croyde surf club

Our top island holidays for 2008

Kauai

Kauai isn’t Hawaii’s most popular island for tourism which conversely is what makes it the most interesting to visit. Known as Hawaii’s ‘Garden Island’ Kauai is everything that the more overdeveloped parts of Hawaii no longer are – a magnificent explosion of thrilling natural scenery. Dominated by dramatic landscapes of rugged mountains, verdant valleys and spectacular waterfalls this is an island you want to explore. Which isn’t to say that it doesn’t also boast an array of picture perfect white sandy beaches, indeed Poipu beach on the islands south shore was recently named America’s best beach by the Travel Channel. Now is the time to visit Kauai, before this natural beauty is undermined by the sad inevitability of increasing development.

Ibiza

OK, so Ibiza’s reputation probably still rests on it by now rather passé image as the havin’ it large party island for young clubbers but as it’s standing as the number one destination for all night revelry starts to wane it’s more natural charms have come to the foreground (a change very much encouraged by the new government). This rebranding is perhaps not before time; Ibiza has much to offer in the way of beautiful countryside and well preserved local culture. And I’ve heard the nightlife isn’t too bad either.

For Spain holidays visit James Villas who have 31 villas to choose from in Ibiza.   

Dalmatian Islands, Croatia

Touted as the next Riviera, the Dalmatian coast has become something of a holiday hot spot over the last few years as word spreads of its thrilling natural beauty and buzzing nightlife. Like Kauai this is a place to visit before some of its charm is lost to increased tourism.

Visiting the Dalmatian coast is like discovering the best resorts in the Mediterranean before anyone else. The appeal lies in a potent cocktail of almost overwhelming physical beauty and the splendor of wonderfully preserved architecture spanning the last 10 centuries. Each island has a distinct character all of its own making this a brilliant destination for island hopping and leisurely exploration.

Check out Travelzoo for a selection of the best holidays on the net including, at the time of writing, an 8 day cruise of the Mediterranean taking in Mykonos and Croatia was going for just £599.

For more on Croatia visit Holidays in Croatia.net.

Crete        

 A long standing holiday favourite for British holidaymakers, with its rare combination of dramatic and diverse natural scenery, idyllic beaches and unspoilt local culture Crete still has much to offer, particularly to those keen to explore beyond the more heavily developed resorts.

You can find out more about Crete at creteonthe.net.

Visit AA Travel Insurance to make sure you’re fully covered before you travel.