Island-Sity

The food there is very tropical and island-like but it’s very good. One thing you might like are the chillies you get here. They are so hot and the ‘chilliest’ that you have got to get some back home. Trust me, they are nothing like what you’ve eaten before.

If you are a water person, Maldives is the place to be. Snorkelling or diving are fun options.

Reef and wreck diving are the experiences to kill for. They havediving schoolswhere you can avail of courses on diving. It’s something I would recommend to all.

Shopping is definitely not the highlight of the place. The closest place is Male and if you would need to buy anything you must go there.

Every resort has its own vegetation and one resort in every island who is reponsible for everything from the sewage to the food. The best part is, you get to learn so much from the people here as they go about explaining the history and topography of the place.

If you’ve got the adventurous streak in you then this is the place to be in. They say you don’t see that much life on earth as much as you get to see withing 15 minutes of being underwater.

Sharks, star fishes you name them and you have it here.

How about an underwater eating experience? Eight meters under the water there is this restaurant where you can actually sit and dine as you watch the fish. An experience on its own for sure!

Island hopping is something one should definitely try since one island does not look like the other, plus one is never enough so every time it is like you’re visiting a new place.

The accomodation is unique and spa treatments (after a day of diving and underwater experiences), are something you will look forward to.

The highlights of the drive to the coast are the pineapple motifs – symbols of welcome in the Caribbean – that decorate homesteads of all shapes and sizes.

Some mornings will feel muggy and overcast, with not a jot of turquoise water in sight. But then the ocean gets its curtain call, and at 8.30am precisely, like magic, a broad strip of greeny blue starts to ring the sandy coastline and a navy line frames the horizon.

Minimalists might love the smooth, clean lines of Half Moon Bay, an off-the-beaten-track expanse of white sand on the Atlantic east coast, the windward side of the island, where there’s plenty of wave action.

If you prefer to soak up the local vibe, then head to Pigeon’s Point Beach at Falmouth Harbour, which flies below most tourists’ radars – the residents like to keep this one to themselves. This beach has shade, gentle waves, golden sand, picnic tables and a pier for perfecting your diving. When you get hungry head to Bumpkins for a feed of grilled shrimp washed down with a banana pina colada.

Ffreys Beach, to the west , is a work of art, with sculptural pieces of driftwood sunken into the sand, while Jabberwock Beach, to the north, is a kite- and windsurfers’ dream, even if it is untidy by the island’s standards. If sunloungers are crucial to your seaside experience, then Dickenson Bay, on the northwest coast, is for you.

As a holiday destination, Antigua is compact and easy to get around. It takes 45 minutes to drive across, or you could hire a bike or dune buggy and explore the island one beach at a time. Temperatures remain between 25 and 30 degrees, and warm trade winds will keep you feeling breezy.

The only thing to do on this island is “lime” – Creole slang for relaxing and enjoying nature in all its salty glory. Oodles of charters offer you the chance to get on the water, snorkel and nature watch. Pelicans drop to catch fish, and there’s a wealth of sea life to see while snorkelling, from the coral of Cades Reef to barracuda and, if you’re lucky, a turtle.

A day trip to Antigua’s other half, Barbuda – a smaller island that, with uninhabited Redonda, makes up the state of Antigua and Barbuda – is a ferry hop away. If you think the beaches on Antigua are special, then Barbuda’s empty pink sands will really thrill your toes.

Antigua is one of the world’s big sailing destinations – sailors account for up to one in 10 tourists. The 43rd Antigua Sailing Week takes place from April 24th to 30th. Last year Adrian Lee, a Dubliner, and his team won the first Antigua Ocean Series.

And you can’t talk about the Caribbean without referring to its pirate past. The Wexford pirate Anne Bonny sailed these waters with Calico Jack, the 18th-century English buccaneer.

