Adamstown, capital city of Pitcairn

Adamstown is the capital city of Pitcairn

If your idea of a perfect vacation is truly “getting away from it all,” there is probably no destination on Earth better than Adamstown. The city is the capital of the Pitcairn Islands, a handful of volcanic islands in the most remote area of the South Pacific. The entire country's population in 2011 was just 67, and they all live on the main island. Less of a city and more of a settlement, Adamstown is a scattered village on the eponymous isle.

Each of the islands has a distinct landscape. Pitcairn Island is distinctly volcanic. It steeply juts out of the South Pacific with a high point of 337 meters. The island is only 47 square kilometers in area, making the shoreline practically a stone's throw from any point. Its landscape yields very few beaches and harbors, and Bounty Bay is hardly deserving of its title. The small sea-level landing area is only big enough for boats lacking keels. The other islands that make up the country are more than 100 kilometers from the coast of the main isle.

The ruggedness and isolation of the country's geography make Adamstown a difficult place to visit, but it is worth the effort if you desire a remote getaway. The irregularity of transport to and from the island means that visitors may have to stay for weeks or even months, and all travelers are required to obtain a license from the governor before arrival. Due to the lack of medical care on the islands, visitors must prove good health to receive a license.

The best way to explore the settlement is on foot or in an all-terrain vehicle. The dirt trails that crisscross the island are typically very rugged. There is only one short paved road on the entire island, and it was just constructed in 2005.

Bounty Bay is home to the remains of the Bounty, a ship burned and sunk by mutineers. Divers have picked over the remains over the years, but dives at the site are still worth it to see what is left of the vessel.

The ship's anchor is on display in the town square in front of the Public Hall, and artifacts from the Bounty are showcased at the settlement's small museum. One of the vessel's four cannons will soon be displayed at the museum, but for now, the collection only includes Bibles rescued from the ship, issues of National Geographic that focus on the islands and old stamps.

The abundance of natural wonders makes up for the lack of cultural offerings on Pitcairn Island. The sandy beaches at Down Rope are some of the only places to swim in the country, and ancient Polynesian petroglyphs can be seen on the nearby cliffs. A sea-level cave at Gudgeon hides a sandy beach carved by the waves, but the rough waters make the area dangerous for swimmers.

There are five restaurants and cafes in Adamstown, and the local cuisine is based heavily on seafood. Local favorites include deep-fried bluefish, tuna, grouper, red snapper and wahoo. Until 1991, alcohol was prohibited on the island, but visitors can now indulge in a drink or two at the settlement's single bar.