Lakes of Vinkeveen Island Auction

Private islands. Usually you think, Richard Branson, Necker Island — astronomically expensive.

Well, here’s the thing: Necker Island wasn’t all that expensive. He famously bought it for around $180,000 — several years after a low-ball offer of $100,000, and a fraction of the $6 million asking price. Sometimes, thrift wins.

So basically: Buy the island. Build your empire upon. But which island? We’ve got an idea.

Coming up for auction: 44 islands in the Dutch Lakes of Vinkeveen, just 12 miles south of Amsterdam. Previous prices for similar islands came out around $10,000.

These are, to be sure, small islands. Think … sand bars. With trees. And it’s possible they’re sinking: “By selling them we hope this unique landscape will still be here in 30 years’ time,” an alderman told a local paper. Better build that empire quick. (Also, no permanent buildings on the islands.)

But even if you hang a hammock for a couple, summery months a year for the next 15, it’s a bargain.

Meet your guide

Diane Rommel

Diane Rommel has written for The Wall Street Journal, Outside, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, Wallpaper and Afar, as well as The Cut, Buzzfeed, Huffington Post and McSweeney’s. She once drove from London to Mongolia, via Siberia.