This book brings you 501 of the world's most interesting islands. Some are incredibly difficult to reach; others are just a short trip away from the mainland by boat or plane. Some are littered with remarkable historical ruins and echoes of ancient cultures; others are no more than sandy beaches and a few palm trees. Whether you're wanting to experience fascinating indigenous cultures, a paradise idyll of white sand beaches and turquoise seas, the tranquillity of a remote hideaway or the buzz of a bustling metropolis, there's an island here to tempt you to its shores.