Category Archives: Islands

If you close your eyes and imagine a South Seas island, what do you see? A jagged peak rising from the Pacific, covered in lush tropical forest? Soft, sandy beaches, and the turquoise waters of a tranquil lagoon? Pretty thatched bungalows on the water?

Dreaming of palm-fringed beaches and colorful coral reefs? Kick up the adventure quotient, by making it an exotic island country you've never seen. This island paradise is Samoa - halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, but a million miles from "normal life".

Now here's a different take on alternative energy. Have you ever eaten food cooked by an active volcano? If you visit the Canary Islands, you could. This restaurant on the island of Lanzarote can cook your entree using the natural heat of the volcano.

Nantucket is a cute little island, with plenty of upscale boutiques, gourmet restaurants and fine art galleries when you visit. You could easily fill a vacation with those modern delights, but be sure to explore Nantucket's history too, since that's the real treasure.

Croatia has over a thousand islands along its coast, and it's a fabulous place to explore by boat. Visit Croatia for sun, sea and miles of scenic coastline. You'll find medieval castles, Roman ruins, and charming Mediterranean towns. Then there are the sunsets...

If you're looking for an enchanting escape to a picture-perfect tiny island, with a thatched-roof bungalow out over the water, then the Maldives fit the bill. There are over 1,000 separate islands. With sandy beaches, palm trees and turquoise water, they belong on a postcard.

Skellig Michael is a desolate, craggy island off the coast of southwest Ireland. Today, it's uninhabited, but 1,500 years ago Irish monks lived in isolation here. The ruins of their stone huts stand atop the island. It's an atmospheric site that you will never forget.