Hidden Champions: 4 islands just waiting to be explored
Dream islands, without crowds and with a focus on sustainability! What more could you want?
15 July 2021
Robinson Crusoe adventures can definitely still be had today: Island beauties, which are still diamonds in the rough due to their location or history, are still waiting to be polished. Gentle tourism and sustainability are the order of the day here.
These four islands welcome you with tranquility and elegance.
1. sao Tome & Principe
São Tomé and Príncipe are probably one of the most secret island paradises in the world. The two islands are located only a few hundred kilometers from the West African coast. Mass tourism is in vain here. A trip to São Tomé and Príncipe leads to an almost forgotten island paradise on the equator - even though it meets almost all requirements and offers something extraordinary for the beach-loving luxury holidaymaker as well as for enthusiastic divers, animal and nature lovers or active holidaymakers. São Tomé and Príncipe are volcanic islands - the untouched and dense rainforests on the equator also attract hiking guests time and again. As soon as you leave the thicket, you will find deserted beaches, for example Praia Banana, where the famous "Bacardi commercial" was once filmed.
The best hotel
Sundy Praia Príncipe Island
Roça Sundy Sundi, São Tomé and Príncipe
Tel: +239 999 5000
sundyprincipe.com
Sundy Praia is not a hotel in the conventional sense: the resort on the wild north-western tip of Príncipe Island consists of many individual, very luxurious tented villas. The resort is part of a 180-hectare jungle and beach property. The good dozen bungalows are spread over a deep green area. In the morning you can expect to be woken up by the chirping of birds - or more precisely, by the chatter of forest parrots - otherwise you can expect complete peace and quiet, only gently accompanied by the nearby sound of the sea. DR including half board from € 436, - per person.
These places should not be missed
São Tomé and Príncipe is the second smallest country in Africa, and the capital, São Tomé, is also one of the smallest in the world. But it is definitely worth a visit. Colourful and noisy - there is a lot to discover here; besides the markets, for example, the large fortress Fort São Sebastião or the Cathedral Santa Se.
Where does the best chocolate in the world come from? Experts believe: from Claudio Corallo, who can boast over 40 years of experience in cocoa cultivation and chocolate production. The gaunt Italian is considered an extremist in the chocolate world!
The turtles at Praia Inhame offer a breathtaking natural spectacle. Between September/October and March/April females come ashore to lay their eggs. Especially during night walks on the beach you can meet and observe the animals.
2. Scilly Isles
Located at the end of the world (at least the European one), the island gnomes southwest of Cornwall score with exotic botany, spicy history and typical British hospitality. But the most obvious thing here is also the most sought-after: picturesque beaches. The Isles of Scilly have been called the "English Côte d'Azur." The British royal family spends their annual summer holidays here, in their various holiday homes. No wonder: next to Wales and Cornwall, this island paradise stands for another spot of the country where dream beaches can be found and a holiday in a class of its own is guaranteed.
The best hotel
Karma St. Martin's
Lower Town, Isles of Scilly TR25 0QW, United Kingdom
Tel: +62 361 848 2202
karmagroup.com
British, more British, "Karma St. Martins": The hotel is almost prototypical for the image of a luxurious and authentic accommodation in southern England. The exterior impresses with a typical stone façade and could not be more British. The location of the hotel is fantastic: quietly situated, directly above a sandy beach in the midst of a lush green landscape. Double room including breakfast from € 206,- per person.
These places should not be missed
A perfect gift idea are the handmade organic skin care products from Phoenix & Providence , which are produced on the Isles of Scilly. Seaweed from the shores of the Isle of St Martin is an essential ingredient in these skincare products and is particularly good for the skin.
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The ruins of the 12th century monastery can be visited in the gardens on Tresco Island. These were laid out in the 19th century and are among the most remarkable botanical gardens in the world. Tip: A visit during the flowering season is particularly recommended.
