IMAGES: GETTY; ALAMY; ADRIAAN LOUW PHOTOGRAPHY
ISLANDS
B E S T FOR B E ACHE S SARDI NI A
Glancing at images of this beloved Italian island, it’s easy to mistake its curves of white sand and clear-as-glass seas for the Maldives rather than the Med. Our tip? Strike out to the Maddalena archipelago, in grasping distance of pristine, quiet beaches. There are hidden coves, empty lagoons and charming waterside hangouts with kitchens dishing out gut-bustingly good pasta dishes and fresh fish. WHAT TO DO: If you’re seeking coastal adventure, try diving the Grotto del Nereo (Nereo Cave) off the main island — a bewildering underwater network of caves and tunnels, sprawled with bewitching forests of stalagmites and stalactites. And then there’s Laguna di Nora — an enchanting lagoon on the western side of the Nora promontory where pink flamingos stride through the lake’s shallows and snorkellers float in the clear waters. WHEN TO GO: Avoid August, when hordes of Italians descend on the island, and instead try May and June or September, when you’ll find quieter beaches, but dependable sunshine. HOW TO DO IT: Just Sardinia offers seven nights at Valle dell’Erica — named Europe’s Leading Green Resort at the World Travel Awards 2019 — with views of Corsica and the Maddalena islands from £973 per person per week.
justsardinia.co.uk
B E S T FOR WE L LNE S S BALI
Pre-Covid-19, Bali buzzed with that archetypal tropical energy, craved by everyone from backpackers to the ultra-luxe lovers. In recent years, it became a hub for digital nomads, who’d hole up in cafes, drinking juices and tapping away on their laptops before seeking surf and sunsets on its fun-time beaches. And as the Indonesian island opens up again, its pull has never felt so tenacious: from green and serene Ubud with its thriving arts scene to the sprinkling of dinky islands offshore, where the seas are super clear and just-caught seafood monopolise the menus. WHAT TO DO: Bali has a knack for being all things to all men. It’s gained a stellar reputation for wellness thanks to its spiritual heart and nature- centric sights, from verdant paddy fields where cyclists weave in the shade, to Hindu temples, such as Tirta Empul, with its purifying holy baths. And in among it all, organic urban farms, yoga retreats, a consistently sunny disposition and the volcano of Agung that can be conquered on midnight treks, to arrive at its peak at dawn. WHEN TO GO: The dry season is April to October. HOW TO DO IT: Close to the immaculate sands of Nusa Dua on the island’s southernmost peninsula is Aman Villas at Nusa Dua — a collection of villas with thatched roofs, private pools and living areas overlooking gardens filled with frangipani. Every villa has its own chef and butlers, and you can book yoga sessions and in-room treatments. Rooms from £680 a night.
aman.com
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nationalgeographic.co.uk/collection
B E S T FOR K IDS Z A K YNTHOS , G R E E C E
When there are electric blue seas, powder-soſt sands and tuſts of wild woodland to explore, little ones will be happily busy. Zakynthos has carved a reputation for slick family getaways, whether you’re seeking historical fixes, enchanting waterside tavernas and water a thousand shades of blue. You’ll have seen images of Zakynthos, even if you didn’t realise: of its startling Navagio Beach, where buttery orange sands meet the waves of the Aegean. This curve of beach, lying in the shadow of a cradle of cliffs, is accessible only by boat. WHAT TO DO: For an enchanting waterside jaunt, head towards Laganas Bay, where loggerhead turtles idle in the seas, and further along, there’s the whimsical rock formations of Keri Caves — a mesmerising spot to launch from a boat and linger in the gin-clear seas. For hardier thrills, hire bikes and strike out into the island’s wilder heart, through valleys smothered in wildflowers, olive groves, fragrant pine forests and dozing villages. WHEN TO GO: Avoid the peak months of July and August and try the shoulder months of May, June, September and October for mellower temperatures and quieter beaches. HOW TO DO IT: Love Holidays offers seven nights at the Lesante Classic Luxury Hotel & Spa from £581 per person, B&B, in May.
onthebeach.co.uk
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