Heavenly Lake Malawi

Places to relax, enjoy time with your family and think about what's really important in life" don't get much more "idyllic" than the island resorts of Lake Malawi, says Will Hide in the Times.

The lake is vast, dominating the landlocked southeast African country that shares its name, and so remote that you'll encounter few other visitors on its marvellous beaches of pale, powdery sand or in its crystal-clear waters.

The resort of Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island is blissful, with its "ten stylish stone and teak cottages", but that on Mumbo Island is more "heavenly" still. Guests stay in "luxurious, eco-friendly tents on headlands overlooking the water", which sparkles at night with dozens of tiny lights – the lamps of distant fishermen's canoes.

Expert Africa (020 8232 9777) offers eight nights – four in each resort – from £2,309pp, excluding flights. ·