Below are the 2011 World’s Top 10 Islands according to the latest survey that Travel and Leisure sponsored.  The characteristics that were asked from Travel + Leisure magazine (January, February, and March issues) and online readers when searching for the top islands are  natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, value.

TOP 10 ISLANDS

1. Santorini, Greece
2. Bali
3. Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
4. Boracay, Philippines
5. Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia
6. Sicily, Italy
7. Big Island, Hawaii
8. Kauai
9. Maui
10. Galápagos

Boracay, Philippines which is a consistent winner among the best beaches in the world debut on the category of  Top 10 Island for this year.

Jejudo Island

“Jeju Special Autonomous Province,  Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, Jeju Province,  Cheju Island, Jeju-do ”

Included in the New Seven Wonders of Nature search.  The Jejudo island includes the Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes.

Highlights
Jejudo Island is a volcanic island covering an area of more one thousand eight hunded square kilometers.  It is the largest island and smallest province in Korea.  Hallasan an essential element in the area is a dormant volcano and
the tallest mountain in South Korea with a height or more than one thousand nine hundred meters above sea level.  Home to different varieties of flora and fauna. With its cliffs, rocky terrains, beaches, caves and waterfalls, no wonder it is the most sought ideal tourist destination. Also a place for honeymoon getaway.

Location
Jeju Island is located in the Korea Strait,  southwest of Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea,  in the midst of China, Japan and Korean mainland. For easier reference its capital city, Jeju City is located at Latitude 33° 20′ N.,
Longitude 126° 30′ E.

How To Get To Jeju Island?
You can reach Jeju Island either through plane or by boat.  Jeju international airports provides more than twenty direct flights.  By boat from the mainland will take you about three hours the least and  more than ten hours in other ferries.  Within the area you can get around through buses, taxis, car and motorcycles.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Jeju Island
Jeju island can be visited all year round depending on your preference. If you prefer springtime that will be at the start of the month of February. You might still prefer autumns months wherein it is dry and warm. There are
also different festivals and events if you choose to a more crowded people. Time to storm the beach will be the months from  July to September.

Accommodations
Luxurious Hotels exist within Seogwipo’s Jungmun Tourist Resort Complex. Guesthouses or minbak are also plentiful in the area, like Jeju Springflower Guesthouse. If you are in a budget, jjimjillbangs (public sauna/recreation center) are also available.

Tips
There are a lot of places, attractions and events in Jeju island, better always to plan and book in advance.

Halong Bay

“Vinh Ha Long, Descending Dragon Bay, Luc Thuy, An Bang, Van Don “

Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and also included on the lists of  the World’s 7 Natural Wonders.

Highlights
Ha Long Bay has an area of about one thousand five hundred fifty three square kilometers, including more than one thousand nine hundred islets, most of which are limestone. Featuring thousands of limestone karsts and
isles with various shapes and sizes. Famous for its picturesque rock formations.  Home to floral species and endemic faunal species with a combination of almost 80 kinds of species.

Location
Halong Bay is located in Ha Long City, town of Cam Pha, province of Quang Ninh, Vietnam and also part of Van Don District.  Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin. With  coordinates of N20 53 60 E107 5 60 for easier reference.

How To Get To Halong Bay?
Transport from Noi International Airport going to Hanao you can ride a private car or a minibus. From Hanoi or Hai Phong either you can rent a car or ride a bus going to Halong Bay. Or if you prefer a much faster travel you can also ride a helicopter which is only available in Gia Lam Airport.

Best Time Of The Year To Halong Bay
Halong Bay can be visited all year round, except during winter which start about the month of December until February. The best months is from October to April, during its spring or fall seasons. Summer months in the area covers May to September.

Accommodations
Accommodations in the area ranges from high standard, luxury, and business class hotels. There are also budget accommodations. Either you can stay at Halong Plaza Hotel or Halong Pearl Hotel for high standard hotels. Van Ly Hotel or Hong Minh Hotel for standard hotels.

Tips
Pre-purchased tour is better than an on-site purchase.  Go directly to tourist company than rely on tours offered by the hotels you’re staying in.  Book your travels in advance.

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park

“PPSRNP,St. Paul Underground River, St. Paul’s Subterranean River National Park, Underground River, ”

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is one of the finalists for the “New Seven Wonders of Nature” search, was also included in the UNESCO World Heritage lists. This park is being managed by the City Government of Puerto Princesa since 1992.

Highlights
The park itself boast of 8.2 kilometer navigable underground river, with a landscape of limestone karst mountain. Stalactites and stalagmites are the main formation of its major large chambers. The river itself flows into the South China Sea after it winds through amazing caves. A clear lagoon can be found at the mouth of the cave. It is rich in biodiversity of life, its flora contains several forest types which includes of more than eight hundred plant species. Its fauna encompass more than 200 bird species, like the Blue-naped parrot and White breasted sea eagle. Of its thirty mammal species, the only primate in the area is the long-tailed macaque.There are also more than ten kinds of reptiles, species of bats and the Sea cow.

