I saw a list of the world's most romantic islands in the world and it was tilted more towards the Caribbean.  I've really been almost everywhere and I decided to make my own list.

If you are looking for romance, you want privacy.  But you also want, if the need arises, to be out an about.  Yes, I want to spend most of my time in my room - so the room itself has to be fabulous, but in the evening, I might want to have dinner.  In the afternoon, I might want to do something at the spa. 

The "Cost Factor" is based on a 1 to 10 scale of what it cost me in comparison to the rest of the islands on the list.  So if the "Cost Factor" is 6, than that island was the 6th most expensive place to go comparing the others on the list..

So here's a quick list without the heavy explaination.  You can google your heart out if you want to ....



Number 10: Key West/Catalina
Cost Factor: 10


                    

Pro:  The United States has some beautiful romantic islands, maybe I am jaded, but to me romantic is as far away as possible from home.  There's Key West, Florida, Newport, R.I., Catalina, California, Whidbey Island, Washington.  They are all beautiful in their own different ways, depending on what you want.

Con:  In my opinion, nothing compares to the rest of the ones on the list.  I like to be as far away from home as I can.

Number 9: Mykonos (Greek Islands)
Cost Factor: 5
 
               

Pros:  The Greek Islands are beautiful.  Let me rephrase this, they are beyond beautiful, they are magnificent.  I picked Mykonos because it is considered "the" Greek Island to visit.  There is a Greek Island for anyone.  There is an island where there are no vehicles allowed (Hydra) to the fashionista-lover (Mykonos) to the newlyweds (Santorini).

Cons:  Athens Airport is modern and sleek, but overnighting in Athens is a pain.  The airport is outside the city and it's a tough ride.  Actually, Athens is number 17 of the worst cities in terms of traffic in the world.

Number 8: Capri
Cost Factor:  4

               

Pros:  The island of Capri and it's sister Ischia are beyond breathtaking.  Being in Italy first of all is unbelievably romantic.  Capri is famous and it attracts a well-heeled traveler (I mean, it has a Dolce and Gabbana boutique).

Cons:  It is very touristy.  There are a lot of people coming in and out for the day since it's a two-hour boat ride from Naples.  Although this can be a pro since one can do a week-end in Naples.

Number 7: Hawai'i
Cost Factor:  9

             

Pros:  I am going to include ALL the Hawaiian Islands.  Hawai'i is home but a home that feels like you're far away.  A four-hour flight from Los Angeles and you are coming off an airplane surrounded by warm weather, which is never-ending.  I drove around the island in a rented convertible.  I pulled aside and sat on an empty beach, surrounded by NO ONE.  I took my shirt off and decided to sit out in the sun before my evening dinner meeting.  I woke up two hours later, looking around me to see if anything was missing (laughing)...there wasn't, I was still alone.

Cons:  Like the previous three, there are a lot of people.  Of course, there's private parts, but you are close to civilization.

Number 6: Bermuda
Cost Factor: 6

             


Pros:  Just a two-hour flight from New York and you're in Bermuda.  Of all the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda is my favourite because I have never felt unsafe no matter where I was on the island.  Now, we are getting a more private setting, less people.  Also, the people of Bermuda are very gracious. 

Cons:  Every now and then a huge ship comes into port filling the small town of tourists, but this is very minor.

Number 5: Bali
Cost Factor: 2

            

Pros:  Absolutely beautiful.  Ever since the bombings Bali has suffered a great deal.  The people are really really grateful for those who visit their island.  Also, some Conde' Nast's best resorts in the world are in Bali.  The resorts are true resorts in its' every sense of the world.

Cons:  Not the easiest place to get to and then a drive from the airport.  But that is what makes it such a great place.  Bali is a popular holiday destination for Australians.

Number 4: Phuket
Cost Factor:  8

         

Pros:  Phuket is one of my favourite places in the world to go to.  I still daydream about the time I rode my rented bike through a path where a mama elephant was taking care of her baby.  It was just incredible and surreal.  The people of Thailand are the most gracious, gracious, gracious people in the world.  Apart from getting there, this is the most affordable than any destination on this list (maybe Key West).

Cons:  I can't think of any.  Maybe just getting there is a bit challenging.  But there is a hotel category for every traveler.  Phuket is a great place.

Number 3: French Polynesia
Cost Factor:  3

             

Pros:  Just beautiful.  You feel like you are far far away from everything.  I was the only single guy there - everyone else were newlyweds.  French Polynesia has all the creature comforts so you don't feel like you're on the moon.  This place is where you go if you want to disappear for however long.   Easy to get to in terms of a non-stop flight from Los Angeles on either Air France, Air New Zealand or Air Tahiti Nui.

Cons:  Very expensive.  Even in Papeete, the main city, prices were very high.

Number 2 Tie: Zanzibar - Mauritius (and Seychelles)
Cost Factor:  7

            


Pros (Zanzibar):  Zanzibar is, to me, what Mykonos would be like if there were not a lot of tourists.  Stone Town, the island's centre, is just as beautiful as Mykonos centre.  Zanzibar is where you go if you really want to disappear.  The island and their people have so much history it's really incredible.  It was my inspiration for the Zaharoff Fall 2010 collection .

Pros (Mauritius and Seychelles):  Both islands are almost on the same latitude, Mauritius is further south.  Seychelles is popular with the English.  Mauritius has Reunion and the Comoros nearby.  All the islands are just magnificent and the resorts are also true resorts.  However, Zanzibar is far richer with its historic roots, Stone Town and the mix between Arabian and African influences...just fabulous.

Cons (Mauritius/Seychelles):  It is far.  And expensive.  To get to Mauritius I flew Chicago-London-Dubai-Mauritius-Dubai-Singapore-Los Angeles-Chicago (around the world)...this would be the same for Seychelles.

Cons Zanzibar:  You need a VISA to enter into Tanzania and although it is a little cheaper, there are few resorts and the good ones are expensive.  Getting there isn't a hop and a skip either usually needing an over nighter in Dar es Salaam.

Number 1: Maldives
Cost Factor: 1


          


Pros:  Maldives is true paradise.  There is nowhere on Earth like the Maldives.  It is truly, everything you could ever imagine in an island, in every sense.  The people are beautiful, laid back, but very accommodating.  The only way to get anywhere (meaning when you're there) is by sea plane or boat.  The resorts are uber-fabulous. Here is my blog on the Maldives.

Cons:  With uber-fabulous comes uber-expensive.  This is the most expensive holiday/resort island I've ever been too, and probably one of the most expensive cities I've ever visited period.  Getting there is also a challenge since it is on the other side of the globe.



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