islands (17 community guides)

As the plane drops down into Faro, you catch a tantalising glimpse of them – the offshore islands of the Algarve. With their beaches, dunes, lagoons and seafood restaurants, the "Ilhas" are idyllic ... read more »

Cartagena is one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world – go to see it now, before the secret gets out that Colombia is not that dangerous... read more »

This beautiful Caribbean island is where Sir Cliff escapes from the British winter. Here he explains why he loves it so much, and lists his favourite restaurants and the best hotels ... read more »

Dune-backed beaches, chic shops, cycle paths and perhaps a glimpse of Johnny Depp... the Ile de Ré is one of France’s most alluring holiday islands - but pick your base carefully in high season... read more »

Think island-hopping and you tend to think Greece - but it's just as much fun in Italy, where it's the perfect way to discover the diverse charms of the seven Aeolian Islands... read more »

With great diving and beautiful beaches, the islands of the Philippines are stiff competition for Thailand!... read more »

It might be New Zealand's largest city, but as well as having all the usual metropolitan attractions, Auckland is also the perfect place for getting up close and personal with the great outdoors... read more »

The Seychelles are well known for gorgeous beaches and honeymoon hideaways, but the islands are also a fantastic location for wildlife-watching... read more »

Not every Caribbean escape is a paradise of rainforest and fine white sand. To help you choose the best island for you, I weigh up the pros and cons of Cuba, Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua and Jamaica... read more »

Planning a romantic break or honeymoon, and looking for that perfect island? Then look no further - the idyllic Koh Chang, in Thailand, has everything you could wish for... read more »

With its epic scenery and white sandy beaches, the little known Isle of Coll, one of Scotland’s hidden treasures, gives the likes of Harris and Bermuda a run for their money... read more »

It doesn’t get the attention its better-known Dalmatian neighbours enjoy. But it’s easy to see why Krk’s landscapes and light have given the island its nickname of the golden one ... read more »

A few miles off the Breton coast, Belle Île has been a popular destination with French travellers since the Impressionists depicted its charms more than a century ago... read more »

Beachcomber Island in Fiji is one of those paradise islands that dreams are made of: golden sands, blue seas and a place where you would love to get castaway... read more »

Why waste time lying in the sun? From quad-biking to snorkelling, there are plenty of ways to get an adrenaline fix in one of Egypt’s newest beach resorts ... read more »

Mozambique is the perfect destination for that African trip of a lifetime: a paradise where you can chill on the beaches and hunt lions on safari... read more »

Blonde hedgehogs, beautiful beaches and brilliant birdlife are just a few highlights of the third largest Channel Island... read more »