Great escapes Blow away the winter blues on five of the world’s most idyllic islands

THERE’S a certain undeniable romance associated with islands. They embody true escapism and detachment from the wider world and have provided the setting for countless novels, such as the classic Robinson Crusoe, which celebrates its 300th anniversary next year.

Our obsession with these castaway land masses has also translated into the digital age, with more than 21million images on Instagram tagged with #island.

Here are five of the world’s top island escapes, along with the iconic features that set them apart.

Miyajima Island, Japan Landmark: The Great Torii Gate

Just off Miyajima Island in Hiroshima Bay, this giant orange gate is a Shinto shrine, created in the 12th century to honour the three daughters of Susanoo no Mikoto (the Shinto god of seas and storms). The Great Torii Gate is part of the Itsukushima Shrine and is one of the most celebrated tourist attractions in Japan. “It’s an impressive sight,” says Reece Walton, a Japan expert at Kuoni travel agents, “whether you see it as it appears to float during high tide or you go when the tide is out.”