Latest news with #islandhopping
The Sun
07-07-2025
- The Sun
The four Greek islands you can easily hop between in one holiday – for as little as £6
WAVE RUNNER Plus, one is the island that's been dubbed the smaller version of Mykonos without the crowds ISLAND hopping is one of the most popular ways to spend a holiday and Greece is the ultimate playground - especially as you can do it for cheap. Global travel booking company, Omio, has revealed how holidaymakers can explore up to four islands from as little as £6 this summer. 5 5 A very easy way to get from one Mediterranean island to the other is via ferry - with some prices as low as £6. The entire route that costs £98 in total starts on the mainland in Athens where visitors can catch a ferry to Mykonos. The journey cost £35 and takes two hours and 40 minutes. Mykonos is known for its cosmopolitan atmosphere as well as luxury with beautiful private beaches and vibrant nightlife. In recent years it has been the go-to destination for A-listers like George Clooney and Naomi Campbell. It's incredibly popular, too, with more than a million visitors a year, but if you head there between spring or late autumn you'll have a quieter experience. From Mykonos, Omnio suggests catching the ferry to Paros which cost £28 and is just 45 minutes. The website said: "Laid-back Paros has become the Greek island of choice for many." I found the quieter side of Mykonos with private beaches and and celeb-like luxury 5 It added: "The cultural scene is vibrant here, and the rocky coastline is studded with beaches, secluded coves, and sea caves. A mere 40-minute flight from Athens—or three hours on a ferry—this windblown retreat is also easy to get to." In Paros is the town of Naoussa, which is the second largest on the island, and it has been dubbed a "smaller version of Mykonos". It maintains Mykonos' beauty but at a smaller scale, you'll still find the classic whitewashed buildings, blue seas and vibrant harbour. The cheapest journey is from Paros to Naxos which is £6 with Omnio, and is also the quickest journey taking 25 minutes. Travellers will find it to be one of the quieter islands with around 200,000 visitors per year, which is much less than the two million tourists that descend on Mykonos. It's a popular island for swimming, boat trips, exploring caves, and enjoying the beaches. One Sun Travel writer visited and declared Naxos to be 'better than Mykonos' and a lot cheaper too. 5 From Naxos, hop on a ferry to the southern island of Santorini which is £29 and takes one hour 25 minutes. Santorini is picture perfect and recognisable for its blue-domed churches, especially in the main village of Oia. The island, like Mykonos, is known to be a celebrity hotspot having been visited by the likes of Beyonce and Angelina Jolie. It's also very pretty with thin and winding white streets and the beautiful pink bougainvillea flowers. There are lots of free attractions too including the beaches like Perissa and Kamari which have black volcanic sand. It can be affordable too, according to our experts, who say ditch restaurants with the sea views for local tavernas and cafés. Omnio reveals that on big islands like Mykonos and Santorini, the ferries run all year long and you can usually find routes every single day. Whereas on the smaller islands, most of the ferries usually stop running during the winter, so if you want to island hop, check your journey before booking a holiday. Here's a smaller Greek island with 70 beaches that experts warn you should see before it gets too popular. And one Greece expert reveals the four better value islands where locals go on holiday with Santorini-like houses and secluded beaches. 5
New York Times
23-06-2025
- New York Times
Island-Hopping on a D.I.Y. Caribbean Cruise
Monday was designer window-shopping on St. Barts. Tuesday, hiking rugged Saba. Wednesday, the endless summer beaches of Anguilla. All without the crowds from massive cruise ships or the expense of privately chartered sailboats. Somewhere between them lie ferries, offering do-it-yourself island-hopping trips that explore the Caribbean, slow-travel style. In the Leeward Islands, the dual-nation island of Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin serves as a transportation hub, welcoming travelers to St. Maarten's busy Princess Juliana International Airport and offering connections to nearby destinations via ferry or flight. The ferry companies offer day trips to visitors on St. Maarten who find themselves tantalizingly close to chic St. Barts or spy distant Saba on the horizon. 'You can leave one island and get four or five stamps in your passport,' said Malinda Hassell, the director of tourism for Saba, a Dutch Caribbean island. 'That's what makes this area unique.' Testing the premise from a base in St. Maarten with my friend Anne Marie, I created my own spring cruise, ferrying to French St. Barts, mountainous Saba and beachy British Anguilla. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Telegraph
The perfect two-week holiday in the Philippines
