Five island-hopping holidays across Europe and the Maldives – with beautiful beaches, thermal waters and animal tours
WHY restrict yourself to just one destination on your next holiday when you could be hopping between islands?
Across the globe there’s the chance to get more out of your break with multi-centre trips.
Lisa Minot suggests some of her favourites.
CROATIA
WITH 1,100 miles of coastline and 1,200 islands and islets, Croatia is perfect for an island-hopping holiday.
And solo traveller specialist One Traveller is now booking Croatian Islands cruises for May and June 2025.
The eight-day sailing includes visits to Korcula, Hvar, Mljet and Dubrovnik.
Prices from £4,250pp including flights, most meals and drinks, double cabin for single occupancy, tour manager and six excursions in coaches.
See onetraveller.co.uk or call 01760 722 011.
SWEDEN
THERE are an astonishing 267,570 islands in Sweden – the most of any country in the world.
With so many inland and coastal archipelagoes there are plenty of hopping holidays to explore.
Travel company The Natural Adventure offers a walking getaway in the Stockholm Archipelago from £830pp.
The seven-day trip kicks off with time to explore the capital before you head out to a variety of islands following scenic coastal and inland walking paths.
Price includes hotels and cottages along the route, breakfasts, luggage and transfers. Flights extra.
CHANNEL ISLANDS
CAR-FREE Herm is one of the highlights of Inntravel’s self-guided walking break.
You’ll be based at the 4 star Hotel de Havelet in St Peter Port on Guernsey, but the four-night holiday also takes in Herm and Sark.
There is gentle walking along scenic cliff paths and quiet country lanes.
Prices are from £490pp, including four nights’ B&B, one dinner, route notes, maps, GPS navigation and transfers to and from Guernsey – plus a seven-day bus pass.
See inntravel.co.uk or call 01653 617 000.
GREECE
Olympic Holidays has decades of experience in organising island-hopping holidays in Greece.
Its Emerald Gems itinerary takes you beyond the most popular destinations with a ten-night trip including three nights’ B&B each on Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, plus a final night in Skiathos at the end.
The islands promise rugged natural landscapes and verdant countryside as well as sparkling, clear waters.
Prices start from £1,126pp this summer, including flights, all ferries and transfers between ferry port and hotels.
See olympicholidays.com.
AZORES
THESE volcanic islands are perfect if you want dramatic landscapes, incredible animal encounters and more.
Saga offers a ten-night escorted tour to discover Ponta Delgada and Terceira – including visits to the Sete Cidades crater – lava tubes, thermal waters and primeval forests.
The trip includes hotels, 16 meals, all transport and tour guides.
From £2,051pp, including door-to-door travel service, flights from Heathrow and excursions.
See holiday.saga.co.uk or call 0808 303 0095.
MALDIVES
NOWHERE does islands better and with Sun Siyam, you can enjoy a twin-centre stay at two idyllic, all-inclusive resorts on the Noonu Atoll.
Spend three nights at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, with its spa, 16 bars and restaurants, then zip across to Siyam World for a four-night stay in a water villa with pool and slide.
The resort has the Maldives’ first go-kart track, largest inflatable water park, and white sands.
Seven nights is from £3,030pp, with Virgin Atlantic flights from Heathrow on November 12 and sea plane transfers.
See virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.