Canaries, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and beyond
Carry On to the Beach
From a week in Tenerife to a fortnight in the Maldives, Richard helps you find the right setting for your beach holiday, with advice on islands, resorts and the best time to visit
ExploreWhere Richard sends people
The best beach destinations
Canary Islands
Year-round sunshine, short flights from the UK and a huge range of accommodation — from budget apartments to five-star resorts. Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, La Gomera, La Palma and the quieter islands.
Caribbean
Barbados, St Lucia, Jamaica, Antigua, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and beyond. The Caribbean is not one destination — each island has a distinct atmosphere, a different price point and a different type of traveller it suits. Richard knows which islands work for couples, which work for families and which deliver the best value for money.
Indian Ocean
The Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, with accommodation ranging from intimate guesthouses to ultra-luxury overwater villas. The Maldives in particular requires careful planning — the choice of island and resort makes an enormous difference to the experience.
Mediterranean
Greece, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Croatia and Cyprus. Warm summers, excellent food and a huge variety of resorts — from lively beach towns to secluded coves. Greece in particular offers an enormous range: the Cyclades, the Ionian Islands, Crete and Rhodes each have a very different feel.
A specialist focus
The Canary Islands
Richard has particular expertise in the Canary Islands — a year-round destination that suits almost every type of traveller. He knows the islands, the resorts and the accommodation that delivers.
Tenerife
Largest island, suits all types of traveller, year-round sunshine
Lanzarote
Dramatic volcanic landscape, quieter resorts, good for couples
Gran Canaria
Excellent beaches, lively resorts, good for families and groups
Fuerteventura
Best beaches in the Canaries, windsurfing, quieter than Tenerife
La Gomera
Small, quiet, beautiful — suits those who want to escape the crowds
La Palma
Lush and green, excellent walking, very different from the other islands
Useful to know
Things worth asking Richard about.
When is the best time to go?
The Canaries are good year-round. The Caribbean is best November to April (avoiding hurricane season). The Maldives is best November to April. The Mediterranean is best May to October. Richard will advise on the best timing for your chosen destination.
All-inclusive or room-only?
All-inclusive suits some destinations and some travellers better than others. In the Canaries and Caribbean it often represents good value. In the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean, eating out locally is often part of the experience. Richard will advise honestly.
How long should I go for?
Long-haul destinations like the Maldives and Caribbean are generally better for two weeks — the journey time makes a week feel rushed. The Canaries and Mediterranean work well for one week. Richard will factor in your travel time and budget.
What about transfers?
Transfer time from the airport to your resort varies significantly — sometimes it is 20 minutes, sometimes two hours. Richard will flag this before you book, especially for families with young children.
Tell Richard where you want to go.
Destination, dates, budget, who is travelling. He will come back with options that fit.
Enquire about a beach holiday