What pops into your mind when someone says, “We’re taking an island vacation this year!”? Chances are you envision them on an endless white sand beach, sitting under a thatched roof palapa, sipping on a fruity drink embellished with an umbrella. And you may be exactly right – many island vacations indeed include all those elements, but there are other island charms that draw vacationers, too. Here are five ways to get your island fix.

Sun & Sand Island Vacations

That endless white sand beach could be Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, named the #1 Best Beach in the World by U.S. New & World Report. Or it might be El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, chosen as the best by Condé Nast Traveler readers. The colorful Caribbean and exotic Hawaii are perennial favorites for North American island vacations because of their warm climates and hundreds, if not thousands of beaches in every size, shape and color. Couples, families and even groups have the options of luxury hotels, all-inclusive resorts or private villas. Travel Maestro tip: Travel insurance is always wise if planning a trip to the Caribbean during June to November hurricane season.

Island Vacations for History & Culture Buffs

By definition, islands are surrounded by water, but that doesn’t mean that the beach is the only attraction. The islands of Europe abound in history and culture. Greece is a treasure trove of ancient history and architecture dating back to the 4th millennium B.C., as well as being the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, the Olympics and drama. In Sicily, the creepy catacombs in Palermo, the Valley of the Temples, and the fifth-century-BC Teatro Greco that is still used for concerts today, all give insight to the past and present culture.

The island nation of Great Britain has enough heritage to keep a history aficionado absorbed for multiple vacations. Add royal residences, gardens, theater and world-class museums and you have a cultural island vacation without ever seeing a beach. Travel Maestro tip: Europe’s weather is best in summer, but air fares to get there are at their highest then.

Romance & Luxury – When Only the Best Will Do

A once in a lifetime trip like a honeymoon deserves a special island vacation in a magical setting that provides the ultimate in privacy and pampering. You can completely get away from it all in the Maldives, a chain of nearly 1,200 atolls in the Indian Ocean, where nearly every luxury resort sits on its own private island surrounded by a coral reef, so spectacular diving and snorkeling are a given. Travel Maestro tip: Diving season is October-April when the visibility is best.

In the Pacific there’s the friendly islands of Fiji with colorful blooms and crystal clear water, where you will be pampered beyond comparison. But nothing conjures romance more than the exotic islands of Bora Bora and Tahiti in French Polynesia – revel in a private over-the-water bungalow where you can go for a swim by jumping right off your deck!

Time to Dine – Food & Wine Island Vacations

Foodies know that culinary exploration is one of the best ways to get to know the culture and traditions of a destination. One island that offers fabulous local foods is Iceland. Specialties include all kinds of seafood, lamb and hverabraud, a rye bread baked underground and is available everywhere – even gas stations! In the Caribbean, St. Bart’s is known for its fine French and Creole cuisine and in Barbados regional specialties of flying fish and soused breadfruit are favorites.

Singapore has a well-deserved reputation for satisfying the most discerning gourmet. Cuisines range from spicy Indian curries and tantalizing Chinese fare to Nyonya (a combination of Chinese and Malay) delicacies, as well as the finest in French and Italian cooking. Travel Maestro tip: Get the best value at hawker centers, but for aggressive hawkers, the best refusal is, “Sorry, I’ve just eaten.”

Nature & Adventure Island Vacations

For active adventure, there are excellent island vacations for nature lovers. In the Galapagos Islands you can swim with sea lions, walk up to giant tortoises and see tiny tropical penguins, along with myriad endemic species. Belize is a rising star among those seeking active and educational island vacations with a long stretch of coral barrier reef, and on the mainland, plentiful Maya ruins, rain forest, and a rich collection of birds and animals.

For spectacular diving and snorkeling, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia is a bucket list island vacation. And anyone looking for adventure activities simply must consider New Zealand, birthplace of bungee jumping, zorbing, and jet-boating, as well as spectacular glaciers, fjords, beaches, mountains, meadows and rain forests for “tramping” (hiking). Travel Maestro tip: New Zealanders are ardent trampers, so it’s also a good way to meet locals.

For more island vacation ideas, contact the vacation specialists at Covington Travel.