Isla De Vieques - Puerto Rico
Isla de Vieques, is an island municipality of Puerto Rico in the northeastern Caribbean. Unspoilt beaches and wildlife are abundant on the island but what makes Isla de Vieques so special; Of the seven bioluminescent bays in the world, Puerto Mosquito is said to have the most impressive thanks to the clarity of the water found here!
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| A view of Vieques from the air |
Aside from the incredible bioluminescent bay, Vieques is home to a number of beautiful unspoiled beaches. When traveling there it is almost a crime to not visit Navio beach. We recommend renting a truck and driving down the dirt roads to isolated beaches with those amazing crystal clear blue waters. Park your rental under a palm tree and you may not see another person for the remainder of the morning.
Isla de Vieques is also famous for its feral horses, which roam free over parts of the island. These are descended from stock originally brought by European colonizers.
If you can find the Stonehenge in Vieques it is well worth the trip. There is an inexplicable collection of boulders in the middle of the island taught to have been created by the Taino people. One of Vieques most important discoveries the Ferro Man was found buried between the massive rocks.
Ischia - Italy
Ischia is a volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is Located at the northern end of the Gulf of Naples. The island for over 2000 years has drawn people to its thermal hot springs and volcanic mud which have been said to have curative properties.
The Castello (Castle) Aragonese was built on a rock near the island of Ischia in 474 BC. In 1441 Alfonso D’Aragona built on top of the ruins of the old fort. This fortified castle was used to protect Ischia’s population from pirate attacks which happened frequently until the 18th century.
The Gardens of La Mortella are in Forio-San Francesco. The gardens include wonderful views over the city and harbor of Forio. Originally the property of English composer William Walton, wonderful tropical and Mediterranean plants were planted in 1946 when he first reached Ischia, and some have now reached amazing proportions.
The Giardini Poseidon has been deemed the most beautiful thermal park in the world. The hydrothermal heritage of Ischia is one of the richest in the world. The thermal hot springs captured the attention of the ancients right from the beginning and for centuries now people have been bathing here to cure their illnesses.
Chiloé
Chiloé Archipelago is made of several different islands off the coast of Chile. The main island is Chiloé Island. Having evolved for centuries isolated from mainland Chile, the "Chilotes" developed a strong, self-reliant culture, rich in folklore, mythology and tradition. This very identity is what constitutes the island's major attraction for domestic tourists in Chile and increasingly, for international tourists.
To the west of the island of Chiloé is the Valdivian rainforest. The Abtao national park is inhabited by indigenous people, who manage the campsites which consist of their homes. No trip to Chiloé is complete without visiting the rainforest and tourists can only hope to see its monito del monte, Pudú, and kodkod.
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| Monito del Monte |
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| Pudu: the world's smallest deer |
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| The elusive Kodkod |
Penang - Malaysia
Penang, Malaysia enjoys a year round tropical climate. But this is not why you should go there, Georgetown, Malaysia's food capital offers a unique fusion of the different cultures that make up this beautiful island. This is also evident in Penang's unique architecture, a durable testament of its history with the British and immigrants that have come to call this island home.
Gurney Drive is a popular seafront promenade in Georgetown, Penang. The road is also one Penang's most popular tourist destinations, famous for the "hawker food" sold from food stalls. Enjoy a delicious melange of Malaysian, Chinese, Indian and European flavors. The most famous Penang dishes you must try are: Penang Laksa, Tai Burger Lor Bak, and Satay.
Penang National Park is on the northwestern end of Penang island. Its best features are the meromictic lake, wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, turtle nesting beaches, and Monkey Beach; named after the monkeys you will see loitering around! For the adventurous there are challenging hikes. For those just wanting to relax, the beaches are among the best on the island.
The Penang Botanical Gardens have the most beautiful cascading waterfall. The original gardens were established in 1884 from an old quarry site. There are many special species of both flora and fauna here most notably the cannonball tree, the rain tree seen right at the entrance, and playful monkeys can be seen scattered throughout the gardens.
Fort Cornwallis is an old star-shaped fort located on the northeastern coast of Penang. Fort Cornwallis is the largest standing fort in Malaysia. One of Penang's major attractions, this fort was built in 1786 and is considered an ancient monument and important historical site.
Iceland
Iceland is a European island country in the North Atlantic. Volcanically and geologically active, Iceland is home to the oldest geyser in the world as well as many volcanoes with an eruption once every 5 years. Iceland has been deemed one of the most beautiful 'natural' countries on earth.
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| The erupting "Great Geysir" in Haukadalur, it is also known as the oldest geyser in the world |
Swimming in the Blue Lagoon is one of those life experiences that will remain with you forever. The lagoon is Iceland's famed geothermal pool set among black lava fields just outside Grindavik and is easily Iceland's most photographed site. The geothermal seawater here is a warm 104F (40C) and has been known for its curative powers.
What is considered the greatest puffin show on earth is in August on the island of Heimaey in southern Iceland's Westman Islands. Puffins tend to exhibit amusing antics and maneuvers both in the air and on land. Perhaps it is this combination of beautiful colors and funny behavior that make them so lovable. If you are traveling to Iceland in August, a little to side trip to Heimaey is well worth it.
Cove Nautholsvik in Reykjavik is a sandy thermal beach and a sheltered, heated lagoon. The water temperature of the lagoon usually is between 18-20°C, and 30-35°C in the hot spots. Walking and jogging paths stretch right along the shoreline, the perfect place for a fun filled family day.
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