3. azores
Considered the "Hawaii of the Atlantic", they are of volcanic origin and blessed with breathtaking flora and fauna. Countless hiking trails invite you to explore the archipelago and lose yourself in its rugged beauty. Even though the Azores are only about a five-hour flight away, many Central Europeans know quite little about this far-flung archipelago in the Atlantic. Admittedly: One should always pack an umbrella during a trip to the Azores. Due to the location far out in the Atlantic Ocean, these islands are characterized by an oceanic-subtropical climate. The weather is quite balanced during the whole year. There are mostly pleasant temperatures of 18 to 21 degrees, even in the winter it is not frosty. In general, it can be said that it is never really hot, but also never really cold.
The best hotel
Azor Hotel
Av. Dr. João Bosco Mota Amaral, 4, 9500-771 Ponta Delgada, Portugal
Tel: +351 296 249 900
azorhotel.com
The sea and nature and in between the Azor Hotel: a perfect starting point to discover the Azores! The interior design and the cuisine are in equal parts a tribute to the region. Fresh and local products as well as gastronomic traditions of the Azores are taken into account in the cuisine of the hotel. Double room including breakfast from € 118,- per person.
These places should not be missed
Tastes as exotic as its preparation sounds: The famous dish "Cozido das Furnas" is cooked in a volcanic hole in the ground for hours. Of course, restaurants also offer the specialty; the "Tony's" for example. But to see the preparation is also worth it!
Chá Gorreana , in the north of the Azores island of São Miguel is one of the oldest tea plantations in Europe. Next to the tea factory of the same name is another one: Chá Porto Formoso. In addition to tea, historical and modern machines used for tea production can also be visited.
4. friesland
Hardly anyone expects paradise on a trip to one of the German North Sea islands. The surprise effect is all the greater, because that's exactly what you'll find there: deserted islands with small, romantic thatched-roof houses, endless white beaches with charming beach chairs and dunes - and on the car-free islands, numerous small, dreamy cobblestone streets without traffic. The likelihood of falling in love with the North or East Frisian islands is great, and so is the choice of the North Sea islands. One of the classics and at the same time the largest North Frisian island is Sylt, but also Amrum, Föhr or Pellworm, as well as the dyked peninsula Nordstrand belong to this group of islands.
The best hotel
Severin's Resort & Spa
Am Tipkenhoog 18, 25980 Sylt, Germany
Tel: +49 (0) 4651 46 06 60
severins-sylt.de
This hotel stands for exclusivity combined with Sylt flair. You can only love this hotel, if you have a soft spot for northern German architecture, but also because of the location directly on the Wadden Sea. The culinary delights are also top notch: the hotel's gastronomy is characterised by a genuine passion for fine Sylt cuisine. Double room including breakfast from € 180,- per person.
These places should not be missed
There are several coffee houses, bakeries and confectioners offering homemade cakes on Spiekeroog - a top address is the eponymous Inselcafé with its large selection of cakes. You should definitely try the Spiekeroog sea buckthorn cake!
One thing you should definitely do at the North Sea: a mudflat hike. Along the North Sea coast, the tides offer unique natural spectacles. If you want to watch them from a distance, you can do so in one of the beach bars, the one in Cuxhaven on the mainland, for example.
Credit: Photos: Scott Ramsay, Géraldine Bruneel, Martin Nicholas Kunz, mauritius images / imageBROKER / Michael Runkel, Logan Hansen/unsplash, Shutterstock, mauritius images / Bluegreen Pictures / Merryn Thomas, mauritius images / Alamy / Ashley Cooper pics, Karma St.Martins, mauritius images / imageBROKER / Iryna Shpulak, Getty Images, Atelier Jardim, Shutterstock, Getty Images, Shutterstock, mauritius images / imageBROKER / Angela to Roxel, Tom Kohle, provided
This article appeared in the Falstaff TRAVEL issue Summer 2021.
