A rough definition of fabulous island that exists in the real world is a small island, often covered with lush vegetation, among which rises a magnificent ancient building. When people say that a particular place and as if taken from a fairy tale, they often exaggerate, but in the case of these beautiful islands of exaggeration is not out of the question:
1. Island of Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled is in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, where it adjoins the town of Bled. This area is a popular tourist destination.
The lake surrounds Bled island, the only natural island in Slovenia. The island has several buildings, the main one of which is a pilgrimage church built in its current form in the late 17th century and decorated with the remains of the medieval frescoes and rich finish in the Baroque style.
The church has a tower height of 52 meters and to the structure are 99 steps in the flight. The church is often visited, it also constantly held the wedding.
Traditional wooden rowing barges, which are called "Pletnev" carry people to the island and back. More daring visitors can rent a boat and dogresti to the island on their own.
2. Island Palatinate (Pfalz Island), Germany
Palatinate, an island in the Rhine River, is located in the valley of the Rhine (Rhine Gorge) about halfway between Mainz (Mainz) and Koblenz (Koblenz). It is located about 110 meters from the left bank, and 73 meters from the right bank. The slopes of the valley is quite steep, so the river is the most practical vehicle through this area.
The island is just under 90 meters, and then how much the island stands out of the water depends on the water level in the river. At the half of the island, which is located upstream, is a fortress which today destroyed no less than 50 percent. It has an elongated hexagonal base. The side facing the left bank, and the top of the course, at the present time is in a better state of repair than the other side
On the side facing to the left bank there are some underwater rocks on which was built a small jetty. In that part of the island that faces downstream, there is a tiny grove of trees. In the central part of the island is growing vine.
3. Island Visovac (Visovac), Croatia
One of the main reasons for deciding to visit the wonderful National Park Krka (Krka National Park) is an island Visovac, located in the middle of the lake Visovac
Visovac island located about 6 km upstream from Skradin (Skradin) (a small town in Sibenik-Knin (Šibenik-Knin) County County) and is the seat of the Franciscan monastery, built back in 1576.
Austere walls and tall belfry reserved around cypress trees that towered into the sky like swords. For the tiny island of lake water are teeming with trout. The lake is surrounded by high karst cliffs.
Treasures on display at the monastery general overview in a small museum, which is divided from the outside is lovely, flower-filled garden is looked after by 10 monks living in the monastery. On the island Visovac can be reached by boat from the village of Bristan (Bristane), located on the mainland.
4. Hart Island (Heart Island), United States
Hart Island is part of the city of Alexandria, in Jefferson County, New York. Boldt Castle (Boldt Castle), located on the island of Hart, which is part of the archipelago in the Thousand Islands (Thousand Islands) in the St. Lawrence River (Saint Lawrence River), the current along the northern border of the State of New York, is a popular tourist attraction in the region.
On Hart Island is accessible by ferry and most of the buildings can be visited by paying a small entrance fee. On the island of Hart also located the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection United States (US Customs and Border Protection office) and visitors are coming from Canada must obtain a permit, as the visit to the island is considered to be the entry into the United States.
Two other buildings on the island are hydroelectric and Alster Tower (Alster Tower), both buildings are open to the public. Power plant has been built in order to housed the generator and provide electricity to the island, but now it is more a museum illustrating how electricity is obtained at the beginning of the 1900s. Alster Tower was custom built with slanted and uneven walls, ceilings and roofs.
5. Island Vilgelmshtayn (Wilhelmstein Island), Germany
The island is on the lake Vilgelmshtayn Steinhude (Steinhuder Meer), in the north-west of Germany. William, Duke of the Principality of Schaumburg-Lippe (Schaumburg-Lippe) (1724-1777) built on this island fortress to protect his pretty little principality. Vilgelmshtayn Island is actually a man-made island, laid down on piles of stones, which were taken to the fishermen and their boats threw off at the future site of the island.
Originally the fortress consisted of 16 islands, which were later connected. In the fortress William founded the Military College. Island Vilgelmshtayn was necessary only once, when in 1787, he laid siege to the Duke of Hesse-Kassel (Hessen-Kassel), who was planning to annex the Schaumburg-Lippe, but did not succeed
Plane flying over the fortress Vilgelmshtayn.
