Yes, it’s Madagascar’s number one beach destination, but Nosy Be and its surrounding islands remain paradise in the buff. Luxury doesn’t always mean electricity or even a good mattress here, but it’s this exact lack of modern fluff that makes it so appealing in the first place — Nosy Be is refreshingly void of bling. And although Nosy Be’s beaches and resorts don’t look as fantasy-fulfilling as some in the Caribbean or Polynesia, they win major points for tranquility, sparkling clear turquoise water, and quaint al fresco restaurants serving seafood feasts on the sand. Plus, the air here is scented with ylang-ylang and vanilla with a pace of life that’s as slow and drawn-out as the island’s killer sunsets.

Click here to find out the best way to spend 48 hours in Nosy Be.