And Now For Something Completely Different… Gilligan’s Islands!
As previously mentioned, Jill and I have a dream! We DESIRE to capture idyllic memories on the lesser known islands, being one with the natives, enjoying their simple approach to life and love.
With that, we offer a few options, all with their own personality traits. Enjoy!
Off the coast of northern Sicily, you’ll find this Aeolian gem and its picture-perfect whitewashed buildings covered in fuchsia bougainvillea and its narrow, romantic lanes made for strolling. The island is car-free, so you’ll only be passed by golf carts, electric bikes, and three-wheelers (not Big Wheels). Where to stay? The Hotel Lisca Bianca, with its rooftop sushi restaurant and striking views of the ocean from its blue-tiled terraces. What to do? During the day, explore the island’s caves by barca (boat) and cool off with some granita (the Itlalian version of a slushy) at Bar Del Porto. In the evening, head over to Da Pina restaurant to partake of octopus salad, eggplant gnocchi, and branzino al cartoccio con agrumi (sea bass baked with zesty oranges and lemons). Off course, one must complete the festivities with Sicilian vino at the family-run Trattoria da Paolino.
Mention Fernando de Noronha to any naturalist or ecologist and they’re sure to know all about this unique and under-the-radar archipelago—it’s one of the most fiercely protected natural environments in the world. Due to conservation efforts, only 420 tourists are permitted to visit at any one time, so you’ll want to make your travel plans soon if you’re to be one of the lucky ones. Stay at the Pousada Maravilha, a charming hilltop retreat offering five bungalows, an infinity-edge pool, and panoramic views of the island’s incredible landscape. The prize in this adventure is found in its rich marine life. Be sure to pack the snorkeling gear and head to Baía dos Porcos for the chance to glimpse turtles, stingrays, and whales. The end of this amazing day calls for a spicy bowl of octopus, shrimp, and lobster stew at Ecologiku’s, where guests dine on plastic picnic tables… in the garden of the chef’s house.
Off the coast of Italy, out in the middle of the Mediterranean, the quiet and impossibly green Gozo takes its place in a chain of islands that make up the Maltese archipelago. It is composed of rural fishing villages and idyllic bays. You’ll be temporarily residing at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz with its modern luxuries in the traditional countryside village of San Lawrenz. For an authentic Gozitan meal, the family-run Ta Karolina on the Xlendi waterfront serves up platters of local cheese and fish that precede main courses such as thyme and rosemary braised lamb shank and rabbit marinated and fried in garlic and prune sauce. Don’t make the scale angry by enjoying hikes around Dwejra Bay.
An overwater bungalow is the ONLY way to stay at OUR FAVORITE and sparsely populated (as well as blissfully undeveloped) Filipino gem. The thatched roofs of the Apulit Island Resort more than suit our calling. The resort’s cottages stretch out in a line through the turquoise surf of Taytay Bay, just as the island of Palawan itself reaches almost to Malaysian Borneo. Though most visitors bed down in the gateway city of El Nido, the real culinary scene is found in Puerto Princesa thanks to locally-favored spots like the bamboo-shaded La Terrasse. No matter where you are in Palawan, you MUST partake of the various outdoor activities such as hiking, diving, and island-hopping! Lastly, do yourself a favor and reserve a day to paddleboat to the limestone karst-landscape that is the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River. It. Is. A. Must.
Santorini. Mykonos. Crete. Greece is home to 227 inhabited islands across the Aegean and Ionian Seas, yet these three steal the spotlight every time. Skip the crowds for Skopelos, just an hour ferry ride from Skiathos, where you’ll find unspoiled coastline, charming blue-roofed tavernas, and Byzantine-era monasteries. Rent a private villa with terraces overlooking the cerulean Aegean at Adrina Resort & Spa (no, you cannot stay indefinately). Skopelos Town’s terracotta-tiled buildings house romantic garden restaurants like Perivoli and joints like Antolia, where locals come to listen to live rebetika music. On the northwest tip of the island, the quaint village of Glossa offers the best vistas, especially at Agnanti, whose cliffside deck serves Greek classics of kleftiko (leg of lamb) and stifado (beef stew).
The twin islands of St. Kitts & Nevis pack a one-two punch of postcard-perfect beaches, mountainous coastlines, and relaxed Caribbean cultures. But in lumping the two together (they’re technically one nation), Nevis gets overshadowed by its larger sister island. Despite its petite size, this colonial beauty has plenty to its name, starting with the Four Seasons Resort Nevis and its three infinity pools, cabana-style accommodations, and wraparound verandas all resting at the base of Mount Nevis. During the day, mosey around the botanical gardens at the Montpelier Plantation & Beach or brush up on the history of Nevis’ sugarcane industry and the life of Alexander Hamilton (it’s his birthplace) at the Museum of Nevis History. At sundown, follow the torch-lit path up to the plantation-style Bananas Bistro & Art Gallery, which is tucked away in in the palm gardens of Hamilton Estate, and pair a passionfruit martini with the local catch of the day.
Looking for a nearby escape that feels far-flung? The sleepy isle of Culebra, 20 miles east of Puerto Rico, is just the ticket. While its sister Vieques takes the attention, Culebra is adored for its ten untouched beaches, lush wildlife preserves, and the tiny town of Dewey. The canary-yellow cottages at Club Seabourne serve as your ground-zero by Fulladoza Bay. From here, hit the crescent-shaped shore of Playa Flamenco to snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish, before noshing on Puerto Rican street food like pinchos, chicken kebabs and alcapurrias (fried plantain stuffed with crab or beef) at the beachfront shacks. Still hungry? Zaco’s Tacos dishes up mean pork belly, seared tuna, and carne asada tacos topped off with a hibiscus margarita.
While tourists flock to the Canary Islands, the Portuguese Azores remains a remote locale. The archipelago is Europe’s answer to Hawaii. Each of the nine islands has a low-key vibe and a rugged landscape to match Kauai, all but in price. On the main island of San Miguel, the two best places to sleep are Quinta do Mar, an inviting B&B in the hills along the coast, and Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, an upscale resort next to the botanical gardens. Once can experience the island’s nature via whale and dolphin watching tours, hiking the hydrangea-lined path to the jade Sete Cidades caldera, or swimming under jungle-like waterfalls and soaking in hot springs at Caldeira Velha. For nourishment, try some petiscos (Portuguese tapas) and white. Our favorites include the no-frills fresh fare at Mané Cigano (think hearty portions of fried mackerel and grilled octopus), the tasting menu sourced from Quinta dos Sabores’s organic garden, and the slow-cooked cozido (meat and veggie stew) at Tony’s. Polish it off with a mojito and live music at Arco 8, a hybrid art gallery, performance space, and café.