The tiny island of St. Barthelemy (known as St. Barts) offers plenty to do – such as snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, sailing and fishing – but most savvy vacationers visit to get away from it all by holing up in villas hidden in the hills. You can find a beachfront room, but seasoned travellers know the best buys are high above the water where the views are spectacular.

Most of the residents are French-speaking descendants of the first Norman and Breton settlers, so French is the official language, though just about everyone can converse in English.  Gustavia is the main town, with a harbour full of impressive yachts and fabulous duty-free shopping for French and Italian goods.  Most of the island’s 100 restaurants are here, and French cuisine is on par with some of the world’s best dining. Seafood is tops, from tuna and spiny lobster to fish soup and salt cod fritters, prepared with imported ingredients that arrive twice a week from the United States and France.

Every year, St. Barts hosts the Festival de Musique, attracting top international performers in January and February, and an April film festival specialising in Caribbean cinema.  It’s a place with plenty to do, but many visitors do little more than eat, sleep and play. The small island has more than a dozen beaches. You can choose from the secluded Anse a Colombier, reached via hike on a steep trail unless you go by boat, or the easy-access Baie de St. Jean.  All the beaches are public and free.

AIRPORT:  The Aéroport de St. Jean is the only airport to serve the island of St. Barths.  The airport has a short landing strip that can handle nothing larger than 20-seat STOL aircraft and is not equipt for night landing.  

There are no direct flights from the UK, however Air France and KLM fly via Paris to St Maarten, where there are connecting flights to Gustave III Airport (SBH).  Private charter flights can also be arranged from many other islands and there is a frequent ferry service from St Martin/St Maarten.

CLIMATE:  A dry climate with an average temperature of 72 to 86 degrees F.

DINING:   Restaurants available-French and Creole. Asian and Italian also available.

LANGUAGE:  French is the official language, however English is spoken. 
 
NIGHTLIFE:   Entertainment available includes: Wine Bars. Live jazz (high season). Nightclubs.

SIGHTSEEING:  The Musee Municipal de St. Barthelemy in Gustavia showcases the island’s history through photographs, documents, costumes, and antiques. Inter-oceans Museum in Corossol has a collection of 7,000 seashells.  Mountainous vicinity of Vitet, with stone-fenced farms and tile-roofed houses.  

FIND OUT MORE: Please visit www.comstbarth.fr