The friendly Jamaicans are as much of a draw as the warm climate and lush, green scenery. With white, sandy beaches and a vibrant music scene, you can see why Jamaica has long been a playground of the rich and famous. Movie star Errol Flynn said it was ‘more beautiful than any woman I have ever known’.

Fifty miles along the coast from Montego Bay to the western tip of the island is Negril. Its idyllic seven-mile beach makes it an ideal centre for water sports and deep sea fishing. Negril is dotted with guest houses, bars and vendors offering fresh coconuts. Soft sand, balmy sea and a laidback atmosphere create the perfect place to chill out in the day and party at night, and the sunsets are spectacular. In the evening, stroll along the beach and check out the local nightlife, featuring live reggae. For real Jamaican sounds, head to the Seastar Inn, tucked away in Negril’s West End. The One Love Reggae Show creates an infectious atmosphere – it’s impossible not to dance.

Our suggestions
Visit the Dolphin Cove in Lucea to swim with dolphins and stingrays, ride on a camel and watch a shark show. Priced at around £30. Visit www.dolphincovejamaica.com.

Take a horse trek up the mountains into the sea with Chukka Caribbean Adventures. Suitable for beginners, this is a safe, fun experience. Around £45. Visit www.chukkacaribbean.com.

A visit to Rick’s Café, Negril, is a must to witness an amazing sunset and the bravest of the brave diving off the cliffs into the crystal waters below.

Meet The People. This Jamaica Tourist Board initiative gives you the chance to go on a picnic or church visit with some local people to get a real taste of island life. Visit www.visitjamaica.com.

Book it
British Airways is offering seven nights at the five-star Half Moon resort on the island’s north coast from £1649 per person, for travel until 17 February 2012. Price includes return flights and room-only accommodation, based on two people sharing. For more information on Jamaica, visit www.visitjamaica.com.

On this wonderful stretch of Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, the sparkling Adriatic is irresistible. Swim, snorkel, paddle or just float on a lilo. Stretch out in the glorious sun, which lasts well into October – but you’ll soon be tempted back into the silky water to cool off. The vibrant town of Makarska is the queen of the Riviera and the Donja Luka beach, with its long sweep of shingle and sand, is a magnet. Hardcore sunbathers bask on the rocks like lizards, but there’s plenty of shade beneath the pine trees, and sunbeds and parasols for hire. Behind the beach, there’s a long strip of cafés, with names such as Big Mama and Mr Perfect. On the menu you’ll find delicious fresh seafood, steaks and salads, followed by ice creams of every flavour. Dinner costs around £10. On the harbour front, locals and tourists gather on the terrace by the swish Hotel Osejava to splash in the water from sunrise to sunset.

Take a stroll in the warmth of the evening and you’ll be gently accosted by excursion sellers luring you to the islands of Hvar and Brac. Pick your day cruise carefully – some are tranquil, others lively, but there’s always a fish picnic featuring fresh local mackerel served on board.

For the ultimate sea view, take a hair-raising ride up Biokovo Mountain (£45, www.viva-croatia.com). This stunning series of peaks is the most spectacular backdrop to Makarska and changes colour throughout the day, depending on the light. Travelling by minibus to 1750 metres above sea level along winding roads is exhilarating and a little scary. But it’s worth it to reach the top and admire the beautiful coastline and the rich blue Adriatic, always beckoning.

Our suggestions
The fish picnic boat trip (£25) is a full-day island excursion with a chance to visit the famous beach of Zlatni Rat on Brac. This fabulous bay, reached by a 10-minute water-taxi ride from the harbour, has the most glorious, clear water. Hire a sunbed, eat in the lively cafés and enjoy a beach massage.

Take a trip to the magnificent Krka National Park, exploring by boat to see dramatic waterfalls and enjoy its rich birdlife and wildlife. Around £40. Book all excursions through Gulliver Travel, or your hotel.

Explore the Roman buildings of the vibrant port of Split including the Unesco heritage site of Diocletian’s Palace. A local bus runs regularly from Makarska and takes an hour and a half.

Book it
Hotel Osejava combines grandeur with intimacy. Spacious, airy rooms have water-view balconies. Crystal Summer offers a week’s half board from £613 per person, including flights and transfers.

Hawaii is pretty close to paradise. It’s an epic journey – be prepared to spend around 17 hours travelling from the UK – but the group of six Polynesian islands are well worth it. Hawaii’s climate is idyllic all year round, with sunny days and balmy nights, which are mosquito- and bug-free, so dining alfresco is a pleasure. The best surfing is in the winter months, when pods of humpback whales can be spotted off the coast.

