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About St. Barths Country Information St. Barthelemy is the Monte Carlo of the Caribbean, without the traffic jams but with the added advantage of flawless beaches. Shortened to Saint Barth in French – and St. Barts in English – it is an exclusive eight square mile (21 sq km) embodiment of 24-carat French chic. It attracts millionaires on luxury yachts, movie stars and French expatriates fleeing the European winter. There are superb hotels that focus on quality – few have more than 60 rooms. You’ll find them beach-side or set in tropical flower gardens on headlands with uninterrupted views of the ocean. St. Barths was a prosperous Swedity colony and Sweden’s only Caribbean possession for a century, until the islanders voted by 351 votes to one for the restoration of French rule. The Swedes left their mark in the place names – the capital is Gustavia – but the ambience and culture, from the baguettes to the bars, the language and the law, are French through and through. The island remains an overseas territory of France. The first European settlers came from Normany and Brittany – some of the traditional bonnets from northern France can still be seen in the villages – but in 1784 the island was leased by France to Sweden in exchange for trading access to the Baltic. If you’re looking for a Caribbean island where relaxation and Gallic style under a tropical sun have been refined to perfection, you’ve found it. Activities Most sports activities, equipment and services are ala carte. Since most of the hotels are small, plan on using service vendors for such things as scuba diving, sailing, etc. Shopping is expensive in Gustavia and world class yachts anchor in the harbor, so you'll think you really are on the French Riviera after you take a look at the millions at anchor. Some hotels have equipment for water sports such as sun fish sailing, windsurfing and snorkeling. Beaches Beaches of all shapes and sizes dot the coast of St. Barths. All have lovely white sand and different types of surf to suit everyone...from totally calm, without a ripple to the "washing machine" which, as you can tell from its name is knock you down, tumble you over and should not be attempted...and everything in between. Some are more active with restaurants and watersports but you can always find a secluded beach with so many to choose from. All the beaches are public and in the French way, some women go topless. Climate The climate is tropical maritime, which means that it rarely rains, and that year round temperatures range from 72° to 86° Fahrenheit. Cuisine Food, wine, entertainment and diversions are world class on St. Barths. The hotels have some of the best restaurants but great bistros and smaller places to eat are all over the island. Plan on world class prices, too! French and Creole are the main bill of fare and you won't go wrong. Events Annual celebrations include carnivals to mark saints’ days, the January festival of chamber, dance and jazz music, a Caribbean film festival and the Festival Gastronomique. Nightlife If you like staying up late, you'll be at home here. As in France, dinner doesn't even get going until 9PM and can be considered an evening's entertainment in itself. After that, if you want, you can visit several clubs for after dinner drinks and disco dancing...some into the wee hours. Or you can hang out with the crowd in the garden at Le Select in Gustavia. You could also take in a Parisian Cabaret or dance to some wild latin music. Shopping St. Barths is duty-free shopping at its best with a vast choice of shops from which to choose. Some you will recognize...Hermes, Gucci, Cartier...many will be new to you. The two main shopping areas are Gustavia and St. Jean. You will find an excellent selection of boutiques, some with the latest european fashions. You can also find fine Cuban cigars for sale as well as some fabulous humidors. Ligne St. Barths sells their line of beauty products which is manufactured on the premises. They are packaged beautifully and make spectacular gifts. The Shell Museum in Corossol has many interesting shells for sale and the local weavers of Corossol will sell you their traditional straw woven products which are hung on their porches for display. Transportation St. Barths is steep and hilly, with narrow roads, switchbacks and hairpin turns. There are stop signs, but no traffic lights. At intersections, the car to the right has the right of way. Small rental cars that fit the narrow, two-lane roads are available from Budget, Europcar, Island Car and Top Loc. Taxis are less frequently used, but available in Gustavia. Most cab drivers don't work at night, so if you need a ride back to the port, it's best to make arrangements in advance.
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