Escape to a beautiful beach all year round. We have chosen our 20 best favourites from all around the world, from Olu Deniz, Turkey, to Anguilla in the Caribbean. SEE PICTURES

Escape to a beautiful beach! - 30 / 03 / 2008 09:56

1. ANSE SOURCE D'ARGENT SEYCHELLES  A beach with soft, white sand and clear turquoise water, Anse Source d'Argent is located on the island of La Digue, which is the perfect paradise island.

2. BIRD ISLAND SEYCHELLES Another fantastic island in the Seychelles, Bird Island is situated about 60 miles from the main island of Mahe, and is easily reached by plane. Its 170 acres are covered in corals and lined with the purest white sand.

3. BONDI BEACH SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Bondi is a great metropolitan beach where you can watch surfers, lifesavers and the lunchtime crowd before you head into Sydney for a spot of shopping.

4. COPACABANA RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL The metropolitan beach, Copacabana extends along 4.5 km of Rio de Janeiro's coastline and is the perfect place to do some serious people watching while tanning.

5. FRENCHMAN'S COVE JAMAICA One of Jamaica's prettiest beaches, Frenchman's Cove is a fantastic and classic paradise island beach. Watch the local anglers catch some fish, swim out to the cliffs, or just enjoy the white sand.

6. HONEYMOON BEACH SEYCHELLES Another Seychelles beauty, Honeymoon Beach belongs to a private resort on the North Island that has just 11 villas. The beach is small, but you'll find it romantically private as it's sheltered by rocks and thick vegetation.

7. IPANEMA RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL While Copacabana is Rio's most famous beach, Ipanema is more stylish and chic, attracting a crowd from the city's richest areas.

8. MNMEBA LODGE ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA Located on the spice island of Zanzibar just off the East African coast, Mnmeba Lodge has only 10 beachside villas fronted by pristine white beaches and still water, which is excellent for snorkelling.

9. PALOLEM GOA , INDIA Goa's paradise beach is a beautiful crescent cove in the far south of the state. It's an excellent spot for some serious relaxing; there's really nothing to do apart from soaking up the sun.

10. SOUTH BEACH, MIAMI It's huge and the sand is nice and soft. It hugs the Atlantic for miles and has been the perfect place for joggers and walkers.

11.PINK SAND OF BARBUDA BARBUDA A Caribbean gem, Barbuda's sand beaches are pink and protected by barrier reefs. On the southwestern shore, the beach stretches for 10 miles without interruption.

12 SHOAL BAY ANGUILLA An A-list haven, the Caribbean island of Anguilla (located just north of St Kitts and Nevis) has plenty of gorgeous beaches and hotels. Shoal Bay is excellent if you want to relax, go snorkelling or just sunbathe.

13.SONEVA FUSHI MALDIVES A honeymoon classic, Soneva Fushi has an incredible beach that is great for windsurfing, snorkelling and canoeing. Relax in the shade with a nice drink, or sink into the white sand to work on your tan.

14.TULUM BEACH YUCATAN, MEXICO An unspoilt stretch of the Mayan Riviera, Tulum is located a couple of hours' drive from Cancun, and its creamy white shores, limestone cliffs and ruins make it an incredibly serene place.

15.WHITEHAVEN WHITSUNDAY ISLANDS, AUSTRALIA Whitsunday Islands, off Australia's eastern coast, is a great place to find stunning beaches. Whitehaven, one of the islands, is the home to a beach with warm, blue water, white sand and intense beauty.

16. CANCUN, MEXICO In Cancun there are several public beaches and beach clubs where tourists staying at downtown hotels or local people can go to take a sunbath, swim and relax.

17.OLU DENİZ, TURKEY  On one end is the great expanse of Belcekiz Beach, enclosed by the brittle silhouette of Babadag and the landing pad for paragliders sporting jet-propulsion packs. And on the beach is the jaw-dropper, the Blue Lagoon made real: still waters in no less than three shades of turquoise.

18. PATARA BEACH, TURKEY Located fifty miles south of Fethiye, few would disagree this is the best beach in Turkey. Patara is also known as the birthplace of Saint Nicholas – yes, Santa Claus was born in Turkey!

19. BORACAY ISLAND, PHILIPPINES Boracay is part of the municipality of Malay in the province of Aklan , which is located in Panay , one of a cluster of islands that constitute the central section of the Philippine archipelago

20. KAANAPALI, HAWAI Kaanapali stretches along nearly four miles of seductive white-sand beaches and blinding seascapes.