Island Fever

If your holiday travels include some sort of fantasy island, you may be heading to North Island Resort, an African luxury hot spot that has become easier to get to. 1,000 miles off the east coast of Africa, North Island is located in the exotic Seychelles, part of a scenic archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. Owned and operated by Wilderness Safaris, the resort is tiny and unobtrusive…and dubbed the most expensive resort in the world. The small granitic island claims some of the most beautiful beaches and scenery in the world and was developed as a private resort featuring a world-class diving center.

The unspoiled tropical haven has 11 opulent villas overlooking the pristine, powder-white sands and turquoise waters of the Ile Du Nord eco-reserve. Co-architect Silvio Rech describes the style as haute couture Robinson Crusoe, where materials were handcrafted from wood, local stone, glass and thatched roofs. Home to 100,000 giant Aldabra tortoises, Wilderness Safari cleared North Island of cats, rats, pigs, and half its vegetation, and restocked it with endangered plants and wildlife such as fruit bats, birds, and of course those tortoises. North Island offers an authentic home away from home ambiance, albeit a very expensive home. After all, this is where William and Kate honeymooned in 2011, and it’s rumored that the Clooney newlyweds snuck away here too. www.north-island.com