From Lanzarote to Yidney Scrub

Mahena, stranded gracefully on the beach. Swim in crystal-clear Lake McKenzie, where white sand fringes the turquoise shallow waters. Take a rainforest walk at Yidney Scrub, and, as you walk back through the dunes from a swim in Lake Wabby, let your eyes feast on the dark green of the vegetation, the navy blue of the sea and the pale blue of the sky. Marvel at the white-foam sea spray at the Champagne Pools and then, for an exhilarating experience, wade upstream at Eli Creek before drifting gently back down to its base. Who needs an infinity pool? JILL TORRENS

Corfu community

My husband and I bought the late Lance Chilton’s Walks in Northwest Corfu, booked a holiday to the quiet village of Arillas and explored the surrounding countryside. We’ve returned several times, always in May, to enjoy the wild flowers, butterflies and other wildlife, and swim from the sandy beach.

Without a map, the coastal walks are easy to follow and have spectacular views – north to busier Agios Stefano and beyond or south through pretty Afionas to Agios Georgios.

The community-spirited locals have marked a walking trail starting in Arillas that largely follows one of Chilton’s routes inland, along farm tracks and through olive groves.

Magic of Skye

Skye’s very name evokes the world of the ethereal, of heaven itself beyond the blue. For two untried students fired by an enthusiastic teacher about the delights of the island, it was obvious that a visit was required and only hitchhiking would do – we had no car. This was some time ago.

Our “Over the sea to Skye” began from the train terminus on the eastern Scottish mainland of Mallaig to the island’s An 8.5km walking event has been organised for May Day this year, ending with a beer at the microbrewery. HILARY SPON

Channelling energies

The islands of Jersey and Guernsey are the perfect venue for a family selfcatering cycling holiday. A few years ago, we left the capital, Portree, in a small ferry dipping and rising in the choppy sunlit sea. This was the life of the Viking or Lord of the Isles. Already we were hooked. On our second morning we swam in the coldest of lochans. After that it was a packed film of new experience. On the odd landscape of the Quiraing, in the north, we saw The Old Man of Storr (above), a mammoth elongated rock poised on its tip.

On the western shores of the Little Minch we visited Dunvegan car at Poole harbour and packed for the two-week holiday. With our two energetic sons, we cycled on to the catamaran, intent on using just our bikes to get from A to B over the whole of the two weeks. It was heaven. The daily return rides from our cottage to a different location provided adventure with time at each destination to rest, explore Castle, the home of the McLeod clan with its fairy flag and sea-gate. Fairly close by was the Talisker Distillery, not then of huge interest to us. What was of interest was our lift from the four Dartmouth cadets, who were doing Skye in a day.

The Cuillins, viewed in a magic mist from the Sligachan Hotel, was all that we had been promised. We have both returned often, finding no end to Skye’s glories. and prepare for the journey back to the cottage.

The highlight was the day we collected local produce for our dinner from roadside stands: “hedge veg” and soft fruits to accompany the handpicked crab from the harbourside tank. It was a delicious, well-earned meal for four hungry cyclists. HAZEL BAILEY