Islands in the Sun

Ready for a trip to paradise? Five of the world’s best island destinations await.

Tahiti
Crete
Bermuda
Aruba
Kauai
 

Whenever I arrive on a warm-weather island, I instantly slow my pace and become attuned to “island time.” Perhaps it is the gentle breezes and the views of azure seas—or maybe it is that fact that there is nowhere to run off to other than the island itself—that helps me truly unwind.

With this in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the most idyllic islands worldwide: Tahiti, Kauai, Bermuda, Aruba, and Crete. These five islands abound with sheer beauty-sandy beaches, sparkling waters, and breathtaking scenery. Some, such as Crete and Bermuda, are full of historic treasures, while others, such as Kauai, Tahiti, and Aruba, have plenty of natural beauty to admire or explore by foot. Your Carlson Wagonlit Travel agent can help you find the perfect location for your island getaway. Whichever destination you choose, one thing is guaranteed—you’ll have a hard time leaving “island time” behind when your vacation is over.

Tahiti
Once you step foot in Tahiti, you will immediately see why this tropical paradise so inspired the artist Paul Gauguin. Tahiti is a relaxed state of mind and it lures those looking for a tranquil escape — painters, writers, honeymooners and vacationers — to its temperate shores year round.

Tahiti and its surrounding islands make up the country of French Polynesia, which lies in the South Pacific halfway between California and Australia. While there are 118 islands in French Polynesia, Tahiti is the largest and features a wonderfully varied landscape ranging from volcanic mountain peaks to sea level coral atolls. The crystal clear atolls make for some of the world’s best snorkeling and scuba diving. The mountainous interior, characterized by deep valleys, large fern trees and cascading waterfalls, is great for helicopter, hiking, or horseback riding expeditions.

For those looking to simply rejuvenate, Tahiti has plenty of white and black sand beaches. The island’s hotels are well integrated into the natural scenery and are either nestled onto hillsides, set above lagoons or even built over the water. If you are looking for sea breezes and lapping water to lull you to sleep at night, then ask your Carlson Wagonlit travel agent to recommend one of the many Tahitian hotels that feature full luxury bungalows built right over a turquoise lagoon. (Room service comes to you via a canoe!)

The arts have undergone a recent awakening evident in the many craft centers featuring native weaving along with wood and stone carvings. Mother of pearl is in abundance in Tahitian waters so make sure you save time to shop for this iridescent gem. Before returning home, visit the Gauguin Museum which pays tribute to the artist who captured the island’s beauty and spirit.
 

Crete
If you are looking for a bit of ancient history to delve into before or after swimming and sunning, then Crete is a great destination for you. This, the southernmost of the Greek islands, is known for its warm hospitality, sapphire waters, challenging hiking paths, and craggy mountains.

Crete’s rich history in philosophy, literature, and art is matched only by it’s friendly people and delicious food. The flavors of the Mediterranean come to life in the fresh seafood, fruity olive oil, and pungent cheeses of this tiny island. The sound of music and laughter is often heard on the streets and locals are always willing to share a glass of their favorite wine.

Since Crete is a very mountainous island, there are lots of options for hikers. Serious hikers will revel in the Samaria Gorge which, at 11 miles, is the longest ravine in Europe. The southern part of the island is more rugged and thus less developed while the north is dotted with charming towns such as Chania, nestled between the mountains and sea and home to a massive Venetian fort, and Agios Nikolaos, a thriving resort center with a lovely setting on Mirabello Bay.

Bermuda
Bermuda is a perennial favorite for its British flavor, pink-tinged beaches, and numerous golf courses. (There are more golf courses per square mile on Bermuda than anywhere else on earth!)

The island is also chock-full of history, evident in its well preserved buildings. St. George—the island’s main city— is dotted with narrow lanes and quaint flower-bedecked buildings best explored on foot. Designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO, St. George was created after the 1609 wreck of a supply ship en route to the colonial settlement of Jamestown, Virginia. Colonial reenactments at the ducking stool and stocks are held near the cruise ship dock and King’s Square, respectively. While Hamilton is St. George’s “younger” sister, it does not lack in historical significance. Since 1815, Hamilton has been the capital of Bermuda and the 1818 post office is still open for business. Within walking distance of the government buildings is Fort Hamilton, which affords great views of the city and harbor. Front Street, the hub of Hamilton, is brimming with high quality shops all painted in pastel hues.

Make sure you take a trip out to the West End, which is home to the Royal Naval Dockyard. While it was the largest British naval facility outside the U.K. when it was built in the early-1800s, it has since been transformed into a museum, crafts, shopping, and restaurant complex. This spot is also home to Dolphin Quest, an educational and interactive swim-with-the-dolphins site.

Of course leave plenty of time to enjoy Bermuda’s famous pink-sand beaches, including Horseshoe Bay Beach and Elbow Beach. Your Carlson Travel expert can recommend a resort with golf and tennis courts if you are interested in an active vacation.

Aruba
Deep in the heart of the Dutch Caribbean, Aruba boasts cooling trade winds, friendly people, and a European flair. The island’s main town of Oranjestad is characterized by charming pastel colored shops which look like they were transported from the Netherlands and are full of first-rate merchandise. Oranjestad glows with activity in the evening with harborside restaurants featuring plenty of al fresco dining and casinos that bustle with excitement.

The island’s sparse rainfall means you are practically guaranteed great weather for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Aruba calls itself the wreck-diving capital of the Caribbean, with more than 20 dive sites, including nine shipwrecks suitable for both novice and advanced divers. For those who prefer a less strenuous vacation, Aruba’s Turquoise Coast features a seven-mile stretch of sandy beach including the Palm Beach and Eagle Beach resort areas. The Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino is one facility, set amidst 14 tropical oceanfront acres. The resort recently underwent a dramatic $55 million transformation and features award-winning cuisine, two pools, a sugar-sand beach, Las Vegas-style casino, and a Guest Enrichment Program offering special extras like cooking classes, nature hikes, and language lessons.

Throughout Aruba, you will see plenty of the trade-wind twisted divi divi trees—known as a symbol for the island. If you’re a golfer, make a tee time at Tierra del Sol’s Championship PGA golf course, ranked fourth among the Caribbean courses by T&L Golf. With all these options, it is no wonder that Aruba consistently ranks high in both consumer and travel agent ratings—a real Dutch treat!

Kauai
Kauai is known as “Hawaii’s Island of Discovery”. With only three percent of the island developed, it certainly lives up to that name. Tourism has not compromised the island’s beauty nor have the more than 60 movies (including Jurassic Park I, II and III) that have been filmed on here.

Instead, there are plenty of pristine spots for you to explore by car, foot, or bicycle. The best known is Waimea Canyon, which stretches for 14 miles across the western end of the island and is known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Another not-to-be-missed spot is Na Pali coast which is crowded with spectacular 3,000 foot-high mountain cliffs that rise from the ocean. For those interested in wildlife, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a nesting site for rare exotic birds found no where else on earth.

Golfers in Kauai can take their pick of courses, including four of the top ten golf courses in Hawaii. With more beaches per mile of coast than any other Hawaiian island, Kauai can suite any style. Hanalei Bay Beach has the perfect waves for hanging ten, while those looking for something more gentle should try the tranquil waters at Lydgate Beach Park. Near Lydgate Beach is the oceanfront Radisson Kauai Beach Resort. This resort, set on 25 lush acres, is accented by cascading waterfalls, numerous pools, a full-service spa, and a nightly Polynesian dance and torch-light show.