MAROONED IN THE MALDIVES

Just a couple of miles off the north-east coast of the main island of Mahé, this sand-fringed offshoot is less than a mile long and the resort has just 24 villas. If you find the peace and quiet too much to bear, you can always snorkel in the lagoon or follow one of the trails through the coconut groves in search of giant tortoises and flying foxes.

Kuoni (0800 024 1454; kuoni.co.uk) offers stays at the four-star Cerf Island Resort from £1,668, half-board, for six nights, based on a hillside room. Departs March 7 2022, with flights via Dubai

31C, nine hours of sunshine.

The Maldives are about as close as you can get to fantasy desert islands: hundreds of idyllic coral cays, moored in the sandy shallows with the deep blue of the Indian Ocean all around. Almost all will give you a sense of peace, seclusion and escape from the harsh realities of life. We have chosen Naladhu Private Island, which will reopen in November after six months of renovations. Its 20 beach houses, shaded by palm trees, are among the best places to stay in the Maldives. You’ll even have your own House Master to greet you when you arrive, and then act as your personal concierge/ butler for the rest of your stay. We’ve also picked a price in January – if you want to avoid the rainy season, you really need to travel in the first four months of next year.

Tropical Sky (01342 395142; tropicalsky. co.uk) offers a seven-night stay at Naladhu Private Island from £5,299, B&B. The price is based on two adults travelling in January 2022, sharing an Ocean House, with pool and private beach cabana