Indian Ocean

Islands. There’s something strangely comforting about holidaying in ‘splendid isolation’, and while that phrase originally applied to the British Isles, some rather more sunny examples exist in the Indian Ocean.

There are certainly plenty to choose from, ranging from atolls of thousands of tiny palm-fringed coral islands in the Maldives to the more substantial (and considerably more vertical) volcanic outcrops of Mauritius and neighbouring Réunion and the granitic gems of the Seychelles.

All of the above are perfect for honeymooners, with some of the world’s finest hotels in situ, but the appeal is far broader than just for those in the first flush of post-wedded bliss. Families will adore the slick service for all ages at the resorts of Mauritius, while divers can enjoy some of the very best diving in the Maldives. Meanwhile the Seychelles islands are just downright spectacular, and our new favourite, Réunion, offers the chance to trek, surf, paraglide and canyon in, on and over incredibly dramatic landscapes.