#isles-of-scilly

#isles-of-scilly

Skomer Island has recorded an unprecedented number of puffins this year, offering a significant boost for the vulnerable species. The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales confirmed 52,019 puffins during their annual count off the Pembrokeshire coast, eclipsing last year's record of 43,626.

While Natural England dithers and reviews processes, irreplaceable wildlife sites are being trashed, damaged, and even built over. That is not a technical failure, it's a dereliction of duty.

Sandy Cay is a natural extension of our vision for private destinations. When we opened Ocean Cay in 2019, our goal was to give guests an experience that's authentic to the Bahamas and reflects the region's natural beauty.

The bothy on the Ben Damph estate, constructed from the ruins of an old black house, features two rooms warmed by log burners and stunning views over Loch Torridon.

San Sebastián, the capital of La Gomera, served as Christopher Columbus's provisioning point in 1492, with historical sites like the Columbus House Museum and Torre del Conde nearby.

Ireland is an island where ridiculously beautiful sights pop up in the most unlikely of places, from gravity-defying sea stacks found at the end of a dirt road, to hiking trails that make you feel like you're walking on the moon.

Hunte's Garden, with more than 90 percent excellent reviews and year-round accessibility, was the clear winner. A world-renowned botanical garden located in the central hills of St. Joseph, Hunte's Garden consistently ranks as the top thing to do in the country.

"Guadeloupe is not a resort island; it is a living culture, a living experience. Even the landscape tells a story. The scent of burnt sugarcane fields before harvest. The volcanic silhouette of Basse-Terre. The lunar stillness of Pointe des Châteaux under a full moon. This is not a backdrop; it is part of the lived experience."

SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst is gearing up for its inaugural test launch in the coming months, featuring a rocket developed by German firm RFA. The Shetland Islands facility has confirmed a limited number of viewing passes for a designated remote area, which will first be offered to Unst's approximately 600 inhabitants.

For a true sense of freedom and escape, nothing quite compares with an island getaway. Whether it's island hopping in Greece, exploring a Scandinavian archipelago by kayak or simply getting on a ferry to the Isle of Wight, we'd love to hear about your favourite European islands. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a 200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property the company has more than 3,000 worldwide.

Archaeologists have fought the tides to save a 17th-century shipwreck from a popular nudist beach in Dorset. The remains are believed to be part of the Swash Channel Wreck, a Dutch merchant ship called The Fame of Hoorn that ran aground while approaching Poole Harbour in 1631. The wreck was found on Dorset's Studland Beach at the end of January when Storm Chandra washed away the sand that had kept it hidden for almost 400 years.

Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Its origins lie in the county's mining past, where it was devised as a complete, portable meal. The crimp acted as a handle, and some pasties were even made with different fillings at each end, offering both savoury and sweet in a single bake. Debate over the perfect pasty remains lively, but the classic combination of beef, potato, onion and swede is still the benchmark, and for many, still the one to beat.

Svalbard was ranked as the least crowded island in Europe, according to retreat booking platform BookRetreats.com, which looked at tourism patterns across Europe's islands. The study, which drew on European Commission data measuring overnight tourist stays per square kilometer, found Svalbard boasted just 2.4 overnight stays.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

Rock iguanas once roamed freely across the islands of Turks and Caicos. Spotting one today, however, requires a bit of planning-and a boat ride. After centuries of hunting and the introduction of predators, the reptiles suffered a steep population decline and were classified as "critically endangered" in the 1970s. Today, things are looking slightly better for the green lizards, and in 2020, their classification was upgraded to simply "endangered." But that doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing for the iguanas.

For many travellers, France begins and ends with Paris, Provence, or the French Riviera. Yet venture west and a very different France emerges, one shaped by Celtic roots, dramatic coastlines, diverse local cuisine, and a fierce sense of regional identity. Brittany ( La Bretagne) is a world unto itself, where land and sea shape daily life, and it should be the location for your next French holiday.

I'm learning to go slowly, not too fast too soon. It's probably the reason I got the fracture in the first place.

Easily accessible from major U.S. cities, the Exumas remain refreshingly uncrowded, making them one of the Caribbean's true hidden gems, at least for now. As the wealthy look for privacy in paradise, and the world's most sought-after resort groups like Aman and Rosewood prepare to plant their own flags there in the coming years, everyone seems to have their sights on the Exumas.

Long before Turks and Caicos was the backdrop for bikini-clad influencers, Kardashians on catamarans, and Netflix dating shows, my family purchased a condo on its main island, Providenciales. This beachside escape from my already beachy hometown of Naples, Florida, was a welcome respite from the intense crowds that flocked to the Gulf like a pack of seagulls on a stray French fry.

Every hotel on this list has been selected independently by our editors and written by a Condé Nast Traveller journalist who knows the destination and has stayed at that property. When choosing hotels, our editors consider both luxury properties and boutique and lesser-known boltholes that offer an authentic and insider experience of a destination. We're always looking for beautiful design, a great location and warm service - as well as serious sustainability credentials.

The best places to visit in May take advantage of that elusive window of perfect weather as spring turns to summer, when it's not too hot and it's not too cold-all you need is a light jacket. That frees up essential space in our carry-ons (big puffy jackets and thermal leggings can stay home, finally), creating more room for souvenirs from wherever we may go.

South Carolina islands have palmetto trees growing alongside ferns and pines. Georgia's barrier islands, including St. Simons and Jekyll Island, boast diverse landscapes made up of beaches, marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. And Texas islands, with their shallow bays and seagrass meadows, are home to extensive wildlife.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.