Island holidays are invariably associated with a completely carefree pastime. At correct there will be beaches, mountains, interesting historical buildings, and even volcanoes. We have selected ten islands from around the world where you can have a great time.
Santorini (Thira), Greece
The island of volcanic origin is well prepared for the influx of tourists, of whom there are always many. The infrastructure is well developed: there are centers for training in water sports, many cafes with local cuisine, nightclubs and, of course, beaches. Of the latter, Kamari and Perissa stand out in particular – the second beach is quieter and windless, it is better suited for family holidays. Besides them, the beaches of Akrotiri and Vlychada are popular.
There are many ancient architectural monuments here – if the beaches are not attractive, you can devote your vacation to visiting historical monuments. For example, in the Akrotiri nature reserve, archaeologists unearthed an ancient city that has been well preserved to this day. There is also the Monastery of Elijah the Prophet, built three hundred years ago, now housing a large selection of icons and religious items.
Greece is famous for its wines. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Santo Wines factory, where every step of the transformation of grapes into high-quality wine is explained in detail – of course, a tasting is included in the tour. There is also a wine museum near Kamari in Santorini.
Tenerife, Canaries
This is the most famous island of the Canary archipelago, owned by Spain. It is called the island of eternal spring because of its specific climate – it is always warm here, regardless of the time of year. In winter it is usually +20-25, and in summer the temperature is five to seven degrees higher.
In addition to beaches, Tenerife is famous for its beautiful volcanoes. The main one is Teide, which is translated from the local language as “the abode of the devil.” Its height is slightly more than 3.7 kilometers. You can take the cable car almost to the very top – from there you can enjoy an excellent panorama of the island. The second large volcano is Chinyero.
The artificial beach of Las Teresitas, more than a kilometer long, is interesting for its observation deck and crystal clear water. Among the parks, Loro Parque stands out, which is entirely dedicated to parrots. The park has grown, in addition to tropical birds, animals and fish live here, and some creatures are not at all local – for example, emperor penguins. If you want to experience a real jungle, go to Anaga – there is dense vegetation, massive trees and the constant chirping of birds. If the coastal water seems cool, check out the Siam Park water park. Among other things, there are many attractions and aquariums.
There is plenty of entertainment in Tenerife, you may not have time to explore everything. For this occasion, a Miniature Park has been built, where all the interesting places of the island are collected in scale copies.
Madeira
The autonomous region of Madeira within Portugal consists of two islands: Madeira itself and Porto Santo, as well as a couple of uninhabited corners of land. The islands can be visited at any time of the year – the climate is very mild, the temperature difference between winter and summer is only about seven degrees. The hottest month is September, the temperature reaches 26 degrees.
The best way to appreciate the beauty of the island is from the cliff of Cabo Girao – you can easily climb it, and a magnificent panorama will appear before your eyes. Madeira has first-class conditions for active recreation – there are interesting places for surfing and diving.
In addition, people often go to Madeira for wellness treatments: the island has several spa centers and seawater pools for body care. But the main attraction of Madeira is the Franciscan monastery, built in the 16th century, which still produces fortified wine according to ancient recipes. The guides will tell you in detail about the intricacies of the monastery winemaking.
Bali
To visit Bali, you do not need to apply for a visa in advance – it will be opened right at the airport upon arrival, and it will be valid for 30 days. If desired, it can be extended for another month.
You can refresh yourself after a long flight in the Tirta Empul spring – local residents believe that this water cleanses the soul. There is also a temple built in 962 and dedicated to the god Vishnu. It’s better to come here in the morning, because a lot of tourists and locals gather around lunchtime.
The island has the spectacular volcanoes Batur and Abang. They look completely different: Batur is dark gray, almost black, and Abarg is covered with greenery. You can climb to the very top of the first volcano. There is also a lake in which, according to legend, Devi Danu, the goddess responsible for rain in this region, lives.
Interesting excursions from local residents in Bali
Among the palace complexes, Ujung and Tirta Ganga deserve attention, they are built on water and are especially beautiful at dawn and sunset. The beauty of Ujungu is added by the landscape – the palace is surrounded by mountains.
Bora Bora
Vin Diesel’s hero in the action movie “Xxx” wanted to relax on an exotic island in the Pacific Ocean, and at the end of the film he succeeded. The place is located in the possessions of French Polynesia, approximately 240 kilometers from Tahiti. Due to the great distance from civilization, few tourists get to Bora Bora, and it’s very difficult to meet Russian-speaking vacationers.
Tourism here is very expensive, but the level is appropriate. To explore Bora Bora, it is best to book a day sightseeing tour.
Among the beaches, Matira stands out – it is a narrow strip of yellow sand located between tropical greenery and light blue water. If you wish, you can take pictures that are perfect for your desktop wallpaper. Tourists also highly rate La Plage – unlike quiet Matira, holidays on this beach are usually active, you can go water skiing and jet skiing.
