The idea was to find new, intuiting textures that could represent the island Lara was exploring.

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Photographer Lewis Bush has been exploring the island of Canvey which sits below sea level, making pictures of the 14 miles of sea walls that now protects the residents and speaking to some of those who live there.

BBC: Life behind the sea wall

Providence Resources is currently exploring six sites off the island of Ireland, including those off County Cork and Rathlin island.

BBC: Irish oil rig, Barryroe

Rosneft is already pulling its weight, in partnership with foreign firms, exploring for deposits off Sakhalin island in the far east.

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Sea-kayaks are the most versatile means of exploring the shores of the main island (also called Malta), its smaller partner Gozo and baby Comino, which sits in between.

BBC: Ten weekends in Europe's great outdoors

Take a break from your aquatic adventures and stroll to the island's capital city of Kralendijk for an afternoon of shopping and exploring - perfect for a girls' weekend away.

BBC: Daily deal: Scuba diving in Bonaire

Travel Without Your Kids: Thorp recently returned from a kid-free trip to Iceland with her husband, which found them exploring thermal pools, the Viking culture, and romantic moonscapes of the island.

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