There aren't many words that send the heart of a traveler aflutter quite like "island." Islands are entirely synonymous with paradise and just stepping foot on one has the power to change your whole outlook on life. The following are twenty-nine of the finest to go to in 2019.

Guadeloupe and its quintet of gorgeous islands brushed with a French flair are getting more and more attention. While they are all special in their own way, Les Saintes is home to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful bays in the world in the form of the eponymous Les Saintes Bay.

After you've seen the spellbinding beauty of New Zealand's South Island, keep going across the Foveaux Strait to Stewart Island. Located about twenty miles off the coast, Stewart teems with natural beauty-so much so that most of the island is a national park-and offers visitors plenty of birding, hiking and beach-ing opportunities. You might even get lucky and spot the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights in the sky at night.

A short ferry hop from the sensory thrill ride that is Naples, Ischia offers rest, relaxation and several top-notch beaches. Maronti Beach draws the most praise for its long stretch of sand and teal blue water, which makes it the perfect first stop on a "tan & trattoria" type of day.

Dangling off the northern tip of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Isla Holbox offers serenity and a slice of the sand-in-your-toes life. Holbox is known for being a place to chill, but it also provides thrills in the form of seasonal whale watching and the chance to catch resident flamingos strutting their stuff. Holbox is well on its way to becoming a great addition to any trip to the Riviera Maya.

Located around twenty-five miles off the coast of Venezuela, Isla Margarita feels much further adrift. The isle is known for dry sunny days and warm winds-perfect for windsurfing-and for being a real undiscovered gem. So you know that means: Get there now before everyone else does.

More and more travelers are being mesmerized by the magic of Malta each year, and now is the perfect time to join them. What are they raving about? For starters, the UNESCO-listed historic city of Valletta (seeing it from the water is simply spectacular), the tasty local seafood and the year-round mild climate.

The truth is that you can't go wrong with any of Croatia's sun-kissed islands. If you want to avoid the crowds inundating some other isles though, then Mljet is the right port of call for you. Explore the green interior-much of it a beloved national park-before diving into the deep blue sea offshore.

This Malaysian island has long had a reputation as one of the most beautiful in all of Southeast Asia as its shores are perpetually lapped with turquoise waters and its interior is lined with lush hills and waterfalls. The best way to take in the views of the island? From the stunning SkyBridge, a curved suspension bridge that swings out over the Langkawi landscape. And the finest place to stay? The revamped Four Seasons, fresh off its cameo in the hit film Crazy Rich Asians.

Jamaica is always a good idea. Whether you want to simply de-stress at a luxurious resort, dance the night away to local music, or dig into the island's rich history, it's all waiting for you here.

These islands in the Atlantic Ocean-nearly halfway between North America and Europe-are part of Portugal, but they feel like another world entirely. The rugged hills and craggy coastline are a dream-come-true for outdoor lovers while the towns of the islands hold many cultural and culinary gems to be discovered. Sao Miguel is most bustling of the islands and a great base for first-time visitors.

An island doesn't have to be surrounded by warm water to be wonderful. Even though you might need a sweater, Skye will leave you smitten with its cute ports, sweeping landscapes and otherworldly rock formations. There are beaches to be found here and you might just have the whole sensational sweep to yourself.

Just across the harbor from Auckland, wonderful Waiheke is a wine and island lover's dream destination. Tour the local vineyards before heading for the sands of Onetangi Beach to wait for all the day-trippers to head back to the city-that's when the real fun begins.

Big cities and bullet trains may be the first things that come to mind when one thinks of Japan, but the island of Okinawa offers an aquamarine escape to the tropics. For truly dedicated isle-hoppers, the main island is just the jumping off point, as the namesake Okinawa Prefecture is actually home to over 100 idyllic islands.

Located on the outer reaches of the Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island rewards all who go the extra mile to reach it. Poke around the shops of the postcard-perfect fishing village before heading to the beach for an afternoon of fun under the sun. Don't be alarmed if you see a few pirate flags flying, because while the locals still have lots of love for famous former resident Blackbeard, they aren't into plundering.

You have to make a bit of an effort to make it to this slender island off the coast of Krabi Province, but once you arrive, all the work will be worth it. On Ko Lanta, you will find long stretches of golden sand and a relaxed vibe that's missing on some other islands in the region these days.

After suffering hits from Hurricanes Irma and Maria back in 2017, the U.S. Virgin Islands are officially back in the game in 2019. Get re-acquainted with St. Thomas and its colorful capital Charlotte Amalie before bouncing next door to St. John, where you can feel one with nature and bring out your inner beach bum.

The Spice Island has long been talked about as one of the next big things, but it still manages to feel like a sensational secret. Get there now to experience the white sand beaches-and a few black sand ones-along with lush landscapes and the unique local culture before the world catches on.

"Oh, to go to Tobago." Retire that phrase from your repertoire in 2019 by boarding a plane to this fantastic Southern Caribbean island. You'll find bliss waiting for you in the form of tremendous sweeps of beach, diverse wildlife (above and below water) and a range of outdoor and cultural activities-including a cracking Carnival celebration.

Nowhere is dreamed about as much-while at the same time managing to seem tantalizing out of reach-as the South Pacific. With more and more flights scheduled each year, getting there is now easier than ever and the Cook Islands makes for a great introduction to the region. Rarotonga has a lively town in Avarua and no matter where you happen to be on the island, a beach or jungle is just a stone's throw away.

Located over two-hundred miles off the coast of Northeast Brazil lies Fernando de Noronha, the biggest member of a family of unspoiled island gems. Here, you can see rocks and beaches that seem like they are from a lost world and discover a place that is hardly known outside of Brazil.

Spain's Canary Islands are starting to creep on to the radar of North American travelers and for very good reason. Tenerife is a terrific place to start getting to know this island chain known for volcanic landscapes, lively nightlife and sensational beaches.

Is there any other island as synonymous with the word paradise as Tahiti is? Just hearing the name is enough to put a smile on a traveler's face and you'll be grinning from ear-to-ear during your entire trip here. It's a tossup as to what will end up being your most cherished memory: the warm Pacific breezes or the warmth of the locals.

Reunion is located in the Indian Ocean-between Mauritius and Madagascar-and is awash in jagged mountains, beaches and a one-of-a-kind culture that is a mix of African, Asian and European influences. Whether you are after an active vacation or simply just a spot of sunbathing, you will find it here.

The Mediterranean is speckled with Greek Islands pretty enough to grace a cell phone background, but Sifnos might just be the most bewitching. It has all the movie-star looks of sister Santorini but owns a laid-back pace of life that allows for maximum relaxation and the ability to take in the local island life.

Phu Quoc is another island that is preparing for prime time. It's the largest of over two dozen islands in the area, and the one where you will want to base yourself. Spend your days lazing on Long Beach-or taking boat trips out to the other small islands-and your nights bouncing between breezy beach bars.

Whether you are into birding, fishing, or just sunbathing on the beach, you can do it on South Padre Island. Winter hardly makes an appearance this far south in Texas, so you will be able to enjoy those outdoor activities-and some fine al fresco dining-all year round.

What, you didn't know that Australia did dreamy tropical islands? The Whitsundays are out of this world and are a perfect destination to see before or after a trip to the nearby Great Barrier Reef. While the namesake Whitsunday Island doesn't have hotels (you'll have to go next door to Hamilton Island) it is home to the most gorgeous beach and a day-trip here is destined to be the highlight of your visit.

When you've seen the brilliance of Bali, head across the water to Gili Islands, Indonesia's up-and-coming island destination. Gili Trawangan (or "Gili T" as it's commonly known) is the most bustling of the islands, but it's still home to plenty of chilled-out beaches and casual family-run restaurants.

If you want to see landscapes like nowhere else on the planet, come to Kauai. Here, colorful canyons plunge, graceful waterfalls drape over cliffs and the coast looks like it has been computer-generated.