Islands in a dream

BEST FOR ADVENTURE

St Lucia

Where slick beach resorts punctuate northern St Lucia, the Caribbean island’s south yields banana plantations and, inland, the jungly Piton peaks. Days can alternatively be spent hiking up to waterfalls, riding forest ziplines or lazing in hammocks.

Stay: On a sandy northern cove, adults-only Sandals Regency La Toc’s tropical 220-acre estate promises pools, watersports, golf, spa sessions and dining options from French to Japanese.

Getting there: Seven nights’ all-inclusive in a Honeymoon Luxury room start at £1,949pp for travel between January 1 and March 28. Includes flights from Gatwick and transfers (sandals.co.uk).

Covid19: St Lucia-goers must complete a registration form demonstrating a recent negative PCR (polymerease chain reaction) test and stay at a Covid-certified hotel such as the Regency La Toc, stlucia.org.

BEST FOR INSTAGRAMMERS

Santorini

With its red-sand beaches and whitewashed cliff towns, Santorini is Greece’s most photogenic island. Visiting in winter months means enduring some cloudy days but the catamaran cruises will be uncrowded, the famous sunsets especially brilliant and the lively tavernas in classic towns like Oia and Fira still open.

Stay: In beautiful Fira at the charming Theoxenia Hotel, whose nine simple rooms showcase traditional Cycladic style, and whose guests are given figs and home-made wine. You can use a nearby sister hotel’s spa and pool.

Getting there: From £1,011pp for seven nights’ BB at the Theoxenia Hotel, including flights via Athens and transfers (sunvil.co.uk, quoting the reference 260700).

Covid-19: Complete a Passenger Locator Form before arrival (travel.gov.gr); you may be Covid-tested and asked to quarantine until the results are known.

BEST FOR NATURE

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

This archipelago nation follows the rum-soaked Caribbean template. On St Vincent itself, whale watching, coral-flecked surf and toffee-hued beaches cede to hiking paths, waterfalls and rainforested volcanoes. The Grenadine Islands tend to offer the same formula in miniature, only with whiter sand and more A-list retreats.

Stay: Due to its tranquil waters and scuba diving, St Vincent’s Villa Beach is usually heaving but not now. Beside it, the Paradise Beach Hotel has 17 colourful rooms around lovely gardens, plus a pool and Friday night barbecues. From £75 BB (paradisesvg.com/rooms).

Getting there: Fly via Barbados, which also figures on all UK travel-corridor lists. Returns from £824, traveltrolley.co.uk. Flight prices based on December 4-18, via Barbados Grantley Adams Airport.

Covid-19: Following an airport test, you’ll have to quarantine for 48 to 72 hours in a government-approved hotel such as Paradise Beach.

BEST FOR ESCAPISM

Maldives

Where better to escape 2020 than in paradise? In an idyll of coconut palms, white sand and transparent green waters? A heaven whose board includes Asian and steak dinners? A utopia in which days can be spent snorkelling coral reefs, taking sunset cruises, playing tennis or snorkelling?

Stay: Near the equator at the four-star Meeru Island Resort Spa.

Getting there: Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the Meeru Island Resort Spa, departing December 7 now costs from £2,193pp, including direct Heathrow flights and private speedboat transfers (sovereign.com).

Covid-19: Fill in a health declaration form (imuga.immigration.gov.mv) the day before departure, arrive with proof of a recent negative PCR test and remain in your resort throughout.

BEST FOR BEACHES

Lanzarote

While anyone returning from mainland Spain must still self-isolate for two weeks, the country’s Canary Islands are now exempt. That includes diverse Lanzarote, whose sandy southern beaches and their resorts give way to palm-tree valleys, vineyards, volcanic Timanfaya National Park’s blackened badlands and intriguing old towns. November averages 21C.

Stay: Near Lanzarote’s western shore, cheerful two-bedroom villa Casa Antonio has a heated pool and is ideal for sightseeing across the island. A week’s self-catering in December is £798 for two or £998 for four, vintagetravel.co.uk.

Getting there: Through winter, Wizz Air will fly to Lanzarote twice weekly from Luton and Doncaster Sheffield. Return fares start at around £63, wizzair.com.

Covid-19: Travellers must complete an FCS form (spth.gob.es/create) prior to travel and will undergo a temperature check and visual health assessment on arrival.

BEST FOR FITNESS

Tenerife

Hot even in December, southern Tenerife is home to Europe’s best resort scene courtesy of its white-sand beaches and large-scale, multi-pool resorts. The more intrepid Brits also venture to this largest Canary Island’s mountainside villages, markets, forests and Teide National Park, where hikes around the eponymous mountain can be undertaken.

Stay: By the sea near Adeje, the five-star Hard Rock Hotel is an especially upscale and extensive resort. Its spa, swim-up bars and pools are complemented by foodie fare from Japanese to pizza to Tex-Mex. Chic rooms boast quality beds and showers, while Zumba classes and live-music shows take place daily.

Getting there: From £609pp for seven nights’ all-inclusive departing on December 9, including flights from Luton and a saving of £150pp, Book via olympicholidays.com.

Covid-19: The same as Lanzarote (see above).