Updated July 21, 2020!

As 2017 comes to a close, I’m reflecting on our travels and realizing… we visited a lot of islands this year! When I think of islands, I think of tropical weather, beaches, sea turtles and swimming nearby. But when I looked back on our island excursions, it struck me that not all islands are the same. Join me in reliving our island experiences!

Tropical Beauty: Guam, USA

January

We really enjoyed Guam! We live in the Washington, D.C., area, so we intentionally planned a trip to Guam for about a week around inauguration day. We knew we’d need a break from the most political day of the year! And we’re so glad we picked Guam. It’s only 13 degrees above the equator, so the tropical weather and vibrant colors were such a welcome change from D.C. in January!

Want to know more about our trip to Guam so you can plan your own?
Check out the Guam blogs!

Thriving City: Singapore

April

Singapore is a great trip if you’re into accumulating frequent flyer miles! Or if you want to go to a faraway land where English is the first language! It’s an exotic island that’s also a bustling, thriving city. You can walk downtown for high-end shopping, skyscrapers, and historic hotels, then head over to the waterfront for a spin on the Singapore Flyer, take in view from the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, and walk through the botanical gardens from above. It’s an island escape for city lovers, if you will.

For more, check out my Singapore blogs!

Resort Island: Sentosa, Singapore

April

And while we’re in Singapore, let’s take the cable car over to nearby Sentosa, shall we? Make sure to take the cable cars from Mount Faber to get the full effect. Whether you like kayaking, ziplining, the beach, or Merlion spotting, Sentosa has a little something for everyone. And stop off at Palawan Beach for a quick visit to the southernmost point in continental Asia!

Want more, check out my Singapore Page for Sentosa as well!

Adventurous Getaway: Island of Hawaii, USA

May

We decided on our first anniversary trip to O’ahu that we should visit a different island every year for each anniversary. You can only go so far on an island, which makes us really slow ourselves down and relax instead of constantly being in “go mode!” We chose Hawaii’s Big Island for our third anniversary trip. Think luaus, beaches, romantic hikes, once-in-a-lifetime lava viewing experiences, and sea turtles! We’re glad we chose the Big Island because it was such a special trip full of unique experiences and lots of “us time.”

Want more about the Big Island? Check out the Hawaii blogs!

High Society: Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

July

I heard people say there’s something enchanting and magical about Nantucket, but I didn’t believe them. Until I went for myself! There really is something special about Nantucket Island. The people are unbelievably friendly, there are no chain stores or restaurants, and somehow they have the bluest hydrangeas! I highly recommend a trip to gorgeous, enchanting Nantucket!

For more, check out the Nantucket posts!

Bike It in One Day: Block Island, Rhode Island, USA

July

I had never heard of Block Island until my husband’s co-worker mentioned it in passing one day. It’s so cute! It’s only 10 square miles, so you can literally see it all in a day. However, I recommend at least a few days on the island! It’s charming, quaint, and people were just so friendly. It’s an amazing solo travel destination, and there are lots of outdoor activities to enjoy on the island, too.

Intrigued? Check out the Block Island blogs!

Mysterious Adventure: Easter Island, Chile

August

How did the giant heads get to where they are? Why do they always face inland? Why are there no trees? This is the single most remote island in the world, and it was this year’s Trip of a Lifetime! We ate well, we hiked a lot, we learned a lot, and we think it’s one of the best islands in the world.

Want more? Check out my blog posts about Easter Island!

Opposite of Tropical: Iceland

October

Are beaches and pineapples not your thing? Iceland might just be the island getaway for you. It’s home to the northern-most capital city in the world, and it has become a hot spot for travelers lately! Its long nights in fall and winter create prime viewing time for the Aurora Borealis, and it’s a photographer’s dream with its dramatic landscapes and unique features!

Ready to plan your Icelandic adventure? Check Out my Iceland blog posts!

Romantic for a History Lover: Venice, Italy

November

I’ve wanted to visit Venice for years, but it always seemed like an unattainable dream! This year, my sweet husband made my romantic dream a reality when he whisked me away to beautiful Venice for a whirlwind trip! We ate all the pizza and pasta, took a gondola ride, and saw this legendary city up-close and personal!

Is Venice the island for you? Check out my Italy Page!

For all the islands we visited this year, check out my 2017: Year of Islands! What islands or types of islands should I visit? What types of locations should I visit in 2018? Tell me below!

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