• Introduction
• Islands with Natural Beauty
• Island Beach Retreats
• Grand Island Hotels
• Historic Islands
• Mediterranean Islands

Mediterranean Islands

If you’re in Europe, hop over to one of these favorites for an age-old take on island life.

CRETE, GREECE

Natural Beauty

Greece’s largest island, ringed by 650 miles of coastline (including black sand beaches along the southern coast) is also home to a monastery-dotted, mountainous interior that is decades behind the coastline in terms of development. Hike into the deep ravines of the Samaria Gorge, climb past Minoan ruins at Knossos to the summit of Zeus’ Mount Ida, or explore one of the spiraling cave systems that burrow into the mountains for a true taste of Crete’s diverse landscape. Recuperate from trekking near the northern city of Chania at the Ammos Hotel (from $185/night; ammoshotel.com), a minimalist-chic beach resort. Getting There: Ample direct flights leave for Chania from major European cities, or take an overnight ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens.

BRAC, CROATIA
Sandy Retreat

There’s nothing quite like the Mediterranean sun, especially when it’s shining on Zlatni Rat (The Golden Horn), a 580-yard sand peninsula bordering the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Near the port of Bol, Zlatni Rat is well loved by Croatians, which is quite a feat given that Brac is just one of about 140 islands in the Kornati chain, and one of more than 1,000 breathtaking islands along the Dalmatian Coast. Sunbathers and windsurfers flock to Brac via a ferry from Split, and coarse, granular sands hold umbrellas in place before a backdrop of lush forest and towering limestone mountains. Reserve a waterfront room at the Hotel Kastil (from $90/night; kastil.hr) along Bol’s harbor, and you'll never be far from the nightlife or the sea. Getting There: Take a catamaran or hydrofoil from Split (on the mainland) to Bol (on Brac’s southern shore).
 

HOTEL CAESAR AUGUSTUS, CAPRI 

Grand Hotel
Even on a notoriously high-profile Italian island like Capri, this cliffside hotel is in a league of its own. The Roman-style villa was home to a German financier in the 1850s and was later owned by a Russian prince before opening as a refuge for travelers in the late 1940s. Suites boasting arched stone doorways and private terraces are coveted by royalty, but the best architectural details can’t compete with views of Mount Vesuvius. If you can tear yourself away from the infinity pool, the rest of this über-glam island awaits (from $680/night; caesar-augustus.com). Getting There: Take a ferry or jetfoil from Sorrento, Naples, or from other ports along the Amalfi coast.

CORSICA

Living History

It’s no surprise that Napoleon’s birthplace has an independent streak. Though politically linked to France, Corsica's turbulent histories with both France and Italy have led Corsicans to embrace their own fascinating culture, including their distinctive dialect, Chjam’ è Rispondi. Local produce like honey and almonds are staples of the Corsican diet, and in the Mediterranean’s most mountainous island interior, blankets of wild sage, thyme, and lavender produce a delectable scent. In the capital, Ajaccio, on the southwest coast, you can tour Napoleon’s childhood home (circa 1770), and then retreat to Le Pinarello Hotel (from $470/night; lepinarello.com), set in a charming, small fishing town. Getting There: Fly to the capital of Ajaccio from most major European cities.

See Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide