8 Islands That Are Anything but Your Typical Island Getaway

— -- intro: Palm trees, sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters ... all requisites for an island, right? Well, sure, many an island has all of these features. But an island doesn't have to have that typical tropical vibe to be classified as an island. All it needs is a location smack-dab in the middle on a body of water. So today, we're bringing you a list of islands that are not your typical islands. You may have even been to these islands and not realized they were islands! The eight that make this list are far from the ordinary:

quicklist: 1title: 1. Ile Saint-Louis, Paristext: Paris is home to two natural islands in the Seine, the larger and more famous being Ile de la Cite. This is where visitors can find the Notre Dame, Sainte-Chapelle, and the Palais de Justice de Paris. But just to the east sits Ile Saint-Louis, a tiny island lacking even a metro stop. Here, locals and tourists amble along the Seine and enjoy amble quaint cafes. But this area is a bit quieter at night, so most venture off the island once they're ready to party.

Ile Saint-Louis Hotel Pick: Hotel Saint-Louis en l'Isle in Parismedia: 38433607

quicklist: 2title: 2. Isle of Wight, Englandtext: Tropical? Not so much. But Isle of Wight is most certainly an island (hence the name) with beaches that become popular once summertime arrives. In fact, this island -- the largest in England -- thrives thanks to a maritime industry focused on boat-building and sail-making. However, the main industry is tourism, and it has been since Queen Victoria built her beloved summer home here. Isle of Wight is also known for lively music festivals and great local breweries.

Isle of Wight Hotel Pick: Hotel Ryde Castle in Ryde media: 38433409

quicklist: 3title: 3. Palm Jumeirah, Dubaitext: Is it any surprise that Dubai is home to the largest man-made island in the world? After all, everything there is over-the-top. Eventually set to be part of a collection of Palm Islands, Palm Jumeirah is the only one fully completed thus far. This palm-tree-shaped island's construction began in 2001, and it first opened to residents and guests five years later. Today, it's home to luxury resorts, hotels, residences, restaurants, and shops.

Palm Jumeirah Hotel Pick: Fairmont The Palm, Dubai in Dubaimedia: 38433935

quicklist: 4title: 4. Okavango Delta Island, Botswanatext: Botswana's Okavango Delta is an area teeming with wildlife, and therefore a popular spot for safaris. It's also where the Moremi Game Reserve can be found on a small island, and numerous tours set up camp here before bringing "glampers" out on the waters to watch animals such as hippos, monkeys and more in their natural habitat.

Okavango Delta Island Hotel Pick: andBeyond Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp in Botswana media: 38434084