Would You Rather: The Falkland Islands vs. The Faroe Islands

When many people think about islands, they likely think about all-inclusive Caribbean islands like St. Lucia or glamorized Pacific paradises like Bali or Hawaii.

However, thanks to eons of undersea volcanoes and tectonic collisions, countless underrated island chains have literally popped up out of the blue around the globe.

In our case, those two underrated archipelagos are The Falkland Islands and the Faroe Islands. While they're polar opposites, globally speaking, these two forgotten islands are remarkably similar albeit totally unique.

The Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands are a charming wilderness destination in the South Atlantic near the southern tip of South America. The islands are often associated with burgeoning penguin and sea bird populations. However, these islands offer a plethora of serene outdoor activities for adventurers including hiking, bird watching, kayaking, fishing, sailing and more.

Per FalklandIslands.com:

The Falklands archipelago is teeming with wonders of nature and wildlife; an unpolluted environment with fantastically clear blue skies, seamless horizons, vast open spaces and stunning white sand beaches. The Islands are a natural paradise with tiny settlements nestling in many miles of open spaces, fascinating rivers of rock, seas of brilliant aqua greens and silvery blues.

Locals on the island — fewer than 3,000 people as of 2012 — are very accommodating to visitors, offering lodging and guest houses throughout scattered villages and settlements throughout the island. Visitors can enjoy home-cooked meals authentic to the area, such as locally-sourced mutton chops, eggs and Patagonian Sea Bass.

Visitors may also choose to enjoy "smoko," a Falklands' tradition. Smoko is a spread of home-baked cakes, cookies, and delicacies served with coffee or tea, which makes for a delightfully sweet treat.

So how 'bout it? Would you prefer to "rock hop" the Falkland Islands, or is the next island chain your preferred cup of tea?

The Faroe Islands

Like the Falkland Islands, the Faroe Islands are also a popular destination for adventure seekers. However, these 17 inhabited islands are located in the North Atlantic, perfectly nestled between the UK, Iceland and Norway, rather than the Falkland Islands territorial South Atlantic.

According to Lonely Planet:

The forgotten Faroes are just a short flight from the UK, yet they’re way off the standard traveller’s radar. Adrift in the frothing swells of the north Atlantic, this mysterious 18-piece jigsaw puzzle of islands is at once ancient and very modern. Multicoloured cottages and grass-roofed wooden churches add focus to the grandly stark, treeless moorlands.

Like the Falkland Islands, travelers can enjoying a wide array of outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, fishing, sailing and even birdwatching. However, while there aren't any penguins on the islands, the similarly tuxedoed puffin, among approximately 110 other bird species, commonly call the Faroe Islands home.

Unlike the Falkland Islands, the Faroe Islands boast a population of over 50,000 people as of 2017. However, according to their website, there are more sheep on the island than people — which may be why fermented lamb and sheep's head are common delicacies on the island.

Which destination would you rather travel to? Tell us in the comments below and feel free to suggest more travel match-ups for us to feature!