If you can't decide between Anguilla or Antigua, the Cayman Islands or Cuba, Martinique or Montserrat then take this quiz, on the Washington Post's website, to find out which Caribbean island is the right one for you.

My quiz results tell me to head to Jamaica, Anguilla, Barbados or Nevis; sounds pretty good to me!

Take the quiz here.

Photo by Michelle Brea.

By Andy Hayes

Many visitors to Scotland come for the medieval feel and cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, the capital city. Some venture briefly into the Highlands to see Loch Ness and have a look around for Nessie, the monster. But those who make the effort to head further afield are rewarded with stunning islands with gorgeous beaches, charming villages, and a peaceful experience where time slows down.

You'll most likely need to rent a car to make the most of your time, although in a few select cases you'll be able to find a bus tour of the area. The countryside is expansive and there few public transport options, so just select a few key places to focus your attention, or otherwise you'll spend all your time travelling. To get you started, here are a few of my favourite islands which you should consider on your next Scottish tour.

ISLAY

Islay, pronounced "eye-la," is one of the best known of a groups of islands off the west coast of Scotland, known as the Hebrides. Islay is home to nine distilleries, including some of Scotland's most popular whisky exports like Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Bunnahabhain. Explore the sandy coastline and relax in one of the quiet villages. Islay has some of the best views of the snow-capped mountains on neighbouring island, Jura (see image above).

If You Go: The ferry journey is an hour and a half from the mainland; ferries depart from Tarbert, which is 2.5 hours west of Glasgow. The best time of year to visit is May or June, especially since the Islay Whisky Festival takes place at the end of May.

SKYE

Skye is one of the largest islands off the West coast of Scotland, and its popularity has increased with the construction of a car/rail bridge connecting it to the mainland, making it easy to travel to. Because of this, there are a number of tourist attractions on the island, such as estates, castles, museums, boat tours, and even a music festival in June. Don't miss the amazing landscape either, from the Old Man of Storr (probably the most famous rock formation in Scotland) to Kilt Rock and its steep waterfall.

If You Go: Tour operators run round-trip bus tours to Skye from Edinburgh. You can access the island via car directly or via rail from a connecting service in Inverness or Glasgow. Although you can visit Skye year-round, June is one of the best months to take advantage of decent weather and long amounts of daylight; keep in mind, though, that even during the nicest summer day the weather can turn sour so pack appropriately.

THE ORKNEYS

'The Orkneys' refers to an archipelago of nearly 70 small islands clustered off the North coast of Scotland where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. These islands are very quiet places (only 21 of them are inhabited), and the countryside is so remote that there's even been talk of The Orkneys devolving from Scotland and becoming its own country. The most popular tourist sights are the Neolithic structures, such as the village of Skara Brae, which dates back 5,000 years and is said to have been inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built. Otherwise just relax and soak up the subdued ambience of being in the wilds of nature.

If You Go: You'll need to travel across the entire mainland of Scotland – the southernmost ferry departs from Aberdeen and is a six-hour sailing. Other ferries depart from Scrabster, Gills Bay, or John O'Groats. If you don't mind dark, cold nights then you should consider visiting in January for the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick. Up Helly Aa is the largest fire festival in Europe, celebrating the region's Viking heritage. Otherwise, head over during the summer for extremely long days and short nights.

Photo Credits: Skye Sunset by g.naharro; The Paps of Jura seen from Islay by glenfinlas; Camasunary, Isle of Skye by Simaron; Yesnaby Castle by thornypup. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Jay Martin

Island getaways are a dime a dozen, but to truly get away, you have to make everyone else go away. This can be accomplished by purchasing a private island, or if you don't feel like dealing with all that paperwork, you can simply rent one. While some tiny islands like Croatia's Porer Island rent for as little as 124 EUR per week, the truly wealthy can pay more than 300,000 USD for seven days at a private Caribbean retreat.

One high-profile rental, Necker Island, lies in the British Virgin Islands and is owned by Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire head of the Virgin empire. Branson purchased the undeveloped island more than 25 years ago for 180,000 GBP, and now charges well over that for a one-week stay – 322,000 USD. On the island's official website, daily life is not described in words. Rather, Branson uses photos of lavish tables set for twenty, picnic lunches on the beach, white linens and pillows, and bedroom curtains that billow open to reveal the painfully blue sea. Prospective guests can see exactly what it is like to escape the real world for a week and live in paradise.

Not all island rentals are in the Caribbean, however. Off the coast of Ibiza, Spain lies Isla de sa Ferradura. A safe-haven for pirates during the 17th century, the island boasts a network of caves and tunnels adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Highlights of the resort include a health and wellness centre – built into a cave - complete with a vitamin bar, Turkish bath, solarium, hairdresser and bar. Guests can swim through a waterfall from the cave into a subtropical lagoon. There are six suites to choose from, and each has a different theme to make for a unique stay on the island. More affordable than Necker Island at 147,000 EUR (plus VAT) per week, Isla de sa Ferradura offers an alternative to those looking to branch out past the private Caribbean getaway.

Most lavish private islands come with a full staff that includes captains and pilots for the various boats and planes that might be included in the price. The all-inclusive nature of the stay can accommodate a large family reunion, wedding, or a simple honeymoon for two. While many would be surprised at how affordable some island rentals are, most would be floored to see the bill for a week at one of the world's most exclusive and secluded private islands.

