• The main Greek island that I've spent time on is Ios. Yes, it's a party island and yes, it is jam-packed most of the summer, but this is only in the main town/port/beach area. The rest of the island is virtually deserted. There are no proper roads (although they are being built) stretching beyond the areas mentioned. The beaches are some of the most beautiful in the country. I'm not trying to suggest that Ios is the ideal place to go when you are looking for an unspoilt island, but I just want to illustrate the fact that somewhere with a reputation such as Ios can still contain miles of unspolit island, so practically any island you pick should contain somewhere idyllic and deserted to suit you.
Ali Dunworth
• If you mean a desert island with absolutely no facilities, try the east coast of Fiji. From Ovalau, visit the town library and arrange a trip to Langalai (pronounced Thangalai) and stay in a thatched hut that opens onto pristine white sand, backing onto coconut groves. There are about six or seven extremely basic huts, but we were lucky enough to be the only ones on the island, which you can walk around in 15 minutes). Meals can be prepared for you by locals who come over from their island, but otherwise you are totally alone (or you can cook for yourselves if you really feel so inclined - just make sure you stock up on everything you'll need, especially water, before you get there...)
Mo Rogers
• Of course, once a tourist beams down, the island is no longer unspoilt, but perhaps you could have a look at the Guardian's own recommendations: they gave an award to Laskarina Travel (down the street and round the corner from me, quiet local pride....) is very good for the quiet Greek island holiday. Mary North, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, DE4 4FB Alternative contact 01629 824258
• Try Samothraki in the north Aegean. Fly to Thessalonika, get to Alexandroupoulos, and take the ferry to Samothraki (although the ferries aren't very frequent).
Trevor Mansfield
• I suppose it depends what you mean by unspoilt; anywhere with a ferry service will, at the height of the season, have a sprinkling (or more) of Greek holidaymakers and intrepid backpackers, and perhaps unexpected War Graves Commission cemeteries!
Publicising the names of islands will, of course, hasten them on their way to becoming 'spoilt', although tourist development in many is constrained by the absence of water. If an individual asks nicely, I could probably give them up to a dozen names of places which are to some extent off the beaten track and well worth a visit. But they will all have some rooms to rent, a taverna or two with (a sort of) English menu and, probably, a beach with backpackers' tents.
Robert Goundry
