Make a break for a metropolis(land)
City or island – why choose? You can have your cake and eat it, as some of the world’s most exciting and vibrant cities are also island idylls, writes David Whitley.
Can’t choose between an island escape or a city break? Well, there’s no reason why you can’t have both. Around the world, there are cities that are also islands or that spread across an archipelago. From Southeast Asia to the south of England, these are some of the world’s most incredible island cities.
Singapore
The classic island city is well known to Kiwis as a stopover, and a destination in its own right.
Singapore is an island, a city and a country drifting loose just south of Malaysia. It is also crammed with reasons to visit.
Highlights include the World War II history, the colonial heritage, the astonishing hawker stalldriven food scene, and big-ticket attractions such as Singapore Zoo. Visit visitsingapore.com.
Key West, United States
At the end of the Florida Keys island chain, Key West has a sun-cooked boisterousness that makes it tremendous fun to visit.
Bar-hopping in garish shirts is practically obligatory, but this island city also packs in some worthwhile tourist sites.
Among the most fascinating are former President Harry S Truman’s Little White House, novelist Ernest Hemingway’s home, and a glorious butterfly conservatory. Visit fla-keys.com.
Portsmouth, England
Cut off ever so slightly from England by a small tidal channel, Portsea Island is home to Portsmouth, one of the world’s great naval cities.
The main attraction is the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, launchpad for many daring missions at sea. But you will also find The D-Day Story, devoted to the D-Day landings during World War II, and the salvaged wreck of the Mary Rose.
A specialist museum houses the remains of this warship from the era of Henry VIII.
Visit visitportsmouth.co.uk.
Tromso, Norway
About 350 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, Tromso is far enough north to get the midnight sun during summer.
The city is on Tromsoya island, separated from the Norwegian mainland by a small channel.
Tromso is a popular cruise ship destination on sailings up the Norwegian coast, and visitor highlights tend to focus on the Arctic setting, including the Polaria aquarium, which concentrates on creatures that like it cold, and the Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden.
Visit visittromso.no.
Mumbai, India
Salsette Island is one of the most densely populated islands on Earth.
It is cut off from the Indian mainland by
Thane Creek, Vasai Creek and the Ulhas River, and is dominated by the megacity of Mumbai.
The appeal of Mumbai is largely in the assault on the senses, but there’s also a wealth of temples and grand colonial-era architecture to admire. Visit incredibleindia.org.
Richmond, Canada
Just south of Vancouver, Richmond in British Columbia dominates Lulu Island, which is between the splitting arms of the Fraser River.
Those with an interest in shipbuilding history can visit the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site, but Richmond is best known for its large Asian population, and Richmond Night Market.
With its, heavy Asian representation, Richmond claims its night market as the largest in North America. Visit visitrichmondbc.com.
Venice, Italy
The notoriously romantic city of Venice is mostly spread across an archipelago in the Venetian Lagoon.
Forget about the chunk on the mainland because all the bits you want to see are on the islands, linked by canals, which inspired a gazillion Canaletto paintings.
St Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, gondola rides, and the Rialto Bridge are on the traditional tick list, but you are better off just ambling around and getting happily lost. Visit venice-tourism.com.
Montreal, Canada
Between the St Lawrence and Prairies rivers, Montreal Island plays host to Canada’s secondlargest city. Montreal is an absolute joy to hang out in, too, with an easy blend of French-speaking and English-speaking cultures and a party spirit.
The Vieux Port area offers zip wires, big wheels, ropes courses, and an absorbing history museum.
But the city’s real heart lies along the parallel roads of St Laurent Blvd and St Denis St, which are spilling over with bars, restaurants and cool shops. Visit mtl.com.
New York City, US
OK, this is cheating slightly, as the three largest boroughs of New York are on the mainland.
But Manhattan and Staten Island have a population of more than two million between them.
And Manhattan is clearly what most people have in mind when they think of New York.
Top tourist drawcards such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Centre, Chelsea Market, and The High Line are all there. Visit nycgo.com.
Hong Kong
Again, the majority of Hong Kong is on the mainland, but most of what’s interesting is on Hong Kong Island or the surrounding archipelago.
Hong Kong Island offers a blizzard of shopping and restaurants, plus the Ocean Park theme park and the Peak Tram funicular railway to Victoria Peak. The Tian Tan Buddha and Hong Kong Disneyland, meanwhile, are on Lantau Island. Visit discoverhongkong.com. – traveller.com.au
The writer has been a guest of the New York, Florida, Singapore, and Canadian tourist boards.
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