Calanque d'en Vau, Cassis, France
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Adventurous types won't want to miss this secluded spot on France's southern coast: It's only accessible via boat or a two-hour hike from the Cassis harbor, and the effort it takes to get there makes the destination all the more appealing. Tucked at the end of a long inlet, this beach is surrounded by massive, craggy cliffs, and the visual contrast of bright blue Mediterranean against the white limestone makes the place feel like something from a dream.
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Rabbit Beach, Lampedusa, Italy
PHOTO:GIACOMO SCANDROGLIO/GETTY IMAGES
This is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, but its remote location on the island of Lampedusa, 100 miles southwest of Sicily between Tunisia and Malta, tends to dissuade all but the most intrepid of travelers. But for those who make the journey, there's ample reward: The water is shallow enough to wade far out into the bay, and it's reliably calm and clear, making it a haven for swimmers and snorkelers. Keep an eye out for sea turtles — this is one of the few regular nesting sites of the endangered loggerhead.