ここが世界で一番のビーチだと考える人はたくさんいるだろう。Isola dei Conigli (イゾラ デイ コニッリ)または「ラビットアイランド」と呼ばれるこの島は、地中海の遥か彼方にある。2013年、この島にある最大のビーチは、ここを旅した旅行者が愛してやまない 「非常に透明度の高い水質」、「柔らかな砂」そして、「アクアマリン カラー」からトリップアドバイザーの世界のベストビーチとして選ばれた。
この小さな ラビットアイランドは、シチリア海岸から遥か彼方に浮かぶイタリアの島、ランペドゥーザ島の隣に位置している。イタリア本土から約169km（105マイル）という遠く離れたところにある、非常に美しい島なのだ。
ラビットアイランドは、皮肉なことに、たくさんのウサギが住んでいる島というわけではなく、その代わりに多く見かけられるのは、アカウミガメと、岩肌の目立つ洞窟を闊歩する野生動物たちだ。
この島の気温は、11月末現在、約21℃前後だが、ラビット アイランドへの旅の計画を邪魔されるものではない。砂浜のトレッキング、シュノーケリングやダイビングに行ったり、または、暖かな地中海の太陽の下で日光浴をすることもできる。
この完璧な環境にあきてきたら、同様に魅力的なランペドゥーザ島もお勧めだ。先史時代の小屋の名残、ローマ時代の遺跡、水中に設置された彫刻、そして、他に例を見ないほどの真っ青な水などを見ることができるのだ。
Cala Pulcino
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Best Beaches Whatever The Weather
Holkham, Norfolk(01 of10)
The A149 runs all along the North Norfolk coast, taking in a string of gorgeous villages (Brancaster, Blakeney, Cley, Salthouse).\n\nPretty much plumb in the middle is Holkham, a tiny estate village sitting at the gates of the parkland to the magnificent Holkham Hall. But in addition to its Palladian mansion, Holkham has a second ace up its sleeve – possibly the finest beach on the whole British coastline, accessed via the car parking area on the other side of the A149 between the meadows that team with birdlife all year round.\n\nIn years gone by the vast expanse of pristine white sand has been popular with the Royal Family, who visit when they’re staying at Sandringham, just a few miles away.\n (credit:Gary K Smith via Getty Images)
Traeth Yr Ora, near Benllech, Anglesey(02 of10)
Exploring Anglesey by car turns up many a hidden gem. One of the best is this beach on the north eastern shores, a few miles up from Benllech on the A5025 out of Benllech.\n\nJust after the hamlet of Brynrefail, look out for The Pilot Boat Inn. Park the car, pop in for a little refreshment and then stroll out to the beach.\n\nSet within Dulas Bay, it’s so unspoilt that you could be forgiven for imagining the plains of sand have never been touched by human foot before.\n (credit:joe daniel price via Getty Images)
Dhoon Beach, Galloway(03 of10)
Dhoon Beach is a beauty spot on the Galloway coast, facing into Kirkcudbright Bay and further shielded from the wind by dunes and wooded outcrops.\n\nAccess is via the B727 from Kirkcudbright, and parking is easy. The shallow waters are perfect for a quick dip, and at low tide, the gently shelving sands reveal a shipwreck.\n\nDo bring a picnic too, as this is one of the few Scottish beaches where there’s a reasonable chance it won’t get blown away.\n (credit:Alec Kirkham Photography via Getty Images)
Scarborough To Whitby, North Yorkshire(04 of10)
This is a run that offers wonderful views of some dramatic coastline. Scarborough, the starting point, offers an old fashioned seaside experience, with its sandy beaches, promenade and grand hotels of yesteryear.\n\nStriking out north on the A171, look out after a few miles for the turning off to the fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay. Even if it’s the time of year when you don’t want to be spending much time on the beach, it’s well worth lingering just a little while to sup on the gorgeous ensemble of cliffs, townscape, beach and sea. \n\nBack in the warmth of the car, make the final dash up to Whitby. Once you’ve parked up, climb the steps to the abbey ruin on the East Cliff for panoramic views over the town and the coastline beyond.\n (credit:Brian Lawrence via Getty Images)
Drigg Dunes, Lake District(05 of10)
The better known beaches of Cumbria can be thronged in summer, so far better to drive a few miles further and seek out the secret corners where human feet have fallen less heavily.\n\nDrigg Dunes is one such place. To get there, take the A595 north from Ravenglass and then the B5344 to Drigg; the shore road then takes you into the largest sand dune system in Cumbria, which supports rare plantlife and a large seabird breeding colony. At low tide, the beach seems to stretch to the horizon, and you can walk for miles hardly encountering another soul.\n (credit:Tony Hopewell via Getty Images)
