Pure white sand, clear turquoise waters and warm locals: The 10 most stunning islands in the world that we would all love to visit
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
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
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
Fourth place: The Caribbean's most elite, most expensive island St Barth's - short for Saint-Barthélemy - lives up to its reputation as a place where the rich and famous gather to drink champagne. But its uncrowded white-sand beaches and distinctly Gallic air ensure it's a favourite with lesser mortals as well
Fifth place: The Balearic Islands, formerly in the number one spot, are made up of four main islands all with a very different flavour. Ibiza (pictured here, Benniras beach) known for its thumping nightlife also has a calmer, traditional side, and its sisters Majorca and Menorca are equally beautiful, with lush green countryside as well as great beaches and pretty little villages along a stunning coastline
Sixth place: She sells seashells... The Seychelles, a longtime favourite of Conde Nast readers, is an otherworldly archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. A trip to the Seychelles promises breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surrounds still untouched by man. With no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - the Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the Coco-de-mer nut grows high on ancient palms, and Aldabra, the world's largest raised coral atoll
Seventh place: Luxuriant, extraordinary, and with a mild climate. Capri, just off the coast of Italy south of the bay of Napoli, has been visited over the centuries by intellectuals, artists and writers enthralled by its beauty. Visitors speak in glowing terms of its mix of history, nature and culture, and the exclusive feel of some of its busy ports is counteracted by a host of smaller harbours accessed only by boat. One of Italy's sparkling jewels
Eighth place: Lush tropical greenery, warm blue waters and golden sunlight. In Barbados you can spend the day on any number of white sandy beaches; eat some flying fish; drink some rum punch. In Barbados you can generally trade in the chaotic rush for the slow and easy while soaking up the natural beauty of this subtropical island
Ninth place: The warm welcome and the island's safe beaches and gentle seas make Mauritius a great place for a family getaway as well as a romantic destination for couples. Deserted beaches wrap themselves around the island, and large lagoons lined with fine white sand seem the embodiment of paradise. Mauritius is a country of poets, writers and artists, inspired not only by the stunning natural landscape, but also by its multicultural identity
Tenth place: Malta is a popular tourist destination with its warm climate, numerous recreational areas, and architectural and historical monuments, and the island has no fewer than nine UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its capital, Valletta (pictured) is the smallest capital in the European Union as well as being famous for the beauty of its Baroque palaces, gardens and churches
