Réunion

Réunion is a dramatic volcanic island where one of the world's most active volcanoes, Piton de la Fournaise, still glows and erupts on the island's southeast side. The interior is carved into three vast cirques — natural amphitheaters ringed by cliffs and waterfalls — reachable by some of the best hiking trails in the Indian Ocean. Creole villages, spice-scented markets, and a mix of French, African, Indian, and Chinese heritage give the culture real depth. Few islands pack such a dramatic range of landscape into so small an area.