Some of the best places to visit in the world are much closer than you might think
If you live in Britain, you don’t have to go far to find places listed in the book Unforgettable Islands To Escape To Before You Die. It only takes a couple of hours to scoot away and explore everything from snowy Arctic wastes to balmy Mediterranean paradises. Here are some must-sees...
The Southern Dalmatian islands of Croatia are some of the most untouched parts of the Mediterranean. Until recently, many of them were closed by the military. But this doesn’t mean they lack charm. You can walk the cobbled streets of the fortified town of Korcula, (alleged birthplace of Marco Polo), eat fresh fish in the hidden harbour of Lastovo or visit the Blue Cave − so called because of the effect of sunlight shining through an underwater entrance.
The best way to see the islands is by boat. Sail Croatia offers good prices on skippered yachts. At night you can moor in a quiet spot and eat on board or drop anchor closer to shore and hang out in a restaurant. During the day, explore the islands or sail to a deserted cove to swim in bright turquoise water.
The Svalbard Archipelago, comprising over a thousand islands, almost all of them uninhabited, is officially part of Norway but is well within the Arctic Circle. In the winter, the sun never shines but in the short summer there is permanent daylight. The archipelago is home to the fierce polar bear. They wander freely across the pack ice, hunting for seals. If you walk outside the tiny settlement of Longyearbyen on the island of Spitsbergen, you are advised to have an armed guard to keep you safe.
The remote east of Svalbard is stunningly beautiful, with mountains, glaciers and kilometres of floating pack ice. The Explorer, owned by Gap Adventures, cruises these waters looking out for polar bears, walruses and reindeer.
Closer to home, don’t miss the Isles of Scilly. Just off the coast of Cornwall, each of these islands has its own character. Bryher is sometimes hit by gale force winds that sweep in fromthe Atlantic, but the islands generally enjoy a balmy sub-tropical climate. On Tresco you can walk through forests of giant tree ferns from New Zealand and appreciate cacti from all over the world. There are kilometres of unspoilt beaches, as well as the highest concentration of archaeological sites in the country. There are burial chambers, menhirs (standing stones) and the remains of Stone Age villages.