Dover to Deal, Kent(06 of10)
The 10 miles of the A258 between Dover and Deal intersperses stretches where you can put your foot down and slower sections for sitting back and enjoying the views.\n\nYou begin by chugging up through 400 feet from Dover Marina to the Castle before moving into top gear to enjoy the road that now sweeps away from you towards the open countryside.\n\nThere are fine views of the English Channel as you head towards Walmer (where you can stop off at its well preserved castle). Walmer merges into Deal along the sea front – known as The Strand – before the journey finishes up at Deal Castle, with its battlements facing on to the beaches.\n (credit:Peter Clark via Getty Images)
Alnmouth To Lindisfarne, Northumberland(07 of10)
This stretch of Northumberland coast runs the whole gamut from dinky fishing villages to great brooding castles standing in defiance of the North Sea.\n\nThe 35-mile-or-so drive begins at Alnmouth, with its sheltered bay and sandy beaches. Next head north, stopping off at Alnwick Castle (used as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films) on route, before darting up the twisting B-roads that run up the coastline.\n\nThe fishing village of Craster is well worth a pitstop, as is the ruined hulk of Dunstanburgh Castle and the beautifully preserved Bamburgh Castle. The trip reaches a conclusion at Holy Island, site of the ancient Lindisfarne Priory, perched on a tiny island, to which you can drive via a causeway at low tide.\n (credit:Photos by R A Kearton via Getty Images)
Porthmelgan, Near St Davids, Pembrokeshire(08 of10)
To find the perfect private cove for sunbathing or, on duller days, a soulful stroll to commune with sea, cliffs and sky, amble out of St Davids northeast towards Whitesands Bay on the B4583.\n\nPark up at the beach car park and wander up the coastal path northwards. While you would probably have to share Whitesands Bay with other visitors, if you walk just a little further up, you’ll probably get Porthmelgan all to yourself. \n\nBe sure to check out the tide times beforehand, though – as you don’t want to get cut off by the incoming tide.\n (credit:Andrea Ricordi, Italy via Getty Images)
Westward Ho!, Devon(09 of10)
The A39 runs all along the heritage coast of North Cornwall and Devon, with its numerous spur roads giving easy access to a varied assortment of seaside attractions.\n\nThere’s Newquay, the surf capital of Britain, Padstow, now famous for Rick Stein’s seafood eateries, Tintagel with its castle (the legendary birthplace of King Arthur), Bude and its old fashioned seaside charms, and further north there’s the dramatic cliffs of Exmoor National Park.\n\nYou’re spoilt for choice, but if you’re looking for large expanses of sandy beach, spare a thought for Westward Ho! Its intriguing name comes from a Victorian bestselling novel by Charles Kingsley, which was set in nearby Bideford.\n (credit:Adam Burton via Getty Images)
Strathy Beach, North Coast of Scotland(10 of10)
Strap your surf board to the roof rack and take a trip up to the north coast of Scotland. The A836 between Thurso and Tongue takes you past some of the most unspoilt beaches in the country, with grass topped cliffs, fine white sands and, of course, those enticing rollers coming in off the ocean.\n\nStrathy Beach is a particular recommendation, and the Strathy Inn just down the road is the perfect place from which to watch the sunset after a bracing day on the surf.\n (credit:Iain Sarjeant via Getty Images)