Isola del Giglio

"I almost don’t want to tell readers about Isola del Giglio, a postage stamp-sized rock in the Tuscan Archipelago, about an hour’s ferry ride from the mainland. The beauty here is that there’s relatively little to do — just swim and snorkel in a crystal-clear sea, e-bike up to the hilltop castle, and, in the evening, stroll the small seafront promenade in Giglio Porto, the main town. The bright, simple rooms at Hotel Saraceno practically hang over the sea below." - Elizabeth Heath Elizabeth Heath Elizabeth Heath is a writer and editor living on a hill in Umbria, from where she writes about travel in Italy, the rest of Europe, and farther afield. Travel + Leisure Editorial Gui

"Elba's diminutive little sister to the south, Giglio is an away-from-it-all pick for those who really want to relax for a few days, or even a week. There are just three towns and a handful of beaches on the island, plus hiking paths that tread on ancient Roman roads, past terraced vineyards, and among herds of hardscrabble sheep and goats. Most travelers base themselves in either Giglio Porto or Campese, both right on the water, and pass their days with swimming, sunning, napping, and meals of fresh seafood at outdoor restaurants. An active day might involve taking off on a rental e-bike or hiring a skippered or self-piloted gommone (zodiac raft) to explore hidden coves and beaches reachable only by boat. If that sounds like your idea of fun, this is your Italian island. Giglio is about an hour from the mainland at Porto Santo Stefano, where several daily ferries haul passengers and goods to the island." - Travel + Leisure Editors