Lakshadweep

Few places in India feel as far from everything as Lakshadweep - a scatter of coral islands ringed by lagoons so blue they barely look real. A short, scenic flight from Cochin lands you on Agatti, from where a boat carries you across the lagoon to Bangaram Island and your barefoot base by the beach.

Days here are wonderfully simple: snorkel and dive over living coral gardens teeming with fish, paddle a kayak across glassy water, or board a boat for an island-hopping excursion to the tiny, untouched islets of Thinnakara and Parali. And when you have done it all, claim a stretch of white sand and do absolutely nothing - Bangaram deserves it.