Unspoiled and isolated, hidden islands are vacation bait for anyone
with escapist tendencies. Protected from crowds and the stress of
modern life, these retreats will allow you to become one with
nature, soak up local culture, and live in paradise. So go ahead
and become a castaway for a day or two. Here are 10 secret
places—from the mysterious North Atlantic to the warm waters of the
Indian Ocean—where you can completely surrender to island
time.
Azores,
Portugal
Isolated in the North Atlantic
Ocean, the Azores, a Portuguese island chain unknown to most
Americans, feels remote but is actually closer to the U.S. than any
other point in Europe. Each of the nine volcanic islands—from main
island Sao Miguel to the tiny isle of Corvo (population: about
400)—exudes a distinct character. But all of the islands are rooted
in Old World charm and offer plenty of ways to experience local
culture..
San Andre,
Colombia
Want old-school Caribbean without
all the resorts and glamour? Then San Andres might be for you. Part
of an island chain in the Caribbean Sea about 435 miles from the
Colombian mainland, San Andres boasts a rich native Raizal culture
with English, Dutch, African, and Spanish influences. Locals,
especially in the small village of La Loma, still converse in
Creole and maintain traditions such as making handicrafts from
coconut
Summer Isles, Scotland
A cafe. A post office. And a handful
of snug holiday cottages. What more do you need when you truly want
to get away? In the Summer Isles, a little-known archipelago of
mostly deserted islands in the Scottish Highlands, crowds and
modern life are out and rugged coastlines and pristine beaches are
in. The largest and only inhabited isle, Tanera Mor, offers the only bit of civilization while
still feeling remote.
Chiloe, Chile
The Chilean archipelago of
Chiloe, near Puerto Montt at
the northern edge of Patagonia, beckons with misty landscapes and
ancient lore. Local Chilotes, known for their hospitality, will
stir your imagination with tales of witches and ghost ships. The
biggest island, Isla Grande de Chiloe, is home to seaside villages
lined with colorful palafitos,
wooden houses on stilts, and dozens of shingled
churches.
Lord Howe Island,
Australia
With no cell-phone reception and
a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit (for the few allowed cars), Lord
Howe Island, off the eastern
coast of New South Wales, epitomizes island time in Australia. It's
a short bike ride across this seven-mile-long island, so you'll
have plenty of time for snorkeling at Erscott's
Hole or hand-feeding
large fish at Ned's Fish.