Trips to European Islands
Some of the best islands in the world are not in the Pacific, but are actually part of Europe.
Europe offers a variety of islands, and not all of them are in the Mediterranean region.
Iceland is often overlooked as a European island, but it has a lot to offer.
Don't let the name fool you, because Iceland is one of the most geologically diverse places on Earth, with moderate temperatures year round.
Reykjavik, the capital, is a convenient place to visit and Iceland is an easy country to drive through in the summer with a highway that goes all the way around the island.
In the winter, there are about 18 hours of nighttime hours, while in the summer there are about 18 hours of daylight.
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most popular tourist destination, and serves as a geothermal spa.
The water temperatures here average at about 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and the geothermal seawater springs renew themselves about every 40 hours.
Conveniently, the Blue Lagoon natural spa accepts several international currencies, including US dollars and the Japanese Yen.
With dining, shops, and accommodations, you can take a day trip to the Blue Lagoon or stay for a few days.
On the other side of Europe in the Mediterranean, Crete is the largest island of Greece.
From its warm beaches, to its ancient history, Crete has something to offer every kind of visitor.
Crete was historically the home of the Minoans, who left behind ruins and art 2,000 years ago when they inhabited the island.
The story of the demise of the Minoans is mostly unknown, as is much of Minoan history.
This makes for an interesting journey through the ancient ruins left behind on Crete and allows you to come to your own conclusions about the Minoan civilization.
If you prefer exploring nature, Crete offers the large Samaria National Park, which is home to Samaria Gorge.
The Gorge is a hike of about 18 kilometers, so be sure to start your day early in order to complete the hike.
Also in the Mediterranean, one of Europe's smallest islands is Malta, which is located south of Sicily.
It may be small, but it is part of the European Union and densely populated relative to its size, which makes Malta an expensive island to visit.
But the little island is packed with history.
It is home to the Megalithic Temples, which are the oldest free standing structures on the planet and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built about 5,000 years ago, the temples are still very well preserved and are located at several sites.
Malta Island is one of the best islands in Europe because it is a combination of old and new.
The president of Malta and the Parliament are housed in the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta, which is also a cultural site.
This Palace was one of the first buildings built in Valletta, and it is a large and impressive building with several courtyards and views of the city.
Europe offers a variety of islands, and not all of them are in the Mediterranean region.
Iceland is often overlooked as a European island, but it has a lot to offer.
Don't let the name fool you, because Iceland is one of the most geologically diverse places on Earth, with moderate temperatures year round.
Reykjavik, the capital, is a convenient place to visit and Iceland is an easy country to drive through in the summer with a highway that goes all the way around the island.
In the winter, there are about 18 hours of nighttime hours, while in the summer there are about 18 hours of daylight.
The Blue Lagoon is Iceland's most popular tourist destination, and serves as a geothermal spa.
The water temperatures here average at about 99 degrees Fahrenheit, and the geothermal seawater springs renew themselves about every 40 hours.
Conveniently, the Blue Lagoon natural spa accepts several international currencies, including US dollars and the Japanese Yen.
With dining, shops, and accommodations, you can take a day trip to the Blue Lagoon or stay for a few days.
On the other side of Europe in the Mediterranean, Crete is the largest island of Greece.
From its warm beaches, to its ancient history, Crete has something to offer every kind of visitor.
Crete was historically the home of the Minoans, who left behind ruins and art 2,000 years ago when they inhabited the island.
The story of the demise of the Minoans is mostly unknown, as is much of Minoan history.
This makes for an interesting journey through the ancient ruins left behind on Crete and allows you to come to your own conclusions about the Minoan civilization.
If you prefer exploring nature, Crete offers the large Samaria National Park, which is home to Samaria Gorge.
The Gorge is a hike of about 18 kilometers, so be sure to start your day early in order to complete the hike.
Also in the Mediterranean, one of Europe's smallest islands is Malta, which is located south of Sicily.
It may be small, but it is part of the European Union and densely populated relative to its size, which makes Malta an expensive island to visit.
But the little island is packed with history.
It is home to the Megalithic Temples, which are the oldest free standing structures on the planet and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Built about 5,000 years ago, the temples are still very well preserved and are located at several sites.
Malta Island is one of the best islands in Europe because it is a combination of old and new.
The president of Malta and the Parliament are housed in the Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta, which is also a cultural site.
This Palace was one of the first buildings built in Valletta, and it is a large and impressive building with several courtyards and views of the city.