Carefree and car-free: The glorious islands where vehicles are … – Daily Mail

By Angela Epstein for The Mail on Sunday 10:44 16 May 2023, updated 10:44 16 May 2023

There's nothing like traffic to spoil the serenity of a long-awaited holiday.

Whether its the impatient honk of an overheated taxi driver or fellow tourists clogging up the roads as they tussle with their satnavs.

And thats aside from the fumes, the dust and all the other environmental horrors thrown up by modern road travel.

So a visit to a car-free island could save for the odd donkey be the perfect place to have a truly tranquil break. Heres a tempting selection

PEACE IN GREECE

With its sugar almond-coloured houses and a horseshoe-shaped harbour bristling with tavernas and chi-chi boutiques, Hydra is one of the quaintest of the Greek islands.

As for getting around, donkeys provide the main source of transport (not even cyclists get a look in here). Otherwise, visitors need to summon water taxis to visit quiet coves and beaches.

Beloved by Athens boho set Leonard Cohen once lived here you can also follow trails up Mount Eros, Hydras highest point.

Getting there: Ferries leave Piraeus port up to five times per day, taking two hours (ferryhopper.com). Gatwick-Athens return flights from 95 (wizzair.com).

Where to stay: Five-star Mandraki Beach Resort in the historic bay where ships were launched in the 1800s to protect the Greek seas against the Ottomans costs from 447 a night (mandrakibeachresort.com).

CAPTIVATING CROATIA

A seven-mile boat trip from Dubrovnik will spirit you over to the island of Lopud, one of the largest in Croatias Elaphiti archipelago. Lopuds natural beauty long stretches of sand and the sparkling waters of the Adriatic makes it a magnet for a drop-and-flop break.

The main attraction on the island is the 15th Century Franciscan monastery, part of which was transformed into the opulent boutique hotel Lopud 1483, sleeping just ten guests.

The monastery is off-limits, but St Mary of the Cave Church is regularly open to the public. You can also cycle through pine-shaded paths or take a leisurely hike up to Polacica, which rises about 700ft above the water.

Getting there: Croatia Ferries (croatiaferries.com) runs a regular service from Dubrovnik to Lopud with a journey time of 55 minutes. Luton-Dubrovnik return flights from around 100 (wizzair.com).

Where to stay: Lopud 1483 (lopud1483.com), prices on request. A week at RMH Lopud Lafodia resort from 1,500 for a superior double room (lafodiahotel.com).

SILENCE IN SARK

The smallest of the Channel Islands a weeny three miles by a mile and a half Sark is a place for walkers, cyclists and horse-drawn carriage tours (the islands family-run horse and carriage attraction dates back to the late 1700s).

Thanks to clear skies free from light pollution, Sark is ideal for stargazing, either from the islands observatory, where visitors study constellations and track the Milky Way, or at ground level, where all you have to do is look up.

Getting there: The Isle of Sark Shipping Company (sarkshipping.gg) runs a 55-minute ferry from Guernsey. Gatwick-Guernsey return flights from 150 (aurigny.com).

Where to stay: La Sablonnerie Hotel, a former 16th Century farmhouse, is a two-minute walk from the popular sea swimming area, Adonis Pool, and has doubles from 98 per night (sablonneriehotel.gg).

NORTH WALES WILDLIFE

Once a Christian pilgrimage site back in the Middle Ages, these days Bardsey Island, which sits two miles off Waless Llyn Peninsula, is a wildlife haven.

If youre fired up by David Attenborough, youll love looking out for the colony of about 200 Atlantic grey seals which dawdle around Bardseys coves.

This island is a place of true escape there are only nine properties to rent. Other than visit its 30m lighthouse (built in 1821 and the tallest square-towered lighthouse in the UK) there are not many attractions and no grocery shop, making it perfect for those seeking quiet. But there is the Ty Pellaf farm and cafe where dinner and breakfast can be booked in advance.

Getting there: Bardsey is open for visits from March until October. Day trips are available (bardseyboattrips.com/product/boat-trips), taking about 30 minutes from Porth Meudwy.

Where to stay: Weekly stays in a range of accommodation can be booked with the Bardsey Island Trust (bardsey.org), with prices from about 400.

A FRENCH SECRET

Forget the splashy Cote DAzur, the private island of Ile de Cavallo, located between Corsica and Sardinia, is probably the most secluded hideaway in the South of France.

Little wonder its sometimes referred to as the Meds answer to Mustique. Its also part of the International Marine Park of the Bonifacio Strait the largest marine natural reserve in mainland France. Mindful of its pristine heritage, boats arent allowed to moor in its coves. If you want to explore the islands dirt tracks, you can do so on foot or in a golf buggy.

Getting there: Take a 15-minute ferry from Bonifacio on Corsica (cavalloisland.com). Gatwick-Figari return flights from about 95 (easyjet.com).

Where to stay: The boutique Hotel & Spa des Pecheurs (hoteldespecheurs.com) has two-night stays from 816.

SWEDISH SERENITY

The southernmost inhabited island in Swedens Southern Gothenburg Archipelago, Vrango is a place where people come to swim, eat seafood and enjoy nature with plants such as wild asparagus sprouting on the beaches.

The vibe is New England weather-beaten clapboard houses, sea views and the fact the main interests for the 400 or so locals are fishing and boats. The average summer temperature is 21C (70F) so sunny without being scorching.

Getting there: The ferry from Gothenburg to Vrango takes 35 minutes (vasttrafik.se). Stansted-Gothenburg return flights from about 95 (ryanair.com).

Where to stay: Kajkanten Vrango (kajkantenvrango.se) is a complex of 11 boathouse apartments with a wood-fired floating sauna and hot tub costs from 1,400 for a week in a studio apartment.

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Carefree and car-free: The glorious islands where vehicles are ... - Daily Mail