In an almost fantastical setting, amid waters of unbelievable transparency, the Kornati Island archipelago resembles from afar a rope of baroque pearls strung out along the sea. Now a National Park, the islands are exceptionally beautiful and unusually dense, with 147 islands and islets packed in within a distance of less than 300 km.

When sailing from island to island – the easiest way to travel around the Kornati Group of islands – it feels as if one exists on another planet. Our at sea, a karstic cliff rises up, pleated like a Fortuny dress; in what appears to be the reflection of some cosmic feature, a cluster of creamy islets barely rise above the water’s surface. Elsewhere, a piece of rock, streaked in ochre, crumbles onto a beach, occasionally, voluptuous hillocks of celadon green, like moonstone set in gem, rise from the surface, softening the horizon.

One sails or glides, depending on the wind, from one isle to the other, mooring in a creek to swim or coming ashore to picnic. Most of the islands are wild and deserted, some are privately owned, others are sparsely dotted here and there with a few dwellings which share the land and the odd blade of grass with the occasional sheep or two. Chief among the Kornati is Kornat Island, with a hamlet, a chapel and look-out tower, though it is still fairly monastic when compared to Murter, the only islands with hotels, restaurants and some modest fishermen’s huts. These huts have a charm of their own, and are so inviting that they are much sough-after, being rented out for princely sums to a new generation of tourists in quest of the Robinson Crusoe experience.

Construction of the water link was started as early as in the 1930s but due to the Second World War and subsequent division of Germany the work remained suspended till 1997. The construction taking six years to build and costing around €500 million. The aqueduct’s trough structure incorporates over 24,000 metric tons of steel and 68,000 cubic meters of concrete. The aqueduct was finally completed and opened to the public in 2003. The channel is 34-meter wide and 4.25-meter deep and enables barges to carry loads of up to 1,350 metric tons. The water bridge now connects Berlin’s inland harbor network with the ports along the Rhine River.
 

Placed on a colorful barrier reef, embraced by pure azure waters is Rosewood Little Dix Bay – an amazing location for your holiday. This is a fashionable retreat on Virgin Gorda providing Caribbean serenity.

Located in lavish gardens and shaded footpaths along a beautiful shore on Virgin Gorda, Rosewood Little Dix Bay’s renewed residences provide a stunning blend of island beauty and comfort to enjoy on your vacation. Every room and suit is large and charmy,the Caribbean luxury villas offer a warm, personal mood and wide diversity of amenities.

The lovely and modern Swedish town of Helsingborg, strategically situated at the narrowest part of the Oresund, opposite the Danish town of Helsingor (Elsinore), was for centuries visited by travelers, seeking for swedish culture. Today, a favored center for conferences and trade fairs, and Sweden‘s main channel of communication by sea with Denmark and mainland Europe.

Following the Dano-Swedish War (1657-1658) and the Treaty of Roskilde Denmark had to give up all territory on the southern Scandinavian peninsula, and Helsingborg became a Swedish city. King Charles X Gustav of Sweden landed here on the 5th of March 1658 to take possession of the Scanian lands and was met by a delegation led by the bishop of the Diocese of Lund, Peder Winstrup. At that time the town had a population of barely 1,000 people. Today the city is populated by 95 000 inhabitants with many old buildings, blended of old-style stone-built churches.

The surrounding area offers a variety of entertainment venues, shopping centers and eateries. There are manylandmarks, including Kronborg Castle, Sofiero Castle, Fredriksdal open-air museum and the Karnan medieval tower, dating back to the early 13th century. The Lund University Campus Helsingborg is only minutes away from the harbor.

There are several ways to get to Helsinborg. By train: from the Copenhagen airport (Kastrup). Helsingborg has good rail connections to Malmo, Lund, and Gothenburg. Stockholm-bound travellers need to change trains in Hassleholm or Lund. By ferry: from Helsingor, Denmark, it’s a short 20 minute ferry ride across the sound. Of course you can reach the city by car and plane..

Ferries are operated by HHFerries

This area is renowned for its beautiful white coral and volcanic black sand beaches, crystal clear waters, astounding reefs capes full of amazing tropical fish, delicious seafood, and a relaxed lifestyle. The tiny island of Bequia is a jewel in the necklace of the Grenadines Islands. Bequia is around seven square miles making it the largest of the thirty two Grenadine Islands.  With fewer than six thousand inhabitants, it feels like home from the moment you arrive. Friendly people, unique atmosphere, natural beauty and magical charm … that is hard to find anywhere else in the Caribbean.