There are many expensive boutiques in Bora Bora; tourists are especially attracted to pearl souvenirs. In a word, your vacation will be of the highest standard, but get ready for big expenses.
Easter Island
The island belongs to Chile, and it is one of the most remote places on the planet. About six thousand people live here. The island’s fame was brought by statues (moai) made of volcanic ash – according to legend, the strength of the descendants of the first king on this island is imprisoned in the statues. Nearly nine hundred statues have been discovered, created between 1250 and 1500.
Tourism is the main source of income on Easter Island. The territory is quite small – 166 sq. kilometers, it can be fully explored in four days, alternating between walking and traveling by transport. In addition to the volcanic statues, it is worth seeing the Rano Kau volcano and the quarry at its foot. This is where sculptors made moai hundreds of years ago.
Every February, a folklore festival is held in the village of Anga Roa. Residents dress in national costumes, dance and sing, organize canoe races and in every possible way entertain not only themselves, but also tourists. Apart from this festival, most of the interesting places and events are somehow connected with the moai. Unlike Bora Bora, there are no expensive hotels on Easter Island – local authorities strive to preserve the flavor of the island and believe that one should go here not for luxury, but for the remnants of ancient culture and untouched nature.
Galapagos
The archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is in the possession of Ecuador, but is located almost a thousand kilometers from it. The islands are quite cool compared to other tropical islands – temperatures are usually around 22-24 degrees. If you watched “In the World of Animals” with interest, then you should definitely fly to the Galapagos. The entire archipelago is a national park, it is home to a huge number of animals that are almost not afraid of humans.
There are various species of turtles, rare species of sea lions, conolophids and a host of other creatures that are unlikely to be seen anywhere else.
In addition to the various wildlife on the islands, it is worth seeing the Sierra Negra and Wolf volcanoes; the latter is the highest point (1707 meters) of the Galapagos.
Cuba
To travel to Cuba, as well as to Bali, you do not need a visa – you can live here for thirty days and extend the right to stay in this country for the same amount. There are many interesting places in Havana; for example, Old Square, where there are ancient buildings of the 17th-18th centuries. A walk along the Malecon embankment will show real Cuban life: young people playing instruments and dancing, someone hoping to catch fish, everywhere is noisy and very fun.
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when hearing the word “Cuba” is cigars. Stores will happily offer you many different varieties. And every year (at different times and in different cities) festivals are held where new varieties are presented and the features of their production are told.
Also check out the Ernest Hemingway House Museum in Havana. The writer lived here for twenty years. The interior decoration remained unchanged – it was in this environment that Hemingway wrote his stories. We also recommend visiting the Havana Club Rum Museum, which was opened in 2000. You can book a tour during which you will be shown all the stages of making rum: fermentation, distillation, filtration and aging. And on weekends, Cuban musicians and ensembles perform at the museum. And of course, here you can buy a bottle as a souvenir.
Palawan
The Philippine island stretches 425 kilometers in length. There are many jungles and forests, and a mountain range cuts Palawan into two parts. It’s almost always warm in Palawan – about 26-29 degrees, regardless of the time of year. But in May-December there is a rainy season, although precipitation is not very regular, it is still better to visit the island in the summer.
To the highest point of the island, Mount Mantaling (2100 m),
it is quite possible for unprepared tourists to climb. Not only will you appreciate the magnificent views, but you may also discover a new animal or plant – scientists regularly find species unknown to science here.
Puerto Princesa Underground River National Park will delight travelers with its diverse nature – there are nearly three hundred species of trees alone. But most of all tourists are interested in the river itself. You can take a boat ride along it; part of the river goes through a cave and then out into the jungle, which can only be crossed by water.
Among the architectural monuments, the Melville Lighthouse, which was built in the 19th century, stands out. You can climb to its top and look at the endless ocean, and in good weather you can see other islands.
Seychelles
The Seychelles has as many as 115 islands, but less than a third of them are inhabited, only 33. The largest island is Mahe, its area is 142 square meters. km. The climate is subequatorial, the average annual temperature does not fall below 27 degrees.
This is the only place where the Seychelles palm tree grows, the fruits of which weigh up to two dozen kilograms, but sometimes much heavier specimens are also found. From the animal world, Aldabra tortoises are of interest – they live up to 150 years. You can only see them on the island of Aldabra. And among the Seychelles islands there is Bird Island, where, as you might guess, many birds of all varieties live.
The Seychelles Morne nature reserve and tea factory are located on Mahe. Local varieties would be more correctly called tea drinks, since they contain vanilla, and mint, cinnamon and citruses are sometimes added to them. The guides will show you how tea is prepared, and in the factory store you can buy tea leaves and all additional ingredients. And before you buy, you can try different varieties completely free.
You can learn about the local culture in the artisan village, where craftsmen make various figurines, figurines, ship models and paintings.
Choosing a hotel won’t take much time if you look for it on OneTwoTrip.
You may be interested in:
13 small countries you need to visit
The most amazing places for swimming
