Siesta Key, Florida—consistently voted the number one beach in America, this idyllic stretch of sand lives up to its name. Free parking, incredible amenities, a breathtaking entrance and the warm bathtub waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is blessed with the world’s finest, whitest sand that is 99% quartz and soft and cool on the feet.

Kapari Beach, Mykonos, Greece—You must leave the beaten path and scramble down a rocky cliff to find this secluded and very private beach. It is the epitome of travel, romance and fantasy. In Greece, the beaches are so beautiful, so luminous, so intense, so wild that they literally strip your inhibitions and worries away.

Manly Beach, Sydney, Australia—It’s as if you step into a movie set. Cue the massive, pounding waves and daring surfers, a vast expanse of sparkling sand, lifeguards in matching uniforms complete with Australian accents, and the most beautiful people you’ve ever seen. No hangups about nudity here. Prudish Americans would strap it with an “R” rating, but trust me, movie critics would give it an enthusiastic two thumbs way up.

Little Palm Island, Florida—this very private and exclusive island was once FDR’s winter presidential retreat. A small library of his books are tucked away beside the exquisite pool overlooking the beach complete with feral key deer. Lift a weightless flag and an attendant in cotton and linen will magically appear with your favorite libation and a lavender scented hand towel to bathe your face. But be warned: the only rule here is, there are no rules.

Plage du Martinez, Cannes, France—Snobbery, decadence, wealth, power, movie stars, perfect bodies, and topless bathers, combine with French sensuality for a guilty pleasure like none other. Grab a limoncello at a beachside bar and watch the action—because you probably can’t afford to rent a beach cabana—they are reserved by the rich and famous years in advance.

Noosa Heads, Australia—Imagine Aspen, Colorado on the beach and you have this picture-perfect seaside town. Be sure to go during “bug” season. It’s a beach dining experience of a lifetime. Oh yes, and take a jog next door in the National Park to Devil’s Hole. You will most likely spy a Koala bear nestled in a Eucalyptus tree, have a bald eagle buzz you on the cliffs high above the churning surf, and a few miles later, across the windy and wild expanse of Devil’s Hole is a vast, pristine, and untouched beach—and chances are there will be no one there—but you.

Salomon Bay, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands—even if you don’t snorkel—do it on this beach. It is magic. Most of stunningly beautiful St. John has been preserved in its natural habitat. The water is crystal clear and abounds with iridescent sea life. It literally defies description.

Cumberland Island, Georgia—formerly a private retreat of the Carnegies (pronounced Car-nay-gee with emphasis on the second syllable) and Kennedy’s, you can still walk through the ruins of their massive, crumbling homes. The storied families left the island to the United States as a National Park on the condition the island be preserved in its natural state. No vehicles are allowed and only twelve people remain that are allowed to drive there. And when they die, no private wheels will ever touch the primordial sands again. I had the very rare opportunity to explore the island with one of those remaining twelve who then allowed me to take off on my own on his private ATV. It was one of the most unbelievable and extraordinary experiences of my life.

Vernazza, Cinque Terra, Italy—it’s not the tiny, somewhat rocky beach that’s the star here on this stretch of the Italian Riviera—it’s the dreamlike town built on the sheer cliffs overlooking it. You can Google pictures, but nothing will ever take the place of being there. The food, the architecture, the art, the people, the language, and the Mediterranean landscape are a feast for the senses.

Shelly Bay, Bermuda—pink beaches, cathedral ruins, swizzles, mopeds, curry and policeman directing traffic in Bermuda shorts and white helmets. Oh yeah, and almost every island resident has the equivalent of a Master’s degree or higher. Enough said.

Question: What is your favorite beach?