Destinations

Virtuoso travel advisors share their top island getaways, from tropical havens to cosmopolitan escapes in the March/April Islands issue of VIRTUOSO LIFE.

1. Hawaii - The 50th state was hands down the most popular choice for tropical bliss, with Maui the top individual island. “Love the beaches, the people, the ambiance, the closeness to other islands for day trips, the sun, the golf, the food - I love it all.”
2. Tahiti - Running a close second was this South Pacific paradise, with Bora-Bora - and its overwater bungalows - receiving the most raves. “The color of the water is truly amazing, and the people are wonderful, very friendly and welcoming. I fell in love with Bora-Bora.”
3. Anguilla - “On this island in the Lesser Antilles, the people are beautiful on the inside, the beaches are beautiful on the outside, and the food is great too. I love Anguilla so much I’ve brought a boyfriend and two husbands here - not at the same time, of course.”
4. Saint Bart’s - “It has terrific beaches, amazing restaurants, great live music, and the local people are eclectic and fun. I love to stay in a villa with a pool and visit a different beach each day. It is also a perfect island for celebrity spotting.”
5. Vancouver Island - “It may not be tropical, but it has so many opportunities to experience nature: temperate rain forest, fjords, wild sea life, storms blowing in off the Pacific. It is one of the world’s most diverse, gorgeous places.”
6. Fiji - “It’s so remote and romantic. You can walk out of your beachfront bure and hop into the water for a swim or snorkel. The Fijians make a stay very special and are truly the most friendly and hospitable people on earth.”
7. Barbados - “What better combination is there than white sand and blue sparkling water? Add to that luxurious resorts with fabulous spas and golf courses, loads of colorful festivals, and sunken ships to explore by tank or snorkel, and there’s no reason to go anywhere else.”
8. Tasmania - “With a third of the island designated as national parkland, the unspoiled scenery is spectacular. From lakes to beaches and forests, you can hike, ride horseback, swim, fish, kayak, scuba dive, and spot wildlife. The island’s cool-climate wines are excellent, and Tassie has some of the nicest people you will find anywhere.”
9. Easter Island - “The peace and serenity of the place are overwhelming. The guides are fantastic, the food outstanding, the scenery breathtaking, and the people wonderful. The sky is so blue and the ocean even bluer. It’s a great place for couples or families.”
10. Nevis - “It’s the kind of place where you don’t need those few days to unwind. You can relax as soon as you arrive. A hammock on the beach is all I need, but there are guided hikes, golf and spa at the Four Seasons, plantation houses to visit or stay at, and a ferry that visits nearby Saint Kitts.”
11. Aitutaki - “One of the Cook Islands, Aitutaki is one of my favorite places on earth. You can walk in the knee-high water for miles, find conches the size of a sink, feel like you are alone, and totally rejuvenate.”
12. Bali - “The Balinese radiate a spiritual beauty. I love the emerald green rice paddies, the haunting music of gamelan, and watching the women balance stacks of fruit on their heads as they glide gracefully toward a Hindu ceremony at one of the mini-temples on the island.”
13. Bermuda - “There’s so much to see and do, with scenery, history, charm, and year-round temperate weather. Everything is clean, the people are gracious, and it has a great economy.”
14. Capri - “I love Capri for its great views and Italian charm. If you spend time here, you discover places that entice you to return. It’s wonderful to sit in the piazza and sip an espresso or wander the narrow streets. The pizza here is the best anywhere.”
15. Santorini - “This Greek isle is always at the top of my list, with is whitehead cliffside dwellings overlooking the most unusual shade of blue in the caldera. Spend the day sightseeing and shopping; come late afternoon, trek to the village of Oia to watch the sunset, then enjoy a dinner of fabulous local food, topped off with a little singing and dancing.

One month in Portugal is hardly enough time to actually see all the sights in this historic and beautiful country, rich in art, culture, nature, and delicious gastronomy.

We began our journey in the island of Terceira, Azores. Terceira is known for its world heritage city, Angra do Heroismo, rolling green hills, friendly people, and plenty of cultural celebrations in the summertime.

Being a native from Madeira Island, our next stop, gave us a chance to revisit the enchanted city of Funchal, overlooking the bay, surrounded by breathtaking views, tropical plants, bright flowers, and warm weather year round. Moreover, its neighboring island, Porto Santo, is well known for its golden and infinite sandy beaches.

From Madeira we flew to Lisbon, Portugal and drove to the center of the Alentejo region, to the city of Evora, where we visited Roman ruins dating back to 2 or 3 AD. We stayed in a exceptional hotel, Pousada Loiros, which is a converted convent that catered to the rich gastronomy of the region. We traced the walking paths of Evora, admiring the roman temple Diana, the historical Cathedral of Evora, many of its medieval buildings, and the impressive Capela dos Ossos.

Making our way down to the most southern part of the country, we finally arrived in Algarve, where we stayed at Vale do Lobo, near Almancil. This gave us the flexibility to wander through the beautiful small towns of the area, such as Loule, a tiny city tucked away in the hills, overlooking the picturesque ocean, and back down to the southern coast where the most beautiful beaches are in the natural reserve of Ria Formosa. Algarve is a great place to break from the busy life, to relax, enjoy the stunning beaches and golden rock formations that stand tall despite the centuries of erosion, withering away at them. At the most southwestern part of Portugal, Sagres stands in its historical majesty, where Prince Henry sent the Portuguese to embark on the discoveries of new worlds and opened the age of globalization.

To end our trip, we returned on the coastal highway to Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, built on seven hills and overlooking the immense Rio Tejo. Lisbon is a modern European metropolitan city, full of life, shopping malls, street restaurants, cafes, government buildings, historical monuments, and vibrating cultural diversity. Whether you are on a honeymoon, taking a graduation trip, or on a month sabbatical, Portugal is a country that has something for everyone. From old, historic cities, to busy municipal streets, from laid-back beach towns, to secluded forest-filled nature sites, spectacular islands, Portugal is a country that you must experience.