When we think of islands, very often we think of the quintessential picture-perfect tropical island: white sand beach, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear water gently lapping at the shore. But there are a staggering number of islands on this planet. They come in sizes large and small, busy and modern or nearly undiscovered, in varying climates and topographies. This week on BootsnAll, we’re exploring some of the diversity of islands around the world, including the islands of Finland and the coastal towns and islands of Croatia. Week 7 of the Indie Travel Challenge 2012 is all about island traveling, too. In the past, we’ve featured plenty of island-related articles here on BootsnAll – there’s no shortage of island lovers out there, or (it seems) island topics to discuss. We’ve learned about islands that are slowly on their way to disappearing, American islands you’ve probably never heard of, hopping around the world island-style, how to pick which Italian island or Virgin island is right for your vacation, and we’ve even asked why the word “paradise” seems synonymous with beaches for so many people. What do you think makes islands so appealing from an indie traveler’s standpoint? Do you have a favorite island to which you escape – physically or mentally – when you need a break from the real world? When you [...]
There’s just something intriguing about islands – there’s an element of isolation, of “getting away from it all,” (unless you pick one of these most crowded islands on earth!) and of romance in visiting an island. When many of us think of an island vacation, a few images come to mind: white sand beaches and blue waves, boats bobbing out at sea, palm trees waving in the breeze, the bright sun above and a cold drink in our hand. But of course, this idyllic scene only applies to tropical islands. Sure, when it comes to warm weather vacations (especially during the Northern Hemisphere’s cold winters) a tropical island vacation may be ideal. But there are countless other islands – each with its own special appeal – that don’t conform to this stereotype. They may all be surrounded by water, many (though not all) might have been formed by volcanic activity, and several have retained strong cultural traditions thanks to a long history of isolation, but it when it comes to the thousands of islands scattered around the world, the similarities end there. Some islands have extreme temperatures and some are temperate all your round. Some are remote and unspoiled, others are urban and accessible. Some are arid, some have jungles, some are filled with farmland and some are still quite [...]
Much of the US may be experiencing sweltering heat lately, but that hasn’t stopped us from thinking about escaping to the islands. At least there we’d get away from the baking sidewalks and hot exhaust of the city; we could even cool off from the heat with a dip in the ocean or a fabulous pool! This week we’re exploring the many islands of the world. First up, we’re checking out some amazing – and unknown to many – islands right here in the US. Then we’ll head to Hawaii to discover a few adventures that are not on most tourist’s radars. From there, we’ll check out some of the best islands of the Atlantic Ocean, and then explore the different worlds that exist on each of the Canary Islands. Read more about islands around the world: Excellent Small Islands You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Around the World in 7 Lesser Known Islands Remote Islands in the World Italian Islands: Choose the Best One for You 8 Small and Beautiful Italian Islands Photo by Chi King
When we think of islands, very often we think of the quintessential picture-perfect tropical island: white sand beach, swaying palm trees, and crystal-clear water gently lapping at the shore. But there are a staggering number of islands on this planet. They come in sizes large and small, busy and modern or nearly undiscovered, in varying climates and topographies. This week on BootsnAll, we’re exploring some of the diversity of islands around the world, including the islands of Finland and the coastal towns and islands of Croatia. Week 7 of the Indie Travel Challenge 2012 is all about island traveling, too. In the past, we’ve featured plenty of island-related articles here on BootsnAll – there’s no shortage of island lovers out there, or (it seems) island topics to discuss. We’ve learned about islands that are slowly on their way to disappearing, American islands you’ve probably never heard of, hopping around the world island-style, how to pick which Italian island or Virgin island is right for your vacation, and we’ve even asked why the word “paradise” seems synonymous with beaches for so many people. What do you think makes islands so appealing from an indie traveler’s standpoint? Do you have a favorite island to which you escape – physically or mentally – when you need a break from the real world? When you [...] 
There’s just something intriguing about islands – there’s an element of isolation, of “getting away from it all,” (unless you pick one of these most crowded islands on earth!) and of romance in visiting an island. When many of us think of an island vacation, a few images come to mind: white sand beaches and blue waves, boats bobbing out at sea, palm trees waving in the breeze, the bright sun above and a cold drink in our hand. But of course, this idyllic scene only applies to tropical islands. Sure, when it comes to warm weather vacations (especially during the Northern Hemisphere’s cold winters) a tropical island vacation may be ideal. But there are countless other islands – each with its own special appeal – that don’t conform to this stereotype. They may all be surrounded by water, many (though not all) might have been formed by volcanic activity, and several have retained strong cultural traditions thanks to a long history of isolation, but it when it comes to the thousands of islands scattered around the world, the similarities end there. Some islands have extreme temperatures and some are temperate all your round. Some are remote and unspoiled, others are urban and accessible. Some are arid, some have jungles, some are filled with farmland and some are still quite [...] 
Much of the US may be experiencing sweltering heat lately, but that hasn’t stopped us from thinking about escaping to the islands. At least there we’d get away from the baking sidewalks and hot exhaust of the city; we could even cool off from the heat with a dip in the ocean or a fabulous pool! This week we’re exploring the many islands of the world. First up, we’re checking out some amazing – and unknown to many – islands right here in the US. Then we’ll head to Hawaii to discover a few adventures that are not on most tourist’s radars. From there, we’ll check out some of the best islands of the Atlantic Ocean, and then explore the different worlds that exist on each of the Canary Islands. Read more about islands around the world: Excellent Small Islands You’ve Probably Never Heard Of Around the World in 7 Lesser Known Islands Remote Islands in the World Italian Islands: Choose the Best One for You 8 Small and Beautiful Italian Islands Photo by Chi King