With its related tribute, CNN chooses to highlight the lesser-known and equally beautiful destinations – “quiet places”
A multitude of travel destinations, satisfying every taste, can be found by anyone who wishes to travel to Europe.
With its related feature, however, CNN chooses to highlight the lesser-known and equally beautiful destinations – “retreats” where travelers can escape from the crowds and get close to nature.
As was probably expected, the Greek flavor could not be absent from the list, since among the ten “alternative” islands proposed by the American network is the picturesque Skyros.
Here are 10 secluded islands recommended by CNN.
Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands
Duinkruin #Schiermonnikoog pic.twitter.com/SU8FAR4f5s
— Chris.Talsma (@TalsmaC) January 6, 2023
The Netherlands is better known for the canals and tropical islands of the Dutch Caribbean than for the sand islands along the country’s North Sea coast.
For a quiet getaway, CNN recommends Schiermonnikoog in the West Frisian Islands, located off the northern coast of the Netherlands in a shallow area of the North Sea called the Wadden Sea.
With a population of just 950 people and a lonely town, Schier – as the locals call their island – is a national park, covered in sand dunes and forests and with some of the most pristine beaches in Europe.
“Besides the beautiful nature and its vastness, there is not much to do on the island. And that’s exactly its charm,” says Annemarieke Romeijn, who has a holiday home in Schiermonnikoog and has been visiting it all her life.
Visitors can go amber hunting on the island’s beaches, learn to kitesurf, and cycle or hike its trails.
Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
The island where you will see more Atlantic puffins (also known as puffins, these are small penguin-colored birds with a distinctive beak) than people. After all, its population is 4,500 people compared to almost 1 million puffins!
Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands), off the south coast of Iceland, looks like something out of a fairy tale, with emerald hills dotted with sheep, a black sand beach and sea caves along its rugged coastline.
Stone houses with turf roofs on the island of Heimaey, Iceland. pic.twitter.com/2m6Q51z6z8
— Tracy Hogan (@HoganSOG) December 27, 2020
As soon as you reach Heimaey, the view will take your breath away: the harbor is surrounded by high hills where various species of seabirds live.
Pridrangar Lighthouse was built in 1939 and is located near Vestmannaeyjar Islands in South Iceland.
Accessibility is difficult, so it is almost mandatory to access it by helicopter, although even so, when the weather is not good, it is very difficult to reach it. pic.twitter.com/GTUARweIsz
—Dr. MF Khan (@Dr_TheHistories) June 4, 2022
A cataclysmic volcanic eruption in 1973 covered the area with 200 million tons of ash and lava, but miraculously there was only one fatality. Today, it’s completely peaceful, with secluded hiking trails to explore and endless ocean views.
Flores Island, Azores, Portugal
One of the most remote islands in an already remote archipelago, Flores Island is a nature lover’s dream.
Craters with blue lakes, vivid green slopes, waterfalls and hot springs are among the exotic attractions on the 55-square-mile volcanic island that is home to about 3,400 people.
Hiking towards Faja. On the grand Flores Island. Azores, Portugal. pic.twitter.com/QGrDycy1R1
— Tracy Hogan (@HoganSOG) August 30, 2021
One of the most magical sites in Flores is Rocha dos Bordões, an interesting columnar geological formation, dressed in green, that looks like a dinosaur movie set.
Naustholmen, Norway
Visitors must fly into Bodø in Northern Norway and then continue north by boat to reach this private island owned by Randi Skaug, the first Norwegian woman to climb Mount Everest.
The island has only three houses with rooms. Visitors can spend their days kayaking on white sand beaches surrounded by clear blue waters or hiking to nearby peaks for views of the Lofoten Islands to the north.
Magic 😍 Lady Aurora dancing over Naustholmen in Steigen. Photo Lillian Molstad Andresen #Norway #NorthernLights pic.twitter.com/koCIK8ieRG
— Elusive Moose (@elusive_moose) March 15, 2016
They can also just curl up in a hammock and do absolutely nothing, surrounded by the silence and beauty of this remote place.
