| You want to plan that vacation to that glorious | | | | waters, they bump harmlessly against snorkelers and |
| tropical island but you've only heard of the tourist | | | | drift on. It is doubtful that you will be able to tear |
| traps like Nassau, Bahamas or Montego Bay, Jamaica. | | | | yourself away from the jellyfish, but, if so, the sea |
| You want a place without fifteen-story hotels, | | | | kayaking among the Rock Islands is superb, and |
| screaming crowds, and a thousand souvenir shops. | | | | there are fascinating World War II relics to be found |
| You want a place where you can finally relax and | | | | on the island of Peleliu. For breathtaking view and nice |
| recuperate from the smash and grab daily grind. Well, | | | | accommodations, try Koror's Cliffside Hotel. |
| worry no longer. Below you will find eight of the | | | | 5. Santorini, Greece: This island is actually a live |
| most peaceful paradises in the world. But don't wait a | | | | volcano, but it isn't expected to belch again in our |
| decade to choose one. By then, they may no longer | | | | lifetime. The volcanic yield has resulted in black sand |
| be some of the best secret travel destinations. | | | | beaches and soil that grows some of the best wine |
| 1. Isla de Vieques, Puerto Rico: Because this little gem | | | | grapes in existence. Because of the volcanic soil |
| was controlled by the U.S. Navy until 2003, it lacks | | | | Santorini also grows some of the sweetest |
| the crowds, tourist traps, tall buildings, and traffic of | | | | tomatoes in the world. You must sample the fried |
| commercialized vacation spots. This is truly an | | | | tomato balls (Keftadas). You may never see a more |
| unspoiled island with lush, rolling hills, tranquil lanes, and | | | | awe-inspiring site as when you gaze from the rim of |
| a pristine beach with bioluminescent waters. At night, | | | | the volcano and watch tiny boats cross the royal |
| under glittering stars, the surf truly lights up with | | | | blue waters. If you can tear yourself away from |
| glowing living organisms. It's like an ethereal | | | | that, you must visit the nearby town of Oia, with its |
| wonderland. Besides the stunning beauty, the island | | | | stunning sunsets. Two terrific restaurants to visit are |
| offers view of the final Spanish fort built in the | | | | the Saltsa and the Nyhteri. Perhaps you can find |
| Americas; it offers snorkeling, hiking, bicycling, and | | | | lodging among the villages overlooking the submerged |
| horseback riding on sleek horses. The residents are | | | | volcano. And two hotels that can be recommended |
| warm and personable and you will likely make a few | | | | are the Villa Kalimera and the Volcano View Villas. |
| friends before you leave. If you want a little more | | | | 6. The Caves Resort, Negril, Jamaica: The resort sits |
| excitement for a few days, ferry the six miles to | | | | atop honeycomb, limestone cliffs overlooking the sea. |
| San Juan and perhaps stay at the fabulous La | | | | It features eleven exclusive Cliffside |
| Concha Resort with multi-level, infinity pools and five | | | | accommodations, two main dining gazebos, and |
| restaurants to fit your every mood and taste. | | | | private cave dining. If you ever get tired of the view |
| 2. Secret Beach, Kauai: Nestled at the base of a | | | | and the pampering, you can watch dolphins, jet ski, |
| sheer cliff just north of Kilaua, it's hard to find | | | | go horseback riding, or enjoy the sauna, Jacuzzi, or |
| anything about this hideaway to criticize. Cottages | | | | the saltwater swimming pools. The rooms of the |
| nestled on the mountainsides offer a panoramic view. | | | | resort overflow with ambience: music for whatever |
| The cottages are furnished with quaint furniture, | | | | your vibe, candles and scented oils, the most |
| Jacuzzi, kitchen utensils, appliances, Kauai guidebooks, | | | | comfortable beds, and gracious hospitality. Rick's |
| beach supplies, and even laundry detergent. Enjoy at | | | | Café is one of the greatest places to eat. |
| least a few meals gazing out from your own deck. | | | | Sheddy Williams has been the head chef for 15 years. |
| The beach is private and easy to walk to. Snorkel on | | | | Enjoy the rich Jamaican coffee, the fresh fruit plate, |
| Tunnels Reef, have lunch at the Tropical Taco, view | | | | mango daiquiris and a full course dinner. It is |