The Philippines, an archipelago of 7,641 islands on Asia's eastern edge, may still be off the radar for many travellers (it receives a fraction of the British visitors that neighbouring Thailand does, and fewer than both Cambodia and Vietnam), but its profile is on the rise – meaning now is the time to go. It is, of course, a long way to travel (there are no direct flights, so it'll take you somewhere in the region of 18 hours), so it makes sense to allow two weeks of island-hopping to truly absorb its ever-changing diversity. An ideal trip should include stops in Cebu and Vigan, for a taste of the country's Spanish colonial legacy, as well as a visit to the islands around El Nido, for world-class beaches and coral reefs; to Bohol, to meet tiny bug-eyed tarsiers; and Banaue, to see its amphitheatre of rice-terraces. A perfect trip should also incorporate plenty of opportunities to sample the country's meaty, soy-and-vinegar infused cuisine – unlike any other in Asia – especially in Manila, where the restaurant scene explodes with contemporary options. But the real highlight? The Filipinos themselves – the friendliest, most upbeat people in Asia. The level of English is extremely high throughout the country, so cheerful conservation comes easily, and despite having been through a great deal of hardship – colonialism, Japanese occupation, Marcos's political dictatorship – they've nevertheless come out smiling… and singing a lot of karaoke. Days 1 & 2 Cebu City Conquistadors and Catholics Aim for a flight which gets you into the Philippines' second city – located on the eastern coast of Cebu Island – by early evening (Cathay Pacific 's overnight flight from London, for example, connects via Hong Kong and arrives at 6pm). The airport is set on tiny Mactan Island, so check in to nearby Crimson Resort and Spa (B&B doubles from £151) and spend the evening relaxing after your long journey. The following morning, it's time to head into the hurley-burly of Cebu City – the country's most historic city – roughly an hour's drive from the resort. A taxi will cost you between 100-300 Philippine pesos (£1.30-4), and the drive will take you across the spectacular Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway, which meanders over the sea for 5.5 miles. Start at Plaza Sugbu, where you'll find a replica of Magellan's Cross, erected in 1515 to signal Spain's arrival, outside a cavernous 16 th -century basilica that's home to a sacred doll-like relic called Santo Niño. The Spanish got serious here in 1565 and built Fort San Pedro, though its 8ft-thick coral-stone walls now enclose a frangipani tree courtyard. For lunch, migrate to The Barracks inside Carbon Market, where hawker food stalls cook-up fresh sizzling butter crab and Cebu favourite, tuslob buwa (pork liver and brains). Each dish will cost you roughly £2-4. Walk off lunch by visiting the historic houses which survived America's 1945 bombardment (intended to drive out the Japanese) – a particularly excellent example is period-furnished Casa Gorordo, which dates from 1863, where you'll find polished mahogany floors and coral glass window (plus Bo's Coffee café downstairs, where you can pick up a reviving iced latte). Next, make time for a spot of shopping at Anthill Fabric Gallery, an emporium which showcases fine Cebuano weaving, and at Alegre, where you can watch guitars being made from mango wood. Finish on a Spanish theme with tapas at Enye, watching waiters blow-torch seared tuna steaks table-side. Days 3 & 4 Southern Cebu Island A local feast Head south for an artisan foodie day. A favoured pitstop is the city of Carcar, roughly one hour and 45 minutes drive from Cebu City, famed for lechon (whole roasted pig) and chicharron (similar to pork scratchings). Mayu Restaurant is a popular place for both, where a 500g portion of the latter (for two) costs £7. An hour further south, the coastal town of Argao reveals an imposing 1780s coral-stone church, St Michael Archangel, where the belltower once doubled as a lookout for pirates. Argao is a hub for cottage industry food producers, so make time for a visit to the family Guilang factory, which has been making chocolate tablets since 1948. It's the staple of a Cebuano breakfast of sikwate (oozingly thick hot chocolate) with sticky rice coconut triangles wrapped in banana leaves and fresh mango – and will likely be the best 60p you ever spend. Also worth a stop is Jesse Magallones, which bakes the popular fiesta cake, torta, made from tuba (coconut sap) and lard, and Leonilo Sedon, which ferments suka pinakurat hot and spicy coconut vinegar, vital to Filipino cooking. Tonight, check-in at the newly opened Cebu Beach Club (B&B doubles from £173), where 36 clifftop rooms look out over the Camotes Sea toward Bohol Island. If you've time, end your day by swimming with sea-turtles off the white-sand beach below. Back to nature It's time to get active. Cross Cebu Island's rain-forested spine to a protected marine reserve, Tañon Strait, set in a sea channel facing Negros Island, then take a small boat to Moalboal for the unique experience of swimming with tens of