TV DRAMA The Durrells, has worked wonders for tourism on Corfu, while Charles and Camilla’s visit did the same for Grenada.
Island breaks, to destinations such as these, are evermore popular, with an increasing number of short and long-haul options to choose from.
Here, TRISHA HARBORD selects five hotels for families and five for couples on our favourite islands.
Corfu
ITV series The Durrells has made the sun-kissed Greek isle a hotspot for Brit trippers.
Hiking, biking, boating and spotting wildlife were the Durrells’ favourite pastimes but there are lots more activities including watersports and waterparks.
One of Corfu’s best hotels is the Grecotel Lux Me Daphnila Bay Dassia, on a Blue Flag beach and just ten minutes from the village of Danilia where the show was filmed.
It’s all-inclusive, so ideal for families. Attractions include a kids’ club, playground and paddling pool, mountain biking and archery.
GO: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Lux Me Daphnila Bay Dassia is from £1,200pp including flights from Luton on August 2.
See easyjet.com/holidays.
Grenada
THE Caribbean spice island, with lush rainforests and waterfalls, is expecting more visitors this year after its recent royal boost from Charles and Camilla.
One of the best hotels for couples looking for a touch of luxury is the all-inclusive Sandals Resort & Spa on Pink Gin Beach.
It has ten restaurants and six bars serving premium wines and spirits, plus watersports, a well equipped fitness centre and evening entertainment.
Upgrade to a suite and you will get a butler.
GO: Seven nights in a Grande Luxe room, flying from Gatwick with Virgin Atlantic between August 30 and September 27, is from £1,885pp.
For details see puregrenada.com.
Fuerteventura
WITH 100 miles of beaches, this is a favourite Canary isle. Kids love going on safari at Oasis Park nature reserve to see elephants, hippos and giraffes.
The 4H Suite Hotel Atlantis Fuerteventura Resort has plenty of facilities for energetic teens.
Enjoy surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, buggy-riding in the sand dunes and feeding chipmunks at the bottom of the volcanoes.
Parents can escape to the premium adults-only club, which has Balinese beds and bars overlooking tropical gardens.
GO: Seven nights, based on two adults and two children sharing a junior suite, from Gatwick on May 25, from £469pp.
See alpharooms.com.
Catalina
OFF the coast of Los Angeles, this island used to be a favourite localtion for movies and was once home to Marilyn Monroe.
Just 22 miles long and eight wide, Catalina is packed with activities, from zipline eco-tours and rock-climbing to whale and dolphin-watching.
The romantic Catalina Island Inn hotel, in the town of Avalon, is close to the beach, restaurants, shops and tour providers. Rooms have four-poster beds and patios with harbour views.
GO: Seven nights’ room-only, with BA flights from Heathrow to Los Angeles on May 20 and ferry to Catalina Island, is from £1,553pp, four nights from £1,156.
Azores
THE Canary and Balearic islands are on most families’ holiday hitlist – but the Azores are catching on because more airlines are offering direct flights from the UK, taking about four hours
The Azores archipelago of nine isles, 900 miles off the coast of Portugal, offers glorious beaches and superb outdoor activities, from hiking, cycling and diving, to seeing whales and turtles in their natural habitats.
The Azores are one of the world’s largest whale sanctuaries.
The 4H Pestana Bahia Praia Nature and Beach Resort, on the largest island of Sao Miguel, offers direct access to beautifully clean sands, and has a children’s club, tennis courts, games room, bike rental and babysitting services.
Adults can relax in the spa, which offers a tempting variety of treatments, or kick back in the large gardens – which feature a 17th-century chapel.
GO: Seven nights’ bed and breakfast, based on two adults and two children sharing and flights from Manchester on July 26, is from £574 per person.
See loveholidays.com.
Sardinia
GEORGE and Amal Clooney are always holidaying on this swish Italian island, about the same size as Wales.
The coastline is stunning, with golden sands lapped by warm Mediterranean waters.
It offers chic restaurants, bars and top-class hotels but don’t be put off if on a budget, because they won’t all break the bank.
The delightful 4H Hotel La Funtana, in the northern town of Santa Teresa di Gallura, looks out over the Strait of Bonifacio which separates Corsica from Sardinia.
The low-rise hotel, with 53 simple but stylish rooms – furnished with locally rafted fabrics – has a central courtyard, a large pool and a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine and the best Sardinian wines.
Climb close to the top of the 400ft-high Bear’s Rock, at nearby Palau, for some amazing views.
GO: Seven nights’ B&B, from Heathrow on May 18, is from £459pp.
Majorca
NEARLY three million Brits a year visit this Spanish gem, the flight taking just two and a half hours.
Hotels and restaurants are family-friendly and there is a summer of fiestas, markets and fireworks displays.
TUI has three Family Life hotels in Majorca, geared for parents, grandparents and children of all ages, including the Alcudia Pins. The 3H hotel is four miles from Alcudia, between Playa de Muro beach and Albufera Nature Park.
There’s a choice of one-and two-bedroom apartments, and rooms, and a children’s splash park
GO: Seven nights’ self-catering, based on a family of four sharing, from Manchester on August 5, is from £548pp.
All-inclusive available. See tui.co.uk.
Koh Lanta
ONE of Thailand’s most beautiful and unspoilt islands, Koh Lanta has a chilled vibe, uncrowded beaches and friendly locals.
Go snorkelling or diving, take a kayak to explore caves, or hike through the jungle then relax with a massage on the beach.
Party animals should head to Klong Kong beach and shoppers to Sala Dan market.
The 4.5H Crown Lanta Resort And Spa features 83 rooms and villas, some with private pools and panoramic views of the Andaman sea.
There are pools, two restaurants, a spa, kayak adventures, Thai cooking courses and a reggae bar.
GO: Save 20 per cent on a ten-night B&B break, from Heathrow on May 31, from £1,167pp.
See kenwoodtravel.co.uk.
Corsica
SOUTH-east of mainland France, this Mediterranean isle is a paradise for outdoor pursuits and perfect for active families.
Adventures include hiking, rafting through canyons, mountain-biking, sea-kayaking and treetop adventures.
A great hotel choice for families is the 4H Hotel La Lagune, close to Bastia airport.
It has family rooms, a restaurant, a pool and private path leading to a white sandy beach.
GO: B&B for two adults is from £210 a night, children 4-12 £60, under-4s free.
See hotel-la-lagune.com/en and visit-corsica.com/en. Return summer fares from Stansted from £160 per person, see aircorsica.com.
Ibiza
WE have to include the famous party isle – especially now the club season is kicking off.
Ibiza has fine beaches and quaint villages for those not out to party – but also some of Europe’s best outdoor music venues.
Stay at the Hard Rock Hotel at Playa d’en Bossa, with its own private beach.
There are some swim-up rooms, as well as five restaurants and a spa to detox at.
The hotel’s 80s opening party is on the beach on May 31 then will run every Friday for 18 weeks.
GO: Double room including breakfast is from £146 a night.
See hrhibiza.com. Flights from Stansted on May 30 and returning June 3, from around £140, see ryanair.com.
