For this post we asked Mrs. O to select five of her most favourite beaches across the globe. She kindly accepted our challenge and shared with us some of the world’s greatest summer getaways:

Hollywood Beach - Florida | USA

No one will believe it, but it is! Year on year we return to what became one our favourite places in the world. I love Miami Beach, but hate the pool/beach scene – my idea of heaven is lying down on a sun lounger with a copy of Vanity Fair. Sleep, read, sunbathe and dip into the stunning sea. It’s nice, it’s warm, not too crowded and has one of my favourite hotels just on it. And of course the shops are just around the corner!

Praia do Vidigal - Rio de Janeiro | Brazil

Don’t mean to disappoint anyone, but the idea of me and my closest 2,000,000 friends isn’t my idea of a nice holiday. Rio is one of my favourite destinations but if you do not want to get lost in the crowd, you can find a semi-private beach a little over 1km from Ipanema Beach.

Located between uber-trendy Leblon and São Conrado, this beach is shared by the Sheraton Rio guests and the inhabitants of the Vidigal slum. No safety issues, we are all people – and you can’t beat the view!

Motu Tape - Bora Bora | French Polynesia

One of the settings of my incredible honeymoon, French Polynesia certainly did not disappoint. A breathtaking scenery and very few people around. Of course having my own direct access to it helped a lot. I promised I would go back on my 5^th wedding anniversary – and counting the days!

Quinta do Lago - Algarve | Portugal

The grass is always greener on the other side, they say… I had to go to many sandless beaches (the worse thing you can do to me!) to value what I had back home. For me, there’s nothing better than arriving at this spectacular beach – the experience starts on the wooden bridge you need to walk through to access this beach, also known as Gigi Beach on the Ria Formosa. My advice? Book a table at the beach restaurant (Gigi) before you get down to the beach and enjoy the fresh fish and white white sangria.

Cala Galdana - Menorca, Balearics | Spain

A hidden gem – or at least it used to be! Majorca’s younger sister, an example of no overdevelopment, Menorca is one of my favourite places in the world – and the closest thing to the Caribbean turquoise sea in Europe.

Excited by all good things in life, Mrs O spends a significant part of her life travelling around the world and having a bit of fun. Based in Henley-on-Thames, in England, Mrs O is originally from Lisbon, Portugal and clocks up over 200,000 airmiles per year.

Follow Mrs O on Twitter (@mrsoaroundworld) or visit http://mrsoaroundtheworld.com

However, Rio de Janeiro has many world class beaches that make you feel you are on the top of the world!

Botafogo beach, within Guanabara Bay, has beautiful sand and waters and is ideal for water sports. There is also a popular boat station and Yatch Club.

Flamengo is a beautiful beach, where you can play sports, exercise or relax.

Leblon beach is quieter from other Rio beaches and here you will see mostly good-looking Cariocas! The beach also provides for jogging and cycling.

Prainha is a small beach in Rio de Janeiro with some good waves to ride if you are up for it.

São Conrado beach has strong water swells. It is popular spot for both surfers and hang gliders!

Praia Vermelha is an exotic sandy beach surrounded by coconut and bamboo trees. 

Ipanema beach is one of the most famous beaches in Brazil and a true must see! 

Praia da Tijuca is the longest beach in Rio de Janeiro with a huge selection of seaside bars and restaurants to choose from. In this beach you will also find some great waves to surf!

Praia da Joatinga is situated on the southern coast of the city, small and isolated surrounded by high cliffs and a dense tropical Atlantic forest.

Have you been to these wonderful beaches? We look forward to reading your beach reviews!

The Beachionary Team

Photo By Flickr user robertpaulyoung