WE'VE ALL BEEN THERE.

You just had an incredible trip, wandering through historic cities or tracking wildlife in remote landscapes. Yet when you return home, you feel completely depleted. Suddenly, you find yourself wishing for a “vacation from your vacation,” one where you can sit back and revel in the joy of doing absolutely nothing before launching ahead into the stresses of everyday life again.

The island extension is your solution. An indulgent island escape offers the ultimate encore to a larger journey. It's not just about beach time, though. These thoughtful additions provide space to exhale, soak in your journey, and ease back into the rhythm of life with sun-warmed skin and a glass of something chilled in hand.

Most importantly, these extensions honor the emotional cadence of a well-composed trip. Just as a great piece of music ends with a lingering final note, an island extension leaves a lasting impression—a quiet coda to an unforgettable adventure.

Below are six exquisite pairings where an island extension can transform your trip into something even more extraordinary. Each destination is not only logistically accessible, with clever use of time and flight routes, but it is also distinctly indulgent, offering both a more profound sense of place and the kind of restorative beauty that lingers long after you return home.

Take this as your permission to finally take that “vacation from your vacation.”

The Maldives 

INDIA ISLAND EXTENSION

India offers cultural immersion in its richest, most vivid forms—fortresses and spice markets, sacred temples, and colorful festivals. The energy is intoxicating, but even seasoned travelers could benefit from a few days of restorative calm before flying home.

Enter: the Maldives. With direct connections from major Indian cities, this Indian Ocean haven is perfectly positioned for post-journey rejuvenation. Choose from a curated collection of luxury overwater bungalows and barefoot-chic resorts that place you at the edge of impossibly turquoise lagoons.

Whether you’re ending a Rajasthan palace tour or a deep dive into India’s tiger conservation work, the Maldives invites you to transition gently. Here, spa rituals are soundtracked by the sea, and dinner is served under starlight on a private sandbank. It’s the elegant exhale every culture-filled adventure deserves.

Seychelles 

KENYA SAFARI ISLAND EXTENSION

After the thrill of a luxury safari through Kenya’s vast landscapes—from the golden plains of the Masai Mara to the pink-hued lakes of the Great Rift Valley—what better finale is there than the dreamlike archipelago of the Seychelles?

With regular connecting flights from Nairobi to Mahé, this island extension is both convenient and dramatically different. Sink into the slower pace of island life at a private villa or resort, where granite boulders frame ivory beaches, and the only agenda is the tide. For those who treasure their privacy and peace, Seychelles delivers. It’s also a marine playground: sail between islands, dive in coral-rich waters, or simply let time slip by beneath a palm tree. Here, your safari stories settle into memory as your senses realign with sea breezes and salt air.

São Tomé & Príncipe

PORTUGAL ISLAND EXTENSION

Set off from Lisbon, one of Europe’s most atmospheric capitals, and in under six hours you'll land in the lush, little-known paradise of São Tomé & Príncipe. With direct flights and Portuguese as the local language, the connection is seamless—but culturally, the transition is transformative.

This island duo off the west coast of Africa offers pristine beaches, mist-draped rainforests, and ecochic lodges nestled among cacao plantations. Explore the biodiversity of Obo National Park, snorkel in sapphire waters, and savor freshly caught seafood infused with Afro-Portuguese flavors. After days of cobblestone strolls and wine-soaked lunches in Lisbon or Porto, this extension gives you permission to be. It is an exquisite reset that still ties beautifully into your broader Lusophone experience.

St. Lucia 

GUYANA ISLAND EXTENSION

Guyana’s untouched wilderness and rich biodiversity make it one of the most rewarding nature and wildlife experiences in South America. From the thundering majesty of Kaieteur Falls to the riverine jungles of the Rupununi, Guyana's remote adventures are as immersive as they are exhilarating.

But that immersion doesn’t need to end with your expedition. With direct flights from Georgetown to Hewanorra International Airport in St. Lucia, travelers can effortlessly pivot from the dense interior of the Guiana Shield to the crystalline Caribbean Sea.

An island stay at a property like Jade Mountain or Anse Chastanet Resort offers the perfect contrast. Think open-air suites tucked into lush hillsides, yoga pavilions overlooking the Pitons, and serene days spent swimming, snorkeling, or simply reclining. It’s a reward and a recalibration after the rugged beauty of the rainforest.

Sardina 

ITALY ISLAND EXTENSION 

Italy is a feast for the senses: Renaissance art in Florence, Baroque splendor in Rome, canals in Venice, and vineyard views in Tuscany. But after all the cultural deepdives, pasta feasts, and leisurely piazza strolls, Sardinia offers the most elegant of intermissions.

A short flight from mainland Italy, this island is known for its dramatic coastlines, crystalline waters, and distinctly Mediterranean rhythm. Sardinia's Costa Smeralda is home to glamorous beach resorts, while the interior reveals ancient Nuragic ruins and slow-food villages.

For the luxury traveler, this island is a way to rebalance. You’ve taken in centuries of history; now, let your senses be soothed by salt air, sea views, and simple luxuries like a long lunch of bottarga and Vermentino, a swim in a secluded cala, and the sound of nothing but the breeze through juniper trees.

Lord Howe Island 

AUSTRALIA ISLAND EXTENSION 

Australia is vast, varied, and endlessly compelling. From the buzz of Sydney and Melbourne to the sacred landscapes of the Red Centre and the reef-fringed rainforests of Queensland, it’s a destination that rewards exploration.

Yet even the most enriching journeys can leave you longing for a pause. Just two hours by plane from Sydney, Lord Howe Island is a remote jewel that feels like another world. With only 400 visitors allowed at a time, and no mobile reception in parts, it offers the ultimate luxury: pure serenity.

This UNESCO-protected island is a treasure trove of natural wonders—volcanic peaks, subtropical forests, and the world’s southernmost coral reef. Stay at Capella Lodge, where fine dining meets barefoot ambiance, and days unfold between reef dives, nature hikes, and panoramic spa treatments. As your final stop, it’s not just an escape. It’s an elevation.

Ready to Extend?

In a world where luxury travel increasingly values meaning and mindfulness over material excess, island extensions offer something profound: space. Space to reflect on the richness of your journey. Space to reset your body before returning to routine. Space to experience a destination that complements rather than competes with the one before it.

So, if you're curating a journey rich in culture, nature, or discovery, don’t overlook the power of an island break. Let your next great adventure end not with a rush to the airport, but with a barefoot walk along the water's edge. You’ve earned it.