Named but not explored by Columbus in 1493, Antigua was colonised by the British in 1632, after which it became a strategic port. Slavery and the sugar trade cast long shadows, and remnants of sugar mills dot the hillsides.

Carnival is an annual event on the island. Held in the last week of July and first week of August, it features calypso, soca and 20th-century steel-drum and iron bands. If you’re really in the mood, J’Ouvert is a pre-dawn party that starts at 4am on Carnival Monday.

As well as sugar mills, the island is dotted with forts the British constructed to protect the island from invasion. Nelson’s Dockyard, built to repair ships locally, is the world’s sole remaining Georgian dockyard; it has marinas, a museum and two heritage-style hotels.

For kids there’s Pirates of Antigua, a mini-cruise on which you might have to walk the plank; Stingray City, where you can feed and swim with these large fish; and snorkelling in some of the clearest waters in the Caribbean. There’s also SubCat Antigua, which offers underwater excursions through spectacular coral reefs, with a chance to see snapper, barracuda, stingrays and angelfish without getting wet.

Back on dry land, the Thursday barbecue at Shirley Heights Lookout is a weekly highlight that offers all of the above as well as views across the island.

And when the rum goes to your head and you start to feel homesick, grab a locally brewed Guinness to compare and contrast. At more than 7 per cent alcohol, this brew is export strength.

Antigua is a sold as a destination for couples – honeymooners in particular. But it’s selling itself short. It’s also a great place to take children. The best-value options for families are all-inclusive resorts, but make lunch a picnic and explore all this beautiful island has to offer.


Where to stay

Jolly Beach Resort. 00-1-268-4620061, jollybeachresort.com. One of the few three-star resorts on the island offering all-inclusive packages, with kids’ and teens’ clubs, non-motorised water sports, a hammock club and nightly entertainment.

Hawksbill by Rex Resorts. Five Islands, 00-1-268-4620301, rexresorts.com/_caribbean. Another three-star family- friendly all-inclusive option.

If you prefer a more authentic experience, then stay in one of the small hotels, inns or resorts on antiguavip. com. These include the charming Copper and Lumber Store Historic Inn, in Nelson’s Dockyard. Or book a villa through caribrepvillas. com or paradisepropertiesltd.com.

Where to eat

The Backyard Bar. Sir Vivian Richards’ Street, St John’s. The bar is, as the name suggests, in the owner’s backyard. It has a Caribbean-Spanish flavour, with conch fritters, pork ribs and simple burgers hot off the coals on Friday nights and Saturdays.

Dennis’s Bar and Restaurant. 00-1-268- 7285086, denis.ipage.ag. See the sun go down at this bar on the hill between Ffreys Beach and Little Ffreys. Bag one of the bluffside decks, suck on a cold Carib beer and enjoy shrimp salad as you watch another perfect day come to an end.

Saturday is barbecue day in Antigua, with a number of vendors setting up shop on the side of the road. They sell conch water (a seafood soup), goat water (a goat stew) and pepper pot (the national dish). For seafood try Parnham Corner, a lunchtime eatery in the north, on the corner of the Parnham and Factory Road intersection, or Carvella’s Cook Shop, at Crabbe Street in Crabbe Hill village, in the west of the island. Wash the meal down with coconut water served in the shell.

Where to go

Shirley Heights Lookout Restaurant and Bar, 00-1- 268-7280636, shirleyheights lookout.com. On a clear day you can see Guadeloupe, to the south, and Montserrat, with its volcano smoking, to the southwest. The barbecues here on Thursdays and Sundays are an Antiguan institution.

Tropical Adventures. 00-1-268-4801225, tropicalad.com The only way to appreciate all Antigua has to offer is from the sea. Tropical Adventures will take you to visit the nearby island of Barbuda. Aboard a catamaran you eat lunch, stop to snorkel and tour the Frigate Bird Sanctuary.

