As the summer and the holiday season are upon us the web portal Business Insider has made a list of 17 small but beautiful and breathtaking European islands that are well worth the detour. These gems of pristine nature cannot be compared to any other Europe's typical destinations that can be found on the European continent.

This prestigious list encompasses many islands throughout Europe such as Juist (Germany), Formentera (Spain), Sardinia (Italy), Colonsay (Scotland), Saaremaa (Estonia), Hydra (Greece), Graciosa (Canary Islands), Mykines (Faroe Islands), Fayal (Portugal), Gozo (Malta), Træna (Norway), Belle-Île-en-Mer (France), Alderney (Britain), Stromboli (Italy), Inishmore (Ireland). And two of the thousand Croatian islands, Mljet and Vis, have also found their place on this list.

The island of Mljet, one of the many national parks in Croatia, is the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands of the Dalmatia region of Croatia. It was named after the Latin word for honey – Melita. Only 1,100 inhabitants live on the island so it is a place of utter serenity and tranquillity. Mljet is the most heavily forested Adriatic island and a huge national park offers miles of scenic walking trails. The island's only hotel is named after Homer's Odysseus, who is said to have lingered there, bewitched, for seven years.

The island of Vis is a small Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea. It is the furthest inhabited island off the Croatian mainland thus probably the cleanest part of the Adriatic Sea. Vis had a population of 3,460 inhabitants in 2011. According to some journalists, this sleepy Croatian island is the sort of place where a Bond villain might have his lair. The island is known for fabulous local wine, fresh seafood, exciting nightlife activities, kayaking through caves, sailing the bays and lagoons. The highest point of the island is Hum mountain which is 587 metres (1,926 feet) above sea level with a stunning view of Komiza, a small coastal town on the island. The hidden Stiniva beach on the island of Vis has also found its place on the list of the best beaches in Europe for 2016.