Visitors come here annually for many reasons. Choose a holiday of total beach relaxation or exhilarating sailing and diving in some of the most beautiful waters in the world. Also The Caribbean is the most popular yachting destination in the world. Bequia is an island of sailors and boats, linked to the outside world mainly by the sea. The old traditions continue. Boats are built on the beach in the shade of palm trees. It is the vacation destination almost everyone dreams of and it is praised throughout the world!

At the southern tip of Chile, islands and icebergs feather around the tip of the mainland, and channels and stairs carve routes from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Along Chile‘s west or Pacific coast, the fjords are as deep and dramatic as their northern counterparts, but with the addition of near total isolation, ice-blue icebergs, and only a handful of native people. Photo by: Marylou Badeaux

The breathtaking remote area holds be-inlets, snowcapped mountains, pristine wilderness, and breaching whales, and it is not difficult to see what make a trip there so special. In our busy world, where everything is only a click of mouse away, just getting there is an organizational feat. The 1,100 km take around four days to travel a leisurely pace, allowing you to stop and notice the smallest details, like dolphins following in the wake of the boat and seals playing along the shore. Photo by: The World by Road

Albatross, giant petrel, and Magellan penguins are just there of the delights for bird-watchers. As the cruise ship anchors, you can take a canoe to explore the islands and inlets nearby. It is charming area, dotted with wildlife and very few visitors. Just a handful of fishing villages stud the coastline, and penguin colonies number more than people in many areas. As night falls the Milky Way stands out brightly in the black sky. Photo by: The World by Road

Photo by: luckypenguin

It is well worth taking a tour off the conventional tourist route to visit this ancient island just 300 km offshore from the mainland town of Brodarica, Croatia. Karpanj is the smallest and lowest inhabited island of the Adriatic at only 7 m above sea level at its highest point. A nobleman by the name of Juric purchased the uninhabited island in 1436 and donated it to the Franciscans who built a monastery there. When the Turks started plundering the coastline, the monk sheltered refugees from the mainland and eventually allowed them to build a settlement on the island.

The settlers were originally farmers who had to turn to fishing to scrape a living. Their fortune changed at the beginning of the 18th century when a visiting friar from Crete taught them the art of sponge harvesting and processing. Individual sponges were harpooned from a boat and a skilled operator could spear one at a depth of 15 m. The market for sponges proved a highly lucrative one – the Venetians couldn’t get enough of them and buy the mid 19th century there were 40 boats operating from Krapanj exporting sponges to Venice. In 1893 the first diving equipment was introduced, which enabled the spongers to harvest at much greater depths and soon earned them a reputation as skilled divers.

Karpanj has awesome atmosphere – you can spend your time in one of the waterside coffee houses chatting to the locals, visit a monastery stuffed with antiquities and works of art or wander through the picturesque streets of the town. Above all, this is a terrific little place to learn about the underwater world and improve your diving skills under the guidance of friendly locals who are happy to share their generation of experience.

When to go: May to September. Population: 2,500. Getting there: Boat from Brodarica, 8km south of Sibenik, which is well connected by bus or train with Split, Zagreb and Zadar. Photos by: darkfloyd60

Just off the coast of Northumberland, (England) lies a group of some 20 tidal islands. Divided into groups they are also known as ‘Farnes‘. Apart from a few seasonal bird wardens, they are uninhabited, rugged and bleak, the smallest islands are just bare, rocky peaks, while the largest support vegetation on peaty soil. Photo by: hsacdirk

To the north of Farnes lies mystical Lindisfarne, also emerged as Holy Island. Connecting by a tidal causeway to the mainland, much of it is a National Nature Reserve, protecting internationally important winter populations and rare migrant birds. There is Lindisfarne monestery locate in one of the most important early Christian sites of Eng;and. Also on the island is Tudor castle. Owned by the National Trust, it was built in the 1570s and restored by Edwin Lutyens in 1901. Photo by: iancowe

When to go: The best time for birds is during autumn and winter, but Lindisfarne is at its best during spring and summer. Population: The Farne Islands are uninhabited. Lindisfarne 162. How to get there: By boat to the Farnes, foot or car to Lindisfarne, depending on the tides. Photo by: law_keven

Highlights: Scuba diving over the many wrecks surrounding the Farne Islands. The ruined Lindisfarne monastery, its museum and visitor centre. Photo by: left-hand

Photo by: gingiber

The Dutch island of Terschelling lies along the Dutch coast for 29 km creating a barrier between the North and Wadden Seas. It is most accessible of the West Frisian Islands, with miles of sandy shoreline and a wonderfully varied landscape for its size. The north coast is a white-sand beach up to 1 km wide, backed by windswept dunes with a hinterland of pine forest. To the south is salt marsh – lush meadowland where catle graze and cranberries grow. The entire eastern end of the island is a nature reserve for migratorybirds.

