Necker Island as many people know is owned by Richard Branson, and is to be found a short boat ride from Virgin Gorda, and Beef Island/Tortola, which is where you are collected by high speed boat.

One of my ambitions has always been to stay on Necker Island, and it was only recently I discovered that it wasn't necessary to book the whole island, but there were times of the year when individual rooms were bookable.

Nevertheless I then met someone who knew someone who had been in a party that took over the whole island, and after speaking with them I found out a lot about Necker Island which is worth.........

On the old pirate colony Island of Sainte-Marie can be found the wonderful surprise that is the Princesse Bora Lodge.

You fly from Europe using Air France into  Antananarivo (Tana), the lively Malagasy capital in the Central Highlands. On arrival proceed through customs and immigration and make your way to the domestic terminal for your flight to Sainte Marie.

When you arrive on the island airport you are picked up in a zebu chariot for the short journey to the Princesse Bora  Lodge. In theory you could walk but it is a lot more fun this way.

You will be greeted perhaps by the owner himself, but certainly by uniformed staff. Although you will have read about this extraordinary hotel, you will still be surprised by how new, and beautifully designed it is. Madagascar is not renowned for its hotels, but this is the real exception.