...the most beautiful island countries in the world

7 Most Beautiful Island Countries in the World

Diana White
Womanitely.com

 

 

There are a few gorgeous island countries in the world that are definitely worth vising. Summer is fast approaching and that means it’s time to start planning your vacation. While there are many fascinating countries in the world to visit, I think there is something more adventurous, exotic and romantic about visiting an island country. Take a look at the list of 7 breathtakingly beautiful island countries in the world, which everyone should certainly visit at least once in lifetime.

1. Malta

 

 

Malta is a beautiful southern European country in the Mediterranean Sea, which has a rich history and culture. There are amazing sky-high cliffs to climb, fabulous temples to explore, mysterious hidden coves, and lots of wonderful places to go scuba diving. In fact, there are plenty of interesting things to see and to do in Malta and this island country has something for everyone. The historic part of Malta has incredible architecture, great walled cities, and many underground tunnels to explore.

2. The Philippines

 

 

One of the most beautiful and best island countries in the world is the Philippines. It’s actually a geographically gorgeous place worth vising any time of the year. The Philippines contain over 7,000 islands, and all of them are beautiful and unique in their own way. There are many wonderful tourist attractions including the Tubbataha Reef, Mayon Volcano, Banaue Rice Terraces, Puerto Galera, Donsol, the Chocolate Hills and many more. The country also offers plenty of interesting activities for you to experience, such as diving, climbing, camping, hiking, bird watching and many others.

3. Australia

Australia is an amazing island country, which everyone should visit at least once in life. It’s often identified as mega diverse country as it boasts a rich culture, fantastic wildlife, nice people, and a plethora of fun and interesting things to see and to do. Australia has literally everything, from the spectacular beaches, canyons, to breathtaking green forests to explore.

4. The Maldives

Not only is the Maldives one of the most beautiful island countries, it is also one of the most popular honeymoon destinations. Situated in the middle of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is made up of an entire series of incredible ancient coral reefs that grew up along the sides of ancient volcanoes. There is a magnificent ocean, with fascinating beaches and luxury resorts. If you are looking for the best honeymoon destination, the Maldives will be perfect for you.

5. Cuba

Unfortunately, many people don’t even think of visiting Cuba these days. However, Cuba is a charming island country that boasts the clear blue waters, the white sandy beaches, the best coral reefs in the world, the small shops and numerous attractions. This country has a rich culture and history to explore. And if you like to scuba dive or snorkel, Cuba should be number one on your travel bucket list. Cuba is the closest island to North America, so why not visit it this year?

6. Fiji

Fiji is a fabulous island that has plenty of surprises for any adventurous traveler. There is one of the world’s best surf scenes, and many surfing enthusiasts travel to Fiji yearly to ride the great waves. Well, if surfing is not for you and you love sitting on the beach and relaxing or hiking, seeing breathtaking waterfalls, Fiji is certainly the best island country to visit.

7. Japan

I’m sure there’s no other place on the planet like Japan. It’s an island country where East meets West, the cultures do not clash, and where you will never feel bored. You will fill up on ramen, sushi, experience different culture, go hiking in the spectacular hills, and don’t forget to visit Tokyo.

Tokyo’s bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs are busy each night of the week. If you are a true
shopaholic, Japan is a must visit place for you.

These island countries are not to be missed, and we can’t just describe them. You really do have to visit them in person. I know these countries seem to be luxury, but I strongly believe that every person can visit at least one of these beautiful island countries. The difference is that some people can afford to do it now while others have to save money the whole year or two. Do you want to visit any of the countries mentioned above?

 

...the PH Azkal's new rank

Philippines reaches new high in FIFA ranking

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 12/19/2013

 

 

MANILA – The Philippine Azkals recorded another milestone by reaching its highest ranking ever in the FIFA world men’s list.

Previously ranked number 133 in the world, the Philippines jumped six places higher at number 127.

The Azkals are now a notch above Kazakhstan and one place below Cyprus.

The Philippines also improved its ranking in the Asian level, climbing to 17th place from its previous ranking of 19th.

