Top Three Island Vacation Destinations: Gorgona, Mauritius and Bora Bora

As a destination fascination enthusiast, I've long been enchanted with the azure blue oceans and white sandy beaches of islands around the world. So when Frommer's travel experts released the top ten islands of the year, I was itching to check out their top selections. I found a few surprises (The Luma Exotic Conclave in Kenya, for instance) as well as some absolute delights. If you're looking for an island vacation this year, consider a trip to one of the most extraordinary islands in the world.

Gorgona, Colombia

According to adncolombia.com, the island of Gorgona is hte smallest on the Tuscan Archipelago in Colombia. Located on the Pacific Ocean, this tiny island is home not only to mossy, green landscapes and beaches, but also a maximum security prison, which functioned until 1985. One of the island's main attractions is a glowering rock formation in the middle of the ocean south of the island.

What enchants me so much about this island is its gorgeous jungle scenery. The rainforst areas of Gorgona remind me somewhat of a scene out of "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune" which happens to be my all-time favorite video game. However, visitors don't really stay on the island itself; Gorgona is a snorkeling and hiking adventure destination, but potentially too dangerous to actually house inhabitants, as some rather harmful critters frequent it on a daily basis. One of these, according to Frommer's is the endangered blue lizard.

If you visit Gorgona, be aware that your group will be supervised for your protection.

Mauritius Island

On a somewhat less creepy note, we move along to Mauritius Island, which most tourists would consider a better paradise destination than Gorgona. With enormous thatched roof huts and palm trees serving as the ambiance for your restaurant and refreshment surroundings on the aqua green Indian Ocean beachfront, you can relax in peace, knowing that an endangered blue lizard won't crawl up your beach towel.

This island located east of Madagascar offers luxury hotels and villas that add the perfect touch of elegance and tropical delight to your stay. Even though it would seem you're out in the middle of nowhere, these hotels still offer such amenities as Wireless Internet and satellite TV.

Hotels such as Le Prince Maurice and Beau Rivage Villas continue the island theme in each of their accommodations, which consist of private thatched-roof villas situated individually in waterfront docks or safely on land. But prepare yourself for sticker shock, however. Some of the accommodations can run up to 5,000 Euros or more (well over $6,500)! But there are less expensive accommodations for those traveling on a budget.

Bora Bora Island

A tiny paradise in French Polynesia, Bora Bora is so famed and distant it almost seems as if it doesn't really exist. Located one hour's flight from Tahiti island, Bora Bora houses the Mount Otemanu volcanic peak dominates the horizon above crashing ocean waves and sweeping palm tree forests on white sandy beaches.

Bora Bora contains many luxury hotel accommodations with gorgeous views of the terrain. Private over-water bungalows, such as those at the Four Seasons, interconnect with wooden ocean walkways on their own island in the Pacific, so guests don't feel confined to a building during their stay. They also come with wireless or wired Internet access, in addition to a mini bar, mini fridge and satellite TV. These types of rooms often begin around $800 per night, but are well worth it considering the view!

Sources:

adncolombia.com
frommers.com