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words By Carol King CNN ranks Italy’s Spiaggia dei Conigli (Rabbit Beach) as the second best in the world. The beach is on the island of Lampedusa off the southern Sicilian coast. Compiled by CNN staff, the listing of the ‘World’s 100 Best Beaches’ describes the Spiaggia dei Conigli: “With blinding white cliffs, fluorescent blue waters, warm temperatures and dry-desert land, it’s little wonder this place frequently tops favourite beach lists. Protected turtles lay eggs here and dolphins can be seen in the water.” CNN highlights “The nearby volcanic isle of Linosa, featuring a spectacular black and red Mars-like beach.” It is the second time in 2013 that the Spiaggia dei Conigli has featured as one of the world’s top beaches. Earlier in the year, the world’s largest travel site website, TripAdvisor, crowned it number one beach in the world in its 2013 Travellers’ Choice Beaches Awards. The Spiaggia dei Conigli is not the only beach in Italy CNN rates. Elba’s Capo Sant’Andrea ranks in 74th place. CNN says: “It’s hard to imagine why Napoleon ever wanted to leave. At this inlet, the water is clear enough to see the seabed even in the deepest sections. Chestnut trees sweep right down to the coastline.” The highlight for CNN is the fact that “The inlet’s golden beaches are framed by softly sloping granite blocks – natural sun beds that are taken over by sunbathers during summer.”