For the wealthy, renting an island isn't about the amenities. One can easily find great views, crisp linens, and attentive staff at almost any luxury resort in the world. Renting an island is about status and showing your friends and family that you have attained a special place in the social strata, and that place is meant to be shared. That's why most expensive private islands can accommodate upwards of 40 of your closest friends and family. Because who rents an island to spend a week alone?

WHO TO CONTACT:

Necker Island Reservations Office – 0800 716 919 (toll-free, UK); 877 577 8777 (toll-free, USA); Website: www.neckerisland.com; Email: enquiries@virginlimitededition.com.

Isla de sa Ferradura – +34 971 410 015 / 6; Website: www.islaferradura.com; Email: info@islaferradura.com.

Private Islands Online - Website: www.privateislandsonline.com.

Photo Credits:

1) Musha Cay by alancf via Flickr (Creative Commons).

2) Necker Island by russelldavies via Flickr (Creative Commons).

3) Summer and Champagne by Damiel via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Rachel Turner

Groggy with sleep, I pulled back the mosquito net from around my bed and headed to the bathroom for a shower. With my hand on the tap, I looked up at the ceiling. A scream caught in my throat as I grabbed a towel and rushed out of the wooden chalet into the early morning sun. I bounded down the stairs and headed toward the front desk to ask someone to remove the wine bottle-sized gecko from my bathroom. Before I made it though I was greeted by another lizard; this one as big as a toddler.

When I landed on Malaysia's Perhentian Kecil ("Small Perhentian"), I was stunned. I didn't believe that a place like this still existed. I thought finding such a sweet slice of paradise would require a mid-Pacific shipwreck. But there I was, a mere 19 kilometres from mainland Malaysia, toe deep in island clichés. The clear turquoise water quietly slurped at white beaches of sugar-fine sand. Tiny wooden chalets stood alert at the jungle's edge, ready for lodgers. Lush green flora blanketed the soaring cliffs. Every sunset was postcard perfect, every day bright and hot. Save for my abnormally large lizard neighbours, the place was straight out of a fantasy.

Given that the island I was staying on was little more than sand and jungle, being entertained indoors was out of the question. I couldn't wait to dive into the warm, clear water. Dive shops are littered all along Long Beach (the more populous of Kecil’s two beaches). They offer a variety of courses for beginners, as well as a ton of fun dives. Divers can swim through the Temple of the Sea, check out the coral garden at De Lagoon, or explore the sunken Sugar Ship Wreck. I was told that the water surrounding the island is home to barracudas, sea turtles, triggerfish, unicornfish, groupers, and the list goes on and on.

I'm more adept at skimming the surface and for RM 40 (US$11.50 / £6.50) I joined an all-day snorkelling tour. Bright and early, I boarded a boat with only three others. Our first stop was a coral garden where curious fish swam around me, brave ones nipping at my fingertips. Over the course of the afternoon we stopped at Shark Point, home to black tipped reef sharks, swam with sea turtles near Perhentian Besut, and stopped for lunch in a quaint fishing village. Before heading back to home base, we made a final stop on a deserted beach to soak up the sun.

My days spent in the Perhentians involved a lot of rest and relaxation. I swam, snorkelled, and strolled through the jungle. I popped down to the Bubu Long Beach Resort for a massage in a beachside cabana. I sipped fruity cocktails while watching the technicolour sunset. The island was without a serious party vibe. Pounding all-night discos were replaced with driftwood tables on the sand, lively conversation, and a few beers amongst new friends.

On Perhentian Kecil, most hotels and restaurants are scattered along Long Beach and Coral Bay, on the opposite site of the island. Long Beach, the livelier of the two, was where the majority of backpackers congregated. I checked out a few guesthouses and settled on the Panorama Chalets (http://malaysia-panorama.com), smack in the middle of the beach. For RM 100 (US$29 / £16), I secured a double room complete with air con and hot water... when the electricity was on (be sure to ask about electricity hours before checking into your hotel. Most places do not have 24-hour electricity). Movies are shown every night, and many room rates include free dinner from a fully-stocked restaurant.

Clean, clear air, peaceful solitude, and a pace just above a standstill drew me to Malaysia's Perhentian Islands. Forgoing big-city conveniences like Internet cafes and roads made me not want to leave. While there, bright white sand, lush jungle, polychromatic coral, and a few abnormally large lizards surrounded me. By the time I left, I truly felt like I had got away from it all.

TRAVELLER'S CHECK

Getting There: If you are starting your journey from Kuala Lumpur, catch an Air Asia flight to Kota Bharu (www.airasia.com). From the airport, catch a taxi or bus to the ferry terminal in Kuala Besut. A taxi with air-con will cost around RM 70. From there, hop on a speed boat for a 45-minute ride to Perhentian Kecil. Boat tickets cost RM 60 each way, plus pay the extra RM 2 fee to be dropped off at Long Beach instead of at the jetty. A cheaper, slower ferry is also available.

Where to Stay: Panorama Chalet is located in the centre of Long Beach. Double rooms with air conditioning and attached bathroom cost RM 100. Opt for shared bath and fan-cooled rooms to cut down on costs. Visit their website for more information: http://malaysia-panorama.com. If you choose to stay on the opposite side of the island at Coral Bay, check out the Senja Bay Resort. Here a fan room will set you back RM 100. The views from this hotel are stunning, and the staff is friendly. Holiday packages and other rates can be found at www.senjabay.com

Where to Eat: Most restaurants on Kecil are attached to hotels. The Panorama Chalet restaurant serves up local Malay food as well as western favourites. For a meal that's a little more up-market, check out the menu at Bubu Long Beach Resort.