Sark, Channel Islands

Where? Located to the east of Guernsey, which is one of the Channel Islands between England and France.

How big? 5.45 square kilometres

What's there? A stunning indented coastline, farms, a church, hotels and guest houses, and the Seigneurie with its beautiful gardens, home of the Seigneur, who has the control of Sark.

When to go? April-October has the best conditions.

How to get there? A 45-minute ferry ride from Guernsey, which is reached by ferry or air from France or England.

Best reason to go: To see a medieval island without cars and travel by horse and cart.

Something you may not know: Sark has its own set of feudal laws based on Norman law and its own parliament.

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Scilly, United Kingdom

Where? The five inhabited  Isles of Scilly are located to the west of Lands End in the Celtic Sea and have been inhabited since the Stone Age.

How big? 16.03 square kilometres

What's to do there? Boating activities, hiking, bird-watching, sub-tropical Abbey garden tours on Tresco.

When to go? The Gulf Stream keeps the climate more stable and visiting the islands is possible year round.

How to get there? By sea or helicopter from Penzance.

Best reason to go: Gardens, fishing and long walks. Dogs are welcome too.

Something you may not know: Fast rowing boats ("gigs") with crews of six (or in one case, seven) race between the main islands.

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Lord Howe Island, Australia

Where? Located in the Tasman Sea, 600 kilometres east of Port Macquarie, NSW.

How big? 14.55 square kilometres.

What's to do there? Water-based activities, rock-climbing, cycling, bird-watching.

When to go? Year-round.

How to get there? By air from Australia.

Best reason to go: The beauty and isolation and the chance to climb the mountains.

Something you may not know: A major local industry is the growing of Kentia palms, exported to nurseries worldwide.

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Iona, Scotland

(pic: Wikimedia Commons)

Where? Part of the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.

How big? 877 hectares.

What's there? The ancient abbey and chapel, an inn, and the grave stones of many early Scottish kings.

When to go? April-October.

How to get there? By ferry from Mull, itself a ferry ride from mainland Scotland

Best reason to go: As a pilgrimage, or simply to enjoy the history and stark beauty

Something you may not know: It is thought that the Book of Kells, now housed in Dublin, may have been lettered here by Irish monks.

(pic: Wikimedia Commons)

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Pangkor, Malaysia:

Where? Located on the west coast of Malaysia in the Straits of Melacca.

How big? 8 square kilometres.

What's there? A Dutch fort, temples, a village, hotels and resorts.

When to go? Best season is October to March.

How to get there? A forty-minute ferry ride from Lumut, or air from Kuala Lumpur.

Best reason to go: Total relaxation, and monkeys!

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