But the beautiful beaches still have a role to play after all, what better way to walk off all of that advanced Australian fare?

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Beaches are not often associated with South Korea, but Busan delivers with a beautiful coastline of sparkling ocean, dramatic rock formations and golden beaches, despite the ubiquitous high rise developments.

BBC: South Korea��s second city

The most popular destinations in La Guajira which are still difficult to reach and far from other major destinations are Punta Gallinas and Cabo de la Vela, beautiful, nearly deserted beaches populated by a variety of indigenous tribes.

BBC: Colombia��s virtually vacant paradise

Mississippi Gulf Coast has beautiful beaches, the nation's largest shipbuilder, a giant NASA rocket test complex, a huge oil refinery, air force and naval bases and a dozen casinos.

FORBES: Biloxi Blues

But the beautiful city with blue skies, a deep blue ocean and miles of beaches has become Armageddon.

CNN: E-mail from an inferno: The horror of the fire

The Caribbean delivers on its promise of great weather most of the year, beautiful beaches, great diving, even better sailing, seafood and a slower island pace.

BBC: This is Caribbean week

Lombok has fine beaches, beautiful coral, the highest mountain in the region, a benign climate and ambitions to become rich through tourism like its neighbour Bali.

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