From 'dirty' cities in USA, packed with standstill traffic and rain, to boring trips to Sydney, the Daily Mail's Travel team has seen it all. Another Asian spot, Koh Samui, proved to be full of bars offering drinks for prices close to London's. But, inexplicably, the only way of getting to Santa Monica (or, in fact, anywhere in LA) is by car. On Google, it says Santa Monica is a 30-minute drive away from Glendale, where I was staying with my family. Of course, the beaches were beautiful and sunsets magnificent, but for me, Koh Samui lacked the charm and quirkiness that made Vietnam’s beach resorts so special.

Source: Daily Mail February 16, 2026 11:18 UTC