thousands of sardines near Panagsama Beach. For a quirky lunch, try fish sutukil at Lola Tanciang's Seafood Paluto – the name ('su-tu-kil') is a portmanteau of grill, soup and ceviche, all prepared using the same piece of fish, typically grouper. After lunch, hike the spearmint-coloured Matutinao River to a swimming hole beneath the 42ft-high Kawasan Waterfall. Canyoneering is popular here, with excursions by Kawasan Dante's Peak Canyoneering costing £28 and including lunch. In far Southern Cebu Island, tours take guests to snorkel with whale-sharks, with trips from £23. Days 5 & 6 Panglao and Bohol Islands A little limestone brother Take the two-hour ferry or ' bangka ' (traditional outrigger boats) from Cebu to neighbouring Bohol, one of the Philippines most visited islands. Find somewhere to stay on tiny Panglao, an island which sits at Bohol's south-western tip and hosts the pick of the two islands' beach resorts. The most popular is the 88-room Bohol Beach Club (B&B doubles from £160), set on Dumaluan Beach's fine white sand (they also run diving and snorkelling trips to Pamilacan Island, to see coral gardens, turtles and spinner dolphins, from £80 per person), while the boutique Amarela Resort (B&B doubles from £113) is a more classic option and has a breezy sea-view restaurant serving Filipino fare. For sundowners, head to the neoclassical-looking Villa Umi, where there's a stylish bar right on the beach. Panglao's craggy karst limestone is omnipresent, from the 19 th -century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption (built from fossiliferous coral stone) to the island's subterranean swimming lagoons, natural sinkholes known as cenotes (the most popular of which is Hinagdanan cave – though opt for an early dip if you want to beat the crowds). For lunch, Bohol Bee Farm is a whimsical farm-to-plate restaurant with views to Mindanao Island. Its sharing farm platter (£37) features chops, baked tuna, ribs, garden salad, and paper-thin spring rolls, mostly made with local produce, which supports the livelihoods of more than 500 farmers and staff. Chocolate Hills and bug-eyed critters Spend a day exploring Bohol Island's eclectic sights. Its UNESCO Global Geopark status is spearheaded by the outstanding Chocolate Hills, 17,000 rounded coral hills weathered smooth like a basket of eggs, so named because the dry season (November-May) causes the vegetation to take on a brown hue. Avoid the coach-parties to the popular Carmen viewpoint by visiting before 8am. Equally iconic are tarsiers, tiny prosimian primates with trademark huge, wide eyes. The easiest place to spot them is at a tarsier sanctuary at Corella, where you'll see them dozing in the trees. Similarly strange are Bohol's remarkable 'dinosaur eggs', or Asín tibuók, oblong balls of salt made from tidal water and burnt coconut husks. Visit the Manongas family workshop to see their extraordinary processing of these salt eggs (and buy one for £11). A non-beach alternative to Panglao is Loboc River Resort (B&B doubles from £133) – 35 cottages immersed in riverside forest. For dinner, head to Tagbilaran for Bohol's most contemporary offering, Animula Tasting Room, which serves Filipino favourites such as beef asado with a twist, in an ultra-modern space. Day 7, 8 & 9 Palawan Island Hit the beach It's a 1hr 45 minute flight from Bohol to the West Philippines Sea's adventure playground, Palawan Island. Beach tourism's hub is El Nido, set among jagged limestone islands that are home to the silkiest beaches and priciest resorts. El Nido's 237,000-acre marine reserve is a mosaic of mangroves and corals; ideal for kayaking and snorkelling with superb diving. Lio Beach is a 4km stretch of white sand facing Cadlao Island, with plenty of upmarket food and hotel offerings. The 153-room Seda Lio Hotel (B&B doubles from £290) is backed by rainforest, with garden rooms by a large infinity pool. If you fancy a break from the meat-heavy traditional cuisine, Lio's upscale beach dining scene offers more health-conscious options, including Saboria, which serves lighter fusion Philippine cuisine, PLNT+HRVST (vegetarian-vegan) and Punta Playa, a breezy Mediterranean bistro. Two of El Nido's finest beaches are Duli – also the reserve's best surf spot – and Nacpan, 4km of golden sand facing a private island owned by boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao. Stick around for the night by booking into the 16-room Angkla Resort (B&B doubles from £333), which is built around a tropical courtyard, or opt for air-conditioned glamping at Nacpan Beach Glamping (doubles from £240 per person). Younger crowds might prefer the mass market beach scene around downtown El Nido, which unleashes its inner Pattaya vibe. It's worth a gawp to see the party and bar scene or get a cheap massage, and for surprisingly excellent sushi and seafood restaurants – like the earthy and inexpensive Sea Jane Resto Bar, where fish, lobster or prawns are grilled fresh, and upstairs tables overlook Bacuit Bay. Castaway Staying on a private island can be eye-wateringly expensive (even in the