With its abundance of beach shacks, design-driven restaurants
and stylish boutique hotels, the pocket-sized island of Formentera makes for a comforting escape from
the frenetic pace of neighbouring Ibiza. Attracting a jet-set crowd, thanks to its
easy-going, no-frills vibe, Formentera delights with its wooden
kiosks, retro daybeds, aquamarine waters and ancient lagoons, but
what it really gets our vote for is the creative, tender spirit of
its people. Follow the sandy footsteps of local foodies and snag a
note-perfect pizza from Chezz Gerdi’s iconic red camper van, then, come
evening, head to chiringuito Fipper, where
you’ll join a mixed group of island day-trippers and laid-back
residents dancing into the night.

Where to stay: Casa Pacha

Sun-drenched boutique festivals are cropping up all along the
sparkling coves of the Albanian Riviera, and we’re bookmarking the
dinky town of Dhërmi as a dance destination to watch. Separated
from Italy’s heel by the Ionian Sea, the low-key Balkan town is
sending a siren call to Europe’s pleasure-seekers. Kick-start your
summer with an eclectic mix of music and wellness at Kala Festival, return
for a hedonistic September fling at the six-stage ION, before drawing
your season to a chilled-out close at Inner State,
where the itinerary includes vegan feasts, stargazing sessions and
lucid dreaming workshops. Dhërmi’s striking natural landscape
rivals its top-notch party scene, so we’d recommend extending your
stay to explore the beaches hidden under its pink-toned cliffs or
hike up the mighty Mount Çika after your long, hot summer of
fun.

Where to stay: Drymades Bungalows

Our newest Aegean obsession? The free-spirited Ios. This
myth-infused Cycladic isle runs on a dawn-’til-dusk party
philosophy. While it’s a world away from the chaos of Kavos, be
warned: the island’s blissed-out best spots are well hidden, and
you’ll have to avoid a fair few €1-shot spots while hunting down
true hedonistic Elysium. Join the carefree ex-Mykonos crew lounging
on kilim cushions at the glamorous Ios Club in Chora,
famed for its soft-focus sunsets, then head to waterside Harmony for acoustic
sets accompanied by the clink of Mythos beer bottles. Find respite
during the day with a trip to Diaseli, a traditional, family-run cheese
business, where you can join tasting sessions featuring not only
the island’s unique cheeses, but heather honey and olive oil,
too.

Where to stay: Calilo

There’s something about Havana. Camila Cabello’s catchy
chart-topper aside, we’ve long had a soft spot for its colourful,
carefree attitude, and couldn’t be happier about the Caribbean
city’s recent resurgence on the Instagram feeds of travel
tastemakers. There’s much to love here, where, against a backdrop
of crumbling colonial architecture, live instrumental bands fill
the air with music and hip hotels and trendy restaurants abound.
For a proper taste of Cuba, make a dinner reservation at La Guarida, whose
rooftop terrace offers the best bird’s-eye views of Havana. If it’s
good enough for Queen B and Jay-Z, it’s good enough for us.

Where to stay: Gardens
Havana

It’s no secret that techno-loving travellers have been putting
Croatia top of their list for sublime summer soirees for a while
now, with Tisno, on the island of Murter, being at the heart of the
action. Come summer, the lush green hills surrounding this
Dalmatian town reverberate with the sound of synths and syncopated
basslines, as international acts swap subterranean clubs for
beachside stages and banging boat parties. The Garden
resort, home to the holy triad of the Croatian festival circuit,
Outlook, Suncébeat and Dimensions, sits in its own private bay. Exhausted?
Spend a day or two away from the decks to get a flavour of the
Sibenik archipelago’s quieter edges. Wander under the old town’s
red roofs and graze on fresh seafood washed down with rakia, feast
on dishes cooked over fire at the Michelin-nodded Konoba in neighbouring
town Murter, then strike out for the mainland to visit the
wildlife-rich Krka National Park.

Where to stay: Olivia Green
Camping Villas

Living up to its “Isle of Beauty” nickname, Corsica is home to
beaches that would put those of the Maldives to shame, backed by
endless stretches of dense pine forest and dramatic mountain
ranges. In the famous words of Balzac, this place is a “French
island basking in the Italian sun”. What more could you ask for?
We’re making the north-western fortified town of Calvi our base.
The birthplace of Christopher Columbus, its shops and nightlife
scene are well worth exploring. Between making new friends in
happening wine bars and late-night dance clubs, carve out time to
hop on a four-hour cruise to Unesco World Heritage site Scandola
Nature Reserve, during which snorkelling stopovers are a given.

Where to stay: La
Signoria