Which Greek islands is best?

Skiathos RX, Sporades

With direct flights from several European cities, the island of Skiathos was the glamorous star of the pine-fringed Sporades way before Mamma Mia. Poking out of the forest, this new glass-fronted villa looks fairly unassuming from afar. Up close, however, the cutting-edge architecture makes a big impact. The modern interiors are so sleek they're almost austere, but it's the outdoor area that blows you away: a vast wooden deck with a palm-thatched barbecue, fire pit and open-air home cinema. At sunrise, seagulls swoop over the 75-square-metre infinity pool. It's even more dramatic at dusk as the sun melts into the sea. Although completely secluded, the villa is only a five-minute walk away from three of the best beaches on Skiathos: Banana and Koukounaries, with their watersports and pumping beach bars, as well as the quieter, cooler Ampelakia. Tip: at the latter's Mystique Beach Bar, a plate of crispy calamari with chilli and lime goes down extremely well with an ice-cold Septem pilsner.