Nice beach destinations not difficult to get to?
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA Plat, MM *G for life, AY Plat, BA Silver
Posts: 10,556
Agree about Cape Town but the beaches aren't the city's strongest suit, particularly those closest to the airport. East of Hermanus is a different story.
Surprised no one has mentioned Cannes or Nice, both with very particular charms.
And then I love most of the beaches around Padstow, very convenient for NQY.
Surprised no one has mentioned Cannes or Nice, both with very particular charms.
And then I love most of the beaches around Padstow, very convenient for NQY.
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
How about nonstop to Barcelona? That's a great choice for beach + city. There are good urban beaches directly in the city, plus smaller towns up and down the coast, accessible by inexpensive local trains.
The weather will be nice, although I don't know how/if/when the water temperature changes throughout the year.
The weather will be nice, although I don't know how/if/when the water temperature changes throughout the year.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
#20
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: EWR
Programs: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, UA Premier, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 188
Aruba.
- Direct flights from both JFK and EWR.
- Only a 5 hour flight.
- They take American money, and even the ATM's dispense US dollars.
- Out of the hurricane zones.
- Beautiful beaches, and plenty of non-water activities.
- Direct flights from both JFK and EWR.
- Only a 5 hour flight.
- They take American money, and even the ATM's dispense US dollars.
- Out of the hurricane zones.
- Beautiful beaches, and plenty of non-water activities.
#22
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: DL estranged 1MMer and lifetime gold, F9/CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat now dust, Spirit RIP
Posts: 42,242
Isn't LAX right next to a beach? With FLL you can take the #1 bus to the #11, I think it is, though maybe the Zika has gotten there from Dade county.
I've about given up on the beach-chasing in Thailand, what with Phuket, Samui and Krabi so crowded and "newer" spots well on their way. Western Samoa was a good place for a less-crowded beach experience, as was Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and Anakena on Easter Island. Those places might give you immigration hassles if coming from the U.S., though, because of concerns over Zika.
I've about given up on the beach-chasing in Thailand, what with Phuket, Samui and Krabi so crowded and "newer" spots well on their way. Western Samoa was a good place for a less-crowded beach experience, as was Aitutaki in the Cook Islands and Anakena on Easter Island. Those places might give you immigration hassles if coming from the U.S., though, because of concerns over Zika.
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Atlanta, GA, USA
Programs: DL estranged 1MMer and lifetime gold, F9/CO/NW/UA/AA once gold/plat now dust, Spirit RIP
Posts: 42,242
Yeah, I kinda liked Aruba. The national park has a unique sort of parched landscape. And the divi trees make for good photos.
#24
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: AA Gold, Enterprise PLT, Marriott Gold
Posts: 604
What's your definition for this case of not difficult to get to? You talking more along the lines of time to get there, or less connections?
Going JFK-LAX-HNL (or OGG) is extremely easy especially if you do J or F on NY-LAX transcon on AA. BUT, that's a good 11-12 hours of flt time there and 10-11 back.
For super easy, just fly down to the Caribbean nonstop from JFK. I personally would choose St Maarten.
Going JFK-LAX-HNL (or OGG) is extremely easy especially if you do J or F on NY-LAX transcon on AA. BUT, that's a good 11-12 hours of flt time there and 10-11 back.
For super easy, just fly down to the Caribbean nonstop from JFK. I personally would choose St Maarten.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bangkok or San Francisco
Programs: United 1k, Marriott Lifetime PE, Former DL Gold, Former SQ Solitaire, HH Gold
Posts: 11,889
I like the Maldives and Fiji, but they're both too difficult to get to, not to mention there is little else to do besides hanging out on the beach. What are some destinations with nice beaches, non-water activities and have big airports nearby? I have been to Bali and liked it a lot, but wasn't sure where the nicest/quietest part is supposed to be. I usually do my vacations in the spring and fall, so it would likely have to be somewhere that's hot all year round. Thanks!
Easier to get to than Bali.
Go to the Thailand forum for lots of advice. There are people there who live in Phuket, for example.
#28
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BAEC, IB+, TAM multi+
Posts: 453
There are many places in Spain and Portugal that have nice beaches as well as beautiful historical sites to visit. Fly to LIS and enjoy the beaches in nearby towns such as Cascais and Oeiras, for example.
I also really loved Croatia and Malta in terms of the combination of both beaches and lots of culture (Malta is better in the culture/historic sites aspect than croatia) but both are probably too hard to get to from NYC. Very easy from anywhere in Europe though.
And of course the obvious Rio de Janeiro. Classic, and of course rio has its downside (criminals) but it's still a great city with great beaches, both in the city and around it (a week trip to Bzios or Cabo Frio for example).
I also really loved Croatia and Malta in terms of the combination of both beaches and lots of culture (Malta is better in the culture/historic sites aspect than croatia) but both are probably too hard to get to from NYC. Very easy from anywhere in Europe though.
And of course the obvious Rio de Janeiro. Classic, and of course rio has its downside (criminals) but it's still a great city with great beaches, both in the city and around it (a week trip to Bzios or Cabo Frio for example).
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
phuket - surin for example
may vary dramatically by season
vs asia? or central/south america?
i enjoyed BVI
bahamas may have some places with lower prices and good values
although possible for there to be specific comparisons
if OPs give specific criteria, budget, activity interests
may vary dramatically by season
vs asia? or central/south america?
i enjoyed BVI
bahamas may have some places with lower prices and good values
if OPs give specific criteria, budget, activity interests
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Sep 25, 2016 at 3:04 pm