Philippines, where the likes of Banwa will set you back a cool £73,000 per night), but there are more affordable resorts amid the offshore limestone islands. One such option is Miniloc Island Resort (all-inclusive doubles from £733), a laid-back spot with thatched rooms (some overwater) located a 20-minute speedboat transfer from Lio Beach. It offers complementary kayaking, as well as snorkelling on a technicolour house reef which teems with tropical fish. Move over Ha Long Bay The limestone islands and pinnacles bear a passing resemblance to Vietnam's famous Ha Long Bay, albeit without the latter's armada of junk-boats. With more than one-thousand islands to explore, various companies offer boat trips which combine three or four with lunch and snorkelling. Popular routes include Snake Island (for panoramic views); Cudugnon Cave; and the 50ft-high Cathedral Cave on Pinasil Island (large enough to drive a speedboat inside); Entatula Island – which was recently cited as having one of the world's best beaches – and Paglugaban Island, for snorkelling on its effervescent coral reef. For your final night before moving on to the big city, take the opportunity to splurge at private island Pangulasian Eco-Luxury Resort (B&B doubles from £1,060), where 50 luxurious villas are immersed in rainforest and surrounded by coral reefs. Day 10 Manila Jeepneys and the world's oldest Chinatown Take the one-hour flight from El Nido to Manila, the Philippines' gloriously chaotic capital city on Luzon Island, dissected by the Pasig River. The grindingly slow road traffic is made (slightly) more bearable by the fleets of Jeepneys – colourful customised US jeeps which function as public transport, similar to tuk tuks. Much of Manila's architecture was obliterated during the Second World War, when the country was occupied by the Japanese and heavily bombed by the Americans. Nevertheless, evidence of its Spanish colonial legacy remains in the thick-walled Intramuros district, which has been largely rebuilt. The baroque Unesco-listed Church of Saint-Augustine is an original, however, having survived its blitzkrieg and now home to a fine museum of treasure from the galleon trade with Mexico (then known as New Spain). Opposite is a cosy Filipino bistro called Ristorante Delle Mitre – named after the bishops' headgear – which draws diners with its superlative chicken adobe (tender chicken marinated in soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic), the country's national dish. Head north and across the river, and you'll soon find yourself in Quiapo district, where the large market is fun to browse on foot, while the cathedral (officially called The Minor Basilica and National Shrine of Jesus Nazareno) houses the Philippines' most sacred object, the Black Nazarene statuette, which is paraded every January to crowds numbering well over a million. A short stroll westwards will bring you to Binondo, home to the world's oldest Chinatown in, where you'll find dim sum restaurants and Tao-Buddhist temples, as well as to a slither of surviving American art-deco around Escolta. It's here that you'll come upon the 1920s First Union Building, which hosts artisanal craft shops and a café, The Den, which offers excellent Filipino-bean coffees. For more war history, spend the afternoon at the American Cemetery – an hour's drive south-east, in Taguig – a sobering experience, with 16,800 marble crosses marking soldiers lost in the Second World War's Pacific theatre of war. For dinner, head to the fashionable nightlife hub of Makati, where Blackbird serves artistic pan-Asian dishes in an art-deco former American airport terminal, or to nearby Greenbelt, where Ember – the creation of the British-Filipino chef, Josh Boutwood – combines informality with fine cuisine. For drinks, head to Población district's wall-to-wall bars. Hip speakeasies include The Spirits Library, with its floor-to-ceiling bookcases of spirits, and Run Rabbit Run, a darkly lit cocktail bar. Stop by 32 nd -floor rooftop bar, Firefly Roofdeck, for magnificent night-time Manila views. End the day by checking into either The Bayleaf Hotel in the Intramuros district (B&B doubles from £97), an inexpensive four-star with excellent views of the city from its rooftop bar, or the iconic Peninsula Hotel (B&B doubles from £165) in Makati. Day 11 North Luzon Island Sand spas and fairy-tale gorges A few hours north from Manila is little-visited Inararo, where the Melanesian Aetas people manage ancestral lands which were covered in ash during Mount Pinatubo's 1991 eruption. Subsequent erosion has sculpted the most delicately beautiful fern-cloaked gorge, a fairy-tale mile-long loop which takes roughly an hour to complete on foot. A tour of th area – with a guide and driver – costs £80 with Pinatubo Mountaineiro, including lunch, a dip in geothermal hot springs at Puning, and a hot-sand spa. Day 12 Banaue Rice, and more rice A long day's drive into Luzon's north (by private car) will take you to Banaue, where the Unesco-listed rice-terraces date back 2,000 years, soaring into the Cordilleras. Check-in