Location
The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is located in the Midwest coast of Palawan almost fifty kilometers north of the city of Puerto Princesa, Philippines. It lies in the Saint Paul Mountain Range. For easier reference its coordinates are 10 degrees 10 north, 118 degrees 55 south.

How To Get To Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park?
From the city of Puerto Princesa one must go to Sabang Beach which is roughly a 2 hour drive through rough road. Sabang beach is the area wherein you can get permits and book your boat to the entrance of the river. On the picnic area of the Sabang beach another registration awaits you, and wherein you will be required to wear your head gear and life vest before your tour inside the cave. Coming from Manila by plane will take you about an hour flight to Puerto Princesa. Either you can avail the services of Philippine Airlines, Air Philippines, Cebu Pacific and Zest Air. If you are planning to ride in a ferry, both Negros Navigation and Superferry have weekly ferry to Puerto Princesa from Manila.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park
You can visit Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park all year round. Though it is highly recommended to visit it during the dry season wherein it has bright and clear skies which usually starts from November and end about April. Just be prepared for more people during this time.  If you prefer fewer people you can visit the place in May to October during its wet season.

Accommodations
Accommodations in the area ranges from lodges to hotels and resorts. Just to name a few you can stay in Palo Alto Bed and Breakfast, The Legend Hotel Palawan, Dos Palmas Arreceffi Island Resort and Hibiscus Garden Inn.

Tips
Be sure to have your permits. Their standing policy is “No Permit, No Entry.

Other Places To Visit
Honda Bay, Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center, Iwahig Penal Colony and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.

The Great Barrier Reef

“The Reef ,GBR , Coral Kingdom”

The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The biggest single formation made by living organisms. A reef that is visible from outer space. Considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and was selected as a World Heritage Site.

Highlights
The Great Barrier Reef is deem as one of Australia’s most amazing natural gifts. It composed of more than 3000 individual reefs with more than 800 islands. A dimension of 2,600 kilometers over an area of 344,400 square kilometers. The reef teemed with a variety of life, from more than thousand of fish species, more than three hundred hard coral, more than a hundred of bird species, and species of mollusk numbering more than four thousand.  With an unnumbered different kinds of marine life. The reef itself is built and composed of billions of coral polyps.

Location
The Great Barrier Reef can be found in Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland in north-east Australia. For easier reference The Great Barrier Reef’s center is about nineteen degrees South and one hundred forty eight degrees East.

How To Get To The Great Barrier Reef?
Going to the Great Barrier Reef can be done either through the following places, Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast. Coming from Sydney you can either ride a bus or a train going to Cairns. The most popular destination in the area is Cairns. Airports that are available in the area are,  Cairns International Airport, Townsville Airport and Whitsunday Coast Airport.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit The Great Barrier Reef
You can visit the Great Barrier Reef according to your purpose and preference. April to October is best for divers. June to August is the high season in Queensland. The Wet season is either November or December to April best for waterfalls. If you are into whale viewing June to December will best suits you.

Accommodations
Accommodations in the Great Barrier Reef ranges from simple to elegant to luxury resorts, lodges and hotels. Some of the known places are the Hayman, Lizard, Brampton and Dunk best for couples. Lady Elliot, Wilson, and Heron are for diving and fishing enthusiast. For family holiday Hamilton and Daydream are highly recommended.

Tips
Be sure to check with local authorities of the safety guidelines inplace. Tipping is not compulsary but it has been a part of Australian’s restaurant. Be sure to check also the tides before going to snorkeling and swimming and bring the necessary safety tools.

Punta Cana

Punta Cana is just one of the best beaches you can find along the Coconut Coast, however there are other Playas surrounding the area like Macao, Cortecito, Punta Juanillo and Bavaro.

Highlights
Punta Cana is considered an area safe to swim all year round. With an estimation of more than thirty miles of white beaches. It caters to many different activities like snorkeling, water biking, and diving spots.

Location
Punta Cana belongs to the easternmost province of the Dominican Republic a in the municipal district of La Altagracia (Punta Cana-Bávaro-Veron-Macao). Dominican Republic is located in the Caribbean Sea.

How To Get There?
Though Dominican Republic has eight international airports like La Isabela, Santiago, Gregorio Luperon, La Romana, Las Americas and Punta Cana. The best to get there is through Punta Cana International Airport which is very accessible and best connected airports in the Caribbean.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Punta Cana
Despite the fact that Punta Cana is considered an area to swim all year round, you might want to think about its seasons. May to October are the months of hot and humid seasons. While November to March are the months with lower temperature.

Accommodations
Hotels are the main accomodations in Punta Cana. Ranging from simple to elegant hotels, luxury hotels, 3 to five star hotels and so many more. Private Resorts, Vacation Homes and Villa Rentals also abound in the area.

Tips
Always check out a map of the Punta Cana place.And don’t forget to bring your sunblock lotion and extra cash
for tipping.

“Islas Galápagos ,Archipiélago de Colón, Islas de Colón”

The Galapagos Islands are all branch of Ecuador’s national park system.  Islands are archipelago of volcanic islands. Its neighboring waters and the islands shape its main components of a national park, biological reserve and an Ecuadorian province.

Highlights
The Galapagos Islands became famous because of the work of Charles Darwin of his evolution theory and natural selection. The islands was well know of its wildlife reserves containing a huge numbers of endemic species. The islands consists of eighteen islands not including the islets.

Location
The Galapagos Islands belong to the country of Ecuador in the eastern Pacific Ocean since 1831 the year it was annexed,to the north is Cocos Island and to the south is Easter Island. For easier reference the islands are located at Longitude 90°W; Latitude 0° 00” on the Equator.

How to Get To Galapagos Islands
The best way to get to Galapagos Islands from anywhere in the world is  through mainland Ecuador, either to its capital Quito or Guayaquil.From these two destinations you can travel through plane which is the best or boats which would take you about three days to travel. Highly recommended is to book your tickets in advance and have a tour company.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit Galapagos Islands
You can visit the Galapagos Islands all year round. If you are living in the USA and Europe between June to August is the best time to travel as these months are considered summer holidays. May to June and September is considered the low season. Wildlife activities are always on display may it be the hot season or cool season.

Accommodations
Most often times travelers spend their time on a cruise. But during their stay on the islands, hotels are the main accommodations. Ranging from simple to elegant hotels. Santa Cruz, Isabela, San Cristobal and Santa Maria are the four islands that has hotel accommodations.

Tips
Considering its seasons – The Hot season and the Dry season, one must be  ready for a proper wear or attire. Some of the checklist would be, shoes, shorts, shirts (long and short sleeved), wind breaker, sun block and sunglasses.

“Salt Sea,Yam ha Maved, Sea of Salt, Killer Sea”

The Dead Sea is a salt lake which is the lowest elevation on the Earth’s surface on dry land. Surface is over one thousand three hundred feet or about more than four hundred twenty meters below sea level, the deepest part is over two thousand three hundred feet below sea level. More than eight times saltier than the ocean of having an equivalent of thirty five percent of the water is liquefied salts. It is a lake of no outlet streams, its water escapes only through evaporation.

Highlights
The lake has a dimension of sixty seven kilometers long and eighteen kilometers wide. Fish and other squirming and swimming creatures can not exist in this lake, except for several kinds of bacteria and a class of algae. Its mineral salts are highly concentrated in comparison to the mineral salts of the world. Though swimming is relatively difficult, our bodies our more bouyant in this lake because of its high density, hence it provides a relaxing floating occurence. It is considered the world’s first health resorts in the olden times. It produces several kinds of products which are being use for cosmetics and fertilizers.

Location
The Dead sea is located in Middle East adjoining Jordan to the east and Israel and the West Bank to the west. For latitude reference it is located thirty one degrees North and thirty six degrees East.

How To Get There?
Getting to Dead Sea can be done either through the Israel side or the Jordan Side. From Israel side either through Jerusalem, Eliat and Tel Aviv which has bus services going to the access points of two oases of Ein Gedi and Ein Bokek. Taxi services are also availale. Ammnan and Aqaba are the places you can use on the Jordanian side. Taxi, bus and shuttle are also the main ways in getting to the Dead Sea. All of this travel are possible on a day trip only.

Best Time Of The Year To Visit The Dead Sea
You can visit the place all year round. April and between September and October are the busiest months in Israel because of its holiday season. The area is pack with tourist and it also means prices are a little higher. July to August are the hottiest months in Israel. If you prefer cheaper holiday and less heat the month of October and November are recommended.

Accommodations
Guest house, hostel,hotels and other places for lodging are plentiful in the area of Israel and Jordan. If you are in a budget either you can opt for guest houses like the Ein Gedi Beit Sarah Guest House in Israel and The Dead Sea Resthouse in Jordan. If you are into luxury hotel The Kempinksi Hotel Ishtar and Holiday Inn Dead Sea are the five star hotel in the area.

Tips
Swimming in the Dead Sea can be a little bit challenging, if you are not an experienced swimmer, try not to swim, just float and float on your back. Even if you are a strong swimmer caution is always     advice, wearing goggles are needed.Freestyle swimming and not breaststroke style are recommended. If you have cuts or wounds or just have your shave better yet not to swim.