The busiest island is Oahu, home to the capital Honolulu, birthplace of President Barack Obama. Head to Waikiki Beach, where the classic Elvis movie 'Blue Hawaii' was filmed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Here you can take a paddleboard lesson on the calm seawater at Duke’s Lagoon (£40; www.hawaiihotspotsurfschool.com) with champion surfer Errol Kane – it’s lots of fun, and easier than you might think.

There are enough activities to keep the most demanding family entertained in this large, 22-acre resort. Situated on a wide palm-fringed beach, the villagey shops, selling lei, a traditional Hawaiian necklace made of flowers, shells or nuts. Animals, including flamingos and penguins, give it charm. The island’s dramatic, lush, green landscape is a favourite with movie makers - 'Jurassic Park' and 'Lost' were filmed here – while the North Shore’s giant waves have made it the surfing capital of the world. Wooden shacks and eclectic shops and restaurants lend the area a bohemian vibe. Drive through old pineapple, sugar and coffee plantations to the beach where Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr rolled in the surf in 'From Here To Eternity'. Try a malasada, a type of doughnut, from the famous Leonard’s Bakery in Honolulu.

Treat yourself to a rib-eye with parmesan chips at Bali Steak & Seafood restaurant in the Hilton. A cocktail is another treat – the Blue Hawaii was invented here. Dinner costs around £45.

Our suggestions
Take a short flight to Big Island where the black rock lunar landscape is a result of solidified lava from volcanic eruptions. Visit magical Hilton Waikoloa Village, filled with stunning Asian and Polynesian artwork and enjoy a healing Lomi Lomi massage in the spa. Kids can snorkel among tropical fish and turtles.

The Dolphin Quest Experience. This face-to-face encounter witnessing the dolphins’ speed and power up close, is something you’ll remember forever. Priced at around £125. 

Take a 45-minute drive to the Kohala Zipline in Halawa where you can zip-wire between towering trees. Exhilarating! Around £100. 

Most resorts host a Luau – an evening of song and dance, Pacific Island-style, accompanied by a buffet of local delicacies.

Book it
Rooms at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki and the Waikoloa Village start at £126 per person per night. Stay at Hilton Waikoloa Village and receive a seventh night free. Complimentary night is applied at time of check-in. The package includes two Legends Of The Pacific Luau tickets. 

Return flights cost from £569 with US Airways.

Sicily has a wilder, more rugged beauty than mainland Italy. The Sicilian sea is clean and warm and you can rent a beach lounger and watch the Sicilians at play. There is much to explore in the Scopello area on the unspoilt western side of the island. Take a trip to Segesta, where high on a mountain stands the majestic and amazingly intact ruins of an Ancient Greek Doric temple, one of the many treats for archaeology fans. Or try a nail-biting drive up to the medieval mountaintop town of Erice, with hairpin bends all the way. You’ll be glad you made the journey when you enter this ancient town, all cobbles, winding lanes and more churches than people.

Nature-lovers can visit the Zingaro Nature Reserve for a hike among rare plants and wildlife. And don’t miss a day in Palermo, the elegant but shabby capital where, astonishingly, you’ll see whole ghost squares bombed out in World War II still in ruins. Restaurants dish up the Italian favourite of pizza, pasta and grilled meat and fish, as well as the Sicilian specialities of arancini (rice balls) and caponata (vegetable stew). Dinner generally costs around £15 per head.

Our suggestions

Fantastic farm shops sell fabulous home-grown produce, including olive oil and wine. Street markets are held regularly and are a colourful cacophony of sights and sounds.

In Scopello, a tiny, pretty town, families are out promenading every evening and still eating at midnight. Join them in the cafés for a late-night amaretto.

Seek out a local festival Some are held in honour of the Virgin Mary and you can expect to see the whole town turning out for a candlelit procession with brass bands and incredible fireworks. Visit www.bestofsicily.com.

Book it
Solosicily offers villas and boutique hotel accommodation with properties ranging from budget family villas with pools, to large country estates.

The Villa Sirena is a neat little house perched on a mountain just outside Scopello with breathtaking views across the valley of farms, mountains and the sea below.

One week at Villa Sirena starts at around £830 (sleeps four). Prima readers will get 10% off during June 2012. Quote ref PR1.

Fly to Sicily with easyjet from £120 return. 

Quiet and unspoilt, Menorca is the perfect island for relaxation. The jewel of the Balearic Islands has more beaches than Mallorca and Ibiza put together, so you’ll be spoilt for places to laze in the sunshine. With its fine, white sand and clear waters, Binibeca is a delightful example. There’s not a hotel in sight, just picturesque white houses. Enjoy lunch in the shady picnic area or fresh fish at the beach bar on the rocks. To explore, head to Cala Macarella, a white, sandy cove with turquoise water, around 50 minutes’ walk along the coast from Cala Galdana.

