BA - The Club - The locals’ guide to five great islands

Gozo, Malta

Brian Azzopardi, managing director of Atlantis Diving Centre
A 25-minute ferry ride from Malta, Gozo has a character distinct from its mother island. Flat-topped hills mark the landscape, while the coast is fringed with rugged cliffs, steep valleys and beautiful bays. Gozo is excellent for divers, with spectacular natural underwater topography - caverns, tunnels and dramatic vertical drop-offs. No dive site is more than 15 minutes away. On dry land, try one of the coastal walks, starting at Marsalforn Bay, passing through the charming village of Xaghra ending in Ramla Bay. Make sure to stop in Xaghra to visit the 18th-century Ta’ Kola Windmill and the Ggantija Temples that date back to 3,600BC.

Photo: Getty Images

Jersey

Steve Smith, head chef at Bohemia Restaurant, Jersey
Jersey is an amazing island escape, especially for foodies. From its world-famous dairy produce to Jersey Royal potatoes, there are ingredient-led menus in fantastic restaurants across the island. My favourite recipe at Bohemia – the Michelin-starred restaurant at the luxury Club Hotel & Spa – is the locally sourced poached oysters and oyster velouté. To drink? Nothing beats a La Mare gin, made on the island using local elderflower. For a great view of the sunset, I head to Bonne Nuit, a peaceful harbour with a great beach café.

Photo: Andy Le Gresley

Kefalonia

Jane Foster, Greek expert and travel writer
Rising from the Ionian, Kefalonia is famed for beautiful Myrtos beach, hidden below rugged cliffs that plummet down to a milky turquoise sea. Then there’s Venetian-era Fiskardo, where pastel-coloured houses surround a sheltered harbour, and the five-star Emelisse Hotel offers discreet luxury and an infinity pool. Paddle around the craggy coastline with Sea Kayaking Kefalonia or hike up pine-clad Mount Ainos, then stroll through vineyards and taste crisp, dry white Robola wine at the Gentilini Winery. Nearby, in olive groves above Spartia Beach, rustic-chic Vericoco hosts yoga and ballet retreats in a Zen atmosphere. Don't leave before heading underground on a visit to the mysterious, stalacite-streaked Drogarati Cave.

Photo: Getty Images

The Seychelles

Adrian Messerli, general manager at Four Seasons Seychelles
Unlike other tropical destinations, the Seychelles has a dramatic landscape that helps make it so outstanding, with giant granite boulders, lush mountains of jungle and hidden rocky coves. Visit Beau Vallon in the north, where every Wednesday evening the Bazaar Labrin takes place by the beach – a traditional Seychellois night market where you can buy local food, fruit and veg, clothing and souvenirs. The Seychelles is also great for surfing, with warm waters and undiscovered waves on every island.

Photo: Getty Images

Grenada

James Henderson, Caribbean expert and travel writer
Grenada has a lovely, easy charm that always rewards its visitors. Spice Island Beach Resort and Calabash are the flagship hotels, but I love the informality of funky True Blue Bay and the seclusion of La Sagesse, which has one of the island’s best beach bars. Also try the Aquarium restaurant for West Indian cuisine or, for fine dining, Rhodes at the Calabash. This fertile island also produces superb cocoa (try Rococo Chocolates and Pump Street Bakery), so consider a visit to the ‘cocoa walks’ in the north – you might even smell bitter chocolate on the air. And don’t miss the River Antoine distillery, with its ancient cane-crushing machinery and, of course, its rum.

Photo: Getty Images

The locals’ guide to five great islands

Gozo, Malta

Jersey

Kefalonia

The Seychelles

Grenada

Gozo, Malta

Jersey

Kefalonia

The Seychelles

Grenada

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