at Banaue town's Grand View Hotel (B&B doubles from £63) – where rooms have wonderful views of the sweeping terraces – then head out for a bite to eat at Uyami's Greenview Restaurant, the best local outlet in the area. All dishes come with rice, and – if you're lucky – occasional cultural displays by the Ifugao people. If time allows, hike into the amphitheatre of rice-terraces at small town Batad for awe-inspiring vistas. If you'd like to spend the night here instead, opt for Simon's View Inn and Restaurant (room-only doubles from £20). Day 13 Sagada The hanging coffins Two hours' drive along dramatic mountain roads leads northwest to Sagada, a remote community of the Igorot people who for millennia (until the arrival of Catholicism) buried their dead in coffins housed within – or hanging down on ropes from – cliffside caves. Seeing them is a macabre but fascinating spectacle, and one of immense cultural significance. In town, pay a visit to a superb gallery devoted to Eduardo Masferré, one of the Philippine's greatest photographers, whose works chronicle Igorot culture. Spend the night at one of Sagada's homely and simple options, including Masferré Country Inn (B&B doubles from £46) where rooms are adorned with photographs of Igorot culture, and Martha's Hearth (room-only doubles from £40). Bana's Coffee has won international awards for its roasted coffee and has a decent menu of local produce. Day 14 Vigan All things Spanish Another four hours on the road from Sagada is UNESCO-listed Vigan, where you'll find the complete colonial core of a 16 th -century Spanish city, the exquisite architecture of which is fused with Chinese and Ilocano motifs. Wander its cobbled streets, visit historic houses, and see the archbishop's palace, then – and as the sun goes down – join the promenade in Plaza's Salcedo and Burgos. For dinner, seek out Ilocano fish sauce-infused dishes such as pinakbet, at Café Uno 's corner restaurant or Café Leona. Several classical homes offer atmospheric stays: Hotel Luna (B&B doubles from £60) is built around a pretty internal patio, while Hotel Felicidad (B&B doubles from £40) has four-poster beds. Day 15 Head to Loag Airport for the hour-long flight back to Manila, and – if you've time – end your trip with a an explosion of culinary theatre at highly rated fine-dining spot Helm. How to do it When to go Perennially tropical, The Philippines has two distinct seasons – hot and dry. The drier and cooler season – when temperatures range from 25-30°C – is between December and early May. From May to October the weather is wetter, hotter and cyclone prone, though there are fewer crowds and refreshingly greener landscapes. What to book Cost effective Bamboo Travel (0207 7209285) tailor-makes trips similar to the one described. A 14-day island hopping holiday costs around £4,195 per person, including nights in Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Sagada, Banaue and El Nido, as well as international flights with Cathay Pacific, B&B accommodation, all transfers, and guided tours. Blow the budget Audley Travel (01993 838155) offers a 17-day combined Hong Kong & Luxury Tour of the Philippines from £10,375 per person (based on two travelling), featuring five-nights at the opulent Amanpulo Resort on Pamilacan Island, private transfers, flights from London via Hong Kong, and excursions. Know before you go Rather than expensive roaming, pick up an affordable local SIM card upon arrival at Manila or Cebu Airport (a 20GB allowance lasting 14 days will set you back around £8), or opt for an eSim. Taxi journeys are inexpensive using the downloadable app Grab, which functions like Uber. Most outlets accept debit cards, but it's worth carrying a small amount of cash for those few smaller ones which don't. US dollars are easiest to exchange. The whole country has patron saint fiestas throughout the year. Bohol has one every day during May. If offered, join these open house feasts to be welcomed like a long lost relative. A quick, free e-travel declaration should be completed before arrival.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Daily Mail
The gorgeous islands dubbed 'Hawaii of Europe'
A gorgeous set of European islands have been described as the continent's answer to Hawaii with 'Caribbean-style luxury' - and it's not hard to see why. The Azores, an autonomous region off the coast of Portugal, are known for their tropical landscapes which make them feel like they're somewhere far more exotic than Europe. Gavin Lapidus, a travel expert and the founder of eShores, says: 'These volcanic Portuguese islands are Europe's best-kept secret. 'Think Caribbean-style luxury with an eco-conscious soul - dramatic coastlines,mystical crater lakes, and world-class whale watching, all powered by sustainable initiatives. 