It’s a pleasure to dine on the restaurant terraces in the warm evenings. Choose fresh squid and sardines, caldereta – the traditional dish of lobster stew – followed by La Menorquina – creamy local ice cream. Cales Fonts in Es Castell is an historic fishing port packed with friendly bars where tourists and locals tuck into tapas and sherry. Eat in the bustling marina in the charming old capital of Ciutadella, where restaurants have been built into the cliffs. Afterwards, wander around the ancient Moorish quarter and have a late-night brandy.

Our suggestions
Enjoy sunset at Cova d’en Xoroi, Cala en Porter, a nightclub built into a cliff on the south coast, with magnificent views.

Try the local tipple of Xoriguer Gin, first produced in the 18th century when British sailors were stationed on the island.

Visit the capital, Mahón, for shopping, take a boat trip or just have a wander among the yachts of the rich and famous.

Book it
The Hotel Santo Tomás has twin/double rooms from £95 per person per night. Situated on the south coast of the island, it’s a great base with friendly staff, delicious food and rooms with lovely sea views.

Monarch flies to Mahón from £100 return. For more information on the area visit www.menorca.es.

With a colourful mix of Dutch and South American flavours, this enchanting island is lots of fun. Aruba is one of the few Caribbean islands with a low rainfall, so it’s ideal to visit year round. Go off-season (April to December) for the best budget breaks. Aruba’s big draw is the beaches, many lined by the strangely stooped Divi-divi trees. Eagle Beach is a traditional spot for families, while Mangel Halto has calm waters, ideal for easy snorkelling. Or head for Baby Beach, a sandy half-moon expanse in a calm lagoon, where swimmers can wade right out and still touch the sea bottom.

The main town of Oranjestad is a mecca for duty-free shopping. Use the local buses to head off and find a patch of peace on a gorgeous beach. Or take a safari jeep tour to the northern, less-discovered side of Aruba. For snorkelling and fun, take the Palm Pleasure trip (£35) which mixes reggae and rum with underwater exploration. For an offshore adventure, enjoy a day trip to De Palm Island, a short boat ride away. Snorkelling equipment is provided or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try a Sea Trek, (£55) which plunges you deep into the ocean. Expect to climb in and out of shipwrecks, feed the fish and take a seat in the underwater café.

Our suggestions
Discover more about Aruban Aloe, at the Aloe Factory, a small museum which explains the science behind this natural sunburn soother.

Eat at Papiamentos, a beautiful Aruban manor house serving Caribbean specialities. Try the Keshi Yena – a stuffed cheese dish. Dinner costs around £30.

Drink cocktails on a swing at Pinchos Grill and enjoy the vast selection of fresh fish on the menu. Dinner costs around £25.

Book it
The Bucuti and Tara Beach Resort on Eagle Beach has incredible sea views plus a pool, open-air fitness centre, spa, bar and restaurant, as well as free evening cinema screenings on the beach. Rooms start at £191 per night, including breakfast. 

KLM flies to Aruba from 15 UK airports from around £720 per person return.

For more information on Aruba, visit www.aruba.com

With sparkling, clear waters, imposing mountains, ancient picture-book towns and a Mediterranean climate, Montenegro is a little gem. Perfectly positioned in the south of the Adriatic, on the Balkan Peninsula, it’s brimming with beautiful beaches, lakes and rivers. In this compact country, you can take a dip in the morning sea, have lunch on the banks of Lake Skadar and enjoy an evening walk in the mountains.

Base your holiday around the charming resort of Becici near Budva, with its impressive beach and exclusive hotels. Beachcombers flock here to collect the beautiful pebbles, shaped by the sea into delicately shaded ovals and circles. The soft, warm sand echoes their colour palette. The enchanting Budva coast has amazing beaches, which holidaymakers have rated as among the best in the world. You’ll find plenty of culture and history, too. Budva’s beguiling walled Old Town is a pleasant 2km walk away from Becici. Wander up to its ancient citadel and enjoy a magnificent sea view.

The extraordinary island of Sveti Stefan, attached to the coast with a tiny causeway, is a highlight. Once a simple fishing village, it became the hottest holiday destination for stars and royalty, including our own Queen. The resort is not open, but you can admire its austere grandeur while baking in the sun at the sandy beach that overlooks it.

Sunny Montenegro has summer temperatures topping 30°C, but its traditional dishes are pure winter comfort food. Kacamak, a mix of cornmeal, potato and feta cheese, is a favourite and thick, tasty soups are laden with noodles and potatoes. You’ll find plenty of fresh fish and salads on offer, too, washed down with delicious local wines and served with a smile. Dinner in a cosy restaurant costs around £10 per person.

