There’s nothing quite like an island holiday, whether you’re looking for time lounging on the beach or a more active trip where you can explore both the coastline and the island interior. Here are five recommendations for amazing island destinations to consider for your next holiday.
Sicily, Italy. This beautiful island is perfectly placed at the heart of the Mediterranean. And because of its position it attracted a succession of colonisers from the Greeks, Romans and Carthaginians through to the Arabs and Normans. This has left its mark - with a range of fabulous architecture from different centuries and culinary influences that make Sicilian cuisine unique and delicious. Sicily's varied landscape makes a dramatic first impression. This juxtaposition of sea, volcano and mountain scenery makes a stunning backdrop wherever you are in the island. Mu advice is not to bite off more than you can chew with Sicily – pick an area of the island and explore at a leisurely pace.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. It’s one of the greatest national parks on earth, the place where visitors get a front-row view of nature like nowhere else in the world. From giant tortoises the size of small cars to great piles of sunbathing iguanas, dancing blue-footed boobies, nosy sea lions and wolf-whistling frigate birds – when it comes to wildlife, the Galapagos archipelago delivers an amazing spectacle. With more than 4,000 species, and 40 per cent of them found nowhere else on earth, it’s impossible not to have your socks well and truly knocked off. Combine a cruise around some of the islands with a tour around mainland Ecuador – there’s plenty to see here too. Click here for more information.
Whitsundays, Australia. Located along Queensland's central coast, the islands and mainland towns of the Whitsundays offer everything you’d expect from a tropical paradise; turquoise waters and gorgeous white sands, beautiful, secluded beaches and world-class luxury accommodation. Set amid the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsundays are a mecca for sailing, diving and snorkelling - and there are plenty of opportunities to tick off some bucket-list worthy activities like swimming with turtles or flying over famous Heart Reef.
Sri Lanka. If you’re looking for a holiday with variety, Sri Lanka has it all. Endless white sand beaches, 8 UNESCO world heritage sites, welcoming people, national parks with elephants, leopards, crocodiles and sloth bears, the spectacular landscapes of tea country all capped off with utterly delicious food. And with distances quite short, it’s possible to see quite a bit of the island on a 2-week trip without rushing around. One of the best ways to travel around the country is in a private car with driver/guide. It’s good value and it gives you the flexibility to take your time and tweak your itinerary without the more organised itinerary of an Escorted Tour. And you can end your journey with a few days at the beach - there are some lovely hotels to choose from.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia. These 1500 islands and cays lie on at the heart of the Coral Triangle, a biodiversity hot spot where the Pacific and Indian Oceans collide. Likened to the “Amazon of the seas,” this tropical labyrinth holds one of the world’s highest densities of marine life with over 1000 species of fish and ¾ of all known corals. Divers and snorkelers alike explore the aquamarine waters in search of wildly-patterned carpet sharks, massive manta rays and pygmy seahorses. Raja Ampat is still not really on the tourist trail and it’s definitely a destination to get to as soon as possible and before the infrastructure develops and divers start flocking here.
Get in touch to discuss your next island adventure.
Comments