The Most Beautiful Islands

Strategic steps along the Crusades' path or on the tea road, the islands around the world share a violent and beautiful history, made of filibustering, colonization and mythological epics. From this past, the island people have inherited their exceptional culture, unexpected mixture of indigenous traditions and foreign input. So is Mauritius, a French time counter to Indian Ocean, Cuba, needy pirates and Spaniards, Malta, still imbued with the spirit of St John's Knights. Remain those who, away from major shipping lanes, stand by their only charm, sandy beaches or lush vegetation, and can be branded "Oceans' Pearl" or "Beauty Island".