Lewis, Scotland
The epitome of raw beauty. The Isle of Lewis (and neighbouring Harris, to which it is welded geologically if not culturally) is a land apart. This slab of ancient rock is crumpled by time, and stained with the often-tragic history of the Western Isles – a story told in the museum of Stornoway, capital of the Outer Hebrides. Hiking, biking and kayaking are among the activities on offer. And, considering the latitude corresponds to southern Alaska and northern Siberia, Lewis enjoys a benign climate.
Just as good as: New Zealand's South Island.
Alamy