'Shorter flights from the UK make this archipelago even more appealing. Each of the nine islands has its own distinct personality, from the thermal pools of Sao Miguel to the perfect cone of Pico Mountain, making island-hopping an irresistible adventure.' Sao Miguel is the largest Azores island and has an international airport, making it the starting point for many adventurers. Known as the 'Green Island', Sao Miguel is an incredible spot for whale and dolphin watching. Holidaymakers are in with a chance of spotting bottlenose dolphins, sperm whales, blue whales, minke whales. Tourists can also head to Sete Cidades, to see the island's spectacular twin blue and green lakes. The lakes differ in colour due to their varied depths, the deeper blue lake reflects the sky, while the green shallow lake reflects the green surroundings. Sao Miguel's Furnas Valley is a dormant volcanic caldera with plenty of thermal pools to take a dip in. At the island's Terra Nostra Park, tourists can relax in iron-rich thermal water at temperatures of 37 degrees. But Sao Miguel isn't the only island worth exploring. On Pico, known as 'Mountain Island', tourists can enjoy locally produced wine and tackle Mount Pico, the highest mountain in Portugal. If it's beaches you're after, Faial has the best shoreline according to Lonely Planet which says its 'stretches of sand are worth visiting'. And Flores is known for its incredible natural beauty, which ranges from waterfalls to lagoons and volcanic craters. How to get to the Azores British Airways and Ryanair both offer direct flights to Sao Miguel. Once there, tourists can catch ferries or domestic flights to reach the rest of the islands. The flight takes just over four hours from the UK. Best time of year to visit the Azores The Azores can be visited year-round, but the water can sometimes be too choppy for boat tours in December and January. During July and August, the weather is warmest but the islands tend to be at their busiest. The months between April and September are the best time to see whales and dolphins. Language Portuguese is the official language in the Azores but English is commonly spoken, particularly in touristy areas. Currency The Azores uses the Euro as standard currency.
Times
16-05-2025
- Times
8 of the best places in the world to go island hopping
There's something undeniably exciting about island hopping: not just the consistent joy of new horizons, but the potential for diversity — of geography, food or atmosphere — and that seductive sense of feeling like an explorer of old. The classic way to travel is via ferries, most famously around Greece's various island chains, but you can also cover South Pacific archipelagos on cruises or consider hiring your own boat. To avoid any sense of hurry, and to allow you to do a deep dive and really soak up the islands' atmosphere, allow at least two weeks. Ranging from budget-friendly options (Scotland) to those typically requiring deeper pockets (the Philippines), our eight suggestions also contain picks suitable for couples (try the Aeolian Islands), families (Canary Islands) or solo travellers (Croatia). In prioritising those places where hopping is most feasible, we've also had to regretfully omit some worthy contenders — the Seychelles; Guinea-Bissau's astounding Bijagos Archipelago; Australia's dreamy Whitsundays —where roving trips are tougher to accomplish. Happy hopping. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue There are seven separate island groups in the seas around Greece. Many tourists begin their adventures from Athens, on the mainland, either transferring by metro or bus to the nearby port of Piraeus or flying on to their starting point. With the historic Argo-Saronic chain too close to the mainland to feel sufficiently'islandy' and the Turkish-influenced Dodecanese requiring a long ferry, our vote goes to the 220-strong Cycladic group. These combine well-known heavyweights — chiefly Santorini, where whitewashed buildings line the crater of a drowned volcano, and fun-focused Mykonos — with lesser-known specks further west. Among the latter are Kythnos, a home to natural hot springs, and the beach-lined Serifos. Regular ferries connect all these and there is everything from simple apartment rentals to beautiful boutique hotels and bigger all-inclusives to suit every budget. Shoulder season is a better bet than peak summer, when you'll be contending not only with crowds but the schedule-skewing meltemi wind. Each island has at least one harbour to accommodate boaters. Celestyal operates round-trip cruises taking in Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and the slow-paced Milos. The Cyclades, including Santorini, are the focus of the two-week Greek Island Wanderer walking tour from Explore! It includes transport, comfortable accommodation, and plenty of free time. • Best Greek islands to visit• Read our full guide to Greece With some 100 inhabited islands, there's an obvious question when it comes to the Caribbean: where to start? In the region's east, two-part Saint Martin makes sense. Split into a laid-back, foodie French half (Saint-Martin) and a livelier Dutch side (Sint Maarten), this isle not only has a bonanza of hidden coves, historical forts and walking trails, but ferry connections to Anguilla and its diving, mountainous island of Saba; to tiny Sint Eustatius; ritzy St