Expand your horizons with our isles of dreams

Sally Peck suggests fresh alternatives to our favourite holiday islands, from Caribbean jewels to Greek classics

If no man is an island, centring a person’s holiday on one creates the perfect opportunity for a small-scale deep-dive into a travel passion. Thrillingly cut off from quotidian life on the mainland, you might find great food; unparalleled adventure; rich history; a unique ecosystem; and, inevitably, endless stretches of beach. There’s also this practical pleasure: once you’ve arrived, everything tends to be within easy reach; there are no long transfers to distant sites.

But which is the island for you? You may already have Sicily firmly planted in your head as one of the world’s great islands for culinary pursuits. You – and Giorgio Locatelli – would not be wrong. Maybe you picture the fine sands of the Bahamas when someone says beach. Perhaps your holiday organiser rates Mallorca as the ne plus ultra for family beach time, or Santorini as the very definition of luxury surrounded by water. And, of course, these are magnificent places.

But perhaps this is the year to spice it up – to expand your horizons. Whether it’s food, culture, or an ultimate escape that you’re after, perhaps this is the year to try a new location.

In these pages, inspired by your old faithfuls, our experts have chosen their favourite islands in the world, many of which you may not yet have visited. We’re not just saying go to a new Greek island; we’re saying go to a different hemisphere. There’s no science to this list; it’s a collection from the heart, filled with fantastic spots to dive, eat, learn, swim or just read a great book. You might find yourself the only inhabitant of a bump of land in the middle of a Scandinavian lake; if you get thrills dodging tiger sharks and crocodiles, why not head to the world’s largest sand island in Australia? Or perhaps this is the moment to eat and drink as locally as possible, off Croatia’s coast. Whether you’re after luxury, adventure or old-fashioned family fun, our experts share their favourite spots for joy in 2019.

With contributions from: Trisha Andres, Sarah Barrell, Annie Bennett, Abigail Blasi, Linda Cookson, Danielle Demetriou,

Jane Foster, Kaye Holland,

Chris Leadbeater, Teresa Machan, Hugh Morris, John O’Ceallaigh, Anthony Peregrine, Andrew Purvis, Sarah Rodrigues, Douglas Rogers and Penny Walker