As lockdown restrictions are easing up around the world, travelers are reviving their plans and islands are on top of many lists because they make great vacation destinations. Most people troop to the Caribbean or to African islands and these exotic locations are perfect for either a solo trip, family, or couple vacation.
The top 25 Islands in the world that will be perfect for a post-COVID-19 vacation are spread across six continents.
This comprehensive list was curated by World’s Best Awards survey and Travel + Leisure whose survey asked correspondents to rate their experiences on islands across the globe. The survey’s curators hope that “this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be.”
The islands were rated with regards to “activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”
The survey was curated by March 2020 and so the analysis reflects the experiences of travelers before the coronavirus lockdown and shutdown across the globe.
Palawan in the Philippines was the top-rated island with Bora-Bora in French Polynesia coming in at the 25th spot. Some countries had two entries like Australia, United States, Thailand, and French Polynesia. However, Greece had the most wins with three – Páros (No. 2), Mílos (No. 3) and Crete (No. 15).
There was only one Caribbean island making the list this year. The lovely Anguilla came in at number 7 as one reporter rightly said, “This is the way the Caribbean was 50 years ago, and they work hard to maintain its authentic charm. So much to do, and none of it is tacky T-shirt shops or chain restaurants.”
Anguilla was recently declared COVID-19 free by WHO and the island nation’s number of reported cases currently stands at three, with all patients fully recovered.
The Ministry of Health said in a statement that, “This is undoubtedly an important milestone and a great achievement for Anguilla. Moreover, we have come this far because of a unified effort and the cooperation of the wider community.”
This is great news for vacationers as the fear of contracting the virus is the reason most vacations and summer trips have been cancelled. Anguilla also opened its borders on June 30, so it is about time to book the next flight to this breath-taking Eastern Caribbean island.
The only African island flying the flag of the continent is Mauritius. Mark Twain describes the essence of the island in this quote, “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.”
Mauritius is the 6th island many holiday makers would choose to visit in 2020, according to the survey and they sure will be making a great choice because the island is not congested.
It is one of the few island nations in the world that was actually populated from scratch by “foreigners”, so the blend of cultures and traditions make the island unique.
Currently, the island of Mauritius is rated a high-income country by the World Bank and this analysis came prior to accessing the impact of COVID-19 on the island.
The island country’s clear blue waters, long mountain ranges, lush planes, and stunning waterfalls have made it an exclusive tourist destination for many from Europe.