Caribbean Helicopters. 00-1-268-4605900, caribbeanhelicopters.com. If you’re feeling adventurous, take a helicopter day trip to smouldering Montserrat and see Mother Nature at her most destructive. Caribbean Helicopters’ 45-minute flying tour of Montserrat over Soufrière Hills volcano costs $240 (€175) per person.

But in Aruba, contact Harley Davidson Tours for a four-hour guided ride past the lighthouse, Frenchman's Pass, Casibari Rock Formation, Baby Beach and some beautiful scenery. Mountain bikes and ATVs can be rented for island sightseeing as well.

Wear a bright color and spend a few hours at the Butterfly Museum. This mesh-enclosed man-made jungle offers many species of butterflies in various stages of life, many will land right on your shoulder. This is a fascinating guided tour. Be sure to bring your camera. Buy one entry ticket and return to the museum as often as you like for the remainder of your vacation.

Hike through one of Aruba's many caves. The Fontein Cave has Arawak Indian drawings on the ceilings. Walk around the Ayo Rock Formations and take in the serene beauty of this sacred site.

Bird enthusiasts can utilize the lookout tower at Bubali Bird Sanctuary to see many migratory birds. Then head to the Donkey Sanctuary where volunteers have erected a home for the island's donkeys.

Tour the Fort Zoutman/Willem III Tower, also known as the Historical Museum of Aruba.

Learn to salsa dance with Aruba Salsa and its professional instructors.

Hike, ATV or drive a Jeep to the Natural Pool, where you can refresh yourself in a calm, serene natural rock-formed pool. The ride there will jar your teeth, so you might want to hire a guide. There are steep slopes to the pool, so be cautious. Take your goggles and snorkel while enjoying the sea life.

“Beach destinations remain incredibly popular with travelers right now,” says T+L A-List agent Kimberly Wilson Wetty; they’re “great for the time-starved couple who needs a mini-escape and perfect for families with kids.” Best of all, that perfect beach getaway whether it’s an exotic island hideout or a nearby home away from home—doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

We found 40 amazing spots ranging from $75 to $250 a night.Beachside Bed & Breakfast on Folly Beach, S.C. There are just four quirky rooms here, including a private bungalow with vintage mahogany furniture. Another trend among beachgoers: requests for private spas and plunge pools. “Especially with honeymooners, people are looking for that extra bit of privacy,” Johnson explains.

Thailand’s Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort, located on Phuket Island’s lively Rawai Beach, has 78 suites that come with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies, six with private plunge pools.If getting away from it all is your number one priority, check out some of our super-remote beach destinations. At Barefoot at Havelock, on India’s Havelock Island, you’ll find 19 secluded cottages—though you might have to share the ocean with Rajan, the resort’s resident elephant.

Fortunately, you don’t have to fly 20 hours (travel time from Los Angeles to India) for a little bit of beach paradise. Case in point: L.A.’s Hotel Erwin, with 119 super-modern rooms just 200 feet from the Pacific; or the Riviera Hotel at Miami’s South Beach, where 54 roomy suites face the ocean. And in the warmer months, the Northern Atlantic spots are just as enticing: the Surfside Cottages of Wellfleet, Cape Cod, or Long Island’s retro-cool East Deck Motel at Ditch Plains beach. Whether you’re looking for something on the pebbled strands of a quaint French fishing town or near the azure waters of Aruba, read on: your perfect beach vacation awaits.

The crystal waters that abound in marine life comprises over 400 species of fish, 90 species of coral, 4% of which is unique to the Island. Both visitors and the community are committed to the protection of its fragile and unique environment.

Lord Howe is the perfect place for nature-lovers, adventure seekers and romantic getaways. It is a paradise with serene opal lagoons, shallow warm ocean, pristine beaches, perfect golden sands, secluded bays. The Island has a spectacular underwater topography of trenches, caves and volcanic drop-offs. One of the Island’s icons, the majestic Ball’s Pyramid – the largest monolithic sea rock in the world – is part of the same undersea ridge called the Lord Howe Rise.

