Not every island is a sunny beach destination where you go to crack open a good book, sip a tropical drink, and forget about the worries of home for a few days. Some of the most unique islands around the world are full of wildlife, culture, and things you can’t find anywhere else. Maybe they’re a little bit out there. Maybe they’re cold, or the beaches aren’t anything to write home about. But they’re worth exploring, and that’s what I love to do.
unique islands around the world
If you’ve followed me for a while, whether here or at The Girl With the Map Tattoo, you’ll know I love going to the end of the road. Some of my favourite islands are Scotland’s Shetland Islands and Outer Hebrides, and New Zealand’s Stewart Island. But there’s a great big planet out there, and there are a lot more unique islands around the world.
Despite the remote locations, Virtuoso travel advisors have access to unique, luxurious experiences and accommodations. Whether onboard a luxury expedition ship or in a luxury safari tent, no detail is left untouched.
Madagascar
Madagascar lies east of Mozambique and is home to 5 percent of the world’s wildlife and vegetation. It is also the world’s fourth-largest island. While the beaches are great, there is a diversity of terrain from rainforest to desert, and much of the flora and fauna are unique to the island. Of the more than 200 bird species, about half are found only on Madagascar. The island also has almost 20,000 plant species, including seven types of baobab tree. Lemurs leap from tree to tree, while chameleons cling to the branches, making for an entirely different kind of safari experience.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a tiny teardrop-shaped island off the southeastern tip of India. Following the end of its 30-year civil war, in 2009, Sri Lanka opened to tourism. Marco Polo called it “the finest island in the world,” and it yields treasures far beyond the many precious gems found in its soil. Sri Lanka boasts eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Its two dozen national parks are home to elephants, leopards, sloth bears and deer. As far as human contribution, Anuradhapura served as the capital for nearly 1,500 years. It remains a sacred site for Buddhists. Sigiriya, or Lion Rock, is an ancient rock fortress full of murals and gardens that was a revolutionary example of urban planning in the fifth century.
Taiwan
The seat of the Republic of China since defeat at the hands of the communists shortly after World War II, Taiwan has developed a unique culture that is a mix of aboriginal, Chinese, and Japanese elements. With nearly 25 million inhabitants, it packs about 1,700 people into every square mile. At 1,671 feet, Taipei 101 in the capital city briefly held the title of world’s tallest building. Now it’s struggling to remain in the top ten. Street food is the hallmark of Taiwanese dining, with tofu, rice, pork and vegetables all enjoying starring roles. Outside the city are temples in gorgeous natural settings reminiscent of a much older way of life.
South Georgia
There is a settlement with a couple dozen non-permanent human inhabitants at any given time on this island east of Tierra del Fuego and north of Antarctica. There’s even a church. But the main attraction is penguins. Tens of thousands of king, gentoo, and macaroni penguins share space with elephant and fur seals. South Georgia is also where Ernest Shackleton landed in a lifeboat on of one of the most harrowing rescue missions of all time after a wreck some 800 miles away, then hiked more than 20 miles to a whaling station for help. Not to worry, though, you’ll be safe in the hands of our Virtuoso expedition partners.
Faroe Islands
About 50,000 brave souls inhabit this archipelago between Iceland and Norway, and it’s assuredly not for the beaches. The Faroe Islands have been on my personal bucket list for awhile now and it’s easy to see why. An independent country in the Kingdom of Denmark (after a treaty with Norway in 1814), the Faroes play host to Europe’s largest puffin colony and dramatic waterfalls tumbling to the North Atlantic. There are several animal species that have evolved uniquely in isolation, such as the Faroe pony, strong as a horse but with a smaller stature, and the Faroe sheep. The friendly population has an interesting blend of Norse and Celtic heritage. They are fond of traditional saga-like songs accompanied by a dance known as kvaedir, some of which are hundreds of verses long.
Have you been to any of these islands? Do you want to go? Email me today to schedule a complimentary consultation! Not ready to leave the tropical islands behind? Pin this >>> for future reference!
