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National Geographic names Nantucket the best island in the world

Posted by Eric Wilbur, Boston.com Staff  May 16, 2012 07:43 AM
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What does National Geographic consider the best island in the world? Tahiti? Capri, Italy? Lord Howe Island, Australia?

Nope. According to its recent book, "The 10 Best of Everything," it's actually Nantucket, which takes the coveted spot in the ten best islands category. 

Nantucket?

No disrespect to the Massachusetts hotspot, but it seems a bit of an odd choice on a list that doesn't even include Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, or the Bahamas. Travel writer Leslie Thomas came up with the list for National Geographic and had the following to say about Nantucket:

Nantucket was once one of the richest places in America, built on the profits of the whale oil industry. Even today in the delectable old town there are fine brick houses with silver mailboxes. Old-time sailors used to call Nantucket "The Little Grey Lady of the Sea." On the misty morning I first arrived there, I could understand why. A woman was riding a horse along the beach to the utter delight of her family aboard my ferry, and she bore a banner that said "Crazy Aunt Rides Again." It is a unique place."
You can see more of the excerpts here, as well as other categories which include golf course, wines, and steak houses. 
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