Spain remained on top of the world’s list, followed by Germany and Argentina.

In their most recent outing last November, the Filipino booters held India to a 1-1 draw.

The Azkals are set to compete in the AFC Challenge Cup main draw, which kicks off in Maldives in May 2014.

....the best leisure destinations 2012

Philippine awarded as one of 2012's best leisure destination

 

 

Philippine Star

April 2, 2012

The Lifestyle Publication recently named the Philippines as one of 2012’s “Best Leisure Destinations”.

The Grand Annual Tourism Awards had been conferred by the Lifestyle Publications for three years now. The awardees were chosen by the tourism industry representatives and professionals.

Other awardees in the same category were Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Maldives.

Lifestyle is among the top 10 most sought-after newspapers for advertising in China and is renowned as the “top fashion and lifestyle service newspaper brand in China”. It has a circulation of about 300,000 copies and is published every Monday and Thursday.

The four (4) Grand Annual Tourism Awards given by Lifestyle are “The Most Popular Destination Award”, “Classic Destination Award“, “The Most Attractive Destination Award”, and the “Best Thorough Tour Destination Award.

...the Azkals goes to AFC Challenge Cup

AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers: Philippines top Group E as rivalry with Turkmenistan grows

Roy Moore

GMA News

March 27, 2013

 

On to Maldives - the Philippines topped Group E to advance to the next phase of the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup. Roehl Niño Bautista, GMA News Online

With a 3-0 default win from Brunei, an 8-0 thrashing of Cambodia, and 1-0 victory over Turkmenistan, the Philippines won nine points with the highest goal difference of the competition to top their group and the qualification period as a whole. Defeating Turkmenistan for the very first time, the Philippines is now the team to beat come 2014 on the main stage of the Challenge Cup in the Maldive Islands.

With these performances, the Philippines is set to jump to their highest FIFA Ranking ever, possibly within the 130s, when they are released next time. So with a growing rivalry with Turkmenistan, Phil Younghusband back to his scoring ways, seven clean sheets in nine games, but more controversy off the pitch, we dissect the Philippines’ route to the 2014 Challenge Cup main stage.

‘Like a Final’

In the post-match press conference, the Turkmenistan coach, Hojageldiyev Yazguly, said, “It was a very interesting game…I think this match was like a final.” Similar sentiments followed from Coach Weiss who added, “For me, Turkmenistan will be the team to beat again and on neutral soil it will be different.”

Ladies and gentlemen, what we have is a rivalry.

There wasn’t much in this game, and the Turkmenistan coach pointed out, “The last two games against the Philippines, the luck was on our side but this time the luck was with [the Philippines].”

However, this is the advancement the Philippines has made. Turkmenistan was rated 121st in the world in the previous FIFA Rankings, dropping 19 places that month due to a lack of games and the natural cycle, rather than any statement of their quality. Turkmenistan was considered by many to be the best team in the Challenge Cup Qualifiers, as runners-up to North Korea in the previous two editions, and the Philippines went and beat them.

Whatever you think of the style of play, who should or shouldn’t start, how Neil Etheridge wasn’t even among the subs, or the lack of substitutions from those who were on the bench, valid concerns, there is no doubting the progress of this team. Turkmenistan has now been defeated in a continually growing list of countries the Philippines have beaten for the very first time under manager Dan Palami and coach Michael Weiss.

This list includes India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Palestine, Singapore, and a couple more if you don’t include the Olympic Games forty years ago as full international matches. That list, that progress, and this line-up, is the best the Philippines has ever had. The biggest challenge now is keeping them together.

Phil rediscovers where he put his Golden Boot

Phil Younghusband finished as the leading scorer of the 2012 Challenge Cup, with two more than anyone else, totaling six in that competition. Here, the top scorer of the Philippines scored five goals, again two ahead of everyone else, to take his tally to 33 for his country. It seems he really enjoys playing in the Challenge Cup, and for the rest of the teams left in the competition, their challenge will be to keep him quiet.

