Experience an island holiday this year

The world has many wonderful destinations, offering mountains, beaches and more. However, an island holiday is just that much more tempting, whether in Spain, Greece or Italy. Explore three options below.

1. The Lanzarote experience

This starkly beautiful island features volcanic scenery in the Timanfaya National Park, beautiful beaches and fascinating caverns. Lanzarote is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, lying in the Atlantic Sea off West Africa. The island is well known for its constant warm weather, making it an ideal island holiday destination at any time of year.

Timanfaya National Park, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

Stay in Puerto del Carmen on the east coast, with its beautiful, traditional whitewashed villas, restaurants serving local cuisine, dive centres and beautiful beaches. Visit the Timanfaya National Park, a craggy and rocky landscape created by volcanic eruptions back in the 1730s. Explore the fascinating Cueva de los Verdes, a serious of caverns formed in the past by an underground lava river. Head to Jameos del Agua, a volcanic system of caves where dining and music can be enjoyed.

2. Experience Crete in Greece

The largest of the Greek islands, Crete offers varying terrain, including the gorgeous sandy beaches at Elafonisi and around the coast, as well as the White Mountains. The mountains include Mount Ida, home to the iconic Ideon Cave. According to Greek mythology, this was the birthplace of the god Zeus.
Crete, Greece
An island holiday in Crete would not be complete without a visit to Heraklion, the capital, with its beautiful, buildings and nods to the history of the island. These include the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, with exhibits of Minoan artefacts, as well as Knossos, a real life Bronze Age settlement. Rethymnon Old Town is another fascinating visit, with its narrow, winding streets. Close to the beach, the town has a range of great restaurants, serving traditional Cretan cuisine and quaint coffee bars.

Rethymnon, Crete, Greece

3. Soak in the hot springs of Ischia, Italy

Heading now to Italy, we explore the volcanic island of Ischia, set in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Gulf of Naples and around 19 miles from the city of Naples itself. The island is famous for its mineral-rich thermal waters and spas.
Ischia, Italy
Casamicciola is a beautiful town which is famous both for its thermal baths and also the pottery and ceramics shops, selling local wares which make a worthwhile souvenir to take home. A visit to Maronti Beach in the south of the island will reveal hot springs bubbling up, while Cartaromana Beach in the east features Roman remains, lying on the sea floor.

Ischia features a volcanic complex, spreading from Campi Flegrei on the western side of the island through to the Bay of Naples. The 18th-century Palazzo dell’Orologio is a former palace located close by. The palace is home to the iconic Sea Museum, which offer exhibits relating to the island’s fishing tradition. Cartaromana Beach offers views of the medieval Aragonese Castle (pictured below), linked to the island by a stone bridge.

Castle in Ischia, Italy

Photo by Rolf Cosar /Wikimedia Commons

The island is also home to the annual Ischia Global Fest, a film and music festival. Ischia has well-established links with the film industry as the island has starred in a number of films, including “The Talented Mr Ripley,” “Cleopatra” and more. The film festival is held in June and ends in July, followed shortly after by the Music Fest.

Start planning your island holiday now and keep posted here for more enjoyable holidays in Europe and beyond.

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Latest update: September 26, 2019