From the Venetian lagoon to the sparkling Mediterranean, these island getaways offer a welcome change of pace just a short hop from the mainland. Sylt, connected to the German mainland by a single rail causeway, is just over three hours from Hamburg by direct train. The largest of the North Frisian islands, it boasts 25 miles of white sands along its western coast and salt marshes to the east.
Relatively unknown to UK visitors, Sylt has long been popular with Germans, appealing to an affluent crowd but not exclusively so. Luxury hotels and health resorts sit alongside modest campsites and surfing schools. The main town is Westerland, while alternatives include Kampen and Keitum, the latter known for its maritime history and thatched houses.
For a taste of Ireland, Sherkin Island is an hour and three-quarters by car from Cork city plus a 10-minute ferry ride. One of seven inhabited islands off West Cork, Sherkin offers three marked walking trails, white-sand beaches, and a horseshoe-shaped cove. The only pub, the Jolly Roger, serves chowder and toasties, while artists' studios dot the island.
In the Venetian lagoon, Torcello provides a true escape from the crowds of Venice. Reached by a small boat from Burano, the sparsely populated island offers a serene change of pace, with its ancient cathedral and wild gardens.
