7 Islands to Relax, Kick Back and Enjoy Your Summer Vacation in Style
By Ugur Akinci
There are some great island vacation options available for hard-working
professionals who'd like nothing better than kick back and relax in style.
Whether you'd like to attend evening parties in formal wear or stroll at the beach just in faded jeans, organic cotton t-shirts and sandals, here are seven excellent choices:
1) U.S. Virgin Islands is a proven paradise of natural beauty,
pristine beaches and fantastic restaurants. The three main islands, St
Thomas, St John and St Croix, are not only just a few hours away by
plane from Florida but they also offer a lot in terms of golfing,
shopping, and creature comforts. A perfect destination for that dream
vacation or honeymoon.
2) Martha's Vineyard of Massachusetts has a well-deserved reputation
for providing a world-class vacation package not only for the
professionals who can afford the best that life has to offer but for the whole family as well. In terms of sightseeing, boating, fishing and just plain relaxing on the beach, Martha's Vineyard is among the best spots in New England. Shall we also remind that this gorgeous island also boasts a lively arts scene and many antique stores and galleries? Enjoy.
3) Georgia Vacation Islands along the Georgia coast is another island
destination that you should consider for your next getaway. The barrier
islands are home to quite a few world-class resorts where you'd feel at
home just relaxing in your lounge chair by the water, sipping a cool
pina colada. Jekyll, St. Simons, Sea, and Little St. Simons Island are
some of the options available for all island hoppers.
4) Sanibel Island, Florida is a must for nature lovers and
especially for bird watchers. The J.N.(Ding) Darling Natural Wildlife
Refuge is a national treasure visited every year by those whose idea of
a great vacation includes witnessing nature at its most precious and
pristine. The reptiles, birds and mammals living in this refuge are what makes the island so special. A land bridge from the island provides reliable connection to other parts of central Florida as well.
5) Hawaiian Islands are obviously in a special category of their own
as far as vacation islands are concerned. Bursting with an astonishing
spectra of exotic flora and fauna, and home to some of the best surf and beaches available anywhere in the world, Hawaii should definitely be on your island hopping itinerary. Just rent a cottage for a week or two in sun-drenched South Kohala, for example. Or lose yourself in the big city attractions of Honolulu. Hawaii has something for all budgets and tastes. Aloha!
6) Anna Maria Island of Florida is where Tampa Bay hugs the Gulf of
Mexico. It's all about endless public beaches, the generous sun, and
warm memories to last for a lifetime. If you love fishing, the City Pier at Bradenton Beach is waiting for you with its Café where you can also buy your bait. The Holmes Beach is another interesting destination
salvaged in the early 1900s from a jungle swamp where rattlesnakes,
wildcats and panthers used to live. And then there's of course the City
of Anna Maria where you can really let your hair down and relax with
some great locals who know how to take it easy. The island is ideal for
ecology lovers interested in observing dolphins, loggerhead turtles,
manatees and other gentle creatures of the sea.
7) Fidalgo Island, off the coast of Washington State in the Puget
Sound is an interesting and lesser-known option which is definitely
worth your while. If you love whale watching, sea kayaking, or enjoy
taking the kids to Anacortes Chocolate Factory where they can watch
chocolate being made, Fidalgo Island could be your ideal vacation spot.
A part of the San Juan Islands chain, this island is the perfect
jump-off point for an exciting boat tour to watch gray, orca, humpback
and minke whales in their natural ocean habitats. Other local
attractions include the Anacortes History Museum, and the 163-foot
steam-powered sternwheeler ship W.T. Preston which was used to clear off the bay from log jams.
Pack up your shirts, shorts, swimming trunks and go!