Welcome to paradise Croatian island is voted best beach in Europe breathtakingly secluded

Welcome to paradise: Croatian island is voted best beach in Europe (no prizes for guessing why) Stiniva has been named the top sandy offering in Europe by tourism organisation European Best Destinations It is only accessible by hiking on a steep and narrow path, or by taking a taxi boat from the nearby Rukavac cove Those keen for a visit have to head to Vis, where the sandy retreat is situated on the southern part of the island It is breathtakingly secluded with a sea entrance that's just 16 feet wide - and the waters there are crystal clear If you are still deciding where to jet off to this summer, you could do a lot worse than Stiniva in Croatia, because it has been voted the best beach in Europe. And with its crystal clear waters, white sands and a stunning clifftop backdrop it is clear to see why the seaside paradise topped the chart. Much of its charm stems from just how secluded and peaceful it is. It's accessible only by hiking along a steep and narrow path, or by taking a taxi boat from the nearby Rukavac cove. Those who make the effort will be rewarded with an exquisite patch of coastline with a sea entrance of less than 16 feet As far as tourism organisation European Best Destinations is concerned, it's fully deserving of its 2016 Best Beach in Europe gong. Those keen for a visit have to head to Vis, where the sandy retreat is situated on the southern part of the island, close to the village of Žužec. A visit to this award-winning beach would not be complete without exploring the island – perhaps hire a scooter and take in the towns of Vis and Komiza, before heading north to the vineyard-strewn country of Plisko Polje. To access Vis, and the spectacular Stiniva, visitors can take a two-hour ferry from the harbour in Split. For those looking for some other magnificent beach-y offerings around the world there are plenty that live up to the hype of the brochures and travel guides. Earlier this year TripAdvisor named the most stunning stretches of sand in the world - and it was Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean and Brazil that took the top two spots in the review site's Travellers' Choice Awards 2016. The winner was the seven-mile-long beach at Grace Bay, and with its turquoise water and powdery snow-white sand it is obvious why. One reviewer said: 'We would take our umbrella, chairs and a cooler and spend the day there. Life doesn't get much better.' Second place was taken by Brazil's beautiful Baia do Sancho, on the island of Fernando de Noronha, which took first place in the awards last year. One reviewer explained: 'As you walk through a small trail, you can't imagine what awaits you. The heavenly view seems like a mirage.