Some tourists like to relax on sparsely populated islands, where foreigners are rarely seen. However, most travelers prefer the beaten track, albeit noisy, but with a developed infrastructure and many attractions.
Here top 10 best islands to travel in 2018selected based on Condé Nast Traveler readers' polls. Only islands outside the United States participated in the vote.
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10. Cayman Islands, Caribbean Sea
Turtle Farms, excellent diving and snorkeling, the opportunity to swim with stingrays - all this is offered to jaded tourists by the Cayman Islands. However, in many reviews they write that there is nothing to do on these islands for more than two weeks, it becomes boring.
It also hosts the Pirate Festival every year, during which pirates of the Caribbean seize the streets, make noise, shout, but, fortunately, they operate not in the houses of ordinary townspeople, but mainly in drinking establishments. During the festival, grandiose fireworks are held, costume contests (including children's ones), and street dances are organized. The festival will take place in November, the exact date in 2018 is still unknown.
9. Bali, Indonesia
Although the active volcano Agung threatens with a powerful eruption on the east side of Bali, unaffected parts of the island continue to thrive. Oceanfront villas, hotels and spa pavilions, surfing, diving and other water sports have all been renowned for the island for years.
And masters from all over the world come here (specifically, to the city of Ubud) to show their art. Therefore, the number of handicrafts and craft workshops in this city is simply amazing. Another feature of Ubud is the Monkey Forest, in which the local tailed inhabitants are already so used to visitors that they only react to those who have a treat in their hands.
Rostourism asks Russian tourists to take into account the danger of the volcano, monitor information about it, and follow the instructions of local authorities. And when the threat disappears, Bali will once again become one of the most tourist-friendly islands on Earth.
8. Turks and Caicos Islands, Atlantic Ocean
These islands (there are 30 of them in total) have all the conditions for a holiday that will be remembered for a lifetime: a pleasant tropical climate, magnificent nature, beautiful sunsets and even more beautiful sunrises and clear water. There are no storms and no rocky shores.
Most of the hotels and places for entertainment are located in the largest city called Providenciales. However, for misanthropes there are individual tours to small uninhabited islands. You can get to them either by helicopter or by boat.
Tourists note that prices on the islands are very high due to the lack of their own production. Products are delivered by air from the mainland.
7. Saint Barthélemy, Caribbean
This small island is full of expensive boutiques and shops.Once upon a time one of the Rockefeller clan acquired land here, and other businessmen followed him to St. Barthélemy. In 2009, Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich bought the house of David Rockefeller, and now there are many Russian rich people on the island.
The island's atmosphere is imbued with luxury and glamor. There are few beaches here, but they are all public and very clean. It is customary to sunbathe on them.
There are not many people on the island, for which tourists love it, preferring to meet their own kind as rarely as possible.
6. Bermuda, Atlantic Ocean
A pleasant temperature - 29 ° C on average, sunny weather, beautiful coral reefs, manicured botanical gardens and many coves with pink sand and blue water make Bermuda one of the branches of Paradise on Earth.
Some of Bermuda's most famous landmarks include the Crystal Cave and Bermuda Aquarium, located within Hamilton, Queen's Square and Somers' Gardens in St. George, and the 85-meter St. David Lighthouse on Ordnans Island, connected with St. George's little bridge.
Bermuda will host eight major sailing events from March to July 2018, including two new regattas.
5. Mykonos, Greece
One of the best islands for tourists, according to readers' reviews, Condé Nast Traveler does not boast an abundance of greenery. Its strengths are its huge number of beaches and amazing architecture. From a distance, it looks like snow has fallen on Mykonos. However, upon closer inspection, it turns out that the snow-white buildings give the "snow effect".
There are many churches on the island (they are also snow-white). The Church of Our Lady of Paraportiani, the oldest in Mykonos, stands apart among them. She can be seen on all travel brochures.
This Greek corner is also called the "Island of the Windmills". There are only seven of them left, but on all the other islands of the Cyclades group there are only 20 mills out of the previous 600 left. They have long been not used for their intended purpose, and serve either as bars, or museums, or monuments.
4. Mallorca, Spain
A mild climate, ancient Moorish architecture, an abundance of greenery, warm water, coves with golden sand, comfortable hotels - these are the main advantages of a vacation in Mallorca. This island is also famous for a huge number of caves with stalagmites of extraordinary beauty. Some of them are available only for group excursions, but in some, for example, the Arta caves, you can come on your own. And enjoy a music concert accompanied by impressive special effects.
The visiting cards of the island's capital - Palma de Mallorca - are the Belvedere Castle and the Cathedral.
3. Palawan, Philippines
The Palawan archipelago consists of the main island of the same name, which is surrounded by about 1800 small islets. On the island of Palawan is the city of Puerto Princesa, famous for its crocodile farms and underground rivers. There is a National Park of the Underground River, where you can admire the richest variety of Philippine fauna and flora.
And if your goal is to get a good tan, then pay attention to the El Nido Nature Reserve with its beautiful secluded beaches, clear turquoise waters, lush mountains and magnificent sunsets. The reserve consists of 45 islands (mostly uninhabited), between which you can move by boat. There are special boat tours for tourists.
2. Cebu, Philippines
In second place in the ranking of the best islands to relax in 2018 is the place created by Mother Nature for lazy idleness.
Uncrowded and clean beaches, an atmosphere of calm and serenity - what else is needed for happiness? Is that diving, shopping (according to reviews of people who have visited Cebu, branded goods are cheaper here than in Russia), delicious, albeit spicy, Filipino cuisine and excursions with a Russian-speaking guide, of which there are many.
Those interested in religion are advised to visit the Small Cathedral of the Infant, which houses the icon of the Infant Jesus Christ, as well as the cross that Magellan erected after arriving on the island.
1.Boracay, Philippines
Boracay is loved by tourists for being "the closest thing to the tropical idyll found in Southeast Asia."
This island was once a Mecca for budget tourists from the USA and Europe. Hippies, backpackers and other lovers of the easy life were regulars of Borokai. This continued until the 1980s, when the first hotel was built on the island.
Since then, Boracay, with its white beaches, exotic nature, good hotels and a variety of excursions, has always been a success among tourists. However, this place cannot be called noisy, it is ideal for those looking for tranquility and relaxation after the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.