The Azores, Portugal
Isolated in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Azores, a Portuguese island chain unknown to most Americans, feels remote but is actually closer to the U.S. than any other point in Europe. Each of the nine volcanic islands—from main island Sao Miguel to the tiny isle of Corvo (population: about 400)—exudes a distinct character. But all of the islands are rooted in Old World charm and offer plenty of ways to experience local culture and the outdoors. Feel the spray from the world's biggest mammals on a whale watch, hike up calderas to pristine crater lakes, or go spelunking though extinct lava tubes. Just be sure to make time to savor the local cuisine, which prides itself on wine, artisan-made cheeses, and seafood from the islands' rich ocean waters.
San Andres, Columbia
Want old-school Caribbean without all the resorts and glamour? Then San Andres might be for you. Part of an island chain in the Caribbean Sea about 435 miles from the Colombian mainland, San Andres boasts a rich native Raizal culture with English, Dutch, African, and Spanish influences. Locals, especially in the small village of La Loma, still converse in Creole and maintain traditions such as making handicrafts from coconut and totumo wood. The favorite island dish? Rondon, a stew made with fish, yucca, plantains, and dumplings (or "domplines"), all simmered in coconut milk. The outdoors is the main draw for tourists, though. On land, visitors can circle the island by scooter, while stopping to explore hidden coves or feel the sway of coconut palms. San Andres' seahorse shape hints at what lies beneath its waters: a fish-filled coral reef that is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Summer Isles, Scotland
A cafe. A post office. And a handful of snug holiday cottages. What more do you need when you truly want to get away? In the Summer Isles, a little-known archipelago of mostly deserted islands in the Scottish Highlands, crowds and modern life are out and rugged coastlines and pristine beaches are in. The largest and only inhabited isle, Tanera Mor, offers the only bit of civilization while still feeling remote. The isle doesn't have roads and it can't accommodate more than 35 people, but what it does have are hundreds of acres of bogs and peat-covered slopes, abundant wildlife, and plenty of inspiration for aspiring artists and writers. If a short stay isn't enough, consider the role of island keeper. Rumor has it that Tanera Mor is up for sale.
Summer Isles, Scotland
A cafe. A post office. And a handful of snug holiday cottages. What more do you need when you truly want to get away? In the Summer Isles, a little-known archipelago of mostly deserted islands in the Scottish Highlands, crowds and modern life are out and rugged coastlines and pristine beaches are in. The largest and only inhabited isle, Tanera Mor, offers the only bit of civilization while still feeling remote. The isle doesn't have roads and it can't accommodate more than 35 people, but what it does have are hundreds of acres of bogs and peat-covered slopes, abundant wildlife, and plenty of inspiration for aspiring artists and writers. If a short stay isn't enough, consider the role of island keeper. Rumor has it that Tanera Mor is up for sale.
Chiloe, Chile
The Chilean archipelago of Chiloe, near Puerto Montt at the northern edge of Patagonia, beckons with misty landscapes and ancient lore. Local Chilotes, known for their hospitality, will stir your imagination with tales of witches and ghost ships. The biggest island, Isla Grande de Chiloe, is home to seaside villages lined with colorful palafitos, wooden houses on stilts, and dozens of shingledchurches. And although Charles Darwin spent some time here, many tourists have not. The national park on the island's western edge remains untouched, with miles of beaches and temperate rainforest and vast stretches of rolling farmland and forest, all of which make Chiloe an ideal spot forgeotourism and agritourism. On the water, sail or kayak around the other islands, and spot penguins nesting in the colony that is home to both Magellanic and Humboldt species.
With no cell-phone reception and a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit (for the few allowed cars), Lord Howe Island, off the eastern coast of New South Wales, epitomizes island time in Australia. It's a short bike ride across this seven-mile-long island, so you'll have plenty of time for snorkeling at Erscott's Hole or hand-feeding large fish at Ned's Beach. The isolated volcanic island is located at the crossroads of five major ocean currents, and as home to the world's southernmost barrier coral reef, it's a diver's haven, boasting more than 90 species of coral and 500 species of tropical fish. It's also Australia's top bird-watching destination, with breeding grounds for colonies of endemic rare birds such as the Providence Petrel and the flightless Lord Howe Island Woodhen. Due to its near-virgin forest and biodiversity that rivals the Galapagos, Lord Howe is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 75 percent of the island is preserved.
With no cell-phone reception and a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit (for the few allowed cars), Lord Howe Island, off the eastern coast of New South Wales, epitomizes island time in Australia. It's a short bike ride across this seven-mile-long island, so you'll have plenty of time for snorkeling at Erscott's Hole or hand-feeding large fish at Ned's Beach. The isolated volcanic island is located at the crossroads of five major ocean currents, and as home to the world's southernmost barrier coral reef, it's a diver's haven, boasting more than 90 species of coral and 500 species of tropical fish. It's also Australia's top bird-watching destination, with breeding grounds for colonies of endemic rare birds such as the Providence Petrel and the flightless Lord Howe Island Woodhen. Due to its near-virgin forest and biodiversity that rivals the Galapagos, Lord Howe is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, and 75 percent of the island is preserved.
Hasil Nukilan Emiey Cadbury
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