Lord Howe Island has a plenty of land and water based activities for you to enjoy. Expirience guided and self-guided bush treks, fish feeding at Ned’s Beach, bicycling, bird watching tours, cruising around the Island, kayaking, fishing, reef walking, snorkelling and scuba diving, or just laying around in a world class world heritage environment. Visit the palm nursery, Lord Howe Island museum,play 9 holes on the most picturesque course in Australia. And to ease tired muscles, there is a choice of spa treatments.

A mere 280 people are lucky enough to call the Island home. Lord Howe Island allows only 400 visitors at any one time which means you can have your very own little piece of this exclusive paradise. Lord Howe Island is not a ‘resort’ island: almost all the accommodation is owned and operated by islanders and ranges from self-catering cottages and apartments, to traditional guesthouses through to boutique luxury lodges. Lord Howe is less than two hours by air from Sydney or Brisbane.

A visit to Acadia National Park provides opportunities for outdoorsy adventures and abundant wildlife viewing -- it's a stellar destination for biking, rock-climbing, kayaking, and horseback riding. Among one of the park’s more superlative features is rocky Cadillac Mountain, which at 1,528 feet is the highest natural point on the Eastern Seaboard.

5…Get Your Bearings

Making the most of your time at Acadia doesn't require a ton of advance planning. The park is easily accessible via the 20-mile Park Loop Road offering dozens of viewpoints and pull-offs, and the well-stocked Hulls Cove Visitor Center (at start of Park Loop Rd., off Hwy. 3 just north of Bar Harbor, 207-288-3338, $20 for 7-day vehicle permit in summer, $10 for 7-day vehicle permit in spring and fall, www.nps.gov/acad) provides plenty of resources, including an orientation video and a 3-D topographical map display. Keep in mind that most park facilities and the Park Loop Road close from December through mid-April. At the visitor center you can also pick up a map of the park's 45 miles of gently graded, gravel carriage roads (closed to motorized vehicles), which traverse some of the most magnificent peaks, valleys, and forest glades in the park. Carriages of Acadia (207-276-5721, www.carriagesofacadia.com) offers horse-drawn carriage tours on these graceful lanes flanked by large blocks of granite, called "coping stones."4…Sail Down EastWith Acadia National Park surrounded by water in every direction, boating is a logical and scenic way to explore. A number of guided sailing and paddling excursions leave from the town pier in Bar Harbor (corner of West and Main Sts.), including trips with Bar Harbor Whale Watching Tours (207-288-2386, Baker Island tours $43, www.barharborwhales.com). In addition to whale- and puffin-viewing cruises, the company offers four-hour, naturalist-led trips aboard the M/V Miss Samantha to one of Acadia's most remote and fascinating sections, Baker Island, which is guarded by a stately 1828 lighthouse.

You can also paddle your way around the park's shoreline on one of the expeditions led by National Park Sea Kayak Tours (800-347-0940, half-day tours $48, www.acadiakayak.com). Half-day trips leave in the morning and afternoon and navigate the gentler, more secluded western waters surrounding the island -- including Western and Blue Hill bays. You'll commonly see osprey, blue heron, harlequin ducks, and gray and harbor seals right from the kayak. The national park service also offers a variety of ranger-narrated group cruises (www.nps.gov/acad/planyourvisit/boatcruises.htm.)

3…Behold the Surf and Sand

Thunder Hole, a dramatic inlet off Park Loop Road, just south of Acadia's Sieur de Monts Entrance, is the ultimate perch from which to observe nature's wrath. Here the crashing surf pounds against a terrace of granite ledges and jagged geological formations, producing awe-inspiring waves and, as the name suggests, thunderous roars. A path with guardrails leads to a surf-splashed viewing area. Exercise caution and stand back from the edge during stormy spells. Last summer three park-goers were swept into the ocean, and one drowned.