Barts and the spectacular, rainforest-splattered St Kitts. These ferries range in frequency: ships operate nine times a day between Saint-Martin and Anguilla, while Makana Ferry's sailings from Sint Maarten to Saba are once a day from Wednesday to Sunday. Each island's respective tourist board website has good information. Alternatives for hoppers include combining pink flamingos, scuba heaven and sandy shores in the close-together yet diverse 'ABC' islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. They are the most affordable while Saint Martin and St Kitts have the resorts and variety of attractions to suit families. Couples could try the more secluded hotels in romantic St Barts. If ferries aren't your thing, consider renting a boat through reliable agencies such as Click&Boat and Boataround,or shelling out for flights between islands operated by the likes of interCaribbean Airways. Marella Cruises' island-hopping round-trip from Barbados calls at Sint Maarten and French-flavoured Guadeloupe. Undiscovered Destinations' small-group tour takes in eight islands including Antigua, St Lucia and Dominica. • Discover our full guide to the Caribbean• Best Caribbean islands to visit Peppered with long, slender islands, Croatia's Adriatic coastline is a mix of established tourist havens and near-deserted backwaters. While most ferries operate to and from mainland cities, it is possible to do a four-isle loop taking in cosmopolitan Hvar, where terracotta-roofed houses abut grand, gothic palaces; quiet, walker-friendly Mljet; Brac for its beaches; and the greener, wine-making Korcula. Split or Dubrovnik would be your starting point; the former has access to a greater breadth of islands. Ferry prices are affordable, but services can be intermittent; advance booking is advisable, especially during summer. Talking of which, visit in June or September if possible. Everything will be open and you should encounter bearable heat, yet the crowds won't yet be overwhelming — with the possible exception of Dubrovnik — and accommodation rates might be lower than in July and August. Every island of reasonable size has a range of hotels, from simple B&Bs to luxury bolt holes; there are also plenty of self-catering stays available through Airbnb, Vrbo and the like where you can book in for just a few nights. Villas are trickier because there's often a minimum stay of a week. Another option is a traditional wooden gulet sailboat. Typically catered and accommodating around 10-15 people, these either operate scheduled departures, with cabins to reserve, or can be privately hired with a skipper. Try Sail Croatia, whose modern gulets host group trips geared around hiking, wine, or luxury. Intrepid's eight-day Croatian Coastal Cruising trip will take you to Brac, Hvar and Korcula. Scenic walks and swimming opportunities pepper Exodus Adventure Travels' self-guided tour via Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Mljet. • Best Croatian islands to visit• The best of Croatia Not only is French Polynesia thrillingly far from any major landmass, but its 120-plus photogenic South Pacific islands are seriously scattered — Maupiti, the furthest northwest, is nearly 650 miles from the Tuamotu archipelago, for instance. Start from Tahiti, easily the biggest isle and where international flights land. Divers should combine Rangiroa, Fakarava and Tikehau for beautiful turquoise atolls and all manner of kaleidoscopic critters. Moorea and Bora Bora offer high-end resorts on dreamy shores, while waterfalls, giant tiki sculptures and the grave of the symbolist painter Paul Gauguin await when small-ship cruises serve the Marquesas Islands. What about accommodation? While those Bora Bora resorts grab the headlines, there are a range of much more affordable options; Mahina's Lodge, for instance, is a garden-set B&B with a pool, fine sea views and superb Tahitian food. On more remote islands, the choice is predictably more limited, but some terrific, soulful guesthouses still await. Air Tahiti and Air Moana fly multiple times a day between the most popular islands. To reach the rest, book onto cargo vessels or charter a catamaran. May to October is the dry season, with reduced humidity. It's a long, expensive way to come for a summer holiday, but there's really nowhere else like it — and you only live once, right? Operating here since 1987, Windstar Cruises runs two-week sailings visiting the Marquesas. Audley Travel offers tailor-made French Polynesia island-hopping itineraries. of Sicily, this septet of spectacular, Unesco-listed dots has a land-apart feel. Lipari, the biggest, has a namesake main town where attractive, pastel-coloured lanes host good restaurants; the interior sees walking trails passing rosemary-scented countryside en route to dark-sand shores. Close by are the flower-strewn and malvasia-making Salina; Vulcano, with its exfoliating mud baths; and Stromboli, an ever-active volcano whose eruptions are magical to watch after dark. Further afield lie jet-set Panarea and the wilder pair of Alicudi and Filicudi — idylls characterised by