The influential Travel+Leisure (T+L) magazine has included Sri Lanka among the latest list of ‘Top 25 Islands in the World’ for holidaymakers.
Published by the American media conglomerate, Meredith Corporation, Travel+Leisure in its latest issue of 8 September ranks the top 25 islands in the world. Sri Lanka is ranked at number 24 along with Seychelles with a score of 88.20.
The magazine said this year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting from 11 January to 10 May, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. It is hoped that this year’s honourees will inspire personal travels as citizens get back out into the world.
The best islands in the world, according to T+L readers, are the kind of Instagram-perfect destinations that travellers fantasise about on winter evenings: dreamy, sun-drenched landscapes surrounded by the bluest waters. And since there’s an island destination for everyone, what constitutes “paradise” likely boils down to specific interests – history, culture, heart-pumping adventure, or something else entirely.
Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe – to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.
As in so many years, it was a Greek island Mílos with a score of 95.50 that emerged as readers’ top choice.
Others islands in the top 25 list were Folegandros, Greece; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Madeira, Portugal; Andaman Islands, India; Sicily, Italy; Koh Samui, Thailand; Bali, Indonesia; Island of Hawaii; Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; Kauai, Hawaii; Maui, Hawaii; Santorini, Greece; Maldives; Hvar and the Dalmatian Islands, Croatia; Sardinia, Italy; Harbour Island, Bahamas; Aruba; Palawan, Philippines; St. Lucia; Mallorca, Spain; Anguilla and Eleuthera, Bahamas.
(Source: travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/islands)