From the Venetian lagoon to the sparkling Med, these island getaways offer a welcome change of pace just a short hop from the mainland
Connected to the German mainland by a single rail causeway, Sylt is just over three hours from Hamburg by direct train. The largest of the North Frisian islands, it slices through the North Sea and the Wadden Sea, with salt marshes and mudflats to the east and 25 miles of white sands sweeping along the western coast, grassy dunes buffering the bracing winds.
Relatively unknown to UK visitors, the island has long been a popular destination for Germans and appeals to an affluent crowd, although not exclusively. Luxury hotels and pioneering health resorts sit side by side with multistorey apartment blocks, modest campsites and laid-back surfing schools.
Trains from Hamburg – soon to be upgraded with the new intercity (ICE L) fleet – arrive in Westerland, the largest town on the island, which expanded significantly during the 60s and 70s. Alternative bases include well-heeled Kampen or Keitum, the latter known for its maritime history and traditional thatched houses. Designated nature reserves cover other parts of the island, from the shifting dunes in List to the vast Braderup Heath, partly managed by a hardy breed of sheep.
