While the secret may be out, this Atlantic coast getaway hasn’t lost its authentic charm. It’s little wonder Île de Ré has long been a summertime playground for the Parisian in-crowd. Hideaway coves, quaint streets lined with green-shuttered houses and traditional craft shops that rub shoulders with designer boutiques. Little touches like beach bags and towels are all thought of, so all you have to do is decide how you’d like to relax. Rooms overlook the blue Mediterranean or palm-filled gardens, while suites come with private plunge pools surrounded by hammocks and terraces with sink-into sofas. Where to stay: Go barefoot boho-chic at Gecko Hotel & Beach Club, a light-filled boutique retreat on one of the island’s best stretches of sand. Platja de Migjorn on the southern coast is true escapism territory, with little more than a handful of chiringuitos for company. Picture icing sugar sand dunes and whitewashed villages punctuated with green pine forests and the brightest of turquoise seas you’ll see this side of the Indian Ocean, with a dash of bleached blonde beaches.
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Much of Formentera’s lure is that there’s very little to see – leaving you free to appreciate its natural beauty.
Wearing its eco-credentials proudly on its secluded sleeve, you won’t find high-rise buildings or clusters of hotels which gives the island a truly unspoilt feel. The laid-back little sister to upbeat Ibiza, Formentera is the smallest of Spain’s Balearic Islands. The just-opened hotel champions cubist, minimalist design where whitewashed walls melt into moonlike surroundings. Where to stay: Named after the ethereal white rock formations on the resort’s privately owned waterfront nature preserve, White Coast Pool Suites is an adults-only boutique hotel with individual infinity pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. On the northern coast, don’t miss the moon-like landscape of Sarakiniko, or the magical coves of Papafragas. Fringed by the Aegean Sea on all sides, there are over 75 breath-taking beaches to discover – ranging from stretches of golden sand to hidden coves only reachable by boat. A quieter and less crowded alternative to Mykonos and Santorini, this Cycladic gem rivals both with its unique volcanic scenery and wraparound ocean views. Greece’s charms are as many and varied as its islands, though the lunar-like landscape of Milos is truly something special. Take them in from one of the six outdoor pools, while eating lunch alfresco, or from your very own room terrace. Where to stay: In a secluded part of a rugged outcrop overlooking the Neapolitan Coast, San Montano Resort & Spa has stunning Ischia and Naples views. Picture uncrowded beaches and food that blends mountain earthiness with the freshness of the sea, with natural hot springs enjoyed by the likes of Virgil and Pliny for the therapeutic powers of the thermal waters. The less ostentatious neighbour to nearby Capri, the scenery on this volcanic island is a patchwork of vineyards, Roman ruins and fragrant woodland. The tiny Tyrrhenian island of Ischia just off the Amalfi Coast has eclectic charm in buckets and spades, not to mention some of Italy’s best beaches. Be sure to book one of the several rooms with a terrace or balcony from which to take in the glorious sea views. Built in stone from the island, this serene sanctuary blends beautifully into its white rocky surrounds. Where to stay: With a captivating setting just off the southern most tip of Corsica, Hotel and SPA des Pecheurs is a delightful hideaway sitting right on the water’s edge. Much of tiny Cavallo’s charm is to simply pause and soak up the tranquillity of your surroundings – with very few roads and next to no cars, you’ll only hear the sound of the waves lapping the shore as you stroll to secluded coves and deserted beaches. With its French soul and Italian style, Cavallo enchants all who visit its wild coast. This jewel-like island came into its own in the sixties when film stars flocked to its pristine beaches scattered with Seychelles-style boulders, and has remained just as exclusive ever since. Has lockdown given you a serious case of ‘islomania’ or have you always found islands indescribably irresistible? There’s no denying that Instagram favourites like Santorini and Capri are dream island pin-ups, but if you’re in search of something a little more secluded, these under-the-radar destinations offer alluring alternatives to the more popular crowd-drawers. Castaway to these lesser-known islands for a quieter European summer
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