In the Suzuki Cup, he hit a dry spell as teams had scouted the Philippines, identified him as the major threat, and bullied him out of the game. It was effective and his only goal came against Myanmar at the start of the second half, in a tournament where he was pushed and elbowed into anonymity.

While this tactic may prove effective again for the other teams in the Challenge Cup, it will be too much of a price for other teams to pay now. Committing two defenders to bully Younghusband would leave space for Javier Patiño, who has proven himself worthy of a place in the starting line-up with a brace in his debut and an enterprising performance against Turkmenistan. That means the Philippines are top dog and can go out playing to win every single game come March 2014.

The only caveat for Younghusband is he got sent off versus Turkmenistan. A yellow card in the first half for deliberately handling the ball was followed by a second for holding onto his man and dragging him back in the 85th minute. He will therefore be unavailable for the first group game in the 2014 Challenge Cup.

Stalwart defense and team spirit

The unsung heroes of the Azkals was their defense. If the defense goes unnoticed, they’ve done their job well and Rob Gier in particularly never put a foot wrong. After the game the veteran Azkal said, “I think today the game was all about the defenders… I think we’ve proved we have all the right ingredients to show we can be a very good team”.

Of the squad as a whole, he said, “When people keep asking about what’s special about the team I keep coming back to it; it’s the team spirit.” And with Rob Gier and Juani Guirado solid in defense, the Philippines have kept seven clean sheets in their last nine games (not including the default win against Brunei).

This has been part of an overall defensive unit where Dennis Cagara and Carli De Murga have thwarted the wing play, offering offensive options too, and seen fourteen clean sheets in the twenty games since the last Challenge Cup. During the Suzuki Cup, the defensive strength came at the expense of the attack, but now the Philippines look much more balanced with, as Weiss said, “the best still yet to come.”

Stadium half-full or half-empty?

On the pitch, the Philippines was superb and has been constantly improving. But off the pitch there is so much more that needs to be done – and a lot of it is just common sense.

The most prestigious tournament in South East Asia, the Suzuki Cup, sold their most expensive tickets for the Final at around P700. Yet somehow the organizers of these qualifiers thought that charging almost four times that amount for some seats was appropriate.

Group D hosts Nepal had an average of 16,000 for their group matches, more than twice the Philippine attendance. The Philippines has the potential to average similar figures quite easily and this would build a sustainable financial picture for Philippine football, something essential for the continued growth of the sport. But if ever decisions like ticket prices here are repeated, it will not only choke the National team, but the UFL and grassroots football too.

Who makes it to the Maldives?

As Group E winners, the Philippines will join the other four group winners for the final stage of the Challenge Cup, namely Myanmar, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Palestine.

Turkmenistan made it as the best runners-up while Bangladesh are the second best runners-up and these seven nations will join host country Maldives in March 2014, for the group stage.

Of interest in the qualification stage, 2006 winners Tajikistan and 2008 winners India, who the Philippines beat in the group stage last year to qualify for the semifinals, will not be in the final stage for the first time since the competition began as both finished as runners-up in their groups. With weaker goal differences than Turkmenistan and Bangladesh, it was simply the luck of the draw as those who qualified could rack up the goal difference against Cambodia and the Northern Mariana Islands, respectively.

The Challenge Cup has certainly had its share of challenges so far, and we can probably expect a new and hopefully fairer system of qualification next time around. But for 2014, the Philippines have just put themselves in top contention to win their first ever internationally sanctioned trophy. Come March, 2014, everyone will be looking out for the Philippines. - AMD, GMA News

 

 

...the world's best island resorts

Amanpulo among travel website's best island resorts

 

Reuters

02/11/2013

 

 

LONDON, United Kingdom - Owning your own idyllic island may be out of reach financially, but online boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have come up with 10 exotic locales where you can feel as though you're the king of your own small world.

