Sometimes you just need a quick break to the beach, the mountains, or a new city to decompress. But other times, you need a faraway escape to find yourself. Here are the best far-flung islands–in both the northern and the southern hemispheres–to really get away from everything.

Greenland: Sleep in an igloo, listen to Jakobshavn Glacier calve, and watch the Northern Lights dance across the sky in Ilulissat.

Falkland Islands: Make the long journey to Stanley to hang out with King, Gentoo, and Magellanic Penguins.

Faroe Islands: Explore the turf-roofed houses, sculpture gardens, and gourmet restaurants of Tórshavn.

Réunion: Prefer a warmer climate? Go surfing, play with sea turtles, and hike a volcano in Saint-Leu.