dramatic peaks and perfect quiet. Modest, chic and family-run hotels are the places to aim for — use La Locanda del Postino on Salina as a barometer — and June or September are best for still-warm weather but fewer tourists. Daily summer ferries serve the entire chain, starting from Lipari or Salina. Most visitors come to Lipari, arriving by ferry or hydrofoil from Milazzo or Palermo in Sicily. Unless you take a helicopter, you can't fly here, but you can rent a boat: an optimal way to capitalise on stellar snorkelling or to watch Stromboli's fiery belches for as long as desired. Mainly focused on Sicily, G Adventures' group tour nonetheless takes in Lipari, Panarea and, at night, Stromboli. The cultural-tour operator Peter Sommer Travels can arrange private sailing charters around the Aeolians. • Discover our full guide to Italy Closer to mainland Africa than mainland Spain, the seven principal Canaries deliver reliably warm weather all year. The best-known trio, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, offer similar line-ups of resort-heavy beach towns and stark, volcano-ridden inland scenery. Fuerteventura, the second-largest isle, is less developed, has a flatter, desert-like interior and is a hub for windsurfing. Bumpier and greener, the lower-profile La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro are better bets for Canarian authenticity — the latter pair's enduring whistling languages exemplify this — and better for ramblers than resort-seekers. The airlines Binter and Canaryfly serve all seven, as do frequent, daily ferries big and small — keep your eyes peeled for whale pods — operated by Fred Olsen Express, Naviera Armas, Líneas Romero and, for tiny La Graciosa, Biosfera Express. Note that while almost every UK flight to Tenerife lands at Tenerife South airport, inter-island services fly from Tenerife North — an hour-long bus journey away. There are no such complications on the other isles. Before returning to Southampton, P&O's Azura calls at Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Explore!'s hiking tour focuses on La Gomera before visiting Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak, on Tenerife. • Which is the best Canary Island?• Discover our full guide to the Canary Islands Seven thousand. That's approximately how many islands make up the Philippines, with hopping possibilities galore. The easiest bases, in terms of access from abroad via Manila, the capital, are Boracay, for sublime white-sand shores, and jungly Palawan (whose wider archipelagic province shares the same name). From Palawan island, you might conceivably head to Coron for wreck-diving or to the similarly castaway-style Balabac, where pearl-white sandbars dot the sea. Everyone from billionaires to backpackers can find a hotel or hostel to suit their wallet here; try Palawan's Outpost Beach Hostel for inexpensive private rooms while on exclusive Lagen Island, the daily rates are always in four figures. Travel between November and May for temperatures in the 25-30C range, less humidity and, crucially, less chance of ferry disruption. Even so, the Philippines' myriad ferry services are notoriously unreliable, and a bevy of budget airlines are more dependable. Many visitors, however, opt for an organised tour, perhaps using a typical paraw sailboat and often involving camping. On its week-long Palawan tour, Intrepid includes a full day hopping between islets. G Adventures has a nine-day island-hopping trip for 18-35-year-olds that visits Palawan and Coron. • Best beaches in the Philippines From Skye to the Shetlands, Scotland's mass of islands are cultural strongholds: you'll often hear Gaelic being spoken or witness church-based Sunday rituals. Another constant, especially in the Outer Hebrides chain, are moor-covered mountains above heart-stoppingly gorgeous white-sand shores. If you're fit, consider walking or cycling the 156-mile Hebridean Way, which connects ten isles courtesy of two ferries and six causeways. Otherwise, it's possible to drive the same route between Vatersay and Lewis, perhaps following the Eat Drink Hebrides Trail to restaurants, markets and mustard makers. Go in April, May, September or October to suffer fewer midges; windier islands such as Tiree offer a reprieve from these pesky biting insects. Caledonian MacBrayne, or CalMac, operates many Outer Hebridean-bound ferries; for Vatersay you'll need to travel from Oban to Castlebay on Barra, the island just north, while Lewis's likeable main town Stornoway has direct services to Ullapool. Loganair flies from Glasgow to several islands — most memorably Barra and its beach landing strip. There are campsites on nearly every island; family-run guesthouses also proliferate, as do rentals in converted crofts (farmhouses). For the best eats, visit a hotel renowned for food such as Skye's Three Chimneys. Lewis is one stop on a weeklong Scenic Isles of Scotland cruise from Newcastle. This five-day group tour travels north towards Stornoway, taking in nine spectacular islands. • The best of Scotland• Most beautiful places in Scotland
