a year. But passengers walking through its beautiful hallways and lounges outside of peak periods could be forgiven for thinking they were the first to ever set foot in the place. Silent and spotless Every gleaming surfa

You know it's spring in Paris when the after-work picnics begin popping up along the Canal Saint Martin. There's still a chill in the air of northern France and darkness descends before the wine is finished, but after a dark, rainy winter cooped up in tiny apartments, young Parisians can't wait to get outside. They sit perched like seabirds on the concrete banks of the canal in the city's northeastern district, bottles of rosé, beer and bags of snacks clustered at their feet. On cafe terraces across the city, the hallowed apéritif -- apéro for short -- ritual is played out in a more upscale fashion in the open air, the plexiglass cocoons encasing the outside tables stowed till the first nip of late fall. Parisians of all persuasions squeeze around tiny marble-topped tables packed with trendy cocktails, and platters piled with charcuterie, cheese and fresh baguette. But there's more to do than eat and drink (though that remains a major draw). Here are

Dunedin, on New Zealand's idyllic South Island, isn't getting as many tourists as nearby Queenstown. But that's good news for travelers who want to experience the country's famous hospitality but aren't as keen on Hobbits. Despite its low profile, Dunedin -- whose name is the Scottish Gaelic word for Edinburgh, possibly making it more Scottish than Scotland -- has a quiet, understated cool. As a university town, it is full of inexpensive eats, street art, craft beer and live music, not to mention cheery locals who are known to argue over who gets to stop and give you directions. Here's a sampling of the best things to do in the town referred to as "Dunners." (Just one thing before you go: it's pronounced "done-Eden.") Take photos at the Dunedin Railway Station Dunedin's gray, gingerbread-esque railway station may not be in use anymore, but it has a purpose these days -- being the most photographed spot in all of New