​Europe offers various destinations allowing travelers to experience different cultures, landscapes, activities, art styles, and cuisines, all within a short distance. A few countries stand out when it comes to summer destinations for beach enthusiasts.

The Greek islands are particularly popular among beach lovers, boasting crystal clear waters, impressive landscapes, and countless activities, from water sports to boat tours. Most travelers will visit the popular party island of Mykonos and the beautiful Santorini, with its whitewashed houses and blue domes. However, Greece has countless other islands worth exploring.

Crete is known for its rich history and spectacular archaeological sites, while the lush Corfu boasts spectacular landscapes and lovely hidden coves. The small Skiathos in the Aegean Sea features picture-perfect beaches with white sand and turquoise waters. On the other side of the mainland, in the Ionian Sea, Lefkada is a lovely gem with unspoiled beaches conveniently connected to Greece via a bridge. Another popular destination is Rhodes, once the home of the mythological Colossus of Rhodes, now the perfect destination for a family trip.

Italy is another country worth exploring on a summer holiday. From beautiful beach destinations on the mainland to the picturesque Sicily and the gorgeous Sardinia, Italy boasts some of Europe's most popular summer destinations. Sicily and Sardinia feature pristine beaches, impressive natural landscapes, and historical sights. Sicily is the better choice for sightseeing, while Sardinia is great for exclusive beach clubs and crystal-clear waters.

On the mainland, travelers can explore the Southern Italian region of Puglia if they want to combine sightseeing, unique beaches, and partying. The Amalfi Coast is the place for boat trips, picturesque towns perched on dramatic cliffs, and panoramic views over the deep blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Just off the coast, the island of Capri boasts beautiful beaches, exclusive restaurants, and luxury hotels. Lastly, the Cinque Terre is the place for hiking trails with coastal views, picturesque seaside villages, and charming little beaches.

Lastly, Spain boasts an endless choice of beach destinations, some blessed with summer weather nearly year-round. In mainland Spain, Andalucia is one of the best regions for a summer holiday. Travelers looking to explore cultural sites, soak in the sun on long sandy beaches, and sample Spanish cuisine will find all this and more in the southern region. The Costa del Sol is a popular area, stretching from Tarifa to Almeria and including top destinations like Malaga and Marbella. Those looking for a big city with great beaches can travel to Barcelona or Valencia.

Spain also has its fair share of islands. The two main archipelagos are the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. The Balearic Islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea and include the main islands of Ibiza, Mallorca, Menorca, and Formentera.

Ibiza is known as the party island but is also great for hiking and visiting archaeological sites. Mallorca, the largest island, is also the most diverse. Travelers can explore the capital Palma de Mallorca, explore small seaside villages, enjoy spectacular beaches, and go hiking. Lastly, Menorca and Formentera are the less explored islands, perfect for a more tranquil holiday.

Finally, the Canary Islands off the coast of Morocco enjoy pleasant temperatures and make for a perfect escape year-round. The largest island of Tenerife is known for its beautiful towns and the impressive Mount Teide, a dormant volcano and Spain's highest peak. Fuerteventura boasts never-ending sandy beaches ideal for water sports, Lanzarote has unique volcanic landscapes, Gran Canaria combines lush mountainous areas and arid desertic landscapes, and La Palma is home to beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and impressive volcanoes.

​Relatively inexpensive and easy to learn, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States and Canada. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, more than 36.5 million Americans played the sport from August 2021 to August 2022, compared to only 5 million in an estimate in early 2021 from USA Pickleball. Canadian participation in the sport increased from about 350,000 players to more than 1 million from 2021 to 2022.

It has taken a long time for pickleball to catch on as a mainstream sport. Washington state congressman Joel Pritchard and his businessman friend Bill Bell created pickleball while vacationing at Pritchard's summer home on Bainbridge Island in 1965. The first-ever pickleball tournament was held in 1976, and the United States Amateur Pickleball Association was created in 1984 to help grow the sport on a national level.

In 2003, there were fewer than 40 places in North America to play pickleball. As of 2023, there are more than 10,000 venues with pickleball courts in the United States alone. California leads all states with nearly 800 pickleball locations.

LifeTime, an upscale fitness center in the United States, now has 400 pickleball courts and intends to build at least 200 more by the end of 2023. Pickleball participation at the clubs rose almost tenfold from January to December 2022, says CEO Bahram Akradi. The Santa Monica Tennis Center recently invested $250,000 to construct a new pickleball facility, and developers in Florida have committed $180 million toward building The Pickleball Club, a 15-court facility expected to have 600 members.

In Canada, there is still a massive need for designated pickleball courts and facilities, as pickleball enthusiasts have been forced to play on tennis courts and in empty parking lots. Some municipalities have even issued fines and bans for players playing in outdoor spaces near residential areas.

The sport's growth has given way to the creation of a pair of professional tours in the United States and a professional league in Canada. Professional pickleball teams have even become sought-after investments, with star athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady getting involved. James, along with business partner Maverick Carter and NBA players Draymond Green and Kevin Love, among others, is purchasing a new Major League Pickleball (MLP) franchise as the league expands from 12 to 16 teams. Brady also purchased an expansion team in partnership with Kim Clijsters, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

In addition to growing from 12 to 16 teams, the MLP is adding three new events in 2023 and increasing its prize pool to exceed $2 million. Moreover, player applications are up 30 percent year-over-year for the Minto US Open Pickleball Championships, the sport's largest annual competition. A record 35,000 people attended the 2022 event.

Major companies are also looking to attach their brands to pickleball, with Skechers, Anheuser-Busch, and Holland America among those that have signed pickleball sponsorship deals.

Pickleball's growth isn't limited to North America. The International Pickleball Federation has grown from 15 to 69 member nations in under three years. It could be recognized as an Olympic sport with 75 member nations.