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Fiji fails to make the top ten with travellers voting for "paradise hotpots"

12/7/2015

4 Comments

 
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A remote volcanic archipelago famed for its exotic animals and plants has been named the best island in the world by readers of a leading travel magazine.

Despite being nearly 600 miles from the coast of Ecuador, Galapagos Islands is high on the bucket lists of many travellers who are keen to spot giant tortoises and plants that most people will never see in their lifetime.

Boasting idyllic beaches, historic cities and rugged coastlines, these are the top 10 islands in the world, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.



Galápagos Islands, Ecuador 90.82 2.%
Home to 18 main islands, this archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is famous for its marine life and rare species of birds and plants. Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution while studying wildlife on the islands, which are home to marine iguanas, sharks, blue-footed boobies, sea lions and other creatures. In 2010, Galapagos Islands was removed from Unesco’s List of World Heritage in Danger. The UN agency was satisfied that Ecuador’s government had taken steps to address threats posed by invasive species, unbridled tourism and over-fishing.

Bali
, Indonesia
88.98 3.
A favourite destination for Australian and British travellers, Bali is the Indonesia’s biggest tourist draw thanks to its beaches and party scene. But it is also lures holidaymakers with its Hindu temples, mountains, rugged coastlines and rice terraces. There are fears the island has been overrun with tourists, however. Last year Indonesian tour operators held a travel fair to encourage foreigners to holiday in places other than the Balinese hotspots of Kuta and Seminyak beaches.

Maldives 88.53 4.
This idyllic tropical nation in the Indian Ocean is famous for is crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, sea life and luxurious resorts. It is a popular destination for honeymooners and divers, boasting average daily temperatures that can fluctuate from 31C during the day to 23C at night. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the Maldives was 17.2C. With 26 natural atolls, Maldives is the lowest-lying country in the world, raising fears that its existence is in jeopardy due to climate change and rising sea levels.

Tasmania, Australia 88.32 5.
This island state off the south coast of Australia may seem like a surprising inclusion, but Travel + Leisure readers called it a little known treasure, the magazine said. Perhaps best known for the Tasmanian devil, more than 40 per cent of this large island is reserved as a national park and world heritage area. Its stunning landscapes include mountains, forests and picturesque beaches.

Santorini, Greece 87.93 6.
These volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea may be best known for their white houses and blue-domed churches on rocky cliffs. The complex of islands is still an active volcano (the crater is below the sea) and the last big eruption occurred around 3,600 years ago. A popular getaway spot for couples, its beaches boast white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, and spectacular rock formations.

Moorea, French Polynesia 87.90 7.
Shaped like a heart, this idyllic island can be reached by plane or high-speed catamaran from Tahiti. With tumbling waterfalls and fern-softened cliffs, the island’s mountains are surrounded by a wide, shallow lagoon with sparkling blue water. A handful of resorts on the less touristy island offer thatch-roofed bungalows over the water, providing a perfect spot for a romantic escape.

Maui, Hawaii 87.89 8.
No list would be complete without the inclusion of one of Hawaii’s spectacular islands. Maui is consistently rated as one of the best islands in the world thanks to its shimmering beaches, water sports and massive Haleakala shield volcano. The Valley Isle’ welcomes more than two million visitors a year, including plenty of famous faces.

Kauai, Hawaii 87.88 9.
Hawaii’s second entry in the top 10 is the US state’s oldest island and is covered with a tropical rainforest. Sometimes called the Garden Isle, it lures travellers with its emerald valleys, jagged cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Some parts of Kauai are only accessible by sea or air, lending credence to its billing as Hawaii’s ‘island of discovery’.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia 87.31 10.
This chain of more than 100 enchanting islands offer holidaymakers exactly what they’re looking for – a slice of paradise. For visitors, there are more than 100 islands to choose from along Australia’s north-east coast, including the Whitsundays and Northern Islands. The waters surrounding the islands are filled with hundreds of species of marine life and thousands of reefs, providing an amazing playground for divers.

Malta 86.90
This archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea – formerly part of the British Empire – has gained even more interest from tourists in recent years after serving as a filming location for Game of Thrones. It was already a popular draw thanks to its rich history and thrilling diving spots, and has added boutique hotels and buzzing nightclubs in recent years. Malta’s capital, Valletta, is one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world, with 320 monuments and Unesco World Heritage status.

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Maui is consistently rated as one of the best islands in the world thanks to its shimmering beaches, water sports and massive Haleakala shield volcano.
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4 Comments
Chiku
12/7/2015 05:31:35 pm

Fiji has always been a beautiful country for travellers regardless of any hot spot ratings. And the people are beautiful and friendly. But the country's politicians and politics have often been very ugly and remains so notwithstanding Bainimarama and Khaiyum's claim to have created a " new " and " better " Fiji after unlawfully grabbing power in a military coup in 2006.

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Welcome Home
12/7/2015 08:21:41 pm

Would any of the island destinations named feature nightclubs and bars open all night leaving drunken people lying in the streets for school children to pass on their way to school at 7am? Is it any wonder that small children as young as 9 are raped repeatedly by those who should protect and respect their innocence? Yet the owners and operators of such establishments were deaf to pleading from disgusted home owners and crime prevention activists. 'Crime pays' in Fiji.

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Saamjo
13/7/2015 01:36:41 am

The problem in Fiji is not the country. It is indeed a paradise Pacific island with nature features that can compare with anything in the top 10 above named hotspots.the problem in Fiji has been and still is its pathetic political leadership and greedy businessmen.

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Welcome Home
13/7/2015 10:35:51 am

Shamima Ali has come into the public domain in the Fiji Times at long last with details of the appalling degradation and abuse suffered by married women and those in de facto relationships in Fiji. Yes, one May vouch for these revelations which are timely and required. This is due to the necessary medical intervention required particularly when pregnancy has ensued. Does no one give any heed to the damage being done to the next generation of Fijians with horrors like this hiding in the hinterland? Let us give due thanks to the unsung Police Officers of good faith who try to pick up the pieces and assist complainants. For they DO exist and they need our determined support. This daily horror hides in homes throughout Fiji. Cease offering lip service and offer real help to these women and children and this includes the overseas neighbours in the region. This trauma will take years to erase and it severely impinges upon development and GDP.

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