Islands are indeed a world unto themselves as they feature unique geography, wildlife and culture. As mentioned to BBC Travel, Julien Vaché, a business and technology consultant living in Amsterdam says, “Islands are my favourite destination. They always give you a special sense that they are a world of their own. Our anxious human nature feels somehow quieter when the hugeness of the cosmos is reduced to clearly palpable physical boundaries.”
But, what are the must-visit islands of the world? Here’s your guide answering questions often asked by the people.
Tristan da Cunha
The most remote inhabited archipelago in the world is 2,000km from the nearest inhabited land mass i.e. island of Saint Helena. Apart from its remoteness, the island is also beautiful for bountiful bird life, with 15 native species of breeding birds including albatrosses and rockhopper penguins.
Murano
Located 1.5km north of Venice, the island, Murano is the home to Italy’s world-famous glassmakers since 1291. At this time, craftsmen were forced from Venice for fear of fires. Ahn-Minh Do, an editor living in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam said to BBC, “I’ve been to quite a few islands in my day, with beautiful beaches, secluded palm trees, resort hotels… but Murano island takes the cake. It is the only beach I’ve ever seen made almost completely out of glass.”
Aogashima
A mechanical engineer from India described the island as “Jurassic Park-like natural fortress” having seen the crater walls rising up as high as 400m from the sea. This volcanic island also comprises of a smaller crater within, formed from a second, smaller eruption. The island is famous for the odd geography that is interesting enough and also the people living here in crater are strange.
Guernsey
The island is the hometown of Guernsey cows that produce some of the most delicious dairy in the world. These are also celebrated in the annual cow parade. During this time, locals decorate and paint cow mannequins in colorful and crazy ways. Shellfish like sea snails known as Ormers can be caught during the tides under the full or new moon from 1 January to 30 April each year.
South Georgia
South Georgia is fine tuned with impeccable scenery and historical tapestry along with the wildlife off the chain. With no land-based predators, the island supports the breeding of penguins, albatrosses and seals by the thousands. Therefore, visitors can get a close look to these nature creatures.
Source: BBC Travel and When On Earth
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