To date, Vilgelmshtayn a museum and a popular attraction for tourists who visit the Lake Steinhude.
6. Mont-Saint-Michel (Mont Saint-Michel), France
Mont-Saint-Michel is a rocky island and a commune in Normandy, France. It is located about one kilometer from the north-west coast, at the mouth of the river Kesnon (Couesnon) near the port city of Avranches (Avranches).
As of 2009 the population of the island was 44 people. The island contains strategic fortifications remaining from ancient times, and from the 8th century BC the island was the seat of the monastery, the name of which it got its name. Mont-Saint-Michel and its bay are included in the list of World Heritage Sites. Every year it is visited by more than 3 million people
Previously, Mont-Saint-Michel was connected to the mainland depends on tidal causeway, that is the road that disappeared under water at high tide and opened again at low tide. But today, this island is connected to the mainland by a light suspension bridge, which was built in the last few years.
7. Trakai Island Castle (Trakai Island Castle), Lithuania
Trakai Island Castle is located on an island in Lake Galve (Galvė), Lithuania. The castle is sometimes referred to as "Little Marienburg» (Little Marienburg).
Construction of the stone castle was begun in the 14th century, and the main work was completed in about 1409. Trakai was one of the main centers of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (Grand Duchy of Lithuania) and the lock had a tremendous strategic importance.
Today the castle of Trakai is the center of many concerts, major events and festivals. In Lithuania, the castle is also considered one of the most beautiful monuments ever built. In 1962, there was a museum. During the year, the castle of Trakai attracts more than 300,000 visitors.
In Trakai, tourists can enjoy the rest of the water, boat rides or bike, swimming, camping, or just a pleasant pastime in the cafe on the shore of Lake Galve. In June, held on Lake Galve international rowing regatta "Amber paddles» (Amber oars).
8. Island of Loreto (Loreto Island), Italy
Island of Loreto is located on Lake Iseo (Iseo), Italy. Lake Iseo or Sebino (Sebino) is the fourth largest lake in Lombardy, Italy, fed by the river Oglio (Oglio).
Island «L'isola di Loreto» (in Italian) is the smallest island in the lake. It is located north of the larger island of Monte Isola (Montisola).
Loreto Island is privately owned. In 1400 was built the monastery of the Sisters of St. Kiara (Sisters of S.Chiara). Now the island is a castle in the Gothic Revival style, the park and the little port.
9. Dark Island (Dark Island), United States
Dark Island, which is a noticeable object of the St. Lawrence seaway (St Lawrence Seaway), located in the lower (eastern) Thousand Islands archipelago, the Gulf of Chippewa (Chippewa Bay). The island is part of Hammond (Town of Hammond), entering the St. Lawrence County, New York.
Local historic landmark "Tower» (The Towers) has long been known as the Castle of Dark Island (Dark Island Castle). That was until recently, when the island was renamed Castle Singer (Singer Castle). The island itself is just a few steps south of the border of Canada and the U.S., which runs along the river. Because of the proximity of the island to Canada, it was used as a transit point for smuggling rum during Prohibition in the United States.
The south side of the island is only 30 meters away from the navigation channel, and often pass by the island cargo ships. Because the canal on one side of the deep, and on the other side is shallow, it is ideal for sport fishing for species such as largemouth bass and pike.
10. Pontikonisi (Pontikonisi), Greece
In the background - Mouse Island (Pontikonisi)
This small, beautiful island, covered with pine trees, and located between the villages of Agriovotano (Agriovotanos) and Hellinikon (Ellinika), called Pontikonisi. In Greece, there are only a few other places that people take pictures as often as this small piece of land, which is a tourist symbol of the island of Corfu (Corfu Island).
This pristine habitat is home to sea lions and dozens of species of birds, in addition, in the surrounding waters teeming with fish. Its existence is marked on all the old maps, and according to legend, in the area next to it, the famous naval battle of Artemisia (Artemision)
Pontikonisi on the island is the Monastery of the Pantocrator (Pantokrator). If you look at the island from a distance, the white stone staircase of the monastery gives the impression of a mouse tail, hence the name of the island - Mouse Island (in Greek - Pontikonisi).