Royal at Sea

Where to travel? For the undecided, here’s a list of some of the best paradise-like islands in the world.

1. Bali. Surrounded by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, it is one of the 17,500 islands of the Indonesian archipelago. But, thanks to its colorful people and years of tourism development, it stands out for its unparalleled beauty. White sand beaches, surrounded by green foliage and ancient Hindu temples, which speaks of profound peace and spirituality that is breathed in the air of the place.

2. Galapagos. This archipelago of 13 large islands, 6 small ones and 40 islets, located 950 kilometers from Ecuador, in the Pacific Ocean, has a temperature of between 18 and 22 degrees celsius. It is notable for its incredible combination of wildlife, giant tortoises, marine iguanas and goldfish; and a flora of unique species in the world.
   

3. Cape Breton Island (Nova Scotia). This place is located on the Atlantic coast of Canada, so unlike the aforementioned it can seem somewhat fresh to us during the winter, but with an ideal climate in summer. It is the reserve of Nordic and Indian cultures, such as Scottish, Celtic, Acadian and Mi’kmaq. One of its attractions are the outdoor activities: canoeing, rowing, sailing. The best are the sunsets you can get to see.

4. Kauai. Also known as the “Garden Island”, it is the fourth largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago. It is of volcanic origin and one of the most humid in the world, which is why rainfall eroded it, carving valleys with idyllic waterfalls.

5. Mount Desert Island. It is the sixth largest in the United States, and the second on the east coast, behind Long Island. It is north of the country, near the border with Canada, and its main attraction is the Acadia National Park and summer camps.
   
   

   Image courtesy of Peter Rintels at Flickr.com

6. Maui. Named after a Polynesian demigod, who according to the legend created it by fishing it out of the seabed. Formed by two volcanoes, it is the second largest Hawaiian archipelago island and it is also known as the “Valley Island” for the isthmus that forms between the two mountains. With a high humidity and rainfall, its annual temperature is between 20 and 29 degrees celsius.

7. Aeolian Islands. They are in Italy, in the Tyrrhenian Sea near the northeast coast of Sicily. It is part of a V-shaped archipelago of islands, with the others: Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi and Panarea. Its largest city is just a small town of 11 thousand inhabitants.

8. Maldives. They are in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Sri Lanka and India. It has a tropical and humid climate. Its population is Islamic, even though after being a Portuguese, Dutch and British colony, the influence resulted in an interesting local culture.

9. Big Island. Another one of the Hawaiian Islands, it is of volcanic origin and the largest in the United States. According to the Polynesian legend, it is the place where the gods went when they died. It has a population of over 200,000 inhabitants.

10. Vancouver Island. Located on the west coast of Canada and bathed by the waters of the Pacific, it can also seem somewhat cold, it is known for its nature reserves and large forests with native fauna.

11. Corfu (Greece): The so-called Island of Happiness must be for a reason. To begin, due to its intense relationship with nature and authentic local life. The sumptuous nature full of hibiscus, lemon, almond, olive trees and bougainvillea will perfume your memories. When bathing, remember the trilogy: Glyfada, the longest beach; Pelekas, the one of the most beautiful sunsets; and Agios Gordios, the amazing mix of golden sands and green cliffs.
12. Skye (United Kingdom): between Ireland and Britain, on top of the Atlantic and cut by dizzying cliffs, the island of Skye will surprise you with its overweening green beauty. You might not take a baths, since the water temperature is not a joke, but if you can walk through some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country. Hiking is a must, as are the sunsets on the porch of their cozy B&B, while enjoying an exquisite malt whiskey overlooking the sea, and memorize some of the many enigmatic legends of the island. Do not leave without taking a walk around Loch Duich, which is unforgettable.
13. Malta (Malta): The Island of Knights will overwhelm you from the horizon, due to its intense accumulation of historical buildings. If you love art, this is a must, and there’s much to discover. Start by Valletta, the capital, a stone maze of ocher and Renaissance buildings which highlights the great Cathedral of St. John. Get the best view from the fort of St. Elmo and admire the strength of its other three cities: Vittoriosa, Senglea and Kalkara. At night, don’t hesitate to have a few glasses of wine with tapas in the wine bars of Vittoriosa and head out for Golden Sands during the day, the only sandy beach of the island, an almost red horizon of fine sand and lively bars.