Conversely, just a short stroll north of Thunder Hole, you'll find sheltered Sand Beach, an idyllic spot to laze away one of Maine's occasionally sultry summer afternoons, although the area is perfectly scenic in spring. While Maine isn’t known for having much of a swim season, the intrepid may wish to brave the chilly waters that lap this popular crescent of golden sand.

2…Break for Ice Cream or Afternoon Tea

Just outside the park entrance in picturesque Bar Harbor, Mt. Desert Island Ice Cream (7 Firefly La. and 325 Main St., 207-288-5664, $4, www.mdiic.com) handcrafts some of the most luscious frozen treats in this land. This is high-butterfat, top-quality ice cream that comes in both expected (blueberry, cookies-and-cream, peanut butter) and eyebrow-raising (cinnamon-cardamom, Indian pudding, chocolate wasabi) flavors. Dairy thrill-seekers might should sample the, eh, distinctive Neato Doritos ice cream which is, yes, laced with bits of genuine Doritos.

You'll find a far-more traditional, but not less enticing culinary option within the park boundaries: The Jordan Pond House (Park Loop Rd., about four miles south of the turnoff to Cadillac Mountain, 207-276-3316, $11 to $21 lunch entrees, www.jordanpond.com) has been a refined venue for lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner for more than a century. Tried-and-true seafood classics, such as steamed lobster and shellfish chowder, are the hallmarks of this rustic spot with enormous fieldstone fireplaces on the inside and romantic seating outside on the gracious lawn overlooking Jordan Pond and "the Bubbles," a pair of gently sloping twin mountains. Don't leave without sampling one of the restaurant's famous popovers (try them filled with ice cream and covered with chocolate sauce for dessert).

1…Enjoy a Bird's-Eye Perspective

After a day of exploring Acadia's serpentine shoreline and quaint carriage lanes, head for the 1,532-foot granite-dome summit of the park’s Cadillac Mountain; a winding road just south of the mountain climbs 3½ miles to the top, where a level ⅓-mile loop trail affords sweeping panoramas in all directions. Immediately to the east you'll see Bar Harbor's palatial summer homes, dapper downtown, and sailboat-dotted waterfront. Look farther out across Frenchman Bay and you can see the Schoodic Peninsula, where a smaller section of Acadia National Park is accessed from Hwy. 186, a 45-mile drive from Bar Harbor (but just a few miles across the water as the crow flies).

A smaller parking area off the summit road provides access to a flat rock outcropping that provides exceptional views to the south and west, toward the diminutive seaside villages of Northeast Harbor and Southwest Harbor, the rise of 1,071-foot Bernard Mountain in the park's western reaches, and -- in the distance -- the southernmost section of Acadia National Park, Isle au Haut, which you can visit only by boat. Ferry service carries passengers to this pristine, isolated island from Stonington, about a 65-mile drive southwest of Bar Harbor.

Located in the Haa Alifu Atoll in the absolutely gorgeous Maldives archipelago, this private island is a haven of peace and tranquility. The Island Hideaway also boasts the first Marina in the Maldives that was designed by Walcon Marine, a well-known Marina Builder.

The private island Dhonakulhi is lush and verdant, fringed by sugary white beaches and sapphire lagoon. The crescent-shaped private island is unique in its reef formation and home to coconut trees and banana trees. The boutique resort’s private villas are sprinkled across this dreamy paradise, affording guests a private and luxurious escape.Private Island getaway at The Island Hideaway in the Maldives.

The Island Hideaway is a luxury resort with a supreme collection of the latest amenities and unparalleled attention to detail. Sprinkled around the island are two Hideaway Palace 3-bedroom vacation rental palaces, five Jasmine Garden Villas on the beach with private pools, twenty Dhonakulhi Residences on the beach with views of the ocean and Jacuzzi splash pools, two Hideaway Water Suites in the lagoon, seven Raamba Retreats on the beach and seven Funa Pavilions on the beach.