 

Reuters has not endorsed this list:

1. Romantic retreats

Matangi Private Island Resort, Fiji Islands, Fiji

Go all Robinson Crusoe with a hint of romance at Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji where some of the 12 villas nestle in the tops of the trees (others hug the golden beach). Add a serene seaside spa and some dreamy diving and you have all the elements for a chic castaway stay. You definitely won't need to fend for yourself though: the kitchen crew can pack a picnic basket for the two of you to enjoy on heavenly Horseshoe Bay.

2. Eco indulgence

Song Saa Private Island, Koh Rong Islands, Cambodia

Australians Rory and Melita Hunter built Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia both to sustain the local community and provide important reef restoration and education programmes. So far, so green. If you then imagine rustic bures with minimal luxury, you would be so, so wrong. Thatch and stone villas, all with private pools, are scattered over the water and in the jungle. And with just 27 on twin private isles, discretion is assured. Snorkel on the reef, have a seafood feast under the stars or let expert hands soothe you at Ila Spa Sanctuary.

3. Underwater adventure

Amanpulo, Pamalican Island, Philippines

Finding a secluded patch of pure white sand isn't hard at Amanpulo boutique hotel on private Pamalican Island. Of the 40 rooms and 11 villas, 29 are Beach Casitas just steps from the water where reefs harbour jewel-bright coral and flitting fish. Inspired? The on-site PADI dive centre offers introductory dives, certification courses and trips to nearby dive sites where you can spy stingrays, splash with sea turtles and even find Nemo. For those who like to combine water with other liquids, the Kawayan Bar is a pontoon where you can lounge with a cocktail between bouts of duck-diving.

4. Ultimate escape

Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort, Tuamotus, French Polynesia

Barefoot luxury doesn't come much better than this sun-kissed coral atoll, especially for those whose partners are obsessed with keeping in touch with work/friends/the rest of the world. At just-remote-enough, 37-room Tikehau Pearl Beach Resort in the Tuamotus the internet connection is sketchy. There'll be no excuses for not sprawling on the rose-pink sand, lounging by the lagoon at Tianoa Bar with a piña colada or gliding down the stairs of your Premium Overwater Bungalow into the warm, clear water. This being French Polynesia, the open-air Poreho Restaurant has a menu infused with Gallic classics and local specialties.

5. A-list antics

Parrot Cay by Como, Turks & Caicos, Caribbean

Maybe you'll spot Demi Moore downward dogging at the Shambala spa or Paul McCartney reading by the pool because celebrities love Parrot Cay by Como hotel in the Caribbean, the only property on a sprawling thousand-acre island. Even if you don't, you'll feel star struck at this elegant 70-room sanctuary where whitewashed villas have draped four-posters and the infinity pool's sunloungers overlook the beach. The ultimate in luxury though are the six Parrot Cay Estates, ranging from three to 11 bedrooms, situated away from the main resort and owned by the likes of Bruce Willis and Donna Karan.

6. Hiding out

Cayo Espanto, San Pedro, Belize

A tiny speck of land in the Caribbean Ocean off San Pedro is home to seven uber-private villas at Cayo Espanto retreat in Belize. Each is hidden within palm trees with a private pool (except Casa Ventana, which is set out at sea on its own pontoon), hammock for day-long siestas and a 'houseman' who can chase up just about anything your castaway heart desires. Chef Patrick Houghton is a genius with a culinary wish-list and meals can be served anywhere on the island, including secluded stretches of sand where you won't see a single soul.

7. Serenity-meets-sociability

Naladhu, South Malé Atoll, Maldives

One moment you want seclusion, the next to be entertained people-watching by the pool; if so, Naladhu hotel in the Maldives is for you, with just 19 villas with either a lagoon view or one of the ocean. All have a breezy Hamptons vibe, with semi-alfresco baths and private pools for solo splashing. Outside, relax in a shady beach cabana or dine à deux on the sand. Naladhu is one of several small islands owned by Anantara and, should you want to mingle, boat transfers head to nearby Anantara Dhigu and Veli, where a spa and eight restaurants beckon.

