Faro di Capo Zafferano, Sicily, Italy

Not so rotten

On a clear day, this rough-hewn Irish harbor islet is quite a pleasant place, contrary to its unsavory label. Rotten Island's name isn't meant to be descriptive, though: It's an anglicized version of the name Naomh Rotain, a hermit who's said to have made his home here. His stay is likely a legend, but once the Rotten Island Lighthouse was built in 1838, up to 11 people lived here at a time to tend it. Over time, advancing technology meant fewer and fewer keepers were needed, and by 1959, keeping the beacon lit only required an occasional visit. Today the island is uninhabited and the lighthouse fully automated, a frequent sight on the many cruises that dock in nearby Donegal.