#inspirisles

#inspirisles

"New York isn't real. This is real," says Jon Krogh, emphasizing the contrast between urban life and the rawness of nature in Greenland. He believes that city life is a fantasy, where people work for money that doesn't exist outside their imaginations. The experience at Nomad Greenland aims to reconnect visitors with the reality of the natural world.

The bothy on the Ben Damph estate, constructed from the ruins of an old black house, features two rooms warmed by log burners and stunning views over Loch Torridon.

Jost Van Dyke brims with a bravado that would make even a pirate proud, home to the renowned Soggy Dollar Bar, birthplace of the famous Caribbean cocktail known as the painkiller.

Bebe, the white-winged parakeet, measures around six inches and has become an internet sensation after a video showed him exploring underwater in a custom-built submarine.

"It's not exactly a dream vacation to come and be harassed by mosquitoes," says Hervé Bossin, director of the medical entomology laboratory at Tahiti's Institut Louis Malardé.

San Sebastián, the capital of La Gomera, served as Christopher Columbus's provisioning point in 1492, with historical sites like the Columbus House Museum and Torre del Conde nearby.

These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.

Visiting only one island limits the experience in the Maldives, as the archipelago consists of nearly 1,200 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Island-hopping is essential to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of the region.

Located within the Maddalena Archipelago National Park, Rosa dei Budelli is one of the Mediterranean's most closely protected beaches. Its pale pink hue, created by microscopic organisms mixed with crushed coral, has made it famous, but access is tightly regulated. Visitors may arrive only by boat and must admire the shoreline from designated areas offshore.

For a true sense of freedom and escape, nothing quite compares with an island getaway. Whether it's island hopping in Greece, exploring a Scandinavian archipelago by kayak or simply getting on a ferry to the Isle of Wight, we'd love to hear about your favourite European islands. The best tip of the week, chosen by Tom Hall of Lonely Planet wins a 200 voucher to stay at a Coolstays property the company has more than 3,000 worldwide.

When retirement approaches, many start to wonder where they want to spend their golden years. Some might be most comfortable in the familiar surroundings of their hometowns, but others envision themselves in an idyllic location-one that offers beaches, sunshine, palm trees, and a laid-back vibe. Whether the goal is to reduce expenses and live comfortably on a fixed income or to spend retirement in luxury among beautiful scenery, some tropical spots are perfect for seniors.

Santa Teresa on Costa Rica's Pacific coast is a favorite among surfers and traveling professionals because of its long beaches and relaxed atmosphere. The town offers several coworking spaces and cafés with reliable internet, which makes remote work easier. The area is accessible via Tambor Airport with onward road and ferry connections to larger cities. Accommodation prices range from budget hostels to luxury villas. The local community is international, and the abundance of healthy restaurants and yoga studios contributes to a comfortable and productive stay.

Rock iguanas once roamed freely across the islands of Turks and Caicos. Spotting one today, however, requires a bit of planning-and a boat ride. After centuries of hunting and the introduction of predators, the reptiles suffered a steep population decline and were classified as "critically endangered" in the 1970s. Today, things are looking slightly better for the green lizards, and in 2020, their classification was upgraded to simply "endangered." But that doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing for the iguanas.

As a collection of over 7,000 islands spanning 13 sovereign island nations and more than a dozen dependent territories, there's always a new cove or cay to uncover. Recent years have seen the Caribbean's popularity boom among British holidaymakers, too, with areas including the British Virgin Islands and Jamaica reporting record visitor numbers in 2025.

Svalbard was ranked as the least crowded island in Europe, according to retreat booking platform BookRetreats.com, which looked at tourism patterns across Europe's islands. The study, which drew on European Commission data measuring overnight tourist stays per square kilometer, found Svalbard boasted just 2.4 overnight stays.

South Carolina islands have palmetto trees growing alongside ferns and pines. Georgia's barrier islands, including St. Simons and Jekyll Island, boast diverse landscapes made up of beaches, marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. And Texas islands, with their shallow bays and seagrass meadows, are home to extensive wildlife.

Easily accessible from major U.S. cities, the Exumas remain refreshingly uncrowded, making them one of the Caribbean's true hidden gems, at least for now. As the wealthy look for privacy in paradise, and the world's most sought-after resort groups like Aman and Rosewood prepare to plant their own flags there in the coming years, everyone seems to have their sights on the Exumas.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.

I recently returned from my fifth trip to French Polynesia-specifically, Bora Bora-and I remain convinced it's the most beautiful place on earth. Since I first honeymooned there in 2010, every trip back feels just as awe-inspiring as the first: impossibly turquoise lagoons, powder-soft sand, Instagram-worthy overwater bungalows, and underwater scenes that are almost too magical to be real. But here's something else about this kind of paradise: It's remote.

Despite decades of jokes and occasional bad publicity, cruise vacations are more popular than ever - just ask the tens of millions of Americans who take one every year and together represent more than half of all annual cruise travelers. Today's ships are massive, complex affairs backed by giant corporations and celebrity commercial sponsorships, all commanding big money. And while to the uninitiated, a ship may just seem like any other ship, experienced cruisers increasingly understand that unique offerings make all the difference.

Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.

Close enough to island-hop to nearby St. Lucia and Dominica but worlds away in terms of language and customs, Martinique offers a distinctive Caribbean experience. The French overseas territory is greatly influenced by its European counterpart; residents speak French, the euro is the official currency, and outdoor bistros in the capital city of Fort-de-France mimic those of Paris. Many residents speak Creole, too-a nod to the island's rich West African heritage, which is on full display during the annual Carnival season.

From walking gently through Kotor's ancient streets to building a soulful, high-end life abroad, this guide blends mindful travel with smart expat strategy.

So when my family and I touched down in an 18-seater plane on Mustique's airstrip, I was expecting to find a place with the high-touch sheen of private island resorts elsewhere in the region: a celebrity chef-driven restaurant, perhaps; a ritzy beach club; or a boutique selling designer swimwear. But Mustique isn't about five-star bells and whistles-not on the surface, at least.

Long before Turks and Caicos was the backdrop for bikini-clad influencers, Kardashians on catamarans, and Netflix dating shows, my family purchased a condo on its main island, Providenciales. This beachside escape from my already beachy hometown of Naples, Florida, was a welcome respite from the intense crowds that flocked to the Gulf like a pack of seagulls on a stray French fry.

The winter season was once the time of the year when travelers would flock to the Caribbean to escape the cold-but that's not the case anymore,