Pure white sand, clear turquoise waters and warm locals: The 10 most stunning islands in the world that we would all love to visit
By CATHERINE EADE
What do you love about travel? Which is your favourite country in the world? And of all the islands in the world, which is the most beautiful?
Some seem like paradise on earth with white sand and shimmering turquoise waters. Some still have vast areas that are practically deserted while others hum with the life of residents and year-round tourists. All are beautiful in their own way.
It's a hard task but the readers of Condé Nast Traveller have managed to pick their favourites and the results show the Balearic Islands have relinquished the top spot to make way for The Maldives - last year's third placed destination.
This group of around 1,200 small coral islands in the Indian ocean achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1965, and The Maldives has long been seen as one of the most romantic destinations in the world.
Remaining steadfastly at number two are the Greek Islands of the Aegean Sea. The ideal climate, safe waters and small distances between ports and coasts have made the Greek islands extremely popular amongst travellers.
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, is also known for its most prominent landmark: Mount Etna, which, at 3,350m (10,990 ft), is the tallest active volcano in Europe and one of the most active in the world.
Associate editor Peter Browne, said: 'The Maldives came out first thanks to high scores across the board, but most notably for its white-sand beaches.
'Closer to home, the Greek Islands, which have come in the top 10 for a decade or more, are in part so popular because our readers love open-hearted Greek hospitality.'
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First place: The Maldives, long seen as one of the most romantic places in the world to go on holiday still stuns visitors with its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and impossibly blue sea and sky. 'High scores across the board' from Conde Nast Traveller readers pushed this destination up from third place into pole position
Take a look around the luxurious Viceroy Maldives resort
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Second place: The Greek Islands are extremely popular among both Greek and foreign visitors thanks to their wonderful climate, hospitality and short distances between ports and stunning villages such as Santorini, pictured. Some of the oldest European civilizations developed on the Greek islands and unique archeological sites abound. Conde Nast readers mentioned the warm welcome meted out by friendly locals as a deciding factor too
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Third place: Sicily (pictured here the coastline near the nature reserve of Zingaro) is the largest island in the Mediterranean, but still boasts some of the finest beaches, turquoise waters and soft beaches often attributed to smaller islands. Mount Etna is another huge attraction, being one of the most active volcanoes in the world
A tour of Condé Nast's 3rd most beautiful island: Sicily
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