Cap Ferret, France

Visit one of the many oyster shacks that line the bay: indulge in one to two dozen oysters plucked straight from the bay and wash them down with a bottle of white wine from the surrounding Bordeaux region, which produces some really affordable and crisp / dry sauvignon blancs and blended varietals. A few notable spots for oysters - La Cabane d'Hortense, Chez Boulan and La Cabane.

Take the ferry to Arcachon: regular ferry service connects Cap Ferret to Arcachon in under 30 minutes. Wander the town and grab a bite, and then head down to Dune of Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe - climb to the top for sweeping views of Cap Ferret and the Atlantic beyond. 

Take a Surf Lesson: Those seeking an adrenaline rush can rent a board and take a lesson on the Atlantic side.

Date Night Out: Make a reservation for the town's more lively dinner spot, The Sail Fish. Expect well-dressed vacation goers of all ages looking to enjoy dinner and a night out.

Stay: Cap Ferret's laid-back vibe is reflected in the handful of hotels in town - quaint, small hotels / motels with attractive furnishings at reasonable rates. La Maison Du Bassin (pictured left) is notable for its beachy vibes and vibrant bar and restaurant. Airbnb's are a great option.

Forte Dei Marmi, Italy

Forte Dei Marmi is located on the Mediterranean in the Tuscany region, approximately 1.5 hours by car from Florence. Unlike some of the more well-known Italian coastal towns which feature dramatic cliffs and rocky beaches, Forte almost looks like it was plucked from Southern California with its wide sandy beaches and rugged mountains looming in the distance. 

Attracting prominent artists and writers in the late 19th century and later Milan fashion moguls and movies stars in the early 20th century, Forte has long history as a trendy summer retreat for locals—and it has not lost an ounce of its old-world glamour. Beach clubs featuring cabanas, pools and restaurants line the beach for miles, each with their own aesthetic, almost as if they are in friendly competition with one another. The clubs are private but a few hotels come with club access. 

Forte Dei Marmi, Italy

Leave Some Room in Your Suitcase: The downtown lies just a few blocks from the beach and its pedestrian-only streets are lined with great restaurants and shops. While you will find mainstream and luxury brands, the highlight for us was the local brands. Be sure to check out Montezemolo for refined Italian-made menswear staples.

Rent a bike: With a bike path running for miles along the coast and car-free downtown, its an efficient and more enjoyable way to get around.

Eat & drink: Town is filled with spots to eat and drink... here are a few highlights: Caffe Sambo is a stylish spot for an aperitivo and free snacks. Riviera and Pesce Terrazza are two buzzy upscale (yet relaxed) seafood restaurants located on the beach in the heart of town. La Capannina di Franceschi has long been the go-to nightlife option , so if you're feeling youthful head down after dinner for some dancing.

Where to stay: Lodging choices abound, ranging from old-world 5-star elegance to the more affordable but still charming end of the spectrum. For the former, we recommend Grand Hotel Imperiale which comes with private beach club access. We stayed at Hotel Viscardo, a small but well-appointed hotel with a great location just a few blocks from the center of town.

Tisvilde, Denmark

Tisvilde: When you think of Denmark, it's not likely that the beach is the first imagery to pop to mind. But we were blown away by the beauty and charm of the Danish coast on our visit to Tisvilde. The town is located about 1.5 hours north of Copenhagen and is accessible by commuter train. But if you are up for renting a car, we recommend it - the drive is a treat, winding through beautiful countryside and farmland before arriving to the sandy windswept coast. 

Once a quiet fishing village, Tisvilde has evolved into a stylish summer getaway for Copenhageners. Its neighborhoods are lined with charming, modest-sized houses with a uniquely Scandanivian feel. At the heart of the village a few blocks from the beach runs a main street with restaurants, boutiques and quintessential Danish bakeries. On the west side of town lies a vast stretch of protected coastal forestland which is great for a long walk / hike, jog, or off-road biking.

Tisvilde, Denmark

There are some places you discover throughout your travels where time seems to move a bit more slowly...and that's exactly what we loved about Tisvilde.

So our recommendation is don't worry about an itinerary for this trip. While there a few hotels and inns in town, Airbnb is the way to go here - the town is filled with charming, well-decorated homes channeling the much-imitated Scandanavian minimalist design aesthetic.

Hit the beach during the day, rent a bike and take in the scenery, and then unwind with a homecooked meal and a bottle of wine on the patio.

Palafrugell, Spain

Palafrugell is located in the Costa Brava, the beautiful stretch of coastline that starts in Barcelona and runs all the way to French border. Palafrugell is about 1.5 hours north of Barcelona by car and includes three coastal villages (Calella, Llafranc and Tamariu) - unlike some of the larger towns in the Costa Brava, Palafrugell has managed to avoid dense development and retain its nostalgic charm.

Callela and Llafranc sit adjacent to one another and function as one village, with residential streets, shops and restaurants running along picturesque coves and beaches. Tamariu, the smallest of the three, is a few minutes drive down the coast.

And last but not least, Callela and Llafranc sit directly next to a nature preserve with a botanical garden and miles of hiking paths that wind down to secluded (swimsuit optional) beaches.

Palafrugell, Spain

What to do: beach, eat/drink, beach, sleep, repeat. We found this laid-back coastal town to be the perfect place to master the art of doing nothing. Take a morning jog along the coast, bring some good books and post up on the beach. If staying in Calella/Llafranc, definitely take a day trip to nearby Tamariu which has an incredibly picturesque beach (pictured) nestled in a cove. You can also charter a boat (for a decent rate relative to some other places in the Med) and cruise along the coast, take a dip, and take in the sunset.

Where to stay: There are a few small hotels in Calella, including Hotel Sant Roc which sits on a bluff overlooking the beaches and village below, and has a beautiful outdoor bar and restaurant. Airbnb is also a great option here. If you are willing to splurge and book ahead, there are a handful of old fisherman homes with doors opening directly onto the sand...definitely one of the cooler setups we've come across.

Where to eat: We had a memorable dinner at Restaurant Fiego (pictured), which is located right on the sand on the main beach in Calella - definitely order the palella. We also enjoyed a leisurely lunch on the Llafranc strand at La Sirena, which included Spanish tortilla, pan-seared calamari, and a crisp local white wine.