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The World's 10 Best Islands

Galapagos

Ecotourism rules in the Galapagos Islands, an archipelago of 13 major islands which became the geographical muse for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Ecuador's first national park, a former pirate's lair, is a virtual treasure trove for animal lovers with over 50,000 sea lions and 15,000 tortoises, including the Galapagos's legendary resident, a giant tortoise named Lonesome George who is thought to be the last of his species.

Maui

Earth, air, fire and water combine to create magical memories on Maui's 727 square miles, second in size only to the big island of Hawai’i. A bird's-eye view of Haleakala Crater, known as the "House of The Sun," can be enjoyed by helicopter tour, while the wonders of The Valley Isle's underwater world unfold at the Maui Ocean Center. On beaches across the island, sun worshippers soak up rays before immersing in the island’s culture with a luau, where ancient chants echo in the evening sky as guests dine on kalua pig prepared in an underground oven.

Vancouver Island

How about a quick trip to jolly old England? Watch a game of cricket. Dine on fish and chips. Shop for tartans. Sip tea and nibble on scones. Victoria, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, is North America’s most British city, from its Parliament Building watched over by a statue of Queen Victoria to its double decker tour buses to its shops selling the finest merchandise from the British Isles. Garden lovers shouldn't miss the city's Butchart Gardens, often cited as one of the world's finest. Outside the city, the island offers a full menu of adventures including sea kayaking, whale watching, salmon fishing, scuba diving, sailing, and more.

Cozumel

Cozumel, the largest island in Mexico, offers a harmonious blend of the past and present, with ancient Mayan ceremonial ruins and modern day sun worshipping on the white sands fringing the island. The inviting warm waters, reaching 80 degrees during the summer months, beckon beachgoers to dive in and be transformed into amateur Jacques Cousteaus, witnessing the beauty of the deep at the world's second largest coral reef. Visitors can toast their trip with a taste of Xtabentun, a Mayan honey liqueur made from the Yucatan’s xtabentun flowers.

Seychelles

The suggestive contours of the coco-de-mer, the nut of native palms in the Vallée de Mai, once led to the belief that Praslin, one of Seychelles’s 115 islands, was the Garden of Eden. Today modern Adams and Eves enjoy this secluded paradise with its white sand beaches, two of which are considered among the top in the world. In contrast, the largest island in the series, Mahé, is a melting pot of cultures blending the tranquility of its Botanical Garden and Beau Vallon Bay with an active nightlife scene, complete with discos and casinos.