Top 5 Islands to Escape the Rat Race

Here are our pick of the top five islands to escape the rat race:

1. Santorini

A picture-postcard Greek island, Santorini's black beaches offer spectacular natural beauty and some of the most amazing sunsets you will ever see. One of the best luxury Santorini resorts is The Majestic Hotel, offering high quality service along with the widest variety of facilities to be found on the island. From the stylish lounge bar by the pool to the elegant restaurant on the terrace, to the steamy pleasures of the Turkish Baths, the Majestic is bound to create an atmosphere of absolute relaxation. Savour delicious dishes at the Majestic's restaurant, such as wild sea bass served with risotto, sautéed hazelnuts and mascarpone, whilst admiring the changing colours of the sunset.

2. Mauritius

Mauritius is a magnet for those wishing to escape the rat race. This beautiful Indian Ocean island will enchant you. Set in a turquoise sea, your luxury Mauritius holiday offers an oasis of peace and tranquility. The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa is a new luxury resort perched on the northwest coast and has 193 guest rooms and suites, with stunning views over the ocean. The exceptional dining venues entwine gourmet cuisine with indigenous flavor, offering a unique culinary experience. Spread over 10 hectares, the resort is bordered by the reef and ocean nature park and lush sugar cane fields. Water sports and diving complement the two heated swimming pools and stunning beach.

If you'd prefer a villa with a private swimming pool, try The Oberoi. This Indian Ocean luxury resort is located in 20 acres of beautiful sub-tropical gardens with a 600 metre oceanfront offering panoramic views.

3. Hayman Island

This luxury Whitsundays resort sits on white sand beaches surrounded by coral-fringed lagoons. Hayman in Australia's magnificent Great Barrier Reef, is a private island destination, presenting a unique resort experience of adventure, indulgence and natural beauty.

Hayman presents resort living in 212 beautifully appointed rooms, suites, penthouses and a villa, all featuring private terraces or balconies. There are restaurants and bars as well as a lounge and outdoor island setting for dining, including the Reef surrounds.

Spa Chakra Hayman has received a number of prestigious accolades, and offers guests an exclusive selection of personally-tailored beauty and well-being programs designed to restore wellness and balance. With its magnificent resort facilities and island landscape, Hayman provides an ideal setting for escaping the rat race.

4. The Seychelles

The natural beauty of The Seychelles is breathtaking and offers the ideal environment to relax and unwind.

The luxury North Island resort has only 11 guest Villas, each individually hand crafted by Seychellois and African craftsmen, and offers uninterrupted views to the sparkling seas in front. A private plunge pool and sala are the finishing touches to this private sanctuary.

Set amongst lush vegetation on the white sandy beaches of Anse Kerlan, where turtles lay their eggs in total tranquility, is Lemuria resort. Here you will find 88 Junior Suites, constructed in wood, marble, stone and pink granite, amidst the tropical gardens, in lodges all facing the stunning Indian Ocean. A golfer's paradise, the three Hotels Constance championship golf courses are of international standard.

5. Fiji

The award-winning, five-star Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort is one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific. Located on the island of Vanua Levu on 17 acres of coconut plantation, the accommodations overlook the peaceful waters of Savusavu Bay.

This acclaimed resort is an international favorite for escaping reality, combining heavenly surroundings and exceptional dining. Your luxury Fiji holiday at Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands resort would not be complete without a diving experience: it is the only resort that employs a full-time marine biologist to help visitors appreciate the underwater world of Fiji.

If you crave complete solitude combined with absolute luxury, Yasawa Island Resort offers just 18 thatched bures tucked amongst the palms on this remote island, with only the whisper of the waves and sea breeze to break the silence.