island

Having your very own country seems like a rather unattainable goal for most of us - especially if you want the country to be somewhere habitable and not at, for example, the South Pole. If you have some spare cash on hand however, you dream of having a country could be only a phone call away. The Principality of Sealand, a "self-proclaimed mini-state" off of Essex, became a state in 1967 when the British government ruled that because it was three miles off the coast, it "was outside government control."

Due to the fact that the "island" is manmade, it is no tropical getaway. It measures only 550 sq m (5,920 sq ft) and is primarily made of steel. Sealand was built on what was once an artillery platform in World War II and boasts its own constitution, flag, coat of arms, stamps, passports and currency (one Sealand dollar is equal to one US dollar).

Initial reports listed the price as $126 million.

When you're in the market for a private island, there is more to consider than just location. The expense and availability of transportation, supplies and housing all can impact where you ultimate decide to go. But with what might just we the world's smallest private island, you can bring the island to you. In fact, you can put it in your yard or even your office. The island is equipped with two realistic, 2-meter high palm trees, and is just the right size for a double hammock (included). It can withstand all weather conditions, though you might want to secure it during hurricane season if the storms impact your area. The trees have an integrated misting mechanism concealed amongst the coconuts that will help to keep you cool on hot days, too. The only downside is, of course, that a private beach is not included. Price: $8,280.

Unlike most sofas, the Baia Island Sofa is meant to be placed in the center of a room, rather than up against a wall. It was designed by Milan-based Jacob Pringiers, and its unique shape allows people to site comfortably on all sides, facing any direction; it is far more versatile than the average couch. It comes in five rich colors, including red (pictured), orange, lime green cream and black. The upholstery is polyurethane and it comes with a removable eco-leather cover. The only downside of the sofa is that, even though it seats six, the six cannot necessarily easily converse with one another - but since this is true of most linear couch designs, it is not a problem that cannot be overcome. Price: $2,655

Ilha do Ouriço, off the coast of Brazil, is one of the more than 300 islands that are part of the Angra Dos Reis archipelago. What sets it apart from the other islands is that it has one of the top beaches in the world and is available to rent. The island has only 5 bungalows and a capacity for 10 people. The elevated, free-standing living room features many comfortable couches, a large dining table that sits at the water's edge and a glass floor that lets you peer into the water. The island is $30,000 per week. Is there any better way to get away for the summer than to go to a private island?

More pictures after the jump.

Conde Nast Traveler has a brilliant piece this month for those who love to - or want to - island hop. As they point out, at any given moment, some island, somewhere in the world, is at its peak. The trick to having a great island experience is knowing when it is and getting there at that time. To facilitate this, the article lists 72 gorgeous islands and, sorting by month, identifies the best times to hit their shores based on criteria that include weather, water conditions and local festivals, in addition to gorgeous wildlife and scenery. There are too many to list them all here, so do check out the full list, but these are our favorites for each month:

• January: Cebu, Philippines; Djenné, Mali
• February: Langkawi, Malaysia
• March: Benguerra, Mozambique; the Maldives
• April: Corfu, Greece; Fiji
• May: Java, Indonesia; Mauritius
• June: Capri; Galápagos, Ecuador
• July: Bornholm, Denmark
• August: Île Sainte Marie, Madagascar
• September: Cook Islands
• October: Cristalino Island, Brazil; Seychelles
• November: Big Island of Hawaii; Gozo, Malta
• December: Cyprus; Phuket, Thailand

The Fuego Outdoor Kitchen Island is a grill, but it is so much more. Streamlined and angular, the look of the stainless-steel clad island is unusual for outdoor use, but its abilities make it even more unusual.

It features a cast iron grill surface, which can be covered with the unit's retractable lid,  with a changeable burner system that can switch between infrared, gas and charcoal fuels with ease; all of the needed connections snap into place automatically when the burner is changed. This means that you can cook a smoky, char-blackened steak on day and a quickly grilled fish with the lo-maintenance infrared burners the next. An electronic control panel allows you to regulate temperature with far more control than an ordinary grill.

The countertops on with side of the grill are hard teak, providing a stylish look and ample prep space. Both counters also conceal drawers that are a great place to keep extra knives and cooking utensils. The side of the unit opens to reveal a sliding storage drawer, which is ideal for holding bulky items. It also has a slot accessory system, so additional shelves can be added at any time, in any configuration.

The model pictured here is the "Fuego 01," but a smaller, gas-only "Fuego 02" will be available, as well, when they hit the North American market in October 2006.

[Thanks, Josh]

Tribewanted.com is a new concept in timeshare vacations that combines the traditional location-sharing arrangements with a tropical island. The catch is that all participants in the "tribe" are responsible for overseeing the eco-friendly development of a Pacific Island. Essentially, it's a real life variation on Survivor, with teamwork, construction and a tropical island, but without the contests and voting, though there will be a documentary crew on site taking weekly videos of the people and the project.

For $220 to $660, you can join for 1-3 years and visit the island, near Fiji,  for 1-3 weeks (airfare is not included). During your visit, you will be filmed while you participate in the development of a sustainable village community. Broadcasts will be put on the Tribewanted website for other participants to view. The fact that members must work together in the building process and the development process - from selecting island locations to which buildings will have solar panels - is where the "tribe" concept comes from. There will be a local tribal chief overseeing the project.