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A multi-island nation best known as a winter vacation spot for the world's wealthiest, Saint Vincent and the Grenadine Islands offer a tropical paradise complete with coral reefs, clear blue waters and abundant flora. Anyone looking for a relaxing getaway will especially enjoy Young Island, a resort where visitors can partake in an array of activities including swimming, snorkeling, wind surfing, tennis and sunbathing. Upon arrival on Young Island, guests are encouraged to kick off their shoes and wade out to the Coconut Bar, an in-the-ocean bar serving drinks in a coconut shell. Don't miss Trinity Falls, a clear, warm waterfall that empties 40 feet into a basin of volcanic rock, then over another rim into a Jacuzzi-like pool.
With its closest neighbor more than 1,000 miles away, the island nation called the Seychelles provides a wealth of activity for the person wanting to experience pure nature at its finest. The largest island in the archipelago, Mahe, is home to Victoria, the country's only major city, and boasts a busy marketplace where vendors sell everything from fresh fish to local spices to crafts. Visitors hoping for a unique experience will enjoy visiting Silhouette Island. This granite island is well known for its mysteries (rumor has it that pirate treasure is buried in the hills), great beaches and hiking opportunities, most notably the peak of Mont Pot á Eau. Nature lovers should visit Aldabra, one of the largest coral atolls in the world and home to a variety of wildlife, including the white-throated rail, the only species of flightless birds left in the Indian Ocean.
One of the most visited islands in the South Pacific, Tahiti is known for its lush surroundings and luxurious resorts. The island's capital, Papeete, boasts a teeming market (called the Marchè du Papeete) one block from the waterfront; on sale are fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, clothes, arts and crafts. Other attractions include the famous Bain Loti (Loti's bath or pool) made famous by Pierre Loti's 1880 novel "The Marriage of Loti," and Mt. Orohena, Tahiti's highest peak at 2241 meters. Those wanting further seclusion should visit Gambier, a remote group of islands lies untouched by development. Visitors who take the trip should be prepared to stay a while because Air Tahiti flies to the main island, Mangareva, only once a month.
Years of being visited by the rich and eccentric has made this island off the coast of Italy a luxurious vacation spot. Travelers can get to Capri only by boat and, once they arrive, are treated to breathtaking views, mysterious caves and awe-inspiring peaks. The most spectacular wonder on this tiny island paradise is the Blue Grotto, an ancient landing and tunnel that empties into a natural cavern. Sunlight, passing through an underground opening, reflects the bright blue seawater and illuminates the cavern.
Beneath the Aegean sun just off the coast of Greece lies Mykonos, an island so magnificent that it has long been a hot spot for the rich and famous. The capital, Hora, is a fishing village that welcomes everything from tiny boats to yachts to cruise ships. One of Hora's most visited districts, Venice, houses the island's sea captains and their charming white houses, blanched by the sun. Another of the city's districts, Castro, boasts the Church of the Panagia Paraportiani, a unique Byzantine architectural achievement that beckons visitors from around the world.
Allegedly the inspiration for Peter Pan's Never-Never Land, Eilean Shona has remained untouched by civilization for centuries. Visitors leave their cars and 21st-century technology behind, trading it in for secluded footpaths, jagged cliffs and breathtaking views. Several cottages on the island, available for a hefty price (if you have to ask, then you can't afford it), offer travelers and their pampered pets relaxation in absolute luxury. For those who tire of the isolation, a free ferry takes visitors every weekday morning (returning each evening) from Eilean Shona to the mainland, where they can eat at a tiny cafe, explore the various shops or simply take in the beautiful Fort Williams-area countryside.
Thirty miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket is an Atlantic paradise complete with ponds, salt marshes, white sand beaches and luxurious accommodations. Long considered a vacation spot for New England's elite, the island has recently gained a more accepting reputation. From art galleries to theater productions to sports activities, Nantucket today offers something for everyone.
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Whether looking for a spot in which to disappear or simply a
place to do a little sunbathing, the world's wealthiest travelers have
discovered some of the most breathtaking spots on earth. From the Aegean Sea to
French Polynesia to the North Atlantic coast, island paradises have become
popular escapes. Here are our picks for the most spectacular:
