Everyone imagines white sand beaches, palm trees, and turquoise waters when they picture...the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland!

The Isles of Scilly are picturesque islands off of Land's End on the southwest coast of England. While you may hear coastal England and imagine a cold and dreary pebble beach, the Isles of Scilly are warmed by the gulf stream, lending them a milder climate than the rest of Britain. In fact, the Isles of Scilly are the warmest place in the UK! These beautiful islands are remote and sparsely populated but rich with culture and history.

As you might guess, a journey to the Isles of Scilly would begin in London. Home to one of Hill's favorite restaurants in the world, Gymkhana, we would spend a few days in London before boarding the Night Riviera Sleeper train to whisk us overnight to Penzance. Assuming we avoid the pirates, we'll then fly or ferry to Saint Mary's in the Isles of Scilly.

Marriage has its ups and downs, so too does the mountainous Portuguese island of Madeira! A 300 square mile volcanic island some 400 miles off the coast of Morocco, Madeira was first settled by the Portuguese in the 15th century. Since then, Madeira has evolved into a popular vacation destination for Europeans in need of sun and, of course, Madeira wine!

Madeira is only 14 miles across at its widest, so 6,109 ft Pico Ruivo towers over the city of Funchal, the regional capital. As a pilot, Hill is particularly excited about the possibility of flying into the Funchal airport (as a passenger); if that sounds strange to you then search “Funchal landing” on YouTube! Anne Byrd is more excited for the beautiful botanical gardens, the fabulous street art, and the Monte Toboggan sledge.

As you might guess, a journey to Madeira would begin in Lisbon. We would fly in and spend a few days exploring the beautiful Portuguese capital. We’re excited about eating bifana and visiting such thrilling attractions as the National Coach Museum (as in horse-drawn carriages, not handbags). Once we’ve gotten our fill of the coastal city, we’ll jet off for the island!

Jicaro Island breaks the trend; yes, it is an obscure island, but it’s an island in a lake! Jicaro Island is tucked in the lee of the Peninsula de Aseses on Lake Nicaragua. Unlike the other islands, this tiny paradise is all about relaxing in the rainforest overlooking the lake.

Jicaro is an eco-resort with only 9 casitas. Built with wood from trees felled by hurricanes, the resort was designed to maintain the lush vegetation of the island. The resort even employs a nature guide to take you exploring the surrounding rainforests. Anne Byrd is particularly excited about the spa, while Hill cannot wait to go fishing on Lake Nicaragua (maybe he’ll catch a bull shark!).

As you might guess, a journey to Jicaro would begin in Granada (Nicaragua, not Spain). A beautiful colonial city on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, Granada was established by the Spanish in 1524, becoming the first European city in the Americas! Granada is known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, a strong food scene, and a thriving arts community. On our way to or from the airport in Managua, we can also visit Volcan Masaya, the most active volcano in Nicaragua!