Sunset strips

The world's best beaches

Paul Edwards The sands of the world are magnets for travellers for any number of reasons. Paul Edwards picks a few of the best.

Texas

A dive oasis in the desert

L.M. Otero finds an unusual freshwater scuba spot in a remote West Texas waterhole.

Hawaii

Big is beautiful

Tom Wald The appeal of Hawaii's Big Island ranges from beachside relaxation to watching the dramatic forces of nature in action, writes Tom Wald.

Kauai - the way Hawaii should be

Hawaii's island of Kauai is like Waikiki used to be before it became a crowded forest of high-rise hotels.