The world’s most beautiful islands! From a stunning island that evolved from conflict to one with a secret beach
8. Capri
This grand island is in the Tyrrhenian Sea in the Gulf of Naples in Italy’s Campania region. The name is thought to come from the Ancient Greek word for “wild boar,” kapros. The origin of the name “Capri” isn’t certain, but the discovery of wild boar fossils lead people to believe that “kapros” is likely. Capri has been inhabited since ancient times, all the way back to at least the Neolithic and Bronze Age. Augustus cultivated the island and constructed temples, gardens, aqueducts, and villas. Tiberius, Augustus’ successor, also expanded Capri. After various pirate ravages and changes in rule from 800 to the mid-1500s, Napoleon occupied Capri in 1806. France lost the island a year later and reconquered it a year after that. In 1815, the House of Bourbon in Naples took control of Capri again. During the nineteenth century, Ignazio Cerio, a natural scientist, took note of the flora and fauna that thrived in Capri, and his son continued his work. During this time, Capri was a popular resort destination for celebrities, artists, and writers. It was also somewhat of a safe haven for lesbian and gay individuals and allowed them to live freely and openly. Capri remains a popular tourist destination today for both foreigners and Italians.
7. Bali
This Indonesian island is to the east of Java and the west of Lombok. It has been inhabited since about 2000 BCE after people moved there from Southeast Asia and Oceania. Culture in Bali stems from Hindu, Chinese, and Indian. In addition to its long history, Bali is also incredibly beautiful. The island is about ninety-five miles wide and seventy miles long. Several mountains on Bali are over six thousand six hundred feet high, and there are active volcanoes as well, like Mount Batur. Due to the volcanic activity, the land is extremely fertile, with heavy rainfall supporting agriculture even further. Bali is surrounded by coral reefs, making the underwater area just as beautiful as the island itself. It also exhibits white sand beaches in the southern area and black sand beaches to the north. Some exciting things that residents do in Bali is participate in festivals. The cremation ceremony, or Ngaben, is performed for a deceased person and is a Hindu ritual. During the event, an intricate tower or statue is built, the departed is placed on the structure, and they’re burned together. This is supposed to release the person’s soul so it can enter the elevated realm and wait for rebirth.