8. Nature lovers

Frégate Island Private, Seychelles

While all private isles boast sand and lapping tides, many are too small to give you a taste of the wild life. Not if you venture to Frégate Island Private in the Seychelles. This chunk of granite languishing in the Indian Ocean is craggy, covered in tropical vegetation and home to fabulous flora and fauna. When you tear yourself away from your private pool deck (there are just 17 villas), wander the island's seven sublime beaches or hike trails looking for ultra-rare magpie robins and the Aldabra giant tortoise. There's jaw-dropping diving, too, and Frégate has a PADI centre.

9. Civilised wilderness

Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Leave your wallet and credit card in your room at Lizaru.s.d Island boutique hotel on the Great Barrier Reef. Here, almost everything from daiquiris on the deck at Osprey's to snorkelling gear for underwater safaris is included in room rates. Forty villas are dotted around the huge island which has 27 romantic beaches, offshore reefs and swaying eucalypts. Splodge by your private pool or ask the staff to pack a picnic basket, borrow a motorised dinghy and mask and snorkel, and head for a deserted beach for all sorts of cavorting. The spa and diving here are world-class, too.

10. Glamping it up

Amanwana, Moyo Island, Indonesia

Idyllic Amanwana hotel on Moyo Island is just a short flight from Bali but remote enough to feel as though you've travelled far, far away. Twenty glam safari-style tents - some nestled in the jungle, others by the shore for quick bed-to-beach dashes - have dark wood flooring, romantically netted beds and yards of white divans for the idle hours. Take time out to be handled with care at waterside Jungle Cove Spa. You can also get close to nature since Moyo is a reserve. Spot shy Rusa deer darting in the forest or mask up to snorkel with sea turtles.

 

...the top holiday destinations in Asia

Palawan named no. 4 in top holiday destinations in Asia

 

September 18, 2012

GMA News

 

 

Palawan’s powdery sand, crystal waters, and breathtaking scenery have won over travelers and tourists once more as the island earned the number four spot in the Top 10 Holiday Destinations category of a worldwide poll by online travel magazine, Smart Travel Asia.

Limestone cliffs at El Nido. Manix Abrera

Palawan had moved up a spot from last year’s ranking of number 5. This year, it shares its place with Siem Reap and Maldives.

Hong Kong ranked third in the category, while Phuket, Thailand came in second, and Bali, Indonesia placed first.

Not surprisingly, travelers also sang praises of Palawan’s resorts, three of which ranked high in the poll’s Top 25 Leisure Hotels and Resorts category.

Miniloc Island Resort in El Nido came in 16th place on the countdown, while the mysterious and luxurious Amanpulo came in 15th.

Ranking highest in the category was Lagen Island Resort, also in El Nido, coming in at ninth place.

 

 

El Nido had also been cited as one of the country’s best beaches by CNN Go earlier in the year.

 

 

It was also in El Nido where the international cast and crew of the Hollywood film “The Bourne Legacy” stayed. The film’s location manager Dow Griffith even said that "El Nido, on Palawan Island, is paradise, and for a family trip, you are very well looked after at any of the resorts."

 

 

SmartTravelAsia.com’s travel poll ran from May to July, and is now on its eighth year. Majority of voters were based in Asia, while 15 percent came from Europe, and 15 percent from North America.

 

 

Other Filipino winners in the poll include Cebu Pacific for top 3 Budget Airline in Asia, Makati Shangri-la and the Peninsula Manila for top 24 Business Hotels in Asia, and Shangri-la Mactan in Cebu for top 16 Best Spa Resort. –Amanda Lago/KG, GMA News

...the best resort for holidays

PH resort named in Vogue-UK as "best for holidays"

By Thea Alberto-Masakayan

Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

Sun, Jul 1, 2012

Ariara describes itself as the 'ultimate off the beaten track destination'. (Photo from their website)

An island resort in a remote area in Palawan has been identified in Vogue Magazine-United Kingdom as a top vacation site.

Ariara, located in Linapacan, Palawan, was described in the article as "exotic" and "adventurous."

"It will house you and your guests along a stunning beach so that you truly feel that you’ve found your corner of the world," the magazine said in its slideshow.

