Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
St. Barts
W
hether the two of you call it St. Barts, St. Barth, or St.
Barthélemy, you'll find this charming island to be trés chic. At
just nine square miles, this isle packs a lot of punch in the world
of the glitterati, perhaps more than any other Caribbean desti-
nation. Especially during the peak winter months, don't be sur-
prised to see celebrities wandering the streets of Gustavia,
enjoying a glass of fine French wine in an open-air restaurant,
or puttering around the island in a little vehicle called a Mini-
Moke.
Without a doubt, St. Barts attracts high-end travelers, and its
prices reflect this crowd. Prices are some of the highest in the
Caribbean in terms of accommodations, dining, and transporta-
tion. A look at the merchandise of the little shops in the capital
city of Gustavia will also confirm this island's typical price tags.
But St. Barts does have a somewhat different package to offer.
Much more so than French St. Martin, this island is rich with
the spirit of French élan. While you'll find that most shopkeep-
ers, taxi drivers, and restaurateurs speak English and the
American dollar is welcomed most places, this is definitely an
outpost of France. Enjoy a taste of Europe with a hearty dash of
Caribbean sunshine.
St. Bart visitors fall into two categories: day-trippers and over-
nighters. Day-trippers arrive, by prop plane or by boat from St.
Martin to enjoy a morning and afternoon of shopping, touring,
and lunch at one of the many French eateries. Overnighters are
typically well-heeled, eager for the exclusive getaway that this
island can provide.
St. Barts is shaped somewhat like a boomerang, with the two
points facing northward. The capital city of
Gustavia
is located
on the southwestern side of the island and boasts one of the
prettiest harbors in the Caribbean. The U-shaped harbor is dot-
ted with yachts whose white sails yield a stark contrast to the
green hills punctuated by traditional red roofs around the town.
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