The main town is called West-Terschelling, which is a charming port on the south coast, steeped in maritime history. The islanders are renowned for their seamanship, resilience and resourcefulness. There are walks, cycle paths and bridleways that take you all over the island, superb beaches for sand yachting and surfing, and plenty of opportunities for sailing or just mucking around on a boat. There is a real sense of being at one with nature here – a wonderful sense of freedom and space. 

When to go: June to September. Population: 4,702. How to get there: Ferry from Harlingen (The Netherlands) to West-Terschelling. You shoul know: Don’t bother to bring a car here. There are plenty of buses and taxis but the best way of getting around is by bike.

Photos by: proudof7

Dave Drimmer’s Cosmic Muffin, recycled a plane Boeing B-307 to a boat and this is the most perfect example. Deemed un-flyable in 1969, Hughes’ former ‘flying office’ was rescued from the landfill by Fort Lauderdale Realtor and pilot Kenneth W. London who then spent the next four years transforming it into an exotic houseboat that has been featured everywhere from CNN to Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

The Cosmic Muffin is truly one-of-a-kind and has a completely rebuilt hull, updated interior, new motors and a restored cockpit, and the owners have ambitious plans for everything from private charters to elementary education and nonprofit  projects.

To be honest the Cosmic Muffin is not the prettiest boat in the harbor. These objects were designed to be thrown away but they must now be revisited with an eye toward reuse, recycling or recombination. The benefits of this are two-fold: less consumption of natural resources during the manufacturing of something new, and less garbage in our landfills.

The Bimini Cays, 75 km east of Miami and Florida, mark the highest point of a submarine ridge that emerges from the turquoise water at North Bimini, and runs the length of the island along the Gulf Stream. There in complete contrast to the sandy slopes of the bay side where most people live, there’s only a narrow coastal ledge before the ocean floor drops into a sudden deep. This is the fishing capital of the Bahamas, the site of the world record catches of marlin, sailfish, giant tuna, swordfish, wahoo and bonefish. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The big game fish bring divers as well as hunters to Alice Town, the commercial centre of North Bimini and the cays. It’s bisected by the King’s Highway, the main drag lined by Government buildings, hotels, restaurants, stop-at-nothing bars, shops, tattoo parlours, the Straw Market, resort and marines. Photo by: sassamafracken

This concentration of amenities leaves Bimini’s most beautiful beaches empty: Queen’s Highway, on the island’s west, stretches past the endless sand of Radio Beach, Blister Beach and Spook Hill. Divers head for the bonanza of colourful fish on Rainbow Reef or the Bimini Barge wreck in 28 m of crystal-clear water, and the shallows of North Bimini’s enclosed bay also provide a rare opportunity to explore the extraordinary marine life of Red Mangroves. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The combination of lush tropical mangroves and the crashing spume of the open ocean proved an irresistible lure and feel the same visceral attraction to Bimini’s primal appeal. Photo by: percy fawcett

When to go: Year-round. The fishing tournament season runs from March to September. Population: 1,800. How to get there: By scheduled air to S Bimini, from Nassau or Florida, or by weekly mailboat to Alice Town or Cat Cays, from Nassau. You should know: Tourists may rent only mopeds, bicycles or golf cars- and you must drive on the left, because British rules apply. Photo by: picmanbahamas

The two Manitau Islands in Lake Michigan were once settled, but are now uninhabited. This doesn’t mean they are abandoned, as both are part of the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. Each has a ranger station and the islands are emerged as a destination for day trips and adventure camping holidays. The visitors who need to stay require park and camping permits. Photo by: jensenl

North Manitau is the larger at 13 km long and 6.5 km wide, with some 32 km of shoreline. By the mid -1800s there exploitable resources and never had a thriving settlement. Ruined homesteads, logging roads, a few wild orchards and the old cemetery are all the remain of that era, and the main activities are wilderness, camping and deer hunting in season. Photo by: cedarkayak

South Manitau, though just 5 km by 5 km was always more popular than the larger island. It had some fertile ground and the only natural harbor between the Manitous and Chicago, making the island a regular stopping-off point for lake mariners from the late 1700s into the 20th century. The island has a system of trails and three campsites. Photo by: .jowo.

