[gozomalta]Hollywood scouts were on to something when they skipped over Mykonos and chose a secret island in Greece as the location for "Mamma Mia." The movie was a $600-million hit, in part because it fueled peoples’ fantasies of escaping to a secluded island (and yes, those catchy ABBA tunes didn’t hurt). Surprisingly, that picture-perfect movie location, Skopelos, has stayed under the radar. When you hop off the ferry, you’ll be wowed by the view of the shimmering Aegean Sea, the island’s tile-roofed tavernas, and a decided lack of travelers. There are still gems like Skopelos hidden all around the globe, if you know where to look. T+L editors have done the hunting for you to uncover secret islands where you can truly unwind. Whatever your daydream, you’ll find a destination to match by checking out our slideshow of secret islands around the world. VIETNAM: CON DAO Shutterstock Phu Quoc might be hailed as the next Phuket, but those looking to get far off the grid head to this undiscovered archipelago just 110 miles off Vietnam’s southeastern coast. A 45-minute flight from Ho Chi Minh City brings you to Con Son, the largest (and only inhabited) member of the 16-island chain. Here, sheer granite cliffs border deserted beaches and crystal-blue water—imagine a tropical Amalfi Coast without the crowds. Up until now, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a decent place to stay, but the arrival of the SIX SENSES CON DAO _(Dat Doc Beach; 84-64/383-1222; sixsenses.com; villas from $685)_ has brought a welcome dose of luxury to the island. Standing along a stretch of golden sand are 50 airy villas (some with private pools) that look out onto the South China Sea. Food is a highlight here. In classic Six Senses style, the hotel’s Vietnamese restaurant is set up to resemble a market; there are separate stalls “hawking” noodles and rolls, while made-to-order dishes are cooked outside in charcoal-fueled woks. You may be tempted to never leave the resort, but the 20-square-mile island is well worth exploring. Hire a private guide from the hotel, who will bring you via motorbike to the area’s most remote spots, including a 19th-century hilltop lighthouse and the spectacular Dam Tre Bay lagoon. T+L TIP: Take a boat trip to Bay Canh Island to view endangered hawksbill turtles during nesting season (May through September), arranged by the hotel. —_Jennifer Chen_ INDONESIA: GILI TRAWANGAN Shutterstock Searching for the Bali of, say, 1970? Head to Gili Trawangan, a tiny island near Lombok dotted with countless waterside cafés. No motorized traffic is allowed here—the best way to get around is to rent a bicycle or use your own two feet. The daily agenda involves nothing more than fishing, diving, or kicking back with a cold beer at SCALLYWAG _(South Beach; 62-370/645-301; lunch for two $30)._ On the southern coast, HOTEL VILA OMBAK _(hotelombak.com; doubles from $150)_ has 115 airy oceanfront rooms. T+L TIP: Hop the ferry to MOUNT RINJANI _(lombokmarine.com; tours from $225),_ an active volcano on Lombok. —_Hui Fang_ PORTUGAL: PICO Shutterstock When Columbus made his expedition in 1492, Pico was considered a last outpost before you, well, fell off the earth—and it remains virtually unknown. It’s a shame, what with wines unlike anywhere else, and footpaths that weave through beautifully eerie landscapes of lava. In the middle of a Unesco-designated vineyard is the POCINHOBAY _(Pocinho-Monte; 351/292-629-135; pocinhobay.com; doubles from $238_), where six basalt bungalows take in views of the Atlantic. T+L TIP: For dinner, head to ANCORADOURO _(Areia Larga; 351/292-623-490; dinner for two $45)_ to sample regional specialties such as _polvo guisado_ (stewed octopus). —_Christine Ciarmello_ SEE THE REST OF THE STORY AT BUSINESS INSIDER
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