The Island Hideaway Palaces are the epitome of luxury vacation rentals in Maldives. The Hideaway Palace includes five private Villas surrounded by private infinity pools that invoke the sensation of floating on water. The Hideaway Palace includes three bedroom villas, an indoor dining pavilion, an outdoor Alfresco Dining pavilion, a pantry pavilion and a Maldivian Swing Pavilion designed for those steamy Indian evenings listening to the sound of waves lapping over the powdery shores.

Each of the villas and private residences on the private island offer hand-made Teak furnishings, custom-made mattresses, inviting day beds and lounges, state-of-the-art entertainment centers and airy, stylish layouts.

The Hideaway Spa by Mandara invites guests to indulge in a Private Island getaway at The Island Hideaway in the Maldivesmenu of treatments and therapies inspired by the incredible surrounding Indian Ocean. The spa includes two Lagoon Spa Pavilions with ocean views, private steam showers, lagoon access and double treatment room. The four Spa Land Villas offer open-air double treatment rooms, steam rooms, two-person baths and a private outdoor relaxation area. The Hideaway Spa was specially crafted to ensure that guests enjoy a truly relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

If guests ever leave their private villa sanctuaries, there is a plethora of activities for people to explore the gorgeous private island. Diving, cultural excursions, desert island retreats, water sports, tennis, fitness, volleyball and a children’s club are only a few of the many activities offered to all guests at the Island Hideaway.

On a Caribbean island. This mix makes Cozumel one of Mexico’s most unique destinations, offering a hard-to-find vacation duality.

The jewel shaped island lies just 19 kms. off of the Yucatan coast, and measures 29 miles ( 47 kilometers) long and 10 miles (15 kilometers) wide. Its jungle-clad interior and ivory white beaches are girdled by one of the most spectacular ensembles of coral reefs in this hemisphere. The island’s limestone shore is surrounded by temperate, crystal clear waters which range from stunning turquoise to deep indigo.

The climate on the island is warm year around with an average temperature of 81 F (27 C). Heavy rains start in June and go on through October. It is a possibility that rain can fall everyday, but the usual duration of a shower is brief. Expect high humidity during the rainy season. The humidity levels are lower November through May, with an occasional cool evening. However, because it a tropical climate, the weather can change from one day to the next.

The westward side of the island is calm, and is ideal for swimming, diving or just relaxing in the sun. This part of the island is also the most developed with banks, markets, shops, restaurants and hotels. The eastern side of the island is more secluded, with very few people living there and little activity. There are some calm beaches with clear emerald green water. There are at least 20 live reefs so close to the shore, it makes snorkeling and diving a must. The island also has it’s share of Mayan ruins hidden in the jungles that can be explored by car, bike or foot.

The area’s diving and snorkeling are legendary. Following a 1961 documentary by Jacques Cousteau, Cozumel earned a world-wide following of divers who ranked it one of the top five scuba diving and snorkeling sites on the planet. The island’s surrounding sea is teeming with undersea life, colorful reefs, and the slumbering hulls of Spanish galleons.

For non-divers, the island has something for everyone. Sightseeing includes over 35 archaeological sites (only a few of which are accessible and worth seeing), and the charming village of San Miguel de Cozumel. The town is a collection of cafes, restaurants, and attractive boutiques. It encircles the main plaza, and extends several blocks along the city’s breezy seaside promenade.Nature lovers come to Cozumel to see giant see turtles laying their eggs (May to September) and to observe the island’s variety of exotic migratory bird life. Visitors are only a 40 minute ferry ride from the incredible Tulum Corridor region of the Yucatan Peninsula, brimming with hidden beaches, secluded resorts and archaeological treasures. Large numbers of day trippers from Cancun and cruise ship passengers sometimes overtake the city proper, only to retreat a couple of hours later. This is when Cozumel really shines, as the island’s bountiful man-made and natural attractions can be leisurely explored.