Greece
Koufonisia
Flat-bottomed islands barely above the waterline with sand so white it glows at dusk.
The island barely rises from the water — a flat-bottomed speck of Cycladic rock surrounded by sand so white it glows at dusk. Fishing caïques work the harbour in the morning, and the coastal path runs three and a half kilometres to Pori past coves that outdo each other.
Ano Koufonisi is compact enough to explore on foot, while seasonal boats connect beaches and Kato Koufonisi. The eastern path passes coves, sea-carved channels and rock pools whose conditions change with wind and swell. The appeal is an easy rhythm of walking, swimming and harbour meals rather than claims of total isolation.
Couple
A coast-path day, a quiet swim and grilled fish beside the harbour at dusk.
Family
Short distances and beach choices, with active supervision and conditions checked on the day.
- Ano Koufonisi is compact enough to explore between the harbour, Chora and the east-coast beaches on foot.
- A coastal path links beaches, sea-carved coves and rock pools towards Pori.
- Small boats connect Ano Koufonisi with Kato Koufonisi and nearby shores in season.
- Fishing life remains visible around the harbour despite the island’s growing summer popularity.
Lobster pasta at Captain Nicolas on the harbour — the order most locals make.
Grilled fish chosen from the morning catch, served whole with nothing but lemon and olive oil.
Piula Cave Pool
Samoa
Under the chapel, a lava tube pours cold spring water into a pool full of fish.
Buracona
Cape Verde
For two hours around midday, sunlight sets a submerged lava cave burning electric blue.
Alofaaga Blowholes
Samoa
Taga guides drop coconuts into the vents and the ocean fires them back like cannonballs.
Isla Magdalena
Chile
A marked island path threads through a seasonal Magellanic penguin colony.
Milia
Greece
An abandoned Cretan hamlet rebuilt from stone into an off-grid eco-settlement deep in chestnut forest.
Pelion
Greece
The centaurs' mythic homeland — chestnut forests and stone villages sliding from peak to shore.
Chania Old Town
Greece
A Venetian harbour glowing at dusk where lighthouse and minaret share the skyline in tangerine light.
Corfu Old Town
Greece
Venetian alleyways hung with laundry open onto a cricket pitch — Greece's most Italian island.