The world’s most beautiful islands top the bucket list of many discerning travelers. Islands are generally pretty gorgeous. They are islands after all. But not all islands are created the same. The ones that made it into my top 10 list are just crazy beautiful. Featuring breathtaking topography, spectacular beaches and/or fascinating cultures, these islands offer something for everyone, whether you are dreaming of a relaxing beach holiday or plotting an active adventure. From Canada’s rain-drenched coastal areas to the sunny reefs of the Maldives, here are the world’s 10 most stunningly beautiful islands. There is more information (with YouTube videos) below my slide show (including a selection of luxury hotels). Think I missed an island? Leave a comment or take my poll at the bottom of the page! 6. SICILY 5. BORA BORA *** Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter or Facebook for a daily moment of travel inspiration *** 10. LA REUNION La Reunion offers one of the Indian Ocean’s last great island adventures. With dramatic natural scenery, a French identity and a rich melting pot of cultures, the beautiful island is quite unlike its beach paradise neighbor Mauritius. La Reunion feels like an epic real-life version of the Jurassic Park movies, with emerald forests, tumbling waterfalls, awesome mountainscapes, and soul-stirring panoramas. The formidable Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes, adds to the thrill. I recommend combining Reunion and Mauritius in the same travel itinerary, as a relaxing stay at one of Mauritius’ luxurious beach resorts perfectly complements the sightseeing, activities and more modest accommodations on offer in La Reunion, which is just a short flight away. My selection of hotels: LUX* Saint Gilles 8. BALI (INDONESIA) The most famous island in Indonesia, Bali is called the famed island of the Gods. With its varied landscape of sandy beaches, hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and cliffs, gorgeous waterfalls, as well as lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides, some people claim that Bali is earth’s ultimate paradise. In addition to that, Bali is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts in the world. But Bali also has a colorful and deeply spiritual culture, which is why it is known as the “island of a thousand temples”. There are sea temples, directional temples and so many others so that 1,000 is an understatement. It is true that the island is partly overrun with tourists, hence explaining while neighboring Lombok may offer a more authentic experience. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best luxury resorts in Bali. 6. SICILY (ITALY) Known as the hiding place of the Corleone family, Sicily is a delightfully verdant island, the largest in the Mediterranean Sea, and covered in olives and lemon groves, vineyards and citrus fruit. The famous coastline of the island varies from sandy beaches and gulfs opening onto peaceful crystal clear bays, to steep cliffs, and crags. Sicily is also a world-class cultural destination, with impressive witnesses from ancient times encountered at every turn. From the beautiful shore line, to the top of the still active volcano Mt Etna, from the well-preserved Greek ruins, to the world-class shopping in Taormina and, of course, the picturesque villages and incredible cuisine, Sicily remains one of Europe’s gems. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best luxury hotels in Sicily. 4. SANTORINI (GREECE) Arguably Greece’s most beautiful island, Santorini is a mix of towering black cliffs, inky waters and whitewashed villages. Santorini inspires every visitor because of its spectacular landscapes of white washed houses and blue domed churches perched on volcanic cliffs, all set against the backdrop of the beautiful shimmering Aegean waters. Unfortunately, thanks to its epic beauty, Santorini endures another plague – plenty of visitors during summer – when roads are blocked, restaurants are full and prices soar. While spring is a lovely time to visit, particularly for the wild flowers, the sea has yet to warm up enough for all but the bravest. This is why October is best – there are no crowds, the water is warm and there’s wine to be tasted. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in Santorini 3. MALDIVES Undeniably the most luxurious destination on the globe, the Maldives has become a synonym for paradise whether it is for honeymooners, sun worshipers, scuba divers or celebrities. Located on the equator towards the south of India and stretching over 800 km/500 miles, the islands are the visible coral tips of an oceanic volcanic mountain range whose outer edge at some points plunge to depths of over 3 km/1,8 miles. The Maldives are blessed with exquisite ribbons of powdery-soft white sand, crystal clear blue lagoons, incredible underwater wildlife, and unrivalled luxury resorts that take up their own private island. The Maldives is also home to my two favorite hotels in the world, Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, which both offer the world’s largest overwater villas (with slides and retractable roofs). My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in the Maldives. 2. SEYCHELLES The Seychelles are an archipelago of legendary beauty in the Indian Ocean, just south of the Equator and east of Kenya. Its 115 coral and granite islands, which are the peaks of a massive underwater plateau, star in countless tropical island fantasies and represent one of the world’s very last frontiers. Once your aircraft descends into the Seychelles International Airport, you know that you have arrived at a place of awe-inspiring scenery, with granitic mountain ranges clad in virgin jungle cascading down to hauntingly beautiful, palm fringed, with sand beaches. The Seychelles beckon discerning travelers to their shores, by offering adventure, romance and luxury resorts in pristine surrounds still untouched by man. My selection of hotels: click here for my top 10 list of the best hotels in the Seychelles. 1. KAUAI (HAWAII, USA) Towards the end of the Hawaiian archipelago lives a small, rainy island called Kauai. Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is home to wildly verdant landscapes, breathtaking beaches and utter serenity. It is on the northwest shore of Kauai that you will discover the famous Napali Coast – a 16 km/10