When to go: The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore is open all year round, but the islands are really a May to September destination. Population: Uninhabited. How to get there: There is a ferry service from Leland Michigan. You should know: The Manitous are surrounded by numerous shipwrecks, which are popular with recreational divers. Photo by: Latitude 45

The Thousands Islands are a network of in fact nearly 1,800 islands that span the American-Canadian border in the Saint Lawrence River. Some, like Wolfe Island, the largest at 124 sq km have significant year-round populations, while others are merely rocky outcrops visited by migrating birds. The whole area is hugely popular as a holiday destination, particularly for sailing – so much so that it’s sometimes called the ‘fresh water boating capital of the world’. Photo by: hermez

Around twenty of these islands form the Saint Lawrence Islands National Park, the smallest of Canada’s national parks. The Thousand Islands Frontenac Arch region was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2002. The US islands include numerous New York State parks, most notably Robert Moses State Park. Photo by: Guddemischi

The area is often traversed by freighters on their way into and out of the Great Lakes shipping lanes, but is so dotted with barely rocks that local navigators are hired to help the vessels travel through the hazardous waterway. This is unwise to travel the waters at night, except in the main channels and with good charts. It’s a popular place for experienced divers as the waters mostly so clear and the sea bed is littered with many shipwrecks for them to explore. Photo by: baalands

The area is also famous for its wealthy up state New Yorkers and many of the islands are privately owned. A plethora of ‘No Landing’ signs reminds potential visitors that they can look, but not to touch, so the best way to enjoy the area is by boat. Photo by: JasonB3

When to Go: The shoulder seasons of late April to May and September to early October are less crowded and can have good weather. Population: 22,450. How to get there: Via The Thousands Islands bridge from New York state or tour the area by boat from Gananoque.

Famous as the smallest island ever to have been partitioned, St Maarten ha been shared by the Dutch and French since 1630, when they united to repulse the Spanish. Until 1817 nobody bothered with boundaries and you can still move freely about the island; but despite the mixed Dutch, French and African heritage, you can fail to distinguish the contrasting styles of the island’s French and Dutch communities. Photo by: thenewarea51

Saint Maarten welcomes cruise liners, commerce, gambling, reggae, hard rock and rijsttafel restaurants. It’s the only place in the Caribbean, where shopping is 100 per cent duty free and in Philiosburg, you will find 500 of the smallest luxury shops in the world. Despite heavy tourism development, it’s still a treasure of old world Dutch architecture and military relics, often next to the white beaches that guarantee St Maarten’s popularity. The French emphasize comfort and elegance on their side, with secluded luxury resorts and the best food in the Caribbean. Photo by: sreddy17

Marigot, the capital, is the most French in spirit of all Caribbean cities, a luxury colonial version of a Mediterranean market town. But on the beaches you can always tell where you are by the dress code – modest on the Dutch side, topless or nude chic on the French. Orient-Plage is officially ‘clothing-optional’, but on the French side no-one is looking and no-one cares. With steel bands and firelit dancing, it makes for heady beach barbecues. The combination of cultures means you can do just about anything there on some of the Caribbean’s prettiest and liveliest beaches and in the towns. Photo by: iheartmegalodon

When to go: October to June. In March, the Heineken Regatta attracts world-class yachting enthusiasts. Population: Saint Maarten 34,800 (2007). How to get there: By air from Miami, San Juan (Puerto Rico) or Caracas. You should know: Saint Maarten operates a joint nature and marine reserve which includes 40 km of trails through mountains, forests and along the shore. Photo by: xaviermaire

Photo by: Liembo

This charming hideaway on the Ligurian Sea is a favorite vacation spot of many Europeans tourists. Even back in Roman Times Portofino was called the world’s most charming port. It is one of the most photogenic fishing ports in the Mediterranean. Once a quiet fishing village, today Portofino is best known for beachside cliffs that are speckled with pastel-colored houses and its chic boutiques, fashionable resorts, luxurious hotels and first-rate sports facilities.

Most of the water along the coast is a protected area and it is forbidden to enter there. There are 20 dive sites and diving can be arranged through local dive agencies. Swimming is allowed only in certain areas and boating is restricted near some of the shoreline.

Tourists can enjoy with: windsurfing facilities, sailing, tennis, golf, hiking, and plenty of beach amenities. Take a relaxing walk through the unique beach or indulge yourself in the wonders of Ligurian gastronomy.