Our suggestions
Take the Wild Beauty of Montenegro tour to see mountains, rivers and canyons, as well as glorious coastal scenery. It costs £45 per person with lunch. Book through your rep at Hotel Montenegro Beach Resort.

Lake Skadar has an array of birdlife. Swim in its fresh waters amid the water lilies.

Visit the Durmitor National Park in the north of Montenegro and hike and bike, swim, raft and climb in the fresh air.

Book it
A seven-night, all-inclusive break at the four-star Hotel Montenegro Beach Resort costs from £599 per person, including flights and transfers. Visit www.balkanholidays.co.uk, or call 0845 520 1263. 

The Bay of Naples includes the enchanting town of Sorrento, the island of Capri and bewitching Naples itself. As the birthplace of Sophia Loren – not to mention pizza – this beautiful city is certainly worth a look. Visit the beautiful Duomo di Napoli, the Palazzo Reale and Gambrinus, Naples’ oldest café, famous for rum babas. A trip to fascinating nearby Pompeii is essential – it’s like an enormous time capsule – the ash that erupted from Mount Vesuvius in 79AD has done an amazing job of preserving the city. Allow plenty of time to explore the beautiful mosaics, villas, courtyards, the ancient Stabian baths and brothel!

When you start to feel hot and dusty, hop on a hydrofoil and head to Capri. Is there anywhere in the world that conjures up such an image of glamour? For designer shops, head to the main town, a maze of busy, narrow, winding lanes and exclusive boutiques. It’s fun to make a cappucino last and people watch from the Piazzetta, the main square. After dinner, try a limoncello, a liqueur made from rinds of Sorrento lemons – delicious but potent! Another short hop by hydrofoil takes you to Sorrento. With lemons growing everywhere and wonderful views over to Capri, Ischia and Vesuvius, it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful place. Sorrento makes a great base. From its train station, you can get to Naples in an hour and Pompeii in 20 minutes. But it’s really all about soaking up the atmosphere and the sunshine and hoping some of that famous Italian charm will rub off on you!

Our suggestions
Head to Anacapri on Capri and visit the fabulous Villa San Michele, built by Swedish doctor and writer Axel Munthe.

Don’t miss a rowing-boat ride into the amazing Blue Grotto on Capri, a sea cave flooded with brilliant blue and emerald light.

Visit La Sorgente Farm in the hills outside Sorrento. The lovely Rose and family will teach you to make gnocchi and buffalo mozzarella. Sample the produce surrounded by lemon and orange trees. Book it In Naples, stay at the grand, elegant Hotel Santa Lucia where double rooms with breakfast cost around £140. In Sorrento, stay at the magnificent Hotel Tranomtano. Two nights for two people costs around £280 in a garden-view room with breakfast. Fly to Naples with British Airways from around £200. 

Kefalonia is the largest of the Ionian Islands and the most lush and green. The pace is slow, the crime rate almost zero and the local people exceptionally friendly. To get in the mood, read 'Captain Corelli’s Mandolin', set here. Base yourself at the small resort of Lourdas, half an hour’s drive from the airport. It has a lovely long sandy beach lined with tavernas and inexpensive sunbeds and parasols for hire. You’ll find restaurants, reasonably priced supermarkets and a few cocktail bars set in beautiful gardens.

Hire a car and set off along the winding roads to see breathtaking views at nearly every turn. Driving is not for the faint-hearted, but the spectacular scenery is just reward. The island has much history in its villages, monasteries and churches. You’ll find some of the finest beaches in Greece here, too – those along the south coast are a nesting ground for the loggerhead turtles. Myrtos Bay on the north-east coast was voted one of the top five beaches in the world. Argostoli, on the east coast, is the capital and the main working port. It has a pretty promenade and if you’re up early enough, it’s a pleasure to see the fisherman bringing in their catches of the day. Families gather with their children in the main square and it’s fun to watch them while sitting in a café and  enjoying a glass of retsina. Or try the meze washed down with the region’s famous Robola wine, for around £14 per head.

Our suggestions
In Lourdas, head to the Olive Lounge for delicious kleftiko (dinner around £17). For traditional food in a family-run restaurant, try the Dionysos Taverna (dinner around £13).

Visit the Cave and Lake of Melissani.

Don’t miss the picturesque village of Fiscardo with its pretty harbour.

For traditional Greek dancing, Thursday night at Andromeda in Lourdas is a must!

Book it
A week for up to six at Villa Magdalani in Lourdas, costs from £700. Visit www.ownersdirect.co.uk and enter the property reference GR723.

Flights to Kefalonia with Monarch start at around £200 return. Visit 

Rent a car from Holiday Autos from £25 per day.