Latest news with #islanddestinations
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Is the No. 1 Island in Europe—and No, It's Not in Italy or Croatia
Europe's best island destinations are perfect for travelers who want (as one reader put it) 'more than just a beach trip.' Sure, most of the winners this year are located in sunny corners of the Mediterranean, where there are plenty of gorgeous beaches, as well as rich history, wine tastings, and idyllic vibes. However, this year's list also includes further-flung archipelagoes known for their rugged landscapes, hiking trails, and hot springs. Read on to find out which European island destinations made the World's Best Awards in 2025. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below: Natural attractions/beaches Activities/sights Restaurants/food People/friendliness Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. Travelers on the island of Paros, Greece. Thomas Gravanis/Travel + Leisure As might be expected, the majority of our readers' favorite European island destinations are located in the sunny Mediterranean. And five of them—including this year's winner—are in Greece, a country with thousands of islands scattered across the Aegean and Ionian Seas. Italy, too, is home to multiple winners, such as Sicily (No. 10), Sardinia (No. 9), and the small island of Ischia (No. 2). But three winners on this year's list feel a world away from the Mediterranean and provide very different landscapes and experiences for travelers. Two Portuguese territories in the Atlantic ranked among readers' favorites, including Madeira (no. 4), where travelers sipped local wine and enjoyed the dramatic landscapes. 'If you like Kauai scenery, you'll like Madeira even better,' one reader wrote. Scotland also made an appearance in the rankings with the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides (No. 12), proving that sun-soaked beaches aren't necessarily on everyone's travel agenda. One reader described it as 'not overdeveloped and a gorgeous place to enjoy nature and peace.' Páros, Greece Swimmers and sunbathers on Paros, a Greek island. Thomas Gravanis/Travel + Leisure This Aegean isle has made the European islands list every year since we added the category to our 'World's Best Awards' survey. This year, it takes the top spot for the first time since 2020—and readers named Páros not only their favorite island in Europe, but also the best in the world. Survey respondents noted the freshness of the seafood, shopping options, natural beauty, and warm hospitality from locals. What truly set the destination apart, though, was the sheer diversity of things to see and do. 'More to explore than I expected,' wrote one reader. 'Surprises around every corner.' 1. Páros, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 96.50 2. Ischia, Italy Reader Score: 93.25 3. Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia Reader Score: 91.09 4. Madeira, Portugal Reader Score: 89.93 5. Mallorca, Spain Reader Score: 89.54 6. Crete, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.49 7. Milos, Greece Reader Score: 89.11 8. Azores, Portugal Reader Score: 88.89 9. Sardinia, Italy Reader Score: 88.22 10. Sicily, Italy WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.98 11. Malta Reader Score: 86.45 12. Skye and the Hebrides, Scotland Reader Score: 84.94 13. Santorini, Greece WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 84.67 14. Corsica, France Reader Score: 84.00 15. Mykonos, GreeceReader Score: 82.87
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Travel + Leisure
08-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
These Are the Best Islands in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas for 2025—and No. 1 Has 33 Pristine Beaches With Turquoise Waters
This year, Travel + Leisure readers' 25 favorite island destinations in the Caribbean, Bermuda, and the Bahamas demonstrate just how much cultural diversity you'll find in the region. From luxury resorts to ecolodges, beaches to mountains, tiny towns to busy cities, there's so much to see and do on the islands. Whether you want to park yourself on the beach or build a more active vacation around hiking or food tourism, this list has something for you. Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 180,000 T+L readers completed the 2025 survey. A total of more than 657,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.). Islands were specifically rated on the criteria below: Natural attractions/beaches Activities/sights Restaurants/food People/friendliness Value For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. White buildings along the coast of Anguilla. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure The top 25 islands this year span a huge area: The northernmost winner is Bermuda (No. 10), located in the North Atlantic, while the southernmost include the Dutch Caribbean islands of Aruba (No. 11), Bonaire (No. 17), and Curaçao (No. 8), all just about 50 miles from Venezuela. 'Bonaire is hard to get to but worth the trip,' one reader said about No. 15, also noting its clear-blue waters. Survey respondents praised St. John (No. 6) for its pristine national park, Dominica (No. 2) for its beaches and waterfalls, and Nevis (No. 21) for its 'outstanding food scene.' And while most of the islands on the list have populations in the tens of thousands, a couple winners are home to more than a million, like Jamaica (No. 14) and the Dominican Republic (No. 25). While many winners are island nations or territories unto themselves, some are part of larger archipelagos, meaning a few countries in the Caribbean and associated region claim more than one top island this year. The Bahamas comes out ahead with three, including the Exumas (No. 4) and Eleuthera (No. 5). The U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and the Spanish Virgin Islands—aka Vieques (No. 7) and Culebra (No. 24), part of the territory of Puerto Rico—each have two islands on the list. Anguilla Pristine beach at Zemi Beach House on Anguilla. Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure 'Anguilla is tiny but so beautiful and memorable,' wrote one T+L reader of this narrow, elongated island north of St. Martin, which has consistently landed in the top three reader-favorite islands in the World's Best Awards. This year, survey respondents were effusive about its luxurious hotels, plentiful and excellent restaurants, and 33 beautiful beaches (including Mead's Bay and Shoal Bay). Readers seem to agree that Anguilla is perfect for a laid-back vacation full of sunshine, delicious meals, and lounging. One survey respondent summed it up perfectly: 'The locals are friendly, the vibe is very relaxed, and getting around the island to visit the many different beaches is easy.' The locals are friendly, the vibe is very relaxed, and getting around the island to visit the many different beaches is easy. — T+L Reader 1. Anguilla WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 89.21 2. Dominica Reader Score: 88.89 3. St. Lucia Reader Score: 87.56 4. Exumas, Bahamas Reader Score: 87.10 5. Eleuthera, Bahamas Reader Score: 86.80 6. St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 86.70 7. Vieques, Puerto Rico Reader Score: 86.59 8. Curaçao Reader Score: 86.00 9. Turks & Caicos Reader Score: 84.93 10. Bermuda Reader Score: 84.59 11. Aruba Reader Score: 84.31 12. GrenadaReader Score: 84.17 13. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Reader Score: 83.85 14. Jamaica Reader Score: 83.83 15. Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands WBA Hall of Fame honoree. Reader Score: 83.45 16. Cayman Islands Reader Score: 83.38 17. Bonaire Reader Score: 83.35 18. Antigua Reader Score: 83.15 19. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Reader Score: 82.53 20. St. Bart's Reader Score: 82.50 21. Nevis Reader Score: 81.68 22. Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands Reader Score: 81.54 23. Paradise Island, Bahamas Reader Score: 81.36 24. Culebra, Puerto Rico Reader Score: 80.67 25. Dominican RepublicReader Score: 80.63
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
The most beautiful UK islands for a walkable holiday revealed including one with Caribbean-like beaches
Want to ditch the rental car and explore on foot this summer? Luckily, you won't have to travel far to do so, as these five stunning island destinations are the perfect locations for a walking holiday. 'Some of the most beautiful and rugged islands lie just off the UK mainland, offering the perfect setting for discovery on foot,' say the experts at HF Holidays, who picked the list. 'Each destination blends wild natural beauty, rich local culture and a real sense of escape, all just a short ferry or flight from home.' The Isle of Man A self-governing island between England and Ireland, the Isle of Man is officially one of the UK's prettiest spots for a walking holiday, according to HF Holidays. The experts say: 'Almost equidistant between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, the Isle of Man is a UNESCO Biosphere Region of fascinating history and phenomenal coast and countryside.' Their recommended walking route heads along the Raad ny Foilan (Way of Gulf) trail. Highlights include the 'winding streets of Castletown', the 'soft golden sands of Port Erin Beach' and a ride on the historic tram between Douglas and Laxey. Anglesey An island off the Welsh mainland's northwest coast, Anglesey is the ideal destination for birdwatchers. HF Holidays' experts say: 'The island boasts wild walking trails, sandy beaches and ancient castles. '[It's] renowned for being one of the best places in Britain for birdwatching, with thousands of rare bird species flocking to its scenic shores every year.' The company's recommended route includes a visit to picturesque Llanddwyn Island and the 19th century South Stack Lighthouse. Mull & Iona A pair of gorgeous islands in Scotland's Inner Hebrides, HF Holidays recommends combining visits to both Mull and Iona for a walking holiday. The experts explain: 'Adored for their breathtaking landscapes, rare wildlife, and peaceful feel, the stunning islands of Mull and Iona are located amongst the Inner Hebrides off the west coast of Scotland.' The company's trip gives holidaymakers the chance to explore the islands 'long after the day-trippers have left' and combines it with another island Staffa. Highlights on the route include Staffa's 'towering basalt columns' and the chance to spot sea eagles, whales, seat otters and seals. Isle of Wight A favourite of Queen Victoria, the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, is a dreamy spot for a walking holiday. 'The Isle of Wight tempts with golden sand beaches, rolling green hills, dramatic white cliffs, ancient woodland and charming seaside resorts,' say the HF Holidays' experts. While the island's beaches are sure to be a highlight for any walkers, the Isle of Wight has many other must-see attractions. Tourists can pay a visit to Queen Victoria's island home, Osborne House, which offers a spectacular glimpse into the monarch's life. Channel Islands HF Holidays recommend combining the Channel Islands, an archipelago off the coast of France. The experts say: 'Blessed with better-than-average weather than mainland UK, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm offer awe-inspiring coastal walks, white-sand beaches and seaside resorts fit to rival those found in Europe.' Highlights of a trip to the Channel Island include Herm's 'Caribbean-like Shell Beach' and exploring St Peter Port in Guernsey. Walkers will also get the chance to learn about Alderney's World War II past. If you're wanting an even longer walk, along the South West Coast Path, you'll be sure to see some stunning beaches. We recently revealed ten that will be featured in Gillian Anerson and Jason Isaacs' new movie, The Salt Path, out now.
