Why go? With no major international airport, this scenic chain of islands remains blissfully free of the mass tourism that has overwhelmed some parts of the Caribbean. Mustique, a favourite winter escape for the rich and the royal, attracts the most publicity but all eight principal islands have something to offer. In the north, St Vincent is a massive, piratical lump with black sand beaches dominated by an active volcano, La Soufrière, that rises to 4,048ft (1,234m) and can be climbed on a tough but rewarding hike. An hour’s ferry ride south, Bequia is a place to enjoy the authentic, unhurried Caribbean staying in small beach hotels or a breezy hilltop villa. Other smaller islands, such as Petit St Vincent and Peter Island, are home to single, upmarket resorts where you can abscond from the world, while Canouan, with a golf course, casino and five-star comforts is a more conventional affair. If you like sailing, the Grenadines are the classic place to charter a yacht and go island-hopping through paradise.
Best for Getting away from the crowds; sailing with friends; renting a villa in the unspoilt Caribbean.
Best avoided Tight flight connections. Things don’t always happen to schedule here, so don’t cut it too fine.
Need to know The local Sunset Strong Rum is a whopping 84.5% alcohol by volume, so take it easy…
TC Tip Flights here are via Barbados or Grenada, so you could also spend time on these islands.
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
