Beach holidays are not our specialty. For the most part, American travelers do not cross the Atlantic ocean to lie on a beach. However, many do work a couple of R&R days into otherwise busy cultural itineraries. In any case, while much of the US is still suffering the epic winter of 2015, we offer this brief, mental escape to gentler climes.

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Paradise Beach, Corfu, Greece

Tel Aviv, Israel – photo by Dana Friedlander, courtesy of Israel Ministry of Tourism

Dead Sea, Jordan

Eilat, Israel – photo by Dafna Tal, courtesy of Israel Ministry of Tourism

Fins Beach, Oman

Jumeirah Beach, Dubai

Legzira Beach, Morocco

Oludeniz, Turkey

Varadaro Beach, Cuba