best islands

Well Shetland does it for me
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepics.htm"

but it seems it does for "experts" too:-

(Skye was 1 point behind I think)

"Shetland came out well ahead of Bali, Corfu, the Seychelles, Hawaii,
Bermuda, Tahiti, Tasmania and Iceland. Only the Faroe Islands, the
Azores and Lofoten scored slightly higher on National Geographic's
Stewardship Index Rating, designed to measure "the qualities that make
a destination unique - integrity of place".

The survey asked 522 well-travelled experts to make an informed
judgment on 111 islands and archipelagos, using six criteria weighted
according to importance:

Environmental and ecological quality
Social and cultural integrity
Condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites
Aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management
Outlook for the future
National Geographic's verdict on Shetland:

"These islands have got everything 'with bells on': spectacular sea
cliffs; pristine beaches; fascinating geology; over a million breeding
seabirds; the highest density of otters in Europe; regular sightings
of killer whales; and superb displays of rare sub-Arctic flora.

"A unique blend of Scotland and Nordic culture... Extremely high
integrity in all aspects of heritage and ecology, despite oil
developments. Great planning controls and attitude...

"There is great pride amongst locals in the islands and in the welcome
they extend..."

full article
"http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html"
--
Mike
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On 20 Nov, 19:29, Mike.. wrote:
Well Shetland does it for me
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepics.htm"

but it seems it does for "experts" too:-

(Skye was 1 point behind I think)

"Shetland came out well ahead of Bali, Corfu, the Seychelles, Hawaii,
Bermuda, Tahiti, Tasmania and Iceland. Only the Faroe Islands, the
Azores and Lofoten scored slightly higher on National Geographic's
Stewardship Index Rating, designed to measure "the qualities that make
a destination unique - integrity of place".

The survey asked 522 well-travelled experts to make an informed
judgment on 111 islands and archipelagos, using six criteria weighted
according to importance:

Environmental and ecological quality
Social and cultural integrity
Condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites
Aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management
Outlook for the future
National Geographic's verdict on Shetland:

"These islands have got everything 'with bells on': spectacular sea
cliffs; pristine beaches; fascinating geology; over a million breeding
seabirds; the highest density of otters in Europe; regular sightings
of killer whales; and superb displays of rare sub-Arctic flora.

"A unique blend of Scotland and Nordic culture... Extremely high
integrity in all aspects of heritage and ecology, despite oil
developments. Great planning controls and attitude...

"There is great pride amongst locals in the islands and in the welcome
they extend..."

full article
"http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/..."
--
Mike
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they are pristine because no one goes there....a bit like Greenland or
the Sahara

On Nov 20, 8:29 pm, Mike.. wrote:
Well Shetland does it for me
"http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/skyepics.htm"

but it seems it does for "experts" too:-

(Skye was 1 point behind I think)

"Shetland came out well ahead of Bali, Corfu, the Seychelles, Hawaii,
Bermuda, Tahiti, Tasmania and Iceland. Only the Faroe Islands, the
Azores and Lofoten scored slightly higher on National Geographic's
Stewardship Index Rating, designed to measure "the qualities that make
a destination unique - integrity of place".

I'll have to agree about the Faroes, Lofotens, and Shetlands, I
haven't been to the Azores. But the Queen Charlotte Islands of
British Columbia, Canada should be right up there with the others. I
keep telling you that you need to visit there!!!

George

Following up to "Frank F. Matthews" wrote:

Environmental and ecological quality
Social and cultural integrity
Condition of historic buildings and archaeological sites
Aesthetic appeal; quality of tourism management
Outlook for the future

snip

Alas except for the 4/5 &, perhaps, 3/5 most of the rest are not why
folks visit islands.

Its interesting that they picked the islands I like, so it must be
true for me! Come on, give us your criteria!
--
Mike
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Following up to george wrote:

and Shetlands, I
haven't been to the Azores. But the Queen Charlotte Islands of
British Columbia, Canada should be right up there with the others. I
keep telling you that you need to visit there!!!

the islands up there do indeed attract me but other islands are
nearer!

Can I be a bore here, never say "Shetlands" or "Orkneys" it sounds to
the locals like saying "Britains". Use Shetland with (mainland, group,
isles etc).
--
Mike
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