10 islands to see before you die

[Carolinadreamin']

http://www.cnn.com/2011/TRAVEL/02/22/bt ... tml?hpt=C2

I wonder how many I can see.......well I have one off this bucket list:



KEY WEST: Embrace Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville" utopia

Laid-back, beach-y living coupled with a flamboyant arts scene lends a one-of-a-kind appeal to this lowland island (peak elevation: 18 feet). Key West inspired Mississippi-born balladeer Jimmy Buffett, and it remains hallowed ground for his followers -- the "parrotheads" that roost here throughout the year and keep the mythical utopia of Margaritaville alive. Tennessee Williams, Harry S. Truman, and Ernest Hemingway were also seduced.

Defying easy categorization, Key West is capital of the Conch Republic, the tongue-in-cheek micro-nation created in 1982 by residents proud of their liberal lifestyle. Natural sand beaches are surprisingly rare here, but with the chance to snorkel above North America's only living coral reef and enjoy the company of a Technicolor collection of 400 species of tropical fish, it would be a shame to spend your beach time on land, anyway.

When you've dried off, head to Mallory Square to catch street performers during the daily Sunset Celebration. Follow it up with brews along the "Duval Crawl," a tour of watering holes in the early 20th-century buildings that line Duval Street. From there, it's a pleasant, 15-minute walk to the Grand Guesthouse (from $98, including breakfast). $$$

[Bfan53again]

Looking at that list, well, I've been to Key West and doubt I'll see any of the others.........

[dnw]

Looking at that list, well, I've been to Key West and doubt I'll see any of the others.........

ditto

[Rabbitz]

Can't say I agree with the list.

Bali? Really? Does the author not realise that is is so over-run with Schoolies (Australian for Spring Break I guess) and package tourists that there is nothing left of the magic?

What about Sav'aii in Samoa? Quiet, beautiful, amazing people and culture.
What about Espiritu Santo or Pentecost or Tanna Islands in Vanuatu? Diving, traditional villages and active volcano.
Or Waya Leilei in Fiji? Stay in the village and drink kava with the elders.

You see islands are like drinks. We all have our favourite, but not everyone will like your favourite.

[Bfan53again]

Can't say I agree with the list.

Bali? Really? Does the author not realise that is is so over-run with Schoolies (Australian for Spring Break I guess) and package tourists that there is nothing left of the magic?

What about Sav'aii in Samoa? Quiet, beautiful, amazing people and culture.
What about Espiritu Santo or Pentecost or Tanna Islands in Vanuatu? Diving, traditional villages and active volcano.
Or Waya Leilei in Fiji? Stay in the village and drink kava with the elders.

You see islands are like drinks. We all have our favourite, but not everyone will like your favourite.

Good point.....and, honestly, there aren't many islands I've been to that I didn't like! Just some more than others.....

[Carolinadreamin']

We toyed with the idea of going to Vieques.......not too hard to get to with it being so close to PR. I really want to go to Bora Bora. *Sigh* Someday........

The others.......I would need to do a little investigating........but Ed you're right.......I haven't been on many islands I haven't liked!

[Yorkshire Parrothead]

Done two. Been to Key West and went to Ischia by accident. From Naples ran for a ferry thinking it was going to Capri and landed up at Ischia. What a wonderful island - think the film Talented Mr Ripley with Jude Law could have been filmed there. Hopefully going to go to Ischia again this year.

[SAVANNAH BEE]

Well I've been to Key West many times and absolutely love it......Its probably the only place I'll
be able to afford in my lifetime....although the Galapagos Island and Bora Bora sound wonderful..
Those places don't seem to be in my budget...unless I win the lottery.....

[C-Dawg]

Off their list I've been to KW, Vieques and Ischia.....but my bucket list would be much different. I went to Vieques back in the mid 80's when I was in the Navy.....was beautiful, but think many of the outer islands in the Bahamas are just as beautiful. Ischia was nice, but I preferred Majorca in the Med. To each their own.

[sonofabeach]

At low tide there's this awesome little sandbar in the Matanzas River in St Augustine.
Drink enough PBR and it's suddenly a tropical island paradise....at least for a few hours

[conched]

At low tide there's this awesome little sandbar in the Matanzas River in St Augustine.
Drink enough PBR and it's suddenly a tropical island paradise....at least for a few hours

Yup!

[popcornjack]

I've been to one of the ten (y'all can guess which one.) Maybe I'll be lucky and hit a few more (always dreamt about the biodiversity of the gallapagos [or however it's spelled; tried four times] and the idols on Easter island.) But if my life ended tomorrow, my best islands were spent with my friends. Mostly in parking lot oasis, but when that moment comes, I've lived the best I can.

[IrishPirate]

I've been to one of the ten (y'all can guess which one.) Maybe I'll be lucky and hit a few more (always dreamt about the biodiversity of the gallapagos [or however it's spelled; tried four times] and the idols on Easter island.) But if my life ended tomorrow, my best islands were spent with my friends. Mostly in parking lot oasis, but when that moment comes, I've lived the best I can.

Love this!!!

[tigzoe]

I've been to one of the ten (y'all can guess which one.) Maybe I'll be lucky and hit a few more (always dreamt about the biodiversity of the gallapagos [or however it's spelled; tried four times] and the idols on Easter island.) But if my life ended tomorrow, my best islands were spent with my friends. Mostly in parking lot oasis, but when that moment comes, I've lived the best I can.

LOL! Whichever bar you are in needs to turn you off and send you home

[tigzoe]

If I can get out of KW, I might venture to others. But my white blood cells can't fight off the Key West Disease.

[Snowparrot]

Wow, I haven't been to any of them. Key West and the Galapagos are on my personal to-do list, and Easter Island would be neat. too.
But the others I've never even heard of!

[nutmeg]

I always thought I was pretty well traveled...especially to islands...but I haven't been to any of these

My personal top ten in no particular order: And likely to change with every trip I take since they all turn out to be "favorites"

St Vincent
St John
Virgin Gorda
Ireland
Big Island in Hawaii
St Kitts
Roatan
St Lucia
Mackinac Island
Ambergris Key

[Dr.Corona]

I always thought I was pretty well traveled...especially to islands...but I haven't been to any of these

My personal top ten in no particular order: And likely to change with every trip I take since they all turn out to be "favorites"

St Vincent
St John
Virgin Gorda
Ireland
Big Island in Hawaii
St Kitts
Roatan
St Lucia
Mackinac Island
Ambergris Key

You & Don Middlebrook doing the Great Lake State Proud!!

[chippewa]

That article was in the "Budget Travel" column? I guess the writer and I have very different budgets.

[nutmeg]

I always thought I was pretty well traveled...especially to islands...but I haven't been to any of these

My personal top ten in no particular order: And likely to change with every trip I take since they all turn out to be "favorites"

St Vincent
St John
Virgin Gorda
Ireland
Big Island in Hawaii
St Kitts
Roatan
St Lucia
Mackinac Island
Ambergris Key

You & Don Middlebrook doing the Great Lake State Proud!!

Tom and I have visited the island during the winter to go cross country skiing. It was just lovely that time of year. (Not many of us fudgies there...and no fudge )

Isle Royale is on my bucket list. Another Michigan gem.