The best Mediterranean islands to hole up on in April

The Man Who Pays His Way: where to be marooned on the Med

Chill out on the coast of Mallorca (Getty/iStock)

Travel, as you appreciate, is all about timing. July and August, the peak holiday months, are far from ideal for enjoying Venice (absurdly crowded), Dubai (absurdly hot) or Orlando (hot, crowded, expensive). But Paris is arguably at its best, with half the population abandoning the city for juillet, and the other half for août.

In April, the Mediterranean comes back to life. A year ago I was hopping around the Aeolian Islands north of Sicily; in April 2016 meandering along the north coast of Crete; and the previous spring travelling across Mallorca.

But which Mediterranean island would be the best on which to be marooned? My 1, 2, 3 is Sicily, Crete, Mallorca. Permanent residence in any of Syracuse, Chania or Palma would be a burden worth bearing.

My top two are the largest islands of Italy and Greece respectively. Both are blessed with millennia of history, exquisitely corrugated coastlines and fine towns and cities.

On Mallorca, whatever your taste, there is a coastal resort to suit you. And Palma is one of the loveliest Spanish cities. But the biggest Balearic island lacks the heritage and lavish scale of its rivals: Sicily is seven times larger, Crete twice as big.

Yet when I sought nominations on Twitter for the Mediterranean isle to be cast away upon, my ratings were overturned. Mallorca was clear winner, with 50 per cent more votes than second place: just a ferry hop away, neighbouring Menorca. Crete made third place, followed by Malta and Corsica. Sicily snuck in at sixth, ahead of Cyprus, and the Italian islands of Ischia and Sardinia.

Completing the top 12: Ibiza, much less popular than its larger siblings, and the Greek islands of Kefallonia and Naxos.

Among the most desirable dozen, Greece, Italy and Spain are each represented by a trio of islands. There were some surprising omissions; Santorini received just one nomination and Mykonos none at all, while Elba was elbowed out.

Social media being what it is, though, the awkward squad expanded the concept. Anglesey, which last time I checked was firmly anchored in the Irish Sea, received multiple nominations, as did the Orkney mainland and the volcanic Atlantic isles of Lanzarote and Madeira.

Other non-Med entries included Bermuda, Bora Bora, South Georgia and the Isle of Wight.

Less helpful still was the recommendation of a traffic island, specifically Ashted Circus on the Birmingham ring road.

Prize for the most elegant ineligible entry, though, goes to Peter Lynam. He chooses an Italian island. So what’s wrong with that? Well, it’s Monte Isola, sitting pretty in the centre of the exquisite s-shaped Lake Iseo in northern Italy.

The nearest drop of the Mediterranean is 80 miles as the wayward seagull flies, at the resort of Chiavari. But Mr Lynam makes a convincing case: “Seclusion when I want it. Five minutes on the ferry and five minutes walk to the station to get to Milan and Verona.” Close by: skiing, golf, hiking, wine and shopping (don’t try them all at once).

“Perfect,” he concludes. ”Don’t tell anyone.”