paradise at home

PARADISE athome

Bucket List of Relaxing United States Islands

ntry into paradise is closer than most people realize. For many travelers, resort spots like the Caribbean and Mexico’s Riviera Maya are the go-to destinations for sun, fun and relaxation. It’s understandable if you’re putting plans to leave the country on pause for now. However, there’s no need to let travel restrictions or safety worries keep you out of paradise. American travelers are increasingly looking for ways to enjoy island getaways E without leaving the United States. Yes, it’s more than possible! That’s why I’m covering a bucket list of US islands that make it unexpectedly easy to experience paradise domestically. Terra Travelers || 29

SANIBEL ISLAND, FLORIDA Sanibel Island offers a kiss of the tropics right in sunny, friendly Florida. The beauty of Sanibel Island is that you really can decide to make your holiday here as active or relaxed as you prefer. Personally, collecting shells on the fluffy, white sand in Sanibel Island is a top pick for me. There’s also endless fine dining, access to excellent golf links and the vibrant Sanibel Island Farmers’ Market on Sundays. I like Bowman’s Beach and Lighthouse Beach Park when looking for a place to park in the sand with my umbrella and book. January, February and March are the best months for shelling in Sanibel.

LONGBOAT KEY, FLORIDA Longboat Key does a great job of offering the luxury shopping and fine dining that you get in some higherend Caribbean spots. You’ll even feel like you’re in Europe during snippets of your trip with help from terraced restaurants and umbrellaed cafés near the water. Longboat Key is a real hotspot for water sports. 30 || Terra Travelers

When coming to Longboat Key, I highly recommend booking a spot on a charter boat that takes off from one of the local marinas for whale watching, dolphin watching or fishing. When looking for a famous and sparkling beach offering access to the Gulf, Coquina Beach wins. Show up early on Sunday mornings to enjoy an outdoor beach market where you can scoop up jewelry, clothing and great food.

THE OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA Before I dive into my next recommendation, I’m going to warn you that several people I know have packed up and moved to the Outer Banks after visiting for vacation. It’s that amazing here. If you’ve never made your way down to North Carolina’s shore before, the Outer Banks is a 100-mile stretch of beautiful barrier islands dotted with beach cottages, lighthouses, maritime museums, crab shacks, shops and more. You have a lot of range when deciding which area to stay and play in when planning your Outer Banks vacation. A lot of tourists focus on popular spots

like Hatteras and Rodanthe. There’s no need to feel cornered into picking one spot in the Outer Banks. You can do a lot of “town hopping” easily via scenic byways if you’ll have a rental car. The northern part of the Currituck Banks is probably my favorite dot on the Outer Banks only because it has a lighthouse and a population of wild horses.

SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO Located on Puerto Rico’s Atlantic coast, San Juan is a vibrant capital city alive with cobblestoned alleyways, vibrant public squares, Spanish architecture and sunsoaked promenades. A San Juan holiday is an excellent option if you prefer paradise to come packed with tons of activities and attractions. Of course, a quick detour to Isla Verde Beach when you need to unwind is all it takes for those tropical vibes to kick in. Planning an itinerary for San Juan is a bit more like planning a visit to a European city than making the typical “lazy itinerary” for a place that’s strictly beaches and spas. While you can choose your own

pace, I recommend at least making room in your schedule for an afternoon spent walking among the more than 400 colorfully restored buildings that make up Old San Juan. For absolutely sweeping Atlantic views, plan an excursion to Castillo San Felipe del Morro. This fort, dating back to 16th-century Spanish rule, attracts more than 2 million visitors each year! My tip for animal lovers is to head to the Save a Gato (SAG) cat sanctuary. This “hidden” spot in the city allows you to interact with feral and abandoned cats that have been scooped up and cared for by animal helpers. Relaxing while friendly cats roll around on large rocks overlooking the ocean is quite a treat! The last thing I’ll add about San Juan is that the eating is good here. I had a great experience with ordering a dish called pastelón that is Puerto Rican lasagna made with plantains at the suggestion of a waiter in an eatery not far from Condado Beach. If you enjoy libations, you can order several varieties of rum made at distilleries just miles away from the core of San Juan.