An archipelago made up of unspoiled sweeping beaches of golden sand is loved by the British royals and sits on UK soil a short trip from the mainland.
Now that most coronavirus restrictions have been scrapped and big holidays are back on the cards, the most popular dream destination for Brits is the Maldives, according to a survey of 2,000 UK residents conducted by Willerby.
As beautiful as the Indian Ocean island paradise is, it's very far away from the UK, expensive and difficult to visit while being kind to the planet - a seven-day trip would generate over 1,200kg of carbon emissions per person.
To avoid breaking the bank, holidaymakers could instead look a little closer to home and discover some of the stunning, less visited parts of the UK.
The Scilly archipelago is made up of five inhabited islands which are teeming with wildlife and unspoiled beaches, and could make you believe you are in the Maldives or the Caribbean Sea.
The Isles are some of the only places in the UK that experience warm winters and are treated to a good dose of sunshine in the summer months, when dolphins and seals splash about in the waters, while puffins and egrets fly overhead.
It is the hottest part of the UK, averaging a temperature of 12 degrees Celsius at its lowest and peaking around 35 degrees during the summer.
They are a Royal Family favourite, with the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall enjoying a summer holiday at the house with their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in 2019.
The family stayed on Tresco, the second biggest of the islands which is also part of the Duchy of Cornwall estate.
On TripAdvisor, plenty of people have been sharing their love of the islands too, with people regularly referring to them as "paradise" - although unsurprisingly, they often warn visitors to stick to the summer months if they want gorgeous weather (this is Britain after all!).
Emily and Don Crees, who own the Seven Stones Inn on the island, told Coast Magazine why they find the archipelago so magical.
They said: “We can step into the darkness and see thousands of stars in an uninterrupted night sky. We couldn’t believe we were still in the UK.”
There are some other beautiful spots in the UK which are great alternatives to foreign destinations and perfect for those looking to keep expenditure low during the cost of living crisis.
Henrhyd Falls, Wales
Not only is Henrhyd Falls the tallest waterfall in South Wales, it is one of the few British waterfalls that feel truly tropical.
Moss-covered rocks and verdant surroundings are reminiscent of Indonesia, but much closer to home.
The Brecon Beacons National park natural wonder is 90ft tall and was used as a filming location for the final scene of Batman: The Dark Knight Rises where it doubled as the entrance for the bat cave.
Although there are wooden pathways built along the rocks to help visitors find their way, the falls are a good, challenging walk away from the nearest town, so don't forget your walking boots.
Durdle Door, Dorset
This 95-mile-long stretch of Jurassic coastline was officially designated as a World Heritage Site in 2001, and for good reason.
It is an astounding treasure trove of natural wonders, foremost among them being the characteristic arch which is famous across the UK.
Thee rock formation is now part of a family of geological joys that include America’s Grand Canyon and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
The beach, with its sweeping bay and golden sands, mimics one a few thousand miles south in Portugal.
Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides
The gorgeous cliffs, waterfalls and rock formations here might make you think you are in Iceland, but you’d really be just off the west coast of Scotland.
The most popular geological feature on the Isle of Skye is the Old Man of Storr, a pinnacle of rock said to mark the grave of a fallen giant.
The Isle has become increasingly popular over the past two years as Brits unable to travel out of the country during the pandemic looked for something a little different on our shores.
Skye feels remote and isolated enough, while having bountiful natural wonders including the Fairy Pools, to offer just that.
Wasdale Valley, Cumbria
If the Yosemite National Park is the most beautiful expanse of wilderness in the USA, Wasdale Valley is the UK’s primary contestant for the title.
The region boasts not only the tallest mountain but also the deepest lake in England.
Those who love to challenge themselves with a solid day's climbing can tackle Scafell Pike, or plunge into the icy waters and forbidding depths of Wastwater.
The view from the south-western end of the body of water near the youth hostel is particularly iconic, being voted Britain's favourite in 2007 by television viewers.
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, this charming village in North Wales wouldn’t look out of place in the Italian countryside.
The resemblance is uncanny, down to details like cobbled streets, a vibrantly colourful piazza, conical turrets and impressive facades.
As well as confounding British architectural styles, the town was immortalised in the 1960s cult TV classic The Prisoner.
