Beyond the Brochure: Five Beach Holidays with a Difference

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Beyond the Brochure: Five Beach Holidays with a Difference

When it comes to beach holidays, the familiar still dominates: sun loungers in rows, resorts behind the shoreline, and an itinerary that rarely strays far from the sea. But there’s another side to the world’s coasts—one shaped by culture, landscape, and a slower, more considered pace. These five destinations offer more than just sand and sun. They invite you to explore spice farms, sail fjord-like bays, and listen to traditional music as the tide rolls in. Each one is a reminder that a beach can be more than a backdrop—it can be the start of a story.

Zanzibar, Tanzania – Rich in culture and amazing coastlines

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Few beach destinations carry as much cultural resonance as Zanzibar. This Indian Ocean island has long been a maritime crossroads, where Arab, Indian, and European influences mingle with deep Swahili roots. In Stone Town, UNESCO-listed alleyways wind between carved doors and coral-stone buildings, while the scent of clove drifts from nearby spice farms. Time feels suspended here, whether you're sipping coffee in a shaded courtyard or watching wooden dhows glide across the harbour at sunset. Beyond the capital, life slows further still. On the island’s quieter northeast coast, Matemwe village offers a gentler rhythm. Here, Matemwe Attitude blends into the shoreline with eco-conscious bungalows built using natural materials and local craft. It’s the kind of place where mornings begin with fresh coconut juice and end with the sound of waves lapping just beyond your veranda.

Oman – Where the Desert Meets the Sea

Oman Zighy Bay Mountains Beach

Oman’s coastline is a study in contrasts: vast stretches of untouched beach framed by rugged cliffs, and remote fishing villages lying just beyond rolling dunes. It feels worlds apart from its flashier Gulf neighbours. In the north, the Musandam Peninsula carves into the sea with fjord-like inlets, while further south, the Indian Ocean brushes against golden sands that seem to go on forever. The old port town of Sur still echoes with the sound of dhow boat craftsmanship, a tradition that’s survived the tides of time. Inland, palm-filled wadis offer cool relief, with trails leading to hidden pools and ancient forts. Tucked between the mountains and the sea, Six Senses Zighy Bay blends seclusion with understated luxury. Arriving by paraglider might be optional—but the sense of escape is not.

Mauritius – Layers Beyond the Lagoon

Mauritius Black River Gorges View

Mauritius is often seen through a honeymoon lens, but its real charm lies in its layers. Beyond the turquoise shallows and white-sand beaches, the island reveals a rich cultural mosaic shaped by Indian, Creole, Chinese, and French heritage. In Port Louis, street vendors serve dholl puri beside colonial-era facades, while inland, waterfalls tumble through jungle trails in Black River Gorges National Park. Exploring here means shifting between rhythms—market chatter, Sega drumming, the quiet hum of sugarcane fields. On the south coast, Heritage Le Telfair offers a base that mirrors the island’s blend of refinement and soul. With plantation-style architecture, local cuisine, and access to nature reserves, it invites you to go a little deeper.

Grenada – Spice and Stillness in the Caribbean

Grenada Underwater Sculpture Snorkelling

Grenada doesn’t shout for attention. It moves at its own pace, scented with nutmeg and cinnamon, wrapped in rainforest and reef. The capital, St George’s, curves around a horseshoe bay, where fishing boats bob beside 18th-century warehouses. Inland, waterfalls cascade through dense jungle, and old cocoa estates open their gates for visitors to learn, taste, and wander. What sets Grenada apart is its sense of place—unspoilt, unhurried, and proudly local. Even its underwater sculpture park, now cloaked in coral, speaks to a community that honours both art and ecology. Calabash Luxury Boutique Hotel, family ownership meets Caribbean elegance. Garden paths lead to the beach, and breakfast arrives on your private terrace, just as the light breaks across the bay.

Abu Dhabi, UAE – Coast with a Cultural Core

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Abu Dhabi offers a quieter kind of city escape—less hurried than Dubai, yet rich in contrast. Its beaches are wide, white, and calm, but just inland, marble domes and bold architecture tell a different story. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque rises like a mirage from the desert, while the Louvre Abu Dhabi casts its silvery web of shade over one of the region’s most compelling art collections. Time here drifts between modern comfort and deep-rooted heritage. On Saadiyat Island, protected beaches edge close to hawksbill turtle nesting grounds, with resorts taking care to tread lightly. Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort is one of them—designed with clean lines and a strong sustainability ethos, offering serene views and easy access to the city’s cultural heart.

From the spice-scented alleys of Zanzibar to the sculpted silence of Oman’s coastline, these destinations offer a different kind of beach experience. They’re places where the setting is only part of the story—where local life, landscape, and history come into focus. If your idea of a break includes space to explore, to learn, and to slow down, these coastal journeys may offer more than you expected.

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