Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/753864
Why: First-rate ecology protection in Sanibel means you'll share the habitat with dolphins, manatees and sea turtles off- shore. And as you wind down after perhaps a day of shelling, golfing or boating, you'll witness a magnificent sunset from almost any location on the island. Spa treatments for two are also popular at the resort hotels. FortMyers-Sanibel.com SANTORINI Where: A Greek island in the Cyclades group of the Aegean Sea, approximately 250 kilometres from Athens and around 100 kilometres north of Crete. When: Not a winter destination when chilly and wet. Sunniest days are April through September (average 28 C) and May is when tourists generally start to arrive. Why: Santorini is a postcard-perfect Greek isle. Here, a chalk-blue sky meets a deep navy Mediterranean Sea while the land- scape is punctuated by clusters of whitewashed villages and bright-white churches, each bearing a symmetrical Greek cross on top of their signature blue domes. Not jaw-dropping enough? How about the sky-high Santorini coastline, a massive vol- cano rock face that soars 300 metres up from the sea? santorini.gr TAHITI Where: Talk about remote! Situated in the South Pacific cluster known as French Polynesia, 118 islands of Tahiti are 4,400 kilometres south of Hawaii and 5,700 kilometres east of Australia. When: The average daily temperature is 25 C year-round and it is sunniest in May, June, September and October. The rainy months are January through April as well as November and December. Why: Sail into the exotic, step into history. Tahiti's hypnotic shorelines, flanked by green rolling hills and framed by sugar- white beaches with swaying palms along gentle turquoise lagoons, are still very much the way the 18 th -century European navigators must have first seen it. Today, visitors can remain connected to the sea by staying in an overwater bungalow, each one built on stilts above the lapping tide. tahiti- tourisme.com HARBOUR ISLAND Where: It's a little pink dot in a spearmint sea located just off the northeast coast of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. When: November, December and January are sunny and dry with temperatures hov- ering between 18 and 25 C. The best bet for sunshine is March through April, with increased shower activity happening May through October. Why: On this tranquil piece of paradise, cars are not allowed. No problem because Harbour Island is only five kilometres long. From the air, the entire coastline is a shade of pink due to the red shells of countless little sea creatures resting in peace. Go bare- foot or be pampered with accommodation and fresh seafood served in the glimmer of candlelight. bahamas.com SAINT JOHN Where: It's at the top of the long north- south chain of the U.S. Virgin Islands found on the eastern side of the Caribbean Sea. When: There is little seasonal change here, although rainfall occurs between May and October, with temperatures ranging from 22 C at night to a daytime high of 30 C. Why: It's off the grid. There's no airport and two-thirds of the island is a protected lush mountainous national park. Camp or stay in plush, eco-sensitive accommodation. Evenings centre on long romantic meals accompanied by soft musical entertain- ment or a chance to chill out with locals at a favourite dance club. visitusvi.com WINTER 2016/2017 DREAMSCAPES 55 DS