| the Waimea Canyon (Grand Canyon of the Pacific) | | | | guaranteed that no matter how frayed your nerves |
| and Wailus and Opaeka Falls. Kayak peacefully on the | | | | when you arrived, you will leave the Caves |
| Lanalei River, buy something sweet from the Kilauea | | | | refreshed. |
| Bakery and buy fresh seafood from the fish market | | | | 7. Christ Church, Barbados: Why would you visit the |
| across from the King Lung shops. Grill the fish | | | | Barbados? Well, for one thing, the residents love |
| yourself at your cottage for a meal you'll never | | | | tourists and the crime rate is almost non-existent. |
| forget. This is a Hawaii worlds away from the crazy | | | | You can cruise on a catamaran, swim with sea |
| commercized chaos of Waikiki. | | | | turtles, and watch the antics of hilarious green |
| 3. Waykaya Club and Spa, Fiji: This is a private | | | | monkeys. The surf is consistently perfect for surfing, |
| 2,200-acre retreat belonging to Fiji's 333 islands, | | | | kite surfing, or windsurfing. You can watch a cricket |
| featuring serene lagoons, majestic cliffs, gorgeous | | | | game or play on a world class golf course. You can |
| beaches, and encircled by a virgin coral reef. Start off | | | | stroll the plantations, lush gardens or the rum |
| with the stunning orientation walk to begin tasting | | | | distilleries. Then there are wonderful restaurants such |
| the wild natural beauty and charm. You will see | | | | as Oistin's Fish Fry, the Restaurant at the South Sea, |
| tropical forests, spectacular lookout points, pristine | | | | and Just Grillin'. You will love it. |
| beaches, and a wildlife sanctuary teaming with feral | | | | 8. Long Island, Bahamas: We're not pushing Long |
| horses, pigs, deer, and goat. At the Club and Spa you | | | | Island alone. It is just an example of the Bahamian |
| will find a 9-hole golf course, lighted tennis courts, and | | | | islands that are still beautiful, serene, and unspoiled by |
| equipment for a quick game of croquet. The Club will | | | | raucous crowds and unabashed commercialism. A |
| pack a gourmet picnic lunch for you take anywhere | | | | massive spine of ancient reef gives the 80-mile island |
| your heart leads you. Play a game of billiards or do a | | | | two faces: the sheer cliffs and caves of the east |
| vigorous workout followed by a luxurious massage. | | | | coast and the soft, sandy, mangrove-lined lee side |
| Tour the organic gardens, the Fijian wood carvers, | | | | which washes into the Bahamas Bank. Long Island |
| the cooking demonstrations, or the exotic bird | | | | does have numerous shallow and deep scuba diving |
| watching. Play beach volleyball, or sit back and enjoy | | | | sites. But it is best known for Dean's Blue Hole, a |
| a native dance pageant or Kava ceremony. Then on | | | | vast abyss that tunnels down about 600 feet. Travel |
| Sunday, if you like, attend the Village Church to hear | | | | writers grow bored and jaded after seeing hundreds |
| the Fiji choir and enjoy the 30-minute service. You will | | | | of beautiful island sites. However, a writer for Trip |
| never get bored at the Waykaya Club. | | | | Atlas raved, "Long Island is a true hidden gem---the |
| 4. Jellyfish Lake, Palau: Palau is a wonderland located | | | | real paradise island of the Bahamas!" This island is also |
| about 500 miles from the Philippines. The limestone | | | | home to Columbus Point, towering memorial to |
| islands in this area were formed by many thousands | | | | Christopher Columbus, perched high atop a hill at the |
| of year of coral accretion slowly lifting out of the | | | | island's northernmost tip. You will find everything in |
| sea. The one jellyfish lake open to the public is on | | | | this place: sloping hills, vast beaches, high cliffs, |
| the uninhabited island of Macharchar. Somehow along | | | | gardens, caves, old plantation ruins, quaint villages, |
| the way, the jellyfish have lost their sting, so divers | | | | and pink sand with intricate seashells. |
| or snorkelers can swim safely among the 1.2 million | | | | I feel a little sorry for you. You're going to have to |
| translucent, orange orbs ranging in size from marble- | | | | choose between all these incredible places and that's |
| to volley ball-sized. As they pulsate through the azure | | | | the hardest part! |