Isle of Tiree, Scotland
One look at the turquoise and deep sapphire waters and perfect surf waves make it clear why the Isle of Tiree is sometimes referred to as the Hawaii of the North.
The closing of a wonderful day as the sun settles behind the Isle of Tiree. I’m camping on the Isle of Lunga, Treshnish Islands. pic.twitter.com/jXhb0QROpf
— Nick Ray (@LifeAfloat) April 14, 2021
The most westerly island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago, off the west coast of Scotland, Tiree is known for its mild climate, clean air and beautiful white sand beaches. In August the water temperature reaches 14 degrees Celsius.
The flat island offers easy hiking and biking trails.
Berlengas Archipelago, Portugal
One of Portugal’s most stunning island destinations awaits visitors arriving by boat for day trips or camping.
It is located in the Berlengas Archipelago, a cluster of mostly uninhabited islands within the UNESCO Berlengas Biosphere Reserve.
The archipelago is best known for São João Baptista, a fortress dating back to the 1600s.
The landscape is arid but beautiful and the sight of the Atlantic Ocean “hitting” the islands is impressive. The archipelago is one of the best places for diving in Portugal, thanks to the unique currents and climate influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.
Baleal 🇵🇹
Sunset over Peniche and Berlengas 🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/GMjKElKWFL— René Christensen (@RenChristensen5) September 19, 2022
Alicudi, Sicily, Italy
isola alicudi🇮🇹☀️🌊 pic.twitter.com/uVXmTnBjGJ
— Giorgio🇮🇹50%🇨🇿 (@G21946109) January 13, 2023
Wild and rugged, Aliduci is the most remote and least populated of the seven volcanic Aeolian Islands off the northern coast of Sicily.
“It is the wildest island of Sicily. They still use donkeys to transport goods to Alicudi,” says Sicilian Francesco Curione. “If you want peace and feel like a castaway, this is the place.”
The island is like a postcard: a volcanic landscape combined with colorful fishing boats.
There are no cars or hotels on this island of 100 inhabitants, so finding a quiet spot all to yourself is never a problem.
The higher you walk along the lava stone steps that lead up the volcanic slopes, the deeper the silence.
Skyros, Greece
Laugh to make the world beautiful..!!!
Skyros 7 in the morning 🌝🌝⛱ pic.twitter.com/BsjlyBpteo
— Des.Messalina👑 (@despinatheodo) June 6, 2021
For Skyros, CNN reports that it is a calmer experience compared to the crowds of Santorini and Mykonos.
There are plenty of secluded beaches to explore, a Byzantine castle towering over the town and sea as well as tiny Scyrian horses.
With the exception of the Halloween season, when the famous carnival sets the island into a non-stop party rhythm, with parades, costumes, feasts and a deluge of Athenians, Skyros is an extremely peaceful place.
Rathlin Island, Northern Ireland
At six emerald-hued miles long and just a mile wide, Rathlin Island off the coast of Northern Ireland is home to only about 150 permanent residents.
#Rathlin looking wintry. Happy Friday after an interesting week for all. pic.twitter.com/g0CGyaN4fU
— Edward McGuigan (@EddieMc1981) January 13, 2023
Visitors can enjoy the wild rocks that are battered by the sea and that are home to thousands of birds. At the same time, they can also see colonies of seals in more remote places.
This wild island offers hiking trails as well as diving opportunities. Experienced divers can explore the many shipwrecks found in the open sea, such as the HMS Drake, which was torpedoed by a German U-boat during the First World War.
Don’t miss a visit to Rathlin West Light, a lighthouse built upside down on the rocks.
Fasta Åland, Finland
In the Gulf of Bothnia between Sweden and Finland, the Åland archipelago has more than 6,500 islands, of which only about 60 are inhabited.
These islands belong to Finland, but are considered an autonomous region and are only 25 miles from Sweden, while the official language is Swedish.
Fasta Åland is the largest island of the archipelago and a good base for exploring.
Cycle around nearby islands connected by ferry and bridges or just enjoy the sauna and sea view.
Fint och lunt på fasta Åland pic.twitter.com/gyeGtKv5Q7
— ALiSoleRo (@Solero2007) March 8, 2021
Editing: Daily
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