Europe is old… We mean really old! That’s why so many tourists head there for vacation, hoping to get a glimpse of all the famous landmarks – the Berlin Wall, the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben. But, perhaps those tourists would be better served by heading off the beaten path, because Europe is home to many secrets, things you won’t find in a travel book. Chief among them are the multitude of pristine islands that find themselves in and around Europe’s waterways. Interested to know what these secret European islands are? That’s what we’ll be exploring!
www.theguardian.com
1. Sark
Part of the Channel Islands, this tiny island is located off the coast of Normandy and is a part of France. If you go there, you’ll want to devote some time to brushing up on the island’s surprisingly rich history, which includes an ever-interesting political climate and several instances of armed invasion. On the latter point, once it was the Germans during World War II, and at another point it was a single man armed with a pistol.
www.tripadvisor.com
2. Ile Lavezzi
Located off the coast of France in the Mediterranean, this isn’t an island that you go to for exploration. Instead, this is the kind of place where you’d take a boat. Once there, you could anchor just off shore, enjoying the beauty of the surrounding rock formations as you and your fellow passengers sip cocktails and enjoy the cool Mediterranean breezes that keep the sun overhead from becoming too much.
www.mljettravel.com
3. Mljet
Over the past several years, Croatia has become more of a European tourism hotspot than it ever has been in the past. Among the many reasons for that is this breathtaking secret island, which is about 90-minutes away form the town of Dubrovnik. Much of the island’s signature beauty is protected by a national park, but it’s still home to residents, who grow produce, and number of noteworthy historic landmarks.
www.southernhebrides.com
4. Colonsay
If you’re coming from an urban place, and you want to find a destination that offers peace and quiet in spades, then you should be Colonsay on your list. This largely uninhabited Scottish island is as quiet and pristine as it is beautiful. Just be sure that you bring comfortable shoes, because when you’re on this island, you’re going to want to do a lot of walking in order to explore all of its various nooks and crannies.
www.birdwatchingholland.nl
5. Texel
When you’re thinking an island vacation, you’re probably not thinking the Netherlands. But, that could be the mistake. Texel, which is located in the North Sea, is a truly unique place. While you may not be able to sun yourself in tropical weather, you can enjoy nature in its full majesty. What’s more is that you’ll be surrounded by all the hallmarks of the Netherlands, including its famous windmills and livestock.
www.belleilenmer.co.uk
6. Belle-Ile en Mer
Trying to have the romantic French getaway that you’ve seen in the movies? Then this is the island that you’re looking for. Long a haven for notable French artists, this island is more beautiful than anything those artists – Monet among them – ever produced. Here in the confines of a small, rustic French town, you can enjoy the sweeping views of the water, as well as fine French cuisine and quite, country living.
www.dxcoffee.com
7. Inishmore
If you’re going to be travelling to Ireland anytime soon, then it’s imperative that you budget some time for a trip to this amazing secret island. When you do, make sure that you pack plenty of ibuprofen – or whatever other medicine you use to cure hangovers. That’s because the island is home to a distillery that makes a spirit called poteen. If you’ve never had if before, then be warned: this stuff is high test!
www.bebudapest.hu
8. Margaret Island
Depending upon what time of year you visit the city of Budapest, Hungary, you may not even notice this island is here. But, it’s there, located out in the Danube, where is goes largely unused during the winter months. However, once the weather turns and the days get longer and brighter, people flock to this island in droves. There are plenty of recreational activities to enjoy here, including everything from ice cream to thermal spas!
www.dankat.com
9. San Miguel
Of all of the islands on this list, this one may be the most geographically interesting. At the center of the island there is a lake, once which was actually formed due to volcanic activity! That very same volcanic activity is responsible for the breathtaking and sweeping landscape, which is really the reason to visit this amazing secret European island. Oh, and there’s the fact that sperm whales like to congregate off shore, too.
www.craiceann.com
10. Inis Oirr
If you didn’t get too drunk on the poteen on the island of Inishmore, then maybe you’ll want to make your way to this other Irish treasure. Here, you can get a close-up look at Ireland’s rich history, as the island is home to a number of historical structures and homes that have been largely unchanged for many decades and even centuries. As a matter of fact, the island was entirely without electricity until right before the turn of the millennium
www.visitgreece.gr
11. Samothrace
Greece, as many well know, is home to a culture that’s absolutely central to the modern world that we live in today. While there are a number of ways to see how the ancient Greeks lived their lives, none may be better than the experience that you’ll get on this secret island. Here you can traverse a number of amaz
www.goeurope.about.com
12. Reicheneau
Unlike many of the other islands on this list, which you’ll have to head out to sea in order to get to, this amazing island is actually located in a lake – Lake Constance, to be exact. Amid the lush greenery and old world buildings here, you can learn firsthand why this island is so popular with German natives. It’s home to a rich vegetable growing population, who produce some of the best produce in the entire country.ing hiking paths, some of which make their way around the runs of the Temple of the Winged Nike.
www.lifeinitaly.com
13. Elba
If you’re a student of history, then this European island may not be much of a secret to you. (But, who studies history these days, anyway?) At any rate, this island was famously home to France’s favorite diminutive ex-Emperor, Napoleon. Not by choice, mind you. He actually served a period of exile here, before being allowed to return to his native land – only to be exiled again. We’re not sure why he left this island in the first place; it’s beautiful.
www.dw.de
14. Fehmarn
We’ve already explored one German island, now here’s another. Unlike the past one, which was located in a lake, this one is located in the Baltic Sea. Here, you’ll find more opportunities for enjoying the traditional island experience, as many visitors to the island are known to partake in the sport of parasailing. But, if you really want to experience everything that this island has to offer, you’ll simply have to strap on some boots and go for a breathtaking hike.
www.anothertravelguide.com
15. Hiiumaa
Still looking for the ultimate peace and quiet getaway? Then this may be the island for you. Home to a beautiful lighthouse and some clean, sweeping beaches, this Estonian island is capable of transporting you back in time to a place when life was much simpler. Still, the island is not without it’s modern touches. As a matter of fact, there happens to be an old Soviet bunker here, which tourists are permitted to explore!
SOURCE: traveltips
