Fantasy islands where you can escape the daily grind

Cyan waters, cloud-free skies, palm-fringed sugar-white beaches of pebbly perfection that stretch for miles. If you’re looking for a refuge far from the 9-to-5 grind, away from the pressure of mortgage payments and dry-cleaning errands, here are 10 tropical island paradises across the globe with stunning natural landscape, unspoiled beaches and a hakuna matata “no worries” lifestyle.

Text by Julia Dimon | Photo editing by Connie Ricca

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72Comments
Darb072
Mar 1, 2013 3:46PM
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Speak for yourself. I am not gay and i will go there any time i please. If that bothers you there are probably a lot of places that you will not go.What are you afraid of? 
william mihm
Feb 28, 2013 6:18PM
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LIVED IN KEY LARGO FOR 5 YEARS. THE ISLAND OFF OF KEY WEST WOULD BE THE BEST. YOU HAVE THE MARQUESES REF TO THE EAST, WATER IS GREAT AND WINTER DOESN'T MAKE IT THAT FAR SOUTH. ONLY DANGER IS HURRICANES AND THE ABILITY TO EVACUATE
Darb072
Feb 28, 2013 5:07PM
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What is wrong with the area of Key West.There are quite a number of islands that you can visit,and like Hawaii you are still in the good ole USA.
Shirls505
Feb 20, 2013 1:04AM
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There is no need to leave the good ol USA for  Fantasy islands. Kauai is beautiful. Gorgeous golf courses and beautiful beaches and hiking trails. I just read a nice story about hiking on Kauai Vacation rentals and Real Estate, Inc.'s Facebook page.  i love the feeling of Aloha time, just kicking it in paradise.
Neo Seth
Feb 6, 2013 12:01AM
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Puerto Rico....he he he he he....20 shootings every 4 days...government or police have no control of the situation....Puerto Rico does it better....he he he he he!!!
dian johnson
Feb 5, 2013 11:43PM
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OMG...they forgot the BEAUTIFUL island of TOBAGO in the West Indies....
LGonc
Feb 5, 2013 11:31PM
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You forgot the Azores, pure paradise, cheap, and 3 hours from Boston.
Diane Skolnique (BijouxBadDog)
Feb 5, 2013 11:18PM
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Been here - it's incredible beautiful and laid back.
Diane Skolnique (BijouxBadDog)
Feb 5, 2013 11:17PM
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Been there - and this is no bull - it really is beautiful.
Klaus Vonterinealis
Feb 5, 2013 11:11PM
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Most of these places aren't safe for Americans. Too many great travel spots here at home, to risk being captured by terrorists, or murdered by drug cartels.

 

Some of these places have crime rates almost as high as Chicago, L.A., NYC, and Detroit.

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