The very word "island" conjures up images of the sea, sand, palm trees and a holiday atmosphere. The smaller the island, the more exotic and dreamlike it is for the German holidaymaker. These are the 5 most beautiful holiday islands among the world's small islands:
1st Santorini (Greece). Bright whitewashed houses with blue domes and ancient windmills on impressive cliffs characterise the image of the Greek island of Santorini. The landscape of the island was created by a huge volcanic eruption during the Bronze Age, so that the island looks like an enormous volcanic cone when viewed from the air. There are still smoking lava rocks in the middle of the caldera; red sand beaches along the south coast and black sand beaches in the east. With traditional Greek food, wine and a southern climate, you can watch one of the most famous sunset scenes from Oia.
2 Barbuda (Antigua and Barbuda). The island is home to a large number of frigate birds. Rumour has it that there are more birds on the island than people. Barbuda is the lesser known of the two sister islands, although even the inhabitants of Antigua say that Barbuda has the more beautiful beaches. Many beaches are still unspoilt and have silky white-pink sand. There is only one holiday resort (Lighthouse Bay), a 5-star resort with a few restaurants, beach bars and barbecues.
3 Cayo Guillermo (Cuba). Until the early 1990s, the island was just a fishing island until the Cuban government decided to develop it into a tourist island. It is part of the Jardines del Rey, a group of islands on the north coast of Cuba, and is now home to several 5-star resorts. Large parts of the island appear unspoilt with virgin beaches and flamingo colonies. Cayo Guillermo was a favourite fishing spot for Ernest Hemingway, who even wrote about it in a novel.
4 Key West (Florida). Key West is located at the southernmost point of the USA, at the end of the famous Florida Keys. The island has a fascinating past. Tennessee Williams wrote his famous novel (A streetcar named desire) here and Ernest Hemingway is said to have wandered through the bars here at night. The famous lighthouse is said to have guided the inebriated Hemingway home. The historic old town consists of wood-framed houses in pastel colours. Since cockfighting was banned decades ago, there are wild chickens. There is a daily sunset celebration on Mallory Square.
5 Lana'i (Hawaii). The island was originally known for its pineapples. Today, the island near the coast of Maui is also known for its luxurious amenities. Lana'i once produced 75% of the world's pineapples. After the Dole company left the island, it was colonised by luxury hotels. Lodge at Koele, a mountain retreat, and Manele Bay by the sea are the two beautiful resorts on the island where Melinda and Bill Gates celebrated their wedding.