"Supreme in quality from the water sports to the food and wine, it’s worth every penny of its breath-taking prices," the magazine said, adding that the resort is "best for the most decadent of group holidays."

According to Ariara's website, reservations during the peak season may cost some P180,000 per night for a group of only eight guests.

"Ariara is only available for exclusive rental to one group/party of guests at a time," the resort added.

Vogue UK said the price, however, "for a really special occasion might just be justified." Other resorts that made it to Vogue's list include several posh hotels in Brazil, New York, Maldives, among others.

...the best dive site for Japanese

PHL voted among top 3 dive destinations in Tokyo tilt

April 23, 2012

GMA News

 

 

The Philippines has been voted one of the top three dive destinations in the Marine Diving Fair 2012 in Tokyo, Japan, the Department of Tourism said Monday.

 

In a news release, the DOT said the Philippines was the only member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the top three, which also included Palau and Maldives.

 

This comes after an international travel website earlier this month cited Tubbataha Reef in Palawan and Puerto Galera’s The Canyons as two of the world’s 50 best dive sites. 

 

The DOT also said Blue Coral was named the favorite dive operator for 2012 in the Tokyo tilt, while the Good Dive Shop, another dive operator, was included in the top 10 for the same category. 
 

Since 2006, the Philippines has been consecutively included in Marine Diving Fair’s top five "Best Overseas Destinations,” said DOT. The country has also been consistently awarded as one of the top 10 "Dream Destinations."

 

Also, it said that since the Philippines' participation in the event in 2000, it had been continuously recognized as one of the top five dive destinations.

 

The DOT said these awards were given after subscribers of Marine Diving Magazine, one of the most prestigious dive publications in Japan, cast their votes.

 

It added the Marine Diving Fair 2012, one of the largest diving and beach resort exhibitions in Asia, attracts over 50,000 visitors annually.

 

For this year, the event had 200 exhibitors from 50 different countries.

 

The Philippines' colorful booth inspired by the DOT's slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” drew crowds at the event.

 

It had five aquariums and marine life paintings, and attracted visitors to discover what makes diving “more fun” in the Philippines.

 

The DOT said its participation at the event aimed to maintain the high profile of the Philippines as a premier and competitive dive destination among Japanese overseas divers.

 

For his part, DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the Philippines once again proved it is a must-see dive destination by garnering awards in all four major award categories.

 

“Our partnership with the private sector dive tour operators has paid off nicely.  We encourage more suppliers to keep raising the bar for service excellence to grow this market segment,” he said.

 

Japan is among the top three sources of foreign tourist arrivals visiting the country in 2011. –KG, GMA News

...the best diving area

PH voted as best diving area at Japan fair

abs-cbnNEWS.com

08/21/2011

 

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines was chosen as one of the top diving destinations of the world during the recently concluded 19th Marine Diving Fair in Japan.

 

 

 

The country was voted as Best Diving Area and Best Dreaming Area, alongside heavyweights such as Maldives and Palau, the Tourism Department said in a statement.

Four companies -- 2 from Cebu and 2 from Bohol -- were also recognized:

• Blue Coral, Cebu - Favorite Dive Operator
• Good Dive Shop, Bohol - Favorite Dive Operator
• White Sands Beach Resort, Cebu - Best Diving Resort Hotel
• Bohol Tropics Resort - Best Diving Resort Hotel

"We are particularly proud of our strong showing in the Best Diving Area category, which has placed us in the company of some of the most acclaimed dive countries in the world," former Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said.

"We anticipate that the Philippines will secure a more significant slice of the Japanese diving market after these latest successes, especially that Japan has been very supportive of encouraging 2-way tourism between our countries."

The Marine Diving Fair, which began in 1993, is considered one of the largest dive and beach resort exhibitions in Asia. This year's event featured 213 exhibitors from 59 countries and attracted over 50,000 visitors.

The Tourism Department estimates that the Japanese scuba diving population at 5 million. It added that Japan is the third largest source of foreign visitor arrivals to the Philippines.